London - 6C' Cold......

My 3rd time touching down at this marvelous city since Uni days - which also marks the time where I start to go for an independant life. It never fails to bring back fonds memories.

I was arranged to stay in Maidenhead this time instead of Windsor since this is where the office is located. Now I know.... Windsor is such a luxury including the hotel I'm staying, with the castle right in front and streets of shops and shopping center within walking distance. Holiday Inn Maidenhead, all I see was a petrol kiosk with minimart and residential area. Yet to explore in an hours time to find my way to the train station.

The room..... I was given a pigeon size room that can only fit me and myself. Nevermind about that. I'm not too bothered. Longing for a warm shower after 14 hours travelling, I was greeted by luke warm/cold water. To cut the story short, it took me 3 phone calls before I have someone appearing in my room to take a look. I doubt they can do anything.

Then I was given a free upgrade to an executive room! Bigger room, bigger bed of course - but still..nothing compare to Windsor..haha....

London shopping spree starting in 2 hours time :)

Yet another new swim term, I see a few new faces. I think we have about 5-6 guys in my lane, with me being the only lady. Asked coach if I can switch to the other lane, he said stick to it, else gotta zig zagging a lot. Hmm...I'm obedient but these guys, besides Lala and Leo, the rest are rather....rough. No sense of direction for some :( Got hit for 3-4 times throughout the entire session. Menu for the day.....

300m finger dragging drills
6 x 100m paddle/buoy
5 x 300m 70-80% efford

How wrong am I thinking that's the end of it. Agony continues....10 x 50m interval! Hmm...just like doing intervals right after LSD. How nice is that. DNF BIG TIME. No energy to power up at all. Either I OTOT 'warm-down' to complete the set or call it the day. I tried.... for 2 x 50m. CMI. Enough said.....

After 2 weeks of rather sedentary life except the weekly torturing swim session which somehow really helps in a way or another, am glad that the engine didn't have much problem starting up. Nice cooling 8k round neighborhood. I went home....slept like a pig

Next week.....just in time for a 'warmer' weather (by their standard) and not too disturbed by all the fluffy white thingie that could possibly take you 6 hours to drive through a 10mile motorway. Here I come....... Oh well...it's business. Nothing to be excited about. It's probably going to be quite routine Mon-Friday......

Ok...This is a little overdue....

While everyone is out there partying, shopping on the last day of 2009 - I was at work for the first 2/3 of the day, self declare early release for 1/3 of the day. Colleague asking me what's my plan..... It was an interesting one..... out of the extraordinary I told them.....

I went for a dip in the pool, head home to vacuum & mop the floor, do laundry and slept at 10pm :) Firstly because my parents is in town on the 1st and secondly, the need to wake up at 5am for a 2010 new year ride with the insane one.

So ya...come 2010 it was 5:45am when I head to Casurina to meet the lady - supposedly the first person that I see in 2010 :) 6:25am which was about the time we're suppose to meet up for the ride, she sms me to say she just woke up and ask me to go ahead!!!!! ^______^ Not familiar with Mandai and the men have long gone ahead, I head out to that small little road heading to the main road up and down practising my standing climb.... Gabra like nobody business....Hmm...How come I can do that so well when I was young????

The lady finally arrived at 7:20am, explore around the vicinity, then meeting the men - supposedly to head straight for prata at Casurina. Suprises came when the insane one start to jio for a roller coaster ride at Upper Pierce!!! only another 5km ride but the route is literally - like a roller coaster. Fun 'flying down' but struggle like mad going up. Quads is burning like no tomorrow. I think I ALMOST come to a halt at the tip of one of the slopes - it's probably an ego problem that keep me going instead of anything else - squeeze like mad try not to stop not wanting to push the bike up..

Got tease by the one going for 'eagle' that I look so stoned when taking a break at Upper Pierce toilet.. Shiong ah!!!! On the return route, it does feel a little easier to climb.... Long awaited prata finally within our reach......

I like...the way 2010 starts :)