A Tribute to Lee Chong Wei

i'm sure by now most of you would have known about the result from yesterday's badminton finals for the men singles (you can google for more news about the match yesterday).

my flatmates and i stayed up to watch the match. we had to admit that it was totally Lin Dan's day. both of them equally had great pressure on their shoulders to perform; and there will only be one winner.

for me, though a little bit sad of the lost, it was still a proud moment for Malaysia with Lee Chong Wei being in an Olympics finals. His meekness was what that struck me the most. After the game, both Lin Dan and Chong Wei gave each other a friendly hug - to me, it was a gracious acceptance of defeat; and also a gesture of respect and 敬服 (can't think of the english word at the moment) to the winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psRcrwwUI3o
This is an interview with Lee Chong Wei before the Olympics. It is in Mandarin though. i have yet to find an English one.

Hope there will be some videos on Chong Wei's feat in Olympics 2008 on YouTube :)

this was written before Chong Wei went to the finals
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/17/focus/22106345&sec=focus

we know he will fight harder. just like how he pulled himself again after a car accident in 2006. and he has inspired me to fight harder too. in all honesty, we are facing some financial difficulties for Malam but we will definitely fight even harder to get the money in!

Well done, Lee Chong Wei! We are all very proud of you! Congratulations!

Don't Give Up!

Assigmments and lab reports can drive us crazy. Tests. Exams.

Personal issues.

...even organizing Malam.

but thank God, the Olympics came at the right time. at least it is for me.

the sheer perseverance and determination shown by these athletes. i am always so inspired to see how focused they are toward the goal, and how they pressed on to achieve what they set out to at the first place.

CMSA will also keep pressing on. And the Malam team too! gambate team!

here are a few videos that i thought i'd like share with you. Hope it will inspire you in some way or another and also encourage you to keep pressing on, in spite of.

Dan Jansen - Don't Give Up

Derek Redmond - Weak leg, Strong Father
Derek Redmond - Dad helps Son complete Race
(tears just came rolling down when i first watched this)

Women's Road Race
Nicole Cooke on her Olympics Win
(this turned out to be a really exciting race!)

ooo. and some quotes from this website.

i liked this one in particular :)

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
Unknown

Videos!

Here in my Home: Bersatu 2008 Edition (kudos to MUMSA)
-for a united Malaysia!-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCK59mCYybo&feature=related

PETSOC 08: Tribute to Bersatu Athletes
-affirmation!-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVprNHX8mhY

Bersatu 2007 Videos:
-Winter in Canter... Winter's Warmth-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1b5nzB_7nQ (Closing Video 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMsGjFCgmM0 (Closing Video 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwKN6qFcH2g (Closing Video 3)

The Power of Affirmation

just a simple thank you or a simple word of encouragement may just mean a whole world to someone! :)

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~ Melody Beattie

that's the power of affirmation! :)

Here In My Home - Malaysian Artistes for Unity

was listening to this song again :) we sent it to RDU for the radio advertisement for Malam.

abosrb the lyrics! :)

http://cmsa-malam.blogspot.com/2008/05/come-on-everyone.html

Here in my Home

Hold on brother hold on

The road is long. We’re on stony ground

But I’m strong. You ain’t heavy

Oh there’s a misspoken truth that lies

Colors don’t bind, oh no.

What do they know? They speak falsely.

Chorus:

Here in my home

I’ll tell you what its all about

There’s just one hope here in my heart

One Love undivided

That’s what it’s all about

Please won’t you fall in one by one by one [with me]?

Push back sister won’t you push back?

Love won’t wait. Just keep pushing on.

Yes I’m strong. You ain’t heavy.

Oh don’t you worry about that….

What we have the shadows can’t deny

Don’t you know it’s now or never?

Rap:

[Malay: TRANSLATED]

Years of fears and years of tribulation

The heart keeps searching for that endless devotion

[Chinese: TRANSLATED]

Hand in hand we’ll march like blood brothers

I speak for my people hope we’ll find peace forever

[Tamil: TRANSLATED]

May the road ahead quench my thirst for success

May the road behind echo a song of the blessed

[English]

So I will let it be known yes I feel it in my bones

No matter where I roam this is home sweet home

Sing!

-
Words & Music by Pete Teo featuring rap by KLG Sqwad &
Altimet. copr Redbag Music 2008. All Rights Reserved

The Concept of Excellence

excellence
noun
1.	the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
2.	an outstanding feature; something in which something or someone excels; "a center of manufacturing excellence"; "the use of herbs is one of the excellencies of French cuisine"

excellence. (n.d.). WordNet® 3.0. Retrieved August 05, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/excellence

am currently reading this book by Heather Brown. The following is taken from one of my favourite chapters in the book. Hope it will inspire you in some way or another! :)

• Every one of us has the ability to achieve something greater than we imagine.
  
  
• Every one of us has excellence with us - EVERY ONE OF US.
  
  
• We are all called to achieve something different but equally significant, which is why it's unhelpful to compare yourself with others.
  
  
• Whether we choose to be excellent or not is our own decision.
  
  
• A life of excellence is a journey, but a journey definitely worth taking.
  
  
• Excellence is achievable for every one of us and excellence brings a great sense of accomplishment.
  
  
• Having the desire to put the extra effort into everything we do is something we must cultivate. For most of us it probably doesn't come naturally, but if you desire to be excellent you can develop this into natural behaviour until it becomes an instinctive way of thinking and doing.
  

Make excellence a lifestyle choice and walk in continuous improvement of yourself and your life.

• Excellence is not perfection, but being the very best you can be, putting your very best into everything you do and knowing you have done everything you know to achieve the best possible outcome. This is an excellent effort. Extra effort will always bring a more excellent result.
  
  
• Don't settle for less; 'average' isn't good enough for any one of us. Please don't choose average. You are capable of much more. So be a "Man/Woman of Excellence" and make a difference to your own life and the lives of those around you. Enjoy the rewards you will earn along the way when you step into excellence.
  

Do not strive for perfection, bur rather choose excellence over average in all you do and you will experience the reward which goes with the decision to choose a life of excellence.

• Excellence is not something attained by merely just wanting it, or waiting for it to come to you, it must be pursued. It must be a heartfelt thing coming from deep within you, a desire to do something that shines.
  
  
• When the decision is made in our hearts and minds to choose to be excellent, we begin our journey to higher ground. In order for this to happen, we need to be completely honest with ourselves about areas of our lives which are not working as well as we would like them to be. I believe we all have areas requiring attention.
  
  
• We need to be willing to get out of our comfort zone and out of our places of habit and take a good look. This takes a willing attitude and a determined decision. We need to ask ourselves how badly we want something better for our life and whether we are prepared to do whatever it takes.
  
  
• If we want something better for our lives we will have to do something different. Just wishing will not make it happen; it takes action.
  
  
• Excellence is something to be pursued and sought after; it doesn't just happen along the way!
  
  
• Take your natural abilities and God-given talents and do your very best with them - not compromising or being complacent with opportunities and responsibilities.
  
  
• Commit to doing more than required in every situation. This is how excellence is established. Excellence often comes out of the EXTRA.
  
  
• We have to CHOOSE to be Excellent. It's a decision and there are sacrifices that go with that decision. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?? That in itself is the first choice.
  
  

Excellence - Crave it, Pursue it, and Go After it!

• Not everyone you have contact with will support your changes. Being excellent often makes others feel uncomfortable. When making changes for yourself it may have a ripple effect on others around you. stay focused and determined. believe in yourself and know what you believe in is the right way for you.
  
  
• Do not be discouraged by those who criticise, mock and the undermine excellence.

Foster the Spirit of Excellence and do not be discouraged by others who do not make the same choices.

A life of excellence is a life worth living!

Decisions

this is the emo-side of me ;)

the team had to make a very hard decision today.

well, at least for me, it was a very tough decision to make.

opportunities were there, right in front of us. was it a risk worth taking? what if we say 'no'?

kinda broke down yesterday night as the stress took over :p but i remember a friend once texted me this:

at every crossroad, follow your dream.
it is courageous to let your heart lead the way.
-T. Leland-

so i checked back our aims and objectives. weighed the pros and cons. define the risks involved. ...and asked my heart what it wants.

sometimes we have to say 'no' and make certain sacrifices - coz the purpose for what Malam is should not be compromised.

and finally, there was peace - and a decision made :)

and then the last-minute team meeting (once again thanks to those who managed to come, and Reuben too! :p)

i'm proud of the team - very proud of them.

they listened - with open-minds and hearts - weighed the pros and cons - weighed the risks involved.

they raised their opinions - agreements and disagreements - with maturity and respect.

and ya, we made a decision that will still serve the club well.

i am glad to have the assurance that we are doing the right thing - and i know that CMSA will have great future leaders who will carry on the mission statement of "bringing home closer".

thank you, team! :)

"i am just dancing"

this was so fun! thanks to my flatmate, Nik who introduced this video to me!

i will copy-and-paste what Nik said :p

"Check out Matthew Harding's videos on Where The Hell Is Matt?.

I Like the song!

What's the message of the video?

"Up to you, I'm just dancing":)"

Rise!

See the video here.

the power of music never fails to amaze me :)

it speaks of hope and love, despite of.

look at the smiles of the children!

there is still hope and a future!

"Rise" is the official Theme Song for the Association of South-East Asian Nati...ons (ASEAN) 40th Anniversary celebrations. It is performed by Singapore's pop superstar Stefanie Sun.

Rise
Composed by Dick Lee
Arranged by Kenn C
Performed by Stefanie Sun

Lyrics:
There is a voice within my mind
Singing the songs of distant times
Speaking the thoughts from lost horizons
Music and words that must be signs
Shaping the facets that define How we have come to be the present Descendants...(Ohh...) Though we're from ten different lands
Bound by shores of common sand
Singing out as one
Let's stand
The world is in our hands
No matter where we're from
If we could sing one song
Dreams that are yours and mine
They will be realised
Trusting the love we feel
Trust in the love that's real
Children unite
People of ASEAN rise!
Pushing horizons that've been in faith
Our differences we will embrace
Shaping as one
Our common future
Our future... (Ohh...)
Though we're from ten different lands
Bound by shores of common sand
Singing out as one
Let's stand
The world is in our hands
No matter where we're from
If we could sing one song
Dreams that are yours and mine
They will be realised
Trusting the love we feel
Trust in the love that's real
Children unite
People of ASEAN rise!
Trusting the love we feel
Trust in the love that's real
Children unite
People of ASEAN RISE!

We're All in this Together

ka-mun put this nicely:

it's not your malam, not my malam, but OUR malam.

as cheesy as you think this song might be, as Disney as it is (sorry but i grew up a disney fan :p)...

we're all in this - TOGETHER!

from High School Musical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9rAo7gkpqY&feature=related

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on let's have some fun
Together, we're there for each other every time
Together together come on let's do this right

Here and now it's time for celebration
I finally figured it out (yeah yeah)
That all our dreams have no limitations
That's what it's all about(yeah yeah)

Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong (we make each other strong)
We're not the same
We're different in a good way
Together's where we belong

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on let's have some fun
Together, we're there for each other every time
Together together come on let's do this right

We're all here
and speaking out with one voice
we're going to rock the house (YEAH YEAH!)
the party's on now everybody make some noise
come on scream and shout

We've arrived becuase we stuck together
Champions one and all

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come

We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this toghether
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it

Wild cats sing along
Yeah, you really got it goin' on
Wild cats in the house
Everybody say it now
Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Lets get to it
Time to show the world

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true

We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it

Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Let's get to it
Come on everyone!

Dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd_aLSizoHQ&feature=related

i tot this was cool ;)

not easy to dance Malay dance.. at least for me lar :p and they did well! :) tot it was cool! :)

Teamwork

They told me there is no “I” in team.

I am an athlete.
I am an individual.
I am strong.
I am weak.
I have desires, hopes, and dreams.
I have goals.
I have fears.
As a team my opponent will never see my weaknesses.
Only my strength, never my fears, only my goals as they unfold before them.
I am not afraid that my team will see my fears, my hopes,
dreams, or desires.
I trust them to an unlimited level.
I am not afraid that my team will see my faults, because
With them I can overcome my faults, with them I am
fearless, with them I have hopes and dreams.
With my team I am not weak, I do not have the strength
of one athlete, but of many, combined, focused,
And dangerous to my un-united opponent.
I become my team and my team becomes me.
I do not judge, and I am not judged.
I have a goal, and the team has a goal.
The team goal is my goal.
All that matters is that the team reaches its goal.
They always told me there is no “I” in “Team”.
They were wrong.
I am the team.
I became the team.
The team became me.
The team becomes an entity unto itself.
The team is strong, creative, compassionate, caring,
Authoritative, disciplined.
The team absorbs “I”, and then there is “I” in “Team”.
The “I” becomes part of something much more powerful.

They were right there is no “I” in “Team”,
But there is “Team” in me.

...and because of that

Together
Everyone
Achieves
More

this made me wanna cry...

University of Reading:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU87MiqDpZ8&feature=related

man. i love the song and the message brought out from the song and the video - and those smiles - man!! i feel soooooooooo warm just watching that video!!

..and the guitar strumming... awwww... i heart it to the max!!!

super inspired to write a song too!!! ingchia, bernie, benj, and whoever who wants to do it together! come on, let's write a song!! :) i've got some lyrics in my mind dy. a result of a boring math tut yesterday :p

game? :D

Some Trailers

YouTube is super powerful ;)

realised that the Malaysian Nights in some universities are like really hard-core musicals ;)

man. i'm so super amazed at the talents!!!

i'm super pumped up now! come on, UoC!! :D let's rock Christchurch!

Liverpool Malaysian Night 2008

Liverpool Malaysian Night Bhangra Dance (btw, those flickering lights might cost us about NZD200-300 here :p)

UCL Malaysian Night Intro Video 2008 (one of my favourite ones :p reminds me a bit of HSM)

Manchester Malaysian Night Trailer 2

Canary Manchester Malaysian Night 2007

Reading University M-Night "BUTA" 2007: Something Chun (this was pretty amusing..)