It is almost time to say goodbye to 2009 and to welcome in 2010. Just a mere 30 minutes from now in Singapore…
2009 has been quite a year, full of ups and downs, lefts and rights. Even though it is eventful, I learnt a lot of things and it has been enlightening and most challenging.
To everyone : Happy New Year!!!
During one of the yoga class, the teacher talked about guardian angels in our lives. I did not think much about that until that day when the teacher shared with us the story about his friend and her guardian angel.
It was then that I thought about my life. All the people that have been in my life. Of course, my parents are my most treasured guardian angels that no one can take away! But there really are many others who are my guardian angels… some of which I did not realize that they are until now… the more I thought about my life, the more I realize that each every one of these guardian angels who may or may not know that the tremendous impact that they have on my life. It also sets me thinking, was I ever a guardian angel to anyone? I hope I was… or perhaps in the future I could be someone that brings the hot coal to someone’s house during cold winter ( as the chinese saying goes… )
To just being thankful is no longer sufficient for me. I have to do more. I believe I have to give back all the good that all my guardian angels have given me to others who are in need of help. My highest goal now is to touch and change someone’s life for the better in whatever way I can afford.
But first, one important point that no one should ignore or forget : you have to be YOUR OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL!
~Namaste!
Finally Bali.
This is the first time I have not done much reading up about the place before I go. The only research that I did was to source for the one night stay on my own on the first night in Kuta there as the rest of the people in the group are only joining me on the second day. For the rest of the trip, the planning was done by Felicia and Elene – not an easy task, considering they have to try to take care of all 10 of us in the group ( the more people, the more unexpected changes to handle… )
Seems like it was only yesterday that the world was shell shocked with the news of bombing in Bali back in 2005 and everyone avoided Bali. Not so now. When I reached Kuta, it was just like any busy tourists packed area with touters trying to get your attention. Even while checking the prices online for a night’s stay in Kuta is back to what it was before the bombing. Plus almost all the cheap accommodations are fully booked and it was quite a challenge to look for a budget and yet clean place to bunk for the night.
Kuta
I reached Bali late at about 9pm. It was really a rush for me and I almost did not make the flight from Singapore as I was the last one to have checked in at the counter. It was always the case when I go for holiday. There are always last minute jobs and things to clear and the mind start worrying about this and that. On top of that, there was the mad rush to call the various budget hotels to try to reserve a place to stay. ( note : most budget places cannot confirm if they have rooms or not 2 days beforehand, they asked me to call back on that day itself to check again… so it was really a mad rush. )
The little backpacker budget hotel that I finally managed to secure is called Ronta Bungalows. It is located in one of the mini lanes in between Poppies Lane 1 and 2. Apparently not even the taxi driver knows where it is… ( I paid 50,000 rupiahs for the taxi from airport to Kuta and the driver dropped me off at the wrong place, pointed me to the wrong direction – I walked for a massive 10 mins or so lugging my luggage before I finally realised that it was the total wrong direction – had to walk all the way back amidst heavy human traffic, scooter bikes honking…. ) When I finally found the hotel, it was already 10:45pm…
It is really a no frills bare basic hotel for one to bunk in – there is not even toilet paper in the attached bathroom! But at least it was clean although very run down. However, the people there are very helpful, friendly and kind. Hearing that I lost my way around, they were very concerned when I went out for my supper and they quickly passed me their namecard with the address and map on it.
( photos coming soon… )
I did it and I want to do it again.
I think this is a very good awakening for one to realize that the reason why we eat so much junk food is not because our body needs it. It is all in the mind. It is the mind that craves for salty potato chips, starbucks coffee etc. During the 10 days master cleanse, I was surprised that I was not as hungry as I thought I will get. Drinking the maple syrup water was sufficient to keep my tummy satisfied.
After the 10 days, my body felt very good. Thereafter, I have a new mindset that my body is cleansed and I should not put junk food into the body. Since then I have been sticking to a strict no coffee, mostly vegetarian diet ( with occasional fish ). In fact, I have not touch my favourite food like beef or potato chips yet! Furthermore I have finally lost an additional 2 kg. I was also very lucky to have attended the Anthony Robbins’ Unleash Your Power Within the following week. He also teaches very good lifestyle habits like drinking alot of water ( with lemon juice ), eating 70% water based food ( veggies ), breathing exercises as well as physical exercises. I have also taken out milk, sugar and flour from my diet.
However, there have been lapses in my commitment. I did indulge in a piece or two of bread, and also some unhealthy food like instant noodles. But I did try to compensate for this indulgent by eating more veggies. I think my biggest test will be during my upcoming Bali trip! Wish me luck!
~Namaste!
Wow… time really flies ( as cliche as it may sound )… its already Day 5 of the Lemon Detox Diet.
This master cleansing diet does sound pretty tough to anyone who heard about it. I realized this when half of the yoga class folks learnt about this msater cleansing that I am going through. Most of the people looked shocked and totally cannot believe that one can do this diet ( I love watching their amazement and their reaction, it’s really interesting… heee )
For me, the hardest part was the salt cleansing in the morning where you have to drink one whole litre of salt water. It got abit easier on the fourth day onwards… but still I dread that part. The weird part is that I do not really feel hungry in the morning but only after 8pm especially when I stayed up until 2am.
One thing that really helped was to use sugarcane juice in replacement of the maple syrup. If you are from Singapore or Asian country, it will be far easier to get sugar cane juice. ( In Singapore, they offer sugarcane almost everywhere in the hawker centers and it cost only S$1.50 for a big bag of 500ml ) Sugarcane juice tastes so much better than the maple syrup! And it is so easy to make, just add the lemon juice and cayenne pepper.
Meanwhile I still continued my regular yoga practice ( still went to all my tough classes ).
Difference?
Well, I see that there is not much weight loss ( maybe good or bad ) but I feel much lighter. And probably the best part is that I can balance in my inversions like Pincha Mayusara much longer. Also I feel that I can feel my body more… as in more connected, in fact, I feel that I am able to feel the engagement of the muscles more. Last time I checked, my tummy is still there… But there is a loss in strength. I cannot seem to hold longer in many of the poses and my arms kinda wobbled in some of the arm balancing poses like side plank. Otherwise I feel pretty much ok.
But someone did mention that I looked very tired… hmmm
Warning !
Try to avoid eating with other normal people especially those people who eat alot! I was put to test on my fourth day when I had to meet up with my business partners. And they were like gorging on sinful food like deep fried chicken, rojak ( chinese fruit salad with lots of peanut powder… ), ngoh hiang, sandwiches and more… Also try to avoid topics on delicious food too! 
Such talk will only get your tummy growling…
ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TO GO!
If you are interested to go on this master cleanse diet, you can check out this book that gives you plenty of information on how to go about starting this diet, what to do or not to do etc :
