Hear ye! Hear ye! Ja has some great rockin' awesome news to share with one and all!
I'm officially a
Oh Yeah!
Woohooo!
Watch our ppl! (I mean it both literally and jokingly!)
* I'm so gonna miss my instructor - Steve! He's such a rare gem! Truly one in a million. A person who goes an extra mile to guide me thru it all the way. Thanxs. Will be missing you!
**********************
Either it's my day today or I'm seriously being blessed by the one above!
Mr. Coffee Guy surprised me today with a nice large cup of coffee with 5 extra shots for FREE!
I love my coffee nice and strong.
Thanxs!
Alright.... updating time!
Went to see Mr. Physiotherapist yesterday evening. Not too good news for a start. Apparently he suppects that I have an inflammation in my lumbar-sacral joint (layman's term: the joint between the last vertebrae and the sacrum - the bone that connects both ur hip bones together). On top of that, I have what is called Facet Joint Dysfunction (facet joints of the spinal cord are rubbing against each other and the cartilage that line these joints are probably worn out).
Most likely due to an overuse injury - I'm starting to suspect it all began during my rowing days, coz this injury is really common in rowers due to the repetitive twisting at the torso. Following which I probably did something to trigger its onset again. Not too sure still.... have to do a follow up session on Friday. Currently I also have to take this anti-inflammatory medication... so yea, all in all, its not looking too good.
He started off testing my range of motion for my back - asked me to stretch here, bent there, twist here, rotate there .... all sorts of stuff, to the point the pain sets in. I felt so useless coz I'm pretty flexible for a start and now I can't even go into the range of an average person coz it hurts badly. So yea, after examining, he turned to me and said:
Mr. Physio: Jacinta! You're back's pretty much screwed up hey!
Me: Sighz!
Mr. Physio: Why did u take so long to see a physio?
Me: I dunno. I thought it was just another back strain from over exercising!
Mr. Physio: Well.... no more sports for u young lady!
Me: WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Completely NO MORE???? Are u serious!
My worst nightmare has just come true! I'm gonna grow fat! Okok, I'm just a tad overexaggerating here. I'm not allowed to do any sports except swimming. However, I'm only allowed to do freestyle, backstroke and some water walking activities; no breaststroke or butterfly allowed! Sighz! So technically, no sports except swimming for the meantime.
Sidenote: Deep tissue massage was awesome! Pain but sure felt good. He keep telling me 'if u need to swear or scream, do so, it's very good and therapeutic!' So there u have it.... update of my back condition! Pray for me ya!
Cheers!
The pain in my lower back is frustrating the hell out of me.
I feel like a 60 year old lady trapped in a 22 year old's body.
My movements are restricted and just sitting down at my study table hurts.
It's been ongoing for the past 3 months alerady,
and its just getting progressively worse.
I'm still not too sure what's the cause of it.
I'm suspecting its an old injury from my good old sprint kayaking days which probably got triggred by something I did.
Anyway, managed to get an appointment with a physiotherapist tmr evening. I really hope its nothing serious....
I just pray it has nothing to do with my spinal cord - coz that would be VERY BAD!
The worst thing I could hear from him is that I have to rest and not do any sports!
Arghhhh!!!!!! That would be a total nightmare!
On a happier note, it was Sumy's birthday yesterday. Surprised her with a dinner at Chutney Mary's (authentic Indian restaurant). Decided to go for their yummy and spicy (although it's still ranked way down on my 'spicyness sclae') Lamb Vindaloo along with papadums. Headed down to Moon Cafe after to get drinks and play cards. Was a really simple but nice outing. Sumy's such a darling... Somehow she carries this happiness spell wherever she goes - never fails so cheer me up whenever she comes over to my place. Happy Birthday again babe!
I've got a problem now. Because I'm one of the subjects for this caffeine experiment that I'm participanting in for this pHD student in my faculty, I'm supposed to abstain from any form of caffeine from today all the way till tomorrow. That means no coffee, no tea, no soft drinks (not that i drink any in the first place), no chocolates! This is bad. I need my daily dose - minimum 2 huge cups full! I foresee myself feeling very restless today! I'm so gonna be treating myself to a XL cuppa tmr after the experiment!
I need someone to shed some light upon me. A light to guide me thru' the darkest and lowest times. --------------------------------------------
I had such an awesome time today playing touch rugby! Finally, after like 1/2 a year... it sure feels good running about and 'touching' people! hahaha! Turn up was good, had about 12 people, so mananged a 6 on 6, which honestly is a VERY decent game! I kinda didn'treally expect everyone to keep to their promise as the previous times have proven... but boy am I wrong. *boo Ja for not having faith in them!* Looks like its gonna be a brand new semester of weekly touch rugy sessions on Thursdays now! Yuppie! At least it comforts me that I'll be definitely working out once a week. (Although I do work out more than that).
Oh yes, good news.... I scored 3 tries! hahaha! Sorry, had to do some boasting here. And I finally figured that I really suck at the wing position! I should just stay in the center!
Feeling kinda fit for the day... but really drained now. Had a 1/2 hr swim before touch rugby. Did weights yesterday... so yea, sore, tried and I feel like sleeping now.
I so need to do some revision before heading to bed! Bioenergetics revision it is! Gotta get to it!
I feel as if I'm like some small little kid in a toy store getting all excited! Finally, after what seems like years, we're resuming our weekly touch rugby session.... provided everyone stays committed and rocks up every week!
I really miss playing the game. I'm not the best player for sure, but I still enjoy it, plus it's a great time for friends to get together and 'touch' each other. (ok, i know it sounds really dubious.. hehe!)
I think at the moment we have between 10-12 players... just nice 5 -6 on each side! It sure beats the last session when we had to play 3 on 3! That's crap!
Yeah... I can wear my orange booties again, they've been sitting in one corner of my room. Everytime I pass them, it just reminds me of the good old tuesday touch rugby sesisons that we had. I really hope this time round it works out!
One more good thing - there are more girlies playing this time round! Yeah! (When there's too many guys, they tend to dominate it, its gets too fast paced and u hardly get ur hands on the ball... darn!)
Well, looking forward to tmr! Must remember to pump the ball up!
There's nothing better than a large take away coffee - Flat White, from the Uni cafe to perk up my day!
It's blardy freezing out there.... supposed storm in Perth today!
Of all days when I woke up this morning at 7am, the sky was gloomy and it was pouring outside and the strong winds didn't do any comfort.... coz I had to swim for one of my exercise rehabilitation lab session today!
Speaking of which... we technically didn't really swim. We did DWR .....hahaha, sounds damn cool right! Basically it stands for Deep Water Running (now it doesn't sound as cool). So yea, for 45mins in the water polo pool which is like 2m deep, we ran in water without any floatation device, with our lecturer standing at the side of the pool shouting out to us over a loudhailer different speeds and distances that we had to do! Madness.... I never knew how good and tiring a workout water running could actually provide. I enjoyed the session but I'm freaking straving and tired out now! U should try it when your free man! Great cardio work out, low impact stress especially on the legs, and great form of exercise rehab especially when recovering from injury.
Try it, Try it!
Ok, I'm going to eat my sandwich now.... starving!
Somehow I really like this picture alot. It's kinda funny. Took it quite sometime ago when I went to Monkey Mia - more than 400km North of Perth. Huge Pelicans standing around a water sprinkler on a hot summer day. Pretty smart birds!
*lifeguarding
*revision & assignments
*procrastinating that its the end of the week
Speaking of which...
Can someone actually tell me which day is considered the 'end of the week'
Is it Friday or Sunday????
Hmmm.... I've always considered Sunday the end of the week,
but some people will disagree and insist that it's Friday.
Either way.... I love weekends.
Ok, this was just a really random thought that crossed my mind!
Forgive me!
OOoo... dinner was great today!
Sumy came over to our place to cook dinner for us!
Indian style curry.... her very own version!
It was yummalicious indeed.... thanxs Sumy!
Had prata, mini spring rolls and last but not least - homemade tiramisu for dessert!
Damn! My weekend swim has gone down the drain with all that food stuffed in me!
Unigym-it's a special so called exercise rehab program for kids from about 5-12 years old. So most of the children we get usually have motor control problems and disabilities which causes them to not be able to perform their 'normal age' activites. We have what we prefer to call - special children, who are diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, ADHD or other medical conditions.
Sometimes you really don't understand how fortunate the rest of us are until you meet kids like these. I've worked for the program since the beginning of the year and it's been such an eye opener for me. I know there are kids all over the world who have such problems, but I guess it's totally different when you see and teach them. Since I was a kid, I've been pretty active and I have my wonderful parents to thank for exposing me to the world of sports and always encouraging and suppoting me . However, most of the kids we have experience alot of difficulties even doing the basic balancing, hopping, catching or even running....ya, u must be thinking, what's so difficult about hopping running right? Well, it's really tough for these kids even though they are already like 8 or 10 years old.
So yea, for most of the program, we try to work one on one with the kids and help them in such areas so that they can feel more 'normal' and are more likely to fit in with their peers. I think this job has taught me alot - to be more appreciative of what I have in life, to be more patient and to count my blessings! I simply love the kids there....of coz u have your few 'little monsters' but generally they're such darlings! Some are such triers...total champs i tell u....they never seem give up and let their disabilities hold them back!
One amazing thing I personally find are the lengths at which their parents go just for them. OK, I know...as parents they love their kids to bits. But just remember, these are special kids we're talking about. The fact that their parents even place them in the program in the first place is already a step they have taken to benefit their child. It's just great to see the parents sitting by the side as we teach....having their support and the way they express their love and parental touch to their kids.....it really melts your heart! (ok i know i'm getting a tad sappy here...but it's true!)
Well, this term i take another 2 kids...one's a 6yr old boy and the other's a 7yr old girl. The little boy's so timid....but he's really cute...love his curly hair man! As for the gal, she has cerebral palsy, so she has this leg brace that she has to wear...but she has such great determination to do everything! As much as the job is really draining, it's such a joy at the same time, even if it means waking up early on a sat morning when most people are sleeping in!
There was this sudden impulsive urge that came over me today.
My mind has been filled with quite a bit lately,
choices, decisions....just feeling kinda lost in life at the moment.
I need some direction....i need someone to lead me towards the light!
Anyway, back to the point...
Just felt like going out, imerse myself with what nature has to offer...
So I decided to head out cycling...
It was refreshing.....cycled round Swan River
Took me about an hour....but it was good sweating it out.
The weather was kind and it was time well spent - clearing my head and having a workout.
My butt is kinda sore for now...i think i need those cycling tight with those cool butt paddings,
or maybe get a better cushioned seat! (no money !!!!)
Nonetheless, I think I really need that mini expedition! It did me some good...at least i think it did!
Tonight....CIAO ITALIA , here we come! Yummy!