better train while not training

Saved a ball with the left side of my ribcage.
Now can't sleep on my left, can't breathe normally.
Plus i've got a very bad sore throat, not sure from what.

Just saw doc this morning, said it's a muscle overstrain, no polo for at least a week.
Gave me medicine for pains, now i'm drowsy, can't read my health psychology text with full focus.
Got a test this sat and next thurs, and I'm barely halfway through my 'Issues of Developmental Psych' essay assignment.

sigh. Am I stressed?

an sms I recieved this morning

"God has not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.
God has not promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow.

But God has promised STRENGTH for the day,
REST for the labour,
LIGHT for the way,
GRACE for the trials,
HELP from above,
unfailing and undying LOVE.

If you would dare to trust Him and not doubt,
He'll satisfy us abundantly.
He opens the door into His fullness
And we'll know that
He has done it all.

Good morning. =) "

you can't rush things in life. you just can't.

In His time
in His time
He makes all things beautiful
in His time

Lord please show me everyday
as You're teaching me Your way
that You do just what You say
In Your time.

In Your time
In Your time
You make all things beautiful
In Your time

Lord my life to You I bring,
may each song I'm to sing
be to You a lovely thing
In Your time

My most memorable BBQ..

Just what did we do for our 2nd Valentine's Day? - We had dinner.
Was it posh? - Nope. BBQ! --> TAKE AWAY bbq that is!

haha.. it was damn fun. I went with my mum and Kenley over to NTUC to get the wire mesh and aluminium tray and all the food (actually simply beef and cheese sausages) and chocolate for the chocolate banana.. then went to my place and while I was running around the house packing all the ice ah, charcoal ah, bed-n-breakfast table ah, mat ah..and all that, Kenley was preparing the banana chocolate and subsequently ate some dinner (home-cooked) with my Dad cos my dad warned that we won't be eating till another 2 hrs later - which later became true.

So after we were all packed and ready to go, we made our way to my favorite place - West Coast Park. Guess where we had our picnic. It was a mere 2.5m from the car park itself. It was practically behind my van. HAHA! however, we had our lamp as our source of light so that we could see what we're cooking. Plus, the weather was remarkable. It was windy the whole night! So shiok.

So we tried to get the fire started. *fan fan fan*. No fire. We played cards - the game of speed - while waiting for the the inital big flames to 'grow smaller for cooking'. We didn't know they'ld DIE down to nothing again. No fire for the next 1 hr. We were down to our last fire-starter. I almost wanted to cry but Kenley kept fanning undaunted. Then, he stopped. I thought he gave up too. Then he suddenly said, 'Aye, yay, good' nonchalently. then I noticed that the WHOLE bunch of charcoal in there were in flames! the whole thing just BURST into flames from no where! I was SOOO excited.. I was like, YAY! we can finally eat! So we started our meal at like, 9pm. (I think by then most people must have progressed to part 2 of their agenda for the night huh..) and every now and then, the fire would die, but we were encourage by our first episode and faithfully fanned the glowing charcoals till flames reappeared again.. it was a really fun experience.. enriching? haha.. might say that..

We cooked our beef (too well done..damn tough to eat eh..) and the cheese sausages (SPETACULAR.. they were the best man.. both of us finished all 10 sticks)... then, we had our dessert - Chocolate Banana!! woo hoo.. it was real good. when we were left with our last chocolate banana, they were burning hot, so hot that the banana's 'essence' was seeping out of the aluminium foil and simmering in the tray like frying oil.. so when we took it out and put it on our plastic plates, that were on our plastic bed-n-breakfast table, there were some charcoal that came with it and it burnt through the plastic plate AND the bed-n-breakfast table. I was like ARGHH!!! Kenley! it's melting the table!! then I so smart..threw the still-glowing little cube of charcoal into our plastic bag also the dustbin. Little did I know that that same charcoal burnt through the plastic bag, which was on our straw mat - and burnt it too. And I was like, ARGHH!! it's burning this too!!

Haha.. from no fire to too much of it. But Kenley and I took some pics there and in the van. Our dinner ended pretty early about 10.30pm..my mum was surprised how come I came back so early.. My friend on msn thought I didn't go out in the first place. heh.

Fun fun fun. This is the first Valentine's where I dont' really feel the lovey-dovey feeling that much. cos no flowers or gifts (but there's chocolate!). I warned Kenley not to get me flowers today (even though i'm a real sucker for flowers)..found it really waste of money.

I loved tonight. It was really fun, despite the burnt stuff that might have ruined a bit of the night. Learnt about some stuff about Kenley and myself too. You know, sometimes you can't, or rather, SHOULDN'T expect too much - or anything, for that matter - of your bf/gf. He/She not doing how/what you think he/she should have done doesn't make him/her any different or inferior. Sometimes I finally realize I need to work this out within myself.

Looking back at tonight, I'm glad it went according to how it went. It was perfect.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's day everybody.. hope you're taking some time out for your loved ones - not necessarily your bf/gf only, but THOSE who love you for who you are --> THEY are the real lovers. here's a few tips for the last minuters:

1) Get them something..
2) make them something...
3) make them happy...
4) take them out, have lunch with them..
5) surprise them..
6) give them an sms to wish them..maybe consider adding a Biblical verse to it, like "Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greates of these is love." 1 Cor 13:13. Or this, "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.
7) watch tv with them
8) play cards with them
9) thank them for loving you
10) thank them for being a blessing in your life
11) do the dishes for them.. pack your room by yourself too..
12) give them an e-card
13) give them an email!
14) stop working and talk to them

and basically...

Make then HAPPY, let them know that you love them. what is love? you may ask.. you can check out 1 Cor 13:4-8 for those of you who have Bibles. If not, here it is, together with my interpretation based on my experiences with Kenley..heehee

Love is patient.. - this means you wait for him with no anger, even though he takes God-knows how long to change and pack, or when he's still wearing his socks upstairs and you told him you're there already.

..love is kind.. - this means you help him when he needs it, or even when he doesn't. If he needs a lift all the way back to Pioneer road, you give it with no 'buts'. Even if he doesn't, if it permits, bring him there anyway. Gosh you've got a car!

..It does not envy, it does not boast.. - You and him probably have many talents each and hence have your pride in your different areas. But don't look down on yourself just cos you're not sought by 9 guys, or didn't have a 50/100 backstroke school nationals record for a couple of years, or not the Miss Nice Lady in the group.. Even so, don't look down on HIM if he can't sing, dance or entertain, for that matter (ok he's jokes are getting better.. hee). Or just cos he doesn't do what you do for him, like giving cookies and chocolates, buying you the things that cost a bomb.. Because of this 4-letter word, LOVE, you two love each other for who each other is - in every sense of that cliche phrase! Everything doesn't matter once you guys have the love of Christ!

..It is not rude .. - self explanatory. Show the respect man, whether he deserves it or not.

..it is not self-seeking.. - this means stop doing things only when it's convenient for YOU. Go out of the way once in a while, like he did for you. Tolerate his idiosyncrasies, like he did for you. Stop arguing just to make sure that you're heard, accept each other's differeneces, like he did for you. Stop expecting him to tell you 'he loves you' every other day, SHOW it, like he did for you.

..it is not easily angered.. - (can't remember which verse it is..but) Don't dwell on stupid arguments that were triggered from trivial sparks of emotions that only magnifies your undesired human nature. Think through the problem man.. just like him. Sigh if you need to, it slows things down. But sigh with the correct intentions! Remember, after all, he still loves you very much!

..it keeps no record of wrongs.. - he forgot all. he didn't mind. he still loves you for who you are. he takes all that rubbish, all that nonsense, all that screaming and tantrums - the whole package, he takes them, put them in his pocket where he knows where it is but does not take out, and still loves you. Forget about your ideal partner. This imperfect friend is a friend very much perfect for you. It's cos God made him perfect for you. "And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." Gen 1:31.

..Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.. - Do you really think that he thinks you're fat? or ugly? He doesn't wanna make you feel good by giving you a white lie. He tells you the truth so that in that simple act - by being blatent with you - you know that he knows that even though you're fat and he knows it, he still loves you. Also, do you realise he's not indulging in immoral ways because he's got the love of Christ? Do you appreciate that he doesn't go drinking just to get drunk and wasted so that he may be sober and keep off all undesired behaviour? Be thankful that he's a man of God. Praise God for what your man seeks in.

.. It always protects.. - He doesn't want to see you hurt. He doesn't EVER want to be the one that makes you cry. He very much wants to protect this special relationship before you guys are married. He stands up for you - only when you really need it. He corrects you - so that you may not tread the wrong path.

..always trusts.. - He doesn't mind you going out with your other guy friends from school, or have a meal with your childhood friend alone.. So should you NOT worry about his past crushes that he had, or his ex-girlfriends and his expectations that he might have of you (goodness, if he really loves you for who you are, there're NO expectations!) Likewise if he doesn't answer your calls or your smses, or if he's not back from dinner with his group of friends, STOP deceiving yourselves! Trust him. He loves you, and you need to trust him to keep this engine of love going.. If you can trust him, and he trusts you, nothing should go wrong..

..always hopes.. - You and him quarrel like nobody's business. And it's over nothing. He still holds on. You tell him he's wasting his time on you and that he should find 'someone he deserves'. He says no, and he wants to hold on. What's he doing?? He's holding on. He's not given up on you. He knows there's a better side of you after this whole bickering. He knows that deep down, there's a part of you that loves him too, and he wants to rejoice in that. He knows that after this bickering, comes the reconciliation, and henceforth, a better relationship. He thanks God.

..always perseveres.. - It's really very tiring to tolerate all your tantrums and nonsense under the disguise of your PMS. Likewise, stop picking on his bad points and his bad days. Be there for him. Show him the love of Christ - the love that surpasses all understanding (i.e. you won't know WHY you're still loving him! but do you always need a reason?).

..Love never fails.. - What a comforting thought. Thank God.

This is just MY personal interpretation of what the verses mean to me. The verses are very powerful. You can use it to show what it means in your life. Feel free to dispute what I've said, or even if you wish to encourage and give hope. I've highlighted the verses in red, symbolizing the blood of Christ. I know this is not like some sermon or what, but I know, the greatest Lover of all is Christ himself. Beneath all these acts and words of love is Christ, because God IS love. and many people can't understand that. Hey everybody, we've got an amazing God.

few more pics..

(above: us at T2 trying to get a group shot as all in one piece before we go)

the first time our van's door broke down - at Perth airport when we first got the van.
(val looks so traumatized while Ade looks thoughtful)

inside the stadium

South African girls vs England at the outdoor pool

Singapore men vs England
can't remember but i think it's the women's Australia vs Canada

Our coach, Matthew Tan prepping us before our game

Thinking back about the Commonwealth, I must say that the experience was really enriching. Not only about the other country's people and how they play and stuff.. but I learnt quite a bit about my own teammates --> and possibly about people around me.. and I think I learnt quite a bit about myself too. I don't wanna go into details but.. yep just a comment.

Some pics!

the hot (sun) & cold (wind & waters) beach - beautiful!

some of us

45 min worth of fireworks at Swan River on Australia Day, 26 Jan

both men and women's team

was just snapping with one hand while driving back to the airport

terribly busy sorry

Hey SSF, wha I didn’t know you were that interested in our games. Sorry I have been quite tied up with the CNY plus catching up with school notes and stuff that really got me feeling quite tired these few days. It sucks getting back to reality man. Oh well, ok I’ll maybe give a quick review of the Games as much as I can. (I actually wrote a whole completed blog on this, and then while trying to upload the pics, the whole blog has to close so it was all gone! Damn frustrated. I’m actually re-typing it on Word now just in case..)

During our 1 week stay at Perth, we basically played 6 games at Challenge Stadium (7 countries in total) and details of each day can be read at www.waterpolochamps.com so you can go check it out. (Just an ego booster: I’m mentioned in day 3 report on us against Scotland! Heehee..)

The ang mohs there are HUGE. They’re not only tall and broad shoulders and all that, but they’re HUGE..in every sense of the word. Heh. Every time after the introductory session where both teams are standing in one line (like that before a football match), then we’ll walk across to shake hands with our opponents, I’ll always tell them, ‘please dun kill me..’. The ang moh’s just took it as a joke and gave a little chuckle and then move on to shake the next person behind me. I was dead serious.

The Canadians were humongous. This pic on the right is with Canada’s #12, Christine Robinson. When I was just standing in the warm up pool, then I saw her walk past me and I looked up, and I was like, ‘I’m against her next. Shit.’ But after the match they were simply girls exchanging chips and Gatorade and all smiley and friendly when we asked to take picture with them.

Have I mentioned how playing waterpolo with them is like? Anyway, things can get pretty rough in there in the water. (For those who do not play Waterpolo, here’s a general idea of what it’s like.) As I mentioned, size does matter, especially if you’re the nearest person to the post in the center where you have the best angle to take a shot – the center forward. When you’re there, your defender is ON you like nobody’s business.. they’ll tug your collar they’re grab your who-knows-what and when the short-clock time’s up and there’s still no goal, they’ll kick off you like a standing board and counter like you didn’t have a life to live. In that process, you get scratched, pinched (!!), kicked/knocked/elbowed/butt-headed.. whatever you can think of..you can get it. Thing is, yes there’re referees around, but they’ll only blow a foul for you if it’s all shown ABOVE the water. So if they’re pulling your costume, you gotta rise up (by treading water really hard) so as to ‘show’ the referee that you’re being pulled, then he’ll blow the foul, or probably a sect, now with the change of rules. So let’s say they pull you at ur collar that straps across ur shoulders, and they pull inwards down your chest, AND you try to lift yourself up to show the ref.. what happens? PLUUUP! A breast is revealed. Tada… yeaps.. that happens quite a bit during international games especially (when it gets really serious).. in the world cup that I watched during 2002, girls’ costumes get torn 2-3 times and they’ve just gotta keep changing their costumes.. it’s because of this that they modified the rules that once they see a hand on another costume during a struggle, the ref’s are supposed to blow.

Wow my poor teammates got a lot of that going on in the game.. that’s partly why I chose to be a goalkeeper.. the only contact I have is the ball – whether on my face or breast – I’ld rather have that.

I must say we got what we wanted when we intended to go there in the first place. We wanted exposure, we wanted experience and we wanted to gain something valuable. We got the exposure, we definitely got the experience and nowadays, I guess there’s hardly a chance when we get to go overseas as a national contingent to represent our country and play against World Class players in the arena..

Anyway, I’m afraid I might have problems uploading pics but I guess I might have to do it one at a time.. so if I can find the time one day I’ll do it lah.. now gotta read my text for tmr’s lect!

(oh yeah, sorry SSF, no modeling pics. I declined the FHM and Maxim thingees but the guy said he’ll let me know about any other family magazines that might come by, which I preferred. Yup.)

I'm so sleepy during my I/O tutorial now...