.: Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds :.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Heheh today, half day! Better still, Squadron's not working till 13Jan! Rushed back home, changed, headed out with Squadron. Watched Pride and Glory at Marina. The movie was a lil, off side for me, but interest for Squadron. Or maybe perhaps I was too tired I dozed off, or mayb the arms. I think Squadron's arms. Hehehe

Walked to Carrefour, for sushi, and food to be packed for the fireworks. Well, the moment we reached at the bay, everywhere were closed. There's still 3hrs before new year, but everywhere is closed. Hah, but we managed to find a spot, ate sushi and waited patiently for the countdown.

The fireworks were nice, but countdown has been a tradition. The celebrations are pretty much the same. But I guess, I still prefer last year's 07/08 celebration I had. Hehehe

Ride to Marina Barrage with Squadron, and the wind just placed us to sleep. Just like at ECP, the place is a visit for somewhere you just want to chill.
Headed back thereafter.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Met Squadron over at Kembangan, as he went to get his X1 fixed. Well, only had to pay for the labour charge. Hehehe so now X1's back on road again. Hehehe headed to Vybes, buy hair shampoo, walked around Bedok Town, before we made a pit stop at the nearby neighbourhood. Since I bought Squadron's fav nasi lemak from home, my mom's getting popular at her nasi lemak, we had our feast there.

Rode to Marina, watched Bed Time Stories. Hehehe bugsy was adorable. The guinea pig with humongous eyes! Dinner at BK's before we rode to ECP, and finally I test ride the bike. Hehehe, just got to have the hang of it. I start to panic when there's an oncoming car. Hehehe

Sat by the beach for a moment, and my fear of bike suddenly rose when I almost hit another bike while trying to park the bike. Hehehe woah, the fear was overwhelming. I wonder how Squadron got over his fear after having that fateful accident.

But, my confidence grew back again, after Squadron helped me out. It just takes lotsa courage and patience (=

Monday, December 29, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Headed to the doc's then to TM OCBC, to accompany sis to settle fews things and buy few necessities. Headed home, made Squadron a mini basket of chocolates. Apparently, he missed his flight just by 15mins. Due to the jam from Genting to KLIA. So then there was a lil havoc between us, as he insisted to go by road back to Singapore, which will take apparently 10hrs, with no confirmation of bus back. End point, after being urged by me, he took the next earliest flight back.

At 1600, headed to the airport, and Squadron touched down. Hehehe woah, the weekend without him, now I missed him. He bought back cactus for me! Hehehe ride to White Sands OCBC, settled his broken card. And we found a place for prawning! Hehehe maybe we should do overnight prawning ehh.

With hotdogs, head to Pasir Ris beach. There were lotsa teens spending their last few holidays.

Afterwhich, we decide to head for the movie, since I have my free ticket from GV and then to head to M'sia. But, curious and notorious Squadron, hit the curb while doing an intense cornering with the X1. End result = A faulty gear, which is jammed and is stucked at gear one. Hehehe after attempts to fix the gear, to no vail, well, I bus ride half way journey back to pick my passport, while Squadron goes gear one all the way from Pasir Ris to Kembangan via PIE. It's even slower than me cycling. Hehehe

Met Squadron at Kembangan, train ride to his place. Took the R6, and rode with full face to Tuas. Hehehe another thrill 180km ride. Supper, before heading back home. Hehehe

Poor Squadron, another new problem after a solved headache. Hehehe tomorrow then will be heading back to Heng's for repair.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Woahh. Hehehe the joke that me and Nurul started, turned out soo freaking serious. Hehehe pranked Fy and Lee, with me and Nurul being in bad terms (fighting over a stupid last min bail out). They thought that I was having some personal problems, hence the reason for my bail out.

"Shark, you okay? What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me, I've heard one side, now I wanna hear yours"
"Whatever you heard, that is exactly what happened."
"Shark, but it's not like you to bail last minute. You are the one who is always able to make it"
"When you bail, you have a very good reason for it"
"Erh, haha, right"
"Are you having personal problems? Fought with Hisham?"

Hehehe, me having personal problems and I fought with Hisham?! Hehehe, yes I do, and yes we both do have our tiffs, but not till it affects my friendship, like duh?!

So as planned, I've decided to be an hour late. So met the group over at Orchard's, and the boys were totally freaked out. Yes, we may sound childish, but's its a personal affair of payback. Hehehe

As a surprise bdae, they treat me to Cash Studio. Woah, 3hrs of pure singing, not even bother with the pitch or the tone of your voice! Hehehe and that's when we bursted out truth, and came clean with the payback (=

Dinner at Shaw Tower, we stuffed ourselves with food and cookies.

With Farhan heading back to camp, and us 5 headed to Marina Barrage.

The new reservoir in the heart of the city. The view is a beauty, the wind is a calming medicine. Hehehe after few cam shots, from the top to the fountain, even the mini wall, we walked our way.

Waited for long 20mins for the bus back to Tiong Bahru, and with train ride, we broke curfews with much fun.

Thanks love EC, the collage was picture perfect. The necklace was beauty artefact and the card, beautiful words (=

Kay, finally the youngest EC, turns 20 eh?

Saturday, December 27, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

I think I barely slept. Woke up early, to send Squadron to the airport. While waiting for him to pack his bags and prepare, I made for him a card/bookmark to go along with the famous amos.

Just a mini collage which turned a success tho it was a last min plan. But sat that aside, sent him to airport, parked his bike at T3. Waited for his plane to few off, before I bus ride back.

Slept for 30mins, before the notorious nephews of mine starts waking me up. Well, plan to go out with Eqah got cancelled of course. Given that my BIL and sis were working, and mom had to pay a visit, so the house was tamed, and wasn't reckless. Only that I had to bare with a load of running, and of course, wahhh, singing lah!

Sis fetched them evening. And in favour, Nurul asked me to tag with her to vivo. In the end, we shopped at Diaso, and watched a late movie Yes Man! The movie was hillarious, and entertaining. Rushed back with the last train. Wahh, the end part was classic.
Texted Fy to check with him timing for tomorrow's outing.

"Fy, tomorrow what time?"
"1.15. you okay?"
"Yes, Hasli and Nurul can make it?"
"Yup, you okay with that?"

Haha, what kind of a qns is that Fy? Well, that's when the games goes, and those boys are up for a pay back!

Friday, December 26, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Well, lets just say, that today is the last day before Squadron flies off to M'sia for his short trip with his colleague. Hehehe, well, nothing much done, just work, and a trip to Tamp Mall, to get for him some famous amos and food from Qiji. Kinda got stucked to the popiah, which my ex-colleague intro me to it. Hehehe

Spent some time together, before heading back home.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Merry Christmas

to those who celebrates it.

As for me, headed out with Squadron. Made a card for Squadron to go with the frame that I've finally finished.

One of the things I like doing best, and it turned out a success. I guess, I'll be making more frames for my own desk. Hehehe

Ride to PS, bought a dress at the flea market that was going on there. There were pretty much things that you can get from the market. Squadron bought me a leather belt, and a wallet for himself. Didn't know there are local talents who makes leather bags and accessories.

Watched IP Man at Cathay. The movie was pretty much interesting, based on true story of Bruce Lee's master. I admire the man's low profiled life and his down to earth attitude.

Headed back home, none of us are on leave tomorrow. Hehehe

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Well, family's going thru this one havoc phase. And my Thai breed sister, Nana, is dying to head back to Thailand. So after work, met Squadron over at TM's. Bought some Famous Amos, and few other things as well. Headed to T1, to send Nana off to Thailand. There has been some riot amongst ourselves before her departure. Hehehe but overall, she's still part of the family. I just hope she'll be doing fine, and come back safe. Supper then at Popeye's before Squadron sent me back.

I ♥ Squadron 11:17 AM

I feel much better now, after I talked to Squadron. For a moment I thot my depression days are coming back after me, that I'll be prone to more depression soon. Sometimes, it takes just a lil understanding, and flexibility to work things out. I guess you are right Squadron, that somethings can't be done alone. But my mentality of solo-misery is more of my cuppa tea. We do have seperate views, but I know, it'll be almost impossible to go thru this phase alone. Like sometimes it makes me crazy, like I'm a mad man, or a physcopath.

But it just hurts and sad, when dreams you had, are crushed and distorted. When things you have to do are not in your best favour. But I'm glad you understand me. I hope, that it'll finally work out one day. And I hope it soon.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

The monday blues has spread out to Tuesdays. Well, headed out to prime, to exchage the crocs outfit bought last night. Met Fy, Has and Ina, over at TM's Starbucks, and we sat there like monkeys out from cage. Well, apparently, it has been some time since we sat at our hotspot. And sweet Ina with Has, presented me my bdae gift! Heheh With the nice signage, about women, which I must say I truely agreed!

With a mug I saw the other time, almost but didn't purchase it.

Thanks both man! I love the gift!

Bus ride to T3, met Squadron there. And I was walking around the T3, then I realised, it's quite boring eh if you have been there like almost everyweek. Hehehe dinner/supper at Popeye's. The traditional midnight eatery outlet. Headed to T2 for the AXS, and of course, fun photo in the ID photo booth. Hehehe

And then when we were walking toward the motor parking lots, I was wondering, where was Squadron's old, silvery Vespa.

"Pa, where's your vespa eh? I dont see any vespa around here"
"Eh, mana vespa I? Did I park it at B1? Or was it B2?"
"Try recall, I didn't come with you, so I won't know"
"Hmm"

Then we both looked around. And then, I saw this bike with the plate AY. Then I'm thinking, "Doesn't that plate belongs to Squadron's old vespa?" Had one good look at the bike, and it's Yamaha X1R! He bought a new bike! Myyyy goodness! He had the vespa replaced. I'mm sooo sad. I want that old, rugged vespa back man. But then, I can ride the X1. Meaning, I can test ride and practice! Hehehe it's a kick start, soo yes, I can ride around Singapore! Hahahah

So apparently, that was the reason why he didn't quite panic when it was raining. Rode to 7-11, due to the heavy rain, we went thru the void decks just to send me home. Well, apparently, new bike, so must test ride on all ground, weather and situation.

His R6 is only 10months old, and now he has an R1. Wahhh, collection of Yamaha. You know, you can buy a car with that money, honey.

Monday, December 22, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 10:30 PM

Head out to prime with sis after work. Could use some company, as she has been dining in the restaurant alone. Heheh, bought an adidas drifit top, and crocs outfit for both boys. Detour to S11, bought some indian rojak, before walking back home. Hehehe, of course with loads of rojak, didnt make my run today. Hehehe

I ♥ Squadron 10:31 AM

I would really like to be on my own now. Appreciate if you could just let me off, let me go thru things alone. Let me think, decide and fall on my own. For whatever I'm doing, and will be doing, I know you won't be able to face it with me. Let me be on my own now. I think it's better I become who I used to. Depend on no one else but me. Go thru with no one else but me. Feel miserable with no one else but me.

I would really appreciate it.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Wedding was held at Fort Canning. Just a mini grand wedding, with Putri Catering. The deco seems nice, and the ambience is good for outdoor shoot. DJ is of course was done by my cousin, who owns a studio in Jln Pinang. Hah, I used to go there, during those times of music enthusiast. Hehehe
To vivo with Sheera, for the career fair, and applied for four decent jobs in IT. Sat with the sea view, before heading back.
Changed to running attire, run all the way to Tamp Sports Hall, just to catch up with Squadron and his team doing the 100km walk. Well, if my cousin's wedding wasn't today, I'll be soo happy to be finishing that marathon. From the sports hall, we walked all the way to Giant. Pretty near, as we covered within 10mins. Given to the wee hours, the team proceed on with their journey of another 50km, and I headed back home.
It feels good to be walking and jogging late night. Hehehe

Friday, December 19, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:30 PM

Met sis and her family at N2, after work. Since my cousin's getting married tomorrow, and since my sis gave me cash for my bdae, went to buy a top to attend to the wedding. Well, given that asians are rather small, and the material of traditional tops, it cost quite a bomb. Hah, but it was nice, and I kinda like it. So dinner at sis's place, before heading back home.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Hah, well second day of Ubin, kampung tracking. There was no bathing facilities, hence it's survival style. The non-consumable water is sure causing me irritation.

Packed our things, left after breakfast. Cycled around Ubin, and we reached to the WetLand of Chek Jawa.

Off rode cycling, what else, my killer hobby. Climbed all the way to the viewing tower. The overall view of part of Ubin was in sight. Such beautiful scenery..

Followed the track by foot, which lead us to the jetty. The water is much cleaner and beautiful as compared to our campsite.

Cycled further, and head on to the MCC. I'm glad that the MCC is closed, the facilities is getting old, and yes, it's time for renovation.

Cycled back to central of Ubin, returned back our bikes. It was such a short tracking.

Freshen up at Changi beach, bus ride AMK. Squadron had few things to settle. Watched Hunted Beast, then had our seperate train ride from City Hall.

"Thk u mama.papa am hapi

2 celebrate with u.papa sori

cant have a fancy dinner

mama.papa am tired but

hapi mama.hehehe"

Monday, December 15, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Wooooaaahhh. Packed my haversack, bus ride to AMK and met Squadron there. For the first time eveer, we are going barely on public transport for two consecutive days, and in addition, we are with haversacks and full packs. Hehehe

Squadron had to submit his report to the company, then we headed to AMK Stn and train ride to Toa Payoh. With DCB in hand, we bus ride to Changi in 59.

Upon arrival, packed some cooked food, bread and few necessities, and rode the tongkang to Ubin. Hehehe, apparently, it's my first time in Ubin, and riding the Tongkang.

The only time I rode a boat was my trip to Batam and Pulau Pinang. That was like eons agoo. Love the scenery, and the deep waters makes me wanna jump off the boat and swim my way across. Hehehe.

Rented bikes and we cycled our way to find a nice campsite. Camp out at Noordin Campsite, with the welcome of a chasing dog along our way. I felt for a moment, I was in M'sia, with kampung houses being KMs far away. I think we cycled to 15km before finding a nice campsite. Pitched our tent, and had our breakfast/lunch/dinner. Sunsets, and that's when things starts to be extra creepy. Heard all sorts of noises, from the howling dogs, to scratching on our tent exterior. I don't know what, but I know I couldn't sleep till real late. The path we used to make our way to the campsite, is pitch dark. It's almost impossible for you to make your way back to the central of Ubin.

But still, when you are too shagg, you'll fall asleep.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:35 PM

Came home at 10am this morning, and I feel super shagged, due to no sleep since last night! Hehehe, well apparently, when we were about to head home in the morning, the rain just refuses to stop. So we wasted some time, sitting by the road side, and do some crown posing and sing-a-long.

And finally I managed to open the gift. Shockingly, in the gift, it contained couple of items. Handmade rose, with a beautiful dress and bust belt, and a hair clip.

The rose, really touched my heart. That they went to such effort and time, to make such a wonderful gift for me.. The words written, sure is bringing me back many sweet memories.

Other than the oversized boobies, the dress is prefect! hehehe

But nevertheless, headed to Sis's place in the afternoon. She's having a bdae celebration for lil Danish, and me in the joining. Hehehe was just a small celebration with few invites, but big groups. Hehehe, the cake was marvellous Oreo Cheesecake, for a freelance baker. There were too much spread of food, and I must say the cravings were overboard! Hehehe, Squadron, it was a waste that you didn't get to attend. Hehehe

Saturday, December 13, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Woke up on early Saturday, and headed on to Pract 3. Today, Squadron was wayyy too early. Hehehe, well, like no other, I have to do another repeat. My fig8 is better tho, but timing is still crucial. So we headed to Compass for YTF. Today's YTF, is extra fresh, coz we were like the first few customers. Hehehe

Chinatown ride, and bought a summer dress for today's Zouk out. Rode to AMK, accompanied Squadron to collect his letters, then he sent me back.

Freshen up, and met Fid and Sheera at AMK. Bus ride to the Night Safari! Hehehe my first time heading there, and the experience was marvellous. A group of Japanese boys suddenly requested to take loads of pictures with us, and one was singing a bdae song to me. Of course, if someone is wearing a crown at a Safari, everyone will comment something. I think I had 3 people, calling me princess.

Ouh yes, the animals in the safari, was pretty much sleeping. Hah, except for a leopard, which was walking around panthing. Took the tram ride around the zoo, discovered couple of species I didn't know it existed.

Squadron fetched me over, and given that he overslept earlier on, and did not managed to send over few letters, so we forgo the plan to head to Zouk, since I know that old man will be tired out.
Movie marathon at Cathay, with Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Twilight. Both movies were awesome, and I must say the hero in Twilight is just amazingly hot and superb. Hehehe I think maybe I kinda fell in love with him. Hehehe

Headed around and around, before heading home pretty late. Hehehe

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 10:43 PM

When you're going thru a phase and someone tells you that they smphatise, or knows how it feels, does that really count? I don't think so. Now I'm starting to really understand, that in life, you are actually in fact alone, no matter how many friends you have, how many family members you have, or whether everyone knows you. The phases in life, the difficulty and the misery, is actually faced by you and you alone. Remember, how you used to study for exams, there are friends, and teachers, but end of story, it's you doing the revision, and no one there to guide or go thru with you the answers. Anybody can explain to you the complexity, but it's you who will understand it to be simplicity.

I know, how much you want to help me out. I'm not being egoistic, nor stubborn. It's just this phase of life I'm going thru, this situation that I'm stucked with. I've warned you before it all started, that I will be on your nerves at times. That I will change on certain situation, that I may not be how I used to when I'm a student still. I know this phase, I've went thru this 4yrs ago. Like no different, I'm just a growing up kid.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Woke up, and I was half hearted to head for pract 3. Hehehe, still I was getting ready to go, and while waiting for Squadron to fetch me, but he reached 10mins late, so we forgo the plan. Hehehe. Headed to Bloodbank@HSA, and for the first time after 10 donations, they informed that I was not fit for donation! Hah, my IRON is apparently only 11.9mg, whereby the required IRON level is 12.5mg for donation. Sigh. I'm sooo jealous that Squadron managed to donate. Now he's ahead of me by so much donations. Grr. Hah.

While at the carpark at Vivo, with me being soooo moody coz I can't donate, and that Squadron will be off to the 100km walk with few friends next weekend, unexpectedly, I saw something that made me smile soooo widely. Since dad and Squadron always disapprove my choice of bikes between Aprillia RS and Yamaha TW, I was soo happy so see something, that they will be gladly to approve.

The newest, Yamaha R125.

Which looks just like Squadron's R6! Yayness!

I'm soo considering that bike, since maintenance isn't as bad as Aprillia, and also, it looks just like Squadron's R6! So we can become the couple/twin bike! Hehehe

Wahh, lawa nyerrr!! Just like your R6. Red, white!
Ehh, I've never seen this before. It's FBD and I think it's brand new model.
Hehehe, yay, I'm sooooooo considering this bike.
Wah2, happy nyer. Pass dulu.
Hehehe
ad dinner at Banquet, then to movies with Wild Child. The black and white mousse is a must tryy!! The movie was kinda fun, and a lil emotional. But suprisingly, Squadron didn't sleep in the movies! And neither did I! Hehehe

Walked to Diaso, bought couple of items, then we had a short trip to Sentosa Siloso. I missed the times we spent 4nights at Sentosa, just to celebrate Squadron's 33rd. I wish to do that again next year. Hehehe

Headed home then.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 5:00 PM

Collect the new biometric passport in the early morning, and had breakfast with Squadron at Sultan Road, while waiting for our queue number. Headed to AMK, to pay Squadron's parking offence, and while on the way there, his vespa was acting up. The sound sure turned sooooo many heads, and me sitting as the pillian, it was sure freaking me out that point of ride. Hah, then headed to Squadron's working centre, collected his letters and it was raining cats and dogs, so we sat for a moment. Squadron sent me back home.

I guess he headed to JM with Abg Lan, and he's buying a new bike again. I think if he combine the price of his two bikes, he could have gotten a car! Hah

Friday, December 05, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 10:46 AM

I read a article, about how emotional, effects you physically.

"Last month, my dad celebrated the 30th anniversary of his running streak.

In other words, he has run every day for 10,987 consecutive days. The last time he took a pass — he was feeling a bit sore after a marathon — was Oct. 30, 1978.
Obsessive doesn't begin to describe it.

When he travels overseas, my dad, who is 66, plans layovers so he can get in a couple miles around the concourse, lest he miss a day to the time-zone shift. During blizzards, he wraps his feet in plastic bags, pulls galoshes over his sneakers and screws in cleats for traction. Then he waits for a snowplow to pass his front door, so he can follow in the freshly cleared path.

My father, Dr. Harvey B. Simon, practices internal medicine in Boston and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Rationally, he knows that running 10 miles a day, every day, for three decades is not great for his ever-more-creaky body. He'd never advise his patients to do it. In fact, he's written several health and fitness books stressing the virtue of moderation in exercise. And yet ...

He's run with broken toes and the flu and a nasty infected heel and near-crippling back spasms. He goes out before dawn in every kind of weather; he's become such a fixture in the neighborhood that a couple times when a freak thunderstorm has rolled in, strangers have driven out to find him. They didn't know his name. They just knew he'd be out there, plodding away, and figured he might appreciate a ride home.

My dad isn't alone in this nutty obsession. The U.S. Running Streak Association lists 31 members who have been running daily for 30 years or more. The reigning champ is a running coach out of California by the name of Mark Covert. He hasn't missed a day since he was 17. He's now 57.

Every streaker has a story of inspired persistence — or, viewed another way, lunacy. One tells of holding his catheter aloft as he hobbled out after surgery. Another ran on a cruise ship — during a tropical storm.

Ronald Kmiec, a concert pianist in Carlisle, Mass., jogged for four days through severe chest pains, until his wife dragged him to the hospital. Turned out he'd had a heart attack. He was so determined to keep the streak alive, he asked the nurse to take him to a treadmill. She nixed that idea, and his streak ended one day short of 32 years. (Undaunted, Kmiec got right back on the road and completed his 35th consecutive Boston Marathon five months later.)

Why do they do this? All kinds of reasons. Some streakers say they commune with God during their daily runs. Others think through knotty problems at work. The run structures the day; gives a sense of order to a hectic life.

As streakers grow older, their accomplishment also represents a triumph over aging. You don't give in to aches and pains; you conquer them. You don't wallow in anxiety; you lace up your sneakers. You feel, if not invincible, at least indomitable, and it's not hard to see why; if you're still doing at 66 the same thing you did at 36, you must be doing all right.

My dad started running for health reasons after my mom ordered him to lose weight. He has a family history of heart disease, and he soon found that regular exercise kept his cholesterol and blood pressure under control. I'm sure that's one motivation for the streak.

But the main reason, truly, is that he loves getting out there in the first rays of morning, letting his mind drift, with nothing to do but take the next step. He started the streak, he says, because he got tired of spending every cold, dark morning debating with himself about whether to go out. "I figured, why waste time debating? I'd just go out every day," he says. "So I did."

When people ask why he doesn't take just one day off, he shrugs and says, "I like to run."

Asked how he's kept at it so long, he responds: "Left, right, left, right."

His stride, never all that fluent, has broken down over the last 100,000 miles to the point that he now has what the family politely refers to as a "distinctive gait." His hip hurts. He's slow. And still ... left, right, left, right.

When he hit 25 years, my dad talked about pulling a "Cal Ripken Jr.," after the Baltimore Orioles infielder who benched himself one day when he was perfectly healthy, putting an end to an incredible streak of playing in 2,632 consecutive games. Mr. Ripken had wanted to end the streak on his own terms, not wait for injury to force him out. My father said that sounded good. But I knew in my heart he'd never do it.

The streak is too much a part of him.

I worry about that sometimes. He's proud of his streak, and I think his running longevity — the fact that he's prevailed against injury, weather and all the rest — has strengthened his spirit. He's a born optimist, but the streak has made him even more confident, even more resilient.

What will happen when it ends?

On one level, I know that's a ridiculous question. The streak does not define my dad. He still practices and teaches medicine; he still writes and edits. He and my mom take art history courses, study music, volunteer, travel.

But still, I worry.

In running — in streaking, in particular — my dad has found an outlet to express personality traits that might otherwise stay submerged. He's a humble and reserved man, but his streak is such a goofy accomplishment that he's given himself license to celebrate it.

For his 10-year anniversary, he threw himself a 10K race — a "ten-athon." He carried the invitations on his runs, because he wanted to hand them out to all the friends he knew only by first name — fellow joggers who would fall in with him for a few blocks or a few miles every week. My dad made some good friends this way; there is a true camaraderie on the streets at 5 a.m.

When I was 8 or 9, I started running with him, too — after he'd put in 10 or 12 miles on his own. It was my best chance to spend time with him. When I flagged, he'd keep me going by recounting the latest Red Sox game in dramatic, play-by-play detail. I'm quite sure he made most of it up, but I was always riveted.

Running with me let my father indulge his screwball sense of humor. One year, we ran in a road race just before Thanksgiving, and though it wasn't supposed to be a costumed affair, my dad talked me into dressing like a chef, with a giant tin-foil cleaver. He put on a turkey costume and as per his instructions, I spent the entire 5-mile route a few steps behind him, waving the cleaver and shouting: "Come back here, you turkey!"

I haven't run with him for years, but he recently sent me a ratty T-shirt he found in my childhood room, from a road race we ran in 1983. I often wear it when I work out, and I think back with a smile on all those runs with dad.

The U.S. Running Streak Association requires members to run at least one continuous mile a day to remain on the active list. (It's all based on the honor system, but as founder John J. Strumsky Jr. asks, "What would be the point of lying?") The association also keeps an honor roll of retired streaks. As I glanced over it, the fourth-place entry caught my eye. Lawrence Sundberg, a retired schoolteacher from Farmington, Conn., had clocked a streak that lasted exactly 30 years — from New Year's Day 1977 through New Year's Eve 2006. It looked to me like he had pulled a Cal Ripken, and when I called, he said that was it exactly.

"With something like this, either it's going to end you, or you're going to end it," he said.

Sundberg said he spent six months mentally preparing for the end, and when the appointed day came, he was ready — though he did startle awake at 11 p.m. and briefly contemplate keeping the streak alive on a moonlit run.

In the two years since, Mr. Sundberg says he has missed just four or five runs. "I still go out at 5:30 a.m. most days," he said. "But I don't have to."

He's adjusted so well that I consider urging my dad to talk with him.

But then ... my dad likes to run. He's happy out on the sidewalk at dawn. Left, right. Left, right. "

Thursday, December 04, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

Since Squadron's not OT after the longest time, we headed out for a run at ECP. This time, from the sailing club, all the way to the midpoint, near the foodcourt. I think thru and back, that's about 7km. Woah, speed out till I'm getting chemical reaction, and the 'electric' feeling in my toes. Hah, now I know how Amry felt, when I accompanied him 15km, at the Sundown. Power nap for a while, then headed back, so refreshed!

So the Standard Chartered marathon is this Sunday. If not for the strict Squadron, I guess I'll be part of it. Next year, kayy, next year.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

I ♥ Squadron 11:59 PM

If without Squadron fetching me back home from work, and sending me to CDC, I don't think I could have made it for my prac3 today. Hah, lessons with slopes and Fig 8. The instructor mentioned I can do Fig 8, but I'm just so shaky. Heheh Gabra mah. Dinner at Mac's T2, and examine Squadron studying for his Jap, while I surf net on my PSP. Hehehe, well , there are limitations, but overall, it's impressive. Headed home thereafter.

I ♥ Squadron 4:43 PM

Sheera emailed me this joke, where it predicts your job, by name. Hahaha
Well, I make a PRESIDENT! So vote for me for PRESIDENT!!

And Squadron he's a Spiderman. Well, it's kind true, isn't it Squadron? You like to climb around, fly and play a fool, hide and then rescue me all at one time. Hehehehe