Monday 31 January 2005

Trial Session@True Yoga


Ahah yeah finally i managed to motivate myself to go for True Yoga trial sessions since that was the very reason why i bought January's issue of Her World.

So Saturday, I reached Pacific Plaza right on time, to be greeted by the staff at True Yoga's towel counter....Namaste! I looked around and i realise the yoga centre is pretty open concept. There was a lounge, restroom and 2 studios.The towel counter is pretty much outdoor, the restrooms are real roomy and clean. Very nice. Studios are very clean too but pretty much for all to see as they were juz made of glass panels, and escalators serving the public run juz outside the studios. The facilities look exactly like shown in the magazine and website.

Now abt the class. I attended Yoga Combat. It's made of 70% kickboxing and 30% yoga. Hmm was not too impressed with the combat part cos i was expectin somethin that really increase my heart rate and flying kicks and all...but no, things were pretty mellow in the class and the instructor was busy tryin to interact with students on the floor that everyone lost their rhythm. Ok nvr mind that, cos when it comes to Abs section of tis class, Fooh...i struggled! I am really weak when it comes to workin out the lower abs muscles, what more when i haven't even done any leg lifts for almost a year or so! Oh finally..somethin that really felt like a work out! Done with my combat and abs, we proceeded to do some sun salutation poses. Tis i'm ok, no comments as it went good.

Then abt 10 mins before the class ended, all of us were to lie down and rest on our tummies, close our eyes and focus on our breathin. I'm ok wif it too, except that I can't close my eyes and i saw someone hoppin from one person to another. It was the instructor. I wondered what was it he was doin but didn't think much abt it and closed my eyes till he came and massaged me! Yes! Massaged me, from my neck to my back! He pressed my back against the floor and I could hear it go "Krek,krek krek". I was Shocked to get such a treatment! I wasn't told abt it and the bloody instructor was a Guy! I was new there but he didn't ask for my permission. I could have protested but hmm bein in the yogic environment, i think it's better not to disturb the peace. After givin massages to ALL the students, the instructor went back to his platform and sit for meditation. By then, i'm a lil squirmy already. Ohm....Santhi...my head's hearin the hums but i'm too scared to say the chant cos what the hell is ohm santhi?! I dunno the meanin...so i decided to juz breathe.

Now my back aches but i hope it's not because my spine's fractured or somethin, hope it's realigned instead. I've got 2 more sessions to attend but I guess i'm too culture shocked to attend anymore classes. Oh did I mention that chants were played in the restrooms too? Is tis THE true way of practisin yoga? If it is then ermms it's not for me, i guess. Juz too spiritual and more massagin from a guy instructor?? Errr no thank u.....

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Took these pointers from the newspaper recently which featured Stephen R. Covey, the writer of the book 7 Habits and The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness. Here's Covey's 7 Habits-and his 8th-at a glance:

1. Be Proactive
You can always choose to respond in any given situation, so choose what earns your respect, trust and love.

2. Begin with the End in Mind
Ask yourself what moves you to act in principled and Fulfilling ways. Then write that down, plus how You could make a difference.

3. Put first things first
Picture what you really care abt as Rocks. Then picture the day's many demands that, while immediate, will not add much to building a character. Make sure you fill your week with more rocks than stones

4. Think win-win
If you and I have only one orange between us, don't just slice it in half. I might actually want only the peel, and you the juice. So strive for solutions that make Everyone better off.

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Always listen deeply and respectfully first to what others have to say, before you jump in with what you feel and think.

6. Synergise
Make the most of others' strengths and always be open to new ways of doing things

7. Sharpen the saw
Living all the above habits are useless if you're physically weak. So Exercise and live Responsibly and Joyfully.

8. The 8th Habit
Find your own voice and help others find theirs.

Wednesday 26 January 2005

Action Hero, Yoganista or Slacker?


Dum di dum di dum....

Well well, some of u noe that i'll be quittin my job nxt month rite and last week my HR assistant was enquirin whether I'd like to terminate my membership at the fitness centre. Hmm reluctantly, i had to say Yes cos i really dun wanna be tied down workin at the company any more! Plus I haven't been workin out regularly since last August cos mainly I have issues wif the instructor, cos she's such a Fake person in my point of view and also because I have lost my motivation, due to some incident prior August.

THE ISSUE (skip if u dun wanna read my ramblings)
{{U see, abt tis instructor, before she had any favour to ask from me, she treated me as if I was invisible, not a smile, dun even look at my direction even when I'm right in front of her. It's sickenin when suddenly she became friendly to me when she learnt that I belly dance, she told me she too took up belly dance(BD) some time back (a couple of lessons) when i asked abt her BD background and asked me sweetly to lend her my CDs... what for? So that she can rip my CDs and teach BD at the studio! Pfft! I got so mad abt it...So was my partner...she was obviously usin me isn't it?! Basket!! I dun mean to criticise, but her postures and accents were weird when i saw her dance..it's more geared towards Latin dancin, not BD...yet she got the cheek to wanna teach BD?! I believe she's takin BD as her cash cow since yeah, BD sounds like sexy and there's a potential market for it, definitely there will be ladies ready to jump into it. Man...BD is my passion and i think if i gave my CDs to her, i'll be sellin my soul to one who is opportunistic, who doesn't seem to treasure the art, the passion, the beauty of BD. No way i'm supportin her lead a buncha newbies, that's total Injustice! So because of tis matter, I ended up boycottin her classes for a looong time!}}

Back to main topic: Today i received a letter from the fitness centre statin that I could continue my membership and pay the usual fees (~$40/month!) despite the fact that I'm leavin. I think it's a Wonderful offer cos it came in time when i actually found out that I am 2.5kg heavier than what i was 2 months back! And i noe where those extra kilos came from...my essential 5Cs- choclit, cheesecakes, cookies, (ice)-cream and candy! Yes yes all due my over-indulgence and my lack of workin out! I have to do somethin abt it, yes? Was reflectin my life exactly one year back, I was quite a fitness freak, abt to upgrade herself from bein confined to doin cardio workouts in the studio durin lunch time, to hittin the gym for some weight trainings in the evenings. But now, look at me, a Slob...a freakin lazy, unmotivated Slob, i doubt i could even do five push ups even if i tried! Bummer!!!

Before I got the offer letter, I was also lookin at alternative clubs that I could join. Am pretty attracted to join True Yoga, for their Power Yoga and Yoga Combat classes, can't find the fees online but judgin from the poshness of the club from pics on its website (www.trueyoga.com.sg) and magazine, I'm pretty sure it'll be way way more Expensive than the fitness centre that I'm in at the moment.

So friends, tell me, should i go ahead and grab the offer, and start exercisin again since i'll have time in my hand when i'm finally off the company's payroll? Should i juz ignore the fact that the instructor is a manipulator and focus on the fact that she is One Bloody Fit Woman who is capable of helpin me to keep myself in shape (that makes me the manipulator ain't it?)? What if she comes up to me again to ask for those cds? Should I juz try out True Yoga for a more holistic and therapeutic work out sessions altho i'm pretty sure the fees is OTT? But for sure, I dun wanna be slackin ard for long, i dun wanna add on more to my paunch, my arms and my ass, i wanna be Fit, fit enuff for tis year's Women's Day Out at least! Hmmmm....I have till 31st Jan to think it over.
What say u?

Photos taken off http://derstandard.at

Monday 24 January 2005

Bang Bang


Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down

My baby shot me yeah, but wif cam lah..Haha! Hope i won't die lookin like tis or any worse than tis, man! Eeks so Unglam!

Friday 21 January 2005

Rememberin Her on Eid ul Adha...U go Gurl!



She was the second wife to a man who was 86yrs old. After the birth of her son, her husband decided to bring her to a place far away from home. They walked for miles, on bare terrains under the desert sun and cold nights. Many a times she asked her beloved husband, where is he bringin her to, but he didn't utter a word. He did not even glance at her. They kept on walkin till they reach a no man's land, in the middle of nowhere where water is scarce and the land is infertile. Her husband decided to leave her and her baby there before headin back to his homeland again. But tis lady, with the company of just her baby, is content with her husband's doing. She didn't cling on to her husband and begged him to bring her elsewhere. She didn't mind her husband leavin her in a land that's bare. She took it all in her stride.

Is she a mad woman or what, u may ask? And what sort of man is husband? Irresponsible?

The answer is no, she's not mad or is her husband irresponsible. In fact he was a Messenger of God, Prophet Abraham (as). Leavin his wife in the desert of Mecca is a great test from God to both him and his wife, Siti Hajar (Hagar). Before he left her there, he actually did answer one of her question..."was tis an order from God?" and he replied "Yes". And to that, Hagar felt content and grateful, cos she knew that even if Abraham (as) left, God will be there to guide her and protect her. She bore no grudge against her husband, who soon after left for Palestine. Her life on the desert did not come easy in any way. SHe's got a baby to feed and had to look here and there for water. She kept faith and ran from one hill (Safa) to another (Marwah), not once but seven times, to look for water for her cryin baby. She can't find water, but the Merciful Lord, was indeed watchin over Hagar and her son, Ismail (Ishmael). He sent the angel Jibril (Gabriel) to provide them water, in a form of a spring (it's called the Zamzam). Her life evolved around the spring and some time later, a nomadic tribe found her and her baby and decided to reside with her. Years later, Abraham(as) came back to find her and built the Ka'bah, which is now visited yearly by millions of Muslims to perform their Hajj.

Can u juz imagine, a woman, all by herself in a desert with a baby fighting the extreme desert weather? Can u imagine how her heart breaks every time her child cries when he was hungry or thirsty and she cannot provide for him? Can u feel the desperation of a mother? Can u feel how much energy she spent and wasted? Can u feel her sore legs?? Pure respect and admiration is what i have for her!

Hagar's faith, patience and sacrifice is indeed exemplary for us. Though compared to her husband and her son, she hardly get much mention in the Quran but God honoured what she went through, to the extend that He made her runnings from one hill to another one of the crucial ritual in performing the Hajj.

How could u still whine and complain with all the luxury that u have right now ppl? Wake up, Praise God for all these blessings we indulge in, life's not that bad! Trust in God no matter what circumstances and situations we are in, remember tis story of Hagar. Let go the woes and bitterness of whatever tough shit that u r in, for u'll noe, if u keep ur pace and put total faith in God, things will eventually get better. Seek His help when u r troubled, and thank Him all the time for He is always watchin over us, offerin His merciful "hand" for those who reach out to Him. And remember,

"If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust" (Al-Baqarah:160)

*Blessed Eid ul Adha to all my fellow Muslims, and may u have a Haji Mabrur to those who performed the Hajj tis year*


Monday 17 January 2005

No more What Ifs




The unimaginable has happened.
The "ridiculous" has occured.
The Wedding of Ayu & Adi.

Ayu dropped a bomb on all of us when she announced that she got engaged last month, December. She was single and available all the time, who the heck is she engaged to?! We had no idea who the fiance is, who tis Adi is. Even she herself dunno him, besides the fact that he attends the same religious class as she did. She then announced that she was gettin married to this someone in January! Shocked and appalled we were, upon hearin the news! Good God, what has overcome tis gurl? Gettin married to someone she noes zilch abt??? How could she? Is she out of her mind? So many what ifs occured in our minds....But she stood by her parents' will & put her trust in God to be married to tis fateful guy. And by faith, their holy matrimony took place on 15th Jan 05, much to our anxiety. For the first time we saw the mystery man, her man. He looks good, a good young man. Congratulations Ayu & Adi! U both make a handsome couple. May ur journey discovering and living life together, be Beautiful & Blissful :)

Attn to my "Non-Multiply" friends who wanna save ur pics: Pls click on "Show Hi-Res" at the bottom of the photos, and right click ur mouse to save the photos on ur computer.

Btw, here's more pics of her solemnisation & weddin, courtesy of Emilia: Ayu's Wedding

Friday 14 January 2005

Kembalilah Sayang

Sememangnya teguran dalam "entry" kali ini hanyalah sebagai peringatan daripada seorang Muslim utk seorang Muslim. Seperti ubat, ia pahit untuk ditelan tetapi baik buat diri yang mengambilnya. Kita semua tidak jauh daripada kelalaian, malah itu adalah sifat manusia yang tidak dapat kita nafikan. Maka, diharapkan, sambutlah salam/sahutan ini dan pupuklah iman, betapa kecil pun langkah yang kamu ambil, ianya dikira/dilihat oleh Allah. Jgn malu utk menghadapkan diri kepada Allah, sujudlah kepadaNya, panjatkanlah doa dan pohonlah keampunan selagi pintu taubat masih terbuka, sesungguhnya Allah Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Penyayang.

Petikan dibawah ini diambil daripada user dzulrena. Pilu hati bila membaca, hati bergelodak tak terkira. Teringat syarahan-syarahan Ustaz Tengku Fauzi, sama menyengat sama memberi keinsafan. Semoga ia menjadi suatu peringatan buat mu juga, saudara saudaraku.

Rasulullah(saw) bersabda" Ballighu anni walau ayat"
(makna: Sampaikanlah(pesanku) walau satu ayat).
Kerana itu, artikel di bawah ini ada di dalam ruang "entry". Sesungguhnya yg baik datang daripada Allah, yang buruk itu datang daripada Saofiah sendiri, tapislah yang keruh dan ambil lah yang jernih.
(Yes tis is me typin, all the Malay stuff above, not kiddin)

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Wahai Muslimin dan Muslimat..BERINGATLAH!!
Hari qiamat sudah semakin hampir?.. tanda-tanda qiamat sudah
banyak berlaku, baik tanda-tanda kecil mahupun yang besar. Tetapi masih ramai dikalangan kita umat Islam masih tidak sedar. Ini tidak lain kerana kita sudah meninggalkan al-Quran dan sunnah Nabi Muhammad SAW. Yg dilihat hanyalah rukun Islam yg 5 dan rukun Iman yg 6?.tidak lebih daripada itu.

Wahai Muslimin Muslimat!!
Sudahkah kalian membaca akhbar pada hari ini?! Sudahkah kalian
melihat berita perdana semalam & hari ini (baik apa jua salurannya)?
Tidak takutkah kalian dengan apa yang sedang berlaku?? Sepatutnya kita sebagai Muslim tidak harus terkejut dengan apa yang berlaku kerana Rasulullah SAW telah pun memberitahu kpd kita secara detail apa yang nak berlaku diakhir zaman sebelum hari qiamat?. Cuma kita yang tak mahu membaca hadis-hadisnya.

Bacalah hadis-hadis Nabi yang telah disampaikan lebih 1400 tahun
ini dan buatlah persiapan untuknya? JANGAN TUNGGU LAGI. AJAL DATANG SEKELIP MATA. Sabda Rasulullah SAW:
"Sesungguhnya ada sebahagian daripada umatku yang akan meminum arak dan mereka menamakannya dengan nama yang lain(bukan arak). (Mereka meminumnya) sambil dialunkan dengan bunyi muzik dan suara artis-artis. Allah SWT akan menenggelamkan mereka ke dalam bumi (dengan gempa bumi) dan akan menjadikan
mereka seperti kera dan babi (setelah mati)". (Hadis Riwayat Ibnu
Majjah)

Drpd Anas bin Malik ra, Rasulullah SAW bersabda:"Sesungguhnya di antara tanda-tanda telah hampirnya hari Qiamat itu, berlaku banyak kematian manusia secara mendadak" (Hadis riwayat
Thabrani)

Drpd Abu Hurairah ra, Rasulullah SAW bersabda: "Tidak akan datang hari qiamat sehinggalah berlakunya banyak gempa bumi"
(Hadis Riwayat Bukhari) Rasulullah SAW bersabda:"Sebelum berlakunya hari qiamat, akan terdapatnya kematian yang
amat menakutkan dan kemudian dari itu berlakulah tahun-tahun gempa bumi" (Hadis riwayat Ahmad)

Daripada Ali bin Abi Thalib ra, Rasulullah SAW bersabda: "Apabila umatku telah membuat 15 perkara, maka BALA pasti akan turun
kepada mereka, iaitu:
1. Apabila harta negara hanya beredar di kalangan orang tertentu
sahaja
2. Apabila amanah dijadikan suatu sumber keuntungan
3. Zakat dijadikan hutang
4. Suami menurut kehendak isteri (dalam perkara bertentangan
syariat)
5. Anak derhaka terhadap ibunya
6. Akan tetapi (anak tadi) sangat baik terhadap kawan-kawannya.
7. Ia (anak) suka menjauhkan diri daripada ayahnya
8. Suara sudah ditinggikan di dalam masjid.
9. Yang menjadi ketua sesuatu kaum adalah orang yang paling hina
di antara mereka.
10. Seseorang dimuliakan kerana ditakuti kejahatannya.
11. Arak sudah diminum secara berleluasa.
12. Kain sutera banyak dipakai (oleh kaum lelaki)
13. Para artis-artis disanjung-sanjung.
14. Muzik banyak dimainkan/didendangkan.
15. Generasi akhir umat ini akan melaknat generasi pertama (para
sahabat terdahulu).

Maka pada ketika itu hendaklah mereka menanti angin merah atau
GEMPA BUMI ataupun mereka akan dirubah menjadi makhluk lain" (Hadis Riwayat At-Tirmidzi)

Wahai Muslimin Muslimat! APA LAGI YG ANDA TUNGGU??!!
BERINGATLAH!! KEMBALILAH KEPADA ISLAM?.JANGAN LAGI NAK BERDOLAK-DALIH! Janganlah kalian SOMBONG & EGO terhadap ALLAH!! Sedarlah diri kalian!! Adakah kalian ingin menunggu maut datang di hadapan anda baru nak bertaubat?? Sampai bilakah anda nak TUNGGU & TUNGGU, NANTI & NANTI,TANGGUH & TANGGUH untuk berubah dan membuat persediaan diri?? Adakah anda tahu bila anda akan MATI?? Adakah anda boleh jamin yg anda akan hidup Sehingga ke akhir hari ini??

Kalian yang tidak solat, TUNAIKANLAH SOLAT. Kalian yang tidak menutup aurat, atau menutup sebahagian tetapi membuka sebahagian yang lain, atau yang memakai baju nampak pusat, seluar
dalam, baju dalam (laknat Allah dan RasulNya ke atas mereka),
BERTAUBATLAH!!
TUTUPLAH AURATMU DENGAN SEMPURNA!!
HENTIKANLAH SEGALA BENTUK MAKSIAT!!

Hentikanlah mendengar muzik-muzik yang melalaikan!! Tunaikanlah zakat dan haji bagi yang berkemampuan. Tunaikanlah kewajipan kalian sebagai MUSLIM & PENDAKWAH?apa yang Kalian
dah buat??

Di manakah AKHLAK & ADAB ANDA SEBAGAI MUSLIM? Mengaku saja diri kalian sebagai Muslim?.memang muka tak malu!!

Bagi para muslimin? Di manakah solat berjemaah anda di
masjid-masjid, surau-surau & rumah-rumah?.adakah kalian masih terus nak jadi muslim yang tak guna & mementingkan diri sendiri??

Bagi para suami, para bapa, para isteri, para ibu? Didiklah
anak-anak kalian!! kalian diberi amanah untuk menjaga dan mendidik, bukan sekadar membuat & menternak anak-anak!! jadikanlah mereka sebagai anak yang soleh & solehah. pada masa yang sama, kalian juga wajib menunjukkan contoh pada mereka sebagai muslim, bukan sekadar menghantar mereka ke sekolah
agama.

Amalkanlah ISLAM 100%, bermula dari rumah. [36.11] Sesungguhnya peringatan dan amaran (yang berkesan dan Mendatangkan faedah) hanyalah yang engkau berikan kepada orang yang sedia menurut Ajaran Al-Quran serta ia takut (melanggar perintah Allah) Ar-Rahman semasa ia tidak dilihat orang dan semasa ia tidak melihat azab Tuhan. Oleh itu berilah kepadanya berita yang mengembirakan dengan keampunan dan pahala yang mulia.

Sunday 9 January 2005

My Dolly




1. the beautiful Arwa
2. my experiments

P.S. GUYS: dun even think of gettin her number from me :b

Friday 7 January 2005

EQ: Roadblock Ahead






Your EQ is


120


50 or less: Thanks for answering honestly. Now get yourself a shrink, quick!


51-70: When it comes to understanding human emotions, you'd have better luck understanding Chinese.


71-90: You've got more emotional intelligence than the average frat boy. Barely.


91-110: You're average. It's easy to predict how you'll react to things. But anyone could have guessed that.


111-130: You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt.


131-150: You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin.


150+: Two possibilities - you've either out "Dr. Phil-ed" Dr. Phil... or you're a dirty liar.





Hey! WHat's meant by Roadblocks tend to land me on my Butt?? *scratches head*