Save your pumping for the pedal!

Conversations of the shaft... a lift shaft that is...

Having ended my French Class at about 11.45 pm, I decided to make my way to YIH to grab some of that good cheap chinese food. Being the lazy triathlete that I am, I decided to take the lift up to the canteen.

After a 1-2 minute wait, the lift arrived. I, together with a bunch of other famished souls entered the lift. I pressed the button to the 3rd floor and took a step back. Now for the interesting part.

As the lift door was closing, a student from the back lunged forward, past the group gathered at the door and tried to reach for the control panel. As he lurged forward, he made a series of yelping sounds as he shoved and jumped forward, tripping all over the place in the process. The rest of us just looked on in shock as this student threw himself towards the control panel and pushed his way forward. He missed the control panel and slammed into the lift wall instead and watched on in horror as the door shut in his face. He then turned around and looked disapprovingly at me.

"There was someone outside the lift you know?" he muttered rather disappointedly at me.

I burst out laughing and replied, "Dude, I am pretty sure this lift will go down again. That aside, you need to get a grip on yourself. That was some serious over-reaction you had going on that... You could have just shouted out to us to hold the lift instead of throwing out the theatrics..."

A wave of giggles came over most of the passengers in the lift. After what seemed like an eternity, the lift finally reached the third floor and the group of us, after taking a final look at the enthusiastic samaritan, trickled out and went about on our own ways :) What a journey.

Freedom

Alright... I haven't been taking this Year End Examinations as seriously as I had intended to at the start of this Semester. The week-long trip across the Pacific didn't help much either but I most definitely had fun. I was supposed to head out for a swim of sorts today but I decided I'll just stay home and update my blog and engage in a bit of retail therapy... Online retail therapy. Under the guidance of guru lim.jj and his associates guru welzl and guru ma, I have come to realize that it is possible to save quite a bit by shopping or at least doing some research online before hitting the stores... So... with the pics still being uploaded on to FB, I shall proceed to work on my Clearwater/Orlando Posts :)

Life

Life's too short to worry about the unnecessary stuff.

PS: I just got back about 4 hours ago. Can't seem to be able to sleep yet. Anyway, its back to reality for me and I've got a lot to do in... 4 days. Heavy Duty mugging/ blogging coming right up.

Louis XVI and his 4 famous children :)

Mooncakes and their wrappings

I am going to be brief. Cause I am so busy doing nothing. Nothing being the pile, the humongous pile, of work which I just realized I have waiting for me at the corner of my table. I am going to blog about this incident because I think it makes me appear human. That a perfectionist like me... can have his down times... sometimes.

4.38 p.m. - Doorbell rings. Dog barks like the house is being robbed. Mum pours away my coffee.

4.39 p.m. - I finally get my boxer-covered fat arse to the door. I see postman at door.

4.41 p.m. - I take delivery of mooncakes from bank. Mum and I jump for joy upon receiving a gift.

4.42 p.m. - Mum and I cease jumping for joy over mooncakes. 1st "mooncake gift" of the year. Its ok to jump.

4.45 p.m. - Mum cuts both mooncakes up. I chid her for not keeping one intact so that it remains fresh.

4.47 p.m. - I consume mooncakes. Funny texture. Very Chewy. I had my doubts but I don't question the quality of mooncakes from Goodwood. I finish mooncake (3/4)

4.51 p.m. - Mum comes out of room. Mum asks me to take note cause she had cut the mooncake wrapper and left it under the mooncake slices. I take a second glance at my now empty plate.

Till the next entry.

New Day, New Discoveries

I can't seem to recall where the above phrase came on but I am pretty sure it was introduced to me during those joyous years in RI. I had a terrific day today. I succeeded in finally assembling my "steed" after three whole weeks of procrastination. The bike has been sent in for servicing and I am expecting to get it back sometime this coming week. After dropping the bike off at Passione, I headed to SRC pool where I met up with the rest of my hall-mates for my hall's Inter-Block games Swimming meet. The relays were pretty fun and I must admit I quite enjoyed my time chilling by the poolside. However, Jon did point out something Coach Tay pointed out the night before. It seems that my breast-stroke needs some serious overall... haha... Well... I guess that just means I am up for more pain ahead :)

After the swim, Jon, Nic, Xiuqing and I decided to chug down to Haji Lane to check out WC's new store. After a pit-stop at Holland V for some Provence and Starbucks, we were on our way to Beach Road. Parking, just a thought I kinda figured I should share, was damn bloody difficult and I'd strongly recommend parking in Bugis Junction before walking over or just taking a bus down.

WC's new shop, "the blogshop", is located along Haji Lane. I must admit that the interior decor and the store concept is really impressive. The 4 of us enjoyed ourselves very much just milling over the stuff in the shop and browsing through the flea market along the street too. That... kinda sums up a wondrous afternoon with good friends :)

I drove Dad out for dinner after Micheal's Munich Concert (Which... was on Channel 5. Nothing beats a simple dinner with great company and my dad makes pretty awesome company :)

Tomorrow marks my participation in my inaugural Masters' Swimming competition under my new club... I am pretty excited about that too!! Do forgive me for tonight's rather himbotic post... We'll discuss about the Hungarian President's rather rude intrusion into Romanian cultural sovereignty tomorrow :)

H1N1...

I showed all the symptoms. The initial dripping nose, followed by the terrible sore throat and the body aches... I didn't think much of it till after the movie, when the fever, giddy spells and lethargy came into play. It didn't help that my family was approximately half a world away in Milan when all this started to erupt. There was no warm chicken soup to sooth the aches away, nor comforting words to help ease the terrible discomfort I was in. I, being the good samaritan I am, decided to call a couple of those whom I spent the Sunday with to let them know of my current predicament and alert them to the possibilities. After the phone calls and 2 episodes of Will & Grace, I downed two tablets of Decolgen before tucking myself into my mum's bed and calling it a night. 

I got up only at 1 the next day (thanks for the phone calls and SMSes...) and felt (surprisingly...) much better. The fever was gone and so was the terrible headache. I decided to just pay a visit to the doc's just to make sure everything was alright... after all... I did show all the symptoms right? 

The doctor confirmed that it was most probably a normal flu though the H1N1 strain would also elicit the same symptoms as the normal flu. The only way to confirm it would be to get a more detailed check up at the hospital where they can determine just which strain of Influenza Virus I am down with. My GP's a really cool dude, so he kinda briefed me a bit on the type of flu we're dealing with here and why everyone (in the medical field to be specific...) is so uptight about this little virus. 

The H1N1 strain that we're seeing now both in Singapore and around the world is exhibiting a similar trend of infections that was observed during the Spanish flu, where the initial wave which struck, though serious was merely a prelude of what was to come. Most of the fatalities of the Spanish Flu occurred during the 2nd wave which struck when the unusually virulent and deadly type A virus strain of the subtype H1N1 (Yes!! the same darn thing we're seeing now...) mutated a much more deadlier form. 

Coming back to the main topic of discussion for this post, that being me, I am feeling much better now and hopefully will be back in fighting shape by the week's end in time for my Swiss Ironman/ Europe Tour. I am headed off to the pool now to meet up with my fellow traveller's for one final brief before we hit the road!

Till the next entry!

Change of Plans

The whole ICT routine has somewhat screwed up a bits of my training program. The company's great, there's no doubt about it. It feels really good to be amongst old faces and in that all to familiar uniform all again. The one good thing, pertaining to my training program that is, is the availability of a rather well equipped gym just 20 steps away from where I sit now. I should probably take this time to built up some strength and compensate the lack of long distance training with some resistance training. I ain't too sure how it'll turn out but that's the only alternative I have for now. One can't have the cake and eat it at the same time I guess. I should probably write a bit about the run I did with the guys here yesterday do. It needn't be a long paragraph, just a couple of words (maybe sentences...) will suffice. The run was hot, humid and painful. The pace at which we were running at was slightly faster then what I am used to and the weather, by golly... the darn bloody weather, was most definitely not what I was used to. We ran out from our camp, through the underpass into ECP and U-turned at the Chalets just after the Seafood Centre. Words fail, yet again, the agony I endured during that short yet painful run. On a lighter note however, I think the run went rather well and it was fun, in a sick, twisted sort of way. After the run, we proceeded with this "hot-cold" treatment. I do recall hearing about such a treatment before but I ain't sure just how effective it is in helping the body recover (faster). Moving on to the other updates, the trip plans are (I think...) coming along pretty fine. It is getting a bit frustrating sourcing out for cheaper deals when I last recalled that being PART of the contractual agreement (Or was it restricted only to the company matching the lowest rates in the market... whatever it is... its pissing the hell out of me...). Sometimes, I feel and this is just a personal opinion, even when one is paid to do the job, it pays off in the long term if the individual in question is more forthcoming in advice and takes some initiative in moving things along. Its almost 1.40 pm now, so I am going to get some rest before hitting the gym and kicking off the day. Till the next entry :)

Finally...

I finally did it. After much deliberation and procrastination, I have finally logged in a 180+ km bike ride. It wasn't as easy I had expected it to be and as Nic and I agreed somewhere between the 80 to 85 km mark, today's ride was certainly blog-worthy material for me. 

The morning began unofficially at 4.50 am. I proceeded to hit the snooze button so... officially the morning began at 5.35 am for me. Nic and JJ didn't fare much better either with the Z so... we proceeded to shift the rendezvous time to about 6.50 am. Nic started out first and finished about 2/3 of a coastal loop before joining up with JJ and I. With the addition of Nic, the fellowship of the May 17th 180km ride was complete, and the ride of the week (for me...) began. The first two loops went pretty fine although I must say that we maintained a slightly higher pace then we should have. I would have done pretty fine keeping my average bike speed on the first two loops at about 31.2- 32 but we finished the two loops at about a 33 - 34 km/h pacing. That did have an effect on me later in the ride... but I guess if you don't push you'll never know aye?

We took a pit stop at the 60 km mark. I wasn't too keen on stopping so early in the ride especially after we did take two or three very short breaks (Nic had a puncture earlier... haha Nic 0 Random Thumbtack/ sharp object by roadside 2) prior to this pit stop. But the three of us were in this together so... its all for one and one for all. It turns out that I was starting to dehydrate already judging by the volume of H20 consumed. After a 10-15 min pit stop, tons of liquid and random nuts and snacks, we headed out for the next leg of our bike ride. The next leg lasted about 80 km and took the most out of me. The sun was out by then and the headwinds along coastal had started to pick up. JJ and Nic were doing fine... and I just looked fine. My legs were aching and I was starting to loose focus. The heat works wonders when you're not prepared for it. JJ was without a doubt the pillar of strength on this ride. Without him and Nic, I doubt I would have been able to successfully complete the ride (or at least complete it before nightfall) Anyway, the rest of this 80 km leg did eventually come to an end and we took our final pitstop before finishing up the rest of the ride.

I pretty glad I accomplished what I had set out to do today (the other item on the to do list was to mow the lawn... which I did too). So here's my training sum-up for this week.

Monday: 3 (800m Swim + 4 X 50m Fast stroking) + 1500m Swim 

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 8 km Run + (??) Swim 

Thursday:  1 hour 5 min run + 10 mins cooldown

Friday: 55 km Bike Ride

Saturday: 9 km Run

Sunday: 183.3 km Bike Ride

All in all, the week has been a rather good one. Let's hope the upcoming week would be better.... now to get started on that training program :)

Its the final countdown dadadadum datadadadum datadadumdum tadadatataTAdum taDAdum...

The morning started with a rather screwy bike ride, which was screwy cause I couldn't finish the distance that I wanted too. The only good thing that came out of the ride was that I managed to get some of the little kinks smoothened out later on at Passione. 

After the bike ride, I chugged down to town for a quick lunch before heading to Epicentre to use up whatever remaining vouchers I have which are due to expire in a week's time. Headed to Kino to purchase that Triathlon book I have been eyeing for a while before bussing back to Changi, where I picked up the car and headed to Passione to tune and trouble-shoot the bike. 

The evening was spent watching Tudor, Spider Man 3, and two documentaries with the family over Pizza and Dao Hui. HAHA... What a Monday. :)

The Heat is ON.

Had a lovely run this morning. Got back slightly before 8.30 am. Showered, watched the world continue to break down on CNN. Blog-surfed. Will head out for a quick break fast before heading to my first class for today. 

Things to do:

Mathematics Tutorials ++ (The Latest one and Tutorial 2... yeah I am in deep shit.)

Two more chapters of Econometrics and the latest Macro notes... damnzy...  

Swim Training in the evening

and... Dinner!

Will blog about the great food and fun time the 4 of us had at the OCBC cycling prize presentation tomorrow... 

Check this out!

Blissful Driving 

Cheers!

Year 1 Biathletes who reside on Campus :) 

The Early Bird Catches the Worm...

Headed out for a swim earlier at around 10 a.m. My strokes are a little bit off and I can't seem to be able to stretch out. Hopefully a bit more practice and drills will get my strokes back in order. I had a quick talk with ZY last night and I do agree that I have been rather complacent as of late, not putting that much effort into my swim sessions. I am going to re-start building up my base again and I'll work from there. 

Kudos to my Geography group too who have been doing a lot of work... well much more than me at least... I'll make up for lost time :) 

Geography lecture at 12 p.m. I am still reeking of chlorine as I hack away at my MAC... I'd best be headed off for a shower now.

Listen now and listen clear...

My sister and I managed to catch Prince Caspian courtesy of Nuffnang at Parco Bugis Junction earlier today. The movie did live up to expectations I guess with the excellent portrayal Prince Caspian and the additional characters brought to the big screen from the third book. As it is after all a print to screen, my recommendation is to at least read the book (or the entire series if you do have the time or the mental capacity to do so, bearing in mind it is a children's series after all) before catching it in cinemas. The experience was on the whole enjoyable and despite the discomforts of walking more than 15 steps to get to a washroom, it definitely felt good to be outdoors again. 

I'd just to take a little time to deviate from the pleasantries here and make a small comment on children (screechy loud ones) in cinemas. It is only simple basic courtesy to take the child out of the cinema should he or she start making noise. Next, if one is late for any movie screening, do note too that it is only polite to move as fast as possible through aisle and through the seats to get to yours. A bobbing shadow moving violently and slowly right smack in front of you does not help with the blood pressure. There... angst all down in a short and sweet manner...

Perhaps the last general comment I shall log in tonight will be about human behaviour in general. It is only human nature to spectate. Be it a fall at a bus stop, a fight in the school cafeteria, an ugly dispute between neighbours in private estates or a bloody civil war in some godforsaken country, the observation remains the same, a large number would rather busy themselves doing nothing. You, my friend, are not alone. I have been on both the giving and receiving end and I agree life's a bitch.

"The equations are simple pal. For every individual that feels for you when you are down, there are five people out there who simply don't give a shit and twenty more whose hearts leap for joy at the miserable state you're in. Face it. The numbers don't lie." 

- Jason Yip (yes, yes I am still alive and in no position to quote anything but hey... I think this makes sense...)

Simple Modifications/ improvements

Just managed to do up some simple improvements to the blog... Will continue working on the template design :) Cheerios

Just another entry...

I realised I have it. Damn. For the last three weeks I have been deluding myself. Wishing it'll just all go away.... I thought it did... It did in fact... but it came back. Why do the worse things happen at the most crucial of times... 2-3 weeks to heal and 4 days of unbearable pain... and my pain threshold is literally sub-zero. Damn Damn Damn...

On a lighter and less painful note, I must tell you that coffee at Siglap was great!! I learnt a lot about you and I hope it was the same for you. You certainly did put a lot of things into perspective and it is heartening to know that there is someone out there who shares my sentiments almost exactly... I tried really hard to find a quote but none could truly express what I really wanna tell yar.. but the lyrics to this song sure come close enough... amazingly... :P

Cassie - "Is it you"

I'm looking for a lover not a friend

Somebody who can be there when I need someone to talk to

I'm looking for someone who won't pretend

Somebody not afraid to say the way they feel about you

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,

Someone who can keep it real and who knows the way

The way i like to have it my way

And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,

Wants to share, shows he cares

Thinkin your the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me?

Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me? (Could you be?)

Could you be the one I need?

I'm looking for someone to share my pain (Uh)

Someone who I can run to, who would stay with me when it rains

Someone who I can cry with through the night

Someone who I can trust who's hardest right

And I'm looking for someone

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,

Someone who can keep me real and who knows the way

The way i like to have it my way

And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,

Want to share, shows he cares

Thinkin your the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me?

Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me?

Could you be this one I need?

Take for granted how much I care (How much I care)

And appreciates that I'm there

Someone who listens

And someone I can call who isn't afraid of love to share

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me?

Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?

Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for

Could you be the one for me?

Could you be the one I need?

I usually frown upon song quotations but... the lyrics to this particular song spells out more or less the esscence of what I wanna get across... the nice beat helps too :) :P Till our next coffee session!!!