Last Friday, while heading out to lunch, my colleague and I saw a van backing out of its parking lot and we noticed a ginger cat dragging something small from under the van to the car parked next to it. At first, we thought the cat was chewing on a small mouse but as we looked closer, it was a kitten! It was barely the size of the palm of my hand! The mommy cat was carrying the kitten by the scruff of its neck to the safety of the underneath of another car. I left mommy cat some food that day, after checking with the vet that it’s ok to let them be as long as the mommy’s taking care of the kitten.

That same evening, a friend of mine (she’s an ardent dog rescuer) stopped her car just past a toll plaza to check on her car tyre, and noticed a litter of 7 puppies by the side of the road, without their mom in sight. She’s been back to feed the pups every day since then, waiting for her vet to give her the go-ahead to take them in while she tries to find homes for them.

My question is this : Why, of all people, did it happen to be ME who was walking past when the van was backing out of its lot and hence, noticing the mommy cat + kitten, and why did my friend so happen to stop to check on her car tyre at that spot at the moment, and then her noticing the puppies?

My theory is that the both of us, being hardcore animal lovers, have a subconscious thought in our mind on saving animals or looking out for animals in need, that we inadvertantly attract ourselves to situations where animals need help and somehow, we’re able to help them in every little way that we can. Of course, I’ve come across lots of situations where I couldn’t help and all I could do was say a prayer for the unfortunate animal that it be kept safe and out of harm’s way. But I’ve also encountered situations where I’m able to help and the animal was better off for it.

It actually breaks my heart each time I come across an animal that needs help… and it’s even worse if I can’t do anything to help. But I’m also glad that it’s me who come across them because I know I’d try my best to help, as opposed to most people who would just ignore them.

Sigh… I hope the mommy cat and her kitten are ok :-S

I observe people around me and I see an increasing number of people who are overweight/obese and find out more and more people getting lifestyle diseases these days.

I am also seeing a small but increasing number of people who are making lifestyle changes (for whatever reasons) to be healthier. This is very encouraging to see.

This week, the company has arranged for healthcare consultants from a reknowned hospital in KL to be at our office, to provide basic healthcare checks like glucose and cholesterol level readings, BMI and weight checks, and blood pressure readings. My results came out normal and so did Mich’s but 2 of our male colleagues’ results came out high on cholesterol and blood pressure, one is in his late 20s, the other early 30s.

While driving home from work that day, a thought triggered in my mind. You know the age-old marriage vow, “for better or worse”? I was thinking that these days, it should come with a disclaimer — for better or worse, as long as each party takes responsibility to remain in best health for both our sakes.

Before anyone starts yelling bloody murder and countering this with “when you get married, you must be prepared to accept all that your other half comes with”, think about it for a moment. These times are not the same as our parents’ times even, where most of the time, the relationship is rather one-sided with the husband playing the breadwinner role and making most of the decisions, and the wife being the homemaker taking care of house and children, and usually just accommodating the husband’s decisions. So in the event that the husband gets ill from damaged kidneys due to overdrinking or stroke from high blood pressure because of his diet, there is no question that the wife will care for him till death do they part.

I’m not saying that this doesn’t apply now (of course it does). I’m merely of the opinion that each party (husband AND wife) has to take responsibility to do all they can to keep in the best of health so that they minimize the occurence of lifestyle diseases and subsequently, the events that follow. I hardly think it’s fair when one party is doing all s/he can to be a little bit healthier while the other disregards it and doesn’t make an effort to do the same. Life is already hectic nowadays, what with work and kids and other activities. Do you really want to have to deal with diabetes and high blood pressure and heart disease?

In this aspect, I am very glad that both my parents understand the importance of exercise and maintaining a healthy diet because it takes off a bit of the worry that I would have if they were to do the opposite. Although my dad was (and still is, sometimes) the constant skeptic and cynic, and he used to give my mom a hard time whenever she exercised and when she made diet changes, he has come around each time when some health issue plagued him. He’s been exercising regularly and eating healthily for a while now (he’ll be the first person to chide me if I were to eat junk ) and I hope both of them will have many more healthy years to come.

I know I sound like a broken record but I can’t stress enough on people taking better care of their health. I keep a relatively active routine but even then, I have to deal with health conditions that are not lifestyle-related and there didn’t seem to be anything I could have done to prevent it, so all I can do now is to control it with medication.

The main point of my rambling here is that, there are many ways to have a healthier life. And there is no excuse whatsoever to get out of it because at the end of the day, it’s your life. You’re responsible for it, no one else.

Note : The medical conditions here refer to only those which are lifestyle-related.

Malaysians are finally waking up to the injustices committed by the current ruling government, thanks to wider access to alterntive news channels and also to the rising civic-consciousness of the people.

On 9 July 2011, there will be a peaceful rally from the city center to the King’s palace to deliver a list of 8 demands for electoral reforms to ensure fair and free elections. This rally is Bersih 2.0, the sister to its inaugural Bersih 1.0 on 10 November 2007, which directly or indirectly contributed to the opposition winning 5 states and for once in a long time, denying 2/3 majority to the ruling coalition.

I have never taken any interest in politics. I’ve always thought (and still do) think politics is the dirtiest “industry” with a bunch of greedy politicians out to fulfil their own selfish agendas. However, prior to the 2008 general elections, I was “woken up” because I started reading news from sources other than the mainstream newspaper (which are controlled by the ruling government), which then opened my eyes to so many disgusting and despicable things happening in my country, that we normal folks wouldn’t know about if we didn’t have access to these alternate news channels. But thanks to the internet and social media, unbiased and accurate news reports can now be accessed by a larger audience, which I think, is what’s contributing to the increasing civic awarenesss in Malaysian society today.

Also, prior to 2007, I was not a registered voter because I was one of those people who (due to my view of politics) didn’t think my one vote would be of any use to make any change in this country because (1) all political parties are the same i.e. out to fulfil their personal agendas so why should I even vote for any of them, and (2) heck, I’m less than a drop in the ocean so I won’t make a different anyway. But my view changed when the hubs educated me by saying that, yes, although it’s true that all political parties have their own agendas but it is better to vote for the opposition than not vote at all because at the very least, the opposition can be a check-and-balance to the ruling government so that they (the ruling government) will think a bit harder when they want to commit some hanky-panky. After thinking about that for a bit, I thought, that’s true. I can’t make a difference on my own but collectively, like-minded people like me can give the opposition a voice to challenge the ruling government and make them be more accountable for their actions.

So that’s where my perspective changed and I started taking more interest in how my country is being run and how my hard-earned tax money is being used. Of course, everyday there are things in the news that make me so angry that I wish I could just punch the daylights out of the idiots using my taxes but when I see/hear of Malaysians from all walks of life coming together to stand up against injustice and corruption, it makes me swell with pride, that there are people like me who do care about the state of our country and who are willing to suffer the consequences of standing up against the injustices forced upon us.

I will be the first to admit that (1) I don’t do enough, and (2) I am scared shitless of what could happen to me (or my family) if I were to be more involved. But my first step would be at next Saturday’s Bersih 2.0 rally. I am angry that the government is threatening harm to citizens who are just asking for fair and free elections. And I am angry that the government is succeeding in making me shake in my pants, anticipating what they are capable of stirring up in a massive rally of tens of thousands of people. The government is elected by the people (in fair elections, that is) and is supposed to serve the people and look out for the people’s wellbeing! But they are THREATENING us instead?! Where is the logic in that?!! This makes me so so angry when I feel unsafe to take to the streets in a peaceful walk to just ask for free and fair elections. That I’m afraid of what the police would do. That what the government would conspire to do, like plant instigators in the crowd to stir up racial tensions. Imagine that! I am afraid of the POLICE and the government!! What the hell??!!!! This makes me soooooooo angry!! The police is supposed to ensure citizens’ safety but now people are afraid of them?!! This just not make any sense at all.

Bersih 2.0 is not a political rally. If it were, I would think twice about going because I don’t openly support any political party. I will support anyone who is fair, free of corruption, and looks out for the good of the country and her people. If there is none, I will take the best I can get.

Bersih’s main objective is “to push for a thorough reform of the electoral process in Malaysia”. As far as I’m concerned, this is the cause I am supporting. The latest news on electoral flaws (just out yesterday) 152 voters sharing TWO addresses! 88 voters in one address and 64 in another. Like, hallo?! Does the Election Commission (EC) even check and validate registered voters against their addresses? I guess this proves that they don’t. But the one that sealed the fact that the EC is NOT independent nor impartial is when the EC chairman made a statement and accused Bersih of “championing an opposition party’s political agenda“. If the EC were really independent and impartial, it wouldn’t make such statements because this clearly indicates that the EC is for the ruling coalition.

The way the government is handling Bersih 2.0 is shameful and humiliating for us citizens. I hope the news is being spread internationally so that the world can watch how the ruling government is trying to stifle the rakyat from freely voicing their rights. Come 9 July 2011, I will walk with my fellow Malaysians to make a change in our beloved country, come what may. *yes, I’m still scared shitless but I’ll use the fear to drive me to do this*

Had such a weird dream last night.

Dreamt that I was collecting my SPM results and it came with free movie tickets to Transformers and Green Lantern o_O

Analysis?
The SPM bit may be due the an article I read yesterday regarding the education system in this country.
Green Lantern may be because that’s the last movie that I missed. Transformers may be because I read an article yesterday on Megan Fox getting fired from the movie.

Hmmm… how come I don’t dream of winning 4D numbers when I buy lottery tickets? :-S

For all the things I gripe about my company’s management team not walking the talk (i.e. not practicing what they preach), one thing I do admire is their commitment to being healthy. This is specifically referring to the CEO, because earlier this year, he had issued a challenge to all employees to sign up for the Penang Bridge Marathon in Nov. And today, he posed a question : If you could do something to be healthier today, what would you do?

What would I do to be healthier?
- Exercise at least 3 times a week consistently. Currently, I’m only at 2x a week.
- Eat healthier, preferably a vegetarian diet. Currently, I do eat fish and some seafood.
- Watch my portioning. I think Malaysians eat too much for our own good because we have so many types of yummy (but unhealthy food) available anywhere, anytime. I pledge not to eat more than I need.

What I’m currently doing :
- Avoiding deep fried food
- Avoiding carbonated drinks (I allow myself the occasional 1oo-plus and Coke)
- Eating my veggies. I love veggies!

If there’s nothing else I admire about the Scandinavians at the workplace (work-wise, that is), the one thing that I DO admire about them is how well they keep themselves in shape. I was told that our CEO can run a full marathon without any problems. I know another colleague who is an avid cyclist and diver. An American dude is always seen munching on his fruits during meetings. I don’t work with many of them but from physical appearance alone, most of them appear to be quite trim so I assume they do something to keep themselves in shape.

So I am very glad that our CEO is promoting being healthy. Hopefully this will trigger people to rethink their lifestyle and make a change for the better. Being healthy is not a one-off effort. It requires ongoing commitment and effort to maintain and remain healthy till we’re old and grey.

I have been getting the flu almost every month this year, the latest being now

Started with a sorethroat on Saturday, then my cough came back. That was the worst bummer because it took me so bloody long and a whole bottle of cough syrup to get rid of it. Phoeey.

Now my nose is runny and I’m sneezing my head off. Shucks.

Regardless of this all, I’m still reluctant to take the flu jab. Never been much of a fan of vaccinations of illnesses that continuously evolve like the flu bug. The first time I took the jab (1.5 years ago) was almost under duress — the doc jabbed me before I could make my final decision. Although that year, I didn’t catch the flu that often, but the drawback is that the flu vaccination needs to be updated every year. So this means a new jab every single year. Bleargh.

No thanks you. Let’s see how long I can do this without getting jabbed again.

I haven’t yet had time to collect my thoughts about my experience in Sri Lanka but here’s a teaser :

• We almost bought an entire tea shop, at least it felt like it
• They’ve got an awesome store that sells really nice, tasteful and cheap souvenir t-shirts
• Some of the roads are a bit rough, so getting from one place to another may take a bit longer because the vehicle can’t move very fast
• Dogs are everywhere!

Full story to come later…

Women whose partners actively take care of their own health without constant nagging should thank their fortunate stars that they have one less thing to worry about amonst the many other things they have to worry about like work, family, in-law issues (I don’t know why but it seems that women are more likely to face this issue as compared to men), trying to accommodate everyone and keep everyone happy, including herself.

One of my pet peeves is people who choose not to care about their health when the signs are everywhere. Lifestyle diseases are so common these days, due to our diet and sedentary lifestyle. I used to think that hypertension is a condition that only older people get but now, people in their 30s are getting it!

Of course, both women and men are guilty of not taking charge of their health but I see more women who are more involved in their health than men. ST was so upset with her husband (unhealthy food and no exercise; recently diagnosed with hypertension) that she told him he’s selfish and irresponsible because if anything were to happen to him, it would be her who has to care for him and if/when they had children, she alone would have to care for him AND their kids. And she also told him that if he wanted to continue to be irresponsible, he should just have remained single and not get married. I think that has woken him up a bit because he’s now playing badminton weekly, goes running and yoga classes with her. Good for both of them! I told ST at least her husband listens to sense.

I simply don’t get what is so difficult to understand that your health is your responsibility and ultimately, the key to longevity. The moment one starts getting sick with this condition or that, problems will start. Can’t do this, can’t do that, can’t eat this, can’t eat that. And then you have to start popping pills for the rest of your life. Is that such fun? And the most selfish part is that your loved ones will worry about you and you will burden them with caring for you, in the midst of their hectic schedules. I think that that is just plain ultimate selfishness.

These days, I find myself unable to discard/dispose of garbage (i.e. plastics, cans, paper) indiscriminately.

In the days before, I used to just toss these things into the trash without a second thought. Now, with the knowledge I have regarding where our trash ultimately ends up and the amount of trash we humans generate, I think twice about WHAT trash I dispose of and HOW I do it.

Today, so many consumer products come in smaller packaging for convenience. For example, candies and junk food are now packaged individually so that people can just pick up a packet and finish it with ease, instead of having to deal with a large packet and then having to find some place to store the remaining. While I do think this type of packaging is convenient, it generates tons more trash because now you have all these little packets of plastic to dispose of in addition to the large packaging which these little packets come packaged in. So I try to avoid buying food/consumer products which come individually packed whenever possible so as to have less packaging to discard.

Another thing I try to do diligently is to separate my trash — paper, plastic, aluminium/cans. I find it difficult to just toss plastic or cans into the general trash like I used to because ultimately they end up in landfills and take years to decompose, and leak toxins into the earth and waterways, which ultimately lead back to us. The hubs probably thinks I’m crazy but I regularly rinse out soda bottles/cans and wash oily plastic bags (when I pack food) before I put them in the recycling bin, more for the hygiene factor because I don’t know how long it takes for these things to get processed at the recycling plant so if they remain soiled, they would most likely be tossed by the time it gets there.

Honestly, I don’t know if ALL the trash I send for recycling actually gets recycled (e.g. I understand that some types of plastic cannot be recycled) but I just do every little bit I can to help the environment. Hey, every little effort counts, right?

Now to figure out about composting…

So the most recent bout of flu I’ve had occurred on the night we returned from our climbing trip. I distinctly remember that I started feeling the sore throat when we were having McD’s at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and by the time we boarded the plane, I was starting to feel feverish.

The fever went off for a while after I took 2 Panadols but by the next morning, it was back again in full force. Went to the doc to get checked up and got another prescription of antibiotics. Yucks.

Decided that I’ve had enough of getting sick (and I didn’t want to take the flu jab*), I went to see the doc who practices traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) because I do feel that Western medication usually only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause of the problem. Here, root cause being my weakened immune system. However, I’m a bit wary of TCM because sometimes, I don’t know what they put in the meds, especially the grounded up ones in powder form (could be some endangered animal bones, for all I know), but I’m ok with the roots/herbs they prescribe to be boiled and drunk because I can see that they are either roots or seeds or flower buds.
*I took my first and only flu jab in 2009 under pressure from my doc at that time, and I wanted to try avoiding it this time

So this time, as the doc listened to my pulse, he picked up on my ectopic heartbeat. The last time that I went to see him (which was a few years ago), I haven’t yet developed this condition. I informed him that I’d already been to a cardiologist to get it checked out but they didn’t find anything wrong with me so I just thought I had to live with it. The TCM doc told me that this condition can cause the immune system to weaken and that it can be fixed by taking some herbs.

Just a quick note, this TCM doc is not one of those seemingly quack doctors you sometimes see at some dingy-looking Chinese medical hall. This guy had graduated from the University of Shanghai in this area of study. So I’m pretty confident with his prescriptions plus my mom and sis have been seeing him for health supplements for years.

Anyway, in addition to the roots/herbs I had to boil and drink for my flu, he also prescribed me with a week’s supply of some sort of powdered meds, which I’m supposed to take morning and night for a week, after which I’m to go back to him for a follow up. My only concern about this powdered concoction is that I have no idea what’s in it! I did ask him if it’s only herbs and he said yes. But then again, I didn’t ask specifically what herbs is in it, not that I would know what they were if he did tell me. So I can only hope and pray that it doesn’t contain any parts of endangered animal(s) *crossing fingers*