PE teacher's Exam Blues...

I need more pictures to upload cos these days apparently without any pictures people won't come to your blog. Anyway, the past few days has been rather dull, its not been the same without lessons and little action in the pe room. Everyone's walking around from class to class just enduring the day for invigilations. Spent alot of time talking to my colleagues though. Been fun knowing all the tips and tricks that they use to pass by the time at work. They would warn me that it can be rather stressful during the killer terms in term 1 and 2. Everybody would get sooo worked up and markings would be up to their deskload, not forgetting the committee work that we will be put through. Part and parcel of the experience they say, cause it can't get any worse.. Or can it? I'm pretty glad im starting to write again on my blog so I know my thoughts can be put out somewhere in the world to see. I won't really bother putting it up for the public to see but well, if there are people in the world interested then feel free:) Training has gone to another level for me because I've been focusing alot on strength training with calisthenics and other body weight exercises. Its my own personal experiment to test and see whether it can change my physique and surprisingly i've been observing results. My running fitness has been rather disappointing knowing that I've stopped running since the end of the 10k AHM race. It was one race I would not want to register for again. Got injured, lousy routes.. Just not the experience I would want for a race. I'm going to focus on my basic form again and emphasize on improving my aerobic fitness. I can understand why anyone needs to put in the discipline to train for triathlons. It can be a lonely road where few would ever thread and the road to success can be a roller coaster ride. Looking forward to my next post. Till then, paddleswimcyclerun to you!

Rantings of a Physical Education Teacher

It has been already 3 weeks since I started my new career as a Physical Educator and it has been a real eye opener to the world of school from behind the scenes. I know for sure that my lifestyle has taken a step in a positive direction and I've been regaining my health and vitality being in this position as compared to my previous occupation. My exercise regimen has been critical to my comeback in sports since the day I ended my competitive paddling days in University. Who knew I would start to pursue triathlons as part of my fitness goals. I've been able to do most of the things I so long had a passion for, creating for myself goals to exceed my physical limitations. Work wise, its been so different and the realities of working in the civil service shows its facade in a different light. Teaching Physical Education in schools has never been tougher in these times where few recognise physical education as an inclusive part of a child's development and parents see the need to focus on the child's head instead of their bodies. Met wonderful colleagues who share with me the ups and downs of teaching, be it in PE or their other subjects; the bits and pieces of being a teacher in a pressure cooker environment that is prevalent in Singapore's education system. Well this post shall be a new beginning to a new era of my adventures as a Physical Educator and my pursuit of excellence in fitness and health. The pursuit to my dreams of inspiring the next generation.

My New Year Resolutions

Well, it seems to be that time of the year where I start to recollect my thoughts about how I'm going to bring to action my new year resolutions. I guess I don't have any real resolutions apart from just making my last semester the best one i ever had. Its going to be real tough, but I know I can make it as fun. Too many excuses of too little time is really no real excuse. I think time can be better managed doing something worthwhile.

Having a chat with ZM really helped my realign my thoughts. I guess what he did mention was true, in all sense of the word and many of those thoughts in the past still lingers on. i still miss those days of cheerfulness, happy go lucky days where a day passes without the thought of my future. Though my future may look dismal now, I suppose thinking about it positively won't hurt either. It'll help to bring back the motivation I've lost for the things I've always wanted to do.

I'm glad I've started to be more conscious and attentive about the things I'm doing. Its really making me start to be very very focused. I guess i can't help but stay busy. Especially when the girlfriend herself is busy. I dunno how things will go but it seems pretty blunt the way I see it. I'm just going to take it a step at a time to see how things will go from here. Life is too short to be worrying about stuff. i need to live it the way I like it.

Here's to a GREAT 2011 for me!! I wish myself all the best of luck and happiness for the great things to come! Cheers!!

The world of Marketing

I think its gonna be a challenge to keep up with the meetings and deadlines but that's the way it is. I need to get really lucky for the upcoming presentations if I were to get as close to a B. it is really mind blowing how students like us can come up with so many business ideas. Going through them, I know there must be some way, someone will pull out something out from these ideas and make this idea a reality. Well, the F&B industry is really tricky, knowing that consumer tastes change so fast, you won't know what's the next big thing. Frolick is now a thing of the past and Koi became the future of take away. Its really amazing how people's choices change so fast. Its as if something or someone is pulling them to make these impulse decisions to spend money when they know they don't need to. I can definitely conclude and positively guarantee, that no one ever is rational when they buy anything. They may say its truely rational, but only people like us know that humans buy based on pure emotions. Its scary but extremely exciting. the world of marketing.

Staying focused

It wasn't really a good day today, especially since I started sneezing since I woke up in the morning. Runny nose seriously spoilt the mood for almost everything I wanted to do today. Luckily my plans were not ruined because of the flu bug, if not I would have very likely stayed in bed doing nothing. That was something I didn't want to happen.

Fortunately I managed to finish quite a bit of research for the presentation and alot of it on how to measure advertising effectiveness. Really insightful research and rather interesting. But I bet the work can be really difficult. Yet, I wonder if it can be feasible to make money from collecting information, processing it and extrapolating these information into pieces of information that can be acted upon. That would really work for a business idea. I should work on something like that, once I finish up this next business idea i'm doing on the side lines.

I feel very accomplished doing the stuff I'm doing these days. It seems to become a habit doing things very proactively and just getting about to do it when I think about it. I can feel my life becoming more and more fulfilling each time I just take action to do it. Well, the next step now is to get myself incorporated ASAP! before I miss out the chance to do it. Take too long and I know the enthusiasm will die, I've been there and I don't want it to happen. I just gotta make the enthusiasm flow like water running from a tap. I just need to focus.

I guess I gotta start writing the stuff that I want to do and set out to achieve them within a specified date. I need to make myself focus using goals. For real this time. All that talk would go to waste if I dont make a list of what to do. I know and I will do it since its the way the success. Staying disciplined and focused in whatever I am doing.

SRR 2010

I guess if there was one thing in life that I feel excited about, I still feel excited about racing in a dragonboat. Nothing can beat the feeling of water rushing past the you at top speed, using every molecule of energy to propel yourself forward toward the finish line. The adrenaline rush, the sights and sounds, the feeling of the competitors inching neck to neck towards the finish line. Nothing ever gets close to the exhilarating feeling of elation after completing the race, with paddle in my hands and no energy to carry them. Every stroke of the paddle just sapping an unexplainable amount of energy from me and my buddies. No other sport can even come close to the spirit that it brings out in a group of men.

The weekend was a great time for the juniors and seniors alike to have a taste of things to come. To have a taste of defeat to make them pursue the winning mentality. To build the love for the sport that has always been my passion since I started it 7 years ago. 7 long years but the passion never died. It almost did, but I'm glad I reignited it. Its only right that the fallen will rise again. Like I did with all my heart and soul. It may not be the one that I win medals. Yet, i know it was the best that I spent with these juniors who show much promise in them.

God, please spare this team from defeat in future. For they need your help and encouragement to survive through this period of struggle. I will do my best to see them through. I will be their guiding light for as long as I can.

Back to writing again..

I realised I haven't wrote on this blog for eons and I realised Iknow I should write more to bring out what I have to say for the rest of my time on this Earth. I haven't been fair to myself when I know I have the ability to create more than I imagine I could. It hasn't been an easy ride since a year ago. but it really has been a very very exciting journey indeed. Let's try to start this journey of writing again. Because I know I'm worth every word I say. I'm better than I will be yesterday because I will be a better me tomorrow. Let's start afresh, new life, a new beginning with each post i start. Let me relive the passion to write again.

My life has never been so eventful ever since she came into my life. As far as she may be, I guess that is a reason for me to really think about my commitment to someone again; believing in love in a long distance relationship at least for awhile more. I never knew she would be that accomodating, so loving, its bitter-sweet this relationship where both are on different continents.

Its going to be a hectic week I know. Every time I have to squeeze into doing this and that. But I chose this life and I never regretted any part of it. I've been living life just like how I wanted it to be. Unpredictable, on the edge, over the top and full of zest. No one else can have such a life like mine. There is only one of me and I know I am that special in this world. You are amazing! You are fantastic, You will make the world a better place! Sahfahri is the coolest person aive!

Welcome back Saf!!

The team. My team

The team has reached a level beyond any other.. I find myself in a space where I would not usually see myself in. A level where passion is overriding all form of logic. I'm starting to feel for the team in ways I never would have imagined. I have given too much to give it up. If all this effort comes to naught, I will still pursue this dream with endeavor to fulfill my ultimate dream. I love this sport to bits. I eat, sleep, breathe it.. Its so much a part of my life, its too much to take away. I believe in the team. I believe in everyone that gives their all in that very boat I row, for I will row with every might I have to cross that finish line in perfect fashion. As winners in our hearts and minds, as brothers who have come a long way to where we are today. Aggression. Adrenalin. Put these two together and nothing can stop us. I believe. I believe.

Ready, Aim, ROW!

Dragon boating has taken on a newer meaning in my life ever since I took it up in Polytechnic. I believe its true that dragon boating is not actually a sport, its almost well like a lifestyle. I can't wait to head down to Kallang on Saturday to start training again. It feels like forever since the last time I was in the water feeling the waves in my face. Maybe the exams were a good time for me to refresh myself for the end of the season finale to the June race. Let's push on to the finals! June race here I come!

I can't believe I chanced upon this site!!

I chanced upon this site while I was randomly surfing online. It grabbed my attention because I found it very novel and really cool how they organise the site with real information on how they actually do internet marketing. I couldn't believe it when I looked it up and registration was actually free. Well, I've signed up for an account and I learnt quite alot about internet marketing really. I think like they say, the internet is really creating waves in the business community. Thought people would be interested to check it out. Well here's the link for you to see!!
Click here!!!


Have a nice day to everyone reading my blog!!

The craziest dragon boat team mates.

When you're rowing in a boat full of asses, expect that we will row the race like asses.. LOL. I can't believe we still got 2nd despite the cock ups. It was fun though. I can smell the cookie coming.. haha.. it was really fun..

Time I posted up new stuff again!!

Been a long long while since I posted anything up. I guess I've been making too many excuses to post anything new since I entered NUS. Well, if you don't mind this being a long long post.

The past year in NUS has been really enlightening for myself, knowing that it would be a great challenge entering one of the the best Universities in the land. I learnt alot about myself, the people around me and most of all, about the world around me. I have never thought learning in Uni would be so enjoyable; less the tests and exams of course. What I mean when it came to learning is not necessarily in terms of academics but in terms of my ability to push myself further.

Honestly, I have never really thought I would even live the type of life I would be living in Uni now. I thought my Uni life would indeed be a quiet one where I would roam around from class to class without the intrusion of "people" whom I deem too smart for me to "acclimatise" myself to. Well, I was wrong.

People are University are a practical bunch. Some study really hard, oblivious to their surroundings in the pursuit of grades. Others are really the opposites. They play so hard, they almost totally forgot they're students. Others are just the in betweens. I'm one of them. I really love Dragonboat, but guess what I mug like an idiot too. haha..

I have never believed that I would get into the NUS. Guess what, I'm in NUS and I'm actually rowing for my dream team. Whether I would win any "cookies" or not really depends on whether I would build up my own dream team with my batch. I believe we can. I believe with all my heart we can win those "cookies" aka medals. Btw it seems inevitable that I would pursue this even in Uni even though many thought it would be ridiculous to do it after poly. I have never really thought about it at all I guess. So many of my best friends whom I really can depend on came from dragonboat. I really didn't know what would happen if I didn't continue pursuing this sport. I'm making a guess that if I continued playing soccer all the way when I was 16, I think I may have quit studying. It's a trait Mats just have. Quitting school and playing the guitar.

The NUS dragonboat team has been a joy to train with considering the guys that have been making training ever so fun. Darryl aka Fat boy got the GAY thumbs up when I found his long lost best employee of the month for NUM picture online. Adrian Soh gained his latest title of King of King Edward aka KKE after the last run on the route. Wang Chen defnitely got the best award for most humourous China man ever in the NUS dragonboat team not withstanding that he's the only China man. haha. Glenn the Man, Filbert aka Bird Bird and Aayush aka "Aryan" adds up to the fun when we row on the boats and when we lift the iron in the gym. Not forgetting Amos "the Diva" lawyer and Ian aka "mr best skin" who totally rock the scene with their dance moves.

Well with the semester coming to an end, I hope more of the fun and laughter peace and joy comes my way. Looking forward to my internship with REDSPORTS to try out sports journalism. It's gonna be hard but I'm glad I'm taking it up. Time to head back to my books soon cos i'm way behind time!!

Time moved on so fa

I messed up again..

Sigh.. I messed up when i shouldn't have. I didn't know why i had to say those things but I just know that they were really selfish words. I know she cares but I don't understand why I need more from her when she already has given so much? I need to just knock my brains out everytime I do this. I miss her badly. I wished I hadn't been so selfish. Why did I have to do that? Why?

I survived NUS.

It seems only like a short while ago since I blogged. But it felt even longer than before. Looking at those results only further emphasizes the reality of grades in the lives of every Singaporean and their pursuit to get the ultimate degree everyone is looking for. I dread doing exams because it just does not justify that someone is good at work just because of his or her grades. It just does not prove anything. I doubt the system but yet I have to go through with it for the sake of a piece of paper. A piece of paper that many still believe hold the key to their success in Singapore. It's a different world out there my friends. One that does not believe that grades count at all. I will prove otherwise that success can take another form not only in terms of grades. I know that this is not the end of it all.

NUS RAG and NDP

Starting my journey into NUS could not get any more exciting as this; NUS Bizad FOC followed by Bizad O-WEEK followed by NUS RAG & FLAG day. Though the past few weeks has been a topsy turvy ride, I think NUS rag day helped to raise my spirits altogether. I was expecting much more, but how can I expect much more from a a faculty that has only 600 freshies as compared to the thousands in the other faculties. The Bizaders did great coz we won the President's Overall Challenge Shield again! I'm glad we did coz it proved how much more we juniors need to prove ourselves to defend the shield again next year. I took some photos of the event. It was really kinda cool!





























NDP 08 is like tomorrow and I'm feeling abit jittery about it. Maybe because it is going to be on live television and the whole of Singapore is watching. Still, the show has to go on and I think it will be a good show nonetheless. I'm glad I'm participating in the show as an ensign. I know I'll be proud to know when I look back that I was involved in the National Day parade holding my unit's colours.

I'm looking forward to National Day with happiness and pride as well as with sadness in my heart. I think I got my just deserts for breaking my promises to others in my teens when the person broke every promise she ever made when we broke up. I'm still feeling the pain as much as I tell myself I've moved on. Sometimes I wonder whether I can open up my heart ever again. I'm tired but I got to look forward to something new. I hope there will be something new to erase those sad memories.

Its too late..

I'm holding on a rope
Got me 10 feet off the ground
I'm hearin' what you say but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me then you go and cut me down
But wait
You tell me that you're sorry didn't think I'd turn around and say:

That it's too late to apologize
Too late
Said it's too late to apologize
Too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall, take a shot for you
I need you like a heart needs a beat, it's nothing new
Yeah
I loved you with a fire red now it's turning blue
And you say
Sorry lord, the angel heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid

It's too late to apologize
Too late
Said it's too late to apologize
Too late

I'm holding on a rope
Got me 10 feet off the ground

Surprise surprise

I googled my name for fun and guess what I found. Article of me way back in Sep 07.
Nice to see that MINDEF took notice.. :)

Fulfilling a dream

You could say that Officer Cadet (OCT) Muhd Sahfahri Bin Supar's dream has come true.

Even before his enlistment into full-time National Service, he had "aimed to come to OCS because [he] thought it was an opportunity to show [his] potential as a leader, not only in the SAF, but in the future."

And he has, indeed, made good, going on to win the Best in PT award.

"I feel very privileged and honoured to get the award, considering that there were many others who were fitter than I," he revealed.

OCT Sahfahri said the most marked change that he had noticed about himself - becoming fitter - was "a reward in itself".

Together with 194 other OCTs, he was commissioned at the SAFTI Military Institute on 8 Sep, at a parade reviewed by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

In his speech, Dr Yaacob reminded the OCTs that "professionalism seldom comes naturally or easily", congratulating them on their success in the cadet course, which he felt "bears testament to that drive and the will to do [their] utmost under the most adverse of conditions".

To graduate from OCS is no simple feat. Over the course of 38 weeks, cadets underwent a series of demanding and realistic training exercises, as well as advanced obstacle courses and exacting physical training.

In the face of these challenges, OCT Sahfahri did not falter, and said that it was all "manageable".

"OCS has put in a very good programme of progressive training which allows the cadets to gain fitness without pushing them too hard," he said.

Out of the 194 OCTs commissioned were four who hailed from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Cyberpioneer spoke to OCT Mohd Hishamuddin Bin Hj Marzoki, one of the four Bruneian cadets.

"It was the first time I was away from my family," he said. "But after these nine months, I’m used to it."

What really helped him to settle in was the hospitality of his Singaporean friends, whom he found "really very friendly and very helpful".

According to OCT Hishamuddin, he would "always hang out with [the Singaporeans] and get to know their Singaporean culture."

But regardless of where they come from, both OCTs Sahfahri and Hishamuddin share a common bond: their time together in OCS.

Last updated on 11 Sep 2007

Dead..

I felt like I just died. A part of my soul leaving my body for good. Never to return again. I feel like I just died an instant death where I got myself stabbed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I felt like I just died, when I thought my dreams were coming true only to find out it was actually a nightmare. I felt like I just died from a sudden heart attack I could never have fathomed of experiencing. I got caught rooted to the spot; where there was nothing I could do to turn back the hands of time.

I'm tired. I don't understand. It seems like I can never understand why fate has dealt me a similar blow as my past. Somehow I still believe all this a test. A test of my courage and fortitude to pursue bigger things. Yet somehow I can't easily let go of these feelings. I used to blame others alot but yet I have seen nothing wrong to blame except myself for giving myself that inch of hope everyday. I got myself to blame for hoping.. I'm tired. Dear God, what have I done wrong. Why do u let me taste success in everything else except the one I truly treasure? I'm tired.

-heartbroken

Mixed feelings..

I'm going into University fairly excited yet I'm quite nervous about starting school all over again. I can't imagine myself going through the system like I did in polytechnic and I don't really know if I can do it at all. I'm feeling a bit dejected. I could say totally over-awed by the people around me, my new surroundings and my next phase of my life. I think I am afraid of facing the civilian world again after getting so used to the Army for the past 2 years of my life. I'm not sure whether life after ORD is really the life I've been looking forward to at all.. I am having these mixed feelings because I don't really know what I want to look forward to in school at all.. Other than getting the grades, I felt I already accomplished what I wanted to do in Polytechnic. So will I get to do something different in NUS? Honestly, I'm not sure. The anticipation is keeping me on my toes until the day I start school. Till then I'll just have to count the days down to the day I hang up my rifle for good.

Meeting that someone new has been emotional; both in its good ways and bad. I really hope for the best, for I there is nothing else I'd rather do then to be with the special someone for as long as I can. I hope everything will soon iron itself out. She's too good to be true. She's really too good to be true. Somehow I think I'm not even good enough for her. I can't match up to her. Yet, I hope I can give her all I can give. :)

NDP continued..

I am already feeling lethargic from all the marching from the NDP rehearsals as well as the actual parades on the saturdays. Somehow I wish it would all end sooner. I know the National Day Parade is the biggest parade in Singapore's calendar year, but mark my words it is no mean feat. The people we have to deal with becomes the biggest challenge for anyone involved in the NDP when conflicts arise from the many who are so enthusiastic about making the parade the best. It can be pressurising for anyone brought under the limelight to perform in front of 27000 pair of eyes but what gives me the most pressure is when I see different faces in a makeshift team that is incapable of performing. I am very much a team player and I really hate to see things like this happen, yet it is truly beyond my control. I wish for the NDP to be the best performance for the colour party especially because it will be on live television. More so because it will be my final contribution in my short but eventful career in the armed forces. I hope there would be more of the adrenalin rush to come in the next few performances. I hope I will see the best of the colour party on that very day of 9 August.