my simple weight-losing plan

Week 1
Yes, I was influenced by the reality show "The Biggest Losser", currently shown on 8tv every Saturday night.

My strategy will not be that extreme (the guys in TBL worked out 24/7!). Check out my simple 5 steps plan:

1. Jog/walk for 30 minutes in the morning and repeat in the evening.
2. Do at least 50 sit ups per day.
3. Eat salad for my lunch and dinner.
4. Drink lotsa milk, fresh juice and water instead of carbonated drinks and my favourite Milo.
5. Sleep at least 6 hours a day.

My weight on Monday (starting this week) was 85 kg (by the way, I'm 5'7"). So the next time I'm going to weigh myself is next Monday. Hopefully I can shed a few kilos by then.

Japanese teacher using puzzles in classroom

I was lucky to be able to catch up with a news coverage on NHK News 9 at channel 35.

Mr Miyamoto (I think this is the correct name) has been using puzzles (especially Sudoku) in his classroom for many years to enhance students' problem solving and thinking skills. NHK interviewed a couple of his students and they agreed the puzzle-solving activities helped them in both Mathematics as well as languages.

Mr Miyamoto invited parents to his class and explained his teaching style (Malaysian teachers and counsellors should practise this to improve schools-parents partnership). He also advised parents to listen to their children but not to intervene in their children's learning. If you look at the Malaysian context, many parents DO intervene in their children's learning and it affected the children-teachers relationship (and teachers-parents relationship too) in school.

it's been awhile...

Yes, it's been awhile since I last update my blog. Busy preparing for exams, doing assignments, presentations and proposal for my research for next semester as well as some publishing work.

I'm going to organise a workshop next month for PMR and UPSR students in UM. However, this workshop is not your typical exam workshop. I'm using an alternative approach, which is fun-learning based. The main tool I'm going to use in this workshop is crossword puzzle. More details will be posted in this blog and in my wowmedia blog soon (end of this month).

In this workshop, I'm going to take the opportunity to introduce a new series of books which is based on learning through classroom crossword.

Anyone interested in my workshop or my books can contact me via email or mobile no at 012-3720 858.

american idol season 5

I have been busy throughout the week and couldn't wait to sit down and type something about the American Idol. I was never impressed with the audition part (I find it utterly annoying). What I have been waiting all this while is to listen to the real talents.

From the beginning, all I want to see is Lisa Tucker and Ace Young. Man, they have the face of a star and they can sing really well! Both of them did really well this week. I am really impressed with Ace when he sang one of my favourite song, Father Figure, originally sang by George Micheal. Ace definitely knows how to choose a song that suits her voice. And Lisa, she's just so young but her talent simply shines.

I always find Taylor 'Grey-haired Guy' Hicks weird. But when he performed the song, Levon, I was impressed by the way he moves and sing the song. I felt as if he was singing a winning song at the final! As the judges said, he is Original (with a capital 'O'). If you have watched American Idol the previous week, you will be amazed to see him blowing the harmonica while walking in for his final audition. I had goose bumps just watching that.

There are so much talents this season. I have other favourites too like Ayla, Katharine, Elliot and Chris. However, I believe no rockers will be able to compare to Bo Bice, no black singers will be able to take the place of Fantasia and finally, no country singers since Carrie Underwood.

The winner of this season? I think it is quite obvious. I think American Idol needs a new pop singer since Kelly Clarkson.