Mornings at Willing Hearts

Finally got down to doing some volunteering at Willing Hearts, this time alone cause it was race season so a lot of the folks were busy elsewhere.

Delivered food to this house where the auntie sold ornaments to make ends meet, her living room was littered with stacks of CNY decorations and the walking space was very narrow.

Was about to knock on her door when she stepped out all dolled up. She smiled and took the food and placed it in her kitchen, then followed me down the elevator.

I asked her where she was headed and she said she was going to the Taoist temple nearby to meet her friends for fellowship.

I smiled and said wouldn't her food be cold by the time she comes home, to which she replied "In life, personal (material) things such as food can wait, the prayers and fellowship among my friends come first today."

And just as she finished her sentence, the elevator door opened and she waved goodbye and happily trotted along on her way.

I don't know why but that sorta made my day

Kitten Therapy

Doesn't need further explanation.

Allen & Alinea - Recreating 3 Michelin Star Dishes at Home

One of my favorite short videos I've seen this year, it may not speak much to you but it speaks to me in terms of one man's quest to make good food in his own kitchen.

It's rather inspiring and yes it's an obsession. I would love to try this some day, but perhaps I'd be happy to just do one dish.

It's really amazing the time and effort it takes to make a dish and it really makes you appreciate what lengths these restaurants go through to ensure they produce something truly unique and worth your dining experience...even though it's going to cost you.

Supporting the Great Eastern Women's Run 2014 (Running Department Style!)

I was invited by Raymond and Larry from the Running Department to join them last Sunday to help with a support station down at the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome to cheer on the runners from the Great Eastern Women's Run 2014.

I wasn't sure if I could make time for it in the beginning, but I set my alarm and found myself up and ready at 5:30, packing my stuff and making my way down to meet the rest of the Running Department crew.

The support group were split into two, the 10km run supporters and the 21km run supporters, I joined the 21km guys and there were plenty of people around that morning, with loads of drinks and treats to ensure the runners passing through were motivated for their last 3km stretch.

I, as usual, whipped out the camera, this time with the 45mm f1.8, to shoot the participants who were passing through that morning.

There are just too many to share so I will try and keep the photos to a minimal (30+ photos for a blog entry isn't minimum of course)

The guys at RD were all out this year, screaming their lungs out and cheering as many runners as they could, with signs, whistles, and endless yelling, it was so spontaneous and so much fun!

Of course, one of the main reasons for the support station that day was to cheer on the RD women pacers who were in the race, I didn't manage to grab any good photos of the entire group except for the last group (2hr 30min) cause they had the least number of runners blocking their path.

The entire event came to an end, with the runners gathering at the Floating Platform for one group photo before heading off for breakfast.

Joining the folks at RD for the support station has been a wonderful experience, I can't say I did much, I merely walked around and took pictures, not exactly tending to the participants, but the atmosphere reminded me why I enjoy hanging in clubs like this as well as the NB Runners, when you hang around good folks, you learn to live on the positive side of things.

All in all an awesome event. =)

The Hundred Foot Journey

An absolutely beautiful movie, not just from the food perspective but the story as well. I went in expecting little and came out very happy I caught the show.

Package Received

Got a text from my officer back in Jurong Camp regarding a mail he wanted to send out to my address, I didn't know what to expect, but after awhile it finally reached my door step, and it turned out to be key chains!

He's a proud Fuji owner and takes really awesome photos, and since he had no use for this, he figured to pass it on, a really nice gesture! I actually have a set already, but hey, the more the merrier.

Thanks Sir!

Sun. Sand. SEA

Sun(day) at the Beach (Sand) followed by a trip to the SEA (aquarium).

Okay a bit trying too hard to get a blog title going, but there.

Sunday was a Tier 0 outing in celebration of Colin and Uncle Tony's birthday. The plan was a beach out followed by a trip to the SEA Aquarium, and then dinner at Chili's.

The beach out was a pretty fun one, we were very unprepared but that was partially the beauty of it wasn't it? A lot of shopping was done at Giant followed by a drive into Tanjong Beach to set up.

We had even gotten a volleyball and frisbee just for keep us entertained.

The next stop was to the SEA Aquarium, though I had been there before, the rest didn't, and since I had gotten passes to the place recently, we decided to visit the attraction.

This time, armed with a better camera, it was easier capturing some of the sea creatures and fishes in the place compared to my other visit. I particularly like the one of the Lion Fish, which turned as a snapped the photo, what a random angle. =)

The day concluded with dinner at Chili's, it was your typical western meal but I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

It's been awhile since we had a good Tier 0 outing that involved something out of the ordinary. Time definitely well spent!

Bukit Timah Summit Running

Did a solo site recce this morning to check out the condition of the ascend from Dairy Farm to Bukit Timah Summit, pretty happy with the distance though I was pretty tired from lack of sleep these past few days.

Got to finally try out the Compressport calf guards as well...I've never really had any impression of compression wear, especially for the tights, but the calf guards really do help, pretty good stuff!