"My Home In This World" jenaikes's Profile

bpacker and I were delighted to witness Sailor_p (Theresa) and Martin tie the knot yesterday. The wedding was held at Sentosa against the backdrop of lush greenery & a wonderful seaview. Theresa was the blushing bride and Martin the most happy groom.

We were fortunate to be the first to get a pic with Theresa, immediately after the Solemnization. Doesn't she look fabulous?

More pics to follow when i manage to get them to bpacker who will author a blow by blow account. Go to her page to read more!

bpacker, me & sailor_p right after I finished 5km

21 Oct 2007- I completed 5km at the GE Women's Run. Technically, I'm not a runner and did not run at the event. I walked from start to finish...power walked :) I've never been able to complete any runs or jogs at Phys Ed(PE) during my school days...EVER...If you're Singaporean...you'll know that means I've never completed a 2.4km in my whole life. REALLY! So it is quite mindblowing that I managed 5km even though I walked.

I must thank bpacker & sailor_p who never gave up trying to get me to train with them for months. Altho my work schedule did not allow plus I always tried to scooch out, they always encouraged me that I could do it. And they've been incredibly supportive to me during this time - never making me feel bad that I cannot run but always telling me that even walking is good enough. Most of all, I'm thankful they've been there with me thro my personal daily struggles.

I'm also grateful to bpacker for giving me my one very crucial training session a week before the actual event. Her patience to walk me through 3.5km is incredible since she normally runs at least 15km at a time! Plus she had to listen to hyper me talk non-stop :) I gleaned so many good tips from her.

Pattayaraj from BKK flew into town the night before and was game to walk with me. That encouraged me some that I had company. We woke up at 6am on Sun morning and truth be told, if she wasn't putting up at my home, I would have been tempted to continue sleeping. Patt, however had a headache, so had to sit out on the race. She saw me start off with a "run" and waited for me to finish in the shade.

Since G & T were doing the 10km event and started much earlier, I struggled through the 5km on my own, being a person who prefers non-solitary activities : ) Right from the start line, I remembered Bpacker's tips and "barkings" (she says) at me during our training session. I also looked for someone who had my same walking speed. Most had sprinted ahead, while some were faster at first but lost steam and fell behind me. At the 1km mark, I was already aching and wondering in horrors if i could make it through. But with a throng of women behind and in front of me, it felt kinda silly turning back so I just carried on. I'd actually stashed $20 bucks in my pocket in case i needed to catch a cab back haha! My stopwatch said I did my 1st km in 8min. And remembered bpacker saying I should be able to finish 5km in 45min. Her tips also kept ringing in my head: to swing my arms closer to my body, swing them faster to get momentum though they ached like crazy, lean slightly forward to push ahead, keep my posture straight and chest open and also to BREATHE :) Private conversations with God kept me going too.

At 2km, I was berating myself for forgetting to put my small water bottle in my pocket. Those who know me know I'm a "water-barrel". I thanked God when I saw the "Drinks in 50m" sign! After the water stop, I saw a lady, 20m in front of me, who was power walking very consistently. Her white cap made her easy for me to fix my eyes on and our speeds were fairly similar except she was more determined than I was. That made me buck up to keep up. I told myself if i could catch up with her at the end, I will thank her for being my pacer. At 3.5km after the 2nd water stop, I finally caught up with her and thanked her. So 1km by 1km, I just powered on. At 4km, I was really aching but finishing became more a reality. I was so excited I text bpacker (yes i actually carried my cell) to tell her I had 1km more to go! At 4.5km, I called Pattayaraj on her mobile to tell her I would arrive at the Finish in 5min.

I decided to "run" the last 30m as it seemed funny walking to the end. It was a defining moment for me when I crossed the finish line :)

TIME: 46:07min.
Think I could have done under 45min if i wasn't distracted by texting or calling my friends.
Moral of the story: Stay Focused!

bpacker, me, imstress & sailor_p

It was a proud VT moment too for 4 of us girls - bpacker, sailor_p, imstress & I - that we got to complete an event together. And to finally get a shot together in the official red running t's of the event.

Thanks to imstress, who called me end of July, on the last day of early bird registration to see if i had registered for the event. I actually went out to work intending not to sign up. But I found out she could do an online registration for me. And so she signed two of us as a group. That was the beginning.

Patt & me after our miscommunication abt my timing

Pattayaraj was so surprised when I called at my 42nd min to say I was finishing soon :) She wasn't expecting me that early as I'd told her I'd probably take an hour. She walked as fast as she could to the Finish Line & waited there for more than 20min hoping to catch a snap shot of my proud moment :) Except, I had already crossed the finish and was already with Glen, Theresa & Jen at the cooling down area.

It was quite funny!

Me & my Baby feeding a lory at Jurong Bird Park

Hi to all who drop by here : )

I'm a free-lance teacher to Primary school students so when I travel, I'm always keen to learn new things. You can say I'm a sucker for knowledge! I love all things "Ka-waii" - that's Japanese for "cute". Love getting to know people, shopping (my husband says I can shop anywhere, even in the desert!), animals, teddy bears, the colour PINK ,arts & culture, surfing the net, watching movies and lots more.

In my spare time and school holidays, I organise field trips to the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and Underwater World at Sentosa - Mostly cos I enjoy it and also to get my kids interested in Science and nature around them.

I'll check out now. For VTers out there, do drop a note or email if you need any info about Singapore. I'll try to help best I can. Perhaps I'll be meeting you here in Singapore soon!

Take care and God bless!
Jennifer