Climbing notes

1.What gears you need to climb indoor single pitch, Boulder and indoor lead climbing, outdoor lead climbing.

2.Climbing and belay commands for single pitch

3.Climbing and belay commds for multi pitch

4.How to coil a rope

5.How to hang things on my harness

6.Rope management during top rope belay

7.The homework : where the climb starts, or where the climb goes, or how to get off the climb.

Climbing class

DAY 1
1.Difference between single pitch harness and multi pitch harness
2.Always hang PAS at right hand side 2nd loop for right handed person.
3.Back belay loop on the left side is for putting everything else.
4.Hang your Quickdraw from in to out. Makes it so much easier to take it off later.
5.Always open gate using side. And with thumb. Wider.
6.Must always have a million ready when climbing.
7.Anchor in Krabi is different from everywhere else in the sense that the anchor here are ok to rope for repelling.
8.Harness belt must sit on top of your pelvic bone.
9.Two ways to clip efficiently.
1.Middle finger to stabilize the crab, push the rope in using thumb.
2.Hold the rope with two fingers, while your thumb and two more fingers gripping the carabiner body. Push the rope in and pull your finger down. If your finger get stuck while clipping, pull downward quickly. Not upward.
10.Two ways to save a rope if you can’t finish a climb, million or rappel.
11.If you need to pull the rope with your mouth, do it quickly and dont bite it for long. U might lose your tooth. Better to use your chin to hold the rope.
12.When you want to fall on lead, jump to the side where the last protection is so you don’t swing and smash into the rock.
13.When belaying, make it a habit to have your non dominant thumb on the gear loop and your right hand beneath your left hand. So it prevents yg hand from getting sucked into the atc.
14.Prusik autoblock measurement.
●Fold the Prusik to 2. Wrap around your rope 4 times. Leave some space for the size of a fist on the top. Leave some space to tie the Prusik at the end with an overhand knot.
15.Clean anchor steps
●Clip in Quickdraw. Ask for tension.
●Clip in PAS. Ask for slack. Take the loose end of the rope and feed a bite into the anchor ring.
●Make figure 8 on a bite on the rope and clip in using your locking carabiner to your harness loop.
●Untie your figure 8 knot on your harness.
●Request for tension. Wait for belayer to respond tension on.
●Sit in your harness. Remove PAS.
●Ask to be lowered.
16.Rappel steps
●Clip in Quickdraw. Ask for tension.
●Clip in PAS under the Quickdraw.
●Ask to be off belay.
●Remove the Quickdraw.
●Pull the rope from below. Measure from anchor to your waist and extra 6 inches or so. Tie a figure 8 on bite. Clip in to Quickdraw on your side.
●Untie your harness knot. Feed the single rope thru the anchor ring . Pull all the way to your right side. Tie an overhand knot on the end of the rope and clip to your right side.
●Untie the knot on your left side.
●Pull the rope thru the anchor ring until the end is halfway to the ground.  Unclip the right side knot and throw it to the ground while yelling rope.
●Set up your Prusik for rapelling
17.Setting up Prusik 1
●Wrap the prusik around the rope 4 times. Use carabiner to clip them together. Now I have an autolock prusik. Clip the carabiner to my right leg loop.
●Take out my belay device. Clip to my belay loop straightaway.
●Feed both ropes into my atc in the same time. Clip in my locking carabiner to my belay loop.
18.Setting up Prusik 2
●Using the daisy chain or PAS. You can clip your belay device to the loop nearest to your body.
●Prusik is clip to your belay loop.

DAY 21.For single pitch climb, always bring at least 3 locking carabiner. For multipitch climb, at least 10. 2.I need to have at least 1 webbing with me at all times. 3.How to set anchor using a webbing and 2 locking crabs. This way is safer than using the normal Quickdraw because these at least are locking crabs. The locking carabiner must be upside down. 4.Wheb clipping on lead, if you are going to the right top, it's better to have the gate mouth facing right. And vice versa for left side to prevent the gate from accidentally opening. 5.Add 2 non locking carabiner vertically on the knot before climber climbs to prevent the webbing from getting stuck and cannot open. 6.Prusik 1.Classic prussik ( can use for Goin gup and going down) 2.Climbing high prusik(, can replace jumma) 7.Learn how to make a climbing harness using the end of a rope. Figure 8 on bite but partially. 8.Learned how to come down from a single rope rappel. Need to use clove hitch and a carabiner. 9.Learned how to assist friend when rappelling down but stuck using 2 locking carabiner. Only works if the the rope is tight. 10.Use bunny knot to set anchor with two locking carabiner for cases when you want to build anchor to rappel down when you are drilling for routes. 11.Multipitch belay a.QUICKDRAW CLIP b.PAS PUT ON c.SECOND QUICKDRAW ON ANCHOR. MAKE CLOVEHITCH ON QUICKDRAW. SAME LENTGH AS PAS. d.MAKE THE PLACE TO PUT THE ROPE. USE CLOVE HITCH. e.QUICKDRAW ON ANOTHER ANCHOR TO BELAY CLIMBER ON. f.BELAY ON. CLIMBING. CLIMB ON 12.

Krabi 2019

29th august
I arrived at night. But the ride to the hotel is smooth. Weather is clear. There is no sight of rain or suggestions of rain. The sky was pitch black. With no stars. I signed up for a climbing course and thought of taking advantage of the cheap flights and 4 days public holiday so I decided to go alone. The chalet is nice. A little walk needed. But the room feels good. I’m sleeping with my lights on.

30th august
Woke up to a rain. Thought it won’t rain again but it did right after breakfast 😂. I am waiting to meet the instructor. Apparently they are waiting for the tide to subside.

1.Stop being apologetic. Nobody NEEDS your apology.

2.Enjoy your time alone. When you can be happy alone, you know that nobody can take that away from you.

3.If you want to wait until he treats you like a princess before you allow yourself to be happy, then you will have to wait forever.

4.Just because some jerk choose to be mean to you, don’t punish yourself by wallowing in the misery. Their poor choices are reflections of their asshole self. Not you.

What went right.

1. Duration of when I signed up to the actual race itself. 4 months. But probably more like mentally preparing myself instead of doing actual physical training.
2. Socks
   No blisters, fits snug in my shoes. I got a pair of Bodega running socks. Pricey but worth it.
3. Amount of water
   250ml held in my hand. I filled it with Ribena this time. But next time I will isi with 100 plus je kot. More than enough for the whole journey because there were water stations.
4. Clothing
   I got a pair of tights with attached shorts from decathlon. So lightweight and comfy. Wore the shirt they gave out with arm socks from PTToudoor. I also wore a pouch to keep my handphone and 2 packs of energy gel. I like how lightweight this set is. Not worth carrying a running vest for 21km and lesser.
5. Strike pose
   Leaned slightly forward and avoid hitting with heel first. But my left foot still hurts so maybe I still need to change shoes or the way I run.
6. Water stations sessions
   Drenched myself with cold sponges and drank as much 100plus given out as I can.
7. Playlist
   37 of my favourite upbeat music. I needed to add at least 10 more to make it last for a 2.5 hour run. I don’t mind repeat songs though.

What to be improved

1. Training, maybe gradually increase my mileage over a few months. I didn’t do any training for this HM. Just that 5km run 3 weeks ago and then went overnight hiking at Gunung Kinabalu 2 weeks ago.
2. Shoes. I don’t think I have the perfect running shoes for me yet. I got a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 as per recommendation by the sale staff due to my high arches. And sizing half a size bigger (as per recommended too). My right foot doesn’t hurt at all. But my left foot was in a bad shape after the run. I have been practically limping since yesterday.

What’s hurting

1. Left foot, outer heel.
2. Right calves. Just a little sore.

1.I always say the wrong things that makes people who don't know me well feel awkward and uncomfortable.

2.If I am not working on international projects I am not doing well at my work

3.Having a baby is a way for me to be punished for all the things I did to my mother when I was young. She always say tunggulah bila kau ada anak.

4.Having a baby means I can't do things I enjoy doing anymore.

5.Having a baby means I would have less time and money for myself.

6.If we get divorced I'll be a single mother single handedly raising a child alone.

7.A baby uses up a lot of money.

8.If I have a baby I will never get a good night sleep anymore.

9.If I have a baby I will live a boring life and only have time to do chores.

Solo travel KK

This is the first time since we got married that I am traveling without Shamin. So strange how different it feels. Knowing that I cannot just ask his help to carry my stuff or use some of his stuff if I forget mine. Plus I have to be more alert during the travel itself. This is good. I think I need to be reminded how it feels to be independent again. So that I don’t get too ‘soft’.

I am looking forward for the view. And the hike up. Also the people I am going to meet. Not keen on the muscle cramps I’ll get, and the long hike otw down.

I had some random life perspective thoughts the recently.

1. Opportunity cost is not always financial. Sometimes it is the permission-seeking you need to go through and the time you are trading off for. Usually the window of the most minimum opportunity cost is slim. Like now, it is in between important projects at work, while I am still healthy, while I am still free enough to just disappear for a few days without having to worry about who will take care of my kids and when my husband gives blessings for me to just go and have fun. Also while my parents and siblings are still healthy and independent. And while I still have enough AL and enough money to spend on myself.
2. I tried to be a minimalist when packing for my trip this time, initially assuming that I only need a raincoat, a warm jacket and a couple of fresh undies. I was wrong.  And in the process of removing “unnecessary items”, I had to reason with myself why I need it and if I can live without it.  I think there is a connection between being a minimalist and  risk taking. How much of a risk taker you are will reflect at the degree of minimalist you are. You know why? Most of the items we pack comes with the reason of “what if”. If you are willing to take the risk of things going wrong and not having the item, then you will pack less. Which is then related to how optimistic you are. Maybe how successful you are at packing minimally is based on how optimistic or brave you are at risk-taking.
   The more optimistic or braver you are the lesser the burden you carry. Maybe not just in terms of packing your luggage, but also in terms of how you go thru life.
3. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, I started with what I need in the event of everything going right. And then I start considering the what-ifs and the way out if it happens. If it means spending some money but the item is available for purchase there, I will take the risk. If it means I will be in ultimate discomfort for hours, then I won’t take the risk. If I  Having these kind of thoughts really help with deciding what to leave behind.
4. Why is it when people treat me poorly, especially strangers I would think i deserve to be treated in such a way and thta it is probably my fault for not living up to  their standards? But when someone treats me nicer and kinder than I expected, I would be questioning why is he or she so nice to me, and feel so segan as if I don’t deserve such niceties. I noticed this happening a lot more lately. In the US, I think I would just return the favor with kindness and if someone speaks badly to me i will confront that person. I think we will subconsciously gravitate towards people who treat us as how we expected. And I am worried that I am setting such a low expectation for myself that I would end up attracting the wrong kind
5. Choose who you should interact with early in the morning. You don’t have to entertain everyone all the time. This morning I talked to my mother and Q. Q because she texted me out of the blue and she confided about P and the mean stuff she did to her. I ended up going to work at 9am. Then I called my mother just to be nice and I ended up filled with anger and hatred towards my father’s family. And she ended up talking bad about my dad. Lesson learned, limit my interaction early in the morning. If anything, fill your day with so much positivity so you could use it to fuel the rest of your day.
   That being said, I made a big mistake entertaining both of them. Next time, I will only focus on getting myself ready and go to work. I will reply when it is convenient for me, not when they instantly texted me. If they call, limit it to 10 minutes and state that you are rushing and you need to attend a “meeting”. Morning time is not the time to entertain people. It is about getting your shit together.
6. Random conversations. Random jokes. Random stories. Are never random. Talking to new people outside of your usual circle. Learning their stories. Watching how others pep talk themselves to move forward. Getting help from strangers you have only met for the first time. You will be reminded that there is so much kindness in life, if you can keep your mind open.
7. I started to write more when I came back from gunung Kinabalu. I guess I am becoming braver at being vulnerable with my thoughts and feelings. Being and feeling accepted by others without any expectation is such a comfort. I think meeting kind people is rezeki. Being treated by others kindly is rezeki. Having people to talk to rezeki. Being able to reach the summit or checkpoints are rezeki. Being healthy throughout the hike is rezeki. Having enough money, enough water, enough dry clothes are all rezeki. When I traveled this time, money is a currency that only work at limited time. The rest are transactions which is uses other currencies. And having experience that really makes you think of how generous Allah is. And how despite it all, Allah keeps it enough for you. Enough to live, enough to keep going. Alhamdulillah. When you are in an environment where everyone seems to be chasing money, it’s easy to forget that there are other forms of currency in life. And there are other pursuits you can go for.

What kind of mother do I want to be?

I want to be a happy mother. The kind where my positive vibes instantly lifts the mood in the room whenever i walk in. The kind where if my son is having a tough day, he looks at me and starts to believe that there is enough happiness to go around. And knows that he too deserves happiness without feeling like it will sacrifice mine.

I want to be a brave mother. Who instead of worries, prepares for solutions on how to tackle the what ifs. The kind that enjoys adventures with her husband and kids. The kind that speaks kindly but truthfully to everyone including her kids.

I want to be a relaxed mother. Who enjoys her time spent with her husband and her children. Who has no issue letting her hair down and enjoying the passage of time without guilt. And also relaxed enough to trust the help of those around her and ask for help when i need to.

This will be my second attempt hiking the tallest mountain in Malaysia. The first time was in 2014 via via ferrata. This time I am taking a basic package which takes me to the peak and back in 2 days 1 night.

Packing list from agent

Barang2 keperluan & Tips mendaki Gunung Kinabalu

WAJIB:
1. Rucksack (30-50 Ltr)
2. Jacket (winter jacket)
3. Gloves (sebaik-baiknya yg water proof,)
4. Socks (2 pasang)
5. Sleeping bag (kalau x tahan sejuk, tapi jangan yang tebal sangat..seksa nak membawanya)
6. Trackbottom ( at least 2 helai)
7. T-shirt (at least 3 helai)
8. Kasut sukan
9. Selipar jepun.
10. Baju hujan yang tebal dan tahan lasak (kat 7elevent ada jual RM10-15).
11. Botol air dan air mineral (2 Ltr kalau larat nak bawah lebih 2Ltr pun x per)
12. Torchlite atau Head Lamp yang berfungsi baik (dengan bateri baru seelok2nya bateri berjenama).
13. Plastik baju kotor.
14. Energy foods (akan disenaraikan bawah)
15. Basic first aid (akan disenaraikan di bawah)
16. Innerwares (disposable the better)
17. Barang kelengkapan sendiri (toileteries, towel, pakaian solat etc).
18. Lip balm – cuaca sejuk menyebabkan bibir pecah.

LAIN-LAIN BARANG (TIDAK WAJIB):
1. Mafla (untuk extra potection dari angin sejuk)
2. I-pod/MP3 player (tak lah boring masa naik nanti, boleh layan lagu2)
3. Topi/Summer Cap.
4. Thermos (0.5L)
5. Tupperware kecik untuk isi makanan
6. Knee guard/ankle guard

MAKANAN:
1. Biskut kegemaran anda. Dicadangkan beli yang small pack senang nak sumbat dlm beg.
2. Kurma/Kismis/Prune (bagus untuk mengelakkan rasa mengantuk ketika mendaki ke puncak – Pendakian bermula sawal subuh time ngantuk ni penat mendaki siang tadi pun x hilang lagi).
3. Coklat (untuk kunyah2 dlm perjalanan ke Laban Rata)
4. Roti/bun.
5. Buah2an: Pisang, epal, pear, lai.
6. Mineral water & 100plus atau minuman penambah tenaga.
7. Mee segera
8. Pisau kecik (pisau seribu satu macam kegunaan)
9. Milo 3in1, Nescafe instant agak2 jer untuk minum sekali dua.
10. Nestum instant
11. Gula2
12. Apa2 makanan yang menjadi kegemaran
Basic First Aid:
1. Your personal routine medicine
2. Panadol (Actifast or yg biasa)
3. Ubat muntah (utk altitude sickness)
4. Pain killer
5. Ubat selsema
6. Hansaplast (tentukan pelekat yang kuat dan water resistant).
7. Ubat sakit perut.

Tips Mendaki:
1. Kalau nak enjoy pendakian, beg tu upah saja porter untuk bawakan naik-turun beg2 tu. Cuma sediakan small bagpack untuk mendaki nak isikan barang2 makanan/baju hujan

“Kalau dia sayang mesti dia x bagi orang.” when we asked our grandfather if my grandmother is Chinese, Korean or Japanese. He replied Chinese because he thinks only communist would give away daughters like that.

“God give us children to remind us that there are some things in life that we cannot control.” from Skycastle

“Your goal should be to focus on things you want to keep because they spark joy in you. Instead of focusing on things you want to eliminate.” Marie Kondo in one of her shows.