Mere Coincidence

Hmm.. I did not actually realise this but guess what? In year 2009, I blogged 209 posts. Lol.


See the red circle? =) (Click on the photo for zoom in or scroll down to see in on the page itself)

What I Think The Dinosaurs Are Up To Usually During The Holidays

The title pretty much tells you what this whole post is about. So there is absolutely no point of me repeating the same here unless you are one of those silly fellas who do not read the title of an article before you proceed to the content (I know a few people who are like that). Anyway, lets for a second think you have brains in that skull of yours. =p

So first and foremost, Little Foot (me that is). Little Foot spends more her time, sleeping. She is really like a pig on school breaks. I must say that school breaks are like hibernation time for Little Foot. And there is online too. So I think it is pretty much sleep and online. More of the first. Lol. Right! She also watches illegally downloaded series on her laptop.

Hmm.. Little Foot sounds really boring. Get a life already, Little Foot! Lol.

Next is Ducky. Ducky visited Little Foot yesterday (it wasn't visiting per se but hack. Saves my time in telling a long story). Both and Ducky's family went to the new Jusco shopping mall in town. They had fun. =) Anyway, Ducky's holiday is probably spent doing pretty much nothing as well. She would love worrying and being overly kepoh though perhaps. Lol. Just kidding. I guess online is the thing she does most.

Yet another boring dinosaur.

Third is Cera. Hmm.. Like Little Foot, Cera is also a 'pirate'. She downloads illegally and watches the shows. She also probably spends her time helping her mother and brother here and there with his arts stuffs. She doesn't hibernates but she spends a lot of her time online for sure. Her only way of communicating to GDW (besides using the underfed and under-cared-for owls). What else eh? Busy manja-ing. Busy being manja-ed. Lol. And she 'bangs' keyboard (that tells you how well she "plays" right? Lol! Just kidding. She plays ok. She just likes saying she 'bangs' instead of 'plays' the keyboard which makes it sounds all wrong). Oh yeah! Texting Little Foot. Lol. So that is another thing Little Foot does too. Lol. And I guess that is it for Cera. Wait! Wait! Cera maids at home also. Lol!

Moving on is Chomper. This dinosaur gets really busy when she returns home to her 'jungle' in Sibu. It is a jungle there because there is absolutely no internet connection there. And DiGi pretty much hates that place too. The 'yellow man' probably doesn't visit there very much. Anyway, Chomper gets really busy during school breaks. She hangs out in her 'princess's' sundry shop a lot (getting free Coca-Cola there probably) and she goes on countless of dates. With her high school friends. And she gets pampered by her mother's cooking also. No vegetables. Nothing spicy. Just CHICKEN and CHICKEN EGGS. Lol. Oh yeah. She probably spends time helping her father with the ferry business. Hmm.. How about Tong Moo Lu eh? Haha. That's just a joke (which not many would get but lets just leave it that way).

Hmm.. For a change, this dinosaur seemed to have more fun.

Next is Spike. Hmm.. This one probably spends a lot of her time helping out her family at their sundry shop. Selling and eating anchovies. Lol. Yup! The dinosaur eats raw anchovies. She probably spend a little time playing her piano as well. She doesn't gets online at all though. Like Chomper. She probably visits her grandmother also. And I don't know what else Spike does. Eat leaves perhaps. Lol.

Lastly, Petrie. This one is the easiest. Petrie spends her whole holiday glued to the television set. You don't see her online and it is almost impossible to reach her on her cell phone. Because she eats and sleeps TV. One TV program after another. And surprise, surprise, she DOES NOT have Astro (thank God). So I really have no idea what Petrie watches. Yet, she is one hack of a TV slave. She even eats in front of the TV perhaps. So that is Petrie. 24/7 with her TV shows.

And that is perhaps how I think the dinosaurs kill their time when they are all back home. All in all, Little Foot is perhaps the laziest of them all and Spike and Cera are the most helpful ones. Ducky, Idk what to say. Chomper's terribly busy and Petrie's just another TV addict.

Hmm.. Little Foot's done with this now. Perhaps she should sleep again soon. Lol!

Kelly Clarkson Was AMAZING

This was one brilliant concert. =) And I have to thank both my parents and cousin for it. Firstly, my mother for sponsoring the tickets. Thanks, ma! Secondly, my dad for bring us there. He actually watched the concert from outside the stadium too. Lol! He saw some boys on their motorcycles sitting at this corner and checked it out as he was curious and guess what? He could actually watch the whole show from there. But not Kelly per say. The big screens. Still good enough. Lol. So thanks, pa!! Lastly, my cousin, Terence, for getting us the tickets and for all the trouble sending them to us. A million thanks!

Now back to the awesome concert. It was Matt's first. So he was really excited about the whole thing. Lol. He was funny. Anyway, Natalie from Hitz.fm hosted the show. She started entertaining the crowd at around 7.20p.m.. Making the crowd go wild, screaming Kelly Clarkson's name, etc. And then she gave out her posters. She tried to throw them to the crowd but couldn't throw far. Lol. So RELA officers helped her. Then she announced the local acts involved. Suki (yucky) and JACKLYN VICTOR (yay!!).

At around 7.55p.m., Jacklyn came on stage and performed a medley of her songs. It was brilliant. And her hair was like Lacey Brown's (American Idol Season 9 contestant). But it ain't red in colour though. Still really cool. And her voice - AMAZING.

She was done by 8.15p.m. and Suki came on. She wore this HUGE dress. I wonder if I have a picture of it. I doubt though because we were saving the memory card space to record Kelly's performance. Anyway, she started off with a little violin play and then proceeded to sing one of her songs (Malay song). It wasn't good to me. Just ok like she was in One In A Million, which she won anyway. Couldn't really get what she was singing.

After that one song, it was gonna be Kelly's turn. So the crowd got happy and excited. Lol. We then saw this white van coming in and the crowd, thinking it was Kelly, roared. Then this other silver Toyota Alphard came in, looking all shiny and that is for sure her. Lol. So the crowd roared even louder. Lol. And I saw her head when she was coming out of it. Lol.

8.30p.m.. and Kelly came hoping on the stage, singing All I Ever Wanted. She continued with another 2 songs before she greeted the crowd. By now, I am already amazed by her voice. It was AMAZING. SUPER AMAZING. Anyway, before the night ends, she would have sung about 20 songs. It was SO GOOD. Some were acoustic too. And she also covered a few different artists' songs too. Among them are Alanis Morissette's That I Would Be Good, Kings of Leon's Use Somebody and Kylie Minogue's If I Can't Have You and Can't Get You Out of My Head. She also did a nice work on White Stripes' hit Seven Nation Army at the end. It was cool. Anyway, if I were to list down all her performances, it would be a long list. Lol. It was just so cool and she covered most of her hit singles. =)

I also called darling during the concert. Lol. She so badly wanted to go but was separated by the sea. Lol. Called her during Already Gone and she loved it. Lol. So I called her again during the last song, My Life Would Suck Without You. Lol.

Anyway, I think this is where I would end my post. It was just so good. As good as BEP or maybe just a little less. =) All in all, still AWESOME! Oh yeah. Kelly likes to hop and spin around on the stage and it is so cute. Lol

Athletes Are Human Afterall

That's Martina Navratilova if you don't know already. Czech-American tennis player. In her older days of course. Lol. In her younger days, she was brilliant. That former world number 1, Billie Jean King once said this, "Martina is the greatest singles, doubles and mixed doubles player who's ever lived." That's from one pro to another.

Back in her top performing days, Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles (an all-time record) and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She also reached the Wimbledon singles final 12 times, including 9 consecutive years from 1982 through 1990 and won the women's singles title at Wimbledon a record 9 times. She and King each won 20 Wimbledon titles, which is an all-time record. Additionally, Navratilova is one of just 3 women to have accomplished a career Grand Slam in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles (called the Grand Slam "boxed set"). She also holds the open era record for most singles titles (167) and doubles titles (177). She recorded the longest winning streak in the open era (74 consecutive matches) and 3 of the six longest winning streaks in the women's open era. Navratilova, Margaret Court and Maureen Connolly share the record for the most consecutive Grand Slam singles titles (six). Navratilova reached 11 consecutive Grand Slam singles finals, second all-time to Steffi Graf's 13. In women's doubles, Navratilova and Pam Shriver won 109 consecutive matches and won all four Grand Slam titles in 1984. They also tied Louise Brough Clapp's and Margaret Osborne duPont's record of 20 Grand Slam women's doubles titles as a team.

Sadly, today, I found this article on Eurosport UK.

Martina Navratilova, one of the finest female tennis players of all time, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I cried," Navratilova, 53, told People magazine about the results of a February biopsy after a routine mammogram revealed a cluster in her left breast.

"It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands."

She was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer called 'ductal carcinoma in situ', confined to her milk ducts without spreading to the breast tissue.

"It was the best-case scenario you could imagine for detecting breast cancer," Dr. Mindy Nagle, Navratilova’s friend and doctor, added.

The report said Navratilova has already had a lumpectomy and will begin six weeks of radiation therapy in May.

The nine-times Wimbledon champion admitted she had not been getting regular check-ups.

"I went four years between mammograms. I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses," she said.

"I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."

Athletes or not athletes, we are just mere humans afterall and are subjects to all illnesses and diseases. -Sigh-

And oh yeah. Arsene Wenger had finally admitted that he needs to buy players to challenge for the top honours next season. Finally!!

Undone By Pure Talent

Arsenal went down to Barcelona last night. Despite Nicklas Bendtner giving the Gunners the all important early lead, the travelling team was dismissed from the European elite competition by a player with sheer brilliance and world class talent, Lionel Messi.

But of course he wasn't the only reason to Barca's 4-1 thumping of Arsenal. As a whole, the Spanish side looked like they were up against school boys this morning. Arsenal was boring, not creative, played badly, didn't see much of the ball, defended poorly and of course, lack the important touches in the final third (as usual). On the other hand, the Catalans played with the right mind set and attitude. They defended well, saw much of the ball, controlled the match and then there is the Argentine. I believe that Real Madrid should be worried as the El Clasico takes place this weekend. I for one do not see the Galaticos being able to stop the men in red and blue stripes.

Yet, Barcelona is not a one man team like Arsenal is becoming these days. While we rely so much on Cesc Fabregas (and lets face it, he will move if he doesn't win trophies at The Emirates soon), the reigning Spanish and Europe champion has so much talent. Victor Valdes is an amazing goalkeeper while Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique are good defenders. Then there is Andreas Iniesta and Zlatan Ibramovich. And this morning, only Valdes played. Yet, the Catalans managed. But I have to admit that Arsenal was a depleted side. We were missing not only Cesc but a string of other players, Andrei Arshavin, Alex Song, William Gallas, Robin van Persie and the list goes on.

I believe though that it is time Arsene Wenger buy big in the summer. Forget nurturing for a while. He is good at it but I say it again, boys DO NOT win trophies. We need experience, talent, strength and class. And no offense to the boys at The Emirates, but they are just not good enough. After all, how many times this season alone have we heard Arsene blaming on the lack of maturity as the reason we lost vital matches? After Robert Pires, Fredrick Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, Alexander Hleb and Thierry Henry left, Arsene never did replace them. And it is not just the midfielders and strikers that ring the alarm, Arsenal need better centrebacks and of course, we need to replace Manuel Almunia. In the final third, we lack the finishing touch. In the midfield, we lack strength and creativity. In the back, we lack talent. I do admit that Thomas Vermaelen was a good buy and he became one of my favourites quickly but what can he do alone? I could go on and on about the inadequacy of Arsenal but hack, don't we already know? We've seen them so many times this season.

I am not afraid to speak of this match again today. Even to Chelsea and Manchester United fans. Because while Arsenal performed poorly, I give more credit to Barcelona for taking advantage of that and making full use of it. Arsenal went down to a brilliant team and that is perhaps the only point I can salvage from the Gunners run in the Champions League this season.

Turning our heads to the BPL once again, I hope Arsenal recovers from this defeat fast and turn their attention to Tottenham as we travel to White Hart Lane this weekend for yet another North London derby. As usual, there is just more than points at stake here as the lads would be fighting for brags and local rights. But if Arsenal were to salvage anything this season, they will have to win all 5 of their remaining matches and hope both Chelsea and Manchester United fumble. And winning the 5 matches has to start this weekend. Tottenham would love to take on Arsenal now perhaps as they would be tired and probably mentally fatigued as well. After this match, the toughest opponent for the Gunners in the run in towards the BPL title is Manchester City. If we overcome these two and the other 3 less challenging game, our hopes would still be alive. But all I hope is that I will see Arsenal lift a trophy at the end of the day. I don't really care how they do it but I hope they will. It has been too long since the Gunners win anything. 5 years if they don't this year to be exact.

Back to the Champions League, Inter Milan made it through also. So they will face the Catalans next and I fancy Barca making it all the way to the finals. Also, tonight will see Manchester United take on German giants, Bayern Munich. I have no problem believing that they'll pull something out of the hat and make it actually. I do hope Manchester United keep England's flag flying high. We are already seeing England's mark in the Champions League fading. The other tie would see Bordeaux take on Lyon. Both should be exciting games to catch.

All in all, if anyone were to ask me who will lift the Champions League cup this season, I would say Lionel Messi. He is by far the greatest footballer in the world at the moment and he is a joy to watch. It would be a shame if his team doesn't win it this season.

Why I Think Arsenal Would Be Brilliant

Although things seem bleak now, Arsenal seems to do well away from home and I have 4 games to back me up on that.

5-1 win v Inter Milan (November 2003)

A result which shocked Arsenal as much as it did the rest of Europe’s footballing elite.

The Gunners had been thumped 3-0 in the Group D clash two months earlier, but Thierry Henry inspired his side to a famous victory.

Add to the mix that Arsenal would have been eliminated if they hadn’t won this tie makes their drubbing of the Italians all the more remarkable.

1-0 win v Real Madrid (February 2006)

The Gunners arrived at the Bernabeu with an extensive in jury list and weren’t given much hope against David Beckham, Ronaldo and the Galacticos.

The match’s defining moment came in the 47th minute. Thierry Henry picked up the ball just inside Madrid's half, skipped past two challenges and thumped past Iker Casillas on the angle. Joy.

The Gunners held on for a 0-0 draw in the second leg and progressed to the quarter-finals.

0-0 draw v Villarreal (April 2006)

In terms of a single moment which defined Arsenal’s run to the final in 2006, it was this. Jens Lehmann’s low save repelled Juan Riquelme’s penalty and sealed the Gunners’ passage to Paris.

The Spanish side’s penalty at El Madrigal came in the last minute, after Gael Clichy had bundled over Jose Mari. But the big German earned hero status, diving low to his left, he kept out Riquelme’s drive and the Gunners won the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

2-0 win v AC Milan (March 2008)

Arsenal fans must have believed that this was to be their year after watching their side become the first English team to beat Milan in the San Siro

The Gunners’ two late goals, including a stunning 30 yard opener from Cesc Fabregas saw off Paolo Maldini, Kaka and co to reach the quarter-finals.

And it was no less they deserved. Arsene Wenger’s side could have had six on the night and deservedly reach the last eight of the Champions League.

So against Barcelona? =)

Theo Walcott's Amazing Speed

Found this on Eurosport UK.

Spanish reporters' obsession with Walcott's pace prompted a number of questions about the England winger's speed over 100 metres.

The 21-year-old, who inspired Arsenal's fightback from two goals down to 2-2 in last week's first leg, said he covered the distance in around 10.3 seconds, roughly in line with an estimate made by Barca coach Pep Guardiola at the weekend.

"When I was 14 I did it in around 11 seconds so I could potentially do it a lot quicker now," Walcott said at the Nou Camp on the eve of Tuesday's match.

His smiling manager Arsene Wenger added: "I can do it in 17," provoking laughter from assembled reporters who asked the 60-year-old Frenchman if he meant seconds or minutes.

Lol! And awesome right? =)

Keeping My Fingers Crossed

There'll be 2 reasons for me to have my fingers crossed come tomorrow.

The first (not in any prioritised order, but rather in timing order), is that Arsenal make into the semi finals! And to do that, Arsenal would have to beat their Spanish opponent, Barcelona. Or they could get a high scoring draw and make it by more away goals. Either way I am happy although it would be nicer to beat them. Lol! But a ticket to semi finals would be so awesome and sweet revenge of course of Paris 2006.

Next is that I want my 17.5/30 to get my A in English! Lol. As usual, the drill is that if I do not get an A for my English, my mum will chop me. Lol! I would prefer an A+ but 27.5/30 is IMPOSSIBLE for sure. So I am gonna settle with an A this time around.

So I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for both reasons and I hope by the time I blog tomorrow, I am able to say that I managed both (I would be able to confirm the first for real and second by feelings only though).

And here's to everyone out there who is having their examinations!

ALL THE BEST!!!!! =)

Easter Is Not of Eggs And Bunnies

A friend of mine recently asked me what Easter is all about. She wondered about the connection of it to Easter eggs and such. So here are a few stories that explain Easter. And there is nothing about eggs or bunnies. Lol.

It starts on a Friday, which we now come to know as Good Friday.

John 18:1-19:42

Judas led soldiers of the Roman battalion and guards from the chief priests and Pharisees, who went there with lanterns, torches and weapons. Jesus knew all that was going to happen to him; he stepped forward and asked, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus said, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, stood there with them.

When Jesus said, "I am he", they moved back and fell to the ground. He then asked a second time, "Who are you looking for?" and they answered, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus replied, "I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, let these others go." So what Jesus said had come true: "I have not lost one of these of those you gave me."

Jesus was then brought before Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Equestrian procurator of the Roman province of Judaea from AD 26-36.

Luke 23:1-49

Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You said so." Turning to the chief priests and the crowd, Pilate said, "I find no basis for a case against this man." But they insisted, "All the country of the Jews is being stirred up by his teaching. He began in Galilee and now he has come all the way here."

When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. Finding the accused to come under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus over to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was delighted to have Jesus before him now; for a long time he had wanted to see him because of the reports about him, and he was hoping to see Jesus work some miracle. ... Finally, Herod ridiculed him and with his guards mocked him. And when he had put a rich cloak on him, he sent him back to Pilate.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the elders before all the people, and said to them, "You have brought this man before me and accused him of subversion. In your presence I have examined him and found no basis for your charges. And neither has Herod, for he sent him back to me. It is quite clear that this man has done nothing that deserves a death sentence. I will therefore have him scourged and then release him." ... Since Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he appealed to the crowd once more, but they shouted back, "To the cross with him! To the cross! ...

So Pilate decided to pass the sentence they demanded. A large crowd of people followed him; among them were women beating their breast and wailing for him, but Jesus turned to them and said, "Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep rather for yourselves and for your children." Along with Jesus, two criminals also were led out to be executed. ...

One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, "So you are the Messiah? Save yourself and us as well!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, you will be with me today in paradise." ... The Jesus gave a loud cry, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." And saying that, he gave up his spirit.

3 days later, which is now known as Easter.

Luke 24:1-12

On the sabbath the women rested according to the commandment, but the first day of the week, at dawn, they went to the tomb with the perfumes and ointments they had prepared. Seeing the stone rolled away from the opening of the tomb, they entered and were puzzled to find that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.

Two men in dazzling garments appeared beside them. In fright the women bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why look for the living among the dead? (You won't find him here. He is risen.) Remember what he told you in Galilee, that the Son of Man had to be given into the hands of sinners, be crucified, and rise on the third day." And they recalled Jesus' words.

Returning from the tomb, they informed the Eleven and their companions. Among them women who brought the news were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. But however much they insisted, those who heard did not believe the seemingly nonsensical story. Then Peter got up and ran to the tomb. All he saw there on the bending down were the linen cloths. He went home wondering.

So there you go. On a Friday, Jesus was sentenced to death and was crucified on the cross. He was then buried in a tomb. 3 days later, He risen from the dead. And this is the real deal behind Easter. Nothing to do with the eggs and bunnies. :)

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed posting it! Lol. And last but not least...

"Happy Easter!!!!" :)

Malaysian F1 Circuit, Sepang

You know how every curve of an F1 circuit has a name? If you don't, then let me tell you that they do indeed! Not all but mostly at least. Lol. Anyway, for Sepang Circuit, the names are depicted in the photo below.

I don't know about you, readers but I find it truly lame! And if you don't believe me, go check out the other circuits (I have an example below). Their curves are named after great drivers, car manufactures, etc. Unlike ours. Geez. Get creative already!!!

Australian circuit - Most of the curves are named after Formula One greats.

BUT don't go asking me if I know what it takes to name the curves alright? License for permission to use names, etc. Because I DON'T KNOW. And I am MERELY STATING MY OPINION here. =)