Cleaning out my closet

The packing is almost done now. The more we packed the more things popping out. Those three jumbo luggage seems as if they can't contain much further. The fillers are as good as the over-stuffed curry puff freshly tossed from the hot oil. Regurgitated and stout. Only the luggage are not as mouth-watering as the curry puff. Perhaps, you may wondering what's going on with me and the curry puff idiom. Yes, I'm missing and craving of my mother's curry puff badly. Enough to make me went out looking for it and realized how awful the taste was. Sigh.

Last Friday we have said goodbye to the Voltron aka our beloved Myvi car. So long but not too long. Voltron on its route to Port Klang. We won't be seeing him in a week as the shipping officer told us. He sounded promising until we had a tête-à-tête with a dental technician during luncheon telling her shipping container came after a month. Hmm.. What would I do without my car then as my mind boggled with creative ideas of how to get to the locum without a car. Thought for later, I guess.

So, as I finishing the allegedly last thing to pack thinking there would more to come, I lose my concentration in the middle. The Wimbledon Tennis and the World Cup are too good to be missed. And the presence of an eager crawler climbing every mountainous knapsacks and luggage makes the effort to pack a bit sluggish. In a good way of course. With that, I have to set my pen off as the battle between Tsonga and Murray is about to take place. There goes my packing again! Haih..

Checklists to Check-out Part II

Most of the time that I remember in vivid while in Sabah is the time when I spent with the Borneo squad. Oh, how I missed the good old days. I still recall the time when the founding member of the Borneo squad commencing their first baby step to the big land of Borneo. Before I forget, the founding member of the Borneo squad are the trio of Ilham, Azmi (Jimok) and me. The duo - Fairuz (Apai) and Ema was not in the picture then yet as their date of report duty was a month away from us, their journey which I'll tell later.

So, there we were, the trio at the LCCT all prepared for the departure. The family members and close related personnel were all there giving their last farewell to the trio. There were moments that I thought 'are we going for Hajj or Iraqi's war or something?'. Some were sinking into tears if not sobbing in silent. And for the first time the families of the trio were united under one roof. If only there were a family day contest at that particular time in LCCT, I think Jimok's family would easily took home the champs as he brought a battalion with him to the airport.

Being a wet-behind-the-ear traveler cum working adult, I couldn't help myself to bring a larger than life luggage. As much as I hate to admit it, the thing that brings out the worse in me is when it comes to pack stuffs. I just simply couldn't pick any clothes or trousers or under garments to pack and I would end up packing the whole things. It was kind of embarrassing when seeing people who travel so lightly as if they have nothing to pack and nothing to worry about. And with that thought I was all engulfed with the apprehension of winning the biggest luggage contest. But, surprisingly, bear in mind that I was totally relieved when seeing Ilham's and Jimok's luggage was nothing less than my luggage size. At last, I was not alone!

As we approached the most scornful local airlines in history of aviation, Air Asia counter, I prayed that our luggage won't be too over limit. Yes, I expected some over limit in my calculation, perhaps it would go around RM 50 or so. No, I was dead wrong thinking that Air Asia would be generous to us. Alas. There went my one week locum money as the curses to Tony Fernandez continued to mount up.

                                                     Kota Kinabalu

I was nearly blind upon disembarkation from the belly of the plane. The unusual brightness of the sun in this Borneo land was killing. The heat was so piercing I had to squint my eyes. But, the blinding process quickly reverted when I saw a magnificent view of the Tanjung Aru stretch beach. The blue green multi-tonous South China Sea seemed as if there was an enormous flat crystal spreading the entire view. And that was the moment I think I had a head over heels with Kota Kinabalu.

House hunting was another significant chapter for the Borneo squad sojourn. Every pages of Daily Express and Borneo Post would have at least a circle or a tick or a fancy bold with colourful highlighter. All for the sake of finding two decent houses and most importantly the cheapest in the market. One for Jimok and I, and one for Ilham. But, the luck was not on us and after spending some times running and chasing after house agents we could only found one decent apartment. And it was at the upper most floor of four tiers apartment. No lifts whatsoever. For the record, most apartments or condominiums in Sabah are not furbished with lifts and if one happen to have the eyes of observant one will see that there are not much of sky-scrapping apartments or condos in Kota Kinabalu let alone the entire Sabah. The policy I learned later in life proven to be very beneficial to keep in shape.

So, before finding a new house for Ilham, she had to be a squatter at one of senior's house and we had to bear commuted to work en-route to pick her up. Utilizing Mazharul as a supir in his car, we survived the first one week. But then, an expected event changed the whole plan. Mazharul was reassigned to Likas Hospital and every morning he had to leave his house early to get in time and not to get caught in the congested traffic. And we as regular  hitchhikers were forced to get up early in the morning as he routinely would dropped us at Luyang Clinic on his way to Likas. Thinking that the arrival of 45 minutes before 8 was not an option, we had to find solution. We had to find a car!

                                              A New Car

By unanimous decision of three, we went to Perodua retail center in Api-Api. And after a long deliberation of whether to buy a new model or a second hand car, we came into solution, we agreed to take home a brand new Myvi. But then, there was a glitch. Who is going to pay for the car down payment?

Everybody literally was broken. Jimok and I had already chipped in to pay for the 2 +1 advanced house rent. So, technically we both broke. Ilham as she relied solely on her not very much pocket money couldn't make it to the rescue. And suddenly as in possessed by ghost embodiment, Jimok and Ilham gave me a glance. A dazzling glance that denoted an evil thought.

"I thought you still have some saving from the locum?" Ilham uttered sheepishly, tongue in the cheek.
"Yes, I still have some of it" I retorted exhaling deeply.

The truth was, I also thought the same thing. All this while I always dreamed to have a car of my own. Since I had some saving and enough to pay for the down payment why didn't I do so. So, there it was, I took home a brand new Myvi for which had become an official transport for us three. The happiest purchasing I had ever done!

                                                 The Duo 

A month later came the duo, Apai and Ema and the rest of the UKM clan. I was hardly knew both of them as they hailed from the other side of the town. I first met them also at the sacred LCCT. Pushing the big fat luggage, made me smiling reflected my time a month back. Apai was a loquacious guy. Ema on the other hand managed to double it. She could talk like nobody business and still had more. But she seemed to talk around the people that she knew. Shy, perhaps. And knowing her now, she is totally the capsize of the 'shy'!

There were a lot to tell about this duo and the rest of the story but I find a drainage in my mind now. Perhaps, some other time will do me some good to write.

So long for now from Ilham and me ~

Checklists to Check-out Part I

i.   Climbing Mount Kinabalu and made it to the top......................... Checked

ii.  Water rafting in Kiulu and Padas river......................................... Checked

iii. Weekend pastime in Mamutik island............................................ Checked

iv. Wobbling on the infamous Tamparuli bridge................................ Checked

v.  Scrutinizing pygmy elephant in Sukau, Kinabatangan.................. Checked

vi.  Laughing over the gringos all mesmerized of the long-tail macaque in Sukau.............. Checked

vii. Weeping in remorse over the near death boring expedition to Sukau.............. Checked

viii. Dinner in revolving restaurant in Kota Kinabalu that costs an arm and a leg................... Checked

ix.  Medical camp in deserted island of Jambongan and jungly ghetto of Serudong Laut... Checked

x.  Barbecuing in the most modest manner in Jimok and Apai's nest in Semporna......... Checked

 

 

 

 

Hey people, I'm on air!

This morning I woke up with a massive stone on my head. To get up from the bed was like pulling a thousand chariots. Listlessness in the air. I had a Monday blues. Only this time it was not Monday but Friday, instead. As the mixed feeling of going to work or staying home took on the battle in my head, I heard my wife muttered about something. Sleepy headed, I started to grumble.

"Did you say something just now?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"Yes dear. I think, you've got a radio talk today!" she retorted making her way out of the room to make a breakfast toast.

Oh, how on earth I could forget this. I have prepared everything for the talk. The questions, the answers, the shirt and the necktie (yeah, as if there would be any audience to watch the talk. It's a radio talk for god's sake!) were all checked the night before. I just simply should have not forget about this but I did. Alas, lately my memory didn't served me very well.

In a flash I jumped out of the bed forcing myself to go to the bathroom. As I experiencing the quickest shower in my life, I couldn't stop thinking of how would the talk be like.Would the deejay understands me, or would I talk through the ear phone or microphone. I was lost!

Then, there it was. I was standing in front of the Sandakan FM office chaperoned by Sister Latifah (sister denotes a rank to act as a chief of nurses). I was invited to sit at the waiting lounge furbished by an old TV and a faded sofa set. Neither tea nor refreshments were served made me bored to death. So, me being genius, I went forth to switch TV channel as the TV displayed boring commercials of the TV 1. Hoping to get some updates on the FIFA world cup of ESPN or Star Sports turned bitter when all buttons displayed only RTM-related channels.
Suddenly, I realized that this was RTM office after all, therefore it owned by government. Of course, the TV would only showed the RTM channel. Silly me!
As I tapped my forehead in disappointment I could imagined how these people would laugh at me, a fool with TV, as I pretty sure my action has been caught by the surveillance camera somewhere hidden in the room.

The talk went surprisingly well. I talked about Halitosis and stuff to fulfill the radio's weekly health program slot. The deejay seemed fun but freaking bubbly. No blaming here, it's part of occupational hazard I guess. In the end of the day I think doing this talk is rather joyful and I kind of like it. I'm a talker in nature so the talking was not very much intimidating to me. So, there it was, a glamorous closure for my service in Sandakan and for Sabah generally.

What's next in my plan. TV talk, perhaps?

Family's Day Out

Bored stiff with the same ambience in another killing weekend, last Sunday we decided to try something less usual. The idea literally came while we were having our awful Sunday breakfast at Ajmeer (the local Mamak restaurant near the downtown). Ilham and I had roti canai and chappati respectively and ended up cursing in despair of the dreadfulness the curry dipping gravy possessed. For the record it's not the first time we were having breakfast there. And all this while the taste was not as agonizingly appalling as the last Sunday. So, as we finishing, we swore we won't coming back.

Left in displease and remaining hunger, a brilliant idea popped out from Ilham's mouth. 
"How about we go picnicking?"
That sounds wonderful as we were seldom to go out enjoying the nature. Plus it would put a smile on Chanchan face as he is a true blue nature's lover. Since the maid has taken her weekend off and Ilham was not really in the mood of cooking, we bought some fast foods to take away.

So, as the rest of the story goes, pictures below would tell better. Oh, by the way, the picnic spot was taking place at the Sandakan's hill within the large compound of Agnes Keith House and English Tea House.

P/s: You may notice how gleeful the little chappy at the most bottom picture having his day out!

Glee and Its 'Uglee' Side

Glee is undeniably a phenomenon in TV now. Everybody watches this musical series of colourful youngsters. From the beauty queen cheerleader to the bubbly gay chap to the delinquent Trojan hair-cut lad, all are the ingredients in this spicy, exaggerated high school drama.

If anybody asks me of whether I'm a fan of this series, I would say no. I'm not a fan but literally I would watch this series whenever possible. I won't put on reminder to remind me of when Glee will be aired or something. In fact, the reason why I watch this drama is primarily because I have to find another alternative to all medical-related series in TV. Literally, I've been sick to death watching these kind of series such as Grey's Anatomy, House, Trauma, Scrubs and the latest the bold and not too beautiful bunch of nurses in Mercy.
I seriously need a break. The last thing that I need to see on TV is another work and sick people. This may sound snobbish and uncouth but if anybody is in my shoes they probably understand of how my ground would feel like. Furthermore, the emerging of these handful series are nothing but to disseminate false dream within students and parents thinking that working as doctors can be as glamorous as Dr Derek Shepherd and Dr Gregory House as in Grey's Anatomy and House series respectively.

By telling this it doesn't mean that I have converted and become a number 1 fan of Glee. No! As I made myself clear of where I stand in the first paragraph, I like to give some opinion regarding how far Glee fanaticism has taken its toll on Malaysian viewer. Recently, I've seen a commercial in TV about a bunch of Glee's fan impersonating characters of the show to the extent of having a contest to pick the best Malaysian Glee's impersonator. Surprisingly, some of the contestants are coming from walk of girls in veils and a large number of young kids at the age of 5 to 6 years old.
What a shock!

Suddenly it raises several questions in my mind that firstly, is sense of shame has faded from our women makes them shamelessly dancing like crazy only to prove how precocious they are. And secondly, what on earth are those parents taught their kids in home. Are they seriously encouraged their kids to dance and sing to the point of it's okay of being fanatic to these kind of show. It shocks me to also see some public figures giving an all-out support to their children doing the lustful Beyonce's signature buttocks dance.
What are they thinking?!

To me it's not a fault to watch these light shows as long as one be able to draw a boundary between reality and fantasy. Parents should also monitor their children and discourage them to be such a fanatic on anything they see on TV. Such an unfortunate thing when at the end of the day you realize your children singing a flawless note of Glee's song but demoting in blank to recite Al-Quran!

It's Chanchan Way ~

It's such a magnificent morning in Sandakan. I couldn't recall when the last time I woke as early as this morning. Yesterday, after lunch, as I was preoccupied preparing myself back to work I noticed something out of ordinary. I couldn't hear my son, Chanchan @ Achan, exulting in jubilant or blubbering asking for someone to carry him around. Bear in mind, the sound of silence in my tiny house is no longer considered as normal!

Being an apprehensive dad, I couldn't help myself to go out and looking for my son. He was neither to be found in the living hall nor the maid's room. As I was searching I glanced something through the corner of my eyes. Oh, there he was sleeping like a dormant bear in winter in the balcony of the house. I was laughing to myself. Silly me, of course he was sleeping. It's his sleeping time after all.

But only this time he'd changed spot. No longer in silence, air-conditioned room with blanket all over. It's au naturale time. Even the deafening sounds of hole drilling down stairs didn't moved him. What a boy!
 So, as we stepped out, my wife 'shussh' me the the index finger on her mouth with all intention not to wake him. Yeah, as if our foot steps sound would wake him from his slumber land!
 

Gaza and Peace!

I watched local TV news yesterday and for the first time in my life I was outraged by the headlines. Hoping to get some updates regarding local and global news I turned out waiting for 20 minutes just to get to the other news that not related to the coming-home celebration of the 6 peace activists. All of the sudden, these previously unknown 6 fellows became the national hero. For the 20 minutes long there were interviews not only from the activists but almost all of the related family were being interviewed. The father proudly telling the press that he willingly encouraged his son to go on another peace expedition while the mother sinking in tears telling how his son survived the Israeli's detention. Not to mention, some other additional figures trying to say something that I'd already lost my interest and patience.

It's not a sin to do such an honour but it rather be realistic and not just another publicity to attract people to buy the newspaper. For instance, when the reporters and media addressing the peace activists as wira-wira negara (national heros), I was choked thinking that what achievement these activists had done to get such recognition. They didn't even landed on the Gaza strip and giving out the aid for which I believed the mission of this humanitarian convoy. So, basically they didn't achieve anything but to get hijacked and captured by the condemned Zionis soldiers at the Gaza's offshore. By saying this, it doesn't mean that I despised the peace activists, no, I truly respect them and love them as a brother. We have to see in the bigger picture where celebration of the coming-home activist only just doesn't cut it. What we have to see and tackle here is how Malaysia can play a role to stop Zionis terrorism. Well done to the Malaysian government when the Dewan Rakyat unanimously approved a motion strongly condemning the Israeli military attack on Gaza bound-aid ship Mavi Marmara on the 31st of May 2010, yesterday.

As we Malaysian stands strong on our policy of no diplomatic ties with Israel, we have to make sure this policy to be thoroughly done. I read on yesterday's news of the Sun mentioned that Malaysian ports still receiving Israeli cargo vessels since 1998 and named several ports such as Port Klang, Penang and Pasir Gudang as their major stops (read here). Even though the ships didn't carry the Israeli's flag and setting up the shipping line with a completely different name its still free as a bird to use our ports for trading. It would create an odd impression as if we are just condemning on the Israeli's hijack in offshore Gaza but we forget they are already hijacked our ports as a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I attracted by the speech given by the head of the Malaysian peace activists, Shamsul Akmar Musa Kamal quoted that the celebration was rather overwhelming for them as the mission was not accomplished.It was a very down to earth statement and they didn't even aware that such celebration would be thrown to them. Funny enough, the TV 3's cameraman also had to report on what he'd undergone while in capture. I seriously thought that would be a reporter's job!

So, as we see the second half of the Rachel Corrie journey cruises, the truth is the real journey of fighting Zionis is yet to be over. The Rachel Corrie and several other Gaza aid flotilla has helped us to open up the world's eye that has been engulfed in silence for so long to see the insolent act of the Zionis. At last we have got a shoulder to lean on even though I'm afraid to say this, that the shoulder could be to too fragile to lean on. But I'm optimistic!

'When you attack Black people, they call it racism. 
When you attack women, they call it sexism.
When you attack homosexuality, they call it intolerance. 
When you attack a Country, they call it treason.
When you attack a religious sect, they call it hate. 
When you attack Jewish people, they call it anti-semitism.'

 I would rather be an anti-semitic if that what it takes to stop Zionis!

Top 3 Blogs

Currently, I'm reading on blogs from these 3 extraordinary bloggers. They are Jauhar Kalam, Indexed and Maami's Weblog.

These blogs are independently written in such a beautiful way the words could possibly described. For instance, Indexed shows us how fun it is to play with indexes to describe satirical metaphors and coincident similarities. The topic in Mathematics that we once despised has been redefined its existence to the more lively one.
Genius! 

Maami's weblog on the other hand elaborates on the life observation from an Indian writer's point of view. This blog is enriched with powerful words and well-cooked story lines that moves every readers until the end of the line. Highly recommended for those who wishing to ensharpen their skills of the language. The major turn off is that the writer sometimes quotes some dialogue from the Indian language that makes you sort of have to guess the meaning of it as no translations are provided. But, hey, to me this blog is still the bomb!

Jauhar Kalam is a blog of inspiration. I have to admit the reason I started blogging is primarily because of this blog. Hailed as an English-educated elitist, the writer of this blog shows us how intricate it can be when dealing with the English words. Yes, the writer has the tendency to use words that sometimes are superior than ordinary. Full with humour and witty sarcasms, it's the blog of wisdom but be prepared to gobble for dictionary to look out for something out of ordinary!

Oh, ya, before I forget, check out my virtual pet at the extreme left of the blog. And don't forget to feed them by clicking at the tank.
Have fun!

Farewell and Be Well..

Last couple of weeks we had a farewell ceremony in KP Sandakan. The theme was especially to celebrate the departure of one of KP Sandakan's dental officer, Dr Elizabeth to Bintulu, Sarawak. She has been in Sandakan for quite some times, along the way she had helped us a lot during our commencement as district dental officer almost a year back.

Thinking that this ceremony would be the last for us to meet with Sandakan's dental personnel we decided to buy a pair of chocolates cakes from the only decent cake house in town, Secret Recipe. So, I assigned one of the DSA (dental surgery assistant) to slice the cakes according to the number of people attended. Satisfied with the reply and enthusiasm showed by the DSA, I went to front row allocated for the officers to proceed with the ceremony's itinerary.

After all the prayers, the anthems and the pledge carried out we were ready to listen to our boss, the Sandakan's in-charge dental officer to deliver his speech. As usual he begun his speech addressing the wrong person with the wrong name. Typical of him but it was fun and hilarious. He is a nice and approachable guy. Prior to the ceremony he asked us
"So, when you guys are leaving to UKM?"
"Not UKM boss, it's UiTM!" I retorted.
"Oh, really? I thought you are going to UKM" he nodded (for the record we were already told him about this for almost hundreds time).
So, I thought by this time he would get it right but only to discover how forgetful he was. Yes, he asked us again the exact same question during the feast. Since he was the boss I had to refrain myself from showing my annoyance and retorted the same answer as in broken record.
What a special guy he was!

After the speech I was approached by our second boss, the one who in-charge of the clinic. She revealed to us that the farewell ceremony was also to celebrate both of us. That didn't surprise me at all. For the record, somehow I knew all about this farewell thing. Thanks to my wife's assistant who also happened to be a gossip lover. Plus, the gifts at the front were too much to be given to only one person.

The highlight of the day was each of the celebrated had to plant plants as a symbol of remembrance. The agricultural activity took place at the small soil spot in front of the clinic under the hot flaming sun. The spot called Nostalgic Park blazingly officiated by the big boss.

So, after the eventful agriculture it was time to gobble up. The foods were rather a bit superficial to me. The noodles were slightly below the par and my eyes were looking for the cakes that we bought. Not that I wanted to take back what I gave but it was more like appetizer to eat something sweet before hand. Couldn't spot any, so I thought perhaps the cakes had an overwhelming fans out there, I tried the not so good-looking if not good-tasting of the small-sliced cakes. It took me by surprise that the taste of the cake was so darn good as if it came from the Secret Recipe. To reward my curiosity I asked one of my colleague of where was the taste-good cake came from.
"Yus, this is the cake that you bought. The Secret Recipe one!"
I was stunt. How a beautiful cake could be turn into something beyond recognizable. Yes, I was asking to cut the cakes according to the number of people attended but never occurred to me that they would ruin the texture and aestheticism of the cake. Too bad!  
Perhaps I should give more detail on how to handle such a beautiful entity.
Suddenly it reminded me to the story of my mother in-law which shared the same story line as mine.

Samurai Bamboo!

When I came to my rest room after doing the out-patient clinic today I realized something was not in place. My personal organizer and several letters of mine and Ilham were not as in before. Even though the mess was not as in typical burglary but it was enough to catch my attention. My eyes are true blue CSI's magnifier. I could tell if somebody had relocated my stuff.

So, there it was, before seconds I realized that my precious sunglasses were gone. My moods were suddenly down in the dumps. What an event to kill my joy! If only my curse could be turn into a stone, surely there would be a new mountain suddenly appear in Sandakan!

It was not the lost that I really concern about but it was more to the sentimental value of the sunglasses possessed. The sunglasses were given as a token of something significant from my wife. That was what matters the most in concordance of how comfortable the sun-glasses was to me. Having said that, I have to pay some tribute to my late Titus sunglasses which has served me loyally and protected my eyes from the flaming sun of tropical.

The suspect of the crime was no doubt one the today's patient. Our rest room is not furbished by door. So, when patients or stuffs having back and forth the hall way, the person who happened to be in the room will be so visible and everything within the room is also be seen. It's worse when patients are also using the hall way as their  nature to see and stare. Such an annoying thing when we were relaxing or taking 5 while being scanned by those people. It's really an act of viper in one's bosom for the ungrateful people who steal from people who helped them. I will totally going to do dental extraction without anesthetic on this type of people if caught red-handed by me stealing!

So, in the end, to prevent my eyes from getting burn from the Sandakan's flaming sun I decided to buy a new sunglasses stats. It was not an easy task as I really have to go around Sandakan town to find a decent spectacles shop. I ended up buying the Samurai bamboo-made temples sunglasses with a controversial unnamed price.
Yeah, at last I'm satisfied and contented!

Annoyed..

This freaking aphtous ulcer in my mouth seriously has taken its toll on my gratitude. I couldn't eat without the agonizing pain creeps in my sensory system. What an annoying small thing! I wish it will go away quickly.

Robin Soderling ~ The New Paladin

In earlier post I predicted Roger Federer would win the battle between him and Robin Soderling despite the fact that I supported Sorderling. So, by law, technically I was not that wrong. Plus I also presumed the battle would take at least 4 sets of play and I scored that right too. But in any ways, Soderling won against the number 1.

By winning this Quarter-final, Soderling has become the only player who beat the king of clay and the world number 1 in back-to-back Roland Garros. He will meet with Tomas Berdych in Semi-final which I think will be an easy pass for him (3 straight set I presume).

So, big alle to Robin Soderling. You'll be my favourite to win this year Rollland Garros to beat Rafael Nadal in final.
Go Go Soderling!

Roland Garros, Paris 2010

It's in the middle of Roland Garros Championship in Paris now. Oh, how much I missed Roland Garros as much as I missed Paris. The weather, the people, the language, the croissant are the most unforgettable elements of Paris. So, yes, Paris is by far my favourite city of all cities I have visited.

I'm typing while watching the Quarter-final between the best player of all time, Roger Federer and the rising star, Robin Soderling. My support goes to Soderling even though I knew Federer would have no problem to finish the game at least in 4 sets (bear in mind that Soderling had once defeated the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal in last year Roland Garros).

Men's tennis to me is more stable in term of ranking position. It has been a while since we see Roger Federer in the top tier,  Rafael Nadal the number 2, and Novak Djokovic the number 3. Perhaps, guys have more focus and determination as compared to the ladies. I'm not trying to be sexist or something but if you could see women's tennis the ranking position is always changing. You could see Ana Ivanovic in this week top spot and seeing her again in the number 23 two weeks after. Believe me or not, the ladies are suffering from the inconsistency of play. They are more vulnerable to double faults and handful of unforced errors especially while in distress. I totally agree with one of the commentator quoted that tennis is more than physical sport, it's a mental sport.

Oh, my God. I really have to drop this down. You should see this point where at the third set, Federer 5 and Soderling 4, at 40-40 when Soderling managed to put away Federer's return by a lop ball, Federer amazingly managed to get the lop ball and sending it back to Soderling. It's Soderling win at the end but regardless of point this is what tennis is all about. Full with magical Midas touch. I'm blown away. What a show!

So, as this year's Roland Garros is almost reaching its verdict there are loads of casualties seen. Victoria Azarenka's lost in the first round followed with Maria Sharapova defeated by the infamous come back of Justin Henin are all the highlight of the major. Too bad, despite superb performance by Henin, she also headed home early. With Sharapova not in the Quarter-final, it's ashamed there's no darling left in women's tennis. All left with super muscular chicks such as Samantha Stosur, Fracesca Schiavone and Serena Williams. Too bad for me, at least. Sigh!

This year (Roland Garros) I think Nadal will claim his another Grand Slam title. The epic final I presume will be between Nadal and Federer. Women on the other hand, my pick is Serena Williams who will be facing Francesca Schiavone.

Until then, so long Roland Garrros 2010 and I hope I'll be there for next year.
Wimbledon 2010 is coming!