"Beyond Limits -Melvin"

Hey ple,

 

I decided to write this post 'cos I guess it's been overdue. Wanna tell u guys my blog isnt dead. Juz in de midst of constructing a new one. Anyway Its been many months since i posted an entry. Its realli been a whole new experience, mixture of ups and downs. I Know im back and will strive to achieve better things than last year, both in terms of sports and studies.

 

Im preparing for examz now. Thank you ERIC, YUN and everyone else who left comments or tagged. Appreciate it Lots! :) Jia you for those whose exams are nearing. Its gonna be an experience U wanna remember esp when u re gonna graduate!

 

New ITU season has started at Mooloolaba with my Favs Brad Kahlefeldt and Emma Snowsill clinching top places! Way to go ;) ;) ;)

 

I will check back now and then. Leave a comment or mail me holten09@hotmail.com.

 

Study Smart! Train Smart!

 

Mel =)

Its been a while since I last blogged. It seems weird as I try to type some words. I have bee slackin for the past 2 weeks and juz when i tot i can enjoy and relax off my trg, studies began to take its toil man. Been realli occupied with all the school work. Somehow I feel I will do quite badly in this sem. Never felt like this so far, but I guess I have to accept it. Difficult to salvage my semester. But if its gonna be this way, then let it be. I learnt to accept setbacks and try to pick myself up again. Dunno whether how badly will I fall this time.

 

I have uploaded some outdated race results from the past few weeks. Cant seem to upload some photos from my IVP track and my birthday photos with TUffers. However, the SMU Track Multiply site dun allow me to dl the photos in the correct format. =(

 

Im LOST ....yupz....in almost every aspect in my life man. Think I did something wrong. I shldnt Have said something. But then, I will feel real bad if I dun say it out. Not feeling too good abt it cos its still bothering me. And I dunno whether I can still clear it up. Afew things bothered me too. So in army terms, my 'MIKE" is damn LOW now. Sigh.

 

OK I betta go. But it will still stay with me. sigh....

The past few weeks have a roller coaster ride. Been trying to settle down into year2 and it seems that the workload has DOUBLED!!! relative to year1, for that matter. I been using last week as a catch-up week. But its gonna be another tough week ahead in terms of workload (ie: tests & presentations). I surely hope I could make do with some of God's wisdom in me. =)

 

Ever Since my "disappearing" act for AHM (27 aug), I been working hard everyday on the track. I was preparing for the IVP Track n Field Season which was juz 2 weeks after AHM. It was a new sport for me again, as I NEVER race in a track event. But I was willing to try. I had back-to-back races on 3 consecutive saturdays from 2sep-16sep, namely Sing Open, IVP Day 1 and 2. I took part in 5000m and 10,000m events. And yes, U can say I was lucky or blessed with God's Speed, I finished in top 3 positions for all 3 track races. Im not proud of these results. Im only happy 'cos I prepared well for these races despite only starting to train 2 weeks prior to my 1st track event. I Came to seek experience racing in track events and I was taught a wonderful lesson ytd, my last event. 5000m race. I guess i can only absorbed the learning points and come BACK nex year. Many Thanks to my wonderful frens running frens for helping me out alot these few weeks. It has been a long journey man.

 

Sometimes, I asked myself. Been a Christian for prob afew yrs liao. Is there any Breakthru'? Well, the answer is yes. But it was a long time. It was only when Sat@7 commenced that I truely felt closer to God. Even Pst Gideon was surprised when I turned up for Morn Dee last week for the whole week. Hah. It was not that I did sth wrong or feel guilty. But it just so happen that I felt the urge to juz wake up and look to the wonderful fellowship n morn dee for a great start to my day. It was definitely from my innner self and not any extrinsic factors. But Looking back, I felt that I was probably a passive Christian. Looking at afew batches of TUFFERS, I felt that they are realli fervently serving the Lord. If a Chirstian is being judged or measured by the number of souls he save, the amount of bible knowledge possessed, the amt of involvement in church activities and the extent of helping fellow bros n sis, then I realized I have failed.Terrible. Perhaps wat im about to say will stir up some issues, But i guess im only being frank. At this present moment, I realized i only allowed God into my life to a certain extent. There's still a part of me which I feel I have to be in control. Not tat I want to be in control entirely, But I need to take actions when God is not there. Hmmm.....like say when im running a race. And when its like the last 500m to the end, and im competing against another fella. we sprint. Surely everyone knoes how painful it is to PUSH yourself in the last stretch after say a 10km run. Its exactly in the last few moments, your legs are tired. No more energy. No more fire. Just pure guts!  ITs your mind. The Hunger. The desire. And the will-power to endure the threshold of pain. This is where I feel I need to be in control. Cos How big your last few strides are, How fast your leg turn-over is and how high level of pain you can endure depends on you. I guess wad im tryin to say is that Sure you can wait for God to help you and commit it unto him. But there are some critical times when you need to be in control. Cos if you dun help yourself, Prob God cant help you as well.  Oh well, jus some random thoughts at this unearthly hour for me. Tink I got more random thoughts, But I need to rest. Haha. IM juz Lazy.

 

I guess this phase of my life, I muz look back again at my Christian life. After I have settled band matters and Get into my base for training. Its my spiritual life i gotta make some adjustments. Sometimes I need to be convinced. I saw enuff scenerios in band eg: SYF Comps and Hawaii Comp to witness the transformation of my fellow members. And for athletes, My roomie is another classic example. 3 weeks ago, Hes not even in the IVP team. A former sprinter who excelled in it during JC days, He struggled to find his form. he was down and out when he was not given opportunity to perform. To even record a timing. But he came back. Everyday, he hit the track. Vomit, he did. Fustrasted, He felt. But DETERMINED, HE WAS! And if you guys have a chance, U try readin the auto-biography of Lance Armstrong. He still remains my idol til now. For his Good Fight, against cancer. Against fellow cyclist n critics. And most importantly, against ALL ODDS! =)

 

Oh man, rather long entry. enjoy!

 

Mel

Its been an overdue post on probably my final Esplanade and Band concert. 6 Aug. A special Night. A Night to cherish 'cos the Saints Alumni Band put up a very solid performance. When everything seems to go all wrong for all the rehearsals from the week before right til hours before the concert, SAB actually played thru the 3 pieces without stopping. Probably its the 1st time we ever played thru all 3 pieces. And with much power and conviction. It was during the concert day itself that I managed to speak to some of the younger players whom I always see during prac but never had a chance to talk to them. It was definitely one of Alumni's better perfomances so far ......Kudos to every alumni member!=)

 

I wanted to delete these sms-es.....but everyone of them seem so precious to me. I decided to use this space to record these wonderful sharing by some of the alumni members to me.. here goes...

 

Terence: Hey Peeps..Thanks for the wonderful time of music making yesterday..Hope to see you all soon again in alumni.

 

Mike (Former Alumni President): Hi arthur and melvin. Thank you both for your great leadership and effort that brought the alumni to another level. It has been a wonderful journey wif you guys in this. Let any glory for alumni be yours cos' you guys deserved every bit of it. Thank you for the great nite.:)

 

Selina: Hey hey! Great JOb! Now you can take a breather and enjoy some me-time! :) wheeeeee! we are mass-mamboing on wed, Interested?

 

Vik: Yo dude...sorry had to leave in a hurry...anyway realli enjoyed myself for this concert...mayb can consider playing for another concert 3-5yrs down the road...haha =)

 

Much as I dread to come for alumni prac sometimes (cos' of those irritating admin stuff), I realized that I realli missed the sat prac. Tho my mind was often occupied with concert prep and admin stuff, there were moments when my mind realli engaged into the music. I hope I can help out with arthur so that he doesnt feel too occupied with alumni stuff.

 

There is still a dream in me yet to be fulfilled...and prob not gonna be fulfilled. I realli hope that the SYF Comp Band of '99 cld sit down and play some pieces together. It is this band which i feel most attached to. The band which played music that touched the inner core of my heart. Cos I was totally immersed in it during tat time. HOPEFULLY, most of them can come back and play for one last concert before we realli get out into the working world (both my batch and terence batch). haha. Tat will be soo darn cool. Anyway, time to sleep.....I leave you with some memories of 6 Aug....

 

 

The followin are some of the smses from my beloved frens and family. Juz tot of sharing it here since some of my frens complained that its only sports-centred blog. Haha. Enjoy....=) The words in yellow are my comments...hehe...=)

 

Maggie: Wow on your birthday somemore right haha all de best for tml! Hope you'll hav fun and before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Wanlin: Happy Birthday! May God bless w a wonderful 23rd birthday! Stay Cool and funny.<--You always luff @ me!! Haha..=)

Valli: haPPY Birthday melvin!! May you smile and be happy!

Qian Ping: Hey Happy bdae mel! lol. enjoy yourself today!:) and may all wishes come true! Can find your wife quickly! oei u tink wife so easy find one ar? haha but tks anyway! =) and win all ur races!lol.

Linette: happy birthday n good luck for your race. call us when you done.

Tracey: hey Mel! Happy hmmm is it 23 birthday? ha ha. Anyway happy birthday and May you become stronger n win more races!! Cheers!

Da Jie: Happy birthday. sheng ri kuai le! May you have a good day, good health, do well for ur studies but take time to relax too. Take care!;)

Mommy: Happy Birthday to you. Enjoy urself and eat dinner on ur own cos working late! Love my mom..but smtimes too naggy la! Oops..hah

Kor: Happy 23rd birthday to u Melvin! May you achieve excellence in triathlon and sch results! Treat u sumtime when we meet up agn! i be waiting for de TREAT!!!! haha

Abi: Hey Happy Birthday! So Old! 23 already! Eh im still young @ heart ok?? hehe

Huiren" Hey happy b'dae! 1 yr older le so muz be wiser k? kaoz means im not so wise before la?? hahah wishing u all de best in ur life. tc keep in touch and cya in sch!

Xiao Ying: Hey hihi, its ur birthday today rite? Happy Birthday!

Beks: hey Mel! Happy birthday. iTs been stored on my calendar ever since FM Project days! Heh anyway God Bless!

Weijian: Mel mel! Happie Birthday! When are u gonna join AXN extreme challenge? BoB: u tink im mad ar. I dun join all these man..haha hehe may u be blessed ever so abundantly tis day forth. Stay Funky and cute alwayz ;>

Ivan Liew: Happy birthday dude!! God bless you always!

Pris:Happy Birthday all de best in watever u do!

Waihon: Yoz bro! Happy birthday to u! May God bless you this very day!

Andre: Luckily havent end de day yet..ha ha..almost forgot..but how can i forget tis guy bdae??? HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!!Lucky u never forget....if not...hahaha =)

Alvin bro: Almost 4got ur bdae! Happy Birthday kor!

Linda : Hey! Didnt have a chance to wish u happy birthday properly juz now! so before the clock strikes 12, i juz wanna say i hope u had a most blessed and memorable birthday!;) hope it'll make u happie thru de week! take care and study hard!

Yuxian: Yo Dude! Happy Birthday again! Hope you had a wonderful time juz now! I did. Haha seeya soon!

BRO: Hey Bro! Almost forgotten ur bday! Happy Bdae and May ur wishes come true!;)