The Promontory

Some photos taken on New Year’s Eve at Marina Bay.

DELF B2

Wheeeeeeeee~ I passed!! Received the results last week (together with the iphone casing, in fact). My score was 66/100!

I thought that I wouldn’t be able to pass it because I mis-interpreted the topic for my individual oral section. We were each randomly given 2 topics and need to choose 1 of them to give our opinion on the text extract.

The topic that I didn’t choose was an extract about how in a certain place, there were less accidents on the road after road signs were removed. (At least, that’s what I thought it meant) Anyway, I think that’s quite difficult to present so I chose the one about “la presse gratuite” which I literally translated as “free press” – as in like press freedom! So, while preparing for it I was trying to understand the text along that direction – and it didn’t make much sense to me.

I realised that I had mis-interpreted it when one of the invigilators asked me if it exists in Singapore. I said no because I don’t think we have press freedom here. Then, he gave a look of surprise and asked again. That was when it struck me that the topic was about free newspapers! I couldn’t save myself after that because my thoughts were all scattered. *sigh*

I guess some of what I said gels with the topic since there was a journalism element but the invigilators were probably wondering why I said certain things that were irrelevant to the topic! After the oral, I thought about it and everything made sense after I knew what the topic actually was, sigh. Isn’t that always the case?!

As a result, I only got a 11/20 for the oral…failed. And, the sad thing is that our score for each of the 4 sections will be printed at the back of the certificate! Well, well…

On a positive note, I was quite surprised that I did so well (23/25) for the written comprehension – there were 2 articles and 1 of them was quite difficult. Apparently, I managed to interpret the text correctly.

Hmm, I’m not sure what to do about my learning of French. Somehow, I’m not learning much from the classes now – I prefer a teacher who allows students to speak more in class and I’m not getting that with the available classes. Considering that I’m still jobless and the $$ of the classes, I’ll wait till there’s a class with a teacher whose teaching style is more suitable for my needs.

For now, I’m planning to revise my 1 year’s worth of Japanese notes so that I can continue to the next level. Need motivation!!!

Completing 42.195km

My 1st (and probably only) marathon was completed in 8h41m! I would probably give up along the way if not for G walking with me, and now, my legs and feet are in so much pain.

The alarm went off at 3:15am and as usual, I didn’t manage to get much sleep – maybe about 2h on off? After a breakfast of egg/cheese sandwich, we cabbed to Orchard at about 4:30am and reached the starting point, at Orchard, at almost 5am.

By the time we stretched and crossed the starting line, it was 5:25am. It started out well enough, us maintaining a comfortable slow jog in order to last longer. I just wanted to run for as long as possible and I knew that at some point in time, I would have to walk the rest of the way.

Surprisingly, I was in quite good form and jogged almost 26km with water breaks along the way and minimal walking. I’m not sure if it was because I ate some Gu Chomps and it gave me the energy to continue jogging along. In fact, I just bought it on Sat from Runners Lab. I’ve heard about how yucky gel tastes and I didn’t really fancy trying it for myself. So when I came across Gu Chomps and they looked pretty much like gummy sweets, I bought 1 pack! Yay to impulsive buying! Should have bought more packs and maybe it would help us in the entire race?

Anyway, after that, we basically walked the rest of the 16km to cross the finishing line. I can’t even begin to describe how difficult it was to walk that distance with such fatigued leg muscles and feet. I couldn’t even walk fast! And we made many rest stops along the way, just sitting down wherever.

Of course, it didn’t help that the sun was up and good grief, the part after east coast park was a real nightmare! I don’t even know a path like that existed…it went on and on without any shade for 5km until we reached Marina Barrage. Everyone else around us was walking too – people who actually ran were much further ahead in the pack – so one doesn’t have any inspiration to walk from anyone! I was envious of those who could walk fast as I was just strolling along to the best of my ability! At some point I tried to jog but I gave it up after covering about 600m, haha.

I heard 1 guy said he only ran 10km and started walking since! I wondered if I had ran less initially and started walking earlier, would it have resulted in a better outcome with me able to walk faster in less pain?

I really wanted to give up when we were around the 36km mark. I know it’s like 6km more but that translates to 1+h of walking more and I was really exhausted! Anyway, I just miserably continued on walking with G.

Towards the finishing line, my left knee started to ache so badly that I had to stop at times to rotate it. And, that was how I limped across the finishing line… And, they only had XL-sized finishers t-shirts left!!

After resting for awhile, I literally took baby steps to Raffles City shopping center where we ate at Burger King before getting a cab back.

I think this is either the most physical activity I’ve ever engaged in or it might be on the same scale as when we climbed Mount Kinabalu in 2008. Well, memory fades and I knew I was exhausted from the climb but can’t remember exactly the degree of pain I was in compared to this!

Kudos to G who completed today’s marathon with me and encouraging me along the way! Please let my legs recover soon~

I’m not having any thoughts about having a better timing next year because it was such a horrible experience. Instead, I shall concentrate on training for a half-marathon with better timing. G wants to sign me up for JLPT exam so that we won’t participate in the event, kekeke.

Cosplayers at AFA

Snapped a few pictures of cosplayers during the Anime Festival Asia 2010 over at Suntec last weekend.

We didn’t get entrance tickets but there were many photo opportunities outside as well. I had no clue who these characters were but the place was packed with photographers.

I’m pretty impressed with the efforts  that they put into their costumes, hair and makeup! And I’m sure they must be tired from constantly posing for photographers. I found it difficult to get good shots because most of the time, they are not looking at my compact camera. Can’t fight with the many DSLRs clicking away~

Singapore Airshow 2010 (7 Feb)

G and me went to the airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre!