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

*****