Ache

Ahh... that ache. That numbing yet sadistically satisfying ache in the thighs and arms. Was the result of my first venture into a fitness centre yesterday. Took up a 1 wk free trial after 1) buddies' endless cajoles, 2) sinful makan episodes while in KL, and 3) decision to get some health & shape back.

For a start, covered ~3.5km brisk-walking on treadmill while listening to Fish Leong on mp3, and joined a 1hr Ashtanga Yoga class. And that's all it took to give me that ache - a reflection of my non-activity over the past 3mths (save for the occasional laps in pool). Even the heartbeat rate shown on threadmill screen was telling - a whooping 120+ beats/min when parameters were set to the mere basic. *Toinnnnn*

But watch it, I'd be up and about in just a while. Let me check it out for a week, join some other classes and see if I'm game/inspired/determined enough to put my bunny in for the longer haul. Then, I'd go invest in a nice, sporty, gym-y outfit that costs oh-so-much.

Return

Am back.

What a cool 6 days in KL... =) 2 days on coach travel, 1.5 days on shopping, 1.5 days on work, 1 day on *gasp* mahjong (learnt a new version - the one to be played by 3 players, with only "tong(3)" tiles, and the oh-so-versatile 'fei(1)' tile). Glorious food, quality wine & a no. of kindly uncles & aunties for company... nice start.

And not to forget my roadtrip companion: Paulo Coelho's 'The Zahir' - a deep, reflective novel abt 'obsession and its potential to both fulfill dreams and destroy them'. I'm sold. It's amazing how someone can write deep things so simply and so concisely. I'd see what I can find in the library next.

In the days ahead, there'd likely be work, exercise, official events, some short trips and lots of reading. 2008, hold thy horse.

Just came to hear of the sad news upon return. Sincere condolences to the families of 1) the 5 dragon boat team victims, and 2) the ah ma whom I wrote abt in my 6 Nov entry. Tragically freak accidents, both. Preventable? ...

Life's simple pleasures

Scribbled this on my way to KL. 1.47pm

It's actually nice to go on a long bus journey alone. Took Aeroline. ~5.5hr. Could have been much faster but 1 middle-aged lady didn't feel too well halfway thru' the journey, so we had to pull over and wait for an ambulance to come fetch her to hospital (hopefully, she's ok now).

Think it'd be nice to do a long rail journey alone too. But of course, got to be similarly accompanied by MP3 player, gd books, warm jacket and a comfy seat (junk munchies optional). Then, I'm set. Icing will be great natural scenery along the way - mountains, seas, sky, low-lying (cottage) houses... =)

p.s. I could probably have done the same back home when dad's away. Still alone, with MP3, gd books, warm jacket, tucked in comfy bed, right? But neh.. it's different. Like some pathetic trapped animal, obsessively eyeing/being eyed by the mounds of hard copy/soft copy of work in the immediate vicinity, the mere thought of lying in bed to attend to one of life's simplest, most basic pleasure (= reading*) makes one feel almost like a sinner. =P On a journey, there is no sin, no guilt. This is perhaps the reason why ppl need getaways. Tragic.

I've just started on my 2nd Paulo Coelho book - 'The Zahir'. On a journey within a journey. Bliss.

* = reading books that you really want to read, that may have absolutely nothing to do with work but everything to do with interest/self-enlightenment/improvement/philosophy/hobby/travel/or whatever trivial pursuits, as long as they make u happy.

The past weekend's been busy:

With work (expectedly)
- marked files
- tidied reports
- cleaned house + toilets

With social activities (unexpectedly)
- colored hair @ home
- stayed over at changi chalet
- caught up with lost buddy @ vivo

Now, who says educators don't chill?


they've got hidden talents too - a pal's S$5K DJ set...


big, bright, nice x'mas tree @ vivo rooftop

Things sometimes just happen. For better or for worse.

Sheep Man & Bread Man

Yesterday, I brought some kiddos to far-flung upper serangoon road, to an academic institution to listen to Dr Alan Colman give a seminar on reproductive & therapeutic cloning. Yes, he is the famed stem cell expert who's behind Ms Dolly the sheep - the world's first cloned animal in 1997. He's now based in S'pore, recruited by our ever-efficient govt to be the Director of the Singapore Stem Cell Consortium and PI at the Institute of Medical Biology.

So you can imagine my excitement at the opportunity of getting up close & personal. =) Seriously though, the best thing is he didn't make things too complicated. My kiddos were able to understand him perfectly, and found the seminar interesting. For that, it's worth the long long journey up north... Been a long time since I've personally brought kiddos to science enrichment activities.. Nostalgia!

Here's Dr AC in action:





And the icing on cake was, as we were walking out of the institution's gate, we saw a scene out of the 1960/70's - an old, bent-over indian man peddling his brown-crusted baked bread with kaya & butter, in a square metal box, hinged on a 2-wheeled crikety bike!! Solid. He must have transported from my dad's childhood times. Bought bread for my kiddos who snapped away (politely) at old uncle and his wares. First time they have seen such 'roadside hawker'.



Bet you've never bought bread this way. =) Head down to 1033 Upper Serangoon Road and set up an ambush at abt 5.30pm then.

Right vs Wrong. Black vs White.

One day, it'd do me in.

This streak of mine that so clearly defines right from wrong, which in turn makes it so difficult to just ignore stuff and be happy sometimes... Principles that I hold strong (some say too strong). Values that I hold dear (and similarly, some say too dear). It pains me to see them being trampled on by others.

Yes, I do know that sometimes, my insistence at doing the 'right' makes me rigid like a silly robot. And I admit that, to those who openly, repeatedly, blatantly, arrogantly throw morally sound, guiding principles out of the window, I sometimes (forgive me) feel a slight twinge of contempt towards them. Of course, I'm no saint, not even a millionth part of one perhaps. Am just a fellow human being who's trying to do good instead of harm. All humans err, at some pts in time - this I understand. The question is - was it a genuine oversight or a purposeful act driven by some underlying sinister force?

One day, it'd do me in. I just know it. But does that mean I'm going to compromise and be as soft-boned/inconsiderate/wayang as 'those who can't be mentioned'?

Definitely not.

Looking at the way I'm turning out, I'd probably end up as some old, cranky, domineering, self-righteous spinster. Argh!!

The (humble) Cookie

Last week, I plonked over 50 precious bucks on 8 small packs of high-class cookies from Marks & Spencers, as a gesture of heart-felt appreciation to a group of colleagues who had, for the past 3mths, slogged for a certain event.

Well, the only other times when I had devoured M&S cookies was >4yrs ago, when a senior colleague bought them for us, and 2 mths ago when I was involved in some break-neck 8am to 6pm meetings. And both times, the cookies were sponsored. But man, did they impress.. So, this time round, decided to play Santa and spread the joy to others. The practical side of me had to contend with niggling extravagance of it all. I mean, $7.90 for 8 pcs of 6cm wide, 0.5cm thick (at most) cookies? But the foodie in me relented, encouraged by this 'dangerous' feeling that I've come to associate with 'well-being compensation' - having worked so hard, it's only understandable/right to spend on what will make you happy, as a form of hard-earned self-recognition.. =P

Anyways, one-way justifications aside, here is one M&S cookie that you may want to try if you are possessed by the same 'well-being compensation' mood (or call it anything you like):


Cranberry-Orange

Am not a huge cranberry fan, but this one's got my nod. Personally though, I swear by the Pistachio Almond one (no pics tho). That one is SHIOK!

OUCH

Eyebrow threading, have you tried it before??!

Today, was strolling past this row of shophouses in Clementi central when I saw this sign displayed outside a cosy little indian shop - $5 Eyebrow Threading, $10 Face, $15 Full Face, and then there's this picture of a beautiful indian lady holding a string of white thread in her hands & mouth.

Ok, to mark Deepavali (which was yesterday), I decided to give it a virgin go. Who knows, I may end up looking like that pretty poster gal, with her well-defined brows, large eyes, smooth skin, sharp nose.... right? =P

I've heard abt how painful threading can get, but thought I'm garang enough to tahan whatever pain they are going to inflict. I mean, I'm a toughie right, so bring it on! Alrights... it IS quite painful. But it's also super amazing how deftly the indian ladies can, with just a simple, humble string, pluck out all those ugly stray hair with a few swipes of their hands. Swoosh swoosh, to the left, to the right, and all the hair gets removed, roots and all, leaving behind silky smooth upper eye lids with nicely defined brows. Painful with a capital P (at one pt, a few millitres of tears threatened to spill out of eye sockets) but very effective and efficient. 5 min, it's all done. Cheap too - compared to the $15-$20 the Takashimaya cosmetic counter gals charge, with their scary blades and scissors.

Never underestimate the combination of the Indian lady and her humble string (absolutely no other equipment was used during the whole process). It's a skill that I hope will be passed on from generation to generation. That way, I can bring my children (if I end up having any) to experience this unique culture too.

The pain was worth it. Go try. You won't end up as pretty as the poster gal, but close. =)

Two Things

Number 1:
Witnessed a disturbing scene today. An elderly woman (80+ of age) lying on the ground, with blood flowing out of the wound on her head, joining the sizeable puddle of fresh, red liquid on the tiled floor. Think she's at most 1/4 conscious. Eyes closed, with mouth only slightly twitching. Crying relatives held up her limp body, trying to talk to/reassure her (and themselves) while waiting for the ambulance. The medic arrived, pulled an oxygen mask over her face, then stretchered her into the vehicle, leaving the bloody remnants. As I stared at the big red pool, I felt cold sweat form on my forehead, and a desire to vomit. This is, I think, the 2nd time I felt this way. The last I heard, this ah ma underwent surgery to remove the massive clots in her brain. 60% chance of making it. Give your own elderly relatives a hug today and tell them to always be very careful when walking.

Number 2:
Experienced a culture shock today. Chaired an ad hoc meeting (related to my new portfolio next year), thinking it'd be relatively smooth. Just make a few annoucements and give out some meaningful tasks, what's the big deal, right? How very wrong. I underestimated the 'aggressive' quotient of this group of personnel. And I probably also underestimated the 'sensitivity' of the matters discussed. The past 2 yrs had been about projects, free & easy, light & fluffy, continually evolving, limited only by how creative/daring you are, nothing really super tangible at stake. Starting from now, it's a whole new ball game, with a whole new bunch of ppl, and much much higher stakes. And today is my first lesson. It was really deflating when all the questions/'opposition' flew... thought I actually shrunk deeper into my seat. A half hr meeting turned into 1.5hr. Looking back, I now think it's a little comical. =P In for a tough ride, buddy, so better quickly wake up your idea, learn as much as you can, as quickly as you can, and manage as best as you can. Whew.... such a big difference from what I used to do/am doing. Haiz.. wonder if I can make it. =P

Ponder

Met up with my lab mate earlier.

He looked so much more cheerful and at peace with himself compared to 5yrs ago. So much more willing to share and so much less hurt. Comfortable with what he is doing, know where he is heading, happy with his life. Perhaps it's his finding of his soul mate, his counterpart, his complement, his stabilizer.

I appreciate the meet-up tonight because he's definitely not someone I'd say is 'voluntarily sociable'. The updates came freely and this is precious since he's always favored privacy. But, at the same time, I find myself pre-occupied after the meet up. I am awed, once again, by the power of love. And I wonder about destiny. Life is fair... or is it not?

And then, my previous entry abt the 3 different kinds of friendship provoked a friend into saying that she realised she 'had misunderstood the spirit of our friendship and caused me grief... and that it is sobering but she will accept it and move on.'

Believe it or not. I posted that part of the article on a whim. Without intention to send any subtle message to anyone. Just thought it thought-provoking. But then again.. it is indeed not wrong to think about the whole 'underlying issue'. Perhaps, she is right afterall. But so what? And what now? Questions... that perhaps know no mutually satisfying answers.

Paulo Coelho wrote - 'Each human being was given a virtue: the ability to choose. Anyone who fails to use this virtue transforms it into a curse, and others will choose for them.'

There may or may not be any link of that quote to all that I've written above. Somehow... I like the sound of it, here.