Buddhist ? What Buddhist ?

I am a volunteer with a Buddhist organization, technically I am a Buddhist, because my IC says so. But let me state this clearly, I am not a Buddhist. So what am I?? I am a truth seeker. I am spiritual but never religious.

Why am I not a Buddhist? "Buddhist" or "Buddhism" never even existed in the first place.
The Buddha did not created Buddhism and called himself and his followers Buddhist.

It is merely conventional labeling and I am never attached to it.

I dislike when people get so attached to Buddhist this and that.
I usually hear people say : "Buddhist should have 'these' qualities", "This is Buddhist values".

What the Buddha taught was Universal Values and Law.
Stop claiming it belongs to the Buddhist and get BIG headed! .
Enough of being ANAL with it.

POOORAH!

Pre-marital sex discussion in class

It goes like this, we were asked to discuss about so-called taboo issues, from homosexuality, pre-marital sex, abortion and yada yada the list goes on.

Our group choose pre-marital sex because we think it's fun. Why fun? try it and you'll know. HAHAHA! one girl group member actually said that to me lah ok...

One group member said, " Damn! Pre-marital sex is soooo taboo lah for me "
"Ok then, let's discuss about Post-marital sex then " I replied.
Everyone laughed, although I never thought it was funny.

After 20 minutes discussion, we were asked to present our point to the class, and the last point made the whole class went " huh ?? " for a second before breaking into laughter. The lecturer was kinda stunned too ..

" Pre-marital sex is like test driving before buying ".

Make sense? in a way also lah, girls won't want to marry some impotent guy right?
and same goes to guy, who wants to marry a girl who can't fuck or ok lah, fuck properly. lol

Yes, that is a point that I actually mentioned. But then it's all the girl's fault also lah.

Got one girl actually told me "I don't wanna marry and only know that my husband can't fuck me on the special night". Another one told me " I don't wanna be the one teaching him how to fuck"

Coming from girls, I'm loving it ! hahaha!

An Internal Letter for ISSA staff from Dr. Arria - RE: www.ISSAonline.edu domain

Good afternoon!

It's OFFICIAL!!! www.ISSAonline.edu

I'm very proud to announce that the ISSA has been granted the restricted privilege of using a .EDU domain name. The ISSA has again led the industry by becoming the first and only fitness organization to be granted this privilege.

As you'll see below, there are mandatory federal regulations for schools, organizations and colleges to use a .EDU domain. No other fitness organization can use a .edu domain because they’re accreditation is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All ISSA members can be proud that our institution has met the most rigorous accreditation standards established by the DETC. Because of this prestigious accreditation, we have bee granted the privilege to use a .edu domain, just like other truly nationally accredited organizations, schools, colleges and universities.

To remain at the forefront of an industry, a company must truly lead...and for 20 years we have!

I'd like to thank each of you for your dedication and commitment to our fine organization as we remain, "The World Leader In Fitness Education & Certification."

Congratulations!

Sal -- Dr. Sal Arria CEO, Co-Founder ISSA International Sports Sciences Association www.FitnessEducation.com

****

What is the .EDU domain?

The .edu domain is one of the seven original top-level subdivisions of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS). The .edu domain is intended for accredited post-secondary educational U.S. institutions. It is managed under the authority of the United States Department of Commerce.

What are the eligibility requirements for obtaining a name in the .EDU domain?

Only postsecondary institutions that are institutionally accredited by an agency on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies (see recognized accrediting bodies) may obtain an Internet name in the .edu domain. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Note that institutional accreditation is required for .edu eligibility; program accreditation is not sufficient. Not all agencies accredit institutions. Some accredit only institutions, some accredit only programs, and others accredit both institutions and programs.

The U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and State Agencies are the only official comprehensive lists of agencies.

CNY 2009

Some photos during Chinese New Year at Penang :)

Short Reflection

I've arrived safely in Penang about 2 hours ago, only to be kept awake by the caffeine that I consumed to keep me alert while driving back here, my father took over later on for the remaining 70++km before arriving to Butterworth.

As I was sitting and relaxing, I did a short reflection;

I will be turning 21 this year. I used to think that "I am still young and I have plenty of time". But this few days a feeling in me that somehow made me uneasy was " I am young, but not too young in a few years time ". I used to live with the excuse that I am still young, therefore it's fine to be ignorant when I don't know about something, but soon that excuse will come into expiry as my age grows. Responsibilities are getting heavier as well.

Personally, I think there is no reason for me to be procrastinating and thinking I still have plenty of time anymore. Things that are needed to be done, should be done as soon as possible. Opportunities that arises should be appreciated and made use of.

If I were to look back what I've allowed in the past 5 years, since 2004, I am indeed glad and never look back to my journey of my growth that made me what I am today. Nothing great, nothing big, I only did small things with love, and still allowing it.

Internal Letter sent from Dr. Sal Arria to the ISSA staff - RE: DETC Accreditation

Today marks a monumental event for the entire fitness profession. This time, the ISSA truly raised the bar for the fitness industry by becoming the first fitness organization in the United States to have earned accreditation through the distinguished Accreditation Commission of the DETC.

The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

For the ISSA to earn this prestigious national accreditation, unlike any fitness organization in the United States, the ISSA passed rigorous onsite evaluations by DETC examiners. In addition to passing an institutional evaluation, ISSA's educational programs were subjected to the scrutiny of peer review by independent, third party examiners and passed with stellar grades.

The ISSA is also very proud to announce that we are the only fitness organization in the U.S. that has earned the right to register and utilize a .EDU domain. No other fitness organization has earned this respected honor.

Eligibility for a .edu domain name is limited to U.S. postsecondary institutions that are institutionally accredited, i.e., the entire institution and not just particular programs, by agencies on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The only accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are listed below.

http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html

You won't find NCCA on this list. They aren't authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to grant accreditation.

The ISSA chose to pursue and meet the DETC's difficult standards for accreditation because the Commission is dedicated to fostering quality assurance, protection of the rights of the students and institutional self-improvement through voluntary accreditation via peer evaluation. DETC accreditation aims to instill public confidence in DETC institutions' missions, goals, performances, and resources through rigorous application and peer-developed accreditation standards.

I'm very proud to celebrate with each of you today and from here out, as we continue to provide high quality education, excellent student service and constantly strive to help each of our students and professional members succeed.

This is a monumental occasion for the fitness industry, for the fitness profession, for all ISSA Professional members. I thank you, the incredible staff and professors of the ISSA, for helping us prove yet AGAIN, that the ISSA is truly the World Leader In Fitness Education and Certification!!

Very sincerely,
Sal

Short Reflection

A close friend of mine asked me out for lunch a while ago, I had to turn her down as I've taken mine earlier and as I am also preparing for a Management Course later at 3pm. She was taken to surprise that I am even attending course on Sunday.
She reminded me about trips that we've planned together with our close friends, but failed to materialize.

I paused for a moment after reading her reminder.

Something to reflect on .... That I have been so busy attending courses here and there, volunteering my services and life with University.