Close encounter.

Tick tock tick tock... 4.17 pm

I dreaded times like these. I somehow knew that i would finally be confronted, forced to be squeezed into a small four wall room. Never would i have ever imagine it could boil down to this. The twirls and swirls in my stomach was trying to indicate me warnings. If only there were sirens and red flashes to enhance the warnings about the danger that lies ahead, i would have heed the signs. I should have trusted my instinct. Too late for that now. I can only stiffen myself to help me endure the ordeal.

Tick tock tick tock.... 4.22 pm

Goodness! I couldn't believe my eyes. Five minutes has passed. I cursed at my luck and can't believe that this is really happening. "Come on!" i blurted out with a hiss while shuting my eyes tight and gripping my all right fingers into a fist. I was impatient, restless and overwhelmingly irritated. Cold beads of sweat slowly takes forms on my forehead. I kept my eyes closed to prevent the ugly surroundings from contaminating my eyesight. I was forcing myself to think happy thoughts.... "Darn!" Can't think of any at this moment. I held my breath. It was probably the best thing to do. I continued to push myself, pushing myself towards the end. This was taking a longer time than i thought it would...

Tick tock tick tock... 4.26 pm

I gasped for air then held my breath again. I have been repeating this desperate measures for a few time now. It's taxing and tiring that i could hear my heartbeat now everytime i held my breath. "Not long now" i cheered myself to sustained a little bit longer. My right fist was ready to perform what's needed and my left was practicing the swing. I had it all figure out. A step by step action that would end this time consuming ordeal. I go through these steps in my mind again and again till i could memorize it to perfection.

Tick tock tick tock... 4.27 pm

At last, the moment that i have been waiting for it's finally here. I wasted no time, i executed my plan with elegance and perfection. Every little drop of details was taken to heed. No room for mistakes. If i were to make it, this has to be perfect....

...........................................................

The story above, it's not a fiction. It's a true story that i have to endure not so long ago. You think you have what it takes to be a good interpreter? Try to guess what the story above is about. Will reveal the truth this coming tuesday. Post your theories and plots either in the chat box or comment box. Enjoy...

New kit, old ambition.

Liverpool will start the new season of English Premier League with a new kit. The Reds who will be playing with their traditional red-clad jerseys has also opted to potray the "three strips" trademark of adidas as their kit sponsor this season. Anfield will relish the times they dominate the English Primier league as football giants and champions in the 80's and early 90's when they start the season with this new kit. The team was wearing adidas then. Could this be the beginning of a glorious victory in the league this season? No matter what the answer may be, it's a new kit for an old ambition.

The Reds have secured five new signings. Craig Bellamy, Mark Gonzalez, Gabriel Paletta, Fabio Aurelio and the most recent signings Jermaine Pennant. As you can noticed, these are not big names compared to the liked of Kaka, Shevchenko, Ballack, Torres and many more. Rafa Benitez (Liverpool's manager) didn't seem interested in signing any players from Juventus. Unlike Real Madrid who seize the oppurtunity to sign Cannavaro and Emerson after the Old Lady (Juventus) was demoted to Serie B. I thought we could have at least try to lure David Terzeguet to join Liverpool. Nope, i don't think that would happen. Again, it's new players for an old ambition.

I think we (Liverpool and i) have been fighting for this old ambition for quite some time now. I hope and wish that they would make it this time round. Like every Liverpool fan would say, our best player at the moment is Rafa Benitez. I'm crossing my fingers in anticipation that he have what it takes to make it come true before the old ambition turns to an ancient ambition.

New kit launch

Steven Gerrand and Xabi Alonso

Future England Captain.

A moment cherish...

There is a picture that i hold dear.
Deep in my heart, where it's warm and free from fear.
A picture that makes me smile and sometimes walk at the mile.
A picture that needs care, cause it's very fragile.

This pictures hardly talks, it refuses to walk.
Ironicly, it's this pictures that taught me a lot.
A reason to be open, the strength to believe,
In something that was lost and shattered before.

Someone once said that a picture paint a thousand words.
Words of a tale that only the picture could tell.
I wish and hope, that i would read and see.
This picture has my name in it's tale.

What's your verdict?

Sometimes i feel that my life is quite boring. Perhaps it's because of the choices i made. Safe, no risk taking and predictable. These choices that i have chose, are influence by who i am. It boils down to our personality and character. Therefore, my life is boring because i'm a boring person. In other words, my life is boring because i chose to be boring.

Our choices makes who we are. Agree?

Here's some caption of my life (this week and next) and my verdict.

12th July 2006
Had a staff meeting at 8pm. After staff meeting i drove to Kota Samarahan with Kim Cheng to visit a student in UiTM. After some chat Kim Cheng and i went for a late supper in Siang Siang Central Park. Suprised to meet one of my Politeknik student working as a waiter (Politeknik on holiday). She regularly attend the bible study group.

My verdict: 4 out 5 because of the pleasent suprised we gave to the student in UiTM and i had when i met a poli student.

14th July 2006
A good friend called and proposed to watch Pirates. I said yes. Told my brother, he said yes. I invited the Inti students, they said yes. Asked Joshua (J.O.S), he said yes. When asked was the movie good, i said yes. Before going to sleep i wondered if it was a good day, the answer was certainly yes.

My verdict: 5 out of 5. A good time with my friends and students. Plus an excellent movie.

17th July 2006
Went to ICATS cf. A lot of new students came. We also had visitors from Korea. They came to give testimony and perform a mime which was good for the students. It got them to think. The Koreans even sang a BM song. Managed to talk and have fellowship with them.

My verdict: 4 out of 5. It was meaningful to see the students being encouraged by the Koreans.

18th July 2006 (7.30pm)
For the first time, i attended a prayer meeting in Inti. The first time i drove and park in the inti compund (the guard even open the gate for me when i left). Had a good time with the students from Y.C.S (Young Catholic Students) as well. Felt closer with the students from Inti.

My verdict: 5 out of 5 simply because it was a rare oppurtunity for me to be closer with the students.

22th July 2006.
This is tomorrow. The intians have planned an outing to Fairy Cave, bau tomorrow. I have never been there eventhough i was brought up in kuching. The last time i went caving it was in 2004 in Gua tempurung with the UPSI students. It brings a lot of memories. (now i missed the UPSI students ;p) I'm excited. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Hopefully my verdict: 5 out of 5.

6th August 2006
Will be attending a convocation in Unimas. This would be a little tricky. For those for knows, they will understand why. Wish me luck. hehe

Hopefully my verdict: 5 out of 5. Would need to give a good impression. (might even need to lose a bit of weight)

8th August 2006 (for a week)
I'll fly to KL for this. It's my first ever staff retreat as a whole movement team with fes. Had one in April with Peter, Thomas and Annette at matang wildlife. I have been looking forward for this.

Hopefully my verdict: 5 out of 5. Looking forward for a refreshing and meaningful time.

Well, that's my boring life. Not bad huh?
No matter what choice we made, if we do it whole-heartedly, we will feel satisfied. Then perhaps boring would not be boring after all. What's your verdict?

I reached home at 12 midnight, last night.

Have you ever felt like:
You are so tense, you could burst. Drained to the very last drop of energy. Bored till you could memorize species of mammals in alphabetical order. The need to withdraw from your surrondings to find time for yourself. You have nothing to do. You have too much to do. Seeking something fun for yourself to indulge with.

Have i caught your attention?

Seek no further.... it's:

Simply phenomenal.
Captivating and thrilling.
Well balance showcast of cheeky and perky.
Appropiate sprinkles of unexpentancy.
Sweetest Hilarious Touches.
Decorated classic moments.
If you haven't guess.
It's the Pirates of the carribean: The dead man's chest.

I couldn't remember when was the last time i had such a good laugh in the cinema. I cheered and clapped my hands when Captain Jack Sparrow made a classic appearance. (it's really unusual for me to do so)

I really liked the movie.

Though the storyline didn't actually end, i thought the movie ended gently and gracefully with a slight twist to keep us with anticipation for Pirates 3.

Try not to miss this one, it's a classic :-)

I was not daring enough...

Didn't manage to watch the movie last night. After the meeting, Kim Cheng and i went to visit a student in UiTM. Maybe i'll watch it tomorrow after INTI cf. Maybe i'll bring some of the students along...

Can't wait for tomorrow. However, have a bible study to prepare for the Intians first... hehe

Cheers and peace.

Not a bird, not a plane. It's a man with his 'tocang' beard, walking the plank.

"Ahoy.. Avast me hearties, bring out the rum and celebrate for the captain is back."

Can't wait to watch this. I'm so thrilled and excited. The first movie (Pirates of the caribbean: Curse of the black pearl) was extremely awesome. I was captivated by Captain Jack Sparrow's swishy and fishy iconic role. I'm sure he is held in great affecton by a massive audience eager to see more of his adventure. If i'm daring enough, i might just catch the Premier show (in star cineplex, Kuching) at midnight. If i love it, i might just watch it again (another day of course) hehe... :p

"Shiver me timbers! Me be having staff team meeting tonight. Better be doing work or i'll be feed to the fish. Dead men tell no tales" "Gangway, all ye shark baits"

"Fair winds" (i might just be the next Captain Sparrow, grin... :p)

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.
The best actor i have ever seen.

Stand up for the champion.

At last, the world cup has come to an end. The Azzuri (Italy) has proved that they are the best team this year. I think they deserved to win the most prestigious tournament in the whole wide world (except maybe for the Americans). As i watched the match this morning, i knew they would win. However, deep down in my heart, i wish that the French would produce the miracle they had against Spain and Brazil. It didn't happen. In fact, world cup 2006 was quite full of unexpected results. Lesson to learn: The ball is round, anything can happen.

Zidane ran out of magic portions. His magic tricks turn ugly when he decided to headbutt Materazzi out of frustration. Ouch... that might have hurt a lot. Materazzi will wake up the next morning with bad bruises on his chest for sure. Zidane will have to overcome sleepless nights and nightmares. Lesson to learn: If you really need to headbutt your opponent, make sure the ball is close enough to cover your acts.

Barthez didn't have have the heights to make penalty saves. If you notice, all of the penalty taken by the italians were destined for the top of the goal. Even Materazzi's equalizer in the 19th minute was to high for Barthez to save. Lesson to learn: Strips jersey will make you look taller, use it for penalty shootout to give yourself a psychological advantage.

I never like Italy because of some of it's infamous tactics to win a game. First is their defensive game, getting every man behind the ball. Then their aggressions and tough tackling play. Lastly their desperate act of 'diving' in order to claim penalty. Italy's main leading actor, Francesco Totti. However, they have repented from doing the dive and remained strong defensively. Lesson to learn: If you know your players can't act, drop the 'how to express pain agony' training sessions from your schedule. Apparently the referees have undergo training to spot wannabes actor.

This year's world cup was not as lively as i wanted it to be. Here's why. The live telecast were at odd hours. As soon as you wake up at 3am, you feel groggy and wondered whether it's worth the effort. All my favourite teams, Spain, Argentina and Brazil, didn't make the final. Lastly, i either watched the match with Peter or alone. Didn't really felt the excitement of the game especially when you struggle to stay awake. Lesson to learn: World Cup 2006 has come to past, get it over with. Next stop, English Primier League in mid August. Go Liverpool....

To some of us, football fever has ended. As for me, it's part of my life that keeps me excited and erm.... excited (can't think of another word lah). As for my closure for World Cup 2006, maybe i'll just sit down for the champion.

I see new Reds.

As the world cup awaits it's closure this sunday, the Reds have already secured four new signings. Though they are not big stars of the football hall of fame, but Rafa Benitez believes that these new signings would make a difference in the team. In Rafa we trust.

Craig Bellamy, a controversial striker from Blackburn.

Fabio Aurelio, a brazilian left back from Valencia.

Mark Gonzalez, the much awaited Chilean left winger from Real Sociedad.

Gabriel Paletta, a defender who-played in the under 18 world cup with Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

The new training kit looks awesome. hehe...

My phone rang to the sound of kungfu hustle.

Last night, a friend called. She is teaching in Niah, i think. She kept telling me the name of her school everytime i asked. However, I kept forgetting. She's a good friend whom i'm blessed to have since i was student in UUM. Talking to her last night recalls quite a number of memories. We had a slightly more than an hour of chat and talks.

She will usually call when she is upset. (When she is upset with me, i doubt she'll call me). :p Last night was no different. She is upset by the setbacks of being a teacher in a rural area. It's hard for her because she felt alone. There's lack of community support. From what i heard, her only true companion are her students. Even then, having students as friends can be frustrating.

Talking to her last night, made me think. No doubt, acceptance in a community is important in our social life. Often, when failed to be accepted, we are trapped in our own home. Apart from people at work, we only have our family or ourselves (when we live alone) to socialize with. Have you ever talk to yourself? Sad right...

After graduating, most of my friends who were active in church and cf are now struggling to attend church. If they attend church, they chose to remained silent and not to be known by others. When asked why, their answer was they would not want to be involved in church activites and sometimes feel they are unwelcomed.

It's sad. Church is a part of our community support, a family when we are away from home. A place where fellowships are formed and friendship are established. It's a place to grow through ministries and services. A church should be a place of our own.

Perhaps we(friends and graduates aliked) should think and reflect more on this issues of church. Perhaps we should be more humble and openned to be shaped by God. I know there are times where we feel inferior to others when it comes to attending church (believe me, i have been there), but perhaps going through this process will help us understand the purpose of a church. Only then, we would understand and know where we stand in the midst of the society.

To my beloved friends, hang on out there ya.

Semifinal tonight...

Semifinal between Germany and Italy will be tonight, or rather early tomorrow morning.

I hope Germany will win. I have never like Italy, not sure why... hmmm...

Germany will need to win the game within 90 minutes. Extra time or penalties would probably be an advantage for Italy. I think Italy will be playing a defensive game today. They will be stronger during extra time. Fitness will be the key to win this match. Germany didn't play convincingly against Argentina during extra time.

My prediction:
If 90 minutes: Germany 2 Italy 1
If extra time or penalty: Italy win.

I would to see a France vs Germany final.

Note: Brazil has yet to win the world cup on European soil. They will have to try again in 2010.

No cupid in World Cup...

The heartbreakers

Cristiano Ronaldo

Thierry Henry


Luca Toni, Italy's striker


Portugal's keeper, Ricardo


Jens Lehmann

The heart-broken

Dida

Ronaldinho

Shevchenko

John Terry

Not so super.... (oh)man.

Hollywood is hoping that Superman returns would be a blockbuster. The trailler was very impressive. The glimpse and portion of the movie shown in the trailler was enough to stir excitement and anticipation. Everyone was talking about it (i'm not implying only children). Have to admit it, i was looking forward to see the men in blue and red cape back at the silver screen.

If you think i'm trying to be critical, i'm not. My title above is my conclusion of how superman was potrayed in the movie. Therefore if you have not seen the movie, i suggest that you watch it first (one of my best friend is in the entertainment business, don't want him to lose his market ;p). Then come back and read some of my thoughts of the movie.

Firstly, time line is important. If you get this mix up, chances are you will be lost during the movie. The movie takes place 5 years after superman left earth. What actually happenned before he left? That is up to us to pick up the crumbs that leads to the answers as the movie progresses. The flow of the plot was superb, keeping the audience only on the surface as slowly the curtain unviel the answers. However, while patiently waiting with anticipation, you will only discover that the long awaited answers were "not so super" after all. This was what i have discovered:

1. Superman has a son. (Which lead to discovery no 2.)
2. Superman is an irrespondsible and immoral Superhero.
3. Lex Luthor has lost his sense of wisdom after five years.
4. Lois Lane is blinded by the image of Superman (she see's only superman).

Ok, i lied. I'm being critical in the paragraph above. It just saddened me to discover the world's perspective of Superman is just mere outwards (his strength and probably his looks). Beyond that, his moral values are not take to judgement. Could a good person fight bad people but did bad things? (you know what i mean). A friend of mine suggested that Hollywood is trying to portray a new superman, a superhero who is also human. Perhaps it's true. Well, now we know Superman's weakness is not only kryptonite.

However, there were moments of the movie which i found was classic and refreshing.

1. Superman levitate slowly up to the sky with Lois Lane standing on his feet.
2. The beam from his eyes was not red in colour but heat waves.
3. His x-ray vision could see the heart, other organs and bones.
4. The scene where a bullet dented as it hit's superman's left eye, remarkable.
5. Emergency room: Superman was being treated but to no avail.

Besides moral issues and the studipity of Lex Luthor (who swindle an old lady to marry him for property inherithance, extremely desperate measures), i enjoyed the movie. Maybe i'm a bit harsh, but a superhero should also be good at heart and doings.

Do make comments to some my thoughts. Some of you may disagree with me.

Cheers, tears and anger...

My most anticipate match last night took off with a bad start. Firstly, i missed the first 25 minutes of the game. Why? A friend, my brother and i decided to watch Superman at 8pm. 'Mana tau', the movie was two hour and fourthy minutes 'tambah pula' the movie only started at 8.30pm. Will blog about the movie in a later post entry.

As soon as my brother and i reached home, we quickly grabbed the remote and switch on the tv. My eyes automatically search for the current scores. 0-0

Then, the match was rather slow. Both teams have opted to play a cautious game. Ballack and Riquelme chose not to be adventurous. They knew, the slightest mistake could cost them the game. Most of the time, the ball was played in possession while sniffing and lurking for a good time for penetrate the defense. There was no risk taking, no creative sparks in the build up. Just plain passing the ball, usually among the midfielders than back to the defenders at the slightest sniff of threat.

The game only came alive when Ayala scored the first goal for Argentina. Threathened by the goal, the Germans change to a more attacking game. Bravely moving forward and taking chances. They also introduced Odonkor (a right winger with good pace and flair).

Contented by the scoreline, Argentina brought in Cambiasso for Riquelme. I knew straight away that Argentina will be playing a defensive game. Bad choice (i thought to myself), especially when it's 20 minutes to the final whistle. True enough, Klose scored the equalizer with a header. 1-1 the game goes to extra time.

Without Riquelme, the Argentinians seem so harmless. Ballack on the other hand was struggling with an injury. Besides corner kicks, there was no real threat during extra time. The game went to penalties.

Before the penalty shoot-out, Oliver Kahn went up to Lehmann. The previous heated rows between them took a new turn to what seems to be a time of encouragement and affirmation. It was a rare sight to see both players smiling at each other with Kahn's arm over Lehmann shoulder. Was i suprised to witness that.... He's (Kahn) human after all.

Lehmann is very good in penalties, he made two excellent saves for Germany. The trick to a penalty save is to predict the direction of the ball by reading the body language of the kicker. Is the kicker running from the left or right? Does he dropped his shoulders when he kicks the ball? Does he lean forward or backward when he kicks? There are lots of ways to interpret these body languages. Lehmann did well. Germany are through to the semifinal.

Cheers for Germany, tears for Argentina. Probably Cambiasso will be singing "don't cry for me Argentina" for missing the penalty. An anger outburst by Ayala and Heinze towards Oliver Bierhoff after the penalty shoot-out. (not sure what's that all about)

Two of my favourite teams are out already, Spain and Argentina. Sigh...