PAINFUL PRACTICES

The last few dragonboat practices have been really, really good.  Yesterday, after two long hours of paddling in the sun, my coach made us toss these 4kg balls back and forth… my back is hurting today, and I can’t feel my arms.

EASTER AT BEV'S

I'm not a religious person, and I don't usually celebrate Easter (unless you count all those chocolate eggs that I eat around this time).  Anyway, I went over to Bev's place yesterday for a little Easter bbq-potluck-dinner thingy.  Matthias is in Germany with his family, so he missed out.  But for the rest of us (Bev, Thilo, Maya, Analu, David and I), we just ate, and ate, and ate... from 4pm till like 10ish.  I couldn't even move afterwards.   

LEAFS

The Leafs are out… now what?

RAPTORS

Absolutely amazing!  From 2-8 to clinching their first division title, the Raptors are on fire.  Let’s hope Miami doesn’t catch up.  I’d really like to see the Raps against the Wizards… and, of course, having homecourt advantage in at least the first round of the post-season wouldn’t be too shabby.

DERMATOLOGIST

Going to see her in a few hours… well, can’t say that I see much of a difference from five months ago.  When will this thing heal?

LIVID

Sometimes I take things too personally.  Sometimes those things are personal.  

I don't always say what I mean, but most of the time I do.

I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.

I choose my words wisely because I'm sensitive to the feelings of others.

I don't like it when people make generalizations.  I don't like it when people use never too loosely.

I hate it when people talk behind my back.

You have a problem with me... You say it to my face, period.

"Pick your battles," I said to myself.

I will.  I will not let you make me lose my cool.  Although I have, since, lost all respect for you.

But not that there was much to begin with.

PRACTICE WAS GOOD

My dermatologist said that I should still try to stay out of the sun, so I've been skipping practices, which makes me feel like a bag of crap.  So today, after contemplating for hours, I decided to get off my couch and made my way to practice.  On coming within sight of the Kallang River, which is quite dirty, I was reminded of another reason why I've been skipping practices.  I just hate it when that icky water splashes onto my scar-thingy: one, because it's still healing (albeit, slowly); two, it rubs off the concealer that I used to cover it.  To be honest, I've never worn this much make-up before, especially when playing sports.  It's a huge pain in the a-s-s.  Arggg.

Anyway, I've decided to invest in a carbon fibre paddle, which will be delivered to me next weekend.  I think I'm ready to take dragonboating to the next level.  Not that a carbon fibre paddle would instantly make me a better paddler, it'll just make it easier for me to paddle.  Also, one of those things isn’t exactly cheap, so investing in one is my of saying that I'm ready to fully commit myself to this sport.  I also want to get a nice squash racquet, but... that can wait.  Ciao.

UPDATE

Sorry for the lack of updates.  Work has been insanely busy.  Meetings kill me.  As a matter of fact, I am so tired right now that I'd pass out cold if I were to close me eyes.  So must point form... and I got lots to share... bare with me.

• Christmas + New Year in China with B was absolutely amazing
• I have so many photos (we both had 2GB+ memory cards)… don’t know which ones to share… hmm... let me think about that… will have something up by the end of this post
• In my opinion, Beijing was better than Shanghai… probably due to my poli sci & history background… just more cultural, more meaningful things to do in Beijing
• Will likely make another trip up there during the summer... and go to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors... didn't have enough time this time around
• It was nice to finally visit Shanghai (can’t forget how close I was to moving there)… glad I’ve chosen S’pore… life is definitely easier here
• I miss him… miss my family… miss my girls… why?  b/c they’re the best J
• Dragonboating again… new season… great!
• Arms and back are aching… Nasi (coach) says I’m out of shape… thanks
• Maya (Thilo’s girlfriend) was in town last week… late nights… good times
• Matthias is a new father… he’ll be back from Germany on Friday… can’t wait to hear all about Finn Peter
• Thinking about moving out of current place… likely to move in with Beverly… alternatively, Tina moves out and Bev moves in… we’ll see
• Went to see a dermatologist on Saturday… some good news… she said it’ll likely fade, but must give it time... patience is a virtue; virtue is a grace… yada yada yada
• Thank you to those who care… thank you for your messages and well wishes
• Received e-mails, over the holidays, from old university (like first-year U of T) friends… made me smile real big… and I agree, we need to keep in touch
• Got an e-mail from Ellie (former Queen’s prof)… she’s so sweet… thought I was “lost in the wilds of Shanghai”… had to tell her that I’m actually lost in the rainforests of Singapore… ha ha ha… I’m so funny

I think that’s all folks, and now the hard part… photos.  I’d share them all, but can’t do that... so here are some:

Beijing (Wong Fu Jing, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Beihai Park, Thirteen Ming Tombs)

and Shanghai (Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Fuxing Park, The Bund, Nanjing Road):