bryan_79
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "bryan_79" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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10:37 am
[Link] | ( Some of regatta 2009 photos )
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12:43 am
[Link] |
Regatta 2009
 
Woke up 6.30am and took MRT from Bugis to Raffless Place around 7.10am. Reached the racing site around 7.25am. Met Terence Soh, Wendy and Xiao Ting before putting up my shoe to go for a short 15min warm up run along Boat Quay and Clark Quay. As time goes by, more and more people came. This year we were lucky to share tent with the NTUC dragonboat (Team U sports) team.
We headed for the first race sometime in the morning and had a tight fight with Friends United team B, SAFSA OCS team A, and CCWA team B. I really didn't think too much before the race and go with the calm feeling like normal training. The water on lane 4 was a bit choppy when our boat was moving as there is wave coming from the left due to big tourist boat. There are a few occasion, the boat tilted to the right and I have to chop deep into the water because I was rowing left. I did my best to follow the timing but sometimes I couldn't reach out long pull enough because the stroke rate was a bit fast. Sometimes I felt like using my arm power more than body twisting. When the race was over, we were ranked 3rd with timing 1:51:74, falling short behind Friends United and SAFSA with the timing 1:51:62 and 1:51:68 respectively. We were told that our starting is not powerful enough.
Because we were 3rd, we entered repecharge in the late afternoon around 4pm to fight to enter semi finals. This is the first time my team go beyond heat #1. It's not something to be happy about but there is still chance for another tough fight. This time round, I tried to focus more and be more mentally prepared. We were facing SAFSA OCS team A, Filipino dragon team D and PLK. The water on the 2nd heat is less choppy and we were in the lane 1 (supposed to be advantage). I focused on improving my weakness in the 1st heat. We did improved our timing on the repecharge 1:50:74 but we still lose out to PLK (1:49:67) and SAFSA (1:50:19). We end the session early with photo taking sessions.
I went to watch the race on the next day and to support Jessica and Lawrence on their rowings. My colleagues also came to watch the dragonboat race in the late afternoon as I explained to them how the race and rowing works. Took only some photos and video capturing to pass the day. Although we didn't enter semi finals, we keep our mind positive and look forward to coming competitions.
Current Mood:  tired
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01:01 am
[Link] |
Regatta 2009 Briefing and Draw
16 Nov (Mon)
  
Left office early at 5.30pm, to meet up with Gary and Emily at Lavender MRT station at 6.30pm. Took a quick bite on the way to the bus stop to fill stomach first. It wasn't far to walk from MRT station to PA headquarter, which is located opposite the Jalan Besar stadium. We entered the auditorium before 7pm and the crowd got bigger and bigger overtime. Saw some familiar faces from SDBA and met a few old friends from other teams too there. Our coach KT was there too. They started briefing on safety and rules of regatta before proceeding to the draw. The draw was done using PC and maximum number of redraw is 3 times. Teams can request redraw if they are not satisfied with the race allocation, for instance having their own team A fighting team B in the same race. Redrawing doesn't produce more satisfying results and it can sometimes be even worse. For example, after 3 times redraw, SIA team A was allocated to fight with its own team B and team C in the same race.
The team allocation for my team is L1 (Friends United Team B), L2 (SAFSA team A), L3 (Caregiver or CCWA) and L4 (Young NTUC) for heat 17. We left early after got the team allocation for Inter Business houses and clubs. We didn't stay for the tertiary draw. We had dinner at Jalan Besar CC canteen before heading back home. Looking forward to the race on this Saturday at Singapore river.
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12:57 am
[Link] | As usual, weekend burnt off with DB training. Finally, done with the training today. It's the last training before river regatta next week Saturday. Wasn't doing very well because fast stroke rate is never my strength. Nevertheless, I try to compromise by following the synchronization and hope that I will do well on the race day itself. Had some small dispute after training on Saturday because of my social inept. Will learn from it and avoid similar mistake in the future. Hang out with Terence since he coxed with the team. Had mango dessert at Chinatown, changed Thai money back to Sing dollar before met up with Desmond and Gabriel. Met up with Wei Shan on Sunday night to pass her what I have bought in Thailand. There goes another weekend.
Current Mood:  satisfied
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10:18 am
[Link] | 5 Nov 2009 (Thurs)
After breakfast, I checked out the hotel around 9.40am and then took a cab directly to Survanabhumi airport to catch 12.45pm flight back.
The hotel room looked quite different from the internet photos. Ha.
 
Reached airport around 10.30am and was quite lucky to get a free upgrade to business class seats as they oversold their tickets. It was my first business class experience and the difference is more spacious seats and better food menu. The air stewardess isn't much prettier but they will say your name before serving you the menu.
  
Reached Singapore around 4.15pm. Although the trip was a bit short and packed, nonetheless it was quite a good experience. Guess I had avoided unnecessary problems by not taking any tuk tuk thai where many gems scam took place. The whole 4D3N trip cost me around $750.
The area of attack.
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09:26 am
[Link] | 4 Nov 2009 (Wed)
I woke up 1 hour slightly later than yesterday, may be because I was too tired. Walked to BTS Chong Nonsi again and took a train towards North to Mochit station after breakfast. My first destination was Chatuchak market. Unfortunately, the market there was selling plants and trees only during that time and I left early after walking one round.
I was quite impressed by how the Thais queued before arrival of trains, similar to Japanese.
  
The next place I went was Siam station, a place of shopping paradise like Orchard Road. I went into Siam Paragon and it was pretty much like Paragon Singapore with designers and imported brands. There is also a large underwater world at the basement and a large cineplex at the top floor. Gyms like California Wow can be found here too besides at Silom road.
  
Later I walked to adjacent shopping complex which is Siam Center and Siam Discovery. Surprised to see the japan shop "Loft" at Siam Discovery. From Siam Discovery, there is a passage linking to MBK (Ma Bun Khong) shopping complex. What I noticed was that every shopping centre entrance has a metal detector door similar to those at MRTs to check on each shopper.
 
MBK shopping complex was flooded with people and it was a more widely accepted place by Thais because the price range suits middle class and below. It's more like Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza. There were many shops selling cheap market stuffs and T-shirts there too within the air-conditioned compound. One can literally get everything here. If one doesn't like to shop around cheap market under hot weather or there is only little time to do some shopping in Bangkok, here is the definitely the place to go. I had spent nearly a few hours exploring here. There was also an electronic shops area (mostly selling handphones) on the top levels. Had Pad Thai (fried kuay teow) in one of the restaurant and it was really good.
  
Walking opposite across MBK is Siam Square. It's an area with many shops selling stuff that suits youngsters, more or less like Harajuku in Japan. In fact, it's called the Shinjuku of Thailand
 
Walking pass Siam Square and up to a BTS platform, one can reach another shopping complex not too far, Central World Plaza. Again, it's a place with many imported brands shops and stuff, pretty much like any shopping complex back in Singapore. It is suppose to be one of the largest shopping complex in Bangkok.
 
Again my leg was soaring after walking so many hours. But I still endured and walked towards Pratunam market, not far from Central World Plaza. It's a stretch of pasar malam like stalls where I did my last shopping on cheap stuffs.
After that, I walked back to Siam station and took a train back hotel to enjoy the hotel facilities: swimming pool and gym. I headed out again after exercising, had KFC dinner at Silom area and then went for a short 1 hour body massage again.
  
After that, went for my first foot massage somewhere near Chong Nonsi station around 12am before call it off a day. The masseur was quite good on the legs that I gave good tips to him.
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12:46 am
[Link] | 3 Nov 2009 (Tue)
After enjoying breakfast at hotel, walked to nearest Chong Nonsi BTS (LRT) station and took train towards Hua Lampong via interchanging MRT at Silom station.
  
From Hua Lampong, I walked pass the Yaowarat road, which is the Chinatown in Bangkok. There were some chinese restaurants there and some shops were selling stuff like dried foods, seafoods and gold jewelries. Pretty much like other Chinatown in other places.
  
I walked all the way towards west along Chroen Krung (a very long journey) and finally found Wat Pho. It's an old famous temple in Bangkok with a large sleeping buddha.
  
  
As I walked out of that place towards North, I arrived at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Phra Kaew is also called the temple of the Emerald Buddha and it's on common ground with the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace was built since King Rama 1.
  
  
The Grand Palace is not where the King stays now. It's only used occasionally for ceremonies.
Took some snack along the way while walking towards Tha Tien harbour.
  
The boat crossed over Chao Phraya river and brought the passengers to Wat Arun at a cost of 3 Baht only. It's the royal temple during the Thoburi period. The temple seems a bit old but it offered a good view over Chao Phraya river if one climbs the staircase high enough.
  
Didn't spend much time at Wat Arun. Took another boat ride to cross back to Tha Thien. From there, I took an express boat towards Tha Phra Arthit harbour at Banglamphu area. Wanted to goto the National Museum. Ate a simple lunch by the roadside too.
  
Unfortunately, the National Museum was closed on Tuesday. So, I walked towards Khaosan road which is another market area selling cheap stuffs. Before exploring market, spend 1 hour at one of the Internet Cafe. At the market there, still couldn't find the pants that my friend asked me to buy.
I tried to walk back towards East until near Golden Mountain but decided to take a cab instead of a bus to city or Lumpini area to save time and avoid traffic jam peak hour. Moreover, my leg was tired already after nearly 7 hours of walking. The cab ride cost only 100. Found the massage shop near Lumpini Tower and enjoyed 2 hours of body massage. One has to shower first before massage.
 
After that, took MRT from Lumpini towards Sukhumvit area. There wasn't anything much to explore there and only had a Subway dinner there. Ended up with a expensive dinner when the counter girl asked me whether I wanted extra cheese and extra meat, which I thought to be free. That's the problem with Bangkok. Couldn't communicate properly in English and created many misunderstanding. By the way, the Emporium there was a high class shopping place with many shops already closed by 8pm.
  
Took BTS train back to Silom station and then went in one of the bar at Patpong to watch show. Paid 200 baht for the beer, chit chatted and then left the place after finished my beer. When I reached home, it's already near midnight.
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09:09 am
[Link] |
Bangkok trip
Due to economic downturn, went for a budget trip to Bangkok. To save the hassle of planning the trip, booked the package online via ZUJI.COM. 4D3N flight and hotel cost about $380. Just bought a simple guide book from ION orchard (which proved to be very useful) and printed some guides from INTO-ASIA.COM and I was ready to go.
2 Nov 2009 (Mon)
Reached Changi T1 around 10.30am after taking skytrain from T2 to T1. Wandered around T1 before the flight departure around 1.55pm. Reached Survanabhumi airport around 3pm bangkok time (1 hr adjustment). The Cathay Pacific flight was quite pleasant and I was surprised that they served standard meal despite it was just a 2 hour flight.
  
  
After clearing the immigration, collecting my luggage, I went to buy a botol of coke. As I wasn't quite familiar the prices, the lady charged me 120 baht. I later found out from the lady at taxi stand that it's overpriced, I went back to the shop to argue and got back my 60 baht refund. 60 baht for a botol of coke at the airport is more reasonable although it is still expensive, but the experience left me bad impression on my first arrival. Wasn't sure if the shop lady was dishonest.
Took a cab down to Unico Grande Silom hotel at Silom road. When I reached the hotel, it was already near 5.30 pm after all the traffic jam. I realized that I need electric converter plug and I forgot to bring my sports attire. The hotel stuff recommended me to buy the plug from 7-11 and sports attire from Patpong night market. Couldn't find it from 7-11, but was lucky to pass by "Akihabara" electronic shop to get it. Walked all the way to Patpong night market and bought 2 shirts at 200 baht each after bargaining from original price of 550 baht (later I found out that it's expensive, which can actually get at 100 baht). Simply had dinner at one of the restaurant at Patpong. Saw many Go Go Bars at that area too. Also bought a sports pants from Sports World at very discounted price of 99 baht.
  
After dinner, walked along Silom road towards Lumpini Park. There is also a street with many Japanese restaurant shops like Tokyo at Silom road. I walked all the way to Lumpini night/bazaar market area and browsed the area for the stuffs my friend asked me to buy.
  
Wanted to walk further down, but I realized that I had walked towards the wrong direction. Since it was getting late, took MRT from Lumpini back to Silom area and walked back to the hotel. Their MRT train is actually shorter than the designed platform.
  
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09:35 am
[Link] | Ha. Another part of Kumar's talk show. Very funny.
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02:28 pm
[Link] | Funny video from Facebook. Ha.
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08:53 am
[Link] |
another week
Another weekend burnt off with DB. Nowadays, circuit training (run+sit up, run+push up, run+squat x 4sets) was done prior to water training. Circuit training was done instead of my own running. Saturday did the long distance 30min rowing. Changed to right side due to lack of right rowers. A bit excruciating on the back since have not been rowing right for sometime. Sunday was more relaxed rowing as the coach only showed up in the last 30 minutes but I cramped my left leg during 10-30. I think I cannot rely on the left leg for recovery on the left side, will have to pick up again on right leg. After having dinner with teammates at Kampung Glam, met Terence, Nick and Sian Yan (from Yellow Ribbon team) at Marina Square. At night, followed Terence to sing song again and met up with Lincoln there. Noticed that the weather recently is so hot. I easily get dehydrated during water training and kept on replenishing with H2O. I couldn't even sleep properly at night due to hot weather.
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08:11 pm
[Link] | My 2nd and last video - prelude to Singapore Regatta 2009.
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11:33 pm
[Link] | The video that I made within 1 hour. Prelude to Singapore Regatta 2009. Hope it lifts up the fighting spirit of the team to train harder.
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02:39 pm
[Link] |
Deepavali weekend
It was a long weekend for me and it went off quite fast. Met with Terence Chia and Brandon at cineleisure for dinner at Long John Silver. Then, had desert at Chinatown with Gideon and Jason Cheong joining in. Spent the whole Saturday afternoon attending dragonboat KTV cum team bonding session at 10 dollar club @ Smith Street, Chinatown. Before that, bumped into Kevin and accompanied him to pray at Si Ma Lu temple for awhile. Quite a number of people turned up for the KTV session, including the coach. After the KTV session, had dinner @ Maxwell market. Woke up early 6.30am on Sunday morning to attend water training at Kallang SDBA from 8am-10am. After training, headed to Kallang leisure mall for lunch. Met coach at around 1pm to discuss about Regatta namelist and placement. After discussion, took a cab to Sengkang to join family members to look at HDB houses with housing agent. Spent the whole Sunday night and Monday morning uploading KTV videos to facebook and then booked a short Thailand trip on ZUJI.COM. Went for a swim at Delta pool in the afternoon since have not been swimming for sometime. Wandering around City Hall, Marina Square and Dhoby Gault for the rest of the day.
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10:13 am
[Link] | ( Dragonboat KTV outings videos )
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03:19 pm
[Link] | 5 men crew dragonboat videos @ Chinese Garden shared by friends @ Facebook. Competition falls on the same day as SAVA sprints.
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09:54 am
[Link] | Friday night went CU with Terence to sing KTV. So many people there until we sang 4 songs only within 3 hours. So, each only sang 2 songs. Oh well, think better goto private KTV next time.
Saturday's training is ramping up stroke rate. Can no longer row 300m like rowing for 800m. Think I have forgotten the fast stroke rate in last year's Regatta training. It was tough for me who just converted to left rowers for 800m in SDBF June. Will focus more on my right punching arm.
Woke up early on Sunday morning to goto Bedok Reservoir to watch 4 teammates who rowed for NTU team C for SAVA sprint race. Went there to give them moral support. Also go there to watch races and gain experience. 200m is really CHIONG all the way. Fast stroke rate is needed indeed.
Captured some super low quality videos using my iphone:
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11:44 am
[Link] |
Lion or Wolf
Thanks Hung Seah for sharing this. A good story to read, something like "Who moved my cheese".
English version could be found here
美國最暢銷書-
選狼還是獅子?
不管是經營企業或人際關係，本篇文章都能發人深省。
美國最暢銷書-選狼還是選獅子?
上帝把兩群羊放在草原上，一群在南，一群在北。
上帝還給羊群找了兩種天敵，一種是獅子，一種是狼。
上帝對羊群說：「如果你們要狼，就給一隻，任它隨意咬你們。
如果你們要獅子，就給兩頭，你們可以在兩頭獅子中任選一頭，還可以隨時更換。」
這道題的問題就是：如果你也在羊群中，你是選狼還是選獅子？很容易做出選擇吧？
好吧! 記住你的選擇，接著往下看。
南邊羊想，獅子比狼兇猛得多，還是要狼吧! 於是,它們就要了一隻狼。
北邊羊想，獅子雖然比狼兇猛得多，但我們有選擇權，還是要獅子吧!
於是，它們就要了兩頭獅子。
狼進了南邊羊群後，就開始吃羊。狼身體小，食量也小，一隻羊夠它吃幾天了。
這樣羊群幾天才被追殺一次。
北邊羊挑選了一頭獅子，另一頭則留在上帝那裡。
這頭獅子進入羊群後，也開始吃羊。獅子不但比狼兇猛，而且食量驚人，每天都要吃一
隻羊。
這樣羊群就天天都要被追殺，驚恐萬狀，羊群趕緊請上帝換一頭獅子。
不料，上帝保管的那頭獅子一直沒有吃東西，飢餓難耐，撲進羊群，比前面那頭獅子咬
得更瘋狂。
羊群一天到晚只是逃命，連草都快吃不成了。
南邊羊群慶幸自己選對了天敵，又嘲笑北邊的羊群 沒有眼光。
北邊羊群非常後悔，向上帝大倒苦水，要求更換天敵，改要一隻狼。
上帝說：「天敵一旦確定，就不能更改，必須世代相隨，你們唯一的權利是在兩頭獅子
中選擇。」
北邊羊群只好把兩頭獅子不斷更換。可兩頭獅子同樣凶殘，換哪一頭都比南邊羊群悲慘
得多，它們索性不換了，讓一頭獅子吃得膘肥體壯，另一頭獅子則餓得精瘦。
眼看那頭瘦獅子快要餓死了，羊群才請上帝換一頭。
這頭瘦獅子經過長時間的飢餓後，慢慢悟出了一個道理：自己雖然兇猛異常，一百隻羊
都不是
對手，可是自己的命運是操縱在羊群手裡的。羊群隨時可以把自己送回上帝那裡，讓自
己飽受飢餓的煎熬，甚至有可能餓死。
想通這個道理後，瘦獅子就對羊群特別客氣，只吃死羊和病羊，凡是健康的羊它都不
吃了。
羊群喜出望外，有幾隻小羊提議乾脆固定要瘦獅子，不要那頭肥獅子了。
一隻老公羊提醒說：「瘦獅子是怕我們送它回上帝那裡挨餓，才對我們這麼好。
萬一肥獅子餓死了，我們沒有了選擇的餘地，瘦獅子很快就會恢復凶殘的本性。」
羊群覺得老羊說得有理，為了不讓另一頭獅子餓死，它們趕緊把它換回來。
原先肥壯的那頭獅子，已餓得剩下皮包骨頭了，並且也懂得了自己的命運是操縱在羊群
手裡的道理。為了能活命，它竟百般討好起羊群來。而那頭被送交給上帝的獅子，則難
過得流下了眼淚。
北邊羊群在經歷了重重磨難後，終於過上了自由自在的生活。
南邊羊的處境卻越來越悲慘了，那隻狼因為沒有競爭對手，羊群又無法更換它，它就胡
作非 為，每天都要咬死幾十隻羊，這隻狼早已不吃羊肉了，它只喝羊的血,還不准羊
叫，那隻叫就立刻咬死那隻。南邊的羊群只能在心中哀歎：「早知道這樣，還不如要兩
頭獅子。」
這是一道非常簡單的選擇題，據我多次親自嘗試的經驗，如果問歐美的朋友，大多數人
都會選獅子，但是如果拿來問我們自己華人，大多數人都會選狼（包括我自己）。
領悟到了嗎？ 握有決定權的才有生機，否則只有任人宰割的份兒了...！
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12:14 pm
[Link] | Regina Spektor- The Call
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye
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12:43 am
[Link] |
Mid-autumn festival
Went to chinatown on Friday to buy mooncake. Bought Big China (大中国) 2 double eggyork dark lotus at $7.50 each and 4 DaTung (大同) mixed nuts (伍仁and金腿) at around $5 each. The dark lotus tasted quite good. Cheaper and nice mooncakes could actually be founded at Sheng Shiong supermarket too. Bought one box a few days ago, at $14.50 only for four double eggyork white lotus.
  
Burned off Saturday and Sunday with dragonboat training. They had a small mooncake eating at Marina Square foodcourt after Saturday's training. Originally, wanted to celebrate at vicinity of Singapore Flyer but cancelled due to bad weather and poor response.
  
 
Sunday night spent time at Borders bookstore @ Orchard browsing books.
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