Down Memory Lane

Down into the memory lane...
While housekeeping my yahoo mailbox...i found that i keep backup copy of my jottings in my websites back in 90's on 2 very interesting event in my life.

1. Training Venue Volunteer (Commonwealth Games KL'98)
   Date: 28th August-15th September 1998
2. MOTIVATION CAMP
   VENUE: MALAYSIA LARGEST NAVY CAMP, LUMUT
   DATE: 27th Sept - 30th Sept 1999

Both were some events in my life that I would never forget for the rest of my life...precious memories...experience.

To have additional backup of both the experience...here I am..copying the exact wordings which I wrote 7/8 years back...

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Training Venue Volunteer
Date: 28th August-15th September 1998
This was the most wonderful and memorable work in my life! I rarely willing to work so hard for something.. especially volunteering (OK, OK....I am not a Miss-Nice-Gal OK?), but it was something that really worth it. All the sweating....sunburn.... under the sun... carrying the big and heavy paddings... watching big hunks training.. hehehehehe...tiring but sweet! :)
Well, after going for the Volunteers' Orientation Training a few months before the Games, I was really looking forward to be selected as one of the volunteers. I was thinking... hmm... swimming...gymnastic... athletics... swimming .. and swimming.. .. At the end of July'98, I finally got the mail from SUKOM (the company in charge of the Games) !! Yippie!! But...huh?! Rugby? What?! I have no idea what is rugby at all then. All I know is the ball that looks like some Chinese dried fruit which I like to eat. YUM YUM.

Briefing... I was reluctant to go at first since I was the only one among my friends who got to be a rugby volunteer. But then.... for our country (cheh! hehehehe) I decided to skip my classes and go! I first went to the briefing in Kelana Jaya stadium. It was a shock to know that I were among the first batch to be selected (Oh! How special I am!!ehehhe..) and there was only 16 people and two girls including me! Mamamie-Aaaaa!
As Training Venue Volunteer...
After few days of briefing, we finally got our first mission! We were divided into groups as there were 4 different training venue. I was with 3 other guys to be responsible on the field in UPM (my university) in front of the Faculty of Human Ecology. Basically, our job was to prepare the field before teams arrive such as carrying the paddings and putting it on both sides of the goals (is it what you call it?), preparing the equipment needed for training, making sure there was sufficient ice, answering and listening to complaints and trying our best to providing the teams' needs. So, from 7.30 in the morning, we start to do our job until around 6.30 p.m. each day. We do have breaks in the middle when no teams are using our field.
Looking back in my little Volunteers Log Book, I include here my own personal record in the little book on the teams trained at my field.

Actually, there were a total of 18 teams. Some of them train in other fields.
My first day at the field was.. "WOW! This is not bad after all! heheheheheheeh!" GUYS! I was surrounded by guys!! Every team was very friendly and nice....including the New Zealand's All Black! Yup! There were a lot of fun watching them training in the field as I learn more about rugby...and guys (again!). Not all rugby players were big in size as I thought but hey! the smaller size can really run and squeeze among the other hunks. The team from Kenya and New Zealand were all big size indeed! Standing 160cm tall, I really fell like an ant when standing by their side.
I really had a great time watching them train, play around, taking photos with them!, talking with them and receiving souveniers!! I got badges from Canada, Kenya, South Africa and Caymen Island and a Kenya's Nike t-shirt!! The team from Kenya was really friendly as I have most of my chats with them.. and of course Canada.

The Canada team was very friendly and they even play netball as part of their training! They are the most interesting team. I still remember on that day when they were suppose to have a friendly match with the Kenya team. It rained very heavily that afternoon. We all have to stay in our small tent and the field was flooded! Yes..just like a big swimming pool. Despite being cold and wet, I really had a great laugh when the Canada's players went out to the field and slide around on their body on the flooded field! It was really fun.

I was very lucky as the world famous New Zealand team was scheduled to train in our field. They were such a famous celebrity! It was just like a concert every time they came to train. The used-to-be big empty field was crowded and surrounded with people and reporters. Though being in the center of attraction, the All Blacks players were very nice and gentlemen ..though they don't talk much. I was surprised as the king size world's most popular rugby player-Mr. Jonah Lomu was such gentleman and so soft spoken! I took some photos with him ..and one sitting on his lap! ehehhehe...dangerous!:)
The Games Begun....
Days after that, my duty was at the Kelana Jaya Stadium where the real rugby game began. For three days from 12th September to 14th September the whole stadium was in a big party mood!! YUP! PArtttttttttyyyy! The whole stadium was full house for the three days with people from around the world and some of them even dressed in costume! It was fun and everyone was so sporting and supportive. Spectators and fans cheered all the way throughout the games and they were so nice even to the teams that lost. The spirit is in one! And the spectators even did the Mexican wave (is it what you call it?) for a number of times though they are from different races and country. I really felt the friendliness and warmth being in the middle of the stadium.
Yes...my job then was with the International Broadcast Center where I have to take turns to take the microphone besides the field as the match was on. It was not a very interesting job.. but I got the first class seat! Even better than that! I was sitting besides the teams.. hehehehe.. Well, I watch most of the match especially the finals. The finals were the best as I was in the middle of the field as the New Zealand's All Black played their games and won. I was lucky enough to be able to witness and took photo of the All Blacks doing their famous dance as they celebrate their victory. Too bad as the photo is quite blur. I guess I got pushed around with the reporters.
I was sad as the game ended. No more meeting those guys... no more the noise and the cheering in the stadium.... Anyway, it was really a sweet memory and if got the chance, I hope to be involve in this kind of activities again. Congrats NADI, SUKOM and Malaysia for doing such a great job in the 16th Commonwealth Games!

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MOTIVATION CAMP
VENUE: MALAYSIA LARGEST NAVY CAMP, LUMUT
DATE: 27th Sept - 30th Sept 1999

One word for this.... I AM SOOOOOO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!!! Oh, Ok... it is a sentence, not a word. Yup, after this camp, I am really glad that I have the opportunity to write to you today! But on the bright side, I HAVE DONE IT!! YES! I can finally give myself a thumbs up for this. Sometimes, I can never believe of what I have did! For 20 years of me... I have never been so adventurous and tough. I must admit that I am not the GI Jane type of girl. I really wonder what made me went there. But at least, when thinking back... I can see myself smiling of what I have did cherishing all the moments there.. At least I did something that I always think i can never do one month before my 21st birthday! But before I proceed.. I must thank all my group members especially the guys who really help me out a lot! and the navies too! I just love you all!!
Reaching there...
Well, we went off at 7.30am and reach the camp almost 2 hours late. After the tiring journey (it took us almost 5 hours to reach there!), I was so relieved to see such a wonderful and nice place it is. The camp is just beside to beach and across it is Pulau Pangkor! I was indeed glad to have the chance to see the sea which I love most. The camp is so big! almost like UPM (my uni) or bigger. As soon as we stop we were treated with delicious food. Yup... the food there is great! We were then brought to our hostel ( I thought we would camp at first). So...everything is not bad and I thought I will enjoy the visit to the camp. The low IQ me.. thought that I will be having light tours and visit around the camp for 4 days. And I was wrong!
After the navies divided us into four groups.. Alpha,Beta, Charlie and Delta (my group!)... The tense started. Our camp leader Puan Khatijah( ops...I forget how to address her- there are ranks in navy and they are address according to their rank) keeps on reminding us to sign a letter that we agree the navies will not be responsible if anything happen. This sure raises my heart beat. All the handphones have to be passed to her as well.. and there is not even a public phone there!
The Beginning Of....
Ok! The first activity soon after.. the exercise! Gosh! My heart dropped to the ground when we were instructed to do all the exercise using the facilities like you usually see in Tv! There were the river crossing using a wood trunk, climbing up walls using only one round wood trunk between the walls up to 12 feet high wall ( this is what I was shivering at... I really thought I would fall and break my leg..or die...), climbing up 6 feet and 12 feet walls without a thing, jumping down from a 12 feet wall to the ground , climbing under the wire with thorns and lots more! This was really shocking to me as all of it was so dangerous especially the climbing from one wall to another using one round trunk and then jumping from the wall to a higher wall until reach the 12 feet wall. My legs were shivering like mad and I was just thinking of jumping down there and suiside there and then. But thanks to my group mates..I managed to finish it all ...thanks pals! And the Richard even let us (me and my friends) step on him to get over to the 12 feet wall... So pity him... I know I weight a lot...hmmm...
After the tiring round of exercise.. we have to jogged our way back to hostel!! my legs hurt as there are some bruises and scars from the exercise earlier...but still if you don't jog, you will be left alone.. sniff sniff.. Things were even worst as the rain started to fall. From the starting of the rain... raining like cats and dogs...we only managed to reach to hostel as the rain stopped!! We were all wet and I can even squeeze a bucket of water from my clothes. SO miserable! And my legs... both dead of tireness.. Luckily, the night was better as there were only a seminar on the Navy Camp. And we were given our camp pack for the next day.
The Second Day..
We woke up at around 4 am. After marching , we arm ourself like going to a war... Hehehe..not that bad. Ok.. I do look like a soldier then.. with the big belt with my water bottle hanging on it and the big soldier bag, I looked more like a big turtle (so I have learnt my lesson-not to bring too much things when go camping!). After a great meal of breakfast, we were brought to our most highlighted activity- the jungle crossing ( or climbing). In our group, we were given only a compas and a bearing to follow. And off we go into the wild forest..with no steps or stairs . Yup..the natural forest! Luckily my group was the last group and there were more navies following us compared to other groups with only one navy.
This is when the torture started. Walking like a hunch back, I dive into the forest with my group mates. We were climbing from the beginning to end with only support from branches. The floor was so slippery as it rained heavily the day before and the night before. Only for the first half an hour I can fell the tireness inside me. There was not even a nicely levelled place that I can rest on! What made matter worst... we we in the wrong path for the first half an hour! But luckily we managed to turn back and go on the right track again..phew!All look the same in the forest. The mountain were higher and and more rough as we go on. It was almost like climbing a 90 degrees wall. And finally we reach to the top! Can you imagine how happy I was?! But no... we were not there yet! We have to get across the forest!
So, we began to slide down the mountain. I found a better way of getting down. That was sliding down among the branches and ferns just like in Sunway Lagoon but better coz it is free(ya..that was what the navies say :P). The navies were kind enough to made jokes to keep us going. They were really nice and helpful. I even scared one as he saw my pale face! Yes.. I really could hide my face then... I was sooooooooo tired! It was just like one more step and I will faint! But luckily I didn't and I managed to keep on.. if not, I guess I will made the headlines the next day about a girl lost in the forest.
It was really a torture then. My clothes were so dirty with the wet soil, scars from branches and ferns and thorns in my skin. There was no time to think then.. all that I know was to climb and climb and slide and slide. No more thought of leeches or even snakes as I tend to grab everything in order to support myself. And no thoughts of lunch.. and that worries me was the water!! The water is just like fuel. One drink can help me to survive for almost half an hour. It was then I really realised that water is SO important!
After climbing up and down across TWO mountains, some tar roads and across a smaller mountain, and sliding down on a almost 90 degrees three storey high slope... we reached our destination after more than 8 hours non-stop( ok..maybe 5 minute stop). So, I guess I can be in My own Guiness Book Record now. So, after that we cooked our own food ( we get to taste the navies' packed food-which is yummy)and then built our own camp. After a short session by our own Golden Key (yup.. Golden Key organized it).. it rained heavily again. The camp that I built with my friends were all flooded and we have to rebuild it again in the rain.. But the navies was kind that they helped us out then..
In freezing cold..... and mosquitoes... I didn't managed to sleep the whole night..... and not bathing the whole day...
The Third Day
"BANG!" The navies woke us up with a loud explosion at 3am. Shivering...we were brought to our next activity. I was so scared to know that we have to go into the forest one by one without a thing in the dark!! Oh my Gosh! How am I going to survive.. I was all wet..shivering in cold..no sleep... I almost 'died' the day before..and now they want me to go into the forest in dark without a thing??!!
Ok..it was a spy game.. Our mission is to go into the forest with the help of a rope.. and get our messege in the forest and pass it when we reach our base. And there will be the navies around..hiding and scaring you. Amazingly, as time goes on..I was even looking forward to go into the forest!! I was suddenly so awaken! So...there I was alone....my hands holding the rope so tight and using it to pull myself all the way in the forest.. ( I got kindda scare again then).. But I keep on running and even with my eyes shut! I guess I was so fast as I managed to catched up with my friend who went into the jungle earlier than me! ehehhe.. So, I regained my courage and even starting to enjoy everything!! YUP! I have never felt so lively since I arrive at the camp!
We reach a 'dead body'( clad in white cloth) and with our message on top...I am sure I will be scared if I were there alone..but thanks to Mockie..we managed to survive and made it with a smile on my face!!ehhehehe....i just love it and wanted to go in again!!
So, after going back to our camping site and cook our own breakfast.. we did some exercise with our aching legs. I barely can move then ..so I just simply mimic the exercise..sort of warm up actually... After packing our things up... we went to the beach for our next activity!! We went kayaking ! Yippie... kindda like a dragon boat actually. It was OK..at least all the activities after that was much much more better than the first two days!!
Then we were brought back to our hostel. With no time to clean up ( I did managed to change clothes anyway), we then were brought to visit the navy's largest ship (opss..again..i forgotten the name...hai) after lunch. It sure was a nice visit..but I was closing my eyes most of the times. I just can't get my eyes open!! How I wish there is a bed then...hmm..
And for the awakening part again!! Free-falling into the sea!! Yes!! We finally can clean ourself!!ehehhe..not really.. well, in that session, we learnt about how the life boat functions. So, we got the chance to experience the feeling of free falling from a bridge into the sea one by one with a life boey of course..:).. Really feel like suiside as I jump down into the sea with my eyes closed and asking when I will reach the sea. It was high! After falling into the sea..we were 'save' one by one into the life boat. I really like that session...coz I love sea!!:)
At the night, we have a dinner session with the Navies. Thanks to all of them again. :)
Final Day...
Guess what?! I really feel kindda sad on the last day. I will really miss all of the navies and those activities (but thinking back.. I prefer the first two days to be in my memory instead of repeating it again..). The last two acitities were the shooting and visit to the diving center.
Yes!! Once in my life time I got the chance to experience how to shoot!! Using the M16, we each got 15 LIFE bullets to shoot at our target. Feel like a Rambo !! Bang Bang Bang!! It was a great experience.
Finally, we arrived at the Diving Center. They showed us a demo and they were great! The diving center even have a underwater window panel. So, we watch the navies do their demo just like in the under water world.:).
Well, it was really a wonderful experience thinking back. I will miss all the navies... and my groupmates. Thanks to all.. And if you got the chance, I guess each one should try out at least once.