Super BUG !!

It all started at the beginning of the week. Was not really feeling too well. By mid-week I was having a cold and runny nose. Don't think I had any fever but the body ached and had this cold feeling everywhere. My tonsil's were exploding. Went to see the doc who gave me the standard antibiotics and this time he commented that the tonsil were really swollen, no fever yet and he suspected it's some viral infection which was beginning to set in. Got a day's MC to rest but actually did some work at home that day, cleared emails etc. The following day I felt terrible, the tongue felt like it was swollen and I felt like throwing up. drop by the docs and he said the tonsil are big and may have touch the tongue giving it the impression of being swollen. He gave me a gargle to try to bring the swelling down and told me to really rest after he found out I did not really rest the other day. He said, his mistake was not giving me 2 days MC and my mistake was not resting ! And he goes on about why doctors require people to rest and get well as soon as possible and how they disobey the orders and go to work and start spreading the germs around. Finally he gave me another 2 days MC. Got home and practically slept the whole day that day. The following day a rash appeared, but soon it disappeared, I think the viral infections is finally going away. Getting better now and almost back to full fitness except that the tongue and mouth just feels awful after taking so much antibiotics.

I'm One !!

Who would have believed it, the blog is ONE today, it's a year since I started this blog. It has been an experience and hopefully will be able to continue on. I have to say it has been an enjoyable experience, at times just had too much stuff to write about that there just was no time during my busy schedule to document them down. Other times just could not thing of anything interesting happening ha ha ....

Regular Exercise Active Lifestyle - 08

Regular Exercise Active Lifestyle or the New Balance REAL Run 2008 was held recently at Changi. I finally found out what the REAL in REAL stood for ha ha  ....

I went for my second REAL Run on Sunday. It was the run which allowed you to run on different terrains. It's held where they did the Changi Airshow. I got up bright an early around 4.45am to get the 5.45 shuttle from Toa Payoh to the run venue. I had a mild case of diarrhoea the previous night, I think it might have been something I had for breakfast the other day, was not feeling particularly upbeat. Anyway's got to the venue, the driver of the bus got lost and took a wrong turn but still we managed to get there around 6.30am. Had a quick change of clothes, did my check-in of my bags and some warmups and before you know it, it was almost 7am, the atmosphere was electrifying, really gets you in the mood for a run. The run starts at 7.30am for 10km, while the 15km runners start at 7.45am. The announcer started to call everyone to the start line, as I was making my way there they had these ladies going round giving out free samples of NEAT 3B (I think that's what it's called) it's to prevent abrasions and stuff, usually applied to the underarms, groin and for guys the nipple area while for ladies the bra area. One of the ladies (who incidentally also does the warmups, probably some aerobics instructor) came up to me to ask me to try some, there was a photographer with her and so just happen to have a picture taken with the lady. I tried the product but I think the race is short so don't think abrasions really come into play plus these days the clothing material is better and you don't get abrasions. I used to get them over long distances before but abrasions don't happen very often these days. Well to me anyway's. Well we did the warmup with the instructors and soon it was flag off time.

I don't know who flagged us of as I could not really hear the announcer and was too far away to see who it was but I think it might have been Mr Ho Peng Kee, but could be wrong. So the run started and this year they had a new route. It was a hot day and with the sun rising we set off into the sun. For the first 4km we were running on a dirt track with low shrubs by the side, fairly wide, hard sand but no shade. It was freaking HOT !! After that it was another 2 km of running on the road which basically was the access road to the Airshow area, it's a 6 lane road with no trees or shade. The sun was really HOT !! The next 1km was on a forest track and at least the only good thing about this section was there was some shade. We then turn to the beach and I had to practically squint my eyes as the glade was really bad. 1km of beach running in the open on soft sand with the sun beating down on you and reflected off the water, really test your mind and body. Finally the last 2 km consisted of the road again to the finishing line where we got onto the runway. Again no shade. It as a really killer of a run with the heat, no shade or cover and hardly any breeze. You would think a beach area would have some breeze but there was absolutely none that day. Last year after the run I could mingle around near the finishing area to watch the other runners come in but this year it was soooooooo hot that I just went into the hanger area to rest up. Most people did that too.

Well I was pleased with my time it was around 1hr 17mins or so but will wait for the official confirmation when they sent me my certificate. At least it was an improvement over last year's 1hr 20min+ timing. The run was a really killer, especially the beach and coming in stretch. Absolutely Hot Hot Hot !!

They gave out bananas at the end of the run. I collected my goodie bag with the T-Shirt and other freebies. Normally at these runs at the end NEAT also provides this leg massage service. Usually there is a long queue and I never bother to wait around, however this time when I came in there was less than 20 people in the queue so I decided to queue up. Waited for about 20 mins and I got my turn to get a rub down. Not too bad, at least got a free leg rub of my aching muscles. Took off my socks and was shocked to see a tan, so you know how hot it was. They had some entertainment and lucky draw stuff but I passed on those as I just wanted to get home. Took the 10am shuttle to the Pasir Ris MRT station, caught the train to Lavender before getting on a bus.

There is only 1 word to describe this year's run -- HOT !! -- my tights are still aching and this time round the stomach area hurts as well and I am not sure why that is. No pictures of the event as I was just too drained.

Run

Weekend will be going for the Real Run at Changi, the one run which I started last year and got be back into running. Havn't really been trainng due to work, but hopefully should get a better time than last year's. The only run where you get to run on different terrains including trakc, road, sand and even on a runway. I received my certificate also for the last run I went to which was the Bridge Run, 1 hr 12 mins for 10KM, best time this year for me. Let's see if I can break that 1 hr barrier. After this next month will try the Veritcal Run up Swissotel and finally end the year with the Standard Chartered Marathon, but I only run 10KM there, the missus still teases me about all the runs, getting her beauty sleep disturbed at 4am in the morning which is about when I most likely have to get up and prepare for the run. This weeks pickup point for me is at the Toa Payoh stadium, got to get an early night and hopefully after the run it will not be like last year where the whole bloody body aches !! Should be in better condition now ..... well I hope :)

Petrol Kiosk

The car was running low on Petrol and I decided to get some in today. When I was at the petrol kiosk, I was pleasantly surprised that I was just in time to get cheaper fuel as the kiosk attendants had just set the pumps to a lower price range. YES !! I am in time for some cheaper petrol. I went in and took a bottle of air freshen for the car as well. At the cashier counter there was a lady in front of me who was paying for her petrol and she turn to me and said "Cheap Petrol". Told her "yep we are just in time". I asked the cashier lady if there was any Parking Coupons as I needed some. She told me "No more stock". The lady in front of me heard that and said "Wah like that cannot park any more". She then offered me coupons if I needed some as she had spare in her car but I told her it's ok I have spares too. I got some other things at the Kiosk as well. Besides the Car Air Freshen, I took 2 boxes of Ribena (you get an umbrella), Now Car Air Freshen also comes with a free 'Mr Muscle' window cleaner, interesting wasn't that oh ya and the Singapore Sweep tickets as well :)

Servicing

Today I sent in my car for servicing, well actually it's not really time but I guess it has been more than 6 mths already so it'sbetter to get it serviced. Also had them polish and steam clean the engines as well as buff up the leather seats. All in about $400 for the servicing and grooming.

Car Decal ??

I caught this in a car park today a very unique Car Decal. Very patriotic with the Singapore Flag but the name and blood type which really makes it stand out on the window.

EEC

 

Eagle Eye Centre, EEC for short (well some of my office colleagues will probably have a different meaning to the abbreviation) was where me and the missus had our Lasik done. Recently they celebrated their 2nd Anniversary. With the release of Steven Spielberg's suspense thriller "Eagle Eye" what better way than to thank all their patients with an invitation to a private viewing of the movie.

It was held at GV Max at Vivocity. I've never been to GV Max before, it was my first time in there. Seating was on a first come first serve basis by the time we came about 80% of the seating was taken up. We got relatively ok seats, about 10 rows from the front. There was buffet dinner provided, it was not bad, a simple goodie bag was given out to all who attended. The theatre was huge, and the seating and leg room was very comfortable. The 3 doctors (one of which was an MP and another had just joined less than 2 weeks ago) from the centre gave an introduction of themselves and the centre, on how it started with 2 and 6 nursing staff to the present strength today of 3 doctors and 15 nursing staff.

Above is the welcome message and speech by one of the doctors in the theatre. The movie was excellent, I enjoyed it and so did the missus. All in a fun evening for us with a free dinner and movie.

It's been about 5 months now since our Lasik surgery. The missus is ok her correction was good. For me I still need some minor correction as there is still some degree which needs to be tuned. The eyes are not so dry now, we don't rely on the eye drops that often. But you can tell the old habits of adjusting your spectacles was still there every now and then you would flick your hand up to try to adjust the spectacle only to find out that there isn't any there now !!!

Day Out

It seems people just love getting out and shop even if the shops were not open ! Was having a day out with the missus and we started the day bright and early at Vivocity, it was only 9am and the shops were not yet open but the crowds were already there. I think most of them were there to get to Sentosa Island. Anyways we had breakfast and caught the early morning show Mama Mia, that really was a very entertaining show full house by the time we booked our seat only the first 4 rows left. Surprisingly lots of kids were watching the show and we had one little girl dancing in the isle as well during the movie that was cute. We did some shopping there was well.

Visited the Tampines area which had Ikea, Giant and Courts megamarts. It was my first time there and the place is huge, lots of stuff to look at we were shopping for some dining chairs as it's felt that the dining set needs a change. But alas nothing really stood out so did not really buy much.

Had dinner at Raffles Hotel's Tiffin Room. It was a buffet dinner mainly indian curries and other spicy stuff. It was enjoyable order the Singapore Sling. I've tried it a few times even on SQ flights, but the original is still the best. It just taste different from the others.

KFP is down

Finally completed my third game for the year - KFP or better known as Kung Fu Panda the XBox 360 game it is so similar to the movie if you have watched it.

Up Up and Away

Well it seems like everything is going up. Rice went up, Petrol went up. Electricity is going up too with an increas of 21% and even the daily papers will cost more. Cost of everything is rising, wonder when our pay will rise as well hhmmmmm.... Seems like the only thing going down is the Stock Market !

Singapore GP - wrap up

        

Some final pictures of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. Let's start with the side events and other non-race related images.

Padang with the Suntec Area in the background.

  Old Supreme Court by night.

Below another night scene of the Singapore Skyline and one of the 'mod' cars on display.

Lamborgini's all parked in a row, another 6 more turned up later in the night, they were all parked at the Hotel.

F1 route sign of the F1 Park area.

Check our the different sets of types !

More on the support races coming up next.

  The Support Race Area, cars waiting to race.

CRASH out !!

Below more pictures of the Support races, in practice, qualifying and actual race, the support races all finish before dark, only the F1 cars were running the race under lights.

 

Finally some F1 action.

 

 

 

And last but not least me at the Races ........ at the Padang Grandstand and with my friend who was one of the volunteers there.

 

After 3 days at the races here are my top highs and lows of the event.

Low

1) Dropping my sunglasses and getting it trampled by the masses. I dropped my glasses as I was just about to keep them as the sun was going down and it slip from my hands as there was a mass of people walking in this very crowded and cramp walkway (see point 2 below) between the flyer and marina area and no fault of anyone it got stepped on.

2) Needs improvement on the movement of people especially at the area behind the Bay Grandstand, it is always crowded, but before the races it's not too bad it took me 10 min's to get to the flyer from Marina, but coming back when the race is about to start it took me more than half an hour and there were Police officer getting people to move still, in the end they had to open the emergency exit to get some flow going.

3) The high prices for food and drinks, especially for drinks since you need it and we could not bring in any bottled water.

4) The seats at the grandstands, they are just too small and too close to each other we were packed like sardines and they are not the most comfortable seats around.

5) Insufficient entry and exit gates which lead to the jams when the event was over, but it seems finally found out faster to get out of the area by the back through Raffles MRT area than from the front at City Hall.

High

1) Excellent idea to hold the race in the evening, it was so much cooler and there was a breeze blowing on all 3 days, partly I think due to the fact that we were near water.

2) The atmosphere, woo hooo...  it was outstanding and of course those ear plus really help keep your hearing. The F1 machines really make a huge amount of noise.

3) Side events were great to watch inbetween races. There was things to do and see everywhere.

4) Usher, Ticketing, Security and all the other volunteers -- never had a problem getting in as it was relatively fast and enough lanes, getting out was the big headache.

5) Getting to meet one of the drivers, Nakajima as he was going into the Paddock area. Must have been the highlight of the weekend for me.