Bantus Capoeira Malaysia Year End Party !!!

It was a bit too late to celebrate Christmas and a bit too early for New Year, so i've decided to make it a Bantus Malaysia Year End Party. That night was a Pot Luck and get together kind of Party, in-conjuction with 5th Annivesary of Bantus Capoeira Malaysia. We have the party at Living Arts Studio (Bantus' Branch Out). The dresscode for that night was Bantus T-shirt and the seniors need to wear the very 1st Bantus Malaysia's T-shirt, to share some memories.

The party will never go on without the following contribution:-

We have, Pasta Salad (Lynn), Fruit Salad (Denise), Beef Bolognese Pasta & Apple Crumble (Baracuda, Claudihno, Rafael), Sausages (Catatao, Durim, Cabecao), Chicken Wings & Charcoals & Utensils (Kennedy/Azeitona), Chips & Dips (Zamil), Potato Salad (Shidah), Bread Pudding (Alia/Sauva), Carrot Cake (Emalina), Cordial Juices (Terry), Roti Naan (Wan Rizzal), Plates & Cutleries (Cueca), Living Arts Studio (Teresa), Cups, Rubbish Bags, Clean Ups, Arrangements, BBQ Pit..."KULI" (Boca Grande)

hahhaahaa.... =)

We are delighted to have a few Brazillians with us that night and we had some nice Acarajé. Acarajé is made out of White Beans and deep fried them, then spread some cheese, chillies, and prawns. It was AWESOME... and it was prepared by Edna, Fernanda & Rodrigo. Everyone was just chilling out and chit chatting and playing with Chap & Chappaty L.A. Cats.

Chappaty found a new home which is Fernanda...

To be continue.....

Closing Ceremony for Year 2008 - Myself towards Bantus Capoeira Malaysia!!!

Wow... so fast that 2009 is just next door =) Time flies and I still think I have not achieved anything yet... But Bantus Capoeira Malaysia has achieved its 5th Anniversary this year 2008. There are always people COME people GO in life and as well as in Bantus Capoeira Malaysia.

We are lucky enough to have strong pillars in our group and they are Graduado Rafael, Instructor Cueca, Coelho (Woei Hern), Tataruga, Lingua De "Boi" (Andrew), Jai, Terry, Michelle, Youli, Lynn, Sophie, Jeanette, Marissa, Denise, Santiago, Cabecao, Durim, Perereca, Catatao, and all Bantulinos which still stay in the BANTUS FAMILY until today.

I really appreciate for those who have stayed back and still continuing to grow this family. I think I am lucky to be raised up in the family of BANTUS lead by Mestre Pintor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Graduado Rafael and Instructor Cueca for the advise and guidance. I know you both cracked your head very hard to think of ways to coach me and being very patience as well towards a complicated & talkative person (BOCA GRANDE). heheheeh.... But you guys never gave up on any of us in the Family of Bantus Malaysia. I've been with the family for 3 years and i think until now, i just learnt how to crawl just a little bit better =) Both instructors have their own ways of teaching and theories, but they share the same objectives.

Nevertheless, Tataruga, Coelho, Jai, Terry, Perereca, Marissa, Lynn, Durim, Cabecao, Michelle, Santiago, Serhan, Catatao, Manubrao, and all the seniors that has guided me through as well for this 3 years. Within this 3 years, i get to know a lot of nice people from Bantus. All kind of Nationality, Profession, Age Group, and etc....

To be frank, I can't dance and I think I don't even have the Music Rythm and Dance Cells in my body.... But thanks to Fernanda and Rodrigo to teach me SAMBA... i may not be that great, but at least i can move a bit now .... hehehehe..... which everyone will laugh at.

Kennedy and Stanley... you both are totally someone AWESOME that i've never met until today. Sharing your unlimited ideas, knowledge, personal philosophy, personal experiences, jokes, and etc...

There are too many people for me to say THANK YOU = MUITO OBRIGADO!!!! Deep down my heart, i appreciate for all your kind support and patience training with me.

BANTUS CAPOEIRA !!! AXÉ!

BANTUS CAPOEIRA !!! AXÉ!

BANTUS CAPOEIRA !!! AXÉ!

Till then, ALL THE BEST in the new and challenging year 2009. FELIZ ANO NOVO !!!

Marissa Gangsta Party @ Pink Sage

This event took place about 3 weeks ago... i think =) sowie for the late updates.... Marissa organises her Birthday Party @ Pink Sage. Pink Sage is a very nice place for Breakfast, Lunch and Tea Time. It is located at Capital Square, right opposite Wisma TKT (Old Singapore Airline Office). They serve Breakfast everyday, Weekdays starts from 8.00am and CLOSED on Mondays.... Their highlight is Breakfast Menu RM5.50 only for (Eggs, Hash, Toast, Ham & Coffee/Tea).

Oooopssss....Too much of Advertising =)

Marissa's B'day Party Theme was Gangsta Night!!! Everyone must be a Gangster for the night. Any form of Gangster... Some came with High School Gangsta, Italian Gangsta, GOD Fathers, Japanese YAKUZA, Americano Gangsta and etc... you name it.!!!

Everyone was really in their costumes and weapons. (guns and swords)... the whole environment is really great for a Theme Party like that.. Cigars smoke and red wine glasses around the room and people playing drinking game (vodka shots).... They even played Win Loose of Draw.. i think ??? They seperate us up into the Old Age (30 above) and the young Age (30 below) group.... End of the game, the young age won the game... and the party continues....

the most important part of the night, the cake cutting ceremony.... this is a very special cake and it has a chopped off hand in a gift box!!!

Happy Birthday Marissa!!!!

Christmas Eve Dinner @ Friendster

This year's Christmas Eve was quite similar to a normal chill out night with some friends at a restaurant. We went to a place called FRIENDSTER @ Damansara Perdana. Luckily the place was not as packed as I imagine. They have a very cozy ambience and their food is quite good though.

I ordered their Friendster Super Burger and with their homemade beef patty. It's really yummie...yummie... Their pastas are quite good, slightly above average. The drinks were not too bad, if you order their Big Cuppocino, they will give you a small Cuppocina for FREE. Then my friends order The Tower, what is The Tower?? Please take a look at the photos and you will know The Tower.

That Tower is loaded with 5 litres of Carlsberg and it took them about 2hrs i think, to finish... Cos not everyone drinks that night. I was quite drouzy that night due to getting some flu and mild fever... sigh...

That night was Ah Wong's Lunar Birthday and we celebrate at the same time while waiting for Christmas...hehehehehe.. we bought him a slice of Macaroon Cake and sing him Birthday Song Contonese Version. hahaahaaha.... the best part was, he just get to know of his Lunar Birthday from the mum at 7pm that night. hahahaaha....

We chilled there until 12.00am MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Meeting up old friend and new friends in Seoul,Korea

Ola... I just got back from my business trip Seoul, Korea. Wow...Can't imagine that I went to Seoul, Korea. Seoul is a nice place t go, very neat, tidy, systematic and the infrastructure was so efficient. I wonder when Malaysia can be so efficient in terms of the Public Transportation. There's only one small little challenge for foreign tourist to Korea if they want to travel on their own, which is the bus stops and train stations got no English writting. Other than that...only one word to describe. great!!!

The journey to Seoul, Korea is approximately 7 hours of flight, I flew by Korean Air Lines. Overall of the services is good and the Korea Airport is very organised and spacious too.

The weather was great - Sunny Day. Except the 1st day raining. Temperature is about 13'c to 15'c during the day time, 5'c to 7'c during the night time.

Contente is a Capoeirista from Grupo Bantus Capoeira. He used to treinar with us in Malaysia for more than 5 months. He is a cool person and very friendly. Currently he is teaching English in a Elementary School in Korea. I meet up with him and Jinkyung, his girlfriend in Korea. They both travelled all the way to my place which took them about 1hr + to reach Renaissance Seoul.

They both took me for a Korean BBQ restaurant and Jinkyung teaches me how to eat the condiments with the leaves and lettuce. I think everyone knows about 'Kimchi" hehehehe... yea.. "kimchi" was totally different from the "Kimchi" in Malaysia.

On the way home, we passed by a hawker stall that sells "HoDo". "Hodo" is a kind of pastry filled with walnut cream and chopped walnuts. It's very tasty and nutty...yum yum... =)

My trip was very fruitful except on my work part. I get to meet up with an old friend which is Contente and at the same time, I get to meet new friends in Korea. Contente asked me to train with him and 2 of his friends Capoeira. We travelled from my hotel to the small little studio was about 1hr +..and it was cold at night. It was fun and I get to "Jogar de Capoeira" with Contente.

After the short training session, we walk to a near by Japanese restaurat for a very late dinner and we chat and drink. Everyone was happy and had fun. I'm quite bad with names, I will check with Contente for the names of all the peepsin the below picture =) I'm sorry ... I really had fun with you all back in Korea that night, really appreciate for everything you guys had done for me.

Thank you very much for the lovely gift from Jinkyung and Contente from Korea. Looking forward to meet up with all of you all either in Korea or in Malaysia.

"The Spirit of Brasil" art exhibition & photography competition

Get your creative juices rolling and stand a chance to have your art piece displayed. In conjunction with Brasil Fest '08, we are holding an art exhibition at Cloth n' Clef and a photography competition at Pavilion. The theme is 'Spirit of Brasil'. Capture the spirit of Brasil, be it food, people, landscape, infrastructure, fashion, lifestyle, attitude. It’s your take on Brasil.

Art exhibition opens on
Monday 27th October and
will be displayed till mid-November.

Photography exhibition will start on
Monday 3rd November until
Sunday 16th November.

Art exhibition steps to follow:
1. Discuss your idea with Marissa by Tuesday 14th October.
2. Final piece to be submitted by Friday 24th October.

Photography competition steps to follow:
1. Photos to be submitted via email in jpeg format, no bigger than
2MB to mailto:tophotos@bantus.com.my by Friday 24th October.
2. When submitting photo(s) please send full name, contact number, address and title of the
picture.
3. One person is entitled to more than one entry. Limited to five entries per person.
4. Those chosen for display will be notified by Tuesday 28th October and must submit their
entry in printed format. Size will be determined upon confirmation. Picture is to be mounted
on either black/white art card. Final picture must be submitted by Saturday 1st November.
5. Winners will be selected on Sunday 16th November.

Judges:
Yee I-Lann (Malaysian Artist),
Adeline Ooi (Valentine Willie Fine Art)
Representative from Pavilion.

** Photography Competition - Prizes as follows:
1st Prize - 6 months Capoeira membership + Abada & T-Shirt
2nd Prize - 3 months Capoeira membership + T-shirt
3rd Prize - 1 month Capoeira membership + T-shirt

for more info, log on to www.bantus.com.my

Academia of Bantus Capoeira Malaysia

Academia of Bantus Capoeira Malaysia is located at Damansara Jaya opposite Atria Shopping Mall. Academia is a home to all Capoeiristas no matter where you are from.

This is where our instructors coach classes and students gather around for Music Class, Samba Percussion, Samba Dance, Forro Dance, practice/rehearsal for performances, Workshops, Parties/Celebration and etc.

Take a look of our academia in a panaroma view and then i will keep you peeps updated regarding the upcoming Brasil Fest 08' and our Bantus Capoeira Annual Festival information...

Stanley's Birthday - Fine Wine & Dine

Im late to update my blog as usual...

I've just attended a Fine Wine & Dine at Fernanda's place for Stanley's birthday celebration... the whole apartment was properly decorate and the ambience was cozy and comfortable... the lights were deemed...and soft Brazilian Music were played and everyone just sit at the couch with their Champagne and Wine, chatting with each others...

The crowd was just nice, we have Fernanda, Santiago, Lynn, Stanley, Valerie M, Kennedy, Jeanette, Marissa, Denise, Quek, Shidah and Me. Stanley was dressed up with calflings and suits..wow..!!! Lynn was awesome that night... never seen her dressed up like that before but yea...it's a Compliment from me and Shidah... I was underdressed cos i totally did not follow the dress code of Black and White...i was with white top and jeans... =) hehheeh...but thanks to Jeanette for the save up line towards Stanley.... cos i'm always in my formal attire and that night was special that's why i wear something different. hahhaahaha.....

Everyone looks great that night... and the whole place was smell of Lilies... I really had a great time there and that night , the whole setting reminds me of my old time working in the restaurant and kitchen.... preparing the food and serving the food and wine to the guests.... i feel good that night... the dinner was AWESOME!!!!! i like the fish and the potatoes..and not to mention about the "beefy role"....i will look into the right spelling for that... the wine was quite light that night but is really good... the salad was great..but unfortunately i dont take much of Cheese... During the dinner everyone was busy chatting and eating.... the conversation was full of jokes and some disgusting topic as well... but is good that everyone is being themselves and not holding back...

After the dinner, everyone was sitting down at the living area..for Shisha and Chocolate Fondue...and Kennedy and Stanley start playing the guitar and start singing... Denise playing the frog (music instrument and it sound like the frog "krok krok krok")... Everyone enjoyed their night with fabulous food & wine, and ambience and entertainment... hahahaha... we will be having this more often...

Capoeira and Samba Classes at Bom Brazil Churrascaria

For anyone out there, who are currently working in KL the following information is specially for you all. Come and feel and experience the whole excitement of Brasil in KL.

We have had many requests to start teaching classes in KL and finally we are proud to announce that Bantus Capoeira is now officially in Kuala Lumpur!

# Capoeira Class:
Contact Quek at 0122887908 to register
Every Monday @ 8:10pm to 9:10pm
Every Friday @ 7pm to 8pm

# Samba Class:
Contact Fernanda, our resident Brazilian sambista, at 0123546500 to register
Every Monday @ 7pm to 8pm
Every Friday @ 8:10pm to 9:10pm

# Fees:
Drop in class: RM40.00
12 class package: RM360.00
24 class package: RM600.00

Adidas - King of the Road 10km

I had never participated in any form of running competition until I met a bunch of friends that are very into fitness and outdoor activities. They are really challenging themselves to the limits.

These people are not ordinary people...hahaha.. they are fighters (Combat Fighters)... from Celebrity Fitness One Utama.

Before the run, I can't join them for morning running session cos I'm working on Saturdays... Eventhough I train Capoeira during the weekdays, but I have a very bad stamina due to I do not have a good control in breathing.

This run is very challenging why? Because we have to wake up at 4.00am cos we are meeting up at Jasima (Mamak shop) at One U. We move out from there at 5.30am to Shah Alam. Our category is F and G, we start at 7.05am. Qualifying run time is 55mins for 10km. I ran with Wong and I did not stop for 5km. I was surprised that I can jog quite consistently... and my breathing is at the same pace as my footstep.

The whole run was quite challenging to me, especially my mentally. We will intend to give up easily but the environment change my thoughts. People around me are running and over cutting me, no matter how tired they are. That is the determination and the drive that keep everyone running. I'm not too sure anyone of you out there agree on my statement: -

Jogging is all about focus and determination".

The overall feeling was totally awesome, eventhough my time was 64mins. The end results are not the most important thing, it is the experience that counts. At least in life for now, I've achieved something.

CONGRATULATIONS to all who've participated!!!

Anyone who is doubting whether to join or not to join any run, just go for it... Maybe start of with 7km or less. Main thing is...must have fun =)

Upcoming events:-

Genting Trail Blazer 2008 - 2nd November 2008

http://www.gentingtrailblazer.com/2008/main.htm

Mizuno Wave Run 2008 - 19th October 2008. http://www.pacesetters.com.my/events/mizuno/2008/mizuno.htm