To Do or Not?!? Just Do It!!!

TO DO OR NOT?!? After all the dilemma, MooMoo decided and have signed up today.  There's no more turning back.  Just do it!!! Wish MooMoo all the best of luck! :p

Over the weeks, MooMoo have been thinking and considering, whether to sign up for the "Pilates Instructor Training Course" at her gym or not, as it is not cheap.  It is SGD1K for the whole course, taking up 6 weekends.  Pay $$$ and must sacrifice weekends too.  Haha. 

Lately, MooMoo have been quite into Pilates and have been trying to go to the classes to practise more frequently.  MooMoo have changed her working hours from '09:00 till 18:00' to '0830 till '17:30'.  Therefore, she is able to rush to Pilates classes at 19:45 on Mondays and 18:40 on Tuesdays.

MooMoo wanted to take up the course to have more knowledge on Pilates but the part on the instructor teaching, she will think about it again.  Hahaha.  She will have to overcome her stage fright in order to be an instructor. 

In order to complete the course,  I need to do the following, in a total of 76 hours:
1) 36 hours - Theory, Educational, Instructional, Practical and Supervised Teaching of Pilates
2) 20 hours - Self Practise and Observation
3) 10 hours - Teaching
4) 10 hours - Home Project Work and Assignments

Item no. 3 will be a challenge to MooMoo and she have to complete the teaching hours within 1 year form the completion of the course, in order to obtain the full certification.

Hope the SGD1K will not go to a waste.  Hahaha.  The course will start after Chinese New Year, from 2 March till 7 April 2013.  MooMoo's looking forward to her 1st class but a bit kan chiong also.  GANBATTE!!!

* Suddenly thought of this particular quote.   "Do or do not.  There is no try." --- Yoda

"Cai Sen Ye" Balloon Sculpting

MooMoo went to Punggol CC for "Cai Sen Ye" balloon sculpting class today.  "Cai Sen Ye" also known as God of Wealth.  She got an invitation from the teacher she met previously.  All she have to do is just to register for the class and pay $3 for the materials.  It was suppose to be a 2 hour class from 7-9pm but MooMoo only left around 10:30pm and she could not finish her balloon sculpture in class.  It was more challenging than expected.  Haha!!

Material provided... slight difference from previous "Santa" pack as there's bigger balloons...

Started out with making a face with the beard...

Making the "Cai Sen Ye" hat was quite tough with the decorations at the top and the sides...

Adding the eyes... but haven't draw the eyeballs... haha...

The big balloons '360S'... much bigger compare to '260S'... (FYI: 260S means 2 inches wide, 60 inches long and S=Sempertex, which is the brand; 360S means 3 inches wide and 60 inches long)

Then, we proceed to make the shoes... some parts MooMoo just simply 'goreng' already....

Here's the red clothings, plus the hands...

Finally, this is MooMoo's product... but unfinished yet... it's time to go home...

Check this out! MooMoo's teacher's creation and MooMoo's creation.  Hahaha!  So obvious right... and MooMoo's one cannot be "Cai Sen Ye" yet coz no Gold... poor "Cai Sen Ye"....

MooMoo finished it off when she reached home... to add in the gold sleeves and the gold...  Need lots of practise to get everything right and to improve further... ^=^

MooMoo had trouble making the "Cai Sen Ye" red clothings as the class were quite big and most of them are quite experienced.  MooMoo could not really follow the class well as teacher was busy and could not check out the whole class.  Luckily, this girl I met was very friendly to teach me how to finish  off the remaining parts.  Thanks to her I manage to have a nice gold piece.  The gold piece is really challenging to make.  You need to use a small little round balloon and a small heart shape balloon.

Initially, this is how the "Cai Sen Ye" we are suppose to make... much more simple but teacher went to improvise to make it nicer and it became more complicated.  Hahaha!  Anyway, it was a fun learning experience.  

* MooMoo felt much better after sweating it out in 2 gym classes today.... Seems like Mr. Fever is gone... Yippeeee!!! ^=^

Eats, Shoots & Leaves

Interesting book... haven't finish reading it but the book cover catches MooMoo's eyes and after reading the review, she decided to own the book.  Haha!

Is punctuations important?!?  Well the below 2 sentences says it all... ^=^

A woman, without her man, is nothing.

A woman: without her, man is nothing.

* Sometimes, certain words or sentences, if not phrase properly, it certainly could cause some misunderstanding... especially to some who are more sensitive in nature... 

New Hobby: Fun with Balloon Sculpting

Today MooMoo had LOTS of FUN attending this 'Balloon Sculpting' activity organised by the National Population and Talent Division.  It had been quite some time since MooMoo joined the activity.  If Piggy is still here in Lion city, MooMoo would sure drag her along.

As usual, all the participants are always showered with 'door gifts' and well fed for all the events organised.  Here's MooMoo's door gifts this round: A bag and a set of coasters.  Well, personally MooMoo thinks that the best gift is being able to learn something new and fun today. ^=^

Everyone is provided a bag of coloured balloons and a pump to blow the balloons.  Actually, MooMoo is very scared of balloons bursting so this balloon twisting and shaping activity is quite a challenge.  Luckily these balloons are more flexible and not so prone to bursting, compared to the usual balloons.  Of course, it had to be handled with care and proper techniques.

First lesson of the day: A simple doggy.  The balloon sculpture guy were very friendly and interesting.  He taught us how to blow the balloons, correct ways to hold and twist the balloons and tips to tie the balloon knot.  Here's everyone very busy concentrating on making the doggies, except for MooMoo busy snapping away, while twisting her balloon.  :p

The 1st attempt on the doggy didn't well very well.  The face a bit distorted and the legs were a bit uneven, so it could not stand properly.  Hahaha!

Next project was to make a stalk of 5 petal flower.  It looks easy but when MooMoo started to twist and turn, it took a while for her to complete the petals.  The sound of the twisting balloon was quite scary, like it's gonna burst anytime.  Guess MooMoo just need more practise.

Finally, everyone managed to complete making their flowers.  All looking so lovely. ^=^  The next and last project was to make a Santa Claus face.  It was really tough for a beginner but really cute!

Here's the final product by MooMoo.  This Santa face require 3 balloons: 1 peach for the face, 1 white for the beard and hat; lastly, 1 red for the Santa hat.

Here's another version of Santa by another girl.  The difference is the Santa hat, which is more 3D looking compared to MooMoo's one.

MooMoo loves this Lady Bug.  It's a gift from the balloon sculpture guy.  He made it after the class and gave it to MooMoo before she left.  So cute!

He is really good at handling all these balloons.  He have been playing with balloons for 6 years and have been helping out in the volunteering activity, in providing services to the community.  Here are some of his works.  MooMoo loves the sunflower but didn't get a chance to learn in making it, though MooMoo have some verbal lessons on it.  Haha.  The angry bird is one of children's favourite.

MooMoo was so tempted to follow him to another CC to learn how to make other balloons. i.e. Rudolph the red nose reindeer but too bad, MooMoo have appointment with her friends already.  MooMoo gave him her contacts and he said will contact MooMoo for any of such future events.  Cool!  

MooMoo and her gym buddies were happily snapping away with the balloons when they met up for dinner.  Even adults are fascinated with balloons, what more to say little kids.  Haha!

MooMoo can't wait to practise her balloon sculpting skills and make these cute balloons for Cutie Pie and Chicky Pie.  ^=^

* MooMoo had a GREAT day today.... had a GREAT workout at the gym today too... doing ABT and Step.  Both classes were really good... better than expected.  After all the burning, loaded with all the extras again... but it was happy sharing all the fats with buddies.  ^=^  

After 3 Lessons... LOL!! ^=^

MooMoo trying to practise her Chinese... blogging a short passage in Chinese after her 3rd lesson.  She is having lots of problem with her Macbook trying to read her Chinese characters and all.  Therefore, she typed in her iPhone 1st and posted it up.  So troublesome...  MooMoo can't seem to get the correct character 'nu' which denotes female, so mind the mistake.  She is really having fun with reading and writing of the Chinese characters.  It is so much easier to absorb compared to her Japanese.  = )

今天的天气很好。
我和猪猪一起去上课。
我们去学汉语。今天是第三课。
我们全班有16个学生，8个男生，8个奴生。
我们的老师很凶可是很好。
她叫张文芳老师。
上完课，我去运动。
运动完，感觉真的很好！*\(^o^)/*


* "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." --- Chinese Proverb

Swim like a 'FISH'?!? ^=^

Today MooMoo skipped her usual favourite Balance class to go 'SWIMMING'.  It's been quite some time since she last go swimming.  Swimming is one of MooMoo's favourite activity other than gym-ing, cycling, dancing, etc.  MooMoo can actually swim a little but not very pro yet and she have problem threading water.  Therefore, she decided to sign herself up for swimming lessons.

This is her 1st swimming lesson and she kinda enjoyed it.  Initially, she got a shock when she reached there as there's only 2 girls in the class.  In total, there were 7 students.  Luckily, they all were pretty friendly so MooMoo didn't feel that shy after all.  The swimming instructor looks fierce but in actual fact, he's quite nice and pretty funny, cracking jokes all the time.

Today, we were taught the basics of swimming and our instructor tried to observe our level of water confidence.  He taught us the simple basics of breathing, floating, gliding and kicking.  Lastly, he observed our level of swimming ability.  Apparently, the whole class was quite on the same level so we all can move at a faster pace than expected, which is a good thing.

MooMoo were even given a welcome gift from the 'Happy Fish' swimming school, which is a silicone swimming cap.  MooMoo didn't use the cap as she don't like the tight feeling on her head and her hair is short so it's still ok.  This is MooMoo's new goggles without the degree.  It feels great swimming with good eyesight after LASIK.  Last time, MooMoo always look at blur vision when swimming due to her short sightedness.  Now, it's all clear.... ^=^

Hope by the end of the lessons, MooMoo can swim like a 'HAPPY FISH' with perfect strokes.... ^=^

* "If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”  --- Bruce Lee

Chinese Lessons

MooMoo have been wanting to pick up Chinese on her own but have been putting it off since dunno when... at last, she decided that she better do something about it before she never get it done at all.  MooMoo signed up for a course with Piggy.  MooMoo is starting her 1st lesson tomorrow morning and she's looking forward to it.  ^=^

This is how MooMoo's new textbook cover looks like.  Well, MooMoo's objective is to be able to read her own horoscope without having to trouble Piggy all the time.  Hahaha!  Ok... it's not really the main objective.  MooMoo would like to be able to read Chinese newspapers and novels.  At least, by end of the year, she would be able to read simple novels or comics on her own and be able to go sing Chinese songs at Karaoke without her translated pinyin lyrics.  LOL!! =p

Gosh, MooMoo the shopaholic spent $$$ again today.  She bought herself a Chinese book.  She love this series by this author and she had a couple of her books but have not finish reading them coz it's in Chinese.  So, hopefully after her lessons, she can complete reading all of them without having to go through dictionary and asking for help.   Ganbatte!!! ^=^

At least, MooMoo can read the title of the book without any help... Hahahaha!!!!  

* "The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live."  --- Mortimer Adler

Change Begins with Choice

MooMoo was clearing her emails and came across this old email from a friend... an article that she likes... worth to share....

"CHANGE BEGINS WITH CHOICE"... by Jim Rohn

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all.

Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge.

Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change.

We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform.

And if the idea of having to change ourselves

makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are.

We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education,

delusion over truth,and doubt over confidence.

The choices are ours to make.

But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.

As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves."

We created our circumstances by our past choices.

We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today.

Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more

time to think things over to reach better conclusions.

They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.

We cannot allow our errors in judgement, repeated every day,

to lead us down the wrong path.

We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference

in how our life works out.

And then we must make the very choices

that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice

for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life...

If you don't like how things are, Change It!

You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life...

and it all begins with your very own Power of Choice.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

* “Why worry about things you can’t control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you?” --- Unknown

MooMoo's friend commented on the above quote... "Because things that you can control interweaves with and influence by things that you can't control.".... which is quite TRUE. LOL!!

The Last Lecture

Recently, MooMoo just read a book called the "THE LAST LECTURE."

MooMoo finds that the author "Randy Pausch" is a very interesting guy and the book he had written is very inspiring. His book is based on his last lecture on the topic “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” and he delivered his last lecture on 18th September 2007 to 400 audiences at Carnegie Mellon University before he lost his battle to Pancreatic Cancer on 25th July 2008.

Below are some of the Citations and Quotes that MooMoo likes from the book...

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

"You've got to get the fundamentals down, because otherwise the fancy stuff is not going to work."

"When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you."

"If I work hard enough, there will be things I can do tomorrow that I can't do today."

"Tenacity is a virtue, but it's not always crucial for everyone to observe how hard you work at something."

"The brick walls are there for a REASON. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

"If you want something bad enough, NEVER GIVE UP."

"You don't repair things if they still do what they're supposed to do."

"No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse. At the same time, it is often within your power to make them better."

"There were things we could that might help the outcome in positive ways..."

"Focus on each day, rather than the negative things down the road. It's not helpful if we spend everyday dreading tomorrow..."

"Go on those trips you've always wanted to take... Live in the moment."

"Getting people to welcome feedback was the hardest thing... Too many stroking and too little real feedback is not good..."

"We must know how to judge ourselves... do self reflecting..."

"Luck is indeed when preparation meets opportunity."

"Give yourself permission to DREAM."

"You only buy new clothes when your old clothes wear out."

"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy."

"It's not how hard you hit. It's how hard you get hit... and keep moving forward."

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

"A BAD Apology is worse than NO Apology... Half hearted of insincere apology can be insulting."

"When we're connected to Others, we become better people."

"Sometimes, all you have to do is ASK."

"OPTIMISM is that as a Mental State, it can enable you to do tangible things to improve your physical state."

"It's not about How to Achieve your Dreams. It's about how to Lead your Life. If you lead your Life the Right way, the Karma will take care of itself."

Do check out the book if you're free. It's a book worth reading.

* MooMoo had a GREAT week so far without Dark clouds... had a good workout doing Boot Camp and Balance at the gym just now. Today, MooMoo's Company's CEO communication was pretty motivating... MooMoo really liked that new guy... Hope he really walk the talk... and not just giving empty promises... Anyway, looking forward to watch her Hero in 'Wu Xia' tomorrow...^=^

What is 'PERIOD PAIN'?

What is 'Period Pain'?

This is definitely something annoying that most women experience monthly if their menses are regular. There are some lucky ones out there who never experience it their whole lives. Unfortunately, MooMoo falls under the 'unlucky' category. Period Pains or Menstrual Cramps or more known as 'Dysmenorrhoea' in medical term, which is pronounced as 'Dis-men-or-ear'. The term comes from an ancient Greek expression meaning 'difficult monthly flow'.

There are 2 types of period pain:

(1) Primary Dysmenorrhoea: affecting teenagers/young women not long after they start their periods. The pain and other symptoms is consistently similar monthly. This type of pain usually disappear when you leave your teenage years or after giving birth.

(2) Secondary Dysmenorrhoea: affecting women in their mid-twenties or later and it can happen any time of the month and it could be a sign of another medical condition. The pain can varies and it is recommended to go check with your Gynae. This type of pain usually is due to common gynaecological conditions, such as Fibroids, Endometriosis and Ovarian Cysts.

The pain can range from mild to severe, depending of each individuals. It is usually felt at the lower abdominal. Sometimes, it can be so serious that it could affect a woman's regular activities for several days.

The pain felt is actually caused by the contractions of the uterus or womb, similar to those of another 'normal' pain women suffer during labor.

The endometrium (lining of the womb's wall) actually thickens during a woman's menstrual cycle, in order to prepare for potential pregnancy. After ovulation, if the ovum is not fertilized and there's no pregnancy, the built-up uterine tissue will need to be shedded. This hormone called 'Prostaglandins' are released and will caused the uterus to contract.

When the uterine muscles contract, they blocked the blood supply to the tissue of the endometrium, which will eventually cause it to breakdown and dies. The uterine contractions will continue will all the dead tissues are squeezed out of the body through the cervix and vagina. These actually caused the cramps and pains experienced during the Menstrual cycle.

What can be done to reduce or eliminate the PAIN?!?

(1) Exercise - It does help to reduce the pain and discomfort. Stretches and certain Yoga positions does help to relief the pain. --- MooMoo have less pain when she's more active...

(2) Sleeping - Natural ways to rest your body to ease the pain and it feels extremely good at certain sleeping positions. --- this works very well for MooMoo - Thumbs Up!!!

(3) Supplements - Vitamin E, Thiamine and Omega-3 may reduce cramps. Zinc and Calcium have been found to reduce cramps, bloating and related PMS symptoms. Calcium and Magnesium reduced muscle soreness, but must be taken 2-3 months every day before producing a noticeable effect. --- will try to intake more supplements... but the Primrose never really seem to work for MooMoo... or maybe she always forgot to eat them on time... hahah..

(4) Water - drink lots of warm water or hot drinks to keep your tummy warm and cozy. --- Haha... this coming from MooMoo who loves to drink cold water day and night... when you see MooMoo drinking hot water, she must be having her period. =p

(5) Pain Reliever - taken them only when you really cannot stand the pain. --- try not to take.

(6) Hormonal Birth Control Pills - prevent ovulation and reduce severity of menstrual cramps. --- Not very recommended for long term solutions.

(7) Hot Water Bottle or Pad - put on your lower abdominal to reduce the pain. --- never use but it works well for MooMoo's friend.

(8) Reduce Caffeine and Sodium in your diet a few days before and during your period --- this is difficult for MooMoo... hahaha...

(9) Acupuncture - pain relief method --- never tried this and don't think will ever try it...

(10) Have a cup or 2 of Wine - Wine thins blood --- hmm.. never tried this before... maybe will try one day... hahah...

* MooMoo was feeling horrible this morning due to slight cramps but felt so much better after her STEP class today... ^=^ MooMoo always wonder why is the Menstrual cycle created for women in order to have a BABY?!? Is it for us to appreciate the kids more by going through the pain to give birth to them? =p

CHERRIES = Pain Reliever?

MooMoo found out that the fruit 'CHERRIES' can do wonder. She used to never like and want to eat any Cherries at all coz she always have this perception that it tasted like medicine. Guess this she got it from eating the preserved Cherries on the birthday cakes. Hahaha.

MooMoo can't recall when she started to like Cherries but she don't eat them so often as it is not cheap. Compared to Malaysia, it is still slightly cheaper in Singapore. It can cost up till Rm80 to RM100 per kg in Malaysia. In Singapore, you can get it for about SGD20 to SGD30 per kg.

It's amazing that these small Cherries have the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than Blueberries or Strawberries) Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Fiber and Folate.

It also contains Anthocyanins that can have significant impact on relieving muscle and joint soreness more quickly. It is also researched that Cherries can help ease the pain of Arthritis and Gout, to reducing risk factors for Heart Disease, Diabetes and certain types of Cancer. In addition to that, it also contain Melatonin, which can help regulate the body's natural sleep patterns, aid with Jet-Lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.

Cherries are also wonderful nerves food. It's a wonder fruit! So start eating CHERRIES!! ^=^

* One thing MooMoo noticed is that everytime she eats lots of fruits, she gets hungry faster... she better stop eating fruits coz it's Fiber and she's not suppose to eat Fiber before her run... need to up her Carbo instead... =p

EQ training: Amygdala Hijack

MooMoo went for a training called ‘Great Relationships at Work’ and in short, it is called ‘GR@W’. It was a pretty useful 2 days course with an interesting trainer.

Though some of the things taught were not new, it is how the trainer presented and enlightened us with his own personal experiences to relate to our daily lives. The trainer was able to let everyone have a ‘paradigm shift’ on how we can see things and to handle the same situation differently in order to have a better outcome.

One of the items that was highlighted during the training was called the ‘Amygdala Hijack’ which was pretty interesting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definition of ‘Amygdala Hijack’:

This is what happens when people “lose control of their emotions” when “hot buttons” is “pressed”. The result is their emotions are not used effectively in relationship.

They go through “volcano” eruption or “system” shutdown.

On reflection, they find it hard to explain why they acted the way they did.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Amygdala’ is human’s feeling brain. The ‘Amygdala’ which is pronounced as ‘ah-mig-dala’ is a tiny feeling brain that controls your emotional responses.

‘Amygdala Hijack’ is also known as Emotional Hijack where the feeling brain takes over your thinking brain. To avoid this situation, we can take a ‘6-seconds’ pause by taking a deep breath in and out before making any decisions or actions.

Sometimes, if we allow the ‘Amygdala Hijack’ to happen, it can be very harmful in many ways, such as spoiling relationships, bringing damage to ownselves as well as others. Therefore, we must always take control of how we react.

For further details, you can read the book “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” by Daniel Goleman.

This training actually gave MooMoo an insight of what had recently happened to her after the ‘Hair4Hope’ event. At that time, MooMoo was very angry at that particular '338' guy and I guess she didn't practise the '6-seconds' pause before she reacted. Haha... Sometimes, when she recalled back and thought if she had not reacted how she would have reacted when the incident happened, would things have not turned out as it is now.

Well, everything happens for a reason, whether good or bad, just gotta accept it. Anyway, what have been done cannot be reversed and life goes on. ^=^

Moo-Moo@Learning

It is always never too young or too old to learn. Each and everyone of us are different and unique in own ways. Therefore, we all learn at different speed. Everyday in life we learn something new and old in some ways, whether we realize them or not.

Sometimes, we even have to unlearn some of the things we have learnt, in order to learn new things. Unfortunately, some people just do not want to learn and likes to stay at their comfort zone doing the same things over and over again. Well, I guess everyone's got a choice and it's their choice of how to live their lives.

MooMoo have great passion to learn a lot of things but have little time to do everything. I guess she can't be too greedy and just have to prioritise them one by one. She have the love for learning languages and dances. There are so many interesting things to learn out there.

Anyway, an advice to all ->> Don't stop learning! As long as you live, continue to learn... ^=^

* Everyday is a learning day in LIFE...