Problems problems problems

"…From childhood we are trained to have problems. When we are sent to school, we have to learn how to write, how to read, and all the rest of it. How to write becomes a problem to the child. Please follow this carefully. Mathematics becomes a problem, history becomes a problem, as does chemistry. So the child is educated, from childhood, to live with problems—the problem of God, problem of a dozen things. So our brains are conditioned, trained, educated to live with problems. From childhood we have done this. What happens when a brain is educated in problems? It can never solve problems; it can only create more problems. When a brain that is trained to have problems, and to live with problems, solves one problem, in the very solution of that problem, it creates more problems. From childhood we are trained, educated to live with problems and, therefore, being centred in problems, we can never solve any problem completely. It is only the free brain that is not conditioned to problems that can solve problems. It is one of our constant burdens to have problems all the time. Therefore our brains are never quiet, free to observe, to look. So we are asking: Is it possible not to have a single problem but to face problems? But to understand those problems, and to totally resolve them, the brain must be free."

That Benediction is Where You Are, pp 18-19
Jiddu Krisnamurthi

Going somewhere?

I was anxiously waiting...

and waiting...

and waiting.

Finally I got the approval today! I get to go to the MAA seminar this weekend!

Yaaayyyyy!

Thank you AI!

Hold on...I need to take some precautions before I fly off. Well let's see, I have taken my flu jab, I am in good condition, taking my tablets etc and...oh I need some masks! (I know that these precautions will not bring to naught my exposure to the H1N1 virus because I am travelling but its better than nothing.)

Guardian pharmacy was out of masks and instead of going to the other branches I picked a pharmacy where I thought people won't think of going to...the one next to Ayamku in town. I went into the pharmacy and lo and behold! They have a whole line of masks for you to choose from! There's the diosposable flimsy one right to the sophisticated ones with an air regulator. I shortlisted 3 but ruled on out because it made me look like a duck hehehe. I know what you are thinking...ini untuk keselamatan apa lagi mau cantik.

Anyway I bought 2 masks.

This is the mask that is recommended by most friends including those working with MOH as it offers more protection. It costs B$4.50

Ahhh...I saw this one which I quite fancy. Its got an air regulator in front! It also looks more reliable.

Turn to the back and there are instructions on how to put them on. This one costs a cool B$15.00.


I just hope that I will be able to avoid the snare of the H1N1 (like, forever!) and have a safe and enjoyable trip. Have a great week ahead and a smashing weekend!

Popping balls!

I went to hang out with sifu and grandmaster at Saffron one night wanting to have a look at the bar that was newly opened last week. I really like the orange walls and the tiled wallpapers. Nice ambience.

As we sat at the bar deciding what to order for drinks I was recommended to try the "Paris Sunset". Sounds nice and after getting clarification on what the flavours are I decided to order one, not without protesting that there should also be a "Brunei sunset"!

These balls look different from the ones you get when drinking milk tea.


Guess what?


They are different!


These are no ordinary balls...


They are called "popping balls!"

You see, the balls pop in your mouth when you apply pressure and syrup comes out of them! It is a nice sensation when that happens and you would drink like a little child, looking for more balls to pop! The flavour of the syrup in my balls were passion fruit I think...The drink was a little on the sweet side.

Order one now and try it out. It's so good it pops in your mouth!


Exclusively at Saffron.

My second set of finnies

I was so excited when Ing passed my my Force Fin Pro last night after dinner. When she handed the box to me she took great pains to assure me that the fins are indeed yellow despite the pink fins displayed on the box.

Light these fins are.

I tried them on with the dive socks but I need to pull the strap all the way to the end to secure my foot. I wonder if they may be a bit loose. Anyhow there are always the booties later on hehe.

I probably won't be able to start diving until mid July with the upcoming aikido seminar and work. Can't wait to try these out! If its good for me I might ask C to donate her force fins to me! hahahaha.

Ha Ha Ha!

I know it is rather belated but it still warrants a post on my blog.

The cancellation of the Hello Kitty concert was one of the best things that happened this year!

Natural born poser- my dah-ling B

Am I cute or what?


Please don't stare...I shy...


Ok since you like me so much I will smile for the camera


By now you would be completely under my spell...


Resistance is futile...

Love you to bits my cute munchkin!

Aiyo

Aiyo! My Yamato summer dogi is still in the shop.

Why? Both the computers in the shop are down and have been sent to be re-formatted. It looks as if it will be another week before I get my dogi back which brings it to 3 weeks! I just hope the embroidery can be done in time for me to bring to KL for the seminar next week!

If not I will just have them embroidered after I get back...

Hey guys, miss you!

The 3 Ms, pride and joy of my aunt S and uncle C


The intelligent and responsible M1


The warm and passionate M2


The adorable and cheerful M3

Happy Father's Day

To all the fathers out there

AD DVD night

Finally after a couple of month's the 10th IAF congress & Seminar DVD has arrived! Many thanks to Chiong san for making the online order. He went through quite a bit of problems before finally getting the dvd. Apparently after waiting for some time he wrote to the website selling dvd to inquire the status of the dvd delivery. The reply was that they did not receive payment and he has to make another credit card payment. After issuing threats to report this matter to Hombu and admonishing the vendors for their less than virtuous business practices the dvd arrived a few days later.

I thought that the members would benefit from watching the seminar I suggested that we hold a dvd might for AD members. Actually there was an ulterior motive...and very minor one I might add. Well 3 of us from AD attended the seminar and since sensei and I conscientously attended each session I thought there might some footage of us on the mat. I know, how vain you might say. At least I am honest about it hehehe.

We had a potluck session and Chiong and Jeon took the trouble to getting vegetarian food to cater for my current diet which I am very grateful for. After some small chat and dinner the dvd premiere went underway. I was quite certain that I would not be featured in the dvd because Chiong said he scanned through the dvd and he saw only 2 of us in the dvd. We all who the first person is and when I saw sensei on the dvd I was convicted that I am doomed to the realm of the unknown. I was even accused of not attending the seminar and going shopping by my sensei! His ego was very inflated by then because we could all see him in seiza in the first row during Smibert shihan's session. Apparently the footage of AI was not too clear because he was seated quite far behind. Well I knew that I was there and I have the pictures to prove it!

As we settled down to watch the sessions after exclaiming and pointing out friends and acquaintances on the dvd everyone sat in fixation and admiration of the quality of aikido that is shown by the shihans and their uke.

It was great to refresh myself with what has been taught during that week in Tanabe. To me it was really aikido heaven. There are many things that I would like to say about my life with aikido but I think for now it is best kept to myself. All I can say is that aikido opened a new chapter of my life and made a very impact in my life. I could have started aikido earlier when I was in university but I believe there is a reason why I would only acquaint myself to it only 2 years ago. Since then its been a very interesting and enlightening time. I wouldn't dare say that I will be training aikido forever as I do not know what will happen tomorrow. I can say though is that aikido has become a very big part of my life and I will continue to learn it and come to my own finding as to what it embodies. As long as I able, aikido will always be by my side. I also made many friends, good ones at that too, because of aikido.

Enough said. I reckon there will be a few things that my senpai would like to try on Monday's training as a result of the dvd night. I am looking forward to all of it.

P/S: you can see more pictures of the DVD night here.