Johari's Torch Run

My boss, Johari (UV President) was chosen to be one of the Olympics Torch bearer by Samsung. What he did was he submitted an essay and was selected. I wanted to submit mine too but after reading through his (of course I have to help him edit a bit) essay I thot mine was not as inspiring as his. Basically he was writing about his experience as someone with learning disabilities and what he has been doing in UV promoting self-advocacy. Anyway I was estatic when I heard that he has been chosen.

Johari and I went for the briefing at Wisma OCM on sunday. It was exciting seeing some of the sports people there....the Sidek brothers, Yap Kim Hock(badminton players, if you dun know) and Nicol David who was just sitting beside me as she was under Samsung, very friendly person........ and some other personalities. I saw Jemilah Mahmood(president of Mercy Malaysia) and went up to her and shake her hands telling her that we are from the same school (Assunta). First thing she ask me if I'm going for the alumni dinner.... I told her no. Couldn't afford the ticket which cost RM200!

Woke up the next day thinking wow it's like waking up into a dream.... the day has finally come.... though I'm not the one running I was very excited for Jo. Samsung has 10 runners, 4 ambassors and 6 essay winners. The Samsung PR people was nice to let me tag along with all of them as I explained that Jo needs a supporting friend. We met at KL sentral and then went to Dataran Merdeka where we hang out at the Samsung tent to wait for the opening ceremony. I was known as "the nanny". I was keeping some of thier phones, wallets, cameras.....and other stuff. Then we went to Stadium Merdeka to hang around until the second leg starts. The Samsung torch bearer's run starts after 4pm from Sungai Wang to KL Tower. Jo's part was at the bottom of the road leading up to KL Tower. Sad to say I did not see him run as I was stuck in the Samsung van in a traffic jam near sungai wang but I did see Nicol run. And then after that we had a celebration party at the Chinoz, KLCC. Yup I think that was the summary for that day. We had a lot of fun and made some friends.

Steven was scolding me about taking part in this event after what the Chinese govenment did to Tibetians. I told him that these people shouldn't do it during the torch relay or even at the olympics. Though I sympatize with them there are other ways to protest but dun touch the Olympics. I'm a huge Olympics fan. I dun care which country is hosting them I support the event. Plus I think the protesting is a western propaganda. Yes China do have human rights issues but so does other countries especially the one that has a "chickenhawk" as a president.

Feeling a bit jealous that I was not one of the runners but I'm very happy for Jo eventhough he has no idea of the history of olympics or what the torch run symbolizes which I had to explain to him. For him it is something to prove to others that even persons with learning disabilities can do anything even running in the Olympics Torch Relay. It has always been a dream of mine to be one of the torch bearers. Thanks Johari for fulfilling that dream...sort of I think. Being able to be there and witnessing it has been one heck of an experince. Can't wait for the Olympics to start in August. I'm prepared to take 2 weeks not to go to Beijing but to catch it on TV! haha


In the van going to Dataran Merdeka. Guess who is Johari?

No need to guess who is this!

Know this guy? I'm surprise that when I show to my collegues and some of my friends they dun know who he is! People..... He is Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's top badminton player, World number 2, one of malaysia's hope to win a gold medal at Olympics.

Taking pictures with some of the other torch bearers. Recognize the one second from the right beside Jo?

Johari with 2 other essay winners, Amir who has visual impairment & Vishnu (I think that's the spelling of her name) who is studying moral studies at New Zealand.

Ladies & Gentleman... this is my boss, a cheerleader! hahahahaha

The 10 selected Samsung torch bearers. Adrian, Ming Sen, Chong Wei, Datuk Sharifah (first woman from malaysia who has scale both north & south pole), Nicol, Thomas, Vishnu, Johari, Ras Adiba & Amir.

Jo's wife...er I mean his torch. Yes each of them gets one torch each and they get to keep it after the run. Jo has promise to let me keep his for a month! Yahoo!!