2014 in retrospective

So a year has came and gone by.

"gotta tell them that we love them, while we got the chance to say"... seems to be the motto of the year. I've been culling off a fair amount of people. i may sound absolutely scroogey, but i sorta dislike crowds, dislike humans, dislike too much interaction. Maybe it's age.

I haven't really kept up a workout regime. I did however start doing more yoga. Yay to more backbends, and possibly, a unassisted headstand very very soon, maybe in 2015. Why do i choose something like yoga? Maybe it's age.

So to the 2014 that has gone by, goodbye ... you've been a year where i lost some friends, but got to know what matters, and what don't.

2013 in retrospective

The end of 2013 has gone by. And what better way to summarise the year up than to heave a sigh of relief. I've been through what i think is the toughest year in my life. In work & in play, and more so, in life.

I hope i have emerged a much stronger self. I do think i'm strong, to begin with, but i think the events in 2013 have made me even stronger than before. I believe tears are for a reason, and to let them flow when i need to. I learn that happiness is not just about your own happiness, it's about others too. I tried to be more patient with time, but that has been elusive, and i'm still trying.

I can only hope 2014 would be a year more of going back to style. Back to the drawing board

Defining one's resolution

John Mayer's Bigger than my body always makes me feel incredible, like nothing could stop me. I always felt resolutions made can be procrastinated. There's always tomorrow.


Yet there're times when life throws a curveball, and you realized that time may not be on your side. I read an article this morning on NYTimes' Life Interrupted : Making Resolutions. No one knows when a life altering experience can hit. No one knows if you could carry out your resolutions / bucket list.


It may be time to start now. Time to figure what's on your list, and starting checking them off.



Below is the article, from NY Times, by Sulaika Jaouad.


------------------------------


In my darkest days in the oncology unit, I promised myself that if I ever got into remission one day, I would become a stronger, healthier and better version of my precancer self. What could be a bigger inspiration to live a healthier life than surviving cancer? I imagined that once and for all I was going to become the kind of person who meditates every morning, guzzles green juice, does yoga and, on occasion, even runs a marathon.


Before my diagnosis with leukemia, two years ago at the age of 22, I’d always excelled at making resolutions. But I was never as good at keeping them. Like a lot of young people, I burned the candle at both ends, with an age-appropriate dose of invincibility. After working 100-hour weeks (or more) as a paralegal, my first job out of college, my way of letting loose after a long day was by meeting friends for cocktails after work, grabbing fast food on the go and staying up as late as I wanted. Resolutions came and went. I would get to them later, I told myself.


Then I learned I had cancer, and my life and my resolution-making were interrupted. Suddenly the scope of my worries had changed drastically. There was no time or space to stress over something as small as a three-day juice cleanse or a daily exercise program. Surviving my next cycle of chemotherapy became my singular concern.


Today, after two years of nonstop chemotherapy treatments, I’m finally getting some strength back. The future has been a place of fear and uncertainty since my diagnosis, but with only two monthlong cycles of chemo left, I’m looking forward to getting a glimpse of “normal” life. And naturally, as I’ve started to feel better, I’m also making resolutions again.


That’s how I found myself signing up to run a half-marathon, just eight months after undergoing a bone marrow transplant, a high-risk procedure that my doctors said was my only shot at a cure. Sure, I’d been bedridden for the better part of the past two years. And yes, I was still undergoing maintenance chemotherapy that left me so weak

on some days that even walking my dog around the block felt like a challenge. But I’d heard the stories of superhuman cancer patients who had radically changed their lives and who went on to climb Mount Everest or run ultramarathons. I wanted to be one of them.


I got a gym membership, invested in a pair of fancy new running shoes and threw myself into an intensive workout regimen. I was off to the races. I even posted a triumphant picture on Facebook: There I was, one arm outstretched in a fist above my head, taking my first steps on a new marathon-training program I learned about from an iPhone app.


But my big running dreams lasted about 12 days.


I began to feel a nagging ache in the arches of my feet, and more pain in my shins. I iced the affected areas and continued my training, but the pain got worse. I didn’t want to give up, as I had with past resolutions. Certainly, I told myself, fighting cancer had made me tougher than a few simple aches and pains. But within a month, even walking had become excruciating. I hadn’t just overdone it. I had really hurt myself.


That’s how I ended up back in the emergency room, hooked up to a morphine drip — this time not for cancer-related reasons, but to get X-rays of my legs.


Luckily, nothing turned out to be seriously wrong. But my doctors, who hadn’t known about my do-it-yourself marathon training regimen, ordered me to stop immediately and to go back on bed rest. Was I crazy? they asked. All I knew was that I was back to square one, lying in bed feeling defeated and discouraged as I dug into a bag of jelly beans (my favorite).


In retrospect, a marathon so soon after my transplant was never a realistic or healthy option for me. It did, though, teach me an important lesson: Surviving a health crisis changes you in real and profound ways, but it doesn’t magically transform you into a healthier or better person overnight. Cancer has made me mentally and spiritually stronger. But as my life starts to go back to normal, I find that some of my old, bad habits are still lurking in the shadows.


I’m still struggling to figure out how to turn my resolutions into long-lasting change, but I’ve learned this much: Getting healthy starts with accepting the fact that after two years of cancer treatment, my body has taken a hit. Getting healthy means listening to my body — and no longer comparing myself with other people at the gym. Getting healthy means being satisfied with small, sustainable, incremental changes to my diet and lifestyle. I wanted to go from zero to 60, but I’m learning to accept zero to 15.


For now, my only resolution will be to define what my own “marathon” is. Only I can determine that. That’s probably not just a cancer problem; it’s a human one too.

1st weekend of July

dinner. wine. awesome music. sleep. Gordon Ramsay. breakfast. hello kitty! pool. fat cow. tv. coffee. new glasses. prawn mee. tea. bros! church. brunch. jokes.

Possibly one of the best weekend i've had, for some time. 

2012 in retrospective

I can almost smell 2013. Perhaps it'll bring better luck and good news.

2012 was with its ups and downs. I don't feel i have accomplished much. It's just been a year of trying to get by. Perhaps the most emotional moment came when i said bye to my red monstahhh. The sale was one of the hardest thing i ever had to do. But it made sense. 

I grew up, i think. Erik (my better, smarter, awesome other half) relocated to Bandar Seri Bengawan, Brunei. I had to slow down my lifestyle in Singapore, and start spending some time with him over in Brunei. That's what a wife is supposed to do, right? In exchange, i was gifted an M3. I'm still as into cars as i have always been. I guess it doesn't help that i love the finer things in life, nothing like a fine engine... and more clothes, bags and shoes.

I started amassing my love for shoes at an all new level : Louboutins, Jimmy Choos, Prada. I'm still a tyrant in many ways. I've been called the devil, the queen. The name so befitting i can't shake it off. Afterall, the devil wears Prada. Such is the weakness for the finer things in life.

I stuck to my new year's resolution. I got leaner, i don't think i can break the 48kg barrier. Sigh! I did love a whole lot more people who matters, i spend a lot more time with family and friends. It helps with technology advances like whatsapp and other online chat applications. Distances don't seem to mean as much. I made a trip back to HK, spent some time with my old 310 mates. I made a trip back to US, spent some time with my Purdue friends, my 310 buddies, and my family and my huge little Silas.

I started learning back golf. I love the game, i just need more time and practice with it. I can't be tiger woods overnight. I got back on the bicycle a couple of times. I did a few runs this year. I started doing my own indoor bodyweight workout. I could do a lot better, i know.

But you know what, i still live like i'm dying. 

Onwards to 2013.

goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend

The words of James Blunt's Goodbye My Lover plays through my mind.
An excerpt :

Did I disappoint you or let you down?

Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?

'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,

Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.

So I took what's mine by eternal right.

Took your soul out into the night.

It may be over but it won't stop there,

I am here for you if you'd only care.

You touched my heart you touched my soul.

You changed my life and all my goals.

And love is blind and that I knew when,

My heart was blinded by you.

I've kissed your lips and held your hand.

Shared your dreams and shared your bed.

I know you well, I know your smell.

I've been addicted to you.

Goodbye my lover. Goodbye my friend.

You have been the one.You have been the one for me

It's been a good five year run. One of ups and downs. One filled with happiness. One filled with joy. One with pain. One with tears. And one of fear. 

Now that i bid you farewell. Be kind to your next lover. 

home in the aaaaaammmmerrrricccaaaa!

In the last two months, i've been travelling a fair bit. I went back to USA for what feels like forever, but it's actually not even a month. From San Francisco, to Orlando, to Atlanta, to Nashville, to Los Angeles, i've gone through weather of 60s fahrenheit to 100s. I thought i was going to freeze under my light cardigan or suffer a heatstroke while walking my dog.

I had one of those holidays, that seemed to be always busy. I spent 4th of july in US. Now that's always the most incredible experience. Seeing fireworks, setting fireworks off, and getting all Amerrrriiicaaaannnaaa about it. I did a run with Robin and her triathlon team out in bay area. I hung out with my best mates ever out in the bay area, over the most awesome food : k-bbq, fine restaurants, pizzas and cakes. The great thing about being home is spending time with old friends, and being called 'ghetto'. I'm not ghetto, i'm the finest friend that's ghettofab. Loads of laughter and joy, just like back in Purdue. Everyone loves a good k-meal as ever. J-town in LA is always rocking as usual. In & out Burger have always rocked. Nashville has been wonderful too, despite the horrendous heatwave it had. My poor dog Silas suffered pretty badly, when i kept bringing him out for walks and jogs around the 'hood. Shared a whole load of happy times with the family... my cuzzzz!

Now that it's all settled. Time to get back to reality.
And lose that in&out burger loaded goodness i pile onto myself.

say what?

Through the months, i've been trying to get back to some sort of form. My body fat content is disappointing, a gf pointed out at my belly fat. I'm just belly happy with my life, and the way it's going horizontal, i think i hit an all time low.

So with news of Army Half being cancelled, and then Army Half coming back on the running calendar, I signed up. With full intent of shutting Yongfeng up, #likeaboss, after all he had one full year of bragging rights for being faster than me last year. I've heard it a millionth times : all by just a mere 20 seconds. So this year, i better try to make a good run for it. I have a month to train. I know it's only June, but i have a lot of traveling coming up. And a little pet project which is on the way. I'll elaborate at the next post.

The shit i hear all the time includes

• "time to buy 4D, you're swimming"
• "taitai... what the?!?"
• "eh let's do xyz?', with me replying "i'm doing xyz already", and then ....
• "if you are doing this, why aren't we doing a triathlon"

Ahhhh, well... events clashes with my schedule. my travel. my nail. my hair.

More of a tai tai, less of a triathlete

Well, the first quarter of the year has gone. Time flies. I cut my hair to my triathlon days (circa 2007-2009) : short with bangs. Less well received, cos i'm fair and a lil less insane, and a tad bit more feminine.

Have i started out on my new year's resolutions? I tried. I can't quite understand where the time has disappeared to. These days, i'm more of a tai tai, far less from a triathlete.

I spent more time in golf, much more so than any other sports. Golf began in 2007, cos in my world everything's worth a shot. The ugly tan lines i now sport are almost as damaging as those of a triathlon, except i can't cover up. Thankfully these days ankle socks with heels are acceptable, for fashion. I did go cycle once, with Team HAS. Team HAS is inspiring, very inspiring, they are a bunch of hand cyclist who do triathlons. I've returned a couple of times to Monday Swim Groups. I've been doing my own runs, for now. I think i have a goal in mind : run the 21km races.

I did travel a fair bit in the last three months : Japan and Hong Kong. Both always just as fun and refreshing. I can't wait to spend more time snowboarding, or to hangout with friends in Hong Kong.

Now.... i'm in Bandar Seri Bangawan, Brunei. I'm doing what i call "my first week serving out God's word : Wives, submit to your husband". This is the first week i'm spending time alone with the husband with no disturbance, no distractions. O.. except these three lil cuties, which has me smiling all day.

Happy Easter Weekend, y'all. 

Remember it's Holy Week, be kind, and forgive & forget.

2012 Resolutions

I had one of the rarest New Year ever. I didn't spend it drunk, i was completely sober. I spent time with family and different groups of friends, had a lot of food, lots of coffee, and lots of laughter.

I suffered a mild heart seizure (very mild!) but that shook me awake. I do get chest pains now and then, but this was weird. A few friends asked if i was getting heartburn, since the feeling of a heart burn and a seizure are similar. I was pretty sure it wasn't a heartburn. That 30-seconds episode on 1st January 2012 shaped my resolutions.

For 2012,

1. i will try to be even more leaner than i am now. And fitter. Yea, i lost weight by end of 2011, but got to keep the pounds off yo!
2. I resolve to declutter. Ahhhh Yes, more decluttering. Try to keep things simple, when my life is really just like a TVB drama. I love drama & action so much i'm addicted. The only way to more calmness is to declutter. Like in 2011, the papers had said Truth hurts, and it still does... DECLUTTER
3. I will give more love to people who matter. These days, i walk with optimism in hand, and letting go a lot more. Around Christmas of 2011, a friend said to me that i'm very forgiving, something i felt shocked about. I felt touched by his words, but he may be right. I've learnt to let go of people's mistakes and what they do. We're all friends. What's a little conflict or misgiving?
4. quoting Kris Allen's song "live like we're dying", that's exactly what i'll do. When you choose to follow such a mantra, you would live and let live. A Facebook status i read recently wrote the words "never regret anything that makes you smile". I love that, don't you?

2012 is the year of change. I'm ready.... 

2011 in retrospective

Ahhh, 2012 is nearing. It's been a tradition for me to capture my thoughts on the year that has past. Been doing so for 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007. In 2007, i started triathlon and bought my Mini Cooper S. 4 years on, i have stopped triathlon, but still driving my Mini Cooper S.

The main highlight of the year is i got married. To the man i have been dating for the past 8 years. Eight years of craziness, tolerance, and love. And what a geek, we now have a proposal date of 24th July, cos he loves me 24/7. *cue awwwwwww*. That's what you get for dating a geek. We held a lovely wedding on July 16th, 2011 at Ritz Carlton. The people whom i always love were there, and it was a nice cosy celebration. Because, i knew everyone there well enough to invite them.

Most people lose weight prior to their wedding, i'm an oddball. I lost weight only after my wedding, i blame the husband for failing to adequately feed me. But that's another resolution off my 2011 checklist of resolutions. To keep my fitness, i've only been running. It's much easier to just tie up shoelaces and just head out. Being noncommittal, it's easier for me to just go out and run. I haven't been swimming, sadly, even when I'm so good at it. All because of my hair. Ahhhh well, the bimbo in me is speaking.  I also tried to learn how to rock climb. But sadly i'm not very good nor nimble at it. I kept up with yoga, which is possibly the most kick-butt progress i've made in fitness. Bending over forward is now way easier than before.

I've made new friends for 2011, and lost contact with others. But that's life. I can't keep up with the lifestyles of everyone, but i do wanna try. That's always been my resolution. Over the years, i came to love more, and forgive quickly. Those seconds, minutes, hours, and days would tick on by, and i don't want to regret anything that possibly might make me smile. Embrace the optimism, and declutter. Some things got more complicated; some thoughts got simpler. The end of 2011, i can only say i'm happy with the way things are going. I end up knowing more about people and loving them to bits. And i will still follow my mantra : "if people are happy, so am i, but i can't please the world".

And in 2012, i wonder what's next.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been some time since i last posted a decent blogpost, or wrote for any reason. I've been adjusting to the married life. I got skinnier, finally saw an under-50kg number on my weighing scales. And those scales don't lie.

I would like to attribute that weight loss to a decent diet of eating less than what i crave, and some mix of yoga, rock climbing, and running. I lost a few inches off my waist. I'm able to do a forward bend with much ease these days. And i'm actually enjoying the new found core muscles.

I'm thankful for the year that has past... all 11 months of haywire madness, and those ups & downs.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Can someone cook some decent turkey here in Singapore? At times like these, i really miss the Honeybaked Ham Company out at home in Tennessee.

One month ...

Yep, a month has passed since i got married. The picture was taken by Lightedpixels, when i offered my photographer Alwin a beer, at barely 750am that very day i got married.

Has anything changed? Well, frankly, not much. My husband (hubs, as others call their other halves) and me were back at work, within 3 days. And i'm still creeping out of bed on sunday mornings to go run, while my other half sleeps on. The only thing that i changed is i have to make decisions, with approval from my other half. I have to think for a whole new family .

A new adventure awaits... for now, keep calm and carry on.

The only way to calm one's mind :

Often i am bogged down with the task of decisions-making. More recently, in addition to my work, i have to choose about the girly princess fantasies one may have to the wedding. I've heard how the term bride-zilla comes about, and how elaborate weddings can be. From themes, to colors, there's so much to fuss about. I however chose to take the relaxed way out.

The wedding is to be one of the most greatest party i'll have. I am excited at the mere thought of seeing my family, and friends (a huge group of whom stay half a world away). My college mates who are nicely scattered all across the world, have decided to make my day, and to make their own reunion, right during the wedding date. I am as determined to be as relaxed as i can. Afterall, isn't a life with less expectations easier to manage? No expectations = no disappointments.

In lieu of the rising amount of stress, i decided to hang out with my running buddy. We spoke of the stress, and random musings in life : whales. In that hour of run, i bitched about the weather, my old trail shoes, the trail, and possibly doing marathon. The run caused an uproar with my mom who chided me for failing to do more for the wedding, instead bailing out to go run. My thoughts : why not? I came home a happier person, although deciding whether it's 21.1 or 42.195km. I went out and did the only way i know how to calm my mind from this storm brewing up. I ended up being more calm, in the midst of this wedding madness.

So bring on the wedding.

And of cos, to partyrock.

*photo courtesy of Mr. Heng*

One more month before the party...

Yep, time flies. On the same day last year, i wasn't engaged. I was just the same girl who partyrocks, runs, have fun, and work. Fast forward a year, i am like one month to being a Mrs. And now it dawn upon me. Responsibilities will change, thinking will change, lifestyle will change.

One night, while running with my fave buddy, he reminded me to move with the changes from being single to being married. He mentioned about my singleton life of going running (whenever, wherever), to my partying, and my workaholic life, and to slowly learn to become a wife. I gave him a stare, and wish that i would retain some part of my lifestyle.

Sure there would definitely be changes. Considerations have to be made for two, instead of one. I can't just sign up for a race, then informing the other half. I have to now seek approval. I have to also learn to give up some stuff, and to embrace new ones like planning for a family.

The things that have changed are that now i'm rocking a new do. No one would believe i used to do triathlons. I have long hair, i have finally learnt how to put on some fake lashes. I have learn to embrace being skinny, and not muscles. I'm really looking more so like a tai tai. Don't worry, i'm still jogging. During a random night of joining a group of old tri friends for a drink, one of them mentioned that he still sees the short hair spunky Eve who's out rocking the tarmac. He may be right.

I have a feeling, i'll be back to rocking my own lil triathlon, someday.

Time to do a tri

I always tell myself "somedays are good, somedays are bad". I had a twitching right lower eyelid. I attribute that to stress. A quick google of the eyelid however result in the superstitious me also believing it could really be a touch of bad luck, even though other articles are strongly suggesting good luck could possibly be coming my way. So which is which? Which do i believe?

Rather than making myself panic thinking which to believe, i have started daydreaming. I've wondered about the day i get back on my bicycle. My beloved p2c. And that fear, and excitement rolled into one. Or i would love to attempt another triathlon. I always wondered where did i ever summon the energy or that motivation and the determination from my one and only attempt at Ironman70.3 a couple of years ago. I marveled at my friends' accomplishments of finishing numerous ironman races. Wow, where did they find that motivation?

I then looked at one tri event. Seems long enough to whet my appetite, yet a little too long to think twice. Even more so, when this is post wedding : 7 weeks. I used to just go with the wind. But i guess i have too much on my plate then. A place i will then call home, a new room to adjust myself to, more new family members to embrace & to love (ok, throw in some hate, and disgust too), and a slight change to my lifestyle. That would be my longest race, which takes a whole load of commitment.

So am i ready? Or am i going to wallow in my clout of bad luck? Or wait!

The good luck's coming my way.

To be a good boss?

What does it take to be a good boss? Offering better pay? Better perks in life? Better work-life balance? I think i have not offered better pay nor any of those things above. I am a Chinese (Asian) boss, akin to dragon mother. The term "dragon mother" has taken a whole new buzz, after Amy Chua (a very famous author, if you haven't read Joy Luck Club) wrote on a book about them. I expect the best for my employees, similarly the same way i've driven myself : to be the best in work.

Unfortunately, some things came about unexpectedly. I had to cease a project. A project i had hired more than 40 employees for. 40 employees with families and cars to feed. This is not going to be easy. I had spent a few nights tossing in bed, weighing the pros and cons of terminating this project, whom i had spent most of my time 24/7 with through the past year and half. The pros were simple : i get my life back, i get to go back to triathlon, i will get married without much worries, and even go for a long term holiday. The cons are : many lives are dependent on me and the project generates 'X' revenue for me to live out my dreams. The cons overweigh the pros, resulting in sleepless nights, and extra wrinkles on my sad face. I don't know how i am going to do this.

In a matter of minutes, i need to announce the exit strategy to my team : the last day is 31st June 2011. Goodbye my team, some of you are awesome, some of you are not.

Time to hunt for another "baby" to nurture, to grow and to prosper.

Japan...

I was in Japan from late feb all the way till 1st of March. The first earthquake / aftershocks hit Japan a week post me coming back. And then the big one that hit Japan at the magnitube of 8.9 on the richter scale came on the day of 11th March 2011.

Japan is awesome. I don't have too many words to describe it, except awesome. I arrived at Tokyo and jet off to Hokkaido, to a lil village of Niseko, where powder snow rules the mountains, and the wisps of cool air wraps you like a blanket. I'm not a good snowboarder, neither do i claim to be. With bad knees, anything with a board beneath my legs isn't good news. Perhaps only then i realize why i rule in the waters. Not on any form of H2O. Niseko has its potentials to become, like what the news and various investors have indicated, the aspen of the east. With the country's manners, attitude and service level, Japan caught my heart and my eye. And when i left on March 1st, i wanted to be back.

I've been tracking the news and happenings since March 11th. Even more so when a potential nuclear disaster (which some have liken it to that of chernobyl) might unfold, with the explosion at the fukushima power plant. When you look at the number of pictures online, you compare fukushima versus tokyo. And you wonder : what hit this beautiful country? Everyday, you hope you pray and you await news that some good might come out from worst earthquake disaster in Japan.

Japanese are a very courageous lot of people. They are well-prepared, they are courteous, they are still showing courage in this time where fear encapsulates their mind. And these people will prevail, and they will be able to get through these tough times. Fight on, Japan.

The Singapore Biathlon 2011

I didn't know why i was in bed at 10pm on a friday night. I was exhausted from the week's work. I felt a tiny flu bug hitting me, and decided to call it an early night and down that mug of water laced with berocca vitamin c.

At 6am, i heard the alarm. I still lazed around in bed. I spoke to my mom close to 630am, wondering if she's awake too early, or i might possibly be late. Of course, it's the latter. And i realized it was time to squeeze myself into my tri tights, and get to East Coast Park. My wave is at 730am.

I got myself to the start line less than a minute from the gun off. The swim was a washing machine during the first 200metres. Nothing that i did not expect. And i found new meaning to "breast strokers", like literally. The only surprising thing is there were not many seabugs in the ocean, nor jellyfishes. I suffered a few bites, but at least the water was cooling, and i didn't have too bad a time trying to finish it. My mind though kept saying "are we there yet? why is this taking so long?"

Out from the sea, i staggered like a bad drunk to the transition point. Socks, shoes, gels, and race bib. I was off to run that 10km. Truth be told, i had a bad time trying to do 10km over the past few months since Singapore Marathon 2010 in December. I wasn't able to sustain running anything more than 5km. Yep, my life was that sad. Today however was my day. I managed to find this slow jogging pace : i reckon 6:20 per km. Slow, but i know i'll get to the 10km mark. I saw Matt as expected. I saw a few of my friends.

I crossed the line, according to the result, at 1 hour 46 mins 52 seconds. A tad two minutes slower than last year. But at least i completed it.

Here's to Julian and his wonderful way of convincing me that this is a tradition. I have and must do it. ahhhhhh bahhh... till 2012.

Start the Wabbit Year off on the right foot

Every year, i had always tried to start the year right. In that weird queer lil' brain of mine, i thought "In order to do so, you have to end the "old" year right". Errr right! What's right would depend on one's lofty ambition, and aspirations. Before my lunar new year reunion dinner, i took my brand spanking new pink Asics DS Trainers off for a quick run, in a bid to feel better of the bingefest over the lunar new year holidays.

I had a terrible tummyache, and welcomed the "rabbit" year on the lunar calendar in bed. That cleared most of the system. That queasy rumbling feeling in the stomach, upon waking up on the first day of the new year, did not stop me from munching on the traditional fried sweet chewy cake ('nian gao'), and my asian beef jerky ('bak kwa').

At least, now stepping off the right foot meant i am always constantly full = rich.