So, yesterday, a friend asked me, a thin and
slightly underweight person, how to get bigger and add some bulk. After
some thinking, I told him to get more healthy calories from fats like
peanut butter, olive oil, or chicken/pork fat and skin, since he was
already eating rather big portions of rice and white meat. I told him
that he could, you know, drink some olive oil to quickly add some 500
extra calories without much hassle every
once in a while (100ml of it is about 900calories). And,
unsurprisingly, he was totally shocked in disbelief at my suggestions.
What! Animal fat? Drinking oil? Heresy!
Well, just so that I
can say that I've tested it myself, I took about 40ml of EV olive oil
and ate it with meat (skin and all), 2 large whole eggs and some salad
sprinkled with tumeric (love the stuff). My conclusion? It was freaking
delicious and filling. No complaints from me. Just, you know, exercise
so you get more muscle rather than fat.
Well,
for my philosophy, removing all junk from the foods you eat is the
start (that mainly involves processed foods like biscuits, bread, chips,
sweets, etc.). Another thing I use as a rule of thumb is that if it
contains more than 1 ingredient, it's probably
not good for you. Also, as far as possible, try not to take liquid
calories ( that includes milo, coffee with milk sugar, canned drinks,
boxed drinks, etc. i.e. drink plain water as much as you can). Try to
reduce intake of sugar as much as possible (even from fruits, they CAN
make you fat, depending on when and how much you eat at a time).
Most
importantly (or least, depending on perspective), try to exercise some
30 minutes a day. Can't get 30 minutes? Set aside 10 minutes then. Walk
around in the evening sun (or morning, if you prefer), do some
resistance training (learn how to do squats and push ups properly), lift
some weights every now and then (bench pressing, and again, squats) and
just overall try to enjoy life.
If
you're thinking, "Why is this guy asking me to do bench presses, push
ups and lift weights even though I'm a girl?", worry not. Try. Break the
social stigma. Scientific studies have proved time and time again that
both males and females benefit from lifting weight as opposed to merely
doing cardio training. That's not to say that cardio is bad, but find a
balance between jogging (preferably not on a threadmill) and resistance
training. Also because people tend to overdo themselves when jogging on a
threadmill-- and that's detrimental to health.
I
can't say for sure if the things I said above will help anyone to "get
thin" or "lose weight" (I'm an engineer, after all, not a nutritionist),
but it's just my philosophy that I've made from reading countless
journals and studies and articles about being healthy. So, no, I did not
read about losing weight or gaining mass, but rather about being
healthy. But I can infer from the knowledge I've gained and draw
conclusions that certain steps can lead to weight gain/loss. And these
are some of them.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
NBS 3rd Annual Camp, "The Journey Begins"
If I had to sum up the past few days in one phrase, I'd say, "Tiring, yet refreshing, but well-spent."
As we learnt during the camp, reflecting on our time spent is very important. Why? Well, that's because we only learn when we reflect-- taking the time to think about the "whys" of the the things we did or the things that have happened to us. I was a participant of the NBS 2nd annual camp and pa...rt of the organising committee of the 3rd one. And boy, was there a world of difference.
Imagine having about four hours of sleep a day. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week and having to be very active everyday. That was, on the surface, a summary of my experience in the camp. There is no room for any doubt that the NBS camp was indeed very tiring for me, and I daresay the rest of the committee members too. The amount of time and effort needed to prepare and accommodate unexpected turn of events is no small matter.
Yet I said it was refreshing.This is probably the biggest point of the camp. There is a whole new perspective when being an organiser as opposed to being a participant. People look to you for decisions. You are expected to lead. Although I was just the official photographer, and a little bit of everything else, I still had my own leadership roles. I was always more of a front office kind of person. So, when I was assigned to be the photographer, I was a little sad that I wouldn't get the chance to interact with the participants and develop friendships with them. It was unwarranted though. Regardless of whatever roles we are given, it's up to us to make the best of it, and I did try-- although I believe that I always could have done better. It was also refreshing, in a sense, to be part of the background rather than in the spotlight. You get to see things from a different perspective-- more objectively. And I can say that I probably learnt more from being a role that I'm not really used to, rather than doing what I've always been doing.
Lastly, I said, "well-spent". There aren't many things which can top the learning experience of spending two days and nights at a monastic environment. Somehow, you tend to be more grateful for the things you have and the food you eat. And you realize just how much food you actually "need" and the rest is simply luxury already. When you see others cherish food so much, you tend to feel the same way too. You also begin to be aware of the sounds around you and the sheer number of unnecessary things we do. It's really eye-opening. It really is.
I also said well-spent because every single moment throughout the camp was meaningful. There was not a single thing we did that was pointless. We walked to places for a reason. We said things for a reason. We carried things out for a reason. And it was a really nice feeling-- considering that people nowadays, me included, waste so much time doing things that really serve no purpose at all. And from that we really come to understand just how important every moment is. We might take the days for granted, but really, we will never, ever get this exact moment back again once it's gone.
Well, that was my summary of the camp from my point of view. Of course, I could also talk about the new friends I've made and the already-made friendships which became stronger by the end of it. Truly, I am grateful to be able to meet everyone there. And I don't think, in my current state, that I can find the proper words and phrases to use to elaborate. Also, I was really surprised, in a delightful way, that some participants wanted a photo with me, a person who didn't really do much, in a way, to help them directly.
I probably missed out some points here and there, which I might add on once I post it on my blog. But yeah, if you've read till this point, thank you and congratulations! Have a good day :).
As we learnt during the camp, reflecting on our time spent is very important. Why? Well, that's because we only learn when we reflect-- taking the time to think about the "whys" of the the things we did or the things that have happened to us. I was a participant of the NBS 2nd annual camp and pa...rt of the organising committee of the 3rd one. And boy, was there a world of difference.
Imagine having about four hours of sleep a day. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week and having to be very active everyday. That was, on the surface, a summary of my experience in the camp. There is no room for any doubt that the NBS camp was indeed very tiring for me, and I daresay the rest of the committee members too. The amount of time and effort needed to prepare and accommodate unexpected turn of events is no small matter.
Yet I said it was refreshing.This is probably the biggest point of the camp. There is a whole new perspective when being an organiser as opposed to being a participant. People look to you for decisions. You are expected to lead. Although I was just the official photographer, and a little bit of everything else, I still had my own leadership roles. I was always more of a front office kind of person. So, when I was assigned to be the photographer, I was a little sad that I wouldn't get the chance to interact with the participants and develop friendships with them. It was unwarranted though. Regardless of whatever roles we are given, it's up to us to make the best of it, and I did try-- although I believe that I always could have done better. It was also refreshing, in a sense, to be part of the background rather than in the spotlight. You get to see things from a different perspective-- more objectively. And I can say that I probably learnt more from being a role that I'm not really used to, rather than doing what I've always been doing.
Lastly, I said, "well-spent". There aren't many things which can top the learning experience of spending two days and nights at a monastic environment. Somehow, you tend to be more grateful for the things you have and the food you eat. And you realize just how much food you actually "need" and the rest is simply luxury already. When you see others cherish food so much, you tend to feel the same way too. You also begin to be aware of the sounds around you and the sheer number of unnecessary things we do. It's really eye-opening. It really is.
I also said well-spent because every single moment throughout the camp was meaningful. There was not a single thing we did that was pointless. We walked to places for a reason. We said things for a reason. We carried things out for a reason. And it was a really nice feeling-- considering that people nowadays, me included, waste so much time doing things that really serve no purpose at all. And from that we really come to understand just how important every moment is. We might take the days for granted, but really, we will never, ever get this exact moment back again once it's gone.
Well, that was my summary of the camp from my point of view. Of course, I could also talk about the new friends I've made and the already-made friendships which became stronger by the end of it. Truly, I am grateful to be able to meet everyone there. And I don't think, in my current state, that I can find the proper words and phrases to use to elaborate. Also, I was really surprised, in a delightful way, that some participants wanted a photo with me, a person who didn't really do much, in a way, to help them directly.
I probably missed out some points here and there, which I might add on once I post it on my blog. But yeah, if you've read till this point, thank you and congratulations! Have a good day :).
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
40 Tips for a Happy Healthy Life in 2013
I was just browsing through my facebook (I seem to do that too often for my own good) and came across this again. I thought I'd post it here just so that I might see it more often.
*******
40 Tips for Happy Healthy Life in 2013
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time for prayer and reflection
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2012.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
Personality:
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day —- and while you walk, smile.
11. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don’t over do; keep your limits.
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Community:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right things.
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Forgiveness heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, don’t take it for granted – embrace life.
39. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not least:
40. Enjoy LIFE!
*******
40 Tips for Happy Healthy Life in 2013
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time for prayer and reflection
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2012.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
Personality:
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day —- and while you walk, smile.
11. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don’t over do; keep your limits.
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Community:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right things.
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Forgiveness heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, don’t take it for granted – embrace life.
39. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not least:
40. Enjoy LIFE!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Dream Diary Day 23
This happened when I woke up suddenly for no reason at about 6am, and then went back to sleep again.
I wrote some gibberish down on paper beside my bed when I woke up at 8am, because I was rushing. Anyway, I'll try to see if I can salvage anything.
=============
I was feeding a turtle, which was apparently very smart. As in, a smart turtle. I was at a party of sorts, and then I was talking to someone. There was Link Er running around and I also talked about RYLA when I said I was part of the Interact Club.
In the party, it was filled with people who wanted to break world records. One-by-one, they broke records ( some of the most obscure kind) except for me. I was at a table with a girl, then I noticed a suspicious kinda guy looking at us from behind. Suddenly the girl disappeared in a puff of smoke, but I managed to grab her arm and I was teleported to -somewhere (couldn't understand what I was writing)-. That guy started running and I jumped on him and started shouting for help.
That guy ran everywhere while I was trying to stop him. I hit him and punched him but to no avail-- he wasn't affected. Finally I lost him. I was very frustrated and I started shouting and hitting random objects. And then I woke up via alarm.
I wrote some gibberish down on paper beside my bed when I woke up at 8am, because I was rushing. Anyway, I'll try to see if I can salvage anything.
=============
I was feeding a turtle, which was apparently very smart. As in, a smart turtle. I was at a party of sorts, and then I was talking to someone. There was Link Er running around and I also talked about RYLA when I said I was part of the Interact Club.
In the party, it was filled with people who wanted to break world records. One-by-one, they broke records ( some of the most obscure kind) except for me. I was at a table with a girl, then I noticed a suspicious kinda guy looking at us from behind. Suddenly the girl disappeared in a puff of smoke, but I managed to grab her arm and I was teleported to -somewhere (couldn't understand what I was writing)-. That guy started running and I jumped on him and started shouting for help.
That guy ran everywhere while I was trying to stop him. I hit him and punched him but to no avail-- he wasn't affected. Finally I lost him. I was very frustrated and I started shouting and hitting random objects. And then I woke up via alarm.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Forked Road (POEM)
The Forked Road that forced us to part,
was the Forked Road that broke my heart.
With you I would have gladly walked together,
But we both knew that was possible never.
was the Forked Road that broke my heart.
With you I would have gladly walked together,
But we both knew that was possible never.
The time soon came when you had to go,
Staying at the fork we both smiled once more.
With a brief hug and solemn goodbyes,
You took the first step and averted your eyes.
Staying at the fork we both smiled once more.
With a brief hug and solemn goodbyes,
You took the first step and averted your eyes.
Long I stood there hoping you would stop,
and turn around and say that you would stay.
For another minute, for another day,
Even another second would be okay.
and turn around and say that you would stay.
For another minute, for another day,
Even another second would be okay.
But my wishes were dry,
just like the sky without a star for me to wish by.
And continue you did, down your own path,
leaving me behind without a half.
just like the sky without a star for me to wish by.
And continue you did, down your own path,
leaving me behind without a half.
Hours turned to days, and days turned to weeks,
I slowly walked my road with hesitation.
For every step I took away,
I took another back to that day.
I slowly walked my road with hesitation.
For every step I took away,
I took another back to that day.
For how could I allow it if you ever started thinking
that you wanted to come back but there was nobody there waiting?
And so I still waited for that little 'if', little 'maybe',
that one day you might come back and you could then save me.
that you wanted to come back but there was nobody there waiting?
And so I still waited for that little 'if', little 'maybe',
that one day you might come back and you could then save me.
My brain says 'Leave!', my heart says "No!
A miracle can't happen if you let go."
And to that, so far, I have followed my heart;
But I think it's about time I learnt my part.
I have to leave-- I know it is so.
With feet heavy, I left the Forked Road.
A miracle can't happen if you let go."
And to that, so far, I have followed my heart;
But I think it's about time I learnt my part.
I have to leave-- I know it is so.
With feet heavy, I left the Forked Road.
Post-Chinese New Year and Learning Badminton
So everyone's over and done with Chinese New Year. Actually, it isn't over till next week for Chap Goh Mei, or the Chinese Valentine's day or something. CNY was fun-- lots of food and meeting my friends and classmates again after so long was really, really, refreshing. And I've got to say that I do miss them a lot. As people say, new friends are silver, old friends are gold. My take is that both are equally valuable although at times it's hard to choose one from the other.
I don't have much to write for CNY since I spent most of it with my cousins. I felt like my aunts and uncles were competing or something, each treating everyone to 8-10 course meals every night. The food was good though, but sad to say I couldn't finish them like I used to. Either I started eating less, or my cousins (them being mostly girls). Either way, a lot of food went wasted and it was really regretful.
On the fourth day, also known as St. Valentine's day, I went visiting with my friends.
Basically this (and its variations) became the cover photo of quite a number of us there. Nothing much to add, except a shoutout to Jasmine.
We miss you so bad! We actually considered editing you into the photo, but then decided not to. Soon it's gonna be my turn to feel this way. Thinking of this, it actually reminds me of a short video clip here CLICK HERE FOR TOUCHING MOVIE
Although apart, forever in heart. :')
And boom bam, CNY was over. I also lost some RM 100. Damn it.
ANYWAY!
Back to Nottingham Malaysia. Classes progressing as usual-- pretty hectic and I'm still a little struggling to cope. Today was my FIRST time EVER learning how to play badminton. And I discovered so many things wrong with me. Well, I'm really tired at this point. So, I'll end it here. GOOD NIGHT!
I don't have much to write for CNY since I spent most of it with my cousins. I felt like my aunts and uncles were competing or something, each treating everyone to 8-10 course meals every night. The food was good though, but sad to say I couldn't finish them like I used to. Either I started eating less, or my cousins (them being mostly girls). Either way, a lot of food went wasted and it was really regretful.
On the fourth day, also known as St. Valentine's day, I went visiting with my friends.
Although apart, forever in heart. :')
And boom bam, CNY was over. I also lost some RM 100. Damn it.
ANYWAY!
Back to Nottingham Malaysia. Classes progressing as usual-- pretty hectic and I'm still a little struggling to cope. Today was my FIRST time EVER learning how to play badminton. And I discovered so many things wrong with me. Well, I'm really tired at this point. So, I'll end it here. GOOD NIGHT!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Just some thinking.
"Memory can only do so Much"
I created this blog to help me remember/ record down important events that happen to me in my life. I.e. "things I want to remember".
Today (in fact it was just about an hour ago), something bad happened. Well, I won't really elaborate much on that because after some thinking, I decided that I didn't want to remember it some months from now.
It's just that, it got me thinking. Would I want to remember all the bitter stuff that happens to me? Looking back through my posts, I realize that the majority of it are happy stuff, a fair number of neutral stuff, and a few negative things.
I was never one to hold grudges or keep hating on anything. I understood that it would do bullocks to my health and my psyche. So sometimes I may have a predisposed dislike for someone, but if you were to ask me "why?" I'd say I can't remember because well, I don't. And it's just a slight dislike, is all.
Now, back to present day. Immediately after the incident, I was so heated I could've written an A+ 1119 English Essay well over a thousand words because the words would just flow. Well, I exaggerate. But you get my point. I reached the stage where my mind would be generating negativity and hatred in overdrive mode and eventually make me depressed throughout the night and possibly the following morning.
Why did I stop myself, took a few deep breaths, and smiled? Because that's what I thought a person should do. A person who is able to uphold at least his or her own code of conduct.
But then again, if I were to write it down, maybe in future I could use it as reference, you know? Bring it up in another argument to unfairly tilt the scale in my favour. Oops, there goes, I let the cat out of the bag. That's about as much as I'm going to say about what someone did to me.
I'm all up for arguments and debates. I'm a pretty good debater myself (self-proclaimed). At times I even relish in playing the Devil's advocate, just to have a battle of wits, you know? No offense or hurtful words, just intelligence. Of course, it's definitely difficult to find someone to do that with you nowadays, when the loudest voice and the hardest heads generally win.
I'm straying off topic again. As you can see, I guess I'm still a little bitter. It's just been an hour, after all.
My argument for writing down the bad things is that maybe I'd learn from them in time. But I daresay I would end up doing something completely despicable like bringing up issues from years ago that can make the other party feel guilty and potentially give you unfair advantage.
My argument against that is simply that I'd be a happier person. And I think that's a good enough reason.
Maybe another argument for writing them down is that I might be secretly hoping someone would find my diary, blog, and everything else one day and realise just what they did to me and start crying, you know? Like in those movies.
Nah, I kid.
..
It's something like confessing to someone, isn't it, in a way? Telling that person everything you've felt so far and waiting for his or her reaction. Well, not like I would know. I've never confessed to anyone yet up till this point. Or been confessed to. It's like something I want to do, yet at the same time am so afraid of doing.
Wait-- I'm straying from the topic again. Well, nevermind. Let's cut it off here.
I created this blog to help me remember/ record down important events that happen to me in my life. I.e. "things I want to remember".
Today (in fact it was just about an hour ago), something bad happened. Well, I won't really elaborate much on that because after some thinking, I decided that I didn't want to remember it some months from now.
It's just that, it got me thinking. Would I want to remember all the bitter stuff that happens to me? Looking back through my posts, I realize that the majority of it are happy stuff, a fair number of neutral stuff, and a few negative things.
I was never one to hold grudges or keep hating on anything. I understood that it would do bullocks to my health and my psyche. So sometimes I may have a predisposed dislike for someone, but if you were to ask me "why?" I'd say I can't remember because well, I don't. And it's just a slight dislike, is all.
Now, back to present day. Immediately after the incident, I was so heated I could've written an A+ 1119 English Essay well over a thousand words because the words would just flow. Well, I exaggerate. But you get my point. I reached the stage where my mind would be generating negativity and hatred in overdrive mode and eventually make me depressed throughout the night and possibly the following morning.
Why did I stop myself, took a few deep breaths, and smiled? Because that's what I thought a person should do. A person who is able to uphold at least his or her own code of conduct.
But then again, if I were to write it down, maybe in future I could use it as reference, you know? Bring it up in another argument to unfairly tilt the scale in my favour. Oops, there goes, I let the cat out of the bag. That's about as much as I'm going to say about what someone did to me.
I'm all up for arguments and debates. I'm a pretty good debater myself (self-proclaimed). At times I even relish in playing the Devil's advocate, just to have a battle of wits, you know? No offense or hurtful words, just intelligence. Of course, it's definitely difficult to find someone to do that with you nowadays, when the loudest voice and the hardest heads generally win.
I'm straying off topic again. As you can see, I guess I'm still a little bitter. It's just been an hour, after all.
My argument for writing down the bad things is that maybe I'd learn from them in time. But I daresay I would end up doing something completely despicable like bringing up issues from years ago that can make the other party feel guilty and potentially give you unfair advantage.
My argument against that is simply that I'd be a happier person. And I think that's a good enough reason.
Maybe another argument for writing them down is that I might be secretly hoping someone would find my diary, blog, and everything else one day and realise just what they did to me and start crying, you know? Like in those movies.
Nah, I kid.
..
It's something like confessing to someone, isn't it, in a way? Telling that person everything you've felt so far and waiting for his or her reaction. Well, not like I would know. I've never confessed to anyone yet up till this point. Or been confessed to. It's like something I want to do, yet at the same time am so afraid of doing.
Wait-- I'm straying from the topic again. Well, nevermind. Let's cut it off here.
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