THANK YOU for these releases, diligent team members!!
What kind of tea are you guys serving today? 
*Meilin, there's no tea emoticon?!*
Talking about tea, I remember reading about Japanese tea ceremony in the manga. I understand that it's a very old tradition and a beautiful ceremonial preparation and presentation. I have great respect for the host that can perform this type of ceremony. 
But, no offense intended, IF I have to sit on my legs like that for hours, I won't be thinking about the tea! In fact, sitting like that for five minutes is enough for me to BOLT OUT the door! Argh... I need meditation... 
***** (Prayers for Japan) *****
Anyway...
Talking about bolting reminds me of a painful experience that I had three years ago. 
It was a hot, sizzling summer day, and we had to run a mile that particular day. 
*Ugh... just thinking about it is making me sweat...*
Earlier in the week, we had a new classmate. She came and hung out together with my group when we did our indoor exercises. 
<== great form, huh?*
On that fateful day, I got paired up with her on that run. Before we started, she casually asked me, "Are you good at running?" I replied, "Not really, just so-so." She replied, "Me neither." At this point, I thought to myself, "Good! Now we both can take it really easy!" 
We started out slowly enough. But within a short time later, she quickened up her pace. I thought to myself, "THIS IS CALLED TAKIN' IT EASY?!?" 
I mean, my running speed is between walking and slow-paced jogging. If I DON'T HAVE to run, nothing on earth will make me run. You get the picture? *assume a model-like pose* 
Needless to say, about ten minutes later, I was huffing and buffing and READY to drop. 
Of course, to maintain 'image', I had to do that quietly as possible.
I sneaked a peek at her sideways, and she had the NERVE to look so calm and hardly broke a sweat! Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh... 
I never knew how competitive I was until this incident. Instead of slowing down, I refused to lose to her and kept running at her pace, EVEN IF IT KILLED ME! 
So I just concentrate on getting enough air into my lungs and kept going, in spite of heavy sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps and nausea. I mean, I actually saw STARS during the daytime!! 
Oh Lordy, Lordy! Heeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllpppppppppppppppp!!! Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
When we finally finished, I was SO PROUD of myself for keeping up with her and still alive and standing. However, you wouldn't be able to tell that. Why? Because I was standing with hands on my knees, gasping for breath and sweat were pouring down my face! I must have looked like a 'drowned' cat at the time. 
<== *not as cute, definitely*
To maintain appearance, I shooed everyone away to go home ahead of me. After I breathed normally again, I went to the gym and laid down on the bench until I felt better. Then I wore this 
and went home.
Of course, after that I made sure to avoid her like the plague every time we had to run. *my vision of her* ==> 
<== *enemy!*
~~~ THE END ~~~ 
Warning: my next post will be 'break wind' #2. Stay away if you've got delicate sensibilities. 
