FORGET THE ZUMBA - LET'S DO THE GANGNAM!

The dance craze that has Malaysians coming up with their own versions. For both young and old, apparently. (Front page of The Sunday Star)

This blog post would probably interest mostly the ladies, especially those who are enrolled in dance classes. There is all this rage about the latest dance craze called Gangnam Style. It has gone viral with almost 90 million hits on Youtube. Apparently the not-so-young among us should be able to do it, according to the front page report in The Star today.

For those keen to try it out, who best to learn from then the master himself - Korean rapper Psy. He makes it look so simple compared to the version performed by these girls from the group Waveya.

If you want to work out a sweat, and get those muscles toned up, just follow Psy's dance instructions. Have fun! I hope I can get my dance instructor to introduce it in our next class.


Compare the Gangnam and the Zumba. The Gangnam is definitely more fun. It has attitude.

I WAS THERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 31 AUGUST 1957

No, I wasn't there on that historic day. I was in Batu Pahat, and only nine years old at the time. 

But Uncle Lee was there. Read his personal account of what he saw, heard and experienced on 30 and 31 August 1957. He has done all the research, digging up old photos and songs that the older ones among us still remember to this day. Read what it was like for this mischievous schoolboy at the time to participate in the newly-independent country's first mass drill at Stadium Merdeka. 

You will thoroughly enjoy reading Uncle Lee's account. He writes in that inimitable style of his that is sure to put a smile, heck, even a belly LOL, on your face as he recounts his student pranks. It's not surprising Uncle Lee has a huge fan following that includes yours truly. Even though he has long settled in Canada, he still recalls with fondness memories of the old days in his country of birth, and is happy to share them with us. And not just nostalgia, he also shares pictures of beautiful women - balm for ageing eyes!

Click on the link to visit Uncle Lee's blog and read more of his writings at Moonlight Night Starry Skies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BELOVED SISTER. YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN 62 TODAY

If she were here with us today, my beautiful angel of a sister, Molly, would be celebrating her 62nd birthday.

My grandson, Max, who turns 12 today, shares the same birthday as his favourite aunt Molly. 

(Above) Max turned 1, and Aunt Molly turned 51 on 28 August 2001.

Each year as the family celebrates this special day, we remember with much fondness my sister Molly who left us suddenly on the morning of 12 June 2006. We miss her dearly. More than words can ever say.

At Max's pool party. Reiya, 6, is happy to help her big brother Max blow out the 12 candles on his birthday cake.

PM LEE SINGLES OUT THREE SENIORS AS ROLE MODELS IN HIS NATIONAL DAY RALLY SPEECH

Front page of the Straits Times today.

Madam Chang Ka Fong, Chung Win Kee, and Chen Woo Teck were singled out for mention as role models of active ageing in PM Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech last night. Who are these inspiring elderly Singaporeans?

Believe it or not, at 87, Madam Chang can still shoot 50 hoops as part of her daily exercise regime. She keeps fit by exercising regularly and following a sensible diet for her age. Her breakfast is porridge and Horlicks. She also guards against over-eating.

Mr Chung, 71, is a chicken rice seller. PM Lee cited him as a fine example of a senior citizen who has embraced lifelong learning. He has learned to use the internet to search for new recipes for his chicken rice business, and is applying digital technology to his passion for photography.

Age is certainly no barrier to learning for Mr Chen, 79. He enrolled for a first degree course at SIM University in 2005. This was followed by a Masters degree and now he is studying for his PhD in Chinese Language and Literature.



The PM spoke for over two hours, presenting his speech first in Malay, then in Mandarin and finally in English. Rhetoric was cut to a minimum. He invited all Singaporeans to join him in the 'National Conversation', to help write the next chapter of the Singapore Story. In his speech not only did he highlight the nation's achievements, but he also cautioned against the challenges to come, one of which would be higher government spending and hence increased taxes 'sooner or later'.

He shared memories of old Singapore, including a family photo of growing up in Oxley Road.

For the full transcript and more videos of PM Lee's National Day Rally Speech 2012, go to
Channel News Asia.

REDUCING THE RISKS OF FALLS AT HOME

I am glad I attended the public forum on "Caring For The Frail Elderly At Home" held at Singapore's Changi General Hospital this morning. In just two and a half hours I listened to seven presentations ranging from 'Home Safety' to 'Managing Medication'.

What I would like to share here is how to prevent falls at home. Many of us have elderly parents who either live on their own, or are left alone at home most of the day. I recommend that you check out this link 'NO FALLS PROGRAMME'. It contains plenty of useful information on how to make your home safe. It covers safety tips for the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, with practical advice on flooring, lighting and footwear. Check out the videos too.

The hospital's shuttle bus that provides free rides between the hospital and Simei MRT station every 15 minutes.

I shudder when I think back to that fateful afternoon of March 6, 2011 - the day my mom fell and broke her hip. Her life changed forever after that, and mine too, in many ways. My mom went through six months of physical discomfort and depression. As her sole caregiver, I must say it was one of the most stressful periods of my life. Click on the link to read my personal account of caring for my mom.

So if you have an elderly parent who is alone at home most of the time, do share the information here with him.

For more useful tips, please click on the link below:

Caring for a loved one at home

ARE WE FILIAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS?

A checklist of 24 things to do for filial sons and daughters. What is your score?

While the Confucian virtue of filial piety is not quite buried along with our ancestors from China, it is at risk of becoming as antiquated as foot-binding for young Chinese ladies from good families.

The Straits Times today published an article that calls for a shoring up of filial piety in China. With the Chinese diaspora extending to all four corners of the world, the article may as well have been targeted at Chinese sons and daughters in Singapore and Malaysia.

Are we baby boomers the last line of defence left to uphold and preserve filial piety? If our adult children and grandchildren seem lacking in respect for their elders, are we as much to blame as the changing times and hence, changing values? Have we pampered and mollycoddled them too much? Have we allowed them to get away with indiscipline and disrespect to their parents and grandparents?

When was the last time we held our elderly parents' hands?

What about us? Are we exemplary models for the younger generations to emulate? Can we look at ourselves in the mirror and honestly say that we have looked after our elderly parents well, and given them our love and respect?

When was the last time we hugged our parents or held their hands? They don't need gifts of money, hampers of food or bouquets of flowers. All they want is the reassurance that they have not been forsaken and forgotten by their family members.

I ask myself all these questions too, and I have gone through the checklist above. While my friends and family would consider me a good daughter, I must confess there is plenty of room for improvement.

The time for us to start is right now, before the sands of time run out for our elderly parents, and it's too late for regrets.

How we treat our elderly parents is how our children will treat us one day in our old age. They will learn from us. What examples are we giving them?

EAT SENSIBLY AND WATCH THAT WAISTLINE

It's FOOD, FOOD and GLORIOUS FOOD for the next few days as Malaysians celebrate Hari Raya. Non-Muslims visiting their Malay friends will be treated to a sumptuous feast of home-cooked delights. Those opting to dine out will be pampered to a majestic buffet of traditional and festive Raya cuisine.

While the temptation is there to indulge, do watch what you put on your plate, especially if you already have some medical issues to deal with, like diabetes or hypertension.

Remember the food pyramid that used to guide us in what we should eat and how much to eat? Well, you can toss that guide out of the window. Last year, the US Department of Agriculture came up with a new food guide - Choose My plate. It is a much more comprehensive guide and gives a clearer picture of what to eat and how much to eat.

A good guide to follow based on My Plate. Do visit the Harvard University's Nutrition Source website for more information on healthy eating.

It takes will power to resist the temptation to pile up on our plate. Malaysians live to eat!
(Photo: NST)

Chinese economy rice - everything looks good, but best to stick to just three selections.

I am more of a pescetarian than a vegetarian, that is, I avoid meat but will take fish and other seafood. I see this as a transitional period towards full vegetarianism.

One thing I have noticed from my research on healthy ageing and longevity. None of the elderly who live to 90 and beyond are obese. They still lead an active, healthy lifestyle, and are physically independent. Click on the link to view these age-defying role models.

That's reason enough to watch what we eat. We shouldn't starve ourselves, but neither should we stuff ourselves. If you are looking after your elderly parents, click on the link below for more information on what is best for their dietary needs. Malnutrition is more of an issue with the elderly than over-eating.

Nutrition and Diet for the Elderly