Family,
And a good evening to you from across the globe after another GREAT DAY in the Lion City. So first off, ANNOUNCEMENT - there will be NO BLOG until Monday, 5 September. Why, you ask? Because the Bull is headin' back to the Budget Terminal to catch Tiger Airways flight 2154 to...PHUKET, BABY!!!! Bring on Muffin Puffin and the After Beach Bar! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! I mean, how can you NOT love a flight that takes off at 6:20 and lands at 7 - good times...
The Bull logged 20K tonight (12.4 miles) in what will be his longest training run ahead of the Sydney Blackmores half marathon, now just 16 days away. It was, however, somewhat disappointing, as I had 4 walking sessions totaling 17 minutes. I went for 1:53:00 over all, and whilst there was a breeze along the Singapore River and down by the Marina, it was INSANE hot. Honestly, I didn't realize how hot it was until I started, as the walk home seemed fine (I am more acclimated now, but still...). Well, 30 seconds into the run my face was COVERED in a sheet of sweat, and my shirt was already damp. 10 minutes in my back was an oil slick. And by the end of the run, I was out of Gatorade and water (which included the liter+ I carried on my back). I am firmly of the opinion that the Sydney run will be easier, as it should be 20-30 degrees cooler AND have much, much lower humidity. Fingers crossed.
The other reason it was a bad run, however, is that I haven't managed to get more than 4 hours of sleep at any night in the house in the last 2 weeks. I vacillate between 3 hours and 4 hours, with me taking at least 3 hours to fall asleep each night. I have tried working out harder, AFD's, you name it - but I think there's only one possible reason why I can't sleep - my Muffin Puffin isn't beside me. That's right, sports fans - I think the Bull officially has separation anxiety.
Yes, our bed in Sing Sing is harder than the armor plates on a tank. Yes, I've had the door closed so we've had company and it's been bloody FREEZING in there. Yes, random dudes blast their crotch rocket motor cycles at all hours outside my window. And yes, there is WAAAAY too much light in that room. But even with all that, I've always slept fine. Not now, however - I am struuuuuuugglin'. The good news is that I was still able to log 4 workouts this week, and the better news is that I haven't been tired at work at all. The BEST news, however, is that I'm going to see my MUFFIN PUFFIN this weekend and that she's coming home to Singapore on Sunday night. YIPPEE!!!!! YIPPEE!!!! (because really, what is a celebration of Jenny without a "Texas Tea" reference...).
In other news, I finished "Shantaram" last night. Not sure how many of you have read it or fancy diving into a 1000 page book (Mom - don't worry, Johnny Depp just bought the movie rights - no reading required :-)), but I gotta tell you - it is ABSOLUTELY worth the plunge. The writing was truly brilliant, and there are SO MANY phrases and paragraphs that will stay with me for a very long time. I wouldn't put it in my top 5, as it did drag in places. However, it is definitely a Top 20, as there is so much truth in his words - both in actual fact (it's loosely based on his life) and in how he describes human interaction, emotion, and the search for redemption. T-Bone - you were right - it was an AMAZING read. However, I'm glad I didn't read it when you initially offered it, as I personally don't think I would have appreciated it as much then as I do now, especially after having been here and in India previously. I will say that I'm glad to be done with it, not because I'm anxious to start something new, but more because so much of what he said rings true about people - their hopes, dreams, shame - you name it. Had I been reading a paperback vs. a Kindle, I would have probably highlighted about 20% of that book to re-read at a later date - something I NEVER do with books.
And lastly, farewell to Money and Dan! Yes, yes - I know it sounds like Groundhog Day, but this is a BIG farewell, as they are off to the UK for 2 months. They'll get back late October, at which point Big D starts his job and they move into their new place! SO EXCITING, GUYS! More seafood marinara, here I come...
Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat Monday!
Love,
Sam and (perhaps already at the After Beach Bar rocking out to a Bob Marley cover) Jenny
This is the third amazing review I've heard about Shantaram...I wonder if my book club would approve of a ~1000 page read :) Have fun in Phuket!
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