So You Wanna be a Gym Instructor huh?

I do! Dreaming Reality hasn't been updated as regularly in 2009 as last year but its because I've been busy busy busy! And this year has been filled with more quality interesting discoveries than little wonders... discoveries that take up more time to experience and do.. so do kindly forgive me if you came and refreshed and refreshed only to realise.. eh! Still same post! How come?!... but don't worry! More to come in the coming weeks. Keep me on your favourites list! :)

So what have I been up to the past week? I've embarked on fitness instructor training! Yep! My mom very very graciously sponsored the program for me! *love love*

Finally I'm on a training course towards being a certified instructor as opposed to only volunteering my time and efforts at the gym *since I work out there so much anyway* just because I didn't have the relevant paper certifications and fundamental knowledge to be one officially. Very soon, it will be a different path for me where I move from being a enthusiastic participant to leading a group class of my own and I'm damn bloody excited!!

I'm now undergoing a Fitness Instructor Core Course conducted by Fisaf which is required of all fitness professionals in the industry to ground themselves with the basics such as body physiology, ie muscles/bones and how the body works, human kinetics, exercise methodologies, communication guidelines, exploring the various types of teaching methods and personal training methodologies etc...

And it was conducted over 5 full 830am to 7pm days. For personal reasons, I was only able to commence on day 2 but I was given a one-on-one session to cover the topics I had missed on day 1 and caught up without a hitch.

I was expecting lectures obviously and perhaps some demonstration work and practicals but I was NOT expecting the course to be literally BOOTCAMP STYLE.

Frankly, I have not worked out for SO LONG and SO MUCH in my LIFE. Even when I went for 3 classes a day, it was not as intense as this. And the first day literally shocked the hell *and a hell of alot of calories* out of me. It was like doing 6-8 hours of continous workout with a smattering of 1 hour of lecture & discussion that was inserted ever 2-3 hour intervals of exercise. At the end of each day, we were all sticky and EXTREMELY smelly. It was hilarious how we all used jackets to "try" to mask our stink but we all knew.. the PONG from our group WAS A KILLER.

Throughout the day, we ran around the stadium tracks, did core muscle work, worked out with various types of resistance equipment, bands, balance discs, swiss balls, bosu *which is those semi circle ball like equipment that you may see at the gym, practiced body weight resistance, did 4 point circuit training and balance training.

I was practically DEAD on the ground at the end of that day! Insane!! My legs literally wanted to detatch itself, drop off and run away and never come back.... *sobs*

Other than Diane Haslam who was the master trainer and the person who represents and trains all Fisaf certified instructors, various other reputed fitness professionals also came in to take and lead certain topics. For day 2, we had Joan Liew who is a National Body Builder and also runs Fitness Factory. She covered Nutrition topics.

Above are my classmates with Joan. Having gone through the program with them, I wish them all the best of luck towards their career in the fitness industry. Perhaps one day you might have one of them as your trainer! They're all nice people.

From Left to Right:
Sophie, Annie, Michelle, Ashton, Me, Roy, Joan.
*I forget her name bc she only came for 1 day & had to leave because her father died that very day*, Sarah and Raohan.

Day 3 was filled with a group exercise class which was really my kind of workout. Did some dance, did some aerobics. Worked with some floor exercises and did many group discussions throughout the day on various body functions like the heart, respiratory systems, dietary systems, blood pressure calculations and heart rate calculations.
The man below in blue was with us for 3 days conducting theory segments of the course. His name is Luc Tai and has an impressive built! He even SOUNDS like Arnold Schwarzeneger with that accent. And he personal trains national and international athletes! I was very impressed with his level of competence and knowledge that he was able to impart to us and not to mention.. he is pretty hot.. hahahaaha! *smacks & blinds self*

Day 4 was just as challenging workout wise but still a huge workout day with Aqua Aerobics all morning, sprints and hill runs where we literally strapped ourselves with our partners and sprinted up and down slopes and hills with the bands on our waist. *Can die larh! Pant! Pant Wheeeze! ~thud~* then we had the rest of the afternoon till late evening in the weights and machines room doing personal training analysis, weight training and spotting methods and learning the correct use of equipment.

Day 5 was exam day. I was dragged up from the sofa where I passed out from exhaustion the night before, CJ cleared up the table and turned on all the lights while he amused himself by watching me study "so funny lah! this reminds me of when you were doing your "O" levels!".... -.-'' That was like.. SO MANY years ago can!

We had a light morning of further theory on energy systems and further group discussions before we had a session of Qi Yoga/Pilates with Antoinette Chang and her son, Theodore. While I am sure the various types of yoga/pilates is gaining popularity, this session confirmed that I will never be a yoga practitioner. Not because of flexibility, I'm quite flexible due to my regular dance classes and stretching sessions. But also because it was just so S....L....O....W.... *snore*

I am not a person who would like to take in holistic healing or slow therapeutic movements to heal my "inner organs" and "balance my Qi". Seriously now.. I'd rather shake my Qi all over the place and go for a massage instead. Me + Yoga? = Not in this life baby... Pffft...

"do you feel relaxed? can you feel your body as one?" NO. But I won't mind taking this time to ....*zzzzz....snore...*

And with that, I'm pretty sure I passed the exam, I learned SO MUCH the past couple of training days and now I'm waiting for the 5th to the 10th of April 09 for the commencement of my Group GX Aerobic Instructor certification training where I would be immersed in the dynamics of a group class with its structure, planning and execution and then its ...

COME SWEAT N'SHAKE UR BON BONS with PAM SESSION! It'll be fun! Check out the video of the creator of Zumba Beto Perez and his master trainer, Tanya Beardsley below and you'll see what I mean by ZUMBA ZUMBA ZUMBA!!... if you don't know how to booty shake.. you will after a few sessions with me. :)

Any takers? EMAIL ME! or leave me a message and I'll keep you on the list when I start classes! That being said.. I have a Hotel Review Package coming up at the end of this week and news on Group X training after I've completed it! Wish me luck! :)

Gentlemen Style by Indecent Obsession

Back in the 90s, this was one of my favourite songs.. Gentlemen Style by Indecent Obsession and for no reason whatsoever, I recalled it tonight and did a search for it and was pleased to find it online again.. so here's sharing it if you don't know it.. and for those who don't know it.. perhaps you might like it like I did. :) Enjoy...

Rare picture & Grandmother's Birthday!

My mom is in town! Together with my other sister too! This is a rare pic because we're all together in this picture and my mom *hates* taking pictures!

Whos in the pic? Alexandra *youngest*, Me *eldest*, my mom and Jacqueline *2nd*. They have joined me in dance class a couple of times already too but will be leaving SG by month end.

And yesterday was my Grandmother's 78th birthday dinner! We celebrated at Jiang Nan Chun Chinese restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. On the way there, we saw a rainbow! How lovely!

There have been quite a number of rainbows lately... must be a good omen yea?

And the birthday woman and myself!

I love it how we always get this kind of shot where I grab my camera and camwhore together and her first shot is always with a puzzled frown like below while she tries to figure out what the heck I'm doing and then realises... "ooohh! like that also can arh!" then gives me such a sweet smile after.. and she wants to see each and every shot after! Hahhaha!

*click* "Lemme see! Lemme see!" *click* "Lemme see!! Lemme see!" So cute lah! I love my grandma!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

Kitten Musing....

I came across this picture of this kitten today and I can't stop staring at it. Its so cute!! So cute!! I want to keep it on my blog for all posterity hahaha! It looks so nua-like.. and so soft n fluffy... Awwww!! I like!

Aqua Aerobics @ Katia's!

We had a session of Aqua Aerobics at Katia's condo. yesterday at 11am. It was conducted by Kayla *the one in black shorts* who had choreo-ed the sets for an upcoming fitness convention.

While it was fun, it was HOT! Weather hot that is... I'm not burnt totally but I'm mighty dark at the moment...

It was a small group of ladies with a mix of several other California Fitness group instructors.

Who's above?

My 2 girls *Lauren joined the session too! She can do it and enjoyed it tremendously!*, me, Kayla, Felicia, Gail with Katia and her boys, Etienne and Philippe.

It was filled with music, laughter and hoots! but we don't have a picture of us smiling in the water as the sun was bright and water was in our faces... our next scheduled session is in 2 weeks time!

I'm looking forward to it and learning more about water dynamics and using water for resistance exercise...

Roast Belly & Garlic Potatoes

I grilled up some pork belly for dinner today.. the fat was juicy.. so much that it squealed and squirted at me when I opened the oven cover.. *grumble*... but overall it came out pretty good but Oh! So. Oily!! I had to make cups of green tea just to wash down the oil!

The skin was ultra crunchy though!

And this was with garlic potatoes.. its been the 3rd time we've had it since I've discovered the oven at home...and we can't get enough of garlic potatoes!!!... *slurps*

Last dish of grilled chicken found HERE.

Speaking of ovens, some people have asked what glass counter top oven I've been using and it is this one! Iona Vect-A-Jet. Costs perhaps about $100 but it was bought many years ago. And I don't know where you would find it anymore. It was bought at a neighbourhood electrical store over at Geylang East central.

Next up! Hawaiian Chicken! Will make that soon!

NSFW: New $10 Bikini & Loving it!

While out today, I chanced upon a shop over at Far East Plaza which were clearing off their bikini sets for only $10 per piece. *Usual: $39.90*... and I found a red patterned one that I liked! Picture not clear as I took it with my handphone.. it tends to blur out alot & my camera ran out of batteries! Dammit!

I like the fact that while its a bikini, its design stretches down and covers the tummy pouch to make it somewhat like a 1 piece suite. *good for keeping your tummy in and generally not too bad for a 69kg person*

And for $10. Totally worth it.. So now I have my first $5 RED one, and I have another $5 black one that is similar to the first one and now this $10 one.. bikinis might be addictive...ythink? I think it may be. :)

Tattoo my Ass!!

I had a tattoo done at my hips yesterday... ok.. so its not at my ass...

Its on the right side of my hips and there I was at my event with my shirt rolled up, and my jeans pulled low and leaning over the table while they SPRAYED black ink onto my body.. yeah.. its not a real tattoo.. its another airbrush tattoo of course..

This one will last probably a week if I dont rub at it... oh and I have another one on my left arm too! Similar to the last one I did HERE. Except that this one now is a lotus flower. :)

This hip one would show very nicely during dance class as it sits exactly where my pants line sits and would make its "appearance" when I do dance gyrations.. whoooot!

Grilled Teriyaki Wings, Roasted Garlic Potatoes w/ Vegetables

Grilled Teriyaki Wings, Roasted Garlic Potatoes w/ Vegetables for dinner last night.

And it was mighty economical too! 1 pack of 2.5kg wings - $9.80. Long Beans, Broccoli, corn and Potatoes cost me around $8. Teriyaki Marinade $4.30. Fed all 4 of us in eye-rolling pleasure till we almost exploded.

Marinaded the chicken. Seasoned the potatoes with pepper, italian seasoning, paprika, salt and covered with a generous mix of olive oil and mixed with 3 whole garlic cloves and threw into the new glass table top oven and it came out perfect in 30 mins! Sizzling golden brown, crispy on the outside and fluffily soft on the inside. Once the potatoes were done, in went the wings and bam! 30 minutes later... perfectly Grilled Teriyaki Wings.. amazing.. sticky sweet on the outside, crispy at the tips, succulent on the inside and just all too good...

I'm seeing alot of use of this new oven in the coming weeks... alot. *Whoot!!* Teriyaki Wings anyone?

100kg arms Vs. 69kg arms

By request! An Arm comparison of 100kg vs 69kg.

Last post on NSFW Leg comparison can be found HERE.

Picture up there was me 2 years ago at 100kg and I tried taking some photos of my arm now but all it showed in the shots were another lump of flesh. No definition at all but also because I haven't been doing much arm work these past 2 weeks.

So.. I took a video instead. And before I exported it out of my phone, I added some background music and what turned out was something REALLY CORNY... like some kind of low grade exercise demonstration or something... *facepalm self & picks up eyeballs off the floor that rolled off out of my head*

Still quite abit of toning to work on for my arms but I am pleased to see that there are *some* biceps showing.. the batwings aren't that bad anymore. I can wave now without having a dual effect of hand & arm waving bye bye!

So *don't roll your eyes k! - I think its the song larh!* but check out the video that I took last night. :)

Luis Fonsi - Yo No Me Doy Por Vencido

I love Luis Fonsi. I'm a BIG fan of his music. This one is the one playing on my daily music list now. This version is a remix with another artist so there are parts that are not soley sung by Luis but check it out nevertheless.. its catchy. :)

For those who can speak spanish or those who want to "try" *because learning a new language through music is the fastest way* here are the lyrics...

Me quedo callado
Soy como un niño dormido
Que puede despertarse
Con apenas sólo un ruido
Cuando menos te lo esperas
Cuando menos lo imagino
Sé que un día no me aguanto y voy y te miro

I remain quiet
I am like a sleeping child
Who could wake up
With only one sound
When you least expect it
When I least imagine it
I know that one day
I won't be able to wait and I will go and look at you

Y te lo digo a los gritos
Y te ríes y me tomas por un loco atrevido
Pues no sabes cuanto tiempo en mis sueños has vivido
Ni sospechas cuando te nombré

And I tell you a the top of my voice (screaming)
And you laugh and take me for a daring crazy person
For you don't know how long you've lived in my dreams

Yo, yo no me doy por vencido
Yo quiero un mundo contigo
Juro que vale la pena esperar, y esperar y esperar un suspiro
Una señal del destino
No me canso, no me rindo, no me doy por vencido

I, I won't give up
I want a world with you
I swear that it's worth waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a sigh
A sign of destiny
I don't get tired, I don't surrender, I don't give up

Que brilla más cada día,
Porque estoy tan sólo a un paso de ganarme la alegría
Porque el corazón levanta una tormenta enfurecida
Desde aquel momento en que te ví…

It gets brighter every day
Because I am only one step from gaining happiness
Because the heart lifts up a furious storm
Since the moment that I saw you

Juro que vale la pena esperar, y esperar y esperar un suspiro
Una señal del destino
No me canso, no me rindo, no me doy por vencido

I swear that it's worth waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a sigh
A sign of destiny
I don't get tired, I don't surrender, I don't give up

Before & After 9 Years Later...

A girlfriend exclaimed to me over MSN when my pictures above came out that she could not accept that all of them were me. Just taken over the years.

First picture when I was about 22 years old..perhaps about 85kg, next when I was about 24 years old, standing around 99kg and the last picture of me turning 31 this year, 69kg... all me.. just in different stages of life and in a different body and state of health & mind.

Regular exercise really makes alot of difference to a person towards their general health and maintenance of youthfulness. If you're procrastinating about exercise and feel that you can relate to the first 2 pictures with a little cringe... then.. get off your ass and do something about it. Even a walk to begin with will do. Just do it. :)

Doesn't take 9 years to do it.. it can take a month or it can take a couple of months but if you're still reading this without a plan to do something. You'll still be the same state you're in.. 9 years later....

Fridge Story @ Wan Bao 7th March 09.

As a continuation to THIS POST on the con-job done for our fridge repair, the reporter from Wan Bao came over to take the story and took some pictures the other night. The article came out last night 7th of March 09.

First off I would have to say something before I continue.. but WAH LAU EH... my arm looks MASSIVELY huge can! WTF. *looks at self and picking up dumbells.. flatten against body also shouldn't be THAT bad RIGHT??* That is seriously a non flattering photo. I look so freaking tired and dulan. Pweee!!! And I really should have considered putting on some makeup before the photographer came to my house too. Bah!

Anyway... since this incident that day, we have tried to contact Evertech to try to come to some kind of comprimise to see what they can do to their so called "warranty" to ensure that it was a job done well but they REFUSED to send anyone down to check on their own workmanship.

So much for "warranty" huh. Have like don't have also.

Only once after a flurry of calls did we manage to get through to them which was handled with much hostility and that was their answer. Refused service.

Since then, we have gotten a recommendation from a friend who also had a Sanyo fridge and he recommended the Authorised repair company appointed by Sanyo to check out our fridge.

East Asia Refrigeration & Electrical Co.
Tel: 68422309
Email: easia@singnet.com.sg

We called in the morning, they came down that very afternoon in a pair and assessed the fridge. Their service was very impressive. They did not spout boastful big words, worked efficiently and quickly, answered all my questions, changed the parts that needed changing, wiped the fridge down, defrosted any excess frost and best of all, gave us the option of paying by cheque at a later date after we have assessed that the fridge is in working order and that its back to satisfactory working condition.

Our fridge is now working fine now and less than half the price we paid previously with the exception that is colder than before! Its quiet too and the part that we cringed was they took a look at what the other company did and said EVERYTHING they did previously WAS totally UNECESSARY and worse, what they did by modifying the valves were actually "not approved - non standard" repair and it was offensively overcharged. *face palm*

So thats it people. EVERTECH BUILDERS & SERVICES aka COOLMEGA aka whatever company name they wanna call themselves using the company number of 68818662. Be Warned. FRAUDULENT COMPANY ALERT!

World's Smallest Bodybuilder!

I am so amused. He's really tiny!

Hair Colour Change again!!

(Morning After Updates Below! Colour different! Whoa!)

I changed my hair colour DIY yet again! I wanted a lighter brown.. but it turned out still somewhat reddish as it took on my previous undertone of the last dye job. *Picture above was taken right after I dyed & dried it*

I wanted to see how it looked like in sunlight as opposed to the indoor night shot above. I'm quite happy with the colour so far... light enough in the daylight.. we'll see how long this colour lasts before the roots start to show again. But very strange how the colour from last night and this morning looks SO DIFFERENT....

Next time I do this.. which is probably in 2-3 months time, I'm getting at least 1 shade lighter. In the meantime.. DIY colour is great.. a totally new hair colour and great coverage in under 2 hours right in the comfort of your own home.

Last hair colour done HERE. :) This one below is todays new colour box.