Rambling

Was kinda busy earlier this week cos Kim and her friend came to crash in my tiny apartment and also work wise, preparing for checkpoint meeting on Tuesday, which thankfully went smoothly.

Managed to get my 1st climb in on Wednesday nite finally. Was starting to feel depressed with office place politic-ing and all. But after the climb, I went with the Taiwanese folks to have coffee - well, I sipped jasmine flower tea while they had coffee (it was 10-ish, drinking coffee would be asking for insomniac-ness). I realise the Taiwanese are really humourous but their brand of humour is not personal, ie not targeted at anyone. Mental note to self, learn that!

Thu was peace memorial day - to remember 228 incident. Had packed Kim and her friend off Hualien & Taichung, so had a bit of space to myself. Went to boulder in Neihu with Peter then jogged in gym for a bit. Felt much more energized with some sports in. Oh Peter took me to see the guitar shop he mentioned, you know you're in Taiwan, when the guitars look like this...

This Sat, we're finally going to Yeliu and the Junming museum. I had wanted to go for the longest time but never gotten around to it until now. Yay!

Lent 2008

Made an unsettled start to this year's Lenten season due to Chinese New Year and returning home since moving to Taiwan.

We're into week 2 of Lent and I haven't even decided what personal sacrifice to do this year. As I explained to a colleague, it is not about losing weight or self-improvement nor deliberate suffering. It is about a step towards our faith, remembering my faith amidst the day-to-day living in a very secular world. Not about own efforts cos really without His Grace, our effort rarely amounts to anything.

- I hope to pray the rosary daily. Thanks to Sister Lily, I ripped the rosary onto my iPOD.
- and more difficult, to be more tolerant in the office place. Folks here are so political and I was starting to allow the resentment to eat into me until last Sat's Gospel Mt 5:43-48.
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies,and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,what is unusual about that?Do not the pagans do the same?So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

A tough call ain't it?

Year of the Rat

1. In 2 weeks, I start my guitar lessons at Yamaha here. Paid up for first 2 months lesson on the way home today. This ends some 10 years of procrastination that began when I first joined Creative Technology and said I wanted to pick up a musical instrument. I toyed with guitar, keyboards, piano, back to guitar.. FINALLY!

2. I signed up for a half-marathon today - Carrefore Marathon. Dragging with me 2 colleagues. Taiwan has more races. I used to just be able to run the Army Half Marathon (Aug) and Standard Chartered marathon (Dec). The Taipei Running Association has some event going on every couple of months. Woohoo!

Now if I can sustain this momentum...

Flying home

I went home for the Chinese New Year break, 1-14 Feb. I expected to be bored, but it turned out ok. Climbed alot with the Hard Cores (small sidetrip to Camp5 in KL), ate alot, slept some.. I missed people I guess - friends, family mostly.

Being away, I relooked Singapore with new eyes. Singapore is a great place to live in. Everything's nice, green, pretty and efficient. If I were raising a family, this is where I want to be.

However, Taiwan offers more just by sheer size. The 1st wknd back, I went to the gym, caught a movie, checked out the Chinese New Year laterns at the Sunyatsen Park, went shooting (we tried out the rifles this time).. and all at a leisurely pace.

It's still fun I guess. Ask me again in a year's time.

Rip van Felicia

Is it my all to comfortable mattress? (thanks to my family who helped me test numerous mattresses before we picked this 4star one)

Is it the chilly mornings of winter? (I can only fall asleep with the heater merrily humming away)

Is it a lack of morning conference calls? (Houston time difference means all my conf calls are in the night, 10pm to midnite Taiwan time)

Is it lethargy from less exercise? (gym closed down on me ; can't climb cos I pulled an arm muscle)

Is it a slower pace of life? (being in a backend organisation, nothing time critical like closing biz deals as I did in the past)

Is it age? (did I grow older and now need more sleep perhaps)

Why do I need so much sleep since moving to Taiwan? I don't mean the lazy sleep in type... I really feel tired and will fall dead asleep.... Hmm...

My Dream Apartment - available at a price

The Rain Tree. My long awaited dream apartment is up. Francis sneaked in and got some excellent pics. The view is just what I wanted - the rain trees of Bukit Timah.

Should I sell or rent it out? Anybody wanna offer S$1 million?

New Year resolutions, part 2

Did I neglect to mention this?

I wanna be married this year too. Pls God if you are listening, here's where it's all You! :)

My 1st Race in Taiwan and in 2008

I woke up at 5am, walked 15mins into a chilly 14degrees dark, damp morning to run my 1st race - Nike Run 2008 here in Taipei.

It was kinda strange cos everybody was jogging around, up/down, all jiggly.. and when the starting gun went off, they all took off like jack rabbits. I was thinking, wow, Taiwanese run fast... Then at the 4k mark when people starting walking, I realised why.. They were cold. At 14degrees with a chilly wind blowing and wearing only dry fit t-shirts, it was freezing.

Of cos kiasu me wore a jacket. And I kept my windbraker on the whole time. Are u kidding me? It's 14DEGREES C!

It's a 9k run and I clocked just over an hour - not great, but then again considering not running in months, it was good :)

Also, Garin and I found a go-karting place this weekend. We raced.. and came in last and 2nd last. Sigh.. I think we're growing old when racing scares you. Yes, I was scared. These are 270cc karts, and very speedy on a very windy track.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/sets/72157603714269249/

Almost Roadkill

I had gotten used to having my iPOD plugged in all the time, to drown out the sounds of Taipei (traffic, the chimes of the dustbin trucks, scooters bleating away, loudhailer mounted on vans traveling around coaxing Taipei citizens to vote in this Saturday's legislative elections)...

This is such a noisy city.

Went out running yesterday and enroute to SYS Hall, I was hit by a scooter. Waited at a pedestrian crossing, when the green man appeared, I re-started my stop watch, stepped off the pavement and WHAMMO!

I was so shocked - of cos I couldn't hear him coming with with my iPOD plugged in. Took all of 2 secs to recover enough to scream 'GREEN MAN, YOU Axxxx!'.

That was when I realised everyone else on that pedestrian crossing was staring at me like some alien.

Amazingly, my guardian angel took the impact, except for 2 grease stains on my left forearm where scooter met flesh, nothing, no bruise, nothing. It was just so amazing considering the loud crash when he hit me.

Some lessons
1. God's divine protection works all the time, even when you aren't aware of it
2. don't jog on streets with music plugged in, you need to know if there's a kamikaze scooter aiming for u
3. i gotta learn to scream in Chinese here. Nobody knew what the @#$ I said. ;)

My new jogging grounds - 10mins to get there, 5mins to do an outer loop (within the trees). In Chinese, this place is called 國父紀念館 - and yes, I know, that doesn't even translate to SunYatSen.. Sigh. That's another story in itself - how Taiwan gets real complicated for those who can't speak Chinese.

Firsts in the New Year

I did it - I ran.

Stupid Alexander Gym closed on me - pls pray with me that I get $ sorted out.

So I ran to the nearest park - Sunyatsen memorial hall.

Why suddenly so motivated? Becos Nike Run 2008 is next Sunday, I signed up for the 9k. I am so in trouble...

I just wished Taipei citizens would stop gawking at me on the streets.. Never seen jogger on the streets ah :(

The Day I was a human popsicle

Since I was on leave I asked Peter if he'd go hiking with me up to Yangmin mountain.

It was the last day of 2007 and also coldest day in 2007.

I never knew riding a scooter up the mountains can be that cold, plus it was 10degrees out. I almost died.

The view was awesome.. I love hiking!

Then we scootered to Beitou, found a openair hotspring (sorry, no pix were allowed, I couldn't shoot), and I managed to thaw out somewhat. The hottest pool was 50degrees, I couldn't even step in!

Then we came back into the city by MRT, he didn't think I'd make it back alive. And GH, Sharon, Angela, Peter and I watched TV, ate chips, icecream, snacks until the countdown and the fireworks over Taipei 101.

We each chooped a window, leaned out and shot videos and photos. It was awesome



All my pix on my Flickr - my last fun days of 2007. 2008 - I will start to work hard!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/

Hello 2008, Goodbye 2007

And suddenly a new year looms. How time flies. Re-read what I blogged about last year this time - the mood's different this year, for starters, I'm happier. I guess I have much to be grateful for in 2007:
- God for giving me a do-over opportunity with Taiwan
- for a closer walk with Him in sending me here alone cos sans distractions it's easier to witness the Good Lord work His miracles everyday
- friends esp those who were there during the down times. Sadly enough not many, but to those who did, thank u.
- family plus Michelle (who married Ian in Oct 06 - my agent and a great friend)
- good health for everyone in my family
- fresh new adventures here in Taiwan

And this leads into obviously, New Year Resolutions... Thinking thru, I realised the list I made last year this time can be recycled. Not that I hadn't made much progress, but a majority are nontheless still WIP. Recycled from last year's list :
- focus on relationships with people
- Discipline. Discipline. Discipline.
- stop gossiping
- work on my fragile faith
- Be open to new things, new events, new way of doing things
- be a friend to all esp those I don't like
- sign up for musical guitar lessons

Forgiveness

What is it about the year end anyways? Why do people feel melancholy and depressed all at the same time? Why feel the need to reflect upon the year only after the entire year has passed you by and it is too late anyways to do anything about it other than sit and rue?

Despite being in Taiwan where Christmas isn't celebrated much - less of that crazy consumerism that drives me nuts. But yet, I miss Church, I miss Advent, I miss penitential mass, I miss pre-Christmas activities in Church.

Despite being in Houston for a marketing summit where I do get to feel a little more Christmassy, and get slightly caught up in the buying of Christmas gifts.. Yet, things don't feel any better.

Ok ok, I'm a contradiction.

I was listening to music and clearing emails/work that piled up from being away in Houston and also having my HDD die on me last day there. And this song hit me. It's all about forgiveness, letting go.

If there's 1 flaw/sin I have, and those who know me well will attest to this, is my ability to let go.

Don Henley & the Eagles on Forgiveness

Advent - the season of preparation for Christmas

Those who know me will also know that ever since moving to Taiwan, I've been really living it up. Garin once commented with disdain that I led a 'disgustingly hedonistic single' lifestyle. And you know what, I was rather proud of that. Until Friday night's reading. Jesus' words were so pointed.

Luke Chapter 21
29 And he told them a parable, 'Look at the fig tree and indeed every tree.30 As soon as you see them bud, you can see for yourselves that summer is now near.31 So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near.32 In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place.33 Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be on the alert 34 'Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly,35 like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.36 Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of man.'

I went extra early to church on Sunday.

Pls prepare your hearts for the coming of Jesus this Christmas.

Reunited with the HardCores this weekend

The Hardcores came in on a Thu evening, left on a Sun evening like a tornado. Actually there're 2 typhoons approaching Taiwan right now. Guess God was gracious enough to give us good weather and hold the typhoons back for a while.

Right now, I am nursing a pinched muscle in my right arm, a missing house key and lots of dirty sheets to wash...

BUT BOY WAS IT FUN!!! I climbed 3 days in a row, laughed and ate and hung out like old times. Here's our photographic evidence of being hardcore and enjoying every moment of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/sets/72157603288785093/

I miss them already.

Derek - weather forecast is 13-14degrees this week. God loves you! And tonight's news, there are 2 men missing from Longdong (they showed the same entrance we walked in from), they were fishing from the rocks. Rescuers found only their fishing gear... Pls pray for their safety.

Yz - you should've stayed back to see both typhoons.. Damn it is so wet now. Here's a pix of the typhoons for you to imagine...

Jo - I hope you enjoy touring rest of Taiwan. Gimme a call if you need anything. You know how I speak/behave like a local now :)

PS My missing housekeys saga update - landlady passed me her spare keys, but seems like I need to replace the entire lock to be safe, that'll set me back 4500NT. Sob!

Happy Birthday!

God is great - my 1st birthday here coincided with TDC (Taiwan Development Center) Annual Party. It was a formal do held at the Grand Regent Formosa. The theme was 'bling-bling'. I went shopping earlier with Sharon & Angela, didn't find anything bling enough, so I borrowed Sharon's long pearls/shiny stones necklace.

My team knew it was my birthday that night, so predictably, I had to drink quite a bit. Then I won one of the better prizes of the night, 3000NT of Sogo vouchers. Yay! Then I had to drink with more and more people... By the end of the night, I was totally wasted. Ghee Hwee & Sharon walked me home (one on each side)... left me asleep on my couch, can't even make the stairs up to my bed.

The good thing was, I was only really drunk towards the end, so not many people saw me. The bad thing was, word spreads. Monday all day, every meeting I went to, everyone I met asked if I was feeling better. Damn... So much for reputation now.

Climbing!

I realised how my blog is slanting towards my tourist activities over weekends. Lest it be forgotten, I AM A CLIMBER! Here's some evidence of my climbing - typically I manage to climb perhaps 2x a week.

Pix of Peter & I bouldering at 内湖运动公园. 内湖 is an awesome place - wide open skies, the Keelung river flowing by and the winds there are simply awesome. I almost froze to death bouldering in my Prana singlet. Thankfully that day was a warm break in winter - it was 25degrees but after a while, you'd be cold. In the distance of the bouldering area, you can see the Taipei 101 and the city sky line. Just to the side, on the banks of the Keelung river, cyclists are going up and down... Was a beautiful day to be out, bouldering, walking, living life.

My climbing kakis from Singapore arrive this Thursday. Needless to say, our plans are simple - climb everyday. I can't wait.

Taroko Gorge 太魯閣

I wanted to visit since I got to Taiwan - the Taroko Gorge certainly lived up to expectations, it was really beautiful.

Formed 1st by ancient limestone which metamorphosed into marble over millions of years, some seventy million years ago the rock strata under the sea were forced up to form mountains, including the Taiwan Mountain Ranges - exposing the horizontal marble strata, eventually creating the vertical valleys of the Taroko Gorge. -- taken from the Taroko Gorge govt website.

All my pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/sets/72157603110029640/

It was a great trip, we stayed in Hualien in a homestay - it shall remain nameless as I don't want to plug for it. It was new and nice - but the owner tried to fleece us while we were there. So, I would not recommend going back to stay there.

Day 1

- Arrived Hualien 10.20am.

- Brunch of Bian-shi noodles - it was good!

- Bulowan

- Tunnel of 9 Turns

- Tiansiang

- Eternal Spring Shrine

- Dinner in a Hualien restaurant - including 3layer pork. Good!

- Hualien night market. Garin outshot me at archery, shooting and ball throwing. It sucks!

Day 2

- Road trip down the East Coast with views of the Pacific Ocean

- Baci Viewpoint

- Jici Beach

- Lunch at Guanfu village

- back to trainstation and home.

I had a great wknd at the Gorge, the slimey owner of the minshu fleecing us was the only thing that marred an otherwise fantastic wknd. Again I ate lots, laughed lots and got a good break away from Taipei.

Will be back - this time might be easier to stay in Tiansiang and be closer to the hikes - I want to do at least 1 good one - like the Baiyang hike.

Taroko Gorge - I'll be back!

Jolted dreams...

I experienced my 3rd earthquake this morning. Shaken awake again. Didn't think it was as strong as the last one which was about 3 on the Richter scale in Taipei, but disconcerting to be shaken awake nontheless.

BUT, I am going to visit Taroko Gorge this weekend. Yay! Finally! So what if it's cold and wintery already. Damnit, I've been wanting to go there since I got here.

Booked this homestay or 民宿, SeaBlue Sky. Bought our train tickets to Hualien. Took Monday off work. ALL SET! Mountain hiking here I come!!!!

---
Thu, Nov 08, 2007 - Quake rattles north Taiwan, no reports of damage
TAIPEI

A MODERATE earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale rattled northern Taiwan on Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 6.54am was about 46km east of the north-eastern Ilan county, at a depth of 4km, the Central Weather Bureau said in a statement. Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan, which lies on a seismically active stretch of the Pacific basin.

One of Taiwan's worst-recorded quakes occurred in September 1999. Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, it killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed or damaged 50,000 buildings. -- REUTERS

Hoping Island

Garin & I intended to go to Yeliou rock formations beyond Keelung. But the tourist information folks at Keelung told us we were a little late and as it gets dark by 5.30pm in winter time, it was not advisable to still proceed. Instead they recommended Ho-ping Island, about half an hour by bus from Keelung.

Ho-ping Island was not bad - the coasts were pretty spectacular. As with most weekend when Garin and I find a tourist spot outside of the city, the coast, the waves, the sea breeze was a fantastic break from working/living/being in the inner city all the time.

The winds were pretty strong today and it drizzled the whole time... so it was pretty wet and cold. Good thing kiasu me had my winter jacket on already :) According to the lady who sold us the entry ticket to Hoping Island - it was grade 6 waves, rough by their standards.