Brand new day

Had a terrific run yesterday. Nope, I wasn't referring to the timing. Rather the distance 9km! Especially my running schedule was adjourned nearly 2 months ago...

Perhaps my friend is correct to point out that the lack of motivation is my greatest enemy for the long break! Well, almost but not quite entirely... Guess I am still not able to off unwanted baggage from my mind such as work, studies, family issues. As such, I tend to lose my focus easily.

Albeit I have the intention to aim for 2 runs, with one just 2 months away to 6 months from the other at the end of the year.

So the run yesterday had certainly helped to restore my confidence and instill commitment that I need to complete the runs within my target timings.

Hence, it's a "brand new day" to see me through to the rest of the year. For that, I’ll have to seriously adhere to the SMART program constantly preached by the same friend:

- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Reachabe
- Timeliness

People ask me why I’d want to be involved in the long distance run. For me, it's more than just running as it entails heaps of discipline and hard work to achieve your targets. Likewise, in work or studies.

It’s surprisingly inspiring.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Guess what's "new"about life is that it is always so unpredictable... Either swinging upwards or downwards. Hence, the trick is to learn to look at things from an upbeat perspective. Often, easier said than done!

Just take recent happenings at home. Dad has been admitted into hospital for second time during the same month. As much as we try to be optimistic, we couldn't stop worrying about his sharp vicissitudes of fortune. But what's the point? As it does not help. Over the daily hospital visits, our family have grown much closer and stronger. So there's always something positive that one can takeaway behind every dark cloud.

On a national scale, the imminent GST hike has been the talk of the town since the official announcement end of last year. While noting that this is a necessary move to raise revenue to pay for increasing social needs, it will be the middle and lower-income groups that are likely to feel its impact most…

Similarly, most countries have prepared themselves for possible terrorism's attack by beefing up their security since 911's episode. One must say that although it is more time consuming with the detailed security checks, the efforts are certainly well-spent to keep security of the countries in check. It's now part of our life.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life:)

King of wishful thinking

Went to a friend's barbecue (bbq) last Saturday. Had a really fun time, especially after a roller-coaster ride for the past one month. To my fans out there, I like to apologize to my fans for the brief absence.

Anyway, back to bbq, I must say it was one that offered both delectable food and good company. For the latter, I got to know a group of French friends in this social get-together.

Come to think of it, I never have the chance to rub shoulders with French crowd, let alone a decent conversation. Guess I have the misconception that they only converse in French. Much to my surprise, most of them speak quite fluent English. Being gregarious in nature,I took the first move to break the ice and introduced them to sample the Asian food that my friend prepared. And this could spell the start of another international friendship as phone numbers were swapped among the group.

Honestly, I wish one of these days, mankind would be free of language barrier to encourage more interaction globally. Just take English for example, one could have easily misconstrue the language like the following, which I picked up over the internet:

# "Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time." -- A sign in a laundry in Rome.

# "Please leave your values at the front desk." -- A sign in a Paris hotel.

# "Refund!" -- "Caution," as translated into Italian on a "wet floor" sign in an Italian McDonald's.

# "Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar." -- A sign in a Norwegian cocktail lounge.

# "Don't get into this." -- A sign in Japan with the universal "do not enter" symbol

# "Please waste." -- Signs on trash cans in an amusement park in Osaka, Japan.

# "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid." -- A sign in a Japanese hotel.

Just my wishful thinking...