Pre-occupied Mind...

Day 2 in Kyoto, and I got a pleasant phone call from Singapore..
Hahaa.. something Ihave been waiting for for the past 1 month!
The good news that i secured my COE at $14K!
Means a "paper gain" of about $4k!!
Which more importantly, means I get to bring home my "Snow White" very very soon.....!
Haha..
suddenly got so distracted from travelling.. wished i could fly back immediately to settle all the admin stuffs.. lol..

Then also, been checking my mails on my lappy (yep, i bring along a lappy, cos from previous experience, its a necessity to cary a lappy with u in Jap, expecially when back packing)
And the mails always put a smile to my face and have been very encouraging..
The exchange of info/admins/communication that leads up to the building of 'THE' team.
Am glad at the involvement and committment shown by people who cares.
Another strong pull factor that i wished I could be back in S'pore real soon!!

Well, but a third factor though not a really pleasant "pull" factor, revolves around my work..
*sigh*, becos of a delayed system launched next week, and I'm supposed to be the 'guru' for the system should the team hit any obstacles..
Wished Icould be back soon, to help resolve any issues (hopefuly no ssues!) and let us all get off work early every night after this system introduction!
1:30 Am latest possibly..?? hahaa

Ok, something less dampening and to put my mind "right on track" for now....
More photos of the beautiful Hokkaido!
**Photos of below are all from Sony Ericsson T650i 3.2 mega-pixel camera phone**

A vry cosy hostel in Hokkaido. its like a cosy little home..
Hostel interior

part of teh living room..

How can miss sushi and seafood in Hokkaido!!

Natural Spring Water!

Thats what Hokkaido is famous for!

Salmon Roe Don!*squish* *squish* *squish*

Lake Toya

Flowers blooming!

More photos 'akan datang' in my Face-book....

I Love Japan!

Hokkaido- Otaru

Picure shall do the talking...
Enjoyng it .... haha

The infamous toilet bowl in Japan.

Caught! sleeping overnight at Haneda airport lobby for next morn flight..
Welcome to Otaru in Hokkaido! The coast line to Otaru

He is "Otaru". Town named after him....
Mixed Architecture of Japanese and a touch of European

Signature symbol of a Music-box shop. Music box melody is heard along this street! 极浪漫一下哦。。。

Sony Ericsson....

something about SE handphonoe just drew me to them....
I just can't change to another non-SE phone.
If you like music, they have the 'W" series.
If you like to take picture, you have the "K" series.
If you like the 'solid' type, they give you the "T" series, and of cos, many more other family series..

Just added another SE to my 'collection'..
T650i.
Got it at $0, by just renewing my contract.. hehee.. Cos i wanted a 3G enabled one to be used in Japan. Getting it for 'free' is a bonus..
After owning two realiable and 'no-regrest' W series, i tried this 'T'series..

Haha.. believed it or not, before i got the "T", am utilising still both W810i and W580i.
Now with T650i, hmm.. how to juggle with 1 sim card?
but all 3 just attracts me in a special way, and serve different function well.
If I can have them 3-in-1...

HOKKAIDO ROAD TRIP!!!

A self-declared and "certified" procrastinator.
No doubt about it.

Finally started my hostel accommodations booking for upcoming Hokkaido-Kyoto-Mt Fuji-Tokyo trip, on Monday.

and fortunately, managed to get them all "reserved", including the 1.3L Toyota Vitz for the Hokkaido road trip. Yeah....!

Wouldn't say i have a "fool-proof" planning..
Infact, missed a few pointers and thus, wasted some travelling time...
hmmm.. see how bah... Gonna be another great backpacking experience this time..

Road-trip Hokkaido cum Backpacking Kyoto-Mt Fuji- Tokyo.

Am so looking forward to the road tip in Hokkaido.. self-drive and the wonderful scenery.. hope they turned out as the pictures and in "Japan Hour".

Label me a Japan-fanatic, cos its already the third time going to japan within 10 months!
Haa.. cannot blame me, Japan is too big to cover all at one good and in one season...
Some more , the food just beckons me to go back for more..!

Can't believe I managed to come up with a transport/accomd itinerary in just couple of hours.. ahha
At least that makes things more organised...
What's left is just teh places to go within the cities..
Well, that would be my travel buddy job, and also base on our "Male instinct"
I.e. - Go where the heart please....
Tha's my terminology for "Backpacking"!

I'm Lovin' It!

Saturday
How time flies.
Yesterday night we were celebrating CY's birthday over a dinner gathering and our "infamous" cheong-ing session, but the venue is not mambo zouk this time, but DragnFly. Nice place!

Its amazingly shocking.. That, 7 years ago we just got acquainted under "One Roof" in Hall 9.
Reminiscene the yester-years of fun and fenship during the hall days. nolstagic Nostalgic!
And its already 7 years on!
That really shows how fast time passes once we stepped into the reality of the concrete jungle.
But am glad that its 7 years on, and we could still talk like those uni days.
Nothing seems to change much.
Thanks to everyone who make the effort to keep this frenship going on with the regular meet-ups and gathering, amidst everyone's busy schedule.

Sunday
Its a scorching hot sun today. Felt as though the rays are penetraing through my skin when i stepped out of the house.
Not to mention that 12-2pm sun under the Kallang water.
Killer...
But must applaud the efforts from every team-mates who made it down for trg despite teh "unkind" sun.
No Doubt a "draining" session, but its once again, one of the (many) meaningful, fun-filled and endurance trg session!

Then went to my corporate trg session at 4, after like missing it for 2 weeks...
Damn tiring one after the other, but felt it was worth it.
A good "cross-training" between the afternoon team and the evening corp team.
One seems to complement the other.
Strokes emphasis and endurance trg in the early noon session, then endurance trg again and competition sets in the evening.
Think I'm "hooked" to them liao...

Shamelessly, ".. I'm lovin' it..." lol

What's one of the worst feeling you can get.

The "so-near-yet-so-far" kind.
Seems to be within grasp and then, it just slips from you.
What the Fuck... @%#$*^&%

Sometimes, I just "Detest" this kinda uncertainty built-in element.
Stupid COE bidding scheme...
Damn....

Back again

haha.. it was so nice to "re-live" the
'after-trg' kopi session with the same 'kopi kakis' at that same killiney kopi haunt..

感觉还是一样的哦。。。

Still on more or less the same topics.. lol.

Thats the best after-trg 'reliever' after all the sun and water.

Adaptability/Split Personalities?

Its amazing how one's mood and mindset can change base on companions, activities, day, night , place and subject.

Attributted to high level of adaptability?
Or more appropriately a case of multiple split personalities?

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Don't you find this week's Crawling...??

Its only Wednesday....!?

zero sugar = BAD!

Don't be-little the awful effect of a viral infection/food poisoning..

I believe that new soft drink formula of "Zero sugar" level is teh main cause.
Broke my record of not falling sick for the past years...
until that faithful night when i down half a bottle of that awful drink. (cos its so awful I cannot finish a bottle)

The next thing i realise hours later, I started to feel the "morning sickness" effect
That nauseous feeling...
threw up nothing but water in the middle of the night..

teh after effect was worst...
Makes me felt so lethargic for the next couple of days, losing appetite for the next 2 days...
even til today, felt so weak and sleepy...
well, the times i felt my energy level was high was during this afternoon trg and saturday's volleyball (cos its been months since we had hard-court volleyball!!)...
Maybe the effect of synergy?
Managed to brace myself up for today's trg though, but was dead like a log when i reach home... not that becos today's trg was tough or weather was hot, but i think i have used up my "reserved energy", after the remaining was lost "unknowingly"

just slouch in front of the TV finishing up 4 hours of DVD straight...
I felt so weak first time since dont know how long..
As if my energy level is slowly seeping away just like that...faster... Doing nothing....
sianz... , i hate to be sick.....

Yes!!
It Fell!
and fallen by $4k!!

A "Star
shall be "re-born".....

Fall, Fall ,Fall.....

4 more hours to go...

Pray hard that COE this month will drop...
Drop please!
Or at least, dont increase.....
Per last bidding results, Demand short supply, and judgging from the increased in food prices, etc, demand for this week should not exceed supply, since Supply has increased this bidding....
Prove me right please...

April 2008 - 2nd round bid

According to fundamental Economics Theroy, It SHOULD fall....

US downturn, prices of basic consumption goods increases, peopel should have less disposable income.
Also, people's consumption for Luxury goods should fall...
So , less people should be bidding for COE comparedto teh last round...


So, please fall, fall, fall, fall , fall!!!
Results in 4 hours time....
*pray* *pray* *pray*

我的决定就在于你了。。。。。

FOR SALE - HYUNDAI GETZ - SOLD.

So if you see the below on the road, Driver no longer me...
Not I "Tao", dont wanna wave back, etc....
anyway, the "trademark" stickers will be gone...

Still a sense of reluctance...

I'm getting all psych up and excited.
Sleepless nights...

"For what!"
"snap out of it lah!"

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