Round & Round: Rakku Silver Shoe Wheel (SOLD)
Awhile ago, Hubba and I got a shoe wheel for extra storage. Then we realized we really didn't need so many pairs of shoes each and did a big spring clean in the house and gave our shoes to charity.
Now, we've got one of these shoe wheels which we really don't need anymore but is in perfectly good condition! It's great for people with heaps of sneakers, methinks!
We got it for near $150 at Raffles City but I'm happy to let it go for $60.
Anyone interested?
Email me at email[dot]ickle[at]gmail[dot]com!
What did I do?
I think I've sprained my wrist.
It could have been the push-ups I was doing today or the sprawls, I'm not sure. But argh it hurts when I so much as lift a water bottle.
Ees no good at all!
The little things count
One of the best things about working back in the business district must be the proximity to Hubba.
When I was back at Maxwell, I often took for granted the quick lunches or coffees that we could have to catch up in between our other work commitments. In fact, I don't think I ever bothered calling Hubba out for lunch or vice versa. But now he's literally just a call away.
Today, we met for a quick char siew-siew yok fan. We had a flat white coffee after and split a plate of cookies. And within 40 minutes, we were both back at our work stations. I should treasure moments like these, especially when our schedules get crazy.
Grappling with Fate
Do you often wonder what you'd do if someone ever tried to make a grab at you? I have. Maybe it's an innate part about being small and runt-like, an insecurity I can't shake, but I've been ambushed before and it is not a great feeling.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was our first year at uni and the five of us (Beck, Jode, Trott and our then flatmate Laura) were walking out of the area on an evening out. We were living in a suitably dodgy area in Leeds, known for neighbourhood rowdy kids and drugs. Out of nowhere, about 13 kids ambushed us all ready to pounce. It was Beck's insistence that we stayed calm and didn't respond to their hissing and spitting that really saved us.
Alas, as we crossed the main road away from the mob, Laura turned to yell at them and got beat up in the process. One kid even rammed a bicycle at her. We were across the busy street and unable to help. Thank god the attack didn't last long and they ran off when we ran back over.
But sometimes I wonder what would have happened had they stayed with her whilst we returned. Would I have held out and fought them off? I hated feeling helpless and violated. Laura was suitably traumatized even tho she escaped pretty much unharmed (very big girl, she was), but still...
So part of this quest in martial arts has to do with self-defense. Not that I plan to kick off in bars and brawl with people at all, but hey - why grapple with fate when you can learn the art on the mat?
I've tried BJJ and MMA since my last entry on Muay Thai. I must say I am leaning more towards the strike art, but there's no denying that learning how to grapple and move away from danger would be a critical skill to have. Today, I learned how to escape and knock someone over if they tried to grab me front on - and I managed to knock Hubba over easily. I also learnt how to make a quick getaway between someone's legs. Both great escape tactics for a small runt like me!
The only downside is grappling is a little unpredictable on the back. Thank goodness for the mats :P
They still need help
25 years ago this song touched my heart and every time I see the original, tears form in mine eye and I can't help but feel touched by the power of how good people can really use their fame to spread the word and do great things.
Today, it is time again.... to heed a certain call, to bring the world together as one. In the face of natural disasters and great tragedy, it is really touching to see Lionel Richie bring the magic back. After all these years, it still makes me cry.
After all, we are all part of God's great big family. And the truth you know, love is all we need.
Have you helped Haiti yet? You can do it here: http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/
The long road to getting in fightshape
About a month ago, Hubba and I signed up with Evolve MMA to get back in shape.
We'd gone for a long enough time as lazy beer-guzzling slobs and the inactivity was really taking its toll on our bodies. Busy with work and school, my Bruce Banner was showing his green Hulk-like side more and more often, and my own emotions were going a little haywire with the twinges in my weak back. We'd really reached the stage where enough was enough, both of us needed something that would get us going again, provide us with some motivation to keep fit, but yet with the most effective use of our time.
I needed to work on my core strength, Hubba needed to blow off steam. We both needed to get fit. Going back to martial arts was the common ground that we seemed to find ourselves at.... So, we shook on it.
This year, I focus on making me strong and healthy in body and mind again.
It's been just over three weeks and already I feel like a different person.
Muay Thai is almost like ballet - My body is starting to think about form, I feel a lot more conscious of my posture and my muscle memory seems to be returning. The early morning classes are such a great way to start the day and by the time I get to work, I feel light, refreshed and ready to (kick)start my day. Hubba and I have been doing class at 6.30am so that leaves us some time to have breakfast together before we both go to work - This is giving us more quiet time to share before he needs to go bonkers with work and school. He leaves feeling like his head is clear too, so it's really doing us both a world of good.
Fightshape is getting more and more satisfying. After my first class, I could barely move. All my muscles got up from their 2-year hibernation period. The instructors are really helping my back recover and now the more I go, the quicker I recover. I am not aching anymore and I can now do things like stoop over and bathe my doggies without my back aching. I feel as good as new! Of course, I'm constantly listening to how I feel so if I get a bit tired or I feel something is up, I don't push it. But generally, I feel like I've made such great progress. And it feels fantastic!
I'd really like to give BJJ a go as well. Akan Datang.
Long way to go man, here begins my journey. Watch this space.
** If you do decide to check the guys out at Evolve, tell them I referred you to score some extra goodies :) - You'll have to say Janice Lee Fang at the Far East Square gym though coz none of them know about this blog. Ha!
Meme – YouYou
Ganked this off Matt.
Haven't done one of these for ages so I thought it'd be fun!
Do it, do it, do it! :)
In Need of a Hit…. of Adrenalin
A couple of weeks ago, Hubba raced the Safra Avventura 2010 with my bike bud, Angela.
It was a race I'd been eyeing since the 3rd quarter of last year but that I knew I had to absolutely rule out once I got told I had a slipped disc. Gutted was I indeed so I kept quiet and didn't bother talking to Hubba about racing it with me. Then as luck would have it, a slot opened up when Angie's race buddy couldn't make it at the last minute. So suddenly, there were two Sotongs racing :)
Needless to say I felt so envious that Hubba was racing - I wanted to go too! But in truth, I was also glad he was finally getting out there in the sun and doing some running around. He's been so cooped up of late 'coz of everything he has got on his plate. Fellow supporter Chancho and I drove around using Google Latitude to try to locate our two wandering Sotongs, who were trying to stay in touch with us via iphone. The weather was scorching and there wasn't much shade available, so we stopped at 7-Eleven and stocked up with goodies to help our Sotongs sustain!
And to be honest, it felt good just being out there and watching my friends race and come in with smiles (albeit strained ones) on their faces.
fellow supporter and best hanger-0utter-with chancho mancho
well done, guys!
a girlie shot - you can't even tell who raced and who didn't
If there's one thing I've realized throughout all that's happened in the past few months, it's that I'm not giving up on the dream. I want to jump off bridges again, to scale walls and waterfalls and flying fox into rivers and stuff again. I really miss it all. The adrenalin, the fun, the company of friends amid adversity, the satisfaction of crossing a finishing line and all that jazz. There's a part of me that'll remember those moments with much fondness, and who knows.... that part of me also hopes to make more of those moments!
Action Asia, please come back to Singapore?!!!
action asia, 2006
Days Gone By
Wandering Eye
