If you told me 2 years ago that i'd be graduating my final years of uni with distinction averages and about to start a grad job i'd laugh at your face.

 

Its funny how life treats you and how things end up isnt it?

 

Today i finished my final exam for quite some time...or at least until i do a masters (if i do one that is). The night before, talking about it with Kenny and just discussing the last 5 years together. He said something that struck me:

 

"There's not many uni memories that i think about and you're not there"

 

Thats the exact same thing for me buddy. Its weird thinking back to that morning of the 1st day of uni, and i heard from Jack Chen that you were doing eBusiness at Mac uni too and i should give you a call (since i changed high schools and had not talked to you for a while since year 10, but we were good mates back in the day!) and so i called you, your Mum and you came and picked me up, funnily enough we were wearing the same clothes (blue jeans white shirt).

 

We signed up together (got similar student id's, i was 40322653, and you got 40322688 haha!), chose our classes and started our first semseters with all the same classes.

 

Making friends at uni is funny because after the course finishes you hardly see those people again, especially if you're all doing different degrees and at the time we did eBusiness and no one did it, so it was always Kenny and Lawrence.

 

The uni, students and lecturers came to know us.

 

Over the years we experienced the high's and lows most people go through. What made our friendship unique is that we did it all together, and even though we're individuals, somehow we got into the same trouble. The plagiarism troubles, the bad tutors, girl worries...everything haha.

 

If there was ever a significant moment in my life, or a significant time in my life, it would definately be uni. The life lessons, the experiences and just that environment...its priceless. You just cant experience things like that.

 

I was so used to calling you over Christmas to ask you what sorta subjects we'll be taking, and organising our timetables over the break, and knowing that when i get back, its back to uni, playing games, hanging out, training and eating too many sandwhiches. Now that we're finished, its another chapter in our lives, and we're venturing out on our own. Somehow i know you'll be fine buddy, but for me, it'll be a bit harder.

 

I know its time for me to grow and step out and you too. It cant always be Kenny and Lawrence...aside from it sounding gay hahaha but the fact that we gotta now step out onto our own two feet and be our own men. I realised this. I grew used to having a mate around, there's not many things that i do on my own and i guess when you saw me at Church Amazing Race, blind folded and reaching into a dark bucket full of God knows what, you told everyone not to tell me you were in the room, because when i asked where you were, you knew that i could do it on my own, and had to learn to do it on my own. So as a mate i thank you for that buddy.

 

All good things must come to an end, but mate, just to let you know just because i wont be seeing you everyday at uni or work doesnt mean you're not my closest mate ever and i'd like to take this opportunity to thank you, for all your guidance, your help, support, friendship over the years.

 

Let's still have those DOTA days, still train and hang out, i'll still see you at church and we'll pick up where we left off buddy! Time to start working in industry! Congrats on the position at Optus! You'll be an awesome Project Manager!

 

 

 

Today was the XMA No Gi tournament. It was a round robin competition (in contrast to the previous tournament which was knockout). This meant that everyone pretty much fights everyone and that you definately get more than 1 fight in your weight division.

It seems God always smiles upon me in the strangest of ways. For the first time ever, i managed to sleep in and almost miss the comp! I'm always the first at comps and rarely late for classes. This morning however, i was supposed to meet the gym guys at the gym at 7:45am. I didnt wake up till 9:30am. The comp started at 9:30am.

Lucky for me Liam managed to talk the guys into putting me into later fights. I was so lucky.

So after 35 missed calls (thats the exact number) from everyone in Sydney wondering where the hell i was, Liam managed to call Kenny, Chris, Danni, Carmen to find my home number. He called me, i realised how late i was and i jumped out and ran out the door. No breakfast. No teeth brushing.

I arrived at the competition and my eyes were not even open yet! And no Liam, its not because im asian and have small eyes.

Back to God, well, on Saturday night i went to Newington and had to take the same roads i took to get to the comp, even though i had no idea it was the same roads. If i hadnt decided to go to my uncles at Newington to get those DVD's the night before, i guarentee you i would not have made it to that comp in time. Praise God.

VT1 ended up getting some good results, we had a team of 5 fighting in this competition, I won the Novice division (after a bye, a win and then fighting Dale), Dale came 2nd in the Novice division then came 3rd in the Intermediate division (GREAT STUFF!), Rick won the Novice division and Elan and Scott did great!

All in all i think we all did well, places in this competition was not the important thing, it was more about learning, trying out things we have practiced in training and fixing up little things. Its all about growth in the end. I dont think people care who wins the XMA tournament, but being a part of it, competiting and testing yourself. Those are the most imporant parts of competition.

Congrats to all the guys, thanks to everyone who supported us and cheers to the coaches Liam and Dylan. Without the coaches we wouldnt have our knowledge. You guys get up and come coach us when you dont have to, esp. since its sunday and no one wants to wake up early on Sunday when you dont even get paid more. Thank guys.

With all the news posted, i guess some are wondering if i have anything insightful to write. Well, not really, haha, Dale asked me if i was going to write anything, and honestly, i dont have much to say. Even if i try to pour my heart out, all i can think about is sleep right now.

I guess one thing i will say is how everyone always says fighting (i know im not really fighting, im wrestling, but hey, if you've never tried wrestling it's pretty hectic!) is a lonely sport.

However, today when finding that i had to face Dale, my own team mate, training partner and friend, it is tough. You never want to fight/hurt/beat/lose to someone from your own gym. You realise how this sport is really a team sport, and we're not all just fighting for ourselves, but for the gym, for our coaches and for the pride in our team.

This is what makes our sport hard in a way. You'll never see two people from the same team have to compete against each other on the same night in any other sport. 

The time that is invested in us, and the time we each invest in each other, pushing each other and training together builds bonds most wont ever understand coming from other sports. The team 'orientedness' of an individual sport like fighting is strangly strong which is what makes it hard to have to fight each other, but is inevitably part of the sport.

Like Liam said before, your camp has to be good if you want to be a good fighter. And without a doubt, i believe VT1 has one of the strongest camps going around. I foresee the coming 3 years as a big year for our gym. Guys are getting established slowly, guys are getting better and once everyone gets better, competes more, we will build the VT1 name up.

I guess what im trying to say is that we were all supporting each other, coaching each other, congratulating each other when we won and consoling each other through loss. The bonds formed are special. In a strictly non-ghey way. Haha.

For those who know me outside of the gym dont understand why i like training so much, its not only for the training, but its hanging out, chilling with the guys, the environment that you wont find elsewhere, thats what makes training at VT1 the best. Hell, i met my gf there lol.

The Fights i've uploaded so far:

Novice - Dale 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?1gtwz5umm2m

Novice - Dale 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?c0yazwtowqy

Novice - Elan 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?7f2m4ty4mdw

Novice - Elan 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?9mmyzumnzn2

Novice - Elan 3 = http://www.mediafire.com/?0ndmmmzkmyw

Novice - Rick 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?azhhzzyjnzt

Novice - Rick 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?1ohkc15ciod
Novice - Rick 3 = http://www.mediafire.com/?cimanyvwlwl

Novice - Scott 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?8zzyenlwz0d

Novice - Scott 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?2wzmeomdm2y

Intermediate - Dale 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?ceegy3ttmyn

Intermediate - Dale 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?2mnz5x5heyl

Intermediate - Lawrence 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?8mmnyz1mbhm

Intermediate - Lawrence 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?4zmtzdghmzr

Intermediate - Lawrence 3 = http://www.mediafire.com/?ddjye4zxwmj

Intermediate - Rick 1 = http://www.mediafire.com/?4wgonentnnu

Intermediate - Rick 2 = http://www.mediafire.com/?7jtr3dzezdm

How has everyone been?

Its been a really hectic month for me, with exams, group assignments and getting ready for BJJ tournaments.

Although i didnt perform as well as i'd have wanted in the tournament, i must say that i learnt a lot about myself and how much the sport means to me. It also taught me how to balance myself and how to enjoy life a little.

This competition meant the world to me. I trained for it more than any competition ever, i did extra cardio sessions, i trained extra jiujitsu classes, trained wrestling and did everything i could.

I dieted and lost 4kg to drop into a lower weight division.

I watched as my training got priority over my spiritual church life, i watched it affect my relationships with family and with my girlfriend.

In the end is it worth it? Definately,  However next time, in competition prep, i'll be sure to not neglect the people around me and my God. However it really showed me how much Jiujitsu means to me and my life and how i live my life.

Just prior to competition i injured my back (twice), shoulder (twice) and had to see the physio about 4 times setting me back more than $200 in fees.

I was always sore, always tired and it just affected everything in my life. Not to mention i was carb depleted, meaning i never had energy to do anything.

I'm not blaming training, im blaming myself and my outlook. I wont let it happen again. I'll still train like crazy for tournaments, and i'll still do it all the same, the training, dieting, just i wont let it get in the way of my life so much. I'll learn to balance.

Just to let you know, i was knocked out of the competition in the 3rd round, i wont my 1st and 2nd fights and lost the 3rd in disappointing fashion, although i didnt get submitted, i lost on decision, it was heart breaking for me. I've never really felt that kind of disappointment before in my life. I felt so deeply disappointed and gutted. I put so much of my emotional energy into this competition, and it was playing on my mind for the last month everyday. To suddenly be knocked out of it was gut wrenching and i kinda momentarily lost it. When you put your heart and soul into something and watch it just fade away suddenly its hard to take. I think at times i take it too personally, think about it too much and expect from myself more than im capable of.

It builds character though, it shows you that there's so much to improve, and you watch the guys who make it through to the finals and see how good they are and it gives you a wakeup call and i'll be sure to train harder so next time i dont need to feel that disappointment.

Its funny that the only thing i prayed for was that i'd improve on last years performance (where i was knocked out in the 1st round) so my prayers were answered. I should be happy.

I'm going to go to bed. Before i leave i'd like to thank everyone who supported me. I'd like to thank my coaches Liam and Dylan Resnekov from VT1, all my training partners in the gym who pushed me hard all the time.

I'd like to thank Kenny and Toni for always supporting me, putting up with my constant whinging and worrying, you guys are awesome.

Alice and Derek for making the trip out to see me lose, sorry guys! Next time i promise better performances!

How could i forget Danni? Thanks for all the support and kind words Danni! Your encouragement and patience during the last two months are much appreciated. I know when im tired im grumpy and hard to be around. I know i didnt give you much time but hey! Now its over until next comp right? (jk) haha thanks Danni!!!

Thank you God.

Dylan Fight 1 = http://rapidshare.com/files/23805630/Dylan_Match_1.AVI.html

Dylan Fight 2 = http://rapidshare.com/files/23813840/Dylan_Match_2.AVI.html

Chris Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23883436/Chris_Match_1.MP4.html

Dale Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23881837/Dale_Match_1.avi.html

Karpas Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23829983/Karpas_Match_1.AVI.html

Michael Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23884385/Michael_Match_1.AVI.html

Rich Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23888973/Rich_Match_1.AVI.html

Elan Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23886001/Elan_Match_1.AVI.html

Shane Fight = http://rapidshare.com/files/23886220/Shane_Match_1__Dylan_Match_1.MP4.html

Rick Fight 1, 2 = http://rapidshare.com/files/24085276/Rick_Match_1_2.zip.html

Rick Fight 3 = http://rapidshare.com/files/24087689/Rick_Match_3.AVI.html

Something i can learn from good old Kenny, and just be calm and think things through before acting. How many things in life would have been better off if we just sat down, had a breather, and then acted hey?

I think you can be bitter in life so easily and you can get mad at so many things, things that didnt go right in your life. Things that you feel are unfair. In the end, you're happy today right? Even despite all that stuff that happend?

Just be thankful. Be thankful for all you have. Leave it alone. Some things are better left in the past.

Its so lame how little things can suddenly set you off. Blah!

Posted some photo's up from recently, my friend Nick and i had a little get together to celebrate our birthdays from MONTHS ago. Even though it was a small night between some guys from church, it was an awesome night and it was a lot of fun. Cheers for coming out guys. Dinner was awesome. ICE CREAM CAKE!

Peace.