24 Sept 2006 - Sunday

Woke up at 5am for a 12k run at 7am with Molly, Chris & Bambi. I was complaining that I always suffer from bodyaches after running the next day, & Tekko showed me a new pose of stretching. I almost fainted when the "bai kar" started twisting & turning his body with a lamp post!

Within the 1st 2k, i needed to go to the toilet....Bambi was running really leisurely (aka slowly) while waiting for me; Molly & Chris sped on. Saw some SG people on our way back....Dream thought we were doing ninja training. Actually that's not far from the truth. I heartily regretted signing up for the year end 21k. Better start bucking up now...completed my 1st 12k run in 1hr 34mins? I think that's the timing Tekko mentioned....The 1st 5k was really tough. I kept thinking that I'm hungry, I wanna go toilet, I wanna sleep etc. After I slogged through the 1st 5k, it was kind of "cruising along"...until we did the return run for the last 3k. I started feeling a constant pull at my ankles, was very thirsty & the worst thing was that I smelt people bbq-ing early in the morning.

Took a quick rinse, & went for Kiesan's memorial service @ St Ignitius Church. Went to a peranakan place for makan with GC & wife & Kiesan's wife E. Went back to E's place for coffee and more makan. I didn't stop eating from 11am to 6pm, & I met my dad for dinner @7.

I think I will go for the dance class with Chris & Bambi this Fri to burn all the extra calories....I hope I don't traumatise anyone with my dancing....

US Trip memories 2005
25 trip memories……….with Ruth, August 2005

Minneapolis, Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles

1. Who would ever anticipate that Ruth and I would be ever visiting Minneapolis for Anti Aging matter? I have thought that only cheese considers “aging” important until I arrived at Medgraphics’ office.
2. “White Bear”? Never heard about this city before. You know, that even in this Uncle’s Sam small city the food portion is really huge. After an excellent appetizer at the first dinner in US we were served a plate of pasta that could easily feeds a whole family of five in Singapore. No wonder that small size in US would be considered as too extraordinary….
3. Yeah, the steaks in White Bear…. they were huge too, 600 gram a piece [really for a bear whether it is white, brown or black]. I was really brave or hungry, I finished mine , only Ruth needed to “Ta Pau” for her room fridge, a matter of courtesy to the host……
4. Northwest’s Airline strike…! Wow, who knows that we were at the NWA’s HQ in Minnesota? Mentally I was well prepared to drive >4000 km to Carson City!
5. I still hate the taxi driver that “cheated” us by taking longer route to Minneapolis Airport for 20 dollar more….
6. …..and the lady at the airport counter that forced me to remove just another 20 gram s of goods from my luggage and the security guard that checked us for 20 minutes though I am not an “Arab” any longer……..
7. Hungry at plane? No way you can eat on most US’s domestic flights, just peanuts [not the “golden one” that Durai had in Singapore!]
8. Ever had a meeting at a sailing boot at Lake Tahoe? Never again….! Though it was just 4 to 5 knots fast, that boot can make a person “cry”………We had 3 times “man overboard”. One CD player gone down to the Lake with Diana Krall still singing….bluub…bluub…gone was she in the lake…..
9. The giant burger at “spa burger” at Lake Tahoe is unforgettable, the BBQ at Frank’s house was good, but the “Lamas” [not the Dalai...] were more important, just for Michelle…Yeah, there is ‘franky” as well this time, a new friend for Frank…. a naughty and fun loving dog like his master Frank…..
10. For sure, a meeting at high-powered boot makes more fun. Powered with 750 horsepower on the back, nobody will ever “cry”. Cruised at 60-to 70-km/h speeds on water we spent 6 hours at Lake Tahoe for “meeting” and looking at some of the most expensive home up to US 5 millions dollars. It was one of the most “memorable meeting” I had ever had in my whole career………I am sure it will not the last one…
11. Ever have problems with a female police at late night that had “PMS” symptoms? Huh, very scary…. experience. It costs US$ 150.00 to get know her by “speeding” in non-speeding” zone. She got me all wrong; my race was white, and I never knew that I had blue eyes, and I was as short as 5 foot as well. We were closed to suggest her to try our HerBalance!
12. In spite of tiredness, sleepiness, exhaustion, having a good and cheerful travel companion like Ruth makes a lot of different. This is especially important when you are driving through the desert in Nevada….
13. You know that I learned about Ruth more in two weeks trip than I knew her in two years time? For sure she can laugh a lot………..
14. I had learned in this trip the hard way that it does not pay to get discouraged. At times of challenge and controversy your mental strength counts the most….
15. Ruth is like growing up kid if you offer her an ice cream, even after a heavy meal! And “ Coldstone” seems to be the best tool…. to accomplish the job.
16. I had learned in this trip again that coaching a person is really a creative endeavour, an art, rather than a science that a book can ever teach you.
17. A good trip is a good memory. And a good memory comes with some good pastries, cakes and coffees together. The best were found in Mammoth Mountain few miles away from the “earth quake fault”, some 37 miles from Bishop in California.
18. To be honest, I was very anxious when I was negotiating and discussing many important matters at VRP’s office, till I learned that the anxiousness was not only befallen me, but my partners as well…So, I acted as though it were impossible to fail.
19. …so, beware of quitting too soon in any circumstances……It is really important to know whether the glass is half full or half empty. Ask Ruth; she had learned a good lesson on this trip how to negotiate.
20. The “hungry ghost” at play? We thought it was…the GPS navigation tool in our Volvo Cross Country played “naughty” games with us. We were led to an off track road at late midnight. Thinking the month of “the hungry ghost” Ru th started to pray for the right direction. And we “lost” our fruits in the car too thinking that the ghost had all of it…our offering!
21. …. and scary things happened at the same time as well. We had two nights the same room numbers, and we did not realize that our car plat number shown the same digit as well…Guess what, Ruth could not sleep after the “incident”!
22. Not only ghosts we had encountered. We had some scary races with some “speed devils” from Bishop to LA too.
23. Yeah, shopping at the “premium outlets” near to Palm Spring, where we had stayed overnight was an excitement that we will never forget. The forest fire at the mountain on the way to Palm Spring, and the hundreds of windmill on the way to Cabazon in the desert just rounded up our experience at this last stretch of long journey.
24. You know what I learned most, Ruth? The most rewarding things in our career life are often the ones that look like they cannot be accomplished. And I admit that not everyone can be great, but most of us can be better than we are! You had done a good job. Congrats!
25. Finally, do you know, Ruth, what is the most enjoyable long journey that I can wish for? It is a journey with a travel companion that is cheerful, willing to listen to some “rubbishes” I produce in order to beat the tiredness, sleepiness on a monotonous highway in US…. Thanks for making the trip meaningful!

Cheers......... Kie San
Looking forward for another trip soon


25 trip memories……….with Kiesan, August 2005

1. The last trip together with Mich & Ming, we hit elevated 7,000 feet. This time, we hit 8,900! My ears felt like popping every time I think of how high we are up there!
2. Kiesan isn’t a dessert man like Gwan Choon; until he saw my hot fudge choco cake with hot fudge oozing out from the cake & dripping with vanilla ice cream...
3. ...& the taxi driver that cheated us of $20 more was from Africa & a training medical doc waiting to get his license!
4. We reached Carson City by midnight. So hungry without dinner & Northwest only provides peanuts, we went to have “breakfast”: huge ham steak with eggs & breads & fries! Urgh….
5. Meeting in Frank’s boat? I didn’t cry; I screamed! Was it me, or was Frank enjoying it & tilted the boat even more???
6. Just for Michelle; Kiesan & my 1st mission when we reached Frank’s house, was to hunt for the lamas. Frankie led the way!
7. Whenever we can’t finish our food (which is almost 100% of the time), we will think of Wee Ming!
8. Judy missed her flight again…this time, a bird got trapped in the engine…the beautiful lady was once again delayed…
9. The “ang mohs” just don’t learn; they tried to beat Kiesan in telling the most grotesque story of animal body parts that humans consumed; until Kiesan beat them hands down with the story of the bull! Well done, Kiesan!
10. In & Out Burgers seems to be the only place that serves “regular sized burgers” (aka Mos Burger size)
11. Cold Stone’s “chocoholic” was great…..Kiesan had his “berry berry nice”...
12. When we saw the Chinese noodle soup place near Cold Stone, we thought of Wee Ming!
13. Sailing in a 750 horse-powered boat was a change…..no screaming this time! Lake Tahoe was a breath of fresh sea air compared to the previous high-tensioned meetings…
14. Anything that could go wrong went wrong during training at Frank’s clinic. Oxygen tank leaked. No backup for tank. O2 cell died; need to refresh & reset. Rescheduled unhappy customer for another test. Patient took BET products & kept gaining weight. Judy was 15 yrs older when she took her test there…
15. & we noticed the wild side of Dr Mitch.
16. & I deleted the “man in blue pic” after Michelle seen it.
17. Kiesan was all wrap up this time after Frank’s sailing day. Long sleeve shirt with a hip hop cap this time! & I got sunburnt…
18. Izzy’s Burger Spa, according to Frank, makes the best burger in Nevada! I agree!
19. The “bulldog lady” that terrify, terrorize & traumatize Kiesan, Mitchell & me? We all agree that her testosterone is way too high….she definitely need Her Balance cream…..but no way we gonna tell her that. The fine will be doubled!
20. You know Kiesan’s nickname in VRP Inc? “The Speed Devil”; even though he is hardly speeding!
21. Vagabond Inn was voted the worst place to sleep in @ Bishop! But after the “ghostly encounter”, we’ll take it anytime!
22. Best Western @ Palm Spring was voted most value for money!
23. Both places @ Bishop & Palm Spring; Kiesan & I have the same room number; 222 & 223. Weird…
24. Premium Outlets @ Cabazon was a nightmare….we spent 90 minutes there, & ½ the time was used up for walking! I don’t know how Gwan Choon can do it in 30 minutes…
25. Kiesan, I have learned so much from you! Thank you!

Cheers, Ruth

My mentor & dear friend Kiesan,

You've taught me so much & I've never stop learning since.
You told me once to impart my knowledge and never hold back. The more I coach others, the more I can learn new things myself. Now I know why you made it part of your life to help others. I've been having great joy doing that, & I'm thankful for the time & effort you've invested in me.

Till we meet again in heaven,
Ruth

In Loving Memory of Goh Kiesan

US Trip Memories - 2004

Hi friends, just want to cheer you up. A good reading to remember our trip to US ~ Kie San

(Nov 2004)

My 50 US Trip Memories and what I have learned from it:

1. I have learned that nothing is more prevailing than visualization. Indeed, our trip happened the way I had visualized how it would take place.
2. Always pray for divine intervention. Even I have prayed for snows and there were really enough for all of us for the rest of our life.
3. I have learned about my colleagues more from a ten days trip than I know them from a year working together.
4. I have experienced that which does not kill me makes me stronger; & that was to overcome the temptation to switch into “auto pilot” and fall asleep like others while driving on high speed.
5. Even though I have had some rough days, the laughter of Ruth always cheers me up and makes my driving more bearable.
6. I have tried to convince Wee Ming that one should live to eat, at least while on trip in US. But it did not always work.
7. The “blackout cake” at cheesecake factory in Vegas really blew my mind!
8. Michelle always makes money but not for herself when it comes to blackjack at casino!
9. The only way to have friends is to be one. I now have three more!
10. I remember the “high tension” of my passengers when I took the winding and “dangerous paths” from Bishop on route to Las Vegas. The “roller coaster” rides were the most enjoyable one!
11. That God could not be everywhere, but He was with us on the trip. Everything went so perfectly. Praise Him!
12. The most remarkable about Ruth is that she can always have ice cream even in a temperature that was way below 10 degree Celsius! She will immediately wake up when we mentioned “Cold Stone”!
13. The”17 miles drive” was one of the best drives we ever have made! Remember Wee Ming at the clip releasing his “pressure”?
14. I was delighted that I was able to keep all my promises to show some interesting parts of US to my colleagues. The snows, the cities, the shopping malls, factory outlets, the gambling in the casino, Vegas and the foods for sure.....
15. I observed that Wee Ming always fall asleep facing opposite direction of my face to discourage me to do the same while I was driving!
16. I regretted that I was not able to show “The Golden Bridge of San Francisco”. But I have reserved it for our next trip! It is a promise!
17. I have never listened to anyone singing, not even one song during the trip while I needed many to power my mind to drive over 10 hours a day.
18. The wisdom says: “Parents learn a lot from their children about coping with life.” I have learned from my colleagues about how they coped with problems. Many of them have shown their capabilities in a blackjack table too!
19. Michelle even lost the ability to count from 1 to 21 and always want to keep her playing cards beyond the game rule.
20. I have underestimated how a bowl of “veggie noodle soup” can be the most delicious food for Wee Ming after few days of eggs and steaks!
21. I know by now that Ruth will run errands for you, if you can promise her a portion of “Cold Stone” ice cream!
22. That ladies hormone will run high when the word “shopping” is being mentioned!
23. If I had to make the same trip again today, I will bring you guys to eat a real steak; one that comes with 1000-gram on the table!
24. If I can sum up the trip with all of you as companions in few words, I must say, I have enjoyed it very much!
25. If I have to rate all the foods we have eaten, Cheesecake Factory comes to the top in terms of quality and quantity, and surely Wee Ming’s “veggie noodle” was the worst one!
26. However, I have to admit that Wee Ming’s “chocolate bagel with eggs” at breakfast in Santa Barbara deserves a vote of the most distinguished food combination I have ever come across!
27. Though I have not won much money in casino, listening to the machine’s sound and counting more than 3,000 coins of winning was very exciting indeed!
28. I was amazed by the performance of the team's second presentation at Las Vegas Show, though honestly speaking I had had a sleepless night the day before!
29. I have observed during the trip, that women and men aren’t really women and men until they hit the factory outlets!
30. I was really very concerned that I did not have the time to bring you guys to one of the outlets I have promised!
31. The” Shanghai Lily” dinner at Mandalay Bay in Vegas was more for eyes than our stomachs!
32. That changing rooms for three times in three days would not increase Michelle's and Ruth's fortune to have a bigger room at all!
33. I have never expected to stop in Santa Cruz, just next to Sources Naturals! At least the Japanese food from the Korean restaurant was not bad. Still amazed that the waiter does not know where Reno is!
34. Nothing is more effective to keep me awake than a pleasant thought of next destination that might excite my dear passengers on the trip!
35. I have pre-defined the success of the trip of getting all back home safe, sound and happy. All other happenings were just bonuses!
36. I have only “fall in sleep” once during the long drive, and Michelle got me right away. It was from Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport, the last stretch of our trip! Well-done Michelle!
37. I have learned to dream big and put up the plan for the trip long ahead before I decided to hire you guys. When I thought I could not go on, I forced myself to keep going. The success was more on my persistence rather than luck. Lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to take big step, you too can cross a chasm in two small jumps!
38. I think it is not how much time we have spent together on our journey that makes it memorable. It is how we have spent the time! Wee Ming with his PDA, Ruth with her camera, and Michelle with her quietness!
39. Still today I try to avoid touching any metal things thinking that the electrical shock will hit me again. This is the way I open car door right now!
40. Can you still remember what Reno City stands for? If you forget, ask Ruth, she had made at least three pictures of its slogan!
41. Remember the “hot chocolate cake” at Chillis Restaurant in Reno?
42. And the expensive Egg-Nog Coffee at Lake Tahoe Harrah Hotel?
43. And the “Million Dollar Burger without bun”?
44. I vote the Best Western Hotel in Bishop has the best lobby and hotel room of our entire trip. Howard Johnson in LAX was the worst.
45. Though ten days trip combined with nearly 5000km journey on the road were long, times passed really fast.
46. After the trip, I believe that if we all advance confidently in the direction of our goals to be in US for the next Anti Aging Conference in Vegas, we will get there again! Cannot believe? Just ask the GPS lady. It is just 2 miles ahead of us. Exit on the right and keep on the on left!
47. I would like really to say in a year’s time, “You have just arrived!”
48. What to say more? Always believe in positive thinking and think something larger than yourself. Everything starts with somebody’s daydreams. I had one way back in July 2004. We were in US in November 2004!
49. Last but not least, this memory will last forever. Each of you had burned something in my memory. The cheerful Ruth, the shy Michelle, the serious Wee Ming. All of you are unique and pleasant in your own ways.
50. Grow along with us! Our journey has just started. There are more journeys to come. Do not rest, unless you want to rust!

Cheers, Kie San

VRP Centre had a "facelift" recently. We decided to incorporate the Bio-Energy Testing Centre within the retail shop, & added in new tests as well. There's also an addition to our exising range; Anti-Aging skincare.

We had a relaunch party last Saturday. Turnout was pretty good, & the food was great! Elvira cooked & made meatballs, sandwiches etc with organic virgin coconut oil & xylitol sugar. We also had desserts (contributed generously by Christine) like kueh kueh, soya bean & some other nonya cakes (also made with VRP's coconut oil & xylitol). Healthy food tastes pretty good too!

Tekko came with wife & kiddo. So touched when we saw Tekko in his clutches, we started squealing his name. I think it was his first trip outdoor after his op. Somebody started piling him with lots of food & he was too busy eating to talk to us.

Houren swung by awhile later. He looked a lot better after recuperating from his op. We chatted about the good old days....Aram, WJ & Gavin popped by to render support & help finished the food.

Geping came by much, much later. After touring the shop, he bought another bottle of Max E. As he waltzed into our shop, a lot of people were pointing & whispering....I was pretty shocked myself. I saw him 2 months ago, but he look even younger now as compared to 2 months ago! A lot of aunties were wondering if he went for plastic surgery. Even Fann Wong asked him what is his secret. She's very into anti-aging & looking good, & Geping is a walking signboard for that.

Guess what? It was pretty obvious: Max E!

His supplement regime everyday includes:

Max E (from VRP)

Organic Flaxseed Oil (from VRP)

Geping takes Max E once a day (in the morning); twice if he's filming for extra boost of energy. After seeing him last Saturday, I decided (& very convicted) to start taking Max E everyday. I also wanna look younger leh....

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it's almost a year. Almost a year since Kiesan left. Sigh.....Since 2005, September has been a bittersweet month for me.

VRASPAC went through a facelift recently, & we're having a "re-launch" party on 9 Sept. We've integrated the Bio-Energy Testing within the retail, & brought in additional anti-aging range of products. Sounds like good fun. & hard work for the rest of us.

I've also recently signed up for the 21k Standard Chart run this Dec. Actually i didnt sign up. Bambi signed us up. I'm beginning to regret that decision....what the heck was i thinking when i said "ok"?! sigh.....now i bluff myself by thinking that I'll run 10 & walk 11; i had the unnverving feeling that it'll be a realllllly long walk.....