RELAY FOR LIFE KL 2009

Waaah, just got back from MSN Bukit Jalil for the RELAY FOR LIFE (RFL) KL 2009. Me and the two other Aimi Hs' (Huda and Husna) together with Dini were volunteers for the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM). Incidentally, NCSM is the organizer for the event, the third year they're organizing the Relay.

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30th May 2009

Aunty Dalila brought us to the stadium at about 3.00pm and after we dropped off our stuff at our tent, we promptly got to work setting up the NCSM Marquee. Basically we beautified the exhibition table, the registration counter and also the merchandise corner. But we did manage to sneak off for a while to get the whole feel of the place. There were booths from the sponsors, a celebrity corner, and also a small Milo kiosk somewhat hidden at the back.

I missed the start of the first lap (started at 6.00pm) because I was getting some food to eat and the guys at the burger place was taking forever to cook the special beef burger. I just heard the commotion and managed to see only glimpses of the event. The first lap was lead by the survivors followed by the VIPs (or was it the other way round?) and everybody else soon followed. The general idea of the relay is that there MUST always be someone on the track from 6.00 pm to 10.00 am the next day. So, you can register in groups and take turns in running (or walking) around the track for that 16 hours. Technically, nobody was allowed to sleep that day (and night), so games and stage events were organized to make the hours pass by quickly.

After the initial flurry of activities died down, we did one lap around the track and then went back to work manning the registration counter for the games. We managed to get a few pictures taken with Hans Isaac at the celebrity corner where you have to pay RM1 for each picture taken with a celebrity. Other celebrities there include Jehan Miskin and Yasmin Yusuf. However, I think they were just there until about 10 that night.

The Luminaria blackout session was one of the highlights of the event. Basically we purchased paper bags and decorate it with messages of hope or of remembrance to lost ones. The paper bags are placed all around the track and then a candle is lit up inside the bag. Initially we wanted to decorate our luminarias but the counter was sooo full of people, we got a little bit discouraged. But then I managed to squeeze in between some people and quickly drew on some things since the session was starting in five minutes. I totally had no idea what to write, so you be the judge.. Hahaha..

There was one minute of silence for the survivors and also for those who lost their battle with cancer. Then a little girl took to the stage. She is a brain tumor survivor. And she's only 10. I almost got teary eyed watching her give the speech. After they lit up all the luminarias, the survivors started walking around the track holding a candle each, followed by the others including us... Dayang got there and also another one of Husna's friends.. (Where are MY friends? Huu~) Huda got back home not long after that due to a harmless accident.

The games were to take place after 11pm so that the participants will be kept busy through out the entire night. There were also some activities going on at the stage. Whilst the Scavenger Hunt was on its way, all of us sitting at the registration counter were asked some unusual questions like; How many languages do you know? How do you say one phrase in different languages? Can we have your signature? Can we take a picture of you dancing with us? Weird.. But they were soo fun!! Especially the dancing part...

At one point, there was Joget Pahang at the stage. But just as we got there, the song ended. We immediately demanded an encore. And guess what? The MC agreed!! Yeay!! So we danced again to Joget Pahang (while keeping the tracks clear for the runners). There was also one session for aerobics going on at 11.00am. But because we were getting ready for the pillow fight, I only managed to do some steps.

Talking about the pillow fight, that could possibly be one of the highlights of MY experience there. We were separated into two teams and each of us was given a pillow. The objective is: to keep hitting your opponent. So, all we did was fling the pillow around, laughing until our stomachs were cramped until finally the furor died down. It turned out, there were actually no winners for the game, but it was fun nonetheless.

The actual pillow used in the game

31st May 2009

At about 1.00am, we decided to freshen up and perform our prayers somewhere inside the complex. What was suposed to be little nap, turned out to be a full-fledged sleep fest. A very cold sleep fest, that is. Because we didn't have any piece of blanket or any type of covering with us...!! We woke at about 6.30 am and quickly performed Subuh. When we got back to the field, the place was just stirring back to life. Me and Huda took another lap around the field and we stopped by the Milo, Nesvita and Fitnesse kiosks for breakfast.

We started to clear the registration counter. And then things kicked into full gear when we were selling the merchandise. NCSM sells stuff like T-shirts, tank tops, dog tags, SPORK (Spoon+Fork+Knife), necklaces and wristbands. We were screaming and kinda chasing people down to buy the merchandise. We bought some for ourselves too!!!

All the while, they were still doing activities at the stage. I particularly enjoyed the Chicken Dance (we literally walked around the track while doing the dance!) and Poco Poco. Couldn't really enjoy the other things going on like Line Dancing, Yoga and Qi Gong because I was working. Anyway, we saw Vanida Imran and Shidi with their kids. So we took some pictures with them. Then they shopped a bit for the last remaining stocks at the Marquee.

Finally, the last lap was at 10.00am. We got to hold the banner!! Yeay!! We walked+jogged+ran+screamed and laughed all along the way. That always equals to FUN!! After we took pictures with the other volunteers, we quickly packed up and headed home.

It turned out, Cik Ros was already there with some of her kids. So we kinda hung out and gossiped with them, all sweaty and smelly. Then, just as soon as they walked out the door, all three of us promptly fell asleep.

That evening, whilst watching Channel V, there was some sort of a marathon for TVXQ (and Tohoshinki's) music videos. So I was kinda excited by that. Couldn't keep my eyes off the TV for a good 45 minutes.

We had a family dinner at Cozy House Great Eastern Mall to celebrate Husna's birthday. One her friends and Ayang joined us. I just had Black Pepper Soba and Hot Lemon Tea.

The RFL KL 2009 was definitely FUN!! (As if you haven't figured that out yet from the numerous funs I've had). But it also taught me that the human spirit is something truly amazing and even the smallest shred of hope can bring life to the weariest of soul. I feel proud that such an event is being organized and even prouder that my family, friends and myself were given the opportunity to be part of it. If God permits, I'm definitely signing up again for next year. Hopefully with more friends and family members...

EDIT: Some sharp eyed acquaintances of mine spotted this in the Metro Harian paper. Can you find happy Me in it? Hint: I'm in the top left picture.