Sports in Summer

How wonderful it was - the earlier conversation with お父さん and お母さん just moments back on Line. This is such a great change from 10 years back, thanks to technology, where previously, we talked on phones via pre-paid cards. Now, obviously we can see each other via video chat. I'm glad to know they are visibly much happier. compared to a month ago... Then, Choco had passed away... and they were incredibly sad. おとうさん felt that it was his fault and that he didn't do enough to save Choco's life. He told me he dreamt of Choco, felt Choco's presence and heard his little paws. This time, we talked about... Kim-Trump summit. What a world-first and I believe it will be a step forward towards a better future for the whole world.


Choco - I met this little one several times in Japan. Played with him, hugged him. A dog is man's best friend. He must be in heaven. :)

I wanted to write about Sports in Summer because this weekend was one about that. I ran, played tennis and swam over the last few days. As the weather becomes much hotter and more humid, I think strangely, that added on to how I further enjoyed the work-outs and sports. I think I recently got addicted to the intense feeling of a good work-out, fueled by the hot weather. I will pant even harder, like crazy. But it is so so therapeutic - to feel my body breathing in air and oxygen like mad, to feel the sweat dripping like nobody's business, to feel the stretches as my body cools down.

For tennis, it is that release of energy. It requires concentration and at times, I rely on my raw instincts to hit the ball back. It takes a lot of practice and also a good racket... and the list goes on. Through the game, I anticipate, I concentrate, and I immerse myself into it. I really like the feeling where I could return a very difficult, fast and deep ball, or where I could hit the ball at that exact sweet spot, turn my whole torso around and follow the swing though, and watch the ball sail just over the net and land at the baseline, and especially if that were a back-hand hit. :) I also love it when Steve and I could rally for a longer period, much better than we could 2-3 months ago. That means we have improved a little.

Tennis with Neoh and Ernest. Neoh calls himself "Penang Kia" on whatsapp. Laugh Die Me.


We watched Simone Halep win her first Grand Slam title yesterday too. Very emotional moment for her because she... finally won a grand slam. :) It was a match well fought, especially after she lost the first set. Such emotions as she hugged her coach.

As for Running and Swimming, to me, they are individual sports. Deciding whether or not to play tennis is easy; sometimes the company just makes you feel like playing. For running and swimming, at times, it is the thinking about whether I should run or swim that is harder than the actual doing (and many times, the flesh does get the better of me). It is hard at this deliberating and decision stage, but yet once I step into my running shoes or put on my swimming gear, I would feel that I am transitioned into the motion. Ready for it. Just do it. And I never once regretted these decisions.

Running and swimming help me clear my mind and it is actually the humdrum of the mundane that provides the zoned-out space for me. I pray, I think, I count (and lose count, and re-start the counting... familiar?), I focus on a specific rhythm, I push on when I am tired, looking forward to the end-rewards of the whole routine. I think I enjoy the running and swimming very much because nobody can interrupt my thoughts; it is a personal quiet space, and I always feel better, more recharged and refreshed thereafter.

Two consecutive runs the night before and the evening after. Beautiful skies. :)

Oh, and another sports-in-summer episode was Ernest... who crashed (physically crashed) after our tennis session yesterday. His whole body went into severe muscle spasms after a... sneeze? I was still thinking about where we should go do lunch after our showers, when omg... we saw him flat at the hotel lobby. He is a strong man, and so... it was kind of incredulous to see him immobile and in pain. Thankfully, the whole episode ended well. He was brought to the hospital, and I pray no more such huge sneezes for him. :-D


My first time with the UAE police and medic in their ambulance.

Sports to me, is a huge part of living well. I must have gotten these genes from my dad who taught me the importance of exercise. :) May I always be able to run and play sports.