4th July
Swan, Ivan and I caught an evening flight to Wellington. Arrived Welly around 6-ish and was picked up my Mr.wiseman and his other half, Darren and Mag. Dinner at a Malaysian restaurant, KK coz.... when you go to Welly, you have to eat Msian food coz there's so many of them!!! Ivan's friend from Otago, Joey came along as well as she's doing her placement in Welly. We all sat down and chat for a very long time and eventually left as we were the last people left in the restaurant. We then went for bubble tea at this place called Lychee. Drinks were so-so but the company was great. Darren and Mag never fail to entertain us. Haha!
The night ended at D&M backpackers. A very cosy place where we watched some TV, chit chat before heading to bed. The owners, D&M were a very nice couple and offered us complimentary 3-in-1 Milo as well.
5th July
Check out time: 10 a.m.
Darren and Mag went for church and we went for breakfast at Wholly Bagels. They had so many types of bagels to choose from I didn't know what to get. In the end I got some cinammon bagels with garlic and herb cream cheese. Yummy but I think I still prefer the original bagels. I didn't want to order original coz I know I can get that anywhere.
At around 11-ish, we were picked up by darren and mag and then it was off to Palmy. Mag had to do some interviews over there and hence we got a free ride up to Palmy. Thanks!!
Whilst Mag was having her interview, we decided to go for lunch. Walked around the mall and didn't feel like having anything. In the end, we ended up at the oh-so famous KFC. The KFC we went last year during our road trip to Palmy as well. Haha!!
Later, Darren dropped us off at Kingsgate Hotel, the place where the players will be staying during the Games. Everyone got a goodie bag, including supporters. Drivers also do get a goodie bag but our driver, mr.tan, was shy to take one. They had so much good stuff in the goodie bag. Powerade, Tim Tams, bags of potato chips, water and indomee!!! Best goodie bag ever man!!!
Darren soon left to pick Mag up as they had to head back to Welly on the very same day. It was great catching up with those two. Guess we'll meet back in Msia the next time eh? Thanks so much once again for being such good hosts!!
Ivan and I were then picked up by his friend, Jasper, who let us stayed at their place during the duration of the Games. I call it JJ & T Backpackers. Haha! Jasper, Joanne and Teresa's Backpackers. These were the people Ivan met during his foundation year in Otago and now they're in Palmy working as pharmacists. It was a really nice place and it was warm too. Had a fireplace and... WII!!! Teeheee :p Now I'm regretting for not taking a photo of the place. So bad with cameras nowadays, just feel lazy takiing it out to snap photos.
Dinner that night was steamboat at home and it was GOOD! Especially in such cold weather, it was awesome and beats going out in the cold and finding food to eat. Another of Ivan's friend joined us for dinner as well, Nai Hau. They were all very nice people and took really good care of us. Jasper even gave us his room and he slept in the living room during the duration of our stay. They fetched us and picked us from the Games venue and always made sure there's food for us. It felt like mama and papa taking care of two lil kids. Haha!
Bersatu Games Palmerston North - This time, it's me writing as a supporter
Day 1 - 6th July 2009
Netball, Badminton and Soccer
Netball
There were less teams this year. It was only CMSA, WMSO, MUMSA and UMSA and hence UMSA got to play with all the teams and it was by points system. It was like these for all the other sports as well. The winning team from each round is awarded 3 points, each time gets a point if it's a draw and loser gets 0.
UMSA got third placing in the end. The standard this year isn't as high as last year with only 4 teams playing. The team consists mostly of new players and it was good to know that they enjoyed the game despite not getting 1st. They had that fighting spirit in them and I bet you, they'll be back next year stronger and better!
Soccer didn't go too far due to an unfortunate event where 4 of UMSA's soccer guys got robbed whilst they were about to leave auckland for Palmy. They ended up putting basketball guys in to play soccer. It was rather hilarious but hey!! better than pulling out right? Hehehe...
As for badminton, women's single and double won the gold easily. I only watched a bit and it seemed like Sharmyn and Hijrah weren't even trying at all. They played as if they were warming up, just hitting the shuttle to the opponent and wait for them to make a mistake. Mixed double grabbed the silver and I think men's single got a gold? not too sure. Lolx!
At night, we ate home again and had leftovers from the night before and char siew. Desssert was fruits with mango ice cream. One of Ivan's high school friend came along as well, who happened to be 1 of the 2 players from Otago. The whole time I was just entertained by listening to them talking. All the jokes they make and all the real life things that happened which happened to be rather hilarious. We wanted to go for go-kart after dinner but it was too late so we ended up buying some wine back home and played Wii.
Day 2 - 7th July 2006
Women's futsal, sepak takraw, basketball, volleyball, tennis
Women's futsal grabbed the gold. The UMSA girls were amazing!!! They lost to WMSO for their first game but I really reckon' it was due to bad ref's call and not following the rules and the goal was counted when it wasn't meant to. They were pushed pretty bad by the opponent and the goalkeeper, Wani, was kicked in the stomach when she have saved the ball. The girls were unhappy at the end of the game. Tried to complain but they say change rules and just gotta leave with it. The girls brushed it off eventually and played well in their other games, scoring goals in every single game after that, proving to WMSO that their goal against UMSA just isn't meant to be and that UMSA is the stronger team. WMSO draw a few of their other games, making UMSA the champions! Wooohoo!! Well done girls!! I have to say this year's futsal's team had way more experience than last year. Last year I remembered we were all newbies and so lost in the game. This year, UMSA had the returning top scorer- Naomi, experienced and skilled Zati who's good in both defence and attack, the fierce Wani with her scary goalie stare, speedy fizah, loud as xin, and trusty defence sharmyn. To see them play was like.. WOW!! I wished I had their skills man....
Tennis
aiyahh!! no fight la tennis.. Swan played like a pro only along with her doubles partner, Sarah and grabbed the gold easily. I watched only one game and knew they'd win it. A few of us were behind talking about bumblebee and she still could concentrate in the game. Haha! I'm pretty sure she heard us, eh swannie? lol!!
Sepak takraw did not win anything but they played well. I didn't get to watch the games but I heard the scores were all very close and they put up a fight for other teams despite none of of them had previous experience of takraw and did not train at all. So funny how during the closing ceremony, the VVIP mentioned about having a cup for sepak takraw like rugby, jeffrey and daniel were so enthusiastic about it and want to train for takraw next year. Go go umsa!!!
Basketball was initially outdoors and it was meant to start at 8 but then got delayed till don't know what time. UMSA only got to play one half of the game outdoor and then it rained. Thankfully it rained and it was moved to the rec centre. Way better coz you can see more skills as they're less afraid of falling down. One thing is, outdoor photos turn out better. Hahaha!! UMSA won every single game of theirs and grabbed the gold finally!! After last year's disappointment, so happy for them!! UMSA have never got a gold for basketball for who knows how many years?
After lunch break, it was volleyball. The standards this year from all teams were pretty much the same. UMSA had to go into 3rd sets for most of their games. Being a spectator, it was already so intensed. I really respect the players who can really maintain their calmness and still played the game so well. The most nail-biting game was the game against MUMSA. Who would have thought MUMSA eh? I still remembered the past few years, they were seen as an easy team. But this year, they were strong. And it's just amazing to see how much they've improved for the past years because most of the players were of familiar faces way back in 1st year. I can't remember who won the first and second set respectively but the third set was just scary!! MUMSA was leading, I think the score was like 10-3 and then UMSA managed to catch up. Eventually, it became 14-13 to MUMSA but UMSA didn't let them get that point. phew!!! In the end, it was Swan's amazing save and Boon's cheeky tipping over of the ball that won UMSA the gold.
It was only then my heart could go back to it's normal rhythm. A job very well done to all the volleyball players who made them game so interesting and won it! I really really respect you guys. I even have my favourite player.. hehehee...my other half!!! Yes, you got that right. Swan played amazingly and she was so steady, calm and collected. Well, from the looks of it la... she might be peeing in her pants then or her hands must be shaking frantically during the game but she did some amazing saves and got the ball over and hardly made any mistakes. I still remembered in first year, both of us decided to learn volleyball together. I obviously still suck at it and will never get good but she on the other hand, have improved so much and is my star player!! You rock babe!!!! Even better than some of the guys in the team man.... Good stuff! i like :)
We got home pretty late that day. It was around 9 when we leaved the venue to head back home. Had indomee and then it was to bed. What an exciting day!!!!
Day 3- 8th July 2009
Handball for the whole day. UMSA had never trained for this and I'm not even sure if there was a team. It was more like... grab a few basketball, volleyball and soccer players, put them in and see how they go. Most of them didn't even know the rules and had to keep on asking the ref. UMSA won CMSA, WMSO and tied with UMNO. UMNO lost to MUMSA and it if UMSA could beat MUMSA, the gold is ours.
But... MUMSA is strong. Again, hands down to them for playing so well. By looking at them playing against other teams, it was very clear that they're the strongest ones and if UMSA wants to win, they have to start coming up with strategies and lock them down. They eventually did and put up a good fight for MUMSA from what I saw. During the super lunch break, the players were all trying to discuss strategies. After lunch, it was the closest game ever with a lost of 1 or 2 points. One of the point wasn't really my cup of tea because the ref blew the whistle, UMSA players stopped and looked at the ref, and MUMSA scores and a point to MUMSA. ohhh well..... still, no hard feelings. To have UMSA putting up a good fight for them was impressive enough. To see how MUMSA have improved over the years, was a privilege. It was just only a point that's unfair but really, they do deserve it.
The day ended early at 3. Ivan and I waited at the mall to be picked up. Had dinner at home again and then decided to go for Transformers. Ivan's friends were supposed to go the night before but tickets were sold out. So 2nd try... we got there... tickets sold out again!!! Unbelievable. In such a small town, with the movie being released quite awhile ago..... hmmnnnn..... so in the end, we went home and watched Fired Up. About two guys going to cheerleading school. Quite hilarious actually.
Day 4- 9th July 2009
Athletics
We got to sleep in a wee bit as it starts at 10am. Massey has a proper running track and it was so cool!! I never got to run on a track before and I really wanted to run just for the sake of being able to compete on a track. Back in Christchurch 2007, it was just on grass!!
The UMSA girls dominated most of their events. Fizah was just too fast for anyone (100m silver, 200m gold). That girl can sprint man! The day before when they were just doing a few runs with guys, she was only like a second behind the guys. So good man!!! And Margaret (400m gold), the kaki ayam 400m runner was just leading all the way. Fuyohhh!!!!!! And i think Wani got a bronze? And who knew... Nay-Oh-Mee can run too!! silver for 200m! I forgotten the results of the relay but the girls won 400m relay gold. I think 100m relay was bronze? They didn't fair too well in that coz one of the girls had a cramp.
As for the guys, the competition was tough. Most of the runners from other teams had spiked shoes and our runners just had normal ordinary running shoes and some wore basketball shoes. Dominic was super fast in his 200m heats but I think he got tired during the finals after running the 100m heats as well. As for Ivan, he got a silver in 100m sprint and was so very very close to getting first. It was actually very hard to tell because my camera angle favoured the other runner. dang!! Should have taken it from his side. but ohh well.. that fella already won so much la.. hahaha! and if he were to wear spiked shoes like other runner, he'd beat them hands down... ekekekkee....For the 400m, we had two basketball players running. joel and ivan sheak. joel managed to grab a bronze in the finals. As for the relays, 100m was bronze i think and did not get any for 400m. almost caught up towards the end but we were very behind from the start.
And so, that was it for athletics. It could have ended earlier and we would have been freezing less if it weren't for the VVIP. Seriously, we had like a super long lunch break just coz we were waiting for the VVIP to arrive coz the VVIP wanted to watch the 100m relay finals and men's 100m finals. ZzZzZzzzz... i guess that's the benefit of being a very very important person... you get people to wait for you.
And again, like last year, we had to rush and get ready for the dinner. The bus dropped us at the hotel, Ivan and I had to grab a cab to go to his friend's house. Showered, change and then it was out of the hosue back to the hotel, hoping we would be able to catch the bus in time. Thankfully, we did. All thanks to Malaysian timing.
The food this time was the best out of the past 4 years. The meat was moist and juicy, the salmon was fresh and tasty (although some people were saying it's not cook? mine was and it was good :p).... and the desserts.... ahhhh!!! Best Bersatu dinner ever in terms of food. But the speech by the VVIP... my oh my!!! Really like grandma story. Performance lacked. Reckon the best entertainment was back in Chch where they had every contingent to perform. But still, a job well done to them as they had musicians and magicians for the dinner performance. And I did enjoy the video MUMSA put up about their journey for Bersatu.. It was so nice to see how much they've improved and to see them grow as a team... in numbers and also in talent. I can still vividly remember my 1st year of Bersatu in Otago which was their first year as well. From a very small contingent 4 years ago, to the biggest contingent this year and even gaining 2nd place, putting up tough competition for every others. Salute!!
