Remember the previous post about Axiata Cup? Well, there’re both good and bad news on this follow up post.
The bad news is, Team Malaysia did not make it to the finals.
The good news is, you can still get a piece of the action on your mobile. Get on The Cube and subscribe to Who Will Win for exclusive Axiata Cup downloads and there’s a chance to win some awesome prizes, including a brand new Nissan Livina X-Gear.
Writing this actually makes me miss badminton, I should be able to play again in 1.5 month’s time if the MCL injury I suffered recovers according to schedule. 
this is the same car to be won (maybe different color lah)
Here are the many ways you can participate to potentially get your hands on the prizes:
Who Will Win Trivia
Who Will Win MMS Puzzle
Who Will Win Call Me Tones
Get Axiata Cup Anthem for free
The are a tonne of cool stuff and exclusive contents on the Cube so make sure you check it out. Other than the Nissan Livina X-Gear, there are 12 weekly prizes of Samsung Galaxy Note and 100 daily prizes of Special Edition Jersey & Water Tumbler too.
Check out axiatacup.com for more!
Almost everyone in this badminton crazed country knows about Thomas Cup, Malaysian Open, and All England, but have you heard about Axiata Cup?
The Axiata Cup is a new regional badminton event created for the Axiata Group – one of Asia’s largest telecom companies, and most importantly, the biggest names in badminton in our country are in. That of course, includes world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei and also our top doubles pair in Kien Keat-Boon Heong.
The good news is, Malaysia is now through to the semi-finals and will duke it out against the Indonesian teams on 31st March to 1st April at Stadium Badminton Cheras.
So go there and cheer for Team Malaysia!
If you get there before 4pm, be sure to check out “Gateminton” - where you can beat your opponent and get cash prizes. The more rounds you win, the more cash prizes you pick up.
This just reminds me of times I spent playing badminton right outside my old house in Penang. Good times!
To get free tickets to watch the action this weekends:
Other than that, there’s also the WHO WILL WIN contest where the winner drives home a brand new Nissan Livina X-Gear. Follow the Axiata Cup action on The Cube by getting the hottest badminton downloads.
A few years ago I came very close to heading to Western Australia for a vacation, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, that plan got axed, and I eventually went to Melbourne a couple times a year after that. The experience at Melbourne was very positive, a first rate place where people are friendly, food are good, and places are beautiful.
After a bit of research and going through westernaustralia.com, I now believe that the trips to Australia would have been quite a bit more awesome if I had gone to WA instead.
There’s simply just so much more that’s on offer. Especially for someone who loves both the allure of city as well as the great outdoor.
the city of Perth
The city of Perth is a beautiful city and is often marked by its friendly and laid back environment that visitors like. After all, vacations that are hectic never appeal to me. If I want to have a hectic lifestyle, I can just stay put.
For those who love a dose of good retail therapy, this Western Australian city does not disappoint. Gucci, Prada, LV, Tiffany & Co are all on King Street. For bargain hunters, there’re also the Harbourtown Factory outlets in the city.
Shopaholics covered.
making friends with the quokka on Rottnest Island
the Greenhouse, Fremantle prison tour
Perth is full of quirky surprises too, a prime example is the Greenhouse located at busy St Georges Terrace right in the city. The exterior of the wall is lined wild strawyberry plants. I’d love to be there when the plants start to fruit. What a sight that will be.
The port of Fremantle is a lively fishing boat habor and one of the best preserved 19th century portscapes in the world. The historic Fremantle Prison, Maritime Museum, and Round House are among the tourist attractions.
Of course, never miss the chance to meet Australian creatures when you’re in Western Australia. Rottnest Island is one of the very few places where quokkas can be found. These little marsupials are the size of house cats and look a bit like a cross between rodent and kangaroo, too cute.
Coral Coast, and yes that’s a dolphin
A couple hours north of Perth is a scenic stretch of coastline by the name of Coral Coast. If sand surfing, wind surfing, four-wheel driving, or feeding dolphins are your thing, this is the place to go.
Near by there’s also Lobster Shack, a popular tourist attraction in Cervantes where visitors get to tour the lobster farming facility (and order some to go, of course)
At the top of the picture collage above is the famous Pinnacle desert that is formed over million of years. At spring time (August to October), the weather is milder and there are wild flowers blooming at the moon-scape like terrain, a uniquely beautiful place.
whale shark at Ningaloo Reef
For me though, the one thing that I would cherish most is probably the chance to dive with whale shark at Ningaloo Reef. These magnificent creatures usually visit the reef between April and July each year. They’re only the largest fish in the ocean, and the number one marine creature I want to dive with right now.
I dive with manta rays & mola-mola in Bali, but whale sharks? That’s a whole different category altogether.
wine and dine at Margaret River
Just 3.5 hours away from Perth is Margaret River, often considered as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Western Australia’s gourmet offering, definitely the place for people who loves good food.
The area is perfect for growing grapes, and accounts for 30% of Australia’s premium wine production. This is a result of its Mediterranean climate and pristine environment.
Winery hopping, anyone?
Australian delicacies at Margaret River
The restaurant in premier Margaret River boutique hotel Cape Lodge is placed in the top 10 hotel restaurants in the world by respected travel magazines. Now that’s a place I want to visit. They also offer cooking classes as well, very tempting.
festival and events at Western Australia
For those who loves festivals and events, here’s the list of what’s happening at the region in 2012, do take advantage of the events and plan your trip accordingly.
This post illustrates but a very small sample of what Western Australia has to offer, visit westernaustralia.com for everything that you need to know for the very promising vacation destination.
Visitors who purchase Perth/Western Australia Package at the MATTA Fair from 16-18th March will receive an Extraordinary Deals booklet worth up to AUD 2,000 in savings and a Western Australian gift pack. Be sure to check out those deals at MATTA Fair.
There is also information on http://www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryWesternAustralia for the facebook generation, and for those who uses smartphones, you’re in for a treat:
Western Australia apps are available!
For Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.westernaustralia.experiencewa
For IOS: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/experience-wa/id466238480
This post is brought to you by Tourism Western Australia.
So I was having my haircut at the usual place that I’ve been visiting for the past 8 or 9 years when the hairstylist asked if I wanted to have some lines.
Haze and I thought it was going to be like 2 lines right above my ears, so I gave an OK without any hesitation, and another few short minutes later…
I guess everything went better than expected?
We’ll see if I still have a job come Monday. Oh my…..
One thing for sure, Christine the hairstylist sure looked very pleased.
If anyone is interested, I can surely recommend this place. Especially if you like surprises.
I just spent over 30 minutes looking for a specific picture of myself, but because I was usually careful not to let those photos be taken of me, I couldn’t find one in my album, so here is a substitute.
Now I want you to use your imagination a little bit and mentally replaces the chopsticks in the photo with a cigarette, and the styrofoam bowl with an ashtray – that would be the picture I was looking for.
Yes, I used to smoke quite regularly. It wasn’t something I was proud of, but it was an addiction that I enjoyed despite knowing the health risks associated with it.
On the 31st of December, 2010, along with a few close friends, we kicked the habit once and for all.
The first 2-3 weeks was the most crucial. The urge to pick up a stick was always hovering right on the shoulders, you had to fight it with pretty strong determination to stay off the smoke.
The good news is, I am now no longer a smoker, and among the handful of friends who decided to quit, only one went back to the habit. Over the past couple years, I’ve also picked up more exercise routines, cook at home more, and generally try to live a healthier life style.
So far it’s been working pretty good, and I urge you to do the same.
For those who are interested in making a new habit or kicking a bad one, Great Eastern comes up with a mobile application that can help you get through the first 21 days of change. The theory is that if you do something for 21 days straight, it becomes a habit. I believe this is very true, and as far as quit smoking goes, after 3 weeks, not smoking became the “new habit”.
The application is available on Android and iPhone from Great Eastern free of charge. If you use one of these smartphones, click on the links to download. I think you will find it useful.
In a nutshell, the application lets you declare an intention and make it a promise to someone important to you (or even yourself), then track the progress for 21 days. You can set notification and get reminder if you miss a day. Of course, you can share your progress on facebook and twitter too (nothing like adding peer pressure)
On the Great Eastern website there is also a nifty Wellness Profiling tool that you can use to help you find out how healthy you are in a variety of areas. Simply answer some questions with honesty and you’ll find out your risk level score. Below is mine, and it seems like I have some improvement to make in the “work and daily routine” section.. ermm.
For more information and other tools/tips, check out Great Eastern website, and for the 1% of you who does not have a facebook account, there’s a phone number you can call to contact Great Eastern Life Planning Advisor at 03 4259 8877.
Live long and prosper!
