Chirpy Day! Happy Day!

I m in a really chirpy mood!
1stly, my swimming kid made impressive progress this morning!
5mths ago, Jamie was in the toddler's class where I was attached to another coach. Being just four of age, her kicking is not what i would call the best lah but it's really understandable. Then she attended my Basic Foundation class, whereby the empathsis is on board kicking, water confidence (blowing bubbles underwater) and floating. Her character is what I would call the "have a mind of her own", so since she can propell herself with "wrong" kicking, she did not wish to change it.

Due to the long term break during the festive season, her mother employed me to cont. coaching her, but one-to-one basis so that she wun forget all she has learnt. Also, her mum says that she has problem trying to correct her as Princess Jamie will refuse to listen n throw tantrum. Today was the 2nd one-to-one lesson with her. Not only has she corrected her kicking (which itself is already a miracle!), she could also do heads-down-kicking properly n even without board! WOAH! Her mum was so happy n rather amazed! *CLAP*CLAP*

Sideline - one of the swimming kid's mummy brought me n Glynis some yummy chocolates. She thanked us profusely for our patience in guiding her daughter whom after 5months made some real gd progress during the last 3-4 lessons. She said she almost gave up! Her daughter is the kind who takes quite a while to warm up to the person, was a weepy child when I 1st saw her - she cries n sobs nonstop at each lesson. But with lotsa patience n encouragment (Plus lotsa praising of cos!), she flourished beautifully and could improved by leaps n bounds! Far cry from when I 1st saw her during the beginning of the term! Now she looks forward to swimming class!

2ndly, today is D-day I am finally meeting my BFF Starry Stella.
For the past months, I have been feeling abit awkward whenever I meet her, I need longer time to warm up myself, I was rather cold but it's just something I cant help. Today was different, I met her - n I just shoot n babble non-stop! All the icy cold feeling melt away, was rather amazed by myself!

3rdly, it's "When Hainan Meets Teochew" day!
After our shopping, we trekked (yes, literally) from Dhoby Ghaut MRT to Peace Center, Sophia Road, Adis Road, up to Mount Sophia. Destination is Old School@ Mt.Sophia. I was looking out for a shortcut to cut thru but to no avail. When we reached there, we were chatting with the staff there n they told us there is a short cut n we ought to take that when we go home. =D The person who so kindly showed us the way was non other than the Producer for the movie! OMG! I only tot he look rather cute! =D *WINKS*

Rather interesting signages!

This is truly the Arty Farty place,

alot of design firms n studios here!  

Dysfunction Cable car? So Duh? 

Dun gel with the concept leh!

Our Dinner! 

Pressie from Starry!

*She say looks like Creamie! I think so too!

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It's Free seating!!

Some Old school movie snacks!

"Golden Pillow 金枕头"

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The movie was Great! for a local production that is... I will give it a 6.5/10. The movie touched on a few sensitive matters of society expectation and pressure on sexuality acceptance... only the surface of it though. I guess those who face these issues will understand n it will really relate to them. But those who are not may be left with some unexplained concept.

Nevertheless, Support Local production!

The last day of screening is over, if realy wanna watch it, write to Sinema.sg n feedback. then they may consider screening it for a longer period.

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Totally exhausted after the movie, we kept rather quiet on our way back, this time we made sure we took the shortcut. =D It was a rather quick by steep decent down Mount Sophia thru the private condo there. Sssssssshhhh! Dun tell pple! 

*Run, FatBoy, Run!*

I think for anyone who have attempted a marathon, or hate running as much as me, will appreciate this show... Of cos those who love the crude british sense of humour!

*Run, FatBoy, Run*

Synopsis: "Run, Fatboy, Run" centers on a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancee on their wedding day only to discover years later that he... "Run, Fatboy, Run" centers on a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancee on their wedding day only to discover years later that he really loves her. To win her back, he must finish a marathon while making her realize that her handsome, wealthy fiance is the wrong guy for her.

Marathons are funny... to me at least...

For me, they are the start of a whole lot of promises... those u made to others, those others made to you.

Kept promises, Broken promises...

I have a mixed feeling abt marathons...

Pride, Ego, Sheer determination, Perseverance, Will etc...

Not completing one doesnt mean you are lack of all these...

But completing one surely means you have adequate of it...

One day, everyone shd at least attempt to finish a marathon in their life...

No one cares if you walk thru or run breezily thru the finish line,

only you will care.... only what's inside you matters...

*Run, FattyPieSoya, Run!*

Trading Updates...

Having been updating on my trading status lately... thought it will be good to do a review/ recollection of what i have been doing.

1stly, i am still trading actively, except that I have taken a slightly more laid back approach. With my swim classes going on decently, n me getting more and more confident to extend my coaching work, i approach trading almost like my part time work. The only difference is that I do my "Part time" work on weekdays (5 days almost office hours) n my "Full time" work on weekends (Sat 6hrs, Sun 4 hrs). It helps that i am more relaxed abt trading, I dun stare at the computer anymore... I scan for oppty in the morning, if there is any, gd! If there isnt, I'll come back later. I'll then check on my positions abt every 1 hr. Tat's abt it. I dun shiver in fear when I receive an sms (it could be a Price alert sms sent by my brokerage). I can go able doing my stuff, go to the museum, go for BF, go to the park! how niceeeeeeeeee! I am reminded of why I want to go into trading again! Have more better time mgt on my hand, not glue my eyes to the comp!

2ndly, I am able to do so cos I am so blessed to be enlightened by trading friends to look at trading differently. I have been told to "treat it like a Business" etc... but it's tough. Cos I am 1st a Trader, then a Businesswoman. But being 1st a Trader is not so advantageous to me, cos the Leo Ego n Pride comes in.... big mistake: I want to know that I am Right! & the most frustrating part is this - alot of times I am right abt the direction (buy/sell), but i just cant seem to get the timing of entry right alot of times! So after I get kicked out (Stop loss hit), then i will sit out n wait, then i will see it go in my favour eventually -of cos i m already out of the trade. But it's hard for me to accept "See! i am right!" cos this doesnt pay my bills!

Trade has been sometimes 3 steps forward, 2 steps backward, or 3 steps forward, 4 steps backwards. After 1 year of trading, i am still seeing RED in my trading account. How frustrating can it get!?

3rdly, my trading friends highlighted the importance of being the Businesswoman in this trade. We explored the use of some indicators for more confirmation on timing of entry. Namely the stochastics, Keltner channel and RSI. I must still empathsize this: basics of trading is still  TECHNICAL ANALYSIS , namly Price action (candlesticks pattern, support resistance, HigherHigh, HL, LL, HL etc). That is like the OS of a computer, cannt function without it cos the indicators dun make any sense if u cant read what the charts is telling u!

4th, we also employed a very business approach in our trade management/expectation.
Out of every trade u entered, the probability of getting 5pips or 10pips profit is of cos the highest (due to price movement regardless if the direction is up or down), then probabillity decreases as the number of pips u can expect from the trade. So the decision is analyse the direction, get in the position, get a decent no. of pips out (e.g.20pips or 30pips) for majority of the position u entered (e.g. 60% - 80%  of the lot size entered), leave the rest to ride the trend (since u have done the analysis n direction is right). You could trail the rest of the positions, or u could practise tight Protective stop movement. It's ur choice, ur expectation to handle.

I like to take it tat the bulk of the profit i pocketed 1st is the main Profit, the rest that rode the trend(mayb it will get stopped out prematurely or even hit a Stop Loss) as the Bonus. Generally statistics show that Many small Wins can still cover 1 Big Loss. From the business aspects, I only need to be concern with the Net Profit Win at the end of the day!

5th, my trading policy have alwis been this: Whatever works man! 
Be it u use an expert advisor to help u look out for trades, use price actions, use indicators, use robots etc... at the end of the day, ur account must show GREEN! n showing GREEN is not enough, it must be GREEN enough for u to justify the energy n time u take to do this Business! Else, why do it?!

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So far i am still in the midst of testing it out... i hope this is really the breakthru for my trading... i am so blessed to have truthful friends who highlighte n guide me in this trading journey!

Will report when time is ripe!

*When Hainan meets Teochew* & *Love in a Cab*

*Ok, confession time! I am a sucker for good local productions.... good means Good... Cannes fest calibre. No the annual Jack Neo kind - though they are educational in their own manner... but they are just a tad too crude for my liking.... dun get me wrong! I still watch them... those cheesy che-na movies usually during CNY period.... where they mock/"bring attention" to the govt's policy, 小人物的心声 (local's heart felt feelings).

Movies like *Sandcastle* kind are more to my liking - Catch the trailer here..
Did u miss this one? Try to catch it!

Read abt this new one in the newspaper. It's by Director/Writer: Han Yew Kwang.

*When Hainan Meets Teochew*

A romantic comedy usually involves a handsome man and a pretty lady.



But what happens when it’s a 'manly' woman, and a 'womanly' man?

One day, a brassiere drops on Teochew. He immediately wins the lottery and decides to keep it. Hainan begins an arduous search for her precious underwear, distributing hundreds of missing posters around her neighbourhood.

Teochew sees one of the posters, and his curiosity is piqued. Bumping into Hainan one day, he asks about the brassiere, although he has no intention of returning it.

Unfortunately, he lets slip more than he should, and Hainan becomes suspicious…

“When Hainan Meet Teochew” - the third feature length film from homegrown director Han Yew Kwang pokes fun at the romantic comedy genre by featuring two leads who are neither famous not good-looking.


Hainanese men are said to make the best husbands, while Teochew wives are said to be the prettiest. In this film, a lost bra brings two strangers together. A potential romance sparks between the two.


They seem like a perfect match – as one is a ʻmanlyʼ Hainanese and the other is a ʻwomanlyʼ Teochew. However, the Hainanese is a woman, while the Teochew is a man. Can the two of them still be together?





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What impresses me the most is the inspiration behind this story...
 
Director Han Yew Kwang's Statement

In 1990, I was 15 when I watched “Pretty Woman”. Richard Gere was good-looking, and Julia Roberts was gorgeous. All the images in the film were beautiful. I thought to myself – this was what a romantic comedy should be.


In 2000, at the age of 25, I had been through a couple of relationships. My girlfriends and I were average looking. I realized then that love is 50% romantic and 50% unromantic. Sometimes, a couple drives around a beautiful lake under the sweet moonlight in a convertible. Sometimes, a couple drives around a busy road under the hot sun in a second hand car without air-con.

Last year, I spoke to two friends, one is a ʻmanlyʼ woman and the other is a ʻwomanlyʼ man. They are both in their 40s and single. They told me that they want to fall in love someday, but will be contented to just settle down with a partner for company instead of romance. At that moment, I realized that love is 5% romantic, 5% unromantic and 90% getting used to and tolerating each other.


So I asked them, why donʼt they fall in love with each other? They look at each other blankly. Then I ask them again if they will ever fall in love with each other? After a long pause, they told me there is only a 1% possibility. Just so that they can register for marriage, apply for a HDB flat, and then live and rot with each other.


I look at them and realized that love can be 100% non-romantic, yet at the same time 100% funny. So I decide to make this film. No beautiful sets, no pretty faces and no lyrical dialogue. Since one of them is a Hainanese and the other is a Teochew, this truly unromantic comedy is called “When Hainan Meets Teochew”.

The meaning of love changes as we age.


This year, Iʼd be 35. Perhaps, at this stage of my life, love is not “Pretty Woman” but “When Hainan Meets Teochew”.

 
Read all abt it here!
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This probably the type of movie that even before u watch it, u know it's gonna blow ur mind away.... I rushed to book the tickets and other than muscials and air tkts, these will probably be the only tickets that I have booked in advance - more than 3 weeks to be exact!

My advice if u havent do anything meaning or funny lately - support a local production, get a good laugh. Book the tickets now!! Btw, it's free seating lor!! *faint! *
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Btw, Director Yew Kwang also directed the latest Channel U series of Telemovie...
*Love in a cab 等一等爱情 * starring Joanne Peh n Julian Hee.

Love in a Cab is a light hearted romance that spans more than 10 years. Trying to find acab is like trying to find love. When you donʼt need one, there are always a lot around. Butwhen you need one, you can never find any around.

if u missed it, catch it here! 

Piang, I laughed n cried so much!

One BIG take away from this movie:

"爱 情像的德士，有时你等它，有时它等你，

只要你愿意，一定会等到的。"

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My darling girl girl is so sweeeetttt.......

Creamie has been really notti lately, mayb cos she missed me n wants my attention alot....
she meows automatically at day break, as if to wake the lazy mummy up to feed her....
she meows non stop at her plate when i attempt to read in bed, cos she knows when i turn off the lamp, i'll be ignoring her meows...

Usually she will stop after I pat n sayang her, or brush her fur, or feed her water like a cat mummy... yes, thru my mouth, she learnt this trick as "Creamie, KISS KISS!"

See how she demands for her share of my dragonfruit!

I notice a trend, only when it's pouring, will i catch the two of my cute babies sleeping together...
Only when Creamie knows Nugget the notti boy seem terrified by the thunder, will she allow him to squeeze with her in bed.... she's really sweet, she will also groom (lick) nugget ard the face, as if to calm him down... or she could really mean :" U dirty boy! Dun u dare come close to me without me cleaning up ur face 1st!"

Usually something like this will happen...

Usually Nugget dun seem to mind at all...

he is just contented that 姐姐creamie is there for him!

Damn cute!

My Attempt to die, running....

Yes yes.... phewww! Big droplets of sweat roll down my forehead.... the SCM is finally over!

only 1 word in my dictionary now: "SHAGGED!"



Damn! I swear i aint going for another race if I am not prepared for it! Dun care what bloody promise I make to any1 liao! F**K! What's wrong with me, exchange Pain for being Principled! Am I crazy or what!

Since I promised n was kinda like the person to drag BroXiong into marathon running, i feel kinda responsible for his well being , physically n mentally! So must go with him lah, die die!

Anyway, it was a really torture.... far cry from my virgin marathon during Sundown just 6 months ago! I did a 6hrs 45mins for this race whereas i did 5h30mins for Sundown in May! OMG! Can u imagine my agony, my pain?! I secretly think that Sundown will probably be my PB liao, but as the Soya u knw - I simply refuse to succumb to the norm!! So -YESSSSS! I signed up for another Marathon, Sundown on 28May2011. This time..... hiak hiak hiak... ^EVIL AUSTIN POWER^ I WILL CONQUER MYSELF!!!!

YES!! Soya will return w vengence!!! Mark my words!!! Anyway, if I really fail to do so, i can alwis click ^DELETE^ for this blog entry! Wuahahah!

Anyway, i attribute the pain-in-the-ass feeeling for this race due to the lack of training.....or rather, the NO training + the unbearable heat! Gooosh! u could almost see the dark chocolate in me Oooooshing out of my sweat glands man!! tat is bad... very bad...

The thoughts that my bestie, Stella, and my brother Xiong is waiting for me at the finish line pushed me on.... thanks guys for making this happen! YEs! I dint die! I lived to see them for another day.... and another race!!!

My forever faithful Pong Pong girl took beautiful photos for us! Sheila was there too to lend her support! The run became rather bearable with congratory smses from KS, Glynis, Xiong, Sheila....

Sweet Victory!

As usual, I wore my Lucky Green Turtle Socks!

I cant Leave Home Without them!!!

Next year, I'll be Back!! YAY!

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To clinch the really sadist award, I went straight to coach 4 hrs of swimming classes.... limping n hopping ard at the pool!

My dear sista, Glynis, presented me with a token of bravery!

So Cute!!

"YOU'VE MADE IT! =P"

Thanks sista!

Other than the limping n soreness and DOMS (Delay Onset Muscle Soreness), I also lost some weight! wuahah!

Next morning....

Yes... this is usual for me... I havent gone below 52kg since secondary 2, that's more than Half the no. of years I have been alive (16yrs to be exact)....it's not the water, cos my body Hydration % is normal, I conscienious put alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to drink water by sips!  Body Fats % also dropped to below 23% - LOWEST EVER!

I did the most logical thing next, eat a very very very HEARTY Breakfast of lotsa Cheese + Wanton mee + bread! 1 hr later, i went to weigh myself again... Phew! it's finally back to almost normal!

Normal is 53-55kg n Body Fats of <24%...

My friend, Zee, told me that I am still considered underweight... I told her that the ideal weight for my height is 48kg , but I'll be very happy with 50kg... which for now, I'll probably have to chop off my Right leg (master leg is right, shd weigh more) to achieve that! Hiak hiak hiak!

Other damages... I got a rude surprise when i went under the shower at the pool.... my F**king small of back stings abit... but I cant see what is it... I asked Glynis to take a pic for me!

I suffered a little bit of abrasion on my "Pride 尊嚴."

How ironic!! what a joke!

from 5h30mins n no suffering pains,

to an OUCHing 6h45mins!

It's definitely more than

just an abrasion for my Leo Pride!

Heck!

The Three Trees story...

When life is tough going.... sometimes stories like these keeps me strong...
Heard this story last nite in church.... be inspired like me!

Three Trees


Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull." Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down."

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
 
*Extract from Skywriting.net