Run till your body pumps battery acids

I name this picture “Run till your body pumps battery acids.” I noticed my veins popping out on my legs after my run yesterday and was very much fascinated by it. This was taken when I got home, after some cooling down. They were clearer right after the run.

I’ve been reading marching and running cadences for sometime and when this came across, it hit a spot.

Mamma Mamma:
Ma mama can't you see;
What this Corp has done for me,
Put me in a barbers chair,
Snip snap, and I had no hair,
And if I die in a combat zone,
Box me up and ship me home,
Put me in a set of dress blues,
Comb my hair and shine my shoes,
Pin my medals upon my chest,
Tell my momma i did my best,
Momma momma don't you cry,
Marine corp motto is do or die.

I went to the office today and was officially given a ship. I was rushed off for the medical check up and was not given a proper introduction about the ship. However, I did a search on the ship and found something. Yes, with the limited information about this ship, I am starting to feel that I am the King of cyberspace. Anyhow,

Vessel Name: Kata Mutiara
Type: General Cargo [On my nomination slip, it says Container]
Flag: Singapore
Year of build: 1985 [Translate: 20 years old ship, lots of deck work]
GRT: 12725
DWT: 20169
LOA: 184 Beam: 25
SP: 18
Run: Singapore – Port Klang – Yangon [Translate: I am not that far and I will be in Singapore every other week]

I have to be freak that I was pretty disappointed with the company’s arrangement. It’s a really strange feeling, it felt as if, for the first time in my life, I have no power or control over what matters to me. At the moment of truth, I did not know what tools I would use to look at the situation for another angle.

This was the lesson learned today, A. there are indeed something in life that you are not in control of. B. Simple tools can solve big problem.

I started thinking how is this going to fit into my plan, and I started to use the tool which is the basic. Positive thinking, and cross planning. – Firstly, if my runs involve running up and down the Malacca straits, that means I can get my Steering certificate in high traffic area. Good thing. Secondly, I will be in Singapore every other week. May reduce come discomfort. Good thing as A) I can not bring so much stuff on board. B) I am still very much in contact with my part of the world.



Next, I should have seen what was coming. I was warned that the company has got lots of old ship, secondly Singaporean normally get ‘special treatment’ as they don’t last forever. I took it as SATS for the university. You need to get high score to get into good university. As long as I perform well on simple run and rusty ships, I will get more respectable duties in the future.

And I must say, Jake’s comment motivated me. “You are born to be a sailor.” Gave a rush of blood to my brain. As such, I wrote something inspired by his comment, and it goes like this:

You were born a sailor

You don’t need to feel sorry,
For whom you were meant to be;
You were born a sailor,
To sail the seven seas.

You live a life or danger,
With youthful keen and eager;
You were born a sailor,
By God’s almighty power.

You will make great wonders,
Sail through rain and thunders;
You were born a sailor,
Nothing can change this order.

No matter how life bothers,
You will sure find your answers;
You were born a sailor,
In death or ghastly weather,
You will always be.

Ivan arranged a little farewell dinner for me today. Together with Lionel and Kumar, we went to Tao’s. It was a really well appreciated dinner. There was no faze and I can feel that it meant something to them, and so, it meant something to me. I felt handicap as Jun Jie was in camp. I really thought that it would be nice to see him again. These are friends that will go the extra mile for you and they have agreed to watch star wars with me. A request which landed in disappointment before. I will miss them for sure.

For all you might know, this was taken in the little boy’s room




How packing coming along?


Currently the list stands as:
1. body powder
2. 2 bars of soap
3. tooth paste
4. Travel Kit
a. toothbrush
b. deodorant
c. lip balm
d. nail cutter
e. shaver with 5 disposable razors
f. Laundry marker
g. Sea Band
h. Personal Medications
5. Sawing kit
a. Threads
b. Measuring tape
c. A box of needles
d. Small Scissors
e. String starter
f. Safety pins
g. Buttons,
h. Metal clips
i. Finger cap
j. Needles stand
6. 3 writing pad
7. References books
8. one and the half pack of envelopes
9. TARB book
10. Operation Excellence
11. two note pad
12. 3 white boiler suits, with company logo
13. ten 3 inch CD-R
15. Multi-plug with two 2-pin cap
16. Long man Dictionary
17. Underwear
18. Uno cards

As you can see, all the toiletries went into a bag and I got a sawing kit together. I don’t really know if it’s necessary for current voyage, since its so short but since I’ve got them together I may as well just bring. I decrease the number of soap to 2 as I understand it will be provided on the ship, and I can always get them in Singapore or Malaysia. I found out that Engine and Deck officers wear white boiler suits, and crew and ratings wear blue boiler suits. Therefore, I will be bringing more white t-shirts to wear as casual/daily wear. This will increase the white clothes and so I will have a good load to wash.