Going, going, GONE!
Friday, June 23, 2006
3:50 PM
0 comments

Going, going, GONE!

Longest trip, 7 days, accomodation sponsored by the riders, flight ticket? If I have my way, I'd rather pay half of it, but it's fully sponsored too. Boards, heheheh.... I don't mind getting more free boards. I can sell them on ebay, coz they belong to the pros. Will I work whilst on holiday? Yeah, regretfully. Will I scour for my lost dreams? Yes. Will there be retribution inflicted by me? Most probably. Will I ride the waves in Uluwatu with a death wish? Probably. Will I stay away from the clubs? Yeah, better safe than sorry. Will I try to be better than the people who labelled me a groupie? Definitely. Will I behave? Heheheh we all know the answer to this question.

Thought I wanted to blog about a retort I have for people calling me groupie. Neah, I'll just say this, IYE aku memang groupie! Like whatever. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words like this just don't mean squat.

Listening : Dj Krush - Kemura


Lizz



Happy Surfers' Day 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
10:58 AM
0 comments

Happy International Surfing Day 2006!!!!


YAY!!!! Too bad I am at work, heheheeh...but nevermind, things will come to those who waits.



Lizz



The Question is now
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
3:39 PM
2 comments

The Question is...

A malaysian made hatch back? A japanese imported DC5? Or a 4 wheel drive?

If hatch back, saves money, and I can surf travel everywhere.

If an Integra DC5, I will have a hot sexy car, but I can't really go surf travel anymore.

If a 4 wheel drive, I can transport all my boards, travelling between thai waters and malaysia.

Practicality, says hatch back, seeing that I can use my sis' Matrix if I'm going surfing in Malaysia or Thai, and I can go down under more often.

Irrationally, of course give me a DC5, any day. Sighs, but that would mean, less or maybe no long surf holidays.

A swift? Neah, with that price tag for the sports edition, I'll opt for a DC5 any day. Way better anyways.


Lizz



The Departure Hall
Monday, June 19, 2006
11:18 AM
0 comments

The Departure Hall

The drive up to the airport was a quiet one, though on several occasions, the silence between the both was punctuated by comments about the recent matches for the World Cup. A light moment passed between them, upon hearing Ronan Keating's cover of Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris', he laughed out loud, calling it pansy and rather gay compared to the original version, while apologising to her, for the mutilation of her all time favourite song. Surprised that he actually remembers, she just smiled at him.

The departure hall, was not as crowded as it usually was, it was a Sunday night, what few people that was around was surrounding the big plasma screens watching the japan vs croatia match. Both of them was sitting on the chairs waiting for boarding time. Both was in their own world, while staring up to the screen. When he suddenly, while still staring up to the screen,

He: So you're really serious about this surfing thing? You know that I don't naturally agree with it, but it's alright.
She: Uhmm, yeah, I never felt this good in years.
He: So when are you going to Double Six? You think it's a good idea, given the circumstances?
She: What the guys doesn't know, wouldn't hurt them right? 'Sides he has moved on since the incident in 2004, with a new girl. Good for him.
He: Try not to get into trouble, will you this time around? Are you going to head up to Dreamland and the mentawaiis?
She: Didn't think you knew of the surfers' points around there, well I don't even know whether I'm heading down there to start with, a whole load of work remember. But if I do, probably Dreamland, and not mentawaii, too far and expensive now.
He: Meeting up with them? Or is this one of your wanting to be alone excursions?
She: Depends. Either ways don't worry, you have the embassy's and his number.
He: It's only natural that I am.
She: Thought you didn't.

Silence,,,,both was watching or at least pretending to watch the match while mulling over things.

He: Look, I know I haven't been around much for you, and you have to fend off alot by yourself. But you know it's work.
She: You know of all people I understand your work best.
He: How could I forget that, but seeing that we are here, I just wanted you to know, that it does bother me, this angst ridden relationship we have. Being away alot, certainly gives a man alot of time to think about certain aspects.
She: Didn't think it'll bother you, as you're always so distant and cold towards me. And believe me, I am shellshocked here to actually hear you saying all of this, in fact this is the first decent conversation we had in ages. Come to think of it, I can't remember any at all.
He: Look, I am aware that you see me as a bit of a tyrant, or a person who's selfish and doesn't care for anybody.
She: A tyrant? More like a dictator, it doesn't kill you, you know to behave charmingly and decently to me, or romantically to her.
He: Her....it has gotten worst hasn't it between me and her, ever since the move. I mean you should know it too, seeing that you're always by her.
She: I don't want to take sides, but it's kinda hard when you only hear one side of the story all the time and you hear the other side like maybe three times. But seriously it doesn't kill the both of you to at least try to work things through without being defensive.
He:........
She: Look, I am in no position to tell you how to run this, there is so much I can do and take. And I'm sorry if I'm not strong enough, but hell all of this does affect my life, you know.
He: Thought it didn't, what with the things you've done in the past.
She: My past is my past, whether I can forgive myself for it, it is also for me to decide. Now at least you know I wasn't dabbling into drugs and stuff.
He: Yes, but from somebody else. You could've approached me about it. But I guess I understand that was hard to do, seeing we are not so close, as others would like to think.
She: Well, if it's any consolation to you, I don't regret it.
He: And about the financial bit, the money...
She: Neah, forget about it, you've done the right thing I believe. Though I am happy I got it all back now.
He: Try not to chase after waves so much, will you, you still have to prioritised your job. Though yes, the lifestyle is certainly something that most would want, doubt you can last without working at all for 6 months and laze around.
She: That's why I am still working, hahahahaha. It's my bread and butter kay, coding and networking everyday at the office.
He: You don't miss being at sea? It's been my life for so many years.
She: Of course I do, why do I surf you think.
He: Of course, you know what, I kind of can guess why we are always at each other's neck alot, you remind me of myself when I was younger, a part of you at least. The wandering and restless part, where you need to do things to achieve your kind of joy. You can't stay put, and going away is like a form of escapism for you. Though the paranoid part comes from her, but one thing I am glad for ever since you started seriously surfing, is the laidback attitude you've acquired. I can't help but feel that I have to hold you down by the leash, so that you don't do the same kind of mistakes I've done.
She: Well, probably that's one of the reasons, 'sides beliefs, I am surprised that you said we are alike to each other in some aspects.
He: Well, you have your friend, Jason, to thank for that. He made the comparisons.
She: I know, in his own words, we are the exact carbon copy of each other. *laughs. Hot headed, stubborn as a mule, and too much of a workaholic.
He: He did, didn't he. Good kid, that one.
She: He is.

Silence again.... punctuated by the few individual's groan over a foul on the screen.

She: I don't hate you, you know. I just felt you didn't acknowledge me enough. That I wasn't good enough. That I was always the one that caused all the problems between you and her.
He: Well if it's any consolation, using your words here. I didn't mean it in that way, when I said that, it was out of anger. I think I don't really know who else to blame then, and seeing that you are always so different, you were an easy target. And I am proud of how stable and independent you are now.
She: It's alright, what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger. And thanks for saying that.
He: It is the least I could do. We certainly have a lot to mend don't we?
She: We do, but it takes alot to mend things. We'll just see how it goes. This is pretty much a good leap, we never had this kind of conversation before. I guess you going off overseas had helped that.
He: In a way, I suppose. By the way she did told me one thing, about the SLB kid, I know it's way too late to ask, but are you alright now? Lets for the sake of being in the moment forget that I am a self proclaimed fundamentalist for awhile, are you alright now?
She: No regrets so far, I am way happier without him. Gotten over everything like ages ago.
He: Good to hear that.
She: I am surprised that you haven't tried to force feed me about religion now. Why?
He: An old man like me, learn that sometimes forcing doesn't work.
She: Yeah, I learnt that too.
She: You know, I am worried about you leaving for offshore now, especially seeing that turk is still underdeveloped and is riddled with drug lords, what's with it being the transit country for narcotics through Afghan.
He: Well there's a lot of oil reservoir there in the caspian sea, it's good money, and as long as I know how to take care of myself, I won't get into a shootout like the previous fellas.
She: Well, you know who to call right, if things does get nasty? They owe me one, should watch out for you there. Though I'd rather that I was there.
He: You can't do that anymore, you know that. I would hope that I don't have to call them, shady characters I was told by the team.
She: Still it is only natural that I worry.
He: Well, you know the drill right. Nothing to worry there. I'll be back in a month's time. You on the other hand, had better take care of yourself when you're in Indo. Don't go for points that you can't handle yet.
She: Hahahah...seems like you have been doing some research about surfing eh. Don't worry I'll be back in one piece. That is if I go.
He: Getting a new board?
She: Yeah, probably.

They sat there, waiting for the call of the Frankfurt bound flight, while talking about the sea and the ocean, football. When the boarding time was announced. He got up to walk towards the gate. They hug each other and she gave him a peck on the cheek, as she has always had since she could remember. While he walked towards the escalator,

She called out: Happy Father's day, Pa.

He turned around,

He: I love you too, kid, be good, take care of everybody and be careful in Indo alright. I'll see you in a month's time.

By then he was down the escalator. She was walking out towards the observation deck, to see the plane off. She remembers every word he has uttered, as it was rare. He was her father, and the conversation in the departure hall, was a first for the both of them. She will always remember it.


Lizz



Weird ass shit
Friday, June 16, 2006
12:07 PM
0 comments

Weird....really

" I love women of Chinese-Indian parentage ", says one.

" I think he likes you, but I like you too ", says two about each other.

" I think you're interesting, care to have coffee and dinner with me? ", says he.

" Joining us on International Surfing Day , Sanoe? ", says a bunch of them. ( To be called after Sanoe Lake, is wow )

" C'mere munchkin ", chided one while playfully ruffling my hair.

" Now don't tell me, you need this pick up line to pick up men, you don't need it at all ", drawls another one. ( upon demonstration of the funniest pick up line I've ever encountered )

" Now, what can I do to make you look at me in a different light than just like a lil brother, say as a person you might date? ", a pro asked.

" Hey, sit down here with me, oh your skirt's drenched, here's a towel, now sit down here, next to me, you smell nice ", says an ex pro.

" Ohmygawd you're talking about football, I don't know any girl that does that, that's so hot ", says another pro. ( That's coz I was actually a man at one point, doofus, kidding )

" Somehow situations have made you very tempting for me nowadays , why is that I wonder ", asks one coyly.

" We are too far apart, for me to do anything and of course, there is the other matter ", he confesses at the airport.

" I think we should go out for coffee or drinks sometimes ", says the neigbour's kid while looking very shy and at his toes.

" Come over, you're going to love it. Why? you asked. Easy,,,,coz I'm here ", one said.

" You're great conversationalist, no surprise there at all, and when you're quiet, it hits the spot too, and it seems everything's going to be OK ", one interjected during one of my newly acquired quiet moments.

" We had lemme see, 2 dinners, and one supper already, and we even hung out with each, you still can't see me in a romantic light of any sort? ", queried one.

" Well you always look good to me, and I never said otherwise ", says my bohemian neandertheal yang lengchai lagi bijaksana Mr. Evil.

Wookay, this all happened in the past few weeks or one month or so, all of a sudden, and I'm getting weirded out by this. Mr. Evil and many others just said, enjoy all of this. But I'm not sure how to react to all of this really. On more than one occasion I blushed madly and just walked away. Really I am weirded out by this. Ever since I've learnt the art of saying No, when I don't feel like it and doing what I want to do, this has been happening. Ever since I've reprioritised, this is what happens. Don't get me wrong, I'm still abit morbid, happier yes, but c'mon what am I, if I don't still retain my stupendous morbid philosophies.

All this while, I was always seeing my girlfriends being in this kinda situations. Most of the guys I dated in the past was more of something that happened along the way kinda thing. Courtship was something out of my league or so I thought, come to think of it. Maybe my definition of courtship is different than all the guys' notions. Maybe all this while all my past men, have courted me, just that I was too idiotic or dense to see it. It's really weird, ever since I started to do my own thing, not caring much about what others have to say about it, ever since I laughed and cajoled others more, ever since I enjoyed being by myself.

One is a person I am or was interested in, now he just started dating another girl. I am happy for him. Two are guys who I see as lil brothers and nothing more. Two are guys who knows about each others interest in me. A few more are of an elder brotherly figure than anything else to me. Two are drop dead gorgeous ( ok lah Mr Evil, tiga lah inclusive of you kan, but you're not counted as being flirtatious with me, nanti she marah u know. ). A few are pros who soon became my friends. A few are my friends all this while, but showing sudden interest. I can categorised all of them under whatsoever categories. Fact is, I think there is something wrong with me. Why? I have no interest whatsoever. In any of them for that matter. Even the one that I am interested in, I didn't do anything, coz I don't want anything. I'll be lying if I said at times in the middle of the night, I wouldn't want a person to be by my side.

Hell I might be crazy about my surfing, but I would want somebody too. But not now. Not now. Oh well, thought I just blogged about the few lines I gotten and stuff. Few years from now when I read this, it will be amusing. Very amusing.

P/s: I love Brittany Murphy's vocals.....sighs.

Three most played songs now:
Paul Oakenfold feat Brittany Murphy - Faster kill the pussycat.
~those high heels are not your friends, Honey you know where the world is at.....
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
~i remember when, i remember, i remember when, i lost my mind......
Panic! At the Disco - I write sins not tragedies
~I'd chime in with a " Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door",,No...

All three are on a bloody loop. ;)


Lizz



I want this!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
12:02 PM
0 comments

I want this!!!!!!!!!!!!



LIL’ SIS
7'0" x 20" x 21/2"

Sighs,,,,unless I hit up at either Waimea or Japan, I can't even get this baby in Australia or Bali. Unless.....*sniggers evilly. Bloody brilliant. I know how now.


Lizz



When you see your life flashes by
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
4:46 PM
0 comments

When you see your life flashes by

You know what they said about, when a person is in certain life threatening situations, your life literally flashes by your eyes. Exactly. I will never ever say that it's a whole crock load of bull anymore. I am eating my own words now. And when this kind of thing happens, you will catch glimpses of your past, the people in your past, the events, your family, memories, people whom you have wronged, etc etc. It's like looking through a photo album or flcker, only that, it's so fast forward that you can only catch parts and glimpses of it. And with each glimpse, it invokes a different kind of emotion.

You will feel anger when you were openly berated by a person, you will feel sadness when you saw your first kitten died in front of you, you will feel melancholy when you see the good and bad memories of a loved one, you will feel happiness when you see the first and last ever bouquet of flowers on your table, and you will feel regret and remorseful when you catch glimpses of all the people that you have hurt in the past, thinking will you get out of this alive to make amends. So just imagine going through all of these emotions in a matter of seconds. Don't believe me? Try it. Seriously.

Over a span of 4 days, of just surfing and lazing around. It finally happened. Flicker happened. The thing that you're so passionate about nearly killed you. And the funny thing is, it wasn't mother nature that was doing it, it was your own gear. It's true what they said, when accidents or deaths happens while confronting the waves, it's not mother nature's fault, it's your own fault, your own mistake.

Being the sea cow that I am, I didn't bother checking on the velcro of my leg rope, soon it gave way, but that wasn't a problem, the worst that would happen would be losing the board. So, I decided to change the leg rope. And again, being the sea cow that I am, I decided to forego shortening the rope this time. Needless to say, when I was wiped out by the waves, the incoming waves carried my board and a current caused my too long leg rope to wound itself around my neck. In conclusion I nearly asphyxiated on my own leg rope, still attached to the board, causing more preassure around my neck. Now you would've thought that I learnt from that particular incident. No, still being the sea cow that I am, I didn't bother as it was such a hassle to fix it.

Second time, was when I had my flicker moment. The rope wound around my neck so tightly, and while still being underwater trying to wait out the waves to pass by, crashing into my board, my lungs gave way ( ni lah akibatnya smoking too much ). I was choking on water with a rope around my neck dragging me away with every crash of the subsequent wave.

Then I saw everything and felt everything. The pain, the fear, the anguish, the sadness, the happiness, the regrets, the remorse. At that moment nothing was more powerful than the feeling of am I going to die without fixing all my wrong doings. Am I not going to be given a chance to make amends? The remorse was overwhelming. Luckily for me, a fellow surfer hit by me, and caused me to come up from the water, gasping for air.

So, why do I still go on doing all of this? Easy, it made me realized things I never did in the past. It puts me in my place, I am humbled by mother nature's force. Logically therefore, why would anybody quit doing something that teaches them alot of things, such as humility.

I am aware that I have become deeply engrossed in surfing. That's all I can think of nowadays really. While waiting for a swell, sitting on the board, can be the most serene and calming thing a person could ever have, which can drastically in a matter of moments change into a life threatening situation, given you did a mistake while riding. The extreme spectrum of each other.

I am aware that somebody in my past has told me that I can no longer live my life on the edge anymore. The problem is though alot would want a calm and less threatening life, I on the other hand cannot do that. And I don't see it as a problem at all. Some can be happy by just doing daily routine things. I can't. I feel more at home in this kinda situations than anywhere else. I feel more at ease being on a charter boat heading up to mentawaais or nias. Or out at Double Six...daymn I wanna go to Dreamland.sighs.

Anyways, I just realized that this is my calling. Some are happy in just having relationships, or playing football, or lepaking at the mamak or catching the movies. Don't get me wrong, I still do all of the above, the only difference is I can't be happy by just doing all of that. I won't go so extreme as in to quit my job like most surfers I know. But given the chance, if I can still hold on to my job and move to somewhere like nias, or bali or oz, I would.

I am aware that I am just asking for trouble by getting involve in all of this. But I am not complaining about it. Scratches, bruises, cuts, near death experiences and expensive boards breaking ( Not yet, but I can see it happening soon ), is part and parcel of it.

But because I know that when I paddle out, my live is immediately hanging by a rope, I know I need to do the right thing already now. I am sorry. For everything. Every single thing. I know it won't change anything, but I am bloody sorry.


Lizz



The Unknown Soldier
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
3:22 PM
0 comments

The Unknown Soldier

I was told not to blog about him, but me being me, I honestly think it's a bloody waste to not blog about him.

9 years of surfing in Malaysia, quitting his high post job, in a highly lucrative industry, setting him back financially, having people surrounding him jeer at him for being so stupid as they call him, thrice being caught in the most powerful torrents and currents around the globe almost drowning, countless of near deaths experiences and yet with all this adversaries, he forged on, despite being broke most of the time.

No big deal? He is of the first generation of surfers in Malaysia, with nobody to turn to, with just his burning passion to hit through the waves, he is on his way. His name, is widely known by most pros in the global surfing community. His story has captured the hearts and soul of surfers all over the world. He is in his own league, he might not be sponsored by anybody ( which is a shame ) , but he is on the right track.

Surfing in Malaysia is no easy feat, every monsoon marks the joy of a surfer. Where else others celebrate 1st January as the coming of a new year, we inland surfers mark our coming of the new year by the first swell that hits during the monsoon. 4 months of surfing, from knee high to over the head sometimes half barrel breaks, with the strongest current in the APEC region. That's the frequency of surfing for a Malaysian surfer, unlike our Indonesian counterparts, where surfing is all year round, we don't have the luxury of being sponsored or surfing away like we would want to, or being as bloody good as Rizal, Marlon and the rest of the Indo surfers. We would literally have to chase waves like what was done last month, a storm hits up near philipines, and it created such a swell, on which a full barrel could be pulled through, at Kijal. Needless to say, everybody was there to take it.

To strive so hard for what he wants, that caught my attention, and as he aptly puts it, malaysian surfers they come and go, but they are still a whole bunch who would still forge on, and those are the real mc'coys, and that gives him hope to go on. It's great to see him teaching newbies the ropes around surfing. It's astounding to see him to take on the wave with such agility. In fact to be honest, he looks more comfortable being in the waters, between the swells rather than on land, where he just seems klutzy.

Dude, I didn't promise that I won't blog about you, yes I'm pulling another Nick Carrol on you, but if you ever come across this blog of mine, bear in mind that I hold you in the highest of respect, as a fellow surfer and as a person who had taught me a few things about taming the waves. And pls...stop grabbing my head, dragging me around and bullying me around. Pain, you know. Cheebai!

On a totally different note, the launching of Narciso Rodriguez's For Her fragrance was great, champagne, hand massages and a great goody bag with a gel parfum roll on purse 30 ml vial, organized by Harper's Bazaar at KLCC was exactly what a girl needs. Happy happy joy joy!

And of course, I have to thank my bohemian neandertheal male friend, who refuse to admit that he is a metrosexual, on scouring the whole of KL for the perfect boardshorts. It fucking rocks. Cult rocks, though yeah losing the Cult sunnies after 3 days of having it, really bites. But oh well, hahahah at least they werent 700 bucks worth of Oakleys. ;)


Lizz



The funny thing is....
Monday, June 12, 2006
5:59 PM
0 comments

The funny thing is....

It is said that unless a surfer can swim a kilometre into the sea, it's better to not hit the waves, coz you will get wipe out.

It is also said by society's norm that, when you least expect or you don't want romance, then it'll hit you. Now that's even more scarier then being wiped out.

The funny thing is I'll opt for being wiped out and crashing through the breaks and breaking my board then being involve with anybody.

It is also said that surfing helps the person mentally and physically, to which I totally agree. It's not a hobby. It's a lifestyle.

The rush of going over the lip, overwhelming. The adrenaline pumping while doing a cut back, astounding. The fear of cracking one's skull when you fly dissipating, priceless. The pain of crashing into the floor or shoreline, painful (du_uh) . The cut, gashes and bruises attained during a heat, hilarious. The time spent looking at the swells from the lil island as we all call it, mesmerising. The time spend laughing at our film footage of taking off on the swell, unforgettable. The effort being put in to paddle to the line up, worthy. The end result, an addictive sport and alot of soul cleansing fun.

Why? Simple, it's clean, it's healthy, and it's a lifestyle worth working for. The myth about surfers being himbos and bimbos? Not true, so not true, they are people who works for the environment, trying their best to conserve it, for charity, but most of all, they're people who knows what they want in life and work for it. And that I think is how they refute the myth. I am glad for that.

So am I ready to let all of this go for romance? No.


Lizz



2006 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
1:07 PM
0 comments

2006 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships


Congratulations 17 year old Julian Wilson ( blonde kid) for the gold medal for team Australia and the under-18 category. Yeap, he's still that young. An up and rising star.


Photo courtesy of Aj Neste/Surfing America


Lizz