How my life of this 6 months break

Combining the training schedule to life is never easy, the work break is definitely give me a plus side of manage my life alots easier. So my typical week starts like below:

Monday: AM - Theshold power pool swim / PM - Windtrainer at home
Tuesday: Aerobic Brick - 3 hours bike + 20-30mins run @TriFitness gym
Wednesday: AM - Track interval run / PM - Club swim
Thursday: AM - Kick / drill swim set at IVE pool / PM - Farlek / Theshold Run at track
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: Long ride up to 5h15mins, Run off bike 30mins
Sunday: AM - LSD Run up to 2.5 hours / PM - Swim for post run set
In between time i have to work on my school assignment, EAT & REST. I take nap almost everyday in between sets for up to 1 hours. Sometime, just really tired and i will over slept.

Training alone is never easy, requires high discipline, concentration and laser focus. Especially the swim, i joined Sonic swim squad every Wed. night to allow me have a proper swim. And Lo Yau Tun every Monday morning which definitely enhance my speed. 

I'm able to throw in some trips with my family which is great to spent time together.

March - Relax holiday in Phuket with my mother 

Easter - 9 days cruise trips with my mother

June - Bangkok  retreat with mom

July - a trip to Kamakura to see my first colleague

August - Trip to Oslo and Vegaöyan a UNESCO site for properties development.

Training with friends on long ride, wattbike is also a great ideas. 

Eating healthily is also essential especially for a long day. I usually have a boil egg, a toast with butter, a sugar earl grey tea and coffee. Sometimes will add on musli with yogurt. Big pasta / rice for lunch with chicken meat. Big avocado, tuna, quinoa salad, big rice bowl for dinner. 

#byebye2016 #Hello2017

2016 continuous navigating where i am from 2015. It takes so long and it feels like not reaching the shore yet! Works is Another year of wrap up! here is my Top 10 in 2016:

1. March: Finish my first ever marathon in Nagoya Women's marathon, come back with a sub 4 result at 3 hours 56 mins. Great post race pamper by Charles, who acts as supporter, driver and masseur. We went to the Ise, Toba, the southest tips for the onsen holiday. Surprising my legs feel very fresh after the onsen.
2. April: Went to Kyoto with my Mom in April for Mom-daughter time. Now i knew that my mom don't like to stay in Ryokan style house. 
3. June: Finish my first 100km stage race with my best best friends Lyn, Evan and Frederic in the Gobi deserts in June for the 3 days Action Asia Mongolia ultra marathon race. 
4. August: Attend Susana's wedding in Santander in August, my best ever training buddies back then when she is in HK. She witnessed my first 70.3 half ironman races in 2008 in Hainan., China. We trained, pushed each other, shoulder to shoulder in swim and run. i never can catch her in the bike, still great great great memory. She is beautiful, the Spanish wedding set in a hill top restaurant with a gazebo. We arrives in noon time, beautiful ceremony with live string music. Followed a long lunch and wine o' clock. We traveled with Janice, Frederic (Fly from Norway), Evan and Lyn, a truly sporty summer holiday! We almost running, sun bathing everyday. We went to Madrid for 3 days then back to Kong. 
5.  September: Our anniversary trip to beautiful Monopoly where we stayed at the old trulli houses near Alberbellos. Escaping from the tourist places, driving to each cave beaches, eat the organic from the farm, feeling so energized. This man is making me happy everyday over the past 16 years and i love you! 
6. September: Entered my debut 100km Ultratrail race in Hong Kong, claimed the hardest and having the highest elevations of the race in Hong Kong - The North Face 100 #TNF100. I'm so lucky to get this lottery bibs and was selected for a 3 months intensive training with the North Face athletes under the The North Face Running Academy (TRA). I learned a lots about the skill set for trail running, how to use my running poles, how to go downhill fast and safe, knowing a great group of people with the similar mindset. The training is tough every week under the heat in HK, spent numerous of hours in the mountain and knowing HK is such a beautiful places. And it got me to a mindset that never stop believing myself, and never stop exploring. 
7. October: Struggle at works and i decided to leave. This is not the environment i liked to work, the people, the direction and a place that i cannot say have enthusiasm at all. May be i'm wrong, but this is my life i choose. 
8. November:  
9. December: FINISH my first ever 100km Ultratrail race - The North Face 100. Details to find it here: 
10. My niece was born - Hillary Hui (HH) the first child of Eric and Florence Hui, born at 12 Oct. 2016'. The first child of the Hui's family. The English name is suggested by me, the same year that Hillary Clinton is nominee of the President of US, it represent Hopes, Courage, Optimistic, Fairness. The the double H represent the Hui's family. 

Beach yoga on the remote beach on Lantau on last day of 2016

Another #getsetgoal #better2017 #newyearresolution #newyearnewme

1. 希望做一些有意思又快樂的事情
2. Start my Master degrees 
3. Well, its time for a Full Ironman 
4. Time to prepare startup 
5.  Learn Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism 
6. Start to eat green and clean (Once a week first) 
7. Start meditation
8. Reuse and recreate unwanted items
9. Explore some places i never reach before
10. Talk to people i don't like before 
11. Explore further, deeper of myself

Bye Bye 2015, Hello 2016

Early Dec. 2015 in ShekO Beach.

2015 is not a year for me, have been suffering, lost my passion of work and sports.  The whole year have been navigating where i am and never come to the shore or arrives any destination. I hope 2016 would be a better year for me, a new direction to be set off and take action to it. To summarize, this is my Top 10.

1. Accomplished 2 key project milestone on time with a new model type of new development concept. Having great experience working with a team of French and Canadian consultant where i learn from them and having some hard time too! In view of cultural difference towards government / contractual submission.
2. Thanks my boss who gives me lots of opportunities to fall (to bottom) and rising me back again. Understanding my weakness (effective presentation) is the key to success.  I have pushes myself started to self debate, self talk, and practice public speaking. It really helped me alots.
3. The best of the year is i have my kitten arrives as part of my family. He called Micgo, adopted from a extended friend in Cheng Chau. A British short hair blue cat, now he is 8.5 months old. He brings lots of joy, worries and love to me. He is the best and i can't live without him now.
4. I have raced my 6th 70.3 Ironman race (not including 3 DNF over the past 8 years). It consist of 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run in beautiful Kenting, Taiwan. Come back 6th in my age group, i have actually did my personal best of the race, completing a strongest field of girls. Hopefully i can be on the podium again amongst the best girls. The post race is awesome with my Team Sonic throw in with street BBQ, wine with our beach house boss and family. Thanks my coach, Charles and my Physiotherapist who worked so hard behind to support me. Earlier this year, i have fail at Taiwan Challenge Half. My fall due to improper recovery, allergy and my guts is missing!! Have the worst time in TaiTung.
5. Have 6 wonderful trips this year (not including my business trip) scatter in Koh Samui, Paris, Tai Tung, Taipei, Kenting, and Japan (Nagoya, Kyoto & Osaka). The holiday with family in Koh Samui is relaxing while the Japan trip with my family is fun, I have long time didnt lived with them and it brings back a lots of being a daughter memory. The Paris trip is unforgettable, combining work. Being alone for 9 days it let me to explore the other side of me. Meet new friends, revisit some of the old place and new place. Just wish that Charles is with me when i'm eating alone.
6. This year, i'm not passionate about work nor sports. Sometimes, feeling so alone, numb & lost; The mood is not there. Yes, moody. (May due to the Chinese Zodiac of being Sheep of year 2015 and yes i'm 36)
7. Discovered new sports - Crossfit. Yeah! Women who can lift!
8. EMBA or not. Still NOT.
9. In early Sep, i went to a SUP yoga retreat in HK remote island. I feel the love, support, sea and embraced myself every minute. I see what i'm missing and what i missed. I need that to support my soul.
10. I'm always glad that i have best friends around from the girls i have been handing around for years after years and my Team Sonic fellas who always pushes me to the limits, encourage me not to give up. Thank you all :)
11. I almost forgot, i have passed Driving exam in early Sep.! So thrilled.

Get Set Goal for 2016:
1. Get a New job (not related to properties development) that i will found passion, i would love to learn new things and explore my limitation.
2. Year of investment.
3. To go further of the sports i love, Triathlon, Marathon, SUP and Crossfit. The Ironman and 4deserts is what i'm watching.
4. To explore new places i never been: Norway, Grand Canyon, Nepal, Jordan Petra.
5. To study the veterinary nutrition for cats, bring new food that my cat will enjoy!
6. To train my cat going outdoor under guidance and be able to return the ball to me when he catch it.
7.  Hmmm, to study.
8.  To participate some group / team sports, to name a few the Outwardbound adventure race, Clean Half distance ocean swim.
9. Be able to join my college in some research study.
10. Be the best what i can be.

SUPyoga Retreat on Secret island in Homekong

Thanks for the amazing weekend retreat, and with this happy brunch of lovely ladies sharing similar vision of food, sea and yoga! 

Some of my favorite moment: 

The first afternoon SUPyoga exploring the hood.

The food that Dee and Nadine prepared mixed so well with the surprise BBQ dinner, the 3 meals prepare by Toxin (He is like our weekend cooks and credit to him to make the bed for us) The fresh fruit, coconut juice and the "Lick it" on the boat!!Amazing 

The Bon fire with marshmallow, i haven't have a Bon fire since 16. It really bring back the memory! 

The next day SUPyoga exploring the backyard beach with brunch of us paddling out. 

The weather and the clear beaches, the sea water splash on my face, the autumn sun and the mile wind that i can feel on my face. And of course the laugh you girls bring to me:) 

Have to admit i still feel like on the sea when i return home on my dinning table on that night, can really feeling it!! Gigi xx

Me trying new position for SUP

Our Sunday Breakfast on the secret island

Bon fire with marshmallow 

Paddling out on next day morning to explore the secret beaches

Busy May

So many things happening this May: 

1. preparing to have a 2 months old kitten arrival around June. Let's call him 米高Hui😜😜

2. Pick up my driving lesson and reapply the test. 

3. Change all the bed sheets, wooden dining table and possibly the chairs at home due to my skin test shown the allergen. $$$$ I want a Carrera marble table with series 7, 3107 fully upholstery chairs.

4. Got my I watch, now how to use?  

5. Replace my 10 years Mac book pro

6. Plan a Osaka trip with mom

7. Plan a Europe trip with Charlie ( so how about our Micheal Hui?) 

8. Plan a Executive MBA, then I need a GMAT done😢😢😢

9. Get started to be Team Sirius, will gonna be eat the pain for 24 weeks

10. Started my cross fit session for better arm stroke for swimming. Painful to be Olympian squat. So heavy and I need to wake up at 5:30 am😥😥😥

Advise for a 36 years old women

There have some thought come to my mind yesterday after a movie ( i opt not to disclose), and pushes me to think what elder people could gives advise at my age (9 days to hit!). So i goggle yesterday "What advice to give to a 36 years old women?" The result in insulting me in a way the whole page appears Pregnancy, Fertility! Holy Fuck! 

I wanted to do a due diligence and make sure i don't miss anythings at my age in all sort of perspectives, even something i never thought or reach yet! i can imagine when i pass 40, i may no longer can do anything happen at 36 with some of my ability and skill set.

So, welcome any advises....i want to know more what i can do.

End of 2014

Summery of 2014

7am at Big Wave Bay in the Mid-December, my wake up view.

1. In March, spent 3 days with Mom in Singapore to walk, taste the old and new Singas. Pampering ourselves at Mandarin is the best birthday gift without phone call, emails! 
2. Taken up 2 new projects in Kau To Shatin, worked with the famous designer in the world is my pleasure and learn alot from them. Still, the feeling of great presentation after having toughest process amongst the team debate, struggling, coordinating with everything for the design is the best. 
3. April, i have conquer a Half Ironman Race 70.3 miles distance consist of 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run in beautiful Tai Tung. Finish at 6 hours 13 mins for a second place at my age group. Feeling pumped and always believe Science and consistency training is the key of success. 
4. Spent 10 days in Osaka, Kaga and Kanazawa, where we hide at the 800 years old Araya Totoan and Beniya Mukayu is the best Kaiseki and Hot tub experience! 
5. July, i promoted from Project Manager to Senior Design Manager. Ok, more responsibility and now a Design team is being structure. I'm proud to work with AY, my boss who taught me to what i am today, really thankful to have a boss like him. 
6. Thyroid is over, stopped medicine from Sept. and doctor confirm it is in good condition! Way to Go!! 
7. Pass my Part 1 driving licence test on Sep. and will have real road driving exam on 6th Feb. Never too old to have driving licence. 
8. 5 family trips for travel this year and glad not so much business trip this year which really improves my health. The Phuket trip in summer with 3 kids and 8 adults is the highlight, never stay with kids for 6 days together and is a kinda nightmare to me. Never got chance to read my books and sun bathing by my pool.
9. Best movie of 2014: The secret life of Walter Mitty *** , The Grand Budapest Hotel *, Interstellar ***, Fading Gigolo **, Blue Jasmine*, Adore (Perfect Mothers)**, Gravity*, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes**, Before Midnight**, 
10. Charity, i have done 2 charity this year. The first one i did to help the Sedan Chair Charity to raised $3,415.4 by  joining one of the off road race for an open water swim and 15km trail run. The second i joined the Heifer charity run! Feeling great! 
11. I'm glad i'm still live the life what i like and enjoy my freedom everyday, To live the moment is priceless! Still, dream big and shoot to the moon is my destiny! 

I think that is it. Blown away 2014, ready your bubble with your loved one for a better 2015! 

loves,

Gigi xx 

Insterstellar

Great movie, it worth to sit down for two and half hours in cinema with our red, cheese and salami (Perfect for 2.5 hours)

This movie is exactly saying my believe for ghost for over 10 years when i share with Charles and some friends, as i don't believe this kind of things and i never scare about. All this what you feel, seen or heard is something that exist at the other dimension which does not live at our time. The magnetic field, wavelength just hit us in the same time and connected to us and that is why we can feel it, but untouchable because of

Some quote i really love from this movie:
“Maybe we’ve spent too long trying to figure all this out with theory. Love is the one thing that transcends time and space.”

Hong Kong My home

After lunch, i walked up to Connaught Road where the #occuppycentral protesters is there for the third day.  What I can see and hear after lunch hours, peaceful and quite. I'm emotional, and feeling not comfortable. Please don't share the news which is not rectify, I saw so many deviated, rotten news which is steering peoples mind. Be judgmental and find the truth by you own, know that this will be part of your memory and make no one regret! I'm in real concern of the kids. 我好擔心！連日媒體，FB上太多不實的報道，無知的人每一秒都Share,導致大家確信太多不真不實。不要被人利用，你一個Like/share 已傷害很多。用自己的心同眼去找尋真相，分析為何有這樣的報道。用和平不非法去抗命。找尋真理是最痛苦的。

Our new ideas about temporary homes and contemporary living?

Burning Man is set in the inhospitable Black Rock desert of Neveda 2014

Happy New Year 2014

Christmas Ride in Hong Kong, 2013

This year have been pasting through so fast and it comes to the end of the year today! I wish everyone have a exciting, wonderful and peaceful year of 2014!

Just read a words from my friend Stephanie "I like these pictures from Samaritan's Purse International Relief year in review. From fires and floods in Colorado, reconstruction and medical care in Africa, to the Philippines typhoon and Syrian refugee camps. Makes me thankful for heaters, safety, a roof over our head, and clean drinking water. We are rich." 
Yes, we are rich! We have water coming right from our tap, we can enjoy the warmth from our shelter home with blankets and immediate heat and hot water! I always remind myself, all these things i have shouldn't take it for granted! And remember all those people, children still suffer from hunger, and disaster. We should keep HOPE!

My Body
This 2013 have been good to me though i was diagnosis of Thyroid at April 2013!  After some races at the beginning of the year excitement, my body begged me to rest! I have been seeing doctor each months after with monthly blood test and daily medicine. Boom, after 7 months of this rest i was found my test becoming normal again! What a great news but i still have to taken medicine for 1.5 years!

My Sports
Before the diagnosis of Thyroid i have conquer myself for a half marathon race and come back with a top 23 women at the Hong Kong Standard Charter Open categories with my personal best result of 1 hours 50mins and 2 sec.! After all these excitement, my body begged me to rest! I have been doing less exercise and at low intensity. No major race for me this year, i would rather listen to my body.

My friends
 We have been attending 5 wedding of this year filled with love and blessing! From Hong Kong, Double Singapore, One in Granada and our brother in law wedding in HK! We are so glad that we can be part of them:) The HK girls joined together at Granada for my best friend wedding with a trip to Istanbul and south part of Spain which is great for this reunited POLYU things! Laugh, argue, temper as always!

My family 
My parents announce their divorce 2 years ago and we have been working so hard for them! My mother needs really long time to get through it and thanks God she is better than before. I understand sometimes when the time is come, somethings cannot be continuous and this happened and unavoidable. My sister and I have been spending alots of time for them, it needs time to heal and i hope everyone can understand. There's nothing to hide!
Charles and I being so good together, he is always by my side made me contented. I'm so glad that he is always there and support me always. Needless any words to describe.We lived, travel, explore, love, smile, food, read, share, music, movie, Triathlon, run, swim, bike, yoga, sweat together!  I'm fulfilling by everything he do for me.
Charles family have been so good to us too! My mother in law always prepared the great appetite to us, sometime she even prepare the food and sent to our home directly discreetly, so when we come home after works, we can have a best dinner meal! Charles younger brother is married on early December, the newlywed hosted a biggest wedding banquet of 35 tables! Unbelievable and is like a big show! We wish them all the best in the future!

My Work
Work is good to me, completed 2 projects this year finally! All have been working for 3 and 5 years in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Working with great designer and consultants among the best of the world have enlighten me a lots and share great ideas and solution among the team. Looking forward for more challenging opportunity and great project this year!

loves,
Gigi xxx
Jan. 2014

Diagnosis of Thyroid and nodules

Day 9 of diagnosis of Thyroid
Bad bad bad mood :( These Thyroid is totally ruling my mood and my body!!!

I was diagnosis on 25th April (Thursday) after i come back with a Langkawi Mom & Daughter retreat. i have feel my heartbeat is difference few weeks ago and i told Charles about this, we both think that must be related to the increase amount of training. Until i found my throat pain when swallowing liquid, i see my specialist Dr. Lau Po Yee and is clear that this is not the esophagus cancer (i worried about this because i always eat too hot food and i think i eat a lots) and he suggest to check my blood and do a ultra sound and he feel that may be Thyroid!!

Blood test done and ultrasound done. Founded 6 nodules around and diagnosis of hyperthyroidism!!! That explain why i feel sleepless started few weeks ago, faster heartbeat, weight loss, pain when swallowing :(

Now having medication and i have seek for second doctor advice to check again after a month medication and see if the nodules have any changes! which means another blood test need to be done after few weeks!

Doctor have no limits on food and exercise. I try to cut down the shell type seafood. For exercise, training i feel bad. I feel my legs is so soft suddenly and no sufficient power to run when compare few weeks before. This really hesitate me.......i try to jog with Charles last week and totally want to give up the whole way, feel i cant catch my breath and no power at all......

Beside, i feel like i have no mood in anything: shopping, cooking, reading, candy crushing..........

Please please please give me back what i should feel......

Can it be worst like these???

Wow, a big month passes!

I have suffer in Shingles, Zoster Herpes attack, URTI attack, Lost my wedding ring, China Visa Expire cancel trip for works (My boss is going to take his lead:() , Cannot finish a big race and has to pull out, Testing with Chinese Medicine at HKU, and now my husband told me he is going to work in Sydney for month and depart this Sunday! How could this happened??

Any worst case, please attack me ASAP! I don't like to wait when a War begin! I prefer a active approach!

Shingles VS Triathlon

Started to look at the shingles VS Triathlon and found out that is some cases worth to look at! Glad that I'm not alone! " Here Wellington fighting shingles for two and a half weeks before her appointment at Roth, and take the crown!" I just hope that I can race and have the power to finish!

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Wellington_smashes_WR_at_Roth_911.html

HELP! Race against time for Yvan

Dear all my friends,

My friend a caucasian Yvan C from my Triathlon club in Hong Kong is suffering in Acute Leukaemia (kind of Blood cancer?) He is a father of 2 (aged 6 and 10), a good husband of a Chinese wife is looking for compatible bone marrow to transplant! This is quite easy to help:
- Yvan will need a bone marrow transplant before end Aug. The donor must be found before end June to allow Yvan to be prepared for the operation.
- Two main priorities: finding someone in HK + finding someone in the caucasion community as the likelihood of compatibility is 10 times higher than with Asians.

Yvan at the local newspaper SCMP on 9th June 2012' with our handmade photo ablum!

ACT NOW, you may help a lovely family! Yvan have been training with me in the local Triathlon Club, we have been doing race together in Hong Kong and China. And now he is facing a big challenge like Triathlon race, which needs lots of our supports on the side and even give him a boost! Lets do somthing little TODAY and register in any centre in Red Cross in Hong Kong!

I did it yesterday during lunch time, and is my first time in Red Cross to give out my blood! If you know me well, you will know I'm the person who scare blood / injection deeply, not to mention i never donate my blood and try to avoid any heath test in relate to blood. But today i did one things which scare myself, i walk to the Red cross and registered a Bone Marrow Donor! When is yours?

Gigi first time to give our blood in Public which scare herself today!

I Love Shek O

Chilling out in Shek O, nice sunset with hubby! Lucky to be here twice a day! What a hard life:)  Morning brick session is not that social anymore, 4 sets of bricks. Hearts nearly drop!!

 

My Birthday at 2012

My friend will knew me I don't need a well dressed, formal candle night dinner treat at the Four Season hotel or Michelin star rated restaurant to see the chef performing! I'm not that type of girl:)

Charles finish work earlier than me and he is going to prepare our beach BBQ tonight at our favorite beach! We have pork loin, sausage, king prawn, scallop, bread, sea salt, a bottle of white wine and we bring our plate! What a relaxing night to spent together! So relaxing! And of course a day off tomorrow:) I would like to thanks Charles to being understand me all these year! Can't describe how great that your lover is your best friend, your soulmate and your hubby!!!

Charlie's accompany run

So proud of my Charlie who did this 3 km run with the Ppls who need a bit of our help:) so happy that we share the sports we like to our community!!

Public holiday Brick at Deep Water Bay

Nice way to kick start the new year with open water swim and run! The brekky at VRC is just saving my life with hot tea and food!!! Love my life:)

Grand Race Plan 2012

Have been struggling my 2012 plan for a month time and thinking what should / can do. I was considering to some grand plan or even beyond, may be I'm too aggressive. Having discuss with my coach and realising the real time have to spent / to train, i understand that somethings must be wrong in my brain and i couldn't have such 'time' to be in the sports i like as i have to do it not JUST to finish it. If i have to going to do it, i have to do it well and give it the respect its deserved. And i'll possibly becoming SELFISH!!! 

With the advice from my coach, i'll definitely will focus on the same distance 70.3 Ironman races PEFECTLY which i like since my first attempt at 70.3 China in 2009!
Thus, in 2012 i'll be more focus in 70.3 disctance race. and the following races outlines my

Grand plan 2012:

5th May - 70.3 Busselton  (CONFIRM)
5th Aug - 70.3 Philippines (CONFIRM) 
Sep - ITU WORLD Championship Grand Final Auckland
4th Nov - 70.3 Taiwan

I look forward to be the best i can be in 2012:)