Fishing Trip 15 Jun 2008

After a long lapse, I finally get another trip out to the sea for some catch again. We are back in Changi water with Uncle Chong’s boat. The weather was surprisingly good, it did not rain the whole day, it wasn’t too warm and there were breeze all day round, unbelievable.


Our initial intention was to bring our children along, but my sister in-law somehow manage to gather another 4 anglers for the trip in the last minutes, we have no choice but to leave the kids behind.


We got ourselves about $50 worth of live prawns, which turn out to be in surplus at the end of the day. My first catch, a palm size squid comes after waiting for one whole morning, after my lunch. Interestingly, half the catches were groupers, and many were caught in the morning. Nearly all the fishes hooked up were of good size.


This is one the best fishing trip I had so far, nice kakis, calm sea, no distraction from children, good size and numbers of fishes, very good weather.

1ST 10KM B4 40

I have make history for myself last Sunday, the first time I ever run 10.5 km in my life. And although my timing of 1 hour 20 minute isn’t that fantastic, I am still very happy, since my family was there to give me the boost.

Running has never been interesting since my school days. Even in my army days, I have never thought I would be running this distance. My mentality was “I didn’t need to, I didn’t want to.” Then I changed my mind almost twenty years later.

This is a new beginning. I have a new vision for myself, I want to run a half-marathon, soon, hopefully by end of the year.

Connection In The Park Connector

Since the media covers on the Southern Ridges few weeks back, I was hoping to check out the place with my family, but I seem to be more occupied after switching to a 5 days work week. My weekend now becomes very fulfilling with activities like cycling and running, with my gals of course.

I finally free a slot from my busy schedule last Sunday afternoon for this. We set off at about 1500 hrs from Telok Blangah Hill Park. It is not difficult to orientate ourselves in the park as there are sign boards all over the place, besides, the place was packed with visitors, so, getting loss is out of the question.











Henderson Waves was our first stop, we walk up a long stretch of slope pavement which my kids have fun running down later. We stay for about 10 – 15 minutes on the bridge to enjoy the views and take some photo before making our way towards the Forest Walk.


There are two ways to explore the little forest, one by walking on the elevated walkway which offers birds’ eye view of the forest, and the other via the trail at ground level. Both ways are good experience of the woods for my little girls. We took a 10 minute break at Alexandra Arch before we head back to the car park. My wife spotted this big spider near the walk way, definitely one of those biggest I seen in the wild.

I must say N-parks have definitely done a great job connecting these parks, the only disappointing factor would be I don’t see any chance of cycling through the parks any time soon, but I am still looking forward for the day to come.

Runway Ride

Last Sunday, I brought my two girls and my wife to the National Runway Cycling 2008 at Paya Lebar Airbase, which is a key event of the National Family Week 2008.

The four of us wake up 5am in the morning. My plan was to get out of the house by 6am and reach there before 7am in order to secure a parking lot. The biggest challenge come first thing in the morning, there is loading four bicycle onto my car, two 26”, one 24” and one 20”. It was to me tougher than riding 6km on the runway actually.



There are 3 categories in the event, 6km family route, 15km leisure route and 45km endurance challenge. Needless to say, all four of us took up the 6km family ride. The two girls were very excited in front of the runway, but the 6km was quite an endurances test for them on their 24” and 20”, we could see from their expression at the end of the ride.



The event was well organised, booths were set up by SAFRA, and a few well known bike shop and supplier. There are also performances that keep us entertained while we rest after our ride. We left around noon, where we headed straight home and slept through the afternoon.

Two Wheels Adventure

Nearly three months ago, I found a new reason to take my run more seriously. Running becomes a supplementary training for my new hobby, Mountain Biking. I brought my bike just two days before Chinese New Year, it’s a Scott Reflex 30.

When I decided to take up mountain biking, it appears to me that I will be doing slow trail riding with my family in the nature like what many did in the parks. So I went on to ride about fifteen kilometers of roads a few nights before to get me into the mood, and I thought I will be ok on the trail. But I was wrong. My first trip into the trail was shocking, my dream for the family ride got further, the stamina and skill needed to ride ten minute into the trail far exceed my fitness level. I felt like I am back to BMT training at the end of the trail, it was very "SIONG".

Nevertheless, I was determined to carry on with my new hobby, there is no turning back after throwing in close to a grand to acquire the necessary gadget. In fact, I even went on to get three more mountain bikes for my wife and the two elder daughters.

Last week, my effort is starting to pay off, I took my wife and eldest daughter to Gangsa Hill on two separate days, and they were coping well for a start. And although my big girl complains about the need to wash the bike after the trip, she is looking forward to the next trip.

Writing And Running

It is been a long time since I last contribute to my blog, so much has happen in the last few months, I have even got a new job. Many time I wanted to start typing but it just don’t work out. I realize it is very much like running, when I stop running for a week or more, it become less enjoyable to start stepping out again. Nearly two year ago, I was busy looking for reasons to be excused from running i.e. IPPT. I was too tired after work, I need more time with my kids, and I have got asthma. Interestingly, after running for six month, I countered all the excuses myself, running actually improve my energy level, I got my wife and kids to run with me, and better fitness brings better health which help suppress my asthmatic condition. Anyway, I ran 8km in about one hour last night, I am happy I have made such progress. Next month, I will be doing a 10km run in the Saucony 100PLUS PAssion run 2008.