2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Cool Night Classic Run

I am a little sore tonight after participating in this year's last charity running event before summer hits Queensland! Just a minute... I think summer is here!!! Hooray or nay, depending who you have been speaking to! Don't change the topic, Jen.

Now where was I?? Yes, I remembered now. I am a little sore. This event is probably my personal best, completing 5.75km in under 60mins. I walked until I was braved enough to challenge my fellow walkers and picked up a jogging (slow but steady) speed. Then I slowed down to my walking pace again when I ran out of stamina. And stepped up in my jogging speed again. On and off, until I reach the finishing line (I didn't run the last 10m to the Finish Line because I was soooo out of puff!!!) Gosh... I was so unfit!

This time, there was no cheating. (Although cheating did cross my mind, somehow swimming across the Brisbane River from Kangaroo Point Cliffs to Riverside Centre would have just been a tad bit tricky if not wet!) I did the whole event in dignity (and no cheating) and I am rather pleased with my achievement. It felt sooo good that perhaps I should join my colleagues, Arpi & Nathan's Wednesday Night and Friday Morning running practice?

Today's event felt like a "The Hare and the Tortoise" story because Arpi & Nathan ran and I walked. I may not have been a winner but with some persistence, even the Tortoise can win the race (I mean my own personal race!)

Last Day in October - only 7 weeks to Christmas

Today's the last day of October. Where has the year gone to?

Dazzling Tulips on display - Toowoomba

A few weeks ago when I was absolutely stressed to the max, I took a weekend off and went down memory lane to a town called Toowoomba (strange name but real) where I spent 4 years of sweating buckets for exams and assignments and many innumerable sleepless nights studying for my uni qualification. The town hasn't changed that much, other than it's browner and more parched than the one I remembered due to the drought we are currently experiencing. My visit coincided with the annual Carnival of Flowers and at this time of the year, all the flowers seem to come alive, despite the water restrictions! Apparently, trucks of recycled sewer water were brought in to water the plants. Luckily it wasn't smelly!

Seeing the carpets of flowers, I came to reflect my last couple of weeks. Despite the water restrictions and the onset of drought, these flowers still fumbled its way out of the soil and fought for its survival to blossom. So, stresses at work are challenges we need to fight to get ahead and blossom in our role but damn those stresses - there is only so much my little mind can take before it feels like it's going to explode!!

Thought for the Day

Cranky Friday Morning

I may have awaken on the wrong side of bed this morning. Perhaps it was the lack of caffeine or the fact that I have to go work (again). Whatever the reason but I was really cranky especially at the driver who was tailing behind me on the way to work! The MANIAC driving a posh 4WD was tailing me real close for about 2 kms whilst I was on the right lane already speeding (slightly) above the speed limit. I was behind loads of cars in front me and there is just no more room to go any faster! Towards the end of the highway, he suddenly changed into the left lane trying to overtake me but the small van next to me wasn't going any faster either! F@*&%^$ driver. I really hate it when other drivers do that to me. Just because their car is slightly posher and bigger than mine, I don't give a hoot about that. Just be patient and don't be a bully will help tremendously so there won't be any roadrage on the road or in my car!! Then, everyone will be happy!

PS. Now, I am at work and I have been delegated lots of extra tasks to complete (on top of my current workload) because my colleague who works part time is not here on her day off... No wonder I am super cranky!!!!!!!!!

Dealing with stress...

I have never attended an AA meeting. Neither would I want to, as (a), I am not an alcoholic and (b) I don't have an addiction to alcohols (though I do enjoy my wine every now and then). At the moment however, I feel like I need to attend a SA (Stress-aholic Annonymous) meeting and shamelessly admit I don't deal with stress very well. Instead of calm, I get myself (although not deliberately) into all kinds of twists and knots...

It's been quite stressful at work in the last 2 weeks. I foresee a challenging road ahead and no way of getting better. On last Friday, I had a deadline to meet at 4:00pm. However, due to factors beyond my control, I couldn't complete the task at hand until 4:58pm. At 4:00, my insides were already trembling. I felt dizzy and nerve-wrecking and I feel I couldn't breathe. When the auditors dictated final changes to be made on the phone, I couldn't concentrate as my mind keeps telling me, "lodge the report at 4:00pm!" No matter how many times after that and at work today when I was told, "everything is alright" and "it's not your fault" - I felt I had failed. Trust me, at the time of the incident (ok... I may have exaggerated a little, slightly), it did feel a little like a life or death situation. Like your whole career is dependent on this deadline. On one occasion, I snapped at my poor colleague who is usually calm and collected whilst she was trying to help me to finalise my report. (Sorry AD!)

I am dying for a holiday, desperately...