Friday, June 27, 2008

Trip to Singapore - Change of Scenery

Most of my bosses don't want to travel to Singapore and this oppurtunity was presented to me. Having been cooped up in my Office for a year or so, I willingly took this "instruction" happily since i have a major agenda - visit to the Bike Shop in Singapore.

Arrived in Singapore on Tuesday evening, changed my ticket from Sunday to Saturday, since most of my frens wanted to go back to Malaysia early and no one can entertain me in Singapore ;-), which was aefinitely good decision which I had found out later. Singapore is very much different then what I use to remember before, having been posted there in late 1980's to work with the PSA (Port of Singapore).

They put me up at Copthorne King, which i realized was way out of nowwhere (as far as Singapore is concern) near Havelock road. Having to walk 20 minutes to the nearest MRT, thus curtailed my movement. Got me a StarHub prepaid mobile number for me to call some of my Singaporean frens easily, i then roam China Town that night.

Meeting days was full of food from morning till nite much so until i found out that I had put on 7 kilos within that 7 days absense from excercise. On Friday, having pulled a no show at the meeting, I went galavanting with my Singaporean Tour Guide (Dennis & Jeff) to 6 Bike Shop and one Sports shoes shopping complex. This was done in the 10 hours that was available.

The 6 Bike Shops were - Tay Cycle (Specialized & Giant stuff), Bike Haus (Tri suits), Swiss Valley Cycle (BMC, Campy Stuff), Performance Cycle (Italian Bikes and Jerseys), Cycleworks (Pinarello stuff) and Boon Cycle (cheaper loose items). At queensway Comple, got me a running shoes to replace the NB shoes that was a bit undersized.

What even surprises me more is the fact that those jokers, changed their mind, to go back that same night to Malaysia. Of course they asked me whether I would accompany them back, me being a compliant and safe person decided not to follow and had to be sent to another friends house to bunk in for the night - (my flight tickets was already confirmed and I dislike trouble). Next morning, not wanting to be imposing on that friend, i decided to "ronda" Sim Lim Complex for some IT stuff. Went back at just after 4 pm to pick my bags and just in time to pushed of to Changi for my flight back.

Luckily I had managed to pack my goodies into Dennis's car much so that i had a lighter luggage when i came back.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Nothing Much to Add

Hah, its been about 3 weeks since I have last visited my Blog, just that there is not much interesting stuff to update, but for the sake of documenting my life, here goes nothing:-

New Balance 15km (18/05/2008)

Went to New Balance 15km run at Padang Merbok, the day before I have to be on duty for IMPACT (International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Terrorism). The usual suspect was there, Adeline, Ariff, Yusran, Zailan, Phoebe and surprisingly my industry friend Shereen. Paced myself normally and survived the first 7.5km in about 50 mins,although the start was a bit lazy and slow affair.

By the time i reached Double hill, i decided to walk up the hill and rest while run downhill again to the finish line. This strategy worked for me before and i did just that. I was accompanied by a lady who was 5 month pregnant and we strike conversation. As I was coming down the hill behind Bank Negara, Phoebe turn up and kept me company back to the finishing line (phobe had finished the race 15 minutes ahead). It was a wonderful gesture and I appreciate it very much. Managed to finish the race in an unofficial 2 hours or there about. Spirits was good, but my tummy wasn't thanking me, felt like throwing up. After about 15 mins rest, and as we were walking to the car park, i decided to donate some baja (from my mouth) to the flowers and grass of Padang Merbok.

IMPACT - Being the Liason Officer (LO) 19-23/05/2008

LiasonOfficer (aka Proffessional GRO) to Foreign Guest coming here for International Conference and being confered status of Country Guest. I was assigned a guy from canada who was not very picky and was very professional. So, I had a good time and job was relatively easy. But that week saw my training regime went out the Window.

Cameron Highland Bike ride (31/05/2008)

How do you celebrate a week off not training but with a long bike ride to Cameron. If it was Andrea, I am sure she would not have done this ride (it doesn't match her rational of bike ride distance should exceed driving distance to the meeting point by 4:1), but Ariff, Kevin Han, Clarence, May Senn, Adeline and me decided to go up to Cameron last Saturday. We drove to Tapah and started the ascent at about 8:30 am. We reached Ringlet at about 11:30 am and really felt spent. But our intention is to climb at least up to the Bharat Tea House to have scones and tea and we reached that destination at about 12:15 pm.

As the weather was not permitting (dark clouds looming), we voted unanimously to go down just after May Senn's parents pick her up from Strawberry Park. They came to pick her up at 2:15 pm and we pushed down trying to beat the rain. There was slight drizzle and we made it back safely to the car at about 4:00 pm. Celebration with Mee Rebus tulang and Nasi Lemak was the order of the day. Went back to KL at about 5:30 after resting and cleaning up. Interesting 105 km ride. Calories used 4500.