20100227
20100226
WHY AM I DOING THE CENTURY RIDE FOR TNT
If I say no particular reason, you may think I'm lying, but in reality that is the truth. While majority of the participants in the Team in Training program have had lost or have their love ones diagnosed to the disease, I am fortunate enough not to know one personally. Then why the heck did I choose this organization? If I tell you have somehow have a strong feeling toward the organization, would that make any sense?
Call me silly but here it goes. I first heard of this organization back in community college days (College of San Mateo days if you know me all these time). I know nothing about it and didn't really look into it either, but somehow the name stuck to my mind. Couple of years later, two of my friends from Brooks did a marathon for them. I am reconnected with the organization, yet, I never looked into it. I simply know there is this program call Team in Training and trains you to do all these sports event. As active as I am in sports, doing a marathon, triathlete, cycling have never crossed my mind! I'll just stick with badminton.
Then came last year, I started cycling, mainly because I was fed up with the bus that takes me to work. It's always late! So I bought a bike and started riding it to work. First was the 3 miles to and from the subway station, then I started riding back home all the way from Williamsburg Brooklyn to Flushing Queens. Then on with weekends riding out with Von and Orange. Then one day I signed up for Tour de Brooklyn 32 miles, then another with NYC Century for 35 miles. At the end of the summer, I was madly in love cycling! I purchased 3 bikes within 4 months! (Rudy was sold to Orange and Zippie was just too big, so I had to return it. Denim is latest and hopefully last for now =p) Von at one point felt that I was cheating on her =)
Then winter came around, Denim is sitting in the apartment and I'm dying to take him out! One evening while sleepless and surfing the web on Facebook (note: advertisement on Facebook does work!) on the side there was an ad for TNT. I clicked into and found out there are all these events you can join to fund raise for the organization. I went ahead and look for cycling and bam! Century ride! Meeting this coming Tuesday! So then I thought to myself, well if I'm going to do all these bicycle rides again this summer, why not do it for a cause? So I filled out the form and put myself on the list, and went to the meeting! Next thing I know I got myself involve in this organization!
During the various meetings and discussions with coordinators, I found out more about the organization and what they do. When they said back in 1949 the survival rate of leukemia was 8% and now it's 85% because of various research, that really hit it home! The funding for these research not only does it benefits blood cancers, but also to other forms of cancer. Apparently chemotherapy was first used on lymphoma patients and then later was researched to use on other forms of cancer.
So that being said, I really think that what I am doing and training for it's a fantastic cause! What do I get out of it? A whole lot! More money in the karma piggie bank, friends that I don't get to meet in my circle of friends, a great training program, getting to know more about myself by pushing the limit in both physical and socially! Really, you have no idea how much I have pushed myself to be more active and pursue people to donate! Coming up with creative fundraising ideas and execute these ideas! I definitely get more than I put in for!
If I say no particular reason, you may think I'm lying, but in reality that is the truth. While majority of the participants in the Team in Training program have had lost or have their love ones diagnosed to the disease, I am fortunate enough not to know one personally. Then why the heck did I choose this organization? If I tell you have somehow have a strong feeling toward the organization, would that make any sense?
Call me silly but here it goes. I first heard of this organization back in community college days (College of San Mateo days if you know me all these time). I know nothing about it and didn't really look into it either, but somehow the name stuck to my mind. Couple of years later, two of my friends from Brooks did a marathon for them. I am reconnected with the organization, yet, I never looked into it. I simply know there is this program call Team in Training and trains you to do all these sports event. As active as I am in sports, doing a marathon, triathlete, cycling have never crossed my mind! I'll just stick with badminton.
Then came last year, I started cycling, mainly because I was fed up with the bus that takes me to work. It's always late! So I bought a bike and started riding it to work. First was the 3 miles to and from the subway station, then I started riding back home all the way from Williamsburg Brooklyn to Flushing Queens. Then on with weekends riding out with Von and Orange. Then one day I signed up for Tour de Brooklyn 32 miles, then another with NYC Century for 35 miles. At the end of the summer, I was madly in love cycling! I purchased 3 bikes within 4 months! (Rudy was sold to Orange and Zippie was just too big, so I had to return it. Denim is latest and hopefully last for now =p) Von at one point felt that I was cheating on her =)
Then winter came around, Denim is sitting in the apartment and I'm dying to take him out! One evening while sleepless and surfing the web on Facebook (note: advertisement on Facebook does work!) on the side there was an ad for TNT. I clicked into and found out there are all these events you can join to fund raise for the organization. I went ahead and look for cycling and bam! Century ride! Meeting this coming Tuesday! So then I thought to myself, well if I'm going to do all these bicycle rides again this summer, why not do it for a cause? So I filled out the form and put myself on the list, and went to the meeting! Next thing I know I got myself involve in this organization!
During the various meetings and discussions with coordinators, I found out more about the organization and what they do. When they said back in 1949 the survival rate of leukemia was 8% and now it's 85% because of various research, that really hit it home! The funding for these research not only does it benefits blood cancers, but also to other forms of cancer. Apparently chemotherapy was first used on lymphoma patients and then later was researched to use on other forms of cancer.
So that being said, I really think that what I am doing and training for it's a fantastic cause! What do I get out of it? A whole lot! More money in the karma piggie bank, friends that I don't get to meet in my circle of friends, a great training program, getting to know more about myself by pushing the limit in both physical and socially! Really, you have no idea how much I have pushed myself to be more active and pursue people to donate! Coming up with creative fundraising ideas and execute these ideas! I definitely get more than I put in for!
20100225
HEADING FULL SPEED
News: The two fundraising events that I planned for are in the works! Really! I met with the bar that will be holding the Wii Tournament, and the manager is extremely nice and helpful! It will happen in April! I wish is sooner, but I will be traveling late March, which means beginning of March will too much of a rush. I mean crap, March 1st is next Monday!!!
The piano show with Yaz and Juan Michael is a go too! I also met with the manager at Uncle Charlie's, and he's all for the event. Apparently his nephew passed away last year because of leukemia. He was 26 and had been diagnosed for 16 years! For the first time, I know someone died from the disease, only by 3rd degree of separation. Suddenly that brings this event and cause much closer to me. I also met a guy name Matt at Uncle Charlie's last night, and sang really well! Von insists that he should sing at the show, because she was captivated by his voice. He sounded very much like Journey?! Next step, draft up a plan on how to do the show step by step and meet with Joseph again. This will also take place in April. Looks like April will be a very busy month for me!
I wont' be able to make it to my last spin class this Saturday, or Von's show, or RtE meeting. A family emergency came up and I will be flying back to SF for the weekend. My mom fell down stairs last Sunday and injured herself; fractured skull and broke a rib. The crazy thing was that the same day when I was at the Chinese Meeting, I almost fell down the stairs too. My mom and I tend to fall or trip over ourselves. So when I knew she fell down the stairs, I was very scared. That could have be me! Please everyone, be very careful when you walk down stairs. Be an old lady or old man, use the handrail!!!!!
DONATION THANK YOU
Four more donations came in since the last entry, and now we're at the $700 mark! $2,900 to go!! Good job everyone!!
News: The two fundraising events that I planned for are in the works! Really! I met with the bar that will be holding the Wii Tournament, and the manager is extremely nice and helpful! It will happen in April! I wish is sooner, but I will be traveling late March, which means beginning of March will too much of a rush. I mean crap, March 1st is next Monday!!!
The piano show with Yaz and Juan Michael is a go too! I also met with the manager at Uncle Charlie's, and he's all for the event. Apparently his nephew passed away last year because of leukemia. He was 26 and had been diagnosed for 16 years! For the first time, I know someone died from the disease, only by 3rd degree of separation. Suddenly that brings this event and cause much closer to me. I also met a guy name Matt at Uncle Charlie's last night, and sang really well! Von insists that he should sing at the show, because she was captivated by his voice. He sounded very much like Journey?! Next step, draft up a plan on how to do the show step by step and meet with Joseph again. This will also take place in April. Looks like April will be a very busy month for me!
I wont' be able to make it to my last spin class this Saturday, or Von's show, or RtE meeting. A family emergency came up and I will be flying back to SF for the weekend. My mom fell down stairs last Sunday and injured herself; fractured skull and broke a rib. The crazy thing was that the same day when I was at the Chinese Meeting, I almost fell down the stairs too. My mom and I tend to fall or trip over ourselves. So when I knew she fell down the stairs, I was very scared. That could have be me! Please everyone, be very careful when you walk down stairs. Be an old lady or old man, use the handrail!!!!!
DONATION THANK YOU
Four more donations came in since the last entry, and now we're at the $700 mark! $2,900 to go!! Good job everyone!!
- Wing - a friend back from the SB days! Definitely miss hanging out as a group: hotpot, dinner, bowling, sometime even mahjong, though not really a fan of it. She made a killer "daikon cake" (蘿蔔糕)! Not only she donated for the event, she even give me the recipe for the 蘿蔔糕 too. It's time to try it out! Thanks!
- Flavia - a fantastic stylist who works with Von at Delias. I don't really talk to her that much, mainly because I act weird all the time, I think it's time to get to know her! =)
- Juan Michael - it will require many words to describe this great dancer/performer/singer/playwright/everything. So it's best not to start =)
- Yaz - this great composer as well, will require too many words to describe this talented wonderful person!
20100220
ROLLING ROLLING ROLLING
It has been a very good and productive past couple of days. In terms of work, I figured out how to use Final Cut Express and did the short video for Nordwesthaus, and I say "it looks f-ing cool!". Personal life has just been busy busy busy! Between all the district meetings and Rock the Era practice, I still managed to squeeze in cello lesson! Definitely liking my life and enjoy every moment of it!
In terms of fund raising, I have done a lot, and good news and donations are rolling in! First, I finally got an email from South 4th Bar about holding the Wii Sport Tournament. Although nothing has set and we haven't meet yet, but the fact that they reply and said they'll be happy to hold it! That just made my day! A show with Juan Michael and Yasu at Uncle Charlie's is still in the work, and keeping fingers crossed for that! Emailed Billy about holding a badminton tournament at CP is also in the works. As you can see, I am very paranoid about not making my donation goals, and just come up with all these ways to reach it! So far, friends are very generous with donation and only two and a half weeks, we have raised $600!!!! Thank you so much everyone! Let's keep the ball rolling!
I did my second spin class this afternoon. I missed last weekend, because I was busy cooking away for Chinese New Year dinner. I believe I did much better this time around, because my butt is sore! I managed to ride off my saddle for more than 4 songs almost the whole way. I did cheat a little by sitting and rest a bit, but I am definitely not into hurting myself during training. One thing for sure padded cycling shorts rocks! My butt loves me dearly for it! I really wanted to take pictures of the spinning class, but the moment we were in the room, everyone just hopped on and/or adjust seats and started going! I'll try again next Saturday, as it will be the last spinning class, then off we go into the great outdoor! I am so glad that I bought some winter cycling gear, cos 30F outside cycling ain't a pretty sight! Now the question is how do I get myself over to Jersey on weekends, or even Central Park/Prospect Park during the weekdays 6am in the morning! HOLY COW!! Dedication! Dedication!
I met up with couple of teammates after the spin class, just to know each other, and had a blast talking. **NOTE** I cannot drink for sh*t! I had one beer and I was tipsy and not doing well for the rest of the evening! Hey buddy, work up your drinking game or don't drink at all! It's embarrassing! Nevertheless, I had a great time and had a great conversation with a friend afterward too! So far everything I've done has been a challenge for myself. The bike ride, the fund raising, the training and really putting my time into it. I really want to prove to myself that if I want to do something, it will be done and far better!
DONATION THANK YOU
It has been a very good and productive past couple of days. In terms of work, I figured out how to use Final Cut Express and did the short video for Nordwesthaus, and I say "it looks f-ing cool!". Personal life has just been busy busy busy! Between all the district meetings and Rock the Era practice, I still managed to squeeze in cello lesson! Definitely liking my life and enjoy every moment of it!
In terms of fund raising, I have done a lot, and good news and donations are rolling in! First, I finally got an email from South 4th Bar about holding the Wii Sport Tournament. Although nothing has set and we haven't meet yet, but the fact that they reply and said they'll be happy to hold it! That just made my day! A show with Juan Michael and Yasu at Uncle Charlie's is still in the work, and keeping fingers crossed for that! Emailed Billy about holding a badminton tournament at CP is also in the works. As you can see, I am very paranoid about not making my donation goals, and just come up with all these ways to reach it! So far, friends are very generous with donation and only two and a half weeks, we have raised $600!!!! Thank you so much everyone! Let's keep the ball rolling!
I did my second spin class this afternoon. I missed last weekend, because I was busy cooking away for Chinese New Year dinner. I believe I did much better this time around, because my butt is sore! I managed to ride off my saddle for more than 4 songs almost the whole way. I did cheat a little by sitting and rest a bit, but I am definitely not into hurting myself during training. One thing for sure padded cycling shorts rocks! My butt loves me dearly for it! I really wanted to take pictures of the spinning class, but the moment we were in the room, everyone just hopped on and/or adjust seats and started going! I'll try again next Saturday, as it will be the last spinning class, then off we go into the great outdoor! I am so glad that I bought some winter cycling gear, cos 30F outside cycling ain't a pretty sight! Now the question is how do I get myself over to Jersey on weekends, or even Central Park/Prospect Park during the weekdays 6am in the morning! HOLY COW!! Dedication! Dedication!
I met up with couple of teammates after the spin class, just to know each other, and had a blast talking. **NOTE** I cannot drink for sh*t! I had one beer and I was tipsy and not doing well for the rest of the evening! Hey buddy, work up your drinking game or don't drink at all! It's embarrassing! Nevertheless, I had a great time and had a great conversation with a friend afterward too! So far everything I've done has been a challenge for myself. The bike ride, the fund raising, the training and really putting my time into it. I really want to prove to myself that if I want to do something, it will be done and far better!
DONATION THANK YOU
- Susan - a friend in SF, don't really talk on a regular basis, but somehow have tons of common friends and a common respect for each other. Definitely a foodie and I always drool when she takes pictures of her food! It's been awhile since I saw her. I think because of this event, I should keep her in my mind more often!
- Dorothy (mom) - she was my mom during my Merrill days. The coolest lady ever and extremely friendly, but not mistaken as someone can be taken advantage. She really took care of me when I work at Merrill, and I am always happy to talk to her and see her! Thanks Mom!
20100218
DONATION THANK YOU
Wooo a load of thank yous in a short period of time! In no particular order:
Wooo a load of thank yous in a short period of time! In no particular order:
- Jennifer - first met her long ago through common friends and have been on and off chatting on MSN. I definitely think that I dragged her into donating, and I really appreciate for her generosity. Jen Jen I owe you one!
- Danielle - she's a co-worker of Von. Von told her what I'm doing and Danielle just dived right in with the donation! How awesome is that? Thank you Danielle! Congrats on a new family member to come!
- Crystal - we went to Brooks together, and she's a great friend of ours! Wonderful and beautiful lady! Always watching out for us! Can't wait to visit you and the little guy when we are in SF again!
- Alpher - my badminton buddy! He chauffeurs me to play badminton =) Great guy but too much self-claimed titles! Always corrects and annoys me with my poor English grammar (of course I'm now in for more teasing). He is also the guy that ruined Katie's $xx.88 display. Thank you AL FA FA!
- Last but not least Katie again - Since Alpher ruined the $xx.88 to the amount she donated again to make it $xx.88 again. Thank for for a lucky display of number!
20100215
DONATION THANK YOU
Second one of the day! This time I never met the person! Thank you Ms. Joanne Du for her donation! She's a friend of Emily who was kind enough to post my link via FB! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
It's the year of Tiger everyone! Roar like a tiger and really accomplish what you plan this year! If you hit a little speed bump, it's ok to drive slowly and get pass it, and if you gas the paddle and sped through the bump, good for you! I can feel it, this year I'm going to make some big changes, because it does say so for people born in year of the Horse. I will tackle some challenges and damn it I will make this year be THE YEAR!
First challenge: Cook a huge ass dinner and enjoy it with friends! [CHECK] 10 dishes ain't easy but Von and I did! Decked up the whole apartment too!
Second one of the day! This time I never met the person! Thank you Ms. Joanne Du for her donation! She's a friend of Emily who was kind enough to post my link via FB! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
It's the year of Tiger everyone! Roar like a tiger and really accomplish what you plan this year! If you hit a little speed bump, it's ok to drive slowly and get pass it, and if you gas the paddle and sped through the bump, good for you! I can feel it, this year I'm going to make some big changes, because it does say so for people born in year of the Horse. I will tackle some challenges and damn it I will make this year be THE YEAR!
First challenge: Cook a huge ass dinner and enjoy it with friends! [CHECK] 10 dishes ain't easy but Von and I did! Decked up the whole apartment too!
DONATION THANK YOU
Thank you Emily Wong for her donation! I know her when I was doing this "Emily" project and we've been friends since! Although I only see her once every year or even longer, she has been on my internet "stalking" list =) j/k I stalk because I care ok =) Thank you a whole bunch! I will see you soon!!!
BEING ON TRACK
The half way mark for the fundraising is on April 14, and I am trying to be aggressive by hoping that I will hit the 2/3 mark of the total by that date. Another work, on April 14, I better have raised $2,400. Which means that every week I have to raise $350. It seems a lot in donation terms, but one can also see it as small amount in spending terms. Which will it be? Donate or Spend?
P.S. Chinese New Year Eve dinner was a great success! Von and I managed to make 10 dishes without burning our home, and people enjoyed and loved the food! Pictures will follow. Now off I go perform with the cello in the meeting! Wish me luck!
Thank you Emily Wong for her donation! I know her when I was doing this "Emily" project and we've been friends since! Although I only see her once every year or even longer, she has been on my internet "stalking" list =) j/k I stalk because I care ok =) Thank you a whole bunch! I will see you soon!!!
BEING ON TRACK
The half way mark for the fundraising is on April 14, and I am trying to be aggressive by hoping that I will hit the 2/3 mark of the total by that date. Another work, on April 14, I better have raised $2,400. Which means that every week I have to raise $350. It seems a lot in donation terms, but one can also see it as small amount in spending terms. Which will it be? Donate or Spend?
P.S. Chinese New Year Eve dinner was a great success! Von and I managed to make 10 dishes without burning our home, and people enjoyed and loved the food! Pictures will follow. Now off I go perform with the cello in the meeting! Wish me luck!
20100212
20100211
20100210
20100209
DONATION THANK YOU
- Katie - "I know it's hard for you this month, and thank you for making a contribution!" She is the first friend I made in NYC, and she is a gadget freak like I am. I'm sure I took a "dent" in her spending this month =)
- Joanne - "You are one of my favorite people in the world! Back from HK?" Endless memories with this great woman! Just plain o' awesome!
20100208
DEEP S**T
I am usually pretty good with backing up and keeping track of jobs on the "board". But crap this morning proofed I need to be even more careful and really write down whatever comes in!
I managed to miss this small little job and thought it was done. So last week to free up some room in my working hard drive, not only I deleted the files from my HD, I got rid of it from my back-up too!!!!! Ahhhhhhh...
So now what? Have my boss get up super early again to redo the shoot?! He'll be hating me! So I end up going online to see if there are any data recovery softwares that can retrieve the deleted files. The Gohonzon must be looking out for me, cause not only I found one and it actually works! But the price: One Benjamin! That money I could've use it toward my fund raising effort. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Lesson: please be careful when deleting stuff! Benjamin doesn't come that easy!!!!!
I am usually pretty good with backing up and keeping track of jobs on the "board". But crap this morning proofed I need to be even more careful and really write down whatever comes in!
I managed to miss this small little job and thought it was done. So last week to free up some room in my working hard drive, not only I deleted the files from my HD, I got rid of it from my back-up too!!!!! Ahhhhhhh...
So now what? Have my boss get up super early again to redo the shoot?! He'll be hating me! So I end up going online to see if there are any data recovery softwares that can retrieve the deleted files. The Gohonzon must be looking out for me, cause not only I found one and it actually works! But the price: One Benjamin! That money I could've use it toward my fund raising effort. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Lesson: please be careful when deleting stuff! Benjamin doesn't come that easy!!!!!
20100207
TRAINING DAY
Had my first training yesterday: Spinning Class! Who would've thought that riding on a stationary bike can be so difficult! It was my first time in a spinning class. I was so excited about the class that I couldn't sleep the night before!
So with only 5 hours of sleep and a lunch literally before the class (bad bad idea!), I'm on the bike. For those of you who don't know, the bike is a fixed gear. Meaning, if you want to stop, you don't just stop pedaling and cruise. You either have to slow down bit by bit or press the "STOP" lever. I fell do get use to it, and I almost fell off from the bike. Not a good start. The whole point of the class was to ride in a rhythm, so the room is blasted with music that you would hear on Z100. Syncing to the music was not a problem. 1-2-1-2-1-2-L-R-L-R-L-R... but holding on to the rhythm and embrace it is the hard part, especially when your butt is off from the saddle. I "tripped" couple of times when Rihanna's Disturbia was playing.
Lesson: Take it easy, it was your first class. But damn it work it! And please get padded shorts, your butt hates you!
Recent donations:
Had my first training yesterday: Spinning Class! Who would've thought that riding on a stationary bike can be so difficult! It was my first time in a spinning class. I was so excited about the class that I couldn't sleep the night before!
So with only 5 hours of sleep and a lunch literally before the class (bad bad idea!), I'm on the bike. For those of you who don't know, the bike is a fixed gear. Meaning, if you want to stop, you don't just stop pedaling and cruise. You either have to slow down bit by bit or press the "STOP" lever. I fell do get use to it, and I almost fell off from the bike. Not a good start. The whole point of the class was to ride in a rhythm, so the room is blasted with music that you would hear on Z100. Syncing to the music was not a problem. 1-2-1-2-1-2-L-R-L-R-L-R... but holding on to the rhythm and embrace it is the hard part, especially when your butt is off from the saddle. I "tripped" couple of times when Rihanna's Disturbia was playing.
Lesson: Take it easy, it was your first class. But damn it work it! And please get padded shorts, your butt hates you!
Recent donations:
- Elsie was the first person to donate, despise the fact that she lives in HK! We went to community college together. Although we didn't hang out much back in the days, we manage to chat a lot online. I definitely owe her a drink when I'm heading to HK to visit! Thanks!
- Cassandra aka C-Lai made a donation as well! She went to high school with me and remain as one of my closes friends. (Trust me high school days were my worst time). C-Lai: the living room is all yours when you come visit!
20100206
FIRST EMAIL SENT
So I sent out the first email to some close friends for donation. I hope they won't disown me because of it =) Darn it, I forgot to ask them to spread the words, and I read the email 3 times already too. I almost want to say the email was written nicely and very sincere. So if you got the email, and reading this post right now. HELLO!
So I sent out the first email to some close friends for donation. I hope they won't disown me because of it =) Darn it, I forgot to ask them to spread the words, and I read the email 3 times already too. I almost want to say the email was written nicely and very sincere. So if you got the email, and reading this post right now. HELLO!
20100203
IT'S OFFICIAL
I doing a century ride for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise $3,600 by mid-April! Donation is deeply appreciated and can be donated via the link below. I will update my training progress and fund raising info here. Now I better come up with a fund raising strategy. Oh boy, what did I get myself into? But it is for a very good cause!
DONATE HERE!!!!
I doing a century ride for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise $3,600 by mid-April! Donation is deeply appreciated and can be donated via the link below. I will update my training progress and fund raising info here. Now I better come up with a fund raising strategy. Oh boy, what did I get myself into? But it is for a very good cause!
DONATE HERE!!!!
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