Before I start writing, I will to congratulate everyone, that we are able to achieve 942 food hampers. Good Job!! (Tap yourself on your shoulders.)
Well, this week is MST week, and most of you will be busy revising what you have learn for the past 6weeks. So am I. To some, it will be cramping 6 weeks of lectures or 10 chapters all into 1 week or day of revision.
Here's what you do to relax yourself while you are having studying:
1) Play some games online, some good websites will be Miniclip, Facebook games that you often play. Do not play too, try to limit yourself by playing within 15 to 30 minutes.
Example will be Restaurant City, Lucky Train, Hotel City and many many more....
2) Sleep. Taking a 20 minute Power Nap, and after that you will feel refresh. Here is a video that teaches you some top tips to Power Nap.
3) Walk Walk. Take a 15 minute walk around a park or area nearby where you are studying. This allows you to relax your minds a bit and after that you will be more relaxed.
Well, thats all I have, but if you have some good tips to have rest or breaks, do share it with your friends. Jia Yous for the MST and STUDY HARD THEN PLAY HARD!
Afterglow to me is a successful event for the trippers that have put in a lot of effort to make it a good one. Their skits was great, it did bring out how they survived during the trip. I have a great time laughing and learning about the life they live in at Sri Lanka. The video is so touching and it did move my heart. I believed the trippers benefited and learn a lot from the trip.
To me, from the event, I learn to appreciate and be humble, not to despise the foreigners workers in Singapore that contribute so much for us as one of the skits showed that they are foreigners at Sri Lanka digging holes and clearing drains in the effort of helping the locals. Just like the foreigners that build our buildings, they contributed as much as the trippers contributed.
I learn to count my blessings. We are so much better off compared to the people in Sri Lanka but the level of happiness is worse than Sri Lanka’s. From the event, I remember one of the trippers said that the kids are so easily contented, even balloons or sweets brighten up their day. I guess we will not be so contented just to receive balloons or sweets as a gift. We have so many things compared to them yet we do not seem to be satisfied with just what we have.
Wong Shu Jun Cluster A
After you read the reflections from one of the participant, here is a video to recap what the trippers has done for their trip to Sri Lanka from the 2nd Oct to 16th Oct:
Finally! 27th October marked the end of all the tough trainings that we had been having every week.
I still remember that I would be crashing to bed whenever I got home from every week’s training. Tiring is the word that circles around our mind after every week of jogging and running. There was once I had this in my mind, which is giving up. I wanted to give up the entire Poly 50 Run, sleep at home and enjoy the comfort of the bed. But the motivation to continue running came from my group members. Despite the fact that they are tired after such heavy lessons in the early morning, they persevere and come for training once every week. This made me even more motivated and driven to clear all the trainings planned by the committee.
On the actual day of the event, I was kind of excited and nervous as it is my first time participating in this massive event organized by the school for CCAs to have a friendly competition. Before the run, I was looking at other competitors from the various CCAs. To be honest, most of the other competitors looked fit which made me even nervous as I am afraid that I would be last. Being last is way out of my wish list. But I was later calmed down by my group members’ words of encouragement and it motivates me to do my best to complete the race.
As the competition heats up, many of the runners including myself were already “half dead”. Some of the runners’ faces were pale, while some of them actually fell down and injured themselves. During the race, I was actually sprinting with the people who are in the Sports club. By the time I finished one whole round, both my legs cramped. I thought I could at least challenge myself since I love challenges but it failed. It was the first time I ever felt such pain in my legs and I was on the verge to give up running and completing the race. Luckily, there was medic! Jonathan was going around the three pit-stops and helping people who are either injured or feeling unwell. It was very nice of him to help us apply the medicine for our cramped legs. Not forgetting Huishan and Joeson going around the pit-stops, giving us water to drink and checking to see if we are alright.
My group members played a big role in motivating me to carry on with the run. Whenever I feel exhausted or unwell, my group mates would come over to ask if I am feeling any better. They would pass me a bottle of mineral water every time I reached the next pit-stop. Such care and concern can only be seen in SP Primers because we are one big family and we care!
I must say that Poly 50 training is indeed tough but when the Poly 50 Run came to an end, I believe all of us will look back and say: “Everything that we had done was worthwhile!”
In case you do not know, I am a Sesame Street fan! My fav character? There are a few...Elmo....Cookie monster....Grover and the COUNT! hahahaa The song i like most?
Well in the years gone by, I have seen other kiddies show like the purple dinosaur (aka GAY dino), Banner in PJ, trying to take over Sesame Street! But Big Bird and company is still best!
Okie enough of my love obsession with the Street. As I was looking for new podcast, I came across a very cool video! (yes its stars a furry red fellow!)
I was intrigued by the video and how it tries its best to describe a very very CHEEM thing like comfort. I am sure alot of us have been thru' seeing our friends breaking up with one another, crying their hearts out and thinking what a jerk that person that initiated the break is. I am pretty sure also at times we are not sure who is the real victim in the relationship break!
All I can say is this, many times, especially for guys, we tend to talk too much. Thinking of solutions and ways to change the situation when most of the time the girls just want a guy to listen. On the other hand, the girl just listen & empathize when all the guy wanted was some form of practical advice. Boys and Girls, watch out soon k, cos in a couple of months, we have a very special guest couple that will give all guys and girls a no holds bar talk on relationship.
My blog is more to share abit of my wish and dream of what this family of Primers will represent. A family of comfort too!
There was a period of my life where I was in and out of a relationship for 2 years plus. It was a complicated relationship at best! I was willing to go on the relationship but the girl was not ready. So we went steady and break, and patch and break. Days, weeks, months and years passed, I cried non stop. But every week there was a group of church friends that I met up. I always looked forward to it, because they were a family that I cried with. In time to come, they became my best friends, my family, people whom I trust my life with. (And they still are) So if you are interested to find out who they are, come to my WEDDING! ahahahaha
I hope that primers will be about that. A family of comfort, when people are sad, rejected and hurt. They actually look forward to meeting primers, because they can find comfort in us! One last video for all you folks.
I challenge all of us to be that little bit patient and kind to our fellow primers! We never know those little acts of comfort can become a life changing episode! Just like these snails walking around not conscious about the fact that they are part of a beautiful masterpiece.
Well recently I have been feeling anxious, sad at times and a failure both in who I am as a leader and person. I started to feel sorry for myself, the mess I gotten myself into, the lack of planning and all these last min stuff I need to rush so that I can get married properly on the 30th October!
The last time I felt this bad was kinda when I was just about to go into army! I remember that night I felt so bad, so reluctant to go into army, and so very much wanted to just be sick and delay the inevitable.
I kinda felt like my time in army would be this long jumper... check out the video k!
I was expecting the WORST! hahaha. (Btw I laugh out crying when I first saw this video!) Oh and at the end of ARMY, it was the BEST time of my life! hahahaha.
But as my life went on, I come to know of hardship... not myself but of the plight that others are going thru. I heard of parents divorcing each other in the midst of the child's "o" "a" levels exams! I know of teen pregnancy, abortion, suicide attempts, young man getting cancer. And I have come to a simple conclusion. No matter how bad I felt my life was, there will always be that someone else who is undergoing even bigger trials, mountains to climb!
I said trials, because I believe that if a person is able to overcome their own pain, hurt and disappointment, they can grow wiser, better equipped to make better decisions in life! I for one believes in it and for me, my motto is life is just not THAT bad! At the very least I am still alive talking.
Let me give you a few examples of what I am saying.
Some of you heard of the recent Chilean mining disaster? I have been following it pretty closely every since it happens and was overjoyed to witness their live footage of the rescue.
Check it out.
Well as you have seen, they made it out and they are ALIVE! They are going to be rich from book deals and more importantly, their lives are strengthen by this near death experience!
I get very emotional when I see how at times people do not treasure lives as much as they should, when I hear that suicides rates are up, I feel so depressed! Life is great guys dun give up dun give in. You are a masterpiece every single person and all of us have a life that is worth the millions! ( there was a study done that if we were to sell off our whole body parts, it will fetch around USD$6,000,000!)
One last video to wet your appetite! Another life save from the brink of death.
Well, enough video k...but one key thing I notice about these survivors were this. They all had hope! They refused to give in, they focus on the solutions and the promise ahead of escape and a life above and beyond their current situation! Some of u are struggling in life at this junction, and this is what our family is about. To help you discover hope, to help you be a person that can overcome and not give up whatever trials and mountains that you are climbing! And if you really are that person, well do give the officers a call. Trust me we will get back to you k. As I say again. We are FAMILY.
Wedding is but the start of my whole journey of marriage
As some of you might have known, I am getting married!
Yes me Kenny FOO! I am at times both apprehensive and the same time eager. Well let me show you a video!
I really do hope that nothing like that ever happens, but even if it did, I kinda would like laugh the whole time round! But more importantly, I am here to share with you my joy and happiness and kinda wanna invite all you guys who in one way or the other know me or either Candy to come down for this wedding!
Its 30th October 2010 1300hrs btw at 3 Marine Parade Central, Touch Centre. IN case you want an invite. YOU ARE INVITED please watch this for more details! hahaha
Enough hard selling, but that day would be a very special day. The day that no longer I would be Kenny Foo, but I will also soon represent a lady called Candy (FOO?) hahaha kinda cute to call her candyful! I wonder if ever that would become an adjective! My life no longer revolves around me, my schedule, what I would like to do , when and how. I would have to take into account my wife to be.
Do I want that? ABSOLUTELY! Hahaha, yes I am looking forward to it. So now the question begets, what kind of marriage would I want. With the recent passing away of Mdm Kwa Geok Choo, I have found out many things about this previously unknown "public" person. Of which she was a great granny, great house manager, great accountant for her family! Most of all I found out what a wonderful wife she had been! In between the eulogies, I admired most of a beautiful marriage that was shared between MM Lee & his wife. I am jealous and I told myself, thats the kind of marriage I would want. A marriage that last inspite of illness, for better and for worst!
Well I do hope that you can be there with me as I embark on this journey with Candy, because all of you are family to me!
Just another video for those who missed the news on the wake. I am most touched when MM Lee went and planted 2 more last kiss on his wife! They will surely meet once again!
Here are the directions to TOUCH Centre.
From Paya Lebar MRT, take 43, 76 or 135 to Parkway Parade. ...From Orchard or Suntec, take 36 to Parkway Parade.
Other buses that pass by: 15, 31, 196, 197 and 853C.
We waited for each other, cared and helped each other and moved on.
Through this night cycling activity, my love for Primers has definitely increased even more. I was very excited for it, and throughout the week, I was actually counting down to Thursday! It started to drizzle around 8pm, and I was really worried we couldn’t carry on with the activity. Thankfully, the weather got better, and we were soon able to move off! I enjoy the cycling time, especially the cooling breeze and the games and cheers we had along the way. Our butts and legs really start to ache, but we persevered on. I guess it’s determination within us that drives us to cycle more and that we would complete half the “mission” and reach Changi village soon for our supper. On the way to and fro Changi village, we met with some accidents. Two of my teammates clashed with each other and had some slight injuries. We also had to change bicycles, fixed the bicycle chains along the way. I’m really glad we waited for each other, cared and helped each other and moved on. We had only each other to rely on that night. This really shows teamwork, and the three main core values of primers, caring, waiting and sharing, isn’t it?
This is by far, the ‘cool’est activity I had in primers, with the cooling night breeze. I really enjoyed this activity a lot. Primers activities have all been fun and exciting till now, I am looking forward to the next one!
Do you do what this video shows? Acting and trying to fit into your friend's expectations? Well many of us do, and I have also been thru that phase in life and I am smiling to myself thinking of all the foolish things I have been trying to impress others!
Many times we act in a certain way that causes others to like us, but it is truly in learning who we are and what we are meant to be that would lead others to like/accept us more!
In recent times, there have been a quite a number of people speaking to me about their journey in finding out who they really are. Many times, they find themselves disappointed with their value system and the lack of a concrete identity! I see many struggling to find/ figure who they are and what they are, why they act the way they do!
In times of processing with them, I find myself also transported back to the time where I was lost and confused about who I am. I figure this is a season of life which all of us goes thru, somehow figuring out who we really are, say maybe late 20s? Wahahaha. ( Hint for those who are still TEENS, well ahem, you do have quite a long way to go!)
But I guess all is not lost, the journey to figuring out is far more exciting and fun! The people you meet along the way will shape you in life, but far more important is asking the right questions, and asking the right people for the right answers. On a personal note, I believe that we were created for a purpose and not a species evolved from some monkeys! We have a specific mission, some sort of calling in life to fulfill! I really do not buy into the evolution theory much!(remember scientists were very certain in one point that the earth was square!)
We have said that Primers, is a family but we have also figured out not everyone needs a surrogate family. We have had primers who have stayed with us with wonderful families, and its been such a blessing to us for their parents to come and connect with us and talk with us, we are glad you are with us. But in recent months we have discovered that primers can be a substitute family to the rest who does not have a complete "happy" family! We hope that we can do a good job in providing a place of fun and love!
In whichever case, we are glad that we have the opportunity to impart and mentor many of you who are reading this. It is in essence what Primers is all about, building up a family that will be there to Care, Share and Wait for you!
Its been quite sometime since I last had classes on a monday, and frankly I am grateful to be working. Since young I realised I was never one who really like books. And I do get the monday blues. How do I get thru' the week? Constantly reminding myself that weekend is but 5 days away!
I believe in life that is at times how we survive thru the hard times, the times where we feel so alone and lost. Remember this, that its just but 5 days away from the good times? Personally I would also take time out to find friends, look for them and kinda "chio" them to come out with me to talk to me! On this note, I do hope you can find those friends here in primers and even as a family we are slowly growing out of infancy to a young teen, I hope and pray that we will come thru to our promise to be a real family.
Its tough in these times, and for the freshies, welcome to this exciting journey of discovering who you are. To the year 3s moving on to the working world, your journey has just began! Pls keep in contact!
A little MTV to perk up everyone's life and time now!
Well I am pretty sure some of you heard that part of NYAA is the attempt to complete at least 10km in running. And as I write this I could sense the fear that is in many of you. But well just an encouragement, if I can do it, so can you!
So let me sell more about NYAA and why I feel it is good for us to go for it. Beyond the obvious like getting an additional certificate, I believe very strongly in it and that all of what we are trying to accomplished in Primers has been summarized in the form of NYAA. It is a lifestyle and education that we hope that everyone in Primers will experience. That we will grow in a holistic way and not just go thru' the 3 years aiming to do good in grades only. But also to know more about ourselves and open our eyes to the world beyond us.
So this is just an inspiring video to encourage those who thinks that we cant do much by just running 10km. But it did with this father and son pair, who are modern day heroes in my eyes.
The video is about 5 mins but it is really good. So watch it k. Oh ya it would be great to hear from you if you have any thoughts after watching this video. So do post your thoughts to spprimers@gmail.com
Over the weekend the adult leaders had a retreat. It was an all guys outing minus Candy and Huishan, and we had ALOT of fun. Looking back, I am so proud of all of these guys who sacrificially spend their weekends with the Primers. Many of them only have that Saturday and Sunday to spend time out of their normal days of hard work in studies or work, yet if you ask any of them, they will count it as a pleasure to serve every of you guys!
This saturday we as a family will be having our SGB collection at Clementi, do remember to say that word of appreciation as you see all these adult leaders come on saturday k! Have fun and give a food pack today!
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." - Benjamin Franklin
This is a truly sobering quote that is runs contrary to the "money makes the world go round" school of thought. We live in a society that is entrenched in greed and many times we are caught up in the midst of it all.
We study so we can get a good high paying job and with that we will be happy. But will we? When was the last time the joy we got out of our shiny new toy or new clothes lasted for more than a few weeks? Before long, its on to the next item on our buying hit list. Is wealth just an endless cycle of amassing money and buying things?
As we enter this season of giving through SGB, we stand to be enriched much more through the time and effort we put in. Most of us may be more financially privileged than the people we are trying to help but are we truly as rich as we think we are?
“No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has."
There is much that we stand to gain, in terms of character and heart, through the journey of helping our beneficiaries and even interacting with them.
what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice
what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice
Christmas is here again! And in Primers, Christmas also means it is time for The Boys’ Brigade Sharity Gift Box @ Singapore Polytechnic (BBSGB@SP) again! It is a season where we want to bless the needy families in Singapore.
This is the 5th year that I am involved in SGB. It has always been an important part of Primers since I first joined in 2005. The Christmas tree and food items that are going to pile up in the storage room are things that you cannot miss in this season of SGB.
When I first entered into the project, I was in a ‘relax and calm’ mode as my event was the last of all, which means I have umpteen times! Haha. But thing is never as smooth. The last event was cancelled which leaves me to be even more free. Haha.
Well. The excitement came when I found out that we are doing 500 foodpack and Cluster C must at least aim for 120.WOW!! It blew me off to know what I am in for. I started rally anyone that I came across though I am a little shy about it.
I wouldn’t say it’s scary, it’s just EXCITING!! It is something that I am uncertain of yet I am excited to see it happen, and more excited to be part of it. Imagine, 500 foodpack to feed 250 families for a month, when will you ever have such a chance except in SGB?
And well, as I am working in a non-profit organization where I meet families who really don’t have enough to feed the children, I understand how much it means to them and how appreciative of them to have these foodpack.
One of my friends asked me what is the point of having only oil and rice, without any meat? Are they just going to have plain rice every meal? I thought about it and I answered that they could use the money that was supposed to buy rice and oil to buy fresh meat for dinner! Without these items that we provide, they probably will have to use the money to buy it, which in turn, may not have money to buy the meat.
So actually, what little you can give can mean if they have a whole meal or just plain rice!
And You make the difference! You are the difference! -The difference if they have a whole meal or plain rice!
SO!! Make the difference & be the difference! -huishan
Finally, after so many people asking me:” Wen Sze, when are we moving the club house ah?” Now I can finally say, we are officially moved to SDC137. Those who do not know where is it, it is just above DSD.
On 18 Nov (Wed), I am supposed to teach all the people who will join me in flashmob to do rehearsal. But in the end, I ended moving the clubhouse. Starting it was only a few of us carrying the loads, step by step up the stairs and I do agree with Kenny even though it is only one level, it is still tiring! But gradually my dancers came, so I asked them to help out in moving the stuff. So together we unite, we completed moving everything by 4.30pm. Great job, guys. It is really quite tiring to carry the loads but we did it!
So after that we did our practice, and to my amazement they can really dance. So we completed it in like 20 minutes? Without further delay, I went back to help with the packing and together as a team, we managed to done up the room by 9 plus.
Throughout this two small events, it makes me feel that it is always possible to do things as long as you believe you can do it and working together as a team not only increase the efficiency of getting things done but most importantly enjoying the process that I spent with the people around me.
The very first part of SGB is publicity for collection from the HDB flats. It was a really fun time for me during this whole process as being in a team of 4, with Alex, Shi min, Kareen. So we were given instructions on what are the blocks that we are supposed to do publicity on, so for me it is 351 and 352. So being anxious about this whole experience, I went off to do my first household.
So one household by one household is down, I was so excited. I even met this guy who actually left his house key attached to the door lock and he forgets to get his keys. So I was knocking the door so that he will open the door and get his key back. But no matter how hard I try he did not respond to me, so Alex came and knock really hard. Soon the owner came and opened the door; then he gave us a really stern face. However, after telling him that he left his house keys outside, his smile seems to appear. So immediately we publicize SGB to him, and to my amazement he showed more concern about what we are doing as compared to what I thought he will react. This is one case that I have been through but there are many more experiences that I have experience that I felt that it was not a wasted trip for me personally. I hope you all felt this way too.
In this whole publicity event, I learned that it does not really matters a lot on how many food packs we can collect. But how much they know about SGB because if they do not donate now does not mean they will not in the future. With the every little publicity they received, I believe one day they will donate. As one of the guys in my group shared, every little impact will combined together and formed a great impact. And also I think I benefit more than anyone else as no other people can feel the way I feel unless they are part of this SGB, which is the love of giving. I hope that you guys who came to help also enjoyed as much as I did.
Taking part in NDP requires a lot of time and commitment, we spend almost the whole of Saturday at rehearsals.
At the beginning when we were still at ITE Simei, we had to learn the dance move which took us weeks and the most difficult part is to put the different sets together and I believe that even until the first NE show, we had uncertainties.
After going to the floating platform, everything has their time slot and we had to keep up with time constraint. By the end of the day, we will all be very tired and a night’s sleep would not be sufficient to replenish our energy. However, with all of the inputs, there are definitely outputs too. We not only enjoy ourselves while being actively involved in the segment and duties that we have been allocated but most importantly, looking at the audience enjoying themselves, there will be a sense of achievement because you would know that you have fulfilled your duties.
Apart from all of this, there is another feeling which is the sense of belonging. Being part of NDP is actually contributing to the nation and week in week out, we listen to the Singapore story, we listen to national songs that we have heard when we were young, there is a unknown force which will reaffirm that you are part of Singapore . We have to admit that the outputs definitely outweigh the inputs.
In short, being part of NDP is a very enjoyable process.
NDP had been the main reason that makes Clare, Amelia and I joined Primers even though we know that we will have to sacrifice our Saturdays to go under the hot sun and find other time during the week to finish our never ending projects.
Throughout this Saturdays, I believed that many of us have accomplished many of our first times. For example, being a NDP motivator and making balloon sculptures. This is also a time where we get to make more friends and understand each other more. During the parade, all the motivators conquered the hot sun and braved the rain just to give the crowds a better experience of the National Day Parade.
This is definitely something I will never regret joining and it had left a deep impression in my poly years.
This is the first time i have been attending the NDP .I have been introduced to this event while I was in the camp. For the few rehearsals, we have to go to ITE Simei to practise our dance. I have never danced before. Thus, I faced lots of difficulties in memorising and following the moves. However, I have good team mates that teach me patiently. Thus, I am able to catch up with the rest .Other than practising the dance moves; we also have the team building, which allow us to bond with our group members. As we are from different group during the camp, with the team building, we started to know each other better. Other than that, we also have to learn about balloon sculpturing .I have a phobia for balloon as I was afraid of the screeching sound. However for now, I have learnt to make it into a few different designs. After few weeks of practising, finally we are heading to the marina platform to have our combined rehearsals. I was excited as I have never been there before. Although i stayed in Hougang, but in order to be with the rest of the group member, I choose to meet up at lavender. Our group mates include Seow Ting, Amelia, Clare, me and Vincent and our mentor Shi Xiong. Every Saturday, we will reach there about 12pm and we will gather at the holding area and when all of the members have reach, we will have lunch together. Afterwards we will have our rehearsals and we will move over to the floating platform. We will then go and have a chat with the audience and make balloon for them. Then we will go down to do the dance. I remember every time before heading towards the audience area, all of us from gate 2 will gather together and one of the mentors will say:"Don't worry how you will dance, because you are a motivator!" Then after the dance, we will go back to the audience and to bond with them. I especially like the period where we had the NE show. The kids are very 'high'; then it is much easier for us to engage with them. After the whole event have end, we will gather back and head back to holding area. We will also have our debrief think it is good to have a short debrief as we will have all feedback and share our different experience together. Overall, this is indeed a very interesting and memorable event for me.
Determined to complete the race, I pressed on displaying full prowess of the fighting spirit that I’ve gained from National Service.
Despite being an alumnus of SP, it was my very first time to participate in POLY50. It was both very exciting and anticipative on my end as it was tiring and eventful at the same time. Weather is perfect on the day; it’s sunny yet cooling at the same time, something which I would rate as the best weather for exercise.
The first 20 rounds were extremely tiring and the distance is an indirect cause of it. 200m between each check point certainly isn’t very long but it’s the sprinting and stopping that is tiring. My body had to warm up each time I ran and it cools down each time I stop and wait for my turn to run. I couldn’t help feeling dizzy and I nearly black out at one point of time. I can also literally feel my lunch rumbling in my stomach, half-digested. Determined to complete the race, I pressed on displaying full prowess of the fighting spirit that I’ve gained from National Service.
I could remember one round that I ran; I was supposed to hand the card over to Sheng Long(my team mate). However, when I reached that particular check point that Sheng Long was at, he is nowhere to be seen! Someone shouted to me that he wasn’t feel well went to the washroom, so I’ve got no choice but to run to the next checkpoint. I later found out that he had thrown up his lunch before heading off to the washroom. After Sheng Long returned from the wash room, he told me that he felt great and was ready to continue running!
My team (Team Primers Lummi) managed to complete the race within 1 hour and 45 minutes (hey we are in the top ten!). And I felt that it is certainly a job well done! P.S. I’m still very amazed by sheng long’s body that after just one visit to the washroom, he is able to continue running in the race,