Cheer With A Cheerful Heart

I finally attended the most talked about Cheer Competition in Kuala Lumpur where famous cheer teams such as Cyrens, Blitzers, D' Starz and many more compete neck to neck with each other to obtain the title. I was a cheerleader back in my school days too but we were less concerned about techniques and stunts but more concerned about the entertainment area. 

It was impressive to see cheerleading becoming a sport even in National levels and where human pyramids are not just "human pyramids" but are called extensions and have special names for special stunts. I went there with people with no interest in cheerleading and I realized that the audience targeted are important. Not even half way through the competition, the company I came with started yawning and some even fell asleep. They mentioned that "It was the same" and "Repetitive" .

Personally, I love cheerleading and I hate to say this but I agree to them to a certain level. If I look at it in perspective of a person who has no interest in cheering I will think that all routines are repetitive. But otherwise, I would look at the strength and how the teams work together to achieve perfect routine. However, having said that, I agree with the fact that the routines were repetitive. Maybe, just MAYBE, they were all coached by the same people and bind by many nonsensical rules. 

I have always been a controversial person and even with my previous teams, we break all possible rules that are laid down by the official cheer team but all I can say is, we did it with a cheerful heart. We had fun and we think out of the box. I refused to confine my team mates to all the rules set up but I do uphold the safety regulations placed. We have not had many impressive stunts as how the teams in this competition have but I am proud to say that We are different.

Now, back to the competition, there are news that judges are warned not to smile. My question is, WHY NOT? It is a cheer competition, for heaven sake. So why the ridiculous warning? I mean if the news is true, then it is not a cheer competion but a mere competition. What set cheer competition different from other sports competitions are the teams not just competing on their strength level but also their creativity level. Looking at the feedback I had, it shows that the creativity level is lacking in certain level. 

Having all that said, I hope that all cheerleaders or aspiring cheerleaders to be brave to think out of the box because if you dare to be different, you win as everyone is so similar. Nevertheless, most importantly, do not forget to have FUN! 

Penang and me

I just visited Penang with a few of my course mates and to tell you the truth, it has indeed been a tiring but nonetheless, a fun and filling trip. We ate A LOT!

So, before we leave for Penang, Joy and I took a bus up to Teluk Intan in Perak to meet up with my another two friends and from there the four of us will take a bus up to Penang. 

This is the our very own Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan. 

A small peaceful town where the char kuey teow and their chee cheong fun left an unforgettable mark on my taste buds. 

Joy and me in the Leaning Tower

Mel and me

Beautiful street art in Penang

Joy and me (again)

Ven and me. Yeap... we can really jump. When I saw the shot, I was surprised too!

I am trying to imitate the painting

A really huge painting of a small girl.

The oysters are impressively big here

Here, Joy is literally sitting on me!

All in all, it has been a really fun trip to visit another UNESCO state in Malaysia. Although the haze is there but it was not as bad as Malacca at that time. The street art in Penang is a brilliant idea because it actually made all of us walked around Penang town and actually made us learn more about the state. It was as if we are on a mission to search for all the paintings. We laughed and complained and it definitely made us closer together. 

Till the next trip!

Where Culture Is Preserved.

When I am back to Malacca, I never failed to at least drive pass this particular street which contributed handsomely to the fame that Malacca now enjoys. This street is where I spend my New years, and Christmases. This street is where I can still find traditional toys and miscellaneous. This street is where I can still find traditional delicacies.

This street is where culture is preserved.

As a local there, I admit, the traffic and congestion in Malacca during the holidays are massive. We tend to avoid going to the town due to the traffic and human congestion. However, this congestion cannot totally be blamed on the historical street alone. There are many historical sites which contributed to this congestion. To name a few, the A' Famosa Ford, The Stadhuys, The Palace of the Malay Ruling, The Museums, and the malls.

So,closing down one street will not solve the problem but instead, the effect will be the a total opposite.

Although we Malaccans often complain about the traffic but deep down, we are proud with our historical attractions. When we talk about our "treasures", it is spoken with undeniable pride.

Being one of the UNESCO states, we know that our state will never be the same anymore. Tourists will come flooding in and many locals especially those whom source of income depend on tourists welcomed it. Our economics will definitely improve and many will be benefited.

When I heard that Jonker Street will be closed, I felt as if a part of Malacca will be taken away. I hope that the Malacca State Government think through this particular move thoroughly before making it official as the effect to it will be rather detrimental especially in the economical and political sense. I hope the party which claimed to help the community will step up their game and do something about it.

Lastly, at this trying time, let us stand together as a community and fight for what is right. As the saying goes, together we are stronger. Stop all the racial issue as non is involved here. Even if there is, I know many do not condone to it. So, stop stereotyping and throw away all prejudices. I hope the Malacca State Government would consider all consequences in every aspect before plunging into such a dangerous decision.