Sundown Marathon 2008

Last Saturday, a day after my Pre-University camp, I had CIP to complete with my fellow track mates. We were the road marshalls for the Sundown Marathon 2008. We were stationed along the park near VJC and St. Patrick's School.

Our CIP strecthed from 8pm on Saturday to 8am on Sunday morning. We all sacrificed our sleep for those runners. But really, they were inspirations to us all. Some of them ran 84km while others ran 42km. I saw Ms Chng, my secondary school PE teacher participating in the 42km. I was so proud of her. Alongside her, there were many others, from all walks of life. Those who clearly trained for the marathon and those that entered with their lovers to take a slow, romantic jog. While they passed Josie and I, we cheered them on with words of encouragement such as "Keep going!", "Press on!", "You can do this!" and "Come on, all the way!". I tried looking them into their eyes when I encouraged them on, just so they know that I really do mean it. Most of them acknowledged with a nod and a smile. I was so touched. I hope they were touched too.

Then there were those that were very friendly and engaged in a conversation with me, while running. There was this man who wished me luck with the mosquitoes and I replied that I was equipped with Mopiko! He laughed his way on. Then there was this English man who wished me with words of encouragement of his own, "Don't fall asleep, now." What a kind man. A handful of them thanked us for staying up and sacrificing our sleep. It was really sweet of them.

The whole experience was such an eye-opener for me. Seeing people as 60 running the marathon, truly inspired me to do my best in Track. Although I did not make it into the team this year, I shall strive hard for next year. I will be more ready then. Until then, I wish all the members of the main team the best of luck in the Nationals this July, especially Monique, who has so much potential. Go get 'em girl!

Here are some pictures I took from Sundown Marathon. They are of really bad quality but I think they are pretty cool.

I really want to get to know you. Now it's too late.

Know this: Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.

I'm Back...

After nearly 3 months of Wednesday meetings, 5 days of camp, Pre- U Seminar is finally over. I had a blast. For me to go into specific details, it will take long. So I will just give you an overview of my experience at NTU.
Firstly, the hostel was better than I expected. It was clean and cosy. The toilets were acceptable, in my opinion. We were also served 5 meals a day everyday: breakfast, tea, lunch, dinner and supper. The food was all right but when we have guests-of-honour, the food will be especially delicious. Sadly, we could not possibly take as much as we wanted, even though it was a buffet, because there were many of us. So we have to be considerate and take the amount that we needed only, not how much we wanted. But all in all, the organisers fed us well.
The activities ranged from ice-breakers, to the Digital Race and the Sandcastle Challenge. But it is the small, personal games that my group-mates and I played that I enjoyed most. We played False Names and Bluff with the cards. To keep ourselves busy as we waited patiently for the events to start, we even played Black Magic, Johnny Whoosh, the Number Game, the Tempo Game and many many other silly ones.
I was posted to Group Seminar 10. At a glance, they all seem so nerd-like and serious. But as we started opening up, everyone was actually good sports. Of course the 'party' revolved around Felza, and ex-schoolmate of mine. He was truly the spirit of the team. He involved everyone in everything that he played. I was glad that he was in my group. He was like a big brother to me. I never laughed so much in any camp before. Thanks Felza!
My group ranged from students coming from almost all the tertiary institutions in Singapore. All the JCs and the most of the polytechnics. My room-mate, Benazir, is from Republic Polytechnic. She is this sweet Indian girl. She is so kind and personable. I am so glad to have her as my room-mate.
The most memorable parts of the camp for me were the ghost story-telling session and the last night in NTU, where some of us stayed up till the early hours. I personally slept at 4.30am only to have an hour of nap, having to wake up at 5.30am to shower.
Yes, I shower every morning. Luckily Benazir has the same habit as me so she'll accompany me to bathe every morning. I feel that we have to because the first thing every morning, we have to put on our blazers. So we have to feel fresh and alive! Morning showers always do the trick!
A special shout-out to my faciliators, Sandeep, Josephine and Audi, who were always concerned and friendly towards us.
The parallel presentation by SAJC received great feedback. So kudos to Jannah, Charmaine and Elizabeth who kicked ass that day. All the other institutions also did well, so well done to them too!
As for hot guys, of course they existed. In their handsome blazers and ties, they all looked so suave. It was like graduation night every morning, except the girls were not in dresses. Certainly, there were a few guys that caught me eye throughout the camp. They were all from different groups though. It is always exciting to have crushes and eye-candies in any occasion, I am sure many would agree. So it was fun while it lasted.
To wrap this all up and put Pre-U Seminar to a close, I will grace this post with some pictures that I took. I will upload the rest once I receive them from Yi' En, our official photographer in the group.

My Dorm

My Bed

The Boys from SG 10

The Girls from SG 10Sandeep!SG 10Guan Ling is so funny!The Canteen
Benazir, my roomie, and I
SAJC

Felza from SAJC, and I from MI

Charlotte and I Our Final Goodbyes
All Packed-Up and Ready to Go. Home.

Know this: An Octopus has 3 hearts.

Battle of the Davids

David Cook emerged as the champion for this year's American Idol Season 7. He is a great vocalist and has the X-factor, which will take him the distance. I support him whole-heartedly as he does deserve the title. He is good-looking too. His version of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" convinced me that he was truly a star. He also has been consistently good throughout. So congratulations to David Cook!
On the flip-side, with every winner, there is a loser. My David Archie, did not reign as the winner. However, his humility and his charming smile have won every girl's heart. But we are certain that this adorable,I mean, 'I-want-to-give-him-a-hug-and-pinch-his-cheeks' adorable boy with his crazy vocals will bring him to his inevitable stardom in the music industry, as they have in the entertainment industry. We love you David Archuleta! You will always be a winner in our hearts.
Without a doubt, it will not be the last we see of them. Till then, I cannot wait. I wish the best of luck to David Cook and David Archuleta.

Here is a video of the newly crowned American Idol, David Cook, performing "Dream Big". Enjoy...


Know this: Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with the hands.

Still Here

This must be the longest I have ever been away. There are so many things that have happened since I have been gone. Unfortunately, I never had the time to update you guys at that very moment because of assignments, CCA and lethargy (a euphemism for plain ol' laziness).

It is kind of a good thing that I delay what I want to post about. It gives me time to cool off before I post about hate and regret doing so after it is up for everyone to see. All the angst against friends and families are not what I want to read about when I take a trip down memory lane as I re-read my 'Bygones be Bygones' section.

But I do want to remember the good stuff. So here it goes...

I went for the SAJC vs ACSI finals match umpteen years ago. We lost, 8 -21. But it is o-tay! The atmosphere was great and the boys played fantastically. Could not be anymore proud of them! They played one hell of a game! Kuddos ruggers!

Pre- U Seminar camp is coming soon, next Monday! Super-duper excited for it. Meeting new people from other schools and the fancy-schmancy ministers. It is going to be different from most camps that I have been to, considering that we will have to wear more of blazers and court shoes, as compared to the usual shorts and T-shirts. But there will be other fun activities too, such as the movie screening and the SandCastle challenge. I will be sure to take a million pictures during the camp to show you guys! Did I mention, we'll be sleeping in the NTU hostels? Like I said, I cannot wait.

As for American Idol, congratulations to the both Davids! I really hope Archuleta wins but I sincerely do not mind either way. Cook is great too! So this may be the first year of AI that gurantees me no disappointment. I am glad.

Also, my sister will potentially be a teacher! She received a letter stating that she has received a one and an half year contract under NIE. When she aces her performance in the school that she will be posted to (which she will), she will officially be under NIE and a step closer to being a teacher. I am very proud of her! All the best, kakak! And have mercy on those poor kids, kids like these in particular.

For here is where I shall part. I will be more urgent in my posting next time something good happens. Promise.

Happy Vesak Day to all Buddhists! Thank you for this holiday. We all could use a break, and as for you Buddhists, quality time with family and friends.

Know this: Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held in June. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.

I Don't Know How to Say This...

There are so many things I would like to share with you readers. Things that I have told my friends during our usual chatting sessions. But because this will be publicised for everyone to see, I cannot let you know of my deep feelings without you speculating and suspiciously associating my emotions with something or someone.
Initially, I thought that a blog was like a diary. A diary is an outlet where you write out your deepest darkest secrets into and your true feelings about certain situations. A record of your emotional ups and downs and special events you have experienced.
But a blog is the very opposite. Everyone having access to your thoughts and emotions with a click of a button. Things you just want to express through writing cannot be on your post. Humans are not inherently born with blatancy in them, to publicly declare their anger and frustrations about somebody, especially. So we keep it in. We hold on to it, hoping someday we will be ready to let it go and be cool again.
So to me a blog is just my way of keeping those no longer in touch with me updated with my current situation. Also it is a record of the many things I have been experiencing. Never too emotional, I hope.
Side-tracking a little (major!), SAJC rugby team will be up against the ACSI rugby team this coming Monday at the Padang. It is the fight for the championship! I wish all ruggers the best and hope they know that the whole college is behind them. Taken from the movie Longest Yard, starring my personal favourite, Adam Sandler,
"A broken knee will heal. A win against the guards (ACSI) will last forever."

So who's going to be the man in my life? As I ponder, something tells me it is not him.

Know this: Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest. (I hope he knows I support him.)

Excuses

Track training is every Monday, Thursday and Friday. However, I am excused from the Friday trainings, because currently, on Fridays, the sprinters do pool training. Anyway, I hate being seen as weak. I always push myself so that I will be seen as a fit and strong person. But my legs are always giving in. The first time was when my calves got cramped due to improper warm up exercises. I had to tell the coach and he benched me. Ms Tan, my track teacher said it happens, so I should not worry about it. The second time was when I had a bad stomach cramp and had to tell Ms Tan that I was not going to be able to attend training. She told me to rest and go home. Last Monday, my shins gave in. They hurt everytime I exert force on it. And sprinting exerts a lot of force on your shins, as compared to jogging. So I was again told to rest and the coach advised me to ice it. So I spent my training icing my shins.
I do not know what the coach thinks of me now. Probably hopeless, weak, full of excuses. The worst part of it all is I have to watch my fellow members 'suffer'. I would rather go through it with them. On Monday they did the '100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m' drill. They all looked so exhausted, on the verge of fainting. I simply watched with a heavy heart. It was more painful than the throb in my shins whenever I ran.
As a sportsperson all my life, somehow I have always looked down upon people who are weak. Those who give up when there is just a little sore. Those who make up excuses to dodge the strenuous trainings.
Am I that whom I condemn? But I am remorseful. I hate being benched. Am I still the same as those who sit out because they want to sit out. Even when I tell the coach I am fine after icing my shins and that I wish to join the rest in training, he told me to continue icing even at home so that I will feel better the next training. He cares, I can tell. He would rather I sit out one training, than to hurt in subsequent trainings.
I just hope there will be no more of such cases where I appear weak. But what if the pain is really unbearable? Do I still keep going for the sake of my ego? People get hurt, right? Right.
Anyway, I am proud to say that I got a gold for my PFT! So did my girls, Farina and Amalina. Farina and I decided to re-run and it was a decision we did not regret, at all. We improved my a mile! Personally, I improved my 2 minutes and 17s. Mr Ng was so proud of us. His encouragement and Evelyn's 'Press ons' helped me every step of the way. So, if you are a hard -core sprinter and your lungs do not permit any distance beyond 200m, then I have just the solution for you to complete your 2.4km. Do the sprint and recover technique, where you sprint 100m, and recover (walk or slow jog) the next 100m. It works! Trust me. So this teaches us a valuable lesson, never be too proud to have to do second tries because you failed the first time round.

Why do you have to look so good?

Know this: About 10,000,000 people have the same birthday as you.

Traveling Light

Last Sunday, Farina, Amalina and I went to the SAJC drama school play- Traveling Light, at the NAFA campus. The play was rather interesting, filled with humour and 'sweet' moments between the two main characters, Winnie and Darren. Acting skills-- commendable. I was more excited to see who went for the play, though. And I was not disappointed by the attendance of a certain someone.

Anyway, prior to the 2.30pm play, my girls and I went for lunch at Bugis and after the play we went to 'relak one corner' while drinking the 'oh-so' glamorous Starbucks coffee each. It was a fun day out with them. Talked and gossiped like there was no tomorrow and we even discovered that we had about 21 code names for some people from SAJC. We came up with these code-names either because we sincerely do not know their names but we find joy talking about them, or we do know their names but we do not wish for other people to know that we are commenting on them, or for special cases, some names just bring about certain feelings you want to eradicate for the time being. It is amazing how we are able to keep with these code- names.

So here are some pictures with my fantabulous sexy girlfriends from SAJC!

Know this: If you traveled the speed of light, it would only take you 0.0000294 seconds to climb Mt. Everest.