A Bento Story

Some of you may not know, I have a thing for lunchboxes. I look at lunchboxes so often my mom will sigh at the sight, just as how I would sigh when she looks at the pots and pans. Hehehe.

Anyway, I have now have a decent collection of lunchboxes and use them as often as I can. I even have a lunch jar gifted by my colleagues because that is the only thing they are sure I would want. That lunch jar will feature in another post, hopefully.

My lastest lunchbox is Lock N Lock set from Hua Ho. There were 2 types of lunchboxes but I choose this because the top layer has 3 compartments which I thought would be more useful than the other with 2 compartments (don't ask me why...). They didn't have white so I chose my next favoured colour, red. I had used it a few times and I am surprised that the volume of food contained in this small lunchbox set is actually sufficient for my diet. It looks very small compared to the lunch jars and other lunchboxes that I use but then again...like I said, its size is good enough for my stomach.

I did a fair bit of research on the effects of plastics on food and finally decided that PP5 plastic is reasonably safe to use.

Chin said that she wants to see what food I put in it so here it goes.

Fridays are days of abstinence for me so no meat will be featured in my lunchbox. I can eat fish but sometimes I go vegetarian altogether. I like to eat my meals cooked on the day so you RARELY see overnight food in my lunchbox. I was quite rushed today so this meal is very simple. Calrose rice, beaked beans, stir fried broccoli and tuna chunks seasoned with olive oil, lemon and spring onion. So I have my carbohydrates, protein and oils.

 The lunchbox set comes with a keep warm zip bag and a set of plastic spoon and fork.

It is really a very small set. I should have put my hand next to it as a comparison of size. All in all I am very please with my purchase. Hopefully as I make my bentos I will remember to take pictures of them.

A rainy Sunday

I wasn't thinking of doing some housekeeping today but then I got a call early in the morning from sensei to say that he can't conduct class at Seria because he is having dizzy spells. He might have to cancel class if there is no substitute. So I contacted T and we went down together. T is going to take the class and I would be his uke.

T and I had a good chat on our way down to Seria. We arrived half an hour earlier and I did my own stretching. The class consisted of drills for ukemi. What T stressed on is not far from what sensei has benentalking about, but the difference is in the manner and articulation in delivery. With the choice of words and the way they are spoken, the impact can be QUITE different.

I was given 30 minutes of alone time with P to practice techniques for his Ikkyu grading at the end of this month. P wanted to do some tantowaza. As far as I remembered we did yokomenuchi irimingage, shihonage, kaitenage, kotegaeshi and gokyo. We repeated the same techniques with tsuki attack.

After suwariwaza kokyuho everyone lined up after sorting out his/her dogi. T then went to each and every member to adjust seiza position. Opening of the chest, straightening the back, lowering the shoulder. There is a big piece of mirror in front of us and everyone can see the difference after the adjustment. I was the only one that did not need adjustment. I know, there is no humility here. Hehehehe.

After class there was some sharing on aikido techniques and T and I had dinner before going back to BSB. Looking forward to training tomorrow.

Good night!

Happy birthday Charles!

May the Happy Force be with you always!

Change is a constant in life

I find it hard to believe but it's that time again - grading. I have never like doing it. Maybe because ..of few reasons. When I first started Aikido one of the things that attracted me to it is the "no competition" training. I like to think of it as training for self improvement and to resolve confrontation. Putting things back in its place as the saying goes. So I thought I can just come, train, make some friends, work out a sweat and go home feeling good that I am just bit by bit closer to becoming a "martial artist".

Then there was some change.

I started to travel for seminars. I made new friends. I shared my experiences with my fellow members of what's I have experienced training in a dojo from Bangkok to Manchester. I made more friends. 

It didn't stop there. 

My deepening passion for aikido became ostensible to many and it attracted some attention. I was given the opportunity to contribute by being involved in administrative affairs. Because I desire very much to see Aikido progress in my homeland, my involvement in administration became alot heavier. In a couple of days' time, I shall retire my term as the Secretary General of the BAF.

I said to myself, I wish I could go back to the time when I am just an ordinary member, training and enjoy the company of my friends. Now I have responsibilites.

As the change continues, my master tells me he feels that it is time for me to take my shodan test. Hmmmm (read it as - alot of reservation and reluctance). I had a good talk with him about it, as well as my STI. Bottomline, I guess I can't continue to just receive and not give. As much as I hate to admit it, in terms of rank I cannot stay where I am forever ( the issue of rank is another topic altogether which I may revisit in due course). So I must embrace that change and prepare myself as best as I can.

My fellow member who is also due for shodan grading at the same time is worried about his perfomance as a change in the job position made it very difficult for him to train as our usual times. I told him that we train whenever we can and see where that will take us. Last night, he committed himself to a training session with me. It was just the 2 of us and we trained for about 90 minutes before calling it a night. We agreed on a training pattern and offered feedback on the other's perfomance during training. I really enjoyed the training. 

And yes, we have changed. We have come a long way since our days as a newbie on the mat. I am reminded myself of that everytime I see S training at the beginner's section. I wish her many years of good training ahead.

In 3 weeks' time it will mark another change in my life. There will be many more to come. 

Whatever happens, change will always be there. Life is beautiful, isn't it?