Weekend Treat

It was a nice weekend. Treated myself to a crystal/hot stone massage. My cousin used clear quartz crystal for the body and rose quartz for the face. It felt cooling, soothing and relaxing. Crystals are supposed to be beneficial due to its healing vibrations. Apparently Clear quartz contains all colors of the spectrum and heals at all levels. While rose quartz helps to soothe the skin. So, if you like to know more about crystals, go to http://www.crystalwellbeing.co.uk

My weekend ended with Candy's mooncakes for dessert. That went down a treat down the tum tum. :0) Now,it's payback with yoga sessions for the week.

Surya Yoga on 21st September 2008

I have checked Berakas Reserve Forest Beach for the upcoming event and it looks good. The beach is really clean and the surroundings are amazing. If you haven't confirm your place, please do so as soon as possible. Also, do be on time at 6.30am. Please bring your own yoga mats and sun block . Don't forget to either dress in black or white (hmm, thinking and humming M.Jackson's song now......) We will do an hour's flow of Hatha Vinyasa Yoga. Beginners, intermediate and advanced yoga students are welcome. See Ya!

Opps, I did it again!

"Ha! Ha! Ha!....Hee! Hee! Hee!..... e.t.c" The laughter was spontaneous and when Pete heard it, he jumped out of bed and said out loud," WHAT THE HELL!"

That was me laughing in my sleep two nights ago. I have no idea why I did it. Maybe it was the after effect of watching Mamma Mia. "SOON people in white coats are going take you away to the FUNNY FARM! What's going on in that head of yours?" I looked at him innocently,"I don't know why I laughed. I feel okay." He looked at me strangely, trying to suss out whether it was SAFE to get back into bed. "Seriously, if you do it again, we'll have to MRI your head."

I decided to google sleep talking and these were the results:-

SLEEP TALKING
Sleep talking (somniloquy) refers to any utterance made during sleep, from one word to entire sentences. It can be brought on by stress or some illness. It is relatively harmless although disturbing to room mates. (or Husbands! :0) )

SYMPTOMS:
Speaking or muttering during sleep
Sleeper is not aware he is talking
Sometimes shouting, singing or moaning
May be associated with other sleep disorders
May be associated with physical or mental illness ( Me?? Crazy?? )

Apparently there's no harm in it. Oh well, at least I didn't scream out loud in my dreams. That would send Pete running out of the room! Hee! Hee!

Mamma Mia !

Just arrived home after watching Mamma Mia. Pete kept his promise after all. The movie was pretty fun and light to watch overall. Meryl Streep took the lead role and the casts included Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved its raucous, dance party vibe. It is the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) a young woman living on a picturesque Greek island with her mother, Donna (Streep.) Sophie discovers her mom's diary prior to her wedding and invites three possible men whom she thinks might be her dad. But Sophie invites without telling her mom her scheming plans.

All three men turn up for Sophie's wedding, unaware of 'why' they were invited. Donna is shocked and overwhelmed when she discovers her past lovers have made a come back. The story then sees Sophie spending time with each man, determined to learn the truth.

The mother daughter relationship is touching. Streep has a lovely singing voice, and to watch her throw herself into this whimsical role is truly a delight. She looks like she is having a ball, and it is hard not to shimmy along with her. I guess it's entertaining, but I felt the producers and directors might have overdone on the singing bits. Have a laugh, take the movie with a 'pinch of salt'. I rate it three out of five.

Pete thought it was just too silly nilly. I guess the guys would do.

Ways To Prevent Cancer ( By Lisa Fayed 2007)

1)Avoid smoking, whether it be actual smoking or secondhand smoke.

We hear a dozen times a day how bad cigarettes are for us and the risk of lung cancer. Why? Because smoking is the most significant risk factors for cancers that we can reduce. Did you know that smoking can increase your risk of many other cancers? Need help quitting? Check out About's Smoking Cessation Site for great tips and support.

2) Practice sun safety and recognize when skin changes occur.

Skin cancer is becoming more common, especially among young people. Wear sunscreen when outdoors, even if it is shady, and try to avoid the outdoors during the sun's peak time, which is 10 am - 2 pm. Knowing your skin's moles and spots is essential. Any changes need to be reported to your doctor ASAP.

3. Eat your fruits and veggies.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which help repair our damaged cells. Green veggies and orange and yellow fruits and veggies are your best bet. Learn more about antioxidants in this great article, "Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention"

4. Watch the meats you eat, especially smoked or cured foods.

Research suggests that a diet high in animal fat can lead to the development of certain cancers. A diet high in smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables increases your risk factor for cancer.

5. Limit your alcohol intake.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly increases your risk factor for cancer. Studies suggest that men who consume 2 alcoholic drink per day and women who have 1 alcoholic drink per day significantly increase their risk factors for certain types of cancer.6. Exercise for cancer prevention.

Being overweight greatly increases your risk factor for developing cancer.

So, exercising to maintain or reach your ideal weight is one of the best defenses against cancer. Exercising doesn't have to be a bore, check out Top 10 Best Ways to Prevent Cancer Through Exercise for some fun ways to exercise.

7. Know your personal and family history of cancer.

Research tells us that some types of cancers can be genetic. Knowing your family history of cancer can help you make more informed decisions about your healthcare. It can also aid in genetic testing and counseling, to assist you in finding out if you carry a mutated gene that increases your risk factor for cancer. Check out "Genetic Cancers" for more information about genetic cancer, testing and counseling.

8. Know what chemicals you are being exposed to in your work environment.

If you are exposed to fumes, dust, chemicals, etc in the workplace, you have a right to know what you are being exposed to. Gasoline, diesel exhaust, arsenic, beryllium. vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers are all carcinogens and can be found in some work environments. Talk to your employer about limiting exposure.

9. Practice safe sex.

Unsafe sex can result in the infection of the HPV virus, a known cause for cervical cancer and a risk factor for many other cancers. HPV is a virus transmitted through sexual intercourse. Learn more about HPV in "HPV: What is HPV and How Do You Get It?"

10. Be sure to keep up on screening tests like the Pap, mammograms, and DREs.

Make sure you have regular screening tests like the Pap smear and mammogram if you are a woman, and a DRE (digital rectal exam) if you are a man. The Pap and DRE can detect cellular changes before they become cancerous, and the mammogram may be able to detect breast cancer early. A rectal exam should be part of a woman's yearly gyn exam

JUST STAND UP

JUST STAND UP Lyrics (This song is included in my playlist of songs)

Beyonce: The heart is stronger than you think
It’s like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can’t it finds a way to still push on, though

Carrie: Sometimes you want to run away
Ain’t got the patience for the pain
And if you don’t believe it look into
your heart the beat goes on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that
Things get better
Through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up

Sheryl: Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle

Beyonce: You need to know

CHORUS
Sheryl: If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up

Sheryl/Beyonce: Who are we to be
questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Fergie: It’s like we all have better days
Problems getting all up in your face

Leona: Just because you go through it

Fergie: Don’t mean it got to take control, no

Leona: You ain’t gotta find no hiding place

Keyshia: Because the heart can beat the hate

Leona: Don’t wanna let your mind keep playin’ you

Keyshia: And sayin’ you can’t go on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that

Miley: Things get better
Through whatever

Rihanna: If you fall

Miley: Dust if off, don’t let up

LeAnn: Don’t you know you

Natasha: Can go

LeAnn: Be your own

Natasha: Miracle

Carrie: You need to know

Ensemble: CHORUS

Mary: You don’t gotta be a prisoner in your mind

Ciara: If you fall, dust it off

Mary: You can live your life

Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah

Mary: Let your heart be your guide

Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah yeah yeah

Mariah: And you will know that you’re good if you trust in the good

Ashanti: Everything will be alright, yeah
Light up the dark, if you follow your heart

Mary: And it will get better

Mariah: Through whatever

CHORUS

Fergie: You got it in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
Find it within you, find it within
Everyone: THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Stand Up 2 Cancer

Went back home late last night at 9.30pm after class. Settled down a bit after and watched some TV. Was channel hopping and came across the StandUp2Cancer charity event (a re run ) with celebrities at standby to take in donation. Celebrities included Charlize Theron, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Anniston, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Garner, Sidney Poitier, Keanu Reeves, Tobey McGuire, Balthazar Getty, Hilary Swank, America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Christina Applegate, Sally Field and may more. Patrick Swayze showed up on stage too, a bit hard to recognise him as he has lost a lot of weight since his diagnosis of cancer. I didn't realise he had it till he started self referencing himself to the event. The telethon charity event showed real people who either have cancer, or had cancer. They also included people who have lost loved ones to the disease. It was a pretty emotional event, showed little kids going undertreatment.

So,what's Stand Up 2 Cancer? It is an innovative approach to help research designd and bring together the best and brightest investigators from leading institutions around the world. This unique initiative, helps foster scientific collaboration and accelerate the discovery of new therapies, which will be administered by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing research to prevent and cure cancer, under the direction of a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. (Ref : http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/node/1032)

The event was well organised. Beyonce, Ashanti, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Bedingfield, Rihanna, Fergie and Carrie Underwood all decked out in their black Stand Up To Cancer t-shirts, grouped and sang “Just Stand Up!”, the worldwide charity single benefiting Stand Up 2 Cancer. It was very catchy, would love to get the album if I see it.

For more info, this is a good website to read about it http://www.backseatcuddler.com

Laughing Babies

You can't help but laugh with these beautiful babies. Have a great day guys

Yuuuummmmy Mooncakes by Sweet Candy

Okay, even as a yoga teacher, I admit. I have my sinful indulgence and last night, wahhh, I really did indulge. My friend Candy baked some mooncakes and she gave me some, as soon as I took a bite of it, I just couldn't stop eating the next one. She bakes it herself and jees, she's definitely the next Martha Stewart. The pastry was nice and soft, the fillings was at it's fullest taste, and it was absolooodley deeelicious. Ya, I told her she should open a bakery shop. I usually share sweets with dear hubby. Lucky me, he wasn't into mooncakes, so weh hey! Moi' finished it. Ya, okay, feeling the guilt. But regrets? Nahhh. It was worth it!!!! :0)

Watched Juno yesterday. Like it. It's funny, witty and filled with lovable characters. The story's about a teen who's pretty smart for her age, yet she gets pregnant and decides to keep it. She finds her unborn child a perfect pair of parents. Lucky Juno also has the full support of her parents throughout the pregnancy. The film follows Juno in her pregnancy and how she finds 'herself' in the process of having the baby. If you are the type of person to watch Little Miss Sunshine, then you'll like this one too.