EmmaGoodEgg

The Brunei Marathon 2006

Dear Diary,

As you know, I am no long distance runner. But if I haven't told you before, let me tell you now, I have great respect for those who are. For someone who can't even go up the first hill at Shahbandar without fearing a heart-attack, I am also in awe. It must take some will to complete a marathon run of 42 kilometers (that's 26 miles), because to me even the 5km Fun Run would require a miracle of human endurance. I took some pictures.

A marathon runner and his champion chip at 5am earlier today.

I was glad for my marathon runner that it was raining this morning. The rain also made it easier to go back to sleep.

Hanging out with the Traffic Police while waiting for No. 0192.

No. 0192 and his rider.

After cheering favourite marathon runner at the junction of the Big TV, I headed to the Padang at the center of Town. The GrandStand was filled with tired and weary runners and their supporters.

This lady Melissa completed the Full Marathon at under 6 hours. She was born in Brunei, but is currently working and residing in Hong Kong. She's here in Brunei to visit her family and take part in the Marathon.

Jenny emcee'd the event and Izam worked behind the scenes for SCB.

From left, Hj Rozman, Captain Sheikh Rashid and Dato Hamid Jaafar look happy to be in the shade.

As do the Kenyans.

Some of the winners, including Bruneian Sefli Ahar who came 1st in the 42km Closed and 9th in the 42km Open.

And mine :)

I think next year I'll aim to complete the (half) Fun Run. Small steps dear Diary, small steps.

Love, Emma xx

ps/ Check out RA's coverage here and here.

Diary Of A Marathon Wife

Dear Diary,

The husband is running the Brunei Marathon again on Sunday the 10th of December 2006. Last year's 'land, sea and jungle' route went from The Empire Hotel, down the highway towards Berakas, back up the beach, back down the highway. Then through UBD campus, down the highway to Shahbandar, up and down seven hills. After that the Jerudong Park Country Club. A circuit around the Country Club, down Jalan Jerudong, do a U-turn and back to the Empire. That's 42 kilometers. This time the organisers have promised a "town track" which starts from the Taman in town, down to the Istana, then back towards town, then out to Kiulap. From Kiulap to Mabohai. Mabohai to Mentiri and back. THEN from Mabohai, through Kianggeh, past the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, back to the Taman. That's pretty far man. I have neither the will, nor the desire to pound my feet on asphalt and dirt, kilometer after kilometer, in the hot sun. At least I know I am a delicate flower. But Bobby wants to be be a marathon runner. So guess who's been in training?

AT least I try and help.

Supportive Marathon Wife To Do List

1. Ignore the fumbling in the dark when husband wakes up at an unGoldy hour of the morning to go for his run.

2. You would disappoint your mother if you don't wake up from a deep delicious dawn slumber just to mumble incoherently about routes and estimated time of arrivals with husband because you should feel sloven on those rumpled sheets while favourite marathon runner wants the body to get used to going long distances in the sun. It's okay to go back to sleep though.

3. Buy pasta.

4. Buy 100 plus.

5. Buy a sports utility belt with pockets for small containers and mobile.

Here's Willow showing her support.

Love, Emma xx

Sunday Images

YEAB Tent at the Car Boot Sale 2006.

Don & Mun's 1st foray into the world of car boot sales.

Early birds.

The husband preparing his Weber Kettle & Nadi getting sunblocked.

After a hot and searing day at the SupaSave Car Park, our mates and their kids dropped by to cool off, and play water Kingy.

Lil' Ariffin not looking too happy at being out of the water.

If you look really closely, that tiny speck in the sky is Air Asia.  I boo-ed.  But they couldn't hear me.

Sundowners view.

At the end of the evening, Azmi, Afiq, Aisyah, Andre & Nadi says CHEEESE! 

A Plug For YEAB

The Young Enterpreneurs Association of Brunei is organising a Car Boot Sale this Sunday the 6th of August from 8.30am to 2.00pm at the SupaSave Gadong Car Park.

Spaces are still available for B$25 and/or you can buy Raffle Tickets for B$2 each and B$6 for ten (prices includes a ticket to KK!).  This is a bit of a late plug as they close at noon, but for inquiries from now till noon, call the YEAB Secretariat at +6732221699.  In any case, should you want to score a space, come down to the SupaSave Car Park early and I'm sure they can sort you out.  YEAB will donate the proceeds from selling spaces, Raffle Tickets, food and drinks, to the underprivileged children of Brunei.

Being a car boot seller is addictive and this is why there are many car boot sales/jumble sales you can go to in Brunei, especially at weekends.  You take a drive along Jalan Muara, Jalan Beribi or Jalan Mata-Mata (to name a few Jalans) and I am certain that you will come upon a sign pointing you to one.

I was a car boot seller last year, at the YEAB Tsunami Car Boot Sale and whoooh, was it a rush or what.  Everything must GO!  Of course, I am hardly a pro-seller.  Totally disorganised, clothes/magazines everywhere.  There is apparently a technique to it (you know, pricing, bargaining, easy display, colour-coded price tags) and I know of a few people who has mastered these techniques.  I call them Master Car Boot Sellers.  Maybe practice makes perfect, so I thought that I would try again this year; after all it is for a good cause.  The husband will be doing his good deed of the day by selling Mini Burgers at the YEAB Food & Drinks tent.

So come on down on Sunday.  Walkabout the stalls hoping to chance upon a good buy, buy some Raffle Tickets, grab a bite to eat and have a swell time.

Emma Wants A Gong

Saturday was spent in celebration of His Majesty's birthday with me waking up too early for a public holiday to see who gets the gong.  I watched the ceremonies with a mixture of awe, pride and a touch of envy - His Majesty has an enormous majestic home, we should be lucky to live in a country full of tradition and it must feel pretty good to hang about in the ante-room waiting to be bestowed.   

Seated quite far away from the Royal Dais to see up close, the little TVs are so convenient for those sitting at Row Z.

Admittedly just a little bit wide-eyed, I took pictures of the awesome chandeliers.

 

Saturday evening we went out to town for dinner at RMS Portview with Lil' Wid, Kyle & HarHar for some outside dining to watch the fireworks over at the Palace.  Its great to see town bustling like its never bustled before, in full celebration and fairy lights.  I do so love the nights on and after July 15th of every year.

Happy Birthday Your Majesty.

xx Emma

Make Poverty History

With The day that rocked the world, Live 8, live at 2pm London time on the 2nd of July 2005 at London's Hyde Park.

There are differing views about this cause as reflected in the celebrity Click ad, and my two cents worth are:

1.  The Click video is beautifully shot in black and white, where each click symbolises the death of a child...every THREE SECONDS.

2. The Toddlers video of children living on the streets of Africa is harrowing to the bone and will make you cry.

3.  Does it matter how awareness is raised?

4.  The world rallying, for what is ultimately a good intention, is better for the karma than war war and war.

5.  In the midst of good intentions stars a display of backstage egos.  O'er.

Emma.  Wants.  Peace.

xx