Things That Keeps Me Busy

There are lots of things that keeps me busy this past weeks and which makes me excited actually every time I do them.

Like

Tennis - well some of my friends if not all of them knows I love playing tennis.. It all started when I enroll on a tennis subject in my University days.

Badminton - this is not my regular sport before but after I arrived in Malaysia and found out that they worshiped love to play this game.. I begin to get into it. I remember playing once or twice a month before in Eastwood City (Im not sure if that place is still there beside "dampa")

Bowling - one of expensive if not most sport out there (the like of golf noh). Yeah, to became a true blooded bowler and not just to be called as seasonal bowler you have to have a full bowling gears! Yep! From hand guide to bowling shoe,  and your own bowling balls and bags! It excite me whenever some of the guys decided to play bowling once in a while. I like the Chester King moves you know!

Swimming - the love of my life at the moment! Yep since the place I'm staying have 4 pools, I can't stop and think to dive every time I passed by the place to head home. I actually swim alternate days.

Taekwondo - Not all of my friends know that I'm practicing this sports. Well they always ask me where I am whenever we have a training. I'm planning to join an invitational game again next year at Melaka.

Movie/Series - from DDD to Glee name it. You might want to include Amazing race, both US and Asia version.

Foods - Yes! I love to eat and when I eat, I make sure I satisfied my hunger. This might be the reason why I'm getting fatter.

Knockin' FOR Heaven's Door!!!

Kansurok...I don't know how many of you or even Filipinos know about this place. I tried to search from Wiki pages and found no information about this hidden(?) place in Marinduque Philippines. Even my colleague who grew in Boac, capital of the Province know nothing about it. He only says, "Its too far and no transportation going at that place".

Why did I suddenly came up to write about this? Well no one knows that a close College friend is doing an outreached program to help and reached the people of the area. She is a part of a Christian Organization, the Capitol City Baptist Church who started a Church Planting and Development Project at the place.

Its overwhelming fact that this guys, though busy on their personal and professional lives, found time to participate in this mission. And after several months of helping the guys there, they will again visit the place on May 21 to 26 to conduct and continue their mission.

And because of this, I, through this little page in web, wants to encourage YOU to help these guys in their mission. Lets help them to make this activity a success....

Through prayers.. that God be their guide...

Through your donations.. donating your Old Books, Toys, and other School Supplies...and

Through your Monetary Help that they will use for all the activities on this mission.

I know that any help they will received from us will be a great assistance to them.

______

You may contact my friend Jocelyn through

1. her blog at http://bebejho.blogspot.com/

2. her kansurok entries at "An Appeal For Help"

3. Email at JRLlamas@bayan.com.ph (Bayan Telecommunications) or

4. Office phone +632-4970947, Cellphone +63-9223375140

This is it! Earth Hour and Energizer Night Race 2010

Almost 8 hours from now, the global environmental awareness activity a.k.a. "Earth Hour" will once again be observed here in Malaysia. Some of the cable providers will join the activity by cutting the regular program off and will be blacked out their stations for an hour which will start at 2030h. The company I'm working with will observed this global activity too.. so for those who wants to make a change by participating to this activity, all you have to do is switch off your lights tonight at "Earth Hour" (2030H).

__

And at 2100h, I will join in the first Cyberjaya Night Marathon sponsored by Energizer. The event will start at 1800h (for those who join the full marathon). Since I don't have the guts to try and push my self too hard, I only join the Mens Open 10km run. Some of my friends will be joining me to this fun run.

(http://www.energizernightrace.com.my/index.php)

Healthy living yeah?///

Malaysian Open - The Finals

2nd part of the weekend's-capade!


Its been a week since the 250 tour in Kuala Lumpur started. As I mentioned on my previous entry about the tournament, there are a few known players joined the first and new part of ATP 250 tour in the City. Sadly, we haven't had the chance to see most of them due to early exits and the fact the we only bought tickets for the final game.

Some of the early ousted players includes, former world no. 4, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, Jose Acasuso and 2 time grand slam champion Lleyton Hewitt. I really rooted for Lleyton to win the tournament if Verdasco or Davydenko wouldn't make it. I thought this will be a great time for him to show his ability adding that the tournament was held in Asia and near to his Country, Australia. But, there, badluck is around the air.

Luckily, Nikolay and Fernando smoothly sailed to the semis whom they faced the other top seeded on the tour, Robin Sorderling and Fernando Gonzales. Nikolay who defeated the charming Frenchman, Gael Monfils who just won the "Open de Moselle" a week ago in a straight set, 6-3, 6-3 faced Soderling who won to Czech, Tomas Berdych, 6-2, 6-2. And Fernando Verdasco who won to Richard Gasquet, 7-5, 6-4 faced Gonzales who defeated the ever focused Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-3, 6-4.


Not Too Easy Win

The top seeded, Nikolay, won a not too easy game to Robin Soderling before reaching the final. The game lasted for morethan two hours. Robin secured the first set with a very convincing score, 6-1. But "Kolya" doesn't feel intimidated and win the last two set, 7-6(1), 6-2.

(Game statistics: Both players produced 9 total aces, 67% of Break points, 62% service points, 38% return points and 50% total points won. - source: Protennislive.com)

Verdasco on the other hand, demolished Gonzales in straight set, 6-4, 7-5. Which makes my finalist prediction into real.


The Final GAme

The feeling of being present to a Pro Tennis Final is unexplainable. For the newbie like me(us), where everything are "first-time", the crowd, the noise, the people arriving late and those cute kids running up and down the stairs can be appreciated easily. No "shush" unlike in a movie house when someone is giggling or murmuring, this is different, and I really love the experience!

Between the two favorites on the tour, I easily fell over and decided to cheer for Davydenko. I'm a huge fan of both players, but between the two, I felt that the Russian is more deserve to win the title (just an opinion). Adding that most of the spectators are cheering for Verdasco, So it's "Me Against The World".

Fernando Boleh!
Malaysia Boleh!

Both players are good on their down the line ground strokes. Hitting the ball back and forth with an average of atleast 120kph. But, compliments should be given to the Russian, who keeps his pace and consistent on his game. Verdasco haven't mastered the consistency of his game yet. I don't know. Its shows on every execution on his serves and rallys. But he is still a good player.

Break points are won by Nikolay on the 7th and 10th game of the match, which help him to secure a first set win against Fernanando, 6-4.

7th game result:

10th game and first set result:

Do-or-Die

A nerve breaking second set started with both players losing on their serves. Exchange of breakpoints on earlier games which keeps me thinking if Verdasco can pull-off to win the set to have a chance to win if ever they made it to the 3rd and deciding set.

Nikolay seems to gain his composure and able to break on 11th game, an important point away from the Spaniards.


With Nikolay serving for the match, I prepared my self to dash down nearer to players stool to secure an autograph. My mind is already set that Nikolay will won the match. But the fences are lock :(

(Game fact: Verdasco produces a total of 4 double fault against 1 from Davydenko in the second and final set.)

The crowd are cheering crazily for Verdasco when both players get ready for the 12th game on second set. This atleast boost Verdasco's confidence. But Davydenko is so focused that he still manage to win the game and become the

First Proton Malaysian Open Champion!

(Picture from: Malaysianopentennis.com)

Pity I wasn't able to get a sign from Nikolay, but atleast I had Fernando's!

Lets Color the World.. Pink!

We're been busy this past two days that I don't have time to finish some of the entry on my blog. Some are still and will remain save as draft until I finish all the details I want to include.

Like I have said, last weekends, is not like our normal off day. Me and some of friends, tried to be a good citizen and join a walk to raise awareness on women's breast cancer last Saturday. I'm actually undecided to join before since I thought that its exclusively for girls/women... I'm wrong, based on the huge crowd of guys on the activity.

The activity went smoothly as planned aside from us being almost late on the activity. The taxi we hired from our office (some of my friends are working) got lost and mistakenly brought us to KLCC instead of KL tower. I don't know, I was seated in front beside the driver and felt that he's bringing us to a different place, but I stayed silent not until I realized that he really sending us to a different place.

Anyway, everything is soo cool! The experience and feeling is one of a kind.

Malaysian Open - 2nd Day - Qualifying Game

2nd day of the Open and our 1st day in the tournament.

Super excited since finally, after dreaming to watch a live Pro Tennis, they are here now to grant my wish.

Took some of the photo using my friends cameras...

Woong-Sun Jun of Korea and Brendan Evans of USA after their match. Evans win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Memorable comment from Evans to the Umpire: "You Robbed me twice!".


Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan signing autographs to some spectators after defeating Aisam-Ul-Hq Qureshi of Pakistan in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-2.


Michael Yani of USA being interviewed after winning a great game with fellow American, Scott Lipsky in their friendly atmosphere match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.


Scoreboard for Rohan Bopanna of India and Mariusz Fyrsternberg of Poland match inside the center court. The former wins in a straight sets, 7-5, 6-1. (Some of the pictures were accidentally deleted :( )



And before we leave the center court, we saw some of the players practicing for their upcoming matches, testing and familiarizing the court. One of them is..

Yep! David Ferrer of Spain :D

Malaysian Open

So excited that finally after a month of planning, we will be able to watch a Professional Tennis for the first time. We only bought tickets for the final game since we can't watch the Main Draw until the Semis due to our work.

The tournament started today. Tomorrow, since weekends, we will try to watch the second day of qualifying games. :D

Visa Update

I just received my new visa... finally! I can now apply for a new IC "Immigration Card" (hula ko lang :D) to replaced my old one.

Good thing I will be on holiday tomorrow, an extra time to fixed things. I'm planning to visit the bank to request for a maximum withdrawal per day on my account since I always got some problem every end of the month. I'm tired of asking help to other friends to withdraw for me due to the withdrawal limit.. hayzzz

Plan to watch "Half-Blood Prince" tomorrow too in the nearest Movie House, though I've heard lots of negative feedbacks about the film. But who cares, Harry is Harry. I been outdated already and missed those movies that attracts me. And hearing bad review to some self-named "Movie Critic" will not stop me.

Also still feel pain on my left foot. It's been two days now after the marathon and I can still feel it.. I think this is the result of wearing new shoe... wahhhh

King Of The Road

First...


to....



and join the...


until one by one....







and Finally....



And yes! I'm The King Of The Road :D

Mixed Activities :D

We again had a training for the upcoming " Convo Fest". Finalizing the group of each who will attend, I was grouped to those who will do the Demo a.k.a "Taerobics", a mixed steps of aerobics and taekwondo.




We started the training at around 9pm since most of the guys had an exam for the break. This is our last chance to practice for the week since some of them will go back to their hometown tomorrow. The President informed us to prepare for the final practice set on the following weekends.

__

I'm also bit excited. 2 days from now will be my most awaited day. I ask my friend Michelle to ask their friend to pick up my gear for the marathon... really I'm so happy and tense. This will be my first so I'm trying my very best to set my mind to one goal.. Finish the run.. It doesn't matter if I get a medals intended for the first 350 finisher or not... But I will be much happier if I got one :D.

Kicking Fun

Had a great time last night. Laughing out loud, smiling all the time and talking about anything under the sun with my kicking friends. It's one of the great times I had with them. Now I really regret that I haven't had the chance to join them at the binding camp. I'm thinking, if We are this lively and happy in a simple gathering, how much more in a plan gate-a-way? Wahhh...

Oh anyway, this happen while eating at the Hostel Canteen in the University after our Tae kwon do training. Actually I already took my dinner at the terminal after I finished my work so I'm not that hungry. I just ordered beef burger for a snack.

Btw, the group already appointed a few people who will stand as the team officers for this year. From President down to Treasurer. If my counting is right there are atleast eight (8) people who will help the group on its goal and objectives. I still haven't memorized all the names of the members since my memory is really bad in remembering it (sign of old age.. hehehe). The few that I know are: Eddy Beh, Derek, Jie Jun(JJ), Nazim and Rizman. The other might take me some time to remember.. hahaha

We also formed groups for the Sparring and Demo team, I joined both. We started the training for Demo last night after the training in preparation for the upcoming "Martial Arts Fest" on 10th of August. Though I will not be available to join the team that time, I still register myself to prepare for future Demo activities. Two sets of extra training was been set within the week, we need to insert extra effort since the date is near. Monday and Wednesday night are the chosen days for this extra training. Another training is set later at 8pm.

We go back almost midnight. I took a quick hot shower to wash my stink before sleeping.

Jogging, Bonding, Planning

We had a jogging session with my kicking team last night at MMU oval track. This is where I practice my stamina in preparation for the coming marathon that I mention on my previous entry.

The session started at 1830h and I came late. I thought they aren't arrived yet and wait for a couple of minutes to check when they passed in front of me running.. hehehe.. shy shy shy... I tailed them and keep my pace near them for about 4 rounds. I walk around the oval after my first four lapse and done another 3 lapses before we stop.

Eddy gathered us around to say a few words about the binding camp. He discuss some of the activity that they plan to do there. He also brought the "Demo Team" plan for the coming Martial arts fest at the University and the IIUM Invitational Taekwondo tournament. The tournament will be held at Gombak, Selangor this coming August 7, 8 and 9. Two disciplines are open one for 16 to 18 year old jins and the intervarsity which is open to all (no age limit). I want to joint here since I don't have duty on that saturday. I just forgot to ask him if its okay to join for two days only since I cant take a leave on the first day of the tournament (Friday).

Keep my fingers cross...

Kicking Update

I wore my yellow belt for the first time last night :D.

I'm really happy that I reached this far.. not that far, yes... but far enough to keep me going and aim for more.

It wasn't like our usual training sessions... It so exhausting.. its an extreme training... and I love it!

I think we jog for about 20 to 30 minutes.. running around on our training area... then respiratory and power exercise like push up, jumping, some sort of pilates etc. I sweat a lot... I can even squeeze some ounce of sweat on my uniform :). Then kick training. Repititive front and side kicking and full force punching. We also do some strategic kicking (okay I just put name on that one).

If you love tae kwon do, I'm pretty sure you will love what we done last night.

After the training we had some few words with the President, Eddy Beh. He discussed about the upcoming "Binding Camp" this coming weekends at Negeri Semibilan. This is perfect activity to know each other, to form a strong friendship within us, new members. Unfortunately, like the last dinner of the group, I can't join them again. I have to work this coming Saturday and switching a schedule with other colleague is impossible :(. Geez, I really love to know those kids better and be one of their close friends. Anyway, I hope to join them next time.

And then after the training, I head to my friends place to celebrate her birthday :D

Updates: Birthday, Training, Leave

I'm a bit excited on tomorrow's training. It will be the night of grading to move on another stage on our kicking class. I am confident that I can pass the training exam. I don't know, just had this feeling that I can pass what ever the exam is.

I'm a bit lazy to woke up this morning actually. I never had enough rest this weekends. It started since Thursday night when I accompany my friend and sleep at their place. Then this Saturday, after work, I play badminton and join our friends Birthday celebration party after until 3 am of Sunday. I didn't attend the Sunday service since I woke up late.

I think, I really had this bad habit now that need change. I feel its becoming unhealthy already.

Anyway, I missed my friends birthday... my bad again. I know he is very angry with me now :(.

My Indonesian friend's Birthday also came, last April 23. I promised to threat her a dinner. We plan and scheduled it this coming Saturday.

Planning to take two days of leave next week to apply for a new passport... hope my superior approved my sudden applications.

Activity Updates

My body is aching today maybe because of 2 consecutive games that we had this weekends. Also add the late sleep last night since I stay awake to know what happen to one of my friends who were sent to the hospital due to allergies complications.

Anyway, I almost lost my temper last Saturday while we are playing. There were some rude people who came in and tried to thrown us out of the club house's badminton court. It's not really cool to have a conversation with dumb people like them who boast a lot. It turns out that there is a conflict on the schedule list from the clubhouse management which is not our fault.

If they just talk and ask nicely, we might let them use our court. But since they are trying to intimidate us, but failed, we insist and raised our rights. One of them is claiming that he call the clubhouse office to booked for two courts from 8 to 10 pm, which overlap our schedule which started at 7 to 9 pm. During our conversations, he keeps on insisting that we should leave because first, he reconfirmed the booking earlier prior their game. Second, he is bragging about him being one of the flat owners on the community as if a tenant like us doesn’t have any rights to use any of the community amenities. He even dares us to show a written confirmation schedule from the court guard just to prove our claim. Unfortunately the guard on duty can't show any list which confirms both of our schedules. Not satisfied and talking to their own language which we can’t understand, he tried to scare the poor guard just to impress his friends.

End up, we still play until our schedule finished and irritate them by showing that we are really having some fun playing...

Back to Reality

Back again from the long holiday..

I still had the after effect of my last travel. I have to tighten up my schedule since one of my teammates is still on vacation. Just hoping that work loads today are minimal.. I think they are still on holiday mode.. hehehe.

I have a schedule practice later with my kicking friends in preparation for the upcoming belt grading next week. I don't know if I can join them, but I will still come for tomorrow training... I think I still need to rest... Need sometime to be alone...

I forgot that its been a while since our last badminton game... The Clubhouse management change their process again and didn't entertain us when we call them to book for a court. I will try to ask my friend to help us for this... I need to move some of muscle more.. I'm afraid that they still feel the trauma of the almost horrifying incident last time... :( It's a good preparation too since our Company is planning to hold a tournament soon... I hope I can join.

Are all things here?

Extra Shirt - Check!
Swimming short - Check!
Wallet - Check!
Money - Check!
Undies - Check!
Slippers - Check!
Shoes - Check!
Pants - Check!
Toothbrush - Check!
Sun Block Lotion - Check!


and the most important....


Passport - Check!
Ticket - Check!

... Terengganu, here we come!!!!!

Invitation

I got an invitation last night from my "kicking" friends to join the Annual Dinner and General Meeting at the Equatorial Hotel this coming Saturday. Unfortunately, I decline the invitation due to some plans and commitments.

I really love to join them.. they are so nice and happy to be with. They are always laughing in every training sessions which makes everything lighter.

They are all young though :), Most of them are still in College... I think I'm the only working person in the group. But anyway, I'm very pleased that they welcome me to join them... I'm really happy.

Thanks and Sorry Irene.. I wish to join the group plans next time.. :)

Tiring Weekends

Off work... after 5pm, Saturday....

..... Tired of office work (not surfing the net... just playing online games.. hahaha) I head home and lie down on my bed.. I slept and was disturbed by my thought (my dream) that some people are waiting for me... I forgot, We have a badminton game!

.... excited on the upcoming "Earth Hour" activity. I looked outside the windows to check if it is already happening...

5 minutes more... I wait...

830pm!... nothing happens..

9pm... its still the same. Lights are all lit up.. no one will participate...

930pm... it's over.. I'm broke!... arg!

_____

After the game, I invited my friends for karaoke.. yeah!

10pm not having a shower... they decided to watch instead.. "Serendipity" is the title..

... okay I'm craving to sing... but the movie is good.. I'm hooked!

... atlas! the movie is finished... we still have time.. wait, its already 1130. We aren't night owls.. but we can pretend to be :D (evil smile)

Same time... Magic sing's mic are all set up... we sing our heart, stomach and intestines out.. yeah..

1 am... geez.. the batteries are all empty.. no spare.. :( we headed home... took a quick shower.. then took off to sleep.

____

Next morning 6am.. get up early to catch up 8am mass service...

.. lost on track, the time passed quickly.. I'm late to catch the early bus.. took the taxi to catch the 735 train to KL. Arrived a bit late.. I missed the first reading :(

.. 0915...waited for the choir practice to start... wait until 1030h.. the musician didn't show up.. wahhhh...

-----FAST FORWARD -----

230pm Midvalley, Cinema 16.... We've watch "Watchmen". I felt bored.. the story is sooo slow.... story is too predictable... :(

515pm we bought Ice blended coffee at Coffee Bean. I consumed 1 large cup(that is equivalent of my 3 days coffee intake)... My senses are fully alert..

... decided to take the train... 545... the next schedule will be 549..

.... 5 minutes after... the trained was delayed... next will arrived at 618... train on other track already arrived...

....1619 no train.. 2 minutes after... train on the other track arrived....

....1635... no train still... after a minute or 3.. train on the other track arrived..

- crowds are getting bigger and bigger.... everyone are hoping to ride on the train that will arrived... if it will.

....1710... the rain started.. still no train....

....1720... finally the train arrived... GOSH.. no space anymore.. pushing... pushing.. pushing... Just a little bit move when..... WOOOOTTTTT... the guard stop us.. no space for a medium sized people like us anymore.. we have to wait again.

... after 10 minutes.. another train stop.. We finally got on board.. (sigh)

... bought KLIA train ticket to PutraJaya, depart time is 801.. still have 20 minutes... then we hang around..

... I saw an imitated wallet... bought it for 20bucks.. yipee! I have new wallet now!

... we lost the time.. we missed the train.. we have to wait again.. saw my friend looking for new sandals to buy...

...0831.. we finally boarded... arrived at 855 at PutraJaya... no bus.. NOT AGAIN!

...920.. the bus arrived..

930 we finally get in...

950pm.. arrived at home.. didnt dare to change... get on bed.. snooooooree

Busy Weekends

I didn't have enough rest for this past few days. I think this is the reason why I'm experiencing body ache and dizziness.

I engaged my self on lots of activities since last Friday and wasn't able to get a goodnight sleep since then. It all started when I agree to come to all the activity invitation from my friends around the area. Last Friday, since we haven't confirmed any bookings for badminton game, we decided to take a swim in the newly fixed clubhouse pool near in our place. We then decided to go straight to one of our friend place for Karaoke. Since the following day is weekend, they all agreed to have a small drink which lasted until 2 in the morning.

The following day, I woke up around 5am to watch an ATP game since one of my favorite Tennis players (Andy Roddick) have a schedule live game at that time.. well, it pays of since he won his game in a 2 straight set point against his opponent (Novak Djokovic). At 730, without breakfast, we headed to Putrajaya to join and watch the Hot-air Balloon Festival (I will post different entry for this).

About 825 am, I received a text message from one of my friends from Cyberview asking for my whereabout, confirming my attendance on our tennis game which I thought was been canceled. I joined their game at 915 after I hurriedly went back to my place to get my things. The game lasted for about two hours under 30 degrees heat of the sun.

I arrived home at 1230 pm and do my laundry while eating. I finished my weekend job (unpaid - hahaha) after three hours together with the movie I've watched... I then go to my friend's place to help in preparing the food were going to bring for the small get-together beside the small pool in the farthest building in the area. Finished at 530 pm, I went back to my place to get my things that will be use for our 6 to 8 pm badminton game. After our extreme game, I headed to the get together to join my friends who are already taking a swim for a light supper. I then join them after resting for a couple of minutes until 10pm.

I slept 20 minutes past 11 and woke up at 530 to prepare for church. I decided the night before to attend the 8am service for me to have some time to join our Choir Group practice in preparation for our next Filipino mass schedule. I thought of heading home to take some rest after we finished before 11 when I received a text message from my friend requesting me to buy a KFC rice combo meal. She was sick and was not able to attend on Sunday Mass Service. I then go the nearest KFC branch at Puduraya to buy the food. Unfortunately, they are still serving a breakfast meal and not serving the combo meal until 12pm. Since I still have plenty of time to waste, I decided to go to Midvalley to visit MPH and look for some interesting books to buy some time.

Overwhelm on so many choices, I ended up to buy nothing and decided to get out the place at 1215 to buy the food. I reached my place before 2pm and eat my food bought from McDonalds with my friend enjoying her KFC while watching Bowling Game in the Sport Channel. I then headed home after the game finished before 4pm to take an afternoon nap. I woke up an hour and a half after due to unbearable noise from my flatmates.

I just lie down on my bed for a couple of minutes to adjust and take a quick shower after. Pressed some of my clothes before taking a dinner at 8pm. I watch another movie from my collection of Harry Potter before sleeping at 1030.

That's how busy my weekends are.. :(