Nadal the champ on clay

Rafael Nadal has proven again that he is the best player on clay. After his magnificent run on clay courts last year, and a couple of successes (Dubai Open and Monte Carlo title yesterday) this year, I believe Rafa is ready to defend his Rome title and Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.

It's still a long way for Rafa to challenge the #1 ranking from Federer after taking months to recover from injuries. However, he is not far from setting the record for the longest winning-streak (if he wins at Barcelona next week and Roland Garros starting in May).

Vamos Rafael!

my simple weight-losing plan - week 2

I've lost 3kg (that's equivalent to 6.6lbs). That's quite an achievement for me as I'm not the "exercise person".

Although I did not continue doing sit ups (I hated it so much) after the second day, I did jog and walk everyday without fail. And yesterday, I replaced the jog with cycling as I was in A Famosa Resort. Luckily I've started this exercise thing last week and have the stamina to cycle up and down the slopes at the resort.

I believe it's going to be a lot easier this week as I do enjoy eating salad although it means that I have to eat the same thing for lunch and dinner everyday (I've been tapao-ing Garden Salad minus the popcorn chicken from KFC everyday). I thought it would be cheaper to make my own salad but I've been to a couple of places here in PJ and I've decided that I won't eat any vegetables that are not fresh. I have been eating light meals like vegetarian meehoon for breakfast. Also I have been drinking lotsa water and low fat milk instead of my usual soft drinks.

I've never have so much self-discipline before in my life especially when it comes to eating and exercising. But I'll just do it for the sake of losing a few more pounds.

(My friends have been very supportive too. And now I don't get to join them eating out at mamak because they don't invite me anymore!)

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.