It's amazing how the minute I'm back in Taipei, I snap back into the sluggish self I am.
I spent most of Sat lying in bed watching my favourite program - Sasake on JetTV. It's one of those telematch games where contestants jump through hoops (literally) and it's really hard! You need to be very strong athletically and a lot of people train all year for it. The muscle fest I really enjoy :)
Then I had dinner with Garin before we caught Inglorious Bastards. Been a long while since the last Tarantino movie and it didn't let me down. It was a blast! Great movie!
Woke up to morning mass on Sunday before climbing too hard - my arms are so sore now.... ow, ow...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Measurements
The Chinese Taipei running association had sent me an email asking me to verify if I indeed wanted my race tshirt size XS. Within the email, they also listed the tshirt size versus the dimensions.
This is for the upcoming Oct 24 Nike Human Run race.
XS would be 80cm, S is 87cm.... My first thought was, yeah, of course I'm still XS. And then I started to doubt myself...
Turning to Emily, I asked, so, would you know if I am 80cm? She looked at me nonchalantly and said, well, we could just measure.
Amazingly, we found a measuring tape (truly the office of geeks, remember we had filter blocks in the pantry on the day the huge lunar eclipse happened?) and stood in a corner of the office and measured myself.
Then, I replied the email to tell that I'd take size S afterall :p
This is for the upcoming Oct 24 Nike Human Run race.
XS would be 80cm, S is 87cm.... My first thought was, yeah, of course I'm still XS. And then I started to doubt myself...
Turning to Emily, I asked, so, would you know if I am 80cm? She looked at me nonchalantly and said, well, we could just measure.
Amazingly, we found a measuring tape (truly the office of geeks, remember we had filter blocks in the pantry on the day the huge lunar eclipse happened?) and stood in a corner of the office and measured myself.
Then, I replied the email to tell that I'd take size S afterall :p
And back to reality...
I had a really good trip back in Singapore this time around. Most of it from the first week of being on holiday in Krabi. For that, I am grateful to Zi, Fong & my uncle - so much fun!
Also this was the last of my miles on SQ too. From here on, it'll be Jetstarasia and budget travels. Sob!
Michelle asked me on Sunday why I like Taiwan. This is the same person who has not yet come to visit me since I moved here 2 years ago. :(
I was wondering to myself why too... In Singapore I get to indulge in my 2 biggest fave activities : RC & RC - rockclimbing and the Roman Catholic church, often on a daily basis. In Taiwan, these 2 activities are curtailed to weekends.
So why do I like Taiwan? Hmm...
Incidentally, I've been thinking of that hamburger place Michelle suggested : http://www.thehandburger.com/. It's in the basement of Raffles City, and it is VERY VERY good. Sigh...
Also this was the last of my miles on SQ too. From here on, it'll be Jetstarasia and budget travels. Sob!
Michelle asked me on Sunday why I like Taiwan. This is the same person who has not yet come to visit me since I moved here 2 years ago. :(
I was wondering to myself why too... In Singapore I get to indulge in my 2 biggest fave activities : RC & RC - rockclimbing and the Roman Catholic church, often on a daily basis. In Taiwan, these 2 activities are curtailed to weekends.
So why do I like Taiwan? Hmm...
Incidentally, I've been thinking of that hamburger place Michelle suggested : http://www.thehandburger.com/. It's in the basement of Raffles City, and it is VERY VERY good. Sigh...
Monday, September 21, 2009
Reality bites
I was just thinking and probably commented to a few friends that I was beginning to like being in Singapore again.
Then reality came along and socked me one in the jaw.
As usual, I met up with my financial advisor as I do whenever I am back. Afterwards, we were just making small talk, about property prices and trends etc and then he commented that Lim Hon now has 2 kids, the second new-born shares his birthday etc...
Even though there are songs about this, and I am well aware, heck, I even joke about it. But to realise that it's reality... at that moment. I felt like Darth Maul sliced in half by Obi-wan's lightsaber. Once I recovered, I was preoccupied with macabre time calculations, how much time does it take to get over someone, get married, have 2 kids...
Truth is, I'm over it, over him. Guess now, that remote tiniest of hope dies too.
Then reality came along and socked me one in the jaw.
As usual, I met up with my financial advisor as I do whenever I am back. Afterwards, we were just making small talk, about property prices and trends etc and then he commented that Lim Hon now has 2 kids, the second new-born shares his birthday etc...
Even though there are songs about this, and I am well aware, heck, I even joke about it. But to realise that it's reality... at that moment. I felt like Darth Maul sliced in half by Obi-wan's lightsaber. Once I recovered, I was preoccupied with macabre time calculations, how much time does it take to get over someone, get married, have 2 kids...
Truth is, I'm over it, over him. Guess now, that remote tiniest of hope dies too.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Property pricing...
Expensive, expensive, expensive...
I should've returned to buy in Jun or Jul this year. Now it's all gone on a little peak. Will it continue to go up? Are we max-ed out?
All this talk about V-shaped recovery or W-shaped recovery confuses me.
How, how, how?
Oh, and last night I was viewing some apartments. This 1 unit at Symphony Heights, there as a little altar center of the living room. Feels different. I didn't look at it, avoided being too close as well. And I was in the apartment only 10mins max. Didn't like the apartment in any case. Last night I was sleeping and I was awoken to feel afraid - related to that apartment? I was tired, I prayed and fell back asleep. But then something fell in the room, and I was awakened for the second time. I looked around, saw nothing out of place, very sleep-laden, I prayed again and this time crossed myself for good measure, then fell back asleep. This morning while preparing for work, nothing was out of place. Nothing fell to floor. Hmm... and the creepy thing is, being able to attribute it to that apartment.
Sigh.
Perhaps Emily is right afterall. You need to be rich. If I'm rich, I'll be viewing brand-new expensive apartments. Sigh.
I should've returned to buy in Jun or Jul this year. Now it's all gone on a little peak. Will it continue to go up? Are we max-ed out?
All this talk about V-shaped recovery or W-shaped recovery confuses me.
How, how, how?
Oh, and last night I was viewing some apartments. This 1 unit at Symphony Heights, there as a little altar center of the living room. Feels different. I didn't look at it, avoided being too close as well. And I was in the apartment only 10mins max. Didn't like the apartment in any case. Last night I was sleeping and I was awoken to feel afraid - related to that apartment? I was tired, I prayed and fell back asleep. But then something fell in the room, and I was awakened for the second time. I looked around, saw nothing out of place, very sleep-laden, I prayed again and this time crossed myself for good measure, then fell back asleep. This morning while preparing for work, nothing was out of place. Nothing fell to floor. Hmm... and the creepy thing is, being able to attribute it to that apartment.
Sigh.
Perhaps Emily is right afterall. You need to be rich. If I'm rich, I'll be viewing brand-new expensive apartments. Sigh.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Yahoo questions...
All week we've been talking about Yahoo moments. A Yahoo moment is one where either Fong, Zi or Fel would ask a question that nobody would have the answer to. We'll all then yell 'ya-hooo' in unison, and still be none the wiser.
So I'm finally going to list out the questions. Alas my memory is no longer very good and I only can recall these.
1. Why do mosquitoes exist?
Answer - they pollinate flowers (after bees, they are the most prolific pollen distributors). And we all know how bees pollinate because we watched the Bee movie at least twice in 1 week. But that's another story altogether.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito
2. What's the difference between the monsoons in Krabi versus Singapore/Malaysia? Why are they different times of the year?
Answer - Krabi is affected by the south west monsoon rains which is now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsoon
3. What is SPF and what's the difference with PA?
Answer - PA is the Japanese standard and measures UVA rays. PA +++ is what we were using. Or rather what vain Fong had to apply daily.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen
4. How would a cockatoo cycle? Or an Egyptian, for that matter?
So I'm finally going to list out the questions. Alas my memory is no longer very good and I only can recall these.
1. Why do mosquitoes exist?
Answer - they pollinate flowers (after bees, they are the most prolific pollen distributors). And we all know how bees pollinate because we watched the Bee movie at least twice in 1 week. But that's another story altogether.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito
2. What's the difference between the monsoons in Krabi versus Singapore/Malaysia? Why are they different times of the year?
Answer - Krabi is affected by the south west monsoon rains which is now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsoon
3. What is SPF and what's the difference with PA?
Answer - PA is the Japanese standard and measures UVA rays. PA +++ is what we were using. Or rather what vain Fong had to apply daily.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen
4. How would a cockatoo cycle? Or an Egyptian, for that matter?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
does God hear you?
It all started because Francis mentioned he needs a test-subject for his psychology course. Zi agreed to be it and she was going to talk about bad friends. I have had more than my fair share of bad friends and it all came back to me last night - about Moo, maybe cos I saw her at the climbing wall Tuesday night.
Last night, I was bothered enough to pull this book from my bookshelf titled - When Friendship Hurts. I flipped through it again and started to feel all indignant & huffy again.
Came into office this morning, and was reading this morning's readings. Guess what...
Col 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another,if one has a grievance against another;as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.And over all these put on love,that is, the bond of perfection.And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,the peace into which you were also called in one Body.And be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songswith gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever you do, in word or in deed,do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sigh...
And the psalm of the day was the same song ringing in my head as it was the last song on my MP3 player riding the bus into office. 'Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!'.
So yeah, I guess the good Lord hears everything... and Amen for that.
Last night, I was bothered enough to pull this book from my bookshelf titled - When Friendship Hurts. I flipped through it again and started to feel all indignant & huffy again.
Came into office this morning, and was reading this morning's readings. Guess what...
Col 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another,if one has a grievance against another;as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.And over all these put on love,that is, the bond of perfection.And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,the peace into which you were also called in one Body.And be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songswith gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever you do, in word or in deed,do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sigh...
And the psalm of the day was the same song ringing in my head as it was the last song on my MP3 player riding the bus into office. 'Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!'.
So yeah, I guess the good Lord hears everything... and Amen for that.
Bunnie Edwards
Bunnie was the admin at Houston. I remember when I first transferred to the consumer Notebook team, and had to travel to Houston to meet the extended team there. I had lunch with Bunnie - you'll like her. She's quick to laugh and just has an easy word for everyone. Start to tell a joke and she'll be roaring with laughter before you hit the punchline.
I got into Singapore this week and Monday morning, I had a really bad feeling when I saw an email titled 'Bunnie's update'. Last night, I was trying to call someone in Taiwan to get a conference call going and I saw Bunnie's name on my phone show up.
Sigh...
It was supposed to be removal of a growth on her face, which turned out to be cancer and within 3 weeks of diagnosis, she was gone.
I remember how she was really helpful when I was trying to organize the later canceled marketing summit. We spoke almost every night, working out hotel/food/event arrangements.
I will miss you Bunnie. Play an extra heavenly song on your harp for me as you sit by Jesus.
I got into Singapore this week and Monday morning, I had a really bad feeling when I saw an email titled 'Bunnie's update'. Last night, I was trying to call someone in Taiwan to get a conference call going and I saw Bunnie's name on my phone show up.
Sigh...
It was supposed to be removal of a growth on her face, which turned out to be cancer and within 3 weeks of diagnosis, she was gone.
I remember how she was really helpful when I was trying to organize the later canceled marketing summit. We spoke almost every night, working out hotel/food/event arrangements.
I will miss you Bunnie. Play an extra heavenly song on your harp for me as you sit by Jesus.
Ecclesiastes
Chapter 3
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Chapter 3
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Krabi magic
Thank you Zi & Fong, I had a great week climbing/eating excessively at Railay, Krabi.
As a 3rd trip there, and being much older compared to my earlier trips, I surprised myself by being able to still climb 6b+ routes.
Climbing log :
Day 1 - 123 wall
Make a Way - 6a+
King's Cobra - 5 (top roped this)
We Sad - 6a+
Day 2 - Wee's Present Wall
A man can tell a 1000 lies - 6a
Hello Christine - 6a+
Same same but different - 6b+
Day 3 - Thaiwand Wall
Circus Oz - 6a+
Monkey's Bum - 6b
Day 5 - Eagle Wall
Totem Pole - 6a
Where Eagles don't dare - 6a+
Sea Monkey - 6b+
Speaking out loud - 6b (Fong only)
The climbs in orange colour are classic climbs as highlighted by the climbing guidebook.
Other than the excellent climbing, the companionship was really nice. I really enjoyed all the easy bantering and laughter.
Evidence of the really good holiday :
Reminder - how to lead our lives
In the excitement of being home and being with old friends again... a timely reminder.
Col 3:1-11
Brothers and sisters:If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ your life appears,then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,and the greed that is idolatry.Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.But now you must put them all away:anger, fury, malice, slander,and obscene language out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another,since you have taken off the old self with its practicesand have put on the new self,which is being renewed, for knowledge,in the image of its creator.Here there is not Greek and Jew,circumcision and uncircumcision,barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;but Christ is all and in all.
Col 3:1-11
Brothers and sisters:If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ your life appears,then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,and the greed that is idolatry.Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.But now you must put them all away:anger, fury, malice, slander,and obscene language out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another,since you have taken off the old self with its practicesand have put on the new self,which is being renewed, for knowledge,in the image of its creator.Here there is not Greek and Jew,circumcision and uncircumcision,barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;but Christ is all and in all.
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