SCMS 2014

Truly, unprepared would be a great understatement for this run. Well, not that I have ever been prepared for anything at all. But after the Great Eastern run on 9th November, I couldn't forget that pain that I experienced towards the end and at the end of the 21.1km. In a way I was more afraid for SCMS than GEWR since I had already been through it once and knew how it would feel. Adding on the fact that I would be going for it alone, I was quite a bundle of nerves the night before really! It did not help that I had to miss service to get sufficient rest. Many times I had exclaimed that I regretted signing up for 21.1km because I had no idea how I would complete it. But I had to complete it (that is a given since I already registered but it was sponsored so all the more I could not back out of it had I wanted to).

Attempting a flatlay on my bed the night before. I was pondering over the need to wear shorts over my tights but decided against it for fear that it'd be too warm.

Breakfast of bagel with laughing cow cheese prepared by my mum which tasted oh so good.

On the MRT at 4am when my flag off time was at 6:30am all because I didn't know how to get to Sentosa Gateway and was intending to follow other people. Yet all the people I saw on the MRT were full marathon runners, hence I decided to hide my purple bib identifying myself as a half marathon participant. #noobstatus Boo my purple bib still peeked out despite my feeble attempt.

Baggage deposit was a breeze and I headed off to the starting point. My legs were feeling so heavy at this point I didn't know how I was going to run at all.

Never been so early before.

Got a photo taken at the start point which I totally didn't expect because I didn't dare to ask anyone to help me take, but since someone asked me to help, I asked for a favour in return. Wasn't even 6am yet so I had lots of time to kill. Prayed a prayer of strength and protection while doing stretching. Soon the crowd came and the start pen was packed. Wasn't exactly feeling thrilled considering that I didn't feel like I could run but I tried to jump and stretch more before the air horn was sounded. I was so totally caught unaware by the slopes at the starting point. It was seriously a lot compared to the smooth and flat ground I was used to running previously. My knees were so weak! It felt like a long time before I reached the 1km mark and I really didn't think I could do it. In my mind I thought 'Okay 20 more to go.' But as I went on, I started to enjoy the run. Managed to regulate my breathing and I ran at a more constant pace. I didn't have a watch so I didn't keep track of the time until I passed the expressway where there was a clock.

My mood was instantly lifted when I entered USS. It was my first time in USS and I never imagined my first visit to be during a run. It was so fun to see the mascots but I didn't stop to take any photos though. My agenda was still to quickly finish. I think it was around the 6 or 7 km mark at that point. I still had a long way to go! Soon we entered the basement car park and I'm not sure why but I felt a little breathless while running through it. Then it was time to exit Sentosa and hit the highway. It was 10km by then. Grabbed two gels to take along the way. By that time the sun was out and all I was doing was to look out for the next distance marker as well as hydration points. I wouldn't have been able to run at all had my mind been on the run throughout. My mind was filled with songs of worship such as 'Every act of love', 'How great is our God' and many others that I cannot remember now. I prayed at some points, like what my leader did when he went for runs. Before my run I prayed for God to speak to me during the run and He told me to show acts of love. There were so many times in which I wanted to encourage another runner but had no courage to. I guess this is something I will have to work on in future.

Happiness upon reaching this sign! Just 2km more to go. The last few km before this was made difficult because of the sun. I don't think I have ever ran for prolonged periods in the sun before so that was something new. Tried to keep my spirits up and finish it well. I was trying to finish the run under 3 hours but I only managed a 3:05:18. I will just have to keep training well. I thank God for bringing me through and sustaining me throughout the run. Without Him I wouldn't have even completed it. 

I never thought much of 10km medals because I knew it was doable for me, but 21.1km medals are really precious to me and hold so much meaning.

Walked super far to the floating platform to collect my belongings and then it was time to head home. Always something to be learnt from each run and during this run I learnt to rely on God. I may have been alone throughout but I never once felt lonely. 

No two runs are ever the same even if they are of the same route. What more of a different route. I really enjoyed this run, with the scenic view and fewer loops. 

Till the next run then! So happy to have ended the last run of the year well.

Finding myself here when I'm supposed to be doing some reading. Or at least I had intended to. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by technology. Where replies are expected to be quick and instant. I don't like that. I admit that sometimes, I am guilty of it too. When things are urgent and I see that 'two ticks' in Whatsapp, I expect the other party to reply me immediately. Gone are the days of sending a text message of 160 characters, where I would try to use up as many characters as possible so as to make the most of it. Often carefully thought through before sending. No, it's all gone now. People (we) send one word replies, one alphabet replies.

Most of all, what I really dislike is being caught in the middle. Does anyone have the same dilemma? Like how I ask someone who needs some expertise which I know someone else who has it. And then it becomes my responsibility to contact the other party. And not forgetting that the one in need already has many options. Then now I get caught in between. This is when I would so gladly wash my hands off this matter, or wish that I hadn't offered in the first place. Stop being so big-mouthed, Sam. 

I'm in the midst of a transition. Back then before I started this transition, I already knew how hard and painful it would be, yet I told myself that this was necessary. I couldn't go on like how I did previously. To give an analogy, it would be getting a new job and informing the colleagues of my impending move. Awkward and all. Feeling like I betrayed all of them by wanting to leave whenever I see them, and the only difference would be that I will still be seeing the people I feel that I betrayed, for a long long time. And this is not the worst part yet. It has yet to come because I haven't told the people whom I have been staying the longest time for about my leaving. I can only imagine the looks on their faces when they see it.

Don't know what point I'm trying to put across with this verbal diarrhoea really. Perhaps its jitters before my first 21.1km run, perhaps it's sudden reflections.

It sounds like an impending stormy rainy night is near.

I've been finding comfort in food lately, which explains by recent or gradual weight gain. I can't say I didn't see it coming, but somehow I tend to overeat my favourite nuts. I need to re-gain the self-control I had over my diet 2 years ago. Two years ago, I bought tops that were 15" in ptp without a thought but now I need to consider whether I will be able to fit into them. Skirts measuring 13" in waist were loose on me and now they feel more fitting and I wear them higher. My arms are bigger too. It's time to take control again, before it's too late.

Australia Dairy Company

Okay so first up is Australian Dairy Company located at Parkes Street. Nearest MTR exit is Jordan C2. So familiar with it now that I can walk to ADC without referring to the map. I'm quite sure of that. It's mandatory for me to visit ADC whenever I'm in Hong Kong, really. Actually I would love to have it twice on a trip but I figure that it wouldn't be too good for my health. So it's once a trip for me then! 

Most of the time there will always be a queue but the queue moves really fast so no worries about having to wait for a long time, and for me, I will queue for their eggs! And many say that their service is bad, but personally they haven't been rude to me or my family and friends when I was there so I can't speak about that. And sharing of tables is almost always a given unless you're in a group of 4 and above. 

This was from my first trip in May 2013 with Amanda and my Mum! I don't really care much about the macaroni because I'm not a fan. So being our first time there, we did what the locals did and ordered the breakfast set, which comprises of macaroni, toasted bread with eggs and a cup of coffee or tea for about HKD$ 35 if I recall correctly? So the three of us shared 2 breakfast sets. I don't know how one person can finish everything. It's so much! 

First time trying their scrambled eggs and I was sold. It was really really the best eggs that I have ever had. No other egg can compare. I don't know how they fry it, but it's so layered, and one can literally see all the many layers of eggy goodness. Best eggs ever. My Mum says that the secret to the eggs is lots of oil. Haha well. Tasty food is almost always unhealthy so I accept that. And I think the macaroni is worth a skip if you're saving your stomach for better food elsewhere. It's Hong Kong we're talking about.

And this was what I wanted to try. Almond steamed egg. I think we ordered the hot version because we like our desserts hot. Perhaps we were in a rush and it was too hot for me to enjoy it. I think I burnt my tongue. It costs about HKD$ 24. The egg taste was so strong. And I think it was sweet too but again the heat overpowered the sweetness. Still worth a try if you like eggs and almond like me! But maybe order it cold and it might taste better.

Second trip in January 2014 with my Mum and Grandma. Oops I've only got photos of my own order. So you see I've found my favourite and will only order what I want to eat. Leaving out the unnecessary ones. This was the 炒蛋文治 if I'm not wrong. If you don't know what to order, always go with the 炒蛋 every time they ask you how you want your eggs to be done and you will never go wrong.

So full of eggy goodness can you see it? And so many layers too! I thoroughly enjoyed it so much. The toasted bread gives the sandwich a little crunch as opposed to the usual soft white bread that I eat in sandwiches from Four Leaves. But anyhow, I like bread in any form, toasted or not, I still like it.

This is another dessert item that they serve. Steamed milk with egg whites. This was hot as well given the winter weather at that time. Burnt my tongue as usual and couldn't taste the sweetness. But it was good comfort food in the cold weather.

And my third and most recent trip about two weeks ago! We stayed near ADC this time so no need for us to come to Jordan specially for this. But the nearer we stay, the later we arrive, which means queuing up to enter. I don't think we had to queue the previous two visits. New experience every time. Wasted no time and took photos of what they have to offer.

They only have two types of desserts, both of which I've tried. I will always prefer the egg white version because I will definitely be having egg (yolks) in my breakfast. And too much cholesterol is no-no. Even on a holiday trip.

Finally got a photo of their menu! They've got milk from Kowloon Dairy too, which I never tried until this trip. I don't think ADC has skimmed milk. I saw the same bottle at the convenience stores, with many different options like chocolate flavoured, full fat and skimmed. I think ADC only has the standard one which is full fat. Worth a try and I brought the bottle back because it's so cute and I collect bottles.

#iwillalwaysreturn #eggswaitforme

Forever busy I think. There're crowds even at night. Saw it while on the way back to our apartment.

And my order this time! Actually I wanted to order what I had the previous trip, but I don't know what it's called. So I settled for 炒蛋多士, which came as an open faced sandwich. Haha well, even better for me since it's one less slice of bread. Took my own time to savour the eggs. Still tasted good as always but I think it tastes better in the 文治 form.

And here's the steamed milk and egg whites again, but cold this time round. Tasted so sweet but yummy. No more burning my tongue while eating it.

And the amazing thing about the waiters(?), or workers there, is that they can calculate your bill on the spot. I don't know how they do it, since only one person takes our order, but the one who calculates our bill is not the same person. And also given that we have already finished our food, there is no way that they can tell what we ate from our plates. Something to figure out on my next trip!

So there you have it! One of my favourite-est cha chaan teng to go to in Hong Kong! I think everyone who likes what they see in the photos should visit at least once. Not too expensive meals but I would say that the desserts are rather pricey since they cost HKD$ 26 which translates to about SGD$ 4 plus, which is even more than my yummy sandwich or toast. But I believe it's worth it for the taste so I will always be returning!

Address:

47-49 Parkes Street, Hong Kong
Open: 7:30am - 11:00pm
Closed on Thursdays
Nearest MTR: Jordan exit C2

Random blogpost at such a random time because I missed my blog. Checked the comments and I realized some life science students have asked me for notes/lab reports but I've misplaced all of them already. It's probably too late as well I guess. The semester is almost over.

Anyhow, I'm going to revive my blog in due time! I've still been blogging over at Dayre on the daily grind and nitty grities, so I shall use this blog to share the good stuff! I've been to Hong Kong three times since 2013 and I've returned to the same few places so I shall share those food that I really really like!

2013

On a night like this, the first day of 2014, trying to reflect on the year that has just past. So many things to be thankful for, so many blessings. I've learnt a lot this year, through losses, gains, everything. Maintained the friendships that has strengthened throughout the past year, forged new ones. In a way, 2013 was a year of many firsts for me. Many of which would be to do with God and spiritually. Water baptism, holy spirit baptism, attending life group, serving in a ministry. Others would be travelling with friends for the first time, to Hong Kong in May this year, cafe hopping, running marathons just to list a few. I have not been the most perfect. Even now, as I think of all my mistakes and my flaws, I feel ashamed and unworthy of love. But I thank God, my parents and friends for still loving me despite how I don't deserve it. I learnt forgiveness. I can now gladly and happily say that I can forgive because I've been forgiven much. I finally let go of that burden that I'd been holding on to for four years. Four years, that was how long it took for me to have the courage to face my past. I can only thank God for that supernatural strength. I've also learnt about loss. I still think of my cousin who left us this year. She taught me so much. I've learnt not to judge. I see people around me who remind me of her, and I get reminded not to judge. On a less serious note, I've also appeared on television, for the first time, albeit for just a few seconds.

In 2014, I want to listen more to God and know His direction for me, be it in terms of career/going back to studying/just anything. I also want to be more aware and sensitive to the needs of others. In other words, be less self-centred. Love more, judge less, continue exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle, eating healthier and cleaner. Save more, see more of the world, maintain my friendships. I can't speak for my shopaholic ways because I know I will still shop as and whenever I like to. More faith, more faith, greater conviction in God, and to read His word more so that I can be always prepared whenever my faith is challenged. Not that it ever wavers, but I want to be able to respond in a way that glorifies Him more, and not give such an anti-climax or lousy answer. More importantly, for His light to shine through me, such that others will wonder where my faith comes from.

So yes, 2013, you've been good to me. I know 2014 will be even better because God is already there, and is always for me. Christ is in me! Bring it on, 2014!