I put together my first wheelchair

This afternoon, there were just five of us (including 4 CSCDC volunteers) who turned up at SPD for the second instalment of the wheelchair repair course, or more correctly as I found out, the Mobility Aids Course. More than half of the folks who had attended the first session a fortnight ago failed to come for today's lesson. :(

Although the turnout was quite dismal, our instructor, Eugene, didn't seem too affected by it. Neither were his co-instructors, Alan and Andy. With less people around, the five of us volunteers were presented with a golden opportunity to learn from the masters about dismantling and assembling wheelchairs on a more personal basis. :) Among the five of us, we managed to strip two discarded wheelchairs right down to the very last nuts and bolts, washed and polished the separate pieces, and then put them back together again. They looked almost as good as new!

The two wheelchairs that we had "restored" today will be sent to Indonesia, together with another batch of "restored" wheelchairs, to augment the equipment in hospitals there, especially those in regions devastated by the tsunami of 26 December 2004.

Sprinting to good sight

Today, I went for a timed trial run in preparation for a relay race on 13 May 2005. The distance was 1.4 km, and I finished it in 5:48. The fastest guy at the trial, Chris Ang, finished it in a whopping 5:21. However, our competitors are reputed to complete the circuit in about 5:10 on average...which means I still have a lot of speedwork to work on in the next two weeks!

After the trial, I went down to Chinatown to collect my "repaired" pair of spectacles. For the first time in about a year, I could see with an amazing clarity and without any strain on my eyes. The feeling cannot be put into words. ;) And no longer do I have to wear my prescription shades at the office -- that really drew a lot of comments from my colleagues ;)

Cartwheels and Flying Kicks

For today's class (my first Intermediate Level Martial Arts class with MediaCorp), we learnt to do cartwheels and two types of air-borne tornado-kicks. Ha ha, the names of Chinese martial arts moves always sound funny when translated into English, and this is especially more so when I can't exactly remember the words in Chinese in the first place! :)

JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge :- Race Day

Today's JPMCCC 2005 was attended by exactly 9,330 runners. My personal timing for the 5.6km race was 29:38, which was slightly more than what I had hoped (28 minutes), but given the incredibly compact and slow-moving crowd of runners at the start line, it's still a rather acceptable performance. The fastest overall runner was this guy called Dipendra Gurung from the Singapore Police Force. He finished the race in 18:46. Wow.

A lousy optician almost ruined my eyes

For the past few weeks, I have been seeing double, especially when looking at printed text and at the computer screen. Within a matter of seconds of looking at books or the computer, everything goes blur, and I cannot bring the words and lines into focus. As I had only just purchased a new pair of spectacles within the last one year, I dreaded hearing the news that my myopia and astigmatism had deteriorated dramatically over such a short period of time. As a result, I had put off going to the optician for a check-up. But by the end of last week, my double-vision was giving me so many problems that I finally decided to get my eyes checked.

After work today, I went with Yingrui to visit her regular optician for consultation. The man sat me down in front of a machine, did some tests and measurements on my eyes as well as on my glasses. Then he broke to me the most shocking news. The problem did not lie with my eyes, but with the pair of spectacles itself! Apparently, my other optician had used lens which were of the wrong curvature and separation!

For the past one year, my eyes had been under much strain, trying to adapt to those mis-prescribed lens. In the recent few weeks, because my eyes had become so fatigued, they simply "gave up" trying to focus using those lens, and so I started to see double images! I can't believe my other optician did such a botched job when she made me my current pair of spectacles. Within the first month of making my purchase from her, I rang her up and complained of slightly blurred vision and of headaches. "There's nothing wrong with the glasses," she had insisted at that time. "All you need is some time to adapt to them. Everyone takes time to get used to their new pair of spectacles." And I trusted her then. But now, I know better.

At the end of my consultation, I left that pair of offending spectacles with Yingrui's optician, and asked him to have those lens replaced. I'm never going back to the other optician ever again.

Poem :- The puddle

On the ground,
Surface shimmering.
Catching the warm smile of the sun
And the wind-choreographed dance of the leaves and branches above.
Formed by heaven's tears
To reflect the glorious beauty of skyward things.
A puddle of water on the ground.

Beneficiaries-turned-volunteers

From 8:30 am to 5:30 pm today, I attended Rainbow Club's training session for Camp Sunshine at Winsfield Hall. I was assigned to Group 5, and coincidently, Mingfa was the co-leader for my group. That was great because besides him, there were no other familiar faces at the training. But over the course of the day, I made many new friends in my group. We did team-building activities and sat through a presentation on common critical children's illnesses. What struck me most was the fact that some of the former beneficiaries from Camp Sunshine who are now in their teens have returned to the camp to volunteer as befrienders. By the end of the training session, I was feeling slightly sad because I realise that some of these beneficiaries-turned-volunteers, whom I have come to know personally, don't have many years left to live.

Beach Bumming Club :- 23 April 05

Some 26 folks came along to the beach outing I organised this morning. It was an almost cloudless day, and I was driven into the shade after about two hours of playing on the sun-kissed, hot sand. Chee Keong said that my beach volleyball skills, although still rather unpolished, had improved. That was quite an encouragement! :) In any case, I know I have to work on ball control. If I had my own beach volleyball, I could practise at home during my own free time. There are beach volleyballs going for under $40 at World of Sports. Maybe I'll buy one next month, along with a new pair of TYR Waikiki boardshorts, when it's payday.

My upcoming new job

I signed my new job contract today, and I'm due to start work on 1 Aug 2005. Hooray! At last, an end to the miserable 3-digit salary that I am receiving right now! :) I've been informed I'll have my own cubicle, complete with the standard desk and cabinet plus a personal wardrobe. And, there'll still be room for a foldable bed if I plan to have one... Hmmm...why do I have a feeling I'll be working until the stars come out at my new job?

Ready for stem cell transplant

Hooray! For my 25th birthday, I had wished for my pastor-friend's cancer condition to be improved. I have just heard that the percentage of cancerous bone marrow plasma cells had decreased from 19% in February to 5% this month! He's now in a good condition for a stem cell transplant. Praise the LORD for that, and for providing him with two suitable bone marrow donors! :)

It's my birthday today!

It's my birthday today!

When I reported to work at the office this morning, there was a Bengawan Solo cake left on my desk, bought by Nanyan, and a birthday card hand-drawn by her eldest daughter Zoey. What a pleasant surprise to start my day! :)

Later on, I was treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch at Kippo Restaurant (Keppel Club) by my running and travelling kakis: Nanyan, Ah Khen, Uncle Low, Uncle Tay, Chee Keong and Ronnie. When I got back to the office after lunch, there was another surprise waiting for me on my workdesk...a brand new FX Creations briefcase, bought as a birthday present for me by Belinda, Valerie, Audrey, Chris Ang, Li Lian, Wilson, Richard, Chee Meng, Chee Kong, Zac, Ming Jern and Ying Tat. It's a really fabulous gift :) Thanks a million guys! You really made my day!

Level 1 Sport Climbing Certification

After several hours of training at Climb Adventure today, I'm now the proud owner of a Level One Sport Climbing Certification Card issued by the Singapore Mountaineering Federation. That is so cool. :)

In the morning, I had met up with some friends of mine at Keppel Towers, where Climb Adventure is located. After the morning's theory course on the top-rope belay system, we proceeded to climb some wall faces, ramps and overhangs. Initially, as my technique wasn't quite correct, I painfully laboured my way way to the top. However, under the patient and humourous guidance of our two instructors, Zan and Ah Ho, the climbing task became much simpler -- although I was also becoming increasingly fatigued from all the climbing. By about 3.30 pm, most of us were taking noticeably longer breaks in-between our climbs :) Our training session ended at around 5 pm with a excellent round of cooling-down stretches.

This is me, reaching the top of the 7m wall.

For dinner, some of my fellow climbers - Lilian, Audrey, Richard, Chee Kong and Yingtat - and I went to Tony Roma's at Suntec City. There, we met up with Wilson, and together, we celebrated my birthday over a sumptous dinner of ribs, chicken wings and fried onions. Well...the celebration was one day early, but hey, who's complaining? :)

Wheelchair Repair Session 1

This afternoon, I was at the Society for the Physically Disabled in Tiong Bahru to attend a course on wheelchair repair. There were about 15 other volunteers with me there. Today's session was just the first out of six to be held every two weeks. At the start, the facilitator warned us that we would get dirty, and he was right. We were tasked essentially to strip and take apart old and rusty wheelchairs and to salvage any recycable bits - bolts, screws, seat covers, wheels, foot pedals, etc. The objective of this exercise was two-fold: firstly, those discarded wheelchairs were long due for an overhaul, and secondly, such hands-on experience will help us volunteers to understand and appreciate the mechanical design and make-up of wheelchairs.

Running training :- 15 April 05

Today's running session for my colleagues was cancelled due to the heavy rain...which was just as well since I was, and still am, feeling rather under the weather. It's probably due to my lack of rest these few days. Hopefully I will get better tomorrow...

I also went for a haircut today. While in the saloon, I was convinced by the stylist to get a scalp treatment in addition to the trim. He said given my present scalp condition, I could develop serious balding problems when I get older. Hmmm... :) It turned out to be an expensive experience, but rather enjoyable nonetheless. I'll just consider this splurge as my birthday gift to myself. ;)

Martial Arts Test

Over in a flash. That's all I can say about my martial arts test this evening. In the presence of four judges, I performed my solo routine - kicks, punches, flying kicks, the whole works. In less than a minute, I had reached my final stance, offered a traditional parting greeting to the judges, and then walked out of the exam hall. While my moves and postures were far from perfect, I thought I performed rather splendidly, having neither lost my composure nor was overwhelmed by stage-fright. So I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the silver award. :)

In addition, I feel that tonight was also the evening that my wushu classmates bonded together the best. Among us, we have some really good motivators, which was a great thing for our younger classmates who seemed more nervous than usual and could definitely do with some encouragement and a friendly pat on the back.

Our instructor Wen Yeow mentioned to us last week that he's going to invite us over to his house for dinner some time after our test. That's fantastic! I expect to see all those glorious medals and awards that he had won in various national and international wushu competitions. They must be quite a sight!

Praising God despite the cancer

I had dinner with a friend of mine who was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer last year. He's in his thirties, and is a pastor at a relatively new church. I've known him for only a few months, but we get along rather well. After dinner, we sat by the poolside and talked for a long while. His faith and trust in God despite his illness and suffering is something which moves me deeply. I pray for his recovery, and wish him all the best for his bone marrow examinations scheduled later this month.

Beach Bumming Club :- 9 April 2005

Today was fab. I spent the morning and most of the afternoon with my friends and colleagues at Sentosa, playing beach volleyball and ultimate frisbee along Siloso Beach. The skies were cloudy, so that worked against my objective of tanning. But it also meant that the sand was cool enough for us to play on it without having to escape onto the grass or into the shade after every few minutes.

I am considering applying for an individual Sentosa Islander Pass some time soon. It costs only $12 for a year's membership, and will grant me free, unlimited access into Sentosa during that same year. That's quite a steal, considering that I intend to go to Sentosa once or twice a month and that the standard fee is $3 per entry, inclusive of a two-way shuttlebus-fare.

Running training :- 8 April 05

I have just returned from a run with my colleagues, Wilson, Chris and Philip. We had gone on a short 7-km route around the neighbourhood, making our way up and down Telok Blangah Hill, before jogging to Sentosa and then heading back to the office. Chris and I ended our session with two sets of 12+ chin-ups. It felt good!

Chris had joined me in my regular running sessions some four weeks ago, and he is incredibly fast for someone with a damaged (but recovering) knee! In fact, he has been leading the pack for the past few running sessions. It's good to have him around... I am inspired and motivated to pick up my pace and run harder.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Siloso Beach for another fun-filled Saturday. It's a good chance for me to get a darker tan and to improve upon my beach volleyball skills. Hope the weather's good! :)

Splash, gasp, splash

This afternoon at the Mt Faber SAFRA Club, I continued my lesson to learn how to swim under the watchful eyes of two good friends of mine, Audrey and Chee Kong. It has already been five lessons, but I'm still not getting my movements and breathing quite right. Now that's quite hilarious on a good day and downright demoralising on a bad day. But I'm not giving up, never. I'll conquer the waves one day, and it won't be long.

Enjoying martial arts class

I really enjoyed the martial arts lesson today, especially the section on bending and stretching. Although I'm still nowhere near being able to do a perfect split, but I'm getting there, slowly, but getting there. :) I'm pleased to report that my overall flexibility has increased since I started these lessons in January 2005, and what a great sense of satisfaction that gives!

Towards the end of our lesson this evening, all the students and our instructor Wen Yeow gathered to take a group photo. Each one of us adopted a "stylo-milo" martial arts pose, which is cool beyond words. The picture should be extremely interesting! I'll post it up as soon as it's ready.

It's a pity Vincent wasn't around with us for this lesson...he's busy rehearsing his own stunts for the Charity Fund-Raising Performance for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Singapore which is to be held on Sunday.

JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge (JPMCCC)

Last year, JPMorgan Chase held its inaugural Corporate Challenge in Singapore. (http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?city_id=2) A total of 6,744 competitors from various corporate institutions, companies and organisations showed up for the 5.6-km race. "That's just too many people for such a short route," I thought, and I was right. For quite a while after the flag-off, I could run neither fast nor steadily because I had to be very careful not to bump into the person next to me and not to have him or her step on my foot. It was a long, long race.

This year's challenge will be held on 27th April (WED). It's still the same distance but the organisers are expecting over 8,000 participants...which means it's going to be an even tighter squeeze.

Although I'm dreading the human flood, I've signed up again for the 2005 race, this time as Company Captain. Why? Well, the 2004 JPMCCC was the first event in which I took part as a representative from my current company. During that run, I also got to meet a number of other colleagues who were avid runners. But this year, the 2005 JPMCCC will probably be the last event that I will be taking part in the name of my company. So it's going to be a farewell sort of run.

You see, come July, I'll be leaving for greener pastures where the paycheque is more motivating. But I'm going to miss my running buddies...

Jet Li

Recently, I watched a couple of VCDs regarding Jet Li. There were snippets taken from videos of his training during his childhood and teenage years as well as demonstrations by other martial arts specialists using a variety of fighting styles and weaponry. Truly impressive. No doubt, it takes many years of dedicated training to reach such a high level of grace, proficiency, stability, speed and strength. Jet Li, you have my respect and admiration.

Volunteers: Help or hindrance

The Straits Times had a special Saturday feature on volunteerism, and gave tongue-in-cheek profiles of typical Singaporean volunteers. The section in the article which tickled me the most was the negative traits shown by these volunteers. Yet upon honest reflection, I have to admit, to my shame, that I sometimes display those very same characteristics myself. Below are just of them...

1. Action Heroes: They work so fanatically and take so little rest that they end up looking extremely haggard and seem as if they need help themselves.
2. Disaster Tourists: These sign up for relief aid in disaster zones, but having no specialised skills, they typically end up being more of a hassle than a help.
3. Buddies 'R' Us: They tend to form a clique and do everything together...which means that they usually can't work independently on different tasks.
4. Networkers: They have a propensity to spend more time socialising and making friends, rather than channelling their energies towards the duties required of them.

Staying active, staying busy

This afternoon after work, I took some of my colleagues on a short run around Telok Blangah Hill Park. We also did some sprints and some plyometric training while we were in the park. The last time I conducted such running training, my legs ached for days. Hopefully this time around, the aching wouldn't last so long.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be attending taichi class at California Fitness...that is, if I manage to wake up in time for the 9:45 am lesson. :) After that, I'll be headed for Sembawang Park, where Club Rainbow will be holding a Potluck Party for its volunteers and for its beneficiaries, children suffering from various forms of major chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Well, well, another busy day ahead!

Terri Schiavo: Passage into Eternity

Today, I am saddened to hear the news that Terri Schiavo has died: http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/03/31/schiavo/index.html
May the Lord comfort those around her who are grieving.