Tun Haji Abdul Razak (TAR) Cup 2016

So. It was a week ago when Malaysia Floorball Association organized it's first ever Tun Haji Abdul Razak Cup, with the help of iM4U, in conjunction with Hari Sukan Negara. (I love Malaysia! Yay!)

And I have to say, it was a well organized event! It was so smooth, like baby bum bums! (Unless they poo poo in their diapers then sorry la.) There were no delays in game; In fact, games were being push forward and everything ended earlier than we thought for both days!
Amazing job, Gary and his team!

It's actually a Floorball tourney for the top ranked clubs from Malaysia's domestic state leagues. However, because Sabah was unable to send any clubs, I loaned myself and some of the Sabah girls out to other clubs participating in the tournament. And I have to say, it was a good decision. :)

At first, I was really contemplating not to play at all. But then again, I felt that it was a good exposure for the Sabah ladies. And it was also a good opportunity for me and Babygirl to play together (which is now very rare after I moved 1742km away from her). But we decided to do it at the end, together. :)

We were lousy players so no one wanted us. :P We asked around pretty late so many teams were full in their loan slots. But fortunately, Pei Yi kindly took us in to Team University Malaya, and told us that she won't be playing and she didn't even have enough players to fill up the minimum requirement.

But... To cut the long story short, who would have expected, we turned out to be Champions. Hah!
And I guess they were right, things are always sweeter when it's unexpected. :)
I remember praying while sitting at my bench, "If it's your will, let me score a goal and make You proud."
So guess who scored the only winning goal? :) Thank you, Jesus. This goal is for You.

[Champions for the Women's Category: Team UM]

[It's been a long while since I last held any cup besides the cup I use to drink water in]

And it was really good to see the Bikini Bottom girls again and play against them. :) As usual, Ling broke another stick and Winnie acting all gangsta on court. :P It was also nice to meet the others. Got a bear hug from Beverly (she always almost break my backbone. But this time she gave me another boo boo on the same right elbow HAHA); Naomi being the kid that she is, and then there was Calvin, Coach Ed and Coach Filip, Sis, Kak Ros, Lai Leng, even Kak Sheda was back in scene! :) The Sabah ladies did their state proud too. Maxine scored a few nice goals for Tyttobandy, and the Marcus' sisters made a huge impact in the team they played for. Good job, girls!

[Missing you, Shan Ling]

[2 Stooges and a girl. The other one stuck in Singapore]

  

Last but not least, thank you Babygirl. :) For doing this with me. You did amazing. Got flying Superman safe sumore! Haha! Pew pew pew.
Another medal on the wall which we conquered together ey?
See you soon, love. :)

Love,

Merdeka Cup 2015 (Floorball & Me, Part 2)

For every high, there is a low.
So. Just like how there are highlights in my floorball career, there are not so great times too. And I have to say, after 3 years of Merdeka Cup National Floorball Championship, this 4th year is probably the toughest, and most emotional one. :( *Coldplay singing in the background.. "Nobody said it was easy... Nobody said it would be so harddddddd...*

As some of you may know already, moving to Kota Kinabalu means having to play for Team Sabah.
Yes yes. I know you are gonna say: "You can still play for Penang what.."
True. I can.
But was it the right decision..? I'm not sure. And being unsure, I already knew the answer to the question.
Plus, I can't train with the Penang team. It's definitely not right for me to train with them once a month and crash their party during game day, and screw up their game play.
And if I play for team Penang, means I don't get to train during Sabah's state training, which also means:
NO TRAINING AT ALL.
EELEEN WILL SUCK.
AND WHAT'S THE POINT FOR TEAM PENANG TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO SUCKS.

So no matter how I try to deny, I knew what decision I have to make. Not because I want to. But because I know it's the right thing to do. Simple as that.
But then again... *AGAIN Coldplay singing in the background.. "Nobody said it was easy... Nobody said it would be so harddddddd...*

Playing against my own teammates was difficult. And they are not just teammates. They are people I have helped nurtured, who have grown under my care, whom I fought together and cried together for years. The amount of tears, sweat, bruises, pain. The wins and the losses.
And suddenly, I'm playing against them. And shooting against the one girl I hold closest at heart.... Nobody understands how that feels. But I'm glad Michaela and I talked about it beforehand. I sorta prepared myself for what's coming, but I didn't expect it to be so hard.

But as always, God is good. He is good. When there is brokenness, there is healing.
I broke down and cried after the game against Penang. But at the same time, I knew something in me changed. And I can say, my bond with babygirl and the girls has gotten stronger. At the same time, I've let go certain anger, doubt, jealousy and burden that I was carrying on my shoulder for 9 months.
And it was also clear, that playing for Sabah was the right thing to do.

To be able to lead the Sabah girls to their first ever win (against KL, 6-5), and to be the one to score the winning goal 1 minute 48 seconds before the final whistle, I knew God wasn't joking when He placed me here. And I was serious when I said it was Sabah ladies' first ever win. They have never won any games as a state team. When we went to Singapore for friendlies, it was 0-15, 2-8, 2-10, 3-12 etc. -.-"

[Sabah Ladies' first win against KL]

[The irony]

[That moment of loneliness when you don't feel like celebrating, and at the same time, the people who are supposed to understand were mad at you..]

But I know, that tribulation and difficult time produces perseverance, and perseverance develops strength of character, and character produces hope. :)
I will have faith. :)
And before I end, an eye candy for you people. My girl. HEHEHE. :3

[Pei Yi: Mick! Secretly pass the ball to me! Faster! Referee cannot see!]

HAHAHA.

Love,

Floorball & Me (Part 1)

2015 has been an interesting yet challenging year for me and my floorball career. One of the highlights is to have played in the multi-sports event 28th South East Asia Games.

Floorball made it's debut as a medal contending sports for the first time in the recent 28th SEA Games!! With Singapore being the host country. Abo then. *Smirks*
Back in 2013, Floorball was just a demonstration sports during the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar. And I can't be more thankful because I've been given the chance to be a part of the Malaysia Women's Floorball Team for both years. :)

 [Malaysia Women's Floorball Team Year 2015]

[Aainaa, Yen Yen, Dorcus, Nila, Eeleen & Michaela]

[Meet a good friend of ours - May! Always so supportive and helpful. :) ]

There were bitter sweet memories of course. Bitter because, despite being in 3rd place, the ladies team didn't get any medals. Sweet because we fought really hard together as a team. And my Babygirl was there with me, as my keeper. :) It was a humbling experience. I wasn't really sad that we didn't get into finals, because to be very frank, Thailand deserved it. :) No doubt it was hard for the Malaysian team to train together more often due to lack of funding and also geographical issues, but looking at how much effort and hardwork Thailand put in, they totally deserve to be in the finals.
And to see so many of my girls in the current Malaysia Women's Team, I am honestly very proud and happy. :) I just wish I could have done more for some of them whom I think, deserve to be in the team too. Perhaps someday, when I coach the Malaysia Women's Floorball Team. :p
Someday.

[So proud of this girl. :) Ling Ling & I]

 

 [My Chinese School Friend Shan Ling :P]

 

[The Malaysian Floorball Contingent]

Last but not least, thank you, Babygirl. :) For constantly supporting me and telling me that I can; for praying for me and also for shouting at me on court to run faster. HAHAHA. And I pray that you will have a bright future in floorball ahead of you. I may not always be there for you as a teammate (getting old, may retire soon), but know that I will always be your #1 fan. :) Loves.

Love,

Penang Floorball League 2014

All good things come to an end. So did Penang's most prestigious floorball league - the PFL 2014 Division 1 and Women's Division League. :) It has been a long and stressful 8 weeks, yet an exciting one. It was amazing to watch the younger players step up; to see how much the pace and intensity of the games have increased; especially the level of skills among players. Fuhhh. :) I'm very proud and happy to witness how far Penang Floorball have come, and it is a privilege to be playing with/against them at this moment of time. And I'm pretty sure the games will only get better from now on.

And yes, did you hear about SWAT being the only team to beat the 2014 Women's League Champion Innebandy?!? 

You haven't?!? You must be joking. 

HAHAHA. :) Final score was 6-1. A well deserved win by the SWAT girls. Only if All Star Goalie Michaela was around. It would have been even more interesting. Still, I would like to extend a warm congratulations to the Champions of Penang Women's League - Innebandy, for securing gold for 2 years consecutively. :) And of course, Congratulations to SWAT, for being the 1st Runner up and winning game after game miraculously. LOL.

[SWAT 2014]

Clockwise top left: Ming Hwee, Beverly, Lavinia, Zulaikha, Rachel George, Verina, Jasmine, Sarah George & yours truly. 

Those missing are Lyn-dee, Olga, Xiew May.

Photo credits to Sherwynd Rylan Kessler

[All Star Left Forward]

My All Star Left Forward medal. :) Used to be so big, now it seemed so small as I held it in my hands. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that it meant nothing to me. I'm thankful, happy and proud. But I also realize there are so much more to play for besides this little medal. :) For example, PEOPLE!!!

[Watching these girls grow and improve has been nothing but amazing!]

[Friends. On and off court. :) *Ignore those behind.* Haha.]

 [A BIGGGG thank you to a great mentor and friend, for entrusting me with the vision to grow Penang Women's Floorball. And for believing in me when I doubted myself.]

[Usually I don't have to bend down to take pictures but have to accommodate these shorties. HAHAHA.]

[:)]

 [All Star line: Eeleen, Nathalynn representing Jessie, Ling Ling, Yen Yen, Pei Yi & Simin representing Michaela]

Photo credits to Sherwynd Rylan Kessler

For more details about Penang Floorball League, please visit penangfloorball.org or just click here. :)

See you peeps in 2015! 

Photo credits to Sherwynd Rylan Kessler

Making God famous and proud through Floorball. :)

Yours,

Sweet Victory

I've been in the Floorball "industry" for 6.5 years, and never have I once played a proper league game with only 6 field players. Because you just can't. It's crazy. And too tiring. You just can't.

But SWAT proved me wrong. And God proved me wrong. :)

It is POSSIBLE. 

It has been 7 weeks since Penang Floorball League started. I've also transferred myself out from Contact Floorball Club to Frontliners Floorball Clud. Everyone needs a change. ;) But because there are no girls in Frontliners, so I had to be loaned to SWAT for the Women's League.
Why SWAT?
I had options for sure. I was invited by all the ladies' team to join them. Show off. But I wanted to be in a team where God will be glorified, where I'm pushed out of my comfort zone, and where I could help encourage younger and newer players. Even if it means joining a team waiting to be slaughtered.

 [SWAT during our first game]

Photo credits to Sherwynd Rylan Kessler

So yes, back to my 6 field player match game. Lol. We were up against Firebrands, who has 15 players on that day, good old 3 lines. No one knew that SWAT was gonna play 6 players only on that day. So when they saw our 1.2 line, and audiences saw our 1.2 lines, everyone's first thought was: Sure die la SWAT. Lol.
And to be honest, I had the exact same thoughts. Yea sure I am gonna put up a good fight, I'm gonna say: "You wanna score?! Over my dead body!!" But based on logic itself, we were doomed to die.

And then, it started raining. The last time SWAT won a game, it rained too. :) God can be really funny sometimes. And with that assurance, I guess we all went in and gave our best. Each and everyone of us. Sarah George asked me if I was on drugs because I keep talking and laughing on court. Even when I fell and my whole weight was rested on someone else's stick (my rib cage was the contact point with the stick still firmly held by the player), I was giggling. YES IT HURTS AND NO IT'S NOT FUNNY. Rachel George said I talked a lot of nonsense, which I don't recall at all. Haha. And in the end, we secured a 7-4 win.
Amazing? Yes. 'Cause I serve an amazing God. ;) And it was a sweet, sweet victory.

 [Group-fie after our 7-4 win over Firebrands]

I strongly believe in one thing, if you play Floorball for yourself, you'd be sure to run out of passion and reasons to go on one day. But if you play for something/someone bigger; you play for the teammate standing next to you; if you play for the name you carry, printed on your left chest, that... Will bring you far. :)

Love,

Battle Scar

I don't know if it's just me being clumsy, stupid or am I really fearless when blocking shots during Floorball, I somehow get injured in the face pretty often. Heh. Got shot in the eye back in 2009 and had a bruised right eye (free eye shadow YAYYYY!!!), then this happened on Saturday...

Hahahahaha. Yes you are right. It is really painful. Especially the bruise. It's still swollen today. The cut is recovering well though. :)

Got shot in the eye, wear protective glasses. Got whack in the chin, how now..? Follow Petr Cech's style perhaps..? Hahahaha.

All for the love of Floorball. Problematic right knee; had some problems with my right foot too (something is very wrong with the tendons or ligaments there); busted right wrist etc. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. :/

Yours truly,

27th SEA Games, Myanmar

Hello peeps!! :)

It feels soooooo good to be back home, where I have constant, stable data & wifi connection, hot shower and my bed. MY BED..... Ahhhh. :)

 [SEA Games landyard]

So yes. For the past one week, I was at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar, for Floorball demonstration games. It has always been a dream of mine, to don the Malaysian jersey at least once before I retire from floorball. :) And yes. I will retire someday. Everybody does at some point. Right..?

And the best part of this, is to don the Malaysian jersey together with some of the best and brightest Penang players: Penny, Pei Yi, Winnie, and not forgetting Valerie. Also a Penang k'ia. It is indeed an honour. I remember when I first came back from Sabah, Penny envisioned us playing for the Malaysian team together. And right here today, it came true. :)

*Thank you Pen, for always teaching me and guiding me whenever I feel lost, and always encouraging me to be firm and hold on to the vision of floorball.*

[Myself and Penny :)]

It was indeed a very good experience, and definitely an eye opener, not only in terms of floorball, but life itself. It made me realize how blessed I am back home in Malaysia, and reminded me to be more thankful for all the things I have and don't have back home.

For example, we've been eating almost the same dishes (95% similarity) from Day 1 to Day 7 at the Athletes Village Dining hall. This definitely helped me to appreciate my mom's cooking more!! Haha.

Then there were days when we'd wake up to no water. Heh. There was this morning, I woke up to nature's call, and went straight for the toilet bowl (expecting there will be water as usual). Mana tau... It was a disaster. Thank goodness I have just enough water to flush the toilet. And I basically finished up the very last drop of what's left. So I had to use ice-cold-refrigerated water to wash my butt. asdfghjkl@#$%^&*()?!!! I shall leave you to imagine how it feels to have a frozen butt.

[Fat Myanmar bananas]

As for the games, I really don't have much to comment on, except that we are no where close to the top guns, Singapore. I think it's time for Malaysian floorballers to wake up and realize we need way more training, more discipline, and to get the basics right. Like what Kuan Yang always say: Don't learn to run when you can't even walk properly. :) Nevertheless, it felt so good when I scored my first "international" goal!! Our only goal against Singapore in the first game. But be reminded it was a team effort, I take no pride in it. :)

[After singing the Malaysian anthem]

Singing our Malaysian anthem literally gave me goosebumps. For the first time. :)

[Face off against Singapore Ladies]

Nerve wrecking moment. Heh.

And I made new friends too!! New friends among my own KL teammates, and also people from Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar. :) People actually thought I was 19-20 years old. AHAHAHAHAHA. Happy die me!!! :D Lalalaaaaaa...... 

[Malaysia boleh!!!]

 [Malaysian Women's Squad]

I have to admit, Winnie should win the best post in this picture. HAHAHA. Reminds me of Sailormoon!!!

[Meet Calvin #71 from Singapore!!]

[& Garfield..... I mean our AWESOME Referee, Bin Bin. :)]

Hehehehe. I'll be so dead if she sees this. Thank goodness we're 687.1 km apart, according to Google maps. Teehee.

[With the locals :)]

[Indonesian Ladies Floorball Team]

 

 [On our way to the chapel on a beautiful Sunday morning!!]

[Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium]

[Adorable Pei Yi being all happy with her strawberry cake. LOL.]

We were really, really starving that time. I guess the Singaporean ladies team heard our stomachs grumbling and decided to share their cakes with us. THANK YOU!! :)

[55778899]

And the sexiest butt goes to.......*next picture*

[....This dead fish on the floor!!! #20]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

 [Dyla, Alea, Eeleen :) New friend found.]

 [Penang is not only famous for good food. But pretty girls too. :P ]

[With coach Ed.]

Once again, most photogenic award goes to Winnie.

 [#penangfloorball]

[Malaysian Floorball Team]

[Yours truly]

 

This is my first, and probably my last national outing..depending on where life takes me. :) But nonetheless, I really am thankful for this opportunity, to be a part of the Malaysian Floorball Team for the 27th SEA Games. Wouldn't trade all these experience for anything. :) 

17 more days to Christmas!!! 23 more to end the year 2013. Time flies. Ahhhh.

Love,