the two "unarmed" bodyguards

It's kinda crapy here.

Yes, only the four of us.

Acting Singing

A very KBox afternoon

Recaping on last Sunday's K-Lunch with friends from NUS Judo. Yes, you are not seeing the reduced-size format of the photos. There is only four people despite the huge intake of people on NUS Judo. Well, I expected a huge crowd a first, thats why begged and begged my parents to let me go despite my injury, and was greeted with such a huge surprise when I saw only Jianhao and Sherilyn singing. Haha. Then Eu-ming came. But the day was fun, I say. With Jianhao and his rock-the world, bursting and earth shaking "Sweet Child of Mine" and Sherilyn's excited expression when she saw the nude woman and make-out graphitica scene in the Music Video. Haha...

The day ended well with the two "Unarmed" body-guards...

Yup, Glad that Chen Chun liked my the birthday card I drew for him, even though I was quite disappointed with not having to go to the party despite my swift recovery.

I went to see the specialist today and the doctor said my hand is recovering fast. so yah, dun worry guys! I cant start to eat, write, type and even draw with my left hand already. Despite all the good news, I am still in a dilemma of whether to go for another surgery or not after my bone has finally healed. The doctor said that there should not be any complications with the metal staying inside beside the fact that it might be a source of infection if I fall really sick next time, and that there are also some people out there complaining to act like a 'weather man'.

Think I will consult some of my friends who have implant before first...

Anyway, yah, I want my hand to heal faster!!!!! I want to carry on with exciting activities with Danny, Cailing, Lijuan and Gang and also go JB with the Cathigh guys(I really want to go!!! But have to go through my dad first).

Mishap or Blessing in disguise?

Few days ago, I was still comtemplating over how I should change my attitude over such an incident. Should I stop Judo or any high-risk activity just because of what happened? Till now I have not come to a conclusion. But I feel that if without any interference from my parents, I would definitely not let such a set-back stop what I really want in life. I even consulted a few friends and amongst them, Estelle give me an advice that few high-achievers in their field are not scarred. Maybe its part of the process of growing up, of learning to take charge and make decision; that turning 21 does not solely involve getting past your 21st birthday.

It could have been a blessiing in disguise. Like the old saying goes, "True friends are only seen in adversity". I am seriously grateful to some of my NUS Judo clubmates that even though we have not known each other for long, the kindness they have have treated me with is more than long-known friends. Not forgetting to mention people who came to the hospital to visit me(you dunno how boring is it in the hospital, you can only sleep...), Eu-ming who sent me to SGH at first(Yes, its kinda hilarious when the doctor saw you with the half-casted arm), Jian Hao who has crack his brain to help me settle some administrative stuff, Carrie for her ever-cheerful simile and her I-Dunno-why-I-followed-with-obedience reminder to "Sleep early" and "Be careful with my arm"and Angelina for lending me her C-programming book ( its really a lot useful than the stuff I read online).

Looking at how everyone is either busy with their exams or filling their time with exciting leisure activites, I seriously hope to have a faster recovery to spend my time with all my friends. I see how Cai Yi Lin is organising the rock-climbing trip and I really want to go! I also hope my hand can recover before the scuba-driving trip with danny, Lijuan and Co in May....

My surgery was successful, so again yah, dun worry. For those people who came or called yesterday, thanks a lot, thanks for your hamper, otherwise will be too bored in the hospital. Now my left arm can manage small movements lah, yah, will slowly heal back to normal. I think I will take the time to read up on my course, prepare for my Uni syllabus. and also train myself to be a right-handed. Haa!

Anyway, my dad's very angry and wants me to find the person who has injured me in the competition to pay for the medical fee, I feel very pressured to do so, dunno how to settle this problem while having my arm injured. Hopefully that guy will be willing to pay.

okay, yes, I fractured my arm today while in Judo competition. I am going for surgery tomorrow to insert a metal plate inside to stabilise the fracture. But my dad doesn't allow me to operate at SGH because the facilities are not as good. So going to find specialist at Mount Alvernia tomorrow.

Hey guys, congrats on the team champion today! hooohhoo!

The art of communication (part2)

After gathering much responses from different people, there seems to be a humungous gap in ideals between the two genders. While some prehistoric guys are still living it their world in faraway galaxies, females have all along stressed the importance of security in their relationships. That no matter how much she knows you love her, she just doesn't like to hear about the goodness of other girls from your mouth. It all seems like the perrogative of women. A good way of making their day would be for example: If one day your girlfriend notices how a particular girl is garnering all the attention from a lot of guys in a social group, you could reply by saying how 'male-like' she behaves, which explains all the attention. Of course, it must be done with tact and that there must be some form of resemblance in what you say.

However, more importantly, the emphasis on security works for both man and woman. The need for security in men can explain the irony for why some popular-amongst-men women find it difficult to a step closer or to even get a boyfriend. We say that a guyscan feel jealous and insecure as well when he sees how his girlfriend has so much male-contacts. It is not the girlfriend to blame, maybe its how the game is played and how opportunity balances. But knowing how this dating game is played, I feel that while women emphazise for a equality amongst sexes, women may want to learn to be more sensitive at the same time; they should not to reveal too much. That makes complex relationships so much simple and that lesser people get hurt in the end.

Preparing for Competition at SMU 

Is your food safe?

Everyday we hear a myriad of reports on how many food-borne diseases are gradually changing the way we see our diet. That we might even at a extreme decide to turn vegetarian one day. However, of course, as a Singaporean, I sincerely trust the way how our AVA's doing their job. At the same time, of course, I feel that we should not let our guards down.

Have you ever thought about how one patty in a hamburger actually involves the slaughtering of thousands of cows? Of course, it may all seem quite a nonsensical question, but that question leads to a big complication.

Modern technology has allowed better and more efficient methods of food processing. The meat that we eat nowadays may not actually come from one animal or even the same group animals from one origin. This statement is true if we take into acount of grind or smoke products like sausages, lucheon meat and many more.

In order to enhance food flavours, industries can introduce the combination of different meat from different countries for grinding in order to produce a better fat and lean meat ratio. Meat industries may mix up 2000 pounds of juicy US beef and 2000 pounds of Italian lean beef to produce a good combination. This is all facilitated with the notion of globalisation. However, at the same time, we notice how massive a risk we are taking when we mix our products together. If you were to introduce a meat slapped on its exterior with a wholesome banch of bacterics or microdes into a meat grining machine, the whole banch of produce will be contaminated!!!!! It shows how random testing of meat produce may easily fail to detect the contamination. This is a serious complication with modern methods of processing.

We realise how vulnerable at the same time when it comes to bio-terrorism. Modern technology in food processing has helped a lot to salvage the hungry stomach of the 6 billion people in the world by stepping up the speed of food processing, but at the same time it has open up a whole new problem when it comes to security.

It may seem such a trival process when it comes to eating. However, times have changed, people are doing things differently now as compared to the past. It all bounds down to that awareness whether we should still take food source for granted.

The art of communication

Sensitivity, is it important?

I think one of the most important quality that one needs to acquire during a conversation is sensitivity. Sometimes we might feel that to keep a conversation, we need to understand what are the things people like to hear and what they do not before we speak up. That could be a very important aspect especially in our asian community as asians tend to think through a lot before they speak in order not to suffer embarrassment. Also , I feel that sometimes people are more willing to hear when you talk about the things around them rather then your own personal stories which they do not have a strong impression on. Questions make people speak up more and willing to interact. At the same time, praises help to promote willingness.

However, sometimes in the achievement of sensitivity, we might turn unchivalrous or untruthful to our friends. It becomes more of a sweet-talking session in order to achieve your motive or the favour your friend. Just for example, based on my own experience when I was in a relationship, even if you know that there is a gorgeous girl in the clique of your girlfriend, you are not suppose to mention anything nice about her. It happens because maybe there could be some kind of slient competition or comparision between girls. Similarly, wehn you start emphasizing on how that particular pretty girl is not that gorgeous after all because of a certain unnoticeable demerit quality, you realise the big smile on your girlfriend's face or even within her.

The art of communication is complex. If anyone who is interested in this topic were to read my blog, maybe you might want to enlight me? You can just feel free to tag on my board or msn me if you know me personally.

My birthday Photos..

Eu-ming injured her elbow while playing Judo today. I think even though injuries can happen very often during Judo training, today's incident just stresses the point to have a complete set of first aid kit for training. A first Aid kit that targets mostly on injuries that we might encounter for Judo practices would mostly have to include triangle bandages for immobilisation, fast cold packs for swollen parts during sprains or factures and rub-ons to relief pain.

Something that I need to accomplish before I ORD as a medic is to pack the first aid kit.

Furthermore, from this incident, I think I seriously feel the conviction to want to be a doctor. For every patient I have seen before, for every experiences I had in the hospital or even the for all the medical skills I have learnt as time passes-by, I realise the desire growing stronger within me all the time.

It is some hell of a mission to complete in my life.

Maybe i think i was a bit harsh with my words on my last blog entry. I just wanted to point out how effective communication is so important in teaching nowadays. It's all based on my observations of how degrading our generations can be, that in many times we need to be entertained first before we can take in advice.; the mood of the student affects his learning by alot. It is no longer the old-school system of digesting every details that just cames in your way, or the rewards and punishment system, or even the moaning and grumbling when you do not find your student listening to you.

I was at the same time proven correct by the attitude of my own student during tution. That no matter how much effort or how many times you repeat your words, you student just cannot get what you say, You have to learn how to control the mood swings of your student and 'strike' him at his weakest moment to 'pump' him with all the fact you want him to know.

I got my yellow belt for Judo today, but its nothing to boast about...
The whole grading was a white elephant. What was suppose to be a serious examination turned out to be a 'mock to correct' session. Is this the true spirit of Judo?

Nonetheless, I might have initially felt so appleased that the grading was so 'idiot-proof', but was disappointed with the appalling standards of some examiners when I think back. I was looking forward to the sense of professionalism in the graders - of not to boast about their seniority and years of experience, of not to wince and moan or even raise their voice when things are not in their way. I do not agree with how these methods can exactly bring across pointers to the kyu(Juniors). Professionalism or even leadership should be from within and persuasive!!! The act of no even wearing a 'Gi' when grading people is so absurb when you when to teach about the etiquette of Judo.

Of course such comments do not apply to all because I saw how some Sensei are so aspiring and commited. To compliment one, this Dan(Senior) whom I do not know his name was trying to calm Sharilyn down by jokingly mentioning how the ending postition of "mae-mawari" (front-rolling breakfall) is so similar to the one you end up with when watching TV, hence the name "crouch potato".

Also, to comment on an interestion observation today. I have realised how the way Sharilyn acts and speaks creates so much resemblance to the way Xin Ping does. Haha, maybe there could be some connections. I have got to investigate!

After the grading, it was off to meeting Uncle liu to work on my website. He gave me three questions to think about before I go back. "Do you think you will experience war in your life time?", "Do you think you are prepared for one?" and " What do you think is the attitude of young people nowadays towards such question?". It reminds me of my enlistment days when how such questions are immediately thrown to you as you think about the importance of National Service. I just feel that I am an advocate for peace. It may be seen as an excuse, but I think sometimes we need to liberate ourselves from such questions to avoid violence. We have to forget the "extreme feeling" in ourselves. Just as how we make efforts to protect the environment even when we know that human actions are still destroying the planet, we destroy the "want-to-conquer" feeling even when we know that people are still testing their ICBM.

I realise the importance of being indifferent at times to tone down the excess excitment, happiness or even unhappiness in life. It helps me to think and observe better. And most importantly it creates a sense of peace , similar to a neutral feeling that makes me learn to relax and enjoy my life more comfortably.

Even though I am not a christian, I prayed to GOD to teach me PEACE when I needed it the most. I needed more strength to pull through all the obstacles in my life at this crucial developing age. I knew learning to compose myself is the key.

Maybe thats why when adults grow older, they become slow to respond to excitment, and may even be viewed as a form of maturity. I do not really agree that indifference is maturity but more of what it goes with it.

I think this theory of mine works best in relationship. Taking a step at a time helps you to understand your friend better, so that you know how to better make choices in life.