:: A little thing called blog ::

I have just digged out my research paper for my master that is still there in my laptop. When I look at it again, it is interesting to see how well I have worked it through, even though it was not awarded as merit nor excellence this time unlike my research for my degree when I was awarded as a First Class.

Anyway, my topic was “A Quantitative study – affective based segmentation towards chocolate eaters in Singapore” and there are things about chocolate that you may want to know:

1. chocolate has been traded actively worldwide and its consumption has been estimated as much as 2.8 million tons per year.
2. Thais and Japanese prefer to have white or milk chocolate whereas Singapore and Hong Kong consumers prefer to consume dark chocolate (Euromonitor, 2006).
3. This has brought the global sales to US$ 58 billion in the year 2003, with Europe dominated half of the sales, followed by the American as much as one third and Asia for approximately one tenth (Forbes, 2005).
4. Chocolate would lessen pain and a good source of magnesium.
5. It is a prescribed stress-reliever
6. Chocolate could make someone ‘flies’ if the person consumes 1/3 of his/her bodyweight to get the effect

Based on my research, it has been revealed that there were 6 sub-segments exist within a chocolate eaters market in Singapore; chocolate devoted, self-indulgence, chocolate adventurer, health-conscious, the loyals and the chocolate lovers. It will be interesting to see the same study applies in Indonesia or Jakarta hehehe. Anybody?

What happened if 10 ladies plus 2 guys had lunch in Pansious, not in 2 tables but squeezed in one.. Plus numerous orders and endless pictures-taking-session haha..

The Special Contender BodyCombat classes have been held in all FitnessFirst clubs in Jakarta except in FitnessFirst Cibubur Junction where BodyCombat is not that popular down there. Behind the scenes:

1. Someone was taking leave from the office to join the special Contender BodyCombat class in FitnessFirst
2. The Contender t-shirts are the limited edition and can only be worn in FitnessFirst clubs
3. Despite the pain that they felt after the class, most members wanted to have more challenge in the future, be it another contender class or combat marathon
4. Believe me or not, once you did it you wont be able to sleep at night as this happened to me when I did my first contender class – I was fully awake until 2 am
5. The format of the class has been designed and altered to the members’ condition. If stations are not enough then we slot in another conditioning track by the end

See you in the next Contender BodyCombat class!!

FitnessFirst Asia is proud to sponsor the Contender that will be aired in AXN every Wednesday starting 16th January 2008. This has been reflected in the BodyCombat class that I teach everyday presently in terms of format as well as the physical training. FitnessFirst Taman Anggrek is the first FitnessFirst that kicked off the Contender class last Sunday. The class was filled up with 70 members from all FitnessFirst clubs in Jakarta. If you want to know what is the Contender in class, join us in your nearest FitnessFirst.  

Trust me, the pain will stay there for at least 3 days after you do it. Good luck everybody!!

(All logos are taken from AXN Asia website and FitnessFirst website)

Click the link on your right handside under “blogroll” and I hope it would satisfy your crave for sweets hehe.

It pioneered by my good friend that tries to market his products over the Internet due to the peak season of e-commerce thingy. Something that is easy to handle and easy to maintain too. I have tried it once and now is your turn hehe. Hope you like it!!

What makes Korea sooo Korea? The answer is easy.. the food, the bed and the scenery. Korean food has its own distinct characteristics, with bold taste but not too much this and that. Less is More. This also applies in Korean traditional bed known as “ondol” with underfloor heating which maybe a little strange for those who are not used to it, but trust me it was really nice to sleep on ondol accompanied by rice pillows (another Korean signature). Last but not least, the scenery. It will pamper your senses.

Food is another affair in Korea. I recommend you to always stick with the local dishes. Do as the locals do. First recommendation will be “hotpot” which is very ideal for sharing with your family (or you may have it for yourself). This traditional dishes can be found in any corner in Korea. Choose your own vegetables and kind of meat that you prefer. Eat it when it is hot. Koreans will eat hot food in the hot weather and cold food in the cold weather. So ice cream in winter time is a must.

Second thing, go for Kimchi. It may taste a little strange for first-timer but the more you eat it, the more you like it, and once you are home, you will miss it (just like I do). This Korean pickles are internationally well-known, can be made in any kind of vegetables and in total there are at least 200 types of kimchi. It will be your daily food and you will be grateful to know its benefits and ultra-nutritive ingredients all in one.

Third one, ask for condiments as they will normally serve together with your main dishes. These condiments may vary depending on the restaurant that you are dining. Huge range of condiments starting from seaweed, mushrooms, fried-squid, sweet potato to cucumber and cooked octopus. Once you like it, you can ask for a refill. It is free of charge.

All in all, try to enjoy Korean food.. as much as you enjoy the country!! Take it as your personal experience.

For more information please visit Korea Tourism Board

Best remedies after ski lessons (from left to right):

1. Deli Manjoo: Korean style “kue cubit”, bite sized sponge cake filled with custard.. yum yum.. Once you start eating you will not stop.. The damage: W3,000 or approximately Rp. 30,000 for a bag of 15 pieces..

2. Minute maid orange juice: the best orange juice around, produced by CocaCola corporation

3. Natuur: another Korean best for ice-cream.. really really nice.. it beats Haagen Dasz..

4. Pocari: the original version “made in Korea”

On the 25th December 2007, we had this BodyCombat Xmas edition held in FitnessFirst Taman Anggrek from 9.10am for 1 hour. The GX studio was filled by 60 (or more) combaters from all over FitnessFirst in Jakarta (heard some members from Plasa Semanggi and Senayan City too). This has left the crowd with limited space to move. However, everybody seemed to have fun as much as I did. Using the old releases that I have not used for ages. We had prizes as well, ranging from Ferrero Rocher to mugs and chocolates for everybody. A little late, but better late then never, Merry Xmas and looking forward to see you in the next BodyCombat special class. (FitnessFirst logo is taken from www.fitnessfirst.co.id)