Week One

My first week at work. I really love my colleagues – I’m not saying this cuz it’s public, but right from the time I stepped in to till today, I’ve received so much guidance and help from everyone – the dudes in my function, to my boss and even other colleagues from other expertise – who’re willing to set time aside to answer my queries, let me join in meeting with clients just to listen, observe and learn.

Although there’s a ton of reading to do (this week alone, i’ve read over 400 pages) and most of it are jargon and complex concepts which are hard to understand and comprehend, it helps that the two dudes are willing to jump in from time to time and tell me what’s important to understand as a beginner and how it fits in with the Singapore Regulations. This helps me appreciate and give more meaning to what I do.

Also, I love the fact that when something is undecided or hand to decide, they e-mail spam everyone to discuss it out and everyone gets to participate and and is taken seriously. It really hit me when during the start of a discussion, when my colleague introduced me as, ‘This is my colleague, Sandip.’ Instantly, I felt important. The work culture makes me feel like I’m wanted there and this to me is meaningful – so every morning when I wake up at 6 and every night when I get back home totally tired and thrashed out, not for a single moment do I feel like I was not working. To me, this job is is more than the money.

The people are very close to one another too. This I realized today when one of my colleagues was leaving for Austria after working there for two years. It was so obvious that she was fighting back tears while taking pics with everyone. Although I knew her only for a day, seeing her reaction, I can expect these guys to be a great bunch of people.

One thing did suffer this week though. My running! Seems like the day I started till now, I don’t even have the time to think of going for a run. Maybe, on Sunday, I’ll sit down and plan myself a schedule to wake up early for a run before work. I fear I’ll be too damn tired at the end of the day though, so gotta plan swee swee! Once I fit my running schedule in, life will be complete – completely awesome!

Time to go to bed. Gotta wake up early tmr for TNF 30k progressive run. =)

Hired!

I signed a contract on Friday with HSA’s Medical Device Regulation Branch on Friday. Woots… Good start to a career as far as I see it. Something I wanna try my hands at. Just gotta find time to run, for freinds and family to have a work-life balance. Then life’s perfect! =)

So… as of now, I’m a government empolyee.

On a totally unrelated note, I found a new show that’s I really wanna watch! Quick Gun Murugan. It’s about a tamil vegetarian cowboy who’s after Rice Plate Reddy – his nemesis who wants to make a non-veg masala dosai. He better ‘Mind It!’

Here’s the trailer:

And the title song… ‘Tamil Bhangra’ by Mika.

And the rubbish that got Kayne West called a ‘Jackass’ by Obama! Haha…

You are nothing

These are a few words of encouragement from Dad.

Awesome… Just perfect. Exactly what I needed to hear.

Numb Weekend

Cuz my legs are worn out till they’re numb.

I have no idea how, but I managed to decently finish TNF 100 Progressive Run 2 of 20km on Saturday and Run NUS 2009 of 12km on Sunday.  Surprisingly, both with good timing too! =)

Thanks to the ultimate Care Bear, Jimmy, he volunteered to pick up and drop (to and fro) Mike, Elaine and me from our place in SK although he lives in Pasir Ris. He’s given me lifts so many times, I’ve lost count! TNF started with high spirits with us talking a lot of bull between us, a lot of insider jokes and pulling each others’ legs! The run started with an immediate claustrophobic feeling of running in thick vegetation with muddy terrain (since it rained the night before) and roots, braches, dead falls and forest litter all around the place. And the only thing that was missing, came around – rain. Although I was drenced to the bone, thankfully the forest gave sufficient shelter from the worst part of the rain so some of the body heat was conserved well and cold didn’t hit as fast. Trail running is so monontonous it’s just staring at the shoes of the person in front of you and hope you don’t slip and fall over the muddy roots – like Elaine did, twice, on the way back. The opening from the thick vegetation was a welcome sight at the PUB but then it was more bashing through a thin trail between tall lalangs near the PUB fence. Thankfully, the sun was out by then, so the timing was more than perfect! Thanks to the terrain was not being as undulating as the one we did the week before, most of the energy was kept right in and enabled me to still push up all the slopes without much difficulty. The major of the problem however, was the ankle twsisting and the slippy muddy slopes and roots – where I hit my already injured toe again. Hurt like hell tt one! The biggest challenge of all of course was navigating through the trails cuz they all look the same without any markers. TNF guys really need to work on this for the next progressive run. As exciting and novel the route and the terrain was, yet, it surely reminded me of times I spent alone in Brunei during Chill Hermit. Somehow, the old Devils keep coming back once the going gets tough. Maybe once u go thru that, ull get tougher and get going again. Also since she’s my parter and her morale plumetted to abolute zero after her two falls, second of which caused an open wound, I kept with her till the end point – tts wat partners are for, rite? Although, she was injured and I was mildly pissed off cuz of the slippiness, we both managed to run the route (yes, some people got lost 1/2 way thru the return and popped up from all over BT hil but all back in one piece), thanks to an experienced uncle who brought Elaine, an ang moh couple and me out to the right path. In fact, we clocked a good time for the 20km – 2h:12m:32s. We both look forward to more runs together – the first of which will be this Thu evening. =)

Run NUS 2009 was a different affair altogether – with road running and lots of slopes. Thanks to the Tri-tights that I got, my legs although sore were good to go for Sunday. As expected, there were delays. But thankfully, it was not as bad as 2007 – where ti was delayed by more than an hour and the sun was blazing away. Andrew was so desperate to start, he screwed the registration process for the NUS Men and just jumped in the same wave as me. Well, I was supposed to go for Wave 3 but jumped into Wave 2, cuz I was getting annoyed with the heat turning up. So, if my time is amazing fast on the results page and the cert, add 10mins to it. Tts my real time – 59:23 – not amazing in my current best timings for 12km but surely PB for the hell of the terrain that NUS and Kent Ridge has. As andrew said, I think we have both come a long, long way from Run NUS 2008. Since the route was almost the same, we did much much better this year. Thanks to all the hill training for me and his hill and stair training for his MIR training. The results of this was that we were both, at different timings overtaken by only two people – Mok Ying Ren (AH DUH! He flew past me at 4km+ near the SPC station) and his friend (who was close behind) who neither of us know the name of – sorry bro. And as fate would have it, when I was at Science Park, the rain hit again. This was more welcome to me rather than a pain cuz I would have given up if the sun were out! The last 3km was a blistering downpour and this time around, I didn’t have the protection the forest had to give. Either way, since I was almost at the last leg of the race, I was looking forward to finishing it rather than be bothered by the rain. As I ascended the UH slope, I was expecting to get on the track and end the race – however, there was a twist to the run this year. We had to go around the sheltered walkway that links Science and AYE and back to the track. Maybe, cuz of the lightning, they altered the route. For me it was a good run, however, I guess for Wave 5+ or so (can’t) be too sure, they had to scrap the event. I think for John (if he came, cu he was down with a bad tummy) and Jimmy, who just arrived as I was heading back after the hard run, it was a disappointment cuz they didn’t get to run this year. So as assholic as it was to jump the waves and stuff, Andrew and me, it seems made the right choice to just go ahead and run. Apologies to the organisiers for messing it up for you guys. So if you’re reading this and intend to go for Run NUS 2010, plan on registering as Men’s Open rather than other categories. They’re usually the first few waves to flag off – u get an opportunity to beat the elements.

Last evening, Dad wanted to go jalan jalan at ECP. So although I was sore all day, it was a good change to go there not for any activites but to walk about, talk cork and slack. Maybe he decided this cuz there was nothing good on Zee. Either way, we got some good family time together.

Tts all for the weekend. My calves were sore all day yesterday and this morning. Tmr morning, I wanna got for a 25k LSD – if I can wake up, legs feel ok and the weather holds. Too many variables.

On a totally different note, feelings on both sides seem to have worn off, it’s always a good sign – since it is mutual. Sometimes, some distance and space of course time, teaches what is important for now.

BS

Stands for Barney Stinson. Possimpibly the most awesome guy ever!

And his code of ethics and conduct is honouredly called – The Bro Code.

And finally, Ive gotten my hands on a hallowed copy! I love it! =)

The most Possimpible Blog

I love this… stuff (I meant, stuff!)

Hmmm

Discoveries of recent have led me to a new perspective… but principles first…

Somehow related to this old post… on Spineless People

And suddenly

I don’t feel like doing anything anymore…

New Divide

Interes-Ted

Seems like I’ve finally let my anger go now. I’m no longer upset about the past and although it took me so long to avoid, ignore and keep it all in, I don’t know when in this time, it all went away.

I’m ready to move forward.

This became so much more apparent when I was watching How I Met Your Mother. Ted, a single guy, who’s looking for his future wife, gets to know Stella – a separated mom of a 7 year old daughter. He gets to know her better and they end up almost at the altar – where she leaves him to go back to her ex-husband, Tony. He’s angry and sad and a whole host of things that one would feel but eventually, sees the light. As he narrates this story to his kids, 20+ yrs in the future, he says:

“…and that was it, in that moment I wasn’t angry anymore. I could see that Stella was meant to be with Tony.

Kids,

You may think that your only choices are to swallow your anger or throw it in someone’s face. But there is a third option, you can just let it go. And only when you do that is it really gone, and you can move forward.

And that kids, was the perfect ending to a perfect love story. It just wasn’t mine. Mine was still out there, waiting for me…”

~ Ted Mosby

Legendary Trip 2!

To con-tin-new where I left off last night, on 20th June, I left for my hometown, Bhubaneswar (BBSR) with Pupsy since dad was fine on his own. I bought my first non-aeriated drink at the Airport and it was one of my fav fully awesome ones – Snapple – Mango Madness. =)

Everyone was so thrilled that I was back that I was very touched and felt the love all around me, esp my cousins and granny – who I still insist was trying to flirt with me!

I went for a concert since we had passes and one of my sister-in-laws was singing and my uncle’s childhood friend was playing – Kishore Kumar was a music genius… Legen-wait for it-dary! Shall post one of my fav songs once I’m done with this. =)

The lead singer – had almost the same voice and look like Kishore-da

This lady was the stage turner for the duet – love the chemistry betwn them – her voice sucked though! =p

Prutyasha (hope I got that right) one of my distant sister-in-laws also sang a few songs – her voice was so much nicer!

My uncle’s childhood fren – lost in the passion of music. =)

The next day was Sunday, so we could whack a day trip! Off we went to Maa Tarini temple where apparently, if u make a coconut offerring and ask for something, you’re sure to get it. Well, it’s kinda obvious what I asked for. We met up with Sukanya’s family on the day trip – who’s close to Sush’s family too.

Sush and me again!

My eldest uncle and Sush

My youngest uncle

Sush’s Dad

The people who went there

Sush and Sukanya’s Sis

I loved this hut – looks so laid back

This is a crap translation of the name of the place – esp for a hotel!

The week after that was the annual Chariot Festival, where the God goes his aunt’s house for a few months. SO to celebrate this, we had prayers that day. A few years back, I sat for the prayers but this year i had a bad tummy ache, so my eldest uncle sat for the prayers.

The holy fire

The aunt-home-going God and his siblings

Our family butler (Hari) who came the house the very day I was born =)

The prayer offerings which Hari cooked – Love his food! Awesome! =p

Then we went over to my cousin’s place to see my nephew of 7 months. He’s so chubby and cute!

Spoilt brat loves the air-con! His little piece of heaven that is…

Cousin and me

Then we went over to my eldest cousin’s place to meet her and her family. I love the verbal jostling with her cuz she’s really damn funny and witty! Her husband on the other hand is damn shy and he can’t say shit but just blushes and gives up! Damn cute couple!

Husband, wife and me

Retro casette!

My youngest 2 cousins

Sush and me

Super whacking session!

Dinner plan was with my two yougest cousins and Sush. We went to Tangerine 9 and whacked till we were full, fat and happy! Haha… We talked so much cork that we were reeling laughing for next three good hours. My youngest cousin literally fell down laughing! This went on for a good four nights over dinner! =p

My cousin and me went to Mayfair, a super posh shopping area to do some window shopping! Her treat for the evening! =)

I loved the colourfulness of the place!

Yummynessess!

A couple of days, we went to puri Jaganath – the God who went to aunt’s place. Apparently, very few people can get to see him there and so it was a unique opportunity cuz it was not as crowded – ually there are 1/2 million people there at once – i do not mean figuratively, there are crowds of 1/2 million on festive days.

My niece

And cousin

Niece, a distant nephew and me.  The fella is damn funny! We had an awesome time!

And one last whacking session with cousin – Haka.

The buffet is damn worth it! 4 Sing dollars! =p

One last pic – cuz she wanted to look taller! =p

I miss the place and the people already! Most probably, my next trip… will be my wedding. =)

My Legendary Trip 1!

Is what I would call my trip to India this time around! Well.. besides having a lot of fun and carbo loading till I gained 3 kgs(!), I actually kinda re-conciled what I’ve been looking for and what I’ve been missing out on. One point of self-discovery is that no matter where I live and where I work, I will always want to go back there from time to time – cuz at one point in time or the other, I miss the place really dearly – not just the food or the people, the feeling of being settled and being back home – with family.

This post is gonna be a shorter version of the looong story that I’ll prob tell u ppl in parts! So here goes! =)

Vidhana Soudha at night – There’s a cheesy line written on the top… try to read it!

Our driver, Viswanath tried his best to take a pic… after much much coaxing!

My cousin and me (mum not in pic) are squeezed into out little car at the back! =p

The ladies

And the gents

And began the holiest week of many years I’ve had in a long long time! I went to a new temple literally everyday from Iskon in Bangalore to Tirupati to the temple near our house to even Puri Jaganath – after the Chariot Festival. Like my cousin told me, we’re gonna have a life full of blessings considering how many temples we’ve been to so far!

Iskon Temple, Bangalore

Then I wanted to take pics of our house in BLR and wow! The mansion is a mother load so huge that I had to take samples of the Taj Mahal mum and dad had built after a lot of pain and sweat.

Balcony

Living Room 1

Living Room 2

Bedroom

Prayer Room

Grand Staircases… slippery too!

A REAL dorky pic of me on the living room wall. Taken when I was in Sec 2… I can see why I was alone with no frenz!

Look at the hair, the tummy, the glasses, the bloody backpack! SHEESH!

The next day, we headed to Mysore, a small place near BLR (abt 280kms away) which was the capital of the state previously. I had been there last when I was 6 or 7 and so for me, it was like being there for the first time again! As for mum and dad, it was a second honeymoon trip to what was 26 yrs ago! OMG! And for me… I took a pic for comparison. Once the old pics are scanned and up, I’ll show u ppl – promise!

Sleeping Vishnu Temple

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

Cam-whoring again…

Honeymoon pic spot – 26 yrs on, Chamundibetta Temple

Temple outside Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

YELPS!

A pic of me at the very same spot after 25 yrs… I’ll show u when I scan the original

The musical fountain

And the beautiful dome fountain – my fav of all!

A pic of the place from practically every Bollywood movie in the 80s and early 90s.

The next day, we intended to go to the Museum and the Planetorium – obviously, nothing happened when we met up with Sukanya – Pupsy’s fren who lives in BLR. All we did was the take a lot of pics and talk a lot of rubbish and played UNO – to the point we even forgot our tea and screwed the initial plans! Totally worth it! =)

Sukanya and Sushree

And the three S-ess (No puns intended)

Sukanya in her beloved room with her beloved kapohed lampshade

Evening, we headed down to Prabha aunty’s house to meet Vani Didi and Ajay. They were so young I last remember them tt Didi now has a son of the same age that I was when I first knew them! OMG! After so long, I didn’t even know where to start trying to catch up. Btw, the house Ajay built for his dad and mum is so beautiful and functional, as an engineer, it makes me tear in joy! Then we 4 went for a quick dinner to retire for the night… cuz next up was Tirupati.

A nice place just near home. =)

Love BLR, the weather is so nice u look exactly the way when u left home after ure bk!

The next day, our road trip began at 430am to Sukanya’s place and picked her up and off we went to Tirupati. Although I was hoping to get to know her better, the poor girl had a whole trip of motion sickness – which our driver Mahadev was very nice to constantly look for drug stores to buy medication. Also, he knows so much that he made the trip worthwhile and cracked a lot of funny jokes along the way. The two of them were def lost.. and I had to laugh twice – once with Mahadev and once more after translating it! My Kannada was surely brushed up at the end of the trip! =)

5am from a Hyundai Tucson

Outside

And Inside

Ms. Motion Sickness with her power Remedy

We’re still good to go… till the ascend began. After tt we all looked the same

The awesomest driver, Mahadev!

Sukanya and Me at Woody’s – I ALWAYS loved to stop here for tea since I was a kid!

The next big thing was shopping and what we did instead was eat more and take more pics! We found this huge butterfly made of paper cups in a shopping mall! It’s to raise awareness of re-cycling and re-using. But for us, it’s just another prop!

After this I headed to my hometown which I’ll continue in Part 2 cuz its almost 3am now… OMG!

Shitty Holiday

The biggest made this year was to go to India for a holiday…

I should have just stayed alone at home. Better than the daily brain fucking over here. Sheesh… I’m pissed off and I wanna come back home asap.

I’m off

To India! After almost 3 months of waiting, its gonna be great seeing mum and dad again tonight! =)

And I leave behind friends and loved ones… for a month! I’ll be contactable by email though so keep me updated people! And I hope I can blog too!

Miss you peeps!

Long Overdue

Of a post! Well, obviously, nothing much is happenning in my life so there’s nothing much to write anyway. 

But I’ve been upto a few things recently… except job hunting of course. I’m off to India for a good month on the 7th. The tickets are super duper cheap – 160 with everything in! Tiger Air rocks! Can’t wait to see mum and dad after so damn long! =)

A few of us went blading last Wed. Pearl and Yuen Ling have been trying to organise but the weather kept playing games with them. But it was great weather on Wed and off we went! The turn out was pretty good and was fun hanging out after blading with a bunch of cool frenz! 

The blading dudes

The blading dudettes

 

The two champs who’re on their way to Olympic Glory

 

And the two Lance Armstrongs – who picked 2 wheels over 8

 

Oooh… I bought a new pair of running shoes. I wanted to just go and check out the prices and the stuff but since Yams got his tennis racquet re-strung, Eliza and Vin got new racquets, I didn’t want to be the only one left ou in the shopping spree! So here goes my new running shoes. I havn’t tried them on a run though so I can’t comment. They’re still being heavily appreciated for their beauty in my living room. =p (The though of which kinda made Eliza cringe thinking I’m weird… OEY! I’m not the only weird one. You are too!)

My new Mizuno Wave Rider 12s

 

 

I went out for dinner with Winston and Joanne again on Friday! They’re a fantastic couple to hang out with! They not only keep poking fun at each other but also very open in a comical way that makes you comfortable to talk about many issues (esp young parenthood, marriage, marriage proposals??) that I have no one to ask about! We literally had to be chased out fo the resturaunt. 

 

Sunday’s Passion Run was freaking awesome! Although I was feeling weird and perpetually tired, I finally managed to break the shit cycle and psycho myself to run at full blast for 15km –  the longest, fastest brutal push I’ve ever done – 15km in 1hr 16min 02 secs.

 

Went for some Tennis training with Eliza, Vin and my Shifu – Yammy. Thanks for taking so much time off to teach me the basics Yams. He’s a fantastic coach – critiqing, correcting and giving continuous feedback all through the two hours. Vin – sorry about the NASA action and rockets flying off man! Haha… sheesh! I owe you 4 tennis balls woth of tea now! Eliza… Haha.. you owe me Ben and Jerry’s – half a tub!

 

My Asics Gel Kayano are about to retire soon – 30th May  2009 after 42.195km. Amazingly, I have worn out the shoes i bought in min Jan – with over 1000km in this short period of time! Sheesh! The training better be worth it on Race Day next Sat night.

 

Time to  SUIT UP! and watch ‘How I Met Your Mother’! =p