The Chronicles of Borneo 07F

Prologue
10 weeks have gone and past, yet it still feels like yesterday when I missed my plane to Sabah, the Land Below the Wind; Negeri di bawah Bayu, what they say in the local Malay language. What a "blast" that was! I was excited on what awaits me in Borneo as I have heard many interesting stories from past expedition Venturers who have "been there, and done that" many years down the road.

Jungle camp:
was a basic course of HCB101: How-To-Cope-In-The-BorneoJungle and ACC102: Avoid-Casevac-At-Any-Cause. From that day onwards, the three-bowl system was introduced in my life and HS Ping Pong Crackers became my faithful lunches.We were then introduced to the interesting variety of Raleigh Ration that can be creatively cooked into a concoction of canned food dinner, complement by a fulfiling dessert of never-perfect custard and fruitcake. Yummy.

Phase 1: Adventure- (~ahh.. ahh..ahh... Alpha 5 staying alive, ahh.. ahh.. ahh... stayingggg aliveeee~)--->in the Bee Gees tune... It truly has been a great adventure phase for me, Long Pasia the far away land (almost close to the border of Kalimantan, Indonesia) is a haven for trekkers, cool weather, excellent local guides and breath-taking views. What more can I ask for? Looking back on trekking phase, it makes me realise that -nothing is impossible- not in a big scale, actually. For all who have trekked unsupported in the deep remote jungle of Long Pasia, well done, you conquered the heavy rucksack and you managed to smell like each other!


Occasionally when we get bored, we do find certain different ways to entertain ourselves...

Does anybody see that as A5?

First comes trekking, then comes Trus Madi, then comes Diving in Mamutik Island, that's not all, that's not all, then comes Changeover1 and Phase 2! Being able to learn how to dive is a great experience, as perfectly described by PADI: to escape to a different world, explore new places, and experience a connection with nature; a feeling of freedom, and a transformation.That is as near what I can get out of my diving experience. Being able to climb Mount Trus Madi was truly amazing as the sunset view was just magnificent! Pictures speak a thousand words?

Phase 2: Community (Alpha 2-Togudon aka The Torturous Slope)


After a short recuperation period, I was posted to the meaningful project of building a school hostel for the children in Kampung Togudon. For more details on the details of the project, feel free to get more details from here.

Before:(After Phase 1, obviously!):



Say bye to this kids, Sleeping area no more....
And hello to..... *drum roll please.....*

Ta-da!
In the process:

The happy and dysfunctional family of Togudon-key

Which naturally leads me to...

Spot Donna's hair...
That is a photo blog about the whole of Phase 2, oh wait... I just missed out the most important and amazing experience in Togudon- the K-I-D-S!

i'm leaving!

i'll be leaving in 20 minutes, and here am i blogging. i just finished packing, 30 minutes ago. hmm...updates, will be up not-so-soon, on penang bridge marathon, which i survived! and i finished in 5 hours 58 minutes, 38 seconds. many thanks to those who have travelled the distance to penang, to run with me, or just plain gastronomical trip. thanks again.
i've received so much of help along the way, and there are many people to thank. i will not thank a few, i will thank all, so hmm.... i need time to recall and i cant think now.
i need to leave in 15 minutes, have not changed, just going to pass the emergency contact number to my parents, and finally fully-packed for a 10-week long expedition! i've been waiting for this since last september. i cant think, i cant think. it's too soon, i need to sign out, and get ready, AND disturb my parents! HAHA...
i have a feeling i have a chance to blog soon.
till then, peeps.
thanks a bunch for those who have helped, even in packing at 3am.

T-shirts have arrived

Check out this entry for more details: http://klsfundraisingstory.blogspot.com/2007/06/specially-designed-limited-edition-t.html
Book now, check my countdown timer, we are leaving in 8 daysssss!!

Busy, busy, busy.

I've been so busy.
Thus, the lack of update, for the past 5 days, I've been going around many different places getting many kinds of different equipments. From PJ, to Ampang, to Bangsar, back to KLCC. This is quite a record for me; going to KLCC 4 times in 5 days.
Really sleepy now, as usual me, fell asleep and then woke up later to shower (Arghhh, what a bad habit...!) then go online for awhile (LIKE now...) and feel bad about my dying blog. I'll keep it updated with things that I've bought, complete with good deals details that I manage to catch for the past few days... Hahaaaaa...
Till then.
Keep coming back for more.... This is for ONCE, a really short post! :)

Shopping + Jogging

I always realise that before I start to write an entry I have pretty much nothing to write about. But what happens ALL the time is that, I always end up with a super long post. What to do, long-winded I am, people say.
Then comes, the messenger- the all-time distraction during my blogging time.
Just a little update, gotten my rucksack, quite a good deal I would say, just RM560 for a Deuter 60+10L, women's fit model. Guess should be good enough? Hope so. A whole big part of the equipment is partially settled, still have other things to shop for. If anyone happens to know off any good deals in town, that sell outdoor equipments, such as boots, head torch, outdoor sandals, boots, sandals and head torch ---> haha... just the major items, the rest are kinda easily hunt down at regular outdoor stores) Oh, yea... clothes too, like dry-fast materials kind... Any warehouse sales coming up? :P
That rucksack-hunting-outing was on last Sunday, 10th of June. Quite last minute actually, we just decided to go on the 9th itself. ~Special thanks~ to Shih Chung for accompanying the three of us (~the crowd~, remember??? CK, Chii Chie and I) to tell us important points in choosing and packing the rucksack, which is really useful. THANKS again! Right now, thanks is all I can say, but in future times, I can say I know a lil' (not much tho', but still learning) about choosing and testing the rucksack, I will pass on the goodwill by helping others as well (IF ever help is needed laaa)
Rucksack story done.
What's next?
Marathon-training's up on the "story"...
Basically for the past two days, and on last Friday as well, I have just found a new jogging partner, Lilli that is. Thanks to her also, for bugging me to get out of the gym's treadmill and start doing outdoor training for my upcoming marathon. The thank you doesn't just end there, it also includes, getting the free rides around in her car to the jogging destination. Yesterday (11th) was at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, and today's was at Kiara Park/Hill. Quite a good jog, with featuring "joggers" like Adrian Yeo and CK Leong. For you guys information, these two guys have both registered themselves for 21km and 42km respectively. And of course not to miss out, my dear jogging partner, Lilli, who's going for half marathon (21km). Great work-out, but one main gigantic problem still remains, we stopped running (of course we need to at one point!) but I stopped, because I got bored of the scenery and the surroundings. Any remedy, anyone, once again? Oh, maybe I didn't really have a plan and kept on running, I should make it more "interesting" by doing some sprint run, listening to music, counting lamp posts, and counting 10km runners, you know just basically anything under the sun that can divert my attention from running. That's the only chance I have to claim ALL my dares...
Gosh, that's just a "lil" update from me, I knew it will somehow be a long post, but I swear I didn't have much to write about when I first started typing. Blogging is -definitely- one helluva addictive online-activity! :)

Father's Day Promotion!

Anybody any plans on the 17th of June? Yes, it's ~Father's Day~! Let's all celebrate it in a different and less commercialised way...
How?!
1) Spend your day at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park! Want discounted tickets? I have! Here it is...



Each of these tickets are priced at RM45, normally
BUT
if you are getting it from me... I will guarantee a much reduced price. Possibly, with a minimal discount of 20%... It can even go up to 40% discount!!!
Nine of these tickets are up for grabs and it is only valid on the 17th of June, with events coming up at the Surfpool (that also means... lotsa freebies up for grabs!)
So, call me at 012-201 8829 or drop me an e-mail at karlye22@gmail.com for fantastic bargains. Alternatively, if anybody knows off anyone who may want to plan a theme park trip soon, look no further, right here! :)

2) Go for a Mystery Hiking Trip, bring your family along, do something different for this Father's day. Definitely a different way to spend Father's Day.
This trip is organised by CK and more info can be found here. Do contact him at 012-385 2051 or e-mail him at ckleong@hotmail.it

To support both of us at the same time, here's what you can do...
Rise and shine at 7am, then go for a wonderful morning walk/hike packed with beautiful sceneries. Lunch. THEN, go for a fun-filled afternoon at Sunway Lagoon. Sounds like a plan?

Kar Lye FEATURING Chii Chie!

Hi all,

You probably have read about me in the previous entries that Kar Lye wrote. Yes, I am Chii Chie and I will be going for an expedition together with her this coming July.

I know a month time is not long for fund raising activities. So, I will have make the most out of each day until the day I will be leaving for Sabah. Although I have limited time now, I am sure with your support I will be able to pull it through.

As part of my fund raising activities, I will be giving out home-made cookies and Father’s Day cards as a token of appreciation of your support to me. Individually, support of RM 10 will entitle to receive a card while a support of RM 13 will entitle to receive a box of cookies. However, it a support of RM 20, you will be given both the card and a box of cookies!

So please show me your support by “buying” some of my cookies and cards. As I will be going to the AGM on Saturday, you could get the cookies or cards from me there. Another alternative is to contact me directly at 012-3871205. I do hope that there is good news awaiting me.

Thanks for you time and enjoy your day.

Chii Chie

Updates... updates...

People bug me for updates.
That's a good sign I guess, I have readers out there. Not that I have stopped fundraising, but I'm kinda taking it slowly now. Not as hectic as the last 2 weeks (which was terrible). I was running around, being out every other day.
Finally, today.. I got to wake up late, and stayed at home (basically lazed around), and watch some tennis...[oh, wait... let me not get drifted away, as the title clearly states -klsfundraisingstory- NOT -klslifestory- ;) ] Oh and btw, my site title is supposed to mean -KarLye's Fundraising Story- Just for your info, the "s" can also mean Sabah, it's multi-functional...
Yes, back to my fundraising story then.
The last I heard from Chii Chie, she has already booked her plane ticket to Sabah. So, I guess it's officially confirmed (how can it NOT be?).Cool. Really Cool. That will mean, I do not need to come back right after Sept 11 (have I ever mentioned how significant my expedition dates are? I start on the 4th of July, that's for you to find out if you don't already know... or you just click on this link ---> 4th of July and ends on the September 11. Significant, ain't it?) Anyways, so the main point is Chii Chie is going as well. So Woohoo, three is a crowd! :)
I pledge to work harder and train more for my marathon, but at the same time, I need a change, possibly training outdoor? I dunno. Just for a change so that I don't get bored. This week, my maximum distance should go up to 20k. I will do that someday before Sunday ends.... I hope, oh no!- I will do it.
Just a short note, thanks for all the t-shirt orders. Keep it coming in, like I said, it's limited edition; you wouldn't wanna miss out on helping me, right?
And also, thanks to all the pledges/donations/ sponsorship that are coming in from my marathon effort. For that, I will train. :)
I guess this blog also functions as a reminder/ reassurance in a way. When I think it's impossible to do the marathon, I will look back to my ridiculously weird + interesting marathon calculation, it does serve a purpose. ON that particular day, I believed I could do it, so shall today...

Mission failed.

Monday blues I guess, even though I don't work...
I failed. I did not run 10km today, I only manage 5km, due to some reasons that result to a very late brunch, at 3.30pm. I finished my 5km thinking that I was gonna faint half way doing it.. Haha... The real deal is, I do get bored after running on the treadmill for an hour, I will start thinking, "if i were to do another 10km, that would be another hour on the treadmill, with repeated music...arghh..!" So that's why, I stopped, more to boredom than tiredness. Anybody any remedy?
Anyways, not much update today.
I'm still waiting for a reply.
An important decision, that will really determine my future fundraising project, minor projects that is...
Official countdown-it's less than a month away before I leave for KK, precisely 1 month-2 days. I'm.not.ready.but.I.will.be.when.the.time.comes.

A note of appreciation...

Just a short note to ~ALL~ who have booked a t-shirt just one day after I posted the graphics. Glad that people are supporting the design as well as the whole cause so well. Please keep those orders coming in, it's -limited- edition yea... Thanks again! :)

Specially-designed Limited Edition T-shirt for fundraising!

I've finally confirmed the details for the ~specially-designed limited edition~ T-shirt that we are printing for fund-raising...
First of all, ~the design




The meaning behind the design:
1) The compass as you can see it's pointed to the southeast direction which is where Malaysia is located; Southeast Asia, the pointed arrow is towards Sabah which is the expedition place
2) All around the compass, there are "stick human" aka lidi man, joining hands symbolising people from all over the world working together for the betterment of the community in Sabah
3) 07F is the unofficial coding for Raleigh International Sabah Summer 07 Programme
4) The R-I-K-L which is filled with black ink shows that we are from Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur
5) The orange colour used is to represent the Summer Expedition

There will be a limited number of shirts up for grabs, the sizes available are:
Baby T: S and M
Normal T: M and L

The T-shirts are going for only RM25!!
Support me, support the community, and get a specially-designed shirt---> kill 3 birds in one stone! (I dunno how's that possible to kill 2 birds, what more 3 birds, haha...)
Hurry! Book one now! :)
Contact me at +6012-201 8829 or drop me an e-mail at karlye22@gmail.com

ps: Special special thanks thanks to Lilli and Joanne.

At 3.20am...

I paid RM50 to register for full marathon!!



Part of my practice for marathon and also my weekly schedule has been fulfiled today. How? -I finished 10km on the treadmill..
Which will be 10-20km for the whole of next week AND
20-30km the week after next AND
30-40km for the last week before the actual marathon day
Gosh, typing out the schedule is tiring already, what more running for it?
And even worst, if I look at this..



The route itself is so complicated, first loop, after the loop? (WHAAAT??) Arghh... all these while people keep telling me not to do the full marathon, just for everybody's sake, so that:
1) I don't collapse on the bridge half way
2) I don't get muscle cramps after hitting the 21km mark
3) I don't get too sick after the marathon
4) I can still actually go to Sabah, and serve the community (mind you, 10 days before the 4th)
5) ya-da, ya-da, ya-da
All that said, I'm determined, I will do it, it's a challenge. I think marathon is always mind over matter, mind stops running, body gives up. Simple formula: keep my spirits up= finishing the marathon in qualifying time (6 hours)
Why is that not possible? OF COURSE, it is.
Sorry I really need to do a simple calculation here, mind me yea...:
It takes roughly about 1 hour 3 minutes for me to finish 10km today (that involves walking, and running, and sprinting, obviously I don't stop running on the treadmill and start panting... Basically I never stopped moving for that 63 minutes of my life)
42km = 4 hours 12 minutes + 15 mins (2km)
= 4 hours 27 minutes
Qualifying time = 6 hours
So,
Time allowance to screw up = 6 hours - 4 hours 27 minutes
=1 hour 33 minutes!
Doesn't that sound do-able? Well, of course... but mind you, that calculation only works if I have robotics leg that will go at the same pace, so, again
Slowing down time due to cramps = 1 hour
Thus,
Time allowance =1 hour 33 minutes - 1 hour
= 33 minutes!
I still have 33 minutes to crawl to the finish line...
See, people? STOP telling me that I cannot do it, which I believe I can (hmm, for now laa..)
Oh, another consolation, Kenny Sia had one month to practice for KL International Marathon.
Oh, another + point, after my 10km run in the KL Int Marathon, I felt so freaking tired, but right now, yes.. I'm still up typing a blog entry (erm, I did nap for about 2 hours before I started blogging... :P)
Ah, what can I say, blogging really does take up my sleeping time... (3.58am)

At 2.36am...

Yes, at this point of my life, f-raising is D-MOST important issue. Although the total target (RM3500) ,may not be an impossible figure, but right now at this moment, I'm still struggling to think of other projects to work on to increase the funds. As I have always been a last-minute person, for this time around, I DO-NOT wish to fund-raise till the day before I leave for KK. I really don't want to be thaaat last minute (, okay?) Fine, that's a small little target I must fulfil. -I.must.not.have.a.deadline.that.states.4th.of.July-
In an un-related note, Chii Chie, a good friend from Nottingham Malaysia, which i would say, "suddenly" decided to go for the 10-week long expedition (after I tirelessly ask her, "chii chie, when are you joining me? ; chii chie, when are you coming along with me to Sabah ar?"), the only huge brick wall that stands in her way is:
1) An approval for job resignation at some pipe company, which all the staff including the sales engineer, does filing work... :P
2) $ for expedition! (Fine, make that TWO huge brick walls!)
When I was talking to her this afternoon... she told me she will somehow find a way whether it is to: jump over it, break it or dig a hole under the wall and go through it... Any way possible, she will go. That sounds like a great news, right? I have a friend, who can board the same flight back to KL, which apparently is not gonna be CK as he has already booked his return air tickets. If all goes well, the list will have THREE names, not something to be wow-ed about... but still THREE will be better than TWO, right? Yeah, I wish to think so.

ps: Tang Chii Chie, I'm sure you will read this entry, if you "suddenly" decide to NOT go again (why again? before she got the "filing" job, she actually agreed to go...), knowing that I have part of an entry written about you, will make you feel miserable? (haha! :P)



Yes, a blog entry will not be complete without a picture! :)

Jumble Sale

Time flies.
It has been almost a week since we organised the Jumble Sale at Plaza Damas on the 27th of May 2007. It is a success, considering the crowd on that day (which was not much in comparison with the other weekend flea markets). We earned a total amount of RM526.60. Prior to the event day, 4 days before, I sent out an e-mail to the RIKL Yahoo! Group, as well as to friends and family to gather more items. Here's the exact e-mail that was sent and posted in my Facebook account : Jumble Sale @ Plaza Damas (27th of May, Sunday)

With very short notice, and minimal collection of items, we still went on with the Jumble Sale. Since the booth was free for the day, I figured I have nothing to lose other than 1 day of my life. Yes, just like what CK wrote in his blog, "Do you believe that selling junks can earn money? But Kar Lye and me did. : ) We just decided to organise a Jumble Sale and started to collect junks a few days before. And we have achieved a quite well sale result in a quiet flea market. =p It was so amazing!" ;which I did-not believe initially that we can make money, but heck, nothing to lose anyway, everything to gain. And, yesss we DID gain indeed RM 263.30 each.
Here's a brief of the day's happening... It started off really early for us, setting up the stall at 8ish , and what with our super last minute act; that is to price our items in the morning of the event itself!













The day started off really slow. Not many people walking around; the mall itself is quite, what more the flea market area... A very slow start for the day, but business did pick up slightly after lunch time.



It was not that busy the whole time, but thanks to many day-helpers: CK (my money-making partner for the month!), Joanne, Pooi San, Lilli, Xin Tong, Adrian, Amy, 秋燕, , Siaw Ling, Siaw Chian, Shih Chung, Shirleen, Wei Ming, Ken Ken, 子洋, 宇杰, 伟盛, 伟鸿, Zhi Yong ; especially many of them who tirelessly, shouted to attract customers to our stall, went around the area selling bags (just like those Petaling Street fellows that strapped themselves with all different kind of bags... :P)


At almost 3 o'clock, the dark clouds were gathering and we knew the rain will come, sooner OR later. We have decided to sell everything on the floor at one-low-flat-rate, RM 1 for every item on the floor. Business started to pick up again as our "junks" were actually going quite fast.


Soon enough, it rained. We had to pack up, and clear the stuffs to the covered area. Surprisingly, there is still a crowd roaming around the flea market area, and without wasting any opportunity- we continued trading.


Trading, trading... trading...
Finally, at close to 6pm, we have decided to pack up for real, as the whole area was really wet and messy. At that time, many stalls have already closed, and business really slows down to an occasional customer in every 15 minutes.


Special thanks to people who have donated items for the Jumble Sale, namely
(just people that I know off..); Aunty Sharon , Michelle Lee, Aunty Shanna (plants), CK's dad(for those RM1 for 3 gel pens)...
ps: forgot to add in Aunty Rokiah (aka Sara Yasmin's ibu)


Long post, I know, lemme end it with:

Trivia of the day: Somehow we lost the Raleigh International white cloth which cost approx RM300+ if we were to replace it. It was nowhere to be found, we looked through the stuffs we had; we KNEW then we must have accidentally put it together with the thrash and sent for disposal. (ARGHH...!!;at that time laaa...). So we rushed back to the big rubbish disposal area and look inside the big huge tong/bin to look for the cloth... Thank GOD, we found it or else, 60% of our profit of the day will go to the replacement of RI cloth!! :)

Alrighty, that's all for now...
Again, thanks to all who have contributed their time and items!!

Kar Lye

1000% confirmed!

My exam officially ended on the 18th of May, and my life have been hectic ever since then. I miss my afternoon naps, lazing around watching Jamie Oliver at 12pm... I miss playing tennis in the mornings and evenings. I just know for sure this 4 months break will be way different from the rest that I've had. Another valuable experience I gain in the path called life.
So.. back to my very busy life, I have been out everyday, noon and night. Making plans, discussing, going to the gym to practise for marathon. Gosh, imagine if I were to plan an event, i think my "hectic-ness" level will be 1000% more than now. Anyway, we are no longer doing the very ambitious record-breaking feat anymore. I shall save the idea for some other time, when we have *a-hem* more than 2 months to plan.
Some time last week, I've finally paid up the RM300 deposit (which I never did earlier) because I couldn't commit 100% to going....

Ta-da, that's the proof. Although the amount cannot really be seen, but the printed "Pertubuhan Raleigh International KL" is there! So, that was when I finally decided, even if I didn't have enough time, it will be too late, the money's in, no.turning.back.
Right after that, CK and I have decided to do the Jumble Sale, taking the opportunity of the free booth on the 27th of May...(which I will blog on that later as well...I really dunno what's the format of my blogging now, I'll try to "report" as much as I can without taking account of the sequence...)

F-raising

Fund-raising plan:
1) Jumble sale (on 27th of May, will blog on that later)
2) Selling of specially-designed-limited-edition T-shirt (will post up design soon)
3) Sponsorship for 42km Penang Bridge Marathon; which I have been practising everyday at least 5 km (for this week), and I've just signed up and pay up the RM50 registration fee (It's soooo confirmed, I guess.... scarieee....)
4)Possible minor recycling project

Fund-raising target:
RM3500

Fund-raising dateline:
I really dunno when... Hopefully it is the day before I leave (?)

I have an agenda to finish tonight, that is to finish the last 2 weeks happenings, which fully revolved around finding money, finding more money, and finding even more money... of course money just doesn't drop from the sky or grow from a tree. I have to earn it, thus I have a story, a long story to tell...

Finally!

Finally! I've finally created a web log which I intend to do for a while. This site will cover all the ins and outs, up and downs of my fun fund raising process (although dreadful sometimes). Anyways, this is just a short post to start off with. More ramblings (when I say more, I DO mean a whole lot more) coming up real soon! Keep coming back for more..