Throwback Saturday: SF Marathon

I just wanted to backtrack a little now that I've settled in my new life in Europe.
I spent 4 months in San Francsico, which is the longest time I've been in my mother country since I left for Japan in 2007.

Out of sheer luck, I was able to run the SF Marathon since two of my friends could no longer run in it anymore. Only, I was told of this the week before. Never have I speed prepared for a race in such short time but it an be done people!

My last race was in Cambodia so compared to that, the SF race was extremely organized and well put together. The expo was at Fort Mason with lots of information, samples to try, and sports gear merchandise that every runner will drool over!

Expo time!

Good thing they had it at Fort Mason, so many people it was crazy

True 'Dat

FYI: "Fillooh" is who I'm running for ;)

writing down my splits!

Heading towards the starting line

Stretch time...just like the good ol Lowell XC days

The last time I ran this race was 2010 so I thought I had it down but wow, the hills were toughter than I though. Much tougher. In fact, I thought I wouldn't make it on last few miles. I did my best to stick to the pacers most of the time and they were a big help. A big salute to them. I didn't PR but I still did sub 1:45.  Considering I only had a week to train, a +2:30min time is not too bad!

Finish line = pure pain

My young'in track athletes congratulating me at the finish line

In addition to bagels, bananas, waters etc, you also get a free Bailey's coffee which is heaven on a cold day in SF after running!

My best advice to others who are running the race (and a note to myself should I ever decide to run it again):

• Cruise and let yourself go on the downhills and work hard on the hills.
• Hill workout and stamina training is a must!!!
• It's cold so don't drink too much liquid. I had to stop for the port-o-potty once
• Don't get boxed in on the Golden Gate bridge.
• The start off is flat and in a straight line so be careful not to speed up too much
• Keep in mind the drudging rolling hills at the end of the race (for the first half at least)
• When you're tired, just enjoy the gorgeous view of SF :)

Some views along the course

Some views along the course

Finishing the race never felt better.. and to my surprise our high school cross country coach was at the finish line, escorting finishers. That was a bit of a treat after training under him all throughout my high school career. I hope he wasn't too disappointed I didn't run my optimal time :P

 

Brunch and then formal dinner followed.. tired but accomplished day.

Beer before and after the race is a must!

Happy Brunch Time

Mmm...carbs

We ended the day with a celebratory bling bling dinner at Kokkaris. Great day and I love my HS buddies!

Huge chunk of lamb!

Can't believe we were a bunch of poor broke students eating off one plate of Panda Express 15 years ago!

Dinner

I've said this a few times before, but one of the things I'm grateful about Geneva is groceries in general are cheaper than Tokyo. This may be shocking to some people but yes it's I have suffered through costly supermarkets in Tokyo. It's great that I'm able to enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits here, I'm trying to not relive the freshman 15 my first year of bachelors!

Japan Festival

Coincidentally, this year happens to be the 150 year anniversary since Switzerland and Japan established diplomatic relationships and special events have been going on all year long. It so also so happened to be that there was a Japan festival in my neighborhood so I decided to take go take a look. Besides the exorbitant prices (seriously... $17 for a bowl of curry?) it was a good ambiance of Japanese expats, Swiss/Japanese young families, anime fans, and local Swiss enjoying their weekend.

奇遇にも今年はスイスと日本が国交を結んで150周年。一年をかけていろいろな催しやイベントが行われているので若干日本がホームシックなあたしにはありがたい。

たまたま近所で「日本祭り」が行われていたのでちょっくら友達と行って来ました♪　焼き鳥、カレーライス、うどん、コロッケ、から揚げ、などなどオーソドックスな文化祭的（笑）屋台が並びます。 ただし。。。やはりスイスだけあって高い。焼き餃子3個で約500円、カレーライス1500円・・・ありえない。ただし、日本のパン屋さんは欲に負けてあんぱん、かぼちゃパン、メロンパンを購入。1つ330円と今までで一番高級な菓子パン 笑。冷凍庫に入れて大切に保管しています　笑。

他にもステージで日本舞踊のお披露目や子供たち向けの書道教室など日本文化がさまざまな形で紹介されてました。お祭りに来ている方はやはり日本人の駐在員が主でしたが、スイス・日本人カップル、ローカルスイス人、アニメ・日本好きの外人などさまざま。

お祭りのフィナーレはもちろん日本文化誇る盆踊り。炭坑節はもはや盆踊りに華を添えますね～

The yakitori (chickens on skewers) were not bad!

On the other hand the ikayaki (squid on skewers

So expensive but couldn't resist Japanese bread...!

The event ended with dancing the Tanko-bushi (traditional Japanese summer dancing) which opened a flood of memories.

What does it feel like to be a student again?

When I announced to everyone that I will be going back to grad school I always got the confounded look. They all shook their heads and told me that once you're in the real world, it's hard to become a student again. 


Ugh........really?  


Sure, financially I might be a bit tight but in exchange I don't have 50-60 work weeks, to wake up at 5:45am every day, to take a packed train in Tokyo, to deal  with coworkers and boss bureacracy, to go to mandatory after work drinking and client dinners until midnight, to spend money on clothes and beauty products (it's very necessary to look a certain style at the work place in Tokyo), and most of all to have an intense job that requires to look at 5 screens to settle thousands of trades each day. Compared to that this is HEAVEN. My classes are only from Mon-Thurs with staggering schedules which I could efficiently use towards exercising, studying or reading. I cannot be any more happier. Of course there is the pressure of school work and getting good grades but the stress is miniscule considering that I won't be yelled at by 3 bosses, and put my company at compliance risk if I make a mistake at my job at the bank. 

Compared to my hellish working days, never have I been so motivated to study. During undergrad, I never had a clear idea of what I wanted to do or learn so I spent most of my days partying and watching movies. Now, I have a clearcut view of where I see myself in five years and ten years and I know that each class, each semester will get me closer to that goal. 

I am extremely grateful. Not only do I get to pursue an advanced degree beyond college but in one of the most highly renowned institutions globally in one of the most desired cities to live in the world. Everyday I am surrounded by professors and colleagues that inspire me and motivate me to learn even more. And because of that, I see myself enjoying studying more than I have ever done before. I do not want to take this for granted because now I know and personally seen many many, and many people who do not the same opportunities as I do.

 In Cambodia, I've seen hundreds of children in dire conditions at home and school. Many barely have the money to buy notebooks for school (if they even have the privilege to go to school). I have taught some of the most brightest students in which they have a limited future withe the opportunities they have in Cambodia even if they were extremely lucky to go to a university. The overall level of education of the country is very low that students are unable to apply them to work or to start a business. This often made me very depressed as I love Cambodia but there was little I can do to change the nation's education system or my students' future. 

 In the last 8 years since I graduated from UC Davis, educational institutions have changed dramatically; namely technology. I rarely use notebooks and binders because I use my laptop to organize everything for my classes. Google doc, Facebook groups, Messenger, and Dropbox are the lifelines of communicating and collaborating work with my colleagues. 

I did not have to buy a single text book this semester because all my professors have posted their reading material online; in which I download them and upload them to my iPad. I no longer need a dictionary to carry around to my French class because I use translators on my iPhone app. The evolution has been amazing and makes me realize how inefficient I was when I was in undergrad. Students have much bigger capabilities to learn these days  which is why I am also grateful to be a student again!

Miss my students :(

Geneva at Dusk

What a beautiful sky. I'm falling in love with this city.

Fêtes de vendages (Sept 20, 2014)

I apologize for this being a while ago, but I went to the Fêtes de vendages in a village by Geneva called Russin which is one of the famous local winery areas. It's unique in the sense that it's not a winery opening festival or beaujolais nouveau parties but basically celebrates the harvest of the vineyards. There's food stands, wine tasting, music, and lots of other traditional Swiss activities. This was my first weekend since school has started so it was great to be out enjoying some nice wine and good company (for those who are not familiar, Switzerland produces some quite nice wines. It's just that it's rarely exported outside of the country!) 

Quite an international gathering (including our group!), it's an event enjoyed by locals and expat communities

Sausages..!

It's a really cute traditional Swiss village ^^

Wine tasting time!

The rose was quite good

Night time light up

I think this was mash potato like maize

Sausage, maize, bread, and wine..what more do I need?