Running....

I went for a 1.5hr run earlier which saw me cover about 12-13km. It was quite warm and humid and that made the run even more difficult. However, I had a great sweating session which made me feel more energetic after that. As it is "Be Yourself Day" tomorrow, I think I will don the attire of an athlete who is being sponsored by Adidas! I was deciding what to wear tomorrow and since I am a runner (extreme runner by Sg Runners Forum standards), why not wear something that is related to running. Since my running attire is not very appropriate for school, I reckon that my Sundown Marathon Finisher T with my track pants and my Supernova Control will do the job.

To whom it may concern.....

To that light-fingered person who stole Angela's pair of slippers: why are you so desparate? That was just an inexpensive pair of slippers which can be bought for less than 10 bucks and you had to steal it? Moreover, it is NOT brand new. How cheapo can you get....?

Sundown Marathon

Candid shot

Frustrations, unhappiness, dissatisfaction.....

There are times when you just feel really frustrated that things do not go as what you desire. You may have planned it nicely but somehow or rather issues will surface thereby throwing you off-course temporarily or worse still for good.

There are individuals who just have it all. Everything in their life is just according to the right timing. Certain ventures they go into seems to be hitting the sweet spot. Needless to say, these are the envy of many others who have to toil their guts out but still just manage to make ends meet while some continue to be in deficit.

There are issues which will keep on recurring at various stages of your life which tends to be the same old vicious cycle. Each time it erupts, tempers rage, unhappiness lingers but it does help at times to mould oneself. But this comes at a price because due to adverse circumstances, the individual will either be much more resilient which works both ways depending on how they manage it.

What is the bottom-line then? For now, the solution is still being sought............

Went to Vivo CIty

Janice and Stanley offered to help look after Esther while we could have some couple time together. Since they also wanted to spend some time with their god-daughter, Angela & I took the chance to have a simple dinner and then explore Vivo City. To be very honest, we did not have the chance to explore this huge mall since it opened. I only went there twice to return my SCV box at Starhub and to catch the Happy Feet Crew from LPS. Compared to many other malls, Vivo is huge and it is no wonder why many flock there on weekends. I took the opportunity to hunt for a pair of shoes since I disposed and old one last Nov. Went to many shops and found none suitable. Either they did not have my size but if they did, the price was a little too high. Finally, at the last attempt, I found a potential one which was on sale. Does this brand Caterpillar sound familiar? There were 2 pairs on offer and they had my size! Being a rugged and heavy duty kind of shoe, it suited my needs. Moreover, it was selling at almost 30% discount so I took it after trying it on. At least I have 2 pairs to choose from when I go out.

In marathons, never give up...same thing in F1

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen believes he will regain his competitiveness, despite his poor showing at last weekend's German Grand Prix. Raikkonen, who qualified in sixth, eventually crossed the finish line in the same position to score three world championship points.

“It was the most difficult weekend of the year: a horrible Friday, an even more complicated Saturday and a very bad Sunday,” the Finn told Ferrari’s official website. “During the tests on this track the week before the car went pretty well, at least that was the feeling we got. In the race it seemed as if we were in a different place. We never managed to find a good set up and the car had absolutely no stability.

“You need good grip to drive good lap times at Hockenheim, but the rear went all over the place for the whole race. It's true that we had some problems at the beginning of the season to set up the car as I wanted, but we never had problems like we had at Hockenheim. When you're lacking grip in the rear you can't go fast enough to fight for the top positions.”

The reigning world champion last won a race at the Spanish event back in April, but he remains confident that the team will be able to improve the car and he is now focusing on the next Grand Prix in Hungary.

“We have to check and analyse every single detail and find out why we went so slowly, because there has to be something that didn't work properly,” he added. “The situation is quite complicated, but nothing is lost - we have to stay calm and react the way we know how to. I'm confident that we'll have a F2008 that can fight for a win again soon.”

Raikkonen lies third in the driver standings on 51 points, seven behind leader Lewis Hamilton (58) and three adrift of team mate Felipe Massa (54).

1st module course outline available

Term has yet to begin and some materials are already available on the BB. This module is so much like DED200 which I did last year. Sometimes I just wonder what is the rationale behind us having to do this module which relevance is extremely questionable. But for the sake of passing the course, I just do what the cast in "I not stupid too" say which is ah, mmm, orh...

Need to sign the bond thing again....

I received the letter informing me to have the bond signed once again. Since I am going to extend my studies with all fees paid for, it is natural that I need to have my bond increased to 5 years. That means that by the time I finish my studies I am already 35. Serve out the 5 year bond I will be...well, you do the maths. However, I intend to stay in this line for the long haul so I do not mind.

Sg Runners Forum

For all runners out there, this is 1 forum that you must join. There are so many different things in there that will suit what you are looking for. Needless to say, there are also many inspiring stories and testimonies from those who have been there and done that. But I must emphasize that it is rather addictive as well.

Stanchart Sg Marathon 2008

I signed up for the SCM2008 this morning despite the initial difficulty in accessing the website. However, it is inevitable as the initial flood of people who are trying to get into register for their various categories. I then visited the Sg Runners' Forum and many were sharing about their gift pack exchange in the afternoon downpour. Managed to psycho a couple of other friends to sign up and they did. So I guess the Bay Run plus other smaller runs will be a good conditioning one for my 2nd full marathon for this year. Keep on running......

Need to do something

Of late my threshold of patience has dropped quite a bit. Looks like I need to really do something about my short fuse. Nitty-gritty things can really irritate me and it is not good. Got to do some soul-searching...

German GP Qualifying

Hamilton (Mclaren) P1
Massa (Ferrari) P2
Kovalainen (Mclaren) P3
Trulli (Toyota) P4
Alonso (Renault) P5
Raikkonen (Ferrari) P6

Progress so far

The bunch from the merged stream are more or less able to score at least an E or even a D grade for their prelim maths paper. As they were the U or potential U graders in the recent SA1, tension and concerns were very high as they could run the risk of having to repeat which coorelates to affecting the perfect 100% pass rate which the school had for the past couple of years. So far, I have managed to cover previous topics and they are by and large able to get through with lots more practice and exposure. However, their weakest links are that of over-confidence and laziness which is something not surprising of students nowadays. I hope that they will remember the necessary formulae, steps to solve problems and also exercise extreme caution when attempting the questions. As I have mainly been focusing on Sections A & B, I hope that they will be able to score as high as possible in these 2 sections so that they can at least escape the U grade and with the little marks they can try to grasp in section C, I reckon that they should be able to pull through. As I have always mentioned to them, I desire to see them next year in their secondary school uniform.

German GP

Ahead of the German GP this weekend, the quest for both driver's and constructor's title is very likely to be down to the wire. Similar to what happened last year, there were 3 contenders for the driver's title. However, things do and have happened in F1 and thus it is anybody's guess as to what can happen. Whoever thought that Raikkonen came from behind to win the title while rookie Hamilton had a bad time with that Spanish guy who is no better than a sore loser. It all remains to be seen if the Briton, Finn or Brazilian can win the driver's title.

Stanchart Sg Marathon on 7th Dec

I received the promotional flier on the SCM 08 today. In just 5 days I can register online for the event. As I mentioned, I intend to run the full marathon which will be my 2nd marathon for this year. The damage is $45.50 after discount as I am entitled to the loyal runners discount period otherwise it will be $65. So that means just a little below 4 months to train up for it. Drawing from my inaugural experience at the Sundown Marathon, I aim to complete it in 5.5 hrs which is quite possible. Moroever, there is that finisher T shirt plus the sense of satisfaction to look forward to!

Deep in thought

Parked the car at home and walked to and from sch

I decided to give it a shot and I did it. After sending Esther to the daycare centre, I parked the car at home and took bus 11 (walked) to school. Initially, it looked as if it was about to pour but thankfully the skies did not open up. It took me just about 11 min to walk the distance and i did the same in the afternoon. Though it was a little more humid in the afternoon, I felt that this is a good way to save on fuel. With petrol prices soaring exponentially, I think it would not be a bad idea to do the same when I begin my course at NIE. Perhaps I could park the car at home on days where I do not end late nor intend to run. I can take service 174 to the interchange and hop onto the infamous 199 or 179. Let's try it out in a couple of weeks....

The best coursemates one could ever ask for

LPS I&E open hse

It was a great day and the event was quite a success. Many students past & present (some future were there as well) filled the school compound and had a great time. Staff and students put in their best in various areas. Performances in the hall, games stalls throughout the parade square and the friendly giraffe Genius went on his rounds shaking hands and greeting visitors. Took the opportunity to bring Esther to school as well and so many of my colleagues and students were mesmorized by her. In fact, other staff who brought their little ones also had quie a bit of attention as well. So the open house seems to be like a family day as well.

They accepted my 3 sauconys!!

Running Lab took in all my 3 pairs of old sauconys. I dropped off a pair at the Funan Centre outlet and headed to the one at Velocity to try my luck with the other 2. The staff said no problem to both. He even asked me to sign in under a different name for the 2nd pair so that he can issue out the voucher. Basically, I do not need the voucher as my shoes are relatively new. Moreover, I can only purchase Mizuno, New Balance or Saucony with it. So anyone out there wants this voucher? It is worth $50. You can only use it once and cannot combine it with another voucher.

Found a way to dispose my old running shoes

Just when I was thinking how I can dispose my old running shoes, I saw on the SG runners forum that Running Lab is having a charity drive for the month of July. They will take in old shoes in exchange for a $50 voucher that is valid for a month. Though I do not need to purchase any at the moment, I feel that my shoes can be donated for a good cause rather than being 'scrapped'. At least I know that it will be 'exported' to Third World countries just like some of our older cars.

Dip Ed Graduation

I will certainly miss this bunch of wonderful coursemates who are now my colleagues in a broader aspect. Since our TPP days, we kept one another going via email and yahoo groups. When we started our 2 year course together, the many lunches, car rides plus meetings were a fantastic time of exchanging ideas, brainstorming for solutions and putting together the final bits and pieces of group projects just made the bonding even stronger. Some of us will be further our studies at NIE while some will pursue it at UniSim. However, it all boils down to the never ending journey of learning. For sure I will miss them but MOE is so small and there is something called SMS, MSN, Facebook, Email..... Congrats everyone and keep in touch...

NE show 2008 (part 3 of 3)

NE show 2008 (part 2 of 3)

NE show 2008 (1 of 3)

Back from the NE show....

I am still uploading photos at post time so keep a lookout. Regarding the British GP this weekend, it is going to be a thrilling race.....let's wait and see...

NE show this weekend

I am bringing the P5s for the 3rd year in running to the annual NE show. And to top it off, I have been asked to be the photographer as well. If I were to use my own digital camera, that is already pressurizing but I need to use the school's camera and I need to familiarise myself with it. Hopefully, I have enough time to get myself orientated.

Who will reign in the British GP this weekend?

Will Ferrari do it again? Will Raikkonen and Massa further advance their team constructor's lead over their rivals? Perhaps the McLarens will bounce back this time round in their home race with their lead driver being a Briton himself? Hamilton is dying to win a race ever since what had happened at the Canadian and French GP. Or we might get to see the BMWs or even the Toyotas doing well this time round? It will all be known on Sunday night....

Esther drinking from a cup

half of 2008 has passed

I realised that half of 2008 has just sailed by. Don't you realise that time just passes in a jiffy when you are busy? Before you know it, 2009 will be just around the corner. So the next 2 yrs will be very quick but nonetheless rewarding.

I was watching the Records Challenge on Ch 8 earlier and my alma mater was one of the contestants. They won the competition to advance to the next round. When I heard the cheerleaders in the background during the telematch, it brought back memories. I recall being part of the school community at large cheering for our school mates in the Nationals meet be it in track and field, swimming, rugby and other sports. Shouting till our voices were hoarse, it was worth it to see the school flag flying high whenever we won the championships. However, we will also cheer for our competitors if they beat us to the gold medal. That is what I call the AC spirit.