Getting to know YANKEE in 10 minutes…

An Electronics Engineer by profession, Yankee has been running ever since his pre National Service days. Read on to find out more about this “always-thirsty, easily-dehydrated” SGRunner.

1. Which 3 words best describe you?
- simple
- lazy
- easy

2. Tell us 3 things people don’t usually know about you?
Mute – I nearly lost the use of my tongue - the ability to talk clearly. When I was about 3 or 4years old, I had an accident which nearly caused me to lose my tongue — it was nearly severed. But thanks to the doctors and nurses back then, I was saved. I think recovered before it was time for me to go to kindergarden. Could no longer find any stitch marks.

I attract mosquitoes – My house is located on the lower floors of the block, so whenever hot and dry times appear — which incidentally is mosquito breeding season — I will get mosquito bites. I realised that mosquitoes are not keen on my family but are rather attracted to me. Probably, I belong to the group of people who can attract mosquitoes because of the smell I emit. Naturally, I would sometimes get bitten in the middle of the night and wake up to exterminate them.

Bad command of English – I was handicapped by my incompetence in the language. When I was younger, my command of English is really not up to standard and therefore had difficulty overcoming my O levels. After putting quite an enormous amount of effort during the one year I re-took my O levels, I was finally able to overcome, probably on par, with the language.

3. When was the last time you laughed heartily?
Every time when there isn’t any trouble.

4. What is one thing friends HATE about you?
Not quiet a vociferous person. Although I may be able to write a lot, in real life, I am not much active.

5. What will melt your heart and bring tears to your eyes?
Babies and sad stories

6. Complete this sentence: If I were really really angry at someone, I will …
Curse and swear at that person. Nothing dramatic. I guess anger is just a short process in which the brain plays tricks. Life is too short to dwell on being angry. Anyway, anger does not solve any problem.

7. What was your favourite subject in Secondary School and why?
Maths and my second language.
But seriously, after being in it for many years, I have come to conclude that I am not good at books.

8. What is your ideal Sunday like?
A good workout (don’t be mistaken, workout means run, not weight training whatsoever) in the early morning and have a good breakfast afterwards, followed by enjoying the day doing nothing (another way of saying ‘rot’)

9. What book are you currently reading?
Have not been reading any books lately. But I do read newspapers.

10. Complete this sentence: If I had the power to do anything I want, I would …
This is not an easy question to answer. I took a few days to really think hard about it.
I believe that everything in place now has its meaning and there is no real need to change the current condition.

11. What is your greatest fear?
Mosquito. They like me but I hate them.

12. Choose the most suitable answer:
If you were in a theatre and the person next to you keeps talking to his/her friend, would you
i) politely ask him to ‘keep quiet please’
ii) do nothing because you don’t want to be rude
iii) display prominent body language (such as slight coughing/look in their direction) to discretely hint to your discomfort
iv) ask them to ’shut up!’[/B]
(ii) – I don’t have a superhero mentality.

13. What did you have for your last dinner?
Simple meal — can’t really remember.

14. What do you do when you are in a crowded, public place… and you need to fart?
When I have to do break wind, I go to a deserted corner and complete the task.

15. What’s a ‘must-do’ for you first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night?
Read the newspaper before I go to sleep.
Drink a glass of plain water.