Aim for minor improvements. Instead of trying to improve by a foot, aim to improve by an inch. It is easier to achieve, and not as daunting as striving for a foot.
But if I made 100 improvements of an inch, that will be 100 inches.
Inch by inch. Adding them up will be equivalent to a massive improvement.
Strive to be a little better than I am yesterday, each day.
I decided one day that Sunday mornings will be spent actively. This is mainly due to my Garmin telling me that Sunday is the day which I had the least number of steps.
So the first Sunday morning we went to climb Bukit Timah Hill. I read that the car park is usually full due to the limited number of lots and decided to reach there by 7am, the time it is opened.
There were already many others when we reached. The climb was not that difficult, only the initial part was steep. Taking the easy route, it was around 1.1km up.
We had to take it slower on the way down due to the steep decline. Then we went to Rider’s Cafe nearby, where we made a reservation, for breakfast.
Rider’s Cafe is situated at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club, just behind the old Turf Club. The environment was serene. It felt like we were no longer in Singapore. The air was fresh, with just a whiff of horse’s urine. Horses were being led by their owners around the area. We managed to get a seat at the balcony so we could see horses being groomed as we had our breakfast.
The food was average but the coffee was really good. The price was average for the food portion. We will definitely go back again just for the tranquility and the horses.
Hope this will become a weekly thing.
When I first joined my current company, I was introduced to this cultural thing for a staff who is about to leave the company.
Money will be collected beforehand, and then on the last day of the resigning staff, we were asked to gather at the pantry. Then everyone is given a chance to say good things about the person leaving, and after each person’s short speech, people will clap. Once all the speeches are completed, a farewell gift will be presented and then everyone tucks into the snacks purchased. Over time I realised that the more capable and popular the person is, the more people will attend. In fact, it seems there is some unofficial tracking of the popularity of a person based on how many managers and peers are present at each’s farewell.
I always find such practice a bit morbid. It feels like someone has died, a funeral is arranged and each one takes turns delivering an eulogy. As such, I do not bother to attend unless it is for a staff who was really capable and good. I believe they are saying behind my back that if I am ever present at a staff’s farewell, then that staff has definitely performed very well during his or her career here.
I know it is a cultural thing but I still think it is very morbid.
Found this word ‘Pensées’ in a book that I am currently reading. It is French for ‘thoughts’. It is the name of a book published posthumously in 1670 by Blaise Pascal, the famous French mathematician, physicist and inventor. The book consists of ideas and jottings of Pascal, who was preparing for any apology for Christianity.
There are some gems in the book, for e.g., “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone. “, “Curiosity is only vanity. We usually only want to know something so that we can talk about it. “
Kind of reminds me of The Big Bang Theory’s creator Chuck Lorre famous trademark vanity cards, which usually reads like an editorial, essay or observation on life.
Anyway the main point of this post is that I am hoping I can start writing more Pensées here instead of leaving this blog empty for so long.
P.S Is it only me or does anyone else thinks the word Pensées looks like the word Penis?
Didn’t do this last year, so I am doing it this year.
1) Took leave.
2) Had an excellent breakfast (toast with smoked salmon) made with love.
3) Had my first omakase at Ryo Sushi @ Orchid Hotel.
4) Because I sprained my lower back the night before, had to go home to rest.
The excellent breakfast and lunch more than made up the lower back pain.
So after getting (perhaps) a PB in my last half marathon, I took a break of 2 months from running. Restarted again yesterday with base training. Basically this will consists of long boring runs just to build the base stamina.
Starting with a short distance of 2 miles and slowly increasing my mileage. A good chance to reset and hopefully build from this.
Currently reading this book where in one chapter, the author mentioned that being average has become the standard of failure. This is because the culture’s standard of success is to be extraordinary as everyone is special and deserves attention. He said that in reality, the vast majority of life will be boring and not noteworthy, and that is okay. One will be much happier if one has a growing appreciation for life’s basic experiences.
I used to think that I will only share experiences, or feelings on social media or blog posts when they are extraordinary and noteworthy. Perhaps it is time to note down the ordinary stuff now, to appreciate there is nothing wrong with living a largely mundane life.
Perhaps things are ordinary for a reason; because they are what truly matters.
I have always wanted to blog about food especially since I love to eat. I think the posts will be filled with photos taken on my mobile phone and my honest opinion. Also, if I ever get a lot of hits, I will not accept paid posts. That is if I ever. I think I am just too lazy to be consistent.
“I like to be surrounded by happy people.”
Again reminded of this today. Must remember this always.
1) Before Run :
“Why am I waking up so early? I should go back to sleep.”
“Why am I going to run after work? I should go home and rest. It’s been a long day at work.”
2) During Run :
“This is too hot. I want to stop. My stomach hurts. I am hungry. I want to go back to sleep.”
3) After Run :
“I am invincible! I feel good! I should be doing this every day!”
The above thoughts are what goes through my mind every single time.
