I woke up this morning and the sky was bright. I was thinking... ohh! It must be Saturday.. can sleep in...
Then I looked at my phone ... 7.43am... WEDNESDAY ......
WTF!!!!! I jumped out of my bed, pulled down my pants, took off my jumper... and stood there for like 10 seconds...... and then I started walking around my room like a headless chicken (or pant-less person in my case).....
calculating how long it will take me to get to work and how late I will be.... I'm gonna be like SUPER LATE
LOL! I'm still laughing at my initial reaction when I realized I'm definitely going to be late for a work. You see, I usually leave the house at 6.55am!!!
And so, I reached work at 9.15am instead of 8.30.... thank goodness for the time off in lieu policy and i've already stayed back late MANY times so I definitely have made up for it.. haha!!
I'm setting two alarms from now on!!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Of Saturday work, Mexican party, dragon boat and wonderful brunch :)
The past two weekends, dragon boat was cancelled. First weekend was because it was raining, second weekend was because they had the end of season party on saturday night and hence no dragon boating the following day. I woke up early on both weekends looking forward to it but only to have received a call from Lucas 15 mins before 9 saying it's not on. Because of that, I thought to myself... hmmnn... i guess it's over. So much for my new sport.
But today, today... it was ON!! I'm so glad I went despite it being freaking 7 degrees this morning. I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I got out of the boat today and wasn't feeling sore in my arms. It was more like my thighs that felt like jelly because I was glueing my legs down on the boat and shifting my weight over my legs. The endurance and timing is not exactly there yet, but in terms of the technique, the coach said I'm getting the basics right already. I won't need to sit at the back of the boat next week! Wooohooooooooo!!!
This weekend have been pretty full on with no sleep in. Woke up yesterday at 6 as I took on a weekend shift at work. It was only half day and it was awesome!! Of all weekends though, they just HAVE to have trackworks going on and hence I had to catch a bus halfway, making me late for work. It was full on seeing patients in the gym but the physio aid brings them in and we need not go to their rooms to get them. All I had to do was show them their exercises. And one of my patient who could barely walk, or even stand last week, walked with me from the gym back to her room ~ 50m!!! So happy!!!!!! OMG!!! It felt just so good man..... I almost not she won't make it la but now i'm starting to see some hope in her to walk again. Ahhhhhhh!!! Plus plus, weekend documentation for the patients is so easy!! Really a no brainer. Just one or two sentences instead of like nearly half a page of weekdays. Wahahahahha! Lovin' it! I'm gna try to get more weekend slots now. Alternate weekend perhaps so I can sleep in on alternate weekends.
After work, went and do some shopping before going to Carlo's place for a Mexican pot luck/party. Drank less this time because dragon boat was confirmed ON! 3 tequila shots and 2 punch.... followed by lots of water. And thank goodness one of his friend, Kyle, who stays north of the bridge have to go back early too as he have soccer the next morning so we left the party at 10-ish to catch the bus then the train. Had quite an interesting conversation with him, who happens to be Ivan's coursemate. Small world huh?
Got home at 11-ish and went to bed at 1. And then woke up early again this morning for dragon boat followed by a good brunch with my cousin - eggs benedict and a large cappucino. Sooo good!!!!! Pretty tired now but it was a productive weekend. But I'm looking forward to next weekend and not do anything and sleep in! Perhaps go for a run as I haven't got time to run this weekend too!
Now i just have to get through this week and finally have my sleep in next Saturday!!!
But today, today... it was ON!! I'm so glad I went despite it being freaking 7 degrees this morning. I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I got out of the boat today and wasn't feeling sore in my arms. It was more like my thighs that felt like jelly because I was glueing my legs down on the boat and shifting my weight over my legs. The endurance and timing is not exactly there yet, but in terms of the technique, the coach said I'm getting the basics right already. I won't need to sit at the back of the boat next week! Wooohooooooooo!!!
This weekend have been pretty full on with no sleep in. Woke up yesterday at 6 as I took on a weekend shift at work. It was only half day and it was awesome!! Of all weekends though, they just HAVE to have trackworks going on and hence I had to catch a bus halfway, making me late for work. It was full on seeing patients in the gym but the physio aid brings them in and we need not go to their rooms to get them. All I had to do was show them their exercises. And one of my patient who could barely walk, or even stand last week, walked with me from the gym back to her room ~ 50m!!! So happy!!!!!! OMG!!! It felt just so good man..... I almost not she won't make it la but now i'm starting to see some hope in her to walk again. Ahhhhhhh!!! Plus plus, weekend documentation for the patients is so easy!! Really a no brainer. Just one or two sentences instead of like nearly half a page of weekdays. Wahahahahha! Lovin' it! I'm gna try to get more weekend slots now. Alternate weekend perhaps so I can sleep in on alternate weekends.
After work, went and do some shopping before going to Carlo's place for a Mexican pot luck/party. Drank less this time because dragon boat was confirmed ON! 3 tequila shots and 2 punch.... followed by lots of water. And thank goodness one of his friend, Kyle, who stays north of the bridge have to go back early too as he have soccer the next morning so we left the party at 10-ish to catch the bus then the train. Had quite an interesting conversation with him, who happens to be Ivan's coursemate. Small world huh?
Got home at 11-ish and went to bed at 1. And then woke up early again this morning for dragon boat followed by a good brunch with my cousin - eggs benedict and a large cappucino. Sooo good!!!!! Pretty tired now but it was a productive weekend. But I'm looking forward to next weekend and not do anything and sleep in! Perhaps go for a run as I haven't got time to run this weekend too!
Now i just have to get through this week and finally have my sleep in next Saturday!!!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Ever since I started earning some moolah
I got hooked onto online shopping....
Warning: Cam-whoring ahead
$39 haircut voucher @ Darling Hair, Darling Harbour
Includes 2 x conditioning treatment, colour, professional style cut, blow dry
Bought it because my Timex Ironman watch strap is a bit loose. I think I pressed the metal against something at work and then now it always comes loose. So sad. And so, I bought this simple watch just for the time. Not too sure if all the health benefits is actually true but I just needed a watch. I'm still looking out at 1-day to see if I can get the same timex watch again.
$5.90 Armband for my phone from Ebay
Loving how the Aussie dollar is stronger than the US dollar. Bought this from Ebay USA. The seller also listed this item on Ebay Australia but the price on Ebay Australia was higher dollar to dollar. And so I bought it from the US website and because Aussie dollar is stronger, I got it even cheaper! Wahahahahaha!! It ain't Skins but I do not know how far off this quality is from Skins but I'm not gonna attempt to compare just yet. Ignorance afterall... is bliss :D Plus, it's Made in Korea so how bad can it be right? With regards to whether it promotes faster recovery and better performance, I have no say in this. I'm not at that level to notice a difference. For what I know, it's keeping me warm initially at the start of my run and does not make me hot later part of my run.
Mother's Day flower bouquet from 1-dayout
Not saying the price just in case my mum reads my blog. Let's just say it's almost the combined value of the other items purchased. But it was delivered right on time on Mother's Day and a mother's love is priceless. And ... the colour is gorgeous!!!!
And then there's food vouchers that I purchased - 3 vouchers to St.Moritz chocolate cafe in Darling Harbour for $15 in total. Used one voucher already when Pei Yun was here and it wasn't impressive at all. 2 hot chocolate drink and churros with chocolate dipping sauce (supposedly worth $26). It was only two sticks of Churros and the chocolate sauce isn't even nice. Sigh... a disappointment. But ohh well.... it's only $5 anyway. So Ah Swan, I will not take you there when u get here. Hahaha!!! Rather go to St.Churros!
And so, I'm guilty as charged. Made all these purchases in March, April and May. The spending hasn't ended yet though. I'm finding myself spending more on outside food, I bought coffee everyday this week...and I plan to go shopping tomorrow as I want to get myself a pair of black runners for work. My black Bata shoes is dying on me. haha!! And I want comfortable shoes seeing that I am on my feet the whole day.
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! When will this spending stop?? So much for wanting to save up for a car.....
Warning: Cam-whoring ahead
$39 haircut voucher @ Darling Hair, Darling Harbour
Includes 2 x conditioning treatment, colour, professional style cut, blow dry
This was after the first haircut. Still yet to use the 2nd visit. Will keep it till it almost expire and use it. Had heaps of positive comments on facebook :) This was the most expensive haircut I've paid for ($19.50). My haircuts in NZ was $15 at some hair salon in Panmure or RM 25 in Malaysia. It was $39 well-spent I reckon'. First time colouring my hair too. The comments on facebook made it even more worth it :)
$15 Imazine Ionic Sports Watch
Bought it because my Timex Ironman watch strap is a bit loose. I think I pressed the metal against something at work and then now it always comes loose. So sad. And so, I bought this simple watch just for the time. Not too sure if all the health benefits is actually true but I just needed a watch. I'm still looking out at 1-day to see if I can get the same timex watch again.
$5.90 Armband for my phone from Ebay
It ended up being $5.90 for two of this armband plus 4 screen protectors for my phone. Was meant to be just one armband and 2 screen protector but somehow they sent the item twice!! Haha! Bonus!!! Not too sure what to do with the extra armband though. Any takers? Got this because I was sick of carrying my phone around with me when I run and have sweat all over it. Only thing is it's a wee bit big for my arm. I had to put it on my right arm because my left arm is slightly smaller. And hence, the NEED to get bigger biceps and triceps! I now not only use RunKeeper on my phone when I run but it doubles as an MP3 player ever since my trusty china-made ipod-shuffle look-alike that has been with me for 4.5 years died on me. And hence, the armband is definitely a good investment.
$20 Compression running tights from Ebay
Loving how the Aussie dollar is stronger than the US dollar. Bought this from Ebay USA. The seller also listed this item on Ebay Australia but the price on Ebay Australia was higher dollar to dollar. And so I bought it from the US website and because Aussie dollar is stronger, I got it even cheaper! Wahahahahaha!! It ain't Skins but I do not know how far off this quality is from Skins but I'm not gonna attempt to compare just yet. Ignorance afterall... is bliss :D Plus, it's Made in Korea so how bad can it be right? With regards to whether it promotes faster recovery and better performance, I have no say in this. I'm not at that level to notice a difference. For what I know, it's keeping me warm initially at the start of my run and does not make me hot later part of my run.
Mother's Day flower bouquet from 1-dayout
Not saying the price just in case my mum reads my blog. Let's just say it's almost the combined value of the other items purchased. But it was delivered right on time on Mother's Day and a mother's love is priceless. And ... the colour is gorgeous!!!!
And then there's food vouchers that I purchased - 3 vouchers to St.Moritz chocolate cafe in Darling Harbour for $15 in total. Used one voucher already when Pei Yun was here and it wasn't impressive at all. 2 hot chocolate drink and churros with chocolate dipping sauce (supposedly worth $26). It was only two sticks of Churros and the chocolate sauce isn't even nice. Sigh... a disappointment. But ohh well.... it's only $5 anyway. So Ah Swan, I will not take you there when u get here. Hahaha!!! Rather go to St.Churros!
And so, I'm guilty as charged. Made all these purchases in March, April and May. The spending hasn't ended yet though. I'm finding myself spending more on outside food, I bought coffee everyday this week...and I plan to go shopping tomorrow as I want to get myself a pair of black runners for work. My black Bata shoes is dying on me. haha!! And I want comfortable shoes seeing that I am on my feet the whole day.
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! When will this spending stop?? So much for wanting to save up for a car.....
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Another one....
Another earthquake in Christchurch today....
Stay strong christchurch!!!! I really wonder when this will all stop.....
Sunday, June 12, 2011
After all the waiting and the spending....
IELTS test: AUD 160
Postage of IELTS application to Malaysia: AUD 48
Health check : AUD 303
Australian police check + bank cheque + postage: AUD 49.20
Postage fees for NZ police check: AUD 2.50 (i love how you do not need to pay anything to get a NZ police check!!!)
Malaysian police check: AUD 11
Accommodation at Canberra for police check: AUD 93
Academic transcript: AUD 22
Skills assessment: AUD 330
Health insurance: AUD 66.30
Application fees for Australian PR: AUD 2575
Total spending to obtain an australian PR: AUD 3660
To know that the wait is now all over: Priceless :)
Obtaining this PR was by far the most grueling process ever!!! Didn't know there was so much to do, so much to spend, so long to wait. I hope this will be the end of all applications and that I do not need to go through this anymore. I HATE paperwork. I first encountered it when I had to apply for my student exchange to Canada. So many deadlines to meet in such short period of time.
I then had to go through the whole process again for my application to do my masters in Sydney. It is getting the other required documents together, finding a justice of peace part that was such a pain. I thought that will be the last of all paperwork as I do not intend to study anymore after this.
And then...... I had to apply for my physio registration in Australia. So much paperwork as well. And the wait was freaking darn long which affected my job applications. I couldn't get some positions because I didn't have my physiotherapy license yet. I submitted my application way back in November 2010 and only got it at the end of February 2011. I remembered walking into the AHPRA office 6 freaking times to ask about my registration. They claimed that I needed to send in my IELTS results for proof of english but I actually didn't need to because I sent it my NZ high school results. But because my cert said University of Cambridge (i did A levels back in high school), they claimed it's not a school in NZ. Seriously WTF... I was so mad then.
And whilst I was chasing up for my physio registration and also looking for a job, I was also applying for my PR. It all started on jan 14th. The day after I landed in sydney. I had to get all of the above listed ready along with reference letters from my clinical educators before submitting my PR application. I took me 1.5 months to get those documents ready I tell you. A lot of waiting. Waited for the reference letters to come in before I can get my skills assessment done, waited for the skills assessment to be done, waited for my nz and australia police check, travelled far and waited one whole morning for my msian police check, waited for the results of my medical check up.... wait wait wait wait wait. After all those waiting, I then submitted my application on the 7th of March. And from then on, it was one last final waiting game.
I didn't really mind the final waiting game. I was told a minimum of 3 months from the 21st of March. And hence, I wasn't really waiting. I mean, I will only REALLY start 'waiting' from the 21st of june. That was the plan. My parents and aunt kept on asking me.. when are you getting your PR? Have you heard anything from them yet? I think you should contact them and chase them. When? When? When? That was the part that bugged me. It was like... Hello? It's a minimum of 3 months, so don't ask me yet till that 3 months is over. I will only start chasing them after 3 months because the letter did say - minimum 3 months!
Come 6th of June... I checked my email and Voila! Your visa have been granted!!! I was so shocked to see that. I didn't expect it to be approved so soon. As the email said, minimum 3 months from the 21st of March. No case officer contacted me prior to that or anything. No interview, nothing. It was so unexpected. In a good way of course :) Hehehehe.... and so, I let out a huge sigh of relief.
I feel quite complete right now. Got a job that I'm enjoying and got my PR. I can start making plans now. Holiday plans...before that, I had to put all plans on hold. For the past few months, I felt trapped. Like a prisoner here. Because I had no idea when I can leave the country. Now.. I can!!!!! The only uncertainty is what happens after the 14th of November..... but no biggie right now... I got my PR! I can apply for public hospital jobs if my contract doesn't get renewed.... Wooooohooooooooo!!!!!!
Postage of IELTS application to Malaysia: AUD 48
Health check : AUD 303
Australian police check + bank cheque + postage: AUD 49.20
Postage fees for NZ police check: AUD 2.50 (i love how you do not need to pay anything to get a NZ police check!!!)
Malaysian police check: AUD 11
Accommodation at Canberra for police check: AUD 93
Academic transcript: AUD 22
Skills assessment: AUD 330
Health insurance: AUD 66.30
Application fees for Australian PR: AUD 2575
Total spending to obtain an australian PR: AUD 3660
To know that the wait is now all over: Priceless :)
Obtaining this PR was by far the most grueling process ever!!! Didn't know there was so much to do, so much to spend, so long to wait. I hope this will be the end of all applications and that I do not need to go through this anymore. I HATE paperwork. I first encountered it when I had to apply for my student exchange to Canada. So many deadlines to meet in such short period of time.
I then had to go through the whole process again for my application to do my masters in Sydney. It is getting the other required documents together, finding a justice of peace part that was such a pain. I thought that will be the last of all paperwork as I do not intend to study anymore after this.
And then...... I had to apply for my physio registration in Australia. So much paperwork as well. And the wait was freaking darn long which affected my job applications. I couldn't get some positions because I didn't have my physiotherapy license yet. I submitted my application way back in November 2010 and only got it at the end of February 2011. I remembered walking into the AHPRA office 6 freaking times to ask about my registration. They claimed that I needed to send in my IELTS results for proof of english but I actually didn't need to because I sent it my NZ high school results. But because my cert said University of Cambridge (i did A levels back in high school), they claimed it's not a school in NZ. Seriously WTF... I was so mad then.
And whilst I was chasing up for my physio registration and also looking for a job, I was also applying for my PR. It all started on jan 14th. The day after I landed in sydney. I had to get all of the above listed ready along with reference letters from my clinical educators before submitting my PR application. I took me 1.5 months to get those documents ready I tell you. A lot of waiting. Waited for the reference letters to come in before I can get my skills assessment done, waited for the skills assessment to be done, waited for my nz and australia police check, travelled far and waited one whole morning for my msian police check, waited for the results of my medical check up.... wait wait wait wait wait. After all those waiting, I then submitted my application on the 7th of March. And from then on, it was one last final waiting game.
I didn't really mind the final waiting game. I was told a minimum of 3 months from the 21st of March. And hence, I wasn't really waiting. I mean, I will only REALLY start 'waiting' from the 21st of june. That was the plan. My parents and aunt kept on asking me.. when are you getting your PR? Have you heard anything from them yet? I think you should contact them and chase them. When? When? When? That was the part that bugged me. It was like... Hello? It's a minimum of 3 months, so don't ask me yet till that 3 months is over. I will only start chasing them after 3 months because the letter did say - minimum 3 months!
Come 6th of June... I checked my email and Voila! Your visa have been granted!!! I was so shocked to see that. I didn't expect it to be approved so soon. As the email said, minimum 3 months from the 21st of March. No case officer contacted me prior to that or anything. No interview, nothing. It was so unexpected. In a good way of course :) Hehehehe.... and so, I let out a huge sigh of relief.
I feel quite complete right now. Got a job that I'm enjoying and got my PR. I can start making plans now. Holiday plans...before that, I had to put all plans on hold. For the past few months, I felt trapped. Like a prisoner here. Because I had no idea when I can leave the country. Now.. I can!!!!! The only uncertainty is what happens after the 14th of November..... but no biggie right now... I got my PR! I can apply for public hospital jobs if my contract doesn't get renewed.... Wooooohooooooooo!!!!!!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
i deprived an old lady from her frame :p
I need to learn cantonese. So there's this old lady in the hospital who only speaks cantonese. she's been in australia for over 20 years but knows hardly any english. it's so bad trying to communicate with her. and because i'm asian, she automatically spoke cantonese to me right away and as i understood a little, i couldn't ignore what she was saying. The few words I know in cantonese is " kay chek di (stand up straight)", "dai bou di (bigger steps)", "cho, hei san, cho, hei san (sit, stand, sit, stand)", " tong ma (is it painful)?", "tak mm tak (can or not)?" .... other than that..... i am pretty much useless. It's been quite ok for the last two weeks as i was able to improve the way she walks and getting her to do the exercises. But today, as I gave her walking sticks instead of a walking frame, she was so reluctant. I wanted to tell her that she has to progress, she has to improve, she can't rely on the walking frame all the time if she wants to get better. But I have NO IDEA how to say that. I tried explaining to her but she doesn't seem to get the idea and kept insisting she wants the walking frame. And so... when she was in the toilet today, I sneaked into her room, took her frame away and replaced it with two walking sticks. So, I pretty much stole a frame from an old lady :S And when she saw me in the afternoon, she asked where's her frame.. and due to my limited cantonese.. i answered "mo zho, ngo mm chi (no more, i don't know) ".... I feel so bad lying to her... she could so tell that i'm lying to her because there's like a few frames lying around the gym when she walked in.. ohhh well...............
I really need to learn cantonese!!!
I really need to learn cantonese!!!
Monday, June 06, 2011
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Have I found a new sport this year?
So despite my sore calves from my run yesterday, I agreed to trying dragon boating this morning. Afterall, it's my calves that hurt, not my arm. Was dragged by Lucas simply because he didn't want to be the only new one so he called me along.
The place was at Pyrmont just by the waters which is really close to where I stay. 5-10 min walk. Met lucas there at 9. Lucas's friend who introduced him to dragon boat have really nice looking arms. Hey, I still can stare OK! Lol!! I just appreciate nice bodies, that's all. Hehehe....
There were quite a lot of people there as dragon boating is a team sport. The boat fits 22 people. 20 paddlers, a steerer and a caller. There were 18 people this morning and quite a few new ones so we didn't feel that left out. We were quickly briefed on how to hold the paddle, how it should enter and exit the water and how the body position should be. They didn't overload us with too much information because they know we would forget it anyway once we get into the boat and start paddling.
This sport actually involves more of the shoulders and the torso rather than the arms. The leg position is also very important and it has to be really glued to the ground. Timing is key in this sport because if you're not in sync with the rest, you would actually be creating resistance and also you would be hitting the paddle of the person in front of you (which is what I was doing most of the time.. lol!). We started with long strokes and then later on with fast and short strokes. The caller was like shouting 85%, 95%, 100% in terms of the power we should put in but to me, I find myself pretty much going 100% all the way. Lol! My shoulders and my bum were so sore!!! Halfway through, I was so tired I just took my paddle out of the water and just enjoyed the view. We went around Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, just under the Anzac Bridge. It was a sunny morning and the view was just awesome. The boat was still moving of course because not like I make any contributions anyway. Haha! The boat probably moved faster without me paddling and creating the resistance. Lol! Towards the end, we did like sprints, i.e. fast and short strokes and omg!!! My whole body was rocking forward and back at one point and I almost flew off my seat because I didn't glue my feet into the ground. Your whole body moves in dragon boating, not just your arms as you use your trunk. OoooOoooO!! perhaps I could get some abs with this sport? Hehehehe.....And also maybe I can get some biceps n triceps too.... I need them ok!! I need to get bigger arms because my arm band keeps sliding down when I run... lol!
I find this sport quite like swimming. For swimming, the angle your arm enters and exit the water is important. The stroke is important. We will forever be corrected with our strokes and it takes lots of time and practice to get it right. Your body position is crucial to maintain streamline and reduce the resistance. Dragon boating is just like this...except it has the timing component and it's a team sport. It is usually done during summer when the weather is warmer and now is actually the end of the season and they are just doing it socially and perhaps getting more people into it.
Would I do it again? For now, it's a yes.....provided Lucas still goes because I do not really know anyone there that well. They are all quite friendly though and we all went for breakfast after. I do not know how long I would stick to it tho but it would be nice to make it a new sport for me this year. Hehehe... It's a good opportunity to get some upper body strength. Arms and back. Good sport to get stronger back muscles too. And.....think lean, toned, muscular arms on me.... hehehehe... I used to have it during my swimming days but now it's no longer there. Well, it is but smaller... lol! My arms are still my favourite part of my body. Hahahaha!!! Yes, I know. I am probably the only girl who wants muscular arms. Just hope it doesn't make my shoulders broader since it does involve the shoulder quite a bit. Plus, it's so near my place and I still can sleep in till 8.30 on Sundays. And... at least my weekends will be a tad more interesting rather than just being a couch potato and running.
So... dragon boating... my new sport this year? Perhaps.. very well perhaps....:p
Looking forward to next weekend!!!
The place was at Pyrmont just by the waters which is really close to where I stay. 5-10 min walk. Met lucas there at 9. Lucas's friend who introduced him to dragon boat have really nice looking arms. Hey, I still can stare OK! Lol!! I just appreciate nice bodies, that's all. Hehehe....
There were quite a lot of people there as dragon boating is a team sport. The boat fits 22 people. 20 paddlers, a steerer and a caller. There were 18 people this morning and quite a few new ones so we didn't feel that left out. We were quickly briefed on how to hold the paddle, how it should enter and exit the water and how the body position should be. They didn't overload us with too much information because they know we would forget it anyway once we get into the boat and start paddling.
This sport actually involves more of the shoulders and the torso rather than the arms. The leg position is also very important and it has to be really glued to the ground. Timing is key in this sport because if you're not in sync with the rest, you would actually be creating resistance and also you would be hitting the paddle of the person in front of you (which is what I was doing most of the time.. lol!). We started with long strokes and then later on with fast and short strokes. The caller was like shouting 85%, 95%, 100% in terms of the power we should put in but to me, I find myself pretty much going 100% all the way. Lol! My shoulders and my bum were so sore!!! Halfway through, I was so tired I just took my paddle out of the water and just enjoyed the view. We went around Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, just under the Anzac Bridge. It was a sunny morning and the view was just awesome. The boat was still moving of course because not like I make any contributions anyway. Haha! The boat probably moved faster without me paddling and creating the resistance. Lol! Towards the end, we did like sprints, i.e. fast and short strokes and omg!!! My whole body was rocking forward and back at one point and I almost flew off my seat because I didn't glue my feet into the ground. Your whole body moves in dragon boating, not just your arms as you use your trunk. OoooOoooO!! perhaps I could get some abs with this sport? Hehehehe.....And also maybe I can get some biceps n triceps too.... I need them ok!! I need to get bigger arms because my arm band keeps sliding down when I run... lol!
I find this sport quite like swimming. For swimming, the angle your arm enters and exit the water is important. The stroke is important. We will forever be corrected with our strokes and it takes lots of time and practice to get it right. Your body position is crucial to maintain streamline and reduce the resistance. Dragon boating is just like this...except it has the timing component and it's a team sport. It is usually done during summer when the weather is warmer and now is actually the end of the season and they are just doing it socially and perhaps getting more people into it.
Would I do it again? For now, it's a yes.....provided Lucas still goes because I do not really know anyone there that well. They are all quite friendly though and we all went for breakfast after. I do not know how long I would stick to it tho but it would be nice to make it a new sport for me this year. Hehehe... It's a good opportunity to get some upper body strength. Arms and back. Good sport to get stronger back muscles too. And.....think lean, toned, muscular arms on me.... hehehehe... I used to have it during my swimming days but now it's no longer there. Well, it is but smaller... lol! My arms are still my favourite part of my body. Hahahaha!!! Yes, I know. I am probably the only girl who wants muscular arms. Just hope it doesn't make my shoulders broader since it does involve the shoulder quite a bit. Plus, it's so near my place and I still can sleep in till 8.30 on Sundays. And... at least my weekends will be a tad more interesting rather than just being a couch potato and running.
So... dragon boating... my new sport this year? Perhaps.. very well perhaps....:p
Looking forward to next weekend!!!