Will be heading to Phuket this Saturday and will be taking part in the Marathon there on Sunday. The race will not be an easy one as marked with numerous elevation changes along the way. At this moment, I felt that I had not been preparing for this run despite of all the efforts that I had put in these few months. I had taken up twice weekly personal training aiming to improve my performance for this marathon. With the increased workout intensity, somehow my body had caught up with me these 2 weeks. I felt so tired and believe that my performance had dip drastically. Body recovery had come to a stand still. Need to review my current regime as soon as possible. But for now, I will take a break, carbo load and enjoy myself for the trip ahead.

No matter what, I will get my fat ass to that finishing line.

Last Friday, it was a day of farewells. Started with my office part time helper, his work had been terminated as the contract which he was employed under had started to scale down. In a way, I think it is pretty fateful that I ended up sitting next to him at work. He was my junior from Jurong Junior College and NTU which he will be starting school in 2 months time. Guess in my generation terms, he will be classified as a nerd in all aspects. But there are stuffs about him that is commendable; he is truthful and hard working. Anyway share some of my out dated tips about surviving in the university and even attempt to change his attitude towards life. Hope he will be able to do well especially socially in the university.

On my way to gym after work, I met one fellow colleague whom is working at the HR. Even though that we did not know which others’ name but there was this incident where I was waiting for transport and she was doing some mails distribution at the same place. I remember that unhappy look as she went on doing her chores. We chatted a little and she shared her issues with her current colleagues. It seems then that she is really unhappy and did try to do her best at work.

She informed me it was her last day at work and will be going to have a short break before starting work next month. On the way to town, manage to share some personal beliefs.

When doing any thing, the only person that you need to convince is oneself. Then in this way, other’s opinion does not matter and thus life will be much simpler. Also in most cases, there is no one formula that can please everyone. So why bother in the first place.

In order to be loved by others, one has to love oneself first and treat oneself well. It is perfectly fine to give own self a treat once in a while.

By the time I got off the train, I felt pretty grand sharing my thoughts. Although I hate farewells but it made my day then. Thanks guys for making a difference to my day. I sincerely wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

During the Labour Day long weekend, OT, Daniel, Shar and I went for a short trip to Malaysia, Cameron. I was in primary school when I last visited this place. All I could remember was the terrible time I had throwing up on the coach, misty playground and the cool fresh air. With much anticipation and a little apprehension of my usual prone to suffer from travel sickness. We headed for the highlands via coach leaving golden mile on the 30^th night. I was rather impressed with my ability to sleep on the coach and only waking briefly at some points of the journey. Woke up about 6am and found myself at the foot of the highlands. Drifted back into sleep and found myself arriving at the first township when I decided to sit up and enjoy the scenery. The greenery plus the greeting of cool fresh air when we alighted, ensure me that I will like this place from the start of the trip.

We got to the Brichang town by 8am and had breakfast there before some tour agency tries to sell us some tour packages. As it was simply too early for our hotel check in, we went back to wander around Brichang town for the rest of the morning. The town was small and we covered it in no time. Had a lunch before heading back to check in to our apartment. We joined an Argo tour that brings us to various farms to appreciate the main economy of the area. The amount of crops, plants and flowers that we came across that afternoon was enormous. Ended the day with a steamboat dinner and a Ramil burger. The Ramil burger is really worth commenting, I never see anyone putting so much care into making a burger like this one. Thumbs up for him, even though was a long wait for the burger.

Got up really early the next morning for the sunrise, our personal guide was promptly waiting for us at the lobby at 6am. It was really misty and cold that morning. After half an hour of traveling on winding roads, we arrived at the peak. Promptly made our way to the watch tower, OT and I climb to the top of the tower. The chilly winds sweep pass us, it was really freezing on the top of the tower. We stand waiting for a while, lose track of time and feeling numb from the cold. There was no sign of the sun, took a quick peek at my watch. Think it show 7 plus, I knew we had missed the sunrise. Went back down the tower to join the others hiding from the cold, we missed the sunrise but we witness the clearing of the mist which reveal the beautiful surrounding. Later we visit the mossy forest and tea plantation, both in a way unique and new experience for me.

Got our guide to drop us off on the way, we visited bee farm, kea farm and markets. The road was very jam and we ended up walking the whole way back to Brichang town. It was a long walk and we all got quite tired after it. Got back for some rest in the afternoon and headed for a nice dinner at the smokehouse. The settling of the hotel cum restaurant was very Victorian it was like we had travel to England. I think the service and food can be improved but we still have a great time that evening.

This concludes our visit, we all had a good time and recharge for the challenges ahead. I believe I will be going to Cameron again soon.

Was planning for holiday in September 09 to Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat and was gathering travel buddies who might be interested to join me for the trip. The response had been fine so far and there were several feedback and recommendation. I was linked to some blogs from a fellow Singaporean who had just visited the Da Lat and was dismay with her entries. Guess we tend to be overly critical and calculative over trivial stuffs. Hence we forget to appreciate with is presented before us. Personally I do not enjoy haggling for the best price, I am happy as long as I felt that I had paid a fair price. Strongly believe that any holiday will be much more pleasant minus all these calculation and comparison. May my fellow travel buddies be able to understand that and appreciate me for who I am.

Considering to expand the trip to include my solo experience of the Mekong river and beyond. Let see how things turn out then. Anyone interested please feel free contact me.

To be or not to be is still an unknown now. As far as I am concerned, if one is equipped with the drive and requirement there is no harm in giving a go. After all, we will only live once and time is a factor that can never be recovered.

I reflected on how much I dread the regretful feelings while I put things on hold and procrastinate. Things that seem unimportant at this moment but it will return to haunt for a long time to come. Of course, I have my fair share of regrets, magnitude unperceived from my positive outlook. Nevertheless, what really matters is how one recovers and learns from them. The future is what we live for isn’t it?

My dear friend had gotten very upset regarding this issue over the weekend. It hurts to see the sorrowful state that she had gotten herself into. There is so much I will like to say but how to tell her that life is full of difficulties and this is just the beginning. She will have to face this on her own and recover from it. With the love and support from all the around her, I know her recovery will be not far away.

My personal era for housing reform had begun. By far, all the careful plans had failed and had been swiftly replace by firm decisions. Lots of care and effort had been made to pave for the closure. Now I am hovering at the edge hoping that things might just be simple and straight forward for once. That is all that I asked for. Time to release the complicated past and embraced a simplify future.

Under self-interrogation, I will not be able to conclude that what lies ahead of me will bring me a lifetime of happiness. The term forever is simply fictional and my cynical attitude towards it remains. However, I can feel something beckoning in silent whisper that it will be right for me.

Things are suppose to pick up speed in a few days time. I do dread the possibility of disappointment.

Meet up with a friend last night, we haven’t met each other since we left school 16 years ago. Time passes quickly, just realized that we had doubled in age since we move on from that white and blue uniform. Maybe it is a good time for me to take out the old photos and scan them for the cyber space. It will certainly be nostalgic as it brings back memories of my youth.

We recognize each other the instant we notice each other. Guess it is a good thing, as it will mean that we didn’t change too much over the years. Ha ha… my attempts to self deny the fact that I am getting old. Anyway the lousy attempt of mine didn’t last very long; it came quickly to surface that we had both advanced in our own queer ways. I had a good time catching up with her and we talk about all sort of stuff.

On my way home, I walk along the path that we used to take after school. For a moment or two, I can remember the flapping blue on my kneecap and the stiff white on my feet. Kind of missed the smile on her face but I do envy her slim figure and the meaningful job. For my dear friend, I am crossing my fingers and toes, for you to emerge from you uncertain love weather. In addition, I wish to see you smile a little more the next time we meet up.

Weekday mornings

Hurried out of my house, walk at the fastest speed possible (which depend on the chosen footwear) to the MRT station. Had eliminated some shoes choices for work due to their imposed “speed limit” and the dangers present on the journey to work.

Catch the train to Jurong east where the shuttle bus pick up for work is located. Normally will be cover with perspiration when I get to the pick up area.

Wait for the right bus to appear and be on my way to work. Will arrive at work early and then walk leisurely to the office. There is even enough time for me to finish the main paper of straits times before the start of my working hours.

These must be very ordinary day-to-day stuff but I really hate it.

As I stand waiting for the shuttle bus, I will experience the peak of this hatred. It can be rather depressing if one think hard about it. It will be obvious that this happen to everyone around me. No one else seems to be complaining and getting depressed over it. Wonder if I am plainly spoilt or extremely control freak. Perhaps I dread being ordinary and unconsciously seeking for more then I know. Maybe it is my bio clock ticking away, compressing the tolerance level. Whatever it is, it had cause this urge for resolution.

I am on vacation of some sort since mid December 2008. My contract was terminated due the economy. Guess that was the disadvantaged to be on contract during trying times. I was caught totally unaware and was not expecting arrival of such news. I felt rather disappointed then that I was not able to finished what I had set out to do. Packed my bags and came home with a heavy heart but I was glad to be home.

Everyone was understanding and supportive of my situation thus reducing the impact of the bad news. On top of that I felt much needed at home. For this I am grateful to my parents and Daniel. Took the situation and take some time off and sort out some overdue issues. You know those stuff that matters but didn’t have the strength to confront. Looking back, I was really glad that I did.

Now with 2009 here and 2 months nearly gone, I had gotten a job with great help from my old colleague. I was in good luck to meet Dr Kam on the train one day. Now getting the details worked out and I should be back to work very soon.

Wonder how long more will my vacation be.

Keep all updated….

Finally I had completed one of my ever outstanding resolution, that was to complete a full marathon. I did it alright on the 7th Dec 2008. I could hardly believe that I actually cover the distance of 42.195 km that morning. While crossing the finishing line, the overwhelming good feeling was unbeatable. To add on to my blissful accomplishment, I cross the finishing line hand in hand with Daniel and with a huge smile on my face.

We took a total of 7hrs 2mins and 30 secs to complete our quest. It was surely not a fantastic timing but we were truly very proud of ourselves. It took really a great due to determination to finish this quest. Especially the last 10 km, every step was made with much effort. Our body hurts in almost every aspects but we keep telling ourselves that we can do it and must finish what we had started.

Check out the photo above, which I have taken with my friends after the run. We have all make it! Warm welcome to first timers Daniel, Sharleen and Lesley.  Hey you guys are really great, and deserve a good Xmas meal. The meal thing is under construction at the moment. Details will be provided soon.

Personally, I think the agony was really memorable. I wouldn’t had make it without advice from Uncle Lee and encouragement from Daniel. Hey guess what, I think I will surely be running my second marathon very soon. It a choice between the one in Phuket or Sundown in Singapore.

June 2009, here I come.

Over 16,500 runners from 38 countries participated in this run on the 16th Nov 2008.

I was very fortunate to be able to participate in the 25 km half marathon. As one can walk and run on the Penang bridge only during this event.

Was pretty amused with the organisation of the whole event. It was confusing and chaotic but at the same time there is a personal touch which one will probably never experience during the marathon in Singapore. Guess I had this feelings due to the warm up exercise which highly self entertaining where all the runners did together before the flag off. The electronic tagging was replaced by coloured bands given out by helpers. And on the return trip on the bridge, nearly everyone will hit head on with fun runners. Due to their t-shirt colour, the bridge was orange that morning. It was nearly impossible to continue running but stop and gaze in awe.

Glad to have the company of Uncle Lee and Daniel for the run. And Darren as our all time best supporter. The weekend will not be the same without them. Thanks all for coming 585km up north to join me.

Looking forward to go back home next Tuesday and the highlight of my trip back will be the Standard Chartered Marathon on the 7th Dec 2008.

Even though I do not have absolute confidence that I can finish the 42.195km. But it is my dream to at least complete one full marathon in my life time. What more when I have the company of someone who is willing to take my dreams as his own. Thanks Daniel, we shall cross that finishing line together.

PS. My dear friends, I may be a little slow in getting to the finishing line but I will get there. Be a little patient and wait out for me.

Things had not been as prefect as I had wished for. Prefect situation is considered as a bonus in a challenge. I had nearly forgotten that it was exactly what I had set myself up for. Looking back I had disappointed myself with the thought of giving up.

I was thrown into the job with confusing instruction and guidance. I am frustrated with the non empowerment and control over my scope of work. And the need to entertain no solution, unconstructive comments nearly drove me to the wall.

I cannot quite agree with the reporting and problem solving style of my immediate supervisor. And the self centred  and greedy character of an individual shone so brightly that hurts my sight.

More problems follow with issue regarding entitlement of off days for overseas assignment. Guess the HR policy must have change quite frequently as none of the colleagues had any clue to the policy. This one is ridiculous and I am utterly disappointed.

My “white elephant” laptop. It took the IT 8 weeks to give me local administrator rights to my office laptop.

Time, confrontation and avoidance are the key problem solving methods here. I believe that things are slowly working out now and I am more in control with my work. Slowly I am gaining what is essential for my well being and personal fulfilment at work. I will do whatever I can to make this decision worth the while.

Hope in a way, I will become stronger and tougher.

Was out at the site on Saturday morning and noticed one of my favourite things in the sky.

Perhaps its a good omen for what lies ahead.

Hope all my friends at SCS will be able to survive the ordeal they are having at the workplace. This beautiful rainbow is for them.

Never ever had to stand in the sun and perform such a boring task for a good 8 hours before. I am pretty sure that it will surely not to be my last for the coming months.

To be very frank, I think the pouring work is really hard work and there is no resting till the whole slab is done. And it didn’t help when the trucks took they own sweet time to come and there was many occasion where there was no concrete to pour at all.

It started at 10am in the morning when the concrete trucks started coming in. I was supervising the slump test and the performing of the cube test for the concrete coming in for pouring in the foundation slab as shown above.

Really had no experience with working with concrete, everything is a new experience for me. Guess the only way, is to learn everything that comes my way and try to figure out the best as I could. If in doubt, I have no problems asking people and searching for answers somehow.

The Concrete Slump Test is, in essence, a method of quality control. For a particular mix, the slump should be consistent. A change in slump height would demonstrate an undesired change in the ratio of the concrete ingredients; the proportions of the ingredients are then adjusted to keep a concrete batch consistent. This homogeneity improves the quality and structural integrity of the cured concrete.

Then also the cube test preparation. Picture showing worker preparing the test cube which will be cured for the appropriate time, and is then compressed between two parallel faces. The stress at failure is taken to be the compressive strength of the concrete.

Now I am going to find out more about testing of concrete and will be able to witness some tests coming up this week. Update all again.

I was walking on Penang island from the jetty to the Fort Cornwall when I observe this battle of the day.

Guess it’s all about team effort and it makes all the different.

Additional ant joining the battle to prevent the wasp from taking about the fish tail.

I didn’t wait to see the ending of this battle but I hope the ants are the winner. Never underestimate the power of a team and never be afraid to confront your enemy.

My first weekend here at Prai is coming to an end, looking forward to an exciting week ahead at work. Think it will be lots of interesting issues coming up. Come what may, I am ready and will be doing my best. But I do miss my friends and family, especially that someone special who is working on a Sunday.