Fencing workshop

Yes! Today I had my 1st fencing class! It was cool! Not to mention the instructor was not bad-looking...haha... :P Anyway, he had actually won 2 bronze medals at the SEA Games.

It's another recreation activity arranged by my organisation. This time it was taught by a instructor from the Blade Club. We were taught some theory, and some footwork. Basically, you've got to keep your body straight, your feet in a L-shape position, your arms lifted & to keep your legs bent. Being the first day, our bodies were not tuned to this yet, so I'm expecting some aches tomorrow. This will be a good workout for my thighs man. And probably a more toned body! However, we will only get suited up on the last lesson, which is 7 weeks later!

What we'll be using is the foil (which is the weapon lah). This is sort of like the "beginner's" weapon I think. The other 2 types are the épée (pronounced "epp-pay") & the sabre. There are different sparring rules for each weapon.

Next week, we'll still practise on the footwork & doing thrusting. Think I will need to get a pair of track shoes.


Technorati tags: Fencing (sports), SEA games

Dose of Sports

Yesterday, I started my 8-week archery course. It was actually arranged by my organisation as part of some staff recreation initiative, so the committee arranged for instructors from the Kebun Baru Archery Club to teach us.

The 1st lesson was more like a refresher course for me. I'd actually did a one-day course back in JC when I was in my JC's ODAC (yup, some of my peers can't really visualise me as part of that ECA now...haha...don't look the outdoor or adventurous kind). Of course, being the only left-hander at the course, I got to use the same bow almost throughout.

Anyway, it was quite fun. At least I hit the board all the time & not letting the arrow whizz over it & hit the wall behind. However, wasn't quite good at aiming, think the closest I ever got to the bull's eye was the the 3rd ring. Anyway, I couldn't adjust the sight, & I guess there was a parallax error from my end, so ...
Well, the instructor said he will start teaching us how to do targeting next week...how to offset (???) and after that, how to adjust the sight. Hope I'll do better next week!

Did I tell you I'm starting fencing tomorrow? ;P


Technorati tag: archery, Kebun Baru Archery Club

National Day Parade 2006

It's National Day! Just finished watching the parade at 8pm.

A bit of nostalgia as this is the last time they are having it at the National Stadium at Kallang (they are pulling it down!). Still remember the days (vaguely though) when I used to attend it...when Samuel Chong was still the host at that time. Was really young then and didn't feel the significance of it. But now, I can understand better & I do feel a sense of patriotism towards Singapore (it's not just during this period you know).
You can see it especially in my line of work - preserving Singapore's heritage. ;P Ok, this was discovered when I started work & I realised that I enjoyed heritage work & I feel strongly about it.

My favourite national day song? Count on me Singapore. The words are so meaningful, expressing what Singapore has gone through in becoming an independent nation, surviving the odds & criticism of others. and the "count on me" part gives you the sense that you are part of it.

Technorati tag: National Day Parade,NDP

Partners in Crime : A Singapore Murder Mystery by S Mahadevan Flint

Just read this book which after finishing, I'll stick to the decision that it is not bad (if you had read my earlier comments in my Current Reads column). It's quite well-written for a 1st-time Singapore novelist.

It's one of those "whodunnit"s, but set in Singapore, in a law firm (corporate law). A senior partner is murdered and just who is the murderer, what's the motive?
Fortunately, for me, there's no anti-climax & I do find myself wanting to read on.

Although I won't say it's addictive in the sense like when I read Agatha Christie (where once I finish a book of AC, I would be craving for the next book in the series (I get "withdrawal syndrome" sometimes)), you'll want to finish it and it sort of rounds up as a novel on its own.
I think I will read the next book (wonder if it will end up as a series) which the author is currently working on.

Why not read it if you like mystery? You'll hardly find something like this in the Singapore context. You can borrow it from the library under the Singapore collection, call no. FLI.

Brooding mood

I went out with my friend today & she asked me, "why are you exceptionally sian today?" It was not intentional & her having just returned from a 2-mth mission trip, she said, "are you sian to see me?" [Dear J! Of course not!].

I think I'm just in a brooding mood. What am I brooding about? I don't know. Searching in my brain, I only see haze. Maybe I'm over-worked? I find that I don't have much of a life, something motivational. Maybe just one of those "down" days.

Anyway, proof of over-working, my friend said I've lost weight (yeah!). Think she's not the 1st to comment...probably because I've been skipping a few lunches here & there. Hmm...not healthy, but not bad. At least something to make me look better. :P
I think I'm not thinking through much these days too. Seem to say a lot of things that don't seem so wise, or the way that I put them didn't sound very good, though not intentionally.

Silence of the Kittens

Went to watch "Silence of the Kittens" (Singapore Theatre Festival) last night. Not bad.

It's a political satire reflecting how it will be like if we become so "puristic" that we become a sterile nation. It used the analogy of the ban of having cats as pets in HDB flats (didn't know that?!). For strays or "abnormalities" (or non-conformists), like the stray cats, they will be culled.

Tag: silence of the kittens

Indulgences

Ssshhh...my latest splurges...


Got my friend to buy this for me when she went to the US.



Bought this from Lee Hwa Jewellery...one of my biggest splurge of the year. Why did I buy? Had a $100 voucher.

Yikes! Can't shop for the rest of the year!

Feeling inspired to be inspired

It's one of those loner days again. Feeling inspired to be inspired.

Got off work early today :P. Ok, my course finished early, so I was on my own. As I walked, felt like going to the Esplanade; felt a loner needing some inspiration; felt a need to be an artiste.

As I moved along, this urge to escape, to morph out of the surroundings. In our society, everything seems so fast-paced. In my mind, I visualised citylife flashes, people rushing about, but yet, in our souls, there is this need to slow down, to break free. I felt myself torn, saw myself in a desire to journey slowly, but my heart was in an inertia with the fast pace of life; like you're pushed along while trying to take time to stand still, to reflect.

I visualised myself... can I be an artiste? To take time off from work, to do those things that bring out the art soul in me. I saw myself, running around the city, but taking my time photographing things, to sit somewhere composing... something reflective, somewhere.

Can one dream?

The outsider.

Injustice to foreign workers

Wow, I was aghast that this happens here (sorry lah, don't really read the newspapers, so a bit slow). Are Singaporeans getting too selfish? Read this recently:

"Not too long ago, there was a debate on whether the Ministry of Manpower should enforce a mandatory one-day off every month for foreign domestic workers here. Employer brought up various arguments to justify why the maids should not be given a day off. Granted, some considerations may be valid. But the double standard it exposes is also rather frightening! Surely most Singaporeans would not accept a job that does not guarantee even one day off a month! So why are Singaporean employers so reluctant to give their maids the rest that they themselves would unashamedly demand?"

Although I don't have a maid, I would say grant them at least 2 days off per month! They only have these off days and us? We get at least a day off each weekend plus annual leave. Quite terrible right?

New revelation on my promised job

Had a new revelation yesterday.

Some of you may know the story behind 'how I came to be in my current job'. Just a "brief" summary.
After my graduation, I didn't know what career I should actually build on. I didn't really like accounts (which was my basic degree) but discovered my passion or rather it struck me.
After applying for my desired job (although there weren't any openings) which gave me no replies, I decided to take a postgrad degree in the related field (it is an added advantage for the job, even though possibility of sponsorship is included if you get in), so praying to GOD that if it's meant to be, for Him to open the doors. I submitted my application to NTU & went through all the tests smoothly (yes, besides application, had to take a written test & go through an interview!).
Upon completion of my studies, openings were available, applied, went through interviews, prayed...& eventually, I got here!

Ok, ok, am getting to the "new revelation". Besides the point that GOD is good & real, He opens doors if it's His will, makes sure ALL the doors are opened if He does, He answers...
I realised that GOD sometimes brings you through a process first rather than just saying "Ok, here you are" even though He says "yes". He makes sure you grow to be able to reach the level you require and through this process, one really gets prepared. It's a "packaged deal", everything planned nicely and you just know it has to be planned by GOD.

The key is to have the faith to keep believing the promises. GOD does not necessarily grant you things immediately...there's a bigger plan. Never give up.

As preached by one of my church leaders a couple of weeks ago (wondered how come I didn't get this revelation/strike a chord then), we've got to outwait it, till it's fulfilled. For He never goes back on His word. Just like when GOD said He will make Abraham the father of nations, but He only gave Him a son, Issac (the legitimate son) when Abraham was 100 yrs old and his wife Sarah was 90!