My New Car!

I woke up early this morning to prepare my roadmap for Thailand - but he stood me up. Ended up working all day Wed, 9 - 5.30pm. The good thing is that I got ALL my countries including Thailand done! All set for country discussions.

Took a short nap then went to Tan Chong to pick up my new car. Like when I first traded in my new car for the Corolla, I was near tears by the time I removed all my personal belongings from my first car. This time, it was mixed feelings - am sure I'll miss my Corolla, but oh well. Nice to have a new car again. Shouldn't have so much hang-ups with material things too. I'll get used to the Sunny. My next car - if God permits, will be a nice one! Perhaps an SUV, or a little sports coupe.

Kuala Lumpur 26 - 27 Dec

Went for a KL climb. Bill kindly offered to drive. Weather was good - stayed dry most of the drive up. Got 1 day of climbing at Damai walls in. Am weak - only mustered up 3 easy climbs. Must be age catching up. Day 2 woke up to rain. Took a cab to Camp 5 at One Utama mall. Touted to be the largest climbing gym in Asia. Didn't think it was that big - but it's nice, new and airconditioned - sweet!

Mom joined me for this trip - she went shopping while I climbed. Worked out well. The Westin was as usual, very comfortable.

The other surprise was Moo wanting to join too. Although they kept mostly to themselves.

All in - great 2 days.

New adventure centre in Yishun

Open house for the new $1.7million adventure centre at Safra Yishun over Sat and Sun. Went down to check it out. Complete with ice-climbing (artificial), new climbing walls with crack climbing and chimney. Way cool!

While still oo-ing & ahh-ing over the new facilities, was asked to join the bouldering competition, part of the opening activities for the new centre. Apparently, not many applicants, high chance of winning a prize. I got 3rd :)

Nice.

Brisbane 8-15 Dec

Went to Brisbane to spend 1 week with mom. Uncle Simon was extremely hospitable. I hiked rainforest trails, climbed mountains, went on many beautiful mountain drives, traveled up/down Brisbane river on a ferry, visited a cheese factory, wineries, hugged a koala, stroked kangaroos, hit some balls in a golf driving range, shopped, visited mom's relatives that I've never met in my lifetime... Was a very full 7 days.

My uncle is probably recuperating from us right now :)

Was my first visit to Oz since I left in 1995 after studying. As usual, each time I visit a different country, I feel I can live there.. much more liveable than the Singaporean lifestyle.

Introspective mood

In Jan this year, I had to make a trip to the Philippines and was in Davao - south of Manila. I had half a day off and the tourist brochure in the room suggested a beautiful church set on a hill with grand yearly processions. How very Catholic. The sweet elderly taxi driver took me there, cut the engine and the meter, and proceeded to make himself comfortable to wait for me.

I took my time - said my prayers at the church, at the various shrines. As the church as set on the highest point of Davao (up a mountain), the view it offered of the entire city of Davao was breathtaking. Round back of the church, I lit 4 candles : for me & Hon, for my family, and for 2 of my closest friends who were having relationship problems.

Dawned on me last nite (ok, so it took all year to realise, nontheless) :
1. my baby brother will be marrying Michelle next year
2. Francis is engaged to be married too
3. Moo is happily with Tim

I got 3 out of 4 prayers answered.

Running the Standard Charted Marathon 2005

I did it! I ran my 1st marathon! Ok, so my knee gave out at 37k and I had to walk the last few kms, walk thru the finishing line too.. So much for the glamourous finish I had in mind. And so what if I exceeded my target by a whole hour and 20 mins. I set out to run a marathon, trained 18 weeks and endured the balance of time/schedule it took to train.

The race was great - atmosphere and logistics fantastic, kudos to the organisers of the Standard Chartered marathon. I ran a nice constant speed and was overall pleased. I overcame my mental weakness, overcame physical pain and cross the finish line.

Now that my big goal is over, time to focus on my life. I need to better balance the various major components : work, play vs the more impt things : God and people. And very timely too, being Advent and being end of year when one typically gets more retrospective.

Another reminder of life's fragility

Was a regular NPI meeting at work - as all Thursday go. Received an SMS from an old MBA classmate saying a classmate has passed away. Couldn't believe it... called another classmate, only 1 Stephen in our cohort. Refusing to believe, I went to his wake after work. When I saw his photo there, it sunk in bad.

He had a viral attack on his heart.

He's sporty, healthy. Used to see him returning from jogs when he lived in the block behind me. And last year during the corporate triathlon, he called out to me - he also participated.

The injustice of good people being cut down in their prime is really starting to get to me. Where is the fairness? And meanwhile evil people continue to prosper and live happily, healthily.

It sucks.

To Stephen - the sweet guy who had a quick hello for everyone, may God have mercy on your soul.