leg Performance

Here's an entry about three weeks overdue:

I'm sitting in my room, trying endlessly to connect to the internet via the wireless StreamyxZone wi-fi hotspot available to my hostel block. Every time I enter my username and password, the page just redirects back to the login page again. An annoyance that I hate because that's the only way for me to download stuff I like or watch YouTube videos.

I look outside, and the skies are a little dark. It's evening and there's not too much to do today. What should I do? It's a free evening and I've no internet to feast on. I don't have computer games and I don't really feel like watching the tv series I've be rerunning on my laptop countless times, at least not now.

I look again, and I just get out of my chair, put on my shoes and get out of my hostel block. Without hesitation, I walk past every hostel block and make my way down a long pathway. I don't turn back, because if I do, I've just wasted ten long minutes of walking time. I reach the starting point, and I'm off.

I hadn't jogged around the UTP field for probably a good two months or so. Ever since I got myself involved in Euphonious, my nights were all taken up and that really cut the momentum of my inclination to exercise. I decided to take three laps around the field and time myself. The last time I did that, I rememberd that I'd taken 17 minutes to complete the three rounds. After my last round around the field, I clicked the stop button on my hand phone's stopwatch.

22 minutes

22 - 17 = 5

Wow, I recorded a time five whole minutes slower than I was previously! Doesn't feel good. I haven't jogged since then, but I hope the next time I do, it'll be closer to the 17 minute mark than the 20.

feet Balance

Like a lot of people, I have an interest in footwear, branded footwear I suppose. The reason for that is I've finally agreed that certain branded footwear are definitely quite long lasting and justify their prices to a certain extent.

Although I don't agree with the prices for Crocs, I'm willing to dish out a couple hundred dollars for a pair of kicks that'll last me a few years at least. Still, you won't find me putting RM 500 forth for a pair of exclusive sneakers. Although I'm agreeable to buying shoes priced at RM 250 sometimes, it still hurts to think about the money being emptied from my wallet. This explains the phenomenon of me liking to look at shoes all the time but hardly ever buying them.

However, I was browsing through Kicks On Fire and I came across something that looked quite comfortable and looked a whole lot better than Crocs, at least in my opinion. It seems New Balance has come up with these:

New Balance has named it the MR 62 Sports Clog. True, to some extent the word clog does relate although you'd think the word clog doesn't really make for a cool name.

It comes in a few colour variations. As with most fashion wear, the company usually makes something that's a safe bet with consumers. If you're on the same wavelength as me, you'll know I'm talking about the black and white version of the MR 62.

The only place online that I could find a price for this was on a Japanese online store, and converted into Malaysian currency, a pair could cost as much as RM 240! That's a hefty price tag, and unfortunately one I wouldn't be willing to justify.

Still, they really do look some cozy kicks and I'd definitely wear them around for short distance walking. I haven't worn one before so I wouldn't know if its really comfortable or not, but it sure looks like it is! Anyone who's had a go at it, let me know! This is one thing that would certainly make it onto my wishlist if I had one.

bearing Word Pains

Let me start with a quote from the bible. This isn't a religious blog entry, but it really does give a feel and an understanding as to what I'm about to express here.

Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Quite clearly, words have an impact on people. I'm sure we've all heard the sayings like these:

"The pen is mightier than the sword."

"Words make or break a person."

Recently, I heard something that was a little upsetting; a tiny rumor that involves me. I would've never known about it unless a friend told me. When I heard it from him, it did stab at my heart a little, because it was a comment made by someone that I respected in general. That person didn't say something malicious to be exact, but it just hurt to hear it. Still though, how true it was I didn't know, but the thought of it definitely made for an uneasy moment.

There was a recent incident as well, when I was talking to a couple of friends. Somewhere along the conversation, my status as a Bumiputera was brought up. There and then, I had to listen to sentences that basically labelled me as a freeloader of government perks, a person with an unfair advantage over my friends in almost everything. It didn't help that they said it in a way that portrayed them as cheated an myself as undeserving.

This is the second time I've faced this sort of thing. The first time was when a friend said, "Oh so that's why you could get the scholarship la," referring to me being in UTP under the PETRONAS sponsorship. I even remember blogging a little about it, one of my first few entries on this blog (here). It's funny to think that on both occasions, both people that said these things came from the same place. What could I say, am I cursed with a label because I am born of a native race? I did feel hurt, but I didn't want to argue. It would've been futile, not to mention fruitless.

Lately, as well, I've been watching a few Korean variety shows. My interest in some of these people on the shows led me to search about them online. It is incredible, the kind of slander some of these people get. They're not Hollywood stars, but their online treatment in certain places are no better than the paparazzi who are bloodthirsty for some dirt. I do sympathise for celebrities in that respect, regardless if they're nice people or not.

Common knowledge says that the best way to deal with this sort of situation is simply to let it go in one ear and out the other. Ignore the comments that people make about you because you know who you are. Well, I guess many celebrities are numb to this sort of thing. They're so used to it they know how to filter the trash talk out. Still, they are just as human as I am. At some point, they must feel the hurt directed to them from people who seem to love to point out human error like it's the debut of a scientific phenomenon.

Still, there's not much that we can do other than to live our lives respectably, that will clearly display who we are and vindicate ourselves.

What I really want to say though, is be mindful of the things you say, be it to your friends, family, even your enemies. Sometimes, you really have no idea how you may hurt a person (reminder to myself too). Even if you have to criticise someone, take the effort to be sensitive and be caring about it, instead of being demeaning. Encourage people with your words, because it does go a long way in helping a person to grow in strength.