.....times of refreshing.....

wow... I got a nice gift from my mom who came back from US last week after a 2-month vacation there! And, she got me and my kids and wifey some shirts which I have yet to check it out since I just back from JB but my bro, who just got back from Ipoh, passed me a bottle of perfume from my mom. Well, I never use perfume since I got married as I have started using deodorant as I am active most of the time. Thus, a deodorant seems more suitable to me. Of course, during my younger times, I did try on a few perfumes which if I didn't remember wrongly, there are CK one, CK Be, Boss and etc. Since I am more inclined to CK, I choose the bottle of CK Legend. Quite a nice design like a R2D2 shape from Star Wars. hahaha.. I will try it out tomorrow and perhaps the sweet young things will try to be friendly with this uncle. :P




Oh.. I had salad again last Friday as I prefer a quiet place to dine instead of the crowded eateries in SG, even on fast food chains. It's much more quiet at the Saladbox and this time I try to make myself 'fuller' by adding some teriyaki chicken slices onto it, together with some pasta fusilli. That will definitely make me fuller but I still ended up with a plate of fried rice when reached home in JB.


Have a good week!

Have a good weekend!

It's been a while since I dined in restaurants that served Shanghainese food and after checking around some eateries around at Bedok Mall, my colleagues and I ended up at Din Tai Fung. I think that's the first time I have eaten here if I am not wrong. All long I always get my fixed in Crystal Jade restaurants. Anyway, since I am yearning for Wanton noodles, I don't mind at all.

While watching my kids performed during the rehearsal as well as the actual event and service during my church's 50th anniversary celebrations over the long weekend, I must said we have a thing or more to learn from them. Without any stage fright, they just come onto the stage and did what the church teachers had taught them to a beautiful singing and dancing performances. Unlike us adults, we tend to at least if not more, some stage fright before a social event. Definitely, they never think so much and just go out and do what they have learned, even though they may make a mistake or two.  

It was a busy weekend as after the rehearsal and the actual event, we drove off to the malls and reached home late. Though it was fun attending events as well as going around, we finally had a rest day on Sunday and we only went out for an afternoon coffee break. I truly enjoyed my church's service and celebration very much but it's also nice to wind down on a lazy afternoon.

Mushroom soup for my kid ... strange he wanted to have soup in the late afternoon.... hahaha

It's been a while my little princess never ordered her strawberry short cake and there she is again...

I also had some as she can't finished all

My wifey and I shared these kaya toasts while we trying to finish up the kids' meal.

And, Americano for both of us

Have a good week!

Looking forward to the Raya long weekend and spend time with my family, but before that, I have to brave the crowded causeway this evening after work. Wishing all my Muslim readers here a happy EID Mubarak! Stay safe on the roads! :)

It was pleasant last weekend as I took a day off last Friday to make up for the previous weekend for my family, as I was involved in the Sundown Half-Marathon in SG. Well, nothing grand but I did spend some nice quality time with the family, especially the kids. Friday is an off-day in Johor thus my kids enrichment classes are held on Fridays. I usually visited my little princess ballerina classes where I can watched her dance and train in her ballerina steps, as well as enjoying the air-cond. there and checking out some gorgeous moms and ballerina instructors.

However, last Friday I decided to ask my wifey to drop me off together with my kid at his badminton academy as I like to check on his progress. It's been three months since he joined the academy. To my surprise, he improved a lot and was practising his footwork, where when he first joined, he can't even hold a racket properly. It seems a very tough training for 2 hours and he finished his water bottle after an hour. Thus, I went out to grab a bottle of mineral water for him. Anyway, I guess all these physical training is good for his body and health, unlike his dad, yours truly, was a sickly child then.

After all the classes which starts and ends at the same time, we went to Stulang Laut for a bowl of Laksa. This was the first time I am here and I must say that their Laksa was very delicious as well as there are a lot of yong tau foo to choose.

Lots of stuffs to pick for the bowl of Laksa

Its located near to the Pasir Pelangi Istana, in Stulang. Just a few stores there and most are halal including this store.

Yummy... my hearty bowl of Laksa

Seafood Spaghetti for my kid

Fish and Chips for my little princess who shared with my wife

Lamp Chop for me

Ice cream and brownie for my kids to share

There am I... finally did my first half-marathon and in addition, I did it in the wee hours where everybody were in deep slumber. The flag-off time was 12.01am but it was delay to almost 12.30am. Overall, it was a nice experience especially when we passed by the various scenic night views like Gardens by the Bay, MBS, Sports Hub, Marina Barrage, Fullerton Hotel and the Singapore Flyer.

The running singlet for this year's event and my BIB

However, though I'm not a good runner, I was not really in my personal best and it was quite a struggle for me, especially after 7KM. I was feeling tired by then where during my trainings, I still can managed to complete 10KM before feeling the strained. Thus, it was run and walk all the way till the end. I was so jubilated when I saw the 21KM mark and later the finishing line. It was like a dream come true to be able to complete a 21.1KM race. I never thought I will do a HM! I was then running the most from 2KM to 5KM early last year!

The big banner that greeted us

It was almost 11pm + when I reached there and what a crowd at the F1 Pit area

More and more crowds waiting to start the run. There were also some nice booths around which I don't have the time to visit.

Looking up, the beautiful and illuminating Singapore Flyer is like a big jewel ring!

The start of the run was fine with me as I can ran the first 5KM comfortably although while nearing the first 2KM, we encountered the killer stretch already as it was leading to Shears bridge. A lot of folks were walking here and I thought it's better I walked too in order to conserve energy. I continue to run though I stopped during the hydration points but somehow, I was tired after 7KM and though I tried to run, my body seems telling me to stop and walk. There was a lot of folks walking too...hahaha...

My colleague and I ... nearing 16KM with 5KM left ... phew ...what a relief.

The medal I have been waiting for ... so sweet to complete my maiden HM.

Folks resting at the race village at 3-4am as besides cabs,there are no public transports. I guess they waited till 5am for the MRT and buses to start operations. As for me, I booked a ticket earlier for their shuttle service to fetch me to the nearby MRT from my home. Had a big breakfast in McD before going home to rest.

Me and my colleague posing with our medals.

I think I needed to further improve my run in this HM category with more trainings, learn running techniques, workout my leg muscles (I had a light cramp after 15KM) , improve my endurance and mental power. After all, it was a good experience and a very well organised event. I will be back with another HM, likely Standard Chartered. :)

Oh... I was kinda hungry the whole of Sunday somehow and after having chicken rice for lunch at 2pm, I had a Shokado Wazen bento at 5pm. OK la... reward myself.

Tom Yum soup ... not as authentic but good for a fix

Nasi Lemak with fried chicken

Chendol

 Then, after the heavy meal, the can't think straight me stop by for durians despite a full stomach and chose two nice D101. Well, thanks to some basic skills of durian choosing from my in law, I managed to get two good ones which the seller even said if I buy more, I will take away all his good durians... ahem...self-compliment. Anyway, the D101 was fleshy, sweet and small seeds.



And, I complaint of gastric, stomach bloatedness and nauseating the evening , which handed me a MC. :( Lesson learn ... don't over-eat when stress... hahahah...