Goodbye ChampiYans League

3 years ago, I created what is called, ChampiYans League, in which I personally organised a futsal event every Friday night. I created this to collectively combine all my different groups of football mates to come and play together and also to spread the awareness of playing proper futsal.

During those 3 years, we definitely had so much fun. Made so many new friends. Even stars like Izwan Mahbud and much more recently, Syarif Sleeq have grazed our pitches. Played 7 aside, 5 aside. With video recordings and all. Sometimes as much as 60 people came down! So much fun! Throughout the years, I even got known as being "budak yang main Friday night" amongst random people on the streets/field.

People may think my job is easy, but it sure as hell is not! Saying that its tough is an understatement. I have seriously grown very tired as it can get very mentally draining. Having said this, it brings about a great deal sadness to inform you that I am NOT capable of organising this consistently anymore.

However, this event can continue if I can get help from others to organise. Or if there's still demand. Cos right now, to source out for people to play every single week is soo draining. If either one of these 2 criterias are not met, I will sadly let this tradition die.

Since this is probably a life changing event for some too, to help you adapt, for the month of March and April, I will still continue organising. However, if I do not get a definite number of 4 teams by THURSDAY, I will cancel it. I will NOT ask around for more people.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who have been involved throughout the years. It surely has been an amazing journey with you guys! We will meet again soon. InsyaAllah.

For AS Capilano dudes, I think it's about time we return to BV Court. Those who wanna join us to get their regular football fix, let me know. I'll update you again.

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Poetry for the Wanderlust in me

I want to re-discover the streets and the earth beneath, strap backpacks to our backs and sleep beneath the artwork of the night skies.

I want to do everything I can on this earth. I want to float down rivers, traverse deserts, scale mountains and submerge into the seas.

Here is my account of my travels in short. Every paragraph represents different countries/states. Guess which ones they are and you'll receive a prize! Anyway they're incomplete. Try and fill in the blanks. See if you're right!

Its' mountains spew hot molten lava.
The cultures' so diverse, it has its own flavour.
We travelled for miles, cutting through valleys.
We were served with the aromatic __________.

The land of smiles brings about the land of wonder.
For most of its lands this SG boy have conquered.
This land still sparks the appetite to see.
For I continue to enjoy __________.

Scaled mountains, float through rivers.
The chill from the weather makes me shiver.
Across great waterfalls and beautiful sceneries.
I stumbled upon __________.

Hiked for countless of hours.
Through caves, valleys and the deepest of forest.
In here I found something incredible, something from a tree.
I found hanging coffins and __________.

Snorkelled with urchins, coral reefs and fishes.
The skies were blanketed by the artwork of stars that form masterpieces.
Through the sun, sand and the deep blue sea.
Nahh. In here didn't get any __________.

I have re-discovered the streets and the earth beneath. Strapped backpacks to my backs and my back is where I lay to see. A canvas of the night skies, stars aplenty.

I have floated down rivers, traversed deserts. Scaled mountains and submerged into the seas. All I can say now is that this is a poetry; to bring out the wanderlust in me.

..................

South east asia = conquered!

As you can see, its incomplete. The story's not yet been finished. The final chapter is not closed. There's still one more thing left... To fill in the blanks.

#adventuresofyanparker
#yanparkertravellogue

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Bracing the cold weather in South East Asia

Coming from Singapore, we practically experience hot and humid weather. Anything below 25°c is already cooling for us. Like sleep weather, where everyone just wanna stop what they're doing and just take a nap. Lol!

As far as my travels went, South East Asia do have pretty cold countries. Some cold enough to even get snow! Night times are mostly cool; and mountain peaks are obviously super cold. So I don't even bother going there. What I'm looking at are cold low lying places in South East Asia.

Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Once you land on its airport, a whiff of cold air just sweeps you off the ground. Prepare to withstand around 20°c-23°c daytime. Kinda like aircon weather already.

Everywhere in Laos.
Laos is surprisingly a super cold country. Probably due to its vast amounts of untouched mountaineous regions and forests. At night, it can go as low as 14°c. We went to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. Everywhere we went, its like aircon weather. Some places even worst.

Northern parts, Mui Ne, Vietnam
When we were in Vietnam in 2013, the weather is super cooling. There was even snow in some parts of northern Vietnam. Even in Mui ne, it was quite challenging to get from one place to another without shivering.

Sagada, Philippines
Temperatures can drop till 10°c.

Just be prepared when going to these places. Bring extra layers of clothings!

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Crazy Ride - Driving from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

By far the most craziest ride I've ever taken. The 5hr ride from luang prabang to viang vieng is so full with emotions. At times i cried out loud for help. At times i cried cos the scenery is so beautiful, it made you realise how wonderful God's creation are. I'm talking about sceneries you can only hear about in geography books. That beautiful! I've rode for many miles before. Seen plenty of wonderful places along the way. But this is something different.

We took a minivan and it scaled mountains via steep roads, passing by scenic rivers, streams and valleys. Not only that. As we rode through mountains, riding as much as its pretty cool to ride through clouds, they're blinding and pretty scary; especially when making sharp turns, gradual descent and it made the road more slippery. To add on, the roads were very windy and bendy that it messes your head and its nauseating. Not only that. Falling rocks, boulders and gravels made the journey more bumpier and less pleasant. Yes. FALLING! Literally saw rocks coming down from the steep facade of the valleys. At times the road was so damaged by these rocks, that we had to manoeuvre our way into roads so narrow that we were literally balancing on the edge! Scary indeed. Well, as of now, our ride isn't over.

InsyaAllah we will reach safely in 2 hours. Moments like these, I'll remember forever.

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Masjid talk

I've always wondered... How a person can be so diligent in performing his Muslim duties, yet have a poor attitude and character.

I've always wondered... How can one be so determined in memorising Qur'an, reading the Qur'an everyday and yet still have trouble praying 5 times a day.

I've always wondered... Why aren't there any movies about our prophets. Or our sahabats or any Islamic movies which portrays the goodness in Islam during those times.

I've always wondered... Why are there people who knows the Arabic language, lives in the Arab world, yet is not a Muslim. How can they not embrace Islam when they know and understand the beauty of the Qur'an. Why people like us who don't understand Arabic language loves Islam the same way the Arabs does?

I've always wondered... Why are there so many divisions and subdivisions of Islam.

I've always wondered... Why are there every divisions and subdivisions of Islam frown upon one another. Some go till such extent of killing one another.

I've always wondered... How, or rather why Muslims in those areas have such a difference in beliefs from us until they have the urge kill in the name of Islam. What have they been thought? Or which parts are we missing? What are they missing? What values have they been instilled upon and we did not? What values have we been instilled upon that they did not? Never have I and will I ever understand why people hate one another until going to the extent of killing.

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"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." - Surah Al-Hujarat

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Prata talk

I'm typing this while having my favourite cheese prata session. Alone. In my own zone. Cold.

Ok whateva

Lots of people close to me have recently been reaching milestones in their lives. Be it marriage, engagement, graduation, getting new jobs. All that. I'm so very proud of them all. Love to see people accomplish their dreams.

My next #goal2015 and life accomplishment will come in December Insyaallah, when I attempt to backpack for a month and complete the remainder of Southeast Asia. Hiking up Thai peaks and Philippines' volcano, Laotian jungles and caves and witnessing different cultures and beliefs.

Much has been documented about my travels and I will be updating here daily throughout the month.

It will be difficult and challenging. However, I believe that nothing is ever too difficult for the things we love.

I am passionate about many things. Football is well documented. I can go for 5 football sessions in a week without complaining. That is a good example of the quote above. Normally, people would simply cringe at that thought. But for me, it is a challenge and its not that difficult of a challenge if its something close to me.

I believe it's the same for everyone too.

Speaking of challenging, im challenging myself to learn Thai by December. I love the Thais. Their culture. Their way of life. I used to think that one day, that's the place I wanna settle down. Been watching quite a lot of Thai movies too. Learning how to speak their lingo's and common phrases. I believe my progress has been good. I think my Thai is on par with my Arabic language(which is not that great either. Lol).

Alright. Ive been typing this for a good 20mins. My cheese prata will get stale soon. Yes, stale! Haha

Till then my fellow friends.

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On a magical boat ride

About 3 years ago today, I embarked on my first ever backpacking trip. This was one experience I still remember ever so clearly and will never forget!

It was raining. We got on a local boat to a secluded place. This tiny boat was the only way the locals used to transport raw food and groceries. These seamen looked like regular housewives and normal men. Little did we knew that this innocent looking boat wasn't so innocent after all... 20 mins into the open ocean, the boat suddenly stopped. These seamen started smoking. However, it smelled different; not the typical cigarette smell. Within just a few minutes, the whole boat was engulfed with smoke. We were the only foreigners, seated right in the middle of the enclosed boat, in the middle of the ocean. Trapped!! 

Once they were done and all seemed so weirdly happy, we continued our journey.

Unfortunately, things got even worse! About 5 mins in, something from the engine somehow broke apart!
It was so hilarious looking at how these seamen attempted to repair the engine. They stumbled, tripped, slipped. Some even fell into the sea. Everyone was laughing and there was absolutely no signs of panic. HAHA!

After awhile, the boat somehow got partially repaired and we managed to land safely. All still smiling...  #adventuresofyanparker #yanparkertravellogue

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