The Finshing Line
Timings for the New Balance REAL Run:
Me: 1hr05mins
SpunkIce: 1hr02mins
HamSam: 58mins
Both me and SpunkIce haven been feeling well the week leading up to the run. I was down with the horrible bout of food poisoning while SpunkIce was down with fever. We didn't manage to train much for the run. Hence the lackluster timings for the girls.
Our original target was to complete it under 60mins.
Baby's timing isn't too good considering he is a guy!! Hahah...well....I'm just hoping he gets a gold for his IPPT next week and we'll have a huge feast with the $400!
No more 'S' sized tees for us!
Dammit...we were too slow perhaps.Actually SpunkIce managed to get a S category bag...but to her horror and dismay, the bag didn't come with the SMALL tee!!! What are the chances right???
And when we went back to get it...we were greeted with the announcement at the goodie bag area that they have finished giving out the SMALL-sized tees. Boy did she kicked up a huge fuss (typical of SpunkIce by the way) with the organizers at the booth!
Overall, the run was great but the sand trail was the killer. Walking through the sand was torturous enough, much less running through it! It felt like a trek through the Sahara! My ankles hurt a lot from the uneven sand surface and most of my energy was sapped pulling my legs out and putting one foot ahead of the other.
Perhaps if it was a purely road terrain, we could have shaved about a good 5 mins off our overall timing. Will try it out on the upcoming AHM or the StanChart!
Despite the stitches (I dunno from wat...milo!?!?) and aching knee (my mum threw away my knee guards accidentally!!!!), I COMPLETED the race. That was my overarching goal for the day. Many a times I just wanted to throw in the towel and give up...but I know I will feel damn lousy with myself after that had I chosen to take the easy way out.
I ran in with SpunkIce encouraging and racing me through my last lap to the finishing line. HamSam was supposedly waiting at the finishing line with a bottle of isotonic in hand ready for me...but a pity he didn't spot me!
Oh well...the mission is accomplished. It felt damn good....I'm suffering the aftermath today. My thunder-thighs are aching terribly. Doubt I can wear my killer heels for another day. I'm gonna be down to earth tomorrow.
I hope my health can get back to 100% soon....I really need to start working out and lose some fat and improve on my unspeakable fitness level.
Yippie...I conquered Monday!!
Retch
Seems like the food poisoning saga is really taking its toll on me. My appetite has taken a nose dive (I should be happy cos' that means I'm losing weight!), and I get the worst hit of nausea even on a peaceful train ride.
My appetite is not as hearty anymore..and I don't eat as much..but yet I feel queasy after a "meal" and have an uncontrollable urge to puke. I do sometimes...but I try very hard not too.
I'm just worried I'm developing some kind of eating disorder. It's a huge struggle with the voice that tells me I GOTTA puke.
I would like to think its not mental.
I can almost throw up into a vomit bag on a bus ride home if not for me either swallowing back as much as I could or simply getting off the bus and walking the remaining of the journey.
I feel really shitty these days too cos' I have not done any exercise at all since that episode of poisoning.
Its bad cos' my marathon is coming up this Sunday...doubt I can break my personal best.
I haven started work yet....still on all the courses. I'm suffering from severe information overload. Not only do I have to study the local accounting and auditing standards...I have to do the US GAAP too...not to mention SOX 404!!
The past week has been at The Legends....the next week its at the M Hotel. Its such a pity my current state of health doesn't allow me to enjoy all the good food!
The KAM 6 course mates.
I have lots of other photos in my work lappie which doesn't have Photoshop, and I'm too tired to transfer over to this leisure lappie. Sooo....yah....in due time I would post it up.
Today's KPMG's Community Day!! The whole firm takes the day off and pay back to the society. We played "host" to residents from homes and kids with special needs @ SparksC.
The pictures below!
The fresh G2s! 
Community Day kicked off!
His Excellency
I'm so proud of my trusty camera. I was situated so far back from the stage yet I'm able to capture such a crisp image. The wonders of optical zoom and megapixels!
Gonna hit the sack. Tired and pukish.
Cell fellowship on Thursday night was good. We are bonding well....and what was shared was really encouraging. It gives me hope for the future.
Never stop feeding on The Word.
Poisoned
Puked bile juices and an endless flow of watery stools.
I'm devoid of every single ounce of strength.
Took half a day off on friday. I almost fainted outside the DBS tower while waiting for the clinic to open. The floor seemed to be floating up and meeting me. Thankfully Sam arrived on time.
HamSam is poisoned too. He puked by the roadside after an emergency break in the middle of Holland V. There were curious stares from people passing by. They must be thinking this fella is one helluva alcoholic to be puking pissed-drunk in broad daylight.
So I'm typing this on my bed...since I really don't have the strength to even sit up. I had to take my bath sitting on a stool even.
Thankfully, I have super nice colleagues who helped me a great deal for the test I had to complete by Mon in time for my training.
The next three days would be back at Ford Canning again...beats being in the office anytime.
That's about all the strength I can garner to blog.
Meanwhile, whoever mentions the word OYSTERS to me will get a kick in your arse!
Survivors
Today marks the end of the three day induction program for the new associates.
Its was three days of gluttony at The Legends. There were 4 meals per day right up to dinner time!
We sure are gonna miss all the food....
Or is it their ploy to feed us till we are meaty and tender enough to be slaughtered!!?! *shudders*
Our table name: Survivor
With the slogan--> Outdress, Outwork, Outstay (the boss!)
On the second day, we had a deportment course conducted for us, complete with a fine dining experience.
Very insightful session and we learnt about the taboos of fine dining and of course subsequently the correct and refine way to eat that fillet of fish or morsel of beef!
I was just contented with sipping on the Chardonnay! To heck with the soup and desserts! I mean how can anyone eat at ease keeping a ramrod straight posture like Audrey Hepburn?!?
After that was Imaging. The talk revived the urge of all the girls in the ballroom to go shopping right after work!!! There was so much we learnt about dressing, from the fabric, cutting to the colour! Not forgetting the type of shoes and accessories...
Its time for a whole new wardrobe!
To the M'sian Mega Sale??!
We are all motivated to OutDress now!!!
The guys being scrutinized on stage. From the belts and neckline, to their pants and sleeve length...its hilarious listening to the trainer pointing out all the common pitfalls of men's dressing.
My collogues.
Pretty nice peeps. Even tho' all of us were from the same varsity, we have never spoken in school before! Yet within the short span of 3 days, we gel like we have been friends for the past 5 years.
It'll be back to the office tmw. I have tons of mails to clear and lots of courses to complete! I hope there's enough space in the pantry for us to use as our workstations. Bleah....
Overwhelmed
I was dead beat tired from yesterday.
OVERWHELMED. That is the word.
I was....
Overwhelmed with the names I have to remember (I'm really really bad at this!!!)
Overwhelmed with the number of passwords and pins I have to create and remember.
Overwhelmed with the number of events and courses I have to attend.
Overwhelmed with the directions for the various rooms.
Overwhelmed with the forms to complete, verify and sign.
Overwhelmed with the all the "combat rations" issued (which incidentally are very attractive! I'm not sure if I can reveal what they are at this moment...in due time perhaps).
I was overwhelmed.
After the sumptuous breakfast reception at Coffee Club, its down to serious stuff.
Leave Entitlements.
With Rachael. We were too bored waiting for the HR peeps. Steff who is back-facing us (top picture) was busy memorizing the names of all the partners. I think.
The after-work Welcome Party @ Dbl O.
The newly-promoted partners on stage doing some Night Fever impersonation.
The workhorses transformed into totally different people altogether at the party. They look dead-serious and utterly stressed out when we saw them in the office but at night, they really let loose man....right down to a change of clothes to suit the retro theme.
Is it a front that they are putting up for us? Or is it really them??
I'll get back to you guys with regards to that when I'm more assimilated into their culture.
The new female associates in my team (The guys are pretty camera-shy).
My partners look like pretty nice people. At least for one, they are not female bosses!!!
The next three-days of induction will be at The Legends, Ford Canning. Looking forward to the feast.
Re-charging myself this weekend.
EPL is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goodbye Life
Possibly my last reading cuppa.
The hungry predator...
Is that a tuna sashimi or his tongue??!? Yeeeksss!!!!
Goodnight world....it has been a good 4 months....
0 days left
Man and Boy
Somehow this is my saddest week ever. Its the last week of my 4 month holiday.
Even today being a public holiday didn't make me any happier.
Baby came over and watched Dodgeball (for the 5th time! And he can still laugh along to the jokes) on the new player in my room. Now my room has got just about everything....ok...maybe not EVERYTHING. I do not have a fridge,a xBOX, nor an attached bathroom.
Yah...so I would still have to step outta my room once in awhile.
We skipped the parade telecast on TV and instead went to Srg Gardens for dinner at Country Manna. It's a pity the branch at Gardens did not have the piano that plays by itself! I used to be so freaked out by that when I was a kid. Its like the piano is being played by Mr Invisible!! Haha...
Why did I bail out on the NDP? Not that I'm not a patriotic citizen, but really...it's almost the same thing every year. The only thing changing once every few years is perhaps the President. And furthermore I'm not a huge fan of synchronized mass displays....so, that explains.
I can vote this year!!! Whooots!!
I will not be discussing my political views here...its too open and there are spies. Freedom of Speech is bollocks in this part of the world.
I feel so fatttt!!! I have been having good food for every meal for the past few days! No longer the vegan that I strive to be. Yesterday's dinner @ the Soup Restaurant with the new cell was so very sumptuous!! Its hard to settle on a meeting day for cell...not with the lawyers, doctors and an accountant (that's me!!) in the cell.
Short entries these days cos' I gotta seize the moment!! Got lotsa stuff to do before I start work this Friday!!
My current read:
Man and Boy by Tony Parsons
It's the prequel to Man and Wife. Tony is really an awesome writer. And as said by James Brown (not the overrated DAN brown), I indeed cried 5 times (or more!) and laughed out loud four (I think that is an understatement!).
2 more days!
Bubbly Blisters
Can someone please tell me why I am plagued with these blisters!!!!
The damn blisters will always occur at both the arcs of my foot. No amount of plaster, well-padded socks, or even the type of shoe would rectify that problem.
The blisters foiled my attempt to complete the last km of my 5km run!! I had to limp lousily back the last km.
Its very frustrating...especially when I do marathons. I can't afford to stop and whimper about my blisters then. Like for the REAL Run, I just have to bear with the pain and continue running to finish the race...allowing myself a breather only at the sand trails.
I can't seem to figure out the cause of the problem. Its definitely has got nothing to do with my socks nor shoes. On very close inspection, I can only attribute the cause to the veins running at the arcs. The blisters on both feet are strategically positioned on the particular vein that kindda pops out and which probably abrades against the shoe.
OR, its just the structure of my feet...the way my (tremendous!) weight is distributed on my sole....I really am clueless...
Am I the only one with this problem?!? What's the remedy?!!?
Looks like I have to rule out frisbee with the cell peeps this coming weekend...
Speaking of which, I'm gonna be having dinner buffet at marina with them tomorrow... Its been years since I last went there for the buffet.
Just when I got myself a new CD, my player has to crank up. Never buy Philips!!!
Now I have to connect an external player just to play my CD.
My room looks like it belongs to some geekish audiophile.
5 more days
Andy Warhol
Haven been blogging the past few dayz...no reason other than me being lazy.
In no particular order, the happenings in the past week.
Little India outing with Vanilla. Mustafa centre was so difficult to locate!!!
We happen to be in the vicinity after visiting the T-Junction and meeting up with our old BS leader.
@ BrownBox after Chomping 
I can't seem to pull him away from the TV!!! And what's worse is that its always cartoons!
They sent me a letter reminding me about my first day of sentence.
My first day of work will probably end at 1-2am... But of course, not in the office, YET.
My current feed:
If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend by Alison Pace
Very witty writing and what intrigues me most is the art background of the story. Probably cos' there's a part in me that wants to be a museum curator....one day...
Meanwhile, chill to BossaNova.
6 more days
Sanguine
Went to trim my tresses with SpunkIce yesterday (Saturday). Very impromptu decision...she called me in the morning and told me she had already made an appointment for TWO.
Despite the very cool and sleep-conducive weather, I dragged myself outta bed and got dressed to meet her. Hence my very casual jeans and tees attire...which I must add is totally not for clubbing! That's why I didn't make it to Club MoMo (I still think the name is so very OFF!) with her to meet up with some ol' school peeps.
We got a great deal for the cut and all I can say is that our matriculation card has got to be one of the greatest discount card in our purses!
SpunkIce with her Victoria Beckham hairdo and me with my Make-Me-Look-Like-I-Have-More-Hair style.
After one RotiBoy (my second so far only and Spunkie's millionth), we were in town shopping. It was a day of EX-es! GOSH...
Spunkie bumped into her first love, I "visited" one of my ex (and his wife!) and bumped into another one thereafter! Yeeeksss!!! Feigning ignorance was one of our preferred reaction. But the plan backfired when a few minutes later, they message you saying that they saw you and whats up with the attitude?? Oh well....
No outing is complete without a pot of tea.
Baby joined us for dinner and we had Jap. There are so few eating places to choose from in town (as compared to the city). Its either Jap (Sakae, Suki, or Genki) or Chinese (Crystal Jade or Din Tai Fung). Even food courts...there's only one that is din-able and it's the Scotts Picnic. So sick of the food in town...give me local fanfare at the hawker anytime!
We left town and met up with Korz and his gf @ Grapevine.
Popped a bottle of Merlot and munched (very incongruently) on fries.
The boys enjoyed themselves at the pool table. I didn't know till yesterday that my bro is such a pro at pool. He managed to stay at the table for 5 games...even beating Sam, albeit rather flukely. We had to force him to lose so that we could leave and grab a bite.
Not the Kaohsiung World Pool Championship, but the Kovan Estates Pool Tournament (so says Sam)! My brother was mimicking some of Alex Pagulayan's (the recently unseated world champion) moves. It's a pity Alex The Lion (who is Korz's all time favourite) didn't win this time round....cos the new champion Chia-Ching Wu doesn't look as delicious as Alex! :P That's coming from a bimbotic girl's perspective. Imagine me rooting blindly for the better looking player while my brother is studying and learning how the players read the game and place their balls. I'm such a pesky lil' sister!
See what I mean?
I had a wonderful home-cooked meal this evening (Sunday). Baby was over for dinner too. Seeing how he gets along so well with my family, helping my mummy with the cooking (mumz proudly proclaims he is her capable and indispensable assistant chef, unlike me who cannot even cook proper rice!), laying the dinner table and cutting the fruits after dinner. It warms my heart to see how they are getting along so well.
Given his auntie-killer charm, it is no wonder he is a hit with my relatives too.
I'm looking forward to the future...OUR future...with much sanguinity.
FOP 2005 this coming week. Will you be there?
Quote of the day: The possibility of endless possibilities.
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