Run beyond your limit. 限界まで走れ！

To be honest, I've always hated running. Reason? I've never been good in it. I hated playing police and thief as a kid because I always failed trying to catch up with the rest. I've never gotten NAPFA Gold in school, nor IPPT Gold till after I got commissioned as an officer. It took me another 9 years for me to achieve Gold again, which was only possible because I had progressed to another CAT level and my requirements went down. Yeah I sucked.

For the longest time, I thought that completing a mathon was next to mission impossible. Until I realised that many people who looked like they would have trouble passing their 2.4km run started wearing the 42km marathon finisher tees. If they could do it, so can I. And so I signed up for the Standard Chartered Marathon back in 2009. And I never looked back.

Since, I've started joining many runs, looking to complete it for the experience and a souvenir in the form of a medal. It's pretty fun, signing up for events, meeting friends old and new during the runs. So far the most memorable and fun one has to be the Tokyo Marathon, which I've made photo books and videos from the shots I bought online. You can argue that it's a pretty expensive hobby but I beg to differ. I don't really have any nasty habits (apart from online shopping for figures from Japan), and on average I only attend one event per month.

I've already met my quota of 10 medals this year, but that's not stopping me from going for more. Well, I need the exercise to compensate for all the junk food anyway. For those who are seeking information on the runs, feel free to join me for upcoming events! Ending off with two recent videos of random Rena dances. :)

Thanks for the memories 22nd TSWC

For the past 4 weeks, we were involved in a series of lectures, presentations, lots of reading, talking, playing ultimate frisbee, and most importantly, getting to know each other better. The TSWC ended as fast as it started, and before you know it, all of us are going back to our respective work as we bid farewell to one another.

I've always thought that courses in the organisation were pretty transactional. In a way, we could always work effectively as a team to meet our objectives, but it is hard to establish that relationship once the course is over. Still, personally I've enjoyed this particular course a lot, largely due to my peers. Not just in my syndicate, but the entire course. The synergy that we shared was incredible. It's been a great month, and hopefully we can still keep in touch through FB. Once again, thanks for the memories!

Roots & Wings

A few weeks ago while on a short course I was tasked to give a impromptu presentation on this question: "What value do you think is the most important to give your children?" I didn't really had much time to ponder over it, but naturally I remembered this phrase a senior officer once told me. He said, the best gifts that a parent can ever give his children were roots and wings.

I shared this with my course mates and how it affected me and influenced my thinking, especially since I myself am a father now. Having children doesn't only mean reaching the next chapter or stage in life. To me, I believe that our children inherit more than our belongings or assets. They inherit our dreams, ambitions, beliefs, and our name. The blood that flows in our veins are one and the same. Whatever I dreamed of but did not have the chance to complete or even attempt, I will give my daughter the opportunity to choose so. Even if I don't do it myself, I will share the same level of satisfaction if my children can reach my goals. Of course, I don't mean forcing them to do things they don't enjoy doing.

By roots, it refers to the grounding that we give our children. They must be rooted in core values, virtues, and proper moral upbringing. Instead of focusing solely on skills and shaping their talents, they must be nurtured through character development. By giving them wings, we are giving them the freedom to soar as high as their potential takes them, and giving them the proper environments to grow and learn in. What they achieve and how far it takes them is entirely up to their own dedication and effort put in.

I remember these words dearly and hold them close to my heart whenever I think about Rena's education and how to impart her with the right values. Hopefully it makes sense to whoever's reading this as well.  By the way here's a video clip I made to celebrate me and Mabel's 7th wedding anniversary. Enjoy!