After the jump

21st January 2009
The afternoon started off with 3 of our girls; Sue Rene, Huey Yuen and Yvonne awaiting Coach Nicholes Ong at the MGS front gate. Hmm, it was nearing 2.30pm, and still no sight of Nick. Just when the three girls were about to give up and head to the gym, Nick arrived on his bike with all his equipment. Let the training begin!

Von took the attendance for the day and was shocked to see about 35 players' names signed up to join G12 Floorball Club. Like, wow! But unfortunately, her efforts in making sure everyone was on time pretty much failed. The newbies were a bit sesat and therefore only entered the gym once she and Charmaine went to hunt them down in the canteen.

Coach Nick started off with getting 4 girls to lead the whole 'herd' for a 5-round run around the field outside the gym. Charm, Valerie, Shu Lynn and Von were his chosen victims. After the tiring run, Charm led the girls with some warm ups.

Nick then paired the Juniors up with a Senior each. Sort of like a mentor-mentee thingy. He wanted the seniors to lead and mentor their juniors all year long. Well, you know us. And things didn't exactly go as planned. It was pretty tough getting the Seniors and Juniors to work alongside each other.

He then got us to do some passings. That was when the Seniors really led the Juniors in teaching them how to pass correctly. Senior, Shu even found her long-lost twin, [Khai Lynn]! They really do look alike! The language barrier was quite an issue, so Shu had to mentor her Junior by speaking to her in Hokkien. "Sak ka tua lat tampok!" = "Push harder". It was a very cute sight, the two of them.

After passings, Nick got us to do the snake drill. The juniors didn't know what to expect, and most of them scurried around Nick's green cones. However, they did try to shoot some balls into the goal post. Kudos to them for that.

Finished off with that, he then seperated us into two groups; Seniors and Juniors combined. He coached the bigger group consisting of more Juniors while Val coach the smaller group. This time it was to train the girls' shooting skills. In the midst of sucessful/unsucessful shots taken, a familiar face in the Floorball family, Kenny Khoo entered MGS's Gymnasium. With a few waves and Hellos here and there, the girls got back to shooting.

Training ended soon after. Now the girls were about to find out why Kenny was really here for. New sticks, of course! The girls surrounded Kenny when he brought out the new sticks. Nick asked the girls to give the man some room to breathe, but with the echoing "ooohh"s and "aahhh"s, together with "sooo prettyyy!" and "how much?! how much?!"; the girls only got closer to the sticks. It sounded pretty much like a market in there. After finding out that the most expensive stick being RM510 and the cheapest stick RM98, the excitement on some of the girls faces drained because they can't afford a stick. Shu and Von took the oppurtunity to put up their sticks for auction, valueing at RM200 and RM50 respectively. Yes, we were that desperate for a shiny new stick.

Some reservations were made on the sticks, some asked for trade-ins but everything can only be settled during the next training, when school reopens after the week-long Chinese New Year holidays.


YAY Factor : The Orientation Day proved to be successful, as we have an estimated total of 25 players this year.

BOO Factor : We might not be able to afford to send in all 5 lines for the upcoming Youthwave.

Highlight of the day : Coach Nick's 'Einstein' hair when he took off his helmet. HAHA!

G12 Floorball Club would like to take this oppurtunity to wish everyone in the floorball family and friends a Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Chai :)

PFA Division-2 League 2009

*click to enlarge*

Our girls are not participating, but do go and watch the games
to show some support for the other teams that are playing! :)

All games are held at Dalat Int. School, Tg. Bungah
on the respective dates and times.

Michael Jackson moment(s)

Never thought you find an almost-unknown blogger trespassing through this almost-barren land isn't it? As promised, and since i'm bored, (new people here apparently sleep super early. Like 9pm early) i've decided to walk you through the life of a she-Michael Jackson.

I'm not completely burried under metres of snow, but it has been the coldest week ever for UK. And as of this moment that i'm blogging now, it's about -4. It can go to -8 sometimes. And being generous, the college decides to off the heater now and again at night. They thought sharing the cold winds would do us some good. I'm still harvesting a flu cause, it seems to have rooted itself into me, so it's really cold out, and i can't feel my nose. That is a Michael Jackson moment. (I stole Junn's line from his blog)

College hasn't exactly started. I haven't started studying but i already sat for an English test, and soon to follow, a Math test. Wish me luck on that. My math is getting a little rusty. Perhaps 1 + 1 questions may appear. English was basically a placement paper to see if you're in the 'Bad' band or the 'Worst' band. I completely feel out of place at times cause everyone here is rather smart in a non-geeky way.

We've got a student hall with 6 iMacs and disco's once in a while plus 4 fusball tables. In the gym they've got a not so huge court. It's bigger than Dalat, but it isn't very big. They've got floorball. Or so i hope it is. They call it Unihoc here. But i think i'd be the only one playing. It's okay, it's about time someone revamped the floorball spirit into these bookworms.

Talking about bookworms, my neighbour is a bookworm and she proudly admits to that. She actually brought her own dictionary. I didn't bother. Though, one would be good. I can read the dictionary if there's a fire and all my other entertaining have turned into ashes. But i'd rather be making a snowash-man out of the ashes. Well my housemates are nice. I stay in a single room. The shower is rather dingy, but i'm still thankful we get hot water. Nice it-burns-your-skin hot water.

If i'm short on books i walk across the hall, if i'm short on food i knock next door, if i feel like pinching cheeks, i go across the hall too. There's a common kitchen, as in really common, it's in the middle of snow covered lands open for everyone. The pool is small and my room is small. I can't split not because i'm not flexible enough but because there's not enough space. I feel like an outsider cause i came with only clothes and a packet of noodles. I guess i'm living off my suitcase.

Oh, my room is pretty much boring. 4 solid walls, 1 window and a sink. Pretty much sounds like prison. There's about 4 dudes from penang. No girls. And the guys all speak mandarin. The girls, we already pretty much have cliques. I'm not in any particular one, but i'm still bouncing around.

p/s. Dear G12 members, you are free to sign with any team but Youthwave is our living glory! We've held ourselves mighty for all the years thus far, let's continue our legacy! Study smart, play hard. We still stand as a team. I might be thousands of galaxies away, but i'm still G12 in spirit. Alumni! =D I'd like to watch you make me proud. Get skype, get wireless and stream it to my room!! I miss playing floorball very much. I even miss playing in that gym, under tables, across broken planks. When you believe, nothing is impossible. Be strong!

xxx
13. Lara.UK

First Meeting

The first meeting for G12 will be on the

21st of January

from 215pm to 415pm

at the MGS Gymnasium.

The New School Year

.. back to school, girls ..

have fun tomorrow!

loyal, we'd ever be

to our dear mgs.

A New Beginning

1st January 2009.

First off, on behalf of the team I'd like to wish Lara all the best in all her future undertakings in the UK. As most of you may know, Lara has parted from us to further her tertiary studies at the Concord College in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. The team is looking forward to see you again when you come back to visit in June.

The year 2008 was a great year for all of us. As all the partying has finally come to an end, 2009 is here! It's a new year, with new beginnings and new experiences to be penned down in this blog.

It's that time of the year again where we welcome back current players and recruit new blood. We hope those who signed up to join G12 will take the matter seriously and attend each and every training we have.

Things will change. The elected successors will take over the duties of past leaders and form a new committee. "Cooperation is key". We hope the team would cooperate well with each other.

The new year calls for new resolutions, and therefore I think that this year, G12's resolution should be - not to be tardy. "Time and tide waits for no man". Training starts at 2.15pm, and it is expected that each and every one of us should be at the gym by that time. Late comers will be fined. Lower Secondary students have no excuse, as classes end at 1.25pm on Wednesdays. Science Stream students are not excused either, they just have to take the initiative to get to the gym by the time training starts.

As for the club, I hope that the club gains more recognition. I want the club to inspire and to be inspired by the other clubs around. We are good at what we do. We just have to strive a little bit harder. I quote Althea Gibson, who said that "in sports, you simply aren't considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully. Winning it once can be a fluke; winning it twice proves you are the best". So come on, girls! Let's go out there and win them medals once again!

The girls of G12. We make G12 what it is today. We are the beat of this heart. I hope that the girls of G12 will continue to support each other, and to cheer on for each other; and to keep that passion for floorball burning!


"If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."
- Herschel Walker


"Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory."
- Arthur Ashe


"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
- Michael Jordan


"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision."
- Muhammad Ali


See It, Fake It, Take It;
G12 Floorball Club 2009.

From beyond.

Since SPM is long-gone-over and deeply buried under the sands of the past, i shall not hide behind the G12 persona. It's about time I speak for myself and take credit for my penmanship. Or lack of.

Lara's farewell party.

The proposed plan: Lara's surprise farewell party.
Mission status: Failed.
The truth: Lara knew everything about it and she even helped organize it.

So well, we have learnt that Von's heart is in the right place, but her head isn't quite on the right page. She did an awesome job of getting everyone there and thinking of feeding hungry packs of wolves. The only problem was that, she turned up later than me. She probably planned herself a surprise party! Her scheming plans!

It's a good thing i didn't appear early to supposedly 'entertain' our dear fire-starting-people, they didn't show up early, nor did they even start a fire. I obviously did the right thing at the right time. It took a while before our dear organizer decided to show up with her posse of people food.

I'm attempting to keep it short.

Fire got started, we got eating, the kids/boys went wild, sand was being thrown, and the regular antics of kids-on-the-beach began showing their true colours: they're still kids at heart (especially the boys/hooligans)

The end.

Well, that was basically the night. This is my part where i thank all that travelled many many many miles just to roll on the sand.

Anyway, i wish i could write you guys the saddest most saddest post you've ever laid eyes on, but, i'll save it for the few days prior to floating off into the cold dark skies of this forsaken town with the cutest mushroom-sounding-name, Shrewsbury. I had this overjoyed excitement in me for this awesome night. I went home with sand in my pants and all that didn't matter because i had a great time. And it didn't quite exactly involve labored breathing, head sweating moments. Not entirely anyway. And i'm touched (which is rarely) for the effort and time.

Let's not make this into the "touching" post yet. I'll be back for more. [screams and runs in circles] Just wait. Photo's will be on facebook. No facebook? It's time you adventured into the greater depths the cyber-world has to offer.

Love always,
Lara

Throwing Sand At Each Other Is NOT Cool!

ORGANIZER, ORGAN-ORGANIZER, I'M THE ORGANIZER,

OH ORGANIZER, OH I'M THE ORGANIZER BABY!

- sang to the tune of Womanizer by Britney Spears;

the song of the night.

So, the much awaited, much anticipated "not-even-close-to-a-surprise" farewell party we threw for Lara finally took place and by late night time, it ended. The partying hasn't, though. G12 will carry on the legacy of throwing SUPER FUN parties over the years to come. It's always fun to have a couple of girls who get high on just sparkling juice around, no? We'll all find some other way to keep partying together again. Anyone up for a party tomorrow night? How bout the day after that? Hey, there isn't a need for a reason to party! LOL.

The party started when Jo-Wyee, Oliver, Marianne and I arrived super late, with pizzas, sandwiches and all the other stuff, just to find that it was really dark by 7.45pm and we couldn't see all the others who were already there waiting for us. But soon I heard Lara laughing and I saw Linken's cap {not his head}; reflected by the moonlight {full moon, btw!}, I knew we were approaching the whole party crowd. We had some difficulties in starting a fire, but with that many guys around, they managed to successfully start our own lil bonfire! We started off by serving all those hungry mouths Dominoes pizza and sausages. After the guys ate, they gained enough energy to start running around the beach in circles trying to "attack" each other with.. sand, water, you name it. Some touchy touchy stuff happened too. Gross!

Soon after that, the guys needed a power-up, so we brought out the sausages. Oliver got excited when we told him we had marshmellows. Haha! So while all the others were busy nibbling on {burnt} marshmellows; Oliver, Marianne and I disappeared to Jo-Wyee's car to get Lara's presents out! G12 gave Lara a huge photo frame with all of our pics in it as a team :) After that, Lara blew her #13 candles on the chocolate cake and it was makan time.. yet again. I think by this time we got stuffed already. The guys seemed to have stopped eating and started running around the beach like mad men at.. 11pm! Boundless energy, they've got. After watching Wei Jin and Daniel throw Linken into the water {poor Linken}, it was time to go home. Don't we all wish the night never had to end?

To all the guys and girls from the various floorball clubs who attended the party,

Thank you guys for coming! It wouldn't have been fun without every single one of you who came. Thanks so much for making it an awesome farewell party for Lara. I bet we made her really happy :D And to the people who thanked me for organizing the party, thank Lara! I wouldn't be the organizer without her letting me plan this party for her.

With about 70 leftover tuna sandwiches Huey Yuen and I made, I think I'll count tuna sandwiches to sleep. Goodnight everyone! :)

Feeling hungover,

Von <3

2nd Farewell Party

Hey everyone! Von blogging on behalf of G12 here :)

We've successfully had our 1st Seniors' Farewell Party on Wednesday, 30th July 2008 at Seoul Garden, Gurney Plaza. Now, some of us from G12 have put in our time and effort into planning another farewell party. It's the much talked about, much awaited; G12's 2nd Farewell Party. As most of you may know, G12's team captain, Lara will be leaving us to pursue her tertiary studies at the Concord College in Shrewsbury, UK (in case you're wondering, Concord is within easy reach of both Manchester and Birmingham). Soooo, we decided to throw Lara a surprise party! BUT THEN.. The news got out because SOME people didn't hear me stressing on the word SURPRISE. And thus, now we're throwing Lara a not-so-surprise farewell party! But the element of the 'surprise' is still there, as Lara has no clue about the guest list or how the party's been planned!

Date : Friday, 12th December 2008
Time : 7pm (please be punctual!)
Venue : The beach @ Paradise Sandy Beach Resort, Tanjung Bungah
(that's the hotel next to Dalat International School)
And if you still can't find it, the address is

527 Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Penang.

We will be charging all guests a small sum of RM10 to cover for the food and other expenditures. Invited guests are free to bring any food items or presents for Lara. If you want to bring your friends along to the party, please inform me 2 days before (by Wednesday, 10th December).

If you have any questions regarding the party, feel free to call me at 0164668137.

We hope to see you guys there and we look forward to having a blast together!

Cheers,
Von :)

That's the way it goes

This post was taken off HERE

Well, they came up with 10 things i hate about you, then it was 7 things. I guess i felt like i had 7 things to say too. Or maybe more. I was talking to Sister Jasmine, no, not sister as in the sister-act sister nun, but sister as in blood i-share-your-DNA sister. I was telling her, if she read any of it, how much i've fallen head over heels. Before you ask the oh-so-typical "who", you might want to change your train of thought to "what". I've confessed, out of all people, to her, that deep-down-inside feeling. The one that gives your tummy the butterflies? I spilled the beans on my affair with Floorball.

I could list a santa-clause list and watch it roll to the floor. But the thing i love most about Floorball can't really be summoned by one word. To me floorball can't really be described. Actually, maybe floorball can be summarized in one word: Undefinable.

From that first very first touch, it sort of compels you. There is that very strange calming vibe about playing. And after you play, you just can't stop. I think its the most addictive sport i've played. Then again, i wouldn't really know what isn't addictive.

The things i love about Floorball?

1. That anxiety-before-a-storm feel. It gives you the butterflies. You're sweating bucket loads of cold sweat before you even step on court. The adrenaline rush. The blood pumping, heart thumping, its gives you that rush.

2. That rush when you play. The porous pores you inherit from all that training. I like the feel of sweat. I feel cleansed. Not in a good-smelling way. But it gives you great comfort in knowing you're now CLEANER. And also perhaps healthier and an eon lighter.

3. The sister-brother-hood. In the spirit of the game we are mortal enemies on court. Outside we're all one. Same inherited love for the game. Just different appearances in different costumes. The hey-great-game salutations even if we didn't quite win it kinda blends into your normal speech.

4. The semangat-ness it brings out in us. The thrill of playing. The thrill of watching a game. That cheering syndrome i've got? Blame it on Floorball. Its a good thing my tonsils are strong. It comes with the years.

5. Of course we have to include my best friend into the list of why-i'm-having-an-affair. My camera. The trusty bulk. I get to take shots. And of course they get better with age. That is if my nimble fingers don't sag on me. I just love the in-motion shots. (Yet to be perfected)

6. And of course, like in every other sport, they have their own advantages. Cough

Maybe my list wasn't that long after all. But it sure felt like there was alot to say. Maybe cause i just don't know how to summarize it. Because it inevitably isn't possible. Perhaps this is still part 1.

You know what, you're all probably scratching your heads over this post. I suggest you get some anti-dandruff shampoo, grab a floorball stick and hop on the wagon. Once you've played you can't stop. Though girls, pretty often have a very short attention span and would preferably pick shopping over sweating. Typical. Staying power not quite there yet. But that will improve with time. It should improve with time. But like they've said it time and time again, no pain, no gain. Practice makes perfect and the right attitude takes you miles. Literally.

Floorball isn't just a passion, its my life.

Disclaimer: my life probably just has too much in it right now. LOL

The day that was

Z'Liners-PFA Floorball Tournament

I've been constantly reminded/nagged by my dear players/friends to update the blog about the day that was. Hence the title of this post.

Anyway, back to the game.

The week before forms were due, we were still looking for people to play. Seeing as how the form 5's had exams, and it was fasting month, our original 14 was instantly reduced to the mighty 9. G12 were oh-so-generous to lend our dear team-mates to innebabes (Valerie), Frontliners (SYoong).

Early mornings and G12 aren't exactly on the same page as most of our juniors were rather late. And some one came earlier than schedule. Perhaps with an ulterior motive? We wouldn't want to know. Being manager and player, it wasn't that hard. I obviously had help from my "sexy-tary" to write the forms. But finding all my players, making sure all turn up, that was a little nerve-wrecking/nail-biting moment.

Ednamodes as usual, had a complete team earlier than our not-quite-punctual Violets. Registered and warmed up, girls were elated to see Nicholes. Smiles from ear-to-ear. A sigh of relief was heard. After all, Nic, our coach/mentor was here to help us out. On behalf of G12, we thank Nic for his effort and time that he's given to the girls. Thanks.



The game
Well, i wish i could give you a match-to-match analysis, but i'm afraid i have a little too much chemistry in my brains, hence i don't quite remember. But i know ednamodes played well [coughs] winning TWO and losing ONE to our mighty USM. We ended up Second in our group. Violets showed great grit and determination. Though they haven't quite adapted themselves to the its-no-ones-fault-we-played-well attitudes after their first defeat. None the less, being G12, we boosted their spirits. Of course being in the same group as floorball greats like Contact and Innebabes, they proved to be too strong for the junior team. But they still put on a darn good fight. Kudos.



Ednamodes who were safe to the next level, the semifinal, lost to Innebabes. By their one oh-so-lucky penalty. [Jokes] That goal saw them through to the finals while Ednamodes tried for third against USM. USM, being USM, with players like Sarah, they sort of trashed us. Sort of. Faults came from our line as we conceded 3 goals? Ednamodes didn't bother about winning because we were all having fun. Right?

So we lost that game, I lost my voice with the cheering-for-no-one-in-particular cheers. And that was the day that was.

Oh yes, Violets played a match against FGA E&P and it went down to penalties. The first 3 didn't quite find the net, but somewhere in the 3 after that Violets scored the win! Job well done.

This Saturday, head down to Dalat and cheer for our own G12 side-tracked player as she plays it against the Men, well, mostly men. Ruth will be donning the Ztec jersey. So, yes, in the spirit of floorball, [monologue] ditch those books, grab your voice and make it to dalat.



Disclaimer: I hope you don't mind the minimal effort spent on this post. I have alot of alphabets (Chem) to remember

Lara to G12: I know i'm your retired manager/captain, but girls, you played a great team, MGS is proud to have you, G12 is proud to have raised you. And i am proud that we've gone so far. Thank you Nic for you efforts. You raised a good team. Though, i must say, i think its natural talent. LOL. Keep your chins up, and next year, revenge! You girls will bag 1st, 2nd and 3rd! Keep up the good work. And don't stop training. =)

Random

A little blog hoping does wonders.



Credits from our Singapore people(s).

Yes, it is an old picture. A random post. And to some, on the wrong blog. But that is highly subjective

p/s. sorry for the flashback moment. I was having one of those darn-i-already-miss-penang-and-i-haven't-even-left moments.

-Lara

Succession

G12 Committee for 2009

President: Charmaine Cheang

Vice-President: Valerie Yentl Tan

Secretary: Cezanne Kok

Vice-Secretary: Yvonne Low

Treasurer: Lee Huey Yuen

Upper-form rep: Oh Shu-Lynn

Lower-form rep: Cheah Pei Yi

Quarter-mistress: Kan Khai Yi

Its time I passed the baton over to my successor. As she lifts the club to the next level. The choice was not an easy feat, but I believe that, in the interest of the club, the rightful people earned their rightful posts. 

Cooperation is key. I hope the team would cooperate with your leaders.

The handing over of this blog to its rightful writer shall be announced, as yours truly would be on the other side of the world. But for now, do bare with the ramblings of Lara.

p/s. do forgive me for the not-exactly-related-to-floorball post.

4 training's short

With only 4 training's remaining (estimation) its high time i start finding our leader. Short-lived my career may be, but it was definitely one worth remembering.

Departure and abstinence is hard to contain. In one month, it will be over for us (5th Formers) as we prepare for the battle of our future. We stood by each other on court, its time we stand by each other in class.

"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

-Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919), Speech in New York, September 7, 1903

You have the power to be great. But do not let it confuse you. Continue practicing; with practice comes excellence. Retain our coveted tittle - a force to be reckoned with. Boasting is for the weak to hide their fears.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."

-Heywood Broun (1888 - 1939)

Silent we are, but lethal we've proved. Rookies they might be, but they play with a threat. Breaking boundaries took them to a whole new plateau- excellence.

"Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing."

-Harriet Braiker

The year is up, its time I passed my reigns over. Its time to pack up our stuff and call it a day. For the years of experience i thank everyone, seniors, who guided me, and juniors, who fought with me. Keep fighting for what we stand for. Don't let the envious hate us, don't let them tug us, don't let them deter us. We stand together as ONE team.

Thanks.

(P/s- New committee will be elected in the coming weeks)

The Little Saviour

The common denominator in our team; the fear of high speed balls. For one girl it wasn't just a mere accident, she wanted it and went for it. While many cringe at the thought of being behind a caged-helmet one girl found it an achievement to touch the helmet more so to get to wear it. She wore it with such great passion. Behind the helmet, she ignored her fears and the fear of others.

"You have nothing to fear but fear itself" - Franklin D. Roosevelt.

She put on a brave front as she walked towards the goal and placed herself in between high speed shots and became the saving grace. She gave it her best. and she in return got her best. Trained by our very own Linken, she armored herself and trained. Persistently. Every week.

Practice is the key to perfection. But to become the one the team counts on isn't a light load to carry. She carries the responsibility of every other player. To be a goalie by choice is an achievement. And for her incredible indomitable spirit, she deserves this post. she deserves the song of praises by the rest of our team. Without her, there'd be no team.

ARLENE, KEEP IT UP.

Being in form 1, you've got great potential to be the best. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.