YE Camp Recce Trip: Casa Rachado, Port Dickson

We're off to PD!

On 10 June 2007, a few of us from the YE Camp committee met up at The Curve at the ungodly hour of 9am (On a SUNDAY!!) to head off for our recce trip to the venue of our coming 2007 Summer YE Camp - Casa Rachado!

The sleep-sacrificing Leos who went on this road trip joyride mission included...

...Leo Francis & Leo Michelle a.k.a Kiwi, our OC (Organising Chairperson) for the Summer YE Camp...

...Leo Elaine, 2nd VP in charge of Youth Exchange activities, who together with Leo Francis were happily enjoying their breakfast in the car (long live Starbucks and O'Brien sandwiches!)...

...Leo Joanne, the AOC (Assistant OC) for the Summer YE camp, who also became our Master Navigator, with our precious map to Casa Rachado...

...while Leo Iong Sik was the designated driver for the trip!

Hilariously, eventhough we HAD printed a map that showed the way to Casa Rachado, we still got slightly lost on the way there. (-_-")

Now, upon reaching Casa Rachado, the first thing we took notice was the parking to ensure it would accommodate the buses we usually used to transport the YE Camp participants to our camp venue. And then, we saw this sign:

Aiks. What an ominous sign. Nevertheless, off we went to commence our recce trip mission!

We were a bit surprised upon seeing Casa Rachado, as it looked different from the pictures online.

Here's the lobby, which is next to the dining area. It looks really nice in the picture, but really, it's only average in reality. We blame the chandelier and the yellow lighting for making it look so romantic, lol!

The dining area was quite large, and opens up to a verandah, which was great for us as we all knew how hectic it would be when there is not enough tables and seats during meal times at the camp.

Samba 1, which is the 2nd largest hall in Casa Rachado is right next to the dining area. Unfortunately, it's quite small, which we suspect would be a tight fit when we hold our ice-breaking games and other activities in the hall! (>_<)

The highlight of Casa Rachado, has got to be its swimming pool! Psst...it has a jacuzzi! Bwahahahaha!

Another feature of Casa Rachado is its man-made beach. The sand isn't very pretty, but hey it's still a beach! There's also a beach volleyball area...

...and an area where rafting can be done, which depends on whichever package you're taking from Casa Rachado.

The apartment rooms were pretty okay, although their colour combinations are very...bright. It certainly takes a while for you to get used to it, especially when the sun is shining brightly in the afternoon and making everything in the room look the same colour as the walls. (-_-")

Here's a cool thing found in the apartments - A fold-out bed hidden in the hall closet!

Magic cupboard?!

The single-bed room was a tight fit, but we like how they hang the extra pillows above the beds. It looks very funky.

They also provide towels and toiletries, which is great because there would definitely be someone who would forget either one of these items!

The double-bed room was quite large and can accommodate a few extra beds, which makes up for the tight fit in the single-bed room.

Double-bed room has got adjoining bathroom, peeps!


Lol. Do, Re, Mi. Here's a candid shot Leo Elaine snapped when Leo Kiwi, Iong Sik and Francis were hiding away so she could snap a pic of the double bed.

Casa Rachado also has a mini store next to the main entrance to the lobby, which is great so the camp participants can buy snacks if they get hungry even after main meals.

Forgot to bring your cultural costume? You can buy Malay costumes here...hee!

After touring Casa Rachado, we had another mini discussion regarding several aspects of the camp that needed immediate consultation with the Casa Rachado representative, Mr. Kumar.

Finally, 2 hours later it was time for us to head back to good ol' KL! But before we left, we decided to take a memento snap at the front entrance!

Kiwi & Iong Sik, no need to act cute lah...ish!

Woots!

YE Camp Recce Trip Mission accomplished! \(^o^)/

2007 MD 308 Leo Forum: Penang

Last weekend, amidst busy work schedules and several riskily-taken annual leave, a bunch of us KLCC Leos happily trooped up to Penang to attend the 34th MD 308 Leo Forum that was held from 1 June - 3 June 2007.

Now the last time the Leo Forum was held in Penang was in 2005, during PP Leo Robert's year.

This year, the Leos who went was our 2006/07 President Leo Zetuan, IPP Leo Daryan, Secretary Leo Min Han, IT Director Leo Edwin, and Ren Li, while Asst. Treasurer Leo Joanne & 2nd VP Leo Elaine were only able to join on Saturday morning.


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Day 1: 1 June 2007

After a gruelling 4-hour drive, we finally arrived in Penang! (^_~)/ "Hello Penang!"





Now our first important mission was find our way to our designated hotel: Cititel. People who think Penang is small obviously has never been there before. Several twists & turns and many, many one-way roads where we wound up lost, we finally found our way to Cititel.




Unlike most forums where everyone would be housed in a single hotel, due to the smaller sizes of most hotels in Penang, everyone was scattered apart in several hotels.

The Lions stayed in G Hotel, while most of the Alpha Leos were housed in Evergreen Laurel and Bayview Hotel. As for the rest of us Omega Leos? Well, we ended up in Cititel, which strangely has no swimming pool, which totally made Leo Zetuan very, very disappointed. Lol.

(P/s. For those who went for the 2005 MD 308 Leo Forum that was also held in Penang, it's the hotel in front of that mamak place we had our yumcha sessions with the Lions last time. Hee!)

View of Komtar from our hotel room

As usual, Leo Forums are a great way to interact with other Leos and to renew old friendships. It was also great to catch up with fellow KL Omega Leos, more notably the Leos from Leo Club of KL Unity, KL Perennial and Bukit Kiara.

That evening, we had our Leo Parade down the entire length of Gurney Drive all the way to the Former Uplands School field - our venue for our Fellowship Night!

Would you believe they actually sealed off Gurney Drive JUST FOR US? Apparently it caused the most massive traffic jam in Penang history! (O_o)

Delegates gathering before the Leo Parade...

KLCC Leos with Alpha Leos before the Leo Parade

Ren Lee, Leo Daryan, Leo Min Han & Leo Zetuan discussing who would hold the banners...

Leo Zetuan & Daryan carrying the District 308 B1 banner!

Leo Min Han & Ren Lee carrying our KLCC Club banner

To make the Leo Parade more special, we also had extra entertainment such as Lion Dance and Dragon Dance! Haha! Kinda festive and grand indeed.

KL Omega Leos unite! (From left: KL Perennial, KL Bukit Kiara, KL Unity & KLCC)

At this point, perhaps it's only fair that we point out we had to sympathize with some of the Forum female delegates who had dressed up for the occasion, only to have to walk all the way down Gurney Drive and then through the field in high heels.

We then kicked off the Fellowship Night with special performances from Digi Celebriteens, while the Forum delegates had to grab tables pronto as it was free seating that night. Food that night wasn't very good, definitely not what we had expected actually.

We shared a table with KL Perennial Leos, and met some very active and friendly Alpha Leos from SMK Damansara Utama!

KLCC Leos having fellowship with KL Perennial Leos

Leo Min Han with the Digi Yellowmen!

[To know more about why Min Han is with the Digi Yellowmen, you'll have to ask him directly. Hee hee!]


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Day 2: 2 June 2007

The next morning, it was time to take part in the Opening Ceremony and Special Project in Sri Pinang Hall.




This forum, we were honoured with the presence of our Guest of Honour, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, who delivered a long but inspiring speech.

VIPs, Lion dignitaries and Leos all eyes and ears on the presentation

We also had the Banner Presentation session, where KLCC President Leo Zetuan represented our club and went onstage to display our KLCC banner, along with Leo Thiam Beng from KL Unity and Leo Kok How from KL Perennial.




After the morning session, Leo Joanne & Leo Elaine arrived together with Leo Mervyn from KL Unity just in time to join us for Bak Kut Teh on Gurney Drive! Hehe! We had escaped earlier to have lunch outside because no one really had a yen for the catered chicken curry and mee hoon for lunch.

After lunch, it was time to head back for the District Leo Forum in Sri Pinang Hall, where we sat together with Lion Soh from our sponsor club, Lions Club of KL Cheras, and also with the KL Perennial Leos.

On a mutual agreement, we decided to roar for every single KL Omega Club that won. What we didn't expect was how often that would be, and pretty soon the other leo clubs were pretty astounded as we kept popping up and down from our chairs yelling "KL Omega, Roar! Roar! Roar!" non-stop. Lol!

[Sorry, no pics here. We were too busy roaring and going to the front to take pictures that we simply had no hands to shoot pics!]

Although we did not retain our Top Club position for this forum, nevetherless KLCC Omega did quite well, garnering:

• Outstanding Club Award: Leo Club of KLCC
• Merit President Award: Leo Chiang Zetuan
• Outstanding Secretary Award: Leo Chai Min Han
• Merit Treasurer Award: Leo Ng Yedda
• Outstanding Leo Member Award: Leo Joanne Wong

For our projects, we also gained recognition for our efforts, receiving:

• Environmental Award: PD Beach Cleaning project
• Fundraising Award: Jumble Sale
• Leo with Children Award: Sharing Hearts Sharing Hopes projects
• International Relationship Award: Project with Leo Club of Hong Kong, The Peak


CONGRATULATIONS KLCC LEOS for a job well done!


That night, we had the Banquet Night, which was held at Han Chiang School Hall.

Front of Han Chiang School Hall

Han Chiang is OLD. They had a statue that was unveiled in 1958 by our very first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman!

The theme for the night was Shanghai Night! So it was very nice to see many forum delegates dressing to the occasion in cheongsams!

Because we were on time, while waiting for the Banquet Night to proceed, we decided to fool around with the camera.

Leo Joanne & Leo Elaine

Here's Zetuan trying to act cute. Please note the 'stoned' expression on Min Han's face. It's like he's thinking "I so am not seeing Zetuan act cute. Ignore. Ignore. Ignorance is bliss...". Bwahaha!

Leo Zetuan (finally normal again) with Leo Edwin & Leo Min Han

We shared a table with KL Unity Leos during the Banquet Night. (^_~)v

We had a GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PINK DRAGON DANCE to kickstart the performance. (O_o). But it was unique all the same, only we couldn't see our food to eat! Lol!

Finally! The first course to assuage our starving stomachs!




We then had the long-awaited Top Awards Presentation. Congratulations to the Leo Clubs of KLU, KL Perennial and Skudai for winning Top Club and President awards!

After the banquet dinner, we were STILL hungry so we went for supper at Gurney Drive!


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Day 3: 3 June 2007

Having decided to go explore Penang's yummilicious food the night before, we all woke up earlier to go food-hunting before the Closing Ceremony.

Zetuan the driver and Min Han, our map-reader a.k.a Zee Navigatorrr...

We headed to this char kuey teow auntie at Lorong Selamat that we heard was good, but the stall wasn't open yet so we had dim sum instead!





Hehehe...dim sum was quite good, but we had to rush our breakfast to get back in time for the Closing Ceremony.

After the Closing Ceremony, it was time to head home.


Bye, Penang! さよなら！


We left Penang at 2:30 pm, thinking we would be back just in time for an early dinner, only to run into a long-lasting storm that dogged us all the way back to KL!

The stubborn storm that wouldn't leave us alone

Thanks to the storm, we suffered a horrible traffic jam all the way home, where we only reached KL around 8pm! Gah!

Oh, we also had several exciting moments when we needed a rest stop URGENTLY and there weren't any around, and when we found one we couldn't get to it because of the massive jam. Lol!

Well, there you have it guys. Our KLCC experiences at the 2007 MD308 Leo Forum in Penang.

Until the next forum then! Ta~! (^_~)/

Welcome Back, Lion Foo See Yow!

Thanks to excellent and prompt updates from Leo Chee How, let's all join hands and welcome back B1 YE Chairman Lion Foo See Yow to our sponsoring Lions club, Lions Club of KL Cheras!

Then: Lion Foo in his younger days in UK! We think he looks very 'gaya' here. (^_^)

Now: Lion Foo at the 2005 National Gala

This is certainly great news for all of us at KLCC Omega, as we've always enjoyed a good working relationship with Lion Foo in regards with the Youth Exchange Programme.

Lion Foo with Italian YE Marcello at the 2006 (Summer YE) 2nd Host Transfer

As it is, I'm sure all of us at KLCC Omega shall be looking forward to an even closer relationship with Lion Foo in future! *Two thumbs up!*


\(^o^)/ Hurrah! Banzai!


Welcome back Lion Foo See Yow!

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UPDATE: Psst! Great news, folks! It has been confirmed Lion Foo shall become KLCC Omega's Leo Advisor for the incoming fiscal year! 3 roars for both KL Cheras and KLCC and to an even stronger working relationship! Roar! Roar! Roar! (^_~)v

2007/2008 KLCC Omega Club Elections!

On 27 April 2007, KLCC Omega held our club elections during our 14th General Meeting to select the new Board of Directors for the incoming fiscal year of 2007/2008.

President Lion Thomas of our mother club, Lions Club of KL Cheras was kind enough to spare some time to attend as our witness.

Amidst the typical pandemonium of jokes, semi-veiled 'threats' and lame puns that peppers our meeting regularly, (much to the amusement of Lion Thomas who said we should be called 'The Fun Club' instead, lol), our new Board of Directors were finally elected!

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[KLCC Omega Board of Directors 2007/2008]

• President: Leo Lee Teck Liet
• 1st Vice President: Leo Elaine Tham
• 2nd Vice President: Leo Joanne Wong
• Secretary: Leo Casper Chua
• Assistant Secretary: Leo Michelle Kong
• Treasurer: Leo Wong Lingwei
• Assistant Treasurer: Leo Francis Hoi
• IPP/Membership Director: Leo Chiang Zetuan
• Project Director: Leo Wong Li-wei
• International Understanding Director: Leo Daryan Toh
• IT Director/Editor: Leo Jason Ong

2006-07 President Leo Zetuan passing the club gavel to incoming President Leo Teck Liet

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Congratulations to the new Board of Directors for the year 2007/2008!

For 3 whole months until your installation, you guys will now undergo probationary training under the current B.O.D! We wish you every inch of success for the following year!

May the future continue to shine brightly for KLCC Omega!

ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!

Dinner with Lions Club of Yame, Japan!

It's always nice to renew friendship and fellowship, especially so when it's with a visiting Lions Club all the way from Yame, Japan!

Welcome to Malaysia again, Lions Club of Yame! (八女 LC)

Yame, by the way, is a city located in the Fukuoka prefecture of Japan famed for its green tea.

More importantly, Yame was also the homestay location for several of our Leos, namely Leo Jesslyn, Leo Joanne and Leo Jason Ong!

For the rest of us who met them when they visited KL last 2006, it was quite an anticipation as we organized another small get-together dinner at Hakka Restaurant.

KLCC Omega Leos, Malaysian YE's who homestayed in Yame, and Yame YE's who homestayed in Malaysia at the 2006 Reunion Dinner!

The purpose of this dinner was for ex-Youth Exchangees who had their homestay in Yame to have another reunion with their hosting families, the Lions Club of Yame, before the Yame Lions depart for home.

Finally, 21 April arrived!

Due to heavy rain and massive traffic jams, several of the ex-YE's and their families were delayed. While waiting, we introduced ourselves formally to every Yame Lion member, especially important for those who will be winging their way down to Yame come December.

Dinner began shortly and pretty soon the ice was broken, with many of the Yame Lions making heartfelt speeches about the Malaysian YE's they had hosted, and how they were happy to finally meet the parents of their YE's who were almost like their own child.

Many following speeches ensued with many 'Kampai' toasts ringing merrily in the air. Gifts from the Yame Lions were presented, and several Yame Lions even gamely sang on karaoke!

Ex-YE Skantha & his girlfriend receiving a gift from District 337-A YE Chairman 2006-07, Lion Kunitake Teruhisa

The Lions Club of Yame then formally extended a very gracious invitation to the KLCC Omega Leo Club to attend their 50th Club Anniversary on 18 November 2007.

As Leo Zetuan and Leo Teck Liet would be unable to join the December visit to Yame, they were more than happy to accept the invite.

KLCC Omega President 2006-07, Leo Zetuan together with District 337-A YE Chairman 2006-07, Lion Kunitake Teruhisa

All in all, it was an enjoyable night of reunion and fellowship. Alas, all good things must come to and end and soon it was time to say "Sayonara!". Hugs were exchanged, promises to meet again were elicited, and pictures were quickly snapped before the final adieu.

Final group snap before Sayonara!

さよなら、また今度会いましょう！　(^_~)/

We hope you all had a good time! See you all again this end of year 2007!

Youth Exchange Programme Rules & Requirements

Heads up people!

Because we've been there and done that, we know exactly how confusing it may be when it comes to finding out more about the Lions Youth Exchange Programme.

So before you rush out to apply for the Youth Exchange Programme, here are some things you ought to know about...

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[Youth Exchange Rules & Requirements]

• Candidates must be aged between 16-21 years old, at the time of outbound.

• Candidates must host a foreign youth for about 2-3 weeks BEFORE outbound.

• Volunteering for hosting does not automatically guarantee candidate selection for the Youth Exchange Programme. We hope you will kindly take note of this.

• Candidates must successfully qualify on the Test & Interview session conducted by the Youth Exchange committee.

• Candidates must be sponsored by a Lions Club.

• Candidates must seek consent from Parents/Guardian.

• A registration fee of RM 100 (non-refundable for administration) is to be submitted along with the application form.

• All selection decisions made by the Youth Exchange committee are final and binding. No correspondences whatsoever will be entertained. All selected candidates for the Youth Exchange Programme will be notified by mail.

• More than one candidate can be selected from each family at one point in time for the Youth Exchange Programme, provided the candidates select different countries. Both candidates are not allowed to visit the same country together.

• All successful candidates are allowed to select Japan only ONCE for the Youth Exchange Programme.

• Host families for outbound will be assigned by the Lion’s Clubs of the respective countries*. (*The departing country of the selected candidate)

• Closing date: 30 April of every year. The Youth Exchange committee will not be held responsible and will not be liable for any late application submissions.

• By submission of the application form, each candidate agrees to be bound by these Rules & Requirements.

• Airfare and all miscellaneous expenses are to be borne by the candidates themselves. (E.g. YE Blazer, Tie, etc).

• All selected candidates will purchase airfares through the Youth Exchange’s assigned travel agent. Candidates are strictly disallowed to purchase airfare on their own.

• All selected candidates for the outbound must adhere to the Youth Exchange’s programme and arrangement at all times.

• All selected candidates for the Youth Exchange Programme will be covered by insurance, which must be purchased specifically via the Youth Exchange Programme.

• Please note that the Youth Exchange committee will not entertain any special requests whatsoever. All selected candidates will be treated with equal standards.

• All decisions of the Youth Exchange committee are final. The committee reserves the right to disqualify any candidates, should they fail to abide to the above Rules & Requirements.

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Having said that, if you need any more information, just holler here!

Alternatively, do contact the Lions Headquarters at (+603) 6272 5399 for more information.

Cheerios and best of luck with your application! (^_~)v

Visit To Rumah Sayangan Orphanage

Perhaps some of you may recall in some of our previous posts a project called 'Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes'.

The brainchild of Leo Joanne Wong, Sharing Hearts + Hopes first kicked off in October 2006 where we had organized a 'Charity@Movie: Orphans' Day Out' project for 30 young friends from 3 different orphanages at Cineleisure.

Lion Thomas, Lion Wong, Lion Soh from Lions Club of KL Cheras & KLCC Omega Leos who showed up with full-on support!

Leo Jessie & Leo Joanne having fun invading McDonald's for lunch with the kids after the movie!

Buoyed by the high of that smashing success, we recently convened together again on 4 March 2007 to jump-start Round 2 with a visit to Rumah Sayangan, one of the 3 orphanages!

Located at Taman Billion, Cheras, it was quite a challenge searching for parking as we had quite a good turnout of Leos, friends, and Lions from the Lions Club of Cybercare who were keen to join in the fun and good deeds!

Given the fact that it was held on a Sunday, and the fact that we just know how much most of us love our weekend lie-in on a Sunday, we were pleasantly surprised and grateful for the great show of support.

Asides from donating useful goodies from Unilever like shampoo, liquid detergents, and foodstuffs like peanut butter to Rumah Gembira, we also wanted to enjoy some fellowship with the kids and treat them to some yummilicious lunch!

The donated goodies & the delicious lunch treat!

Lunch was packed all the way from New Paris restaurant in SS2. Thank you Leo Joanne for going the distance! Talk about 山長水遠! [Literally translated: 'Over high mountains and long rivers'. Hee.]

Leos transforming into waiters for the day, kids enjoying lunch!

Now the food we packed was a feast indeed! Cantonese fried noodles, Yong Chow fried rice, Xing Chow mee hoon! We even bought Kentucky Fried Chicken in case some of the kids had a yen for fast food instead!

So it was very gratifying to hear happy remarks on the food with "Thumbs up!", "Good!", and "Yummy!" coming from all corners of Rumah Sayangan. One thing is for sure though, and that is you can always count on New Paris to serve delicious food. Hehe! (^_~)b

Lunch over, while Leo Elaine Tham and Elaine Ang took the dirty dishes to task, it was time for some fun and games for the rest of us with the kids!

Both Elaine's washing up, Joanna having fun with the kids

Somewhere along the way, the kids took to calling Leo Joanne, Auntie Joanne! Lol! What's more, there was a sudden 'workshop' teaching the kids how to smile and pose like a Japanese according to the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10. (O_o)

Just.Don't.Ask. *shakes head*

Monkeying around before we said our good-byes!

In spite of some minor hiccups plus changes in dates and lunch arrangements, we all had a great time with the kids. We're so glad many volunteers came, and would like thank you all once more for your support!

We would also like to thank the people of Unilever who helped us buy Unilever products so efficiently, together with a special thanks to Leo Joanne's friend, Kok Foong for being kind enough to bring additional stuffs from Ridsect, Ambipur and Kiwi!

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

We hope to see you guys again in our next visit to the other 2 orphanages!

*BIG HUGS Y'ALL!*