Reproduction
Entry #0.20 - Post Marathon
Monday, December 8th, 2008
It’s a great day to sleep in!!! The rain and cool weather. My legs are getting rested and I felt better than yesterday. As promised, here’s my 1st marathon experience:-
The night before I was already full of excitement. Like a school boy preparing for 1st day of school, I pinned up my number tag and hung my outfit out ready for a quick change in my groggy state (for sure because I will be waking up at 3:30am) I missed out on my best mate’s birthday party the night before as I had to sleep at 9pm. I wonder if the party people were still at it when I woke up. (Happy Birthday L!)
The moments before the marathon felt a bit like the backstage frenzy at the GP event (do all important events feel like this???). My friends couldn’t find carparks, lost their way and phone me when I was applying vaseline (yes, to prevent abrasion. I’ll not elaborate where I put them on). I’ve never used any vaseline during training but this time I’m pulling all stops. I even had a pack of power gel before the run!
We managed to scurried down to the starting point just in time to inch forward with everybody else. Took some last minute pics and were on the way.
1st 5km was really just a warm-up. Me and a few buddies were taking it easy, chatting and making plans for lunch and maybe post marathon drinks (LOL). I hate to bitch but there was this chap running behind that kept telling his friend about “the wall” (for the uninitiated, “the wall” is a runner’s nightmare. I’m not sure what it is, but I think it refers to your body not listening to you anymore even when you try to move) For goodness sake, we were in our 6km! His poor friend!
Poor friend:”What is the wall?”
Stupid Runner:” You don’t know? Nevermind, you’ll know when you hit 30km”
Some kinda running buddy huh.
I was so glad they ran past me. I don’t need this kind of chat around me in my 6km into the run.
I knew it was a slow start when I started to take out my power gel ( I’d planned to take 1 every hour) and I haven’t hit the 10km mark. Nevertheless, I stuck to my “plan”. Then my bladder was throwing a tantrum so I had to queue at the Fort Road toilet and that’s when I lost track of my pals. Then it’s just me and the road before I did chance on some of my pals along the way but we all had our own plan so pace was different. I was going at a steady pace until maybe at the 26km mark and feeling pretty good when I felt a sharp jolt in my left foot. And my left thigh was feeling strange like it was going to cramp. It was then I realized in my happy state, I haven’t been taking any isotonic drinks throughout. So this part is true. You do get cramps if you don’t hydrate with electolytes on the way. Thank goodness a friend stationed along the route passed me a can of isotonic. I gulped it down and slowed down my pace. Soon, the funny feeling in my thigh was gone. And the pain in my left foot was reduced to a numb dull ache. By then, I’d hit the 30km mark. And another horror happened (well a bit dramatic on my part)!!! The sun was up and beating down on us. I’d whipped out my Oakley’s earlier on so the glare was reduced. But you can still feel it especially when I was running along the roads. My friends can testify how easy I burn in the sun. Buses were passing by and the heat from their engine radiated and hit us like some heatwave. By then I could see people with their legs covered with muscle ache cream everywhere and the smell of it surrounding me. It’s like all my senses were suddenly heightened. Or am I in euphoric-manic state?
I have to say the worse stretch was the F1 pit building where there was no shade at all. I was THAT tempted to walk because almost everyone around me were walking save for the few. My legs were feeling jelly already but I trudged on. And I saw 38km!!! Then I knew I was going to make it to the finishing. I still have some run in me (despite the fierce walking I had to do at the GP rehearsals and event. LOL).
So it took me some time to hit the 41km mark. 1km more to go, just 2 and 1/2 rounds in a standard track and I was smiling to myself despite the pain and aching. Then I saw someone familiar. He’s been weaving past me sometimes and I overtook him sometimes along the way. And there he was in front and stretching his thighs (that’s how I overtake him sometimes but his pace was faster and he would get in front of me before I knew it).
I whizzed past him, continue for a few more metres. Then….. I turned back and trotted towards him. It was so close now. I requested we finish the race together. I’ve always been more about the process than the results kinda person. And I’m glad I turned back.
And made a new friend.
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Entry #0.19 - 5th Dec (the aftermath)
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
It was quite an experience alright. I never knew it was such hard work entering a contest. Fitting was done on 2nd, rehearsal on 3rd and finals on the 4th.
Many of us were thinking that it was more like we’re doing a runway show than a competition. There was no cattiness backstage at all. In fact, it felt a bit like army days with the guys. “Where do you keep your wallet ah? Can I leave it on your bag? Where do I go for make-up? Oh now do hair ah?” We look out for one another as always. Even host, Hossan Leong gave some tips to where we should keep our valuables. Haha.
Thanks to the nice people I met on set. (Chloe, Evelyn, Jelexa, Jumius at the fitting. Douglas, James, Alvin at the rehearsal. The dressers and make-up artist Sabrina at Zouk on the day of the finals.) I manage to survive the whole thing. Thanks to the people at Female (Madeline, thanks for not hanging up on me when you 1st called. Haha)
And thanks to everyone who voted for me (one way or another at gunpoint or knifepoint).
To the people I was caught in between and somewhat here and there:-
Alvin, you still haven’t issue me the MC you promised! I’m holding you to that! LOL
Fay, thanks for having my back!
Adeline for the encouraging comments on my blogs!
Stacie and Melissa for breaking the ice on rehearsal night. It was great chatting.
Wee Naa, Pam and Iko, congratulations! I noticed the 3 of you standing in front of me kept getting prizes!!! Hahahaha….
Jon, we shall drink together one day!!! Drink Drink and be Merry!!!
Suhow, I will go to your cafe one day.
Nam, you mentioned you promote alcohol (which makes you one of my best buddies already. Hahaha)
And 24, for the great company throughout!
I never got around to everyone. But I’m sure our paths will cross one day again.
I am quite glad the blog is still alive when I came in today. I’ve never blogged so much in my whole life. This is definitely something that will make great memories in time to come. If they take the blog off after today, we can always keep in touch. There is a facebook group created for us. Just go in there!
Next up is my marathon on Sunday! What a wonderful week this is going to be.
If this is still up, I’ll write something about it.
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Entry #0.18 - Overdue
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
“This was supposed to be posted last Sat. Haha”
--
It’s another week gone. Sometimes, time passes so quickly I barely have time to know what I am doing. Somehow or another, I find my schedule really packed and I struggle to keep abreast of things happening around me. Thank goodness for my midweek break on Wednesday where I took leave. What did I do? Hahahaha. Run. I woke at 4am and ran to Fort road and back home (ok, close your mouth and I am NOT crazy). Most people would preferred to sleep in till brunch time, have their coffees and light meal. I’d have love to do that, especially from the long hours at work recently. But the marathon date is near and I do not want to give up the training just 1 week before the actual race. It’s 7 Dec. So I forced myself to wake up. Fit in my earphones and went on a steady pace along the roads. After the initial tardiness of sleepy-1/2-awake feel, the body got used to the warm up. And I was trotting happily listening to radio play the songs I used to listen to when I was a kid. Then the National Anthem came on ( wondered if I should stop and stand in attention). Somehow I miscalculated and got home a little earlier than my expected 4-5hours run at 8am (I could’ve gone to work after that!)
Saturday was devoted to my volunteer work with MCYS. It was all preparation and manning bazar stall for my part. I can’t say much about it ( I think this is sensitive) but I saw lotsa happy faces. And it feels good to be tired but happy for my part. Had coffee with one of close friends and caught up about life in general. It’s funny how that when you’re in the right company, a cuppa in the neighbourbood coffeeshop beats the cafes in shopping malls. We sat there amongst the traffic noises, harsh sun and the usual chatter in coffeeshops you get. We spoke abt MBTi scores. And I insisted I am an introvert.
She: “Are you sure?”
Me: “Yah i AM!!”
She: “Do you need time alone like spend time with yourself?”
Me: “Uh-huh”
She: ” You rather stay at home?”
Me: “Uh-huh”
It’s just the me everyone else sees that made them think I am an extrovert. I know some (or most of my friends) would bet with their life that I am an extrovert.
2 hot drink and 2 dau sa pau later, I headed off to get ready for a friend’s birhday dinner. The bad estimate of time had my claiming “last prize” (missing appetizers).
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Entry #0.17 - Sunday Showdown
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Today was the final day of comepetition at the River Regatta (the dragonboat race).
I’m super excited about it as the team had made it to the semi-finals. I happily made my way down to show my support. The team is pretty young and formed less than a year but there were tremendous progress. To be frank, I was with them for only 3 sessions. But I could tell my teammates were very driven and committed to making this race and am very inspired by their spirit.
Men’s semi finals was up 1st. And delightfully we came in 1st in the semis!!! (Which means we will be up against 4 other corporate teams in the finals! )(Hurray!!!) Our mixed boat put up a pretty tough fight but competition was really stiff. Still, making it to the semis is an achievement (one thing at a time remember?)
We didn’t clinch any title in the end. But I must say, I am deeply inspired by my teammates. We were up against the big boys who has been around a few years. And our men put up a strong fight to be placed 4th. Until now, no one would’ve thought we’ll make it this far. I am extremely proud of my teammates.
If there’s anything we did, we made people sit up and noticed that we could be a force to be reckoned with.
So guys, if you are reading this. Chin up! YOU rock!
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Entry #0.16 - Dragonboat Race
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
Today was the day! Everyone has been training hard for the race. I woke up early and got to the gathering point of my team. I’m pretty new to the team and am quite looking forward to the new team effort. I was not in the final line-up. So I stayed dry throughout. Still, it was great to be engulfed in the bustling energy of people around me. Met lots of friends from the corporate teams. Loads of “Good Luck! Row Hard!”. And my old teammates who never fail to goof things up. “Ay you!!! Come take picture,!!” ” I want to take picture with the gorgeous person!” It’s kinda embarassing to be digged at all the time but I take it in like a good sport and play along. “Yah yah only in Nov. Dec issue already out, better take when fresh. No need to pay.” And we’ll gamely take some goofy shots.
As with all races, there are always winners and non-winners ( because “losing” is not an option to most)
The team did well, we qualified for the semi-finals in our men’s and mixed boat. (so excited!!!!) so we’ll be back tomorrow for another round of showdown!!! Great job guys!!!
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Entry #0.15 - Dazed
Friday, November 21st, 2008
The week has gone by pretty much. It didn’t seem like the rollercoaster ride is going to get any better. I for one, was too disturbed by what happened. I must admit maybe sometimes I feel too much. But there’s a dragonboat race tomorrow! This should be something worth looking forward to!
Every year in November, there will be this big dragonboat race along Boat Quay area. I’ve missed out on past year ones as I was out of country or not participating. This year I was pretty excited as I’ll be able to see my friends from the dragonboat community. It’s always nice to be able to make friends with common interests. And I’ve been very lucky to know some of the nicest people around in the corporate teams. This makes it fun all the time because I’ll be cheering for them as well. It’s a great feeling to know that once out of water, we are all friendly people. Competition can always be friendly as I realized.
Hopefully this will wrap up my weekend nicely.
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Entry #0.14 - Gloomier days
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
Today was THE day. Where the “news” would be delivered. I headed to office at the usual time. Tired from the run yesterday. It had not even occurred to me what happened. And boss walked past and spoke to someone 2 desks away from me. I shall not go on further. This is going to be a long week indeed.
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Entry #0.13 - Gloomy
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Wednesday was a day off. Helped out my friend at some event. Was pretty glad that I got to escape the tension at work. Got to spend some time with a friend who is about to embark on a new life in Dubai. Her husband is one of my best pals back in school days. And we wrapped up their wedding banquet a few weeks ago. I am pretty excited for them. Then it was night time and Wednesday runs.
It’s been gloomy weather lately. I love the rain and never really care much for the sun. In my quieter moments I like to stay indoors and alone. Sometimes reading a book or just listening to my CDs. But these few weeks, the weather has aided me to be lazy for my running training sessions. Wednesday was drizzling as usual. But I decided to run anyway because all my friends were doing it. It was a BAD idea. We left our stuff in the gym (which closes at 10pm) and did a slow run from Raffles Place all the way to Fort Road. I had this creepy feeling that we are taking it too easy on the way there. And it turned out that I was right. The way back we were running late. And I had to start taking long strides from Kallang all the way back to Raffles Place to make it back to gym at 9.55pm. Phew! The last time I ran so frantic was during JC days when I had left my wallet in a bus. I chased after the bus through a shortcut through a few bus stops from NUS to Queensway Shopping Centre. The bus driver thought I was mad as I huff and puff telling him my wallet was at the upper deck. I bet the receptionist at the gym greeted me with the same bewilderment.
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Entry #0.12 - Rollercoaster
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
The last few days has been a rollercoaster ride.
Saturday was fast moving. Usual run around Kallang before dragonboating. Followed by Madagascar in the afternoon. Had a few good laughs. My favourite character has to be Melman the Giraffe. Sentimental, thoughtful and kinda anti-hero in a way. Went to bed at another record breaking early (shan’t say the time out).
Woke up Sunday at 7am (Some people call it crazy) and headed down Kallang for another session of dragonboating with friends. Then a back-to-back rowing with my firm’s team. Thank goodness both sides cut me some slack (thanks guys) for I would never have survived the 1st 1/2 of the day. Then rushed home and down to Esplanade for Ave Q!!! It was hilarious. I can’t stop laughing the whole time. Favourite characters has to be the “bad idea bears”!!! They just sound too real. Sometimes, I’m a “bad idea bear” myself as some of my friends would know. Pals and I then headed for Shanghainese food. I can’t tell you much because I am not a foodie. Food=Energy. That’s all I know.
Monday - news broke out about possible laying offs amidst busy work schedules. (every company is downsizing in a way or another, I’m not even sure ths is news) Couldn’t care less for speculations. Learned a new dance routine though didn’t quite get the moves. Had dinner with my bros1&3. Was really nice seeing them after a while. 3 has been doing his own thing after he left the firm. 1 has been busy at work while I’ve been busy with trainings. So it was nice to touch base finally. We all came to a conclusion that it’s tough times for everyone. I have always taken a more laidback approach to things. If anything happens, it’s a global effect. What affects me affect everybody else. The difference is how we deal. “One at a time” as I always say.
Tuesday - more news about laying offs. I can literally feel the tension in the air at work. I won’t say I am unaffected but work has to be done, with much distractions and a feeling of uncertainty. SMSes from friends, more concerned questions. I am blessed to have friends who care more about me than myself. (thanks, you know who you are). I try to stay focus and deal with the present, dragonboat race this weekend, marathon in dec… as far as I know, I am part of these…. not sure whether I am in the “list” to get laid-off. I’m putting that to later.
So Saturday-Tuesday….fun, happy, serious, solemn how funny the mood changes that fast sometimes.
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Entry #0.11 - Wednesday Routine Break
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
The day went by really fast. Meetings meetings and more meetings. Worse was there were all in different locations. Had to pack a sandwich and eat on the way between the meetings. Before I know, it was evening time. Hail a cab and went back to office feeling totally drained. Then it started drizzling. It’s always funny when there’s gonna be a change in plans for running. The trooper in us would go “let’s do it even if it is a slight drizzle”. As far as tough luck goes, we never had so much in a week. The rain persisted. And we had to cancel. I was too tired to do any more work. Dinner plans fell through among the running mates. I made some last minute calls and manage to gather a few friends for dinner. And (YES!) mid-week drinks! Been ages since I did that. It certainly feels good to break out of the routine now and then.
Entry #0.10 - The techie idiot and a date yet to happen
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Work has been really intense so far. I barely made it to the 7.30pm class at gym on Monday. Tuesday was not much less hectic. Am really excited about the midweek wind downs on Wednesday.
Managed to finally loan a digital camera from a friend. I’ve had comments why my blog did not have pictures. Well ever since I “cleverly” broke my Canon Powershot, I had been doing without one. It was really silly. I took the camera apart to dust of the sand because I had brought it to the beach earlier on and thought one of the cables was just part of a tape that held the parts together. So I snipped it off, fixed it back and realize what I did. And there it laid, my Canon Powershot S30 (2002-2007). I didn’t even start using it until 2003 because, well, I don’t know what it was. I had won it in a contest. And the instructions manual and the buttons proved too nerve-wrecking for me to pick it up. Of course I was notably upset. Because the Powershot took super nice pics even for the novice user like me. Sis was sympathetic. Dad looked at me like I amputated my own leg without knowing. Mum was loss for words.
I am 100% useless about techie stuff. Someone remarked in utter shock when they dished out a portable CD player from a bag where we consoildated our valuables during a training session. ”Who still uses Discman these days man?” I had to sheepishly but deftly take it out and put it back into my bag. I can still feel stares. When I 1st bought the CD player and proudly showed my new toy to my colleagues, the 1st remark I had was “You use CD player? Everyone is using MP3!” I’m probably one of the few people in the world to still contribute to the CD industry. I actually GO to CD shops and BUY CDs. Don’t even get me started on MP3 players or QWERTY keypads or Motherboards, RAMs. Thank goodness I am blessed with friends who are good at those stuff (you know who you are)
So now, here I am staring nervously at IXUS40. I wonder if she’s friendly. I’m probably bringing her out on a date soon. But 1st I got to figure how to turn her on.
<’m just sitting here, waiting for you to come on and turn me on>
- Norah Jones
Tags: Canon Powershot S30, IXUS40
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Entry #0.09 - Monday Musings
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Mondays are always interesting days to people watch. Somehow or another, I see people “fresh” from their weekend rest (or the lack of it) easing into their routine which would be the 1st to follow until Friday comes for the rest of the week. Hit the gym after work and attended a class as with every Monday evening. Until now I have no idea why I signed up for a gym membership. This was nearly 2 years ago that a roadshow was held in my old firm’s premises and I decided to “clean up my act” and get healthy again (actually it’s more like I do not want to invest in bigger sized pants). So I thought if I had to spend money on a new wardrobe I might as well spend it and reap more benefits. My friends will wonder why I hated gym. I just find lifting weights boring and running on treadmill just doesn’t beat running outdoors. And somehow, getting bigger arms, chest (the like to call it pecs), broader shoulders (they call it delts) or showing abs just ain’t like me. “I HAVE abs! It’s just underneat all these” and I’d pinch my 2 inch worth of fat on my tummy. After all, I don’t walk around half-naked much at all (except when I go scuba-diving. But I’ll talk about it another day.) So as you’d guessed. All I do in gym is attend classes. Bodyjam, Yoga, BodyBalance and the dance classes.
Dance class went really well. We were continuing from where we left off last week. As usual, I seemed to be the odd one out being the only guy in the class. Before that, there were a few of us but it dwindled down somehow. Apart from the runnings and dragonboating, I’d do other sports that are not so hard-hitting on the muscles. Or at least, maintain/improve my flexibility and keep the body supple though i’m hardly expert at the moves. So there won’t be any video clips! :p
So on the way home, it was a pretty interesting to people watch again. The yuppies that will board along the bus-stops at Shenton Way. The aunties and uncles that come onboard along Chinatown. And the people that were already on the bus when I board. I wonder how their Monday went.
And how everyone else’s Monday was.
Tags: BodyBalance, Bodyjam, Chinatown, Dance, Scuba diving, Shenton Way, Yoga
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Entry #0.08 - Sunless Sunday
Monday, November 10th, 2008
Pitch black, cool temperature, I was suddenly awoken by a flash ouside my bedroom window followed by the sound of rolling thunder. No…..!!! This can’t be it. Sunday wee hours and the sky is milking a storm? It’s 4am in the morning where everyone is still in deep slumber into their 3rd cycle of sleep experienceing delta waves and probably REM. I lay awake and dreading the nice sleep-in weather. I was supposed to go running at East Coast. The plan was to start at 5:30am and run all the way to Changi Beach Carpark 7 and back to Fort Road. Seriously, I was weak-willed. The prospect of sleeping in was too tempting but I bit on and text my pal “wakey wakey?”….. I got a callback and a familiar voice greeted (ahh…. don’t we all croak like frogs early in the morning; sounds like me talking to myself)
Caller: “It’s lightning and thunder.”
Me: “So how?” (waiting for “let’s not go” to follow)
Caller:
Me: (relented) “Let me call to get weather check. Call you back.”
5 mins later….
Me: ” It’s ok, we should proceed see you in a bit”
45mins later (still kinda dark)
Pal and I were at Fort Road and it was slight drizzle at most. My cell buzzed.
Caller: “The rest are not coming” (some morale booster)
Me: “Then we go on! (detect tone of determination) but we got to drop the bags at your place and run to the start point.”
1 hour later:-
(rain still pouring)
We were reading last week’s newspaper, checking pictures from Facebook and trying very hard not to doze off while hoping for the rain to pass.
By the time the rain cleared, we were totally not in the right state to run and decided to reward ourselves anyways and headed for Dim Sum. It’s twice in 2 weeks that I have not done any trainings. What a letdown.
Well, maybe not really. It’s a nice break in a way.
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Entry #0.07 - Saturday Sessions
Monday, November 10th, 2008
And so it turns out Friday was an early night after all. For some reason, I was tired and headed home around 12 odd. Needed to wake up early and sober for a volunteer work brief on Saturday. A good friend of mine has been sending out recruitment email for volunteers at a Children’s party organized by the MCYS and I signed up. I volunteer on an ad hoc basis as I know my limits and cannot commit to an ongoing project for a prolong period of time. Volunteer work needs quite some prep before the actual event so it’s pretty common that there will be a few pre-event briefings.
“Giving back” has always been something close to my heart. Over the years, I guess my list is pretty extensive…school camps, zoo excursions, cleaning up homes and outdoor compounds, facilitating NYA programmes etc. Is there altruism in it? I don’t know. But I like kids and I like interacting with people and there is always something that I can bring back from every experience. So it’s not all about “giving”. I like to call it an “exchange” So if anyone is keen do let me know and I can always pass the message around in future.
It got a bit too late to turn up for dragonboating. So I spend my afternoon with my running buddies while they shop for socks and tops to wear for the marathon. I guess it’s still important to look good when you cross the finishing line especially since this is a first for most of us. And if you are guessing…no, I didn’t plan any outfit for the day (Frank, you should be reading this). As long as I get to cross the line fully clothed and still be able to flash a smile, I will be happy enough.
I had some thoughts on what can I bring back from this experience beyond the workshop tips and winning prizes and looking good. I have not gone round to meet the rest apart from #2 ( Wee Naa, I met at the workshop); #41 ( Jonathan at the photohsoot); and #24 (Darren at a watering-hole) but I feel that the 50GP post-event could be an effective platform to spread good causes, conduct networking sessions and well, or just for keeping in touch. Maybe shoot me some comments and let’s see how. Perhaps we should start a pre-event party?
Tags: #2, #24, #41, Dragonboating, MCYS, Pre-event party, Volunteer
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Entry #0.06 - Friday Funs
Monday, November 10th, 2008
Usual friday “ritual” includes meeting friends up for dinner and then chilling over coffee or drinks. Nothing too intense cos there are commitments on Saturdays that I have to wake up early to. But this friday I gave myself a concession to stay out later than I usually do because I had to take a break from training to attend a briefing of sorts. Unpredictability of life catches up sometimes. I didn’t manage to arrange any dinner. All’s good though because this means I get to go home and have dinner with my family. My fave food has to be anything home-cooked. Dinners at home are always simple fair but it just feels good to have dinner with family.
While catching up with friends at drinks, I chanced upon #24 on the list (who snapped an unflattering pic of me). So I gamely bodyslammed him and engaged in a wrestle tussle complete with necklock and all trying to wring the camera out from his hands. NAH, just kidding!! Seriously, after a short chit chat I can see why Darren is in the list. I’ll leave you to find out why. :) It’s always nice to get to know people from the list.
Tags: #24
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Entry #0.05- The long and short of it
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
There are some things you don’t say. And there are some things you do but you got to clarify. One of the few questions that I was asked during the interview was “what do you think is your best feature?”. I was totally caught offguard. But I decided to say something unconventional anyways. “My legs”. And there’s this split second pause like “hmm + **raise eyebrow” (maybe it’s my imagination) and I blurted “They are longer than my torso!!!” when I actually meant that I have longer legs compared to lots of people my height because my torso is shorter.
BUT, the real reason why I said it was because since I’m in pants all the time, I don’t really need to show my legs!!! So people have to just take my word for it. Hahaha… but just the other day I changed into my running shorts. My co-workers were all trying to catch a glimpse! (very funny)
Or as I realized yesterday (gulps) if people catch me at East Coast running….
So there you have it! The long and short of it.
**heaves sigh of relief
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Entry #0.04 - Wednesday Wind Downs
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
Wednesday is my favourite day of the week. There are loads of reasons why.
For starters, weekend is just 2 days away. The hard work you put in on Monday and Tuesday is kinda paying off, allowing you to breath easy on Wednesdays. And on Wednesdays, I’ll always be meeting my group of running buddies for a run at East Coast after work. It’s been around 5 months or so since we embark on a training schedule ( I won’t use “regime” cos it sounds so hardcore) to condition ourselves for the marathon at the end of the year. A lot of us are doing it for the 1st time and we’re quite excited about it. Haha! Maybe I shouldn’t term Wednesdays as wind-down days. After all, we all have to get wind-UP to run the distance. Usually it’s around 10-18km. We’ll start from Fort road and run all the way till … somewhere (I am quite blur about the turning points as my friends would be able to testify) and turn back. Sometimes I bump into other friends and it’s nice to see familiar faces (takes my mind off the long road ahead). But running is hardly a social activity because you can’t really stop to chat. Usually I’ll run pass someone and they’ll holler “Danny!” and I’ll look back (did I mention I am blur when I run?) and shout a “Eh? Hi!!” and continue running.
Today I got to break in my new shoes. Not too wise to run so far in them. 15km. Feet hurt. To be frank I am slightly worried about completing the marathon. The furthest I’ve ran is 30km. It was quite an experience alright. Who knew that running from Changi Beach Carpark 7 to East Coast road and back could be so….. challenging ( is this the nice word to use for “suffering”?). I had to hop/limp my last 1.5km back. I hope I get to complete the Marathon. It’s actually 3 days after the Female 50GP event. So it means I won’t be able to drink that much on that day. Argh!
Running a marathon has been on my to-do list for the longest time. Previously I did not have the discipline to see it through. This time round, I stopped my late nights out and cut down on alcohol intake. Likewise, my friends who party with me are probably wondering what happened to me. There are sacrifices to be made in terms of time spent with friends and family definitely. It takes a bit of good discretion to manage it. I still make it a point to turn up at birthday parties:)
Nuff said… like what someone I know kept saying “Danny, all you do is run. Don’t you ever do something else?”
Holler if you see me at East Coast Road on Wednesday nights!
Tags: Changi Beach Carpark 7, East Coast, Marathon
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Entry #0.03 - Monday Mornings
Monday, November 3rd, 2008
Monday mornings are the most refreshing mornings for me in the week. Usually it starts off with 1st light creeping in like a gentle hand giving me a nudge to rouse me from my slumble. Sometimes you’d hear the chirping of the birds outside. I’d wake up and do my usual wake-up stretch. Taking deep breaths and feeling the coldness of the air turning warm in me. Most people would probably be hitting the snooze button over and over again thinking about the coming Monday Blues that they are about to hit straight on. I get bad Mondays too. But not until it turns bad. Everyday is as good as it gets, how good you want it to be.
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Entry #0.02 - Weekend
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
Weekend came and went kinda fast. Friday was Halloween. No plans were made. I knew the clubs would be crowded with dressed up people and I wasn’t in the mood to jostle around with scary looking teenage ninja turtles (anyone spotted them?)
I ended up at Supperclub. It was my 1st time there. A friend had a dance item there that day and I thought it’ll be interesting to watch. It turned out to be quite fun. I got to help take some pics and videos. Supperclub turned out to be quite an experience. Walking into the place was like being in a space shuttle capsule of sorts, with beds on both sides of the hallway where you could lay down and chill. It has the same concept on the upper deck where there was also a view from the bar of Raffles Hotel. I must say I felt weird being not dressed up! But again, the prospects of not having to remove make-up at 3-4am in the morning was more welcoming.
Saturday and Sunday were spent at home. Pretty unusual as I am normally out at Kallang area on Saturdays and East Coast/Changi on Sundays. But I got sick (yucks) so i had to give my outdoor activities a miss. Other than that, staying home turned out to be pretty ok. Before I become involved with outdoor sports I am pretty homely. Most of the time were spent at home. Watching TV, reading or simply on a “napathon”(non-stop napping). Last year I chanced on dragonboating with a bunch of friends and it kinda stirred the “dormant” active part of me. Training is always tough but fun. And some us decided to run the marathon at the end of the year (hence the runs at East Coast).
Can’t wait for the week to start. And to get better soon to make it to the weekday runs on Wednesdays with my pals.
Now (ahem) where’s the cough syrup?
Later.
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Entry #0.01
Saturday, November 1st, 2008
Hi there everyone!
End of the year is pretty near. I suppose most people would be in a holiday mood of sorts. It’s a great time to reflect the year 2008 and make plans for the coming New Year.
2008 started a bit rough in most aspects. The Job, the lifestyle, health and there were the few decisions that were tough to make. It’s going to wrap up pretty well though because I realize (some of us might have already) that life is mostly what you make of it. For starts, being in 50GP was really a nice surprise/shock for me. I can still remember getting THE CALL and being skeptical. I am pretty regular by standards so the 1st thing that came to my mind were those stories I read about being approached to be model/actor etc and then getting duped for money. Thank goodness I’m not the sort to just rudely snap the phone shut when a telemarketer calls (no one deserves any c**p from no one else.) So after a quick brief I had to be at the SPH office for a photo shoot (sounds fun) and be dressed in Ted Bakers and Aldo (sounds even more fun!)
Day of the shoot was surreal; it’s like one of those scenes you see on TV. An office space, racks of clothes, shoes arranged in neat rows and a group of people who knows what’s hot and what’s not (stylist, make-up artist, hair stylist photographers and of course the watchful eyes of the creative team from Female). As I wait for my turn I was acquainted with Jon(#41) whose shoot was up before mine. At that point we had no idea whether who’s the final 50 so it was great to see Jon again (great job dude!) at a workshop courtesy of our kind sponsors. (I must add, the burgers at Relish are super yummy!!! )
From where I was getting ready I could see the others doing the shoot. It seems effortless. They all look the part. Great smile, nice clothes hot poses. Looks really simple I thought. UNTIL I was up. I think I held my breath the whole time (I have never done a photo shoot). I could still recall vividly the instructions “Stand on one leg. Rest on the other. Wider. Mouth relax. Tilt head here. Not too much. A little bit more. Hands in the pocket” All these and the super bright light shining near my head I thought I might knock into them if I moved a bit more. Hahaha… it’s like one of those moments you see on reality TV and you go “Huh? So easy also cannot do?” Tsk tsk tsk”. I’d suggest you try it. I emerged unscathed. The team was really easy on me. (Thank you very much). “It’s a wrap.” I broke into my big smile. Said my thanks to the people and went off back to work.
And then waited.
Then I saw an email in my mailbox “Female 50 Gorgeous People”. I opened it up. And there it was staring right back at me “Congratulations!………��� I almost flipped out of my chair! I disconnected, took a nap and woke, logged in back again and opened it up again just to make sure I’m really awake
And so here I am, #12. Danny. More to come.