and there there was November

October came by in a whizz.

Much work events has happened.

Tired but hanging on.

It's been a slack month at the gym and I need to be more hardworking.

Readjusting my schedule here and there, it has been delightful nonetheless.

Am contented and happy and with 2 more months before 2009 comes to a close, I wonder what is install.

I should post pictures but I'm kinda lazy.

Gonna head to bed.

Work week ahead.

as the cold wind blows

when the situation changes, some part of your lifestyle gives in.

my weekend has remolded itself to a more R&R time where I take it easy.

I drop my regular weekend activity mainly due to the sun and the harsh intensity of training.

Thus has made me relook and rethink what I want to remodel my lifestyle into.

That said, I'm pleased at what I achieve.

Next phase, new priorities.

Watch out. Pictures coming soon!

the story of the pocket 5s

I was down about 60 plus but I slowly climbed my way up playing conservative poker.

On a table of 7, everyone was clearly holding their cards closely with just one person being the agreesor with about 360 in chips.

I peeped at my cards. 5 clubs, 5 diamonds.

Small pocket I thought. Odds are against me if they are big overcards on the flop.

I was the dealer. I had advantage. To see all doing the call.

First to call, bidded 7. Five people came in along with me that joined the fray.

Flop 3 diamonds, 5 hearts, 7 clubs.

I had triples. I was slightly excited because I had the advantage somewhat.

But I know somebody could be buying the straight. Or even had a straight with a 4 & 6.

We were all joking everyone had a 4 and 6.

First to call bidded $30. Everyone consequentially folded except Mr. Aggressor.

He called.

I just cooly pushed 3 red chips in and called.

2 spades appeared next.

Doesn't change much except if you have an Ace Four. Unlikely given the big 30 scare.

First to call person, he bidded all in. 70 bucks.

He had just bought in.

Mr. Agressor thinks. Hesitate. And calls.

2 players in. Now me the dealer. I'm sure someone has the straight. And I'm on the losing end.

But my chances were there to get a full house if a 2, 3 or 7 appears.

So I chanted very softly that I wanted a 2, 3 and 7. I don't know if anyone heard that.

On the river card. A 3 of hearts.

Full House.

My house is pounding. And excited.

It's Mister aggressor turn. The pot was about 300 odd.

He counted his chips and all in. $260.

Oh my god.

That was alot of money. I was abit shell shocked.

I was wondering what could he have to beat me.

A pocket pair of 7s can only defeat me or a pocket pair of 3s.

I showed my cards to Fabian.

He was stunned too.

He said, "what the hell you waiting for?"

I got him covered. So I called.

I show my 5s. Full house.

First-to-call dude revealed a 4,6. A straight on the flop but lost out to my full house.

Mr. Agressor just had a top pair with a Queen kicker.

That said, I was elated.

A pot of 600 bucks.

Speechless but it is a night to remember.

The story of my pocket 5s

Oct 09 - breezing thru life

it's a great weekend!

finished with my work event & went down to Pump Room!

celebrated gwenne's birthday.

had beer which was rather blah in my review. give me champagne anytime!

feelin rather perky too since it's been a while I did poker. had decent plays n kept my head afloat.

and gosh, it's October already.

time passes really fast.

I enjoy what I do and I guess I'm fortunate to be where I am.

And I'm kinda in some sort of competition and need votes.

gotta stop procrastinating and start garnering support!

RAWR

oh and I've been on the Twitter train for quite a while, for more micro blogging excerpts from me, add me at benjaloy.

peace out and staying positive
B

and I talk about the weather

One of my biggest pet peeve is frankly, the weather.

I know it is bane for many, sweating profusely.

And it is sunny Singapore after all, your sweat glands have a workout every morning.

What irritates me most is that I'm all slathered up with moisturizer and wax for the work day ahead.

And BAM!

The hot sun sears your face like an iron meeting it's nemesis of a crumpled starched shirt.

Yes, I'm still sweating as I type this on the go.

Another horrid start to a morning.

I reminsence the days in Brisbane.

Sun was merciless but the wind gods had some consience.

Well at least it's a Friday. Been a short week.

May my streak continue :)

my 2009 F1 weekend ahead

I dunno how much revenue the F1 is earning.

But it sure creates loads of hell for Singaporeans.

I pity those that work at Suntec City.

It's such hassle as I have noticably felt the growing crowd that it is quite an orgy given the smell of sweating armpits wavering in the air.

That's why on this faithful weekend, I'm opting to gym at Orchard or Raffles to avoid the horrendous crowd. Which reminds me, I got an appointment at 4pm at Dempsey.

I was at the Paddock Club last year. The noise was unbearable even though I wa in a nice Air-conditioned suite. I hope my weekend nights will be filled with mahjong.

If I was to watch the F1, Tv is the best way to go. With multiple angled cameras, a sofa and a remote to surf if the Tarmac looks boring, why waste good money when you can avoid the grime and enjoy time on my lovely big screen.

My plans for the weekend ahead. What's yours?

expect a revamp

I reckon blogging has taken a few steps back over the last few months.

Work has flooded my mind and well, blogging is lesser of a priority.

I am declaring a change.

I will BLOG MORE.

I'm gonna change my blog layout and there is going to be more of a theme.

Yes, since I am more health conscious and more of a gym rat now, it is going to have a fitness slant.

This journal will be take on a typical Singaporean bloke viewpoint on health and fitness issue.

So I'm gonna revamp it a little, even resort to renaming it.

Let's see where this take us.

This project will take about a week lead time.

Hopefully, you get to see this revamp by the time I reach 25.

Cheers,
Ben

and then it is August. Gasp.

There goes June.

And then July.

I am more onto twitter and facebook these days.

Blogging takes a backseat.

I am totally enjoying my iphone.

Had a holiday in Indonesia.

Have loads of photos but hate the hassle of posting it up.

It's August.

Had a cozy long weekend.

Felt weird to holiday on a Monday but hey, beats nothing.

I am looking to work towards my New Year resolution now.

Working harder. New job and gymming.

Let's see how far I go.

may day

one third of the year is gone.

i am still amazed how things pass by in the blink of a month.

Spent like 6 hours at the gym today.

Followed by 5 rounds of Mahjong.

It was an exhausting but exhilarating day.

Boo yah.

Now I have saturday and sunday to recover lol.

Shall post some of my graduation pics when i can.

Ben

aims

Happy Birthday to both Clara and Eddee.

Hope you guys are happy reaching a significant market. 20 and 25.

Sometimes, birthdays work as a marquee of what you have achieved for the past year.

Some aim for riches, some aim for fame, some aim for family happiness, some aim for well-being, some for personal welfare.

Everyone is in a struggle to achieve their aims.

I guess I am not made for riches or fame.

I don't have a talent or a skill to stand out.

It is always a constant struggle.

Whether you are 16 battling out the 10-year series, 23 years old battling out the exam clock or 28 trying to fight for that pay rise.

And what will it come down to in the end.

We all die eventually.

Sorry to be despondent but has anyone ever look at the end game.

It's the journey of life. The experience that one garners through it all.

And in retrospect. I'm 25 soon and what have I achieved.

Have I experience what I want to experience yet.

I am more financially independent now so what is the next chess move.

To struggle as a middle class lab rat in society.

Yes, I might not have the pleasures of life or the wealth of a happy family ahead but in a way.

It's my own battle to fight. My own war that I am conquering my very own aims.

spinning around

it's the month of April

and everything is not going as smoothly as what I preplanned.

Lots of hiccups and torrential tornados of life daily's spin.

It's hard to phrase what I'm going through but it's mostly an emotional grind as compared to the physical and mental hardships that some people are facing.

I'm in no position to demoan but I'm glad to be thankful for the blessings I already have.

I wonder what it is like to pack my bags and leave the country.

The feeling of abandonment coupled with a renewed sense of adventure. What courage would I need to pack up and go.

Clara's birthday is encroaching and she's reaching the big 2-5.

Talk about quarter life crisis.

It has been five years since this blog has been set up.

And I have every sound and mind to close it down.

Given that I am a working professional and would prefer to stay below the radar among potential clients and sort, having a blog means a sacrifice of personal space but with that gain of voyeuristic pleasure.

I'm still debating this consequence and hence, my reluctance to blog about daily issues about my trials and tribulations.

Partially due to my laziness. And I would like to blame the non user friendliness of Blogger haha.

i'll take each day as it goes.

The road I take might be a winding road but hopefully, I reach my destination.

I'm not destined for greatness. I walk my own path of happiness.

Ben

april

in a nutshell.

occupied.

Bachelor preview

and then there was March

And then there was March.

February passed by in a breeze for me.

I never expected the flurry of hectic events for me but yes, I bowled myself over unexpectedly.

As there was no more public holidays after the CNY haze, I thought it was going to be a period of lull.

I fooled myself into thinking that.

Turns out, February was like Speedy Gonzalez.

So many things to do, be it work, gym, dragon boat and other side activities like driving lessons.

Juggling all at one go isn’t that easy if I had to sandwich them together with my leisure activities like dating or catching a movie with friends.

But February was well panned out even though I was fatigued. Enjoyed every moment of it even though it has been taxing on my body with an average of 6 hours of sleep.

I try to catch some shut eye over the weekend when I can now but I’m holding up well.

And now it’s March.

I love the start of a month. It’s like New Year Day but without the fanfare.

I can make monthly resolutions that I can abide by that gives me the small shot of adrenaline if I do obey it.

Yes, I know it is a matter of time whether I break them but I choose to be resolute and let’s see how it keeps up.

I keep my weekdays and weekends fully packed and its kinda maniacal, sadistic but crazily enjoyable.

What’s instore for March I say? My university gal pal is coming over to Singapore, the CLEO event, the 125 km Bike Rally and MR 500. Not forgetting it will be packed with cardio runs as I need to prep for the duathlon coming up in April.

It has been a rather explosive start to the year.

If January was a lay-over of 2008 and if February was a sign of 2009 to things to come, my only hope is that I don’t burn myself out.

That said, I think 2009 is gonna be spectacular.

Work wise, I think I have grown more adept and wiser. And I am thankful I have a job amidst the economic gloom

I am taking things one step at a time but with dominoes already falling into place, it is hard to interfere but look up, smile and enjoy the sun.

On a similar note, I have taken Mark Twain’s words as sort of a guiding light for my next few years to come.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream Discover.”

2009 CNY

Happy New Year to one and all.

Celebrating with friends and relatives was a whale of good fun.

Tomorrow beckons the return to work as I reckon the same for many.

All dragging their dreary NY cookie-filled bodies back to work.

I had a tame celebration with friends mostly.

No alcohol, no clubbing.

Just gambling and having a laugh.

I won't accord getting old as a shift of priorities.

It just means you start to shift to a mode where having a smaller circle of important friends are all that you need.

The festive mood has simmered in my opinion and as I reeled into what has transpired the last few weeks.

I think it's a good time to take a breather and re-think what works and what not.

Re-starting the gear is not as easy as 1, 2 and 3.

Because feeling lost at the embarkation of a new year is rather unnerving.

Let's see where the ox takes me.

life's updates

so how has life been for me.

It's been good so far.

Been keeping myself really occupied. Feeling a bad I'm not spending as much time with my family as I should.

Will make that as a resolution and bring them out go makan of sorts.

Managed to get a IPPT silver, really excited since I haven't revisited IPPT since army days. At least I can still remember to jump SBJ, hehe.

Work wise everything is fine and dandy, I'm working doubly hard to churn out what I need to do. On that aspect, I think I deserve some self kudos.

Lots of exciting stuff happening in the first half of this year.

Can't wait to see how it all pans out.

As the year of the Ox approaches, I wait with abated breath the challenges coming up over the corner.

Spring cleaning ahead for CNY and I'm a little reluctant to clean up the last wardrobe. New furniture's coming in. Weeee~

Gambling season is here.

As January ends, I will be a bit sad. And I will persevere and work matters through.

Cross my fingers

B