Ocean sailing is tough

It's been a long time since I last blog... it was all the work and sailing that took away all my time. Yeh yeh...It's a lie.

Well, I have been sailing almost every weekend since I met the Uniquely Singapore Clipper crew and I've just returned one month of training in UK. My verdict.... ocean sailing is very tough and I made it. I'm pretty proud of myself for surviving the tough training.

Why tough? It's physically tiring and mentally challenging. The hard work of sailing - changing sails that weigh 5-6 times more than me whether in the day or night, grinding those loaded winches, getting drenched while on the deck, moving swiftly on deck with the boat heeling to an angle; the challenge of living together with 17 crew and our skipper within a confined space - all that snoring which can be extremely melodious, those smelly socks/shoes that are lying every where, all that differences in living habits, temperaments and personalities and diet habits; the dreadful wind chill and cold of ocean - cold beyond description until you personally experience it; the torture of seasickness and not being able to sit in the cabin to rest. The worst of all is overcoming seasickness in cold... you are torn between sitting on deck for fresh air for seasickness and the need to keep warm in the cabin. Let's just say that I had seasick and had to be on deck and yet it was so cold that I wanted to stay in the cabin. Naturally the best cure for seasickness is sleeping. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury to do that otherwise it won't be fair to my team mates. I can't possibly be sleeping throughout the whole sail when your team members are doing all the hard work and suffering in the cold.

26 days flew by very quickly. The actual race will yet be another test for my determination and perserverance. Now that I'm back in Singapore and sitting at my desk in office, I miss the days of sailing. Being away from reality is always welcoming and tempting... and being back in office and home is dreading. After 3 weeks, I still can't adapt to the normal life.

On hindsight, what I miss most.... is both sailing and living together with the crew. The Singaporean and international crew were a fantastic bunch of people. It is the team work and togetherness that helped me to survive the trainings and I believe this team spirit will help us all survive the race. The CREW, the jokes, the nonsence, the drink parties, the dances, the cheers, the funny things that happened during sails etc formed the fond memories and these are all that I remembered.

Look out for more updates and photos of my sails...

Post birthday blues

For some strange reasons, I could not sleep last night. I was pretty much awake most of the night and perhaps caught a wink at dawn. My brain juices were rather active and keeping me awake. Lots of things came to my mind... there bits on sailing like on the strategies that I could get more sponsorship, the challenges onboard for that 2 months, the inter-personal challenges onboard especially under duress; there were bits on work; and there were bits on my birthday.

Oh I'm yet another year older.... not dreadful cos it's just a number but it's how I spent my life. Nothing beats having a fantastic bunch of friends with me and definitely am very happy that my close buddies are still spending the day/weekend before with me.

.... and I just wish my birthday wish will come true...

Work is piling

ARGhHhhh....Help!..... my work is piling and my head is just hurting... today had been really a bad day at work.

So I decided to blog to rest my brain and not to think about all the solutions needed for the current issues ....... sigh...

Give me a break man!!!!!!!

A step before dreams come true

it's good news... to sail and become Singapore ambassador...

So it looks like I have to find ways to get that 16K just to sail one-leg.

dear mama and papa... how am I going to raise this amount?

To sail or not to sail

I just attended the STB grant interview last Saturday. I can't say whether I can pass the interview and be offered the STB grant. There were over 80 applicants fighting for 21 places. Even if I am offered one place I still have to consider whether I can afford to fork out another 16K... this amount to cover air fare to Liverpool twice, air fare to joining port, accommodation, part of the training cost, clothing, insurance and other miscellaneous expenses. That's a lot of money...

Looks like I have to find a sponsor. So the whole trip will all depends if I can find a sponsor or best of all... strike lottery during this Lunar New Year...

who knows what will happen.... I think of the money matters when the STB list is announced. just keep my fingers crossed.

Roses

A really nice poem to share with all my friends...

The Roses
Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day.
My love for you will always grow,
with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time
that the roses would appear.
She thought, he ordered roses
in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know,
that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the
time. Then, if he got too busy,
everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and
placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside
the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours,
While staring at his picture,
and the roses sitting there.
A year went by, and it was
With loneliness and solitude,
that had become her fate.

Then, the very hour,
The doorbell rang, and there
were roses sitting by her door.
She brought the roses in,
and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone,
to call the florist shop.
The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would
explain, Why would someone do this to her,
causing her such pain?
"I know your husband passed away,
The owner said,
"I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.
The flowers you received today,
were paid for in advance.

Your husband always planned ahead,
he left nothing to chance.
There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance,
you'll get them every year.
that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this
years ago. Then, should ever I find out
that he's no longer here,
that's the card that should be sent to you
the following year." She thanked him and
hung up the phone, her tears now
flowing hard. Her fingers shaking,
as she slowly reached to get the card.
Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a
note. Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote... "Hello my love,
I know it's been a year since I've
been gone. I hope it hasn't been too hard
for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely,
and the pain is very real.

For if it was the other way,
I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything
so beautiful in life. I loved you more
than words can say, you were the perfect
you fulfilled my every need. I know
it's only been a year,
but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,
even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.
When you get these roses,
think of all the happiness that we had together, and
how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and
I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on,
you have some living still.
Please...try to find happiness,
while living out your days.
I know it is not easy,
but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year,
and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered,
when the florist stops to knock.
He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit,
he will know without a doubt!
To take the roses to the place,
and place the roses where we are,
together once again.
Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes
Someone who makes you laugh
until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you
you to open it.

Saying "I Do"

Seems like this is the "in" thing now... in the last 2 years, I have attended quite a few friends' wedding. Well for those who know me, you know that I will only attend very close friends weddings.... it's not about saving the 'ang bao' money but the significance of attending...

I just attended a close friend's wedding few days ago and her wedding left me with some deep thoughts. No..it's not about "when's my turn" but it's the strong emotions that surfaced when I attended the wedding... Lots of history came back to my mind.... all good and bad! I don't think it's about feeling nostalgic having met so many ex-classmates and schoolmates at the dinner. It's all mixed of strange feelings - can't really decipher.

Any ways I'm very happy for the bride and groom... and I like the idea of meeting some old friends. And of course, had to see those that I have no wish of seeing... I am still the same... dreading to meet some people and I made no effort to be chatting up with them.

So why do you marry the guy or the gal? What is marriage all about?