Greatest Personal Challenge: Half – Marathon 2005
I have been running recently.
Huffing, puffing and sweating… … not very glamorous.
And boy! To my astonishment (or horror!) I have discovered that I actually enjoy running!
It all started around a few months ago when I wanted to lose some weight, and so, I started a regime: run twice a week and each session to cover 2.4 km. The first few weeks were hard and a lot of will power was needed to push myself just to put on the running shoes.
But after a while, my body became accustomed to the huffing and puffing that, I actually stopped huffing and puffing whenever I run. And so, I started to increase my distance from 2.4 km to 3.6 km and eventually 5 km. The physical and mental strength to push myself to accomplish the designated distance can be extremely addictive.
And to push myself even more, I have accepted the ultimate challenge: Half – Marathon of 21 km.
I have signed up for the Standchart Marathon in Singapore, taking place on 4 December 2005. I have never taken part in any marathon in my life and this time, I will be training for a 21 km run. Kinda excited but also a little apprehensive, because I have never pushed my body so hard before…
Nonetheless, I am looking very forward to this run and have decided to train hard for it. My goal is to complete the run within 2 and 1/2 hours, with no walking breaks in between.
Anybody wana join me? Here is the link:
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Bintan Trip 2005
Went to Bintan last weekend for a short get-away with a bunch of crazy friends. The company was good but I can’t say the same for the resort we were staying…
Although we had a villa with a private pool, the pool was breaking apart. Tiles were falling off, the filter broke down on Day 2 and a big, bad cockroach was found swimming in one of the bathtubs. Bintan Lagoon Resort is certainly not a resort I would wish to return.
Nonetheless, it was great to hang out with my college friends again. Some are as crazy as ever, some are as irritating as ever and some are as fat as ever… seems that nobody changed. We were reduced to a bunch of kids again, played stupid games in the pool, played with our food and had tons and tons of alcohol.
But I did realized that I have changed… Yes, it was fun but I thought we were so… …frivolous. I thought that with the same amount of time and money spent, we could have done something more meaningful? I was not that self-indulgent anymore… seeing the amount of food wasted and the amount of alcohol and cigarettes bought and consumed, made me a little sick.
I knew that there were many kids in other parts of Indonesia, who are starving… but there, we were… living in excess.
I am neither a saint nor a Mother Theresa wannabe. I don’t think I can go to India or Africa for missionary trips but I do believe in saving resources and using only what we need.
I guess I’ve been watching too much National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
Went to Bintan last weekend for a short get-away with a bunch of crazy friends. The company was good but I can’t say the same for the resort we were staying…
Although we had a villa with a private pool, the pool was breaking apart. Tiles were falling off, the filter broke down on Day 2 and a big, bad cockroach was found swimming in one of the bathtubs. Bintan Lagoon Resort is certainly not a resort I would wish to return.
Nonetheless, it was great to hang out with my college friends again. Some are as crazy as ever, some are as irritating as ever and some are as fat as ever… seems that nobody changed. We were reduced to a bunch of kids again, played stupid games in the pool, played with our food and had tons and tons of alcohol.
But I did realized that I have changed… Yes, it was fun but I thought we were so… …frivolous. I thought that with the same amount of time and money spent, we could have done something more meaningful? I was not that self-indulgent anymore… seeing the amount of food wasted and the amount of alcohol and cigarettes bought and consumed, made me a little sick.
I knew that there were many kids in other parts of Indonesia, who are starving… but there, we were… living in excess.
I am neither a saint nor a Mother Theresa wannabe. I don’t think I can go to India or Africa for missionary trips but I do believe in saving resources and using only what we need.
I guess I’ve been watching too much National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
Monday, August 08, 2005
I am learning driving!
I am finally learning how to drive! Yeah!
In fact, I am already in my 3rd lesson (only!) and currently taking classes from Singapore Safety Driving Centre at Yio Chu Kang. Looking around, I think I am one of the oldest hags learning how to drive… sigh. Even my instructor is as old as I am! We are both 25 but he is my INSTRUCTOR and bossing me around… …
Nonetheless, I am having quite a lot of fun zipping around in the little white Honda (the classic car from Singapore driving schools). Finally, I have a powerful engine within my control to unleash the “Michelle Schumacher” in me! My instructor (poor guy) is always screaming at me “slower! SLOWER! Why are you in fifth gear? Go down to the 3rd!”
Well… if you were in his shoes, you most probably would have insisted to take over the wheels and drive instead! That’s because I have “eyes-hands-and-feet” coordination problem. Yet, I was still zooming around in 5th gear! (3rd lesson… 5th gear… wahahaha)
But not to worry, I am a very kia-see (afraid to die) driver and will never compromise on my safety or any road users’ safety. This is especially so after my near-death accident in California last year… … Even just thinking about it, gives me the shudder and the urge to pray and give my thanks to whatever god or fairy godmother who had to work OT just to keep me alive.
Now, I have a new resolution:
1) Pass my practical driving test within the first attempt!
Wish me luck!!! ;p
O yah, Happy 40th Birthday, Singapore!
Tomorrow, 9 Aug will be our National Day. Time to wear red and white and sing “We’r Singapore, We’r Singapore, We’ll stand together and hear the lion roar…”
Singapore, although you are a real prude, with no sense of adventure or what ever humor… I still love you nonetheless!
I am finally learning how to drive! Yeah!
In fact, I am already in my 3rd lesson (only!) and currently taking classes from Singapore Safety Driving Centre at Yio Chu Kang. Looking around, I think I am one of the oldest hags learning how to drive… sigh. Even my instructor is as old as I am! We are both 25 but he is my INSTRUCTOR and bossing me around… …
Nonetheless, I am having quite a lot of fun zipping around in the little white Honda (the classic car from Singapore driving schools). Finally, I have a powerful engine within my control to unleash the “Michelle Schumacher” in me! My instructor (poor guy) is always screaming at me “slower! SLOWER! Why are you in fifth gear? Go down to the 3rd!”
Well… if you were in his shoes, you most probably would have insisted to take over the wheels and drive instead! That’s because I have “eyes-hands-and-feet” coordination problem. Yet, I was still zooming around in 5th gear! (3rd lesson… 5th gear… wahahaha)
But not to worry, I am a very kia-see (afraid to die) driver and will never compromise on my safety or any road users’ safety. This is especially so after my near-death accident in California last year… … Even just thinking about it, gives me the shudder and the urge to pray and give my thanks to whatever god or fairy godmother who had to work OT just to keep me alive.
Now, I have a new resolution:
1) Pass my practical driving test within the first attempt!
Wish me luck!!! ;p
O yah, Happy 40th Birthday, Singapore!
Tomorrow, 9 Aug will be our National Day. Time to wear red and white and sing “We’r Singapore, We’r Singapore, We’ll stand together and hear the lion roar…”
Singapore, although you are a real prude, with no sense of adventure or what ever humor… I still love you nonetheless!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Too many complaints
A friend sent me an email with a little quote:
“You don't have to have everything.
If you have everything, what's left for the others?
Also recognise that life has flaws,
that I will not compare myself with others,
instead cherish what you already have.
Shel Silverstein, The Missing Piece - A story about "imperfectness" and "satisfaction"
He said that I complained all the time and that I do not cherish what I have.
I admit that I do complain a lot. That’s mainly because I am a vocal person and whenever I am unhappy with something, I will voice it out instead of keeping it to myself.
I sincerely believe in letting it out. Be it emotions, thoughts or complaints.
And thus, I am now the complaint queen.
Nonetheless, I do want to point out something. If one only complains all the time but do not actively seek ways and means to improve the situation, one is a failure and will indeed be miserable.
However, if one complains and proactively engage in activities to improve one’s situation, one is striving to be a better person or to be in a better position.
I believe that I belong to the latter.
I was once pudgy but now I exercise at least twice a week, lost weight, felt better and look better.
I was once unhappy with my working life and so I explored ways to export myself to the States to gain the overseas experience I have always longed for.
Of course, one should always cherish one’s belongings, but we must always draw a line.
If you are forever happy with what you have, it will be difficult for you to get out of your comfort zone to engage in challenges.
So, I came up with my very own quote:
“I don't need to have everything.
But I want to have enough to say it’s enough.
I recognise that life has flaws and I accept the flaws in my life,
But that doesn’t mean I will put up with shit.
I believe in cherishing what I have and not taking goodness for granted.
I will not resign to fate but will fight and work towards my dream."
Da Bitch, The Pissing Part - A story about "hits" and "misses"
A friend sent me an email with a little quote:
“You don't have to have everything.
If you have everything, what's left for the others?
Also recognise that life has flaws,
that I will not compare myself with others,
instead cherish what you already have.
Shel Silverstein, The Missing Piece - A story about "imperfectness" and "satisfaction"
He said that I complained all the time and that I do not cherish what I have.
I admit that I do complain a lot. That’s mainly because I am a vocal person and whenever I am unhappy with something, I will voice it out instead of keeping it to myself.
I sincerely believe in letting it out. Be it emotions, thoughts or complaints.
And thus, I am now the complaint queen.
Nonetheless, I do want to point out something. If one only complains all the time but do not actively seek ways and means to improve the situation, one is a failure and will indeed be miserable.
However, if one complains and proactively engage in activities to improve one’s situation, one is striving to be a better person or to be in a better position.
I believe that I belong to the latter.
I was once pudgy but now I exercise at least twice a week, lost weight, felt better and look better.
I was once unhappy with my working life and so I explored ways to export myself to the States to gain the overseas experience I have always longed for.
Of course, one should always cherish one’s belongings, but we must always draw a line.
If you are forever happy with what you have, it will be difficult for you to get out of your comfort zone to engage in challenges.
So, I came up with my very own quote:
“I don't need to have everything.
But I want to have enough to say it’s enough.
I recognise that life has flaws and I accept the flaws in my life,
But that doesn’t mean I will put up with shit.
I believe in cherishing what I have and not taking goodness for granted.
I will not resign to fate but will fight and work towards my dream."
Da Bitch, The Pissing Part - A story about "hits" and "misses"
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