3

I do not understand what I do. It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin. I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

I need to

Stop going to togoparts.com
Stop going to chainreactioncycles.com
Stop talking to anyone about cycling
Stop talking to anyone about bicycles
Stop google-ing bike stuff

Because it's eating me

And be content with what I have :)

Cycling trip

We've been talking about it on and off but it never really took off. Ends up that the organization of this trip was just yesterday. Met Radzali at Bukit Timah NPC (we're policemen after all!). By then, I was ready to go home. Bukit Timah road is a crazy intense road in terms of speed and stress from the fast stream of vehicles. Anyhow, went to Little India to meet Kanesh then the sky was really threatening and true enough it started raining. This is the first time my bike touched water so I thought it was the end of the world. Anyhow rode out the rain in McDonalds.

Rain stopped and we set off for Marina Barrage. Passed by the Merlion at the One Fullerton area so like all the other tourists there, stopped to take pics. The road to Marina Barrage is crappy with alot of sand which the big trucks kick up (onto our face and everywhere). Nevertheless, it was worth it because the barrage was beautiful.

Later went to Clementi for chicken rice which was pretty good (by now you should have figured cycling trips is all about the food!). Went home after that as Kanesh has something on in the afternoon.

By then my bike and clothes had mud all over the place. I baby my bike quite alot so it was quite a horror. Anyhow, gave it a good wipe and lube and keeping my fingers crossed that it will be okay for many such rides like this one to come. It was fun!

hisashiburi

Went to the NAFA theatre today to catch the play: Of dreams, life, and friendship. The theatre itself brought back a lot of memories which were some of my happiest. Playing with the NAFA orchestra some 3 years back at the very same location would be something I'd lock in my heart forever. For me, it was my first public performance, but more than that, it was the peak of my love for the violin and the beauty of all the orchestral instruments coming up from around you rather than in front of you is something very special.

Back to the play! Quanrung didn't leave my ticket under a flower pot after all but sent a really sweet note with it. Seeing little people utter complicated Mandarin faster than my brain could decipher was quite humbling. I am living testimony that 'A' Level Chinese is squat. The themes of the 4 plays were pretty dark though, even despite the occasional comic relief. Anyway, the efforts of all the little people (and not so little people) shone through as they put up a convincing performance and noticed a few teary-eyed after the performance.

P.S: Quanrung, my Mandarin isn't that koyak I managed to catch most of the conversation!! *beams with pride* Glad to see you after a little more than a year =)

12/3/09

Today I finally got to eat okonomiyaki!!! It didn't really taste all that awesome but I wasn't really expecting it to. But it's definitely great to finally eat it after watching Hana Kimi in 2007 where Ashiya and Nakatsu ate at this restaurant where they could cook it themselves and again Maki acting in Teppan Shojo Akane where she is the chef of a Teppan restaurant. A little disappointed that they didn't have ramune but I guess it's not good to have all your wishes fulfilled in a day! Will definitely go back :)

Watched Marley and Me which was my first Hollywood film in about a year I think (was reminded of how long it has been seeing the 20th century fox thingy at the start). I enjoyed it alot too!

Grabbed a whole bunch of people yesterday to watch Departures. The show was pretty good as well but enjoyed the company! Thanks all who came and sorry Kev for having you sit at the end of the row!

20... Day 2

Today should be the last day it feels like my birthday. Went out for lunch with Kevin which he was really nice to treat for my birthday =) Caught up with his family a bit which was nice too like the good 'ol days *shucks I'm really old now :(*

Turning 20..

I didn't think somebody would be able to surprise me twice in 4 days. This just shows what a trusting person I am. It was an Amazing Race in the national library to find my birthday card. Only the host wasn't Phil Keoghan but ASHLEY NG XIN NING. Sorry for being late and causing you all the distress.

After that we tried the Singapore flyer. Passed it a zillion times but that cannot compare to someone who "saw it being built". Anyway, for those who haven't been, it's very tourist-ified but it was pretty fun to be sooo high up. Didn't really feel as long as half an hour either. Wanted to go late evening to see the sunset but wasn't late enough and the sun was hiding behind clouds! Anyway, for all those camwhores in you or camwhores personified, the Singapore flyer is the place to be!