NOC - What does it mean? Part 1

Well, going all the way for NOC has been an uphill task. Remembered back in Year 1 where I planned to embark upon this remarkable program. However, I suffered a setback back in last semester. Didn't going through the interivews the previous rounds prove to have hurt my confidence. After which, I applied for SEP and some other programs as a backup. This was the so called last chance for me to try to go. I therefore made a lot of effort to prepare for the interivews. consulting my gf, my friends, honing my CV, asking my friend to look through it. Hours of preparation work went into it. I guess it really depends on how much you want something. If it has always been your dream or ultimate goal, I think you wouldn't mind the extra effort. As usual, I wun give up and therefore give it another shot. Working at NVS has proven very useful in securing my place for NOC. It has also open up another doorway of opportunities. The testamonial that Mabel has prepared for me turned in rather handy during the interview when Prof Teo suddenly ask for it. Fortunately I brought it along and somehow inevitably help quite a little.

After much guessing and uncertainty, results was finally announced last thursday and I was selected to go. I was exhilarated. Haha, even until now still quite excited over it. I guess I keep repeating myself and hahaha, sorry weikeong and kenneth, have to listen about it so many times. Have to share this piece of good news lah. Haha, and I end up buying a new tri top and tri bottom to reward myself. Wow, retail therapy, spent abt 600 over the last two weeks on new tires, desaru trip and new gear. Like those stuff I bought but heart still aching a little. I guess by now I am a bit more settled down. The realism is that I still got a barrier to clear, my place wouldn't be secured until a internship placement has been secured. It wouldn't be easy, I know it. Therefore, I am going to use all the avenues that I can find to make it happen. I think I have put it a lot since the start, and it would be stupid to slacken and risk losing all that I have worked so hard for.

It has been my dream to be an entrepreneur one day, although I must admit that I am still very far away from this goal, I think i am at least half a step closer. Once I am able to embark and complete this program, I will be one step closer I guess. I need not know how many more steps there are to the goal line. But I know I am moving forward step by step. Hopefully, I won;t take too long to reach that mark. It will be an enriching experience. Therefore, I shall make the most out of it. My secondary goal of course is to have the chance to experience overseas life, particularly in US, own my car and live myself. Next, I would like the chance to be able to receive education at Stanford, name and reputation wise, it is really initmitating to say that I got a good deal of education from Stanford. It might be just name, but it counts definitely.

I therefore now hope for a internship placement to come quickly. After which, I would need to settle my visa, then buy my air ticket, prepare my stuff. All these should fall in place once the internship is secured. It is also crucial that I work in a company that is suitable, else this one year might be "wasted". There is a limit to how much I can choose, so for the amount that I can't, I will take it as a learning experience, be it pleasant or not. Better burn some joss sticks to my gods and ancestors, think they have been blessing me these few months. Must go and say thank you soon, and prepare offerings for the blessings for the entire year.

Ok please read Part 2 for continuation. Hehe.

22/09---> went down to this BDA----> its a media company, first time I had to pose in front of the camera, act a bit, haha, gd experience, really different. Don't think I am cut out for this kind of thing to be a actor or star. hope that 500 bucks running lobang can come though. This would mean me upgrading something on my bike soon or getting a half-wire. ok no more bitching. real late, sleep time.

Signing off,

Alan

Half Iron Man

I set off for Desaru on Friday to complete a long distance triathlon. Well, it will be my first half iron man and another milestone in my triathlon journey.

Every Long distance race, I will learn something, "Kenneth's Quote". Everytime, I will reflect upon my entire race, what did I do right, wrong and could have done better and what lessons have I learnt this time? You will be surprised how many times I feel like quitting when the going gets tough, but I didn't. From the start, I told myself, no matter what, even if I fall, cramped, rained, I will still continue. Nothing will stop my heart. When you suffer, you will curse and swear. However, these doesn't bring you across the line. Every race is like a small part of our life. The longer my race is, the longer this period of life it represent. From the start at 10 am, it was already hot, the rays were hitting on my skin hard before the swim. I know today is not gonna be easy. As we leap out into the water and clear the 2 loops of 1km each, I was initially hampered by the big crowd. Subsequently, I pulled away from the main group and was allowed to swim with relative easy for the first half an hour.

After the two loops, I ran up to my transition area and put on my gear slowly, it is a long bike leg. I need to make myself confortable. I probably took 5 mins there, harhar, which is kinda long, because I was eating and drinking a little too. I know it will be a long race to the next break, so I should make yourself comfortable and replenish my energy before I leave. Setting Off on my bike, it will be a 90km bike course, 3 loops of 30 km each, 12 major up slopes per loop, 1 super killer slope at the end of each loop. I tell you, I cleared most of the 11 slopes with relative ease, it was the super killer one that took a lot out of me. I was practically stand- peddling for 5 mins, going at 15 km/h. OMG, it was painful with all the heat and you feel gravity behind u dragging u back. That's the part where it is also to expose to headwind as well. My bike is like fixed with a parachute and ironball at the back wheel. It was at least a 50-70 metre hill I think, so the whole stretch was roughly 1-1.5km long. I was doing fine till the third loop till the 85 km mark, just before the super killer slope. Suddenly, my thigh and calf cramped together without warning. I first felt the disappointment, I have been training hard, a cramp would mean I can't perform my best for the rest of the race. Pain hit me next. I got off the bike to avoid any accidents and stretch a little and push up my bike up this slope. Once over, I felt the cramp going away and finish up the remaining bike leg slowly.

I initially thought my race was over, should I even continue. I told myself it is a must i will complete it. It is not so much because of the money factor or anything, but rather it is a principle that I have learnt. For anything that I set out to do, I don't and will never want to give up half way. Stopping and giving up was never an option. Obviously, from then on, it just gets more and more painful. But why should I stop? If i give up, it only goes to show that I am someone that lacks determination and courage. I will want to face it, no matter what.

Running the 21km reminds of my first half marathon 4 years back. well the first 10.5 km was done decently in approximately an hour. I ran into trouble again during the second loop. Short bursts of cramps start to come in because of the heat. Cramping became a biological equation when sodium and potassium in your muscles don't add up. Fortunately I ran the half marathon with a fellow tri-fam member, we are roughly moving at the same pace and cramping at similar points. So we had to walk a little and once the cramp clears, we will run as long as we could before the cramp comes in. Gruesome afternoon. Pain in legs and taking a toll on my body. I am glad to have him by me, I think we motivated each other, and we ended up finishing together. It is important to have someone by your side when the going gets tough. That man was a stranger, but we found similar goals and help each other out with water, some gels and words of encouragment. It means a lot although he is not someone close to me. Just like during each darkest moments of yourlife, those who rendered you a helping hand are angels and god-send. At some point of cycling, I felt quite a bit of pain that tears start to flow from my eyes. I don't know, it will just get emotional, but I know the reason why I was here today. To accomplish something which I previously thought I couldn't.

Finishing the race was great, satisfaction after 6h 12 mins of motion, heat treatment and muscle cramps. 35 mins swim, 3hr 15 mins swim and 2h20 mins run adds up to another milestone. Haiz, I never thought I could do this two years before, I think it is always important to have your goals in sight and faith in yourself. Having the courage and determination will bring you a long way nearer to your own successes. Recovery gonna take a few days, fortunately, my muscles ain't that much damaged or suffered any injury. Gonna thank Kenneth for all the training that he had help me with, and all the support that my girlfriend has given me. Long distance triathlons are a show case of human spirit and what they can do, it is really amazing to see old dudes pushing on late into the race clock. To them getting back in time wasn't a concern, completing is. I have seen it, one day I will want to experience a Iron-Man not just to gain a name or pride, but to see. understand and experience the greatness of human spirit of courage and determination.

Alan

Back from mahjong session

Wow, havent played MJ for a while, haha, still not a good player i guess, prolly still lack practice. Lost a bit but got some back from playing Black jack. Haha, still great fun of gambling and vices. Cannot understand why ppl totally dun gamble, hmm perhaps just a different perspective. Isn't life a gamble by itself?

gonna go mandai for cycle tmr, probably my last long ride before desaru, so gonna take it seriously. No more plray plray, Hope me will be safe and sound. Wonder what would I think of during the long 6 hrs during the race. Hmm, gonna be interesting to see how I can survive or die. Well, faith is important. Set the target and go for it. Dun think I will give up, even if I cramp, I will make sure I limp all the way to the finishing line. A lousy finish is better than no finish.

Anyway, putting my eyes on going for SEP. Gonna be a real good break for me, been working non stop for quite a while. Thinking back, I don't think I really enjoy any holidays yet. Hope the road trips and independent life there can change my perspective a little. And of course to give myself a well deserved break.

First Blog

Hmm, haven't got the habit of blogging. Haha attribute it to Iris, must be her who influence me to blog. Since not that much company these days, I think something these words would definitely do some good to express myself.

Oh man, getting real busy, had to squeeze all my tuition on monday and tuesday (my free days) and full long school on wednesday and thursday. Doing all these so that I can go down Desaru for my half iron man.

Gonna be another milestone for me, I realised all the 1st races are the most memorable. This is my first time doing half iron man. 2km swim, 90 km cycle, 21 km run. As long as I can survive the cycle, 21 km should be ok. Been training enough for my runs i think, clocking about 16 -18 km for each long run each week, not to mention all those brick trainings ( long cycles + runs). Will make you understand why your legs feel like bricks.

Many ask why I so siao to do triathlon, siao, fun meh?? I think it is a good way for me to drive my frustrations and a way for me to understand a lot of things. Physical suffering or Mental suffering is worse? If i have a choice, i think taking up physical is easier than suffering mentally. Well 2-3 years since I started on this sport and I don't see myself quitting any time soon. The more I do, the more I want to challenge how much my mental endurance is. I think somewhat, my mental toughness became shaped because of it. Now, hmm, don't like to quit halfway or something. It kinda becomes in build liao.

Ok, saturday is my rest day, gonna go down to Jingxian's place to play mahjong, with my kakis. Haha, i love to play actually, but really no time to play sometimes. tonight gonna be fun seeing all my old JC friends again. Haha, I wonder what it would be like to meet again ten years later with our kids and spouses. Its amazing how time flies, especially in my tertiary education. How come time don;t seem to pass as quickly when I was younger, haven't really figure that out.

A long first blog. All readers and comments welcome!!