The Bear with the Trigger

One of the things that can be found in Taiwan are airsoft guns.  Well, just for the sake of looking at it lah.  Can't even dream of bringing it back for legal reasons, plus...I am not into airsoft (no pun intended)...just a look will be enough.

So, cannot bawa balik..pegang pun jadi.  Hehehehe...

 The owner allowed us to touch, feel and see the guns...even took photo with it. (maybe because we're foreigners I think) =p

My brother's mean look....LOL!

Yours truly...mean-looking bear? hehehehee~ 

Note:  Just like paintball markers, airsoft guns are not toys.  It can inflict serious injury and in some cases in overseas, death.  Kindly consult the authorities before thinking of getting them.  Bringing airsoft guns/paintball markers out in the public are serious offense.

Between the 2 Jerseys.

So it's done. 
After waiting, training for months, jitters, butterflies in my tummy no longer. 

It was one fine evening in 2012 when my brother, Miguel blurted out about bringing the team to play for a paintball tournament in Taiwan in 2013.  As a 'dormant' team member for Splatz1, I coyly told my brother that I don't mind tagging along, perhaps if I could assist at the Dye booth or do something to make myself useful, or if I got lucky, I might get a spot to become a field ref, as what I always been doing in tournaments.

"Why don't you play with the team this time?" he asked.  I was like, "Seriously?"
"Well, if you wish to play, you gotta start training."

The following weekend, there I was in the field, for the first time since became a paintball marshal for 4,5 years (?), I trained as a player.

It wasn't easy, and I am determined not to be treated any different from other players.  Since most of the team members are not in town due to other commitments, I trained with other players from other teams.  Paintball friends who knew that I had started training gave lots of tips and advice. 

 I admit that along the years, though I do play paintball on certain occasions (but never on the competitive speedball game), I am somewhat a spoil bear.  Why I said so?  I always have someone to do things for me.  Whenever I am going to play, for our annual Nexus wargame for example, I had the boys prepared marker for me.  Harness with pods, all filled and ready.  After each round, I had someone to refill the gas for yours truly.  No batteries, I get someone to replaced it for me.  It's all changed the day I started my training - I got to do things myself and to be responsible with my own equipments.  What kind of shooting mode I wanna use for that particular day? My brother showed the manual book and asked me to follow the instruction step by step.  So yeah, no more anyone to do things for me unless I can't fix it.

Days, weeks, months goes by.  So there I was, finally packed and ready to Taiwan.  A week before the tournament date, I was all jitters and butterflies.  I kept telling myself: "What if I failed the team?  What if I screwed up during the game?  What if...what if...what if..."  I kept on wondering why I even agree to play?  Why I wanted to step out from my comfort zone, just doing that I already knew and not to bother doing something else?  I wanted to pull out.  Lots of other things just make me feel wanted to just quit.  I was on the edge of breaking down.  Nothing seems right.  I want out.  It wasn't until a paintball friend told me this, "If you play because other people ask you so, QUIT.  If you play for any reasons other than playing because you wanted to play, QUIT.  You'll be only wasting the time of the people who spend time to train you."

Now..that feels like someone slapping my face for a wake up call.  And it works.

I did went with the team anyway.  Didn't to play as much as I am concentrating helping out the team in the paddock most of the time (there's just 7 of us in the line up), side coached for our players at the dorito side, collecting pods, cleaning them up and checking on game schedule before going for the next rounds. 

Viewing myself as the player, now that's a different vision altogether.  There are bound to have bad calls as such, and now I truly understand how it feels.  There are moments you just wish that the paint check could have been done earlier, frustration and all...set aside the marshal identity, I am a player. 

When it came my turn to play, mind is blank altogether.  All that I heard is voices around the field, paintballs flying around and there I was behind the bunker, doing my best to take down my opponent...I got hit anyway, put my hand on head and humbly walked out.  Got myself cleaned, everything refilled and get on for the 2nd round... and the cycle goes until the end of the game. Then the tournament ended, and it's all over.

As we spent few more days in Taiwan after the tournament, I spent my time reflecting the tournament, it's impact on me and how it has given me a brand new experience in my paintball life.  I used to be that someone outside the bunker, watching where the paintballs hit and pull the players out if they were eliminated.  This time around, I was the person behind the bunkers. It's fun, great and awesome!

So returning back to KK, am going to become a player now and leave marshaling for good?  I don't think so.  It truly helped me see from both sides' views - and it motivates me to become a better marshal in the future. Will this be my first and last speedball tournament as a player?  Nope.  I choose to continue my training and looking forward to learn more from more players.

My great thanks to everyone who has been motivating me, helping me with all those tips and tricks in the field, those who patiently trained me, my team mates - Splatz1 especially my brother Miguel Ronne for giving me the chance to experience all these; from marshaling till playing...I wouldn't be who am I today without him. =)

I know that I still have a long way to go to be on the same par with the team members.  I might be slow, but I am a work in progress. =)

Between these 2 jerseys:  I will wear whichever that is required for me for that particular tournament.  Either way, you will still see me:  either I made the call, or being called out. 

See you in the field!

Sneak Peek: Taiwan Trip

Still sorting out photos for the blog!  

Anyway, here's a little sneak peek during my trip in Taiwan:

Proudly bringing our state and country flags with us.  A photo before we fly from KKIA Terminal 2.

Arrived in Taipei!

 Waited for almost 20 minutes in the cold for our bus outside the airport.

It's 14 degrees out there...the wind and all.  We're Malaysians and not used to the cold...

 Behind me is the tournament field in Taitung.

New experiences, new friends. =)

 Photo with the team in Taitung during the player's party.

 In one of the night markets in Taipei.

Street performer acting as a cat~ =p

This beautiful white dog caught my attention.

Was speaking to the owner asking for her permission to touch her dog.

ps:  That dog is 8 years old.

Saw a man with some beautiful dogs including this Collie.

She is one of the strays which was rescued and then trained as theraphy dogs

for the elderly and sick children.

Till the next post! =)

#prayforSabah from Taiwan!

Been in hiatus from my blog for quite sometime now.  *cleaning up spiderwebs*

Anyway, for those who been following me in my Facebook, you'll know that I just came back from Taiwan.  Partly, because of paintball and the rest of the days is filled with lots of interesting stuff and my new adventure there!  Now still sorting out photos to share so bear with me ok.  

For now...here's one photo I shared with you all...

From all of us - Team Splatzone Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia) and Team Ku (Japan) from Taiwan with love!

If you aware in the news, our army is still fighting against the intruders in Sabah.  We hope and pray that it will over, and restore peace in our country, in Sabah once again.  Pray for us ya...

Love and Joy for the Children at the Penang Shan Children’s Home Association

A group of bloggers and public members visited the Penang Shan Children’s Home Association distributing some goodies recently.

Penang Shan Children’s Home (PSCH) began as a dream and initiative of Dr. S Balakrishnan in the year 2005. This is a non-religious and a non-profit, non-governmental organization catering to the needs of orphans, neglected children, dysfunctional families and single parents. 

The home was built and officially launched on 14th December 2008 by Madam Chan Siew Har.  PSCH’s mission is to maximize the attractive opportunities that are stored in the children; to make something happen; to change the ways that things are and to create something that no one else has ever created before for the children, to explore for opportunities; to provide guidance and course correction; maintaining focus on being consistent and persistent.

The objectives are both short and on a long term basis. The short term objective is to provide all the children with a safe and supportive environment. The focus will be on the development of physical, mental, emotional, educational, social and recreational skills that will create awareness to structure and mould the child’s future. 

The longer term development includes the options that are available for the child’s future, supporting them to complete the tertiary education preferably to University level. For those who are unable to complete the basic education, they would be trained in developing their skills by educating them in skill training centers. Through home visits and working with parents, they would like to ensure that eventually the child is reunited with his/her family thus becoming the backbone of the family.

 

How to help Penang Shan Children’s Home Association?

1.       Adopt-A-Child Program

The average monthly expenditure per child amounts to RM400. This includes lodging, education, meals, transportation and pocket money. Interested members of the public can contact the home.

2.       Donation

The home solely depends on donation to meet the relatively high running cost. They would be very grateful members of the public or private companies can step forward to contribute a one-off or monthly fixed donation. Interested entity can contact the home.

Other Information:

Penang Shan Children’s Home Association

679-D, Jalan Mount Erskine, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Pulau Pinang

Tel: 04-2292186 / 016-4127711

Fax: 04-2292186

Email: shanchildrenhomepg@yahoo.com

This event is made possible by Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (Event Organizer), Ninetology Malaysia, SUBWAY® (Suntech, iAvenue, & Leith Street branches), Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Alextan Artworks.

 

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful then a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Bloggers Help to Spread Love for the Children at the Children’s Protection Society

Recently, a group of people consists of bloggers and members of the public visited the Children’s Protection Society to distribute food, beverages and gadgets, sponsored by various commercial entities.

The Children’s Protection Society (CPS) began as an initiative of Dato’ Nazir Ariff when he was President of the Rotary Club in Penang (1991). It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization catering to the needs of neglected and/or abandoned children in Penang.   

 

It was officially launched in April 1992 by Puan Sri Chua Kah Peng. The objectives of CPS are both immediate and longer-term. The immediate objective is to provide children at risk with a safe, supportive and conducive environment (Shelter). Their concerned and focused areas include the emotional and physical development, education, social and recreational skills. At the same time, CPS aims to work with parents and other family members, so that the child can eventually be reunited with his/her family. 

In the pipeline, they hope to support projects to enhance community-based facilities for childcare and development in areas where such facilities are lacking. They also try to promote a more general awareness of the issues relating to children at risk by being involved in training and discussions. Hence they work together with various government and non-government organizations to help to develop longer-term strategies and goals.

 

How to help Children’s Protection Society?

1.      Become a Volunteer:

Learning and Tuition is always needed - many of our children have missed a substantial amount of school due to their backgrounds, and often find it difficult to catch up with school work. If you are prepared for the extra challenges which many of our children face, and are prepared to commit a regular time a week (can be anything from an hour up).

2.       Sponsor-A-ChildProgram:

 Talk to any of our staff if you are interested to sponsor a child.

3.      Donation:

If you want to make a financial donation, please send cheques (payable to Children's Protection Society Pulau Pinang) to CPS at 118-A Jalan Scotland, 10450 Penang. 

CPS is a registered charity home with the Welfare Department so donations will be tax-exempt.

4.      Sponsoring an Activity or Outing:

CPS organizes many activities for the children, staff and volunteers. We welcome sponsorship of specific activities. Give us a call if you have any ideas of your own, or would like to hear from us on what sort of activities you could sponsor.

Other Information:

Children’s Protection Society Pulau Pinang

118-A Jalan Scotland, 10450 Penang, Malaysia

Tel: 04-8294046

Fax: 04-8294046

Email: cpspg@hotmail.com

Website: www.cpspg.org.my

The event is made possible by Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (Event Organizer), Ninetology Malaysia, SUBWAY® (Suntech, iAvenue, & Leith Street branches), Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Alextan Artworks.

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  

Mother Teresa