Stop! But only for a second

Receiving two awards in one day can be emotional, and gratifying.

Unless of course, you're receiving something like a Nickelodeon's Kids Choice award. Or, a "Most Likely to be Murdered" award at your high school graduation. OR, getting slimed after receiving a Nickelodeon's Kids Choice award at the Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards.

But today, in receiving a Dean's List Award and the Presidential Scholarship Award from Sunway ADTP/WMU, it brought a deep sense of satisfaction and justification.

All the hard work over the past one and a half years - throughout the five semesters - was evident.

The clear message of goodbye and achievement hit me, when i received my Certificate of Completion from Sunway. By no means was it a grand, or extensive, or spectacular event, but it needn't be. I had shone. I had set high targets, and hit them. And it felt amazing.

All the Dean's List recipients!

It was one step forward.

Jolene and I

The fact that the ceremony ended so quickly brought a realization that that was that. For all that has been accomplished, a lot more awaits ahead.

New York City beckons.

"I don't want to just rub off the Big Apple's shine.

I plan on taking a bite and leaving my teeth marks."

- Jann

I can stop.

Look back, and be glad.

But only for a second.

Its the tropical humidity I tell you!

I probably had somewhat unrealistic expectations that MU were going to trash M'sia since this was their first match since the Champions League final, and in alien conditions as well! Okay, so maybe I'm just making excuses..

Outside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium

Official Merchandise for sale.

But good on the M'sian national side to take that, and capitalize on all the lucky breaks they got during the match :P

Spent a good 20 minutes scurrying around trying to get a seat amongst a sea of red, speckled with yellow patches of about 85, 000 people

I found it funny that the national team came out in tracksuits in the sweltering heat while MU were sensible enough to just wear what was required.

"Walaupun kami akan kalah, mesti kalah dengan gaya!"

With goals from Rooney and Nani, MU were 2-0 up just before half-time!

Me and Vince (couldn't find MU jersey wear Ferarri pulak)

Then, 84,000 people (-1000 M'sian fans - I may be overestimating here) were silenced by a pretty superb volley over Van der Sar by Amri Yahyah (and yes, i had to Google who he was)!!

2-1 @ Half-Time

A while after the restart, there were some substitutions, notably the goalkeeper switch of Van der Sar to Foster. Things were going smoothly, until Foster was caught napping, completely mis-kicking from a routine backpass...

AMRI YAHYAH (YAHYAH!) pounced to take the ball from Foster's feet, round his flailing arms, and tap into the net!

This time, i was cheering my heart out! (YAHYAH MALAYSIA!)

A sense of awkwardness came over me as the scores stood tied. Is this for real?

But cometh the hour, cometh the man.

New boy Michael Owen, Anfield goldenboy, Galactico reject, and Toon flop, made his debut, coming on for Rooney.

With just 8 minutes to go, there was a buzz of activity in the Malaysian box. Giggs' shot was saved by the on-rushing keeper, but the ball rebounded out, falling kindly around Owen. His predatorial instincts kicked in as he pounced on a loose ball on the outside of the box...

GOAL!

3-2.

Malaysia almost Boleh, yahyah?