Jazzy's Big Adventure: Physio Conference and Vesak Day

Melissa here......I attended my first International Physiotherapy Congress in Singapore! It happened to be the 25th Anniversary of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA), in which my boss is the President, so the event was very nice. I was amazed at the formality and pomp and circumstance surrounding the event. There was a formal sit down dinner with multiple performances (singers, dancers, a SG celebrity emcee), a 10 course Chinese meal and a speech by the "Minister of Health" himself! The courses, posters, research and break out sessions were all very informative. I look forward to May 2015 when Singapore is hosting the World Congress of PT! All my PT colleagues should register and submit abstracts!

Dancers perform during dinner!

My employer, Dinesh Verma. Owner of V2U Healthcare and PhysioAsia Therapy Center

Fellow Congress member, Aprita

We joined many religious faithful this year at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery for the Buddhist celebration of Vesak Day; to honor the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. We enjoyed seeing the amazing colors and iconography around the temple compound. In total, there were around 10 buildings to explore, each with beautifully decorated tile floors and walls and statue depicting all kinds of spiritual beings. Walking through the observant crowds, we gained a sense that no matter how long we stayed in this place, we would never come to know it as they do. Even though we didn't know half of what was going on around us, we were happy to feel so welcome and free to walk through the beautiful temple grounds.

When we returned home, we took Jazzy on a stroll to find the Bodhi Tree here on NTU campus. Acconding to the NTU Buddhist Society, The Bodhi tree sapling was from its parent tree which is a branch from the very tree Lord Shakyamuni Buddha sat under upon Enlightenment.