I did it! - Shape Run 2008

Okay, I finally completed the Shape Run 2008. This was my first ever run and it was quite an experience. I was still dreading it the night before, wondering if I should skip it. I am just so not a runner and to wake up at 530am for it is quite crazy. Anyway, I did go to the Shape Run. We got there around 635am and there were many people already. Here we were, waiting for the flag off. I took my phone and mini ipod with me. So pictures were taken with the phone. We were standing somewhere 1/3 near the front for the 5km area.
The route - blue line was for the 5km run. While I was walking towards the YESS building, the 1st 10km runner was on her way back. Woo-hoo!
The layout of the different sections at the padang. It was still madness after the run. Queues everywhere.
It was so crowded and there was a warm-up! The guy was from Fitness First leading us in warming up, but there was just no space to move at all.
The 10km run had been flagged off and we were waiting for our turn. It was late. Instead of flagging off at 735am, it was around 742am when we set off.

Since I was 1/3 near the front and had somewhere been pushed towards the middle, I had to jog a little after the flag off before I could move to the side and start walking. The switch from jogging to brisk walking was hell on my calves. Burning sensation all the way down my calves and it took a while before it subsided. My right ankle was still hurting, so I really couldn't jog much. One of the pictures I took while walking.
Another picture. There were frequent gaps as surge of runners would swell up and then ebbed. I had 3 "markers" during the run. It helped to focus on someone else and used them to pace myself. Amazing I went past them, one at a time.
On the way back, along the bridge. I was quite surprised it took me about 25-30mins to hit the midway point or something. I thought I would take 45mins each way.
Towards the end, you could see people gaining speed. I realized people would start off running, but by the time they hit the YESS building, most would slow down and either brisk walk or just slow walk. I even had time to take a drink at the water station and sip the water while walking. I didn't finish it as I just want to hydrate a little.
The segregation of the runners. There were many marshals along the way to ensure we stayed in the right lane.

The last leg - 250m more before the finish line. There were so many photographers along the way too. Halfway through, I even saw a male runner joined in (think he was there to run with his gf or something and male runners were strictly not allowed) but he left just before the turn.
The finish line. Yay. I was not really tired at all, probably because I was just walking at a constant speed. That was probably why I could pass my "markers" as they felt the burn and went into a stroll.
The end! I sped up i.e. I started running when I saw the time was moving from 49:51 or something, so when I crossed the finishing line, it was probably 49:57 or 49:58. Took the pic after I managed to catch my breath from running. I'm a sprinter, not a runner.

I am just amazed that I actually completed the 5km walk in under 50mins. I really thought I would take 2 hours or maybe 90mins to finish. Maybe all the shopping along Orchard Road paid off :p
One of the many queues of the morning. It was some time to get my bag.
It was quite organized with segregation of the different runners' tags. It helped since there were 8000 runners.

Then it was queuing for the runner's kit. That was a madhouse as the line was so winding that it was hard to find where it start. After the kit, was the yoghurt and vitagen. The girl in front of me was very kind, and her friend too. She came by and gave me a bunch of grapes and juice. I think I looked too lost or blurred and she took pity on me. Hahaha. I was alone then since HZ ran and finished earlier than me and went back first.

That girl later told us it was also madness queuing for the fruits and juice as some ladies were choosing the fruits as if they were at the market, thus holding up the line. At the runners' kit section, the girl just took my coupon and passed it to the person and grabbed the bag for me. Lol. Again, my "lost" look. They were experienced runners who participated in many runs.

Then I queued for the Subaru tee shirt since I had time to kill. That was not too bad as the line went faster. When I turned back to look at the runners' kit queue, it was practically empty. Same for the baggage claim line. HZ said there was not many people in the line for the runners' kits and baggage area when she went to pick up her items. Only the Subaru line was long so she skipped that.

I didn't queue for the deep heat massage as there was still a line. So I had the water and h2o and a power bar. The power bar was pretty good but after the walk, I didn't really have an appetite and only ate half of it as I didn't have breakfast before the run at all.

The funny thing was while walking, I kept thinking of kaya toast. Hahahaha. In the end, I didn't have kaya toast too.

Pocky and look-alikes

Snack food from the 7-11 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. It seemed like numerous trips to 7-11 were expected whenever I went to Thailand. 7-11s are everywhere in Thailand and it is where you go to buy bottled water and other snacks. I bought my fave Lays in seaweed flavor (it is not so salty unlike the American Lays) and Pocky and its look-alikes. Pretty nice, especially the strawberry flavored. Real bits of strawberries were on the biscuits.

Baskins Robbins 31 - 2 scoop sundae

I totally love Baskins Robbins 31. My favorite flavor is Jamoca Almond Fudge. Milky creamy with a bit of coffee taste plus nutty almond bits and ribbons of fudgey chocolate. Plus it is not extremely sweet too. Heaven on the tastebuds.

It could be habit too since Baskins Robbins can be found in all the malls in Canada, or at least in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver area). There are other brands, of course, but somehow when you are faced with the 31 flavors available in the middle of the mall, it is hard to resist.

So imagine my delight to see Baskins Robbins inside Central Mall in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I just had to have it. So 2 scoops of indulgence - jamoca almond fudge and strawberry. Yummy. Anyway, there is no Baskins Robbins in Singapore now, so it is perfectly alright :)

Fraiche Bath Swizzle

After so many months, I finally had the chance to use the bath swizzle from fraiche. The lavender fields bath swizzle. Doesn't it look so lovely in its very pretty packaging.
The scent of lavender just burst into the bathroom once I dropped the swizzle into the warm water. See how the lavender petals just spread out as the swizzle fizzled inside the bath.
While it didn't create any foam, the bathwater was filled with the relaxing scent of lavender and the fragrance lingered on for a while after the bath was over. Very nice :)

Thomas Sabo charm bracelet

I read about Thomas Sabo from a blog and from the latest issue of Smitten. I was intrigued by the thoughts of 500 charms to select. So when I was at Raffles City, I finally saw the store which is tucked in a tiny space right across from Kate Spade.
I popped in there and came out with this. The SA was very friendly and knowledgable about the products and was none too pushy at all. The bracelet is made of genuine sterling silver and it is from Germany. The charms were pretty reasonable, starting from $38 each.
Despite the 500 charms or so available, it was so hard to narrow them down to what really defines me or what is really me. In the end, I just got the shopping bag with "shopping victim" on it. I think it would be even better if it said "shopping addict" on it ;p

New charm designs will be coming in around September period. Watch out for it. There is another outlet inside Takashimaya. That is smaller and has less things than the boutique in Raffles City.

Shape Run tee

After signing up for the Shape Run 2008 in May earlier, I totally forgot about it after the 1st couple of weeks. So it was panic when I recall I signed up and needed to go pick up the tee and number tag last weekend.

Somehow I don't think my swimming 2-3x a week for 30mins is enough preparation for the run (walk for me) at all. Sigh. I shall be the slowest there. I just hope the rest of the participants (8000!) are not that competitive and signed up for fun like I did.

After hearing stories from past participants about how the sizes of the tees run small, I was a bit worried it would be too tight. But the size fit perfectly well and with slight room to spare. That was good since it was the only size available when I signed up. Probably the organizers took the feedback from last year seriously.

Could I just wear the tee with my usual linen shorts? I don't think I have any exercise shorts at all. Questions, questions.

da paolo gastronomia @ paragon

I decided to buy dinner from da paolo gastronomia at paragon as I was tired out from running errands and lugging around big bags. There were so many choices and I decided to try these 2. Perfect with the bottle of lychee wine.
Closeup of the spinach with ricotta cannelloni with the creamy sauce over it. This was so yummy! I love the sauce and cheese and pasta. The spinach looked processed though I'm sure it was not at all. Tasted even better with a dash of tabasco sauce and freshly grated black peppers.
The stuffed eggplant was just average. I think it was a bit too much. This was a huge eggplant stuffed with eggplants, spinach and what not and topped with sundried tomatoes. The herbs were a bit of an acquired taste. I only had a few bites of this.

Streets HK Cafe

I was at Raffles City in the late morning running errands and decided to stop for a quick bite before my next appointment.

Decided to try the Hong Kong style food at Streets, which is in the basement, next to Shoduko and Lulu. The menu is pretty extensive with thick toast, HK style pastas, noodles, some dim sum and others.

I ordered the stewed beef yunan noodles and iced milk tea. The iced milk tea was very good and just hit the spot. I loved how they served it in a jug-like glass. The stewed beef was very tender and tasty. I was a bit disappointed with the noodles. Maybe I much prefer kway teow, the yunan noodles was bland and soft. The soup was none too great too. I think HK beef noodles beat this hands down.

Location
Streets HK Cafe
Raffles City Shopping Centre basement 1
Tel: 6338 7445

Cova Pasticceria-Confetteria

We went to Cova Pasticceria-Confetteria at Paragon for some desserts the other night. It opened in June and was definitely not a crowded place (or I always went there during weird off peak hours). It took over the spot formerly occupied by Dome as well as another unit further in. We went to the Tea Room where the desserts were and the decor in there was cozier.

We shared a Sacher cake and petit pastries. Apparently it came in set of 4 pieces of your choice.
TT chose the pistachios and hazelnut chocolate tarts while I selected the cannoli (?) and raspberry chocolate tart. I love the cannoli with its amazing soft custard filling and flaky crust. The nutty chocolate tarts were good too.
The sacher was a bit of a disappointment for me. It was rich and not very sweet, yet it lacked a certain something to give it a oomph. The taste of choclate was not communicated and was quite mild. I guessed I am used to a bitter sweet dark chocolate which oozed out the decadence of fine rich chocolate.

The cappucino was excellent. Fine brew with a fabulous coffee taste. It went very well with the pastries. Nice.

Location

Cova Pasticceria-Confetteria

Paragon Shopping Centre

290 Orchard Road #01-20A

Tel: 6773 0777

Sun-Fri: 8am-10pm

Sat: 8am-11pm

Gluttons Bay Oyster Omelette and Wings

It has been some time since I last popped over to Gluttons Bay at the Esplanade for a meal. There were several changes and the stalls have changed. The oyster omelette stall is now served at a stall selling hokkien mee. The drinks stall at the end has also disappeared. In its place is a stall selling some hot pot food.
This is the stall selling the oyster omelette and hokkien mee and what not. I miss the old stalls, where the hokkien mee and oyster omelette were next to each other.
Here was the oyster omelette we ordered. The quality was not as good, standard was definitely different from previously. The oysters didn't taste that fresh either.
Chicken wings were pretty good though. I quite liked it. Sugar cane drink rounded off our dinner at Gluttons Bay. I don't think I will be back there in a hurry again.

Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate

I bought this to try and it was so good. It has almond, pecan, cashew, macadamia and nutty puff with praline. I simple love Royce chocolates especially the champagne truffle.

Coach Flip Flops

This is my very first time buying something from the Coach boutique in Singapore (my Coach mini skinny was from USA) and I must admit the service given just blew me away. Good service is so rare and excellent service even more non-existant that when you received it, it is just amazing.

I decided to browse the shops (feeling deprived after 4 days away) and checked out Agnes B, Kate Spade, Stage and finally Coach. I didn't really intend to get anything but the sandals were so cute. I tried on the above and another in yellow (T-bar ankle straps).

The SA was just so patient, getting me the sandals to try. Even when I was still indecisive as the sizes were not my usual and so I was hesitant. She brought out several sizes for me to try and when I wanted to ask her opinion on the flip-flops, she mentioned she had already kept them away. I told her it was fine and not to bother taking out again but still she went ahead to take out the flip flops again with a smile. At the same time, she encouraged me to browse around and even mentioned where the sale items were.

So I tried the flip flops again and just decided to get them even though they were 1/2 size bigger than usual but they looked pretty ok. Plus I love the hot pink straps and colorful soles. The SA further encouraged me to browse more while she kept the flip flops at the counter and she would ring it up when I am ready.

While making the payment, she told me all about the new arrivals and their delivery schedule. All the time, she addressed me by my name and would also asked if I was on the mailing list etc. What I really liked was that she would actually come round the counter and hand me the paper bag. That really made a difference.

I think the Coach staff are trained to be pro customers cos my colleague went to Coach today to buy something and I accompanied her. The SA (different from mine) also did the same thing and even showed us out and opened the door for us. That was really so different, and the shop was fairly busy too.

This was at Raffles City, I don't know if Taka Coach does the same thing. But the good service was enough to persuade me to want to take my business there even if I can get further discount at Taka. Plus the store at Raffles City is bigger too with more items.

White Sunnies

I finally found my white sunnies from this Thai boutique called Jaspal. There is something that screams holiday when wearing white sunnies. It is not easy looking for one as apparently it is not in season with the various designers. Dior SA told me white is not in season. Well, I guess it will be soon enough (I'm just ahead of times ;p).
I think one need a white sunnies as part of the sunglasses collection. White, tortoisehell, black, brown and metal. Choose one for the mood you are in. See the blue trimmings on the side for the sunnies. I love this.

Tod's Short Wallet

I have not traveled via Terminal 2 for such a long time now, or when I did, bags were never my focus. I rather look at cosmetics, skincare and fragrance. I guess it was a good thing that my flight out to Chiang Mai was not a super early flight and it actually departed from T2, so I actually had about an hour to browse at the DFS stores.

It certainly didn't hurt that almost all the boutiques were having sale now. It was hard tearing ourselves away from the shops (V said I am a bad influence, to get her so interested in designers' stuff now :p). Of all the stores we went to, I love Tod's. The SA was so friendly and helpful. Plus the entire store was 30% off, including new arrivals.

Somehow there seemed to be more stuff in the airport than town stores. So either everyone has been buying from town stores or the airport stores just stock more things. Items were of limited quantity, so when you did find something you like, just grab it. There is no such thing as having to think about it.

V saw this wallet first and I liked it too. Unfortunately there was only 1 piece left in this shade. V was still undecided about it, so I told her I would just buy it first. And if she wanted it later (after thinking longer about it), she could always get it from me. And so this wallet was mine for 1 day :p (V did decide to get it in the end from me as she wanted it to match her new Mulberry bag) She was fine with me taking pics of the wallet and so here it is, presenting the short wallet. I have no idea what this is called.

It is a pale, slightly shimmery off-white wallet. Not exactly beige.


This is actually perfect for a vacation wallet when I do not want to carry too many things. Plus a smaller wallet instead of my usual continental wallet will fit better in a smaller bag too. So I am still hunting for a small wallet.

This is really a steal at only $266 ($380 before discount and 7%GST). I have never seen a designer wallet for under $300 before. And everything is always overpriced in Singapore.

ETA: I managed to check out Tod's at Taka and it was going at $287 ($410 before discount). It was a bit dark on the display set, probably due to dirt and dust.

Patchi Chocolates

I heard about Patchi and the raves about its chocolates. I saw the outlet in Takashimaya Basement 2 and just had to try. I love the packaging with its nice luxe paper bag. It looks so similar to Bebe's paper bag.

I tried a couple of the chocolates and I didn't really like it. Patchi is from Lebanon and is available worldwide including USA, France, UK, Australia, Hong Kong. I selected mostly dark chocolates and the wrappers and descriptions were so attractive. Simple and classic.

Maybe I am used to the fine chocolates from Belgium or France. Somehow Patchi chocolates do not work for me.

Kyomomoyama @ Central

We actually wanted to go to Tom Ton but somehow we queued at the wrong restaurant and by the time I realized (IC was away then) and when IC got back, there was a table ready for us. Since we were starving, we just went ahead with this Kyomomoyama.

The place was nice, zen looking with lots of wood and simple furnishings. The menu looked pretty extensive and it was a tough choice deciding on what to have.
In the end, I ordered the chirashi set which came with pickles and miso soup. The seafood was pretty fresh though the roe could be better.
We shared the grilled seabass which was quite a disappointment. It was not melt in your mouth soft but a bit tough. I still love the seabass from SALT restaurant (closed down now).

It was a decent place but food was not amazing. The Central has lots of Japanese restaurants and there are always lines forming outside most of them.

Location:
6 Eu Tong Sen Street #03-87/100/101/110
The Central @ Clarke Quay
Tel: 6534 8001

Leaving Lotusland (belated post)

This is a super overdue post. I took these pictures when I left Vancouver (aka Lotus Land) last year. Not a post about me leaving Singapore for Chiang Mai. Super early flight, plane leaving tarmac and catching the sunrise.
Typical Vancouver weather. Misty and foggy, especially in the morning and evening.
Up, up and away. One last look at Richmond (I think it is) or Delta.
The river, possibly Fraser River? Still the Richmond/Delta area.
In the air and looking down. Last look at Vancouver.

Up in the sky, with only clouds and sun and mountain peaks for company.
Cloud and islands in the sea.

A mountain! No idea what the name is. Seriously, the mountains all look the same to me :p
Possibly the Cacade Mountain range? Go look up a physical geography map for details. The plane is heading south towards Portland, Oregon.

Clear blue sky, snow capped mountain and soft fluffy clouds.
Heaven is like this? So dreamy and beautiful. Only in the west coast do you get this.
The mountain range running through from British Columbia to Washington.
This is probably arriving at Portland, ready to land.

Canada will always have a special place in my heart, particularly Vancouver and Toronto. The two cities where I used to live in, where I grew up.