Federer's Legacy Needs No More Confirmation

I just watched Roger Federer happily oblige to swap shirts, a la football players at a final whistle, with his beaten opponent Philip Kohlschreiber after their 3rd round match early today. I remember Novak Joker-vic doing a shirt exchange with someone earlier this year and what a lovely sight it is - two players appreciative of each other.

I realise that I may have been a little hard on Andy "never-win-a-major" Murray yesterday in my comments about him. Oh well. Welcome to the world of professional sportsmen and women. Everything they do and say is scrutinised closely and blown out of all proportions all of the time. It just comes with being in the spotlight. Apparently Federer was finished on 13 Slams - one short of Sampras - after the 2009 Australian Open in which he lost an intense five set battle to Rafael Nadal. His tearful breakdown almost convinced me he was over, and triggered a media wave of confirmations that his career was over. Yes, even Federer has had to deal with scrutiny and criticism.

I doubt whether Federer's level of play has declined. Certainly his air of invincibility is not as impenetrable as it once was, but that's more to do with his rivals' rise than his fall. Others are catching up but the King has not finished yet.

In fact, it just goes to show that Federer needs no more confirmation that he's the greatest player to ever pick up a racquet. He doesn't need to beat Nadal one more time in a Grand Slam final just to prove that he can beat him and to show he's the greatest. Actually, that would be a great insult to the players who are beginning to challenge at the major tournaments - Djokovic, Murray, Soderling, Berdych, Del Potro. Federer has had really tight matches against Berdych, Del Potro, Roddick, Djokovic and Murray in recent times. Why people are obsessed with him having to beat a cripple who can't go through a single year without having time on the sick-bed with poorly knees, is beyond me. There are plenty of other threats to Roger besides the bulging Spaniard.

The Swiss Master wants 20 Grand Slams, and one a year for the next four years would do it. This reasonable and realistically achievable goal is within his sights. What we have learned is to never write off Roger Federer. Not only is he an exceptional tennis player with extraordinary gifts, he is a good man on and off the court, and as the cliche goes, "what goes around, comes around", surely he would be the most deserving of any in winning more Grand Slam titles in the years to come.

DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF A TRAIN LINE LINKING KUANTAN WITH KUALA LUMPUR (KL)

The Plan


1. easy access to KL and quicker
- non-stop ride or maybe few stops
- avoid congestion near KL
- shorter travel time


2. save money on petrol, buses
- increasing petrol price for personal car
- buses are slower and stuck in congestion near KL
- more affordable


3. expanded work horizons
- have an option of working in KL
- be able to earn more money
- find higher-paid jobs, advance in company


4. increase in visitors to Kuantan
- people in KL will have an alternative route of transportation to Kuantan
- foreign visitors will have an easy option to discover Kuantan
- the east coast region won't seem so far away


5. better for the environment
- save fuel
- less air pollution
- carbon footprint




Introduction:


A proposed train line linking Kuantan with KL will offer many advantages to the people of KL and Kuantan, foreign visitors, and the environment.
[24 words]




1st point:


The train line would primarily offer easy access to KL. A non-stop ride would take a maximum of two hours with perhaps a few stops at prominent towns along the way. Such a line would also avoid congestion around KL, making a stress-free journey to the capital. A shorter travel time of two hours will be appealing to those in a rush or even those who are travelling at their leisure.
[73 words]




2nd point:


Generally we either travel to KL by our own car or by public bus. With the implementation of a new train line, commuters will enjoy savings on petrol and bus ticket prices. As the price of petrol continues to increase, it becomes more necessary to travel in groups so that the cost of fuel is spread equally. Certainly travel by train would dramatically reduce spending. An added advantage of using the train over the bus is the fact that buses often get stuck in traffic jams, especially around KL. Travelling by train induces no such congestion. All in all, the train holds the benefit that it will be considerably more affordable than going by car or bus, therefore allowing more people from Kuantan and surrounding areas to visit KL.
[129 words]




3rd point:


KL is 300 kilometres from Kuantan which equates to around a 3-4 hour drive. With a new train line connecting the two locations, those 3-4 hours will be slashed to two. A faster journey to the capital will expand the work horizons of a number of Kuantan folk. Young, single entrepreneurs will find it a pleasure to work or expand their business in KL, where a better market and more money is available, thus enhancing their selling power and productivity. Others will have the option of travelling to KL for work at the start of the week, and returning to Kuantan for the weekends.
[104 words]




4th point:


Visitors to Malaysia, as in any country, need to enjoy easy access to destinations through advanced transportation. A train line would provide such tourists an additional travel option to discover Kuantan. Such enhanced infrastructure and development will trigger the arrival of many more foreigners. The people of both KL and Kuantan will have an alternative route across the country, making access easier, and the possibility of expanding businesses brighter. Simultaneously, the east coast of Malaysia won't seem so far away and will not be perceived as an isolated place which is tricky to reach.
[94 words]




5th point:


Finally, in addition to benefiting people, a train line could also bring a better picture of health to the environment. With fewer cars on the road, the demand for fuel would decline slightly. As an effect of this, air pollution caused by emissions from exhaust pipes would also decrease, lessening the continued onslaught of the ozone layer with carbon dioxide. Indeed, reducing our dependency on fuel is important in looking after our planet. Taking these steps will help each individual minimise the burden of their carbon footprint.
[87 words]




Conclusion:


A train line joining Kuantan with KL will bring benefits to both cities as KL looks to consolidate its standing and Kuantan seeks expansion. With greater infrastructure and a public transport system, Malaysia will be doing its part in preserving the environment and enhancing the lives of those who use the train line.
[53 words]






Total words: {564}










This is a sample essay for Form 4-6 which can be used for Form 1-3 by reducing the number of main points to 3 instead of 5.

Time with Gaz

My brother Gareth spent six weeks with us from June-July this year. Here are some pictorial memories:

A hot afternoon in the car takes its toll

Goofing around with badminton racquets

I like this picture of me and my brother

Gaz helping Lauren with her writing

On the way to somewhere I can't remember

Lauren's cheeky pose at the digi shop

A lunch at Pizza Hut in Berjaya Megamall, Kuantan

A train ride with Lauren

We had some lovely roti naan and tandoori chicken at the Taj Restoran opposite Mydin in Kuantan. Later we bought toilet rolls from Mydin for the highly amusing Crap Paper Competition later that night.

Mummy and Lauren walk away from a meal at A&W

With Abigail on a Sunday afternoon

Gareth found a new hobby!

Lauren was sad that Gaz was playing with her barbie dolls - she couldn't get a look-in!

On the balcony

Love my new haircut shaved by Gaz!

Sharing a light moment

An even lighter moment!

Here are our 'Bruce Forsyth' impressions

And the real Bruce Forsyth:

Royal Pahang Golf Club - Driving Range

In Kuantan lies a driving range beside the Royal Pahang Golf Club near Teluk Chempedak. It's located Jalan Teluk Sisek. The golf course is set in beautiful grounds where a full round of golf will knock you back around RM100-150. However, since I don't have that money to fritter away on golf, coupled with the fact that I'm only half decent at hitting balls perched on nice high tees, I made the trip to the adjacent driving range instead, along with my brother. It cost us a total of RM20 including two baskets of 100 golf balls and two clubs  - a small driver and a putting wedge. The clubs were a tad too small for us but we had fun nevertheless. It's been many a year since I last hit a golf ball, so my body shape wasn't quite in the accomplished category, but we soon started hitting the ball around 200 yards. We both ended up with blisters on our hands, but I would like to go back again some time, preferably in the early morning when it's not so grippingly hot!

I don't actually remember what we were discussing here...probably Gaz's shot which veered into the trees on the left!

Gaz's technique wasn't too shabby at all!

Donkey!

Lauren keeps her distance as daddy slogs one. Gaz's attempts to distract me were in vain.

My wife, who captured the lovely images of us in action

Durian chopping

Durian is considered the "king of the fruits" here in Malaysia. It certainly is unique in its own way. If one happens to fall on your head as it drops from a tree, you could end up dead. The sharp spikes make it difficult to open without thick gloves. I later found out that with the right technique, as displayed by my neighbour, it can be extremely simple.

After penetrating the outer skin, the durian seeds greet one with a strong smell, which to locals is gorgeous but to me is vile. The seeds are sticky and have a taste like mouldy onions. I have tried time and again to swallow some of the durian, but I just can't bring myself to do it. My wife however, loves the stuff!

The wrong way to open a durian!

Lauren found it all rather boring

Putting on a brave face despite the smell