50 KM

After like what… 7 weeks?? since the CB started I’VE FINALLY GOTTEN MY 50KM FOR POGO THIS WEEK!!!

Over the past few weeks, there were a couple of times I got close to hitting 50km, short of between 10-15km to be cleared over the weekend. But then, either I oversleep, get too lazy to jog or there’s bad weather( heavy downpour) in the early morning so couldn’t go jog.
Before CB, clocking 50km was a weekly thing, with all the walking to and fro places, and jogging on top of that. Now, I’m only able to clock distance by going for jogs since everywhere else is closed... (that is pretty much the only time I get some alone time outside also, other times when I do get to go out will be for getting meals, but the whole family tags along)
Hopefully I’ll be able to keep this up over the next few weeks, or at least as much as possible.

Hobbitathon

Oooooh hey! Guess what I am doing now?
Listening to the reading of The Hobbit - YouTube LIVE! Well, not exactly having my full attention on it, but it is playing in the background while I am just chilling and doing some stuff here and there. This is the first time I've heard about something like this, and probably the first time I've ever listened to the reading of a story online.
Hmm... just found out that "The Hobbit" is actually one book, and currently it is on Chapter 10. I sure wonder how many chapters there are in all. If I'm not wrong, the live reading started about 4pm earlier in the afternoon today, and right now it is past 7 hours already.
Having watched the three movies countless times, I am just running through the scenes as I am listening to the reading.

And wow... he is actually reading the dialogues in the voice of the actors. That's really cool, exactly the same!

Actually, it was earlier today that JL had sent me the link to watch this. Didn't take much notice about it then since I was just starting my day. Then later on in the day, in my dad's car, I heard about it again on the radio. So it was the voice of Gollum, Andy Serkis, who would be doing the reading.
Mmm... mmhmm... I think I might just be able to finish the whole book actually, with me just doing my stuff, with it just playing in the background.

Edit: 4am here now... 9th of May. Just finished the whole story.. Yay! Oh, and the book has 19 chapters.

Lectures online

Yup, with the start of this week, lectures will progressively be pre-recorded and uploaded online on the Portal, or be done through discussion forums. Hence, physical classes at school are officially off. This is following the continued rise in cases here, and the government's closing of entertainment venues like pubs and karaoke venues to limit the spread of the virus.

Ahh... this means a lot of discipline needed on my part, to self study and keep up with my own revision. Not to mention, I'll also have to make it a habit to check on my emails for updates and to check the Portal and discussion forums to keep up with things.

Classes cancelled

Amid the escalating COVID-19 pandemic (WHO declared the COVID situation a pandemic just a week ago(11/03)), so far I've received cancellation of both my weekday classes this week. At first I thought Tuesday's class cancellation was a one-off, due to a recent Case having gone to school and thus the need to clean and disinfect the school premises. However, now this seems like classes may be stopped and moved online, revision classes as well. At least, I am pretty sure revision classes will not be conducted by the UK lecturers. I have yet to receive information on Saturday's class though, but given the feels now of the whole situation, am still two minds about attending the lecture. It might be better to just visit the recorded lecture anyways.

Around the world, things are looking pretty bleak too. Nearby across the Causeway, numbers of infected are skyrocketing and the situation is worse in the West, with numbers growing exponentially day by day! Places where the virus seems out of control include Italy and Spain, with the situation rather bad in the UK and the US as well. The spread of the virus is quite scary at this point, considering how I had initially thought the virus would be contained within Asia since the western region was distancing themselves from countries hit by the virus. Or so I thought.

Back where I am, the number of cases has so far been on the rise, though still relatively low numbers. It seems the virus has inevitably reached somewhere near me though, with one recent case quite close to where I reside. Argh... people really ought to take more care and precautions, and heed the advice to stay home if unwell.

Virus madness

So the Wuhan virus (official name 2019-nCoV) is around right now. Already there are several confirmed cases locally (33 thus far) and human to human transmissions had been confirmed since a while back. Virus was first detected on 21st Jan.
Just today DORSCON level was increased to Orange and there was already panic buying of food supplies, masks and even daily neccessities with supermarkets cleaned out literally. Images online of shopping trolleys full of bags of rice are so many that it is crazy... Really think people are overreacting and overdoing things Wonder how many are actually really going to lock themselves up at home and not leave house *roll eyes*
Just hoping all those food won't go to waste. Especially since food is not something you can keep over a long time, and we are simply heightening measures to be taken so as to minimise the spread of the virus. At least for now, supermarkets and malls will still be open for people to get supplies, if needed, and we are not made to stay at home anyways.

For us now, individually, we ought to just avoid anyone who is coughing or sneezing around and just stay home if we have any of the flu- like symptoms. That is crucial to reduce chances of catching the virus, since the virus is air-bourne.

Measures to minimise the spread of the virus have also been updated since January, For instance, all visitors from China are now not allowed here, an increased scope from just passengers from Hubei province previously.
Furthermore, huge gatherings or events are to be cancelled but classes in schools are still ongoing it seems. People are still going to work too, but temperature checks and certain distancing measures are to be in place.

Oh and of course, with the rising paranoia and panic stocking up, face masks, and N95 masks even, have run out in retail outlets here. Not surprising tbh...
Households have now also been issued masks, four to each household, which hopefully will reduce the massive stocking up of surgical face masks by households.

Till the next update on this situation.

That hot pot dinner

Feels good to hear someone say this to me: "You're 19? At most 20"

Rainy days

Cold, wet mornings lately... Guess the monsoon season is back.
Started about three weeks back, thunder storms, showers, light rain been dominating the skies.
With it, of course, comes the strong winds and nasty cold, sometimes even bone-chilling.

Three weeks, oh yes, that was the start of November. Time really flies.
So much has happened in this three weeks though. Had countless study sessions with J(almost every weekday of the week), visited two ToastMasters(TM) Outreach(one was a workshop though, very useful tips given) and Hullabaloo #4 as well as Humour Night! Both Hullabaloo #4 and Humour Night were a blast! Went there expecting nothing much, maybe just looking forward to the buffet but immensely enjoyed the experience.
Oh, and just got briefed yesterday on a side project were doing for Eco-SIM, some boards to create awareness of our actions on our environment around us. Pretty interesting, really got to allocate time and effort for this!
And on top of all that, weekly swim sessions have still been going on(every Wednesday) with J and Pokemon Go as well. Recently, or not so recent actually, Gen 4 just came out with alot of new stuff and new EX-Raids and raids. For instance, Level 5 raids just switched from GIratina to Cresselia just this morning!

So, yup! Lots have been going on of late, studies wise... gotta get a study plan together so I don't enter panic mode and get all flustered. Study plan is coming together, and oh!
Last thing, I actually signed up for a TM competition after giving my first speech last month in October. Competition is two weeks away and I have yet to come up with a speech..
Things sure are getting exciting as the year draws to a close, what with the Christmas spirit already in the air with Starbucks already coming out with their Christmas food and drink items.
Looking forward also to this Sat's TM Workshop on giving evaluation, hoping that will be useful for my competition.

Only bummer so far has been the lack of sun due to rainy weather, which has on some occasions hampered plans for swimming or tanning.. Gotta get my tan back!