After having a read on JT’s entry on Run, I can’t help but take notice the shape of my life too. Here I am, looking at the spheres of my life – physically, emotionally, spiritually; and what can I say? I need to run myself, to get back into a good shape.

My time here in Melbourne has definitely been a restful time for my mind and health. But therein lies a deeper internal concern that I’m battling and still searching answers for. I think it’s also part of the journey of life and making God relevant in each page I write everyday. There are good and bad moments; also news you hear that clouds your page after and you feel for them. But, all in all, it’s after all my page; that I ultimately revisit when I reflect.

I have lost weight. Not in a good way I think. I think it’s the worries and concerns that I have. In fact, I tend to mix them both up at times. And it affects my health dramatically. I thought at 27, I may have gotten a better grip at life, but really, it seems even harder at this age dealing with the norms of life – forgiveness, putting your foot on the ground, standing firm to your beliefs, being kind, being christlike, being understanding and patient. Exuding qualities that are right and also putting your best foot forward as a grown up. It’s tough.

My time in Melbourne really made me look at some previous moments where I was so much more carefree and full of excitement, there was a SW gleeming with fun. I think he’s still there, but just in controlled moments. It has become unnatural.

Therefore, I tend to run….run away. But it never helps.

Instead, I decided to press on, and conquering a moment from strength to strength has brought some form of maturity and confidence in me. But toying with the fine line of being proud and stubborn. That’s why I have the Good Book, that is why He reminds me of His steps.

I have found a new appreciation for the Psalms. Psalms 23 – 27 and back…n flipping through more of that. It’s real and it’s honest. It’s the everyday struggles we hear and being echoed out by a great man himself. Yet he speaks of my inner most desires and struggles and I really chew on them.

“The Lord in my shepherd…”

yes. He is.

I want to run to Him.
Even with everything that I am carrying.
I need to run to Him.
Daily, I’m praying for a step forward.
Mainly, I tell him I’m coming.
Purely, He has always been waiting.

A tough cardio regime lies ahead in my spiritual build up, to be fitter, I need to be on a stricter diet and more in tune to His will upon my life. Every single notch of decision and seriousness, needs to to have the Big Man for ponder. After so many accounts, I never felt most at ease when I consulted and prayed with the Lord first. Time and time I’m reminded that He is faithful. And He is, and most of all – for every good and bad I went through; it has been most worthwhile with Him.

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Unfortunately I have been facing the same fate as JT in the waistline department and I’m also suffering from the ‘I-can’t-fit-into-my-pants’ syndrome. Yes, it does happen to me also. The challenge is always after meals and you’re sitting down, there’s like a pin like explosion waiting to happen if breathe or eat anymore.

Dang it, I love my food. And I knew I had it covered when I had the gym 4 times a week, with racquet games of tennis and badminton.

I could gloriously munch down and have a great time on court and sweating it out and still fit into mah pants.

Since my shoulder injury, I had no choice but to lay off heavy activities. It’s been over a year now and my physiotherapist has mentioned, that u’re ok to get back into the game. But once bitten twice shy, I am afraid that my competitiveness and seriousness in the things I do will take over how much my body can take. So I have been managing risk and doing the minimal but it’s not helping when I love eating and this trip hasn’t been fully supportive of that.

Melbourne is officially in my POV – a wine and dine place. If any of you like duck – roast duck, smoked tea duck, peking duck….it has the best in the world! that’s for me anyway.

I digress a little. Yeah, I think it’s time for me to get back into shape also. That means pure discipline and hitting the gym and pool hard once again and eating right. It just has to be done and it has to be done fast and hard in 16 weeks and the routine will just ensue.

Like how our national badminton player has been saying that he needs a sting back in his game. I think I need to regain that sting and potency in things I dabble in.

******

Rarely broke a sweat from all this writing, but at least it was commendable effort for a longer entry now. Ok, time for a shower and heading out for Suzuran. This is one Jap food that really packs in more sashimi and sushi than rice. I’ll try to snap a picture yea….of the food, not my aftermeal tummy as mentioned above ;-0

I’m 27 on the 27th.

Right now, I just hear the tram passing by and having just read a bday email wish from my best friend from Boston.

The tendency is always, “what do you want on your birthday?”

I take a more appreciative approach by being thankful to things around me and the people that matter. So now, just thinking of the people who has been with me through the smiles n frowns.

What can I say…I’m 27 and I’m still same ol’ Sw.

Yeah, still no wrinkle but still up for some good ol’ mingle.

Duck rice at Pacific Restaurant
A long day of walk and window shop, finding great fancy at some work of art
Catching up with familiar shadows with a heavenly weather
Two rounds of friendly poker
Heroes Episode 1 – 6
Prison Break next in line
And tonight, a a hearty and juicy steak at The Point.

My unwinding trip down under is taking shape pretty well I must say

Since last thursday, I have been thrashing in long hours plus an extra night on Saturday for research work. It’s a good kind of feel to it I guess. In the span of a week, I learnt about research groups on conducting product concepts, got to be involved and saw the work behind producing an advertisement in this case – offline and online. I also had a chance to dabble once again in the consumer connection program in tapping into the minds of young malays today about passion on what lights up their life and hair. It’s been a pretty beefy week.

Also, I had a nice lil’ surprise (an early one) from Choi Wan & Yee Teng who took me out for an early bday celebration dinner at Jogoya, Starhill. Nice food, and lots of it But what really took the cake home was when the cake came from Just Heavenly’s beautiful masterpiece yet again (I should post a pic of that soon). It was a cake with me sitting by a footstool and a shirt saying Footstool Players, it’s really somewhat personal. Again, I have yet to take shots.

I am trying to fit in a quick entry while sorting heaps of stuff out before I fly off tomorrow night. Yea, heading back down under once again for a 2 year hiatus for 2 weeks. I am looking forward to the break. Got the books I wanna read over there, in case of late night boredness (going to slot in Heroes….sorry, prison break has to wait again) and basically catch up with people, environment, food and myself.

I am hoping to do the following:-

Eat at
1) Squire’s Loft – a hearty hearty juicy steak
2) Movida’s – sangria baby, just sangria
3) Ling Nan – XO Crab Noodle
4) Pacific – the itik, who can forget the itik?
5) I’m going to stop here..coz it ain’t going to stop….

Hoping to watch Miss Saigon over there, it’s been a while since I caught anything. Actually missing out on local scenes today when I used to go frequently with a dear fellow shadow of the round top. But my prayers are there as always.

So first in, first out. Week in week out. I’ll be off and hope to do some reflective writing and reading while I’m there. Snapping heaps of shots too and walk through the familiar paths, brush through the evergreen strands of life and wind that comes before me.

I am going there to meet me, the dude that had found some gems there.

My first offline meeting lasted 3 1/2 hours. At least dinner was provided. Much was learnt and revealed for the first time. Looking at a raw ad being developed and having a chance to comment on pacing, flow, colour and other issues was an identification for me. Glad the little that I know about theatre paid off. E-P-F like they always say

I am also thankful that I’m in a very lean team that allows me to learn and pick up things fast. More importantly, great bosses at the moment who have been understanding and teaching me every step. More so, that they believe in me and give me the freedom to express, create and impress when needed.I am really liking my job and at this moment, can see myself comfortably here. On the flipside, I’m thoroughly exhausted in a good kind of way and needing to balance rest, diet and nutrition. Not forgetting my nagging shoulder injury which has been a great chore but a timely timely lesson for me. I still believe that He is speaking to me through this injury season, it’s been a long season that’s all I can say. Different angle, different treatment – the root remains.

Alas, it’s the end of the day for me. 13 hours of work is done. We begin another round tomorrow and weekend appears in which I’ll be working. No sweat no sweat, I know a lot more people are working a lot harder and longer than I am.

Rest me well, Lord.

I am looking forward to having a chance to unwind with a good meal over the weekend. For now I’ll have my supper dream.

Having a chicken & egg situation?

No, I think it’s a miscarriage.

At first I found the above portrait entirely cute. Then it became somewhat having a tinge of symbolism in it. Now, it reflects some colour of cynicism and jadedness in my life.

Yet, the reality of life is this – once is broken, its broken.

To know that I’m not alone, doesn’t exactly bring me comfort either. This is the harsh reality. Unknowingly, I never the meaning of it all…till now.

All my years of growing up, there’s only this sentence that always and will always keep running through my mind (even when I scribble on a white sheet of paper) – wise men says only fools rush in.