A personal triumph
Sometimes I think there's no greater satisfaction than overcoming myself, or to do something I've never tried before and always wondered if I could.I've always loved the water, and the sea.. I love the calm it brings me, like nothing else can. Love the ease I feel being in or around water. I'm glad that my parents have started me off swimming since young, despite any reservations they may have had about whether I could do it.Snorkelling, I've tried and I love it! It's something I could engage in happily hour after hour. That sensation of flying over a whole new world, one with amazing colors and sights, that lives and breathes and moves... Mmmm. The natural progression to that, I feel, is scuba diving of course. I've been toying with the idea of getting an Open Water Cert for quite a while now, and bcause school's slated to start next April, it feels like now or wait a few more years (yes, I'm going for a degree. Part-time basis, then finish up the last semester in Perth). In a way, I guess I've been putting it off cos I felt a little shy about volunteering information to strangers about my arm. And also wanting to avoid the fact that sometimes reality bites; what if it turns out I can't do it??Anyway, I had a sudden urge to improve myself, so I marched into a dive centre near my office, and explained to the owner, Stanley, about my arm and all. Stanley, was concerned about my ability to retrieve the breathing tube if I lost it in the water because the tubing runs from my right side from the air tank. He offered me a trial pool dive session, which I think that's really nice of him!So we made an appointment for the weekend (just this morning) and he got a lady instructor, Cheryl, to assist me. She was really warm and patient. Following her instructions, I attempted to retrieve the breathing apparatus with an arm sweep, and caught it. No worries there. Then, I tried using my left hand to reach back to trace the tube from where it's attached to the tank. Had a little difficulty there reaching around to grab the tube.Cheryl wasn't too concerned, though, saying that such things can be customised according to my preference, i.e, the tubing could run from the left side of the tank instead. Which I tried later on when Stanley brought along a tank he managed to unearth from his office. It made things easier, but I do think I could survive with a right-hand tubing as well. Then, Cheryl had me try 'losing' my mask, wearing it back, and clearing the water from it. I didn't want my lenses to come swimming out, so I kept my eyes closed and did everything by feel. Actually, I found this a lot easier than the previous activity; can take my own sweet time cos I've still got my air supply.So.. Passed! I can do it!!! Still feeling quite euphoric now... I'm going to sign up for the course with Aldran once my pay's in. Yippee!Aldran has been talking to me about Singapore's sailing team for handicapped athletes. They're short of sailors and need more. Hmm.. National sailor, me?? :)
Dreamt on Sunday, October 21, 2007; 8:39 AM
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Name Reading
Some months ago, my friend told me about a man at Clarke Quay area who can read your life just by looking at your name and year of birth. She said hers was very accurate, and he could even read her father's life through his name very accurately without her dad being present at all!Curious, I went to try it out last night with Aldran.Uncle's stall is in Riverside Point at Clarke Quay, in a corner near the fountain. Basically it was a table with chairs around it, but there was some wooden decoration and brochure stands. Felt that it was a little commercialised at the first glance, particularly with all the touristy feeding/drinking holes all around us. The weather was very warm and it didn't help that the florescent table lamp was sending out heat waves along with light rays. Poor Aldran was perspiring the entire time.From his accent, I'm guessing that Uncle is from China. Brown-skinned and muscular, he had the typical look of what I picture Chinese peasants to look like, complete with small eyes and slightly too-large teeth. Nonetheless, his mannerism was warm and he looked to be a happy person, with an easy smile and deep laugh lines in the outer corners of his eyes.I greeted Uncle with a wave and a smile. We sat down and after a short pause, Uncle told us to write the name and year of birth down without divulging too much information. I took the pen and paper and followed his instructions.Putting on his specs, Uncle took a look at my name, and the first thing he said was that it's a good name. Then he hesitated for a pregnant five or ten seconds, before going on with more description:***Your name is a good one and there's no need to change it at all. You have a comfortable life and has never, nor will ever have a shortage of money. All is well in your family, very harmonious.You are a strong character, or to put it bluntly, a stubborn person. Despite that, you still have very good relations with the people around you, particularly with the older generation. Your parents, teachers and bosses find you very likable. You are decisive, and have a da jiang zhi feng (aura of a general), so when the opportunity presents itself, it will do you well to start your own business. Particularly overseas business. But because of your headstrong character, manage any subordinates you have carefully because they may not bow down to your temperament. In your younger days, you will tend to rush headlong with things in your business, but the passage of time will make you milder.In love, there is no lack of friends of the opposite sex around you. However, it is very hard for you to find a suitable partner because of your strong character. You expect a lot of your man, he must not only be tall and handsome, but must be obedient to some extent. Chauvinistic men turn you off. Things will be better in this area after you turn 32. Your other half will not be the one who has the final say on when the two of you will get married, but you. Certainly, you will bring good fortune to your husband, aiding him in his ventures. Daughters will get along better with you. Learn to give in at times to improve your relationships. Health is generally good, but watch out for problems with your digestive system and with women-related wellness issues.***When it was Aldran's turn, Uncle laughed and said that Aldran absolutely doesn't lose out to me at all. In fact, he should have better relations because he knows how to communicate with people of all ages from all walks of life!Haha! Accurate or not??
Dreamt on Thursday, October 4, 2007; 7:23 AM
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