CH118: Vicarious Living

The above pictures were taken after our two teams from the Filipino Dragons Singapore finished the 10KM SDBA-Austcham Dragonboat race. Still feeling the adrenaline and goosebumps with the realization that "I DID IT!" Although we didn't get to bring home any medals, despite all the blisters, the sore muscles and bruised ass, I am still so proud of myself and my team for the achievement of actually finishing.

You don't get to notice the time pass by when you're in the race - all your mind can really focus on is sending the necessary signals to both arms in paddling! Well, at least that's how I felt like then. I couldn't focus elsewhere like the sights and views we were paddling through - as I didn't want to become out of sync from the two people in front of me - thereby cascading the mistake down.

During the race, our boat was set in the middle #20 out of 27 boats/teams that entered - our other team was at #27. So, we were warned before hand that there are bound to be collisions. And so, yes, we did experience a lot of collisions - more than 5 by my count. I found it exhilarating when between two boats, there's only a slot between to fit 1 paddle - so yes, my left hand and arm got hit several times - but luckily not enough to actually injure. There was a point though when I had to pull my arm out and into the boat - otherwise it would have been pitted between my team's boat and the colliding one. Yes, there's a level of awareness necessary to escape any unnecessary injuries. It was fun though, when I realized that there is a slot of space to start paddling again, that I just started and continued paddling and was shouting (I think) "Go Go Go!" Haha

It did help that my US visa got approved the day before the race. I can't imagine now how I would have felt paddling with depressing thoughts floating around.

[EDIT] PS: My US visa is multiple entry for 10 years!!! I can't believe it! A stamp of approval from the toughest place to secure a visa (I think)!

CH117: Social Calendar

Time is going by so fast here in Singapore. Weekly, it seems that I just wake up Friday, and go like "F*CK! Where did the week go? It's Friday!" With so much going on, so much happening, dragon boat training - and, uhm, work - sometimes I feel like, I'm so living in the now, I don't even realize the NOW just became the THEN. Pages and pages just seem to flip by. I find myself having to schedule meetups a week before. (meetups - as in with friends, "etc"). Or sometimes, sacrifice some sleep, have last minute cancellations just to provide the dynamism a 20 year old me needs. Like, yes, I'd forego an early Sunday morning dragonboat training - when I wake up some place other than my place - like uhm, a friend's house after a late night out? Hahaha

[Random] snip snip

48 SGD for a haircut?! That's like how much?! 1300 pesos [EDIT: according to google it's actually 1620.9072 pesos as of 08/22/12 11:03pm sgt]? I think it was because the person who cut my hair was a senior stylist. Aside from the usual scalp massage from other salons, the water they offered was bottled and they provided some biscuits as well. They also had some hot towel.

The verdict? I like the haircut, despite giving a simple instruction that I'd like it short. The stylist achieved what I had in mind to look like - which showed his seniority knowing how to cut my hair in accordance to how my head is shaped (it's unusual from the feedback I'm getting from other stylists).

[Random] New Face

So, unfortunately, the Filipino housemate we had in the flat, had to leave Singapore. According to the landlady - the guy was a photographer or a videographer of some sort (she wasn't too sure). But his pass could not get approved so his time is up. I still wonder how the MOM decides that. I assume at the root of it all, it's a supply and demand kind of thing? But then again, if he was able to get an employer - then that means there was a demand for the skill. Oh well.

So, in other news, someone moved in today. A Swedish MODEL.

CH115: Silhouette

Press play, fast forward

Nonstop, we have the beaten path before us

It was all there, in plain sight

Come on people, we have all seen the signs

And we will never get back to

To the old school

To the old grounds, it's all about the newfound

We are the newborn, the world know all abouts

(We are the future and we're here to stay)

We've come a long way since that day

And we will never look back, at the faded silhouette

...

Straight ahead on the path we have before us

Day by day, soon the change will come

Don't you know we took a big step forward

Just lead the way and we pull the trigger

Now, we will never get back to

To the old school

To the old grounds, it's all about the newfound

We are the newborn, the world know all abouts.

(We are the future and we're here to stay)

A lot of things has happened since I turned 25. Much of the things I believe are for the better - in terms of personal outlook and way of thinking. I believe I am a better person now than I was a year and so back

[Random] House Music Tripping

Unfortunately, the Wanted was no longer playing in my iPhone after a little over a week. It got unfortunately replaced by Maroon 5's Overexposed album. I should be creating a review for that since it's that amazing! Although, putting about 4 (or 5? I need to check) remixes of Payphone is a bit of an overkill.

Because of the lack of videos on YouTube for Maroon 5 tracks, I have to postpone that entry a bit.

Getting on back to house music love! Below are the tracks to look forward to! Zoukout lineup hasn't been finalized yet. They should start coming in September and get finalized mid - late October if I remember how it went last year.

Here's to start it off. Avicii - Silhouette. Uplifting song - although, I'm quite shocked at the seriousness of the message of the video. In a sense it's promoting freedom and living life to who you are, it's a very powerful message - I guess, not something we usually find in mainstream.

Other tracks I'm loving now:

A dose of eargasm from Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso and Steve Angello - Eclipse (Why am I doing this?)

And the last one:

Very chill house tune. Dont you worry child from the Swedish House Mafia.

\

If the tunes above were meals, I would start it off listening to the Swedish House Mafia. Main course would be Eclipse (Why am I doing this?) and capping off the 3 course meal with a dessert from Avicii (Silhouette) hahaha.

CH114: Port Dickson

So, recently, there was a Thursday holiday here in Singapore. I decided, it was a good time to get away from the city (Singapore) and just explore Malaysia. Initially, I wanted for us to go to Tioman, but unfortunately, the hotels were fully booked. Not wanting to stress ourselves further, I suggested we just go to Port Dickson, get a good resort and relax.

Despite the hiccup at the start of the trip getting duped by a conductor (mentioned here), I would say I had an OKAY time. Not that GREAT in the sense that there wasn't much to see in Port Dickson. It would be a good place for a family, but not for the one looking for thrills and adventures. The food is also great, especially since they are quite cheap (or at least, we thought they were).

Time for pictures

resort pool

view from 6th floor where our room was

very chill atmosphere

infinity pool (adults only no kids allowed)

slurping up the singapore sling

testing the waters

at the cumulus bar

playing with shadows

CH113: Roots

What roots you in this world?

As the bus to Port Dickson drove on, I saw trucks speed by on the other lane. And I began to wonder, what keeps those truck drivers in line? Thoughts of Hollywood highway chase scenes came to mind. After all, a nutcase behind those wheels could do serious damage for fun if he/she wanted to.

I realized, it's their family (-ies given I was in Malaysia :-) ), the mouths that they need to feed that keeps them hostage-d to stick to doing what is right.

But I don't have anyone depending on me, so what's keeping me in check?

--
Unfortunately, what I realized was that the same thing that roots people to possibly do good, can be what drives them to evil. On our way to Port Dickson, we were unfortunately duped by the conductor. We told him we needed to go to Seremban, but the bus was going to KL, so when I realized, we were already way past 30 minutes the expected time of arrival, I asked the driver where we were going, and I was told KL. I told him we were supposed to get off at Seremban, and we were dropped off a gas station beside a highway.

Fortunately, with the comfort of technology, despite the communication barrier - we were able to contact the hotel to give us a contact for a taxi pickup. And, to make the story short, we were picked up in style in a Benz in the middle of nowhere!
--

[Random] conversation x

Person 1: our friend is moving to HK by the end of the month
Person 2: wow! We can go to HK! Me and Person 3 can sleep in the sala! You two in the masters bedroom!
Person 1: you guys sleep in the bedroom! We'll sleep in the sala so the sex is wilder and freer! Haha

[Random] The Wanted

I didn't even know of this (boy) band until today. Although I'm familiar with their song above, I didn't know it was by them. It's just a club mix I hear often - where else but in the clubs. My friend posted in our dragonboat team page their video Gold Forever (down below). I think they're going to be making it big soon. Although, I should note, the number of seeders where I get my torrent is quite low (not even more than 500) as of this writing. But that should change soon as they make their waves and become known/more popular.

Album downloaded, playlist to be updated. Pushing back Sugar Ray, the Corrs and my plans to re explore the New Radicals.

And here below is the song I'm really liking from them. Feels electro-pop-dance. The lyrics evokes memories of Zoukout. Chasing the Sun. Enjoy!