GRIPS Badminton Tournament 2009~~!!!

29th April 2009 (1200-2200) : GRIPS Badminton Tournament 2009

Location : Tokyo International Exchange Center Sports Hall

Participants : Excellent international players hailing from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore, Central Asia etc.

Games: Mixed Doubles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Men's Singles, Women's Singles

May the best man win!

Pre-tournament pose~

Drawing for the day's events.

- View of the linesman -

This was definitely the most exciting match of the day. Mixed doubles between Agus and Gunawan against Men's Singles Champion Unang and Zaldi.

Presenting to you... "Women's Doubles Champion"

"Mixed Doubles Champion"

"Women's Single Champion" :)

"Mens' Doubles Champion" and Unang (left) as the "Mens' Single Champion

Esprit de Corps~ The ISC Organizing Committee!

Happy moments after all the matches were completed!!

My favorite players! Agus and Gunawan~

Ry, our best supporter who made us pancakes for lunch!!!

Battuul's cute son Muno~

***

Yesterday was one of the most memorable days spent in Tokyo.

The GRIPS Badminton Tournament was another great success for the ISC whereby everyone really enjoyed themselves! Personally speaking, my love for badminton is inspired by my wonderful father, who taught me the wonders of this game since I was a child. I have fond memories of us playing outside our home in Singapore as he patiently explained how to manage the strength of my strokes and the rules of this game. His words were also an important motivation for my playing yesterday. "Enjoy the game", it's as simple as that. But when one can enjoy the game despite the pressure of a group of cheering spectators and scorekeeping, the game is more than just a match between opponents. It is the sparring of skills, it's about testing your own limits and understanding of the courts, it is about finding the right stroke at the right time.

That in itself is the truly amazing feeling of badminton! I look forward to playing alongside my father when I return home. Thank you Papa! I would like to dedicate the medals to you.

Yours Sincerely,

Sheryl

Recent Events!

Karen's stylist-to-the-stars Sheryl and escort trainee Daulet~

It was my pleasure and definite honor to dress up Karen for this special wedding event she was going to attend. Hair, make-up, dress, accessories, overall touch of glamor.. wow, I think I have taken a first step in developing my alternative career path as a stylist. Isn't she lovely?

***

The welcome party organized for our new Japanese friends was definitely a great success!!! It was indeed a night of comical performances, awesome music and fabulous fun!!!! The 60 pizzas, bryani with various assortments were finished in a flash. Wow, I am simply delighted to be part of organizing this event alongside my fellow ISC mates. Now that the bond between the international and Japanese students have been forged, I definitely look forward to more joint activities, competitions and good times with them!

The 'Paper Sumo Wrestler' Game. Lol!

A rendition of 'Fixing a Broken Heart'

Together with Professor Hashimoto and my Indonesian friends:)

***

The magic of Spring lies somewhere between leaves that are greener than green, a sky that is blue and welcoming and the excited chirping of birds. Everything seems so alive! It is an amazing feeling to melt away the silent thaw of winter to welcome such blue skies and winds that carry the scents of flowers.

These flowers seemed to have appeared overnight, giving the GRIPS compound an added touch of sweet glamor and beauty. Simply love it.

My lovely friends Taufik and Karen~

The Hama Rikyu Garden in Spring

" Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year."

~ Robert Frost, A Prayer in Spring

*****

A Promise

Remembrance

In Loving Memory of Uncle Ivan
A year has passed but you will live forever in our hearts.
We miss you and will love you forever.

Other colorful moments~

The little kid in front reminds me of my sister. I miss you, sister! But don't worry, I will be back in no time!

Dheni and his beautiful daughter~

The Karen-Taufik-Ferie Jump! ~

Daulet~

5 months left in Tokyo. Gee, that's how time flies! This term, I am looking forward to more picnics and other chill-out sessions during the wonderful Spring weather.

On a more serious note, it has been incidentally rather timely that I took a security-related course over the winter semester. It is my first time studying about ballistic missile defense systems, the Japan-US Alliance, issues relating to Japan's constitution and its post-war defense development. Particularly, I have also had an opportunity to better understand North Korea's nuclear threat and other perceived threats in the region.

Amidst this learning process, DPRK had fired its rocket launch and we can all read about the more recent rescue of the US Captain who was held captive by pirates plying the Somalian sea. Things are definitely more complicated than it seems because different countries have their own allies and interests, making it difficult to reach a joint consensus. For example, the six-party talks that have been suspended since last December has further increased tension in the Korean peninsula and Japan. If the UN Security Council were to impose tougher sanctions of DPRK now, it may further enstrange DPRK from the regional community.

Tracking these news internationally has also made me realize that I should not take the peace in my country, Singapore, for granted. We all have the right to be free from fear and for most of us back home, we have no idea how it is like to live under the constant threat of civil conflicts or war. I have also realized that learning more about this world has made me more thankful for everything that I have.

I'm looking forward to my applied courses in Spring!

When Seng came to Tokyo..

***

My lovely Seng appeared in Tokyo, clad in a swanking black coat and high-heeled shoes.

But she's still the same Sengie I know 10 years ago. Some things never change, do they?

Seng, I am thankful for our wonderful friendship, for all the love, smiles and laughter that you brought from Singapore. It feels so good to be around someone who understands and accepts you, just the way you are.

Anyway, I feel energized now and ready for another semester at school!

p.s Joan and Shan..thanks for all your gifts.. hehe. I hope you like your gifts too!!!!! Wait for my return!!!!!!! & Joan, i heard you unstuffed ur teddy bear.... wert....