Tioman!!!

Had a very good weekend... am now and unofficial certified diver, till I complete my theory and I am there already!!! woohoo... Must say thou its a very very very rush trip, it was awesomely enjoyable as its done with great friends, both old and new, thanks to everyone that made the trip all the more fun and enjoyable and make it possible!!! "8 more member in the diving family" (Quoted from Wanliang [instructor]) feels so at home!!!

Friday Evening,

Took a mini van up to Mersing for the ferry over to Tioman, absolute in awe with drivers in Malaysia man, they bring a whole new level to Inital D driving man... they cut lanes better than a butcher cutting meat, there seem to be some kinda signals with the high beams. But as everyone in the van caught some snooze, I had fun watching the driver seam through the roads! woohoo... Finally got to the jetty, felt like we are illegal immigrants, in fact there were loads of us, coz we ain't the only dive school there so the jetty was packed and it was like 12ish 1 am already. When the ferry arrive, each with their huge ass dive gears board the ferry. The ride itself took a couple of hours. The ferry feels like the one going back to Tekong (in fact tekong one felt more comfy, so stop complaining army boys!!! hahaha) and thank god I am "Tekong trained" so was able to catch a snooze and before I know it, we are in Tioman Island at approx 3 am!!! dragging our tired body, we collected our room key and proceed to resting for the evening before our dive in like 7 hours time!!! Thou the room is nothing fantastic, but its has the basics and well, I am contented, army trained do make a difference I suppose. Muahahah

Day 1 Diving!!!

Up and ready to dive, kinda got a little excited that I woke up even before my alarm clock ring, take a quick rinse up and wake the rest, oh yah, its was a quad sharing room so I have the privilege to share the room with Cindy (my buddy), ShengJia and Ivan, new found friends. When everyone is done, headed for breakfast before grabbing our gears and wait at the jetty for our boats out.

My room mateys!!! excluding the ang moh of course!!! got a little trigger happy while waiting for the boat, but who can blame me....ENJOY!~!~!

and this was just from the jetty. Have you ever seen the sea so blue.... OMG OMG. Anyway, according to our instructor, due to the overwhelming crowd over the weekend there are several delays caused, so many a time its really rush to wait and then wait to rush again (sounds familiar yah...=p) Anyway, after about an hour or so delay we headed out, and by the time we are in the water, its pretty much noon. Nevertheless, I experience my first official dive experience. Hmmm how should i put it...it was pleasant yet not really pleasant, pleasant coz its the first experience of going such depth, unpleasant because I have problem equalizing (meaning to get enough air into your ears so that the depth do not compress the air so much till it hurts). so I pretty much spent haf the time going down a little then fin a little up and try again. I still managed to get to the bottom and perform whatever test that is necessary.

After that we head back for lunch, I literally pigged out for the entire 2 days, I haven't ate so much in a very long time, and the scary thing is, its was never full till i can puke kinda full, just ok, practically every meal I had 2 full servings....which is scary, even Cindy got a shock at the way I ate, don't blame her, coz I am pretty shocked too thinking back now OMG!~~!~! hehe

After lunch was out for a 2nd dive, and once again the boat delayed so everything snow boat, by the time we are done with our dive there weren't enough time for the 3rd (which we were suppose to do) Coach suggested we do a shore dive but no one seem interested so reluctantly we missed one dive. =( Not satisfied, Me along with everyone from my room and also Andy, another "classmate" went for a swim from shore. Verdict: where is the tank when u need it, The corals were just awesome man!!! too bad to those that missed it and too bad cannot get a closer look and capture some pictures!!! ROAR!~!~but was definitely a worth while swim.

Dinner was good coz its BBQ!!! woohoo!!! and what's better with BBQ than BEER!~!~!~ ahah ok the beer is not dirt cheap, but much much cheaper compared to Singapore. So kinda started my little BeerFest (since I missed the one in Spore last weekend) there, trying a number of different kind of beer. Enjoyable night just sitting around with the gang snapping away (camera that is =p) and just talk cock sing song!!!

Enjoying good food!!! nice.... after all that is off to Bed!!!


Day 2 Diving!!!

The gang while waiting for the boat out for our 3 & 4 dive!!! (short of Adrain and Kai Yen) check out the sleepy eyes!!! hahaha The dive sites are much further, gave me more time to take more pictures as well. Trying out some "Arty Farty" shots with my cui Ixus 50!!!

Same location....different effect...

There is more, but guess you can check them out in my facebook album...=P Our 3rd dive was to complete all rest of the skills we need to fulfill. Its free decent with reference. Got a little worried moment as my buddy's ears start to hurt after first attempt to dive. Thankfully, she calm down and managed to do it on the second attempt. =) Once everyone completed, its off for a leisure dive to reward ourselves. its was a strong current dive, enjoyable but unfortunately didn't see anything overly exciting. Guess the expectation was sea turtle as we overheard someone saying they spot some in their dive... oh well.. nevertheless great job everyone, we worked hard to earn our cert. Mission accomplished when WanLiang gave us a firm handshake congratulating us!!!=) happy!!!

When we got ashore, its a mad rush!!! once again, bad boating arrangement causing delay... so we rush back shower and rush for lunch and rush to get ticket for our boat...and... and... and....yes you got it..WAIT~!~! coz the ferry was late!!! hahaha so while we waited, tried the "legendary" Chendol while some of them had the ice kachang, both were pretty yummy!!! sinful...but YUMMY!~!~!

And 2 hours later.....

Back in Mersing with glowing tan...everyone!!! woohoo one of our coach was early, while the other one was 2.5 hours LATE..ROAR, so we just hang around and I had my Virgin Ramly Burger. Yes, its my first attempt on ramly despite seeing it in Spore umpteen times... haha but I was not alone, ShengJia also...

This was the stall we gave our ramly virginity to...road side stall near the jetty!!!

YUMMY!~!~!~!

Like the way we came, the trip back was equally exciting as we got yet another initial D driver, this guy got us back in record time, there was a group that left at 4.30pm and we still met them at the checkpoint custom despite leaving from the jetting at 6.30pm. 2 hours HEADSTART MAN!~!~! awesome right....

Got home at about 10ish, tired short trip but definitely enjoyable. List of people to thank that made this trip possible and enjoyable!!!

1) Wan Liang our instructor
2) Master Diver Joei and Jody
3) All my classmates:
- Adrain
- Kai Yen
- Andy
- Min Zee
- Ivan
- Shengjia

And last but definitely not least, Dive buddy Cindy, haha another buddy moment added to the list liao. just realise we only took one picture throughout the entire trip, and its blur!!! haha oh well more to come in the future I suppose.... okok bring an end to my super long entry with a picture, a personal favorite!! (with some editing...)

Original

Edited... (Life is...)

Saving up for advance!!! woohoo!!!

Just a short entry

Stealing a break just before I head into my world of work. Have been feeling really odd lately, not too sure what's is causing this. Bad vibes from people around me? negative energy? I cannot tell... What I know is, I am back into training again, the only time I get a clear of mind, and think of nothing at all. Escape??? pehaps...

I don't like feeling like that, it seems and feel like I am vying for attention (which I clearly don't want). I just want to be alone and sort out thoughts... live in solitude... Just don't wish for my mood to harm anyone around me, those people that care and all. That would be the last thing I wish for.

Training for July race is on the way... my feel, some wants its, not all... the aura going around is not firing up yet. Nevertheless, I am still going to work hard and get into the boat I deserve! I want a medal at the race and GOLD would be nice...

As for other sports, am really keen about going back to Muay thai... which mean more kickass training! haha life of training and work... social life will take a step back I suppose.

Argh....writer's block... will continue when I have more to update!!! =P

photo post... nothing else

This entry will be dedicated to photos... enjoy...

first entry on BB

This is the first entry using BB. Well this past week has been pretty gloomy and kinda affected my mood in one way or another. I can't really tell what's causing this. Just feeling rather vulnerable. The weekend zoomed pasted like really fast before we know it its already over.

When will I be ok? No one know. But I guess I just need to find the solution myself. Keeping the entry short and sweet. Have a good week ahead everyone

update update!!!

My blog seems to be a monthly affair now... haha will try my best to not let that happen. Anyway, just recovered (or still recovering) from Mr. Nasty Flu Bug. Drained off everything I have trained... One advise to anyone.... Flu + Club till 6am + Tanning the next day.... not a good combi.. hahaha tested and proven. But hey privilege for being youthful yah =P.

Decided to give myself a little break to blog before going into work again. Share picture again =P Shall start with the more happening stuff first. Hmm... first up, the concert, yes I was back in the music scene once again, helping out my old school NYP with a concert at the Victoria Concert Hall. Always a pleasure to perform in that hall. Special thanks to all those that came to support me!!! and of course the rest of the band lah. Haha picture dedication to all those that turn up...

Ex band members (L to R) : Xiu Xiu, Ah Tom, May, Zhongxi and Bryan... OMG all woodwinds... =P

My buddy Dennes !!!



May and me



Jac and me, must take at every concert =P haha



Bunch of glamorous people that dressed for the occasion (L to R): Clarrisa, Esther, Mary, Dylan, Alex, Choon Kai



Head of their clan: Clarrisa and myself.



A couple of my colleagues from Track and Field, Matthew and Iskandar, than



Elisse, Fren from Kim Seng...


My fren Amelia, came despite not feeling well and all... really appreciate it.


Kelvin Chua from my SAF Band days...



Last but certainly not the least, Cindy...

Guess this should sum up my concert. Its a pretty good concert, thou a couple go glitch here and there (which is common) am glad I did my part and play ok during the concert. Its great seeing so much friends around, certainly brings back plenty of memories. HAHA looking forward to the next. if there is going to be one.... for now...its back to work!!!

Have a great week ahead everyone!!!

Cheers!!!

A little something before I turn in

Weather is pretty bad lately, super hot one moment and pouring dinosaurs the next moment. This causes many around me to start to fall since, and inevitably, Mr. Flu bug also came knocking on my door... so I am going to keep this sharing short and head to bed. This month and April zoomed past for me, what i dreaded at the beginning of the month, the uncertainties, the worries of hiccups and all, has finally come to an end, in this sigh of relief, there is a tinge of feeling that I will miss whatever that has happen the past month.

This month has been a pretty interesting one for me... many 12 - 16 hours work days, but yet neither the working hours nor the long traveling distance made me dread going to work. Yes I do have to admit as days gone by, the getting out of the bed part seem to be more and more challenging, however, it never once made me not look forward to they day ahead. I guess part of the reason would have to go with the wonderful people I get to work with these past month. Thanks to them, work is very enjoyable and also lighten. My most sincere gratitude to all that has been on this journey with me, thou its just been a month, I must say bonds have been built beyond my wildest dreams. Happy is the aim I plan to achieve, seeing smiles when people work, despite having to bear the hot sun, everyone working, not as worker, but as one big family, enduring together, supporting one another, this spirit is really heartwarming and I am glad to be leading this group of excellent people around me. As the chinese saying goes, there is no gather that last forever. I do sincerely hope everyone the best, and really do keep in contact in the many years ahead. More photos of my fun team!!!

There is more which I will capture on the final day 2 day from now... this is all for now!!! =P Good night and to all that is sick or fall sick, please take alot of water and Vit C. take care and speedy recovery!!!

Long Awaited entry

Haven't update for so long.... Not too sure where to start.... Hmm lets just recap some of my happenings for the month of late March till now. Attended a fren's wedding, or rather friend of both the bride and the groom, course mates from poly and together since their sec school days. Kinda like a mini gathering for everyone and honestly finally a meet up that is not a sad affair (some pple will know what I am talking about.

Picture with some of my buddies in schools and of course their partners. Serious glad to see old friends and they haven't change abit. Nice

Next... hmm... I suppose it will be my run... had to compensate for my lack of exercise these past few weeks (which I will get to shortly) so I did 2XU run. Overall one word comment: Inexperienced. organizers can improve on many aspect of the race. Overall set up I must say is not very soundly done. Major minus point: 1) Transportation, arrived 5 mins after flag off due to late bus. 2) Bad deployment of volunteers, saw many spots with hardly any manpower but so many green shirt volunteer at the end point doing NOTHING! 3) Water point, should not serve ice cold drink coz hard to swallow especially when u are already fighting to catch your breath. Not all is lost, the route was fine and rather challenging with the slopes and all. start and end point was good too... very nicely set up. Bag deposit was ok too, very prepared. Overall its a rather great run. Managed to clock 1:01:37.63 for a 12km run. =) Hoping to hit 1hr so there is still some room for improvement.

A picture from the run, thx to a kind soul that took for me after the race. Anyway kind warning to those that have intention to go to the beach. Beware of Jellyfish, I believe there is a change in climate, thus they are swarming near shore. Unfortunately, I got stung. Nothing serious but serious pain.

Now for my work, have been busy with National Track and Field these past few weeks and am done with the Secondary level one, now am going ahead with the Primary school level. There is a vast difference in terms of standard and management style. My boss tried to tell me and I tried to get mentally prepared for it but it still dun work. Felt like demoted from a 1st world country to a 3rd world country (*simply and analogy, no pun intended) Feeling the pressure from the EAs, Everyone please bear with it awhile and try to look at the enjoyable sides of things.

Through this event, I also managed to make many new friends and also meet many interesting people. Think from the picture you will get what I mean. so less talk more pics.... =P

Really fun bunch of people, make me miss poly days a whole lot.... haha 2 more week guys... Jia you!!!

Crunch Time

Just realized I haven't been blogging. Work is really piling up (as usual) but definitely beats doing nothing. Kind of excited for the month to come. Foresee April to be a rather short month. Lots of "outings".

Okie enough about work, now about life. Just did my first ever Singapore Biathlon. Experience, awesome but not loving the swimming leg. First time swam such a distance in open water, the feeling is very different from doing it in pool, partly coz you do not get to kick off the wall at every 50m.=P but the swim was not as bad as I imagined. Not used to having so many people swimming around me. Got punch, elbowed and kicked umpteen times, breast-strokers should seriously take outer lanes. I was literally escorted by 4 breast strokers man. Nothing wrong with that stroke just that they require a huge surface area and have very powerful kicks.... hahaha Nevertheless managed to exit the water with minimal damage. Let my nerve get the better of me thus wasted quite abit of time at the transition area as I look for my stuff and suit up. Start of the run was slow, needed time to catch my breath as it picked up then it was not too bad. Overall a great experience. Here is my timing.

Swim : 00:32:09
Run: 00:53:4
Overall: 01:25:53

Pretty contented for a first timer. My personal target i aim to achieve was 1 hrs 45 mins. This event was more special as I did it with a bunch of new friends all passionate sports person. Its different doing the sports alone (which I normally do) and with friends.

All the survivors! Great job everyone.

This weekend will be yet another fun filled weekend, very packed thou. So will blog about it when i get the chance to...

Bye for now... back to work...