Things have hectic lately.
This post won't be on the usual topics. I'd like to provide an update on tough cookie L.
She's been through the first stage of treatment.. and let me tell you.. having seen the ordeal she's had to face, the suffering caused by the chemicals administered.. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the courage and spirit she's shown in the past four months. Those who train in the fighting arts often pride themselves and massage their masochistic egos with the feelgood, mental lubricant of having endured tough and extreme physical training. Yet I doubt that anyone of us "toughies" would voluntarily subject ourselves to the action of harmful drugs which produce a cocktail of damaging side effects that would render one virtually lifeless, raw, wounded and in constant pain. Not just once.. but eight times...
Tell me the most gut-busting, vomit-inducing, gonad-shrinking extreme training you've heard of and I say I'll gladly subject myself to it rather than to undergo the treatment L has endured these past months. Yes, I'm a coward. I'll readily admit that. And I'm really proud of her. She's shown me that courage knows no boundaries and limits; that it comes in all shapes and sizes; and from people whom you least expect it from.
And speaking of shapes and sizes.. I have to say that despite her condition, she's looking more beautiful and attractive than ever. Still turning heads and attracting attention from all those hot-blooded males. None whom can match her mental strength and resilience.
I've learnt a lot these past months. It's been an extremely humbling and challenging period and I'm grateful for this respite, this break in the clouds. Things are brightening up.
Thank you for you postive thoughts and support. Keep them coming.
Take care and bless you... bless us all.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Saturday, December 29, 2007
One Tough Cookie
It's been a while since I last blogged.
A lot of things have happened in the meantime. The most significant event would be when I found out that a close and dear friend of mine, L had a malignant tumour.
She has undergone a successful operation to remove the growth. However, the challenge is not over yet for her. She has to deal with the effects of the surgery and also the follow up treatment. As a close friend I've offered her support and encouragement as best I can. Yet, I often feel powerless and useless. I can sense her anxiety, her fear and her frustration but feel I can't really do anything to help her.
I have to say though that she's handling it really well. She's shown a tough and resilient side of her which I haven't seen before, and I'm mighty impressed. At this point in her life, she's been handed a whole crate of lemons and she's taking them all and making pretty darn good lemonade. She's not letting this get her down. She's up and about getting on with and enjoying life.
L's going through her own personal iron furnace at the moment. I'll support and encourage her all the way and I have no doubt that she will come out of it stronger, tougher, sharper, more refined and more beautiful than before.
So those of you reading this. I'd appreciate it if you can send some positive healing thoughts and prayers this way. It'll definitely help.
I'll end this entry by raising you a glass of delicious, thirst-quenching lemonade, let's toast to a promising, blessed and fruitful new year ahead.
A lot of things have happened in the meantime. The most significant event would be when I found out that a close and dear friend of mine, L had a malignant tumour.
She has undergone a successful operation to remove the growth. However, the challenge is not over yet for her. She has to deal with the effects of the surgery and also the follow up treatment. As a close friend I've offered her support and encouragement as best I can. Yet, I often feel powerless and useless. I can sense her anxiety, her fear and her frustration but feel I can't really do anything to help her.
I have to say though that she's handling it really well. She's shown a tough and resilient side of her which I haven't seen before, and I'm mighty impressed. At this point in her life, she's been handed a whole crate of lemons and she's taking them all and making pretty darn good lemonade. She's not letting this get her down. She's up and about getting on with and enjoying life.
L's going through her own personal iron furnace at the moment. I'll support and encourage her all the way and I have no doubt that she will come out of it stronger, tougher, sharper, more refined and more beautiful than before.
So those of you reading this. I'd appreciate it if you can send some positive healing thoughts and prayers this way. It'll definitely help.
I'll end this entry by raising you a glass of delicious, thirst-quenching lemonade, let's toast to a promising, blessed and fruitful new year ahead.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Chauvinism in the Combative Traditions
I recently read a news item about a woman's attempt to invade the sacred sumo ring - the dohyo.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20882835
According to tradition, women are not allowed to step onto or even touch the dohyo. Such strict adherence to tradition has resulted in controversy in Osaka. Fusae Ota, the female prefectural governor of Osaka repeatedly challenged the Sumo Association's policy by requesting that she fulfill the Osaka governor's traditional role of presenting the Governor's Prize to the winner of the Osaka tournament. This would require her to enter the ring. Her requests have thus far been rejected by the Sumo Federation and she has been obliged to send a male counterpart in her place.
Muay Thai has the same prohibition about women entering the ring. However, this taboo has been somewhat relaxed in recent times.
How such discriminatory practices came about? I can only wonder. Perhaps the historians and anthropologists can provide an explanation. As for their applicability in this modern age of equality, one cannot help but question the value or lack thereof of adhering to to them.
On a related note, Sifu Yong Soon Teik who practises a rare form of Emei kungfu once told me that the Emei style he teaches should not be taught to women. He further elaborated that the training methods for that particular style isn't suitable for women. Having seen the basic training exercises for that style, I'm inclined to agree with sifu. The style at a basic level is characterized with powerful, explosive short range hand strikes to vital points on the opponent's body.
As such, basic training consists of resistance exercises using traditional implements. What would result is a relatively developed upper body with powerful sinewy arms. A physique not typically attributed to feminine beauty.
On the other hand, in this day and age where women outnumber the men in some fitness centers, the perception of female beauty has changed somewhat. Who's to say what is or isn't attractive? Isn't it all in the eye of the beholder?
There probably was a practical reason behind such discrimination in Thailand and Japan back then. I won't even hazard a guess but whatever those reasons were, I'm sure they served their purpose back then and there seems to be very little justification to maintaining them now.
Madam governor of Osaka,
....More Power to Ya!!
Muay Thai has the same prohibition about women entering the ring. However, this taboo has been somewhat relaxed in recent times.
How such discriminatory practices came about? I can only wonder. Perhaps the historians and anthropologists can provide an explanation. As for their applicability in this modern age of equality, one cannot help but question the value or lack thereof of adhering to to them.
On a related note, Sifu Yong Soon Teik who practises a rare form of Emei kungfu once told me that the Emei style he teaches should not be taught to women. He further elaborated that the training methods for that particular style isn't suitable for women. Having seen the basic training exercises for that style, I'm inclined to agree with sifu. The style at a basic level is characterized with powerful, explosive short range hand strikes to vital points on the opponent's body.
As such, basic training consists of resistance exercises using traditional implements. What would result is a relatively developed upper body with powerful sinewy arms. A physique not typically attributed to feminine beauty.
On the other hand, in this day and age where women outnumber the men in some fitness centers, the perception of female beauty has changed somewhat. Who's to say what is or isn't attractive? Isn't it all in the eye of the beholder?
There probably was a practical reason behind such discrimination in Thailand and Japan back then. I won't even hazard a guess but whatever those reasons were, I'm sure they served their purpose back then and there seems to be very little justification to maintaining them now.
Madam governor of Osaka,
....More Power to Ya!!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Crawling. The next fitness fad?
I read with interest a recent news report in local paper the New Straits Times (September 2, 2007) . It was titled, "Crawling - Best Exercise for the Old".
The report was on the advice given by Dr Azidah Abdul Kadir from Universiti Sains Malaysia's family health dept. She stated that crawling was the simplest exercise for the elderly who were too frail to perform regular exercises like jogging. "Crawling is good for them as it involves both hands and feet.. it can be done indoors and in the privacy of their rooms", says the good doctor.
Dr Azidah recommends that it be done in different directions forward, backwards and sideways a minimum of 10 times each direction.
As an advocate of no-frills fitness and exercise, I wholeheartedly agree with Dr Azidah's recommendation. Crawling is a staple exercise for combat sports like wrestling where it's referred to as the bear crawl. For the young ones who are fit and more than able, I recommend taking it several notches higher by going for speed. Crawl as fast as you can forward, back, to the left and right.
Add the Reverse Crawl - also known as the Crab Walk. A position where u're on all fours but your belly faces up. Do it forwards, back and both sides. These 2 exercises target virtually every functional skeletal muscle in the human body. They're great for a full body workout. To make it more challenging:
1- bend your limbs, go low throughout the entire exercise;
2- for testerone junkies, do the bear crawl in all 4 directions up and down a flight of stairs.
Crawling will develop upper body strength and is a highly recommended exercise for women who in general tend to be weaker in that area compared to men.
Will it be the new exercise fad? With all those benefits, it should be.
However, it doesn't have any celebrity endorsers; it can be performed anywhere not in hi-tech upmarket gyms and fitness centers; it doesn't require special equipment; it doesn't have an exotic name or professional sounding acronym...
In other words, it's unlikely to attract the trend-following fitness enthusiast.
Oh well... in any event.. it's good for you that's what's important.
Another thing to note, when you're talking about the best anti-ageing exercise..
...billions of babies and toddlers around the world can't be wrong ;-)
The report was on the advice given by Dr Azidah Abdul Kadir from Universiti Sains Malaysia's family health dept. She stated that crawling was the simplest exercise for the elderly who were too frail to perform regular exercises like jogging. "Crawling is good for them as it involves both hands and feet.. it can be done indoors and in the privacy of their rooms", says the good doctor.
Dr Azidah recommends that it be done in different directions forward, backwards and sideways a minimum of 10 times each direction.
As an advocate of no-frills fitness and exercise, I wholeheartedly agree with Dr Azidah's recommendation. Crawling is a staple exercise for combat sports like wrestling where it's referred to as the bear crawl. For the young ones who are fit and more than able, I recommend taking it several notches higher by going for speed. Crawl as fast as you can forward, back, to the left and right.
Add the Reverse Crawl - also known as the Crab Walk. A position where u're on all fours but your belly faces up. Do it forwards, back and both sides. These 2 exercises target virtually every functional skeletal muscle in the human body. They're great for a full body workout. To make it more challenging:
1- bend your limbs, go low throughout the entire exercise;
2- for testerone junkies, do the bear crawl in all 4 directions up and down a flight of stairs.
Crawling will develop upper body strength and is a highly recommended exercise for women who in general tend to be weaker in that area compared to men.
Will it be the new exercise fad? With all those benefits, it should be.
However, it doesn't have any celebrity endorsers; it can be performed anywhere not in hi-tech upmarket gyms and fitness centers; it doesn't require special equipment; it doesn't have an exotic name or professional sounding acronym...
In other words, it's unlikely to attract the trend-following fitness enthusiast.
Oh well... in any event.. it's good for you that's what's important.
Another thing to note, when you're talking about the best anti-ageing exercise..
...billions of babies and toddlers around the world can't be wrong ;-)
Monday, September 3, 2007
Shaolin vs Ninja
Isn't there a Shaw Brothers movie of the same title?
Well folks, this time it's not silver screen fiction. It's the real deal. According to a recent news report, such an exchange is currently taking place.
In summary, an internet user posted in a forum that a ninja paid a visit to the Shaolin Temple in Henan China and challenged the martial monks. According to the user many monks failed to defeat the ninja. Well, true to the law of retaliation in kung fu flicks, shaolin responded. They were represented by their most ruthless, vicious and blood-thirsty combatants- the shaolin lawyers.
Said lawyers issued a notice stating that the contents of the post was fabricated and demanded an apology.
Here's a link to the news report:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20523643/
There have been some discussions amongst martial arts practitioners that the actions taken by shaolin are unbecoming of those purportedly practising the buddhist chan [zen] philosophy.
However let me offer you a different take on this. From a legal perspective, it's a logical tactic. Shaolin is famous across the globe. The word shaolin is virtually synonymous with kung fu. Of course with fame comes other unwanted baggage- slanders, slurs, gossip and rumours whether true or not.
This tactic of getting their lawyers to respond to an apparently trivial posting in an internet forum may seem like overkill, but there's more to it. By taking this step, shaolin is in fact sending out a warning to the world at large to -watch you say or write about us, for you may not be spared from litigation. Any individual entertaining any thoughts of publicly making any reputation-damaging statements about shaolin would be thinking twice after reading this news report.
Therefore this single act has the potential to prevent any future written or oral attacks. It allows shaolin to continue promoting and marketing their art and tradition globally without having to worry much about defending their reputation. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but watch what you say or write about me.
In my opinion, the true heroes in this story are the shaolin lawyers. Congratulations to them for a job well done.
Well folks, this time it's not silver screen fiction. It's the real deal. According to a recent news report, such an exchange is currently taking place.
In summary, an internet user posted in a forum that a ninja paid a visit to the Shaolin Temple in Henan China and challenged the martial monks. According to the user many monks failed to defeat the ninja. Well, true to the law of retaliation in kung fu flicks, shaolin responded. They were represented by their most ruthless, vicious and blood-thirsty combatants- the shaolin lawyers.
Said lawyers issued a notice stating that the contents of the post was fabricated and demanded an apology.
Here's a link to the news report:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20523643/
There have been some discussions amongst martial arts practitioners that the actions taken by shaolin are unbecoming of those purportedly practising the buddhist chan [zen] philosophy.
However let me offer you a different take on this. From a legal perspective, it's a logical tactic. Shaolin is famous across the globe. The word shaolin is virtually synonymous with kung fu. Of course with fame comes other unwanted baggage- slanders, slurs, gossip and rumours whether true or not.
This tactic of getting their lawyers to respond to an apparently trivial posting in an internet forum may seem like overkill, but there's more to it. By taking this step, shaolin is in fact sending out a warning to the world at large to -watch you say or write about us, for you may not be spared from litigation. Any individual entertaining any thoughts of publicly making any reputation-damaging statements about shaolin would be thinking twice after reading this news report.
Therefore this single act has the potential to prevent any future written or oral attacks. It allows shaolin to continue promoting and marketing their art and tradition globally without having to worry much about defending their reputation. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but watch what you say or write about me.
In my opinion, the true heroes in this story are the shaolin lawyers. Congratulations to them for a job well done.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wow! My first Blog...
Why the Iron Furnace?
A lot of reasons. I guess the main one would be the fact that every student goes through a tempering process when learning or developing a new skill. It involves investing time and effort. The proverbial blood, sweat and tears. There's another reason, that's for future postings.
I'm no expert in the arts I practice, just a beginner. What I'll be sharing will be my open-minded experiences, my observations and the knowledge of my teachers. I hope it gives you food for thought.
I'll leave y'all with some sage advice from Pak Tristan, an acquaintance whom i've never met face to face but whom I highly respect [go ahead, do a Google on Tristan Sutrisno. Find out more.]. Useful words which we need to constantly absorb and embody; to practice in our everyday interaction with the people and the environment around us.
"Learn to Listen and Listen to Learn"
Bye.
A lot of reasons. I guess the main one would be the fact that every student goes through a tempering process when learning or developing a new skill. It involves investing time and effort. The proverbial blood, sweat and tears. There's another reason, that's for future postings.
I'm no expert in the arts I practice, just a beginner. What I'll be sharing will be my open-minded experiences, my observations and the knowledge of my teachers. I hope it gives you food for thought.
I'll leave y'all with some sage advice from Pak Tristan, an acquaintance whom i've never met face to face but whom I highly respect [go ahead, do a Google on Tristan Sutrisno. Find out more.]. Useful words which we need to constantly absorb and embody; to practice in our everyday interaction with the people and the environment around us.
"Learn to Listen and Listen to Learn"
Bye.
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