10th Runway Cycling event

Dear Diary,

Yesterday, my family and I participated in the 10th Annual Runway cycing event. Last year, it was onlt me and my Father. My brother was in Australia while my mother was sick then. Though sick, she told me to take part in it. And up to now, I have no regrets in doing so.

We woke up early yesterday and went to Esso to get the tyres inflated. We used the Van because it is impossible to fit 2 bikes and four people into a hatchback- that is of course if you own a "Limo-Hatchback".

We had to pass through this big checkpoint for X-rays and explosives check like like the Airports. After that, we put on our helmets and rode to the starting point as my mother and brother stayed behind for the "bike-swap". It was scheduled to start at 8.30 am but it turned out to be at 8.40am as the Guest-of-honour, Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan was late. My father and everybody else who own bells rang them in sign of protest.

Just like mighty war films, the bicycles charged down the runway resembling Calvaries sweeping off mindless orcs. It was spectacular to watch; and to be part of the Riders of Rohan(well, not exactly). At about 3km from the starting point, the heavens started to leak. Though it poured for quite a while, it did not dampen the spirit of cycling in all of us. Cowards! How could they leave on Battle day itself(haha)!

Finally, I've conquered the 15km route for me. A piece of cake to me; a room full of decomposed Rats for my father. After that, I lent my brother the bike. I cycled again. WhenI was almost reaching the ending point, I saw my mother cycling slowly with the face of a patient with constipation in the opposite direction. I followed her-in the proper direction- and adjusted her gears so that she would have a nice trip back.

And there it was, the 10th Annual Runway Cycling. Despite the arrogant youngsters with their state-of-the-art, $4000 bikes, I have fun.

East Coast Barbeque

Dear Diary,

Last Saturday, there was a class reunion held in East Coast Park. I went there with Jared, Hong Guang and our bicycles. I played with Merry's guitar while Jared and Hong Guang catch up with some friends. I had an arguement with one old childish man which I don't want to talk about it. We headed to Changi with some other friends. We stopped once in a while to watch those simply amazing flying machines lifting off. It took us very long to go back to the Barbeque pit as some of them were tired.

In order to pass the boredom on the way back, we did some synchronised cycling in the shape of an S. All of us cycled in single file and the shape of an S. I was really a sight to behold. We did a 1-lane S, a 2-lane S and a 4-lane s! After that, Jared and I did a high-speed S. We were going in speeds of 40km/h in the shape of an S. It was rather dangerous though. On our way back home, we passed Boat Quay and saw the Singapore River like we have never seen before. It was very calm and we could see the reflections very clearly. Very beautiful might I add.

We followed Hong Guang back to Teban and I bought 2 donuts for myself there (those donuts are really BIG). When Jared and I passed the Science Center, streaks of sunlight were already pigmentating the dark early morning sky. When I reached home, the sky was alreay wearing a light blue cape. What a trip; 101.87km. Makes my dream of cycling in Indonesia more of a reality.

My Dreams: Cycling in Indonesia

Dear Diary,

In order to make my Internet Diary more appealing to donations, I have decided to post a topic titled One of My Dreams. One of my dreams is to cycle in my mother's Hometown, Pulau Bangka http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/south-sumatra/map.html (the island in the middle, shaped like a seahorse).

When I went there during Chinese New Year (read my previous post), I was really truely encaptivated by this Island. Thus I wanted to do something to great on it. That something great is a cycling trip. I reckon it will be the Island's first and hopefully I might set a new record.

I will be cycling from the Island's only Airport to the town of Toboali, all the way to the south. The distance covered will be about 125km. Doing 125km is easy in Singapore, but with the inclusive of steep slopes and uneven terrain the island has to offer, I bet 125km can make one feel like 400km.

For those who "sponsored" me, you will be drop-dead famous when I reveal your names on National Televison. If so happen I have a long break next year, I will execute my plan. Right now, its time for me to study and save some money for my future endeavour.

Sorry for the long absence

Dear Diary,

Hello fellow readers(if there are)! The reason why I have not been updating my Internet Diary is because of 1 very good reason - laziness. Yup. I admit, I am lazy. Why am I lazy? I sleep too much (This is what you get when you do not have school to go). I could have posted this entry last Sunday actually, but due to some minor glitches in my Keyboard, I have to postpone it to today.

Last Saurday, I went cycling with Jared. Since I don't have any Hong Kong drama serials to rush home to, I have the entire night free. Cycling the Orchard Loop was our normal route. A 30km route which covers Clementi, Holland Village, Botanical Gardens, Orchard Road itself. U-turns at Cathy Cineleisure then back again to Holland Road and back home. On that night, we cycled down Orchard Road, followed by Brass Basah Road and then a left turn onto Nicoll Highway. I have cycled on Nicoll Highway countless of times but it was Jared's first

After passing the National Stadium, we cycled straight down on Mountbatten Road not knowing that we must make a turn somewhere along the way. Having a feeling that we weren't going the designated track, I seek advise from the Southern Cross which was so bright and eminent that night. Thus following that Celestial Anatomy, we made a detour and arrived in East Coast Park.

East Coast Park wasn't as peaceful as I thought it would be. It was so noisy, crowded, full of pestering kids and the people there does not even know that footpaths are for people moving around on FOOT and the cycling paths are for people moving around on two-wheeled metal frames! Another thing which made me really want to leave the place were those young, trouble-making and finding Malays. There were so many of them, laughing like hyenas, playing like pigs in mud.

We cycled all the way to the end and found ourselves in a predicament. There are only 2 roads to go. 1 go back or 2 go down the Xpressway, which, is not a very good idea. We discussed where to go and kept on hearing and watching Planes taking-off. Hence our ultimatum, to go to Changi. We crossed the Filter road of the Xpressway by pushing our bikes across. After that, we paddled and paddled for "I don't know how many kilometres"; but it was long. Finally, we reached Changi. After that we went back home. Thus setting a record new for me 98 kilometers in a day. I was happy and very tired.

Working for my Father; awakening my future

Dear Diary,

Hello, apa kabar. If you have already read my previous posts, you should that I am an unemployed civilian not doing any good for Singapore's economy. Oh yea! But for now, I have already discarded that wanderers way of life. I have finally decided to do something, which is to start getting out of the house for some "fresh air". I admit job-searching isn't my forte, thus I've decided to ditch that idea and work for my father. Though I don't earn much cash, I earn a lot of knowledge. As the saying goes; knowledge is POWER.

I am building my foundation now, when the time is right, I will build my body of the building. But not the canopy. But darn, its a real pity that I can't go into Poly. I have to waste 1 more year. But who knows, it might be a blessing in disguise. Oh ya, I had fun today while working with Uncle Isac and Uncle Sor. We met some clients who think that just because they drink wine and have Ang Moh patrons for the Cafe gives them the right to look down on people. A quote from me: Life is like a Rally circuit, not a test circuit. Thank you. I have a Cold Room project tomorrow. Ought to sleep early. Early being 1.10 a.m.!!!

Christian Rock Concert

Dear Diary,

I went to a Christian rock concert just now. It was my second time attending a concert. The first concert I attended was 2 years ago. It was more of a gig. Many local bands perfromed. It was not bad though. But, the crowd were mostly Malays. I was like one of the few Chinese over there. I am not not being a racist, but the Malays there were Mats, Punks, Skinheads and trouble makers.

Today, the crowd was different. Most of them were Christians. When I went inside the waiting room, already had I have a ominous and awkward feeling. I was really really uneasy. The people and the ambience just kept on aggravating my state of mind. I felt like a living sacrifice soon to be thrown into a volcano. Why?

Firstly, all of them come from good, reputable and rich schools. Which; people like me hate and dislike them. In fact, most of of people I know share the same opinion as me. Secondly, I don't know how to mix and communicate with them. Its like I am much older them them. They dress, behave and speak more like a teenager than me. I hate their hairstyles, hate their actions. Honestly saying, I hate almost everything about them. Lastly, I am afraid that they might ask me to join Christianity. Phew! Luckily they did not.

Thanks heavens my tuition friend Terrence was there to acompany through the entire ordeal. Well, the music was great. Just that the lyrics are directed to Christianity. I left very early as I wanted to watch the last episode of a Hong Kong serial on Channel U. That's about it. Bye

On a Yamaha FizR before leaving for the Airport.  

My god-grandfather selling noodles. 

A very old bus. 

My family in Toboali, Bangka 

Adrianos & I in Taman Bunga, Puncak 

'O' Levels

Dear Diary,

It has been almost a month since my 'O' level results came out. Frankly speaking, I am quite proud of my results. I thought I had done it badly. When I was in Jarkata, I dreamt that I got 34 points. Luckily when "D-Day" arrived, I got 21 points for my L1 R4. Pretty neat. However, I failed my Mathematics. At first, I thought that it was not much of a problem as English is more important than Mathematics in Polytechnic application. 2 years ago, my brother failed his English and got A2 for Mathematics. No Polytechnics accepted him. Because they said; "Oh, if he fails English, he can't go anywhere."

Now, I got A2 for English and D7 in Mathematics, no Poly courses welcomes me as well. My father and I went to the Polys for appealing. They said the same thing as well, with an added twist. "Oh, if he fails Mathematics, he can't go anywhere. But if he fails his English, passes his Mathematics, his can enter Poly." What? Hmm, sounds different 2 years ago... The HELL it does! Anyway it's no use complaining, because we will never win the MAN. Oh F.Y.I, I am going to Clementi ITE. And don't all of you dare look down on ITE people.

Okay, education aside. Khiu Zai, if you are reading this, Hello! Right now, I am looking for a job. I need money desperately. Although time on my side now, I am not doing him any justice. How I wish I can go to Indonesia. Well guess that's about it. Bye.