I don't know what was wrong with me but I did the stupidest mistake during my game with JN.. I moved when it was her turn.. How much more embarrassing can it be?? And it didn't help that my clock wouldn't stop because I didn't press it properly.. So while I was getting bored waiting for her to move, I was oblivious to the fact that it was my time that was ticking away.. Arrrggghhhh.. And it happened at least four times! I wished that the ground would swallow me whole.. And later I was left to suffer defeat at her hands..
Fortunately, I succeeded in exacting revenge on the 4th seed who beat me yesterday.. Heh.. It was so sweet.. She actually fell into my trap like a moth to a flame.. The expression on her face when I said "Checkmate!" in record time was priceless.. muahahaha.. I later drew my last game so I secured the 2nd spot for my Under-20 girls category.. I know that most people would think getting no 2 out of 4 is child's play.. But considering I had to compete against a national athlete - and still I was able to draw a game with her - I think I'm pretty satisfied with my performance.. Not that it was THAT stellar.. But I think I did OK..
Couldn't say the same for my brother though.. He lost his first two games today so for the final round he left.. Yup, he actually called me - from Shah Alam! - to inform me that he's not playing :P So what's a poor girl left to do all alone in KL?
Heh :)
I had a total of 5 hours to spare in between rounds and the prize-giving ceremony, so during lunchtime, I went to PWTC for the Education UK expo since I won't be going for it tomorrow with my collegemates.. Frankly I think going on a Saturday afternoon is better.. I brought home tonnes of prospectuses from each university of my choice, which I believe would be out of stock by tomorrow, and I even got to speak to their representatives personally.. Not that my friends won't be able to do the same thing, but I seriously think that the crowd today is far more tolerable compared to the mad rush that usually awaits Sunday visitors.. All in all, I had a pretty good time walking around the exhibition area, muttering "Edinburgh, done.. UMIST, done.." to myself.. Sort of made me feel more intelligent.. heh.. On my way back, I had to carry two Education UK paper bags filled with prospectuses, brochures and name cards.. They look cool, alright.. But lugging them all the way from PWTC to Wilayah Complex involved heavy duty weightlifting through 3 different railway stations and across 2 busy KL roads..
Which brings me to the subject of infrastructure.. I am forever indebted to the ingenius people who envisioned a city where a lonely girl - me, duh - can travel from one side of the city to the other in the safest, most efficient manner albeit being a little pricey.. I would never have experienced the joys of mall-hopping if it weren't for such services like KTM Komuter, PUTRA LRT, KL Monorail and STAR LRT.. Alhamdulillah.. ** This message has been brought to you by Barisan Nasional. **
So I was waiting for my ride home when I bumped into another fellow chess player.. I thought it was KSH, who won the 5th place for the Under-20 boys category.. So to break the ice, I asked, "You're the one who won 5th place, right?" And then he looked at me funny before saying, "No, 2nd."
I was stumped.. And then it dawned on me.. It was the wrong person.. He was YKE, runner-up for Under-16 boys.. So I just said, "Oh, OK. Congrats," and turned my head, cringing as I attempted to disguise my faux pas.. What a way to make friendly conversation :P
Then suddenly he tapped my shoulder and said "Kenapa, tak percaya?" not unlike the tone in Bank Bumiputera Commerce's TV commercial.. Then he drew out his silver medal and dangled it in front of me.. "This is my proof."
Errr.. OK.. So if I say I've mistaken you for another person, would that make you feel better? I just smiled and said, "Oh, no, it was my mistake.."
I'm happy with my achievement today, but the readings on my awkward-o-meter has never been this sky high :P
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NHA at 3:45 PM ::
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