Friday, November 23, 2007

Those were the days...

Recently joined Facebook, and found some old friends online. Managed to hook up with some of my old college mates, and one of them posted a picture from my college days. It was taken during the 1991 summer ball in Dover College. Wow! So long ago, and golly! I was so skinny back then! Certainly bring back a lot of memories... One or two of my friends have asked me to go back for a visit, but since returning so many years ago, haven't been back to the UK at all. I know some of my college mates have been back to the school, and yes, have been tempted more than once to revisit and see the changes that have occured, but alas, have not found the right time. One day... one day...


It was then predominantly a boarding school, but I think it has changed with the majority now being day students. I was in Leamington house for four years, and yes, rivalry in terms of athleticism and sports activities were pretty intense amongst the various houses. For those who have not stayed in a boarding school in UK, think Harry Porter with the various houses. :P

I guess overall, it was certainly an experience, and a time for personal growth. I relish the exposure given in terms of music (which I was active in, and will post about this one day), sports (tried a bit of rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, but never excelled in any, except perhaps for badminton), and the opportunity to socialise with people from various countries. Got to know some English mates, Scots, Welsh, Germans, Spaniards, Bermudian, Japanese, Greeks, Hongkies, Americans, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Guyanans :P, etc. Of course, some were friendlier than others... And it was interesting to pick up a few foreign words here and there! More often than not, such words were not suitable for polite conversations... LOL!!! And I can actually remember some of the words...!!! Hahaha....

And once every four years or so, there will be a photo session with the entire school, and by individual houses. I actually have this group photo framed up, somewhere in my room back in Sarawak. Looking at these pictures make me want to dig back those old photos and imagine myself back in the yesteryears... Can you tell which is me? :P

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

FedEx and Pistol Pete

Got an invite for an exclusive mingling session with Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, two tennis legends here in Malaysia for the "Clash of the Titans" series. How not to go? Actually, I declined the invitation earlier on when asked last weekend, on the expectation that the place (Shooks! at Starhill) will be jam-packed like sardines.

But, changed my mind last minute, and rechecked whether I could still go. Initially, was told that the available spaces have been taken up, but later got a call confirming a place for me. Yippeee! Cocktail was scheduled for 6pm, and I only managed to get there about 6:35pm, and the cordoned off place was filled with so many people! How on earth will FedEx and Pistol Pete be able to mingle simple boggles the mind. And true enough, their scheduled arrival at 6:45pm was delayed due to a prior press conference, only getting there about 7:15pm, and they couldn't mingle. Sigh...

What transpired? A lot of digital cameras and handphone cameras flashing away. Both were asked a couple of questions which they kindly answered, but when it came to phototaking time, it was like a mad rush. No one-on-one photo session, more like group shots, and no autographs. BUMMER! And time was also limited for phototaking. Initially, I wanted to go up and have my photo taken with them, but there were just too many people still in queue before the announcement of "Time's Up!", with them being ushered away for the next appointment to have dinner with the Deputy Prime Minister. Humpph...

Now, I enjoy tennis (more like watching on telly), and have a few favourite players. Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, and now, Roger Federer! He is simply the best!!! Currently at No. 1 in the world, and hungry for more grandslam titles!

My consolation? Some good shots of the famous duo, and I stood at the exact same spot where Roger Federer stood barely a few moments before! :P

Monday, November 19, 2007