Today is New Years Eve. The last day of 2003. So fast. Not many people are online now, perhaps all of them are at some place on the island with their good pals to do a countdown for 2004. Me? I chose to stay home and do the countdown myself. I've planned to write something on the last day of 2003 for a week and I hope I wouldn't miss out anything tonight.
Today's also the last day of work for me. Took halfday off work and met Rachel around 1430 for a buffet lunch over at Sakae Sushi Heeran. Actually I hoped to meet Weiling, who's working over there. But apparently she wasn't free while we were there.
Time files really. I've worked for another 2 months for Luxasia. That totals up to almost 9 months of work at Takashimaya S.C. this year. That's plentiful. I could still remember vividly that on the third day of work I wanted to quit. I stilll have job agencies ringing my phone everyday with job offers and stuff. Who knows? I ended up with this job for so long.
So long.
Everybody who have met me this year, realised a big change in me. Big. Really big. I change from a bespectacled nerd with WTHITHS (What-the-hell-is-that-hair-style), to someone who finally shows his eyes, which he has been hiding under his glasses for the past 9 years, to all those around him.
He gained fashion sense from the masses who shops in town, colleagues, friends and began to find a hairstyle that will suit him.
All that changes took place in less than a few months. I remembered that day when I went to Tangs for the job interview with Baoxin. After all those months doing nothing at home, I was finally employed. Piror to that, I actually went for a CNY hamper packing job over at Paya Lebar. Started work from 8am-1pm, and made only 6 bucks. I quitted after lunch.
As I began to know my colleagues better, I feel that i'm fitting into the job better. Working 6 days a week, 8 hours a day, I was totally drained. I couldnt fit a ride or a run or a swim into my schedule, and that kinda suck. Then comes the Valentine's Corporate Promotion that I began to mix around with the rest of the stuff from Luxasia, fragrance associates for Bvlgari, Issey Miyake, Calvin Klein and BeauteOne. I began to mix around and time seems to move a little faster during work.
The thing about doing sales at a retail store, is that you have to know how to make time pass fast. Customers will not always be there, so there will not always be work for you to do. You try to find stuff to do, like replenish stocks from the storeroom, tidy up the counter, and talk. Communication is key. Really really important. The management frowns upon promoters chatting during work but that's the only way you make time pass fast and makes you feel that you're going home earlier.
You go to work just to wait to get off work. And wish that payday will come soon.
Is money everything in life?
Then comes a 3 week break from work while I await for my O' Level results. On the day that the results were released, it was nice to meet old classmates after so long. Soon it was my turn. Mister Lau handed me my result slip when I took the seat facing him. I've got 5 Distinctions. But a C6 for English Language. I could have been a sub-10 student if I have B3 for english. But I kinda expected it to turn out this way. My brother had C6 for english too, so it kinda runs in the family?
Heh.
Everything's going the way i wanted them to. 13 points. No fear for getting into CE in NP. I actually went down to Poly Open houses, but decided to get into NP because SP seems to be so rundown and 'no-life'. NP's looks more active and hippie. After all those registeration, 2 in my class went poly, and the rest went to the JC way.
I was called back to work. This time round I asked to work part time. Working just 15-20 days a month allow time for me to train. I was a happy man then. All i wanted was a job to fix nicely into my working schedule, and not forgetting sometime left for play. All work and no play makes me a dull bird.
Ever since I've gotta my Giant OCR3 bike, I began to run less and focused more on road riding. Speed trills. And i love them. Sunday rides over at thomson are never to be missed. Tuesday and Thursday night training rides with my team were great. As I ride more and ride harder, I feel that I'm able to keep up with the better riders on sunday.
I just get stronger.
But i still do run and swim. I used to run at 10pm, after i got home from work doing the afternoon shift. I still do miss those runs with Seng at night, when the night is quiet and cool. Just me on the roads. Somehow when i'm running, I asked myself why I'm doing all these when I could be enjoying myself on the bike, going further than just running to Mount Vernon and back.
I swam too. But only when races are near. Singapore Navy Biathlon was good, had a new personal best. Met up with the teaching folks from MSH, all still as fun and loves sports as I do. I really have to thank the PE departmental staff for bringing multisport into my life.
I've been riding for Team Ascender under Patrick's guidance for almost a year. The road racing season started with the race over at Lim Chu Kang. That was pathetic. With a race as long as 70km, and riding maximum of only 60km on sundays, it was hell. But how lucky can i get? I ended up taking the second position for juniors because other riders crashed and dropped out of the race. I remembered that day when i found out that I've got 2nd is because my name appeared on the papers. Just a tiny little results collumn in the straitstimes.
SACA Road Race 1
2nd - Chui Kit Leong
Now how many people have a chance to have their name on the papers. Heh.
I guess 2003 is a roller coaster ride for me. For the whole world too. US attacks on Iraq. SARS outbreak. Man. It was crazy.
Road Race 2 over at EXPO went on without the Juniors riders because of SARS. They somehow taught that schools got closed down and juniors who are supposingly in school shouldnt be allowed to race. And still remembered receeing the race route so many a time but ended up not racing at all.
Then comes Road Race 3 which was ITT (Individual Time Trial). I've gotten the 4th position. I kinda love time trials. Just you against the clock. It was just a lap of 13km along Changi Coastal Road.
Next was TTT(Team Time Trial). My team has gotten 5th position for Rojak Category(Juniors, Ladies, Vets, MTB). Tagged team with Marc, Zhiquan and Ian. It didnt ended up too well cause Ian sort of blown up and we must finish with 4 riders together. That was quite an experience for Ian i hope.
Highlight of my road racing career. At the prize presentation at TTT, I was presented the Mailot Jaune (yellow jersey) for the first time. The Mailot Jaune is worn by the overall leader in road races, both in TDF and other major road races. Oh boy, there was nothing that can express how I felt while I was pulling it over me. Not everyone can experience that in their life time.
Up come next was NUS Triathlon in August. Being really strong in riding now, I knew the bike leg wouldn't be much of a problem for me. I came off the swim near the rears, blew everyone off on the bike leg (I've clocked the 2nd fastest bike leg for Mens' Tertiary), suffered a little on the run, and came in 6th for mens' tertiary. I was then racing against triathletes for NUS and NTU, and I'm really glad that I archieved that for my first tri so far.
That was my last run/swim so far.
I began to grow stronger on the bike. I found myself able to keep up with the fastest group on sunday, keeping to the front and sometimes even caught myself pulling the peleton for a few moments.
One day, I received a email from Ben and Chan from SACA Road Committee. They asked if i'm interested in joining the youth development team being part of the national team. Another highlight for my racing career this year. It was all so nice. Everything was going well.
Yellow jersey, national youth team offer. Man.
I began to join weekday rides over at the west as instructed by Ben and Chan. Nothing much but similar to the sunday rides but with crazy breakaways and fast tempo. I have to juggle between team training and youth team commitments.
Up next was race over at sentosa cove. Similar route of the bike leg for NUS TRI. I was racing wearing the mailot jaune for the first time, and it feels somewhat good to have all the attention to you. Desmond Lee initiated a early breakaway in the race, leaving me and Mark to a final sprint for the line. I was just a half a wheel behind.
3rd.
It was good that I've lost the position as the overall points leader, as I don't have the pressure on me anymore to perform. No need for domestiques to help in the race. All those pressure for results where gone. Meanwhile Millen who runs his own bike shop at home offers some sponsorship deals which still haven't work out till today.
I still ride on my Giant OCR3 but with a black carbon fork now. Thanks JK!
Big changes to my sporting career. From a crazy runner who did 3 marathons back in sec3, someone who runs everyday, to a full time road cyclist. I certainly found more prospect in road racing than in running. At least in the latter i get my potential spotted and gets noticed. Another reason is perhaps i've burnt myself out after all those stupid long runs alone and really sick of running already. I joined NP track for a few weeks before I quitted. Training track 3 times a week leaves me no time for riding. I know what i want.
I want to ride.
A new chapter begins when a old chapter ends.
Work ended around mid June, making way for adjustments and poly orientation. School started fairly well. At least I got to know a bunch of friends from LSCT during the orientation camp. The camp was exceptionally fun, doing crazy stuff that you will never experience in secondary school or jc orientation. Futhermore, I found out that r32, Leong, was supposingly my senior in LSCT, and we sort of made others believe that we are brothers (We both have Leong in our names). I must say I received pretty good treatment and attention during the camp. Kudos!
My course was dominated by the male species. Lecture of 80 students, with only 14 females. Damned. I thought there should be more female company in poly. Perhaps I entered the wrong course. Studies was easy. Simple. Realy simple. Mostly just revision of what I've learnt in secondary school. Triple science and double maths in secondary school really made my first semester easy.
I could still ride after school. Train as well. I no longer need to do what I did in secondary school, studying every night from 7pm-11pm. I was online everyday, which was prohibited by my parents back then. At most i'll just do some maths infront of my laptop and some last minute mugging for tests.
Everything was fine.
Someone special came into my life. It started on the 21st of Augest and ended on the 21st of October. A two month relationship. Well. First time in love. First time being in a relationship. First time being close to a girl.
I guess everybody arounds me knew what happened. I remembered I wrote a pretty whole lot on this blog after the breakup. They are in the archieve I think. Now when i read back i feel like laughing at myself.
Foolish.
The first time i see myself in such a state. I thought i was strong. I thought nothing can beat me. I'm always strong in races, on my bike. I'm a champion I'm a winner. But i lost this time wrong. I never knew i could cry. I didnt even cry that bad when my grandmother passed away in june this year.
Right now I dont feel like writing so much about it. All i can say that my wounds are healing well, almost done. I really have to thank all those who helped me along the way. My classmates especially Yingli who kept me company during those long nights. Zongwen, Baoxin, Keyi who knocked real sense into me.
I lost the final road race of the year at NTU. I had a crash and finished last. My mind wasnt on the race. She just live outside NTU. Perhaps the crash who good. It woke me up. But I finished the race nevertheless.
'The only way to understand how a relationship works, is to be part of it, see how it ends, and how you are in the ending.'
I was in a wreak.
I can just lie in the bed staring at the ceiling for the whole night.
'In the end, I have to admit such a someday might never come.'
I always laughed at people who kept saying stuff like 'love hurts', and oh, 'takes a min to fall in love but a lifetime to forget' those crap. Now that i've experienced all these then i understand. i was even on the verge of killing myself and ending my life. i'm glad i didnt. thanks pal.
it was good that YC called me back to work during the hols. It took my mind of the matter. I get to spend a good 9-10 hours out of the house. Although I was moody during working days and stuff, I get to talk to my colleagues and share my problems with them, and get advice for them. I'll have to thank them for helping me too.
Going back to the familiar workplace allows me to improve my bonds with old colleagues, and meeting new colleagues and building up friendship too. Christmas sales was good. But i had a week's leave just before xmas which was supposingly for my penang race which somehow didnt work out. That leaves me time to think about the whole matter again and i finally realised that i've waken up from the pits.
i'm whole again.
15mins to 2004. last 15mins of 2003. What do i have to say. I wanted to publish this during the final moments of 2003, and end everything and leave everything behind and start a new year.
New Year Resolution for 2004
- Leave the past behind
- Race and train hard
- Be a nice person
- Expand my circle of friends
Damn. I really have alot to write but it seems that I have to do end it soon.
I'll have to say I really learnt alot for the past 2 months. Really alot. I learnt what's love. You never treasure something until you've lost it.
Everything willl be good next year. Maybe someone else might come along and take my heart away again. I'll wait patiently. It will come when i least expected it.
Have a great year ahead everyone.
*kit-bird signs off
Today's also the last day of work for me. Took halfday off work and met Rachel around 1430 for a buffet lunch over at Sakae Sushi Heeran. Actually I hoped to meet Weiling, who's working over there. But apparently she wasn't free while we were there.
Time files really. I've worked for another 2 months for Luxasia. That totals up to almost 9 months of work at Takashimaya S.C. this year. That's plentiful. I could still remember vividly that on the third day of work I wanted to quit. I stilll have job agencies ringing my phone everyday with job offers and stuff. Who knows? I ended up with this job for so long.
So long.
Everybody who have met me this year, realised a big change in me. Big. Really big. I change from a bespectacled nerd with WTHITHS (What-the-hell-is-that-hair-style), to someone who finally shows his eyes, which he has been hiding under his glasses for the past 9 years, to all those around him.
He gained fashion sense from the masses who shops in town, colleagues, friends and began to find a hairstyle that will suit him.
All that changes took place in less than a few months. I remembered that day when I went to Tangs for the job interview with Baoxin. After all those months doing nothing at home, I was finally employed. Piror to that, I actually went for a CNY hamper packing job over at Paya Lebar. Started work from 8am-1pm, and made only 6 bucks. I quitted after lunch.
As I began to know my colleagues better, I feel that i'm fitting into the job better. Working 6 days a week, 8 hours a day, I was totally drained. I couldnt fit a ride or a run or a swim into my schedule, and that kinda suck. Then comes the Valentine's Corporate Promotion that I began to mix around with the rest of the stuff from Luxasia, fragrance associates for Bvlgari, Issey Miyake, Calvin Klein and BeauteOne. I began to mix around and time seems to move a little faster during work.
The thing about doing sales at a retail store, is that you have to know how to make time pass fast. Customers will not always be there, so there will not always be work for you to do. You try to find stuff to do, like replenish stocks from the storeroom, tidy up the counter, and talk. Communication is key. Really really important. The management frowns upon promoters chatting during work but that's the only way you make time pass fast and makes you feel that you're going home earlier.
You go to work just to wait to get off work. And wish that payday will come soon.
Is money everything in life?
Then comes a 3 week break from work while I await for my O' Level results. On the day that the results were released, it was nice to meet old classmates after so long. Soon it was my turn. Mister Lau handed me my result slip when I took the seat facing him. I've got 5 Distinctions. But a C6 for English Language. I could have been a sub-10 student if I have B3 for english. But I kinda expected it to turn out this way. My brother had C6 for english too, so it kinda runs in the family?
Heh.
Everything's going the way i wanted them to. 13 points. No fear for getting into CE in NP. I actually went down to Poly Open houses, but decided to get into NP because SP seems to be so rundown and 'no-life'. NP's looks more active and hippie. After all those registeration, 2 in my class went poly, and the rest went to the JC way.
I was called back to work. This time round I asked to work part time. Working just 15-20 days a month allow time for me to train. I was a happy man then. All i wanted was a job to fix nicely into my working schedule, and not forgetting sometime left for play. All work and no play makes me a dull bird.
Ever since I've gotta my Giant OCR3 bike, I began to run less and focused more on road riding. Speed trills. And i love them. Sunday rides over at thomson are never to be missed. Tuesday and Thursday night training rides with my team were great. As I ride more and ride harder, I feel that I'm able to keep up with the better riders on sunday.
I just get stronger.
But i still do run and swim. I used to run at 10pm, after i got home from work doing the afternoon shift. I still do miss those runs with Seng at night, when the night is quiet and cool. Just me on the roads. Somehow when i'm running, I asked myself why I'm doing all these when I could be enjoying myself on the bike, going further than just running to Mount Vernon and back.
I swam too. But only when races are near. Singapore Navy Biathlon was good, had a new personal best. Met up with the teaching folks from MSH, all still as fun and loves sports as I do. I really have to thank the PE departmental staff for bringing multisport into my life.
I've been riding for Team Ascender under Patrick's guidance for almost a year. The road racing season started with the race over at Lim Chu Kang. That was pathetic. With a race as long as 70km, and riding maximum of only 60km on sundays, it was hell. But how lucky can i get? I ended up taking the second position for juniors because other riders crashed and dropped out of the race. I remembered that day when i found out that I've got 2nd is because my name appeared on the papers. Just a tiny little results collumn in the straitstimes.
SACA Road Race 1
2nd - Chui Kit Leong
Now how many people have a chance to have their name on the papers. Heh.
I guess 2003 is a roller coaster ride for me. For the whole world too. US attacks on Iraq. SARS outbreak. Man. It was crazy.
Road Race 2 over at EXPO went on without the Juniors riders because of SARS. They somehow taught that schools got closed down and juniors who are supposingly in school shouldnt be allowed to race. And still remembered receeing the race route so many a time but ended up not racing at all.
Then comes Road Race 3 which was ITT (Individual Time Trial). I've gotten the 4th position. I kinda love time trials. Just you against the clock. It was just a lap of 13km along Changi Coastal Road.
Next was TTT(Team Time Trial). My team has gotten 5th position for Rojak Category(Juniors, Ladies, Vets, MTB). Tagged team with Marc, Zhiquan and Ian. It didnt ended up too well cause Ian sort of blown up and we must finish with 4 riders together. That was quite an experience for Ian i hope.
Highlight of my road racing career. At the prize presentation at TTT, I was presented the Mailot Jaune (yellow jersey) for the first time. The Mailot Jaune is worn by the overall leader in road races, both in TDF and other major road races. Oh boy, there was nothing that can express how I felt while I was pulling it over me. Not everyone can experience that in their life time.
Up come next was NUS Triathlon in August. Being really strong in riding now, I knew the bike leg wouldn't be much of a problem for me. I came off the swim near the rears, blew everyone off on the bike leg (I've clocked the 2nd fastest bike leg for Mens' Tertiary), suffered a little on the run, and came in 6th for mens' tertiary. I was then racing against triathletes for NUS and NTU, and I'm really glad that I archieved that for my first tri so far.
That was my last run/swim so far.
I began to grow stronger on the bike. I found myself able to keep up with the fastest group on sunday, keeping to the front and sometimes even caught myself pulling the peleton for a few moments.
One day, I received a email from Ben and Chan from SACA Road Committee. They asked if i'm interested in joining the youth development team being part of the national team. Another highlight for my racing career this year. It was all so nice. Everything was going well.
Yellow jersey, national youth team offer. Man.
I began to join weekday rides over at the west as instructed by Ben and Chan. Nothing much but similar to the sunday rides but with crazy breakaways and fast tempo. I have to juggle between team training and youth team commitments.
Up next was race over at sentosa cove. Similar route of the bike leg for NUS TRI. I was racing wearing the mailot jaune for the first time, and it feels somewhat good to have all the attention to you. Desmond Lee initiated a early breakaway in the race, leaving me and Mark to a final sprint for the line. I was just a half a wheel behind.
3rd.
It was good that I've lost the position as the overall points leader, as I don't have the pressure on me anymore to perform. No need for domestiques to help in the race. All those pressure for results where gone. Meanwhile Millen who runs his own bike shop at home offers some sponsorship deals which still haven't work out till today.
I still ride on my Giant OCR3 but with a black carbon fork now. Thanks JK!
Big changes to my sporting career. From a crazy runner who did 3 marathons back in sec3, someone who runs everyday, to a full time road cyclist. I certainly found more prospect in road racing than in running. At least in the latter i get my potential spotted and gets noticed. Another reason is perhaps i've burnt myself out after all those stupid long runs alone and really sick of running already. I joined NP track for a few weeks before I quitted. Training track 3 times a week leaves me no time for riding. I know what i want.
I want to ride.
A new chapter begins when a old chapter ends.
Work ended around mid June, making way for adjustments and poly orientation. School started fairly well. At least I got to know a bunch of friends from LSCT during the orientation camp. The camp was exceptionally fun, doing crazy stuff that you will never experience in secondary school or jc orientation. Futhermore, I found out that r32, Leong, was supposingly my senior in LSCT, and we sort of made others believe that we are brothers (We both have Leong in our names). I must say I received pretty good treatment and attention during the camp. Kudos!
My course was dominated by the male species. Lecture of 80 students, with only 14 females. Damned. I thought there should be more female company in poly. Perhaps I entered the wrong course. Studies was easy. Simple. Realy simple. Mostly just revision of what I've learnt in secondary school. Triple science and double maths in secondary school really made my first semester easy.
I could still ride after school. Train as well. I no longer need to do what I did in secondary school, studying every night from 7pm-11pm. I was online everyday, which was prohibited by my parents back then. At most i'll just do some maths infront of my laptop and some last minute mugging for tests.
Everything was fine.
Someone special came into my life. It started on the 21st of Augest and ended on the 21st of October. A two month relationship. Well. First time in love. First time being in a relationship. First time being close to a girl.
I guess everybody arounds me knew what happened. I remembered I wrote a pretty whole lot on this blog after the breakup. They are in the archieve I think. Now when i read back i feel like laughing at myself.
Foolish.
The first time i see myself in such a state. I thought i was strong. I thought nothing can beat me. I'm always strong in races, on my bike. I'm a champion I'm a winner. But i lost this time wrong. I never knew i could cry. I didnt even cry that bad when my grandmother passed away in june this year.
Right now I dont feel like writing so much about it. All i can say that my wounds are healing well, almost done. I really have to thank all those who helped me along the way. My classmates especially Yingli who kept me company during those long nights. Zongwen, Baoxin, Keyi who knocked real sense into me.
I lost the final road race of the year at NTU. I had a crash and finished last. My mind wasnt on the race. She just live outside NTU. Perhaps the crash who good. It woke me up. But I finished the race nevertheless.
'The only way to understand how a relationship works, is to be part of it, see how it ends, and how you are in the ending.'
I was in a wreak.
I can just lie in the bed staring at the ceiling for the whole night.
'In the end, I have to admit such a someday might never come.'
I always laughed at people who kept saying stuff like 'love hurts', and oh, 'takes a min to fall in love but a lifetime to forget' those crap. Now that i've experienced all these then i understand. i was even on the verge of killing myself and ending my life. i'm glad i didnt. thanks pal.
it was good that YC called me back to work during the hols. It took my mind of the matter. I get to spend a good 9-10 hours out of the house. Although I was moody during working days and stuff, I get to talk to my colleagues and share my problems with them, and get advice for them. I'll have to thank them for helping me too.
Going back to the familiar workplace allows me to improve my bonds with old colleagues, and meeting new colleagues and building up friendship too. Christmas sales was good. But i had a week's leave just before xmas which was supposingly for my penang race which somehow didnt work out. That leaves me time to think about the whole matter again and i finally realised that i've waken up from the pits.
i'm whole again.
15mins to 2004. last 15mins of 2003. What do i have to say. I wanted to publish this during the final moments of 2003, and end everything and leave everything behind and start a new year.
New Year Resolution for 2004
- Leave the past behind
- Race and train hard
- Be a nice person
- Expand my circle of friends
Damn. I really have alot to write but it seems that I have to do end it soon.
I'll have to say I really learnt alot for the past 2 months. Really alot. I learnt what's love. You never treasure something until you've lost it.
Everything willl be good next year. Maybe someone else might come along and take my heart away again. I'll wait patiently. It will come when i least expected it.
Have a great year ahead everyone.
*kit-bird signs off
