I once said that I'd never willingly run more than five kilometres at a stretch.

I guess I lied.

Is 20.17 minutes good? I dunno. I can do 9.50 for my 2.4km.

So as I walked back home, I passed the playground. A family of cats stared at me, and I unconsciously started humming the tune to 'Bright Eyes'. It's scary how cats keep eye contact with you, while dogs, monkeys and humans like to pretend there's something more interesting hanging around behind your ear. Normally, they'd stare at you until you walk a good ten metres away, but today I decided to hold their gaze. Now let me say this, you don't want to be in a staring competition with a cat.

Slightly unnerved, I did my chin-ups at the fitness corner (bragging rights well earned). There was a kid there who I didn't recognize. I don't think he would have looked out of place at the library, but don't forget where we were. He spoke to an elder woman in hushed tones, while throwing glances at me.

Going to the point, the woman who I guessed to be his mom approached me and initiated conversation. Not-so-subtly, she turned to the topic of studies. I answered truthfully, saying that I was from ACS and stuff. Growing more and more disappointed, she suddenly popped a question which I wouldn't have expected in a thousand years. "What did you get for your PSLE?"

Slightly stunned, I replied. She brightened considerably and bluntly stated that her son, in collared polo shirt and short shorts, did better than I. In my mind, I was like,'So what?!!?!? It was three bloody years ago'. Instead I nodded dumbly, only accentuating my academic inferiority. The kid, who looked like he was 13 or 14, seemed to share the same thoughts that I did but didn't say, and he visibly shrunk away, embarassed.

Obviously the progenerator of a child prodigy and therefore the superior in this conversation, the lady went on to give me advice about studying hard and how important it is to my future. Like I haven't heard a lifetime's worth already from the people I see every day.

I made a feeble attempt to escape by saying that it was late and stuff, but she overrode me. Abrubtly changing the subject to the touchy one of girls, the above repeated itself. I really really couldn't take it and hoped that my discomfort was showing on my face. The sun had actually begun to set, and I took that opportunity to say that it was late and run off. I think I would have done another 5 km to get away from the woman there.

Back at home, I was thinking to myself,'What the hell is wrong with Singaporeans these days?' I mean, some people I know are better than me at pretty much everything we do in common, my best friend being one. Great! So what? Metallica said,'It's not who you are, it's who you know'. I'm happy with what I got (not really, but still quite happy), but i guess some people just can't have enough.