I think I am an adrenaline junkie. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to live in places that lack the activities I am looking for.

I have been running quite a bit lately. I recall a time when I used to hate running -- mostly due to those damn stitches I would inevitably get, which I now realize, were mostly from bad breathing practices. I started because the lack of activities to keep my mind occupied (*cough*Warcraft*cough*) made my body itch for something to do. So I ran.

The buzz you get after a good run is really amazing. I don't think it's a runner's high but it's definitely the adrenaline pumping. Makes me want to push further, do more -- which I would if my body could handle it but I don't really want to overtax it at this early a stage.

Anyway... I have been scouring about for other activities to do. Kickboxing, Escrima, Capoeira, windsurfing are all on my list unfortunately for me, that is not offered anywhere near me.

Skydiving and bungee jumping (not just one-off but as a consistent activity) is on the list and has been for years and years but those are simply too expensive for me.

Right now, there are two activities that I am hoping to shoot for.

One is parkour/freestyle running (I know the difference but I don't know which one I would like more yet). That, however, requires me to be at peak fitness and probably someone to buddy up with. But yeah, that is my new year's resolution. To obtain a body fit enough that I can start practicing parkour next year. (yeah, yeah, I know I have a ways to go :P Don't remind me. At least I'm trying. What are you doing?)

Surfing, too, has been on the list for a long time. Unfortunately, the waves here in Miri blows. However, today, while I was on my run, I noticed the waves breaking along the shore and then it hit me: Skimboarding!

This is Miri and people here do not seem very adrenalinely pumped in the least. But it's skimboarding. If there were ever a sport that a person could learn with lots of commitment and practice by themselves without having to worry about expensive monthly fees and buddy systems, that would be it, right?

So yeah... That's it. I am going to start skimboarding. I am actually really psyched about this. I have sent out emails and read a ton on the subject and even found places around Malaysia that sell skimboards. Hopefully, I will be the proud owner of my very own skimboard before the end of the year. Who knows? Maybe I will get good enough and can teach people on weekends for killer prices these sort of activites always seems to have.

I like running because I enjoy feeling my blood pump but I would never ever compete for it (for some reason, running seems like a very personal sport to me. I kind of hated going running with anyone else because I would get preoccupied with matching strides or talking instead of just enjoying it.)

But skimboarding -- yeah, if I got good enough, I'd definitely compete.

Plus if I start skimboarding, I can get rid of these damn farmer's tanlines I'm getting on my ankles and legs.

n00biecakes!