Reflections of 2008

Hmm .... some reflections of things that has taken place this year ...
I won't be reviewing too much of my thoughts here, somehow it's too messy for me that I don't know where to start.

1. Did my internship at UKM Medical Centre, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Unit as a Trainee Counsellor.
( I have to thank Dr Phang Cheng Kar who helped me with the application procedures etc. )

2. Diagnosed with a herniated disc on L5/S1.

3. Joined a blind date organized by The Star Education Section, which was something I never thought I will be doing in my life.

4. Got myself to become a certified Emergency First Responder to fulfill ISSA's requirement.

5. Kicked my smoking habits.

6. Started a relationship with my blind date unexpectedly, and only to end it 6 months later.

7. Getting Aunty Nancy to buy and bring me an iPhone from Hawaii.

8. Getting my batch of honor as a grappler, cauliflower ear.

9. Joined True Fitness as a Fitness Instructor and left within a month after deciding to pursue my Degree instead of switching course. But of course, partly because it was an unexpected conditional offer from UCSI for me to be enrolled into their programme.

10. Getting myself certified with ISSA after months of delaying my examination submission.

11. Graduated one semester later from TAR College with Diploma in Social Science ( Counselling )

12. Wanting to start training with Escobar BJJ team after Brutal BJJ team dissolved after Quico left for Bali. But only managed to train there twice ( once with Quico taking over Marcos's class when he was away for competition, once open mat ) due to various reasons.

13. Started to enjoy working out at the parks, terminating my 1 1/2 years old membership with Fitness First.

14. Started to shoot in weddings as an assistant photographer and enjoying it to the fullest in the process of learning and improving my skills.

15. Being suspected as a homosexual.

I'm looking forward to challenges in 2009 ^_^

Something to ponder about ... Pt 2

I never thought that I'll be getting weird reactions through my instant messenger not long after making the earlier post. And getting such attention wasn't my intention at all.

Trust me, I'm still straight despite the post I made earlier.

So, to all my male friends, no worries, none of you stand a chance anyway even if I'm not walking the straight line. Unless you look like ..... well I got no idea who?

Anyway, the bottom line is that I'm only interested to date girl(s) :)

Cheers !

Something to ponder about ...

After a wedding dinner shoot with the team, while heading to the nearest cafe for supper, I took a bunch of leftover flowers. Our only girl photographer, Lea started a conversation with me;

Lea: Taking for your gf ah??
Me: Huh? gf? I got no gf.
Lea: hmm ...
Me: But I got bf la ..

Lea Stares at me for a momment, silently.

Lea: Huh?
Me: What huh? yeah you heard it right, I got a bf.
Lea: *Tone goes up* I've suspected from the beginning !!! ( in a serious manner)

Teammates laughed ! While I stare at the mirror, pondering which part of me actually looks that I'm into boy-boy relationship ?

After sitting getting ourselves a table, Lea asked me;

Lea: Really ah?
Me: What really?
Lea: Really ah?

Another teammate, Vin joins in;

Vin: Aiya, really or not also doesn't matter la .. don't have your share.

HAHA! I'll stop about our conversation here.

That was after the dinner. On the same day, same morning, my boss actually said to me I looked gay, so it's better for me to be shooting the ji muis more than the heng tais, just in case I might scare them off. And that night, such conversation happened.

Well ... what can I say? Am I really turning into one of them after going through what i've gone through ? Especially the most and very recent one.

You'll never know, things are subject to changes after all :)

Because so many people asked ...

Why did transfer to UCSI University instead of UTAR or continue Advanced Diploma in TARC and subsequently to LJMU for a Degree.

I've decided to make this a post, to make things easy for me :)

Firstly, I never liked the study environment in TARC. They have very good campus facilities, very impressive on first sight when I was at their open day. However, only to realized that their classroom was worst than my secondary school classrooms, it was too late to regret. Then, it made me realize that the campus is overcrowded, therefore facilities are considered lacking. Student:Facilities ratio cannot balance lah! And of course, the main language used in campus is English, but majority of the students doesn't. I seriously felt and know that my English was dropping.

And most importantly, the reason I did not choose to remain under TAR's umbrella was because of internship opportunities.

If I were to remain at TARC, the only internship is during Diploma level where we had a 7 weeks attachment, and only to be posted once a week. Meaning 7weeks x once a week, with a total of 7 times/days. How much can we benefit from that? And I got feedbacks from my coursemates that during their posting, they did things that are not related to our field; cleaning up centre, data entry etc. Luckier ones get to do survey, which is indirectly preparing them for thesis writing to a certain extend. And I was the luckiest to think about it, I managed to get myself posted to the Psychiatry Ward of UKM Medical Centre and experienced many things first hand.

As for UTAR, internship is only done once, which is the last semester if I'm not mistaken.

Institutions that I shortlisted to top up for my Degree such as HELP University College and UCSI University, are compulsory to have 3 internships done before graduating. Although it's only 2 months per-internship, but the opportunity to have it done in 3 different places/companies strucked my mind, and this is one of the main reasons.

So now, you know why? :)

Fruitful Semester Break

I'm currently having a fruitful semester break.
Learning and experiencing new things.

p/s: Some of my photos has been used for Nalanda Buddhist Society's publication lately.
Have a look at them at www.nalanda.org.my. Check out Nalanda Bulletin, Community and Nalanda's Post Event Photos.

I'm also looking forward to my 1st wedding photo shooting soon. Hope everything goes well ^_^

Upgraded - UCSI University

I enrolled into University College Sedaya International, but now, I'm studying at UCSI University.
Yes, the University College has gained and upgraded to full fledge University status.
Weird name though .. UCSI University, what does UCSI stands for now?

Something to shout about? Not really.

Our school fees has been upgraded as well. And I believe the school fees will not only be upgraded, but in fact upgrading till no ending.

I hope the University facilities will be upgraded as well to be on par with it's University status.
Else, UCSI University will be better known to me as "U" "C" Shit Inside University.
Wait a second, I'm not saying UCSI's facilities are not good, just that it can be better.


Exams ended today, just 1 paper this semester. Till then for the new semester at 2nd January 2009.

Oh, Finally lahh ...

My resit paper result were released an hour ago.

Result

AHLA3154

METHODS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELLING

B+

So I finally managed to obtain my Diploma in Social Science, 1 semester later than expected.

If only the result above were to appear on the transcript back in May 2008, I would probably be a student of this course right now.

From C- , became B+ , not bad right, a bit more become A-
Aiyah!! terlepas one A !

Continuing Education - Professional Responsibility.

As a Certified Fitness Professional, keeping up our education is probably the single most important aspect of ensuring success in the business next to providing the best care possible for our clients. Virtually every profession requires continuing education, and the Personal Training profession should be no exception. As a fitness professional, our clients and their families entrust their bodies and lives to us, and turn to us for questions and advice. We must be able to provide them with accurate, current information, and the only way to do that is to continue our education.

I am glad to have completed this continuing education course. I certainly have a better understanding now on various lower back pain(LBP) conditions in terms of it's major anatomical, physiological, skeletal and risk factors of LBP, therefore would be able to design safe and appropriate exercise programmes for people with Lower Back Pain conditions.

Clay Aiken - Invisible

The Click Five - Jenny

Motivation Got Me Started, BUT The Habit NEVER Keeps Me Going....

with Fitness First.



Yes, after months of contemplating, I've signed and agreed to terminate my membership with Fitness First today.
No doubt it's the best deal that I'll ever get for a commercial fitness centre, paying RM105 initially and just 3 months ago, increased to RM111. Still, it's a steal for a passport membership.

I've not been going to the gym as frequent as I used to for various reasons. No point paying RM111 if the most I am only going 5 times per week month.

Crosstraining at the park has been fun lately, for myself and my clients.
There's no need to drive, paying tolls, facing the jam, looking for parking etc. No resistance machine or free weights available at the park though, but with understanding of anatomy, biomechanical concepts and kinesiology of exercises, we can always work out/train creatively with what is available around us.

I am sure I will miss RPM classes.

The All-American Rejects - It Ends Tonight

Dream Analysis

Lately I've been having dreams with similar continuous pattern.

Not only during night sleep, but even during afternoon nap.

It's not pleasant, and I'm expecting some shits to happen soon.

Since I'm studying Personality Theories ...

this semester ... under Mr James,

• Read more on INTP personality type ... INTP - The Engineer

• Read more on Kinesthetic , Intrapersonal and Interpersonal intelligences.

Some characteristics might overlap each other, but there is a dominant one usually.
To me, there's no one fixed personality, because they changes depending on environment/situation.
This where non-self kicks in, so I don't usually say " I'm a (insert characteristics) person ".

:)

Don't understand what I'm trying to say? take your time to digest it.

I'm now a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer under International Sport Sciences Association

I signed up with International Sport Sciences Association last year in July in pursue to be a internationally certified personal fitness trainer. Initially I thought this exam was going to be easy and it's an open book examination after all. However I was wrong as the scope of the examination wasn't just limited to what was available on the textbook. Research, extra read-ups, hands on experience and even discussion with medical professionals was needed to complete the examination.

I went through a tough process of studying, researching, doing extra read-ups, had a few person to be my test subjects, all together it took up 1 year and 2 months before I finally pressed the "Submit" button.

Before submitting my exam

After submitting

Few hours ago ISSA emailed me my results, and I'm proud to say I've passed my CFT exam with a score of 92.5% out of 100%.

I'm now a ISSA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer :)

My fitness trainings and certifications up to date:

• ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer - 2008
• Emergency First Responce ( CPR & Choking ) - 2008
• GET FIT - Muscle Up workshop - 2008
• Reebok Resolution 2007
• TARC Gym Workout Level 1 & 2 - 2006

What I've been up to?

I've been very busy for the past one month after resigning from my last job with True Fitness;


Traveling to Sabah on 15th August for an education workshop organized by Aloka Education Group on 16th and 17th August, where I was asked to do a presentation under Dr Tan Ho Soon's slot as a former student of Nalanda Vidyalaya. Public speaking has never been my comfort zone, but I took up the challenge as a training ground for me to speak in front of crowd. And due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to change my presentation into a Q&A session instead. And yes, I did not do well in this presentation, I was so nervous to the extent of shivering because I was presenting in front of teachers, lecturers and senior lecturers. However it was a good experience. There's a saying, from experience I gain, from below I rise.




After 2 days of Education workshop, we headed to Kundasang and stayed for 4 days and 3 nights at Celyn Resort. Coming back to KL on 21st August late night, the next day itself I had to attend a 1 day course and on 23rd covering the 4th Inter Dharma School Hymn Singing Competition 2008 as one of the official photographer.

Preparing for a new study environment. I've enrolled into UCSI's BA (Hons) in Psychology programme, and orientation was on 28th August, 2 days ago. I see a challenging course ahead with such huge different teaching system to be adapted, compared to TAR College.

And finally...

Sitting for my ISSA CFT exams.

Those were the days

SK Open 2003 medalist

While I was clearing some files from my hard disk, I found one of my old photos back in the days when I was competing in Taekwondo. I think this photo is the only photo I have from 2000-2005 before damaging my ACL. Even this is a cut out from my school's monthly bulletin.

My Decision

1 1/2 months ago, I was contemplating on some issues in regards to my decision on tertiary education.

My initial plan was to work until the next Sport Science intake in TAR College but after 14 days to be exact, on 24th July I tendered my 1 week notice resignation letter. 31st July 2008 was my last day at True Fitness Jaya33 branch.

Reason(s) for leaving?
I decided to pursue a Psychology degree, continuing what I've started in TAR College back in 2006. I will be studying in another private institution soon and remain as a freelance personal fitness trainer.

Many more other reasons that made me decided to leave the company as well, which I will not publish here. Till then.

Getting My Ear Drained

Update: 21/6/2008, 6:15pm
Bloody hell, I realize it's swollen again after waking up from bed. I think rolling around my bed and squashing it is the cause.

My cauliflower ear keep swelling bigger and bigger after every BJJ training.

This morning, 7:45am

I decided, that's it, I'm getting it drained. Medicine that was given to me wasn't working at all.

When it comes to dealing with needles, I always have trust in Dr Fong. He can somehow work some magic to make the whole process with little pain. Every blood test and vaccination, he's the doctor i'll go to. Same goes to this draining process.


True enough. I was expecting it to be very pain after watching the video. Even tough fighters like Michael Bisping was showing signs of having pain while getting it drained. But all i felt was like red ants biting.

Ahh, my ear back to normal.

Let's roll, one more round !

Hmm .... Where to ?

Remarks

You are required to resit AHLA3154.

Results were released on 29th May, I wasn't too surprised with my results.

So, I am required to resit one subject in order to obtain my Diploma. TAR College do not practice offering supplementary paper to their students, therefore I'll have to wait until this coming September to resit the only paper that is holding back my Diploma.

Initially I was thinking of transferring to HELP University College to complete my Degree in Psychology, but for the past few days I've been contemplating should I continue my studies in the current field or switching to Sports Science which was my second choice after Social Science (on papers). Deep inside me I know I have the desire to pursue Sport Science back then, but I think the reason I choose Social Science as my first choice was due to my parent's discouragement to pursue Sport Science.

Even my two years in College, I hardly did any extra read ups in regards to Social Science. My library book borrowing record shows that I've borrowed 80% of books in regards to Sport Science. I have a deeper interest to understand and know more about Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology etc.

Hmm ... pretty much in a dilemma.

Brutal BJJ Team Malaysia is Ending Soon

Most of you might know that I started training BJJ last October with Quico of Brutal BJJ Team.
I however stopped training one month later(November 2007) due to back injury, resume training again a month later(December 2007) but in a very inconsistent manner, and a total lay off from BJJ from January until recent May after I finished my finals in college.

In between that, I contemplated to quit BJJ after I was diagnosed with a herniated disc on L5/S1 on February 2008. I however made a U-turn on my decision after much encouragement and support from my teammates in Brutal BJJ Malaysia.

Two weeks ago Quico announced that he will be leaving Malaysia end of this year due to job commitments, and our last class will be on 30th June. It was quite a shock for the team. We do expect him to leave us one day, but not THIS soon. We expected to have him with the team for at least two years as he told us before that will be the duration he will be in Malaysia. Things are however, subject to changes. Nothing is certain.

And it's a pity that I missed 5 months in total of training. With remaining of 6 classes under Quico's guidance left, I'll definitely have to make full use of it to absorb as much knowledge as possible from Quico.

Till then ... the team will decide where to move on.

Cauliflower Is Growing On My Ear !

Recently I had my right ear swelled up due to BJJ training, early sign of cauliflower ear.

What's cauliflower ear?
You either click the link to read or much more interestingly, watch the and informative Youtube video below - Cauliflower Ear - Inside The UFC.

Look at the face of Michael Bisping when blood was drained from his ear.

Omg!! SAVE ME !!!

Ordering from Budovideos.com

I placed my orders with budovideos.com on Sunday morning, and it arrived on my doorstep on Friday at 2pm, while I was still at Johor. Asked Fedex person to pass it to neighbor instead. It's thumbs up-ed for budovideos.com's fast service.

The parcel

Adidas White BJJ Single Weave Training Gi.

Budovideos.com catalog

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Master Text Book by Helio Gracie

Round 5 Series One Figurines set

I am however upset that the Adidas Gi is actually a Judo/BJJ Gi, where the sleeve is slightly wider and longer.
I thought it was supposed to be a BJJ only Gi.

Singapore trip, 27-30 May 2008

Deepest condolence to Tony Hoon and family for the passing away of Allan Hoon on 29/5/2008.
May he have a blissful rebirth.

Arrived on 27th, 4pm-ish, Tony picked me up from Lavender.

attended Dharma talk by 16th Drawu Meghen Rinpoche.

After dharma talk, makan-ed durian at Geylang. Trust me, I only had durians, nothing else :-)
Damn got standard wan .... sit on nice teak table and chairs to eat, free flow of plain water provided.
Even chio bu go there eat with their hands wan ... don't play play.

Next day, had malay rice. Something I can hardly find here in Malaysia.
Malaysia's malay dishes somehow never look appealing to me, or its just me who doesn't know where to get good malay rice.

Random-ing before suffering ....



I was surviving the pain ! ^_^

If there's internal blood clot in a particular area, there will be more blood being drawed.

Okay, Enough of my treatment.

At night, we went to Geylang for durian again, and I also eaten the famous Geylang Beef Kuey Teow.

Goodies.

Kah Fei and Tony Hoon.

30th May 2008, Few hours before I board the bus to Singapore-KL, I had some good chinese Nasi Lemak.
For $2.50, you'll get a piece of drumstick/chicken wing, egg, fish( not sure what fish is it ) and a piece of fish cake/ham.

This particular store has been featured in Singapore's magazine and newspaper.
This is the only Nasi lemak stall I see people lining up to buy, whereas others ... hmm...

I heard some people saying Singapore's standard of living is high, but if we are earning and spending Sing dollar,
then I would say the standard of living is far lower than Malaysia.

And of course, among the few magazines that I would never leave Singapore without buying :P

When Daddy Think He Knows Best ...

While I was updating my resume to apply for a part-time Fitness Instructor opening, I recalled something my dad told me few years ago when I was still actively competing in Taekwondo competitions and other sports.

My parents are the conservative types where they think their child should be studying hard, get a good job with high salary. They never want their child should be taking part in any sports as it's just waste of time and will not bring any benefit.


Worst still, my dad told me no employers will want to hire someone who's into combat sports.
During that time, I wasn't able to defend my stand although I believe whatever I go through with combat sports will be beneficial to me one day in the future, somehow or rather.

Today I realized, what I believe appears to be true. As I would like to venture into the fitness industry once I complete my tertiary education, my experiences as a district level and state reserves athlete will be giving me credits as part of my resume.

I am certainly feeling pissed off with my dad somehow today, if not for his disapproval for me to take part in sports, I would have made it further than what I've achieved before I ended my career prematurely.

Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]

I've been itching to get my Canon EF-S 18-55MM f/3.5-5.6 II replaced for the past few months, but I was being lazy to drop by camera shops to survey and of course purchasing the iPhone causes some delay as well.

Getting a Canon lens is pretty much out of my budget especially for fast lenses, so I shortlisted a few 3rd party lenses instead;

1. Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]
2. Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
3. Tokina AT-X 16-50mm F2.8 PRO DX

I went over to YL Camera Service at Pudu Plaza this afternoon to check out some used Canon L lenses that caught my attention via ShutterAsia forum and recommendation by Peter Tan, the Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM (RM2.9K-RM3.1K) and Canon EF 16-35MM F/2.8L USM(RM2.9K). I thought I'll be getting those L lenses, but somehow I just don't feel good about buying 2nd hand lenses, although 3 months warranty is given by YL Camera Service, and they worked pretty well when I tested them.

So I settled for a Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] at RM1580 (inclusive of HOYA UV(N)HMC Filter) instead, But I'm hold back from buying any Tele lenses at the moment.

Taken with Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]

Taken with Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II

So far I can only say I love it's faster focusing speed and bokeh compared to Canon EF-S 18-55MM f/3.5-5.6 II.

Bruce Lee's Striking Thoughts

"Defeat is a state of mind. No one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to greater effort to achieve my goal. Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing; it is a path leading to success and truth."

Bruce Lee
1940-1973, Martial Artist, Actor and Author

Sweetest Fear

You are my sweetest, but also the one I fear most.

Apple iPhone

My loyal Motorola e398 that has been serving me since November 2004 has been put into retirement.

Before that, I was considering a PDA, but based on experienced PDA users' advise, I decided that I want to be an iPhone owner instead.

Sadly, there is no official release of iPhone in Malaysia and Singapore until now. What are available in our local market are imported and hacked iPhone(s) without official warranty by Apple. You would be considered lucky to be given warranty by the trader themselves.

I was lucky enough as one of my relative were coming back to Malaysia for a holiday and I decided to ask for her help. Thankfully, my iPhone's journey to Malaysia was a smooth one from the States and arrived in Malaysia on the 25th March 2008.

Even the unlocking process was smooth, all thanks to ZiPhone, I didn't have to pay anyone to perform the unlocking for me.
Thanks to Ken Lui as well for informing me that we can unlock ourselves without needing to spend money on such service, but just download the software from the internet. Previously hackers would need to use a specially modified sim in order to get the iPhone hacked, unlike now, everything is so easy with just one click of any various iPhone hacking software available.

Nice touch screen. Very responsive and sensitive.

Nice and smooth finishing by Apple.

Resting on it's stand. In the process of getting it's battery charged.

Even we looked so happy inside it :-P~

The only drawback of this phone so far to me is the SMS feature. It doesn't allow it users to save messages as draft. If that's not bad enough, we can't forward SMS(s), copy paste words. Hopefully someone will come out with a good 3rd party application for SMS.

And as the touchscreen is so sensitive and one alphabet/number is so narrow to each other, I tend to always accidentally press the wrong information needed. I also tend to press send before I could complete my message. I would probably need a Pogo Stylus for iPhone as well for this issue.

Finally, I hope hackers can keep abreast with Apple's updates on curbing unauthorized iPhone users like me by updating their firmware.
The news released by Macworld, iPhone hackers look to an uncertain future certainly doesn't sounds good at all for many people, including me. Currently the hacked 1.1.4 version isn't exactly stable compared to the hacked 1.1.3 version.

Total of USD427 for a 8GB version, inclusive of shipping and tax, which is below RM1400, It is worth every single cent my dad paid for this phone for me.