as we go on.. we remember... all the times we.. had together...

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

From whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

...Graduation by Vit C

As most of my friends post the pictures of their graduation convocation/ commencement pictures, it kinda made me a little sad that i will no longer share their company in school and it would definitely be harder to meet up next time as they work on their careers... Hope those that haven't found jobs find a suitable one soon and those that have or are starting work soon cope well in their new found environment and lifestyle.

Earlier on this month, i attended my gf's commencement as well over in her school. Though she didn't really want to attend it at first, citing that it was just a ceremony and nothing important, i'm glad she eventually changed her mind and decided to turn up for it.

I'm sure her parents were most happy to attend her graduation ceremony.

hee! and i was also invited along with her good friend Mingli, who happens to be our mutual friend as well.

It was my first time attending anybody's graduation ceremony and i was excited about it. More importantly it was my gf's ceremony which makes it doubly important than most other graduation ceremonies. And Of course, i promptly volunteered to be her photographer when i knew that she was able to get another ticket for me.

I was quite impressed at how the ceremony was run for the graduating class that day. The volunteers were all coordinated by radio mic headsets and as the graduates went through the 'tunnels', these volunteers will give their gowns a final tug so that they look prim and proper before heading up to the stage to collect their certs...

I wonder if my friends had the similar arrangement back at our school.

Weeks back, my gf had also introduced to me what was rag and flag day for her when she was still in school.. it's somewhat like our hall opening / closing performance but much more massive in terms of the workload as each hall was to come up with a float similar to those you see during Chinggay.

mmm.. i'm quite amused by the dances put up..

especially the opening number by the guys.. haha..

Just last weekend, i went with her to her hall to take a look at how things were done as her hall prepares the float and it was an eye opener... the working space is like a garage full of recycled materials and the hall people in charge were doing up and preparing parts for the float as like it was some factory plant line... cutting up like say 9999++ cans, washing them, then cutting them flat out once again so that others can trace out templates on the flat pieces...then have more people cut out the small shiny pieces that they need to paste unto the float.... wah. like how tedious lah..

Can't wait to see what kind of stuff her hall peeps came up with on this coming Monday night..

Back to the current timeline of things...

My Taiwan trip is next week and i'm looking forward to it. I've finally finished the itinerary and printed all the guides that i can gather...

Can't wait for it~!

Random Reads... Breathing Techniques...

Breathing Techniques while Running

Breathing properly is a very important aspect of running. Most people think running is primarily performed by the legs with some assistance from the arms but this is simply not true. The respiratory system plays a critical role in a runner's effectiveness. Runners who are capable of bringing greater levels of oxygen into their system without compromising their efficiency are more stronger than their counterparts who struggle to breathe-in enough oxygen when they are running.

Why do I get out of breath when I run?

When you run, you get out of breath. This is normal and natural. Your body runs on oxygen. When you start to exercise, whether running, walking or any other physical activity, your muscles need more oxygen. The body meets this need by supplying oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. The lungs work harder to absorb this oxygen out of the air as the requirement is more. You get out of breath.

Try to run at pace at which you can breathe easily. Use the "talk test" to figure out if your pace is appropriate. Your pace should be easy enough that you can converse with your companions. If you can't converse comfortably and you feel yourself out of breath, you're going too fast.

Why is Proper Breathing Important?

Having an efficient breathing pattern while you run will make you a more effective runner. You will be able to cover longer distances if you are breathing properly. It will make your body more efficient at getting oxygen to your muscles, which will help you to increase your endurance. Also, having a good breathing rhythm while running makes the sport much easier and a lot more comfortable. And the more comfortable any exercise program is, the more likely you are to stick to it.

How do I breathe Properly?

Optimizing your breathing rhythm is surprisingly simple. Below you'll find some easy steps that will help you develop your own breathing pattern:

• Breath from Mouth:
  

  You should typically breathe through the mouth rather than the nose because the mouth allows more oxygen to enter and more carbon dioxide to be released. If you attempt to breathe through your nose while running, your facial muscles will tighten and your jaw will have a tendency to clench. The act of breathing through your mouth will encourage your facial muscles to relax and therefore create a more relaxed composure. If you still feel you are out of breath, slow down a bit.

• Use more of belly breathing:
  

  Breathe from your belly or diaphragm, not your chest. Try lying on your back and watch your stomach as you breath. If you are breathing correctly, it should rise and fall with each breath, while your chest remains relatively motionless. Keep this feeling with you as you run.

• Take short and shallow breaths:
  

  Your breathing should be with short and shallow breaths. You don't want to get into a breathing pattern of taking long, deep breaths on every inhalation or you won't be able to run very far. However, when you run up a steep hill that requires plenty of effort and you feel yourself running out of breath, a deep inhalation (or several) may be necessary to catch your breath again.

• Breath in Rhythm:
  

  The main thing to remember about your breathing while running is the rhythm. You need to continue inhaling and exhaling at a consistent rate. Regardless of how fast you are running, this must be done. Check to see what your natural breathing pattern is by counting your steps as you run. Some runners may find they breathe in for two steps and out for two steps while others may take three steps before the next breath. Depending on the runners comfort level, this pattern could be adjusted. Whatever your pattern is, keep it.

• Listen to your breathing:
  

  Use your ears to control your breathing. If you can hear yourself breathing heavily while running at an easy or moderate pace, you are running too quickly for your condition.

Breathing properly is so vital to decreasing stress and promoting proper physical stamina and development that more people should practice it. It is simple knowledge like this that can keep you fit and healthy for a long time. Though learning to focus on your breathing may not come as an easy concept to those just learning to coordinate breathing with steps taken, but practice harder. Practicing healthy breathing techniques while running can help a runner to better succeed in having more energy when running.

Read more:http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/breathing-techniques-while-running-468595#ixzz0MWXhoZVn

... defined as a state of poor health.

Mmm... everybody seems to be falling ill or down with something...

My poor girlfriend came down with a bout of fever, sore throat last night. Thankfully, the doctor diagnosed her condition as just a viral infection and not anything serious. Really hope she recovers soon and finds her appetite back.

Insinyur 2009 just ended for the incoming batch of engine freshies... and news came in on Sunday that 2 of the freshies from a certain group have came down with H1n1 with many more falling ill..Probably due to the fatigue after not sleeping much for 6 days in a row. This brought a certain degree of fear in the orientation groups in the camps. The good news is that by now, many of which have recovered and are starting to feel better...

Some of the not so lucky people that have fallen include the much celebrated M'sian director Yasmin Ahmad and Felipe Massa ...

Yasmin Ahmad, the director who did my fave mcys ad, passed away last Saturday Night from brain haemorrage after suffering a stroke earlier on and passing out during a meeting .... she will be missed and her works of interracial harmony and family love shall be her legacy.

Felipe Massa, almost died in a high speed crash during the Hungarian leg of the F1 season. Although his life is no longer in danger, but the damaged he sustained during the accident might have ended his driving career.

haiz.

* * *

It's been a month since the Prime Minister Cup 09. We made history once again by holding the trophy for two years running and we are champions and we will always be...but for the season of 08/09. However that's history and it's already the season of 09/10. The team has already gone back to its regular trainings minus the land training sessions. Although, to be honest, the break after the race was quite short, but i guess... it's much better to push it a little, a little earlier. We have plenty to make up for this year if we want to rewrite the history books one more time and hold the Cup for three years running.

Over the last weekend, it was my church's feast day. My mom told me that i ought to skip training for a day at least and give thanks for the blessings given to me for my previous academic year... for my studies, dragonboat and for the love of my life.

And so i did, and with the company of my gf, we went there... (Thanks dear for coming down with me once again). On my mind as i went forward and prayed at the grotto as well as i knelt down at the pew was to pray that for the next academic year, it would be a smooth year or at least i would be able to find a way round all the different problems in my life.

Seriously, i'm getting a little worried about how am i able to cope with the challenge of juggling my studies, fyp, my cca and yet not neglect the love of my life as well. I've always been a mediocre student, getting more B and Cs than As. I think i've gotten A for around 5~6 times only in my whole life in NTU, thankfully one was which my Industrial Attachment, which pulled up my GPA by a great deal. The FYP that i have chosen is also going to be a challenge to me as i have to do things that i have never done before such as developing a hardware/software prototype which would involve some degree of programming that i so hate since myYear 1 Computing.

For once in my life, i am also able to work towards my dream of working in the biomechanical industry in the near future. Previously my grades weren't good enough for me to choose the dream schools i had wanted to go to or the courses i wished i could go into and i had to work with whatever's left for me. Now, i can choose the modules i want and also a fyp topic that might give me a shot of realising my dream.

It's going to be a challenge for me though. These modules that i'm taking are not going to be easy, so much so that my coursemates kept repeating that i must be mad for taking up these subjects... I hope by God's grace, i would be able to work round the obstacles.... I wouldn't want to stand in front of the team and say i have to take a break bcoz i can't cope with my studies and maybe even quit my cca...