No Tofu Please

I like my training batch a lot. There's lotsa of fun people in our group, and we certainly get along very well as a whole. The trainers consider our batch as one of the quietest, and I can only imagine how rowdy the previous batches are, cos we are definitely not quiet!

Training is fun and I enjoy it. Some topics are dry, but the trainers are mostly very charismatic and entertaining. Of cos, the exams, internal/external certifications are stressing everyone out but we sure play hard.

We had a half day session today - morning session by trainer and afternoon self-study in prep for exams. The morning session finished just after 11am, and we had a long lunch.

So we split into a few groups, and my group went TCC for lunch. Sidetrack a bit, lunch is getting really expensive even before we are starting to earn $$... we had Crystal Jade yesterday and TCC today... and we already have plans for next week. And I heard another group went some expensive Jap restuarant...

Over lunch, I made an interesting discovery. There's someone else other than me who doesn't eat tofu as well! It turned out to be my twin brother aka the guy who is born on the same day as me which had everyone laughing about how similar we are. Scary! How many people actually don't take tofu? Not many right, but I'm one of them! And my twin is another one!

After lunch, we went back for our self study but it turned out to be a session of laughs. Someone (not me) started the ball rolling by asking everyone their star signs and then proceeded to label them with the various characteristics of each star sign. We started to joke about the good and bad personality traits of each star sign.

Things went a little crazy and somehow we managed to get our little Superstar to perform a few numbers for us. Yes, we have one of the Project Superstar contestants in our midst. He was extremely sporting and we all applauded his courage for standing up in front of the class and sing for us. And I think he sings really well too.

Then the group conversation transcended to an exchange of lame jokes. Many of us contributed. Which had everyone laughing hysterically... so much so that one of the trainers actually came in and asked us to mind our volume.

The distraction nearly derailed me from concentrating on my second paper this afternoon, but I'm glad I cleared it, so that's one more down and a few more to go! I consider myself quite lucky, I don't have to take that many papers like some of my other training mates.

My boss told me the other day, once I clear my papers, can go back to HQ and look at how they operate... But I don't mind staying with my training mates a little longer before I go into warzone!

Birthdays, Milestones and Passion

How often do we meet someone who shares the exact birth date as us? Well, I just did.

In my training batch, there are about 30 of us, but only 3 of us are born in the same year. So today, I asked this guy when his birthday is, and I got a shock when he said '1st July.'

I was stunned and asked him if he was for real. Then we even took out our ICs to compare. We were so ecstatic. What a coincidence. What are the odds of something like that happening?

It's Week 2 of my 6-week training prog, and my boss dropped by today and informed me about my posting. I'm kinda excited, it's something for me to look forward to. My boss is an extremely charismatic man, and I'm sure he was a brilliant salesman. Then again, all the honchos we met during orientation and training were all oozing charisma. Perhaps that's sales for you.

I went back to conduct my BC class at Chevron this evening. Man, I miss being in action! I was so high today, not because of the 50 plus people packed in the small room which made it stuffy, but because I was simply glad to be back.

Nobody has any idea how lost I felt last week when I wasn't conducting classes. It really felt like a part of my life was taken away from me.

Today is my 388th BC class. An auspicious number for some with all the 8s. I still count all my classes and I still record the tracks for each class. It's unnecessary but I just love doing all that.

For my past few classes, I've been giving it my all and conducting it like it's my last class. I still feel very enthusiastic for each class, as though I'm fresh out and it's my first chance.

Opportunities don't come by easily, and I know that in this line, where time isn't on my side, the opportunity could always be my last and I will treasure every moment of it.

Only a person who has lost something close to their hearts will treasure every moment of what they have.

Another One Leaving

For years, I've been trying to figure out why I feel habitually depressed and even till now, I'm still struggling to find the answer. Is it just me or is it a common thing to all the crabs out there... Seems like so when I chat with some of my fellow crabs. We are all very crabby and get wild moodswings every single day!

My sec sch best friend msged me to ask me out for dinner, and dropped me a bombshell, saying that he was relocating to HK to work, and has no plans to come back.

The news took me by surprise, not so much of him leaving, but the fact that it will be in less than a month's time. The pace at which things happen nowadays is just scary.

We were chatting online, then it became a 2hr phone conversation. I actually felt a little sad that one of my close friends is leaving. Reality bites. I know that it's really going to be difficult to keep in regular contact and hang out together in future.

People come and go. I still haven't fully grasped this concept yet.

It Was Worth It

It wasn't the best of days, I was having mood swings and the slightest things just kept getting on my nerves. But it felt good to end the day on a positive note.

Watched BC36 video already. Glimpses of me here and there in the video (I'm on the right side in the video, front row, third from centre). I featured slightly more in BA61, and was guilty of a few 'wrong legs' in BA. So embarrassing. But I will console myself by saying it was only my second ever BA class haha.

What made my day was this pic taken from the choreo notes of BC36.


I must thank all my lucky stars for being featured in the pic haha, considering so many people were there at the Global Summit. =)

I told Lynn that the picture made my trip worthwhile. Then Lynn was like... 'if only got pic is worth it, then it discounts the experience.'

I gave it a little thought, and told myself. Even if I hadn't been featured, the trip would have been worthwhile. Much more than what I had lost and sacrificed.

I knew what I had lost. But it was worth it. Very much so. =)

It's Not Easy

Yesterday was my first day at my new job. As a precautionary measure, I got cover for my Tue class at Chevron.

Orientation ended early. 515pm to be precise and I was left with nothing to do! I didn't bring along any gym gear else I would have headed to STC for a workout considering I'm there.

CHV is not an option as it's usually not nice getting cover and then appearing at the outlet and placing unnecessary discomfort on the cover instructor.

I ended up meeting Mr Scorpio at Holland V, where I had Sushi Tei, drank beer at Harry's and then had Haagen Dazs. So I was feeling extremely guilty.

I actually felt kinda weird yesterday. For the past 1.5 years or so, I've been consistently turning up at the gym for my Tue classes and it's become a part of my life already, so much so that I felt that I missed it very much.

It was another classic case today. I knew I had a networking drinks session tonight at Paulaner's, so I got cover, but then again, I'm giving up the CSQ class for good, so I don't know why I'm ranting here also.

I guess I just miss the class. I miss my workout. I miss going crazy. I miss something I've been doing for 1.5 years.

Changes have always been difficult for Cancerians. =(

Thks Fr Th Mmrs

The journey is coming to an end. It was fun while it lasted. Lotsa blood, sweat and tears to make it happen. Made many worthy friends along the journey, and not letting detractors get in the way. I have gone as far as I can possibly go.

I still believe in fate and destiny.

BP - not fated?

Just a couple of weeks ago, I registered for the BP course in May. It was the third time I have registered for BP training, and I had to withdraw from the last 2 thanks to overseas trips which sprang out of nowhere due to work related commitments.

I had some vibes this time round, and have been telling my fellow instructor friends that I have this strange feeling that I would not be able to proceed with the training. I also told them if it really happens to be for the third time in a row, then perhaps I'm really not fated to do the program.

Well, verdict is out. The course has been cancelled and I'm left with nothing to look forward to again. Even if the course wasn't cancelled, I think there's something else that would have prevented me from attending this training.

Three times in a row, how lucky can I get?

During the last gathering I said that I would probably not pursue the program anymore if I don't get to go for it this time.

On the other hand, Lynn is saying that I shouldn't believe in all these 'airy fairy things' like vibes, intuition and destiny and that I should keep trying.

I really don't know.

Food For Thought

Do you believe in star signs? I do. I always think that somehow, by a weird twist of fate, we tend to get along well with people of the element group.

Fire Signs - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth Signs - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air Signs - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

I am definitely Cancerian through and through. It was only in the past 3 or 4 years or so where I started reading all these, and when I look back to my past, things somehow correspond.

I know Scorpios very well. All those people that are close to me or have been close to me are Scorpios. From school days to NS to work... And also, I get along very well with Piscesians.

Some do not like water signs people as they can't figure them out. But since when have water signs people been figured out? Everything is just left to intuition and feelings.

I remember those good old days, when a group of us water signs people would just sit down and chit chat and daydream...

KL Quarterly

Hello fellow instructors,

I mentioned that I will be going KL Quarterly, so anyone who needs me to help collect their DVD, please pass me the invoice with authorisation signature.

So Far So Good

Things have been going smoothly so far, people are nice and I'm slowly settling in. It's a different pace altogether, but I must say that I'm enjoying myself, that's all that matters.

Today was the opening of CSQ, I wanted to go for BP/BA/BC but in the end I decided that I'm giving up too much of my time to the gym. Ended up having drinks at Wala Wala Holland V with Mr Scorpio.

It was a good evening, with laughs and jokes, and I was a little high. In his excitement, Mr Scorpio couldn't resist telling me he scored for the 4th match in a row from his defensive mid position. I missed the old days and it made me wonder what I gave up.

I really should do this more often, though from the likes of it, my next break would prob be end of the month when I head to KL for the quarterly workshops. Can't wait to do BC36, BP66, BB41, BJ45 and BA61 again. 5 masterclasses, I hope I don't kill myself! =)

GX Journey

Before I start on this entry proper, I would just like to say that this post is partly inspired by the chat I had with some members after one of my classes last week, and partly inspired by Lynn, whom I've had several discussions (and arguments) over things like GX classes, styles and methods of teaching, pro-LM or anti-LM and so on... And of course Cancer Boy needs to remember everything, so he needs to write them down so that he can read back in years to come and reminisce.

What got me thinking was the members talking about some of their fitness journeys, and how they started attending GX classes.

Back in the good old days, my exercise regime consisted of weekly football sessions with my schoolmates, and swimming some laps. I worked in the US as a lifeguard before and I consider myself a fairly good swimmer.

So in university days, I was introduced to the gym scene via a free trial pass to Cali gym(I'm sure almost everyone has had their initiation there by now). Clueless at those machines and not exactly a fan of the treadmill, I ventured into one of those crowded studios for a class which seemed fun. The class is also what we know as BODYCOMBAT.

Only two things I can remember from the class.
1) One of the tracks was Lady Marmalade (BC11) which I knew, but the rest I didn't and I seriously didn't have a proper idea of what was going on.
2) I suffered a vicious side kick to my thighs, thankfully not to my knees.

Of course I didn't join the gym. Nothing really captured my interest. Then by a weird twist of fate, I had my second exposure, this time it was FF. I remember taking part in a SMS contest for the movie TROY (where Brad Pitt stars as a gladiator or something). One of the prizes was a free membership to FF (so that you can train to be like a gladiator). So I claimed my membership and went there.

I was studying then, on about 16hrs of classes per week, half of which are lectures which I don't bother attending as I don't believe in lectures. So I had plenty of free time and I attended lotsa classes, most of the time at Paragon. Very nice. But it was too expensive so I didn't want to sign up. Instead I chose to join PF, at a relatively lower rate.

So how did I get hooked on all those programs?

BODYCOMBAT - I think those were the early days and I remember these 2 particular instructors would always play the same MT track - Shake from BC15. I started to note a pattern, whenever the same track was played, the moves are always the same. I began to challenge myself to remember all the moves to test my memory. I went for as many classes as I could just so I could remember all of them.

Those days, what I hated the most was instructors not cue-ing in advance and making the participants stand there and look like idiots. So for me as a participant, what I wanted the most was accurate choreo and good pre-cue. That has sort of defined my teaching style now as I know what I wanted as a hardcore participant.

BODYPUMP - It took me a while to get started on BP cos it seemed intimidating. But luckily for me, in PF, BP is usually before BC, and before the BC classes, I would just peer through the window and see what the folks inside are doing. There was this particular instructor that I liked very much and I took up the courage to go for BP class and did BP regularly (2-3 times per week) until I switched to this job where I couldn't rush in time for 6:30pm classes.

BODYBALANCE - I started BB also because I liked this particular instructor very much and I went to try out her BB and got hooked. I loved the songs, I loved the peaceful feel, and most importantly, I was dealing with some personal problems at that time, and BB was one of the outlets for me. The relaxation/meditation was my favourite part of the class, I never miss it. That is the only time where I find some time for myself and just let go.

I had a couple of embarrassing moments in BB, I fell asleep during relaxation! There was once I actually slept for more than 20mins and the instructor didn't wake me up. I was woken up by one of the PTs who saw me lying there. I hope I didn't snore. Ha!

BODYSTEP/Freestyle Step - I sort of lump this together but I know its completely different programs. I buy into the LM philosophy most of the time, but I prefer Freestyle Step over BS. BS is choreographed and more of a fitness workout. Freestyle is more about creativity of the instructors and what I liked was the fact that no single class is the same, even if its from the same instructor. I like doing different blocks and adding them together (read BODYJAM). Keeps me mentally alert as I have to remember what's next.

RPM/Cycle - Sorry, not for me. I find it difficult to find the adrenaline and high.

BODYATTACK - Actually, I don't know what took me so long to really get this program started. It's great for building stamina, and I certainly find my fitness levels have improved after doing BA! Did my second ever BA class at the BA66 filming in Auckland and it was MAGIC. The energy was so high it got me hooked.

BODYJAM - This one I have to give 100% credit to Lynn. For a dare. A dare to try the program. I didn't even mark it down as one of the filmings that I wanted to attend in Auckland, but Lynn dared me to try the program, and I had to try it secretly at Auckland haha.

I am very proud of myself for trying it there, and then back in SG. I remember Sebestian's shocked face when he saw me in his class. Haha. And I'm also proud of pulling in my friends to do his class, and I even advertised for him in my own class haha.

What I liked about BJ was the layering and amalgamating everything into this massive block. There is ample time to practise and get the basics right before putting it altogether. I think there's more satisfaction.

I've been looking at the vids and analysing, I feel that Rach's involvement in BJ has indirectly influenced the new direction of BC. Rach started in BJ36 (that's BC27) and we've seen some layering in BC tracks, eg... Rock Me Amadeus, some of the ginga tracks.

Capoeira - a martial art disguised as a dance?

So this is my GX journey. I believe everyone of us, participant or instructor, has had a GX journey. Anyone cares to tell me theirs?

LM plan for 2008

One thing I like about LM is that there is always something to look forward to. New programs to pursue, even if I don't instruct. New releases, quarterly launches.

As with all jobs, once we get stuck in a routine, we will get sick and tired of it. So far I have been teaching classes for 1 year plus and I'm still loving every moment of it. There are times when I'm on the way to class and I'm grumbling... "Why did I take this class?", "I'm so tired...", "I don't want to wake up that early..."

But as I conduct the class, I feel the adrenaline, I feel the enthusiasm and I feel the satisfaction. That makes everything worth it.

My plan for 2008.
May - BP course (hopefully third time lucky. I registered two times before and had to withdraw due to overseas trips... I even paid the penalty of A$100 twice!)
Aug - Q3 Quarterly workshop (BKK or KL)
Nov - Filming for Q1/2009 releases in Auckland

How exciting. These are the things that keep me going for the time being.

2 hr BC / Gathering

It's Labour Day today, and I had quite a fulfilling day. The earlier part of the day was spent at the Parkway Parade gym before I headed over to Jean's place for a potluck gathering.

I went for Martin's Step II at 12pm... got 'sabo-ed' by him in the class... tsk tsk. Then I just hanged around in the gym before my 2hr BC class starting at 2pm. Initially, I was wondering if anyone would be coming for my class given the late timing, but in the end quite a few people came, so I was reasonably pleased with the turnout.

I did an Old School vs New School theme, which meant that I did N&G tracks (until BC20) for the first hr and then D&R tracks for the second hr (BC21 - present).

I even re-visited 3 tracks from BC35 - The United Vibe, You Can't Stop The Beat and That's Right, the latter two were received quite well. My Parkway crowd is quite good with the ginga (cos I keep drilling them), and I would say most people look cool doing it.

2 hr BC is always tiring so I was quite drained after class, but there's something about conducting classes that makes me happy. There's a satisfaction which I can't describe or put in words. Would definitely like to do this as long as I can.

After which, it was a mad rush to Jean's place for potluck. I brought along a sushi set from Sakae Sushi. Jean's place is quite far from me, but it was worth the trip as we had a fantastic time!


Some of the food we brought.
Pizza - Eric
Sushi set - ZJ (me lah)
Fried chix wing - Lynn
Potato salad - Weili
Satay and Old Chang Kee - Chris Boy & YY
Bacon with mushrooms, salad, brownie - Jean and her hubby KP(our host)
Ice-cream - Amy


(Front row - Jean, Lynn, Weili, YY, Standing - Me, Eric, Chris Boy)


(Left to right: YY, Chris, Me, Jean, Weili, Amy, Lynn, Eric) - Photo courtesy of KP who was not in picture.

Chris teaches BODYCOMBAT occasionally at American Club (AC).
I teach BODYCOMBAT at Planet Fitness, and hopefully BODYBALANCE soon.
Jean teaches BODYCOMBAT and BODYPUMP with PF, and some freestyle classes outside.
Weili teaches BODYPUMP with PF and BODYCOMBAT soon. She is also trained in BODYSTEP.
Amy teaches cycle with PF, and BODYPUMP and BODYBALANCE and freestyle classes outside.
Lynn teaches BODYPUMP and cycle with PF/AC. She is also trained in BODYSTEP/RPM and will be an upcoming BODYJAM instructor.
Eric teaches BODYCOMBAT and BODYPUMP and cycle with PF.

So with all these fitness freaks... what can we do together?

Binge! So unbecoming right... when we should be advocating healthy diets. And of course discuss the latest fitness trends and happenings and exchange fitness ideas.

It was fun! Thanks to Jean and KP once again for hosting us.