After 6 months of haitus.. it's time to blog back again.. New semester was stressful as a whole (approaching exam time soon), did tri races and volunteered them too...
O Levels for my youth at this point, and well it seemed that it really 'grind' them well over the past weeks.. But one thing i question: What if they don't get to where they want to go? I see their blogs, and I am so worried for them, that if they did not do well, it's like the 'end of the world' for some... Guess O level is another 'test' for them. Pray that they will be able to see deeper than just gaining the grades..
Oh well, they will still do better than me anyway: Getting a D7 for English destroyed all hopes of going into JCs, and L1R5=20 then is like going to JCs that are far away from my home. Poly did wrong course (in a sense, wanted to do Chem stuff, but got Biotech!), stayed for another 1 semester, due to fail Engg. Math. Got a chance to study in NIE (to teach of course!), and was blessed with the dream of every Dip. Ed holder: Crossover to do degree prog. Now 6 more months to complete another sem before going into the working world...
In retrospect, He worked it all out for me.. Good grades in Science (and overall) allowed me to do Biotech, which was essential to teach Science at primary school level. Though I stayed in Poly longer, I managed to help a peer of mine who was drifting away from God in his studies (He's a Christian minister now, ministering in the East). Met my juniors in Poly, whom I attended 1 of their weddings recently.
Redo O Level English as a private student in 2004 and got B3, which means no English Proficiency Test and chance to apply to NIE to teach... At NIE,I was supposed to teach 3 subjects (Eng, Math, Sci) and I did something rare: I dropped English for Art (??). By grace, did well enough (4.04/5 GPA) to do degree prog and my Uni major? English Language...
Hmm..hmm.. At the end of the day, He has a plan for all of us. Sound cliche, but as I see my past and now reflecting upon it, I can only say that God is working throughout my journey at this point. All glory to Him.. To all who are preparing for exams, continue to prepare and work hard, but trust in the One who leads the way for you and go for His plan.. Enjoy...
Yeo
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
2 weeks after Sundown..
Aiyo.. It's been 2 weekends since I have put in something.. Have been busy with the planning for a mission event for the youths, and preparing for the upcoming youth camp in my church!
See ya and do look out for my upcoming logs! Heehee.
See ya and do look out for my upcoming logs! Heehee.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Adidas Sundown Marathon 2009..
For more information, go to www.sundownmarathon.com.
No la. What they provide in the webbie is technical information pertaining to the details. My experience are as follows:
I left my home on Sat night at 9pm and reached at the venue (Changi Coast Park) at around 1030pm. After digging out my essentials from my bag, I deposited my bag and proceeded to the open field, where they were presenting prizes for the women's 10k, team and corporate challenge (4x10.5k). What are my essentials? 2 knee sleeves, 1 ankle guard, 4 packets of McDonalds salt, 8 packs of GU energy gels, 4 plasters and an empty bottle, which proved critical in the whole race. Also not forgeting the race belt and tag..heehee.
Went to the toilet twice prior to the race start and started to warm myself up for the race. My next pee time? 7 and a half hours later, which means throughout the race I did not go to the pee room. Anyways, imagine the time line prior to the start: 2320hrs: Warm up, 2340hrs: Gulp up 1 energy gel (Mint Chocolate! Thanks Sarah!), 2350hrs: Gobbled up one pack of McD salt! (Lowers down possibility of cramps) 2359hrs: Airhorn!!
At the start of the run, we had the change to see a jumbo jet flying past us as we start. Was really excited to run at night. Most of the time, there will be distance markers indicating to the runners the distance they travelled. Some of the runners took out their mobile phones and started clicking at every marker. Some even took photos with their friends with cameras! Really a great time to cherish and click with peers!
Back to the race. My race strategy was one scary one: Run throughout the race, taking energy gels starting from the 8km mark, and after which every 5km after. Water to be taken from the water points and 100plus to substain electrolyte levels. At 21km, gulp up a pack of McD salt and run till the end. At the first water point, I knew that my plan cannot work out, as there were too many people at the water points, which may slow me down (I'm slow anyway). The first few water points were like 'ants running to honey' and I had to skip many of the stations. The empty bottle was my saviour, providing me with water to complement my gel absorption. Phew!
My race pace was 8.30-9.30min per km for the first 17km, then I could not take it anymore and i decided to walk, and I realized that a run-walk strategy was the best solution to complete the race. I decided to walk and walk quickly, trying to keep pace with my running time. I walked for 25km, each km slower and slower..Sigh. Should have trained more to cope with the stress of marathon running. At the 21k mark, I reached out for my pockets and guess what? My salt packets were gone! Due to the sweat and abrasions produced in the pockets, they were wet and broke in the pockets.. Aiya! Gotta continue on the race and replenish my salt from my gels.
Gel time! I took the gels at 7, 12, 17, 22, 26, 31, 36, 41km. Was really hard to eat them, as 7 of them were Mint chocolate flavor (not available in Singapore), and the others were strawberry banana and lime. I think I will not eat chocolate for a week!!
Back to the sharing: 5km towards the finish, I felt something funny on my crotch area -Abrasions! I had plasters on my nipples (!!) to prevent abrasions while running, but never did I expect it to happen there! Walking becomes harder and I had to spread my legs while walking to minimise the pain. Towards the end of the race, I ran slow to the finish! The legs were heavy and the body was tired, but for the finish, I ran through and completed the race in 7:00:20. Ah! The euphoria, the pain was worth it!
Throughout the race, I saw alot of things. From volunteers cheering the runners on, to people stopping to stretch their muscles, to runners taking off their clothes to ward off the heat (women too!), nothing is impossible or surprising in a race! The aid stations were always filled with people, till when I started walking, then the runners were more spread out and I was able to get my drinks and fill up my bottle at the stations.
Running at night poses a completely different scenario for all: Though it is cooler in the night (still humid though), many people running at night cause a drastic decrease of oxygen and it can be a struggle competing with people for oxygen. Night running also forces your bio. clock to shift and some people may tend to be lethargic at certain times of the night.. Throughout the walking phase of the marathon, I had to breathe in hard to provide my body with the oxygen, as I am anaemic, and sometimes I do it with my head hung low, like a triathlete on the aerobars of his bike!
I learnt a few things through the race: First, I learnt to respect the race and distance. The lack of training (30km at night over 2 weeks) and assumption that I was able to run throughout the race was the killer blow and I was humbled by the experience. Secondly, I can endure! I thank God that I can run and walk throughout the race without stopping (other than in aid stations). There were times when I wanted to DNF (did not finish), but I tell myself that I will not, even if I have to walk or roll or crawl, I will not DNF. Persevere on and you will be rewarded.
There are many people that I want to thank in this race! The volunteers were great, preparing the drinks, cheering the runners on a time where they could have slept at home or doing other things, kudos to them! Thanks Sarah for her GU gels from US! For those who had prayed for the runners and myself, thank you. The empty bottle was also something to thank, without the bottle I would have no water to dilute the gels, causing GI distress and possibility stop my race!
Thank God that I finished the race. For without God, this is impossible for me to attain.
The morning of Changi Coast Park was beautiful... I hope to see it again next year...
No la. What they provide in the webbie is technical information pertaining to the details. My experience are as follows:
I left my home on Sat night at 9pm and reached at the venue (Changi Coast Park) at around 1030pm. After digging out my essentials from my bag, I deposited my bag and proceeded to the open field, where they were presenting prizes for the women's 10k, team and corporate challenge (4x10.5k). What are my essentials? 2 knee sleeves, 1 ankle guard, 4 packets of McDonalds salt, 8 packs of GU energy gels, 4 plasters and an empty bottle, which proved critical in the whole race. Also not forgeting the race belt and tag..heehee.
Went to the toilet twice prior to the race start and started to warm myself up for the race. My next pee time? 7 and a half hours later, which means throughout the race I did not go to the pee room. Anyways, imagine the time line prior to the start: 2320hrs: Warm up, 2340hrs: Gulp up 1 energy gel (Mint Chocolate! Thanks Sarah!), 2350hrs: Gobbled up one pack of McD salt! (Lowers down possibility of cramps) 2359hrs: Airhorn!!
At the start of the run, we had the change to see a jumbo jet flying past us as we start. Was really excited to run at night. Most of the time, there will be distance markers indicating to the runners the distance they travelled. Some of the runners took out their mobile phones and started clicking at every marker. Some even took photos with their friends with cameras! Really a great time to cherish and click with peers!
Back to the race. My race strategy was one scary one: Run throughout the race, taking energy gels starting from the 8km mark, and after which every 5km after. Water to be taken from the water points and 100plus to substain electrolyte levels. At 21km, gulp up a pack of McD salt and run till the end. At the first water point, I knew that my plan cannot work out, as there were too many people at the water points, which may slow me down (I'm slow anyway). The first few water points were like 'ants running to honey' and I had to skip many of the stations. The empty bottle was my saviour, providing me with water to complement my gel absorption. Phew!
My race pace was 8.30-9.30min per km for the first 17km, then I could not take it anymore and i decided to walk, and I realized that a run-walk strategy was the best solution to complete the race. I decided to walk and walk quickly, trying to keep pace with my running time. I walked for 25km, each km slower and slower..Sigh. Should have trained more to cope with the stress of marathon running. At the 21k mark, I reached out for my pockets and guess what? My salt packets were gone! Due to the sweat and abrasions produced in the pockets, they were wet and broke in the pockets.. Aiya! Gotta continue on the race and replenish my salt from my gels.
Gel time! I took the gels at 7, 12, 17, 22, 26, 31, 36, 41km. Was really hard to eat them, as 7 of them were Mint chocolate flavor (not available in Singapore), and the others were strawberry banana and lime. I think I will not eat chocolate for a week!!
Back to the sharing: 5km towards the finish, I felt something funny on my crotch area -Abrasions! I had plasters on my nipples (!!) to prevent abrasions while running, but never did I expect it to happen there! Walking becomes harder and I had to spread my legs while walking to minimise the pain. Towards the end of the race, I ran slow to the finish! The legs were heavy and the body was tired, but for the finish, I ran through and completed the race in 7:00:20. Ah! The euphoria, the pain was worth it!
Throughout the race, I saw alot of things. From volunteers cheering the runners on, to people stopping to stretch their muscles, to runners taking off their clothes to ward off the heat (women too!), nothing is impossible or surprising in a race! The aid stations were always filled with people, till when I started walking, then the runners were more spread out and I was able to get my drinks and fill up my bottle at the stations.
Running at night poses a completely different scenario for all: Though it is cooler in the night (still humid though), many people running at night cause a drastic decrease of oxygen and it can be a struggle competing with people for oxygen. Night running also forces your bio. clock to shift and some people may tend to be lethargic at certain times of the night.. Throughout the walking phase of the marathon, I had to breathe in hard to provide my body with the oxygen, as I am anaemic, and sometimes I do it with my head hung low, like a triathlete on the aerobars of his bike!
I learnt a few things through the race: First, I learnt to respect the race and distance. The lack of training (30km at night over 2 weeks) and assumption that I was able to run throughout the race was the killer blow and I was humbled by the experience. Secondly, I can endure! I thank God that I can run and walk throughout the race without stopping (other than in aid stations). There were times when I wanted to DNF (did not finish), but I tell myself that I will not, even if I have to walk or roll or crawl, I will not DNF. Persevere on and you will be rewarded.
There are many people that I want to thank in this race! The volunteers were great, preparing the drinks, cheering the runners on a time where they could have slept at home or doing other things, kudos to them! Thanks Sarah for her GU gels from US! For those who had prayed for the runners and myself, thank you. The empty bottle was also something to thank, without the bottle I would have no water to dilute the gels, causing GI distress and possibility stop my race!
Thank God that I finished the race. For without God, this is impossible for me to attain.
The morning of Changi Coast Park was beautiful... I hope to see it again next year...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
D-Day, 30th May 2009, 2359hrs...
The title sounds like cut off time for NS guys to go back to camp huh? No la.. It's the start time for 42.2km runners for the Sundown Marathon 2009. After 3 days of homecooked pasta and slackness at home, it's time to run the race!
Stress? Excited? I guess I have both and more. It's never easy completing a marathon, furthermore with 4 bridges and the night ahead of you, it's going to be a mental challenge completing it.
To all runners that I know (Justin, Chee Weng, Eric, David, Aloysius), all the best for the race and break your PBs! I don't have any for this distance so I set up my PB tonight!
Stress? Excited? I guess I have both and more. It's never easy completing a marathon, furthermore with 4 bridges and the night ahead of you, it's going to be a mental challenge completing it.
To all runners that I know (Justin, Chee Weng, Eric, David, Aloysius), all the best for the race and break your PBs! I don't have any for this distance so I set up my PB tonight!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
My rebellious years.. (P4-6)
Describing the next 3 years of my life as rebellious and cocky was suitable, as these were the qualities that I possessed..
I remembered that when I was in P3, I was able to answer a difficult math question in one of the assembly period in school, in which one of my schoolmate, Alan got the answer. But i went out to answer. Because of that answering of question, I was known in school as a clever person. I got attention, but I was not content by it. I think that incident triggered a series of things that caused me to be moving to the 'dark side'. Anyway, I was already in the dark side in the eyes of God then, for I did not know God and was a sinner in His Eyes..
Pri 4 was a time of rebellion for me: Incomplete work and corrections, my grades went down and I was always punished by my FT, Mr Leong CW as a result of my unfinished work. Primary 5 was worse: I remembered being caned by my teacher for not completing my homework and still go for hockey competition. I was caned in front of the class and I was very ashamed of myself.
There was an incident which displayed my cockiness in front of the whole school, and I think i lost the respect of my peers in school. I remembered that it was a environment competition, and I did a lot of research prior to it, as such I was quite knowledgable about it. On the day itself, there was a question that was posed to my opponent's team. They answered wrongly, and immediately I laughed loudly at them, not knowing after a while that people were looking at me. My laughter was like of "Aiyo so easy to answer, how can they got it wrong!!" that kind of mentality.. That's it...
As a whole, primary school was great for me. I remembered having quite a few CCAs such as choir, prefectorial board, audio-resource club and a bit of hockey. After PSLE, it was really sad for me to leave school, but life still had to go on and what's ahead would be more challenging and exciting.
Next blog section, my secondary school years.. A time where many youth go through to search for their identity...
I remembered that when I was in P3, I was able to answer a difficult math question in one of the assembly period in school, in which one of my schoolmate, Alan got the answer. But i went out to answer. Because of that answering of question, I was known in school as a clever person. I got attention, but I was not content by it. I think that incident triggered a series of things that caused me to be moving to the 'dark side'. Anyway, I was already in the dark side in the eyes of God then, for I did not know God and was a sinner in His Eyes..
Pri 4 was a time of rebellion for me: Incomplete work and corrections, my grades went down and I was always punished by my FT, Mr Leong CW as a result of my unfinished work. Primary 5 was worse: I remembered being caned by my teacher for not completing my homework and still go for hockey competition. I was caned in front of the class and I was very ashamed of myself.
There was an incident which displayed my cockiness in front of the whole school, and I think i lost the respect of my peers in school. I remembered that it was a environment competition, and I did a lot of research prior to it, as such I was quite knowledgable about it. On the day itself, there was a question that was posed to my opponent's team. They answered wrongly, and immediately I laughed loudly at them, not knowing after a while that people were looking at me. My laughter was like of "Aiyo so easy to answer, how can they got it wrong!!" that kind of mentality.. That's it...
As a whole, primary school was great for me. I remembered having quite a few CCAs such as choir, prefectorial board, audio-resource club and a bit of hockey. After PSLE, it was really sad for me to leave school, but life still had to go on and what's ahead would be more challenging and exciting.
Next blog section, my secondary school years.. A time where many youth go through to search for their identity...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My Primay School Years (P 1-3)
Back to blogging stuff about my life.. Guess it's another way that I can remember things, just in case I get Alzhemier's Disease later in my life (must play more mahjong!)...
From Redhill, my family moved house to Margaret Drive, which my parents bought 2nd-hand in 1987. I stayed there for around 12 years, before moving to my present home in Stirling Road. It was a great place to stay then , with a food centre, library, polyclinic, 2 churches, a secondary school (Queensway) and a shopping centre within walking distance. My primary school was 2 bus stops away. Sadly things change, and the shopping centre was demolished, the polyclinic was shifted and the primary school renovated...
Back to my little life. I was in Queenstown Pri from 1988-1993, with Mrs Yeo (P1/1) and Ms Maria Choy (P2/1, 3/1) as my FTs. Life then was simple: 30 cents for a small bowl of mee or mee rebus, and snacks at cheap prices. Learning was simple and free from stress.. The first 2 years of my school life was simple, but at P2, my FT made a deep impression in my life. Her presence in my life for 2 years was critical in where I wanted to go today - teaching profession. It's been almost 20 years since we lost contact though, wonder how she is now...
It was in P3 where I experienced 'puppy love' (heehee). There was this Indonesian girl who was in my class for a period of time, 1 month I think. Her name was Rosemary (still can remember!!) and she was a cute and beautiful girl (blush). Though there were no obvious signs or actions that I did then to express my 'love', I remembered crying in secret (Put an open book up on the table and cry behind) when my FT shared with us that she would be leaving our class to go back to Indonesia. I thinked Ms Choy knew about something, but did not elaborate... So embarassing!
On a side note, there was something happening then, that in a sense paved my way to know the Lord. For a period of time, I would saw a middle aged guy, sitting down in a coffee shop near my home and whenever I walked passed him after school, he will stop me and talked to me. Interestingly, i was comfortable talking to him for a while. This continued for a while, till I did not see him there anymore..To be continued..
Anyways, my life as a pre-teen then was far much better compared to now, where kids got so many work to complete.. Sigh. Next blog, i will talk about life in P4-6, where I changed for the worse!!
Take care and rest well!
From Redhill, my family moved house to Margaret Drive, which my parents bought 2nd-hand in 1987. I stayed there for around 12 years, before moving to my present home in Stirling Road. It was a great place to stay then , with a food centre, library, polyclinic, 2 churches, a secondary school (Queensway) and a shopping centre within walking distance. My primary school was 2 bus stops away. Sadly things change, and the shopping centre was demolished, the polyclinic was shifted and the primary school renovated...
Back to my little life. I was in Queenstown Pri from 1988-1993, with Mrs Yeo (P1/1) and Ms Maria Choy (P2/1, 3/1) as my FTs. Life then was simple: 30 cents for a small bowl of mee or mee rebus, and snacks at cheap prices. Learning was simple and free from stress.. The first 2 years of my school life was simple, but at P2, my FT made a deep impression in my life. Her presence in my life for 2 years was critical in where I wanted to go today - teaching profession. It's been almost 20 years since we lost contact though, wonder how she is now...
It was in P3 where I experienced 'puppy love' (heehee). There was this Indonesian girl who was in my class for a period of time, 1 month I think. Her name was Rosemary (still can remember!!) and she was a cute and beautiful girl (blush). Though there were no obvious signs or actions that I did then to express my 'love', I remembered crying in secret (Put an open book up on the table and cry behind) when my FT shared with us that she would be leaving our class to go back to Indonesia. I thinked Ms Choy knew about something, but did not elaborate... So embarassing!
On a side note, there was something happening then, that in a sense paved my way to know the Lord. For a period of time, I would saw a middle aged guy, sitting down in a coffee shop near my home and whenever I walked passed him after school, he will stop me and talked to me. Interestingly, i was comfortable talking to him for a while. This continued for a while, till I did not see him there anymore..To be continued..
Anyways, my life as a pre-teen then was far much better compared to now, where kids got so many work to complete.. Sigh. Next blog, i will talk about life in P4-6, where I changed for the worse!!
Take care and rest well!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
My Life: Life as a toddler...
Another day has passed. Today is my 2nd nephew's birthday! 1yr old, so whole family went out to walk around and have fun. Peace at home for today!
Back to my series, heehee. I lived with my maternal granny for almost 6 years (as a toddler), and I stayed in her one-room rented flat in Bukit Merah View. The flat is still there, but it will be returned to the government soon, as my 3rd auntie has found a new home and this old flat will be vacated for others to live. I would stay with her during weekdays and will return to my parents on weekends, and I would always cry when I was brought to my parents' home and she left off..Guess this is what happens when we are close knit with someone whom we know and stayed for a long time.
One thing that i liked to do then was to move around. I was eager to look around my neighbourhood and even out of it, to see what was interesting 'out there'. One of the toys that I has was a red plastic car, which I found in a rubbish chute. The car was able to fit a toddler and had feet pedals that could make the car move when it is pressed to and fro. It also had a 'real' steering wheel to turn the car around. Boy was I excited when I took it out of the home to ride, getting the feel of riding at a young age! Sadly, the car was thrown away, caused it did not fit me anymore. I was really sad when I heard from my granny that it was thrown away...
I remembered one vivid incident at the age of 4-5, which shocked my grandma and my mom. Up till now, I really marvelled my ability to do that: I went out of home! My granny was doing her things in the kitchen and the front door was open. So I went out, took a lift down, walked to the main street, hailed a cab and went to Taman Ho Swee, where my 4th Auntie was staying then. When I got there, I was really one crying boy and my parents? One worried pair of adults. I was thinking: If not for the nice taxi driver who really brought me to THS, I would have no idea where I would be today!!
Up till the age of 6, I was living with my granny. After 6, my parents decided to stop putting me at my granny's home and move house to Margaret Drive, where I would spend my next 12 years in...The next section of my blog: My primary school days (Yr 1-3)..
Take care and thanks for reading!
Back to my series, heehee. I lived with my maternal granny for almost 6 years (as a toddler), and I stayed in her one-room rented flat in Bukit Merah View. The flat is still there, but it will be returned to the government soon, as my 3rd auntie has found a new home and this old flat will be vacated for others to live. I would stay with her during weekdays and will return to my parents on weekends, and I would always cry when I was brought to my parents' home and she left off..Guess this is what happens when we are close knit with someone whom we know and stayed for a long time.
One thing that i liked to do then was to move around. I was eager to look around my neighbourhood and even out of it, to see what was interesting 'out there'. One of the toys that I has was a red plastic car, which I found in a rubbish chute. The car was able to fit a toddler and had feet pedals that could make the car move when it is pressed to and fro. It also had a 'real' steering wheel to turn the car around. Boy was I excited when I took it out of the home to ride, getting the feel of riding at a young age! Sadly, the car was thrown away, caused it did not fit me anymore. I was really sad when I heard from my granny that it was thrown away...
I remembered one vivid incident at the age of 4-5, which shocked my grandma and my mom. Up till now, I really marvelled my ability to do that: I went out of home! My granny was doing her things in the kitchen and the front door was open. So I went out, took a lift down, walked to the main street, hailed a cab and went to Taman Ho Swee, where my 4th Auntie was staying then. When I got there, I was really one crying boy and my parents? One worried pair of adults. I was thinking: If not for the nice taxi driver who really brought me to THS, I would have no idea where I would be today!!
Up till the age of 6, I was living with my granny. After 6, my parents decided to stop putting me at my granny's home and move house to Margaret Drive, where I would spend my next 12 years in...The next section of my blog: My primary school days (Yr 1-3)..
Take care and thanks for reading!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Series on My Life...
Holidays have come! Been busy (instead of bored) over preparation for church event, camps and other activities.. Today will start of with a series of blogs about me and my life, so that people can know me a little bit more. I will still keep certain things secret, heehee lest the news come out as headlines in tabloids...Haha.
I was born in March 18, 1981 on a Wednesday in a one room flat in Redhill, Blk 142. Actually that was where I lived as a infant. The empty space now near Redhill MRT is a plot of land planned for a condo. I was born in Kendang Kerbau Hospital, where most of the people of my generation were born.
I remembered my mom told me that I was so anxious to come out and see the world, a part of my head was already out of my mom's vagina, before the trip to the hospital. And guess what? She tried to contract it so that i will still be inside my mom's womb, at least till she got to KK and delivered me. That cause my head to be cone-shaped when i 'popped' out. She told me that during the first few days of my life, she will use her palm to rub off the tip of my head, in hope that the tip will not swell that badly. And it worked! Even though till today the bump can still be felt, I wondered what I would be like if she did not rubbed my head..
Compared to my older sister and younger bro, I was one who liked to sleep, after milk time. That made my mom's life much much easier (though there would be times where I made my parents' lives miserable too!). Ah, I was under the care of my maternal granny (who passed away in 2006) for the first few years of my life. For those of us who were like me, our granny is one that we loved much. She would take care of me, bring me out for walks and ride on those 20cent kiddy rides found near provision shops... What a good time that was!!
Will stop here la.. Continue to look forward to my next blog entry: Life as a toddler...
Yeo
I was born in March 18, 1981 on a Wednesday in a one room flat in Redhill, Blk 142. Actually that was where I lived as a infant. The empty space now near Redhill MRT is a plot of land planned for a condo. I was born in Kendang Kerbau Hospital, where most of the people of my generation were born.
I remembered my mom told me that I was so anxious to come out and see the world, a part of my head was already out of my mom's vagina, before the trip to the hospital. And guess what? She tried to contract it so that i will still be inside my mom's womb, at least till she got to KK and delivered me. That cause my head to be cone-shaped when i 'popped' out. She told me that during the first few days of my life, she will use her palm to rub off the tip of my head, in hope that the tip will not swell that badly. And it worked! Even though till today the bump can still be felt, I wondered what I would be like if she did not rubbed my head..
Compared to my older sister and younger bro, I was one who liked to sleep, after milk time. That made my mom's life much much easier (though there would be times where I made my parents' lives miserable too!). Ah, I was under the care of my maternal granny (who passed away in 2006) for the first few years of my life. For those of us who were like me, our granny is one that we loved much. She would take care of me, bring me out for walks and ride on those 20cent kiddy rides found near provision shops... What a good time that was!!
Will stop here la.. Continue to look forward to my next blog entry: Life as a toddler...
Yeo
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Gone is my IM Malaysia 2010...
I was looking at the NIE study schedule for the upcoming year, and I realize that my goal of participating in IM Malaysia in 2010 was dashed.. The term break starts on the 27th Feb, one day before the event itself. I thought that it would be a week earlier, at least I will have one week to pack and go. So for at least 5 years, I will not be able to go, due to the fact that the date clashes with my teaching period in schools. Haha.. so long IM Malaysia, welcome IM Western Australia! Held during school holidays, that's the only opportunity for me to complete something that I want to do,,,
Holidays are just 1 week old.. and I am a little bored.. Though there are things to plan (International Ministry Conference (Youth) 09), complete (Sundown Marathon, Reservist), help out (One Camp Reloaded), there seemed to be too much free time to spare for now. Best thing to do is to rest well to achieve the things listed and targets set.
For those who are still in exam fever, all the best and remember to take some Panadol/Aspirin to cool the fever down!
Holidays are just 1 week old.. and I am a little bored.. Though there are things to plan (International Ministry Conference (Youth) 09), complete (Sundown Marathon, Reservist), help out (One Camp Reloaded), there seemed to be too much free time to spare for now. Best thing to do is to rest well to achieve the things listed and targets set.
For those who are still in exam fever, all the best and remember to take some Panadol/Aspirin to cool the fever down!
Monday, April 27, 2009
"Why did you cheat us?"
Around 6 hours ago, I finished my last paper for my exams this semester. I was glad that it was over, especially the last 2 papers which are very tough (to me).. Despite the air of happiness and relief, I was a little troubled by a comment made by a peer of mine, who observed something in the discussion board for one of the exam module that I took.
It came out to be the heading of this comment, "Why did you cheat us?". It seemed that one of the questions that came out in the exam paper was something that all of us did not expect to come out. It was stated by the lecturer that 2 questions in section B will come out from 2 specific parts of the textbook (Part 1 and 3), and the unexpected question came up from part 2. As a result, a post was added, voicing his/her anger over the issue (even though the board is 'closed'). In a sense, i was one of the affected too, and did a question which I was not very familiar with in that section. I did not look into the questions until the comment was made this afternoon..
While the accusation was justified (the lecturer had said it in her last lecture and she DID NOT state that the section was included), I think the person might have been a little too sensitive on this. I do not think that the lecturers of the module had the motive/want to cheat us delibrately. It could be a mistake done on the powerpoint presentation or the lecturers did not see the questions properly and provided wrong info. Yes, we had one less question to choose, but we are supposed to be proficient in the module at the end of the semester and I think that that question could be there for us to work on too. (Though I do not dare to say that I am good in this module.)
Hope that this mistake does not affect our results.. But it seems to reflect certain expectations of our lecturers as people who must provide us with absolutely correct and accurate answers in their lectures and tutorials. We are not perfect and we make mistakes, how much more the lecturers.. So do give a thought for them...
Wonder what will happen to me if people see this post.. Will I have a pighead infront of my home, or worse still get swine flu??
It came out to be the heading of this comment, "Why did you cheat us?". It seemed that one of the questions that came out in the exam paper was something that all of us did not expect to come out. It was stated by the lecturer that 2 questions in section B will come out from 2 specific parts of the textbook (Part 1 and 3), and the unexpected question came up from part 2. As a result, a post was added, voicing his/her anger over the issue (even though the board is 'closed'). In a sense, i was one of the affected too, and did a question which I was not very familiar with in that section. I did not look into the questions until the comment was made this afternoon..
While the accusation was justified (the lecturer had said it in her last lecture and she DID NOT state that the section was included), I think the person might have been a little too sensitive on this. I do not think that the lecturers of the module had the motive/want to cheat us delibrately. It could be a mistake done on the powerpoint presentation or the lecturers did not see the questions properly and provided wrong info. Yes, we had one less question to choose, but we are supposed to be proficient in the module at the end of the semester and I think that that question could be there for us to work on too. (Though I do not dare to say that I am good in this module.)
Hope that this mistake does not affect our results.. But it seems to reflect certain expectations of our lecturers as people who must provide us with absolutely correct and accurate answers in their lectures and tutorials. We are not perfect and we make mistakes, how much more the lecturers.. So do give a thought for them...
Wonder what will happen to me if people see this post.. Will I have a pighead infront of my home, or worse still get swine flu??
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Life of a Sports Volunteer...
Exams are not over yet for me, but just to type my experience out from something that I am passionate about: Volunteering for Sports Events...
I remembered the first event that i volunteered for: Bike Marshall for the inaugural Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore in 2007. Simply said, I came and waited from 12am to 3am (to rest, for the meeting time was 3am), and at 5am we were posted to our spots. Bearing the sun and rain towards the end of the work, we ended around 2pm. It was a lonely but exciting moment, seeing all the sexy bikes of the riders passing through me.. hehee.
Yesterday, I was volunteering for TAS for the Interschool Aquathlon 09 as a sweeper. I do not hold a broom, but my role was to follow the last person of the race in his run leg. I was at ECP E2 carpark at 1115am, but my work starts only at 2pm, so in the midst of waiting, I went around the area to look look.. Seeing the children and their excited parents in this race was a nice moment. Children as young as Pri 1,2 swam 200m and 1km for their race, and the older guys and gals will do a sprint distance (i.e. 750swim, 5km run). Some photos are available in my Facebook webbie..
It was a great time basking in the sun and having fun helping out.. I think that by volunteering, it's a great start to famaliarize yourself to the sport. If you are an athlete, it will be a learning experience of how the people at the 'back' worked hard to make the events a success..
Will read up on the notes before I Zzz.. Take care..
Yeo
I remembered the first event that i volunteered for: Bike Marshall for the inaugural Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore in 2007. Simply said, I came and waited from 12am to 3am (to rest, for the meeting time was 3am), and at 5am we were posted to our spots. Bearing the sun and rain towards the end of the work, we ended around 2pm. It was a lonely but exciting moment, seeing all the sexy bikes of the riders passing through me.. hehee.
Yesterday, I was volunteering for TAS for the Interschool Aquathlon 09 as a sweeper. I do not hold a broom, but my role was to follow the last person of the race in his run leg. I was at ECP E2 carpark at 1115am, but my work starts only at 2pm, so in the midst of waiting, I went around the area to look look.. Seeing the children and their excited parents in this race was a nice moment. Children as young as Pri 1,2 swam 200m and 1km for their race, and the older guys and gals will do a sprint distance (i.e. 750swim, 5km run). Some photos are available in my Facebook webbie..
It was a great time basking in the sun and having fun helping out.. I think that by volunteering, it's a great start to famaliarize yourself to the sport. If you are an athlete, it will be a learning experience of how the people at the 'back' worked hard to make the events a success..
Will read up on the notes before I Zzz.. Take care..
Yeo
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Examination Schedule...
Adopted from CW Tang's blog (blackaltis.blogspot.com), I will also put up my NIE examination schedule for the year 2008.. Please pray for all who are taking exams in all major unis in Singapore.. Thanks in advance!!
16th Apr morning: AAE102 Language in Context
17th Apr morning: AAE103 Understanding the Sounds and Words of English
22nd Apr morning: AAE203 Language Accquisition and Development
27th Apr afternoon: AAE233 Language and Literacy
Tata!!
16th Apr morning: AAE102 Language in Context
17th Apr morning: AAE103 Understanding the Sounds and Words of English
22nd Apr morning: AAE203 Language Accquisition and Development
27th Apr afternoon: AAE233 Language and Literacy
Tata!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
101.3km...
A blessed and belated Good Friday to all! I managed to complete my first 100km ride on Fri morning, at the expense of my Good Friday service in church. I'm sorry for not being able to pull off a alert body and mind to attend..
The race (training la) started at 1015pm and ended at 3.15 am, Good Friday morn. Took around 4hrs and 35mins to complete. I almost got to see Jesus face to face (aka die, crashed or met with accident) twice, but He didn't allowed me to be in that state.
Thank God. I was frustrated by both incidents, cause it seemed that both car drivers did not see me and took their own time (1st case) and initiative (2nd case)to drive their way.. Sad but got to realize that we share the roads, thus I must be more careful in future riding..
Anyways... got back and after all the washing and parking, slept at 4.30am.. and did not wake up till 1130am, Gd Fri morning. So I missed the service. Will rest for a day or 2 before proceed with training on Monday..
My route: Stirling Rd, Commonwealth Ave, C'wealth Ave West, Boon Lay Way (Along MRT line). Turn left at junction of Boon Lay Way and Jalan Boon Lay, Jln Bahar, Lim Chu Kang Rd (the temp runway included), turning right to Neo Tiew Rd and on to Kranji Way and Loop (across Kranji Reservoir too!), turning right at junction of Kranji Rd and Woodlands Rd, riding down and turning left to Mandai Rd and Ave, all the way to Yishun Ave 1 (thru Upper Seletar Reservoir), West Camp Road, Edgware Rd, Jalan Kayu and Picadally Circus/Circle.
Then U turn, reversing the direction.. You are warned of the consequences of riding through this route at night!!
Yeo
The race (training la) started at 1015pm and ended at 3.15 am, Good Friday morn. Took around 4hrs and 35mins to complete. I almost got to see Jesus face to face (aka die, crashed or met with accident) twice, but He didn't allowed me to be in that state.
Thank God. I was frustrated by both incidents, cause it seemed that both car drivers did not see me and took their own time (1st case) and initiative (2nd case)to drive their way.. Sad but got to realize that we share the roads, thus I must be more careful in future riding..
Anyways... got back and after all the washing and parking, slept at 4.30am.. and did not wake up till 1130am, Gd Fri morning. So I missed the service. Will rest for a day or 2 before proceed with training on Monday..
My route: Stirling Rd, Commonwealth Ave, C'wealth Ave West, Boon Lay Way (Along MRT line). Turn left at junction of Boon Lay Way and Jalan Boon Lay, Jln Bahar, Lim Chu Kang Rd (the temp runway included), turning right to Neo Tiew Rd and on to Kranji Way and Loop (across Kranji Reservoir too!), turning right at junction of Kranji Rd and Woodlands Rd, riding down and turning left to Mandai Rd and Ave, all the way to Yishun Ave 1 (thru Upper Seletar Reservoir), West Camp Road, Edgware Rd, Jalan Kayu and Picadally Circus/Circle.
Then U turn, reversing the direction.. You are warned of the consequences of riding through this route at night!!
Yeo
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Cerebral Saturation...
Oh yeah.. I am at this point called cerebral saturation (aka brain full), where I cannot read anymore stuff and my mind is full of module texts and readings. The brain is unable to process what has been seen (words and pics). So I decided to just take a break and do my own things, heehee.
Tonight, at around 10-11pm, I will aim to complete my first 100km bike ride. I had experienced a 90km whack last year (Ironman 70.3 Singapore), and now doing it again, this time in the night. This serves a few purposes:
1. Endurance training! It is good for health and trains my body to 'eat bitter'!
2. Acclimatization to night exercise: In preparation for Sundown Marathon, which is around 2 months from today, I wanna experience the feel of night time exercising. SM will start the marathon at 12am, so must get used to the night and train to prevent myself to sleep and being tired..
3. Distraction from studies: Brain must rest from all the reading..
Another purpose that I hope to achieve will be that through this training, I hope to have some time with the Lord, even as I ride by myself (got radio though..). As good Friday is coming, I will be able to recall the event that cause Him to die on the Cross for me, and be reminded of His Love for this unworthy soul of mine...
So long.. I see ya on the roads tonight!!
Yeo
Tonight, at around 10-11pm, I will aim to complete my first 100km bike ride. I had experienced a 90km whack last year (Ironman 70.3 Singapore), and now doing it again, this time in the night. This serves a few purposes:
1. Endurance training! It is good for health and trains my body to 'eat bitter'!
2. Acclimatization to night exercise: In preparation for Sundown Marathon, which is around 2 months from today, I wanna experience the feel of night time exercising. SM will start the marathon at 12am, so must get used to the night and train to prevent myself to sleep and being tired..
3. Distraction from studies: Brain must rest from all the reading..
Another purpose that I hope to achieve will be that through this training, I hope to have some time with the Lord, even as I ride by myself (got radio though..). As good Friday is coming, I will be able to recall the event that cause Him to die on the Cross for me, and be reminded of His Love for this unworthy soul of mine...
So long.. I see ya on the roads tonight!!
Yeo
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Preparation for Examinations..
By God's grace, I managed to finish all my assignments for this semester. There were times when i thought that I cannot make it, but I managed to!! I also got ok results for some for my assignments.. One small problem though: One of my lecturer commented that my English is not good, as he/she marked my assignment. It's a little ironic that despite I am specializing in English Language, I still have problems in my grammar. Sigh...
With the end of assignments comes the examinations. I have a total of 4 papers, on the 16, 17, 23 and 27 of Apr (should be these dates.. Have not rechecked yet), and I had been reading them hard hard. Will also need to read up the readings that are provided, and they are like as thick as like 1 inch.. Wonder how am I going to understand them all?? Use them as a pillow? Burn and drink?? Or...Make them into a liquid and IV (intravenous) it???
To my NIE peers, continue to perevere on, for the 3 month break is coming for us!! To the others, continue to do well in where you are placed, even as you are stressed or tired. The weekend is coming...
Yeo
With the end of assignments comes the examinations. I have a total of 4 papers, on the 16, 17, 23 and 27 of Apr (should be these dates.. Have not rechecked yet), and I had been reading them hard hard. Will also need to read up the readings that are provided, and they are like as thick as like 1 inch.. Wonder how am I going to understand them all?? Use them as a pillow? Burn and drink?? Or...Make them into a liquid and IV (intravenous) it???
To my NIE peers, continue to perevere on, for the 3 month break is coming for us!! To the others, continue to do well in where you are placed, even as you are stressed or tired. The weekend is coming...
Yeo
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
9 days of silence...
Ah.. post a log after 9 days of silence..
I had been busy and occupied with school assignments and little time to write blogs (but got time to eat Philipino food and walk walk @ Orchard Rd!), thus the silence.. Another 3 more assignments to go! Then exams!! Then...?
One thing to say.. Thank God. Despite the busy-ness, I was able to take time to relax. It is also through the assignments that I know more about my modules, and the details. I understand that it can be horrendous completing many assignments in a cramped period, but that's one way that our tutors can know and guage our standard. As marks are also taken into account, it also ease the burden to need to do well in exams to score a certain grade...
Anyways, no work till Thursday, where I will try to complete the 'skeleton' of my assignment!!
Yeo
I had been busy and occupied with school assignments and little time to write blogs (but got time to eat Philipino food and walk walk @ Orchard Rd!), thus the silence.. Another 3 more assignments to go! Then exams!! Then...?
One thing to say.. Thank God. Despite the busy-ness, I was able to take time to relax. It is also through the assignments that I know more about my modules, and the details. I understand that it can be horrendous completing many assignments in a cramped period, but that's one way that our tutors can know and guage our standard. As marks are also taken into account, it also ease the burden to need to do well in exams to score a certain grade...
Anyways, no work till Thursday, where I will try to complete the 'skeleton' of my assignment!!
Yeo
Monday, March 16, 2009
I love you, but you love me?
Monday... blues are in the air. I decided to start increasing my mileage for training, from the usual 7-10km to 12km. It was tough, finishing in 1.5hrs. Legs are aching and want to Zzz soon.
On my return leg home just now (@ Dover MRT), I saw a scene between a polytechnic couple, where the male wa saying something in an angry face, and the female looked speechless, with a sense of 'I can't be bothered' face. I was on earphones, so I was not listening to what they were saying.
I was reminded that as humans in a BGR, there will be situations where conflicts will happen. It can get ugly if it is not handled or settled properly, and such history of conflict can be 'weapons of past baggage' which couples may use to 'shoot' the other party, when similar things happen again. Communication is important in producing a loving a fruitful relationship and both parties have to be forgiving to another (but they must also be humble to admit if they are at fault). God should also be in the BGR, guiding our lives and thoughts as both the guy and the gal are together.
'Love, in the knowledge of the mind and the willingness of the heart, to do what is best for the other person'. Let us share some love with others yo!!
Yeo...
On my return leg home just now (@ Dover MRT), I saw a scene between a polytechnic couple, where the male wa saying something in an angry face, and the female looked speechless, with a sense of 'I can't be bothered' face. I was on earphones, so I was not listening to what they were saying.
I was reminded that as humans in a BGR, there will be situations where conflicts will happen. It can get ugly if it is not handled or settled properly, and such history of conflict can be 'weapons of past baggage' which couples may use to 'shoot' the other party, when similar things happen again. Communication is important in producing a loving a fruitful relationship and both parties have to be forgiving to another (but they must also be humble to admit if they are at fault). God should also be in the BGR, guiding our lives and thoughts as both the guy and the gal are together.
'Love, in the knowledge of the mind and the willingness of the heart, to do what is best for the other person'. Let us share some love with others yo!!
Yeo...
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hazing...
Wanted to type this out for a while, ever since the news talked about a hazing incident a few months back in 2008 and wanted to share my thots on it.
What is hazing? Hazing is basically "Hazing is a ritualistic test and a task involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a gang, club, military organization or other group. The definition can refer to either physical (sometimes violent) or mental (possibly degrading) practices. It may also include nudity or sexually oriented activities." (wikipedia.org). Common forms of hazing can be seen in activities such as 'tau pok' someone during birthdays, or acts where freshmen would be 'saboed' by their seniors prior to admission of a group or club.
My opinion on hazing: It should NOT be practiced, even if the group involved are close friends of one another. There are a few reasons:
1. Injuries: People who are involved can get injured through the activities, physically, mentally or emotionally. Instead of having fun, it may become a terrible accident and bad things can happen. From cut or bruises to broken bones and spine damage, anything can happen.
2. Accountability: If something happens and parents get to know the incident, who is to be responsible? If hazing happens within my cell group, I will be accountable for any loss or injury for the situation. Not that I dislike responsibility, but as a leader, I need to ensure that everyone is safe, so that parents can safely put their kids to our care. Even if I were to go into the teaching field in July 2010, I wam accountable to them and their kids too..
3. I had a very bad experience of hazing and it had hit me emotionally in my youth. Even though I had forgiven the people who were involved then, the incident left a scar in my life and I do not want to see youth following my footsteps (whether as a victim or a perpetuator), thinking that it is fun to haze someone, even if it is a while. Cause the consequences of the incident can be detrimental...
You may think that I am too sensitive, or having the thought that I'm a coward/sissy by not supporting such acts. But remember: Actions have consequences on those who are involved. Think before you act...
Yeo
What is hazing? Hazing is basically "Hazing is a ritualistic test and a task involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a gang, club, military organization or other group. The definition can refer to either physical (sometimes violent) or mental (possibly degrading) practices. It may also include nudity or sexually oriented activities." (wikipedia.org). Common forms of hazing can be seen in activities such as 'tau pok' someone during birthdays, or acts where freshmen would be 'saboed' by their seniors prior to admission of a group or club.
My opinion on hazing: It should NOT be practiced, even if the group involved are close friends of one another. There are a few reasons:
1. Injuries: People who are involved can get injured through the activities, physically, mentally or emotionally. Instead of having fun, it may become a terrible accident and bad things can happen. From cut or bruises to broken bones and spine damage, anything can happen.
2. Accountability: If something happens and parents get to know the incident, who is to be responsible? If hazing happens within my cell group, I will be accountable for any loss or injury for the situation. Not that I dislike responsibility, but as a leader, I need to ensure that everyone is safe, so that parents can safely put their kids to our care. Even if I were to go into the teaching field in July 2010, I wam accountable to them and their kids too..
3. I had a very bad experience of hazing and it had hit me emotionally in my youth. Even though I had forgiven the people who were involved then, the incident left a scar in my life and I do not want to see youth following my footsteps (whether as a victim or a perpetuator), thinking that it is fun to haze someone, even if it is a while. Cause the consequences of the incident can be detrimental...
You may think that I am too sensitive, or having the thought that I'm a coward/sissy by not supporting such acts. But remember: Actions have consequences on those who are involved. Think before you act...
Yeo
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Busy week...
It has been a busy 11 days, since the start of March. A total of 5 assignments to be submitted this month, with one more in April before the exams.. My peers and I are getting stressed up now...
But something positive happened when one of our lecturer has postponed the deadline for an assignment to a week. Think everyone talking that module would be beri happi, knowing that they have breathing space to complete the others and not clogging up too much of their brains...
This week? My body is gaining strength after a 4 day layoff, as a result of racing for Singapore Biathlon last Sat, and i have to pass up an assignment in less than 48hrs.. Will probably swim tomoro to regain some flexibility!
At the end of the day, praise Him for what has happened for the past days..
Yeo
But something positive happened when one of our lecturer has postponed the deadline for an assignment to a week. Think everyone talking that module would be beri happi, knowing that they have breathing space to complete the others and not clogging up too much of their brains...
This week? My body is gaining strength after a 4 day layoff, as a result of racing for Singapore Biathlon last Sat, and i have to pass up an assignment in less than 48hrs.. Will probably swim tomoro to regain some flexibility!
At the end of the day, praise Him for what has happened for the past days..
Yeo
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Singapore Biathlon 2009..
While most people would be meeting with the Zzz monster on the morning of 7th March, I woke up at 4.15am, preparing myself for my first (2nd actually) race: Singapore Biathlon 2009.
Had my breakfast at 4.45am, giving myself 3 hrs of time for the body to digest the food (my wave started at 7.45am), then I got my bag and went for the MRT station for the first train (5.46am). I got to Bedok MRT station at around 6.20am, after which I took the free bus to F2 carpark of ECP, where the race venue is. As expected from last year, there was a jam in that narrow road leading to the CP.
At last, i reached the venue. Got myself registered, received the race pack (+body marked with 4194) and prepared the transition area while visualizing the race route.. As I prepared to go to the starting area, a lady stopped me (I didn't know I was that charming?) and told me that I took a photo of her and she wanted the photo to be deleted... Was stunned for a moment, but got the misunderstanding cleared and the photo deleted.
Missed the wave briefing as I was doing my warmups, and got confused part way in the swim leg. I swam directly toward the exit, instead of moving towards the specifc buoy that I need to swim over. Worse still it started to rain at the return leg of my swim, which meant the waves were harder to overcome.. Drinking seawater was a common thing in Sing Bi, and I drank more this year.
The transition was simpler to handle: just wear my shoes, cap and grab a bottle and towards the run I go! The route was the same as last year, so not much of a problem.. After 2 hours, I was at the finish.. Managed to finish the race in 1 piece. Got my 'rewards', barang x2 and took a quick wash before proceeding to Sentosa to meet my youths who were racing the Milo Youth Tryathlon!
Met them for lunch, and shared the joys and funny things that happened during our respective races.. had a great time together.. Best thing is that they got a real tin of Milo to brew and drink!
Haha.. Anyways I am not a fast runner or swimmer, so I am glad that I finished the race.
Result:
(Position out of 1255)1150 (No.)4194 (Name)YEO WEE HWA (Cat.)Men's Open 1 (Wave)2 (Swim Time)0:50:48 (1km)1:00:12 (6km)1:35:28 (Run time)1:10:14 (Total)2:01:02
Yeo
Had my breakfast at 4.45am, giving myself 3 hrs of time for the body to digest the food (my wave started at 7.45am), then I got my bag and went for the MRT station for the first train (5.46am). I got to Bedok MRT station at around 6.20am, after which I took the free bus to F2 carpark of ECP, where the race venue is. As expected from last year, there was a jam in that narrow road leading to the CP.
At last, i reached the venue. Got myself registered, received the race pack (+body marked with 4194) and prepared the transition area while visualizing the race route.. As I prepared to go to the starting area, a lady stopped me (I didn't know I was that charming?) and told me that I took a photo of her and she wanted the photo to be deleted... Was stunned for a moment, but got the misunderstanding cleared and the photo deleted.
Missed the wave briefing as I was doing my warmups, and got confused part way in the swim leg. I swam directly toward the exit, instead of moving towards the specifc buoy that I need to swim over. Worse still it started to rain at the return leg of my swim, which meant the waves were harder to overcome.. Drinking seawater was a common thing in Sing Bi, and I drank more this year.
The transition was simpler to handle: just wear my shoes, cap and grab a bottle and towards the run I go! The route was the same as last year, so not much of a problem.. After 2 hours, I was at the finish.. Managed to finish the race in 1 piece. Got my 'rewards', barang x2 and took a quick wash before proceeding to Sentosa to meet my youths who were racing the Milo Youth Tryathlon!
Met them for lunch, and shared the joys and funny things that happened during our respective races.. had a great time together.. Best thing is that they got a real tin of Milo to brew and drink!
Haha.. Anyways I am not a fast runner or swimmer, so I am glad that I finished the race.
Result:
(Position out of 1255)1150 (No.)4194 (Name)YEO WEE HWA (Cat.)Men's Open 1 (Wave)2 (Swim Time)0:50:48 (1km)1:00:12 (6km)1:35:28 (Run time)1:10:14 (Total)2:01:02
Yeo
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Multisports...
Took sometime off to type something on my blog.. Since Singapore Biathlon and Milo Youth Tryathlon are coming in 2 days time (7th March), I might as well write something about it..
The biathlon here can be mistaken with the winter sport biathlon, which consists of skiing and shooting at certain spots of the race. The latter is usually done during winter, where the former (also known as Aquathlon) can be done anytime of the year. Anyways, back to my blog..
As the name says, biathlon is a sport consisting of 2 sports done one after the other, in this case an athlete swims first, then runs. Distance wise, Singapore Bi. requires me to swim 1.5km and run 10km. There are shorter distances too to cater to first-timers or people who prefer the shorter routes.
In triathlon, bicycling is sandwiched between the swim and run leg, requiring more of the athlete. Many will be familiar with the Ironman and 70.3 races, where people young or old come to compete or finish the gruelling race within a time limit. It can be really satisfying to complete a race of such challenge, and to see someone completing it can really cause him/her to participate in one!
But before you try anything of above, do consult a doctor to see if you can take the strain of such sports. Multisports require athletes to work beyond the normal capacity of the individual, and going into one too quickly may cause problems to the body. So do see a doc before trying..
Now back to my work... Aiyo..so hard to think!!
Wee Hwa
The biathlon here can be mistaken with the winter sport biathlon, which consists of skiing and shooting at certain spots of the race. The latter is usually done during winter, where the former (also known as Aquathlon) can be done anytime of the year. Anyways, back to my blog..
As the name says, biathlon is a sport consisting of 2 sports done one after the other, in this case an athlete swims first, then runs. Distance wise, Singapore Bi. requires me to swim 1.5km and run 10km. There are shorter distances too to cater to first-timers or people who prefer the shorter routes.
In triathlon, bicycling is sandwiched between the swim and run leg, requiring more of the athlete. Many will be familiar with the Ironman and 70.3 races, where people young or old come to compete or finish the gruelling race within a time limit. It can be really satisfying to complete a race of such challenge, and to see someone completing it can really cause him/her to participate in one!
But before you try anything of above, do consult a doctor to see if you can take the strain of such sports. Multisports require athletes to work beyond the normal capacity of the individual, and going into one too quickly may cause problems to the body. So do see a doc before trying..
Now back to my work... Aiyo..so hard to think!!
Wee Hwa
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Saturday Fellowship...
The youth wing of my church (The Tacklebox) has a once-a-month event/program which is named Saturday Fellowship. Basically this program aims to bring youth from The Boys' Brigade/Girl's Brigade, FaithActs and our church youth together for a time of fun, fellowship and sharing. On the last day of February 2009, we had a steamboat buffet in church.. Hungry...
I was asked to share a testimony as part of the program, but I had a problem: I had no clue what to say to them! It has been a while since I had the opportunity to share a testimony and despite the fact that I was a teacher-to-be, this is something that requires alot of thinking. And without ground info, it was difficult for me to share something that can relate to the participants (Guess I had too high a standand for myself!)
Went there 15mins late, and realized that there were many who were there, that made it worse! I started to ask people what I can do to help: From the preparation, serving of soup and drink, to ensuring that things were running smoothly, I just became a busybody in anything I can do..
As time passes by, my time of sharing dragged to 8pm (from 7.15pm given), and that gave me more time to think. The Lord then gave me an inspiration: Sharing about service to people, and how God served us in the highest way possible: His death on the cross for our sins. What happens next is history...
Not sure about the responses about the people who were listening, but I thanked God for this sharing, cause I was able to see how Christ served His people while He's on earth, and I learnt that Christ's death was His service at the highest cost (Mark 10:45, Romans 5:8). I was also reminded that God convicts the hearts of the people, not my sharing or words.
Tomorrow resumes school and that means alot of things to complete... Got to work harder, brain!
To God be the Glory...
Yeo
I was asked to share a testimony as part of the program, but I had a problem: I had no clue what to say to them! It has been a while since I had the opportunity to share a testimony and despite the fact that I was a teacher-to-be, this is something that requires alot of thinking. And without ground info, it was difficult for me to share something that can relate to the participants (Guess I had too high a standand for myself!)
Went there 15mins late, and realized that there were many who were there, that made it worse! I started to ask people what I can do to help: From the preparation, serving of soup and drink, to ensuring that things were running smoothly, I just became a busybody in anything I can do..
As time passes by, my time of sharing dragged to 8pm (from 7.15pm given), and that gave me more time to think. The Lord then gave me an inspiration: Sharing about service to people, and how God served us in the highest way possible: His death on the cross for our sins. What happens next is history...
Not sure about the responses about the people who were listening, but I thanked God for this sharing, cause I was able to see how Christ served His people while He's on earth, and I learnt that Christ's death was His service at the highest cost (Mark 10:45, Romans 5:8). I was also reminded that God convicts the hearts of the people, not my sharing or words.
Tomorrow resumes school and that means alot of things to complete... Got to work harder, brain!
To God be the Glory...
Yeo
Friday, February 27, 2009
I found my classmates...in Facebook :}
Many of us are in Facebook, Twitter or any social networking webbies, and I'm in Facebook too... Over the past few days, I tried to search for my secondary schoolmates, who although I had little contact with them, want to know if they are in and see their faces after almost 12 years of leaving school...
I managed to find them and their faces. As of my age, some are happily married, while others showed me (through their faces) that they are happy with where they are now. Guess life after a while really changes.. I will not put their names out, for fear that they come after me..heehee you know who you are...
Anyways.. tomorrow got to prepare a short sharing for the youth group's fellowship event.. Still thinking of what to share.. Stressed!! Pray that the sharing will be fun and interesting for the youth attending the session!! That's all for now... 8 days to Singapore Biathlon 2009!!
Yeo
I managed to find them and their faces. As of my age, some are happily married, while others showed me (through their faces) that they are happy with where they are now. Guess life after a while really changes.. I will not put their names out, for fear that they come after me..heehee you know who you are...
Anyways.. tomorrow got to prepare a short sharing for the youth group's fellowship event.. Still thinking of what to share.. Stressed!! Pray that the sharing will be fun and interesting for the youth attending the session!! That's all for now... 8 days to Singapore Biathlon 2009!!
Yeo
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A lost bike...
My 'bike' was stolen... It's not my Giant roadbike. It was my first bike (and my dad's commuting vehicle) and it was taken away by a stranger while my dad was in the supermarket buying some things. $200+ worth of coins and his working tools were inside the bike. I guess he was sad and 'ashamed' to go back to work as a result fo the loss.
It had been with him for the past 3 years or so and to lose it was a blow to him (even though he was not showing it)... Guess my dad was open-minded about it. He even told my mom that he did not lock up the bike prior to it (which he always does, citing that no one will steal it as it was old and dirty..). Pray that he will be able to get a new bike and be strong in his work.
As for me, I did not wake up early to do my run.. I went back to my bed when the alarm woke me up. I felt very disappointed.. There will be another opportunity tomorrow, as I go back to school to do biathlon training (swim and run) in preparation for Singapore Biathlon 2009. Actually, there are many chances of doing training.. It's the discipline to wake up from the cozy bed that is the challenge..
That's all for today.. Rest well and God bless!
Yeo
It had been with him for the past 3 years or so and to lose it was a blow to him (even though he was not showing it)... Guess my dad was open-minded about it. He even told my mom that he did not lock up the bike prior to it (which he always does, citing that no one will steal it as it was old and dirty..). Pray that he will be able to get a new bike and be strong in his work.
As for me, I did not wake up early to do my run.. I went back to my bed when the alarm woke me up. I felt very disappointed.. There will be another opportunity tomorrow, as I go back to school to do biathlon training (swim and run) in preparation for Singapore Biathlon 2009. Actually, there are many chances of doing training.. It's the discipline to wake up from the cozy bed that is the challenge..
That's all for today.. Rest well and God bless!
Yeo
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tired Day...
My printer went 'berzerk' today, refusing to accept any papers that I put in the feeder.. Guess i have to print my stuff in school this time..
Midweek of term break, quite a few things that I have not finished though.. Hope that my mind starts working soon, if not my grades will fall like bungee jumping! What's up for tomorrow? A run in the morning, followed by discussion with projectmates in Orchard, then type assignment for another module.. Guess term break is not break!!
The weather has been wet lately, so for those who are out them, bring a brolly with you always, so that you can be dry. Take care and see ya!!
Yeo
Midweek of term break, quite a few things that I have not finished though.. Hope that my mind starts working soon, if not my grades will fall like bungee jumping! What's up for tomorrow? A run in the morning, followed by discussion with projectmates in Orchard, then type assignment for another module.. Guess term break is not break!!
The weather has been wet lately, so for those who are out them, bring a brolly with you always, so that you can be dry. Take care and see ya!!
Yeo
Friday, February 20, 2009
What an Exciting Day!
Today got alot of things to do: An interview with interesting outcomes, a training swim that became a "race against time" and a body yearning to Zzz..
It all started with an interview with a child and her mom for our Eng. assignment. It was fearful at first, cause we have absolutely no idea what to expect from the child (my friends who did the same assignment had bizzare results, from repeated interviews to 'clamed' up kids who refused to speak!). Guess all the worry was unfound as the child was really really participative and enjoying herself with my groupmates Su and Shama! At the end of the wohole thing, all of us were really glad that the outcome was amazingly positive.. Now to the analysis!!
At the same time, I was racing against time. My NTU Mass Swim event would start at 4 and I thought I could not make it punctually(the interview started at 2 and I wondered if the interview would take long..). With the super smooth sailing interview finished, i was able to be at NTU SRC with 25 mins to spare.. Warmups and I was ready to go! Midway though, there were more swimmers and that got me a little excited! Heehee.. Acting like a dolphin makes the swimming process easier to manage. (I was like a "dolphin" asking for 'food' in the water, while the volunteers were like zoo-keepers, providing my 'food' when I reached them.)
My target was to complete 3.8km in the pool, equating to 76 laps of a 50m swimming pool. I clinched it with a time of 1hr 40mins.. Then the ultimate, swimming another 24 laps to make it 100laps (5km).. And I got it in another 50 mins. It was personal satisfaction when I complete the 100th lap...But the next thing comes... Aching body! Even as I am typing now, I am struggling to keep myself fresh, for the body is wanting me to Zzz...
Anyways.. Gotta take a few days off to recover and prepare for Singapore Biathlon 09.. See ya!
Yeo
It all started with an interview with a child and her mom for our Eng. assignment. It was fearful at first, cause we have absolutely no idea what to expect from the child (my friends who did the same assignment had bizzare results, from repeated interviews to 'clamed' up kids who refused to speak!). Guess all the worry was unfound as the child was really really participative and enjoying herself with my groupmates Su and Shama! At the end of the wohole thing, all of us were really glad that the outcome was amazingly positive.. Now to the analysis!!
At the same time, I was racing against time. My NTU Mass Swim event would start at 4 and I thought I could not make it punctually(the interview started at 2 and I wondered if the interview would take long..). With the super smooth sailing interview finished, i was able to be at NTU SRC with 25 mins to spare.. Warmups and I was ready to go! Midway though, there were more swimmers and that got me a little excited! Heehee.. Acting like a dolphin makes the swimming process easier to manage. (I was like a "dolphin" asking for 'food' in the water, while the volunteers were like zoo-keepers, providing my 'food' when I reached them.)
My target was to complete 3.8km in the pool, equating to 76 laps of a 50m swimming pool. I clinched it with a time of 1hr 40mins.. Then the ultimate, swimming another 24 laps to make it 100laps (5km).. And I got it in another 50 mins. It was personal satisfaction when I complete the 100th lap...But the next thing comes... Aching body! Even as I am typing now, I am struggling to keep myself fresh, for the body is wanting me to Zzz...
Anyways.. Gotta take a few days off to recover and prepare for Singapore Biathlon 09.. See ya!
Yeo
Monday, February 16, 2009
A song which touched me...
Short one today, too tired from the busy-ness of studies.
Got to hear this song. It's name: How Many Kings from Downhere(http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f45f26f55d0764f661f0). The lyrics are really great in my eyes and it reminded me that God gave up everything for me, to be reconcilled with Him. This affirms what my pastor Rev Joel Yong says in his prayers "..You are everything, and I am nothing.."
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8, ESV
The weather is hazy recently. Take care of your health, especially those with respiratory problems..
Yeo
Got to hear this song. It's name: How Many Kings from Downhere(http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f45f26f55d0764f661f0). The lyrics are really great in my eyes and it reminded me that God gave up everything for me, to be reconcilled with Him. This affirms what my pastor Rev Joel Yong says in his prayers "..You are everything, and I am nothing.."
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8, ESV
The weather is hazy recently. Take care of your health, especially those with respiratory problems..
Yeo
Saturday, February 14, 2009
God and Valentine's Day?
Today's Valentine's Day, where couples generally meet together for a '2-person' world with each other. Buying flowers and chocolates, nice dinners and walking around hand in hand are possible activities that they do too during this day..
I had the priviledge to attend a polytechnic friend's wedding lunch, and meeting with my 'juniors' there was a great experience. As I observed, I realized that some were married and some were planning their weddding dinners this year. I thank God that He has brought them through this point in time.
As I walked into the wedding venue, I was reminded that God can also be the one that we can love, and He has done what many couples will have diffculty do for each other : He died on the cross while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). As Christ gave Himself for the church, Christian husbands should love their wives, possibly to give up their lives for her (Ephesians 5:25).
Wishing all a happy Valentine's Day.. When will I find my ewe lamb?
Yeo
I had the priviledge to attend a polytechnic friend's wedding lunch, and meeting with my 'juniors' there was a great experience. As I observed, I realized that some were married and some were planning their weddding dinners this year. I thank God that He has brought them through this point in time.
As I walked into the wedding venue, I was reminded that God can also be the one that we can love, and He has done what many couples will have diffculty do for each other : He died on the cross while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). As Christ gave Himself for the church, Christian husbands should love their wives, possibly to give up their lives for her (Ephesians 5:25).
Wishing all a happy Valentine's Day.. When will I find my ewe lamb?
Yeo
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Life is Short, ? Hard!
Had a tough day on Tuesday.. Strained my MCL (medial collateral ligament) while swimming 2k.. Gotta rest the knee for the biathlon training on Friday (may cancel it if it does not heal well)..
Anyway, I signed up for a mass swim event organized by NTU and will be swimming laps from 4-8pm.. It will be on the 20th Feb and my target (Sounds a little pragmatic) is to complete 76 lappies.. Really excited about it..
I was reminded by the fragility of life when i heard that that someone was on life support, after an operation to remove a blood clot in his brain failed. So do not 'play play' with your life with unecessary things (glue, drugs, others), and use it for something useful!
Yeo
Anyway, I signed up for a mass swim event organized by NTU and will be swimming laps from 4-8pm.. It will be on the 20th Feb and my target (Sounds a little pragmatic) is to complete 76 lappies.. Really excited about it..
I was reminded by the fragility of life when i heard that that someone was on life support, after an operation to remove a blood clot in his brain failed. So do not 'play play' with your life with unecessary things (glue, drugs, others), and use it for something useful!
Yeo
Monday, February 09, 2009
How to "God is personal again"?
Today was a long day.. Started school at 9.30am @ the library working on my E-learning Assignment (ALS101), and ended school at 7.30pm. There was a 3hr break in between though, but the time was used to complete part of the assignment...Tough life in Uni.
I was reflective upon what my Pastor had commented about the youth in my church, that some of them had not have taken certain practices in church service seriously. Reminded my level youth during Bible study time to really be still at times and not take the church as a 'marketplace'. Hope that they can take this to heart and be reminded that withOUT Christ, we will not be where we are now, worshipping and celebrating His Work on our lives...
I had been thinking of how can we make God personal in our lives again. Many a times we Christians can be engrossed about the things of ourselves, how to achieve things for our self-gains, and so on. As a result, people take pride in themselves and not put God in their 'credits'...Even for some, this resulted in a life that does not show Christ... How/What can we do to put God back into the centre of our lives? I need to ask God for it...
So long for the day... Tomorrow morning got to swim (Target 3k or 3.8k?). Let see how it goes..
Yeo
I was reflective upon what my Pastor had commented about the youth in my church, that some of them had not have taken certain practices in church service seriously. Reminded my level youth during Bible study time to really be still at times and not take the church as a 'marketplace'. Hope that they can take this to heart and be reminded that withOUT Christ, we will not be where we are now, worshipping and celebrating His Work on our lives...
I had been thinking of how can we make God personal in our lives again. Many a times we Christians can be engrossed about the things of ourselves, how to achieve things for our self-gains, and so on. As a result, people take pride in themselves and not put God in their 'credits'...Even for some, this resulted in a life that does not show Christ... How/What can we do to put God back into the centre of our lives? I need to ask God for it...
So long for the day... Tomorrow morning got to swim (Target 3k or 3.8k?). Let see how it goes..
Yeo
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Wa seh.. after a year and a half...
Oh well, that's the life of a IT-blur and lazy man! After a year and a half of blogging inactivity, I managed to active the blog again.. Will try to put in postings as regularly as I can..
See ya around!!
See ya around!!
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