Mimi Palmer

Had a roti-prata and teh halia brunch with Wei Hsiung and Ems today. It's been years since I last met Ems, and I'm so glad he's still looking fine and well. After we were done eating, we went over to Ems' place to look at his mini orchid nursery. Such colourful and lovely creations, those orchids were, and I couldn't resist taking pictures of them. :)

Later on, I followed Ems to an orchid nursery in Choa Chu Kang, Heng Soon Farm, where he was planning to purchase some new orchids. Not long after we had arrived at the farm and started to explore the endless rows of orchids, it started to pour so heavily (with lightning) that we had little choice but to take shelter in the main building. The lady-boss kindly offered us some coffee and steamed tapioca while we waited for the rain to go away. :) When only a slight drizzle remained, Ems and I headed back into the open-air nursery and continued our search. Ems finally decided upon a pot of exquisite Vanda Mimi Palmer and two other hybrids. We then went in search of pebbles to line his mini orchid nursery.

It would have been a perfect day if not for the distressing news that T had just been hospitalised in the morning. :( He would not be able to go to Camp Sunshine tomorrow. But there's the chance that T might recover soon enough to attend at least the final day of camp. I hope he does get well in time. He was so looking forward to the camp and making new friends there. I'll be visiting him at the hospital in any case tomorrow afternoon. I wonder what I should bring to cheer him up.

Toll

Argh. Today, I pay the toll of my upper-body workout yesterday. Even though it was an extremely light workout, the dull aches have set in everywhere. Is that a good sign? At least I'm getting the muscles to work. But I don't know if I'm getting them to grow back. That will take time to tell. Ah well, I'm a Spartan! Gotta keep pushing. I'll never know how far I'll go until I make myself go there.

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Update as of 2355 hrs

Just watched Pirates of the Carribean - At World's End with a friend from the PRC. (Thanks to Roentgen, Kickjazz and Balasing for your ideas on where to dine!) A crazy, whimsical, hilarious movie with the oddest publicity for Singapore as a pirate's haven. Depp is simply classic, and Chow's English atrocious. But overall, the film cracked me up, so that's good :)

Went over to Ngee Ann City afterwards to watch two street-soccer matches before heading home. Well done to the teams that qualify for the next round!

Another busy rest day

Had lunch at Hans @ Bukit Merah with some of the DSTA folks - Chee Keong, Wilson, Audrey and Cheryl. I ordered the chicken carbonara, which was a mistake - I've tasted better pasta. :P While the food could have been better, especially for the price we paid, I nevertheless appreciated the company of my fellow diners and their updates on what was happening in their lives. It was good to have met up with them. And yes, I've already noted down in my diary the Sentosa outing in end-June. And here's also my deepest apologies to those who may be upset that I had "flown kite" for supper last Friday - I really had to work late that evening at the office :(

After lunch, I went off to meet Weite and Ryan to shop for goodie-bag items for camp. Ryan showed us a really good lobang at one of the small retail toy shops in Bukit Merah where almost everything was going for a dollar or under. And the shop uncle was really one-of-a-kind; you'll need to see him and talk to him in person to understand what I mean :) Through this shopping experience, I have realised when it comes to the power of bargaining and getting a good deal, I've got to learn a lot from Weite and Ryan -- they're the true masters :)

Later that afternoon, I headed to the gym to try out some upper-body exercises on my own. I still could not manage more than 3 plates for seated rows, and my arms were trembling when I tried 30-lb barbell bicep curls. Flyes with 8-lb dumbbells also proved to be a biomechanical challenge, as my right arm still couldn't quite move in the right direction. Skullcrushers with 8-lb dumbbells was just about manageable, though I had to support my right shoulder with my left hand. Seems like the good o' glory days at gym are over, and I've got a long, long way to catch up... But I WILL CATCH UP. Like a Spartan, never say die.

Since dinner with the Ice Cream Express peddlars was at Kuishin-bo @ Suntec City, I decided to take a leisurely walk from Raffles Place to City Hall, taking pictures along the way. Judging from the quality of the pictures afterwards, I think I really need to brush up on my photography skills, lol :)

Dinner with Isabel, Lorraine, Huimin, Chze Keong, Andrew and Qianhao was great. We relived old times and talked about our respective new groups for the upcoming Camp. Everyone's excited about things, and have been busy preparing for it. Gosh, Camp is in two days...it's almost about to start! :D

Aljunied

Went for my medical appointment today at 10 am, and then met up with Mum at Aljunied MRT station afterwards. She had earlier asked me to accompany her to a columbarium in the area to pay respects to my late maternal grandfather. So the two of us made our way from Aljunied MRT station to the Buddhist temple, and then into the columbarium. I cried when I recalled how great a man Ah Kong was, and how much he loved me. There with Mum, in the underground chamber, I realised that she was genetically half of him, and I was a quarter, and so that made three-quarters of him still alive in the two of us. And I gave Mum a big, tearful hug.

Then I brought Mum out for lunch at Geylang. We had tim-sum (酸甘汁、小笼包、烧卖、荷叶饭、鱼片粥) at Wan Toh Sek (揾到吃), followed by soya bean drinks at Yong He (永和) before heading home for a good nap. I haven't decided if I should go out gallivanting later tonight... :p

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Update as of 2220 hrs

Slept the entire afternoon away and woke up at 7 pm, still feeling full from lunch :) Tried to eat some dinner, and ended up drinking lots of bittergourd soup instead. Tomorrow will be another packed day. Will be meeting DSTA buddies for lunch, then shopping for Camp Sunshine stuff with Weite and Ryan after that, followed by gym with Wilson and then dinner with my group from Camp Sunshine last year. Gonna be fun :D

Anyway, SgRunners will be celebrating its 2nd anniversary soon. How quickly time flies, and it's amazing to think how big we've grown and how far we've gone within this short span of time. I'd like to take this opportunity to say to all my best-est, coolest and never-say-die SgRunner buddies that you guys rock and it is an immense privilege and honour in my life to have known you all. You have shown me how to enjoy life and push it to the max; how to build personal detemination and foster team spirit; how to encourage and motivate one another in times of pain and fatigue; and how to set goals and take steps to achieve them. Thanks for sharing your medals and your trophies, your race reports and your finisher photos. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with you all. I will not let my injury tie me down. A toast to us all!

Betrayal at House on the Hill

My week-long leave has been approved. Ah! The sweet taste of freedom and liberty; it reinvigorates the soul. Yesterday afternoon, after a lazy morning, I went for my private physiotheray session at Camden Medical Centre. It was a good session, albeit painful at certain points. After the treatment, I chatted at length with my therapist regarding our love for Christian music, and he allowed me to listen to many of his CDs; it was a rather uplifting experience.

For those of you who are concerned, my shoulder is getting slightly better. The bulk of the credit goes to my private physiotherapist David who is so encouraging and so dedicated, who treats me more as a friend than a client. Although my arm still looks thin like a stick, the range of motion (ROM) has been improving. Although the ROM is nowhere near what it used to be (I still cannot raise my arm too high, and there is pain when I move it in certain directions, especially behind my back), I can at least put both my hands to my hips now.

Later in the evening, I headed to Settler's Cafe for a wild Games night with nine others. It's been quite a while since I last went to this Clarke Quay branch. We played Galloping Pigs, Pit, Betrayal at House on the Hill and Saboteur from 7.30 pm to about midnight. BAHOTH was simply great fun, but the learning curve is incredibly steep. :P Given that there are 50 scenarios to choose from, this makes an extremely worthwhile game to purchase.



Later today, I'll be meeting the other Fire Red Beatles befrienders to prepare for Camp Sunshine. Less than a week to go to Camp, I'm so nervous! :)

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Update as of 2350 hrs

Had a great session at Isabel's house today with the other befrienders. We were all tasked to make animal masks using paper plates, colouring materials and other art-and-craft stuff. Reminded me of old primary school days. :) I did a lion mask (which looks like a cat mask) and a chicken mask (which looks like a chicken mask). Haha, they look so funny :D

Met Leonard for dinner at Clarke Quay. Had a healthy, oil-less meal, then went along the river for some dessert and drinks. Excellent chat with Leonard throughout the evening. It's my first time out at Clarke Quay on a Sunday night, and it was eye-opening. I never realised that the place is so surreal...

Intro Tea

Went for intro tea with T this morning. Picked him up from his home and brought him to Kovan McDonalds. There was a whole bunch of us befrienders and kids already gathered there. We had lunch -- and boy, was it a challenge to try and eat when there were so many kids around at the same time all clamouring for attention :) My McSpicy burger got knocked onto the floor before I could even finish half of it :P

At the intro tea itself, I met up with some old friends (both kids and befrienders). I was very glad to see them again, especially the kids who had grown up over the past year and had become more mature. I also received a belated birthday present from my former Kenga Group. Thanks guys and gals! :)

The tea ended at 5.45 pm. I was tired beyond words.

Looking after kids is so exhausting... But seeing their happy faces, it makes it worthwhile. But I wonder if I can last 3 days of camp if I'm already all worn out after half-a-day indoors. :P May the Lord give me strength and start preparing me physically and mentally for this.

After tea, I got home and watched Spiderman 2 over dinner. Was struck by May Parker's line: "Even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want most, even our dreams." Hmm...

In the run-up to Camp

Went with my group leader Weite to meet my new child T on Thursday. He's an active, cheery young boy, and looks all excited and geared up for Camp Sunshine in a fortnight's time. :) Weite and I spoke to T's parents at length, introducing ourselves to them, explaining to them the activities that we would do at camp, and finding out from them more about T, his condition, his dietary restrictions, his habits, his likes and dislikes, etc.

I pray that I have the wisdom and the sensitivity to look after the needs of T and to help him make his first Camp Sunshine absolutely memorable and fun. I pray that my shoulder will not give me problems.

And I also pray that J1 and J2 are okay. I haven't met these two boys in a while, and I haven't heard any updates recently from the social worker involved in their case either. I had SMS-ed the social worker again earlier in the week, but I still haven't got any reply. I wonder if a home has been found which is willing to accept these two beautiful children in spite of their condition.

1st ICT Notice

I received my 1st ICT notice today. How exciting.

今早去了运动

今早去了运动，不过才刚热了身，就感觉到浑身疲惫，脸上的血色也明显地淡了，双唇也白了。没办法，只好停下来，坐在地上，深深地呼气吐气。不知为何体质差了这么多，体重也减了不少。虽然家人一直在我身旁关心着我，朋友们的鼓励也源源不断，但是无法否认的事实就是我身体状况确实好不到哪里。之前所理想的阳光及健康的生活，是否以成为了泡影呢？当然，我并没绝望到生命失去了意义的地步，但是，当人生目标突然间变得越来越遥远的时候，就有如句字还没写完，就放上了句号的错谔感觉，太突然了，难以接受，难以信服。

dear friend,

i'm not sure if you'll ever read this, but i 've been following your blog and i know you don't want any company or smses at the moment. i just wanted to say that you're going through a really rough patch right now - rougher than i can even imagine, and rougher than what i'm going through in my own life. i'm really concerned but i don't know how to help. if you need anything, anything at all, pls let me know and i'll see how i can be of assistance.

upholding you in prayer...

El Alma al Aire

Been feeling very tired and very under the weather for many days now. Feel like having a long, long sleep. But the bright spark was yesterday night when I received a package for me from my dear friends in SgRunners. It was a twin-CD pack: Alejandro Sanz's "El Alma al Aire" and Steven Curtis Chapman's "All Things New". Excellent music and very uplifting in this time of fatigue and barrenness. Muchas gracias, mis buenos amigos!

为什么

Questions, questions, questions. Wondering if it's been worth it at all. Wondering what went wrong. Wondering where's the misunderstanding. Wondering if it's a loyalty misplaced. This matter is so incredibly mind-boggling...and I don't know who to turn to.

Isaiah 35

旷野和乾旱之地必然欢喜；沙漠也必快乐；又像玫瑰开花，必开花繁盛，乐上加乐，而且欢呼。

利巴嫩的荣耀，并迦密与沙仑的华美，必赐给他。

人必看见耶和华的荣耀，我们神的华美。

你们要使软弱的手坚壮，无力的膝稳固。

对胆怯的人说：你们要刚强，不要惧怕。

看哪，你们的神必来报仇，必来施行极大的报应；他必来拯救你们。

那时，瞎子的眼必睁开；聋子的耳必开通。

那时，瘸子必跳跃像鹿；哑巴的舌头必能歌唱。

在旷野必有水发出；在沙漠必有河涌流。

发光的沙要变为水池；乾渴之地要变为泉源。

在野狗躺卧之处，必有青草、芦苇，和蒲草。

在那里必有一条大道，称为圣路。

污秽人不得经过，必专为赎民行走；行路的人虽愚 ，也不致失迷。

在那里必没有狮子，猛兽也不登这路；在那里都遇不见，只有赎民在那里行走。

并且耶和华救赎的民必归回，歌唱来到锡安；永乐必归到他们的头上；他们必得着欢喜快乐，忧愁叹息尽都逃避。

Young cows

My calves ached like crazy over the past two days, and I had only done two sets of calf presses on Sunday. :P It's probably a protest signal from my legs that I haven't exercised them in months and shouldn't have suddenly resumed training. Ah well. Too bad, legs. Listen to the brain. The upper body has gone into hibernation, so the lower section must now go into overdrive.

Went out to meet some of the SgRunners for a short while this afternoon. My right eye kept twitching involuntarily, and I was overwhelmed by waves of massive yawns every few minutes. Tried hard to stay alert, but to no avail. Went home, and fell asleep on the sofa. I don't know why I feel so tired.

Got reminded about my overseas travelling experience, decided to take a look at my photos again...

My Webshot site is here.