Crazy Badminton Day

Maria vs. Lu Lan

In the female badminton, Maria Kristin Yulianti presented Indonesia with another bronze! She beat Lu Lan from China, the 3rd seeded player. This stopped China from dominating the whole female badminton medals; the other two are from China, Zhang Ning, who beat Maria in the semifinals retained her gold medal from the last Olympic, making her the oldest olympic gold medal holder this year (33yo).

Meanwhile, Nova/Liliyana is going to play in the finals against two Lee's from Korea. The two Lee's beat Marissa and Limpele :(

Kido and Hendra playing tonight!

Nova/Liliyana and Flandy/Vita

Both of these mix double pairs in Badminton played today and they won both! Nova and Liliyana seemed to have quite a safe match with 2-0 against Thailand while Flandy and Vita had to play three sets, in which they won the outer two (2-1 against Denmark).

It seems like Flandy/Vita played intensely in the third set, from 5:5, they proceed to lead until 15:5 before the opponent could gain another point. Good job on Denmark though, they held the Match point for quite a while, from 20-12 to 21-19, which was pretty scary. They almost deuced it.

Nova/Liliyana

Male Single
Meanwhile, Sony got pwned badly by Lee something something from Malaysia! I was sort of expecting it, although of course I had hoped for Sony's victory. Oh well, better luck next time, Sony!

Anyway, tomorrow will be exciting too, male double Kido and Hendra, and women single, Maria Kristin. Now, we mustn't doubt must we?

Maria Kristin

I think she deserve to be in the title of today's blog. She got to the semifinals! She's like the only female shuttler from Indonesia to get to the semifinals ever since Susi Susanti and Mia Audina in 1996. I'm rather excited for her, even though she is going to play against Zhang Ning, the 2004 Olympic Winner in Female singles in Badminton! Well, no matter how she does, I'm proud of her and Indonesia! =D

Meanwhile, Kido Markis and Hendra Setiawan are playing second set against Malaysian team now for Male double. Last time I checked was losing 14:16... I'm not going to check! T_T

Oh well... They also haven't been playing as well as they should, but I'm proud of being Indonesian! =D

Ok, just checked again, it's 17:17...

EDIT: After 2 minutes
Yay! They won... phew, it was close, 21-18 for the second set. I didn't want to keep my hearts beating like mad for another set if they lost the set! But yeah, that's quite a treat! :D

Indonesia's Badminton in Olympic 2008

As usual, some of the very few events Indonesia participated in are Badminton, Archery, Weightlifting and Sailing (I think I missed something). Indonesia sent around 21 people, most of which are competing in Badminton.

In the Men's Single we have Taufik Hidayt and Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

Taufik, just recovered from dengue fever got a really bad end in his Olympic career by being beaten by an older Malaysian Badminton player, Wong Chong Hann, in the first round. Apparently he's had been getting worse in his performances lately. It's rather sad, especially if you guys know how great he was at Badminton before.

Our last chance in getting the medal for Men's single lays in Sony's hands. Well, he's got to play with the second seeded Malaysian player, Lee Chong Wei next, so he's going to have to work hard for it. Even if he gets through, to the end, eh would have to face super Dan, which wouldn't be so good.

In women singles, we have the first first female shuttler that Indonesia has who got through to the quarterfinals ever since the legendary Susi Susanti (pic below). I'm quite proud of her, because she ranked the 21st, and she is unseeded.

In her first Olympic game, she beat Juliane Schenk (rank 12?) from Germany, Martinez Yoana from Spain, Tine Rasmussen (6th seeded) and she is off to play against India's Saina Nehwal (who beat the 3rd seeded Chen Wang from HK). All the best for her match today!

I miss Susi Susanti! Even though I didn't watch her, I was too young. But I watched her videos on YouTube. There are not many, and most are soundless, but it's awesome to see her play, especially with her leg split for saving shuttles from far away. Apparently she's quite a well known person from Indonesia, as she and her fiance, Alan Budikusuma, presented Indonesia with the very first Indonesian gold medal since 1952, in 1992, when the Badminton was introduced to the Olympic Games.

In our mixed doubles, we have Liliyana and Nova Widianto, first seeded. They got through quite a few challenges and are going to play against Thailand's duet tomorrow.
We also have Vita Marissa and Flandy Limpele, third seeded, playing Denmark tomorrow. These few days are just way too exciting.
In the Men Double, we have Markis Kido (Kidho?) and Hendra Setiawan who are also the first seeded. Let's hope they win! Playing against a Malaysian team today.

We also had a women's doubles, and they are the female members of our two mixed double pairs. They lost like in their first round I think.

Well, all the best to Indonesian athletes who are still playing/competing. Congrats to those who have won the two Bronze medals (weightlifting) and to those who have tried their best. Let's make Indonesia proud! I am proud of people like Susi Susanti or Taufik (minus his bad temper). Let's have more Indonesian! MOAR Indonesia plzkthxbai.

Anyway, next will be about the weightlifting and the rest of the events Indonesia participated in.

Questionnaire Stuff

Got this off Tom's blog. I was bored.

Yes - I have been so bored that I just stared at the computer screen. Doesn't happen that often though, because I would rather look away from the screen.

No - I have not gotten into the shower with my clothes on. I hate being wet in my clothes.

Yes - I have tripped up the stairs. Happens quite often. I was running up the stairs and I just tripped. The most recent one involved a friend watching me behind, so that adds to the embarrassment.

No - I have never wanted to be a pirate.

Yes - I have gotten lost in a supermarket. But that must be really long-long time ago. After that my mother bought the belt where she tied herself to me... Very much like a leash.

Yes - I might have been hit by a parked car. I am Mr. Bump afterall.

Yes - I have walked straight into a glass door.

Yes - I have punched a wall in anger. But that was pretty long ago. I don't go towards the extremes where I mutilate myself but I will punch the wall once and then stopped at the pain. I'm not pain tolerant at all.

No - I haven't been to Italy, but I definitely want to go there.

Yes - I have performed on stage. Played the piano (soloist + accompanist), keyboard (in musicals), viola (believe it or not), singing (yeah, in the choir, recent one a choir of 500 people in the Sydney Opera House singing Handel's Messiah). I played in a "fake" rock band consisting of n00b performers. I even played the drums. Oh and I play the keyboard in my church band now. I miss playing in musicals.

Yes - No, I only read a book once. Except for the Bible, which I will repeatedly read.

Yes - Oh yeah, of course I do sing along with songs without knowing the lyrics. Singing English this was isn't that bad. But I did the same with Chinese and Japanese songs. Now, I'm pretty sure that sounded like that Belgian lady who sung Ken Lee (find it on youtube).

Yes - I have slept for fifteen or more hours in a single day. Who hasn't, after a really really tiring day.

Yes - I have told someone to f**k off. I used to do it, but realising how rude that sounded, even if I didn't mean it, I stopped.

Yes - I have had my first kiss. If you count this as kiss, it was before Uplands.

Yes - Happens often with me. There was once when I got mad because I couldn't open the door, and then someone helped me by opening the door. I pulled, instead of pushed.

Dunno - I dunno if I have had someone mistaken my sexuality. But, I think so, considering that I used to be weird when I was in primary school. But, having guys hit on me happens a lot... Unfortunately. There was once when a man followed me into a public toilet. I went into the cubicle and when I came out he was waiting for me by the washbasins. Held my shoulders, and asked for my name after giving me his name. I then just left the toilet without washing my hands, saying that I am late for my bus. But of course not, I was waiting for my bus when he appeared again saying, "a long wait, eh?" I then just said yes, and thank God he left and my bus came soon after.

Yes - I have talked to myself then answered back. That happens a lot, even when I'm not lonely.

Something made me smile...

Did some immigration stuff (i.e. change of address to Adelaide's Address on my passport and got my driver's license translated) today at UniSA. And then did a short practice with Matt and his new bassoon. Gonna record the thing tomorrow.

Went to Mich's to eat. Baked some Banana Cake for Church tomorrow. Mich's Muffins weren't that good, and mine was slightly burnt too lol. I need my own oven.

Anyway, something really made me smile today, as I walked back home from my bus stop. As I got off the bus, I started walking back home. Looking up the sky, you could see the cloudless dark sky. And through that, the stars. Reminds me of the Psalm, "The Heavens and Earth declares the Glory of the Lord." Imagining how great God's creations are. The thin clouds were also beautiful. And the grass, albeit unhealthy, are sweet and soft on my fingers. Even the dry and leafless trees are pretty. I'm just astounded about just how privileged we are, living in such a beautiful and wonderfully made planet.

I'm an idiot...

I really am an idiot. There was a performance of Mahler's 3rd Symphony around a month ago which I did not watch because I forgot about it. How could I? Oh my God. After Johanna told me how stirring it was and all, I got curious and I checked it out on YouTube (thanks YouTube). It's crazy...

I wish I went to watch it! Must be a great performance, Johanna also said that it was tear jerking... Man, just watching the YT video made my eyes wet. Oh well. This piece probably won't be performed again for like 10 years in Adelaide?

LOL, nevermind...