Thursday, June 17, 2010

ALBERT'S COMPETITION: BEHIND THE SCENES

On the day of the competition, we woke up to some light rain. It rained for the whole of the previous day and contrary to our weather forecast *coughIslacough* we were freezing! Fortunately, it was only lightly drizzling.

By the time we got to the competition venue, it was already starting to fill up with people.

We were all supposed to be lining up to get weighed and registered, but half of the people there didn't have waivers. Not a big problem, it was quickly solved. But then...


Uh oh.


These two upstanding gents were good enough to help with translation.


This time it went more smoothly, and now came the reward for 2 weeks of dieting:


A slice of cheese in my sandwich! HUZZAH!
This sandwich is one of many, many food items we bought from Paris Baguette, one of our FAVOURITE things about Seoul. Yay for Isla, thanks for the recommendation!


Our competition picnic.
Banana: for the potassium.
Sandwich: for the carbs and to sop up the overflow of stomach acid.
Snickers: for a quick energy hit.
Cherries: because we only have the preserved kind in Kuching.
Jerky: A great way to pass the time.
Cookies: Just because they make us happy. What, we keep fit for a living :p


The field upon which battle (and much bowing) would be done.


My weight division. There would be a last-minute entry, however
(which in retrospect I'm pretty thankful for!).


The seedings for the absolute (open weight) division. There was a tiny mix-up with my registration and I was not listed here, but a ball-point pen came to the rescue!


This is totally unrelated to the competition but we were just so intrigued by those blue things. We thought they were cranks of some sort but then realised that it's soap...
when Serina bravely grabbed the "handle".


On the podium!
What's really cool about this photo is that the referee who presented us our medals is Alvaro Mansor, a 5th-degree black belt, an official with the IBJJF, and the head of Soul Fighters academy in Brazil!


Finally, this is me with Marc Lee, a cool guy and a great organiser and host!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

WELCOME BACK, CHAMP!

note: This post was written by Serina.

We're back from Korea, where Albert did Studio 23 proud by getting gold in his weight division at the Korean National BJJ Open! Coming soon will be a more detailed post with photos. In the meantime, watch our homecoming champion at Incheon International Airport in all his glory.


Thursday, June 10, 2010

ADULT BALLET CLASS: UPDATE 1

Well, we started the first week of adult ballet classes last Friday, where some students reactivated long lost muscles, while the rest discovered new ones. Here's just a taste of the fun to be had imagining you were a 9-year old girl in pink tights.


We took part in intense Matrix-style training.
"There is no longkang, there is no longkang...JUMP!"


If you see any grown adults walking around Kuching like this,
you know where they came from.


The long-lost key to eliminating chicken wing arms, rediscovered at last!

The Monday class saw the introduction of guys to the wonderful world of ballet. But only after we found them loitering at the stairs outside, too shy to come in.


We stretched like there was no tomorrow (or camera-woman)...


We learnt to cross the road just like the Beatles...


...not as stylish as John, but we can't all be.


Finally, what does Spider-Man have in common with Studio 23?


...you know, apart from the fancy costumes?


...give up?



The poses! Here we see our Spider-Women in training.


Group 3 of the Ballet class meets tomorrow for their first class, 7 p.m.

Remember to come early to register, and have a blast, guys!

 
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