Near death experiences

It was a short break and when i returned to our practice room, they were chatting about near death experiences. I had actually thought about this before - and thought about blogging about it. altho, i really do not have that many experiences to talk about. Only 3:-

1. In the interiors of Sabah

After my first climb up Mount Kinabalu, we decided to visit some of the churches in the interior of Sabah. We all packed into a van and a local drove us. Soon, we were away from the towns and tarred roads. Our journey took us on a narrow rocky steep road. On the right was the cliff wall face. On the left was a sheer drop - to what i guess would have been certain death.

I wasn't really paying much attention - just enjoying the bumpy ride and wonderful scenery outside. Our van stalled. The driver tried to restart it but after a few times, it just wouldn't sputter to life. The problem is that the hand brake was not functioning.

After a while, as the engibe was dead, the brake gave way. We were then rolling backwards down the very steep narrow rocky road!!! I still did not know the danger i was in until i saw the look of terror on the driver's face as he turned back to navigate - and the look of urgency on me mates' faces.

The next i knew, i was thrown backwards and landed among our luggage and stuffs. We crashed into the wall face on the right. if we had rolled off on the left... Well, no Holly's Lists, that's for sure!

Our driver saved our lives by making sure the van will not roll off the road - and by crashing it to the wall face on the right. Unfortunately, we never had the chance to thank him. He was so embarrassed about the whole incident and he felt really bad about it. It was after all, the church van he was driving - it was his responsibility and he crashed it.

The experience did not end there tho. The locals soon saw us and it wasn't long before a 'rescue' party came to help us. They put us up for the night and made sure our needs were taken care off. Once help arrived, our driver ran away quietly. We did tell our fren who was a full time worker to pass our gratitude to him.

2. The main road dividing USJ 2 and 3

I was driving pass the road when i saw a cat stuck in the middle of the road!!!! Sure to be made into roadkill! being the cat lover i am, i stopped the car by the side of the road and ran towards it to save it. As i ran onto the road towards it, it saw me - and guess wat? It got scared and started running away from me!!!!

I couldn't bear the thought of it beign run over thanks to me!!! So i just kept me eyes on it and ran towards it!!!!! I could feel the cars flying pass by in front and behind me. I hear the honks. I only had eyes on the stupid cat!!!!

Eventually, it reached the other side safely. And so did i! Mission accomplished. Cat saved! I had something to blog about!

3. Outside Picadally Circus tube station on New Year's Day!

If you thought that it was crazy that i almost died because of a cat, this incident takes the cake!!! As i stood there, feeling the crush and thinking that i'll be just a statistic and a New Year revelry casualty, i thought of how i got meself into that situation - i wanted to get a plate of duck rice!!!! To die for a plate of duck rice!!!! but mind you, it's a really nice big plate!

It was after the New Year countdown near the London Eye. I walked really really far away just to get to Southwark tube station as all the tube stations nearby were jammed packed.

It was freezing cold and i had been standing for a really really long time. I suddenly felt hungry and the thought of a nice huge plate of roast duck on steaming hot rice overtook my senses. Without thinking much, i jumped into the train which was heading back to the city centre instead of taking me home away from it!!!!

I got off at Leicester Square and made me way to Chinatown. But the queues outside the restaurants were all so long!!!

Back to Leicester Square - but wait a minute. I just came from there and the line to get into the station was pretty long too. So i made me way to Picadaly Circus Station. The queue was just as bad but i din care. I was cold, hungry and tired and if it means i had to line up for an hour just to get home, i would.

The coppers were there to ensure people entered the station orderly. They din do a good job. They allowed commuters in batch by batch. And the drunk revellers were not in a mood to queue up politely. They were pushing and shoving - and i was caught in it!!!

Images of the football fans being crushed at Hillsborough came to mind!!! Well, at least if i had to die, it'd happen in Central London! :-)

But i survived - and went back to have instant noodles instead. Happy New Year! :-)

"Don't"s during road runs

I got a little unhappy at these 2 girls during the run today. They were walking a lot - but so was i. The thing is that they had to walk on the far right of the running path!!!! Yes, i'm talking about runners F3 and F7 (hope they stumble on this and read this).

Even when the later racers came sprinting pass us, these 2 kept on the right side, walking. the runners had to avoid them.

So as i was on the race, i decided to mentally draft this blog post!!!

1. Don't walk/run slowly on the right side of the running path! Do keep to the left side!

2. Don't stand at the refreshment table and slowly sip yr drink there - there are people behind coming up behind you who wanna grab a cup and move on. Do take yr drink and move quickly away to the side to sip it if you want to!

3. Don't be dressed wrongly!!! Altho i do have fun seeing the funny things people wear. Some wear flowery shorts, some wear shorts which extend to below their knees, and a lot of people wear a cotton t-shirt under their running vests!!!! That so defeats the purpose of the running vest!!!! The running vest is designed to help absorb the sweat and dissipate it quickly!!!

4. Don't make any kind of body contact with other runners. I hate it when someone's sweaty arm rubs against my equally sweaty arm! Ugh.

5. Don't push and shove when going for the drinks after the race. People would not queue up and force their way. At the Ipoh run, i got so mad that i told off a few young boys and told them to go queue up. they immediately queued up - directly behind me!!! Today, an uncle directly behind me was scolding some people for not queuing up. As we approach the drinks table, he forced his way pass me to grab the drinks. Such a hypocrite!