it's been a while..
every so often i get an inkling to write... sometimes its just random thoughts.. sometimes its a quick update on what's been going on... but i just don't get around to putting it in here.

so.. with that note, i'll leave it at that for now. =)

Cheers

Twas fun. Glad I signed up, and it was a nice Sunday evening event to participate in. Loooved the T-shirts that they gave out for the race. One of the better ones I've received so far - ie I'll be wearing it during my future workouts.

I didn't really have high expectations for the race, because I knew that it was going to be crowded - just like the annual JPM Chase races. And I wasn't expecting to smash any records since I did an open water swim that morning. I just wanted to run a 'good' race and enjoy it, But it was for a good cause (go WWF!!) and I knew a bunch of people from different groups doing it. So that was super neat, to run with friends. For some it was their first race, for others it was their 234th race. I knew for my first ever race (nike half), I was extremely nervous, didn't know what to expect, didn't know how I'd feel, just so many questions and uncertainties. But the more you race, the easier it gets.

Anyway, it took a while for the race to get started. I lined up with a friend (at the 7-8mile section), and was getting super sleepy. I was yawning 5 times per minute. The crowd was getting antcy and started yelling things out, like 'Let's Go', and 'Stop talking' to the MC. I started to build a rock pile with the little pebbles on the ground. Anyway, they finally blew the horn (usually they play the national anthem but I guess not this time). And we started running. I passed the flag bearer for the US Olympic team and should have stopped for an autograph... but kept running since my friend didn't stop.. =/

I tried to stay close to him because he runs pretty fast, but I started to loose him 1/2 mile into the race. I did see him when we did the hair pin turn, which was also the last time I spotted him. He's pretty fast for someone who doesn't run regularly. Men!!

My first two miles were 7:40, 7:50, which was faster than what I should have done. I paid for it in the subsequent miles. At mile 3, I was at 24 mins. I think my fourth and fifth were the slowest. Mile 6 I tried to pick it up again, but then we encountered the bridge, where it was so crowded, that we had to slowly walk it across. I didn't stop my watch because I couldn't be bothered. Anyway, after making it across, I dashed like the rest of the runners into the stadium and sprinted when I was on the track to the finish line. It felt nice.  Speed workouts really help.

It did feel like a long race. Though the course was relatively flat, when I was at mile 2, I was like 4 miles to go.. urgh.

Anyway, I had fun and PRd. The All American Rejects rocked the park, and they were so much fun. We were blessed with good weather and everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to note that the crowd was younger compared to other races I've done. We thought that maybe it was because of how it was marketed, and the fact that they selected AAR to play. If it was Tony Bennett, or Bruce Springsteen, it might have been a different story.

My friend told me, while we were waiting for the race to start, that they actually make pandas feel raunchy and passionate, so that they'd breed more. They make them do exercises and get them to watch panda porn. I thought it was hilarious... and an awkward conversation to have.. but it was funny. So this is where my money is going to? Feeding the Panda Porn industry!?? Oh well.

 

Me and the Panda. He was suuuppperrr sweaty, and I think he lost a few pounds.

I'm back, (yay), and started my new job last week. It's been just over a week and a half.

Goodbye Bear, Hello Pfizer.

It's going pretty well so far. I've been busy with orientation and starting on multiple engagements already. I only just got my work phone yesterday (it took over a week), and am loving my office.

Goodbye cubicle, Hello office.

I'd like to 'decorate' it a little more, to make it more welcoming, and warm, but that'll take some time. Plus I read somewhere that you should actually keep your office.. like an office. You shouldn't have too much of your personal stuff (eg photos) in it. So I've been keeping that in mind. Some but just not too much. Whereas my last gig, I had a section of photos up. I'd look at them every so often as it was pics of family, friends and places. Oh, one observation here is that almost every office has a world map - and I mean those big framed ones. It made me want one too. But I might want to be different. I have my two page printout (brought over from Bear), so that'll keep me happy for now.

So I've had the same phone device for over 2.5 years now.. and since the beginning, I've not really liked it. There were certain basic things it couldn't do that erked me. I was thinking of upgrading it when my two years was up, but I didn't really want to stay with Vz anymore. So I stuck it out for another 6 months to get a new phone with a new provider. And now that my contract is up with Vz, I'm outties!!

Goodbye Verizon, Hello ATT.

I was with ATT pre VZ, and they were fine. I don't remember why I switched to Vz now. Maybe coz everyone just said that they were the best. Anyhow, I get to keep my number. I wish I was getting the iphone (sigh), but I decided against it. I'm getting the curve instead coz work will pay for the data plan and they support it. I'll hold out for the 'next' iphone (whatever that may be)... Did I make the right decision?

One other perk with working here is that we get summer fridays!

Goodbye full day Fridays, Hello Summer Fridays.

I'm excited!! SOOO Excited! I can fly out on Fridays now as oppose to asking for permission.

Oh, and we don't have to do timesheets (or sign in)!

Goodbye Stupid Timesheets, Hello Freedom!

Loving it!

And Goodbye hard copy workpapers, Hello electronic document repository!

There are some more, but I'll save it for another time.

Cheers!