Sundown 2010 - My Diary

Adidas Sundown 2010…what an experience! The first race I registered for I DIDN’T run even though I was at the arena. I was sort of hyped up for it thinking that I could actually run half the race before hitch-hiking an ambulance back.


6.45pm: Until I was stuck in this everlasting queue. For 2 solid hours. I was eating Superdog while waiting, eavesdropping on people’s conversation while day turned into night and still the line was moving very slowly.

My dinner before the 'race'



8pm: There were rumours that the roads are already closed. As I was near the front of the line, I sort of persevered and waited for the bus.

The queue started when it was daytime



815pm: Then I heard loud arguments at the front. Some runners were persuading the bus drivers to continue. Apparently, the drivers needed a break because they were driving since 430pm. That concept is new to me because I have always carried on working for my patients even if I don’t have a break. I have worked 12 solid hours without a break, with maybe a small bun in between. It’s a total lack of efficiency with a twinge of incompetency. Logistics must be horrible for the organizer but I am frankly surprised at the breakdown in organization this year. Last year, I got the bus after 10 mins wait so this is a real surprise.

The race that a lot of people didn't make it to

830pm: Someone pleaded with them and finally the deadlock was broken. They will drive the last 2 buses to the place and drop us 3km from the circuit and 7km from the starting point. We all agreed, although it was almost 15 minutes to the starting time. Better late than ever…

Look, ma, I'm doing the Singaporean National Hobby: Queuing up

855pm: On the way, I realized that I was still in my jeans. My racing attire was in my friend’s car. Had to strategize and pick up my things, followed by a quick change and probably starting the race. It began to seem really impossible. I asked my friend SC to quickly start his race. Regretted not taking the day off…shouldn’t have taken the shift at A & E. If I followed PS and SC to the arena @ 5pm…sigh…

Day turned into night: Watching my life go by in technicolour

915pm: Got down the bus and began to walk/run in my jeans and handbag. Realized I look quite ridiculous so decided to walk. Began to see the racing route after a while and saw the leading runners. Had a twinge of envy at their speed.

The first few batch of 21km runner zooming past as I make my way

930pm: Nearing the starting line. No more runners seen. The route is completely deserted. Only us, the latecomers from the bus stand @ Pasir Ris MRT seem to be trudging our way to the Changi Exhibition Centre. A beautiful and quiet night with the full moon in sight.

The first turning point and the last batch of runners before emptiness came

945pm: Reached the starting point and changed so that it’s not so hot. Had a bit of chest pain but completely ruled out running. Sat down and watched the ‘Spirit of the Marathon’ What a cool show!

emptiness, except the group of us latecomers

1015pm: The first runner crossed the finishing line in terrific form.

11-ish: SC came back and we waited for PS. And waited and waited.

Movie under the stars

12-ish: BC arrived. And waited.

1-ish: Decided to call Mohan. To our surprise, PS and him have completed the first loop more than 1 hour ago and is 9km passed the starting point. We hopped on the car and chased after them. The Amazing Race has begun. Man, that girl is fast!!

2-ish: Reached ECP. Walked into McD looking for my ultramarathoner friend. She is not there. Called Mohan again. He said she is approaching Fort Road. Jumped into the car and went ahead to Carls’ Junior.

Marathoners waiting for the start @ midnight

3-ish: Waited in front of Carl’s Junior and handed Counterpain to runners. It was like a picnic with BC eating a huge burger in front of the runners. Chatted with the helpful volunteers and dished out medical advice to injured runners, although I have nothing to help them with. Saw the guy who ran the ultramarathon backward. He is amazing.

The 21km winner is approaching

330pm: Bumped into Mohan. He’s the life of the race. Completely woke everyone up with his honk. Still no sight of our friend.

The ultramarathon winner came by

345pm: Yay! PS passed by. She stopped and we handed her drinks. Forgot to take a pic of her. Haze is with her and they both looked good. Everyone is ecstatic. I am so proud of my buddy. She is looking good. I think I’ll win my bet. Haha…

4pm: Reached my bed. Went to deep sleep immediately

The place we had a 'picnic' while waiting

9am: Woke up to the sound of PS coming back. My victorious ultramarathoner friend is back. She looks happy but exhausted. Hurray! Confirmed I won a dinner..she did it in 13:44.

The guy who did it running backward

So, after this hour to hour analysis of my Saturday night and Sunday morning, what do you think of Sundown? I have a feeling that I’ll do the marathon eventually, but when will I be ready? A bit disappointed that the only run I did was the run to the starting line but the truth of the matter is, I wasn’t prepared anyway.

Ok, time to go shop for new running shoes and the compression tights. The GSS is on!

Remind me why am I doing this?

"You gain strength, courage, & confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face..Do the thing you think you
CANNOT do." ELEANOR ROOSEVELT.

So, can I complete the race tonight? This is the biggest question I'm facing this week.

If I don't think about my evening shift tomoro, I think I might be able to do it. Ok la, like wat p.s said in her blog, I think die trying is not bad.

In case I stop you & started snapping picture, don't be alarmed k? It's my mission apparently. Ogling hotties & taking pics wif them.

In the event I waved at u from de back of de rescue van, I know thr is no glory but at least I tried wif 3/4 of my lungs...

C ya!!

Sawadee-kaa @ Golden Mile

A friend, SC suggested Diandin Leluk for good Thai food. I was having high expectations and too bad, I think Pak Abu at good ol' 6^th College in UM probably had the same standard of food (or even better). Maybe I was spoilt with the good Southern Thai food available at RM4 or 5 dollars there and so everything seem over-priced and below par in this place.

Anyhow, it’s still better than some run-of-the-mile, really expensive Thai food like Thai E---- found in high-end shopping complexes. This place is at least unpretentious with ok taste. The tom yum gong is spicy and packs a good kick but the mango kerabu salad sucks. Big time. Something is wrong with the salad. I don’t recommend it and will not take it next time.

The vege and meat with basil was good while pandan chicken was awesome. I don’t think anyone can go wrong with pandan chicken. So, I guess it was a 50-50 experience. The dessert, strangely to a non-dessert person like me, was actually uniquely good. In essence, the chicken and tom yam plus the dessert was good but the rest of the meal was forgettable.

So does this mean that we can’t really find authentic good food at a cheap price as a country attains developed status? In my 6 months experience of eating out thus far, I really think so. All the good food here seem to cost us at least $30 per person and to me, that’s like slitting our throat in broad daylight.

Maybe it’s unfair because I’m staying in the so-called ‘expatriates’ enclave but I really feel good food should be available at affordable prices everywhere. Trust me, I’ve been scouring websites like hungrygowhere, ieatishootipost, etc but again, the taste and price of the food suggested is not comparable to ordinary food I taste in KL, Ipoh or Penang.

The saving grace is that service is prompt and there are plenty of tables both inside and outside the restaurant. At least we don't have to wait around much and that's a good thing because there are lotsa places in town that we have to wait forever for food to arrive.

Note to self: Don’t have high expectations lor. Stop complaining because each one of us have unique ‘tastebuds’ and be grateful for the God-given food. Surely one day, I will be able to find yummy & cheap food in Singapore. One day.

By the way, my customary pose with food to wrap up today's extremely 'truthful' entry. Hope you guys luck in discovering more good food in Singapore and beyond...and please do drop me a line if you find a gem nearby. Ciao!

A healthy meal..Korean BBQ @ Holland V

My latest obsession : Korean food. There's a new place in Holland called Hansang Family Restaurant and I've been familiarizing myself with the food. I've visited the place 3 times in 4 months!




I don't want to be long-winded so contrary to my usual style, I am gonna post up pictures and be lazy for once. Hhhmm..maybe type in one or two lines. The vege in basket depicted above is used to wrapped the barbequed meat.

That's the friendly staff preparing our BBQ charcoal.

KJ's apple alcoholic drink. I didn't taste it because I'm not supposed to drink while on medications. The bottle is so cute...

Sweet potato vermicelli. I really enjoyed the consistency.

That is our kimchi-steamboat accompaniment. Looks so yummy right?

And the main dish : barbequed pork and beef. With a bit of onion and mushroom in it. I thought it's a nice place because they are still having very good deals. I wonder if I'll return when the promotions end. Food's good but it's on the costly side....

Big event : DONE!

Phew! What a hot, tiring day…woke up early in the morning with a big mission in the horizon. It’s movin’ day. I’ve designated this day to be the day I’m changing habitat, thus I packed up all my earthly belongings, drenched in copious amount of sweat early in the morning while awaiting the time my reinforcement arrives.







My 'Entourage’ came in 2 pretty, petite packages : M & S. M even arrived in a skirt! She really impressed me & proved to me that we can never tell how much a person can carry until they actually prove it in real time. Of course, athletic-looking S can carry stuff but the sight of 3 of us ‘small’ girls chugging my things up and down Holland seem to be pretty amusing.

In the end, I gave up the struggle of going uphill with a various luggages, boxes and bags & hailed a cab. I cajoled two cabbies in driving a measly distance down the hill because I am a pathetic mover! Anyhow, the 3 of us made it across the within 1.5hours with all my belongings and I settled in happily. Never knew that 3 girls without a car can move so ‘efficiently’ and fast. Hopefully, I don’t have to move again because I am already beginning to hoard things. I went to IKEA right after the move and acquired more stuff again. What’s new right? Shopping is almost the national sport.

I know, I know…I already had meatballs yesterday but today I’m on fishie diet. I had the salmon (in case the ash cloud blow up again, better have salmon before they stop the next shipment!!) while the rest gorged on meatballs, pancakes and chicken wings.

Felt that I’ve accomplished much today despite not going in to work. I haven’t carried heavy stuff since I started coughing and this move involving strength and some tactical skills is another milestone in recovery. I mean, it’s great not to have any pain or shortness of breath at all. Awesome!!

Back to work

Back to work, back to people seeing me with this toothy grin..posing with food and eating with gusto again. Busy and happy week for me as I walk around with minimal breathlessness and chest pain.









This is Japanese buffet & Raku, Greenwood avenue. I love their pitan/wasabi tofu as well as the sashimi, sushi, tempura, soup...everything kept on coming. Great meal with thanks to my bosses for bringing the whole team out!

Another farewell dinner at Penang Place, International Business Park situated in the western part of the island. The buffet was Malaysian food (or rather Penang food). I guess it was ok compared to the actual Penang food. At least the assam laksa was nice. The rojak was surprisingly good, too.

Most of these people will be going to another department. Kinda hope they enjoyed and learned from this posting. Turn-out was very encouraging..almost 40 of us there.

Never knew that waking up early is so tough! After 3 weeks of waking up without an alarm jarring me from my blissful sleep, I'm back to the productive work-force. Being the last week for most of my MOs & HOs also proved to be a fun, poignant week as we had a series of farewell lunches and dinners as described above. It's downright gluttony but augur well for my weight as I'm back to my usual weight, which a good sign according to my physician. CXR looks just the same so I'm not entirely pleased with myself but I'm already doing everything I could to get better. Ah well, let's just wait and see.

I ran after a bus yesterday and although was a bit breathless at the end of the sprint, it wasn't too bad. Of course it was a far cry from the days of 21km but I'm sure that the road to full recovery awaits