Priceless

Manila 2009

Team CheckMat Malaysia/Escobar BJJ left for Manila last weekend to attend the 2009 Pan Asian BJJ/No-Gi International on the 2 - 3 May 2009. It was a good time all round for the team as it was an opportunity for the entire team get some competition experience especially for us newbies. Fang, Alex & I have previously competed in Singapore and since that was our first time, we thought it would be a good idea to do it again. More importantly Manila presented the team with an opportunity to bond also.

I also got to catch up with some old pals like Albert who is now fighting out of Sarawak and whom I have not met in more than 2 years I think. New friends were also made and hopefully we can keep in contact (through Facebook)

Of course I would like to thank Alex for taking me & Sumi out for a short sight seeing tour around Manila. It is much appreciated bro.

Anyway, I've not had the time to edit the videos and so for now here's just a simple slideshow of the trip.

Bored Bananas

Today I was back in Kuantan again for some work matter at the Land Office. That was disposed off quickly enough which left me with a bit of time which I spent mostly at the family home visiting my mom.

At the time of writing, mom's busy with her gardening and I was out there for a bit accompanying her. She with the rake and me with the camera. And since there were some banana trees in the compound, I decided to take some pictures. These are the results. I know I know, I was bored and there wasn't much really to do here at home.

But a bit of good news, while preparing to upload these fotos, Pastor Hugh Smith dropped in for a visit to see how mom was doing. I've known Pastor Smith almost my entire life (actually since I was 5). He first came to Malaysia in 1976 as a missionary and was here for many years. He subsequently left for other parts of the world to spread the Word and returned to Kuantan to retire several years ago. 86 years old and still full of energy. Man of God, nuff said.