Monday, March 31, 2008 by Daisy in General Blog Posts

I’ve just undergone something called Ba Guan - or in simpler terms cupping!

I’ve been experiencing back pain for a few weeks now and I went to my local TCM Chiropracter to get it checked out…. The massage techiniques that I usually undergo are painful during the process, but my body feels so fantastic afterwards… Today, she suggested something new to me, to help me get rid of “dampness, toxins” that is causing my pain…

Hupps had it done before with her and said that although painful at first, it was fine afterwards and that I should be able to take it… So with the chiro and Hupps’ words in my mind - I went ahead with the procedure!

I had three suction cups… The first placed on the spine…. Super duper pain!!! I know my pain threshold is not high - but tears came streaming down my face…. The pain is different to that of cutting yourself etc… As she sucked the skin to the desired height in the suction cup - the intensity and tightness was like as though my spine would snap!!! Thinking back about it, I suppose I was scared and I was so stiff!!! The other two suctions on either side of the spine didn’t really hurt….

This stimulation is said to increase my circulation and in response, the skin discolors and bruises occur. The result is that I have 3 round bruises on my back…. The left and middle bruises are EXTREMELY dark purple (apparently due to stagnant blood), the right one is so much lighter in comparison. Cupping is said to help pull this stagnant blood out of the area, making room for fresh, oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to replenish the tissues and accelerate the healing process. Cupping is said to remove toxins and excess heat from the body - releasing them through the skin’s pores. This method has the function of warming and promoting the free flow of qi and blood in the meridians, dispelling cold dampness, diminishing swellings and pains.

How do I feel?
The right and left bruises, although look REAL bad, do not hurt AT ALL… not even when I press on them… The one on my spine however, is REALLY tender… Like a proper bruise! My back is more loose when I stretch - but when that spinal bruise is touched - Super duper pain!! Certain postures absolutely kill and I’m walking like I’m pregnant! So currently, Im not leaning on my back… Oh help me on my long 12 hr plus flight tomorrow!!!

Thursday, March 27, 2008 by Daisy in General Blog Posts

-An Auntie that your husband and his family knows really well, riding on her bike towards you, sees you, points at your tummy and shouts from a distance “You’re expecting, you’re expecting!” Ummm.. Hello to you too!
-When you blame the washing machine for shrinking your trousers…
-The clothes that you wear start to leave major indents in your skin, esp. the midriff!
-When your thighs are as nearly as big as your husband’s…
-When you just eat for the sake of it and you’re not even hungry…. But then again, I love food!

Something needs to be done.. and quick!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by Daisy in General Blog Posts

Monday, March 24, 2008 by Daisy in General Blog Posts

Due to popular demand, here are just some pics of the city!!!

Things that have stood out in my opinion (some good, some bad!):
-Mental traffic system!!! Basically, seize the opportunity - humans and vehicles (Always look ahead and never look back!!)
-One of the best coffees I’ve tasted is from here
-One of the best fresh baguettes I’ve tasted is from here
-Friendly people
-Rubber trees undergoing rubber tapping!
-Loadsa fresh fruit
-Things that have spooked me out - these include bats and co.!
-Playing “Chor Dai Dee” card game with my Hupps and Andy!! Really fun during the times of need!
-In search of a tour agency that understands the languages we speak!
-Last minute changes to scheduled plans
-Meat eaters Vs Vegetarians

Took about 400+ pics, but only have time to blog some, so Enjoy!!!

Sunday, March 23, 2008 by Allan in General Blog Posts

Hi all,
As the title implies, I am trying to organise a fishing event at St John Island, during the period of 5th-6th Apr 08, 12th-13th Apr 08, or 19th-20th Apr 08. Time wise it should be a good time as rain is not likely. And its a great chance for us to gather again!!

Why St John Island (actually not exactly St John)? Becos Mae said that there are fishes there. And i think that place is rather nice and pretty.

Now I wanna know who can go for those dates and I am up for suggestions. So let’s make it a fun packed event for the adventurous people we all are!!! So let’s see those counters below clocking names!!

Rough Schedule
i) 12pm: Take ferry (S$15) at 12pm sharp from Marina South Pier to St John Island.
ii) 1pm: Eat lunch and relax a bit. (We need to buy our own food as the food stalls are closed.)
iii) 2pm: Then send some men to recce the fishing ground.
iv) 4pm: Move towards final fishing ground to start preparing for the place and start fishing.
v) 6pm: Light dinner and fishing (maybe we will have fish for dinner)
vi) 12am: Supper
vii) 9am: Reveille, catch the 10:15am boat back to Singapore.

Suggestions
i) we can buy beer, Ling, that type you got for the chalet, how many litres?
ii) i will bring something like a 2 wheels-trolley/cart for easy transporting of cargo.
iii) we will use live baits, prawns, as my friend Milton said it is good for fishing in that area.
iv) Ling suggested we rent a boat for this event. But we need someone with the license, who has got the license?
v) Alternative fishing ground
vi)

Warnings
i) Overnight stays are only allowed for occupants at the Holiday Bungalow and Holiday Camps. Dunno how true it is, Mae please confirm.
ii)

Maps
i) Cartoon Map of St John Island
ii) Google Map of St John Island
iii) 1st choice fishing ground

Whose Going
i) Allan (12th-13th Apr) (19th-20th Apr)
ii) Yewsun (12th-13th Apr) (19th-20th Apr)
iii) Guan (19th-20th Apr)
iv) Ling (as long as there are fishes) Elizabeth going?
v) Jason (as long as time is not an issue)
vi) Mae (19th-20th Apr)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)

The heros that did it the last time in August 2007!!

Sunday, March 23, 2008 by Allan in General Blog Posts

Last night after dinner, the SRT boys came over to my place for entertainment after their small SRT gathering dinner.

And as the group comprises of more non mahjung players than keen mahjung enthusiasts, we decided to play Risk, the boardgame.

Daisy has bought this game for me as a birthday gift, as she knows that I really wanted to play it and I have never played it before. Last night out of the 8 people around the table, only 3 had played it before. So Ling, Guan and Yewsun was trying to recollect and teaching us how to play this game.

As most of us has got morning appointments, we decided to play team play and as long as one of the team member’s troops are dead, the team will lose the game. We thought it would be quicker this way, little did we know this quicker version game play took us 4 hours. Started at 10:45pm and ended at 2:45pm.

The results: Ling+Jason+Allan won Sloth+Guan+Yewsun!!

It was a rather interesting Saturday night session and I recall Sloth telling me, next time fix it at an earlier time, and Ling said, he doesn’t mind doing this every weekend!!

Hence I am inviting people to come over to my place at 1pm (suggest another time frame if) to play Risk, on 29 March Saturday. Unfortunately, its only a 6 players game. First come first serve basis.

Leave a comment if you wish to book a seat! See you in the battlefield.

Warriors who are in!
i) DnA
ii) Sloth
iii) Ling (after 6pm)
iv) Guan (not confirm timing)
v) Yewsun (on on on)
vi)

Background Knowledge Of Risk
It was invented by French movie director Albert Lamorisse. It was originally released in 1957, as La Conquête du Monde (The Conquest of the World), in France.

Risk is a turn-based game for two to six players, and is played on a board depicting a stylised Napoleonic-era political map of the Earth, divided into forty-two territories, which are grouped into six continents.

Saturday, March 22, 2008 by Daisy in General Blog Posts, Really Nice Food

This evening, DnA, Mama and her relatives went to have a sumptuous meal, yet again!!!! (I like!!!)

We ordered a set menu comprising of:
*Lobster combination - Nice
*Braised superior shark’s fin with supreme stock - REALLY nice!
*Deep-fried crispy chicken - ok
*Sauteed fresh scallop & cuttlefish in XO sauce - Don’t particularly like scallops or cuttlefish, personally
*Steamed garoupa/grouper with minced chay po - Loved this dish, esp the chay po!
*Braised slice abalone with greens in oyster sauce - Nice
*Drunken Live Prawn - Don’t really eat prawns
*Fried eu-fu noodles - Was so full at this point, gave my portion to my Hupps
*Double-boiled harsma with red dates - Dessert, see below

All of us weren’t entirely sure of what harsma was….
Suggestions included sputum of a frog and frog secretions… However, what we did know was that it was good for the skin complexion (just like bird’s nest!)… So the girls were really enjoying it - regardless of where it comes from…..!

Well, I’ve just researched it and here’s what it is…….

Harsma (or Hasma) is made from the dried fallopian tubes of the Asiatic Grass Frog!!! It’s usually used as a Chinese dessert ingredient. It’s said to be good for replenishing the vital essence in the lungs, kidneys, improving skin complexion and is also prescribed to treat respiratory symptoms such as coughing, hemoptysis and night sweats due to tuberculosis.