A one-live cat’s life

Well at last, I am glad that my impression about Australia’s customer service is changed a bit when I received two emails on confirmation of receiving my complaint about a Sydney Bus driver written in my previuos blog.

And this morning I got an appology letter from the Sydney Transit Authority management.

Why am I riding the bus anyway? It is because It is convinient for me from home to work, saves me energy and saves the environment by not adding another car on the road contributing to the CO2.

After hosting a seafood lunch with Sissi, Martin and Vera Joy, (Terry cooked) getting too drunk, anticipated the Mardigras parade which I missed because of the pissed condition, waking up with hang over and a 10Km race, the weekend was good except the bad running performance and the hang over, we went to Blue mountains, Katoomba and had picnic of what has been a left over from the lunch the other day.

Rode the World’s steepest tram which is one of the highlights aside from the picnic.

And saw the famous three sisters which is known to be one of the dreamtime aboriginal stories told where three aboriginal sisters got lost in this vast mountain ranges and never came back and grew into three stones amongst the area.

It has been a hectic weekend for me but i love it.  Its been packed with 3 runs and resting in between.

Resting means going out, socializing and leaving life.  Yep, that’s after a 5 day/7 hour work time.

Friday was after participating the culmination of the Sydney Twilight Series of Cool running, I went out for drinks and dinner by Terry’s friends birthday, Mathew, to Pyrmont Bridge Hotel.

Pyrmont Bridge Hotel.Its a familiar name of a pub as work is just near I suppose, but I have never been here.  I just learned that its the pub I always pass by when I go to Darling harbor and cross the Pyrmont Bridge, just before the Maritime Museum.  The birthday boy had the rooftop reserved for his night, he was pretty sloshed everyone buying him a drink, although the Asian owner did charge more and did not tell the party ahead of hand of his conditions for renting the roof top.  That got settled.  We had pub dinner of chicken burger and chips and fish and chips. The bouncers were alright, then we were moved us down to level two after 11pm as residents around the area would complain bout noise if they keep us there.  And that I learned that this pub is 24/7! wow. rating: ***

The London Hotel.  Saturday arvo, after the Woodstock Handicap and doing some errands and dropping off change of clothes of me and Tomomi to John Dawling’s house at Balmain, I thought of having a good early tea at London Hotel.  I always pass by this Pub whenever I wanted to do hill runs at Darling street at the end of Thorton Park.  It is actually a torture on the part of steep climb to the roundabout where this pub is, wanting not to stop seeing people drinking their cold beer at the veranda, and its always full.  So I thought this must be a good pub.  Had burger and beer, where they serve Blue Tongue on tap.  Its a very noisy pub, lots of people talking, music at the background, Telly with sports, pool tables and poker machines.  I think there are lots of Londoners who often go there and catch up with their mates.  Its also a dog friendly hotel, where having have sat there for 2 hours I saw 4 dog/dog owner got a table inside without being hassled by the staff. rating: ***

Tarongga Zoo.  This has been a mission that has been canceled last week. After the long run to Cronulla at lunch time we finally decided to go to the zoo.  I went here with my cousin Sue Ann and his family last October.  I did like it.  Now went with Terry and surprising i saw different animals as this were the side that has been closed when we were there last October.  I did not get to see the chimpanzees as it is one of my faves as we ran out of time.  It was also interesting trip as this month is when the Sydney Harbor gets busy with Cruise ships, and there were 3 big ships at the harbor during the trip.

Just like most of the aussies who love their (summer) weekends I was relaxing and spent my time of 7th of February in Brisbane.  I knew 4 days ago that it’s going to be a very really hot weekend in Sydney at 40/41 degrees where I was staying.  Hotter in those areas in the west.  I was happy I escaped the heat.  Weekend was wonderful, but not for all Aussies or people living in oz.

That Sunday night, I sent SMS to my family back in Philippines informing them of the good weekend vacation I had and telling them they should not worry about me affected by the bush fires in Victoria and Floods in Queensland.

That Sunday night, while waiting for my flight, flight were delayed because the smoke from Victoria is tat bad and to see the news that there were people killed/hurt and left homeless by the fire.  While on the opposite north of the continent, North Queensland is flooded and are being challenged by Dengue infestation.

I am not used to see that a 1st world country/western country having such calamities.  They were supposed to be “children of God” (idiomatic expression).  So interesting to see how they react to this kind of drama in their lives.  You still see that its very common compare it to Philippines when one house is on fire instead of helping them save the household, some people take advantage of the stuff instead, and just shows that men are such animals and even in a western world it also happens in Australia, just like stories during the Hurricane Katrina in US.

In telly, I also saw that they can be as hopeful as Filos, that they will still be able to get up on their feet and start all over again.  The government and their fellow men are so helpful too raising charities and giving charities for the victims.  Oz is so blessed to have lots of millionaires or people who have enough to share.  Philippines would often rely on Foreign charity.  Local support is still there but it is not enough.  maybe because its not that there is not enough people who have enough but government funds is not put to proper use.  Well who knows!

I’m glad to see that watching the charity shows in Tv last Friday, the victims still manage to smile depite that their homes were burned, just like how calaity-stricken-Filos when filmed.

I tell Australia and Australians that of course you will be able to get back on track on your feet and start all over again.  Blessed are you for good support from government and fellowmen.  You are still far blessed compared to 3rd world countries struck with or without devastation.

Just yesterday when I realized I already have been working with the company i am with for four years last Feb 1!  I was not even aware not until I saw what date it is yesterday.

Funny huh.  Yes I once forgot my birthday that was my 22nd I think.  Now I forgot my job anniversary.  Congratulations to me, this is the longest i made it through a job :)!

I’ve had 4 jobs after this, this is my fifth in my almost nine years of my career.  It was usual that when i reach the 2nd year i get bored and i wanted to find better work.  Never did I feel that way with this job.  I am also thankful I still belong with them.  two and a half years from the mother company and a year and a half with the merger, two sites, stayed on the same team ever since i joined.

Not long enough, last Tuesday, they announced that they will soon start the downsizing again of the company because of the “global economic crisis”.  But they told us (i was not in that meeting i was out working for a project) that Oz office will be least affected.  Well still who knows.

Its been like 2 months preparation that the activity has been posted by James in Couchsurfing that he is keen to do a Caving and Abseiling trip in Bungonia sometime in November. At last, November 29-30 the activity pushed through.

James is a caving and abseiling instructor aside from his normal job as a teacher. there were more or less 18 couchsurfers and 3 guests or so who joined the trip.

So us, who have no cars are divided amongst the surfers who have cars and Amy from last week’s trip volunteered to take me. I was having a surfer that week from Thursday and Friday night, Roberto from Spain, that I had to chuck poor thing really early as I was laving the house before 530 to catch the train and bus to Erskenville to Amy’s.

Roberto and I waited for the bus but it did not arrive, waited for 30 minutes and still no bus arrived and so we hitched on a taxi with this lady waiting on the shed with us, I dropped Roberto @ Newtown and just my luck the driver he does not have any sense of direction and do not know where Erskenville is and I am already 5 minutes late.  Eventually after 3 stops of asking directions, we made it through.

I was met by Dorothee waiting at the gates of Amy, then Vallicity and Amy.  We set off around 7am towards south of NSW.  Bungonia is around 58KMs away from Campbelltown.

James and party was waiting at the turn around point to the National park, where we were met by 3 more cars.  Then head off to the campsite.

First activity was setting the camping site. Tents and everything! You see, I never had any camping experience in my life.  My parents did not let me join the scouts when i was younger.  So this is very exciting for me.  But one aim was for me to find who can host me during the night! i did not have any tent but just sleeping bag.  Alas! Michael had a “mother” tent and not hosting anyone and I am lucky that he was accommodating enough to adopt me.  He even had some cots set up that we need not sleep on the ground! I am so lucky!  So i did learn how to pitch a tent (and depitch it on the second day).

After setting like 12 tents in the site, James oriented us the camping rules and activities.  He is only able to take in 8 campers in the cave each time and I was not sure yet as the last time i did caving a year ago i broke my toe.  So I did a bush walk with Tracey.  Did see the canyons and lookouts and geckos and ants and ant hills no major wildlife.

The caving takes at max 2.5 hours and James estimated coming back in two hours.  We waited at the mouth of the cave 15 minutes before they should be coming out as phone signal is bad that if they get distress or we get lost it is going to be challenging.  Right enough, they were back and complete in 2 hours, muddy with smiling faces.  We head back to the camp for lunch!

We had Sandwiches and fruit that lunch and had our picnic at the camp site.  Rested for an hour and James was ready to take the next batch for caving.  There were 11 of us but he took us anyway.

We did the same cave called Grill Cave.  We can go as far as 1.5 kilometer deep.  Its the safest distance we can go as if we go further, high level of Carbon Dioxide is high and so it is not good.  This is more of tourist friendly cave. and an easy one, to James (not for me!).  But I think this is easier than the Sumagiung caves in Sagada.  Just having short legs makes it difficult reaching the steps and careful not to slip.  Fair enough share of stalagmites and stalactites.  We came back at the entrance of the cave ad there was still daylight.  We were less muddy compared to the first batch.

We had our shower, and got ready for dinner time  We had pasta, sausages, grilled veggies, kebabs, and beer and chocolate.  Then we finished the night off with a game of Jengga Michael brought with him.

It was raining when it was time to go back to the tents.  It is good combination that i was tired and the beers and the cot! I was able to sleep well.

Following morning, i woke up wanting to do a run on the trails but i did not have any of my running attire so i just slept in and after I learned that breakfast is ready so I had two pancakes! And then as planned we packed the tents and got ready for the abseiling activity.

Again I was one of the last person to do the activity as I do have a fear for doing free fall activities.  Yet I was happy  I did it.  And now I think I like abseiling better than caving.

We went back to the campsite and had our lunch, left over pasta salad, sandwiches, fruits, chips and chocolate.  Our party went ahead of the group back to Sydney.  The rest of the grup were left at the camp and they did play cricket, frizbee and volleyball.  Before we left we were able to get a glimpse of a monitor lizard.  Some of the campers saw kangaroos while we were on the cave, echidna and we saw a possum.  It was very nice.  The trip was a tiring but fun weekend.

I ditched my Woodstock Saturday run this weekend because I scheduled to join a walk with CS friends to palm beach this Saturday. It was a good schedule i thought because i was meaning to do rest a day before i was suppose to do  the Sri Chimnoy half marathon the day after.

Even after a party the night before coming home past 1 in the morning, drunk, I managed to get up and be on time at our meeting point in Erskenville with Amy who volunteered to drive to the trip. It was raining when we started the trip, and the day was cloudy. It took us around more than an hour to drive up the Palm beach area. It was Amy, An-young, Alex and me and met Matt in the beach, where we walked towards the light house. We did cross over to the banks of Pitt water Basin before going up the light house.

Took us round 30 - 45 minutes to get there, according to Matt, who was a local in the area, it was the shorter but steeper route.

After which we had lunch picnic with the annoying cold breeze, and after we continued walking towards Avalon Beach. Along the way we passed Whale beach unfortunately we did not spot any whales that day.

Then it started to rain, and so we decided to just walk back to the car and go to the Arms Hotel where we were told that they do serve good cocktails. Inset is pink mojito which was yummy.

It was very windy that day that we did not do any sun basking, but we got whipped a lot by natural exfoliant combination of wind and sand a lot. We got back at the City by past 7pm. It was fun and tiring trip with lots of steep stairs to climb!

Two months has passed when the Spring season has started. Strange that it was still cold for me, specially withe the chilly breeze of Sydney, yet on day one, some people shed of their winter clothing and started wearing their singlets and shorts!

Aside from that, I did like the scenery as the trees went back from brown to green, and sidewalks filled with fallen flowers instead of dead brown leaves, and just flowers blooming everywhere, so colorful!

Locals say this Spring has a weird weather, one day we got 32 degrees and one day we get 19 and rainy. At least I haven’t not really placed my winter clothes away yet so it was convenient for me but have to be always ready to have an umbrella and shirt under a jumper in case the weather changes within the day (Melbourne weather they say-4 seasons in a day).

What I am enjoying most this Spring is the festivals. So far I went to 4 of them already. I thought it was a good time to go look for Christmas pressies and food!

Floriade - In Canberra
- flowers everywhere, very nice
- booths
- Shopped? - nothing

Balmain Arts and Craft show
- Nice display of paints, and crafts, and auction items from sports figures from footy to car racing
- Shopped: Christmas cards

The Newtown Music Festival
- crowded, lots of music going on and dancing and performances, with the midget ponies for the kids and jumping castle, more for grown up kind of festival

- Shopped - a small leather wallet for myself and food

The Glebe Street Fair
- crowded, lots of shops and food, performances
- Shopped - pendants, ring, jewelry hanger and food

The Drummoyne Family Fair
- not very crowded but the most kid-friendly festival i saw. Jumping castle, booths, trampoline, ride, slides, etc.

- Shopped: table runner for Christmas

This weekend no festivals going on, but i might be going to Palm beach.

Very rare do i watch news and read newspaper for the past 3 years.  Why is that? It depresses me.  although, reading the sheets during my lunchbreak at the pantry is one pastime that takes me off from work while eating.

So what’s in the news.

** Obama won n the US Presidency election.  A new president for the America.  the first black president, the president of the minorities.  He got more than half of the vote of the blacks, the youth, and the south American descents.  He is said to be pro-Muslim too.  I thought if I would vote, I’d choose him over McCain (although hearing from my uncle who has been staying US for most of his life they voted for McCain).

** In Somalia a 13 year old girl was raped by 3 men,  she brought it justice, not knowing that the Islamic Law will turn against her.  She was accused of adultery.  The “council” tied her hands, and feet, buried her till shoulder deep, head exposed and the crowd stoned her head to death.

** In Bali, the suspects in the Kuta, bombing incident that killed people are awaiting their penalty.  Death.

** There will be no Christmas decorations in some of the Australian Mall and not even in most of the common areas.  Filo people i knew were right.  Why? It is because some non-Christmas-denomination groups appeal not to put trimming because they say why would they get the mood if they don’t celebrate it? Australia is majorly Anglican and Anglican’s as i know celebrate Christmas.  I lived in Jakarta for 7 months covering the period of Christmas.  Jakarta is the home to the most Muslim population in the world.  Christmas is very well celebrated peacefully by the Christians who are the minorities.  trimmings are seen around.

I do not discriminate/hate the Muslims.  I do have a number of friends and colleagues who are Muslims.  What i do not like are the extremists and the HUMAN interpretation of the their book Koran.  (same goes to the so-called Christians who interpret the Bible literally) - taking into consideration these were written by human. Oh how I hate so much the hypocrisy of people.  And I do not like the human laws, the society norm.  what’s a norm?

belch :*p

What’s new? You’ll will hear me again saying i did not have enough runs last week because I do not have a life, and work did own my life. So i was hesitant for joining in the 16KM race having been an absentee for a long run (14KM++ x 2) a week I thought it would be punishing my body for something its not used to.

But then again, what’s new? It’s a stubborn leo talking! I did register myself for 16KMs for the Sri Chimnoy Race at the Iron Cove, its held in my domain so its a good reason to go.

Saturday morning, 4th weekend of missing out the Woodstock Saturday run, after a fun Halloween party on a Friday, I thought I also had leg work out there standing long hours and dancing till morning, means waking up late and no run and should rest before the 16KMs tomorrow. It was like battling a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde convincing myself I should not go for a run, not even a slow run. I decided to

go cycle at the gym and do a “swim.” Good swimmers in the pool I backed out, so just 8KMs at the bike. I was bit not sure how I will go on the race since its going to be my first 16KM race. I’ll just follow my motto: “finish the race, no walking.”

6am, set my alarm, woke up at 630am, got ready, geared up (after checking the temperature outdoor 3 x if its warm or windy as clouds in Sydney can always deceive you if I should wear the long sleeved uniform or my singlet). I figured out there would be no baggage counters, so i got into my singlet, placed a Gu in my legging’s pocket, cash and keys plus one endura gel in my hand. After wich, I did my stretching and By 715am I was already out of the flat and just jogged to the event as my warm up.

No Woodstockians in sight, so i got my bib and signed the waiver. After a couple of minutes Brendan arrived then came 12 more. Kerry, Dot, John, Greg, Martin, Mark M, Mark O, Thalia, Belinda, Peter, Linda, (and um sorry Mr. Woodstock-i-forgot-your-name)!

Around 2 minutes after 8, the race started off with the 16KM runners first, followed by the 8KMs and 4KMs. Very perfect running condition, not windy, not chilly, not humid, not hot, cloudy not sunny! The route is majorly flat with few sections of few meters of inclines. I did try to pace with Thalia but oh boy, maybe quarter of the 1st kilometer I gave up! She was running fast, so I let go from her.

Photo Borrowed SriChimnoy race Photo Album. No Stopping!! @ the forground: Mark resting while pacing with me, we were trying to catch Thalia, Mark did.

First loop, I was told by Brendan 5th place. I got confused of what he meant, grab the fifth place, or I was running on 5th place. But as runners coming back from turnaround, I was counting the runners and I was at the 6th Place, so I understood what he was saying. But not long after that, another lady just caught up and managed to overtake the the female I was trying to catch. That pushed me to be 8th (female). I was pushing really harder to get her position but she was a bit few meters form me that in the second loop my legs are complaining and I was I trying to think should I Gu or not, which i did not.

During the race, knowing the bay area, its popular for runners, walkers, dog walker/runners, so it makes it easier if you are just cruising along you will not get worried getting cutoff as you can always just run with the runners. Speaking of which, i did encounter 2 undesirable incidents. A mother pushing a pram towards me! so I was not pleased, 2nd is a unmindful dog owner who was wrestling with his dog to stay at the grass, just crossed my path with him holding the leash and the dog! I almost tripped over! It took out my momentum, so a Sydney Striders male runner saw the opportunity and took advantage of that.

I still can see Thalia’s back and the lady who overtook me so I am still doing okey. Loop 2 was tough as my legs and my glutes are already complaining, which the brain over ruled and brain told me to breath normally and relax.

Two more kilometers and i forced to pace faster, seeing the finish chute and the banderitas tried to sprint, finishing 8th in my age category (50 and below). Too bad only Top 7 finishers gets awarded. Good thing, this motivates me to do better next time. I was happy that i was able to try more or less pace at 5 on a longer run in 10KMs. Performance wise it was better than of my 14KMs and 12KMs pace.

Learned that, if there is someone faster than you and try to put her as your goal you get pushed to run faster, otherwise you tend to slack (its like someone who is pacing you and pushing you harder). Not getting a place is good, that means wanting to get one next time.

It was fun having the Woodstock cheering for you at the end, that alone is very rewarding (and they were even thinking i made it to top 7).. lol! Greg, John, Martin, Brendan, Kerry, Linda and Thalia placed in the race, half of the club did place in the race, how cool is that?

Race wise, enough water stations, well marked paths in every two or three kilometer and the free pancakes, watermelon, oranges and bananas.

the woodies!(Dot, Mark,Me-enjoying the pancakes, Mark) and backdrop is the 7th Female and the 1st Female

Event: Sri Chimnoy Race Series, Iron Cove
Distance: 16KM
Time: 1:20:29 - 8th (u 50)

Results:
4KM
8KM
16KM

The event commenced with a coffee at Grumpy’s with the Woostockians.

Sri Chimnoy Race Series, next race at NSW will be at the Centennial Park, Cross Country( 21KM, 7KM, 4KM), November 23, 2008.