DREAM

woke up with a pleasant dream this afternoon...

Makes me think about what mabel has pinned in her blog.
"... did you know, that your dreams actually help sort through data in the brain, throw out useless information and then document and store the important stuff? apparently, when you sleep, your brain swells due to an increase flow of blood and every single part is in sort of an overdrive. every single portion of your brain is working then, except for the logic centre, which explains why we can dream of becoming billionaires, flying cows, become madonna or donald trump or i don't know, ryan reynolds?

was back rowing again like ''last time'.
Seems as though nothing had changed.
We have someone jump off the pontoon into teh water to get onto the boat because we reufuse to row near to the pontoon and pick him up...
Haa... so illogical actions that only appears in the dreams..!
It was lotsa fun, but 'short-lived'....
I woke up...,
with a smile on my face...
日有所思，夜有所梦？

Paddler in Pink

蔡琴- 被遗忘的时光

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2 traffic accidents yesterday hit the headlines in today's (Sunday) 2 local newspaper.

The first in The Chinese newspaper was the "flip" over of a "concrete slabs carrier", that block out all lanes on the PIE , exit to Steven's road. Traffic Jam lasted for over 6 hours.

Earlier in the day (saturday), a freak accident in Sim's Avenue took the life of a paddler away.
A strong, courageous lady's life was mercilessly ended by some reckless/careless driving ethics.
Well, the rule of thumb in the driver's "hand-book" read, the pedestrian always have the right a way.
I certainly agree with that, though many a times, I admit I do curse and swear at any reckless pedestrain in my way.

But still, their life are just as precious as any of us in this world.
Some reckless/self-fish driving ethics can take away a life that's so fragile, and important to another person.

I read with a sunken heart at how a brave woman picks herself up from the suffering of a critical illness, had her life ended so abruptly.
The Pink Paddler, Mdm Chan Yoke Chan, 61, took on the sports of dragon boating and proved that it's not one for only the youngs.

Another inspirational paddler gone from the arena gone, just like that...
My friends,
Drivers, PLease watch the road... Paying road tax doesn't means you own the road. Even though you are making a living on the road...

Pedestrain, Please cross in care. Green Man is never 100% safe to cross... PLease look out..

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
On a lighter note,
Had a pleasant "surprise" after today's "Donut" trg.. (That's how our coach makes tyre training sound less "enticing")
Coach handed out the Medals from last week race.
Am surprised becos we get Medals for being only the finalist in the Northeast CDC race category.
This medal shall be dedicated to Mdm Chan, Cos i rmbr at last week races, you were just passing by me with your team in Pink.
You ladies are a courageous lot...!
Rest in Peace.

排球

aimless surfing got me onto redsports.sg and pictures triggered off a sport I have been neglecting...
more apropriately, our tight schedules makes it impossible recently to get together for a game or 2.
Seeing those pics makes me miss the oh-so-familar "rythemic-synchronization" between the setter and the spiker, the receive, dig, set and spikes...

mixed feelings?

Didn't expect i would actually "feel" this way...
suddenly a twinch of sadness and reluctance overcame me...

This afternoon, I gave her a quick wash and shine, and clean her up like i never did.
I want her to look at her best.
Then I sent her off, for the next 2 days...

It didnt really bother me, because I have been planning for this a week ago.
But as I bade her farewell, and hand her over to the hands of a business associate for the next 2 days, I was a bit hesitatant, though not obvious.
Telling her 'care-taker' for the next 2 days, how she may "whine" and how to "pacify" her.
Which part of her that I will want to keep even though someone may take her in.

on the other hand, i do hope someone will take a fancy on her, afterall , thats my purpose for sending her there...

In the evening, the thought of "I may not see / feel her again", sends a touch of sadness and reluctance over me...
Afterall, she's been with me for over 2 years..
I dont really find any fault with her, in fact, i enjoy her comapanionship.

*Sigh*...
So emotional....
That's Pisces.....

PA Paddle Championship

P.R.D.S / P.R.S

I think i am suffering from a "disorder".
i coined it "Post Race Denial Syndrome" (PRDS) or "Post Race Syndrome" (PRS)

Gotta undergo further diagnosis to determine if it belongs to the more detrimental "Denial" group.

Though my weekends are gone just "like that" (i.e. 5 hours of waiting time for less than 2 minutes of glory.
Infact, I kinda "enjoy" that process.

on the surface, it looks like plain aimeless waiting, but that period of "aimeless" and limited interactive wait seems to execute an invisible hand that gradually and silently knitted everyone together. Just by waiting "aimelessly" tog, the close physical proximity has probably sent a "signal" to trigger off the mental state of mind between us (strangers/ teammates/ acquaintance), to share the same aim and for the same purpose. It just seems to draw us closer...
Closer to the sports.
Much closer than what a 2hr trg each week in a no-more-than 10m by 1m wooden/fibreglass structure can do.

I kinda enjoy that kind of feeling.
It's making me missed those moments. I wished every weekends were spent like that.
Aimless waiting, with a crowd of common-minded acquainted people, all in the name of one Game.

I'm missing it already...

No regrets.

Winning Streaks ( 下 )

Maybe the chorus of the song "karma" by Alicia Keys will well depict this post and its "pre-lude".

"...what goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.... "

it was indeed an awesome winning streaks yesterday, and things turn around today...
No doubt we were disappointed with the results today, but at least we know we are definitely better than what's on paper...


Well, probably thats what you get in "Drift Start" race.
You win some , you lose some.....
How's how the "Drift Start" Logic Works...
It was quite an unusual "starts" used, and its really one that test your luck and techniques...

A distance starting 50m before the 300m start point is called the "Drift Zone".
I.e., When all Boats report at the start point, they will be called to go into this "Drift Zone", and supposed to drift in to teh zero point, where teh command for "Are You Ready " wil be given.

So its totally opposite of teh normal stationary "bouy" starts in Regatta/Sava, etc.
the problem or rather, the "opportunity" lies here.


If you are slow in "drifting" to the zero point, and if the "starter" decides to call for "Are you Ready" based on the first boat that touches the zero point, this means whichever boat that is slow and have yet to "hit" the zero point (but inside the 50m 'drift zone' will lose out by that distance!


Apparently yesterday, the "start" rule was somewhat difference.
The "starter" will ensure all boats are almost in line near the zero point before giving the command to start. And if any one is too much ahead, he wil call all boats to "manual" drift back (read: back paddle)

In this case, it means if you are the last boat to enter drift zone, it gives u the "momentum" advantage that when u are gliding near the zero point and the command given, you have a better start.


But in today's context, doing that totally turns the table around. if you are the last to "hit" the zero point, then you will be one or half boat away from the very first boat that "hit" the zero point first.

And that's where we perished, using all our might to catch up a full boat length before been thrown behind 3rd place, just less than half boat from the 1st runner up...
No one's to blame for this, as we never expect such a change from yesterday's drift start and today's drift start.

Of cos, we can;t protest that we are behind while the others start first, afterall, we are already in the 50m "drift zone".

on hindsigt, if we were the boat that had the so-called "head-start", would we mind?
Well, thats competitive sports. Luck and techniques play a part.

It would be a case of "miscalculation" on our end.

But I seriously think we did a good one by cathing up at least 1 and a half boat from the 2nd boat.
Maybe that has turned our fury into power?
At least we know we have the ability to "chase" from behind.

All is not lost team, we still have more competitions to show what we can achieve.


The 20-men mixed didnt deliver a fantastic results either as per yesterday, and we were down by 4men, as we had 2 teams of 10 men event racing right before our 20men event.
Further, the contestants in this race line-up were no doubt, powerful teams, likes of PA team who trained reall hard and frequent. So we loose to indeed stronger opponents.
And the scene that all 6 boats were breathing down one-another's neck at the finishing points was a great showdown and encouragement to us.

At both our Senior Citizens Baat (the boat ony needs 50% of senior citizen in side, and remainin above 30years old) clinched a good 2nd and 3rd placing in the same race event.

Well done!
Pasir Ris East Didnt go back empty handed!
(all of us got a race singlet and Shirt, lol...)
Oh yah, and the combined GRC race, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC clinched a first placing too!
Truly brings out the meaning, - 姜还是老的辣！


Kudos!


Our next race, June Race ( Dragon Boat Festival)
and Corporate Challenge Games (CCG) in July.

我的第一次...！

400m swim distance from
start to turning point of swim
The day begin at 7am morining at sentosa, and am feeling kinda excited and at the same time anticipating.
My first ever "Half-Biathlon" in 28yrs...

Finally pluck up the courage and decided to get an attempt at this 750m Swim/5km run.
Don't know what suddenly spurs me on as a late starter to attempt a sprint biathlon.
Thoe only reason I could give myself would be, to challenge if my fitness level and endurance is up to the level yet?
Still going strong even after ORD, if not, better.

My aim was to finish it and not really concern about timing yet.

Before the race started, I was most worried about the swim. Afterall, I never swam in Sentosa water non-stop for 750M. I guess the farthest I did was a 75m Leisure swim?
Teh weather was merciful, and the water was calm, except for a few "waves" caused by the passing ships.

Other than that, i believe I had not gulp down more than 300ml of sea-water... haha.. Achievement no.1 !

Being not a "good swimmer", i decided to start at the back of the crowd, and am happy that even with breast strokes through 750M swim, i managed to squeeze into the mid-pack!
Highest level of achievement was being able to overtake free-stylers.. *Happy*
And in fact, the swim was much more manageable than the run! lol...
At least teh 2 weeks of swim trg at the pool helps. Wouldnt say the same for the zero runs i did prioir to the run.. *Guilty*!

Well, transition to the run went smoothly, credits to the organiser for desptching in waves and a proper transition area that held no delays!

transition area for our running gears Run was bad for me.. mainly becos i didnt train for it, so started slow and the feeling of stitches and cramping on my left leg warns me to slow down, and I'm glad i did, resulting in better run after the 1st km.

Didnt wanted to pushed myself too much, cos there's still a race at Bedok reservior after this, so i just try to run at a leisure pace except for the last km

Am quite happy with my overall results, though didnt really know exactly how long i took, as i was too engrossed with crossing the finishing line than to notice the time on the clock.
Gonna wait for the results to be posted the next day, and maybe more photos in actions....

With YL, who alerted me abt this race and hence, my first biathlon! Must say that this was a well-organised event, with a slight dealy of 20mins due to preparation, but otehr than that, everything really went smoothlyIt was a great experience, and I dont know if i should go on to take the next full biathlon?
I only know i enjoyed the swim... hahaa... dont know why....
Contestant number 400, yours truly.. wat a number...
My first "medal" for the year. A Proud finisher in my personal context... lol

Winning Streaks （上）

Venue: Bedok Reservoir

Event: President's Challenge (Paddle for Passion) cum PA Paddle Championship

Time: 1pm Onwards

Mounting a Small headset Video-cam on the drummer's head.

This time its just roping in to row on behalf of Pasir Ris East CC.
Minus the tertiary big house in this event, it definitely is a morale booster.
Everybody from all across Singapore's various district and constituency, putting aside the "normal" team jersy they have been training with, just to come together rowing for the constituency they are representing.
Varied age group, gender and ethnic group coming together as one for this , i would say "unusual" DB competition.

Still the same anxiety and competitive climate among teams, but with a sense of frenly competitivenesss within.once croosed the finishing line, teams just congratulate one another. Not that it was a fenly race, not when you hear the same war cry and screams along the 300m route.

It's a great start for the heats today.

All teams qualify for Semis tmrw.
10-crew Mixed, 20-crew mixed, both came in first in heats! Well done guys and gals!Our training has not been in vain! It once again showed DB is a team sports, and not becos you have individual star rowers, you will be in the winning league for sure....

2 senior citizens boats - i shall use the term "Senior Boats" to address them here, (well, just 50% are senior citizen by law, but the rest are not that young either.. oops..) got into the semis too!
And I'm glad and greatful to coach for giving me the opportunity to race in the 2 winning boats, as well as a chance to cox the wining 10-crew "Senior citizens" boat in the competition!

The spirits displayed by the "Seniors" were really encouraging. They are no less competitive as the young rowers, and they row to win!
I'm impressed that they hadn't did any formal training, but managed to keep in sync for the 300m! Thinking they would pant and huff after the 300m, but no way!
I am so impressed by them!
I wished I can still carry on rowing when i reached their age.. impressive!

Ok, its only the heats, and we are all up for the semis tmrw.. it's too early to predict any results, life on water is so unpredictable, we can only hope fo rteh best...
It was really great to be enjoying the winning streak! 5 hours wait to qualify all 5 teams for semis. It's worth it!

At this juncture, I remembered less than a year ago, an ex-team mate once posed this question after our race at this same venue,

"Will [then-Team] ever get a medal?"

Sounds like a simple question, but I couldn't answer straight away... Politically correct ans is of cos a "Yes". But we know its not as simple as that.

My answer was, "maybe not in the near future, but WE will be able to..."

But now, what should the answer be?
"Maybe 'They' will ? "

ok...., time to put in all again for tmrw... Whatever the results maybe.
The results may just be a ranking, but its the process that gets us all together.

tmrw's a ;pmg day with Biathlon in teh moring , and races after... Must sleep early....

Cold Feet

Am begining to get the "cold feet" now, after I see the route for the 750M swim...
Damn... It looks more than 750m to me!
I thought its supposed to be equilvalent to 15 laps in the pool.. but how come it looks more like 1km to me...!!

I hope,
1: I can finish the swim in One piece
2. I can still continue with the runnign leg after the gruelling swim
3. if I managed the above, I hope I can finish before the event cut off time... (cos the cut off time is like abt 1 hr after flag off, and to do 750m swim-5km run.

Die lah... someone who dont know how to swim freestyle is gonna attempt a Biathlon swim in the sea for the first time...

A challenge to conquer
Pray for me...
*carbo load , carbo load, carbo load, ........*

Well, guess better concentrate on tmrw's race...
Gambatte!

Break the Ice

My current fave dance track.
her song's still just as good after her come-back!

Captain Vs Coach

Another proof of the ever-procrastinating me.

have always wantyed to put my thoughts into words on how I felt a Captain and Coach has very different and important roles to play in a Team.


注：以下论坛纯属本人看法，不代表大众意见。

人物描写纯属虚构，如有雷同 纯属巧合。



Base on my "Pte Ltd" experience in Competitive Team sports from Uni days til now, and through observation of other Sports team, I clearly see the distinction between a Coach's and Captain's role. And thats what drives a winning team, or at least, a Team that triumph in morale and spirits, all in the name of the sports they are in.


The Coach

Delivers training techniques, observe, train and correct the team mistakes.

Scold/encourage players when there is a need, for reason of correction/improvement.

Many a times, a Coach is never really a "well-like" person in the Team, but all to endure becos they know its for the better of the team, competitively, and mentally.
And because he delivers. And because the team loves the sports.

The coach is usually termed "Devil of the team". But in actual fact, it was a front he/she has to put up, becos he wants his player to follow what he teaches and excel.
He/she needs to be in command.
We know his intention is for the good of the team, and are rational intentions.
The coach usually distance himself from the team, leaving the Team communication and bonding to that of the captain.

The Captain

He is no doubt part of the team, and inevitably a vital player within the team.

He is any normal player among the rest. Just that he/she has the 倾合力, and he/she could be chosen by the coach or becos he/she has that quality that can motivate the team towards common goal. A quality that influence fellow team-mates to "fight" alongside with through thick and thin, through tough trainings and conditions together.

Additionally, he has the skills and can assist the coach in training the team in his absence.

More importantly, no matter how skilful the candidate may be, the captain is chosen highly becos he/she can influence.
And influene the team positively.

The Captain in this case, is always the "angel" of the team.
He/she is always the "Mr Nice Guy" or "Miss Never-get-angry".

No Matter how crude the attitude the rest of the players may be towards the captain, the captain is forever accomodating, and bridges any discrepancies or misunderstanding that occurs between the coach. The captain is calm and makes decision raionally when there's a need. his/her intention is never to break-up the team, but on the contrary, to bridge and gaps between players.
The captain makes every effort to know his fellow players, and he bonods with the team just like a normal player, without giving anyone the impression that he is the "Captain" once off-court/field.

The captain serves as a vital communication link between the Team and the coach.

What if the above roles were interchange?
A Coach possessing the quality of the captain, and gets along exceptionally well with the team and the team consider the coach as a great fren they can believe and consult in?
Who would mind. more good perhaps?

On The contrary, the captain acts in a way of a coach and takes over the role.
What happens?

Chaos?
Well, each to his own...
Be it a Player, A Captain, or a Coach.
We may all be individuals, but all our decision should be the collective actions that everyone as a Team will concede.
There should be no individual bias, and decisions shouldn't be made just because of one status. Be it being a Captain or a coach.
That's why the quote,

"There is no 'I' in T.E.A.M"

Errands Ran, I Can't Cox a 3G!

Finally i stopped procrastinating and completed my "task" set out before next week.
Mainly because I have got no more time to delay...
Managed to get a "Boxer swiming trunk" for swim and run. That's what is being labeled on the item.
Also finally gotten a new pair of goggles to replace my current "no-longer-anti-fog" pair...
Both due for this coming undayMini Biathlon at Sentosa, so must quickly get it and "season" them before the race day.
First part series of race for the singapore sprint series, hopefully I can survive and finis h the course with a decent timing...


Went for trg today again. And its been a good weather.. no scorching sun like last week.
So many boats in the water today at this timing. Guess everyone's gearing up for PA championship next week..
Now I will oficially declare that I Cannot "Cox" a full 20 Men 3G boat....!
tried 3 times over teh past 3 months, and each time somewhere and somehow, the boat will just swerve furiously to the opposite direction no matter how hard you want to bring it back!
I don't know how that happened, and it always takes a distance before i can get it back on course..
Can someone enlighten me? Why that didnt happened to a SDBA boat but 3G?
Heng, that didnt happend (or rather swerve out of control) during the race sets. else gonna collide with other boats.
I have no qualm coxswaining the SDBA boat, but spare me the 3G.. damn stress man..!
Felt so bad when the team have to go that extra distance (even if not really that much) becos the boat went "out of course"...

Passion to Blog??!

Read about a short interview with local bloggers and a comment on blogging by one which i must disagree.

'One is older now and the passion is lost"

kaoz... u need "passion" to blog.... what a joke...
Maybe her initial intention on blogging was a mistake all along..
to me, i believe blogging come naturally as one just wanna 抒发his/her 情绪 and 心情 in writings.
Rather than like a "passion"?
so non-sensical comments from a well know local blogger..
Well, people famous one mah... Blog for passion can get over 30,000 hits per day...
Lol
I may not get even 3 hits perweek. hahaa

Network issue??!!

Wah lau eh.. my last post was not published due to network issue...
Somemore also didnt auto save..
SIanz......
Waste my effort... Don;t rmbr what i wrote also..
*sigh*,.....

Umbrella

The Song "Umbrella" by Rihanna would not be an unfamilar song to many.
But maybe not many have heard the other remix version called "Cinderella""

also got the infamous '~ella' , '~ella', eh, eh, eh....
Very funny..... machiam like a spoof...
Try it, it should make your day for the start of the week...

http://profile.imeem.com/nvsek1/music/r0n6l8Ad/umbrellacinderella

Well, if you think Dance/remix is not the type of genre for you, a personal favourite 'remake' of the song "Umbrella" is the below acoustic vrsion.

Its really conducive to listen to it on a chilly rainy night, cuddling in bed with your loved one/bolster/teddy bear(s)/pillow(s)/etc.
Conveys a totally different meaning to the song.
very different from the "original" one.
But still, it wouldnt dropped the infamous '~ella' , '~ella', eh, eh, eh....
Enjoy...
http://profile.imeem.com/Yrq4Axu/music/yxpzRY5s/rihanna_umbrella_acoustic

10 signs u luv some one

TEN:You feel shy whenever they're around.


NINE:You smile when you hear their voice.


EIGHT:When you look at them, you can't seethe other people around you, you justsee him/her.


SIX:They're all you think about.


FIVE:You realize you're always smiling when you're looking at them.


FOUR:You would do anything for them, just to see them.


THREE:While reading this, there was one person on your mind this whole time.


TWO:You were so busy thinking about that person, you didnt notice number seven was missing


ONE:You just scrolled up to check & are now silently laughing at yourself.

风继续吹。。。

I really enjoyed today's row.
Since october 2007 until today, I have not experience this feeling for so long..
It's as though its started to be coming back...

Have been continuing withrowing since Jan after a close 4 months break. In fact, been rowing with 2 teams during the short span of 2 months, but still , that same feeling experienced way back wasn't there..
Its was just row for the sake of rowing...

This time, it was tough to pick things back up again, but it was worth all the efforts. Well, obstacles such as boat rental /attendance wouldn't deterus. I'm sure as long as that passion still lives within us as a group, we can get it going. We will find a way through.

It was really great training and fun rowing! One of the better session so far!
I'm already looking forward to the next one, and slowly one day, I hope we can grow stronger, and re-create a brand new bonding again...I believe with you guys/gals, we can do it!
Let's do it again. We can re-create what was destroyed. Don't forget.., we are all gonna be the "Founder's"... Let's find back what was lost.

Suddenly part of this song lyrics relates to how it felt to be back on waters training with you all again! especially teh title....

风继续吹 - 张国荣

"... 过去多少快乐记忆 何妨与你(们）一起去追..。"

Never the same again.

I think have to accept the fact things will never be the same again once damaged is done. Once things "shattered", "scratched" , "cuts", "splits" , etc.

No Matter how much effort put in, trying your best to piece them together, it may look the same, but still, its not of a composite with the same original elements.
There would still be "hair-line cracks". There would still exist scars.
It has become fragile.
No longer as united, strong and tough as it used to be.
The feeling is just different.
It is susceptible to any light knocks and and attacks, finally it will collapse.

I realised this theory not only applies to objects and matters.
It's applicable to relationship, friendship, comradeship.
once that bond is broken, it can no longer pieced itself back to what it used to be.


it may look so, but its actually not...
Perhaps, emotions are the most fragile elements in the world.
It can never heal fully like a bruise on your body.
It may look all brand new again on the surface, but what's deep inside was never re-stored, no matter how hard one tries...