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Celebrating the final moments of 2011 and the firsts of 2012!

2011 came and gone. Now it’s 2012!

Shari, Rachel and I went to Punggol Promenade for the 2012 count down. We arrived at the place at 11ish and there was a lot of people there jostling around finding the perfect spot. We took a walk around the park and soon we gathered at a place we thought it would be far from the fireworks. We were a tad worried that Rachel would be frightened by the sounds of the fireworks then.

And when 2012 came, the night sky lit up with splendid fireworks. And we realise the fireworks were released right above us. The noise were so loud and we could only covered Rachel by her ears. And thankfully, she wasn’t afraid and didn’t cry at all lol. We went home shortly after the fireworks and getting the 3 goodies bags lol.

Last day of 2011. Well, a major change in lifestyle and added responsibilities. Here’s some recap:

• Of course, the most major thing that happened was Shari got pregnant. That mean we could no longer go anywhere as we like, and shopping mostly involved buying baby stuff for Rachel
• The birth of Rachel. Details are here
• I went for lasik surgery in Aug and I never looked back. The surgery was a tad scary, but well, my eyes healed well and I did not have any side effects. And I’m having perfect eyesight
• After Shari got pregnant, I indivluged in Billiards again. Bought a snooker cue and played quite well. But stopped altogether after Rachel was born
• Converted my OPC car to a normal plate car. And now I’m driving to work everyday. The bike is still here though, too lazy to sell it away
• Work reached a stand-still. Compared to last year, my cases are at a all-time high. I kinda not be bothered about work
• And I became more temperamental at work. I would quarrel with the bosses just for the sake of quarrelling
• I began to look for new job again. So far, I have gone for 2 interviews, and they doesn’t seemed well though
• Oh how can I forget that I completed my first 42.195 km Marathon this year. The race was tough and I almost gave up. I should have more training before the race
•  Compared to last year, I didn’t run as much. Have gotten lazier in training and not much time either. Just an excuse for not running
• Shari and I did not go for any vacation this year hohoho
• My spending habits changed totally. I don’t save and scrimp anymore. I’ve gotta the theory it’s pointless to scrimp for those little things and splurge the savings on big items
• Relatively less clubbing sessions this year
• Got into a new team at work, well, we still working out
• Got into a minor accident this year by bumping into a Volkswagan. Paid a bit to settle it

Alright, that’s about 2011. I guess 2011 has been a trying year, with some of the good things (maybe the best thing in life) that happened, and of course some of the trying moments in life. Next year’s resolution, well, to get a new job, and hopefully to quit smoking. And also to train for a higher level of fitness in anticipation to next year’s marathons.

Cheers everyone! Happy New Year 2012!

First Day where Rachel learns to roll over!

Rachel is begining to roll over by herself, though not with much ease. Today marks the first day which she successfully rolled over herself. =)

Xmas Eve this year was spent at Peishi’s house, with a wonderful food spread. We have to leave earlier because Rachel was cranky after being distracted for her much needed sleep.

Sherry and I spent a quiet night on the eve at home =) And as tradition, here’s the video.

The Birthday Wish

Sherry, me and Rachel

P.S: This is a long over-due post. Posting it on Xmas Day =)

The 28th birthday was spent without much fun fare. I remembered Rachel was particular cranky on my birthday. The whole morning and afternoon was spent looking after her at home and tendering to her needs. In the evening, Sherry and I decided to have a quiet dinner at my favourite restaurant: The Marina Corners

Meiyan joined us for dinner and even bought me a birthday cake. Simple funfare, but it brought warmth to my heart.

Me and Meiyan

As usual, I received a number of birthday wishes in Facebook. In fact the wishes came even before my birthday. I do realised the closer ones would take the effort to send your wishes via SMS/Whatsapp. Appreciated it.

And so I am one year older, with much more responsibilities and hopefully with much more maturity.
I had a good birthday =)

The Race - Standard Charter Marathon 2012

Finally it came, and we ran.

SCMS 2011 was here in a flash, and I was ill-prepared for it. I wasn’t confident of finishing it. I didn’t sleep for the whole night before the race, and met up with brother for a quick meal at Macdonalds before going to the venue at Orchard.

When it started, everything feels good though. The muscles were not tight, I wasn’t breathless. And we jogged and ran. The first 13km was a breeze, until we finally hit ECP and there was no markers in sights to indicate how far along were we. And when we hit the 21km mark, we heaved a hugh relief but was influenced by many others who had chosen to walk.

After the 30km mark we left ECP and onto the hard terrain towards Marina Barrage. That was where I hit the wall, because of the heat and the almost cramped legs. I struggled towards Marina Barrage, where brother and colleagues encouraged me to continue on, running a bit and walking a bit. I gave up running upon reaching the Benjamin Shears Bridge. I took a breather and puff a cigarettes at the roadside before upping towards the bridge

And after the bridge it was a psychological battle to decide if I shall walk back the rest of the journey or complete the race asap. Well, after all, it was a hard-fought race end of the day. The feeling at the finishing line was indescribable. I’m glad to have taken part of it.

Next race, well Sundown =)

Bib 735585

The finisher's tee

The medal

Wallet from the wife!

A quick update for the recent times

Sherry sprang a surprise for me yesterday, brandishing a new LV wallet for me as my birthday present. And everyone just in case you have forgotten, my birthday is in about 2 weeks’ time.

Work-wise, it hasn’t been smooth. I often got into quarrels with the boss, and it might just lie back because of my attitude. I think I really need to reconsider my future about this. And I have been so busy about work.

And Stand Chart coming, and damn I don’t really feel like getting into it. This is pure madness. And my running shoes still giving me blisters.

I took leave today, and it feels good that I am here to see Rachel growing up =)

My new running shoes Asics DS Trainer 16

Yesterday was a long and cold rainy day, but that didn’t dampened our plans to get my new pair of running shoes. We headed to Queensway Shopping Centre, and I was hoping to get the yellow version of the shoes, but well, it was sold out. So I got the red ones for $175. And after buying, I immediately passed by another shop which sell the yellow ones, and again another shop. Argh

After buying, we headed down to my parent’s place to visit them with Rachel. A little update for Rachel. She turned 2 months last week and weighed 5.4 kg. She had her vaccinations last mid week at a PD. We decided against the polyclinic, eh cause daddy and mummy wants the best for her =p

Eh back to the shoes.

I just returned back from running. The shoes boasts a lot of comfort and blah blah blah. It is very light though. I just tested it and I returned home with a small blister near the heel of my right leg. Booo.

Work has been tough, and coupled with the irregular hours and demands from the bosses. Sometimes I just wish to do some non-brainer, monotonous jobs so that life can be much easier. The fact that I gonna get up at 6am later just made my Monday blues blue-er.

Signing off