So much for just continuing this 750 words journey! The second day after I started this challenge, I had to go for a full-day training and by the time I was back, I was already exhausted.

The day after? Well, there was work to catch up on, me being tired as usual, and lots more work. Did I also mention work?

Yes. So anyhows that's how I ended up missing a few days of writing here. I really should try to write more! I did sign up for the October challenge after all.

Anyhow, I haven't been well for the past three days or so. On Saturday, I started feeling a little bloated. It was about time for my PMS symptoms to start showing, so I wasn't too concerned. It was more uncomfortable than usual, and I thought that I had air in my stomach and that was it.

But the next day the pain continued, and it was getting kind of excruciating. I even went out to get some of those medicine for getting rid of air in the stomach. That didn't work. I was very gassy, but nothing helped. Not the burps, not the hot water packets, not the many farts I let out like the beautiful lady that I am.

I went to the clinic.

The doctor asked many questions. Did I eat on time? Did I have any abnormalities in my pooping or urinating habits? Have I been drinking enough water? Where does it hurt?

Initially, he thought that I might have some UTI thing going on because, well, I pointed to my bladder area being painful. But then I corrected myself. It was around the navel area, and kind of the area below my ribs.

Then the doctor told me that it was gastritis. I wasn't sure why though, I told him, because I ate on time and I didn't eat anything particularly acidic (except for the coffee every now and then, but even coffee also hasn't been strong that week!).

He then asked me if I was stressed.

I thought about the pending work from my freelance clients that are all due within the same week. I thought about the meeting in my full-time job and all the things that I need to do. Oh yes, I definitely remember feeling stressed that week. I was very stressed and demotivated, but I managed so far, didn't I?

Well, I told the doctor that yes, I felt stressed that week. There was a lot going on.

He then kind of had an eureka moment, and told me that it was stress-induced. He explained to me how stress can cause your stomach to release more acid than usual, and that may lead to gastritis. And so, there I was.

Painful stomach, super gassy, and I couldn't really sleep well because every turn would make my stomach feel painful again. It was just so painful, and I told my boyfriend that the pain was probably about 5x more than my usual menstrual pain. It isn't a lot, but there were times throughout the night that I just curl up in a fetal position and try to steady my breathing because it was hurting so bad.

By dinner time, I had to eat the painkillers. I tried to stay off it, but it was too painful not to do so.

The painkillers didn't help, and I woke up in the middle of the night in pain again. It didn't feel like peaceful sleep at all.

So this morning, I went to the doctor again. Today, it's a different doctor sitting at the clinic.

"Is it normal to be feeling so much pain? The painkillers didn't work."

The new doctor asked me about the painkillers that I received. What color was it? What shape was it? I told her that it was the white one, round shape. And she told me that it was basically Panadols, and that wouldn't really help with the gastric pain.

She prescribed me with a stronger painkiller and I was more than happy to ingest that one once I had my lunch. I also asked her to issue me an MC because I already informed my colleagues yesterday that I'll be on leave due to the pain I was experiencing.

So I had my new meds, and I got to rest.

After having lunch, I took all the medicine I had to take, took some painkillers, and took a long nap. I ended up feeling a little woozy and nauseous after a while, but I think I'm okay now. There isn't so much pain anymore, and I can actually get some work done again.

Sooooo.... Well I guess now I need to watch out for my stress management!

So, I'm starting with this 750 words thing today. I don't know how long it's going to take me to write this, but I think it would be a great initiative?

I don't even know what I'm babbling on about to be honest, but I have to admit - this sounds a lot more fun than just thinking about a topic and writing about it. I was actually looking for the desktop version of write-a-day when I stumbled upon 750 Words.

It's kind of like a writing challenge, something to motivate you to write more everyday or at least get into the practice of it? So, here it is. 750 words.

IDK though, I might like this one better, or I might not. All I know is I fell in love with the Writeaday aesthetics, and the idea of being prompted to write 750 words a day is also a fun thing to do, especially on desktop.

Years after using a mobile phone and I still am not too used to typing on phone. It's just so uncomfortable in comparison, pressing all the little buttons and pressing the wrong ones all the time. I don't know if others would prefer typing on the phone, but I know that I don't.

I just noticed that there's this counter at the bottom counting the number of words I've written. That's kinda cool too. And now that I'm half the page down, the super minimalist and clean interface is starting to appeal to me.

Maybe clean is good. Uncluttered. No need for fancy colors and features. I can go all deep-mode by saying shit like 'remember to be grateful for all the simplicity in life!' and so on, but that would be kind of pretentious, wouldn't it?

I'm still babbling on, aren't I?

As it turns out, it's super easy to just type out whatever's in my head - any thought that come to mind and all. The words just flow, and I haven't had that privilege for a while! The words have been feeling a bit forced recently, and I haven't been producing write-ups that I feel incredibly proud of.

I haven't been writing those sweet little love letters to my darling either.

I think it's just that we have been seeing each other everyday and spending so much time around each other? He must have moved in with me for the past 2 months + by now. Aside from our working time, we spend the rest of the time together for most part.

It's nice. He's always there.

Well, sometimes he's just playing his games a lot or taking so many vaping breaks, but that's part and parcel of staying with him. At least he's been feeling super comfortable and loved here :)

I remember how happy I felt when I moved out, finally gaining a daily life freedom that I never really had the chance to experience. This is his time, even if he's still in the internship period in the last run of his studies.

I'm quite excited to see what's waiting ahead for him. It would be fun, wouldn't it? He's going to get even more immersed in car race stuff, that much I can guess. Car drifts, car races and track days.

Speaking of track days though, yesterday he was actually sleep talking again!

This time it's a little different from the usual though. Usually it's just super short phrases and mumbling of strange words.

Yesterday he was speaking super coherently. Somehow he was speaking in Cantonese, and it's a pity that I didn't hear the first half of whatever he was saying. It has to be at least two complete sentences there.

All I heard towards the end was "And then they hold a track day there".

Which shows that my boy is thinking of car races and track days even in his sleep! My goodness. Just how much does he love car stuff? ... I guess it's a lot, isn't it? That was kind of a dumb question.

Eh, whatever. He's cute that way xD

Recently he has been throwing more tantrums like the little boy that he is. I can't blame him fully for yesterday though. I mean... After giving him a playful smack I actually accidentally supplex-ed him?

I meant to carry him in his curled up position, but by some wrong movements and whatnot I just ended up rolling up upwards before we both fell to our side and his head made a soft 'thunk' noise when he hit the floor.

I didn't mean to though, I swear xD

Now that the tantrum is over, I'm seeing it as a funny experience!

Aaand that's 750 words. 11 minutes. Not too shabby a time huh?

What I Want is Not What I Need

Arguments are bound to happen. 

Know when to end it.

Working in the race tracks is no easy feat – it’s a unique experience to be in the stands watching cars speed by, and a different one altogether when you’re there as a driver or as a pit stop crew.

Monkey works in the pit stops and helps with scrutinizing the vehicles pre-race. After visiting Elite Plus Speedway Circuit, MIMC Track and Sepang International circuit with him, I asked him to share his experience with me. This is what he has to say.

Sepang International Circuit is Ranked Among the Most Difficult Race Tracks in the World

It’s for a reason that we are all familiar with – the weather. It could be sunny when you’re preparing for the race, and drizzling 20 minutes later during the race.

The race track could be wet from the rain in one area and dry in the rest.

The drivers’ skills are tested to their limits.

They have to navigate the tracks with changing conditions around the corners. Most tires are better-suited either for dry or wet roads only.

Every choice and technique matters.

Road Surface Temperatures Can Go Up to 60°C

Photo by Pexels

The Sepang International Circuit has no trees around the track. There’s barely any wind, making the tracks hot even on normal days.

Vehicle interiors are stripped down to the bare minimum – just the driver’s seat, no air-conditioning. Passenger seats are often removed to make the vehicle lighter.

Drivers must wear a helmet on the tracks. Some also wears a thick and stuffy racing suit for protection.

As race after race goes on, the tracks grow hotter from tire friction, reaching high temperatures. The interior of vehicles heats up with the engine’s workings and exhaust gas from surrounding cars.

Imagine being covered from top to bottom while you’re parked in a hot parking lot with no air-conditioning and windows up – the thought itself is uncomfortable, isn’t it?

That’s how the drivers feel, but they need to stay focused on the road and vehicles around them while bearing the uncomfortable sensations.

Some drivers will have a pipe that directs air into their car through the window, while others will have an ice box where the passenger seat should be, just so that they do not suffer from a heat stroke.

Drivers who completed their race would exit the car with a soaking shirt, wet hair, and skin red like a cooked lobster.

There’s Barely Any Rest for the Pit Stop Crew Either

Photo by Pexels

Have you ever heard of the 1000km endurance race?

Like the name suggests, drivers have to complete 1000km inside the Sepang circuit, often requiring two or more drivers to take turns driving for their teams.

The fastest completion still takes longer than 8.5 hours.

Of course, there are other events – track days which anyone can join, official races which are more competitive, international events where the country pride is concerned.

Normal race events take up an entire day from set up to post-event clean-up. There’s not much time to rest in between.

Prior to races, the scrutinizing team must check each vehicle to ensure that they fit the regulations. When the event starts, the pit stop crew has to hurry to change tires and fix vehicle issues in between.

They have to alert the drivers when it’s time for them to exit the compulsory pit in once that job is done too.

They can only manage a few spoonsful of food before the next car comes towards the pit stop and it’s back to work.

Sleep is almost non-existent. If you are lucky enough, you might have a few minutes when you can sit down, fall asleep immediately and rush to work again once you hear the cars speeding in.

The pay for racing events are good, ranging up to several hundreds ringgit for a day.

Are you prepared for the exhaustion though? Remember, there’s also the long drive home after the event.

Motorsports enthusiasts know how fun it is to watch the races – especially the prestigious Formulae One races – but how many knows the struggle?