Jung Key – I don’t want English Translation
When it rains outside my window
I think about the past
I can’t believe we said goodbye
It feels so strange to be left alone tonight
I must be missing you already
Or I might be feeling lonely
My heart’s been disturbed, it won’t quiet down
Everyday has been hard on me
The first day we met and fell in love
The day we hugged each other so tight in each other’s arms
We can’t turn back time, we can’t go back to those days
We know that now, we don’t ask for it
Remember
I’ve always feared that we had an easy beginning
But we were in love, we liked it so much
You, what if I make you cry
It was difficult not being able to do anything for you
The first day we met and fell in love
The day we hugged each other so tight in each other’s arms
We can’t turn back time, we can’t go back to those days
We know that now, we don’t ask for it
I know it’s all gone now, so why
Why do I end up calling you in high hopes
The first day we met and fell in love
The day we hugged each other so tight in each other’s arms
(Just come back to me, oh my baby)
We can do this again, give me one more chance
and I won’t ask for anything anymore
The first day we met and fell in love
The day we hugged each other
(Baby, like the days we were in love)
We can do this again, give me one more chance
and I won’t ask for anything anymore
It’s DONE! I’ve managed to run at least 5km everyday for 30 days. Half way thru I really struggled and at run 13 I’ve already mentally decided to take a break, but with friends around me motivating me, I managed to pull thru all the way.
Many people over the past 30 days have asked me “Nick what are you running for? Lose weight? Some purpose?” actually there is no purpose or any big grand reason. I even had an idea of stopping at 29 just to mess with people and to show I can overcome my OCD. lol.
Ok, the real reason. (maybe post rationalised) A colleague of mine shared with me a video from India. Nike’s “Da Da Ding” and it was really catchy.
The feel was great and I missed that feeling. I’ve been eating loads of beef, drinking loads of wine and i’ve not run for months. That video reminded me of another video which my other friend shared a few years back and the feel was there as well. That runner’s high.
So I decided in the spur of that moment while seeing those videos. I’m gonna run 5km for 30 days straight. And just to make sure I keep to it, I made it public on my Facebook feed.
Lots of friends gave ideas and it started to feel like I have a support group.
“Ok I’m doing It” was the mental note that started on day zero.
1/30
Day one started on a Thursday. It was fine. I’m used to 3 – 5km runs without much training, so quite motivated.
Day four. Sunday. Pearl wanted to go out and sweat it out with me too. So it was a nice outdoor type couple activity. She brisk walked while I ran. Same deal with my daughter, she turned back when I hit my 2.5km mark.
5/30
Day five. Decided to push myself a bit more and did 6km. Nice. I was getting the hang of it. But it being a Monday, its still kind of a challenge.
6/30
Day six. I was super into it. BAM! I’m confident I can stick with it till the end for this 30 days thing.
7/30
Day seven, Pearl came along again. She walked and I ran. This is starting to become a nice and healthy habit.
8/30
Day eight. I wanted to push myself a bit more and managed to get my speed to under 6m/km.
9/30
Day nine tough. My body started to feel the strain. I was limping slowly in the office, but it was Friday, so still having the #TGIF mood. I really wanted to see Star Trek Beyond and have already agreed with friends, so went to Vivo to have dinner first. We had pork knuckles, beer, then went to see the movie. By the time the movie ended it was already 11pm or so. The plan in my head was that I will sober up during the movie, so the beer is not an issue, but on the way home, it was raining… oh mai gawd…
My neighbours have asked my wife and I to join them at their place for beef and wine and when I got home I got changed to my running gear. Wore my running top which had a hoodie and put my phone in a zip lock bag. I set off just after midnight and thank God it was only drizzling by then. Came back wet, but I did it!
10/30
Day ten. My friend Andy was following my progress and decided to join me after his National Day Parade Preview with his family. We met at 10pm at Waterway Point in Punggol and ran one round. for about 5km, then he ran home for another 2km, while I did the same. But he ran from Sengkang to meet me and have already started with 2km, so that day he did 9km, while I did 7km.
It was nice to have company.
11/30
Day eleven. I finally decided to get Spotify Premium and with the Singtel bundle, data was free, so it was awesome. There was a running playlist and it orientated itself to your pace (mine was 175 beats per minute) and you could select genre too. So pop songs galore. It felt like my daughter was the DJ of my run.
However, the run was still tough. It was getting really tough as my thighs are really aching.
12/30
Day twelve. Monday. I went to office utterly exhausted. I think my body did not have the time to recover, so it’s starting to really be physically taxing. Anyway, done. Glad Monday was over.
13/30
Day thirteen. I think I really need a rest and badly want a massage. I was basically limping in the office. So I shared with my friends my dilemma.
Mentally I was ready to take a break for the day. Looking at concerned friends I think I should heed their advice.
So during the day, I had to join a meeting and the meeting included a very senior management person and he too was following my runs and casually asked me how it was going. I told him “I’m heeding my friends advice and will be taking a break today.”, I got an immediate “F#*k you!”. LOLZ. Too funny. He then continued to show me his Nike+ app which showed FIVE FREAKING THOUSAND KILOMETERS! It was over 800+ runs! I was literally shocked. I was embarrassed to even look at my own Nike+ app now.
So you won’t believe what happens next…
Massage
Dinner with wife
Go home
Hear Clara’s story of her lost tooth
Get a hug from Cleo
Change
Gear up
Unlock phone
Spotify
Search run
Play running
Start run
Pace detected
Nike+
Beginning workout
Cheers X 5
Workout completed
Personal best 5k ever at 5:28min/km
14/30
Day fourteen. Gotta slow down and get back to normal speeds of 6m/km.
15/30
Day fifteen. There is a company event and there will be drinking at night, so woke up at 5:30am and did my first morning run.
16/30
Day sixteen. Since the previous day’s run was in the morning and I had enough time to recover and being a Friday, so I decided to do a 10km with my new Plantronics BackBeat Fit headphones today. Thanks to Isaiah for his recommendation.
17/30
Day seventeen. Going to dinner at my friends place in Sengkang. measured it to be 7km run, so decided to run there. Instead did 8km, but at a good pace of 5:40m/km. Then it was beef and wine the whole night thru.
18/30
Day eighteen. I did a slower run, but It was nice to have Pearl joining me to go outdoors. She walked and I ran ahead.
19/30
Day nineteen. Done. In my new super bright neon yellow $11 top.
20/30
Day twenty. Done. But a tough one. Basically a defensive run and trying not to break the body. Mentally thinking its just 10 more to go, I was really stoked.
21/30
Day twenty one. Done. ouch.
22/30
Day twenty two. I started listening to my body and this is what It said.
Feet: I’ve got the sexiest running shoes ever! Look at me!
Ankles: I can do this 100 times more. Bring it on.
Calves: I’m solid like a rock. Hey okay.
Knees: Thanks for taking care of me. I’m ok… For now.
Thighs: ARRRGGHHHH WHEN IS THIS GOING TO STOP!!
Hips: Damn you thighs, do your job. I’m basically shifting the legs around and carrying the body. I’m running the show now when it’s suppose to be the legs job.
Tummy: you should be doing planks. Why did you stop at day 3 and not tell anyone?
Chest: I’m just here for the ride. New running singlets. Yeah.
Hands: One day you will drop your phone when you run if you don’t stop fiddling with your phone.
Neck: look chiobu
Mouth: breath. In in. Exhale. out out.
Nose: damn you 7th month ghost festival.
Eyes: wah, beautiful sunset. Must Instagram.
Ears: Spotify Premium 4EVER! I’ll let you guys know when the Nike+ girl tells me we’ve hit the next KM. Oh cheers coming. Oh yeah.
Brain: 30/30 is next Friday. We should do something big.
I went home and setup a Facebook event. “30/30 Nick’s Last Leg” and invited all my running friends and the public. lol.
Why not right. It would be fun if people showed up.
23/30
Day twenty three. ouch… just one more week.
24/30
Day twenty four. Friday, start of the National Day Long weekend (but unfortunately due to work, I cancelled my Monday leave), but the good vibes was still there. Did my 5km and had beef and wine for at my friends place. I got introduced to Kamadoe Joe and BBQ have changed forever.
25/30
Day twenty five. Sunday. Wife encouraged me to take it slow and walk with her. We did 6km and at this time, my Nike+ app average pace which I’ve tried very hard to work on have kissed me good bye.
26/30
Day twenty six. Monday. Busy day. Night BBQ as well. So Morning run it was. Legs still hurt. Especially the thighs.
27/30
Day twenty seven. National Day! Got up at 6:30am and walked to Coney Island with Pearl. We did 7km that day. Nice. It was the first time both of us going there together.
28/30
Day twenty eight. Tough day at work, but I was focus to get my run done still. Done.
29/30
Day twenty nine. Done! ONE DAY MORE!
30/30
Day thirty. I got to Waterway point with my family. The kids wanted to inline skate with me, but I told them I won’t be able to take care of them, so they decided to just skate around that area. My wife also wanted to walk 4km, but sacrificed and took care of the kids. <3
Two of my friends Gary and Serena was cycling that night too and came to cheer for me at the end point. Project done! It was Done! 30 days of 5km runs.
I really want to thank all of my friends who have cheered me on while I was running. Every cheer in the Nike+ app meant something. It was a real morale booster.
A big thanks to all the friends that encouraged me in person, in comments on my Instagram and Facebook posts without you, it would not have been as fun as it was.
If anyone wants to do a 5km for 30 days, let me know. Maybe we start on the same day together? I’m ready when you are.
If there is something strange in your neighbourhood (like Punggol), WHO YOU GONNA CALL? GHOSTBUSTERS! lol. I think I’m the ghost.
So, this came in the mail. Woot! So cool. Can almost feel the Electricity jumping out into the air.
And here is it in action in the dark.
So this is what it is in all its glory. For the millennials kids, come come, I explain. This in our days is what we call a Ghost Trap, if you don’t know how to use it, please go see the movie, it will explain. Thanks to the kind people from Sony Pictures Singapore Facebook for this fun toy.
Ghostbusters is back in Cinemas and now with a hilarious cast Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael Kenneth Williams and Chris Hemsworth. See the Trailer here.
And now my friends, this is a photo of the Ghost I mentioned earlier.
So happy that this year’s OCBC Cycle’s Cafe Bike Crawl decided to come to Punggol as some may know I’m like Punggol Ambassador at large. lol. Last year I joined them at east coast area, but nothing beats home ground. I want to thank Julian Lim from OCBC for re-inviting me.
And off we go
I think I missed a memo because I clearly understood it as a leisurely ride, so dressed comfortably in my shirt and shorts. Many came in proper cycling gear which I seriously struggle to do. I mean, you know… its kinda… revealing…
First stop. Toast Box at Punggol Waterway Point. Eggs, Toast, Teh-C and new friends is the perfect way to start a Saturday. The table I sat had 2 people from the news business. Steve Lai from CNA and Alvin Chia from ST Sports, super interesting mix. We talked about Brunei and many other random stuff under the sun. Yong Wei was also at my table and he shared with us his gifts and premiums fabrication business.
Yong Wei, Alvin Chia, Steve Lai, Nick Pan
I had quite a bit of chat with Steve as he is from CNA and since VML where I work at is currently revamping CNA’s website, it was great talking about the future of the news publishing business with him. He told me he is going to Manila to cover the elections, so do follow him on his twitter @SteveLaiCNA to keep up to date.
Cafe Bike Crawl at Waterway Point
Another badass group photo outside the wonderful wonderful iMax enabled Waterway Point.
Sunset Bridge at Punggol Waterway
We cycled from the east side of Punggol all the way to the West side and I shared with all that this is the Sunset Bridge. The east side one is called Sunrise Bridge.
Coast Cycle
We cycled into Coney Island and Coast Cycle was there with their very garang bikes to let us try. The Quinn was there so was the Juggernaut and other bigger bikes. Super shiok, can jam break, drift drift abit. So fun. Do check out their bikes in their Siglap shop.
Coney Island
Yet another badass group photo. I camped out on the Juggernaut to act garang.
Wayne from Wayne’s Chill Out
We then headed to Punggol Settlement and rested at Wayne’s Chillout. Wayne shared with us the ice cream flavours he had and the many mix of beverages he had too. Somebody say Lychee Sorbet Iceeee Tea!! Shiok! Especially with the hot weather these days.
Seok Seng
We then cycled and miraculously appeared at Soek Seng 1954 Bike Cafe for lunch. It’s at some super ulu secret location, so I’m not sharing how we got there and where it is. You go try and find yourself.
Uncle Joo from Seok Seng
Uncle Joo shared with us his profession as a car restorer, his passion for restoring vintage bicycles and the many media coverage of his passion. His smile while sharing is really infectious. I think he have arrived. You can have all the money in the world, but living and breathing your passion and sharing it with people who appreciates it is what I call true success.
Nick Pan, Pris Chew, Yong Wei
Here is Pris Chew and Yong Wei taking a selfie with me. Really nice people, hope to know them better in the future.
OCBC Cycle Workshop and Activities
So, you too can join the OCBC Cycle Cafe Bike Crawl. Go check out on their site and quickly signup before it is sold out. OCBC have also organised a few other activities around the OCBC Cycle, so do check them out too. And of course, there is the main OCBC Cycle event happening 1 – 2 Oct 2016, so do join the rest of Singapore in this super fun event.
You must be wondering, how come so long post, but no real pictures of people actually cycling? The reason is simple, it is dangerous to take pictures while cycling. So because of this, I SNAPCHAT!!
Follow me on Snapchat “nickpan” (i’m a noob, so be gentle).
Being in the advertising industry it’s quite common to have a less than positive attitude towards the clients we serve and dedicate our waking hours to. Phrases like “the client is dumb” have been heard in the halls of advertising for as long as advertising was around.
It’s common to be aghast when clients spew vague oxymoronic wisdom and expect the agency to continue the discussion and explore their direction of thinking without first going to the bathroom for a puke, the bar to get drunk and home to our mothers to spill out our hearts and tell her how we hate our lives. I’ve seen quite a few junior executives go through this phase and when their superiors cast the first stone, their uninhibited inner thoughts from their subconscious comes out and torches the client like a mindless dragon that just escaped from a dungeon seeking revenge.
Then after a year the agency gets reviewed and the whole account goes into a toss.
When we, the people from the agency side put in the hard work and long hours and not seen success, it’s understandable to be frustrated, it’s also understandable to lash out at our clients who are supposedly the ones who brings us much pain and suffering. In this highly emotional industry, It is understandable, but it’s also unhealthy and career limiting.
Have we thought about the conversations happening on the other side, the client side? What do they say about their agency? Let’s simplify the agency review into a scale of five stars and see what they could possibly mean.
Disclaimer: I’ve never been on the client side. The following are purely from my imagination and of my own opinion. Any resemblance to real events, real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.
1 Star
How did my predecessors decide to engage this agency? I’m perfectly fine that they are late on their deliverables, but avoiding me on calls and not replying my emails only later to tell me that the deadline had to be pushed because of some vague unfathomable reason when the deadline had already passed is just unbelievable.
Not only do they not seem to have basic common sense, they also don’t seem to understand the words coming out of my mouth. I rather do the work myself than to pay them another cent to make my life even more miserable than it already is. My blood starts to boil when my phone rings and I see the agency’s number on caller id.
2 Stars
I believe my briefs are clear, but why do they always come back with all this super lame my-grandmother-can-have-a-better-idea type idea. I’m really curious how our brief was translated to the rest of the extended agency. Seriously copying epic split and old spice was not the brief, I wonder if they even have any insights at all. Do they even know what my marketing objectives are?!
They can execute, I give them that and I can even forgive them for that once in a while mistake or delay, but I seriously think I’m paying too much for just this kind of execution. There is simply no leadership, we need to tell them what to do along the way. They still have the cheek to pressure me to sign new quotes whenever we meet. I’m looking forward to work with a new agency.
3 Stars
My agency is ok and I think agencies are generally all the same. They work hard at times, they slack at times, they deliver most of the time according to plan, but they do miss some deadlines as well. Sometimes they give us all their attention, but sometimes they also seem to be busy with other business, so that’s not so nice.
The senior strategic people seems to be appearing less, leaving all these junior executives to take care of our business.
But when we do get the good senior strategic people in, things move along fairly well, but when they don’t get so involved things either become less strategic and becomes more executional. At times I give them some briefs just to keep them on their toes and challenge their ideas.
4 Stars
I love my agency. They get me. They know what is important and I can genuinely feel that they care for our brand and our business while having a good grasp of the market and our consumers. At times when we are not too sure of the way forward, they will workshop with us, make us focus on the more important things and collaboratively we work something out. The outcome tend to be good and sometimes simply brilliant.
The awards we have won because of this partnership is evidence that it’s a great relationship that’s working well. I understand that such agency reviews are necessary but honesty lets just extend their contract already.
5 Stars
My agency is a unicorn. Their employees are all supermodels and available 24/7. Every meeting is like a date and my heart will always skip a beat during these meetings and they are the absolute highlight of my day.
They send me their proposals before I send them the brief and the best part is we don’t need emails as everything is done almost telepathically. Not only do we win all possible awards we enter for, my agency charge me only a nominal fee and most of the time the work is pro-bono.
They take all my verbal abuse when I’m bored and just need to shout at someone. They counsel me when I’m sad, throw me parties, run my errands and collect my laundry too.
I love my agency. I love them more than I love myself.
LOL.
Of course the last bit is an exaggeration because supermodels need their beauty sleep so its not possible to be available 24/7 and telepathy have not been invented yet.
Ok ok ok, in all seriousness, If you are working in Advertising and have read thus far, I urge all of us to not think that “the client is dumb”, instead look at ourselves and ask ourselves if we are proud being paid by our clients for what we have done for them?
What value have we brought into the relationship? What leadership have we shown? How much time have we invested in knowing our client’s business and understanding the things that are keeping them up at night? Is it just a client-vendor relationship or is it more of a partnership? The list goes on…
We are in the business of communication. We have the power to shape minds and change perceptions. We have the power to build brands and start movements. We have the ability to create art filled with science. We have the ability to be a catalyst of good and to influence this generation and the generations to come.
So, in the grand scheme of things, the stars our client gives us don’t matter, what matters is how we approach our craft which results in the quality of the work which then results in the stars our client gives us. So care for your client’s business and do good work and I’m sure you and your agency will be stars.
