Just Another Day Of My Last 2 Weeks In Singapore

Today was just like any other day for the past month or so, only difference is probably more productive a day.
I woke up at 12pm today, after coming back home at 4am in the morning from stephen's place after watching Lock Stock, which I practically fell asleep half way through as I was way too tired.
Managed to get more administrative stuff done today. Called up Ministry Of Health to confirm certain issues pertaining to my course in England. I managed to get hold of the person incharge of ordering books at ResearchBooks Asia, which is a book store that specializes in selling Medical and Allied Health Sciences textbooks. Sadly, if I were to order it now, it will only be ready for collection in about a month time. By then, I would already be in my 3th week at Newcastle. Guess I'll probably get the book over in the UK. Managed to collect my pants which I lent to a friend for his graduation day at NYP. It took years to get back to me. Sometimes, when you don't ask, you'll probably not get it back. After which, I took a train back to Novena to meet up with my dad to buy the air tickets, and had dinner at Thomson Plaza, which I practically just gaurged my way through the Roasted Duck Noodle, Fried Carrot Cake, Egg Tarts, and Tau Suan. I must say that my appetite had really increased tremendously for the past 2 weeks. Maybe its psychological that I probably wouldn't get to eat such local delights for the next 9 months. When I got home, I took the chance to plan an outing for my NYP Dragon Boat Team Mates, and managed to message about 15 of them to meet up this coming weekend for dinner. Its really last minute, and I feel rather bad about it. Half the time, I'm already so caught up with my planning and administrative stuff. Anyway, not everyone could make it on Sunday, but can't really do anything about it. Saturday is the meeting up with Amanda and some other poly mates, and this Sunday is the last before I fly off on the next. I'm just trying to meet up with as many friends as I possibly can. Friends that are both close to my heart and those I haven't seen for quite a while, suddenly seem both as important. After all the messaging, I paid Edd a visit, and at the same time, had him help me with downloading of softwares which probably would help ease my boredom during the winter months. Last of all, I managed to pack all my important belongings into a cabinet in my room, so that nobody would use it without my permission when I'm away. It's not being selfish, it's just protecting stuff that you feel hold some sentimental value to you. I'm at the final stages of completing my preparation for England.

Looking Back On My Dragon Boating Days

Endurance.. Mental Strength.. Team Work.. The list goes on for any athlete in any given team sport. It's not a battle between team sports and individual sports now, but the sacrifices and will power to be the best athlete you can ever be.
Dragon boating is a sport that is all rounded. In terms of physical conditioning, it not only trains your strength, but also your staminer and endurance. The perfection of both human strength and staminer has never been so evident. In terms of mental, it somehow gives you the "never say die" attitude, and the thought that "impossible is nothing". It also gives you the team spirit which is the Liverpool slogan, "you'll never walk alone". Every man will want to perform his best for his team mate to share the glory at the end. Every man will ensure he is at his peak fitness and mental strength at the starting line. The adrenaline pumping for me at any given race site is just madness. The thought of just going out there to trash any team that's in your way has never been so purposeful. Basically its always a struggle between values. You respect your opponent, yet show him now mercy.
I started this sport way back in my polytechnic days. The trainings at the NYP ground was always warm up, followed by 10 rounds around the track. At times, there will also be circuit training, which is sprints, pull-ups and sit-ups. The pull-up station is basically my playground, as I usually just complete my 60 pull-ups in 2 sets straight. After the staminer and endurance build up, we will start on weights training. Still panting from the run, we start our weights training in pairs. From shoulder press to leg squats, we cover it all, practically working out every muscle group, yeah.. Even the buttock muscles, believe me. The worst station was the rowing machine. After being drained off your staminer, endurance and strength, its no joke pulling your way through the rowing machine for 2 sets of 2 minute all out row. This is where the mental comes in. I will never forget the rowing machine. The only station that makes my jaw feels like its going to fall apart anytime, my arms feel numb and my heart exploding from my chest. After just over an hour of non-stop weights training, and when you thought all is over, the coach will start on his 150 non-stop "hold it there" push-ups and 120 non-stop sit-ups. As you can see, its always the mental. There will be shouts of encouragement as we press on to the finish of the 3 hour training session. After the ordeal, the most therapeutic and relaxing part of training has finally come, the warm-down, which is 2 rounds around the track and stretching. This is then followed by a debrief. The 2004 NYP Guy's Team managed to clinch 2nd place behind NTU in the Inter-varsity-Polytechnic Games, beating other favorites like NUS and Nee Ann Poly. ITE, Temasak, and Singapore Poly were no where in sight.
Then came my National Service days, where I joined the SAFSA Dragon Boat Team, which practically trained almost everyday, and yes, even on public holidays. Mondays and Wednesdays were land training, where we usually do 5km runs and hit the gym. We will have 3km, 2.4km and 1.6km sprint running time trials now and then, and so if you happen to eat curry the night before, good luck to you. Then there will be the pull-up test, which I dominate always. Never failing to do 46 pull-ups in a minute. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be sea training where we did our rowing. Clocking mileage for the conditioning of our rowing muscles. This is where the rowing technique comes in for optimum effect, from our fitness training. After rowing a good 2 miles, we usually end off with a last charge which is a pick up in stroke rate, which also determine the fitter rowers. This we usually do in sets. Saturdays and Sundays will be a mixture of land and sea trainings. After rowing for a good 2 hours, we will proceed with our 3 km run. The end of every training always leaves us hungry. Even in the shower, we were already dreaming about what to eat. At one point, many of us felt that we didn't have time to recover fully from all the training, and were starting to feel worn out from the trainings and the heat from the sun. Many of the rowers also became ill from dehydration. Our determination always lead us to the finals of every race ever since I stepped into the team. The most memorable race I had with the SAFSA Team was the River Regatta, held at the Singapore River in December 2005. Every rower was at his peak fitness and I really enjoyed the thrills of beating teams like NTU which had half it's boat filled with national rowers. I had the pleasure of being the Pacer of the team in my last race with SAFSA. I'm glad I managed to coordinate my stroke rate with Jeremy, which requires like 100% focus on my part.
Then came May 2006 when the National Team called for a time trial. It was a 2.4km test with a pull-up test included in as well. Not forgetting the Individual Row Test, where every member had to row one full boat by himself, trying to clock the best possible time. It was a whole experience all together. I learnt how to row while standing and kneeling, which was rather bad for the knee cap and ligaments. The rowers in the team had fitness levels I've never seen in my NYP and SAFSA days. They were like bodybuilders who could run 2.4km in 8 minutes plus. That was during the time the team was training for the race in Macau.
I'm just happy that I sustain no injuries through out these years of Dragon Boating, and I look forward in continuing this sport after my studies in the UK.

A Tribute To My Church Pals

Friendships. That's a rather subjective word for many people. Some only classify friends as people whom they can share their deepest secrets with, while others classify them as anyone who addresses them on the street.
As for me, I tend to classify people under my friends list, as people whom I can click and strike a good conversation, not forgetting the same common values that we share.
I have a few group of friends. Mainly my A.C.S pals that I used to hang out with over the weekends, chilling to some jazz over a cup of coffee and some cakes. If not, we will be going for spins in the car, and probably late night clubbing and supper at times. There's also my group of Dragonboat buddies, whom I'll see every weekend afternoons at Kallang Sea Sports Club, where we share our passion of sportsmanship and keeping fit and the ultimate goal of wining the gold medal at every race. The never say die attitude still rings on till today after I've decided to leave the sport temporarily for my studies in England. Then there is my group of Polytechnic mates, whom I have the greatest pleasure in sharing my wildest jokes and crap with. Really a happy go lucky group of energetic babes and guys. Last but not least, the group who has really stood by me, not for a long time, but long enough for me to take heart that this group of friends are one hell of a bunch of great friends that I can really imagine growing old with. These are my church cell group mates.
The group has started to form not too long ago, probably about 2 years back. Sadly, I didn't give much time and effort into the group. Always too busy with my Dragonboat training, studies, AC pals, well, and probably some girls who came along the way and made my life somewhat rocky. I wished I had joined them more and probably gave up the time I spent on those girls a miss. I mean at this point in my life, I feel friends are probably a more important factor than girls who are confused and don't know what they really want. Enough of all the surface talk, Lets get into greater detail.
The group is runned by this fellow brother and friend of mine called Raja, AKA Ravi. This guy is the Guru, because he is the most Christ like person whom I've ever met. Never seen him angry before. Come to think of it, maybe once, when some people called him a Marsian, but that was many years back. Despite his great knowledge of the Bible, he never fails to be humble and used it to answer all the weird theories and questions that we would always never fail to ask him directly. Guess that makes him a good teacher. NIE trained too. Always there to guide us in Christian values, so that we stay out of trouble. Well that's up to you to imagine. His genuine love, honesty and truthfulness to people never fails to amaze me. A guy who is able to show the kind nature of God himself.
Another member of the group whom I shared a part of my childhood days growing up with is Stephen. Our days went all the way back in the year 1992, when his dad met my dad in a joint SAF exercise between the Army and the Airforce. I could still remember the times when my family used to have meals at his home, where his parents are always so ever hospitable. I still have the pleasure of enjoying such hospitality till today when the dudes and I drop by his place after cell group for some food and drinks as we catch live EPL matches and movies. Will really miss those days when I get to England. He never fails to make us comfortable in his home which I had the opportunity to spend the first years of my Christian life playing around in. Its always these simple and fun activities like chilling at the prata place together, watching movies over a can of rootbeer helping each other pick clothes and enjoy helping each other out in church activities that really bite deep into my very bone. As compared to all the politics, strive, backstabbing, comparing, and trying to impress kind of attitudes that are everywhere. This is the group where I can be just myself and share all my failures and distress without being laughed at. Its just the genuine care and concern that each member have for each other that makes me feel the uniqueness of the group.
Next in the list is Jon. Although most of our conversation is about fashion and stuff, I really think this guy has got the compassion for others that will truely make a great friend. One that will go all out for his friends and one that treasures great friendships. Always advising me on certain things really portrays the care and concern he has for others.
Then there is Sean, a friend who shows his friendship out of the actions he do, like making sure he gives me a lift all the way to my doorstep, when he could simply just drop me at the guard house of my residence. A genuine and thoughtful friend indeed.
There are others in the group that I have the pleasure of coming to know as well, and can't think of what to write at this moment because it's like 4 in the morning and I'm really tired. I promise to write about everyone in the group, but my main purpose of this short and simple passage is just a tribute to my church pals and a hope for anyone out there who feels that there is no true friend in this world.
These people are friends that I believe I can grow in the Lord with and grow old together. I must say, at this point, I really feel gay writing all these stuff, but at least I wrote it.

Preparing For The UK

I must admit, it is not going to be easy being an overseas student. With all the applications, paper work, planning of things to buy, currency exchange, choices of airline, accommodation issues, and the list goes on. Looks like its going to be the UK. I can only say goodbye to Aussyland, where the weather is so much better, and friends I have got there.
The UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, a far away place where many have described the weather as being horrendously cold. Yes, it is going to snow this winter, which begins in November, a month and a half just after I land in Newcastle airport.
My application to Northumbria University at Newcastle wasn't really a smooth one. I started my application in November last year, and was only allowed a phone interview at the end of May this year. A week after the interview, nothing was heard from the faculty at the university. Being me, I decided to email the Senior Lecturer at the faculty, asking about the outcome of the phone interview. By this time, my choice of this university in Newcastle Upon Tyne was the last choice standing in all my 6 choices initially. The rest were either too competitive for me to gain admissions to, or I actually withdrew my application due to the fact that the place of study was too dreadful, as you can imagine county english towns like Northamptonshire and Derbyshire. Newcastle Upon Tyne on the other hand is a more lively city, and I use the word "city", with a good night life and a good percentage of student population. My 1st choice at The University Of The West Of England, Bristol, rejected my application due to the fact that they only offer places to their own UK citizens. Anyway, besides the point, I was quite relief when this university at Newcastle is going to offer me a place.
I must say that the administration procedures and paper work that I had to do was quite a mild stone. I had to make appointments for health medical screenings to be done and consultations with doctors that didn't come cheap. Besides the health check, there was also the check for no criminal offence in Singapore. This brought me all the way to the CID Headquaters, where I had to apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Records. I had to pay $45 just for that certificate. Not to mention all the calls I have made to the university with regards to my application and all the registered mails that I have sent out. Application was tough.
Then I had to plan the things I would need to buy, and I mean important things, like; a laptop, webcam with in-built microphone, thumb drive for projects, external hard drive for movies and songs. These are just the electronic items. Then comes the clothing and bags. I would probably need to get all the clothes I would need for the next 9 months or so, as shopping for clothes over in England can be rather costly. I would need to get another pair of jeans, some t-shirts, inner wear for the up and coming winter, briefs, a deuter bag pack, a good haversack where I can slot my laptop in as well.
Another issue I had was with the British Pound, which has gone up lately. Everything is 3 times the Singapore Dollar over in Newcastle, England. Really have to watch my spending, even on food. I would probably need to cook all 3 meals by myself. Buying an air ticket when I am over at Newcastle would also mean a high taxation on my flight ticket price. I would probably need to get a 2 way flight, there and back, to prevent buying a ticket over there.
Next on the list of agenda, is the decision on which airline to fly with. Most of my fellow year 1 freshmen have bought a 2 way ticket with KLM, the Dutch Airline, which will fly from Singapore and stop over at Amsterdam, and then to Newcastle.

Then there is the accommodation bit to worry about. Heard from the 2nd year students at Newcastle that some hostel mates tend to steal your food from the shared fridge. I will be sharing the kitchen and fridge with about 8 to 10 people. Our individual room size will probably be smaller than the average size, and the showers will probably be too small to allow you to bend down and wash your feet.

What will become of me? Maybe I'm just thinking too much. Things may get better after I have settled these issues.

I just managed to rent some Hongkong and Taiwanese serials to load it all into my external hard drive. I don't usually watch chinese serials, but its just an anticipation that I'll probably miss the asian way of life. Trying my best to get hold of as many chinese serials as possible. Maybe I'll end up borrowing some from friends who enjoy watching these serials. I have been spending these few days uploading softwares and transfering files and songs into my laptop. These are all essential stuff that will ensure I survive confortably in my hostel room during the winter.