Too Tight!

OK… for the next few months, my blog will be dedicated to my current love-hate obsession, running.

Yup… I have started on my training and have been running about 6 km per training. Although my last run at MacRitchie nearly killed me because I could not breathe.

At the beginning of the run, I was just wondering why was I feeling breathless when I barely ran more than 200 meters? However, I ignored my discomfort and continued my run.

Mistake.

By the time, I hit 4 km, I was feeling dizzy and began to see stars… and it was then I realized something was really wrong with me since I was jogging at a very comfortable pace. WHY COULDN’T I BREATHE???

Then it hit me.

My bra.

It was too damn tight! I was wearing a new sports bra, which I just bought recently in a sale. It was a size too small but I bought it anyway, thinking that sports bra is meant to be tight right?

Wrong. Tight clothing will definitely affect one’s ability to breathe. Especially when one is exercising! No wonder women in the Victorian Era were fainting like nobody’s business! How can anyone breathe wearing those corsets ???

Anyway, I had to walk the remaining 2 km or so till I reached the toilet to change out of my “corset”.

Served me right for being a cheapskate. Now… what am I supposed to do with that small sports bra of mine?

Guess I will donate to any fellow runner who’s able to squeeze into it! Guys are welcome!

~94 days to marathon!

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:

http://www.singaporemarathon.com/2005/index.asp

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.

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!

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"

Encounter with the 3rd kind

I don’t know about you but I dread the moments when I would somehow bump into any of my ex-boyfriends. By the way, believe it or not, I only have TWO ex-boyfriends. So, what is the goddamn probability of bumping into one of them?

Disgustingly high! Especially if you live in Singapore where all Singaporeans hang out at the same places during the weekends!

So, unfortunately, I had the honor to bump into my very first boyfriend last week. Actually, he was such a sweetheart, and he still is… during our relationship, he treated me really nicely and I still have sweet memories of us together.

However, after 10 months into the relationship, it dawned upon me that I did not love him. I was in love with the idea of being in love. I was da bitch in the relationship and suggested the breakup. At that time, I was a silly 19-year-old and being very immature, I handled the breakup in an extremely brutal manner and totally broke his heart.

It had been at least 3 or 4 years since I last saw him, and so, the first emotion I felt when we literally bumped into each other was… guilt.

There was so much to say but I can’t bring myself to say much except a “How are you?” and a cold shrug. I quickly fled from the awkward encounter but now, looking back, I wish that I had handled it otherwise.

“I am sorry… I am sorry for what I said years ago. And I hope both of us have learnt something from our past relationship. I do not think we can be friends ever again but you were someone once close to my heart before. Please remember that.”

If only I could say that to him… but I can’t.

“And yah, please also lose some weight. Where’s the hunk I used to hang out with??!! How can you let yourself go like that? Join a gym and get into shape! For Christ’s sake!”

If only I could say that to him too… but I can’t.

And yes, I am still da bitch.

Boring Life

I was just reading some of my favorite blogs and it hits me that I am such a boring person, and thus, writing boring blogs…

I am not sexually active like SarongPartyGirl, so I cannot share with you any juicy, sexy details. Nor do I have a child who has a medical condition, so I cannot bring any awareness to any diseases via blogging. Nor am I a journalist, who goes to fashion shows or movie premieres to share any insider jokes/stories about models and celebrities. Nor am I a waitress in a restaurant, serving cranky customers and have tons of tales/comments about customers’ behaviors. Nor am I a long-suffering musician full of angst, who has no where to express herself except through music and blogs.

I am just a boring person, who holds a boring job in a boring MNC, leading a boring life.

Fuah…. How exciting can my blog be?

The only consolation here is that I have a constant urge to travel… and with that, I can also share a little of my travel tales. However, the last time I traveled was in May (diving trip in Malaysia)… a mere 3 months ago but felt like 3 years.

Another option is to share the places and restaurants, which I have visited before. Although I always either forget to take the name cards of the restaurants, or I will forget the names of the dishes that I have tried. Not much of a food critic huh?

I missed being in a foreign land and sharing all my foreign thoughts… Unfortunately, I am now in my comfort zone and I cannot find any zest to blog.

Should I just end it now?

Hmmm… I will think about it.

Monday Blues

Symptoms:

1) Unstable emotions, usually a general feeling of sadness or gloom.
2) Excessive yawning, usually due to lack of sleep or simply lack of interest in daily activities. (Esp if activities include looking at tons of Excel spreadsheets)
3) Stare into space.
4) Increase appetite and frequency of snacking.
5) Refuse to face up to reality by ignoring assignments, emails and deadlines.

Cures
Currently there aren’t any cures for Monday Blues, but the following activities can alleviate the pain:

1) Surf the web excessively.
2) Write your blog (encourage since you are giving the impression that you are working)
3) 2 hours lunch
4) Leave the office punctually at 5.30pm.
5) Take Urgent Leave or MC

Taking urgent leave or MC, is, by far the most effective method to combat Monday Blues. However, if used frequently, possible side effects includes:

1) Getting weird stares from colleagues and Boss
2) Work overtime due to piling up of deadlines
3) Losing your job

Thankfully, I am only suffering from a mild form of Monday Blues… Although it is mild, unfortunately, it’s chronic.

Yes… I will be strong…

Sarong Party Girl

Occasionally, I will read her blog and have recently increased the frequency due to her newfound “fame” in Singapore for showing her nipples on her blog. (She has removed the picture, but there are still many sexy but well-taken shots of her)

I find her to be very interesting… she is like Samantha from Sex and The City, totally comfortable with her sexuality. She doesn’t give a hoot about what others thought of her and did what she did because she really want to express herself, full stop.

In Asia, sex is still deems as “dirty” and a kind of taboo. Girls are supposed to be pure and pristine, we are not supposed to like sex. Girls, who enjoy sex, are sluts or whores. Even in Singapore, a rather westernize country; still frown upon at girls who just want to be true to themselves.

And the saddest part is that men do not suffer from the same disapproval. Men with “experience”, are deem as playboys, flirts or as a guy-friend said, “men with confidence” (MY ASS!!). But, what about women with “experience”? They are either in the “sluts”, “playthings” or “girls-to-have-fun-with-but-not-wife-material” categories.

And after marriage, these stupid men complain that their wives do not satisfy them sexually and engage in affairs with sexually aggressive females, who have no qualms to enjoy sex or, sadly, to break up marriages.

Ok, not ALL MEN are as such and I admit that I am generalizing. What I am trying to say here is that, women have needs too… and each of us have different levels of wants and needs. Why frown upon women who are comfortable with their needs? As long as, she is single, not a third party in any situations and practice safe sex.

I am happy to see that we have our very own Samantha. And it is about time that she appears.

You can check out her blog at: http://sarongpartygirl.blogspot.com/

Desmond's Birthday Cake! It's a rabbit because Desmond's Chinese Horoscope is ... Yup, Rabbit!

Desmond’s 30th Party

Last Saturday was Desmond’s 30th birthday and we (the Hall 6 Gang) threw a huge party for him at West Coast MacDonald’s!

This party took us 4 weeks to plan and boy! It definitely kept us busy… Firstly, we custom-made M&M chocolates from the U.S and shipped it to Singapore. On the M&M, instead of “M&M”, we had “Are you thirty yet?” and “Sweet Thirties”. These M&Ms were then packed in cute little tin cans and presented to everyone as door gifts.

Secondly, it was a theme party, which was “Cartoon”. Everyone had to crack their brains as to which cartoon characters to be! Some even went to rent costumes! We had Woody from The Toy Story, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Strawberry Shortcake, Little red riding hood, Speedy Gonzalaz, My Sweet Melody, Slamdunk, Batman, Superman and… many more!

Hrm… As for me, I dressed up as the Hello Kitty! ;p We even had a best dressed award and that award went to the Flintstones couple, Barney and Betty!

Lastly, it was a surprise party and all were planned without the birthday’s boy knowledge. That was pretty tough since Desmond was such a busybody! Nonetheless, when we all jumped up and shouted “Surprise!” as he walked in the Party room; he was so touched that he couldn’t help but to shed a few tears!

I really had great fun, seeing all of us dressed up and horsing around, just like the good, old days when we are still in college. Times like these, I am so glad to be home and share these magical moments with my dear friends.

Cost of my costume:
Cat-ears Hair band – 12 dollars
Cat whiskers – 2 dollars
Party cover charge – 20 dollars

Desmond’s expression – PRICELESS!

London

Happy, and then despair
Anticipation, and then desperation
Tears of joy become tears of sadness
Her pride became her sorrow

A glorious fight, won far and away
Yet a battle was lost at home
A precious trophy, won far and away
Yet people were dead and broken at home

But she is not defeated
Her brilliance will shine again
Her spirits will be elevated
So will her people’s strength

KM8

I went down to KM8 at Sentosa Island (still within Singapore’s premise, I do not need a passport to enter Sentosa) and I had a blast!

KM8 is a beach bar, similar to Sunset Bay, which is THE original beach bar in Sentosa and it’s still one of the best places to hang out on a sunny day. But beware, Sunset Bay! KM8 is now attracting all the beautiful people in town and I must say it a great crowd to hang out with!

Besides the beautiful people, great music and delicious cocktails, another key attraction of KM8 is that it has a pool. Yup… there’s actually a pool just 3 meters away from the beach! It’s a small pool but it provides a great area for the beautiful people to dance their wet yet perfect bodies besides the pool.

There were many expats, SPGs, yummy hunks and babes prancing around in their beachwear and grooving to the blasting music. I almost thought that I was in Ibiza or Bali. With the good-looking crowd, fantastic music and the sunset at the background… I must say that I had the best Sunday afternoon last week!

Check out the link: http://www.think.cz/issue3/08/km8/

I will post some photos once I have the chance!

p/s: Unfornately, there will always be some white, flabby and extremely ugly caucasians to spoil the view, so self-censorship to block out these ugly people is definitely required. If all things fail, hrm... get drunk!

Yup... That's me. Looking good huh? ;p

Simple pleasure…

I have a new wallet! Yeah! It’s pink, pink and oh, so pink! Haha… It’s really a cute wallet, small yet roomy to contain a small coin pouch, a delicate shade of pink yet with an edgy “leafy” design imprinted on its GENUNIE leather!

And the best part: I bought it in a sale, at 50% off! Only cost me S$39 dollars…

It is such a good buy that I feel so happy whenever I fish out my wallet to pay, to take a bus or to get some coins.

Just looking at my chirpy, blossom pink wallet is enough to brighten up my day.

I miss this kind of simple pleasure… …

Every girl has a hidden cheapskate nature. To find a good bargain is equivalent of getting an orgasm.

Both are simple pleasures… haha. ;p

Ouch… I am in pain…

My upper body is so sore that the minutest movement hurts like hell… even brushing my teeth causes my forearms and triceps to hurt…

But I am not complaining! I actually welcome the pain! All these pains mean that I put my muscles to good use on last Sunday… in fact, maybe too much of a good use…

I went wall climbing last Sunday at Keppel Tower! The place is called ClimbAdventure ( http://www.climbadventure.com/index.htm )and it conducts classes for beginners as well as intermediate climbers. Basically, it’s like a studio with many walls for one to climb.

Each wall is only 7.5 meters, so it is definitely more suitable for beginners (like me!). One can either go for the Level one and two classes or chooses to pay 5 bucks and the place is yours for you to climb the whole day.

Unfortunately… I forgot to bring my digcam along and thus, no photos! ;(
But, I will definitely bring my camera the next time round and catch some live actions!

Despite of the pain and aches, I will still recommend wall/rock climbing because it is a total body workout! In fact… one session of wall climbing equates to 5 sessions of hardcore gym. It has been a long time since my body aches like that… every muscle is screaming with pain whenever I try to lift my arms…

Nonetheless, I hope to go for more climbing sessions, not only to tone up my body, but also to improve on my mental strength. This is definitely one sport where one has to conquer one’s fear or one’s many fears.

It can be fear of height, fear of falling, fear of looking like a cockroach scurrying up a wall (Ugly climbing postures!!!) or fear of not able to complete the wall… But at the end of the day, I realized that it’s all the state of my mind. If I told myself that I can do it… I can definitely do it. Wall climbing taught me NOT to doubt myself and believe in my body, as it is actually stronger than I thought.

So... anyone wana join me in wall climbing? ;p

p/s: Since the walls are indoor, so it's air conditioned! Yoo-hoo! No hot and sticky bodies with BO!

Why am I blogging?

Yesterday, I mentioned to a friend that I keep a blog... not a well-maintained one, especially when compared to other more established bloggers. Looking at my blog, it is actually quite boring, as I do not have any cool links or pop-up dancing babies. Not to mention that it is in a hideous shade of pink. (Whether you like it or not, pink happens to be one of my favorite colours)

And I have asked myself many times, “why the shit am I still blogging?” Since not many people read my blog except for a few friends.

Ahhh... that’s right. FRIENDS.

I continue to blog because I want to share with them what has been going on in my life. Although things can get pretty stale but at least there is this common platform where I can post my thoughts and share a little part of me.

This can be rather crucial since some of my friends are not in Singapore and blogs have, thus become to be a form of communicating.

Instead of frequent emailing, we can now check out each other’s blog and update each other.

So, my friends... please let me know if you’ll like to share your blog and life with me.

Oh, another thing, for those who will like to contact me via the blog, please clink on the link: “View my complete profile” and you will see “email”.

I have yet to figure out how to add a “leave a comment” link to my blog and thus, require this roundabout way.

In one way or another, I hope my blog has reached its objective, and that is to share my life with all of you, no matter where you are.

Feeling down…

I think I woke up at the wrong side of the bed this morning… I am feeling down for no rhythm or reason. And it’s not that time of the month either. (In fact, it’s nowhere even close)

I feel trapped… (again!) Is it only me who find Singapore stifling? I have this constant urge to travel, to get out of this country, to walk down unfamiliar streets, to smell exotic fumes, smile to strangers and experience the wonder of being in a strange and foreign land.

“Go to Little India on Sundays then,” said my friend. “You'll think you are really in India.””

“Yah… thanks, man” I replied drily.

Although I do not deny that there are indeed some exciting stuff to do in Singapore during weekends, such as in-door rock climbing at Keppel Towers (just got to know about that! Fancy a climb in the CBD of Singapore?), soaking in an outdoor Jacuzzi at MK-8 in Sentosa or visiting a goat farm in Lim Chu Kang.

Despite of the numerous “interesting” activities in Singapore (believe it or not!) but I simply yearn for a getaway…

I can always go for short getaway in near-by countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand or Hong Kong. But if I were to spend my hard earned money on these short getaways, I will not have much left for my long getaway…

Argh… At this point of life, I wish I am bloody loaded where money is NOT an issue and I am free to go wherever I desire…

Guess it’s time to buy toto, 4D or any form of lottery and pray that I am lucky for just once in my life. I am not greedy… just a $5000 win will make me very, very happy.

Sigh.

Back from the Sun, Sand and the Sea.

Yup… I have been back for a week now. A little more tanned, with a few more mosquito bites on my legs (what’s a few “stars” to my galaxy of bites and scars) and an addiction to adventure.

F.Y.I, the diving trip was absolutely fantastic! Saw a lot of fishes (duh…), COOL species such as the Napoleon Wrasse, porcupine fish, nurse sharks, moray eels, puffer fish… I can go on and on. To think of it, since I am such a “suaku” diver, anything with gills and stays underwater will be classified as a cool specie.

And once again, I have made some new discoveries about myself:

1) I still can’t dive for nuts.
Although I do not have a problem descending and equalizing, I definitely have a problem with my breathing, my buoyancy and fining. Guess, I will have to go for more dive trips to improve on my diving skills! But first, I will need to buy some of the personal equipments first. As mentioned by my diving master, “Cannot dive, never mind… but make sure you look good!”

2) I can’t wait to travel again
I have a problem… I am bitten by the travel bug. Antidote: Get out of Singapore at least once a quarter. This is really crucial since Singapore is soooo small. But thankfully, budget airlines in Asia are slowly (but surely!) taking off, which stands for cheaper air travel! Yoohoo!

So… I am planning a backpacking trip to Vietnam in September! I can’t wait!

Check out the nurse shark and the little red fish hiding under the rock! Picture is taken at Dive Site - Temple of the Sea, Perhentian Island. Malaysia.