Aviva 70.3

On 20th March, I reached a new milestone for myself! I'm a 70.3 Ironman ! The build up to the race was exciting.

On 18th, Alvin and me went down to ECP to do a fam swim and it was good.. The course was smooth and we took approx 25min for a 1km lap.

On 19th, I went down to the transition area to check-in the bike and it was nice to see so many fellow competitors preparing their gears, checking their bikes. I was lucky enough to get another hitch ride out to the main road. hahaha..

On 20th, the race day itself, We woke up real early and started to fill our tummy with carbo. At 5.30am, I was already loading myself with Milo and energy bar, ready to move out. The feeling was so surreal... I remembering telling myself " Today is the day ! " How time has fly past and it's now here. I did my race prep slow and steady, not wanting to rush myself through anything. Took a good 1 hour to arrange my transition gears, test the bike, check the equipments warm up etc. Ah dear and Ben came down to support me ! Thanks dear and Ben. It's really really nice to have friends down with you.

At 0800, the Elite wave was flagged off and the adrenaline in my body started to pump faster, cos I'm wave 4 !

At 0820, it's MY TURN ! the whole wave were flagged off with the sound of the horn and OFF WE GO... The swim wasn't exactly that enjoying as everybody was pushing/ shoving, slapping your head. it was a little cramp and with other swimmers bashing through your left and right, it slows you down tremendously. I had to tell myself that I'm here to complete the race, not to fight with them... I'll slow down and ensure I'm safe on the land after the swim. With that mentality, I played safe and took my time for the swim. I came up from the swim in 1hr 01 min, 11 mins slower than my expected timing. ( i used to swim 2km in 45mins in the pool, giving myself 50mins for sea swim).

After the swim, I was a little tired due to the struggling involved, I slowly jogged to the transition area. At the transition area, I sat down and changed into my bike gear. refreshing myself with some coke-plus (coca cola + 100 plus). started the bike leg conservatively as I'm still recharging from the swim, the 2nd lap was much better, even though i had a very very bad cramp half way through that I almost crashed the bike. ( the cramp was so bad that I couldn't move the legs!! ) Thankfully, I could unclip the cleats and get off the bike to do some proper stretching. Even though that put me back 5mins slower, I'm glad I did the right thing, as I really thought the race would be over le. The last time i experience such a cramp, it was game over. In the end, I managed to recover from the cramp and finish the 90km bike leg in 2hr 46min. 32km/h. Good timing considering i wasted 5mins.

After the bike, came the run. Just as I begun the run, I saw TC and HK with sponges and red bull. They were there to support and give us drinks. How nice ! Woohoo.. That red bull kept me going for 2km, before I slow down to a walking pace.. hahaha... This 21km is my worst ever. I did it in a combination of jog-walk so that I can finish the race. completion is the utmost important and the timing was secondary.

The run was the most painful of all 3 legs, but I took my time to enjoy the scenary alogn the way. In the end, I crossed the finishing line in 6hr 42min. Hooray ! I've completed the 70.3 Ironman ! hahha.. The fact that dear could tell I wasn't exactly that tired means how much reserve I had. =P I just wanted to ensure I can complete ma. Don't need to go all out for timing.

It was an interesting experience and I'm really happy that I've completed it safely. It was a test of my body and more importantly mental strength. Seriously, it's a lot of mental to carry yourself through the whole 6+ hours of race. Next up would likely be a full IM le. I hope I have the time for that.

Cheers to All supporters that came down that day.

Many thanks to all my training partners along the way. TC, Alvin, MW, Weiqi.

Training with friends make it more enjoyable.

random jumbling

It's being really hectic in February. So busy that it just zoomed past without me knowing.

It's now March le.

Looking back, what have I done in Feb? Chinese new year and... hmm... oh yes.. tuitions. That's already part of my routine that at times, I don't even remember which session am I going for until I ask for the day of the week. =( . Being busy with some of the projects that I have on hand, and like how I handle work being deligated to me I want to add value to it.

Glad that the Voluntary work at Moral home went well and I'm sure I left a good impression on all those involved. My organisational skills are decent and I seriously feel that I'm not so into the service industry. I need to put in extra effort to ensure that the customers will be that happy. No doubt, I always give my 100% when talking to customers, but the follow up is something that I need to remind myself to do.

How long more am I going to be placed at this position? I hope it's not for long, cos i don't really enjoy it that much. The only benefit is that it's near my place, just 15mins from home it saves a lot of time travelling, and the work is relatively relax.

Talking about this, I was feeling jaded last week after weeks of non stop work-tuition-training. and repeat routine. I felt like taking a long break and just stop doing everything for some time. I know that's impossible and I can only afford a day offwork. At least that did help, cos i could get some ME time. I totally understand how weiqi previously tell me when I begin work, and I start working from morning to night, it gets very difficult to do workout. I was able to maintain my workout routine in nov-dec, cos there wasn't any tuitions. Now that it's in full swing, it's really too draining.

If there's a will, there's a way. Agree, but apparently, my will isn't as strong as it seem to be. =(

Went to the show flat at Adora Green a few days ago, our first recce for DBSS. It was an eye opener for us and we sure got more insight into houses now. So many things to check, see, wonder, ponder, dream, worry, etc. Am I really ready for this? I thought I was, but am I REALLY ready to face all these?

I know I'm ready to settle down with lin. How about the houses and commitments? Financially, I don't think we are both that secured to be ready to commit to a debt of 700k for 30 years. This is a question that is bothering me now, and as 3rd quarter 2011 draws nearer, it adds pressure to myself. I don't know...

That aside, what would you do when 2 person you are close to are not in exactly that good terms? You can't spill the beans of what you heard, nor can you try to advice on the other side. You are sort of being squashed in the middle and perhaps keeping mum about the whole thing may be the best option out. It's weird.

I've realised that things that I can chat with, with some friends have become rather cliche. Is it due to the difference we had in our life, or simply because there's lesser and lesser interaction that many things become foreign and we become unsure whether it's okay to share it? Work life keeps everyone busy and it sux. Comparing work and study, I vote for work for the things that I do but for the freedom wise, I would prefer study.

Yeah.. it's a very random post that comprises of many of the thoughts that has been bothering me. No links between points, but that's how my mind is messed up at the moment. So many things jumbling up the limited capacity.

Self assessment

Just came across an interesting article title " the less you know, the more you think you know"
http://www.omg-facts.com/view/Facts/26152

It makes you wonder how much do you really know? Is it because the more you know, the more you know you don't know? I have this feeling as I progress up the academic path. Used to think that I know quite a bit, but as I study more, I feel more and more inferior. Knowing that there are so much things out there which I don't even know in the first place.

It makes me think about another issue. Knowledgable people are usually more humble, and they don't boast around what they know. They will quietly do their work and feel that they are constantly not good enough, always looking to learn more. While those who thinks they are already good enough would slack and think they are dwarfing over the rest. Is that why the smart gets smarter ?

From the link, it lead me to two other interesting articles on Peter's principle and the Dunning kruger effect. It struck me hard as I think I belong to that category.

"In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence"

It's true isn't it. When we perform well in a task we expect a promotion and that usually is in the path of management roles or supervisory roles. But what we excelled in initially are the mediocre task such as individual work. How can that be a good gauge to whether we are a good manager? Often than not, I question the ability of the managers above me as I feel that they are not adequate in their roles. So have they rose to their level of incompetence?

Granted.. People can learn along the way and improvements can be made. But so often, they will be stagnant there for a real long period of time and that denies the potential employees below them opportunity for promotion. The article gave some good suggestions on how this can be minimized.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle

As for the Dunning-Kruger effect, is a cognitive bias in which unskilled people make poor decisions and reach erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to appreciate their mistakes. Put it in layman terms, stupid people think they are very good and thus often make stupid mistakes by thinking that they are smarter than average Joe.

To be aware about this effect I think it's critical for my own development as I believe I am guilty of that at times. Of course, whether one is skilled or not depends on what field you are comparing with. But in general, I think I've been thinking a bit too highly of myself and overly confident of my ability. This was evident when my boss gave me new tasked, I thought it was interesting and do-able. But when I started getting down to work, I'm at a loss of what to do next. That's a clear indication of lack of knowledge in that field.

Being aware of such effects and principles make me think a lot... and I think I need the time to self evaluate to better myself.

To begin, I need to be :
1. More careful with my choice of words
2. Don't be overconfident
3. Improve on my knowledge

I want to better myself.. and this is one big step for a giant change.. I hope..

Zee

Begun my first Bahasa Indo lesson last week, and I'm revising it. It's a bit complicated, espsecially that it contradicts what English has taught us. A simple like this shows it all.

You're a clever boy.
Kamu anak pandai.

direct translation is :
Kamu = You
Anak = boy
Pandai = clever.

= You boy clever

In english, we use a adjective to describe a noun, thus we put it before the noun we are refering to.
In bahasa, it's opposite. the noun comes first, then you describe it.

In a simple sense like this, it's easy to read and understand. But when you try to form a sentence with it, or a conversation with it, it becomes very very tough since it's just not natural. The sentence structure is not what you've been using for the past 25 years. It's just like English and Mandarin.

Now I have one more to handle, and I was never good in language. Congrats... Either perish or thrive. I choose to thrive..

I've managed to get one of my main task done, or rather almost done. The only thing to be done now is the execution part. If things go according to plan, all should be fine.

Next up is the Batam shop. Went there yesterday to find out more details and snapped a few photos back for analysis. Am I supposed to propose for a new location or stick by with the current one? What are the pros and cons of each option ? I've learnt something related to marketing before, something about strength, weaknesses, opportunity, improvement. To think of it that I remb this more than my Bio stuff, it speaks volume. haha.. The shop in Batam is now like my pet, i'm given full responsibility to run it and I'm actually scared, simply because I dont' have the confidence. I feel that i'm too green for it at the moment. With the boss also a bit too busy to provide much guidance, it makes it more challenging that I need to tackle it head on.

Went there twice, and I've got a general feel of what needs to be improved. I've got another 4 months to decide if the current location is to stay, or whether we should shift. That would be my next milestone. I feel this is like a make or break situation for me. If I excel, there would be plenty of opportunties for me to venture into. If not, I don't know what to expect... I don't wish to think about it. Only Success and no failure.. lolxx..

Was discussing with dear on the possibility of getting the DBSS at Tampines central. We are both genuinely interested in it and due to it's excellent location, we are very tempted. The only obstacle is the cost of it, which is likely to run into $550,000 and above. To cough out such a big sum of money, I need to skrim and save for the next half a year, so that I can contribute more to the down payment. Down payment would be $25,000 cash.. and because our CPF don't have enough, another $15,000 cash is required to be top up, and that makes it $40,000 in total. My goodness..

To show my commitment, I've agreed to try and save $6000 within the next 6 months. =.=" I think I can survive on water and grass liao.

Back from Bali retreat

Went for Company retreat in Bali, and it was sure an experience. Though there were so many workshops and seminars to attend, we had our fair shares of fun and joy too. Understanding how the company has grown over the past 2 years is inspiring and looking at the vision they have set, it feels good to be part of it.

Actively expanding when opportunity arises, from a South-East Asian company to now a Asian company. The prospect that it shows is promising. Will I be riding on the wave with the growth? Many ppl were sceptical about me joining this company and I was one of them initially. But what made me make the decision was that I saw potential in this market and true enough it is growing. Being part of a Big company has it's benefits as there is a structure for you to follow and learn. The problem is that there are too many hieracy to follow, and you can't climb unless the person above you changes. Being part of a smaller company, there're more chances for taking up different roles as everybody is tasked with a secondary task. This allows you to add to your portfolio while learning on the job.

I'm hype up by the prospect of the growth the company is exhibiting. It is always exciting to be part of the winning team.

From the retreat, I've gotten to know more about some of the colleagues and some are really fun going. Play aside, work has to be taken seriously. Obviously, there are those who like to show off and attract attention. Was told by Wendy about the DOPE test, (Dove, Owl, Peacock, Eagle) test. I was observed to be a Owl/Eagle. While one of them was identified as a Peacock, an arrogant bugger who likes to attract attention. Different traits make the team interesting and it's the dynamic structure that brings us together as a team. All along I feel like I'm an Owl or Eagle, depending on the situation. When the need arises, certain traits can surface and dominate. But one thing I never want to be is the Peacock. It gets on ppl's nerve for being showy without substance.

http://richardstep.com/2010/04/29/dove-owl-peacock-eagle-dope-broad-personality-test-and-results/http://richardstep.com/2010/04/29/dove-owl-peacock-eagle-dope-broad-personality-test-and-results/

With new task comes bigger responsibility. And honestly, I'm at a loss at times on how to proceed. I'm now entering a totally new dimension, nothing related to what I've been studying. It's a chance for learning, but at the same time I want to be able to do well in it as it may mean pathing my road for many years ahead. Being lost is something I hate, and I need to find the solution to this...

I'm disturbed.. VERY disturbed.

My sis may not be getting married in June le. WTF!!

Last night, suddenly throw a bomb say not ready. (The BF), and he's not prepared for a marriage life now. Feels that he need to say it out now rather than later when he "chu kui". Come on lar, you two have been together for 13 yrs? and you tell me that you feel she may not be the right one, may be just very good friends? F U. Bought the house 2 yrs ago, and started preparing everything for the marriage, from choosing hotel to getting photographer to taking wedding shots. Everything has been done and paid for and even the clothes has been custom made for the Big day itself and now you are saying such things. How irresponsible. Cancelling the house, banquet will likely run into 50k? But the money is not the main concern. It's the disappointment, the shocked, the " how do I face my colleagues and frens" feeling. The stress is enormous.

Last break up was 7 yrs ago, and throughout this time, dont' tell me you haven't been thinking about it until now. I'm sure things have been happening and certain thoughts must have ran through before. how many more years do you want to waste? 28yrs old already and counting. Seriously, I don't know what to say... Sis is totally not in the mood to do anything now and she's totally devastated. I feel unjust for her and I can totally feel for her. She's close to me and this has impacted me quite significantly.

I'm left with no words for now..