Zumba-ed Up!

Today marks the last day of my really short membership at Celebrity Fitness.  Naturally I should be sad, but that's not what happening.  OK, I feel a little sad, but not as much as not being able to concentrate on anything else.  Why?

I joined Zumbathon last night!  It was a two-hour session of Zumba, led by three of the most popular instructors at the club - Sunny, Elva and Myke.  It's supposed to start at 6.40 pm, but I got at the club around 5.15 considering I'm not familiar with the area.  That, and the fact that I was so excited about it!  Don't believe me?  I actually took 2 days leave for this event - yesterday so I can get to the club in time (or earlier), and today in case I got really tired from the 2-hour workout.

I went to look around the mall, considering I had over an hour to spare, planning to get back about half an hour before class starts.  I was glad I shortened my trip, because when I got back I saw the waiting area outside the studio was already packed!  I was a bit worried in case there was no space to stand once the class starts.  And being mildly claustrophobic.... well....

Despite the worries, I joined the class still and am glad I did.  That was officially the 'funnest' class I've ever been to.  Period.  (Although towards the end of class, I half-cursed the instructor for raising her arm - I could hardly moved my arms, it was impossible to raise them!)

I have so many details I can put in here, but everything seems to want to come out at once!  Haha.  Where should I start... let's see.... The class was conducted with 'Hawaiian' theme, and everyone was supposed to dress up.  My friends laughed and smirked when I mentioned about getting something Hawaiian to wear, so I decided to get a flower hair clip - simple, but still bears the Hawaiian trademark.  There were a bunch of people who actually dressed up a la Hawaii - can you imagine how they danced and jumped about with all the adornment?  I couldn't at the start of class, and didn't intend to - I mean, I could just watch them so why waste my grey cells' capacity?  I half-suspected they were going to giveaway prizes for the best dressed participants, and I was right - never got what the gifts were, though. 

The room was SO crowded that I had to change spot a few times - because someone was always hitting me.  Really, THEY did it.  (Points fingers all over the place, haha)  Halfway through class, I finished one whole litre of water I brought in with me, and my extra-tiny-and-skinny face towel was already wet.  I went to have a  drink outside, almost bumped into one of the instructors (because we were both navigating through the dancing crowd), almost slipped and almost got hit by the crowd when they did a moving turn - now, this part was really scary!  Then saw an area wide open, rushed there only to find the floor was soaked with sweat - YUCK!

The second half was a little hazy, since I was already tired (and I bet everyone else were too!).  Not a single inch of my clothes is dry, but I was fine.  So much more comfortable to wear wet clothes than damp ones, or worse, those that are dry in some places and wet in others - you got me, right?

My friend pointed out when we finished 1.5 hours of class and I was quite surprised - I was having so much fun, and I wanted more!  Hahahahahah.  But by the time we cooled down, I couldn't even lift my arms.  I almost swore at the instructor for making us raise our hands, and for other things -- I was really, really out of breath!

Had a quick shower after class, and went for dinner cum supper with my bestie.  I forgot where we went (proof I was really tired, right?) but I remember it was one of the stalls by the roadside.  I got to watch the people walking pass us, and watch the stars - something I haven't done in years!

Last night was really gusto! -- delightful (dancing), adventurous (avoiding people's 'fly-away' hands), tasteful (that was a great aglio olio I had) and contented (watching the stars and imagining myself in a foreign land -- okay, this one's a bit OTT, but who cares!).


Today, I'm up early to join Belly Dance and Latin Mix (both by Stefan), and any other classes that I can join - gonna make full use of my last day!

Shriek!

I was driving along a highway in Sunway area this morning (as every morning since last week...), singing at the top of my lungs to whatever songs playing on the radio.  Sure enough, the Sunway Pyramid landmark - the lion head, was in view.  Coincidentally, the 'Desert Rose' was on and I felt a little 'Egyptian' - started to image myself in the desert, with camels and people in ancient Egyptian attires surrounding me.

That happened in the short few seconds during the drive until I saw a clump of what looked like soil (sand?) on the road.  My mind, that was already as far away as being in ancient Egypt, immediately thought:

"OMG, the lion head's crumbling down!".

Yeah, I know it's silly, but that's the first thing that came to mind.  Luckily the lion head was still in view, I got a quick look at it, confirmed it was fine and felt relieved.  That was when I remembered that the statue is made of mortar (or something like that) and I was in Malaysia, driving to work!  So I laughed as hard as I could, all the way to office.  ROFL!

My gosh, that poor statue, imagine if the face is really falling off!

Return to Innocence

I haven't heard this song for ages. The radioo played it a while ago, and somehow something struck me. No, actually I don't know what that was - just pain in my chest, tears running snd I sobbed hard. Had to pull over.

Could be the lyrics, or just that urge during that time of month...


Enigma's Return To Innocence

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion

Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry

Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny
Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and use the chance
To return to innocence

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Don't care what people say
Follow just your own way
Follow just your own way
Don't give up, don't give up
To return, to return to innocence.

If you want then laugh
If you must then cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny.

I went to jail!

Been craving for A&W's wffle with ice-cream for a few days, so when my boss asked me to rep her to a meeting in PJ, I decided to drop by the A&W restaurant near AMCorp Mall.  Just as I was about to enter the 'No Entry' road, I noticed a policeman nearby.  So I hesitantly drove away from the junction wondering which junction should I take to get into the A&W road.

After a few minutes of really slow drive (and many honks by other drivers), I saw the AMCorp Mall on my left.  Turned into that corner, drove excitedly and noticed that the road was a dead end.  Decided to enter the building nearest to the dead end, gestured a circle to the guards and drove to what I thought was a roundabout.  Found out immediately, that I was entering the indoor parking.  Wait, wait, before I entered the carpark, I saw 3 policemen dragging men with handcuffs - two in red suit, one in white.  Hoho, I saw real prisoners!  And they were looking at me with angry faces - probably because I was staring at them.  I mean, who wouldn't?  I just wanted to make a U-turn; the last thing I could think of was seeing people in prison clothes walking in handcuffs.

So, ok, back to the part where I entered the parking - it was really sunyi sepi (suspiciously quiet).  Drove a bit further, hoping to find an exit, but a policewoman came up to my car and asked "How are you, Miss?".  I found it odd, she asking me that - people would often ask "How may I help you?" or something of that kind, right?  So I asked which way is out.  She said I have to turn back, as there's only one way on and out of that area.  Ooookaaayyyyyy... that place is already narrow as it is, imagine having two huge police trucks in there.  I took sometime to turn my car around, with the policewoman observing me with suspicious look.  When I finally made my move out, I noticed a policeman standing behind a row of thick grill bars.  I felt a chill up my spine when I saw his fingers on his gun holster, as if ready to take it out and shoot me.  So I held my breath, struggled to keep calm and drove out.

I just went around the building when I saw the gate was locked with HUGE padlocks.  Let me repeat, HUGE padlocks.  With s'es.  Like HUGE PADLOCK #1, HUGE PADLOCK #2, HUGE PADLOCK #3.... Aiyo, I thought I was gonna get locked up in there!  Stopped at the guard post (which I drove past earlier - so sombong-ly) and asked the guard to open the gate.  I was glad to find the guard was a friendly guy.  He asked me where I was heading, and laughed out loud when I told him "A&W".

He said:  Miss, you took the wrong road.  It should be the other one (and pointed to the narrow lane down that hill).  This building is the Courthouse, and you just drove straight into the prison!  HAHAHAHAHAHA!  But it's okay, you'll have something to share now - you can tell everyone you've gone into prison, but you have to rap sheet.

Then he opened the gate, laughing still.  I laughed along, despite this nagging feeling in my gut.  And no, it's not the hunger.  The feeling only stopped once I was out of the compound.  And I drove off, never feeling more relief in my entire life!

And he was right - I have something worth sharing with the world now.  And I'm writing it down.  So people, the next time you want to U-turn inside a building complex, stop to ask the guard which way you should take.  Unless you want to end up driving yourself into jail...

http://www.sincefriends.net/v3/images/stories/images/jail_guy_cartoon-749696.jpg

Can you hear that?

I came out of the elevator to find a lady at the corridor, checking at every door she walks past. I thought she was lost, so I came up to her and offered help. As she turned, I noticed her disshelved hair and clothes. Her face was red - anxious to get the right unit, perhaps? I'd be nervous if I was lost at this prison-like corridor, especially at this hour.

It took her a moment to say something and I have to admit I was taken aback by her question - "Do you hear that?"

I heard car engines alright, but I was pretty sure she meant something else. So, keeping a quizzical look on my face, I didn't reply.

"That loud music, don't know which unit it came from. I can't sleep!"

Oookaaaayyyyy... There was tension in her voice and she was beginning to look angry. But that made me even more confused - there was not a single sound except for the vehicles, and our voices. I don't mean to be cruel or judgemental but to be honest, the story of "A Beautiful Mind" popped up in my head. Is that, urmmm...?

At that instance I felt pitiful for her. I'd like to stay and join her 'quest'. Maybe I can later pretend like I've found the culprit, and they agree to turn the music off. Then maybe she can go back to sleep.

But my rational mind told me to stay off her radar. Who knows what might happen? And besides, what if I'm the one who's delusional - of her hearing thing in her head? So despite my first instinct, I just shrugged and told her, "They do that sometimes". I won't forget the look on her face as she heard this. Feeling of regret crept into my heart, I felt bad not helping her.

At that moment I heard a man's voice saying he's talked to the people and they promised to turn off the music if she goes home. The lady replied in a much softer tone and went towards him. He gave her a kiss on her head, held her close and they both waited for the elevator to come. She smiled at me briefly and then watched him affectionately. I walked away towards my place, leaving them alone.

This incident only happened minutes ago but I'm pretty certain it's gonna stick in my mind for a very long time. I don't know what I'm feeling but my heart feels like it's swelling. All I know is I'm grateful to witness that moment - what I call "love and affection in the midst of chaos".