check-MATE @39,000 Feet.

My first mid-air game at around 39,000 feet ended in my being vanquished by the cHEss pIRATE.

Details:
(1) Flight: MCH 8001
(2) Ground Speed: 497mph / Head Wind: 61mph
(3) Outside Air Temperature: - 61 ^F
(4) Destination: Madinah, SAUDI ARABIA to KLIA Sepang, MALAYSIA
(5) Location: Over the Bay of Bengal
(6) Distance to KL: 1100 - 1270mph / Distance Travelled: 3,289mph

Instead of a normal chess board, the game was played using the Boeing 777's interactive game programme where a player can either play against the computer(easy, medium or hard) or, against another person on the ame flight.

Snapshot Details:-
( Will Be Uploaded Later after a Deserved Rest ).

chess in SAUDI ARABIA!

Finishing in the Top 4 in the U-8 category during the recent NAG at UTP, Tronoh-Perak ( Results HERE ) and being qualified to be the "official" Malaysian representative...whatever that means ( HERE ), I'd wanted to enter the cHEss pIRATE for the ASEAN Age Group 2013 competition in Chiangmai, Thailand with the men escorting him i.e. Tok Ba and myself whilst the ladies i.e. Tok Mama, Mummy, eldest Amira and hAnA performs the umrah at the holy land. Main reason for this arrangement is that the cHEss pIRATE can be a bit "difficult" to handle due to his track record of going AWOL or MIA in Shopping Complexes, Hotels and other places in Malaysia. A change of policy by the Saudi Arabian authorities vis-a-vis "tumpang muhrim" resulted in the whole family going instead.

Alhamdullilah, I've no complaints for this twist of fate. Was informed by a Jemaah(not sure whether its true or not) that kids below a certain age will not be issued umrah visa. Praised to the Almighty that the family is here in Mekah now. At times, after praying in Masjidil Haram...I can hear the cHEss pIRATE uttering some "chess Doa" though I can't really hear what he's uttering. Am just hoping that he didn't doa that "I can't beat him in chess forever and ever....or, infinity!".

At the same time an old alumni, requested for a rematch at the hotel where we're staying...emmm, should be interesting IF the game happens!

(Zuhur Time on 2nd June 2013 with Alumni KZ & Amir Faiz)

Note: Had also wanted to enter hAnA for the National Closed Women's event in KT since the minimum requirement/eligibility is a NR of 1400 (cHEss pIRATE did not qualify due to his 1433 NR whilst 1650 is the minimum requirement for the Men's category). However, had to scrap that idea due to clash of dates.

(Amir Faiz performing Sunnah Prayers after Zuhur in Hijir Ismail on the last Day in Mekah after I'd finished Tawaf Wida'. Stood behind to "protect" him & Managed the Shot)

(View of Panchor Emas from Hijir Ismail after Zuhur in June. Shot whilst standing behind Amir Faiz & Waiting for him to complete Sunnah prayers )

PPM is OVER!

The Piala Perdana Menteri i.e. PPM concluded yesterday at Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor (SMSS).
PPM or Prime Minister's Trophy is now "better known" as Hari Kecemerlangan Sekolah Berasrama Penuh or, "HK SBP".

English Debate Finalists are SSP and ASIS.

Eldest team lost in the Quarter-Finals to Kuantan's INTEK on the topic "THBT woman should be allowed to bear arms".
My alma matter lost in the 1/16 round to that Seremban school debating the topic "THBT Celebrities Should Be Allowed To Have A Private Life"...the lost would not have happened during my time.

I supposed, eldest has her work cut out for her if she's ever to follow in my footsteps ( PPM 1987 ) of winning the coveted English Debate trophy. Another 2 years to achieve it and with the right exposure she'll at least have a fighting chance.

Leadership Course, Attending!

hAnA is one of 4 selected to represent her school at a Leadership Course called "Kursus Asas Membimbing Rakan Sebaya" to be held at PP WP-Kuala Lumpur from today till tomorrow.

Others selected are Alina, Alyssa(chess team-mate) & Aishah.

BADMINTON starts TODAY!

Academic stuff and mind games makes hAnA and the cHEss pIRATE dull kids.
Hence, they start badminton lessons today for 2 hours under the guidance of Mr.Leong at the DBKL Community Hall.

By virtue of being an ex-District Player for Seremban(a fact which I just found out today after almost 17years of marriage), the Islamic Estate Planner will be their Badminton Manager cum Resident Coach. More "down-time" for me, Whew!I made a good call to send them for Badminton.

Debate Team Selections for PPM

Whilst the whole nation were gripped with GE13, Amira took part in the selections for the PPM to be held during the upcoming May-June school holidays.

Results, will only be known next week.

SPEEDY GONZALES BLITZ - Part 3, Anybody?

Event INFO


The kids love to participate in Blitz events. If all goes well & not called on any media assignment (since theoretically campaiging period is over) will be joining the Speedy Gonzales Blitz - Part 3 at DCC tomorrow. Round 1 starts at 11AM...don't have to leave the house early like most competitions. Entrance Fees, RM15 for non-members & RM5 for members.

Had also rcvd a SMS, which I'll share only after the event.