Thursday, July 24, 2014

Steps to Happy Life (1)

Being married certainly takes away any ‘me’ time, until I recently discovered some loopholes in this ‘formula’. Exercise and other (deemed) healthy habits are acceptable and taking some time off for ‘me’ time is ok. Also once given the green light, discreetly stretching the training hours is an art that I have mastered over the weeks since I started running.


It started off as an army mates meet up and get fit together session for the yearly IPPT, but as the story goes, I am left fending on my own and quickly got hooked up with a running group to keep my ‘fired’ up. Now, I am so addicted to this whole running craze. It used to be just running, now the group would plan races to take part together to keep one another in tuned with our running goals. We would discuss what to eat after each training 1-2 days in advance to keep each other psyched up.



It’s always difficult to train 3-6 months for a marathon, so small rewards such as the saliva-stimulating Thai Curry Crab that we can enjoy guilt-free or the Dua Telur (double-egg) Roti Prata that we may indulge in at the end of every run, keeps us sane.


So it was with great joy that I realised that our training ground along ECP has a new addition - Reflexsole, as the name suggest is a foot reflexology centre. This is currently the number one thing that motivates me to put on those shoes and is most appreciated at the end of every LSD (Long Slow Distance) run session.

The ‘moving’ goal of doing a new PB (personal best) or the need to impress my running buddies even as they seek greater heights in their running aspirations keeps me going. I just feel a sense of youthful exuberance whenever I am running. XX


Zhen Hui Pao :-)








To Do List


The Seafood International Market & Restaurant
Mooncakes for Family Carbo-Load
Online order @ estore.lobster.com.sg



06 / 09 / 2014
Participants to assemble by 7am
www.metta.org.sg/mettarun2014


YUM! World Hunger Relief Program Carnival 2014
27 / 09 / 2014 (7am - 1pm)


26 / 10 / 2014 (5.30am – 11am) 
www.newtonchallenge.com







Reminder / Notes

Updog
•  Hatha Foundation Course:
    4 Weeks Hatha Yoga Beginner Course

    17, 24, 31 Aug & 7 Sep (11.45am–1.15pm)


Cotton

•  The Early Birdy Promotion:
    1 for 1 Draft Beers, house pour wines and spirits. 
    Available only from 5-9pm Daily.


The Coast Bistro & Bar

•  Get Even With Carlsberg:
    Carlsberg Tower+Chunky Chicken+Mighty Fries 
    at $88 nett on Tue/Thu/Sat only. 
    Not valid on PH & eve.

•  Wine Appreciation Night:
    One for One for Red & White house pours by the glass 
    on Mon & We after 8pm. Not valid on PH & eve.

 Odds Are In Favour with Kronenbourg:
   Beer Tower + Coast Wings + Mighty Fries at $98 nett. 
   On Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun only. Not valid on PH & eve.



Steps to Happy Life (2)


I used to be a workaholic who couldn't shake ‘work’ off my mind. I was always working. 
I believed I was happier that way.



Then one day, things changed. T came into my life and taught me life isn't only about working hard, you have to take time to pamper and reward yourself.

T loves a good massage. One day, we were at Big Splash and he saw a new massage outlet, Reflexsole


He pulled me into the reflexology centre without hesitation. I was sceptical to try it as I wasn't comfortable with the idea of letting a stranger touch me. But I went with it anyway as I didn't want to dampen his mood.


I chose the Foot + Body Combo Massage (60min). Perhaps the masseur noticed my uneasiness and initiated simple conversation as he started the foot massage. It did help ease me, thankfully. He explained the various benefits of massage, and which organs of my body seemed weaker and needed some attention. Apparently I've got a weak heart due to lack of rest, must be those long years of slogging. 

I mentally added “Massage” to my weekly to-do list. “Massage” would help improve my health, and allows me to spend more time with T! 
It’s a win-win !

After the foot massage, it was time for the body one. It was nice of him to ask if I had any parts of my body with issues that I would like to bring to his attention. “I've got a stiff neck and shoulder from always using the computer at work.” He addressed it perfectly, good pressure at the right spots. I could feel the lactic acid build up melt away as his fingers firmly kneaded my muscles. A numbing and warm sensation took over, relaxing my body and my mind. Before I knew it, I dozed off. The whole experience was so surreal.



Unlike the usual warm and dim ambience in most reflexology and massage centres, Reflexsole looks and feels refreshingly bright. The shop provides free wi-fi and personal charging stations at each seat for phone or laptop usage. I especially love the relaxation and relief feel after a good massage. Now I’m on board with T; we both love a good massage!



I have already decided on our next day out - a run on the beach to get our heart pumping hard before enjoying a 'Runner's Nirvana' massage at Reflexsole and culminating in a sumptuous Seafood dinner at Big Splash !
Thank you T for showing me how to balance 
and massage my life a little :) xx

Zhen Xiang Shou 





Monday, February 17, 2014

Learning about myself : 7 day journey



 
   

What started out as a challenge became a 7 day journey of self-exploration.


Here goes. It was meant to be a celebration, my big 30 it was to be. 



Celebrate? Nah, not for a girl. 
Two things you don't add to a girl - age and weight and here I was doing both at once, pigging it out with the gang from the office who coerced me into counting down the hours when the clock is going to strike 12 midnight and I'll be in the same age bracket as them - 30!



Here I was at Crab in Da Bag - a new “eat with your hands, snatch all you can.” seafood concept at Big Splash, staring at the food spewed across the table. It was fun, but I wasn't going to be deceived into over-eating even though I couldn't control the arrival of midnight.

Midnight came, 
cake mysteriously appeared, 
made a wish, 
blew the candle and then I was 30.

Said our goodbyes and I was walking alone towards my car which was parked at the other end of Big Splash. I saw a banner - A 7 days detox program, just what I needed. Like I said, age, I can't control, but weight I can. New age, new resolution it shall be. Took the phone number, signed up the next day and before I knew it, I was drinking just juices and was receiving my daily dosage of hour-long convection oven treatment in awkward postures 7 days in a row. 

It was tough, the first 2-3 days kept me wondering what made me part with S$408, but at the end of each session where I just relaxed in Shavasana, 




I would think about the last 30 years of my life, the lessons learnt, the experiences, the relationships and of course the next 30 years of my life. It was good. From the 4th day, I was accustomed to the gruels of the stretches and looked forward to each session, knowing the sense of satisfaction at the end of each class was great and at the end of the next few days, I became clearer with the priorities of my life.

Just like the Yoga sessions I had; Life can be easy and then all of a sudden it can be a stretch, it can be heart pumping then relaxing, but it will all end. The next day, the cycle starts again.

At the end of the 7 days course, I lost 2.5kg, but I gained the fervor to live the next 30 years of my life to the fullest. This is definitely more important than any weight lost, it’s about being a better me. 
Namaste, 


XOXO
Zhen Hui Wan 



 To Do List

Date : 16/03/2014 (7am – 10am)
pre-registration is required at shape.com.sg/ff14

Date : 29/03/2014 (7pm– 11pm) and 20/04/2014(6am – 10am)


pre-registration is required at sundownmarathon.com


  Reminder / Notes

-->  March Promotion -->  30 class cards for S$750 (8 months validity)

-->  The Coast Wave, Lunch Set Meal @ S$17.90 Nett 4  From 12pm – 5pm Daily
-->  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays --> 1 for 1 : Carlsberg Jugs and Mugs


-->  Eiffel Tower Insanity, limited towers available (first come first served)

Weekdays :  
• From 4pm : S$44    
• From 5pm : S$55 
• From 6pm : S$66    
• From 7pm : S$77

Weekends : 
• From 12 to 7pm : S$66       

-->  March and April Promotion
        1 for 1 Mini Golf Game (for the first 50 customers) 
        Not valid with other promotions, weekends and public holidays



"Kick-ass" Photography Contest

END



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Let's Keep this Our Secret

It’s been a while since I am seeing things right.
For the last 5 years whenever I see this sign:

it would process in my mind as such : 
(^.^)
This is more so every Friday and Eve of Public Holidays when I would have to deplete my brain cells just to come up with ‘where’ and ‘what’.


This week, I hit the jackpot that could probably salvage 1 month of brain matter.

Having spent 5 minutes googling 
‘longkang fish east Singapore’, 
I decided on Fish @ Big Splash just because it is opposite our home.

This turned out to be a gem of a find, especially since we have been staying here for the past 1 year and always thought that Big Splash was still the old water slide which anyone of that era would know what I am saying.

It turned out that this whole place has been revamped since 6 years ago! 

Where have I been?

To cut the story short, the older boy asked for an encore to the fishing place every week and the younger one asked to be enrolled for some kungfu lessons at Ch'i Life Superstar, a Martial Arts Studio also in Big Splash.

Reason being – wanting to be like Kungfu Panda and protect mummy against bad people who will snatch other people’s things. 

Let’s just attribute this to association caused by watching Crime Watch immediately after Kungfu Panda 2 the day before.

A quick walk around the place quickly revealed a host of children friendly activities like cycling, skating, kangoo jumps and indoor mini-golf, nestled within many F&B concepts. Thus, this would be the brain salvaging plan for the next 4 weekends.


Zhen Hui Niam
Full-time Email Cleaner





To Do List

Date :  31-01-2014
6345 1211 / 1212

Date :  16-02-2014
Sunday, 7am Warm-up / 8am Flag Off




Reminder / Notes

Updog Hot Yoga Studio  
Hot Core Class,  Every Wed, 8 – 9pm

The Coast Bistro & Bar
Live Band , Wed – Sat, 8:30 – 11:30 pm 
Tuesday Oyster Treats 
Get 3 Australian Oysters at Only $5! with each purchase of a Whole Day Main Dish.

Brussels Sprouts 
 All Weekend and Public Holidays : Kids Eat Free !!!!!!!!!!


LilliPutt Indoor Mini Golf 
SIA Boarding Pass/KrisFlyer Membership Card & LilliPutt Privilege Card
    10% off regular-priced games and merchandise.