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

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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

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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 scrutineering 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?

I studied in a girls-only environment until I was 15. Despite being in a strict, stereotypical Asian household, I never went for a single tuition class, piano lesson or other paid classes that puts me in the same classroom with boys.

It was a culture shock when I moved to a mixed school.

My first impression of guys was how unruly they were. The students in the last few classes were the worst - skipping classes, smoking cigarettes, playing truant and sneaking out from school through holes in wire fences.

They were also unnecessarily loud.

I avoided them as much as I could. I didn’t respond to catcalls or my own name, because I was scared of them. They were unfamiliar.

I remember the guys in my class folding paper airplanes and throwing them at me until I stood up and shouted at them, “Enough is enough!”

There were rumors circulating that one of the guys had an interest in me. I won’t know if it’s true, but I did not understand why they thought making me feel uncomfortable was a way to show interest.

So, I only responded for group assignments, studies and the like until I graduated.

I Learnt to Do Things at My Own Pace

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Don’t ask me how, but I managed to land my first relationship amidst my fear of guys when I was 16. Granted, 95% of our communication was through texts and Facebook, and another 3% was on phone calls. He was in Melaka, and I was in Johor.

The remaining 2%? We met up when I return to my hometown. When that happens, I would be too scared to look at him, much less hold his hand or give him a hug.

Suffice to say, it is not a good idea to be in a relationship with a gender that you are afraid of.

I was dumped with a text message shortly before my SPM exams. It was my first relationship, and I was as heartbroken as you might expect. I couldn’t focus for my revisions, and I did not get the straight A+ results I hoped for.

Instead, I had 8A+’s and 1A. Damn you, chemistry.

For the next few years, I wondered if I would have gotten straight A+’s if not for the emotional roller coaster that I jumped into when I wasn’t even buckled in and ready yet.

I thought I was ready, but I should have known better.

I learnt that relationships weren’t something to rush into, especially when I wasn’t mentally prepared to maintain one.

With him, I knew that a relationship is a two-way thing, and I can’t expect the other party to do everything while I stay completely passive.

I Learnt to Stand My Grounds

Photo by Zun Zun from Pexels

When I went to college, I started adjusting better to guys’ presence. They are much more manageable compared to those in what I like to call ‘the gangster classes’ in secondary school.

I was still awkward around guys, but soon I started laughing as loud as they do at the dirty jokes, play rough with them and give them the middle finger when they are rude.

I mixed in well enough to get into my second relationship, even if it lasted barely six months.

He was a bad choice and I knew it. He was my close friend’s ex-boyfriend and he showed interest in other girls when he was with her. A part of me knew it wasn’t going to work out, but I made the mistake of thinking that he would change.

He fell for another girl when we were together, after which he cried and apologized when confronted. I forgave him, but in a few months, he was getting close with a different girl and I called it quits.

I still rushed into this relationship because I was infatuated with him. It wasn’t surprising that we ended it that soon. It wasn’t a painful break up, because I knew we wouldn’t last.

I learnt not to act on infatuations and to listen to my brain when it’s telling me I shouldn’t. I learnt not to get into a relationship that will not be fruitful just because of some short-term high.

Most of all, I learnt that that a person will not change magically just because they are in a relationship. I learnt to look out for warning signs, and not to stick around hoping for a change.

With him, I knew what I did not want in my next partner.

I Learnt to Accept Rejections

After my second relationship, I fell for a few other guys, and shamelessly chased, pursued and confessed to them. I was rejected, and I was bitter about it for a while, but after that has passed, I was relieved.

I was relieved because I have tried, and I knew the outcomes. I never had to look back and wonder, “What if I had the courage to confess? What would have happened?” I confessed, I was rejected, I was bitter, and I moved on.

I knew being a girl doesn’t magically lead all my confessions into relationships, and so I learnt to confess with no expectations.

I learnt that sometimes a guy’s nice gestures don’t indicate a romantic interest in me, even if it did make me feel special because no one has treated me that way before.

I learnt to be bold, and I learnt to accept rejections and move on.

I Learnt to Practice All That I’ve Learnt

As cliché as it sounds, I met someone that felt right two years later.

They say the third time’s the charm, right?

This time, I didn’t rush. I got to know him well. I saw that he was hurt just as I was, but he was genuine, and almost honest to a fault. He was as unfamiliar with girls as I was with guys. I saw that he had a temper, and that he wasn’t perfect.

I didn’t expect him to lose his temper overnight, but I knew I could expect loyalty, security and that our efforts are going to be equal as we learn about maintaining a relationship together.

He drove 40 minutes to meet me every other day and made time for me. I pushed aside expectations, determined not to think that he’s interested from his gestures.

I was definitely interested in him, and I didn’t know if he felt the same.

So, I confessed before I returned to my hometown for a week. Meanwhile, he considered our relationship and I did not rush him.

We met when I returned. He accepted my confession and we were together.

Maybe it’s meeting someone who has had the same experiences. Maybe it’s finding someone whose maturity complements your own.

Whatever the case, I’m glad that I have learnt the lessons I did and met him when we have learnt just enough for us to explore more together.

Here's to us, Monkey boi. Cheers 💕

I think monkey and I has always been somewhat frugal when it comes to our expenditures, even from early in the relationship which most would refer to as the 'honeymoon stage'. 

For him, I’m grateful.

Monkey and I has always been quite different.

I've always looked up to him, admired him even, for so many reasons. I'd always tell him that he was doing so well, that he's amazing for what he was able to do. It's not just because he's my partner. I look up to him because he... he manages. He pushes through.

Monkey knows he has a hot temper - he knows he can be super stubborn, and it is difficult to change his mind about something once he sets his mind to it. He knows perfectly well that he has a huge ego, and he's so confident about certain things that it almost makes him straight-up cocky. His redeeming traits? Plenty.

Whereas I put aside my coursemates from university, my hobbies and my family members aside just so that I can put more effort in caring for him and loving him, he juggles everything - relationship, work, studies, his passion for car stuff, friends from different groups, and of course, his family.

He does it well - he puts aside time for whatever he needs to, sacrificing some sleep time here and there, some personal time to play a few League games, and a lot more. Still, he could manage. He works well under pressure. With several concerning events happening at the same time, he maintains his cool. He was able to manage other stuff that he needs to.

In situations where I would have gotten panic attacks or breakdowns, he was strong. Irritated, annoyed, perhaps pissed off, but he would be strong and he would push through.

He always did.

He has friends. Actual friends who would be there when he needs them to be. Friends who would drive over with a single notice, friends who carried his bag and went to his classroom with him when he was on crutches for several weeks. Friends who would, if he said he had a car crash, turn right up and help him with anything he needed.

I can't think of a single person in my life who can do that for me other than Monkey himself.

He goes the extra miles - not just a single extra mile that anyone could do. He offers to help further, requests to learn more even if there is going to be no pay involved. He sources for things he knows his friends needs, even if it could be troublesome. He looked out for me and gives me plenty of information - who this new person in his life is, why I shouldn't be too close with a particular person due to their background, what he's going to be busy doing the next weekend and who he'll be with, etc.

He does this all as if it's a 'should', as if it's a 'basic'.

Sometimes, things like this make me love him even more than I already do.

Monkey might not be very book-smart - I sometimes tease him about not being able to remember how to say certain weekdays in Malay because he's from an international school - but he's definitely street smart. He plans for the worst even if it sounds ridiculous to me sometimes because it seems like something super minor to me.

But that's how he made it so far. He can break down a plan to me, and tell me what would possibly happen if another scenario were to happen. He would let me know why a certain action would be a bad move, why I should go another route, etc. And it works. When I go to him for advice, it makes sense. Sometimes, I start to think that he's thinking wayyy too much into a simple scenario and I end up getting me onto the wrong route he warned me about.

Of course, 99% of the time these worst case scenarios never happen, but he sure was prepared for it.

He can be really, really lazy when he's with me. Once he's settled in my room, there's no dragging him out of it for nice meals outside, no bringing him out for window shopping, no going to the movies. He doesn't update the Torn City newsletter preferences that gets him free 250 energy because he was lazy to do the 5-click procedure, and he could get that amount of energy with an in-game item anyways, so he didn't bother.

But if we were to be eating together and I didn't want to eat a shrimp because I felt too lazy to peel it, he would do it for me. If I wanted to get a drink from the fridge downstairs but was already too comfortable to move, he would get right down and bring it to me. When my grandparents are visiting for the first time, he offered to meet them and provide transport where needed.

Like some other dudes that I know out there, he doesn't have a very high EQ either. There are times when conversations were tactless, and he gives advice when I'm just looking to rant. He would push solutions to me when all I needed was a listening ear and a few hugs and kisses before I gather myself back up. He doesn't understand why I can't control my mind to be strong enough to avoid panic attacks, and he definitely doesn't get hints.

I might tell him that we haven't been on a vacation together in a while, and he would jokingly mention the next car track meet, or tell me about a vacation with his family instead of talking about a plan for just the two of us.

Honestly? He's dense sometimes.

But when I tell him straight-up that all I want is for him to listen, to give me some comfort, or just to have some quiet, alone time with him, he would understand and comply. When my panic attack still hits regardless, he would be there to keep me company. When I get anxious in big crowds, he would be there to hold my hand and walk in front of me to shelter me from the crowd - even if he doesn't like the crowds either.

He would be the one to bring out the umbrella if the sky starts to turn a little dark when we head out and massage my back when it starts to ache just before my menstruation starts. When I wake up from nightmares of him leaving me, he's always a phone call away. It wouldn't matter if it was only 11pm or 4am in the morning - he would be there.

*sighs*

I'll end this post here. I need to let Monkey know that I love him so, so much.

The TurKey is going to be together for 3 years! :D

Let's see. Almost the third year in, and I simply can't imagine my life without this derpy little monkey in it any longer. It's still just as exciting whenever he pops over for a visit, and every night he stays over, a tiny little celebratory sparkler is still lighted up inside my heart.

Pretty much a huge chunk of this past year was spend in 100% comfort zone. Monkey would come over when he can after his internship hours (usually around 8pm or later) for dinner, and some days he brings me back to his place afters. He would take a shower, have his dinner (It's usually McD deliveries if it's at my place, or sometimes I'd fry him up some snacks), and we just derp from that point onwards. He'd be watching videos or playing games on his phone, and sometimes I watch with him. Other times, it's lots of massaging and scratching for him because he has the body of a 40-year-old man who keeps crying that he's going to die whenever I press his back for him 😂😂

We are supposed to head to Genting Highlands for our anniversary - I would love to keep our 2-year streak going - but at this point we aren't sure if his car is going to be out yet. Plus, he still has his internship, and his work ends around 7pm on Saturdays. By the time we are up, it'd be quite late, and we have to return around late afternoon on Sunday latest. Seems like we won't be going this year 😟

Genting isn't the same anymore either way; I suppose it isn't really that fun to go anymore. Even during our last visit when we were looking forward to visiting Redtail by Zouk at Sky Avenue - hoping that we will be able to play darts there as advertised - there were no dart machines and it was quite a cramped area. Monkey was disappointed and we just headed back shortly afters.

Frankly speaking I would still love to be up there - but just for the nice weather and ambience there. It would be just us (that's the best part!) - a short staycation where we can just head out and buy overpriced food later on and be back in the room cuddling, all nice and warm under the blankets 😌😌😌I suppose we'll have to miss it this year.

Definitely looking forward to our 3rd anniversary regardless - partly because 3 is my favourite number x'D Plus, this would be yet another excuse to meet up with him amidst all the busy schedules and working hours! 😝

So, we've been playing Torn for about 3 to 4 months now, I had a month worth of headstart against my man, but he caught up so fast and surpassed my level... Like he did in Clash of Clans and probably many other games to come if we were to play them together. He's really competitive in games after all, and I play much more casually with no intention of surpassing other people quickly. Just... chill, y'know?

Anyhoo.

Thought I'd record down some of my favourite memories with my man here to celebrate our supposed 'marriage'. It's only in-game k, this doesn't count in real-life scenarios. Will be waiting for him to pop the question, which is, in his words, "In my car, going through a corner, I shall ask". Meanwhile, these are 10 of awesome memories with my darling.

1. Him giving me a birthday 'surprise' which he made a little too obvious at Chateau Du Pain - he went downstairs pretending to meet his friend, and came up with slices of cake, and his gifts for me - 21 paper roses being one of them as well. He requested for our song to be played on the TV - 爱你. I took a short video of that moment, and he still had a bruise just above his lips from falling face-first at Jumpstreet shortly before 😂

2. We went to the zoo! His white shirt was almost reflective in the sunlight. We were laughing at a penguin that had its head stretched all the way to its back for some unknown reasons. It looked as if it had no head! The reptiles area was closed though.

3. He went to install his new exhausts. We were there much longer than expected, but the wait was worth it! He was so excited the whole way through, and when we drove back with the new exhaust system installed, it was just 👌👌👌👌 I can still see that happy little face right now.


4. We thought about that cute little waving lizard while we were looking at our new little baby gecko and we were both just sitting about 1m away from the lizard, waving in a slow circular motion at it hoping that it would wave back. A few seconds later he went, "We look like idiots" and stopped. xD

5. Early on in our relationship, probably just a little over a month after we got together, we signed 'Terms & Conditions' paper that we each wrote a copy of. It contained T&Cs like "We do not have serious talks about marriage at least until after being together for 3 or 5 years" - something like that. *scoffs* We aren't even together for 3 years yet and that topic has come up every once in a while now.

6. Okay, this isn't one of the best memories, but there was this little butterfly cleverly disguised like a fallen leaf at the window close to where we were standing at. I was giving him a hug when I saw it, and I told him, "I don't know if this is a butterfly or a leaf." He looked at it and told me it's most probably a leaf, and then proceeded to - keep in mind that I'm really scared of butterflies - try to grab it. It flew, and I got so scared I cried and he had to give me lots of hugs and pats afterwards 🦋🦋🦋

7. Our first vacation together was at Genting Highlands. Don't count in the parties with our friends or any other overnight stays. That first vacation made us feel so relaxed & free of responsibilities, and we were both just so focused on enjoying each other's presence. That was... bliss. 💕💕💕With both of us working now, that is a little more difficult, but we're looking forward to our next one!


8. I once drank a little too much wine at once, and my body started convulsing a little. That scared me a little, even when I knew I was drunk as hell. He let me rest against him and made me relax; he asked me to focus on my fingers - count one, two, three, four, five and repeat - until my mind was able to focus better and the convulsions went off. Of course I got a flick on my forehead for drinking to that extent, but his care made me feel so cared for 😊😊

9. Quite frequently, I get nightmares or bad dreams that he was going to leave me or tell me he hates me. One of the nights when that happened, he knew I was having a bad dream and comforted me when I confirmed with him that it was one of those dreams again. Without a second word he just hugged me close and repeatedly told me, "It's okay, I'm here." while patting me back to sleep. I slept like a baby afterwards.

10. Some weekends when I'm at his place, we would clean the house together. As a joke and part of our older memories, I told him to be careful not to break the mop when he was mopping the floor, and a while later he just came to me with the mop broken in half. I might have jinxed it xD

Oh yes, another of my absolute favourites - I was giving him a massage, and he was browsing through his phone. He showed me a video and after I commented on it and he replied... Well, merely 5 seconds later when I glanced up again he was already asleep with his phone slipping out of his hands. Does anyone else fall asleep so quickly? 😂😂😂

Well, here's to many more memories together with the best partner I could ever wish for! 💕💕

So, I have joined TornCity like... 51 days ago.

I was looking for a game that I can play in my office without it being too obvious that it is a game. The requirements:

• It gotta not look too much like a game
• I shouldn't need to stay for 2 minutes or 5 minutes for one game like most turn-based games
• It should be relatively low-maintenance
• It's gotta still be a game that I can play long-term

Lovely reminders from Torn y'alls.

Hi RVP and the rest of The Black Pearl from Clash of Clan,

If you're seeing this, I'm Tatoru. This blog is about JonathanW and me, our relationship together. You might not see many photos of us here, but that's just because the blog is still under development. If anything, from our simple blog you now know that we are a straight couple, which means... I'm a girl.

Meanwhile, let's get 30K points for the Clan Games!

Good luck everyone!

• Our arguments must be resolved within 24 hours (nope)
• Termination of contract may occur if any form of cheating occurs (still applies)
• There will be 😉 practical lessons 😉but further 'classes' will only be accessible after upgrade of relationship (uh… too late)
• No serious talk about marriage until we have been together for at least 2 years (We talked about it anyways, so long ago)
• Your ass is mine and only mine (Damn right y’alls)
• We do our best not to make each other jealous (this one is kept very well)
• No smoking (vaping is slightly better I guess)
• Try not to make each other worry, keep each other informed (still do)
• His duties as my babe – odd jobs, bodyguard, punchbag (he kills insects for me, swerved an incoming football away from me & lets me bite him)
• No refunds, no backing out. (never letting you go, boy)
• We should have a small celebration treat on monthsaries, a slice of cake or a cup of coffee etc (Nahhh it’s comfort foods now)

The Story Behind Pohmahtoe

One time, it was so hazy out but he still came over and brought me out for a date!

Not Drunk

“My heart’s beating really fast. Am I going to die?”
“It’s getting really hot. Can you check if I have a fever?”
“*loud laughter* Wait whaaaaaaat HAHAHAH”

First party thing we went to.

Boi: Bee, hold this for me please.
Me: *holds, starting intently at the dart case*
Me: … For how long?
Boi: *looks at me*
Boi: Never mind. *takes it back out of my still-outstretched hand*
Boi: … Put your hand down..?
Me: *literally lets my hand just flop down, slamming onto the wooden floorboards*
Me: aaaaaAAAHHHH *baby whining voices*
Boi: Baaaaaabeee *facepalms*

Aftermath of first party attended. He was just asleep though.

He was in a club at said time.

He was in a club at said time.

He was in a club at said time.