25th August 2020 Run at MacRitchie Reservoir Park - Singaporeans, take a bow. You have arrived !

My run yesterday at MacRitchie Reservoir park was the first, I believe, in 2020. So many things have happened in 2020, with the COVID-19 messing up so many people's lives, livelihoods, physical, health and mental well being, not to mention, crippling businesses, ruining decades of long established industries in Food and Beverage, Retail, Transport, Travel, Leisure, Entertainment, Hospitality, the list seems endless.

I put aside all the negative thoughts and went for the run. Starting from the tree near the performance bandstand (now long unused), I ran 5.2 km inside the track under the forest canopy and reached the exercise station deep in the forest beside the SICC Sime golf course and then backtracking my steps.

I encountered many muddy patches along the way, the trail run was muddy in at least 10 places, some spots being reduced to thick dark brown sludge. But I persisted and made my way past perhaps less than 10 people.

3 groups of people whom I passed along my run were very polite. One couple (or was it a father and daughter ?), even stopped, stepped aside and allowed me to continue at my regular pace and run through the side of the muddy pathway. Another elderly Chinese gentleman, stopped his walk to allow me to canter past me down one of the slippery slopes, and gave me a toothy grin when I thanked him profusely.

The last couple, upon hearing my panting and footfalls approaching them from behind, created an 'arch' between them (like those of raised swords during a marriage ceremony) and let me run past them. It is a real treat, not to slow down and stop during my run as it disrupts my pace first and foremost and secondly, the sudden slowing down and rapid acceleration can do damage to my soon to be 58 year old joints.

So, this post is a shoutout to these Singaporeans, who have 'arrived' when it comes to social responsibility and do give some thought to the other path users - at least those 3 groups of people.

May we continue this positive and uplifting mindset for our society going forward !

Here below is a picture of my muddy Kayanos.

May I be able to run at all the lovely parks in Singapore for as long as I can ! 

 

A Greek Tragedy - A modern day lesson from the first developed country and democracy to go bankrupt.

 

A sad and scary reminder of the perils of overspending and not keeping to fiscal prudence in the modern world.

The cradle of democracy which gave the world the Senate and the democratic government of the people by the people and for the people had hit a very bumpy end of the road.

Watch the video and be suitably afraid.

We should never go down this path, now and in the future. 

2011 Marathon ; I have put on weight ; see my 2011 frame versus 2010 frame

 

I had a look at my past marathon photos, and I have decided that enough is enough. My body's metabolism is indeed slowing and unless I do something about it, the weight in kgs will amass and it will not be good for me.

Therefore, I have decided to take on the challenge to lose 5 kg by this year's end. It won't be easy, but I must do this so that my body can feel the effects of a lighter frame, and hence, possibly run faster.

My BMI is in the overweight range, 25.5 so, I need to get this under control once and for all.

If I have succeeded, I will put up my weight strategy for all to see and give their comments on.  

Tackling weight loss is basically done on numerous fronts :

a) lose the hunger urge to snack

b) Count calories for every meal or snack taken. Keep a food log

c) Exercise more and s a result 

d) Eat the right foods. 

I did manage to lose this amount, some 10 odd years ago, but as the body metabolism has slowed, and my eating has not, I have (sadly) gained 1 kg per year on average.

This is not good, as an overweight body will ultimately lead to lifestyle diseases such as 

a) heart disease

b) high blood pressure

c) diabetes

d) cancer (possibly).

Add to that, my family history of cancer, and I am awaiting a not so good end of life, in the years to come, if I don't do anything to my eating habits, my exercise regimen (not enough), and my sleep and stress levels. 

In the following months I will walk through my journey from overweight to somewhat trim and fit.

Care to join me ?? 

8385 Kheong Saik Street Wanton Noodles

 

Good Value for Money Dry Wanton Noodles ; the friend wanton is 'to die for' 

Situated inside a coffeeshop off Kheong Saik Street is this gem of a Wanton Noodle stall. Run by a young man, his wanton noodle stall is called 8385 and his noodles is the best wanton noodle (Mee Kia - or thin yellow noodles) I have tasted in a long while.

$3.50 for a plate of wanton noodle with 2 friend 'sui jiao's (or dumpling). On Saturday I also ordered the 4 piece dumpling (sui jiao) for additional $ 4 ; Yes the price is indeed steep for a side dish, but this is a 'must try'.

First the noodles. They are prepared with just the right amount of chilli oil, and blanched inside with the right amount of al dente or chewiness. They taste great. In addition, there is enough cha siew or roast pork with cha siew sauce to go along with it. 2 fried wantons adorn the dish.

Add some crunchy vegetables I believe, siao bai cai and a lovely soup consisting of 2 wantons, and you have a lovely breakfast for 1.  

The stall is right at the centre of this coffee shop along Kheong Saik Street. 

I was feeling a little greedy, so I decided to add $4 for the crispy wanton and I got $4 for 4 pieces of fried wanton. The wanton is really hot and crispy, being just fried. The minced pork is plentiful and there are some prawn pieces to complete the most tasty wanton I have eaten in a long long while.

I sidestepped the pork lard bits, so all in all my rating of this dish is :

Time of Dining : Saturday Morning 10 am 

Taste     : 4.8 out of 5

Service :  4.5 out of 5

Ambience : 4.0 out of 5

Overall     :  4.43 out of 5    

8385 Cafe ; inside the 2nd coffeeshop along Kheong Saik Street (some Chinese society 

                    clan associations are situated there)

 

Going Hungry in Singapore

 

Friends are the key to a balanced life

 

5th Aug 2020 dinner with Faisal and Albert 

This year marks 33 years since we came out of formal education, the National University of Singapore (NUS for short).I graduated from that University (now there are 6) in 1987 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), having studied the first year at the campus, and then the next 3 years at the newly minted Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) which was then the engineering arm of the NUS, 

Time has surely flown by in a blink of an eye, 33 years have come and gone, we have started out careers, gotten married, have children, bought and sold cars and apartments, started and closed businesses and sadly in the last 10 years, participated and grieved in the passing of our beloved parents, spouses, friends, colleagues and acquaintences.

Throuh it all, friendships with our long time friends are like wine, the relationship is no longer like the sharp fruity aftertaste of the Sauvignon Blancs, Chenin Blancs or Chardonnays. In fact, it is the deep, thoughtful and circumspect Merlots and Shiraz the Reds which seem so much more smooth and satisfying to the tastebuds.

Long may we keep the good ties, bad jokes, horrible one liners and gentle jibes going on for the longest time. 

   

  

Money Supply M0 M1 and M2 - Khan Academy Primer for my understanding

Fascinating, at my age, I do not even know the basics of economics ; I'm playing catchup