My week out of my hermit crab shell

On wed evening i had a team dinner (MUAC) post training, at University Cafe/Restaurant. Had yummy Risotto Pescatore, lots of chatting, then gelato with Iylia. As we were walking back, we were shivering like crazy! esp me. My hand was shaking so violently i was gonna drop the ice cream cup n my voice was trembling uncontrollably. hahaha.

Anyway, went for a 60km ride on thurs since it was great weather--warm and sunny.

Friday was good too. I met Jansen for dinner.

Jansen

Iylia recommended a Thai restaurant at Chinatown. The food was good, ambience was really nice. There was a pianist playing pop/love songs on a grand piano. We left when he played Lips of an Angel by Hinder, very nice. We walked ard then went from Freddos ice cream to Koko Black to Brunetti's, where we finally found a place to sit. Our dessert!
Creme Caramel
Nutella cheesecake

I have been feeling piggish all week, terrible. haha.

Anyway it was good catching up. We chatted for like 4 over hours! Jansen said "Didn't I tell you you need a guy to settle you down?" he said that almost 4 years ago now, back when i was crazy and cynical. haha.

Sat i had a tough run training in the morn. I was feeling shit man, legs stiff but i tried to push it anyway, thinking of all the food i had the night b4. hahaha. post trg i had brekky with Iylia who told me that since coming back (3weeks), i have jumped from blissful down to the pits.

Yuppers. In the arvo Jansen called me to go play frisbee/soccer/touch rugby at Princes Park with his friends, so I went, tho i was v tired. It was a beautiful day to be out in the sun anyway. I ended up playing touch rugby n soccer with abt 15 other ppl for 2 over hrs. It was really great fun. And i realised my hand-eye and leg-eye coordination is not as bad as i thought! i scored a couple of goals man! haha.

It was v fun playing with his friends, they are fun and nice. But i think they think i'm a mad woman...so maybe i won't be invited back to play with them...

Anyway by the night, i was paying for the maddness on the field. I was starting to ache terribly. Esp my hip flexors, so much so that i cld barely lift my legs up to cross them or just to walk. i wld not even think abt walking up stairs.

Woke up early this morn to ride. I cld not get outta bed properly. i think every single muscle in my body has micro tears, i was hurting worse than i ever did in years! must be those dormant muscles rudely woken up during the games yest. Still, i limped to get changed and met the uni group for a 100km ride to Frankston. It was shitting cold, drizzling and sleepy. I was surprised I cld even pedal! haha. it was an enjoyable ride nonetheless n the weather cleared up.

Got home, limped ard the whole day. My hip flexors, mid and lower back n sides are the worst hit areas man. I had dinner with Jeremy and then went for more dessert. Can't help it la, it's the 100k. hahaha.

What Matters Most

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE --Rick Warren.

Day 16 - What Matters Most (an excerpt)

" The Best Expression of Love is Time
The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them. the more time you give to something, the more you reveal its importance and value to you. If you want to know a person's priorities, just look at how they use their time.

Time is the most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. your time is your life. that is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

It is not enough to say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action" 1 John 3:18 (TEV) Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E".

The essence of love is not what we think or do to provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. Men, in particular, often don't understand this. Many have said to me, "I don't understand my wife and kids. I provide everything they need. What more could they want?" They want you! Your eyes, your ears, your time, your attention, your presence, your focus--your time. Nothing can take the place of that.

The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention. Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at that moment. Attention says, "I value you enough to give you my most precious asset--my time." Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love. Jesus modeled this: "Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins." Ephesians 5:2 (LB)

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. "God so loved the world that he gave..." John 3:16a Love means giving up--yielding preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy, or time for the benefit of someone else.

The Best Time to Love is Now "

Should I tell you i'm sad or down? You'll chide me for being depressed and say it's not your job to cheer me up. and that it makes you tired. Ok, i know you're stressed and have other things to bother about. Maybe sleep will evaporate this saddness.

Should I tell you I feel neglected? But you'll scold me for being unfair to you, for expecting you to always be there for me. Ok, i know there are things you have to do and things you want to do. I just wish I could erase this feeling of neglect.

I dont even dare to ask you for anything. You'll say I'm too demanding. I guess I must be too demanding. Ok, i don't need any more than you willingly offer.

Wait. before you get angry, you do ask me if i've eaten, ask me what i'd like to eat, and many more. You care about me. I really have no right to ask any more of you, do I?

These are really not big deals. You can ignore it if it doesn't make you feel good.

First 2 weeks in Melb

It's been 2 weeks now, pretty fast coz I've been drowning in work!! 2 essays, 2 lab reports and 2 presentations due soon. And i've never written lab reports before and have not done the Statistics module most would've done last semester. oh wells...Not to mention i missed 2 weeks of uni and have to catch up. sigh...

Training wise, it's been good. But picking it up gradually with 8 sessions a week last week n this week.

Last Sat evening I went to Jeremy and Terrance (my ex-neighbours)'s new place at Seasons, an apartment block just across the road. It was really nice, cozy, great view and made me feel like moving out. I'm a lil sian of staying alone coz it's scary, and i'm sick of my room. But anyways...Terrance's room wall was plastered with his gf's photos. He said he pasted them up himself. How sweet. If i didn't be thick-skinned n go to Clem's room and put my pictures up, there wouldn't be any.

Sunday arvo I had a lunch gathering at Jeremy and Terrance's place, coz Ven is leaving Aust for good and returning to M'sia. Terrnace and Victor cooked pasta, chicken and baked oreo cheesecake! Gosh! haha. Nadia made truffles which were really good, and brought more food. It was a feast of homecooked food! haha! There was one prob tho, they're mostly M'sians and I don't understand any Malay! haha.

I had a tiring day and late night on Monday 13/8/07 training and doing my assignments. But I didn't set my alarm on Tues morn since my first class was at noon. I slept like a pig and only woke up at 12.03 the next day!!! I was was totally stunned!!! Double checked the time on the clock, grabbed my books and ran all the way to school! I could not miss the class coz we had to hand in our tutorial work for grading!

On Wednesday 15/8/07, I saw LOTS OF NAKED PEOPLE. It's like last yr's NAKED PIRATES thing. In the morning when i just finished class at 10.30am, I saw a bunch of naked ppl running ard -- they must be cold! Then i went to the library to do some work and they ran in and hung around too! Then i noticed there were some girls, but mostly guys. Maybe they're playing a game. Anyway, when I went back for lecture at 4pm, they ran into the lect theater, round the stage and back up and out! I couldnt tell if they were the same bunch of naked ppl. What is this man, ANNUAL RUN AROUND NAKED DAY???!

I ran in the Yarra Bend Park 6km Cross Country Race yest arvo. It was fabulous!! Weather was warm and sunny, there were heaps of participants and supporters. We (MUAC) pitched a tent with picnic mats. I had a great race, finishing strong in 26.50. 1.5minutes faster than at Jells Park XC race 3+ months ago! haha. We had tea after the race, lots of yummy food. Met up with Sophie and Madeleine (who drove me there). Very good fun.

Last night I went to Tyler's party. Tyler's one of the guys who run with us. He's from the US, doing postgraduate at Melb Uni. His place was nice, there was finger food and drinks. I spoke to a girl who studied at Uni of Michigan, so it was really helpful for my exchange planning. Met some other really funny and interesting ppl as well...like a Japanese girl who kept asking Iylia and me to speak with a S'porean accent coz she likes how it sounds (?!?!?) Yup, and some of the MUAC guys were there too, so we had a very good time. Tom baked brownies for the party, on top of the choc muffins and anzac biscuits he baked for post-race tea.

Oh Iylia was telling me abt his date with this girl in the morning. They went for a bike ride down along the Yarra river (how romantic). He offered to bring sandwiches so they could have a picnic at Studley Park (so sweet). And the best part is, he slept only 4hrs the night before, woke up at 6am to MAKE THE SANDWICHES HIMSELF and wash the toilet coz he didn't want her to see the house in a messy state!!!!

post OSIM triathlon, pre Melbourne

SUNDAY 29 July 2007

So OSIM triathlon was finally over, time for some relaxing and unwinding!!!

Had lunch with my family at Spageddies (YUM!!!) and some dessert afterwards. Then went to town to meet my Clem to watch The Simpsons Movie then off to the post race dinner. It was alright, the entertainment was erm....*ahem*

We took a short walk by the river after that, just like last year. Here's a shot of us sitting on a bench rummaging through our lucky draw goodie bags n my 3rd place goodie bag.

MONDAY 30 July 2007

I had lunch with Clem and we spent the arvo looking thru his proj. Quite interesting. Anyway, we had STEAMBOAT & HOTPLATE dinner!!!! my favourite!!!! Very delicious with Dad's secret sauce. We were all busy helping out preparing the food and setting the table.

A grand feast. Imperial maid pouring drinks for everyone.

OOOOHHH time for some pigging out. Instead of arranging the food around the plates, Clem happily washed and piled the mushrooms into a heap of mushroom salad! Very funny.

Watched Stomp the Yard on DVD with Clem later.

TUESDAY 31 July 2007

Had lunch with Dad, Mum and Val at Crystal Jade Kitchen. Dim Sum and mango pudding. Fabulous!!! Met Clem and we had dinner at Chomp Chomp. Prawn noodles soup, ice kachang (brown sauce and milk only), egg beancurd with glutinous rice balls.

WEDNESDAY 1 August 2007

I had breakfast with Dad, Mum and Val at Coffee Bean (tis the life man!!). Then Lan picked me up in his huge Merc for lunch at Rochester Park. We ate at a Chinese restaurant called Min Jiang. Ooh, he used the valet parking service even tho the carpark was nearby. hmmm....Anyway, lunch was very delicious, and very nice too =)

Met Clem after that and we did a 40min jog in the evening, followed by dinner at my place.

THURSDAY 2 August 2007

Val and I went out for some shopping. First, i decided i hated wat i was wearing (spag top and a skirt) so we went to far east plaza and I bought a short retro looking dress. very nice n comfy and cooling! then we walked all over orchard, got Val's coffee -no, caffine- fix, bought val's tai tai looking Aldo bag and checked out some poser gym wear for val to pose at Planet Fitness. hahahaha.

Then we went to The Cathay so I can cut my hair at Olsen's shop--MAZU on level 4. He just opened his own salon and it's very nicely decorated, very comfy and very affordable!! So finally I cut it all off. A short bob, shortest hair in what, 6 years. haha.

Oh ya, Val cut her hair short on Monday. Our obsession with short hair. haha.
concave bob.
Don't we just look fabulous?

We had dinner at home, Clem came over to join us after school. We were all going to The Chocolate Factory (aka Laurent Bernard's Chocolatier) for some dessert.

My darling and me.
Val and I acting posh at Double O, with champagn in hand. haha. We went to Zouk and it was closed!!! GOSH are we back dated!!! Times have changed....nono we've moved on. haha anyway it was ladies night at DblO. We are indeed getting old. After 1 hour of dancing, we were so tired we had to slump on the sofas outside. then we went home. at 1.15am!!!! haha. We used to dance until 5am in the morn! haha. And we felt oooold. But it was pretty fun nonetheless, just unwinding a lil.

FRIDAY 3 August 2007

Had lunch with Val at Sixth Ave: Nasi Briyani. Yum. Almost every morn between 10-11plus there will be a knock on my door, Val waking me up/asking me to go for brekky, brunch or lunch. Some good company which I will miss.

Met Clem and we watched Cashback at Plaza Sing. The kinda movie they'll show at Cinema Nova in Lygon Court. We walked around a lil and we ate at Chongjin Hotpot at Suntec City. OOOHHHH i love ma la huo juo. Ate until almost burst. haha.

Clem (looking cute) and hotpot--very good combination =)

We took a stroll by the river near the Esplanade. hmm...nice. Clem came over and helped me pack. Darn I hate having to leave.

SATURDAY 4 August 2007

It's finally here, the day I have to leave. Had brekky with my family (my fav Sat morn breakfast) of kaya toast, eggs and teh bing at Yakun. Reminds me of pri sch days when we'll have breakfast of prata at Tampines central every sat morn.

Then met Clem for lunch. We had turtle soup with yam rice. I love it!!! Turtle soup and Clem--very good combination.

Then we went to walk around town. We tried out the weirdo Jap ice cream thing. Those mini pearls aren't pearls!! They're like iq balls or watever u call it. they burst in ur mouth.

There! Clem with a Bubble Milk Tea flavoured ice cream with mini pearls. Half way eating there was an avalanche! The mini pearls started tumbling down n bouncing all over the floor. hahaha

SIGH.

We all had dinner at the airport. Pasta Fresca de Salvatore. It was good. And Dad, being mad, exclaimed so loundly that their glass food display was disastrous. He then went over to scrutinise the UGLY, WEIRD and RUBBISH displays of RUBBISH inside. hahahahaha.

SIGH.

And here I am back in COLD COLD melb. I miss my family, I miss my Clement. The past 7 weeks have been perfect. I always look fwd to the breakfasts, lunches and dinners i have at home, with Val, Mum, Dad and the rest of my family. Val talking abt her job and the customers (24/7), running with Rong in the evenings (before he returned to being a couch potato), hearing Ern yakk on her hp, eating Fondue with Ern n Bae...It feels very nice.

It's been fabulous with Clem as well, our 5am rides, run intervals at Bishan Park, dinners, lunches, movies =) And how he imitates everything I do...and making them look 100000 times more retarded. I wish you were here.

I've never felt so contented and glad.