Car Engine Stalled

 Just when I was almost reaching my house this moring, the car-engine's sign appeared on my dashboard and the car seemed to loose power! Arrhh!!.

I was wondering what has happened? So, I drove around for a while to decide what to do. Stop, switched off the engine. Wait for a while and then started the engine again. Nope, there was some fault. As the car repair shop is next to the petrol kiosk which is opposite my house, I decided to drive there and ask the mechanic.

I left my car with the mechanic and went home, after giving him my phone number. I tried to check on youtube and google to see what is happening and whether anything serious has taken place. 

Hours later, the mechanic called and told me that the spark coils and spark plugs have damaged.

So, sometimes thing happened when you least expected. As I prayed about this, "Why this must happened to me?" Well, be thankful that it happened just when you reach the mechanic and get it fixed for you. Imagine, the car stalled at the expressway! Then, more problems of finding the car agent and calling the tow truck to bring the car to the mechanic. 

And so, I am thankful, the car is fixed within a few hours and not much of a hassle. Although it is painful to pay for the repair.

This is part of life. Bad things can happen anytime. Be thankful and be grateful for any help that come with it.

Agape 

Macritchie Treetop Walk

Surprisingly, even when I arrived at the Windsor Nature Park @ about 1pm today, there were many people going to Macritchie trail. Perhaps, people came in the afternoon because it was raining during the morning. The trail was muddy and slippery.

OK, Windsor Nature Park is connected to the Macritchie Reservoir and nearer to the Macritchie Treetop. I park my car at the Venus Drive Carpark. So, the distance from Windsor Nature Park to the Macritchie Treetop is shorter, about 2.4km.

After parking, the entrance to the park showed 2 maps, (1) the whole central water catchment, and (2) Windsor Nature Park, which is a portion of the whole water catchment area (which include Macritchie Reservoir and leading to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve).

After walking along the trail, I came across a huge monitor lizard. It definitely longer than 3 feet!

Thankfully, the lizard walked away as we were looking at it instead of coming toward us. Saw some monkeys and cocks along the way. These are common animals in any Nature Parks in Singapore.

As I walk along, the trail was quite muddy due to the morning rain. Some parts were then piled with rocks. Certain areas were renovated with wooden planks and slits for better walking. The trail also branch out to a road at certain area. That was where I saw some monkey coming out of the foliage to look for food. Also, be prepared to climb up and down stairs which can be very steep and long at certain part of the trail. About 500m towards the Treetop, I came to a very steep road and decided to run up.

Finally, I reached the treetop. The path is very narrow and it was converted into a one-direction route. The suspension bridge is quite short. I googled and found that it is about 250m long. It give a good bird-eye view of the water catchment area.

At the exit, it is more steps of up and down. The distance back to the car park is 3.7km!

The return route is a different one-way back for about 2km. Thereafter, it merge to the on-coming route. I reached the entrance of the Windsor Nature Park @2.30pm. Still, there were a few groups of people just making their way into the Macritchie Trial, even though the park is supposed to closed at 5pm!. It took me about one and a half hour just to brisk walk a round-trip with some jogging in-between. Wonder how these late-arrival can complete the trial before the park closed?

As I reached my car, my whole T-shirt was wet. I then drove home with wearing any shirt!

PS: In future hiking, remember to bring extra T-shirt.

Bye!

Christmas Block Party @ Tampines Block 492H

 We had our first Christmas Block Party with the residents in Tampines Block 492E & 492F today! The turn-out was very good and the responses from the residents were excellent.

Pastor David and me helping up in the arrangement before the party

I went there early to help in the packing of the goodies to be given as gift for all attendances. 

It was raining quite heavy even before the event started. Pastor David somehow managed to find a mop and started cleaning the floor! A true servant-leader in action!

Dances, songs, food, and also the Christmas Story were dramatize to help the residents know the true meaning of Christmas. The children had their fair shares of games and every participant took back presents of soft toys.

Children playing games

Presenting the Christmas Story

We had 2 rounds of lucky draws. The first round of lucky draws consist of 20 prizes with some simple gifts of basics necessity like tooth-pastes, washing items, etc.

MP, Mr Baey (in white)

I was standing on the left helping to give out the prizes

The second round of lucky prizes were better. The 3rd to 5th prizes were rice cookers. The 2nd prize was a LG auto-robotic vacuum cleaner. And the 1st prize was a 50 inches Panasonic smart TV! 

I told the wrong thing to Pastor Thomas who was announcing the prizes, that the first prize was donated by the Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Baey. But before Ps Thomas announced that, he clarified with Mr Baey. It happened because, Moses, the coordinator when asking me to help out in giving the lucky draw prizes, said that "The MP, Mr Baey is giving the lucky draws". I mistook him in saying that Mr Baey is donating the prize. What Moses meant was that Mr Baey is coming to draw out the winning ticket numbers for the lucky draws! Thankfully, the mistake was napped in the butt before it was made.

2 things need to be mindful of such events - (1) the rain and wind actually cause some disruption to the games and places. The floor was totally wet. Also, the wind affected the games as we were playing with balloons. (2) There was not enough chairs and most of the volunteers like us had to stand for the 3 to 4 hours.

I thinks the residents enjoyed the food and presentations. Also, the goodies bag and prizes are something that benefit them. Above all, we hope that they could understand the message of Christmas and bring blessings to their lives and loved-ones.

All the volunteers & organizers

Merry & Blessed Christmas 2022!

Agape

Half Marathon 2022 Timing

My pacing for the first 15km was quite good. I managed to maintain at a <7min/km pace throughout. It was the last 6km that I slowed down a bit. My ending was weak and that showed that I did not train enough for endurance and strength.

Among my age group >60 years old, I was ranked 51 out of 196. For a total of 9090 runners for the Half Marathon, I was ranked 3468. I need to work harder for next year!

Managed to look at some of the photos during the run, taken by the organizer:

Just leaving the starting line. I was at the front-center of the camera!  (The guy carrying a sling bag). Hmm...

We were half way through, still dark.

Coming to the end, past the Singapore flyer! (Brighter now! :)

This is at the finishing line. The one at the left of the photo was me!

This is my certificate for the Half Marathon 2022! Just to keep it here so that I can compare it with next year 2023 run and see any improvement.

Bye!

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2022

 After 2 years of COVID-19, the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2022 is back today!

It started with a rain pour before 5am. Thankfully, I was standing inside the sheltered Pen-D. Most of the runners were drenched. 

So the run was push back half an hour but was still drizzling. The run was good and I managed to complete the run without really walking, except when drinking.

A few lessons I learnt from this SCMS 2022 which hopefully will help me to prepare better for future runs:

1. Training run to be longer than 20Km

During my training run, I did the longest and only 20km run 2 weeks ago. So, the preparation was not adequate. Unlike previous years of full Marathon runs, I ran many >26km run. So, it is important to do more 20+km run next years. Also, I should build up strength and speed for shorter run like 12km and 15km.

2. Prepare for wet weather

I carried a small bag today which contain my wallet, phone, a pair of socks and some plastic bags. Unfortunately, it rain today and the bag was not really water-proof. Hence, the sock, which was supposed for me to change into after the run was slightly damped! On hind-sight, I should have put the socks in the plastic bag. The most important part of the body after a run is always the feet, to keep them dry. That's why I brought along a clean pair of socks. But, I couldn't use it.

3. Good Organizing by the Ironman Pte Ltd

The whole run was quite well planned. At the end, they provided very adequate food - bananas, breakfast, icy 100-plus ice-shave;  iso-tonic drinks, health drinks, extra towels and even phot-taking. Today, I brought along a towel, which was unnecessary. Previous SCMS run were not so well supplied. Also, the starting and ending points were at the same locations and baggage collection were there also. This made it very convenient for runners; unlike previous runs which started at Orchard Road but end at the Singapore Padang. Back then, I had to take the MRT from City Hall back to Orchard Road to get my car after the run.

So, I might sign up again for the 2023 run again as the organizing of the SCMS is very good.

No More Wisdom-T

 Gone to the dentist today. And that wisdom tooth was 32 years late to be removed!

Back then, it was surgery. The dentist had to cut through my gum and hack out that wisdom tooth. Bleeding was for days. And so, I did not go back and get the rest of the wisdom teeth removed. 

After such a long time, the adjacent tooth next to the upper right wisdom tooth has a small cavity and dentist suggested that the wisdom tooth be removed. This time it was different. Within 15 minutes - 2 injection and 1 plier was all the dentist needed to get the job done.

And the bill was S$220. With my Merdeka Generation card, I just need to pay S$146, a discount of  33.6% saving. Sometimes, being older is cheaper and easier to get things done.

The bleeding has not stopped yet, after 6 hours. But there's no pain.

Praying that tomorrow, all will be back to normal.

Agape

Done a new Silver Passion Card!

 Surprisingly, I got my refund from Transit Link for my refund of the lost of my Silver Passion Card!

They refunded me on the last day of the month of August! It showed $89.63, which meant that whoever have picked up the card did not use it. As it was more than $80, I could get back my money as was told by the customer reception through the phone.

On Friday, 2nd September 2022, I went to Tampines Bust Exchange to do a new Silver Passion Card.

It was easy and fast which took only 5 minutes for the processing and I got the new card.

I thought I need to come back and collect in a couple of days, but they could do it there and then. Also, all the details are in their account. The only setback was that they could not transfer the money in my EZ link card to my Silver Passion Card.

Thankful. 

--

Lost & NOT Found!

 Last week Wednesday, 17 August 2022; I lost my Silver Passion Card and DBS SAFRA Credit Card :(

It was my carelessness that I was distracted while paying money at the wet market. Usually, I brought a $10 notes, my Silver Passion Card and my credit card along when I goes jogging and then directly went to the Supermarket. The Silver Passion Card allows me to have a 3% Senior Citizen discount. But on that day, I did something new. I put the 3 items into a new wallet because I dislike having the money and cards coated with my sweat while jogging. It was while I was paying for my vegetables at the market that I forgot about the wallet as I seldom never bring wallet while jogging. I thought I have put the wallet in my pocket. Maybe it dropped out? I realized the lost only when I was out of the market. After searching the whole place (and praying) for more than an hour, I gave up searching.

Once reaching home, I called DBS to cancel the credit card. The cancellation was immediate and they activated a new card for me. I received the new card on Friday.

My new DBS SAFRA credit card

I called Transit Link to inform of my lost of the Silver Passion Card. They advised me to wait for 3 days, just in case someone returned the card as the card has a personal photograph. Sadly, after waiting and praying for 2 days. No one returned and I cancelled the card. Transit Link informed me that as the Passion Card has more than $80, they would refund me the money in the card. But till today, they have not refunded me. 

To make a new Silver Passion Card, I need to go to Tampines Bus Exchange and the cost is $16.50

As I did not take the SMRT or bus frequently, I decided to just buy a EZ Link Card, and forgo the Senior Citizen discount when I used public transport. I will apply for a new card after I give up driving my car.

Bought this ezLink Card

On reflection, I can get distract quite easily when something new happen to me. I like repetitions and don't need to focus or think. Doing new things need concentration and focus, something I need to be careful in future. Also, while praying as I searched, 1 Corinthians 10:13 came to mine, that I can endured such mishap! Somehow, I just felt that I have to learn to cope with losses. 

The resolution turned out to be quite smooth for the DBS card as I did not need to wait for someone to talk to me once I select a loss card "Press" automate call. It seems that DBS give priority customer attention to lost and fraudulent card. For that, I am thankful for DBS speedy action. Also, the loss of the Silver Passion Card is about $89 inside the card and I need to buy a new ezlink card, costing $5. It's all about money and a bit of inconvenient.

Overall, I am thankful that the lost did not create a very serious problem for me, like if I were to loose my whole wallet which has my Identity Card, Driving Licence, Merdeka Generation Card, Credit card, ....

Thank God for the lessons learnt. I will be more careful!

1Thess 5:16-18: "Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Agape

Giving to the needy Community

We were at the 1 room & 2 rooms rented HDB flats in Tampines distribution food to the resident this afternoon.  It was a fortnightly affair on the first and third Saturday of the month. The food changes week from week. Today, the vegetables - cauliflower, cabbage, Kai Lan, etc, Oranges, rice, beehoon, and many more varieties. 

Our cell help up once a month by inviting the residents to come down and collect the food. On some days, there were many helpers and so our helps were not needed. Today, many helpers did not turn up and we did both the job of inviting the residents to come down and also help to sort up the food and distribute them.

Queue starts forming before 6pm distributing time

Not many of the residents did turn up though. Maybe the timing wasn't convenient for them. Or maybe they just do not want the food.

But it is quite encouraging to see them come and be blessed with such fresh food that can meet their daily meals.

The distribution took only less than 30 minutes. We helped to clean up the void deck. There were some left-over. I took a papaya, 2 package of beehoon and 3 package of vegetables.

Cleaning up after distribution

The food were purchased or supplied by RiverLife members who were in this groceries business. This project of helping the poor is under the RiverLife Community Service (RCS). 

It is good to see church helping and reaching out the needy community without any agenda.

Blessings

Healthy 365 & Virtual Run!

 I finally tried the Healthy 365.

My wife helped me to collect the watch tracker and I went for a light 7km jog this evening. This covered about 8000+ steps.

With the other walking to the market and home from church service this morning, the overall achievement of 10,000 steps today was achieved. So, a distance of 9km+ is needed to meet the daily challenge of a 10,000 steps. A 9km walking distance would likely take about slightly less than 3 hours of continually leisure walk. or slightly 2 hours of brisk walking or an hour of jogging.

In 2020, I did sign up for the virtual Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, but didn't really do anything since it requires the Runkeeper Apps to tract the runs. Yesterday, I decided to try this SCSM virtual run to see if it works with the Runkeeper. I did a very slow 15km jog in the early morning.

Usually, I could not recover well after a >10km jog and need at least more than 24 hour of rest. But I manage to recover well today as I had a very good sleep yesterday after the 15km jog.

This afternoon, I went for a good 7km jog, both to try out the watch tracker workout function and also to keep track of my SCSM virtual run. The timing was good as I could do a 6min 20secs pace for the 7km jog, even after the 15km yesterday morning! Even after the 7km jog, I feel good, without any weariness. Thank God!

With these running features and watch tracker, the motivation to exercise and see progress is very encouraging. Press on!

Agapre

From Alpha series to My Faith Journey

 

After Alpha sessions ended, my group decided to continue with the studies on "My Faith Journey". This is a 6-sessions studies that cover the basics of the beginner Christian living.

We had our first session #1 - Assurance of Salvation on the 4 August night via zoom.

Faith, who was my helper in Alpha Group 4 shared a power point slides to the Alpha Team yesterday.

So,  I had to response to the Team what we had done during the studies together:

The session was good and relax. 2 good questions were asked:

1. Is anger (violent type of anger, wrath, rage) a sin?

2. When a person who genuinely accepted Christ, baptised and along in life falls away due to circumstances, worldly attraction... and drifted away in faith; would he still be considered "save"?

(For these type of questions, we have to reponse to the questions behind the questions also).

The Alpha Group 4 shared well and  we exceeded the timing! As usual Faith is an excellent helper and give good example of why Assurance of Salvation is important.

The idea of continuing this Group came from Daniel and Sharon Kwok (not I or Faith), so it is good to see Alpha participants spring off to learn even after Alpha sessions.

Agape

A nice early morning beach jog

 It was a nice Saturday morning on 23 July as I woke up at 5:30am. And so the journey to Changi Beach began.

The past 4 months was quite mentally draining and hence physically I am not as strong as I would like to, so as to be able to jog to Changi Beach and back home.

No sun rise

The sky was cloudy even though it was dawn as I reach Changi beach. Miss the sun-rise today :( Not many people were at the beach today, except for one religious group there chanting and praying. Not sure they have permit to do this?

Johor Straits

The distance from my house to Changi Beach Army Jetty

Army Jetty side gate

I reached the Army Jetty and decided to turn back as it was about the half point for me. In future, I will jog further to the Changi Ferry Terminal, probably about 1 to 2km further.

On the way home, I decided to increase my speed.

I felt relieved that I finally made it home, covering a distance of 15km. It was a slow long jog. But there was no strain as I was jogging quite slowly today, just to enjoy the nice breeze and to see how well I was physically as I prepare for the Standard Chartered Half Marathon on December the 4.

Wish me well in my training!

Agape