Combat 36

It was my first tuesday combat after a break of nearly 3 weeks. Felt nice to be back in the familiar surroundings, with a few familiar faces. Some people have been disciples of FCI for a long time now. Tall girl, Megs, me, ....Guy with short shorts. Funny how everyone seems to stand in their regular places too. Behind me is the malay chap, I think he's a scuba diver, coz he wears all these Redang Clean Up T Shirts, and in front of me, the Engdian.

FCI was in his elements, and the class seemed quite charged to try the new release, why I have to add, I quite enjoy. Love the new choreography, and the music aint bad either. And it was a damn good sweat. I haven't had sweat dripping down my arms like that in a long time. Duracell Bunny, Janvier was rather reticent, and not his normal booming self. Hard to imagine so many decibels can emanate from such a petite frame.

The floor was unusally slippery, and an accident was waiting to happen, and sure enough, it did. Engdian in front of me slipped and fell on his back during the muay thai track. Poor chap, fortunately he didnt seem injured. Such a thing would have been cause for a legal suit in the US or other more litigious societies. If the powers that be (of FF) are reading this, please ensure the waxed studio floors arent smooth enough for us to breakdance seamlessly.

The new mats also have a dizzying effect on me. The pattern, if you observe closeup, such as when you do pushups, ....causes my head to spin!!!! Conditioning mercifully omits pushups this time round.

Monday pump was also the new release, and Lionheart, hater of new releases, did not seemed pleased, and declared most of the tracks easy, despite JPS's warnings that they were going to be tough. Haha. I personally found it challenging enough. Then again, I am not the one carrying 20kg weights on each side for squats. I am amazed at how many males there are at that 4.45pm class. Usually at such an hour, classes are filled with tai-tais and students.

There Can Be Miracles...When You Believe

Yeah, I think the greatest miracle of all was that I managed to drag by butt to the Curve in the sweltering heat, AND actually SIGNED up for a class as well, which cost RM50. The option was to send the 100 cupcakes I had agreed to bake for the volunteers, to Leon and ask him to bring it to the Curve. I have to admit curiosity got the better of me.

The canopy was a lot smaller, I think, than the one set up in 2006. Half the class had to stand under the sun. I arrived just as Body Step was about to begin, and all my favourite people were queuing up to go on stage...ie, FSI, Gorgeous Woman, Macho Nippon Lady Instructor, Kenny. Obviously it was too late to join that class.

FSI looking good there. At least he's not so anorexic these days.

Very agile hor, these women.

Selling tickets in their bright orange T Shirts were the young flers, like Young Wolf, the legendary Osman Sany, (who has been my scrabble kaki on facebook for the longest time now, but have never met till today), Michael, (who also I see lots of pics of, but never met), Simon, etc. Decided to take the plunge, and bought one ticket. Lionheart apparently bought 16 booklets. Now ain't that a big heart. He should have passed me one.

For some reason, they didn't have the lucky draw for the Combat class, which incidentally, together with Jam, cost RM50 whereas the other classes a mere RM30. Why I wonder. The "star studded" cast lined the stage, FCI, No 1 in Tianjin, Shades, Renee, Peggy, Don the Thai guy, some Thai chick, and Kung Fu Panda, who yhsmom labelled my "flavour of the month".

Renee kicked off the class, followed by FCI. Then Peggy took over, followed by Thai chick, and Don, and closure by Tianjin. By the time Combat started, the heat wasn't so bad. Managed to get a drink of Leon after track 8, who was watching at the sidelines. Overall, it was a highly spirited class, no lack of screaming, and shouting. With NINE instructors on stage, I guess the energy levels had to be high.

I thought GW looked a lot like Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy...

It's quite amazing that Leon is so nimble, can actually reach out his leg laidat and reach his toes!!! Impressive.

Anyway, I guess it was RM50 well spent. It's nice to see all the familiar faces.... kinda amazing how fast time has flown, from that first Miracle in 2006. Back then I didn't even KNOW Leon Lai yet.

When the Stars Gather.........

Busy busy Saturday. Perused the FF timetable, choices choices..... the Curve seemed to be very happening, Body Attack with Kylie, Kenny and one other, and Combat With Ben, Robby and Renee...BEN? THE BEN? Could it be?

[Errata: the third of the trinity in the Body Attack class was none other than my FSI]

But as the day went by, I was wondering if I had the energy to make it to the Curve at all. Fortunately, I had kinda promised someone that I would deliver an ordered cake to the Curve at some point in time, but did proceed to make contingency plans. At 4.10, I decided, what the heck, let's make a run for it. At times like these, I'm glad the parking in the Curve is such a deterrent to the general public, so it's quite easy to get a spot, unlike during the glory days of Leon Lai, when parking was RM2, and the car park was like a sardine can.

The minute I arrived at the entrance, I knew the Who's Who of Fitness First must be all present there. I reckon if the Curve was to collapse that afternoon, Fitness First Malaysia will have lost 70% of their instructors. First there was FSI, then Macho Nippon Lady Instructor, then Shades, then Wes Carter, .....I lost track...in the combat class, the three aforementioned, Lillian, guest star appearances by people not usually there at that time, like Man With Short Shorts from FCI's class, Tri-sword, Lady Nina, ....

Ben....the two of us need look no more.... IF this fella was teaching here in KL, I think it would be tough, REAL tough, to give the FCI title to anyone BUT him. What can I say?!!!! He the man. From physique, to showmanship, to cue-ing, to humour.....

The new release was rather awesome, I felt. Very different, lots of new stuff, and track 5 EXTREMELY tiring. I dunno, Ben coulda taught us moves from the phone book and it would have still been awesome, I reckon. I am a FAN!!!! Was kinda disappointed that Robby was only up there for show, he didn't teach any tracks. Not that I know him, but was curious to see what the Indonesian star sounded like.

The other pleasant surprise was Leonard...... but the pleasant surprise quickly dissipated when he gave me a blank "who are you" look. ROLL EYES. Hah, when I sms-ed Leon to tell him, he sarcastically remarked, "oh, he probably couldn't recognise you from all that weight you've lost". GUFFAW!!! BIATCH!!!

Anyway, I had to post this now, late Sunday night, as I'll be off to Camerons and Ipoh for the next few days, so no gymming till earliest, Friday. Richelle's pump class, hopefully.

Happy School Holidays people.