Friday, July 25, 2008

Recipe for Happiness...

I know this doesn't not apply to everyone, but currently there isn't really nothing much to complain about to be honest. I believe this is due to the 2 things I have in life now... sports and music... simple isn't it? seems like something everyone can get? its true...

Firstly on sports, I am indeed making good use of the time I have currently since I am studying... to really cope with workout, work as well as studies. As many of my "working friends" would say, I am still not in the "real" world, when I start working, that's the "real" world. But hey, everyone have their own take on what the "real" world is, and I must say currently, mine ain't that "fake". The workout I have been following thus far seem to be helping me pick up to my past. stamina is building up and strength is slowly but surely improved, my mind is constantly sharp and I must say the feeling its good. According to science, exercise makes one feels happy, for all those that have doubts on it... let me tell you IT IS TRUE, but not exactly while you exercise, its after that is the part where "happiness" kicks in. After a good workout, you endured with all the pain and you struggle to catch your breath... you feel strangely refresh and all ready to go again... thou you might not look forward to workout ( I do have a fair share of those moments too) but honestly, all it takes is that one step, START, and you will see what I mean.

Now to music, I have recently move back to listening classical music while I am on the move (thanks to dear's MP3 player with FM radio) and I must say it can been really calming, despite all the noise surrounding you. Unlike songs with lyrics, classical music gives off a different vibe and its really up to your own interpretation. What i mean is for instance a sad song in chinese or english can be felt by the singer and the lyrics if its really well done, and there is only one thing you can really feel when hearing it, sad. But for classical music a sad tune expresses more then just sadness, to a certain degree, there is a certain amount of calming effect and would occasionally have strange twist to it, like a sudden parade going by and stuff like that... you know (am sure that those that have classical background understands what I am talking about) So yeah... Listening to it can be really calming... which i really enjoy...

So my conclusion on happiness, great workout with a touch of great music... life cannot be better then that honestly...

Great words from Zhuang Zi, the show I watch a few week back, talking about life... and people perspective of things really got me thinking and broaden my horizon in looking at things.First on life, he shares a story talking about a couple of brothers staying on the 80th floor of this huge skyscrapers, so there was this once they both came back with a heavy baggage, and the lift was spoil, and it was late so they had to get home, so readily, the started climbing the stairs. By the time they reach the 20th floor, they were exhausted and decided to leave the bags on the 20th floor so that once the lift was working they would come back to collect it. So now, lighten off load, they started climbing once again. They tired out at the 40th floor again... this time, they had an argument, and started blaming each other for things and all, while they carried on climbing. When they reach the 60th floor, they were both too tired to even open their mouth to quarrel, so quietly the finish climbing the last 20 floors. Eventually when they got to their apartment on the 80th floor, they were as good as dead, then as they reach to open the door, they realised they have left the keys to the house in one of the compartment of the bag the left on the 20th floor.

This story reflects everyone's life... when we are young we are all raring to go... like the brother first was when the embark on their journey, bagging with them their dreams, ambitions, driving force. as time goes and they age, those dreams and all seems to get heavier and turns to burden, so they leave them off... and embark on just getting to the destination, so off came the load like what they did on the 20th floor, and they embark again.... and later when you get much older, politics argument arise, you start to feel the need to have power and all which is what happen from 40 to 60s, and but that age, you feel that your time as past, so you just let things happened and live life just trying to get by... and when you reach 80, you look back in life and realized you have so much regret, and have left many important things that you planned to do in life. like how the brother left the house keys on the 20th floor, those dreams and ambitions together... Doesn't this story share so much about life.... got me thinking... maybe those who reads this might wanna share your views after much tot... I feel it really made sense....

Oh well, thats about life, I guess that enough to get people to think, I have another on perception i would love to share, maybe in my next entry... For now... I leave you with this to ponder... is life all about working... do we really wan to be like the norm, the brothers? off to gym.... Cheers!!! have a great weekend people!!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Late week 9...

Hi there people, sorry sorry, here is week #9 schedule... time passed by in a flash, cannot believe its already week 9...

Week 9 Resistance training!!!

A1: Explosive Pushups
A2: Ball Squat with bands

B1: Band Fly
B2: One Leg Hamstring Curl

C1: Pullup or Chin up
C2: Reverse Lunges with free weights (e.i. plates)

D1: Band Row (Seated on the Floor)
D2: Wall Squat Hold with Calf Raises

E1: Front Lateral Raise
E2: Ball Crunch with bands for resistance

-Aim for higher reps: 15-30 reps
-Aim for 2-3 rounds for each superset (Alternating between upper body to lower body)
-Again, take no more than 30 seconds rest in between.






After friday, there will be a midway photo taken... and you guys be the judge... alright... hehee