Tricks to Teach Your Body

I found this very interesting so decided to share it with the rest of the world. I won't go through the boring explanations with you, though I found them fascinating being the bio nerd that I am :)

Disclaimer: I've never actually tried them myself so don't blame me if you start sprouting little green and pink polka-dotted tentacles on your head.

1. If your throat tickles, scratch your ear.

2. Stuck with a mumbler? Then lean in with your right ear! The right is better at picking up rapid rhythms of speech while the left is good at picking up music tones. Take note, BandGeeks (this term came from Arisya's blog) and I mean that in the nicest way possible since I was/am one myself.

3. Can't answer the call of nature? Apparently thinking about sex occupies your brain so you won't feel so much discomfort. Though I'm sure thinking about ANYTHING will keep your brain busy.

4. Coughing during an injection can lessen the pain of the needle. Don't cough violently of course, lest the needle go in deeper than it should cos of your body jerks.

5. Cure your toothache without opening your mouth! Just rub ice on the back of your hand, on the V-shaped webbed area between your thumb and index finger.

6. Unstitch your stitch! Most people exhale when the right foot hits the ground causing a side stitch. The solution's pretty simple: just exhale when your left foot lands.

7. Brain freeze? Press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much as you can. The more pressure you apply to the roof of your mouth, the faster your headache will subside.

8. If you have a bad memory, read your notes just before you sleep. Most memory consolidation happens while you sleep so reading before bed stores whatever you read into long-term memory.

9. Stop the world from spinning. If you feel dizzy after a wild night of drinks or after twirling round and round to amuse yourself, just put your hand on something stable.

10. If you want to stay underwater longer, hyperventilate (taking several short breaths) first. This tricks your brain into thinking you have more oxygen and it'll give you about 10 more seconds.

Some of these made me go "Oh cool" or "Huh?" (see #1). Here's something else to make you - and me - say "Whaaat?": There's such a thing as tongue cramps! I've never had it and neither have I known of anyone who's had it. I guess it makes sense, tongues do have muscles and muscles get cramps hence tongue cramps!

Cheerio!

Out and About

"Dina, did you buy insurance?" Imagine my surprise when I got into Raymond's car on Tuesday night and Wei Ren asked me that question. A split second later, I realised why he asked me that - because he was the one behind the wheel! But not to worry, I'm not typing this in some ward in hospital neither did anyone sustain any minor injuries on the way from Still Road to Bras Basah complex. Alright alright, I think I exaggerated (but only a little bit!) the gravity of the whole situation. Wei Ren is quite a good driver, considering this was the second time he drove after he got his licence. Although we nearly missed the turning into the complex and turned round a bend a bit too fast.

Saw Raymond's new place at Bras Basah and it looks very classroom-like but it's nice. I kinda miss going for tuition; JC Math tuition was the only one I actually looked forward to. Not because I suddenly developed a love for numbers but because of the people. Quite simply put, they were fun. Everyone together now "Aw..." Then there's another room which has a comfy sofa and an XBox 360. Raced cars for a while, during which Wei Ren kept asking Grace to poke Sean cos he was ahead.

Headed over to the Hong Kong Cafe after that. I ate the fish hor fun which didn't look like the hor fun I'm used to but it was very good nonetheless. Also tried the French toast and the fried squid. The squid was so tasty that I, a confessed squid-hater, liked it a lot. The batter it was coated in helped, of course.

It was great to catch up with all of them, especially Grace and Wei Ren cos I haven't talked to them since December. Grace is studying Music and some Chinese-related subjects in China; I think Ancient Chinese is one of them. We were perplexed as to why she would be studying Chinese but I suppose doing something like that is more useful than lazing around like me :) Wei Ren was telling us about his exploits in OBS South Korea; it sounded quite exhausting. Raymond, as usual, entertained us with his many amusing stories.

Finally reached home at 2.30am. I though I'd sleep like a log; after all I nearly didn't go for supper cos I was feeling so very tired. However, I was awake till about 6am! Me thinks it's the milk tea I had or just the fact that I haven't been sleeping well the past few days. Guess I'll never know for sure.