2 weeks early

2 more weeks to our Nation's birthday. A seasoned dame at 44.

Yesterday, someone in the office reminded us to jot down thoughts on some institution-circulated note slip (a kinda 'complete the blank' version) - 'I am proud to be a Singaporean because....'

Several thoughts fleeted through my mind:
- because there is such a large diversity of yummy food in tiny red dot
- because this is where I grow up and experience my many firsts (first school, date, job, volunteer work, death..)
- because this is where most (can no longer say 'all') of my friends and family are
- because this is such a safe and orderly place (some say too orderly and boring)
- because this is where we are blissfully sheltered from natural disasters, and systems & people are effective yet minimally (or outrightly) corrupted

Of course, little island could be a better place (to be fair, any place can be a better place):
- greater respect and protection for worthy national treasures (the real National Library, Chek Jawa, old neighbourhoods) in their original (not remade until unrecognizable) states
- bigger space for, sincere acceptance of and active outreach towards ppl with diverse views (on politics, sexuality, rootedness)
- greater consideration turned into concrete infrastructural assistance for the less fortunate (for the physically disabled, intellectually challenged and even our 'normal' aged)

I may not be in town when the Nation blows out its candles on the birthday cake, but it doesn't make me any less Singaporean. This, I wonder if the older generations (particularly our leaders) would understand and accept.

One final comment - with all due respect to the hard work that those involved must have been put in, this year's NDP song is a real let-down. An absolute disconnect. Totally unstirring. I miss the good old days where all, young and old, clapped and sang along to catchy heartfelt versions of easily-understood, meaningful, distinctive and uplifting celebratory songs.

Happy Birthday in advance, little red chilli padi.

Screaming and Sweating

Oh man... after a 3wk absence, the return to 2hrs of back-to-back gym classes was a killer! And it didn't help that the instructors for both classes decided to push us to our limits as it was a FRIDAY.. 'in anticipation of all the eating and drinking (read: calorie-piling) we'd be doing over the weekend' - they said. Bleh.

3/4 of my way through the first Body Pump class, I told myself that I'd just stick to 1 class today. By the end of it however, I decided that it was simply not environmentally friendly to have the washing machine work on my gym clothes after just 1 session of sweat, so decided to stay around for the 2nd class (Body Combat), with the intention of walking out anytime my heart hints at giving way. Boy, am I glad I stayed. The participants of the 2nd class were a totally wonked out group - they (both guys and gals who did not seem to be acquainted) screamed and shouted in unison and with delirium as they punched and kicked the air, with one power lady letting out a 5sec long shrill scream every time a certain combo was executed. The atmosphere was totally electrifying but also super hilarious (to me) - can't help but grin myself silly throughout. If it weren't for their highly enthused vocal expressions, I would not have lasted 10min.

So there, after a solid dripping-wet 2 hrs of exertion, I felt that familiar ache in the muscles return. What a shiok feeling. I may just hit the gym on Fridays in future, for that seem to be when all inhibitions are released.

Can't post pics?!

Back from HCM for abt a week now. Dad enjoyed the trip, except for the crazy motorbike traffic and sweltering afternoon heat. He loved the thick coffee and the crisp baguettes. And I, the cheap local beer and fresh steamboat hotpots.

Tried posting pics up here a few times over the last couple of days to no avail. Hmmm... a bug?