1 June, Sunday
Activity: Mass
Celebrant: Fr Joachim Chang
Location: Church of our Lady Queen of Peace
Comments: Can't really remember much... mass at QOP is always not conducive for me :`|.
8 June, Sunday
Activity: Sacrament of Reconciliation
Celebrant: Fr Peter Zhang
Location: Church of the Holy Cross
Comments: Confessed about my unkindness, anger and impatience... priest mentioned God's love and mercy, and said that for penance, I've to engage more at mass.
Activity: Mass
Celebrant: Fr Peter Zhang
Location: Church of the Holy Cross
Comments: His sermon was powerful. About how this father and son had a terrible relationship and the son left home. The father went to a priest who asked him, 'how long have you been cursing your son?'. The father was enraged, but the priest explained that to speak ill of someone is to curse someone. The priest adviced him to pray blessings upon his son the next time he and his wife think about their son. 8 days later, his son called him and said, 'I don't know why I'm calling but I just wanted to find out how are you'. Father and son spoke for an hour on the phone. The father asked him in closing, 'what do you think of coming home this Saturday for lunch?'. The son said it was a good idea. Saturday came around, and the son came with shaggy hair and dirty clothes and this time around, instead of judging his son, his father blessed him in his mind/ heart, and throughout the lunch, asked him questions and sought to listen to him attentively. At the end of lunch, the son asked his father. 'can I stay in my room just for one night?'. The father agreed. The next morning, the father walked slowly to the son's room, sat down on his bed and told his son, 'Would you forgive me for all the hurts I've caused you throughout your life?'. From then on, their relationship improved.
This story touched me, given the difficult period I'm facing in my long-distance relationship, and I teared one drop or two. This story is beautiful and God is good :).
15 June, Sunday
Activity: Mass
Celebrant: Fr Jovita Ho
Location: Church of the Holy Cross
Comments:
A priest shared during today's sermon, how his father was often overseas and hardly present during his formative years. His parents eventually divorced, but instead of being bitter and ending up a street kid, he focuses on cherishing the good - albeit limited - memories of his father, believing in an all-loving and generous God who provides for him, and in so doing, chooses Life over Death. Timely reminder to be Life-giving, in word and in deed!
Ended up going for Blessed Sacrament's fun fair and the kids had a ball of a time. The satay and the food was generally good, thankfully!
22 June, Sunday
Activity: Mass
Celebrant: Fr Anthony Ho
Location: Church of the holy cross
Comments: Was too tired to follow...
29 June, Sunday
Activity: Mass
Celebrant: Unknown
Location: Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Malaysia
Comments: It was the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the Padi Festival, so there were people dancing in costumes, and songs in Malay. A fine example of syncretism or acculturation, which blends culture with religion. Interesting to observe, front row, for a Catholic sociologist :).
To everything there is a season
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Exercise (June 2014)
6 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: First class in 2 weeks due to a busy work schedule. Finally! Due to the small class sizes, we did squats against the wall and used the barre for some exercises. Miss ballet... I think it's about time I make a return :).
7 June, Saturday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Lululemon
Instructor: Alicia Pan
Location: Yoga Movement (Orchard 22)
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:30
Comments: Didn't expect much given that it's a beginners class, but the amount of time we took to move between plank and downward dogs made me sweat! Alicia corrected my chicken wing arms in chaturanga, a pose that I've yet to master in the sun salutation series! Need to pluck up courage and ask for instruction! Was there with Tina, Michaela and Ye Qing. Had fun with Ye Qing post-class doing headstands :).
9 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:15
Comments: I realize that due to my dance background, I've a good memory and instinct for the aerobics routines and because I need to see the instructor and I like to see myself in the mirror (check postures), I tend to position myself in front of the class and people tend to follow me (I realized this when I started to make a wrong move at times and people would follow!).
Whole body ached the day after as it's been awhile since I've had such an intense workout! Perspired so, SO much. It felt really painful during but really good after. Felt like jumping into the swimming pool outside the gym!
10 June, Tuesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE gym
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:8
Comments: Rashita corrected my locked knees in the wide-legged standing forward bend. Did a lot of core workout, similar to the boat pose, where I just died. Enjoyed the dolphin push ups (need to put elbows an arms length away) to plank, and back. Learnt to do the crow against the wall, but couldn't do it, although Michaela's instructions helped a lot, and ended up just doing headstands lol. Need to practise at home...
13 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Second last class for the semester, and she couldn't get enough people so the class will be disbanded. Such a pity as she's a really good and hardworking teacher. Used the barre quite a bit and thoroughly enjoyed it :).
17 June, Tuesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE gym
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Wore my yoga leggings to class today, and looked like Ye Qing's twin sister :D. The class typically begins with warm ups, sun salutations, followed by the *pose of the day* and cool down sequence. Today's pose was an arm balance pose, the dragonfly pose (Maksikanagasana), which I've been seeing a lot on Instagram lately so glad to try it out. Surprisingly enough, I could even lift my hands up by resting on my elbow. The leg, needs more work.
Source: Dragonfly pose
20 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:8
Comments: Last class for the semester... was a joyful class. A LOT of ab work and I nearly died as my core is not strong despite my visible abdominal muscles :P. Michelle is a lot stronger and Rachel is amazed at how strong she is. My inspiration to work harder!!
23 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:20
Comments: Really big first class with many new faces! Full body toning's easily the most popular sport. I guess the name is self-explanatory. Despite the endless drops of perspiration, people come back for more... because it is effective. Will start on the Wednesday's evening class too. Not getting enough of my yoga fix, but it's a good chance to experiment with the local studios with my yogi-in-crime, Ye Qing!
25 June, Wednesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Self?
Instructor: Self
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: -
Comments: Did my own warm ups, followed by sun salutations, warrior, heart openers, headstands etc. until someone came by to use the TV for their aerobics workout :P.
27 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Last class before it gets converted to stretch and tone. Worked out the arms, and it was a new exercise again! I like that Rachel has many tricks up her sleeve, never know which rabbit she'll pull out of her hat for her class. She corrected my posture a lot and said that I've weak upper back muscles that's why my bones are jutting out. Interesting, I always attributed it to my skinniness... she also said that my hips are tight when I was doing the bridge. Was a good workout, really felt the burn in the biceps... it's good that Rachel is not just a pilates instructor but a personal trainer and fitness instructor so she really understands people's bodies! and works hard to correct them!
30 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:19
Comments: Bryan had a cough and lost his voice! Second session using 1KG weights for the cardio/ aerobics portion. Thighs are hurting from last Friday's workout so the squats were especially painful. Enjoyed the abdominal muscle workouts at the end, especially the crunches, quite relaxing. Can't say the same for the weights portion, as my arm strength is my Achilles heel. 6-pack was visible post-workout but they normally disappear soon after haha.
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: First class in 2 weeks due to a busy work schedule. Finally! Due to the small class sizes, we did squats against the wall and used the barre for some exercises. Miss ballet... I think it's about time I make a return :).
7 June, Saturday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Lululemon
Instructor: Alicia Pan
Location: Yoga Movement (Orchard 22)
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:30
Comments: Didn't expect much given that it's a beginners class, but the amount of time we took to move between plank and downward dogs made me sweat! Alicia corrected my chicken wing arms in chaturanga, a pose that I've yet to master in the sun salutation series! Need to pluck up courage and ask for instruction! Was there with Tina, Michaela and Ye Qing. Had fun with Ye Qing post-class doing headstands :).
9 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:15
Comments: I realize that due to my dance background, I've a good memory and instinct for the aerobics routines and because I need to see the instructor and I like to see myself in the mirror (check postures), I tend to position myself in front of the class and people tend to follow me (I realized this when I started to make a wrong move at times and people would follow!).
Whole body ached the day after as it's been awhile since I've had such an intense workout! Perspired so, SO much. It felt really painful during but really good after. Felt like jumping into the swimming pool outside the gym!
10 June, Tuesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE gym
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:8
Comments: Rashita corrected my locked knees in the wide-legged standing forward bend. Did a lot of core workout, similar to the boat pose, where I just died. Enjoyed the dolphin push ups (need to put elbows an arms length away) to plank, and back. Learnt to do the crow against the wall, but couldn't do it, although Michaela's instructions helped a lot, and ended up just doing headstands lol. Need to practise at home...
13 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Second last class for the semester, and she couldn't get enough people so the class will be disbanded. Such a pity as she's a really good and hardworking teacher. Used the barre quite a bit and thoroughly enjoyed it :).
17 June, Tuesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE gym
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Wore my yoga leggings to class today, and looked like Ye Qing's twin sister :D. The class typically begins with warm ups, sun salutations, followed by the *pose of the day* and cool down sequence. Today's pose was an arm balance pose, the dragonfly pose (Maksikanagasana), which I've been seeing a lot on Instagram lately so glad to try it out. Surprisingly enough, I could even lift my hands up by resting on my elbow. The leg, needs more work.
Source: Dragonfly pose
20 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:8
Comments: Last class for the semester... was a joyful class. A LOT of ab work and I nearly died as my core is not strong despite my visible abdominal muscles :P. Michelle is a lot stronger and Rachel is amazed at how strong she is. My inspiration to work harder!!
23 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:20
Comments: Really big first class with many new faces! Full body toning's easily the most popular sport. I guess the name is self-explanatory. Despite the endless drops of perspiration, people come back for more... because it is effective. Will start on the Wednesday's evening class too. Not getting enough of my yoga fix, but it's a good chance to experiment with the local studios with my yogi-in-crime, Ye Qing!
25 June, Wednesday
Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Self?
Instructor: Self
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: -
Comments: Did my own warm ups, followed by sun salutations, warrior, heart openers, headstands etc. until someone came by to use the TV for their aerobics workout :P.
27 June, Friday
Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre Wellness Division
Instructor: Rachel Ong
Location: NUS Yusof Yishak House Rhythm Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:5
Comments: Last class before it gets converted to stretch and tone. Worked out the arms, and it was a new exercise again! I like that Rachel has many tricks up her sleeve, never know which rabbit she'll pull out of her hat for her class. She corrected my posture a lot and said that I've weak upper back muscles that's why my bones are jutting out. Interesting, I always attributed it to my skinniness... she also said that my hips are tight when I was doing the bridge. Was a good workout, really felt the burn in the biceps... it's good that Rachel is not just a pilates instructor but a personal trainer and fitness instructor so she really understands people's bodies! and works hard to correct them!
30 June, Monday
Activity: Full body toning
Organizer: NUS Staff Club
Instructor: Bryan
Location: NUS Staff Club Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:19
Comments: Bryan had a cough and lost his voice! Second session using 1KG weights for the cardio/ aerobics portion. Thighs are hurting from last Friday's workout so the squats were especially painful. Enjoyed the abdominal muscle workouts at the end, especially the crunches, quite relaxing. Can't say the same for the weights portion, as my arm strength is my Achilles heel. 6-pack was visible post-workout but they normally disappear soon after haha.
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