X-Physique 2009

Its been eons since I blogged and what way to return and blog about the blast that I had today!
We joined the X-physique race inter-varsity category and emerged Champions! It was a great team effort by the entire team!

Stage 1: (2nd Detail) Run and Kayak

Start point was Marina Square and we ran to Oasis at Kallang for kayaking. 4km loop kallang basin. The run was okay, slightly fast and then we picked up our boats.. Somehow we couldnt do our normal strokes.. intensity was there but the efficiency wasnt coz we didnt dip our blades fully. Nonetheless we whacked and maintained good position. At this point in time, the 2nd team (ferrari) was hot on our heels and the mind games began. After which we ran to the bike point opposite the cage and I was lagging behind due to stitches.. Felt horrible to pull the team down. upon reaching bike point we could rest as the bike leg was not counted.

Stage 2: Biking

The bike leg was really redundant but it gave us good time to recover.. then CP4 was to do with some ninja-warrior like station. we had to climb this cargo net over a frame constructed by poles. After which we headed to SOTA.. we took a longer loop, then ferrari reached earlier than us.. we were shocked.. But we knew where we heading and they set off upon seeing us leave immediately. So we head to kampong glam park. This was the most shagged part man. They really followed us so closely.. it was a battle of mental strength. At CP 5 where we did the balance pole with rope. That was damn shiok! We did so fast with teamwork and coordination that we overtook ferrari. At the same time, team ironman(Bekky) just arrived. and they are from detail one.. so we knew we were first...

Stage 3: Mt Emily and Chinatown Abseil

After the park we headed for Mt Emily with the shortest route. Our topo was superb! Going up the hill was no joke.. every step was a torture. and we reached CP6 and had to use ropes to transport a barrel out of a zone.. then the next treacherous phase.. From Mt Emily to Chinatown.. We ran non-stop through dhoby ghaut and clemenceau ave.. it was really crazy.. I was hoping the traffic lights would turn red so i could rest. BUT NO! it was green all the way.. Really died.. Reached block 531 abseil. That one did quite fast! But cramp.. as usual.. coz must climb railings and all..

End point at Marina Square:

From Chinatown, it was cramp-fest all the way through clarke quay, supreme court, I couldnt control my legs.. they were cramping involuntarily.. even with deep heat...I reached Adelphi and there was this step that was quite high and I fell coz my leg cramped! There were cisco guards asking if i need help.. Chengwei helped to stretch abit.. and I got up to keep going coz i knew we were finishing. we cut through padang, esplanade and Viola! back at Marina Square.. the last flight of stairs were crazy.. but as we reached.. it was damn high!!! Shiok ah!

We congratulated each other.. thank each other for the teamwork! But at the prize presentation there was a slight glitch. The prizes were given out to the wrong team due to mis-calculation. Luckily we appealed and manage to sort it out. Nonetheless.. like to give a little tribute to my classmates..

Kumar: Great job pushing us with one heck of a pace!

Eliza: Thanks for the encouragements!

Chengwei: You kept the faith in the team! And all the clue-solving abilities!

Team Terror.
X-Physique 2009 Inter-Varsity Champions

Silly things with the King

Part 1: We went biking.. No we didnt go to Caesars ! Haha.. Stopped over at Bugis for desserts

Part 2: This was after service on sunday.. We saw a funny little clamp that looks like a toy.. But it could really be used to clamp a bike!

We fled immediately after taking as we were afraid later the owner run out!

Going for PESS outdoor residential camp! More updates when I am back!

"Taken"

Just caught the movie "Taken" and man! I was quite happy with this action-filled thriller! Its about an ex-intel officer whose daughter has been kidnapped and he goes on a mission to save her. The resourcefulness of agents/spies are really amazing and I was left with a sudden urge to be an agent for the force!

I know it sounds absurd.. Considering my vehement protests when I got my posting 2 years back.. But looking back at my time in spf, it was really fun and though I didnt do things as exciting as what secret agents do, I did get to interact with some of them and it was really cool to catch a glimpse of the lifestyle they have. Not one that I yearn for though, being young and brash I really thought having a high-octane, criminal-chasing life was really fun. But the regulars often brought me back to earth. Singapore's so safe.. nothing much to catch or do as well.. (im not complaining)

Anyway, this week has been filled with revelations. Im discovering more and more about myself! And I think the holidays are the best time for self-discovery when we are not buried in a myriad of activities during term time.

This week had lots of cycling, ultimate, dinners and movies. Quite the usual suspects on the schedule but through some pockets of time I am discovering at this phase of my life, what do I really want to do about it? The question brings about a staggering amount of thought into what is worth doing and what should actually be done.

I think I need to start my coaching. I miss the interaction with kids. I want to be able to teach something, value-add something and get involved in people's lives'. I have been reading some Outdoor Education books to seek some strategies and pedagogical tools to teach the various skills needed for AR.

Anyway, I have woken from my state of melancholy. I think there are more important issues to address. Being at this age, how do I see myself? How can I improve? How can I reach that certain level of hardcore-ness to be the best in my field? Now those are the questions worth pondering about. I want to work towards it. Not just building up knowledge. I want to experience, learn and pick things up off the book. How to think in a different way and approach issues with different angles? That's really crucial. I believe outdoor educators are not just about brawn, its instinct coupled with sound knowledge and experience that makes you trulty an asset and you value-add the kids.

I know I am not there yet, but its definitely worth a shot.