01.05.09

Last night was Kuwaits first JKA Tournament (Japan Karate Federation). Although me and my 5 team mates are National Team players, not JKA Players, we were invited to the competition. We had to show them what we got!

There were about 55-60 players taking part in total.

We arrived at 3, but it wasn’t until past 5 that we started, since the kids had to go first. Kumite was first, then Kata. I played four 2 minute rounds in total, winning 3 and losing 1, ending in 2^nd place – Silver medal for over 17 year old females. My last round was with one of my team mates, and we couldn’t help but giggle a little during the fight. Since JKA rules are slightly different than what I’m used to seeing, I was utterly shocked when there was blood spill, attacks below the waist, punches in the throat (okay, that player was disqualified), and I got punched in the eye by a JKA player, resulting in the most wobbly viewed fighting round of my life. I managed to do a little damage myself! But all in all, it was really the most awesome Kumite experience.

I was quite worried about my eye, as were my parents, who were watching from the side with their cameras and a first aid kit hiding my my moms bag. But eventually my vision started to go clear, and not so much like I was looking through a glass of super-skimmed milk.

By the time Kata was about to begin, I couldn’t help but notice a slight pain in my left arm as I held a massive ice bag to my eye (and watched as mascara spilled down my face haha). So I lifted my sleeve to reveal the most lovely huge red friction burns all down my forearm. Perfect! Had to get that wrapped to prevent further friction from my Gi. You don’t feel pain when fighting, as I clearly demonstrated yesterday.

Kata for over 17 year olds was mixed both male and female, and I had my secret weapon up my huge, blood stained Karate sleeve – Kanku Sho. The applause I received! I’m blushing just thinking of it! So I placed 1^st in Kata, and got the first trophy to my professional career! Yay!

So as I ended the night with all my team mates and both coaches with millions of silly pictures and videos, I couldn’t help but think, this is my year!

And I wanna say congrats to my other team mates, EVERY SINGLE one placed 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd in various events of the night, I love you guys!

 

 

Dad

Today I will write about my father.

 

He tells us many stories about when he was little, and I think they deserve a little something on my blog. They have sentimental value.

 

All over the world these days, there is an Arabic ”delicacy” called Hommus. In Kuwait it’s super cheap. However, when my Dad was little, let’s just say he wasn’t very well off, and back in the day, Hommus was something new. So when him and a bunch of people went to a restaurant to eat Hommus, they’d all sit on the floor around a single bowl of it, each with apiece of bread in hand. And they would tell each other “Don’t dunk your bread into it! Just touch it.”. He said the Hommus tasted different back then. Almost makes me wanna turn back time just to see.

 

My father is afraid of needles. There, I said it. So am I. when he was little, his Mom dragged him to the clinic to get some shot taken, not entirely sure what it was. Tra la la went my Dad, unawares what was about to come. When that needle pinched his skin, he jumped off the table, ran out the door, cross the street, and all the way home. Needle in arm and all.

 

My Dad was the youngest of his brothers. So of course he was the one always sent to buy the bread for lunch. He used to eat most of it on the way home. They got mad at him. He speaks of the bread like it was the most amazing thing on earth. The warmth, softness, and how he used to smother it with some oil I never heard of before. I want some.

 

My Dad was a little naughty. He used to walk to and from school. One very fine day, the sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, and the family decided to have a nice lunch outdoors in their backyard. So on the way home, my Dad decided to go play with his friends first, so he took off his shoes, and threw them over the wall surrounding his house, too lazy to go inside. His shoes landed, yep, right into the nice hot sizzling stew that was still being cooked for that lovely picnic. He didn’t go home all day.

 

He said even the Kitkat’s were different back then. Something about foil wrapping? And the simple pleasure of breaking the bar in half..

 

 He would go to the supermarket, and find those advertisement guys. The ones who give out samples. He’d take about 8 samples each time. Going back every few minutes to get more. He particularly liked Nido milk.

 

My Dad doesn’t have a great appetite. He eats, of course. But he somehow always talks about how food just doesn’t taste the way it did before. And he has a perfect explanation for it. My Dad says that back in the day, he was poor, and having good food was something he cherished very much. He said when he would simply be holding the warm bread in his hand, it was the best feeling in the world. Now, he says, everything is available. Anything you want is a phonecall away, you don’t even have to leave your home to have a nice ready cooked meal delivered to your doorstep. He said “God gave the money to buy all the food in the world, but took away the appetite to want it”.

 

My Dad built himself like no other. Him and my Mom lived in a single room when they first married. My dad sold hair bands. Now, my Dad owns the largest musical instrument company in the country, and supplies for all the great names out there. He’s a retired police officer, and a communications engineer. My Dad’s a hero.

Does your eye hurt?

Have you ever failed a test, then went around yelling “But I STUDIED!”.

Or wanted to do something, but couldn’t, and kept telling people “I’m TRYING!”

Well, here’s a nice little something to help you get through the tough times:

There was once a guy who went to the Doctor and said:

“Everytime I drink tea, my eye starts to really hurt”.

So the Doc made him a cup of tea, and told him to drink it.

As soon as the tea touched his lips, the Patient yelled “Ow! Ow!”

Then the Doc said, “Next time take the spoon out”.

It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.

24.02.2009

Weeks of training all working towards this day. 24th February 2009 (Happy Birthday Mae!) Sweat, blood, tears, and protein shakes. Today was the Kuwait’s National Women’s Karate Tournament, the first competition in my professional athletic career. And boy was I nervous. Tried to sleep this afternoon, kept waking up with sudden jerks. Shower, pack, drive, arrive, all a big blur. Had so much trouble tying the strings in my karate suit. Even more trouble trying to warm up. I kept asking everyone questions. Where do I stand, how do I know when to stop, who do I bow to. And I went on and on. The pressure was unbearable. First was Kata, then Kumite. They giggled at me when I asked which came first. How was I supposed to know. First round, against Kuwait’s current reigning champion, and gold medallist in countless significant tournaments. I didn’t stand a chance. I was almost sure of it. If I didn’t win, I wouldn’t even have the chance of a bronze medal. She was red I was blue. So she went first. I tried the best I could to not watch her as she displayed her almost flawless kata. Her power was overwhelming. Turning my face away from the mats, I stood there swinging my arms and beckoning to the coach how I desperately needed water. Too late. She was done. “Go ahead” said the referee to my right. *Gulp* I was the new face, people curious to know what I came to bring. The looked at me with interest, unsure of what was about to come. The referees eyes dug into me like nails, I could feel them. Shaky legged I made my way to the centre. Bow. Stepped forward 2 squares. Bow. Annouce the kata. “Kanku Sho!” Then everything seemed to disappear. All the fear, the shakiness, the worry. I looked straight into the eyes of the referee in front of me. One of five. All the feelings I had throughout the whole day seemed to mesh into one huge overwhelming feeling. I had to win this. Steady legs, locked technique, strong kime and all the power I got. First jump. Landed. Double kicks, sky high. Second jump. Flawless. Almost there. The most important part was the end, needed to keep the control, not look tired out. It was difficult. Then it was over. I made my way back to my corner, my opponent facing me from her corner. Waiting for the judges decision. Referee whistle blows, the flags go up. 4 blue, 1 red. My face hardly suppressing the hugemongous smile, I stepped forward to shake the hand of my opponent. I just beat Kuwait’s top female Karateka. And the next 2 girls step up, both also champions of former tournaments. I was the only new one. I didn’t pay much attention to their katas, I was still in shock of my first round. They end, shake hands, and the winner of the two is up against me next. Next round I was again blue, and my opponent red. She began. I prepared myself. I looked away as she did her kata, only glancing towards her every now and then. Referee didn’t have to tell me to start this time, I was getting the hang of it. Everyone quieted down now. The panel of silent federation members looking towards me with alot more interest than the pervious round. I stepped forward. And announced “Gojushiho Sho!” The bubble formed around me. I surprised myself with the power my small frame gave out, the locking of technique almost made me feel like it wasn’t real. I ended the kata with complete control, and endless determination. I stepped off the mat, and waited in my corner, flicking my legs out to the sides trying to release the stress. Whistle blows. 5 blue, 0 red. The grand applause seemed to rush right through me. I smiled uncontrollably as the newspapers took the photos of me, and the Gold medal was carefully placed around my neck.

“That was excellent, more than excellent.”

“I judged this whole thing in my mind, I knew you would win this”

My 2 coaches blabbered on, one of which came 2nd in the World back in his day.

My family burned my eyes out taking photos, as did the countless other people around. They were so proud.

And for those who are curious to know how the kumite went, I got a bronze medal. Not bad for a kata player, eh? Thanks to everyone who supported me through this! I love you all!

Wollie

Since my sister Mol has moved back to Kuwait after being gone for about 5 years, I thought she deserved a little something on my blog.

Where shall I begin, Mol and I are.. Tom and Jerry (no joke, that’s what were called). When we were little we used to fight like mad, then you’d find us happily playing under the dining table pretending we’re orphans and such (ahem.. Moving on). So I thought I’d share a few precious memories with you all.

First off, you should know that a lot of times when we fight, I’m the one who starts “it”, but by the end I’m the one getting my butt kicked. For example, when I was little, me and my sister were engaging in an innocent little act – drinking water. I, of course, decided to spice up the situation, so I casually dipped my finger into my cup, and flicked it onto my sisters face. Oh boy. Swoosh. I get a whole ice cold freezing glassful of water dunked on my head. I ran to mom of course, but we all know who started it.

Wecamming. When I webcam with anyone, I make sure to lock my door, barr my windows shut, put my phone on silent, etc. Why, you ask? Well, Mol has this thing, where you would be watching me looking all pretty and such on webcam, when a finger pops up out of nowhere, and picks my nose for me. It gets worse. Ever see a tongue magically appear then disappear with just enough time in between to lick a persons face at flash speed? You will if you webcam with me.

Back when I had braces, me and my sister were running about being our usual selves, when we found ourselves chasing one another. We ended up in the laundry room, throwing random items of clothing at one another. I being my gangly self, got pinned to the ground easily, then had a nice fluffy sports sock shoved into my gaping mouth. Cloth plus braces = the biggest tangle of all time.

I like getting away with things. But as they say, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I agree to some extent, but without the equal part. Just opposite. We were in my little sisters room, and her room is like art attack mania. Craft stuff all over the place, just imagine the state of her desk. So Mol was about to lean onto the desk, when genius me spotted an open ink pad, and with chipmunk-like speed, quickly shifted it to be positioned right under her lowering elbow. Score. Then there was darkness, and my life flashed before my eyes. When I awoke, my sister had a blue elbow, and I a blue face.

One time it actually wasn’t my fault. I was once a victim of a violent attack. Sitting on my bed reading quietly and minding my own business, Mol barges in in a whirl, twirls a nice sticky lollipop into my long hair, switches off the lights and runs out slamming the door, leaving me in complete darkness *hangs head*.

Mol likes to bug me. I like to bug mol. We both like awaj jooth in da mawning. And toffee coffee. We laugh about the same silly things. Examples:

When we enter an elevator together, specifically the one in Fanar, we burst out into a fit of giggles. There could be a funeral going on in that elevator, and we’d still hold onto our sides in laughter. So I make sure never to look in her direction when an elevator is involved.

She pinched my nose once. Hard. Hard enough to leave a nice thin red line down it for about a week.

Last but not least, never leave Mannaire and Mol in a room alone when they’re bored. They may resort to dramatic measures. We spray painted her entire wardrobe. While it was still inside the room. We painted it black, and got very very high from the spray. The scene by the end of the night was me grabbing onto the window for dear life opening and closing it to air out the room, and my sister standing on the bed playing windmill with my favourite yellow jacket. Not only was the wardrobe black, everything else seemed to have gone a shade darker. Poor mom spent days with the paint thinner and towels.

Great Times..

 

 

 

Love never dies a natural death..

After successfully completing a flower drawing using charcoal, I decided to once again try my luck with acrylic paints. So I picked up the stiff remains of a once beautiful rose, and placed it in front of a plain white sheet. And so the work began.

Pencil, paint, more paint, and a little more paint. Walking in and out of the room to see the painting “brand new” again. Helps me figure out what looks wrong, what’s missing.

Tada! Finished.. But.. No shadows?

Alright then. So I added the shadows.

Hey guys look!

What? No background?

Great. Choosing a background is difficult, especially if you’re making it up as you go along. So I went with black.

Nice. Simple yet effective. But still something missing.

So I pick up a white out marker, something I learnt from an old friend of mine back in high school, you know who you are!

And white streaky drippy lines just happened.

Hm.. Words maybe?

So I searched online for something.. Anything.

Perfect!

“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.”

It’s not perfect, but it’s not bad for someone who hates acrylics!

What do you think?

Beautiful.

My Library

Every couple of weeks I make sure I create a fun new CD to play in my car. Although my iPod has almost 3000 songs on it, all of which I can get my groove on to, I still shamefully haven’t gotten myself one of those iTrip thingies, so I’m stuck with CD’s for the meantime. While editing my Facebook profile, I couldn’t help but notice my “Music” section, and realised that I actually haven’t yet created a CD with ONLY my favourite songs on there. So i did just that, and here I am going to share with you the GREATEST songs of all time, in no particular order.

1. No One – Alicia Keys
2. Dear God – Avenged Sevenfold
3. When You’re Gone – Avril Lavigne
4. Always – Bon Jovi
5. When We Die – Bowling for Soup
6. Breath – Breaking Benjamin
7. Love me for what I am – The Carpenters
8. With You – Chris Brown
9. Over You – Chris Daughtry
10. The Way – Fastball
11. Iris – GooGoo Dolls
12. Good Riddance – Greenday
13. Same MIstake – James Blunt
14. What Hurts The Most – Rascal Flatts
15. These Days – Rascal Flatts
16. Take a Bow – Rihanna
17. Resurrection – PPK
18. One Headlight – The Wallflowers

So there you go! My favourite songs (and my most abused). So now you can go ahead and create your own little “Mannaire’s CD”!

Enjoy!

PS. That photo at the top is, unfortunately, of me. For, ahem, entertainment puposes, perhaps?

Torn Between Two Lovers

I created this back in high school, in my last year. It represents me in a number of ways. For example, I’ve been a hockey skater since I was 2, until I gave it up for figure skating at 16. I loved hockey alot, and when I drew this I was in the “in-between” stage, when I didn’t really know what side to take. It might sound silly to some, and some may not see the difference between the two sports, but for something I have a passion for, it makes the world of difference to me which side I take. I drew this using colouring pencils. The view through the window is actually how the rink I go to looks like at the entrance. A place I get a rush just looking at. The main objects are the hockey and figure skate overlapping one another on the desk, both of which were mine. I believe the drawing needs a little more depth, and alot more contrast in colour. What I like most about this piece is the shading on the figure skate, and I really enjoyed doing the laces on the hockey! The desk however looks very flat and lopsided, plus I didn’t put in any shadows. I do enjoy looking at the picture because it really does remind me of my hockey roots, and the rink in the background makes the drawing all the more pleasant to look at =) I’m proud of this one, not only because it’s a piece of artwork I created, but because it’s such a “me” image. Enjoy!

What to Do when you’re Bored

So my summer is almost over.. and I think I have absolutely mastered the art of whipping boredom in the butt. This post is somewhat different from my previous entries, it’s aimed at you readers. Many people just sit around doing nothing all day but eat and sleep. I say, ahoy there you hermit, get up and do something.

Many might have thought that I was about to recount my lazy summer days and nights, or perhaps give a list of simple time wasters to feed the ever-rotting brains of those with the “nothing-to-do” syndrome. But no, my friends, I am here to teach you of the importance of, wait for it..

 

 

 

 

 

Hobbies

Call me square if you must, but I speak from experience. Here’s an example.

Being an instructor for the younger generation of Karatekas, I couldn’t help but notice how much more disciplined and composed the children are, compared to the new comers in the class. I feel that when a child has something to look forward to, something to have a passion for, something to get their hearts racing, they tend to be less naughty, less naggy, and a bit more mature. I’m not speaking of karate only. Take your child/sibling/dad maybe, somewhere where a hobby can be formed. Sports, art, dance, anything that gets them going. It gives them something to do everyday, rather than sit around telling you that “they’re bored”. Kids, especially when they have nothing to do, will resort to breaking stuff, experimenting with things they shouldn’t be, or simply annoying every last drop of being inside of you, just to HAVE something to do.

Having a hobby can be something you do at home, say, knitting. Or something you do as a team, basketball. Something you do with your imagination, drawing. Don’t let your train of thought stop there, I enjoy creating home made videos on my laptop sometimes, using effects and downloading programs to spice up the end product. My little sister spends hours everyday drawing anime cartoons in her big messy sketchbook, and my older sister, well, she really likes to shop. There’s another idea. If you’re into fashion, do what my sister does. Everytime you splurge on a bunch of new clothing, empty out your whole cupboard, and get keyed up picking out dozenz of outfits. Start something new, buy and sell items, order them online, or design your own line of clothing. Anything goes these days.

So hobbies aren’t just great for the kids, but for everyone else too. I can’t help but put emphasis on the “do something” nerve I have pulsing in my head. I feel that if anybody ever finds themselves “bored”.. well.. There’s something wrong with you! Get up and get moving. Do something, anything! A note for all you busy bodies out there, just because you’re not bored, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a hobby.

Having something to do that you enjoy tremendously could help you relax, get thrilled, and for sure help you get a more positive outlook in other areas of your life. So cook, clean, run, paint, take photos, break stuff, whatever gives you tingles. Just don’t sit there wasting your life away.

With kids, take time to let them adjust to different hobbies, don’t push anything onto them. Eventually they will choose themselves what they enjoy and what they want to do. If you do that one thing for long enough, you could be the next national champion, colossal designer, or even a computer genius. Just give it time, and keep busy doing what you love.

Remember, no matter how old or young you are, it’s never too early or too late to start something new. NEVER. I started skating at 2. There’s a guy in my karate class who’s 56. Passion knows no age. So use today to think about your life and how you spend everyday. Telling yourself that you have no time for a hobby isn’t an excuse. Everyone can spare an hour or two everyday. So pull that BOREDOM button clean out of your keyboard, and get a fresh new start. Oh and another thing, playing online games and watching youtube videos doesn’t count as a hobby, sorry guys! Have a great one!

 

 

 

 

 

Mannaire’s Body Fuel

Banned from the Dojo for a week due to a knee injury, my only way to rant would be to blog.

Before I begin with todays topic, I’ll let you in on a few knee tips I’ve picked up from experience:

1) Coach 1 says “You be careful with what you do with those knees. Your legs are weak. Strengthen your leg muscles and your knees won’t have to pay for it!”

2) Coach 2 says “If you don’t get off that knee for a while you’re going to be in a cast for the next 3 months, then you’ll never compete. Don’t come back here until it’s better.”

3) I say “I’ll keep off the leg, but I’ll work with the rest of my body instead”. My knee injury can’t stop me from working on my arms, back or abs, which is what I’m aiming for this week. But I of course can’t atempt increasing my leg flexibility at this point.

4) For a knee injury, even in very mild cases, invest in a good knee brace. Some come with removable metal plates down the sides too. Keep off the leg until the pain is pretty much gone, and even then, take it easy on the training.

5) RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

Also, this week I’m going back to my old routine of drinking my 3 glasses of gunk (aka Body Fuel) every morning and night. Here’s the recipe:

Indredients:

2 Cups of milk

1 Cup cereal (any type) or digestive biscuits

1 fruit (I prefer banana, you can go with apple)

1) Cut up the fruit

2) Break the digestive biscuits if you’re using them

3) Put the biscuits/cereal, milk, and fruit into the blender and mush it all up

4) Pour into a massive glass and enjoy

Tip: I suggest you gulp it all down in one go, otherwise you’ll feel sick. Put it in a big glass instead of 3 smaller glasses. Remember, It’s good for you!