I don't know any of the 5 dragon boaters who lost their lives in Cambodia. But I felt sad when I read the papers. My heart sank when I followed the news on TV. My eyes got teary when I looked at some of their blogs. They were young, talented and had so much to do in their lives. I emphatised with their families, teammates and friends who are going through a very difficult time. Like them, I'm also in the dragon boat fratenity. I know what is it like to be in a team. I know that everyone on a team is linked together like a family. They may be gone but their passion and spirit live on. I've learnt to cherish life, treasure and value the people around me..............
This is a song from Westlife - Angel
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I (Eye) was incapacitated
I’m supposed to write about these 2 weeks ago but I was incapacitated, nursing from a surgery. It was 5th November, Monday morning, just after the Regatta. I was scheduled to undergo a mini operation at Gleneagles Hospital at 8.45 am. I arrived quite early, feeling apprehensive, tense and fretful. The nurse on duty said “take this, you need them for the operation.” And she gave me an assortment of pills – different sizes and colours. While lying on the operating table, they took my blood pressure and dosed me with local anesthetic. After a while, I felt drowsy and sleepy. I’m aware that they were doing some kind of incision to my eyes but I was too sedate to feel anything.
An hour later, I was brought into another room to rest. When I woke up, the first thing I did was to gaze at the mirror. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I looked like a zombie! My eyes were so bruised, bloodshot and swollen. It appeared I’ve been badly beaten and battered on the face. The hospital was kind enough to lend me a pair of sunglasses to go home. For the next 5 days, I was confined at home, cleaning the wounds, putting cold compress on my eyes to ease the swelling and keeping my head in an elevated position. No computer and TV for the initial 2 days coz my eyes couldn’t take the glare. It was agonizing and uncomfortable at times due to the itch and the swelling. 5 days seemed so long when you have nothing to do and can’t really do anything but rest. I was counting every minute, every hour, every meal, waiting for time to pass. On day 6, the condition improved slightly and I was ready to have my stitches removed.
It’s been 2 weeks now. The swelling has subsided considerably. The bruises been diminished. The scars almost indistinctive. I still have to return to the hospital for further check-ups. A full recovery takes about 2 to 3 months. Currently, I’ve to put on shades to protect the eyes from light and dust. But I have resumed normal activities – teaching classes, rowing and started gyming. Back in action – feels great!
An hour later, I was brought into another room to rest. When I woke up, the first thing I did was to gaze at the mirror. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I looked like a zombie! My eyes were so bruised, bloodshot and swollen. It appeared I’ve been badly beaten and battered on the face. The hospital was kind enough to lend me a pair of sunglasses to go home. For the next 5 days, I was confined at home, cleaning the wounds, putting cold compress on my eyes to ease the swelling and keeping my head in an elevated position. No computer and TV for the initial 2 days coz my eyes couldn’t take the glare. It was agonizing and uncomfortable at times due to the itch and the swelling. 5 days seemed so long when you have nothing to do and can’t really do anything but rest. I was counting every minute, every hour, every meal, waiting for time to pass. On day 6, the condition improved slightly and I was ready to have my stitches removed.
It’s been 2 weeks now. The swelling has subsided considerably. The bruises been diminished. The scars almost indistinctive. I still have to return to the hospital for further check-ups. A full recovery takes about 2 to 3 months. Currently, I’ve to put on shades to protect the eyes from light and dust. But I have resumed normal activities – teaching classes, rowing and started gyming. Back in action – feels great!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
That moment in time
Nov 3 may be just an ordinary day. To dragonboaters, it has plenty of significance. An event that dragonboaters look forward to. It’s the Singapore River Regatta 2007. I remembered the night before I was tossing and turning on my bed for quite a while. Fortunately I had few hours to recharge on bed. That night’s dreams composed of haphazard images of the race. Must be the anticipation and pre-race jittery. I fixed 2 alarm clocks just to make sure that I’ll get up on time. The first thing I did in the morning was to grab my I-pod and listen to one of the motivational songs – I believe. I had compiled 20 of such songs to psych myself up before the race.
After breakfast at Ya Kun, I took a walk to UOB Plaza. Instead of the usual office workers in executive outfits, the financial district is transformed into a lively fiesta of assorted teams in tees, singlet and tank tops, paddles lying neatly in rows, teams zealously warming up before their events, etc.
Team B was the first to compete at 9.45 am. They started off really well, a little ahead of the other teams. However, after midway, two other teams caught up and team B emerged 3rd at 1.40.70. Then came team A’s turn at 10.15 am. The starts were fast and furious, almost neck to neck with other teams. But, during the last 50 m, team A showed signs of energy depletion. Like team B, team A was placed 3rd at 1.44.31.
The highlight of our events is undoubtedly the 20-mixed team. We were against not only strong opponents but top teams. Unfazed and not looking intimidated, we decided that we’ll row our best. Indeed, we did. The boat displayed no sign of letting up. Our impetus showed that we are a boat to be reckoned with. The feeling was exhilarating. The experience was astounding. We simply got absorbed in the process of rowing, be in the present, trust our bodies and allow the performance to unfold – the kind that makes us feel great to be alive. The team came in 4th but we created an excellent battle – an experience that the will leave an indelible mark in our memories.
After breakfast at Ya Kun, I took a walk to UOB Plaza. Instead of the usual office workers in executive outfits, the financial district is transformed into a lively fiesta of assorted teams in tees, singlet and tank tops, paddles lying neatly in rows, teams zealously warming up before their events, etc.
Team B was the first to compete at 9.45 am. They started off really well, a little ahead of the other teams. However, after midway, two other teams caught up and team B emerged 3rd at 1.40.70. Then came team A’s turn at 10.15 am. The starts were fast and furious, almost neck to neck with other teams. But, during the last 50 m, team A showed signs of energy depletion. Like team B, team A was placed 3rd at 1.44.31.
The highlight of our events is undoubtedly the 20-mixed team. We were against not only strong opponents but top teams. Unfazed and not looking intimidated, we decided that we’ll row our best. Indeed, we did. The boat displayed no sign of letting up. Our impetus showed that we are a boat to be reckoned with. The feeling was exhilarating. The experience was astounding. We simply got absorbed in the process of rowing, be in the present, trust our bodies and allow the performance to unfold – the kind that makes us feel great to be alive. The team came in 4th but we created an excellent battle – an experience that the will leave an indelible mark in our memories.
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