I've been having a lot of weird dreams lately. Most of which are re-runs and even recycled dreams; meaning, I've had them before. I know how it's gonna end, but I can't change the outcome. I've no idea what these dreams mean, so maybe someone out there can help me decipher them:
Dream #1
I'm at the PISA Aquatic Center main pool. It's in the evening and the pool is crowded with swimmers and kids. The sun is shining brightly outside. Feels like a weekend afternoon. I don't see my kids training, and I'm about to go for a dip in the pool. I dive off the starting block and plunge into the water. When I surface, it's dark ... it's night-time and the pool is deserted. The doors are locked and there aren't any lights on. The silence is eerie. I'm the only one in the now-deserted swimming pool.
Dream #2
Again, I'm at the PISA Aquatic Center main pool. A training session is underway. It's early morning so the pool isn't open to the public yet. It's just us in the pool. I'm preparing the swimmers for a sprint. There are kids on the starting blocks waiting for my signal while others are lined up behind. I walk forward (away from the kids) and blow my whistle for them to go. When I look back, everyone's gone. The pool is empty. It's still day-time, but the floor is dry and the water is undisturbed.
Dream #3
Now this one is a little scary. I've been asked to give swimming lessons. I arrive at the student's home. It's a large, luxurious house with many swimming pools of various sizes. There are people everywhere. Some cheerful, others chatting happily. My colleagues - coaches from other teams - are there as well. Some for swimming lessons while others for poolside parties. Everyone is in a pool of their own in this house. I'm asked to conduct my swimming lessons in a pool which is empty. This pool is empty except for a silver-coloured fish swimming at the bottom of the pool. I dive into the pool and without knowing, I touch this fish. When I surface, the world is totally different. It looks like there had been a war. The once-luxurious house is now in ruins with wreckage everywhere. The sky is an eerie red and orange. I'm now standing on the bottom of the now-empty pool. There's no sign of the silver-coloured fish. I find myself desperate to escape.
I've had Dream #1 and Dream #3 before when I was going through very rough times. It surprises and scares me that I'm having the same dreams again now. Premonition? Imagination working over-time?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Ok, ok ... back already
Phew, I've had a busy past few weeks. No time to update this blog or my own website even.
First, there was the course in Bukit Jawi. Course was good, and participants were all school teachers. I particularly enjoyed the times when I told the school teachers to "keep quiet".
Bukit Jawi Golf Resort is a beautiful club. Really beautiful. 36-holes. Wow. The only downside to it is the flies. I mean, they're everywhere. Flying into your hair and even your clothes. Hope they'll find a solution for it soon.
Then, there were the meetings with ISN to arrange workouts and gym sessions for my team. I've finally gotten the gym sessions started with ISN preparing the gym workouts.
This week, I've finally come up with the qualifying criteria for the National Inter-Club Meet in December. I've "dumbed" down the QT to 50th placing of the previous year's National Inter-Club. Despite this, less than 5 kids will actually qualify. But worry not; apart from QT, there are other qualifying criteria as well, such as training attendance and performance. All these will be taken into consideration.
Month-end is coming, so that means it's report time. Ugh! The workouts for this week have been really easy on the kids. Sculling practices, drills, more sculling practices. The calm before the storm?
First, there was the course in Bukit Jawi. Course was good, and participants were all school teachers. I particularly enjoyed the times when I told the school teachers to "keep quiet".
Bukit Jawi Golf Resort is a beautiful club. Really beautiful. 36-holes. Wow. The only downside to it is the flies. I mean, they're everywhere. Flying into your hair and even your clothes. Hope they'll find a solution for it soon.
Then, there were the meetings with ISN to arrange workouts and gym sessions for my team. I've finally gotten the gym sessions started with ISN preparing the gym workouts.
This week, I've finally come up with the qualifying criteria for the National Inter-Club Meet in December. I've "dumbed" down the QT to 50th placing of the previous year's National Inter-Club. Despite this, less than 5 kids will actually qualify. But worry not; apart from QT, there are other qualifying criteria as well, such as training attendance and performance. All these will be taken into consideration.
Month-end is coming, so that means it's report time. Ugh! The workouts for this week have been really easy on the kids. Sculling practices, drills, more sculling practices. The calm before the storm?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Time Trials
This had been planned for quite some time already, but the original plan was to hold the Time Trials during end-August ... the week that I'd be away, and also the week that most kids would be away from training due to school exams. So, I had no choice but to re-schedule and bring the Time Trials forward one week.
Kids are not doing so well for their pet events during the Time Trials. This is expected, but what's not expected is how badly they're actually doing.
The Time Trials will be conducted until Friday. This gives kids who can't attend on a regular basis a chance to take part in the Time Trials. If they still can't make it, oh well ... I guess it's obvious where their priorities are.
Kids are not doing so well for their pet events during the Time Trials. This is expected, but what's not expected is how badly they're actually doing.
The Time Trials will be conducted until Friday. This gives kids who can't attend on a regular basis a chance to take part in the Time Trials. If they still can't make it, oh well ... I guess it's obvious where their priorities are.
Monday, August 10, 2009
"You can't have your cake and eat it"
Have any of you ever seen those moist and juicy-looking cakes on display at bakery windows? Well, some of those at display are actually made of wood and painted to look moist, while others are actually made of wax.
Well, that's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. I have my piece of cake, but can't eat it ... not because I don't want to, but because it's inedible. It's just there for show, and I'm part of the show.
Well, that's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. I have my piece of cake, but can't eat it ... not because I don't want to, but because it's inedible. It's just there for show, and I'm part of the show.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
PC Fair day 3
The third and final day of the PC Fair at PISA. Thank you very much.
The traffic at PISA becomes worse with each day of the PC Fair. Fortunately, the location of my usual parking spot is still unknown to the public ... muahahahah!
Today was the last of the heavy sprint / speed workouts. Tomorrow starts with the transition from GPP to SPP. I'd also need to take into consideration that it's exam time for most of the kids this week. So that means I need to reduce the intensity and stress during workouts. It's not easy to put everything together in one neat package. I wonder if the kids appreciate the effort that's been given to them.
Zeke was a no-show again today. That's worrying because his attendance has been real crappy this whole month and last month he didn't make the 20-session requirement. I hope he gets well soon and re-joins the workouts.
The traffic at PISA becomes worse with each day of the PC Fair. Fortunately, the location of my usual parking spot is still unknown to the public ... muahahahah!
Today was the last of the heavy sprint / speed workouts. Tomorrow starts with the transition from GPP to SPP. I'd also need to take into consideration that it's exam time for most of the kids this week. So that means I need to reduce the intensity and stress during workouts. It's not easy to put everything together in one neat package. I wonder if the kids appreciate the effort that's been given to them.
Zeke was a no-show again today. That's worrying because his attendance has been real crappy this whole month and last month he didn't make the 20-session requirement. I hope he gets well soon and re-joins the workouts.
PC Fair day 2
Parking during the second day of PC Fair was still manageable. My usual spot was still available.
The training session for Saturday was quite disappointing for me. My top swimmers failed to do their best times during the sprint sets.
On Saturday also, we welcomed back a foreign swimmer whom I thought was not gonna train with us again for the year. Having her back in the team again was truly a welcome relief. What's more, the good news her mother gave me made me feel like my burdens had been lifted off me.
In another note, my piano still sounds a wee bit off tune despite the two tunings its gone through. I'm quite disappointed because I was hoping to have a fully functioning piano this weekend. What's more, the total costs for the full repairs is still gonna be somewhere around RM600.
Anyway, have a good weekend everyone.
The training session for Saturday was quite disappointing for me. My top swimmers failed to do their best times during the sprint sets.
On Saturday also, we welcomed back a foreign swimmer whom I thought was not gonna train with us again for the year. Having her back in the team again was truly a welcome relief. What's more, the good news her mother gave me made me feel like my burdens had been lifted off me.
In another note, my piano still sounds a wee bit off tune despite the two tunings its gone through. I'm quite disappointed because I was hoping to have a fully functioning piano this weekend. What's more, the total costs for the full repairs is still gonna be somewhere around RM600.
Anyway, have a good weekend everyone.
Friday, August 7, 2009
PC Fair day 1
Today was the first day of PC Fair (or Pikom Fair, whichever works for you). I was thinking that the parking today at PISA won't be that bad. Boy, was I ever wrong!
Even on the first day, parking was like crazy! People were parking cars outside PISA already -- a common sight you'd see on the 2nd and last days. But this was just the first day!
But anyway, I bought some printer ink catridges, took part in a lucky draw, and walked away with a free Epson travelling bag. Whee! :P
Training went smoothly. The new "Intermediates" had trouble keeping up though, despite the fact that it was still a taper workout. But nevermind. They're adjusting ... I hope.
Even on the first day, parking was like crazy! People were parking cars outside PISA already -- a common sight you'd see on the 2nd and last days. But this was just the first day!
But anyway, I bought some printer ink catridges, took part in a lucky draw, and walked away with a free Epson travelling bag. Whee! :P
Training went smoothly. The new "Intermediates" had trouble keeping up though, despite the fact that it was still a taper workout. But nevermind. They're adjusting ... I hope.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Taper and time evaluation
Today's workout was a taper workout. I took this as an opportunity to do a time evaluation for my senior swimmers.
The times for those tapering was as expected, but the times for my senior swimmers were not exactly up to my expectations.
This shows that we have a long way to go before we can present ourselves at any competitions. If the times of those who have been active are below expectations, what should I expect of those who are inactive?
On another note, I had my piano tuned today. It seems that a lot of strings need to be replaced. So the total tuning and repair cost is gonna come to something like RM600.
Ouch!
Anyway, if it needs to be done, then it has to be done. Just have to bite the bullet I guess ... or maybe, increase training fees ... hehehehe ... just kidding. =)
The times for those tapering was as expected, but the times for my senior swimmers were not exactly up to my expectations.
This shows that we have a long way to go before we can present ourselves at any competitions. If the times of those who have been active are below expectations, what should I expect of those who are inactive?
On another note, I had my piano tuned today. It seems that a lot of strings need to be replaced. So the total tuning and repair cost is gonna come to something like RM600.
Ouch!
Anyway, if it needs to be done, then it has to be done. Just have to bite the bullet I guess ... or maybe, increase training fees ... hehehehe ... just kidding. =)
Stupid things that I do
Yesterday was my day off. My temperature was back to normal, so I decided to spend some time driving to clear my mind. I decided to drive over to the Penang Bridge. I stopped somewhere near mid-span, got out and decided to look around. (It's illegal to stop on the bridge by the way.)
Man, it's a looong way down.
I took out a 20 sen coin and dropped it into the sea below. It didn't even make a splash; it just disappeared into the waves. Took only a few seconds to disappear.
Just then, a PLUS Ronda pickup showed up flashing its lights and I went, "ok, ok, I'm going".
Drove over to Butterworth but missed the "Pusing Balik ke Pulau Pinang" exit. Ended up going in circles and even ended up at the dry dock where the PPSB ferries get repaired or retire. Gosh, those ferries really look old and in a sorry state. I wonder how I will be when I retire.
Finally made it to the Butterworth-Penang Bridge toll plaza. Since I had a Touch N Go card, I decided to take advantage of it. When it was my turn at the toll booth, I confidently touched my Touch N Go card at the reader thingy. No response. I touched again. Lagi no response. I must have whacked the card dunno how many times until a PBSB personnel showed up and told me my card was faulty. He then directed the frustrated and very-upset queue behind me to the toll booths nearby.
The now-angry queue behind me grudgingly did so, and wasn't going to let me cut it in front of me after my unsuccessful Touch N Go. So after some hand waves, help from PBSB personnel and after receiving some curses and fingers, I was able to pay the toll by cash and go home!
Sheesh! This little excursion took nearly 4 hours.
See how a bad situation can get worse?
Man, it's a looong way down.
I took out a 20 sen coin and dropped it into the sea below. It didn't even make a splash; it just disappeared into the waves. Took only a few seconds to disappear.
Just then, a PLUS Ronda pickup showed up flashing its lights and I went, "ok, ok, I'm going".
Drove over to Butterworth but missed the "Pusing Balik ke Pulau Pinang" exit. Ended up going in circles and even ended up at the dry dock where the PPSB ferries get repaired or retire. Gosh, those ferries really look old and in a sorry state. I wonder how I will be when I retire.
Finally made it to the Butterworth-Penang Bridge toll plaza. Since I had a Touch N Go card, I decided to take advantage of it. When it was my turn at the toll booth, I confidently touched my Touch N Go card at the reader thingy. No response. I touched again. Lagi no response. I must have whacked the card dunno how many times until a PBSB personnel showed up and told me my card was faulty. He then directed the frustrated and very-upset queue behind me to the toll booths nearby.
The now-angry queue behind me grudgingly did so, and wasn't going to let me cut it in front of me after my unsuccessful Touch N Go. So after some hand waves, help from PBSB personnel and after receiving some curses and fingers, I was able to pay the toll by cash and go home!
Sheesh! This little excursion took nearly 4 hours.
See how a bad situation can get worse?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Fever
Woke up this morning with a 99-degree temperature. After my bath, temperature became 100 degrees.
Drove to PISA for morning training. Felt like throwing up once I got there. Ended training early and went to the doctor. Temperature was 100.5 degrees at clinic. But no sore throat, no coughing, no flu-like symptoms. Doctor told me to take my temperature every few hours and take a few days off.
Doctor asks if I've been outstation lately. I tell him I was in Miri, but that was like, one month ago. Then he tells me, in a matter-of-fact tone, "the newspapers just reported that someone died from H1N1 in Miri recently."
Very comforting.
Drove home. Can't stop thinking how comfortable my bed is going to be after taking the medicine.
Parked my car outside my gate, let the dogs into the house, opened gate, went in, took medicine, changed and went to lie down. Ahhh ... that felt so good. Nice soft pillow, ceiling fan humming quietly, window blinds closed, room darkened ...
But what's that car sound outside my house?
OH CRAP!
I left my car outside with its engine running and doors unlocked. What's more, my front gate was wide open!
So quickly went out, drove car into porch, closed gate, let dogs out, locked door, and went back to bed. Ahhh ... now that's better.
Fortunately, temperature had gone back down to 99 degrees at lunch time. But I decided to cancel the evening training session just in case.
Drove to PISA for morning training. Felt like throwing up once I got there. Ended training early and went to the doctor. Temperature was 100.5 degrees at clinic. But no sore throat, no coughing, no flu-like symptoms. Doctor told me to take my temperature every few hours and take a few days off.
Doctor asks if I've been outstation lately. I tell him I was in Miri, but that was like, one month ago. Then he tells me, in a matter-of-fact tone, "the newspapers just reported that someone died from H1N1 in Miri recently."
Very comforting.
Drove home. Can't stop thinking how comfortable my bed is going to be after taking the medicine.
Parked my car outside my gate, let the dogs into the house, opened gate, went in, took medicine, changed and went to lie down. Ahhh ... that felt so good. Nice soft pillow, ceiling fan humming quietly, window blinds closed, room darkened ...
But what's that car sound outside my house?
OH CRAP!
I left my car outside with its engine running and doors unlocked. What's more, my front gate was wide open!
So quickly went out, drove car into porch, closed gate, let dogs out, locked door, and went back to bed. Ahhh ... now that's better.
Fortunately, temperature had gone back down to 99 degrees at lunch time. But I decided to cancel the evening training session just in case.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Time out
I actually had a program to run today, but decided on giving the kids fun and games instead since its exam season.
On another note, I've finally finished all my reports. Now only left one report to complete for MSN.
On another note, I've finally finished all my reports. Now only left one report to complete for MSN.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Anaerobic workout
Quite a tough workout for the kids today. But they pulled through it. Overall, they did quite well today.
Best part is, I get to wake up late tomorrow morning.
Best part is, I get to wake up late tomorrow morning.