Reaching out even more~

A few days ago I submitted a form to my local animal shelter to be a volunteer!

So I now get to help out at the Animal Protection Society by walking dogs, cleaning the kennels, general housekeeping, and trying to pat the cats. I'm such a slaving petting machine for the cats. They seem to know who's boss - glaring at me when I stop petting and giving me violent slash wounds when I pet them for too long. Stupid human!

But I walked my first 2 dogs today, and got my daily exercise. I'm looking at a endurance training regime online, something more specific and includes things like diet and times for various sporting activities (swimming etc..). Also looking at bushwalking, but that's a rather different sort of thing than trekking, isn't it?

Petting kitty at APS

This is another catergory of Muscular Dystrophy:
Myotonic (MMD or Steinert's disease). The most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, myotonic muscular dystrophy affects both men and women, and it usually appears any time from early childhood to adulthood. In rare cases, it appears in newborns (congenital MMD). The name refers to a symptom, myotonia - prolonged spasm or stiffening of muscles after use. This symptom is usually worse in cold temperatures. The disease causes muscle weakness and also affects the central nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and hormone-producing glands. In most cases, daily living isn't restricted for many years. Sufferers have a decreased life expectancy.
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002172#adam_001190.disease.causes

Trot trot...

I just recently (and finally) signed up for one of those community walk groups created by the Heart Foundation!
I didn't think my exercise regime was tough enough. So when I heard about it from my awesome friend Tessa, who joined a walk at another time and location, I just had to sign up. These walks are led by volunteer organisers and the walks vary in difficulty and duration, which makes it really easy finding one to suit your normal activity levels - even if they're lower than a Crazy Crabs'. Lucky me!

I picked a group that jogs around a lake. Or what used to be a lake. Now it's just a sandy crater with green/brown things sprouting all over and around it. The few other members of the group were such wonderful people. We were from all walks of life and backgrounds, so the conversations we had were varied and full of experience. They were also very fit with a zest for life and the environment... and over 50 years old.

Talk about putting me to shame.

Here's a little view of the path:

More on Muscular Dystophy:
Facioscapulohumeral MD. Facioscapulohumeral refers to the muscles that move the face, shoulder blade, and upper arm bone. This form of muscular dystrophy appears in the teens to early adulthood and affects males and females. It progresses slowly, with short periods of rapid muscle deterioration and weakness. Severity ranges from very mild to completely disabling. Walking, chewing, swallowing, and speaking problems can occur. About 50% of sufferers can walk throughout their lives. Sufferers usually live a normal life span.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002172#adam_001190.disease.causes

Aiyo Singapore~

Chinese New Year is such an excellent time to visit asia. I went to Singapore to visit my mum's side of the family and was reminded of how comfy and warm a house filled with people could be. My grandmother was overjoyed (she loves directing our reunion dinners or any other function) and it was definitely a trip I should have gone on more often. People of chinese descent still do celebrate 15 days of CNY, but our family normally fades the celebrations out within the first week. The food was so nostalgic and fantastic, as always. We had a different variety of food for dinner each night - things like a traditional chinese meal with a 'lazy susan' (turntable), some with Malay and Indian dishes thrown in, a sushi buffet and even vegan! Really glad my mum and I turned up. It was loud with quite a bit of bickering with about 3 or 4 different languages mixed in, but man was it fun.

And red packets. Yes. Must not forget those <3

A CNY decor store

Marina Bay Sands

Skydeck of Marina Bay Sands

This here's the 3rd Muscular Dystrophy post:
Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy. 
This appears in the teens to early adulthood and affects males and females. In its most common form, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy causes progressive weakness that begins in the hips and moves to the shoulders, arms, and legs. Within 20 years, walking becomes difficult or impossible. Sufferers typically live to mid to late adulthood.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002172#adam_001190.disease.causes