Happy Easter everyone!

Last couple of weeks have been good.  Matty celebrates his 1 year old birthday with a very pink bunny cake I bought him (I told the cake shop to draw a bunny on his cake and they say, oh yes, we can do it, 画只美美的小兔 were their exact words!), I got my home, am now in the process of getting the loan..

Yesterday's Easter sermon was good.  It was about being positive - leaving the tomb for the light.  Being positive about our future. Very apt for me as I feel I can see light at the end of the dark tunnel, I am focusing on that light.

I'm sipping a bottle of 凉茶 as I type and I realize it's been a long while since I last had one.  Yes, I am sick again - bought 2 bottles to combat this darn flu.  I ran Mt Faber like crap yesterday and went home to sleep off the rest of day.  I'm avoiding Matty for now for fear of infection.

Today's reading : Monday within the Octave of EasterActs 2:14, 22-33

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

"You who are children of Israel, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:

I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.

A life goal being realized...

I engaged Ian/Michelle/Matty's services to view shortlist house no. 3.  While they were remarkably good with the first 2 houses, this family was very distracted this time around.  Matty wanted to play with the seller's cat, the 2 goldfishes in their tank, and the seller's tv remote controllers...  Then I noticed Ian/Michelle admiring the seller's art pieces, playing with the cat... -__-

Despite that, plus the fact that the house does not have a balcony (nice to have), and is really small and yet not cheap...  That same evening, I made an offer, the next day, we have pen-ed the deal. 

I'm still wondering where to hang my bicycle in the new place...

This morning, I signed the home loan agreement with HSBC.  So the next step is getting the lawyers into the picture to draw up the sale of the home.  After that, I guess I need to engage a renovation contractor.  I've started browsing the 2 home decor magazines I bought over lunch yesterday - feeling the excitement now.

I must say, I feel blessed in this whole process.  That my housing agent is a friend makes things so much easier - we talk openly.  My family (Matty and his parents) have been most supportive and helpful with ensuring I cover the loose ends.  Close friends have been kind, giving me helpful tips and advice.  Even the home loan process was good.  Peter and I agreed to stick to his bankers who will give him a referral bonus, which we will then share :)  After Peter sent me every agent from every bank, I did my due diligence, working a spreadsheet to figure out the best deal.  The best rates were from HSBC which incidentally was the most proactive agent who called me by my name (most agents don't even remember details of the case after they sent me a quote, nor do they call back, while some are just totally rude).  HSBC was a clear choice.  It has been smooth thus far. 

I need to trust the Good Shepherd more totally!

John Chapter 10
* “Amen, amen, I say to you,a whoever does not enter a sheepfold* through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.

But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

* When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”Although Jesus used this figure of speech,* they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

 * So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.

* All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep* that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.* This command I have received from my Father.”

Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them said, “He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

The feast of the Dedication* was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.

* And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?* If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you* and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.

But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,* and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

* The Father and I are one.”

The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”

* Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’?

If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside,

can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated* and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;

but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

[Then] they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.

Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign,* but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many there began to believe in him.

And today's gospel reading. 

GospelLk 1:46-56

Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."

Parable of the Prodigal Son

I have been feeling like the resentful, angry elder son from the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Re-reading Henri Nouwen's chapter on the resentful, angry elder son and it really resonates with me.  Like the elder son, I have done the dutiful thing all my life, do all the right things at the right time to everyone around me (or at least I attempted).  All I have gotten in return is betrayal, disloyalty, people who use you, people who use you, take you for granted and finally spit on you.  Must everyone else in the world be the younger son (from the parable)?  And the people who are the fathers, can't you do more than just look benignly on?

I feel totally used & abused. Yet, I can't be the younger son, I just can't. I am doomed to be abused.  Call me masochistic.  The remedy is the new home - to be my getaway from the world.  I have thus named it, Operation Regain Sanity.

Progress report on Operation Regain Sanity, shortlisted 2 homes that were "livable" (not quite "buy me!").  I deployed extra judges Ian/Michy/Matty to help me look at those 2 apartments last Sunday.  They preferred the second one, adjacent from the new 112 Katong mall.  But for 2 things : ask price at $1.125million & no carpark for visitors. Ian asked me, where do you expect your guests to park?  Er..  I don't intend to have guests.  Close friends/family, yes.  But no guests.  Alas, the seller stood firm on the ask price, so Operation Regain Sanity (or ORS) continues this Saturday.

Here's a happy thought for a Friday : my sayang watching Sesame Street on Youtube on his iPad.  The media is different, but the content the same!  And don't you just love the tshirt I bought him from Old Navy?

Viewing apartments in the east

I like the Telok Kurau area, it feels very residential yet easily connected via the park network connector (PCN) direct to the East Coast park.  My plan is to rise early to either ride/run along the beach often.

Have gone on 2 viewing sessions and not seen anything perfect yet, so far,
- Aquene : don't like the neighbours to the left (appears to be a chinese 会馆) and to the right (Buddhist temple).
- Costa Este :3 bedroom 850 sq ft.  Very tight squeeze.  Gives you a very cramped feel.
- Callidora Ville : didn't like the unit cos it's second floor, darkish and gives a very cramped feel overall.
- Blu Coral : don't like the odd shaped layout of the living room.
- Whitescape : newly TOPed, so brand new.  But expensive and small.  Like it overall except for the price & the combined laundry with kitchenette - feels too service apartment-ish.
- Axis@Siglap : didn't like the unit which overlooks directly into the HDB apartments next door.

Praying hard that the search be over very soon.

Prayers for everyone

This Monday morning I would like to pray for,
- vocations in the church
- healing/recovery & good health for Mel, Grace, Ss Lily, Zi's back injury and, the sick all over the world
- Matty my sayang.  Bless him abundantly as he prepares to turn 1 year old in 2 weeks!
- all souls particularly my pa, grandparents.  May purgatory be emptied today
- that single people not be single longer
- that lonely people find Your comfort and human friendships
- that the Holy Spirit be with all who call on You
- that I find the perfect apartment in the East at a steal real soon
- that relationships be easier and smoother (yes, I still struggle with mom, think she's angry at me again).
- that Japan finds Your comfort in their time of difficulty and grief as they overcome the loss of their home and loved ones with Your strength and Your providence.

I'll pray while covered in brain fog.  Napped 4hours yesterday after mass & a light lunch, then slept for 8hours yet still feeling sleepy.  1 cup of coffee later, still feel the fogginess around me.

The Commandments aren't rules, they are a promise!

At last night's CaFE session at Christ the King, we learned that if you see the 10 commandments as a promise, not as a set of "do not", it becomes a positive proposition of the future you will have! 

E.g. No. 5, you shall not steal, becomes instead, after you believe in God, you won't want to steal!  Aha, very nice.  This coming mid-lent, it is a refreshing view to take.  Thank you Jesus!

Bakery - Maison Kayser or Paul's?

I first told Michelle about Paul's Bakery when I first saw it being renovated in Takashimaya.  I loved the bread there and was quite a regular customer while living in Taipei.

They opened in December and Michy and I went there last month.  Actually she checked it out earlier, but my jaw/teeth weren't ready for bread then.  Of course, she brought little Matty along and it was just a fantastic meal.

Michy being Michy, she went on to discover Maison Kayser - a Japanese bakery in Paris, also recently opened in the new Scotts Square.  They even have Japanese staff.  The bread is finer, it's less expensive and less crowded considering I met Michy on a Friday afternoon and we still found seats without waiting (not quite the same case as Paul's with its long queues!).  I ordered the crochet set and unlike Paul's, it's crispy outside and soft inside.  Felt it was done very nicely.  I'm a convert.  Maison Kayser is great.

Updated Race Calendar for 2012

The Fear Challenge got canceled due to license issues.  They had included a river crossing in the route! Gasp!

So here's the updated calendar.  From my intended 3 or 4 races this year, it has somehow become 9 -__-

25 Feb - Singapore Duathlon (10km run / 36km cycle / 5km run)
1 Apr - 2XU Compression run (15km - taking Alex's place as he's traveling)
1 May - SIS Age Group run (10km - free race after the canceled Fear Challenge)
26 May - Adidas Sundown Marathon (half 21km)
1 July - Gold Coast Marathon (42km)
15 July - SIS Age Group run (15km - taking Manly's place as she's gone cycling)
Sep - Army Half Marathon (21km - if the route is nice)
Oct - North Face trail run (100km Duo - which means we run 50km each)
Dec - Standard Chartered Marathon (42km)

On a lazy Sunday evening

It was a lazy Sunday for me after the morning run.  After noon mass at St Ignatius, I went home and chilled, napped and by evening, decided to stay in afterall.

I do miss Matty though - thankfully I took this picture of him with his mom on Saturday night.

Then cos Peter displayed his medals, I was curious to know how many I chalked up over the years.  Not sure if I threw any away, but the tally stands at 18.  First medal was from 2003 and my most illustrious year was 2011 - 5 in that year alone.

Lental Fridays

The mind is a very strange thing.

Because of abstinence Fridays during Lent, I find myself positively ravenous Thursdays.  Last night I had ate supper in anticipation of a sad Friday - and I don't even have plans to fast Fridays!
(note - supper is a new concept to me, I find it hard to sleep on a bloated belly).

The mind is a very strange thing, indeed.

When tired, slow down?

I am tired all the time that it's become an annoying refrain.

1. I don't rest sufficiently for a long enough time for the fluey symptoms to go away completely since CNY.  So my lung capacity is really not there - I can't believe I raced last Saturday wheezing like an asthmatic patient.

2. I can't give 100% to my new job - unfair to the company cos I'm usually too comatose to think and patiently trawl through the emails.  I survive, but I'm not thinking of new ideas the way I used to cos my head is too throbbing usually.

3. Need to sleep more too.  Staying up late at nights to play Scramble til my coins run out is a poor excuse.
4. Need to practise my jaw exercises more.  Been lazy and hence no improvement.
5. Need to get to daily mass more - I have stopped my morning/noon mass routine.

Just as I have been thinking all these last few days, the Elephant's back decided to spasm up from all the torture she subjected her muscles to.  She's now on forced rest for a couple of weeks.

Common refrain?

Simplify and rest?  Which was my initial goal, to compete in less races this year, balance exercise with life and God better.  I'll take this good reminder.

Why we slog so hard as weekend warriors!

I've always known visceral fats to be really bad for you - like it kills you.  But nothing like a visual update!

http://healthandfitnesswithadifference.blogspot.com/2011/11/have-you-seen-this.html?spref=fb

1984

It's George Orwell's 1984!

I studied this in school (a lifetime ago) about how your credit card spending and a computerized checkout system in a store can create a data mining system based on customer buying patterns.

It's taken a long while for someone to make it really work, but it seems Target has done it successfully done it now.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/

Gold Coast Marathon Plan

My 16-week plan.  Starts in 2 weeks.  Should be easier this year with Alex's positive energy on training, I reckon. 

Race year 2012

Here's how my race year is going to look.

25 Feb - Singapore Duathlon (10km run / 36km cycle / 5km run)
25 Mar - Fear Challenge (25km run with 8 obstacle stations)
26 May - Adidas Sundown Marathon (half 21km)
1 July - Gold Coast Marathon (42km)
Sep - Army Half Marathon (21km)
Oct - North Face trail run (half 50km)
Dec - Standard Chartered Marathon (42km)

The Duathlon just over the weekend was really painful!  I didn't remember it being that tough!  Perhaps it was the weather, or the lingering effects of the flu I never fully recovered from, or the sore calves from circuit training on Wednesday...

My first race since Dec's accident and Speedier's first race ever.  Glad we both survived uneventfully and amazingly enough, improved my timing by 15mins.  And this is without pushing since  I struggled with catching my breath and my legs on verge of cramps most of the way.  Not a bad start to the race year indeed.

My results : 1:05 for 10k run, 1:15 for the bike and 35min for the last 5k run.  Plus transition for a total 3:02. Dang, didn't realize how close I was to a sub-3hr!

Leaving California tomorrow

It's been a great week.  Great on all aspects.  Work, colleagues, a fantastic boss who's also a great person (do these exist? apparently yes!), good company, I drove around safely, I got my to-buy list (3 pairs of men tracks shoes! and tons of baby clothes).  Funnily enough I didn't enjoy shopping at all my favourite shops this time around.  But oh well, save $ :)  I love driving around in the evenings though, very chill, mountains on 1 side and the coast on the other.  Sigh.

And as I left work, boss said something to the effect of me coming to Irvine once a quarter.  Sigh.

On my last evening here, I had no mood to shop.  I dropped by a bike store - drooled at the new Treks, browsed their clothes (not much selection), then picked up a pizza and came home via a short detour to top up my petrol tank.  Yeah, was back in the hotel room by 7:30pm.  Would've been earlier except I couldn't figure out how to open the fuel tank flap thingy.  I searched for 10 minutes, went to the pump operator to seek help and he walked out - poked the tank flap thingy and it sprang open.  *slap forehead* Then I couldn't get my credit card accepted (apparently US credit cards are linked to a zip code) *slap forehead more*.  The gas pump operator's son helped me refill.

The rest of the week was really smooth.  My blood pressure stayed low.  I slugged out of the gym even though I had my running shoes and gym clothes packed. 

One last slug night and then it's back to normalcy. 

Now that I had a week's space, I finally can put my finger on what's the problem with Singapore.  It's  not the warm weather that drives people nuts.  It's the sense of claustrophobia you get from everyone & everything around you, in your face, seeking/demanding/asking for attention.

Gonna be a tiring year yet

It's just mid Feb, and already I am on my third trip out of Singapore.  First trip was over new year - cycling in Penggarang, Desaru.  Second was the Taiwan trip 2 weeks ago.

And just before I flew out here, I got suckered into signing up for my first overseas marathon.  Well, I ran a couple of races in Taipei, but this will be my virgin full marathon.  Gold Coast, Australia - you better give me the perfect weather, flat & easy terrain, and assist me to my new PB.  Last year, I was just exhausted from all that running - I find myself in training all year since I ran 2 marathons : mid-year and year-end.   Yet, I quickly forget?  Aiiiiiiyah....

US trip after 2 years

I had a good trip here despite not flying SIA.  Full flight on ANA going to Narita and full flight on United to LAX - miraculously both flights I had an empty seat beside me for a little space and privacy.  You rock Jesus! Arrived none the worse for wear since I need to drive.  I'm driving a VW Jetta, in chilli red, just like Roar.  Driving a sedan again feels weird, unlike Roar, it's so low I feel I am dragging along on the road.  But I am bitching the small points - have my own car, have a nice hotel room, get to be here the whole week.  It's great.

Day 2, met up with my boss, first face to face meeting and he is as cool as I imagined him to be.  Very smart, very charismatic.  Walked out of meeting room and this guy had his little dog in the office.  Wow.  It's a little Chihuahua.  Startups really are different from the big companies.

I really like Socal, perhaps almost better than Nocal.  The weather is nicer (read, warmer).  Although I came in to a cold front and it will be low 50s for a couple of days (10-ish degrees C), but I'm either in office/mall/hotel and only in the open getting in/out of car, so no big deal.

Alas I have evening conf calls, but Wed/Thu/Fri nights are gonna be shopping nights - woo hoo!  I have already noted down addresses : Walmart, Mission Viejo mall, and a bike shop.  Most of all, get some private time alone.  Sigh

Longings...

Had a nice lunch (our first in 2012 and the Dragon year) with Karen & Kalpana.  Kalpana took us to Biopolis for Indian food - very good lunch.

Am I crazy?  Or do I really want to belong back to HP again?

回台感触

After a year away from Taiwan, it is really reassuring to know it still feels like home.  It's like I never left.  Went to the bank and the teller greeted me, talks to me like as if I never left.  Went to mass and the folks there greeted mom & I warmly, and gave us the honour of bringing up the communion bread & wine to the altar.  Rae, Jon and Maggie had a fantastic lunch with me - driving all the way from Nangang to Xinyi.  Honda and I had a nice time talking about mountains again.  Rae drove us around saving us the walk in the rain Friday night.  Luca took us to a great Italian restaurant.  Vinny was nice and gallantly carried our shopping bags til he fell sick after Jiufen.

I am glad and comforted.  I missed out the folks at the Wanghua gym.  Also Ashley & Yvonne - no time for them.  Sigh...

Next trip back, ideal case, return alone - no fuss, no pressure, no more tour-guiding!

Tis the season to be angry?

First Cal got angry & refuse to join Mom's birthday dinner/lunch.

Then mom got angry in Taipei - saying I treat her like shit. Cos I nagged her for being late the morning of departure & for taking a long time to shower first night we arrived. 20mins after she stepped into bathroom she hadn't started showering & it was close to midnight.

People are so hard to please these days. I'm starting to ask myself why I even bother to try. Not that they care in the first place.

Shifting my focus off relationships onto work this year. So if u don't get a call from me or u feel I don't give a damn, u are probably right. Theme of the year : aloofness.

Holy is His name!

Today's gospel reading is really good.

Lk 1:46-56

Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever."

Happy birthday Pa!

It's Feb 1, my dad's birthday if he were still around.  Gosh I miss the man.  Every moment... 

Happy birthday Pa!  I'll send my guardian angel over to give you a birthday kiss tonight!

Unbalanced

人就是那么贱...

Last night, I went over to Ian/Michelle's for dinner and over text exchanges with my older brother, he somehow got upset and decided he won't join us for Mummy's birthday dinner in 2 weeks.  I had sent a text reply that he misconstrued as being against him.  It wasn't la... but damage done.  Ian/Michy got a little sad cos it is Mummy's birthday afterall - they are nice people.  But then... how? 

I started thinking, oh I should now do this.. or perhaps I wait then I text him later...

Finally I decided I will just pray and surrender this to the Lord and hey while I'm at it, I need to surrender up MY WHOLE LIFE again.  I had placed my Lord as a backup plan instead of letting Him have my all. So yes, I am very 贱 but repentant.  I need to pray more... a whole lot more.  And stop lazing in bed and get to morning mass more! *kicks own ass*

The last holiday weekend

I love the time of year starting Nov til Jan because it's the holidays!  First Christmas, then the new year, then it all ends with the Chinese new year celebrations.

This weekend marks the end of that. Making full use of it, here's what I did...

Played with Matty - ever the hyperactive kid, it only takes half an hour to be totally exhausted with him.

Cycling with my aero wheels - get outta my way people!

Attended Sister Lily's jubilee mass








And, polished my car with lotsa sweat and then a cat steps all over the newly shined bonnet in the night.  If I find out which one of you slept on my shiny car, I am so making you into a fur coat!  

祝新年愉快，万事如意，龙马精神！

Happy Dragon year!


We had a 4 day CNY break this year, starting from Sat thru to Tue!  I can't believe it all whizzed by so quick. 

Looking back.. there was a lot of eating/sleeping/playing with Matty.  So in conclusion - great weekend!  Also managed a 20km run and a 84km cycle.

Oh and a quick plug for a very talented friend who's selling her creations here :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91315541/golden-lotus-floats-on-red-sea

Things that move on wheels

Something interesting happened while pushing my bicycle to the carpark this morning (yes, I load up bike for the ride tonight, so after work can zoom straight to brick training at ECP).

So there I was, pushing Speedier crossing Holland Avenue (2 lanes per side) and also crossing from the other side, 2 wheelchairs (an old man pushed by his young Indonesian maid, 1 perhaps cerebral palsy teenager pushed by his dad), then a young mom pushing her baby on a pram went by...  All of us met at the center divider, got a little squashy, but we made it through.  I was thinking, hmmm.. at lot of us on wheels all at the same time needing to cross this same road. 

And as I neared the other side, an aunty back from the market pushing her grocery trolley. 

Burst into laughter.  Very funny.

Dentist tonight

It's been slightly more than a month since the fall, the concussed teeth roots better have recovered!  Cos I really cannot tahan the heart attack each time I either drink something chilled or too hot (the cracked teeth are super sensitive) and I have not been brushing my back teeth (more heart attacks).

So tonight, I want them cracked teeth crowned and fixed!

Perhaps Thu I can go get John to massage the jaw muscles again...

Bored

Bored at work. 
Week 1 at new job - direct manager was on Christmas break. 
Week 2 at new job - entire US office (he's based in US) was shutdown from Christmas til 2012.
Week 3 at new job / week 1 of 2012 - CES week.
Week 4 at new job / week 2 of 2012 - Ok, this is the week right?  Martin Luther King holiday... -__- Yes, I don't need close supervision, but I am so green I have no clue what's going on!  Do I sit here and continue doing nothing? At least reply my emails right?


Positives :
I am paid to do nothing much.
My new tubular wheels are being prepared.  Eager...
I'm going over for dinner later, Matty has only less than a week to learn to say "gong xi gong xi" with the traditional chinese clasped hand greeting

What an exhausting weekend

Lay in bed this morning, rubbing my jawbone - yeah, it's been throbbing painfully ever since I tried bakkwa... And just thinking : how tired I am! *whine*

Sat : I slept 4hrs and then woke up for a very plesant leisure ride with SJ and some friends.  We laughed, joked and climbed many hills - all very fun (60km took over almost 7 hours with lots of long breaks).  Tried to nap when I got back but interrupted pleasantly by Matty who crawled into bed with me (courtesy of his mom).

Sun : Slept but 4hrs, and it rained at 2am, wanted to text Alex/Peter to skip the Terry Fox run.  But I endured.  Peter was early to pick me up (grateful I didn't need to drive), and we got there quite effortlessly, parked right out from the starting point too!  Alex was uncontactable, so Peter and I ran the 10km slow and relaxed.  My watch recorded a 1:05, I was pleased considering we restrained ourselves.  The event was just fantastic.  Bottles of water every so often, lots of cheerleaders (made it hard for 2 restrained runners) and they handed out cookies at the end!  Love it!  Gnawing on a cookie, found a really sore Alex walking stiffly towards us.  Considering he almost flew into a drain with his bike flying down hill, that he is alive is really God's blessings.  Peter offered to drive to yummy prawn mee breakfast.  Took Alex 10mins to get into car.  Took Alex another 10mins to get out of car.  Took me an hour to eat and break the prawn & pork to bite size.  Took Alex another 10mins to get back into car.  Took Alex 10mins to get out of Peter's car.  Finally, we were on the way home.  I managed a 2hour nap that afternoon.

Getting out of bed to get to evening mass was a colossal effort.  But I endured. Ta-baoed dinner but even as I ate, I started to feel sleepy again.  As I set my alarm clock for Monday morning, it struck me the irony.  Weekends, I wake up 5am.  Work days, I set alarm for 7 or 8.  My priorities are very telling.

Focus and Pespective

I scheduled myself to attend morning mass today.  But was really tired - driving home late last night was sluggish - unsafe!.  So predictably, I woke up at 8:20 for 8:30am mass.  Sigh...

Since the accident in early Dec and then joining GWR, I have not made ANY daily masses at all!  Got busy with recovery, then Christmas, then Elmo/Rae were here, then new job... Worse, my head is filled with thoughts that are mostly bike related or some training session/running/sports related.

I always wanted my life centered around church & family.  Caught myself this morning - ok, don't get ahead of oneself - rephrase : I was reminded this morning.  Thanks Jesus!

Starting next week, I will strive to attend mass every Friday.  Will be a good way to reflect as I end the work week, going into the weekend.

May the Lord bless Taiwan

Taiwanese presidential elections are in 2 days.  I recall the earlier election in 2008 when 马英九 (9 English horses) won - all the drama and over-the-top acting.  It was interesting for a very apolitical Singaporean like me.  Pity I am not there now to watch a more heated battle between ， 马英九 and 蔡英文 (English veggies).

Taiwanese are very emotional people - worse when it's about China or politics.  I hope they vote with wisdom and much blessings.

Ok, I am hoping 9 English Horses to win because I'm visiting in early Feb and I don't want a pissed-off China to bomb Taiwan.  Not while I'm there...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/world/asia/taiwan-vote-lures-back-expatriates-in-china.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

台湾加油！

Carbon wheelsets for a bargain?

Simon text me asking if I wanted to buy super duper aero profile carbon wheels for $500.  He had the bargain of a lifetime.  They wanted to clear, and they really liked Simon as a customer.  Only comes in 650c, so Simon asked me if I wanted.

These carbon wheelset are going for $1.5k on CRC.

Such a steal right?  Brand new too!  I could buy it and use at the duathlon in Feb right?  Right??

Friday blues

Not feeling good.  Sore from John's massage last night.  My face is throbbing... my teeth are aching... my nose is dribbly and the skin on my nostrils are peeling off from chaffing with the tissues. and most of all  I'm sleepy cos I keep waking up too early (6am this morning).

Skipping lunch today - not up to more pain.  Am tempted to go nap in the car too.

Got a CaFE meeting tonight, perhaps I can sneak in a short nap after work before the meeting...

Groan...

Happy new year!

I started off the first work week of the year with online shopping daily!
Tue - bought "Baby On Board" decal for Matty's parents' car
Wed - signed up and paid for Terry Fox run on Jan 15
Thu - bought Road ID band for the accident prone me
Fri - booked and paid for tickets to Taiwan for mom and myself (going on holiday with Jo & Yili)

Pain

At Changi Hospital's emergency room after the Bintan accident, the doctor asked me my current pain level.  I said 8.

Now if you ask me, I'm still hurting!  I'm perhaps 2-3 daytime, by end of day, it goes to 4-5.

Mayo Clinic Chronic Pain scale
0-1 No pain
2-3 Mild pain
4-5 Discomforting - moderate pain
6-7 Distressing - severe pain
8-9 Intense - very severe pain
10 Unbearable pain

Painful areas
- jaw
- teeth
- chin where the wound was (underneath the scar, it is still rather raw)
- left palm & wrist
- left knee still very pussy and painful
- calves (from brick training)

Perhaps I should take a hint - getting too old for this crap!

As a reaction, I have just purchased a RoadID in case I one day go out for a run alone and collapse. 

Oh, here's how it'll look.  And if you want one, use this discount voucher : ThanksFelicia9760014

www.RoadID.com

www.MyRoadID.com

 

Medical bills and vulnerability

Finally met up with cousin (my insurance agent).  Passed her my bills from the fall and we both commiserate about age and vulnerability of being single.

In this case, my bills should be covered by a combination of travel insurance and personal accident insurance.  

Also I will be increasing my personal accident coverage to be consistent with me cycling more (hence more liable to falling tragically off the bike).

Feeling really depressed now.  Boo hoo hoo...

Foldable bikes

L - my former coworker wanted to pick up cycling, to destress from the politic-ing at work.  She keeps hearing these crazy cycling stories from me (before my accident in Bintan). 

She wanted a foldie.  We went in search of a Dahon D7 just like the one I had.  But the offerings are paltry.  There is the $2k-ish Bromptons, Dahons are sold out until March, leaving us with Tern (never heard of this brand, but supposedly a new brand related to Dahon).  Terns were going at $599, not cheap too and I hated the unfolding - it was pretty hard for a woman to manage.

I was in Rodalink & noticed they had foldies too, sent L to take a look.  Highest end foldie - Polygon Urbano 5.0 was going for $479 - comes with rain covers, a carrying case & suspension.  Ok, it's a little heavy at 14kg but it rode very smooth with the suspension.  I believe can hit top speeds in the high 20km/h.  Plus I like the service & staff at Rodalink Commonwealth - I knew L will be in good hands there.

Will go on an easy ride with L one day... now especially since I am a damaged (me and Speedier - both a little beat up but still game spiritually).

Weird - PayPal

My PayPal account does not work anymore because I moved back to Singapore.  I couldn't update the home address in my profile from Taiwan to Singapore and wrote to the help email in frustration.  Paypal confirms that you cannot add 2 different country bank accounts that you need to close that account and open a new Singapore account.

Sheesh.  In this global age, I would imagine many people would have homes in 2 countries.  So Paypal's work around is not good service at all.

What am I trying to buy?  A baby on board decal for Matty, after his parents' car got hit from behind by some blind/stupid/rude bozo. Thankfully it was just a slight dent and nobody was hurt.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280651757303?item=280651757303&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:COSI:SG:1123&vxp=mtr

The offending BMW driver was both belligerent & unreasonable until they had to carry a crying Matty out.  Then he felt a little guilty because there was a baby in the car.  Perhaps this will help.  I hope.