Leading a team to Indonesia

This coming July, I'll be leading a team of 8 to 10 volunteers to Indonesia to help out in the post-tsunami reconstruction. This Disaster Response team will be sent out under the banner of Habitat for Humanity, Singapore (HFHSg). (For more details regarding this, click on the following link: http://www.habitat.org.sg/tsunami/firstbuilder/firstbuilders.htm)

It is indeed a great privilege that I can contribute in whatever way I can to the reconstruction efforts there. However, as it is my first time, I wonder how it will turn out, especially since I am now the team-leader. Thankfully, Hosea, a personal friend and the National Coordinator for HFHSg, has offered to join my team and to offer his expert advice and to share his seasoned experience in home-construction.

Now, I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that the preparatory work -- team member recruitment, fund-raising, flight bookings, visa applications and other logistic and administrative matters -- will proceed smoothly.

May the love of Christ shine and bring hope to those who are in despair.

Rising Dragon

Rising Dragon. That's the name of my beginner's martial arts class at MediaCorp Studios. So far, the lessons under Leo Wen Yeow and Vincent Ng have been extremely fruitful and enjoyable. There's only 2 more lessons before the grading exam in mid-April. I should be able to pass it, but I'm aiming for something higher - something which will qualify me to be a "rising dragon" rather than some "twitching worm". So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the silver award. As for gold, I think it's out of my reach because there are so many others in my class who are much better than I am.

http://www.mediacorpstudios.com/wushu

Next semester's martial arts class should be even more exciting than this current one. I'll be learning swordplay.

Dean Karnazes

Today, I received via email this url http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/26/ultramarathonman.reut/index.html.

It's a CNN report about Dean Karnazes, an ultramarathon runner. He sure has a lot of steely grit and determination, because he ran ten marathons in a row, taking 75 hours in total -- and nearly a quarter of that time, he was pounding his way through rainy weather.

It's a feat I don't even dream of attempting, but his spirit is definitely commendable and he is certainly a source of motivation for my own running. Way to go, Dean!

Jalan jalan cari makan

I am finally back home at the end of my 3-day adventure in West Malaysia. It had been a fantastic holiday. Besides mountain trekking up the 510m-high Gunung Lambak (Kluang, Johor), which happened to be just the right mountain to climb for the beginner that I am, I also had the opportunity to make a stop-over at Melaka, a couple of hours' drive from Kluang. This was my third time in Melaka, but unlike my previous two visits, I gave the Portuguese fortress A Famosa and the bright red Dutch Christ Church a miss. Instead I spent most of my time winding through the narrow Malaccan streets, jalan jalan cari makan ("walk around to search for food" in Malay). I've got to say...Malaysia's a great place to travel, especially in the company of excellent friends.

My friends and I about to embark on our climb up Gunung Lambak

Gunung Lampak Resort

Tomorrow morning, I'll be off to Gunung Lampak Resort (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) with some good friends from the office. I can't wait for the trip to start. We plan to do a little bit of mountain trekking and some swimming while we're there. Cool. Maybe I'll get a nice dark tan. ;)

But I also hope to have some time alone in the resort, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, to meditate upon the Man upon the cross, who gave up His life for me over two thousand years ago. I thank the LORD for Good Friday.

The Great Wall Marathon 2005

The Great Wall Marathon will be held on 21st May 2005. The entry package for internationals from Singapore will cost US$390 excluding airfare, accommodation and transport within Beijing, China. Participants are even required to bring along their own Championship Chip -- or else, they'll have to purchase one there for US$35.

At present, this marathon sounds too rich for my blood, but imagine...running along the Great Wall of China, that must be an awesome experience! Perhaps I will give it a shot some time in the future when I get wealthy enough, perhaps...

The Last Word

Cool. Finally, a blog of my own, a virtual podium from which I can speak my mind. That is all I have to say, for now.