UNICEF

First long distance run since my ankle injury. Joints feel stable, but still weary.

I actually have enjoyed running again. It's been a while and shocking to see how my cardio has deteriorated over the years. Training in Hong Kong is rather limited, with most of my running taking place on Bowen Road or down by the Victoria Harbour. Still being up amongst the buildings or by the water with the Tai Chi practitioners is a nice change in scenery.

Trying to find my time for the last 10 km race I participated in. It was back in London, for the Miles for Missing People run. Couldn't find my time, but know that I finished 79th out of all the men. Not very useful information.

Due to bad weather, the event was canceled. Bummer,

Spartan Sprint: Hong Kong

Spartan Sprint. 20 obstacles littered across a 6 km course in Kam Tin. Three of us decided to participate. We finished in 65 Mins, I missed two obstacles: Monkey Bars and Multi-Rig. I still remember how easy Monkey Bars used to be as a kid. What happened when I became an adult?

The Gravel Carry was by far the most brutal course, it makes the 60 burpees feel like a walk in the park.

Tokyo + Halloween + Stag

Passed the exam. There's a certain satisfaction in not having to read through the material and instead jump on a flight to Tokyo for 24 hours. Ended up talking the 1 am flight on Saturday morning arriving in Tokyo at 6 am local time. Mental note, try to avoid this flight time at all costs.

I arrived into Narita with just a backpack, toiletries and the clothes on my back. The direct bus to Roppongi shuttled me into Tokyo in a short amount of time and I was checking in at 8:30 am. The Whatsapp group was littered with activity up until 7:40 am. Either they had a quiet night in or they had a late night back. Given this assemble it was highly probable that they have only retired to their hotels within the last hour.

Turns out, one person was awake, not awake early, but rather, still awake. It was was a friend who had flown in from New York and with my freshness and his jet lag, we hit up Tsujiki fish markets for breakfast. Checked into the room and heading straight to lunch and kick started the buck's party. What would follow would be a romp around Shibuya dressed up as Street Fighter characters and the buck dressed as a lone Chun Li. The Halloween romp was followed by a group dinner before we retreated to the hotel to reassemble for the club.

Headed back to the hotel to drop off some water before heading to Agaha. Only to fall asleep. I wake up propped up against my bed with a million messages along the same line "Where are you?", "Wake up", "Get here now". It was 4 am, I had flown in for one night and managed to sleep through the entire evening. I pulled myself out of bed to meet up with more stragglers at 6 am for some morning sushi. What a whirlwind 24 hours in Tokyo.

Study sessions

SFC licensing. 60 questions, 70% pass rate. Material, oh so dry. Currently reading, this.

HKSAR: National Day

First day of work

Quiet - lots of interesting projects, big data, data mining, first impressions, great culture. Welcome pack included two books. First observations, I will most likely put on weight with the open pantry and open fridge.

Train to work - quite inefficient - almost as long as Quarry bay - need to figure out a more efficient way to work. Bus? Ding Ding?

Update: Bus

Currently Reading: "Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service"

Blood Donation + Watford

Turns out Climbing Mount Kinabalu has been identified as a risk when donating blood in Hong Kong. The risk is that Malaria may be present and the blood may be contaminated. Have I had Malaria for the last 6 months? What about all those Gin and Tonics I've had between then and now?

This is the first time I've donated blood. My ex colleague convinced me to donate blood with the promise of waffles. The interesting thing is that majority of the donors are the Causeway Bay Donation Centre were all helpers. I wonder what attracts helpers to want to donate? Is it because a lot of them having Nursing or Medical backgrounds?