Exercise

Finally got down to enrolling for an aerobics class. This is an in-house 2-mth class conducted by one of the staff. Well, we had our first class yesterday and it was rather enjoyable. There were some moves that I couldn't really coordinate, and I think I must have looked rather clumsy. But its alright lah, we were all there to exercise and I hope to be able to burn some fats through these lessons. Maybe if I like it, I could sign myself up for one of those commercial gym membership. :)

Work has been alright. Some new assignment cropped up mid week, and I had to follow up on it. Spent much time digging through my ex-colleague's previous work, to understand the scenarios and assumptions he made, so that I could pick up from where he left off. It was quite tough piecing together the whole picture, and thank God for helping me shed some light! Am so glad that my past days of fiddling around with the software has helped me familiarise with the software more. Useful tool lah.

I met up my ex-colleague for lunch today and it was a good time of chit-chatting and catching up. Have also obtained some valuable tips / suggestions on how I should handle myself and other colleagues in my workplace.

First Aid

Attended a first aid course provided by my company last Friday. Although it was only a 1-day course, it provided many valuable information, and some hands-on practice for us. Learnt about CPR, how to help a choking victim, what is recovery position, do bandages etc. Glad to have gone for the course, and I do hope to be able to remember these pointers...

Since this knowledge is so crucial, as it could make a difference between life and death, I wonder if MOE should consider introducing this lesson in schools. Say, if some of these pointers are incorporated into the various levels of school cirriculum, I'm sure the students will remember the info for many years to come, and they can recall the steps when the need arises. Isn't it reassuring to have our streets full of "first-aiders" who are ready to dispense aid in emergencies? Well, just a thought...

Was watching parts of Grey's Anatomy last Monday and I remembered wondering to myself why McDreamy had passed Meredith a paper bag to breathe into when she was overcome with emotions. And I found the answer at the course! For the uninformed like me, when a person gets too agitated, it could lead to hyperventilation (syndrome characterised by abnormally deep, rapid breathing that appears in the absence of any physical illness or respiratory pathology and is unrealated to intake of medications). This lowers the level of Carbon Dioxide and produces other symptoms. Hence, breathing into and out of a bag can increase the level of CO2 entering the body, thereby helping to calm the person. Something like that lah!

Oh, I went cycling with my friend and her colleagues on Sat. I didn't feel like going due to the scorching sun that day, but went ahead as I had originally promised to go. Had not cycled in many years, and I was afraid that I had forgotten how to cycle. Indeed, I wobbled (and zig zagged) quite a fair bit before getting the hang of cycling. Anyway, prayed for protection, and thank God that we were all safe, no injury. I enjoyed the time, especially when I was on my own, and I could just pray and sing aloud to God while cycling. Felt that I had a good work-out and yes, my buttocks ached yesterday and today. Ha ha. It felt kinda of weird to go on an outing with friend's friends, but it helped that one of them was quite a high "I", and she was really comfortable talking and breaking the ice. And now, I've got even more teacher friends than before!! =\

Part 2

Part 2 of the wedding was held in M'sia with our paternal relatives and family friends. It consisted of a tea-ceremony and Chinese dinner. I accompanied my sis-in-law to a nearby "kampung-style" hair salon to have her hair styled, and to have the make-up done. My relatives had made an advance booking with the stylist there. Despite the rather run-down state of the salon, the end result was still ok, although it was rather "chin-na". My sis-in-law had to use her own lipstick over the original colour, so that it doesn't look too "obiang". We both felt that we've been transported back to the 60's... ha ha, prob once in a lifetime.

The tea ceremony was over very quickly, basically because we were all in a rush to get to the restaurant, to welcome any early guests. Apparently, it was free sitting at wedding dinners in M'sia. Thank God our M'sia relatives were very conscientious in helping with the invitation, making sure that there wasn't too much wasted space. I think we had about 17 tables worth of relatives and friends!! And we did not know many of the distant relatives. My bro commented that the dinner was really meant for my dad and my granddad. But overall, it was a pleasant experience. Oh yes, and the couple was "sabo" on stage by the restaurant Mcee. Nothing too extreme, but all in the name of fun lah. It is also a norm for guests to sing at the dinner, like "karaoke" style. Yes, many of the relatives enjoyed themselves through their loud singing. We were rather unused to it, and I hope that the bride's family were not too disturbed by it.

Anyway, the dinner ended rather promptly, just before the start of the "England-xxx" (cannot remember which team lah) World Cup match. By the time we settled the bill and reached back, we still managed to catch the 2nd half of the game. =) The couple and the in-laws stayed in a hotel while we made our way home.

Sunday was spent at home with many of the relatives. I could not escape the many questions of my aunts on when's my turn. Sigh, could only smile sheepishly at them. Well, am not sure if I would hold a dinner in M'sia when it's my turn. Prob not eh, since the obligation is not as great as that for my bro (bro is the eldest grandson). But I must say that I really like my aunts and uncles as they have all been very nice to my family. They look up to my dad who is their "da-ge" (eldest brother) and my mum who is "da-sao". And I think that's because my parents discharge their respective roles very well. Sometimes, I feel so proud of them. =D

So, thats the episode in M'sia. Things have settled down by now and we're getting used to not having bro around.