2009

The year Two Thousand and Nine:

Last day of the year, and I'm enjoying a precious moment of tranquility at a yoga studio in the middle of Mongkok. People rushing in and out, signing in, changing, and hurrying to class. Yet, here I am, sitting leisurely at the resting lounge, fiddling with my phone while music plays through the ear pieces. I just love this brief moment of nothingness. Of doing nothing in particular, of thinking of nothing in particular. Simply, just being. Just being here, being me.

There's just too much clutter in our daily lives. Obligations, errands, tedious things and useless thoughts, jamming up our minds, taking up our precious time. All that chasing, searching, and planning, but honestly, for what? Happiness? Security?

Hmmmm.... Am I not happy? Am I not secure? I can't help but smile when I type those words. Happiness, to me, is really just a simple choice of letting myself feel good, of being able to let go, and of being able to appreciate what and where I am today. And when that all comes into place, the sense of security, this feeling of completeness, will come naturally.

Hmmm... then what have I been doing this whole 2009 then?

Good question.....

-AM



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Happy bday Tinsel!

Dec 26, 2009:

1:40am in the morning and I am slouching on my chair with bday Tin slouching across my chest and belly. Tis Christmas again, and tis Tinsel's birthday again.

Her sixth. With many more to come.

It's just so amazing to see how much she has transformed from her old self into the new gal that she is today. In all fairness, she's still far from being the perfect dog, but she has came a long way, and no one could've imagined how bad she was back then.

I know I am quite long-winded, but I really have to thank Pete and Cindy for this. Pete for re-training us and for showing me that Tinsel is not the hopeless case that every other trainer claimed to be. Cindy for taking Tinsel in for her first and subsequent grooming sessions, giving her the chance to meet other people and dogs. Thanks to you both, for making it happen.

Thanks to Lolita for training Tinsel with me, and for being so persistent. It wouldn't be possible without your cooperation, you know!

And not to mention, another heartful thank you to all of our friends and neighbors for not turning your backs on Tinsel when she was still her growly self, for showing her love and patience, and for being here to witness the new her. Thanks, everyone, especially Belle Belle, Sue, Jessica, and Andy.

And last but not the least, hubby for being so patient, and Tinsel for simply trying.

Six years, six birthdays. Many, many more to come.

I love you so much, my dearest little Tin-Tin.

Big kisses,
Mommy


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Merry Christmas!

To all my friends, aunts and uncles,

Happy holidays with many many yummy dinners!

With licks and kisses,
Tinsel and Kimba






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Pretty pretty

Grooming time for Mom..... I wonder what she'll look like when she gets home tonite....

Anyways, no matter how she looks she'll always be my no.1 super Mom!

Big licks,
Tinsel


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Finito!

Finally done with the "Xmas essentials" (aka Xmas shopping) and only two more days to go before our week long vacation starts.

Oh my, there will be so much wine and dine that I'm beginning to worry about my already diminishing waist line....or whatever that's left of it, at least.

;-P

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Home! Oh I missed the kids!

Sooooo much!

The warmth of Kimba's body alongside my thighs as I lay on the couch.

The sound of Tinsel snoring lightly on the floor beside us.

All in all, telling me that I'm finally home with my two babies.

My sweet home.

It's good to be home. But a tidbit sad to realize that I will have a full day of classes to teach tomorrow. It's going to be tough - I just hope I can stay awake!

Guess I'd better hit the sack now!

Nite,
Am


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Bye bye Vancouver

I will be back.

;-)



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Dec 13,2009: day 5 of TT II

And I was just wishing for some snow!

Our last day of our level II Anusara Teacher Training with Chris, and, voilà! The first snow.

Yes!

Not too much, and not too little either. Just enough to give a light sugary coating to the trees and the greens. Turning Udo and Erika's Japanese garden into a little fairyland.

Beauuuuutiful!

And most importantly, adding a touch of joy to our heart on this day of saying goodbyes.

Goodbyes and hugs to our dearest friends in Vancouver. For taking the time out of your busy schedules to see us, for extremely delicious meals and much cherished company.

Gratitude and appreciation to our teachers, Chris, Ozlem, Sjannie, Christine, and our awesome classmates for sharing this blissful part of our journey with us.

All of your love and kindness have made us complete and whole.

Until we meet again,
Namaste,
Am

First snow:



Wish granted:



Udo and Erika's Enchanted Garden:


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Mornin'!

Day 4 of our 5 days TT. And this is the hardest day for most of us as we know that this wonderful gathering is coming to an end. Day 5 would be easier as we will already be there, the last day, the closing of this part of our amazing journey together. It's the we're-not-there-yet-but-we're-almost-there that's tough.

Fell asleep amongst my bags and clothing on the bed last night and woke up naturally at our usual time of 7:30 this morning without any alarms. Meaning: I really, seriously, take this very seriously. So seriously that no matter how tired I was, my mind will still maintain this faint sense of awareness of time even though I had already passed out in bed.

Physically, I am just a little sore. Mentally, I am totally challenged. Spiritually, I am buzzed.

Mentally challenged by this constant flow of information that picked every little crevice in my brain. Information that required so much contemplation that kept my mind running on full gear. Which led to this feeling of vast expansion of awareness, this spiritually enriching, intruiging feeling of completeness.

OMG, I think I sound a bit cuckooed. But hey, that's why I say I'm buzzed! This must be some form of spiritual natural high.

Anyways, I just want to jog down this complex feeling that I'm having right now, on this second to last day of our training. This excitingly longing feeling of "what are we going to learn/discuss today?" with a hint of underlying sadness that this amazing experince will soon be coming to an end.

Yet, I know that is is not the end. This is, in fact, the beginning of a life-enrching journey.

BTW, Vancouver, I'm not done with you yet, and you're not getting rid of me so easily. Chris Chavez again in 2010, back here in the great old Van---couver!

See you all, my amazing Vancouver kula, soon.







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Cheapy cheap cheap

C$ 29 （HK$200) for 30 liters of gas？

You gotta be kidding me.


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I'm so full...

....rubbing my belly....

Tea and sushi (again) tonite, takeout at 9059 - JP's joint.

Really happy to see JP and his place again - left so many memories there.

And friends like JP are hard to find. Very very hard, in fact.

And we have been blessed with not only one, but quite a few of them here. (You guys know who you are!)

Thanks again, to you all, for being such amazing and supportive friends. For letting us be ourselves, and, for being you.

Luv, me


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Back to work...

....or should I say, back to our old work place, the location of our headquarters when we had our wholesale and retail businesses.

It is now the showroom/manufacturing faciity for a gourmet food company that belongs to my dearest friend, JP. It's quite nostalgic to be back in that space where we've spent many nights and days, filling orders, making sales. Things feel somewhat familiar, yet so very much different.

How often does one move away from a place and still have access to it years after? It's a real trip down memory lane, I'm tellin ya.









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Dec 11, 2009: day 3 of CCYTT II

A much more relaxed energy after two days of super fun and inspiring trainings.

Still another day of super fun and inspiring training and I'm loving every moment of it.

Om, shanti, shanti, shanti...





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Let it snow, let it snow...

Woke up to a powdery white film on the pavement and I was so happy - haven't seen snow for almost 2 years now and I'm beginning to miss it!

But - wait!! It's, not snow. Just a very light powdery blizzard that lasted for a few hours.

Oh please, let me see and feel some real snow before I go.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.......(I'm manifesting it now....)


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Oh yeah, about Cin Cin..

We didn't get to eat there the other night as they were booked for a private party. Nevertheless, we had a nice meal of wine and pasta at their next door neighbor, Zelleferi's, and were still quite happy with it.

Oh well, who told me to pick Cin Cin instead of Il Giardino, Ciopinno's, or even, Al Porto!

Fate.


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King crab!

Super humongous King Crab two-ways at our favorite Kirin Restaurant with Jo, David, and Jo's parents last night left me feeling really fulfilled -and it's actually a Korean king crab and not the Alaskan one yet! Yummy yummy yummy.... I think I am putting on more weight then I'm losing despite the intensity of our practices!

Thanks J and D, for sharing such a lovely evening and meal.

Next time it will be our turn, Hong Kong or Japan? Just name the place and time!


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Dec 9, 2009: day 1 of TT II

So excited to be back on board the "Love Spaceship" again! (I know this sounds corny, but that's what some of us calls it, this Chris Chavez/Anasura kula. And if you're part of it, you'll probably agree that this feels like one big and growing spaceship that's loaded with love and support).

Anyways, back to my recap of day 1. It's just so good to be back on the boat! Big hugs and warm heartful mornings to some of the most beautiful people that we've met only a few weeks ago. The vibe was just amazing. And the moment when Chris and Ozlem came into the room, everything just came together as one strong energy. All became one.

The day simply flew by and before long, we were sealing our first day together this December with our one Om. Unbelieveable.

My much dreaded/love-hate part of the training - the actual practice, was a bliss. And! No soreness in my shoulders so far!

All-in-all, day one has been great, and the days will only get better!

Time to freshen up for dinner - Cin Cin, here we come!

*slurp* *slurp*



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Oh yumm....

Hirame Usuzukuri, one of my all-time favorites.

Ajisai, I will be back.




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Ultra-super-duper True Carnivores

The place for the best doggie goodies - just 10 minutes walk from home again (when we used to live there)....ultra knowledgeable people with super wholesome foods and duper four-legged customers.

I'm sure both Tinsel and Kimba will agree that they've left their hearts at True Carnivores....


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Super-duper Ajisai

Our all time favorite Japanese sushi bar in Vancouver - Ajisai in the back alleys of Kerrisdale -a mere 5 minutes walk from home when we used to live here.
Oh, those good old days...

Freezing cold Vancouver...

....warm and cosy hotel room.

Thought we had misread the weather forecasts but it is really, I mean, really, cold here. Lucky that Lolita managed to pull out an old down jacket for me at the very last minute! So silly of me to have thought that I could do with just a thicker fleecy jacket!

Anyways, it is still a treat to be back in Vancouver again. We have a much more relaxed schedule this time around, which really helps to ease out any stress from travelling.

Jet-lag. Hmmm....hard to say how bad it is yet as we both couldn't sleep during the flight and crashed the moment we checked into our room. Went out for a midnight dinner (yummy hotpot!) and now all tucked in in bed again. So far so good as I could feel a little sleepiness sinking in. Don't know about hubby though, coz he's already all absorbed by some Japanese tv show, which may last anywhere from a few hours to throughout the night. But u know what? If he couldn't get up early tomorrow, then I can go shopping all by meself - which might not be such a bad idea afterall! ;P

Hmmmm.... Time to plan tomorrow's itinerary now!

Shhhhhhh......
AM

Hotpot....yummmmm....






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The "Gang's Nite Out"

The CC Gang in action - BBQ on the beach!

Everyone, including both two and four legged ones, had a great great time. Good venue, great food, and even greater company.

And on top of all that, a stroll on the beach in the twilight - a wee bit eerie but also very intruiging for the kids.

Followed by a nice comfy ride home and a hot bath for the trio - Spike, Kimba and Tinsel - all the way till 4 in the morning.

A bit wild, wacky, but defnitely, fun.

Let's do this again sometime... :)

-AM

Dead dogs

Aftermath of all the excitement of welcoming Lolita home and a midnight walk/run with mom, Lolita, Spike, Auntie Sue, and big sister Belle Belle:

Two dead dogs.

Sweet dreams!






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The dust is finally settling

Finally. Feeling a bit more settled in, now that we've taken possession of the new flat, and have decided to move there for the time being while we look for a slightly larger flat in the neighborhood. Also, feeling so darn relieved now that Lolita has safely landed back at home.
The end of housewifery for me for a long while, I hope. I'm just not game for it, I'm tellin ya. I'd rather be working my butt off in some office than to housewife the house, simple as that.
And now, time to start thinking and planning for our trip back to Vancouver next week.
Oh, life is just so full of experiences - loving every moment of it!

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Always something new

Wednesdays are always a day of discovery and exploration for me. A full day out in town, in the middle of the financial district, amongst a busy, rushing crowd. Yet, I remain, aloof, somehow detached, like a by-stander, watching, observing.

And today, as I was walking back to the studio, a glimpse of beauty - perfect marriage between the new and the old.

Always loved those quaint old baconies.

Nice.





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Bye bye helmet...

....long time no see, ears.

Finally squeeeeezed the time out for a much needed (and long overdue) haircut today. No more helmet head, but I may need a pair of ear muffs when I get back to Vancouver next week, now that my "ear flaps" are gone.

:)

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Breathe....

Noon-ish, and on the mtr heading out to town to teach my Saturday pre-natal yoga class.
Got quite a day ahead, and I'm feeling a little stressed. Just a little tho. I know I'll be all sweet and mellow again once I set foot in the yoga studio - as I do have the ability to shed all my baggages the moment I step into a yoga studio.
Got to rush home right after class as I will be doing two house inspections, one on the flat that we have purchased, and one for a friend who has also bought a place in our neighborhood. After that, a date with the CC gang, which I really enjoy, by the way, and finally, heading out to dinner with friends.
And that's the part that I'm not that looking forward to, to be honest. I'd rather snuggle up with the kids (and hubby,ok?) at home, then to hang out with a bunch of "long lost friends", doing the "oh really?" and "oh my god that's so funny!" etc..., when I don't really mean it.
However, having said that, I could never say no to my dearest Betty who is going to be married next month - and tonight is a gatherting of the bridesmaids.
*sigh*
I know i will have to drag my butt out the door tonight, but yeah, once I'm there I'll settle in in no time and have a great evening with the girls. I guess-??!



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Two persons, 52 plates of sushi

Well, there's a catch though - each plate is one sushi instead of the usual two pieces.

So it's not that scary afterall.

But I have to admit, it's a really good deal - HK$ 88 per person -wow!

Only at Tung Chung though.

Have a great evening everyone,
Ann



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Ahhhh..... Yooooogaaaa....

Quite a long day today. Stayed home for the most part to catch up on things. Gave Tinsel her bath, then went out for a short date with Spike (Tinsel, I mean).

Then, did an awesome yoga class. Total connection between mind and body. Enjoying my silence, yet playing my edges. Giving my best while acknowledging my limitations. All in all, Bliss.

Exhausted? Tired? Stressed? Who? You? Definitely not me. ;)

Bad food

Bad food giving me bad tummy screwing up half of my day. Now I'm lying in bed feeling feeble and sick. oh well not a bad excuse to lay back a bit, I guess!

Homebound

Waiting for the late night shuttle at Tung Chung MTR station. It's crispy cool and I'm lovin' it. Winter.... I like.


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Having a cuppa

Late dinner and a nice cuppa tea with my friend. Ahhhh...life is still good to me.


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Tired but not hungry

Long day, longer weeks. With housework taking up most of my time, I am having less and less time for other on-going things that needed my attention. In the end I just have to dip into my sleeping and resting time in order to make ends meet. Now I'm sitting at a kaiten sushi place with hubby and M-I-L with no appetite at all. Just freaking tired, longing for my bed...



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Free furnitures available, Wanchai, HK

Only a little over a year-old furnitures available, pick up no later than November 12, 2009.

Location: Wanchai, Hong Kong (you'll need to arrange your own movers and transportation, but there will be parking available in a loading zone)

If you take everything in one shot, then they' re FREE. All I ask of you is to make a donation of HK$500 to the SPCA or the Lau Fau Shan Dog Kennels so we can help out some of the poor animals.

Available items for the bedroom:













Item 1: One queen size bed complete with bedframe and a firm mattress;
Item 2: Two matching bedside tables with drawers;















Item 3: One matching desk with drawers;
Item 4: cushioned chair (minor defect in one leg but all you need is a little glue to fix it);


Available items for the living / dining room:













Item 5: One rectangular dining table with four matching chairs;














Item 6: Chaise lounge with storage underneath (matching 3 seater couch)













Item 6: Three seater couch;
Item 7: One coffee table (matches TV cabinet);
Item 8: Set of 2 pieces side table;














Item 9: TV cabinet (matching coffee table);
















Item 10: set of 2 pieces side console (matching side tables in item 8).

There are slight scratches but everything's in pretty good shape and as comfy as new. There are some stains on the seat coverings but nothing too unsightly. I may have a brand new set of seat coverings but I am not sure if I could find them out from the storage so no promises here!

So here's the deal, all I want is to get rid of everything so they're free as long as someone's willing to take EVERYTHING in one shot.

If you want only a portion of the stuff and not all, then I would charge HK$ 600 for all the items from 1-5, and HK$800 for all the items from 6-10, so I could hire someone to get rid of the remaining items. Any monies left will be donated to the charities mentioned above.

And yes, it's HK$600 for everything from the bed to the cushioned chair, not item by item, and no, this is non-negotiable since it's just too good a deal already.

I can arrange time for viewing before you decide so please leave me a comment or give me a buzz if you know my number.

Thanks, AM

Full-time housewife - me?!!

Yup. For the next 30 days.

Lolita will be off for her much deserved vacation back home in the Philippines starting today, and I'll be taking over the household in the meantime - 30 freaking long days in all.

I know, I know. I've been spoiled. I'll never deny that - especially with a helper as diligent and meticulous as Lolita. But having to take over caring for us for a full month is really - dreadful.

Oh well. C'est la vie. Time to take a deep inhale, roll up my sleeves, and play housewife.

I'm going to be good at this!

AM

Just Chillin'

Still jet-lagging, and woke up 6 in the morning. Fiddled around for a while until I finally decided to haul myself out to the city for an early morning yoga practice.

It's been a long time since I've been to Mongkok in the morning, and somehow it felt, different.

Less crowded, more relaxed, and actually, a bit intruiging. Just a wee-bit. It's still Mongkok afterall. :)

And I had a kick-butt practice. Kick-butt in a sense that I was able to actually enjoy it, both physically, mentally and spiritually. My yoga practice has deviated from my original path since moving to Hong Kong, and I was having less and less fun. Instead of simply enjoying the process of practicing, I was getting to a point of pushing and focusing on the results, the ends, of my practices. Being back to Vancouver, and being able to practice again with so many awesome yogis and yoginis, has rekindled that tiny spark that has been dying out within me. It's a slight paradigm shift but I'm having a lot of fun on the mat again.

I am so glad that I've taken the plunge and made my pilgrimage back home to Vancouver. It's a well worth trip and a much needed one.

And all I hope now, is that I could keep myself from getting lost again among the midst of relatively purely physical practices here in Hong Kong.

Om namah shivaya

ॐ नम: शिवाय

AM

Chris!

Oh my! One crazily amazing teacher, Chris Chavez.

Didn't expect this when we signed on for the Teacher Training with Chris, but this is one inspirational teacher, I'm tellin' ya.

He may look like some funky rock n' roll guy, but he is one great yoga teacher.

Great strong practice with even stronger, deeper teachings.

Keiki said the last few days were like English lessons rather than Yoga lessons. I totally agree. It wasn't just any other yoga training, but rather, some sort of brain-picking, language lessons that get you started on your "thinking train".

I've learned so much in just a mere 5 days that it's going to take me a while of contemplations just to digest most of them. It's just THAT deep.

And our yoga practices were - hmmm..... crazy. From Downward Facing Dog, look between your hands, bend your knees, inhale and jump into, listen to this, Sirsasana II - Tripod Headstand.

Crazy? Very. But fun.

Not that I could do everything that he says, but, hey, it's my practice and I was simply having fun. And that's all it matters. Wow. Amazingly powerful stuff, eh?

I feel so recharged, so..... energized, that I'm totally ready to rock n' roll!

Thanks, Chris, for sharing this spark of yours that willl continue inspiring many others. And thanks Ozlem, for being the grounding force behind Chris and behind all of our trainings.

I bow to you both, my teachers.

AM

Vancooooouver!

Sorry folks! Tried blogging while I was in Vancouver but somehow I just couldn't post anything onto the blog itself. I'm really not that tech-savvy, as you know.

Anyways, I'm sure the title, "Vancoooouver!" says it all - I loved it so much, that I couldn't get enough of it!!!

The only word I could use to describe this past week was, amazing, amazing, amazing.

And I want to be back.

First, the clean, crisp, cool air - loved it.

Then, the lovely scenery with a mix of green and orange leaves - splendid.

And THEN, the people. Friendly smiles and heartful goodbyes - even from strangers on the streets.

Oh, and our friends. Oh, my. I've never realized I was (or we were) so loved. So blessed with such beautiful people around us. Oh, well, you know, birds of the same feather flock together, so I guess I should've known, eh? :)

Even thinking about it all now brings a softness to my nose - sniffle, sniffle. I have been so touched by the people and events of this past week, that I....... just didn't know what to say anymore. Really.

Maybe, just a little from-the-bottom-of-my-heart "Thanks" to everyone and everything that has colored my life?

Yeah, that's it. That's the right word. Thanks.

To you all, and to the Divine up there who's smiling as he/she is reading this.

I just LOVE life.

-AM

Alive, not dead...

Yes, I'm still alive. Alive but busy and half-dead.

One more day to wrap up everything before heading out to Vancouver, and as usual, there's just too much to be taken cared of.

Physically, I felt strong and well, and, at the same time, extremely sore. Been practicing very intensively for the past few weeks and result's been amazingly positive. Quite a drastic improvement of strength as well as flexibility and I've been having some major breakthroughs in my practice lately. Know I shouldn't be complaining but if I could just feel a little less sore......

Mentally, errrrr......I think I'm quite exhausted. Just a little too much happening lately and I'm a little swarmed. In a way I'm glad to be able to go away for a little so I could take a breather. However, as usual, I feel so darn guilty about leaving the kids behind.

*sigh* I'm missing them already, I tell ya.

If only I could bring them along.......

Anyways, better finish up my update and get back to work. I've got a pile of bills to pay and another pile of paperwork to go through before I could safely, officially, declare my "holiday".

And last but not the least, Congratulations to Ben-Ben and San-San, the happy couple:

Wishing you two a lifetime of love and joy together!

October 13, 2009

Luv,

AM

Getting "back" on track

I mean, getting my sore back, back on track, slowly but steadily.

Things are looking good and I'm feeling better every day. Thanks to some very intensive rehab that I'm putting myself through. I know I won't be my hundred percent for the up-coming training, but at least I should feel good enough to move with the class instead of moving with pain. It's just no fun to move and feel like a stiff robot when everybody else's rocking, right? ;)

But hey, you never know! There's still three more weeks to go!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Not only for myself, but also for my dearest Tin-tin. She had the runs last night and we've fasted her for the day. Had a small portion of barley soup just now and I hope she'll be fine tonight so we could all sleep through the night without getting up numerous times for bum wiping and floor cleaning. Poor baby. I bet her bum hurts too from all that wiping, even though I've been really, really, gentle.

Will keep you all posted!

Ciao,

Ann :)

Just a brief update....

Hi folks,

Sorry for not updating my blog much lately. Been really busy.

First things first, I'm feeling much better now, no more runs and no more scratchy throats and all. Back pain is still there, kind of. It comes and goes. Good one day, bad the next. I'm doing some intensive treatment, three times a week, in hopes of getting it back in sync by the time I leave for my Anusara training next month.

And yes, I'm going to Vancouver for the training! One trip in October and another one in December. If I'm lucky (really, I'll be so lucky if my sore back can heal up by then), and if I could complete the two trainings in one piece, then maybe I could even get my Anusara Inspired status by early 2010. Otherwise, I'll just take it as a yoga retreat and enjoy the vacation, sweating my heart out on the yoga mat, meeting with my friends and eating (pigging out) in good-0 Vancouver. Oh, and do lots of shopping too. Can't wait!!!

And before I forget, the dust has finally settled. Our Purchase Offer has been accepted and we will be taking over our new home in about two months' time. Nothing spectacular, just another flat in the same development that we're at right now, with almost identical layout and size. Just a little higher up the floors in a slightly older building that's closer to my parents' and the shuttle bus station. There will be a lot of planning, sourcing and negotiating coming our way, as the place is a little older and will need quite a bit of remodelling. But at least we can kick back for the time being and re-direct our energies into other things for the next little while.

Anyways, gotta run, Tinsel is not feeling well today (been throwing up her food since last night), and I'd better see if she's doing ok.

Ciao,

Ann :)

Still in bed...

...doing much better, but still bedridden.

No more dizziness, no more headaches. Sense of taste is coming back, and so is my appetite.

However, tummy is just barely under control. Under control, not well. Still having the runs and cramps, but controllable with meds.

But still feeling tired and exhausted overall.

Thank goodness hubby can sub my classes today so I can have another day of rest. I just hope I'll feel better tomorrow so I can be up and running again.

Anyways, nite everyone,

AM

Surprise!

Again.

A couple of years ago, hubby decided to surprise me with a software upgrade for my computer, and upgraded my accounting progam to a "newer version" while I was asleep. I woke up the next morning to found out, to my horror, that he has mistakenly gotten the wrong software and has overridden my backups with the new program. After sorting out the mess with the software company and gotten the correct upgrade, I then had to spend days at the computer re-entering everything from the hard copies which I've luckilly retained.

Thought this would be the last of it, but this morning I woke up to find that my dear hubby has again blessed me with his "magic touch" - upgrading the software of my mobile phone - and this time, screwing up the times of all my past, present and future appointments.

I've almost fainted at the sight of it. Luckilly the phone book section was still intact, but that was still such a mess.

*sigh* honey, I'd really appreciate your thoughtfulness, but, please, no more surprises, ever, again.

Wiped out

Me. Completely wiped out.

Back sore from over-exercising.

Then a terrible sore throat with a dry cough, PLUS a really terrible diarrhea as well.

Finally gave in and headed downstairs for the doc - only to find out that he has closed early due to the Typhoon.

*Darn*

Another night in turmoil for me, my back, my throat, and most of all, my so very sorry "behind".

I'm definitely getting one of those bidets when we get our new home, I'm tellin ya.

-AM

Do or die

Still contemplating if I should go to the up-coming Anusara Teacher Training in Vancouver and get this Anusara Inspired thing done and over with. I mean, I've completed over 150 hours of the specified curriculum and am just this 60 hours away from being certified to teach Anusara Inspired classes, something that I've been working at for over 2 years.

But honestly, I'm seriously dreading it. Seriously. This is really some tough shit and I'm really worried that I may not make it to the end. All that aches and pain, all that.... will power, needed, in order to go through with it.

Hubby said I should put myself into a "Do or die" mode and just dive in.

The Black Knight in me says, yeah, baby, way to go!

Panda says, no, not this time, with load of "reasons" as to why I shouldn't go.

And I'm totally caught in between.

So, finally, I've decided to leave this to the greater Universe. In other words, I'm not going to push it, or force it to happen.

I'll just let it come naturally. That is, I'll go if: #1) my studio can find someone to sub my classes during my absence (which is still pending confirmation); AND #2) if I could endure at least one yoga class each day continously for the next 3 weeks without giving in, (Power 2's and Vinyasa 3's, that kind of thing, not level 1's); AND, #3) if they still have space for me at the Training.

Then there's simply no excuse for not going, then, rite?

So let it flow, let it flow,

AM

Kenting escort service....Shhhh....don't tell...

He may not be "handsome" to everyone's standards, but he has his own charm. One strong, tough and macho guy who's also so well-mannered that he could easily charm his way into your heart!

Door-boy at the Kenting hotel, who can also be your escort / bodyguard / tour guide. Whatever you want him to be.

He's a bit shy though, and wouldn't give me his real name. So I called him "Ah-Wong", a generic Chinese name given to common Chinese folks.

Charming Ah-Wong who lived right outside our hotel in Kenting. Ah-Wong who's ready to accompany you out for a stroll on the pier or down the beach, anytime you like. Ah-Wong who patrols the neighborhood every morning with the Pier-side police and their resident door-girl, Shao-Bai.

Introduce Tinsel to him, and together they'll make the best real-life "Lady and the Tramp".

But mind you though, coz Ah-Wong is no stray. He's well cared for (mysteriously, though, since the hotel staffs deny any part in this), as his nails, including his dew claws, were trimmed and he's definitely adequately fed, and not starved. He's actually quite picky when it comes to food: Roasted Chicken, yes. Bread? No. Processed food like sausages? Hell-no. He's quite a foodie, as you can tell!

So, next time you're in the Kenting neiborghood, keep an eye open for Ah-Wong, and please, give him a piece of chicken for me, would'ya?

Meanwhile, have a good nite's rest, my dearest Ah-Wong.....

With love, from Hong Kong,

AM