BUDDY Camp 2009

We are back with BUDDY Camp 2009. Aptly themed "Loving Self, Loving Others", the programs will hopefully encourage you to practice loving kindness to all around you. While at the same time, it maintains the usual fun, dynamic and fellowship-filled values that is the core of BUDDY.

Here are the deets to fulfill you curious folks:

Age group: 15 - 19 years old (those above 19 are also very much welcomed)
Fee: RM 75 per participant
Date: 17 Dec, 2009 (9-10AM) - 20 Dec, 2009 (2.30PM)
Venue: Uttama Bodhi Vihara - Jalan BU 6/5, Bandar Utama, PJ


View Uttama Bodhi Vihara, Jalan BU 6/5 in a larger map

For the camp, we suggest you bring a good supply of clothes (appropriate clothing - shirts with sleeves and bottoms below knee length), toiletries, towel and souvenirs for fellow camp friends.

If you have any enquiries regarding the camp, please contact us at buddygroup@ymail.com

We also have a Facebook event page for the camp, please check it out here!

To register, you can download the registration form's .pdf file BUDDY Camp 2009 "Loving Self, Loving Others" - Registration Form or drop by our booth at Bandar Utama Buddhist Society (BUBS) every Sunday.

Inter-Buddhist Fellowship Games 2009

Hey fellow BUDDYs!

Those who has participated in the Basketball, Captainball, Volleyball, Tug-Of-War and Athletics Run, thanks for your participation! BUDDY's joining this Inter-Buddhist Fellowship Games for us to make new friends, so we are pumped with excitement and energy!

The location is now at Catholic High, it would be great if you could prepare your own transport as we are low on drivers.

The details are as follows:
Venue: Catholic High
Date: 6th September 2009 (SUNDAY)
Time: 7.45 AM - 6 PM
Transportation: Own transport. If you need any, please contact me at jiarhwei@gmail.com
Food: Lunch & water is provided

(click to enlarge)

But if you're not up for playing the sports, you can always join us for cheering and volunteering for sideline duties at the event. The more the merrier! :)

Please wear your BUDDY Camp t-shirt or BUBS shirt or anything Grey / Green!

Those who are interested to go are encouraged to:
- Wear sport shoes (no spikes allowed for athletics)
- Sunblock
- Mosquito repellent

If you have any more questions, please contact me. Thanks!

Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games 2009

Updated with rules and new category!

In conjunction with Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma Schools' (BIDSD) 80th anniversary, they are organizing the first Inter-Buddhist Youth Fellowship Games in their efforts to promote 'Dhamma-in-Motion' through sports and games.

Aiming to bring Buddhist organizations together in the name of fellowship and unity amongst youths in the spirit of Kalyana Mitra, the activities are mostly team games which is said to be exciting and challenging!

Here are the deets:

Date: 6th September, 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 9 am - 6 pm
Venue: Victoria Institution KL
Participants: 15 - 30 years old (both male & female)

And for the activities and categories that you can join:

1. Basketball
   
   • 7 players per team - 5 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Males only
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)
   *Kindly email jiarhwei@gmail.com for “Official Basketball Rules” The match will follow closely to the rules from there.
   
   
2. Captain Ball
   
   
   • 9 players per team - 7 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Females only
   • Makeup of 7-a-side team: 1 Catcher, 1 Blocker, 5 Runners
   • The Catcher is to remain on the Chair at all times.
   • The Blocker is not allowed to go beyond the defending half of the court.
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)

   SCORING

   • A goal/point is scored when the catcher takes possession of the ball (with both hands on the ball) and holds onto it for at least 3 seconds whilst on the chair.
   • A successful goal shall count as one point.
   • After a goal is scored, game play will resume with a pass from the non-scoring team’s Blocker.
   
   

   JUMP BALL

   • A Jump Ball takes place at the start of the game when the Referee tosses the ball between any two opposing players at the center of the court.
   • Each Jumper shall stand with her feet within her own Defending Half.
   • The Referee shall then toss the ball vertically upwards between the Jumpers to a height greater than either of them can reach by jumping.
   • The ball must be tapped with the hand(s) by one or both of the jumpers after it reaches its highest point.
   
   

   SUBSTITUTIONS

   • Rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the game.
   • There will be no stopping of time during substitutions.
   
   

   OUT OF BOUNDS

   • The player is out-of-bounds when she touches the floor or any object on or outside a boundary.
   • The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches a player who is out-of-bounds or any other person, the floor, or any object on, above or outside of a boundary or the supports or back of the backboard.
   • The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch it before it goes out.
   • After the ball is out-of-bounds, the team that did not cause it to go out of bounds, shall designate a player to make the throw-in. She shall make the throw-in at the spot out-of-bounds nearest where the ball crossed the boundary.
   
   

   VIOLATIONS

   • Captain ball is a non-contact game. No player shall knock or push an opponent or interfere with her play, either accidentally or deliberately.
   • Swatting the ball away from a player is allowed only when that player has one hand on the ball; the same action is not permitted when the player has two hands on the ball. This applies to the catcher as well.
   • Bouncing the ball and moving with it (like dribbling in basketball), or deliberately using your legs to play the ball (such as to block/kick), is not allowed. However, if the ball touches/hits a player’s legs without her deliberate action, play continues.
   • Players are not allowed to “spike” the ball. A “spike” is defined as spike in a volleyball game.
   • For every violation committed, the ball will automatically be given to the opponent and the game will start from the opponent’s side.
   
   

   FOULS AND PENALTIES

   • Travelling Foul- A player may receive the ball with one foot grounded or may jump to catch and land on one foot. While that landing foot remains on the ground the other foot may be moved in any direction and any number of times, pivoting on the landing foot if desired. Hopping is not allowed.
   • A player may receive the ball whilst both feet are grounded, or may jump to catch and land on both feet simultaneously. The player may then choose to move either foot and the remaining foot shall then be considered to be the landing foot. Proceed as in above.
   • Jumping Foul - Occurs when a player with the ball jumps and then lands with the ball still in her hands. Once a player jumps with the ball in her hands, it must be released (whether via a pass or a try) before she lands.
   • Holding Foul - A player is allowed possession of the ball for a maximum of 5 seconds only. If the ball is still in her possession after 5 seconds, a holding foul is committed.
   • Defensive Foul- Where any contact is made on the player holding the ball, a defensive foul is committed.
   
   

   PENALTY FOR FOULS COMMITTED

   • Whenever a foul is committed, play is resumed on the spot, with the defending team standing at least 1 metre away until the ball has been passed or a shot has been attempted.
   • If the foul occurs within 1 metre of the catcher’s chair, the defending team is allowed to position only one player in front of the catcher to block the shot.
   
   
   
   
3. Volleyball
   
   
   • 8 players per team - 6 on court and 2 Reserve players
   • Males and Females
   • Each time there must be at least 2 females on court playing

   THE SERVE

   • Server must serve from behind the restraining line (end line) until after contact.
   • Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
   • Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.
   • Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point.
   • First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game loser.
   • Serve must be returned by a bump only, no setting or attacking a serve.
   
   

   SCORING

   • Rally scoring will be used.
   • There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
   • Offense will score on a defence miss or out of bounds hit.
   • Defence will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
   • Each game is approximately 20 minutes
     (1^st half: 8 minutes / Break: 3 minutes / 2^nd Half: 8 minutes)

   ROTATION

   • Team will rotate each time they win the serve.
   • Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.
   • There shall be 6 players on each side. (Reserve Players : 2)
   • Maximum of three hits per side.
   • Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit).
   • Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.
   • A ball touching a boundary line is good.
   • A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest.
   • If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play.
   • A player must not block or attack a serve.
   • Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. (After the serve only).
   
   

   SUBSTITUTIONS

   • Rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the game.
   • There will be no stopping of time during substitutions.

   BASIC VIOLATIONS

   • Stepping on or over the line on a serve.
   • Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
   • Hitting the ball illegally (Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc.).
   • Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.
   • Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:
   • When blocking a ball which is in the opponents’ court but is being returned (the blocker must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except to block the third play.
   • Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player).
   • Failure to serve in the correct order.
   • Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back row position
   
   
4. Tug-Of-War
   
   
   • 10 players per team. Advisable to have extras on stand by.
   • Males and Females (with minimum 4 females participating)
   
   

   ROPE MARKINGS

   There will be five tapes or markings fixed to a rope:

   • A red tape or marking at the centre of the rope which will be level with the ground mark at the start of every pull.
   • Two white tapes or markings each 4 metres either side of the red centre tape or marking
   • Two blue tapes or markings each 5 metres either side of the red centre tape or marking. The first puller in each team shall grip the rope within 30 cm, and outside of, these outer blue tapes or markings.
   
   

   THE START

   • When teams are called they shall go to their designated end, pick up the rope and set their grip and footing.
   • When the Line Judge sees that each team is correctly in position, he or she will raise their arm.
   • One position shall be marked, at right angles to the line of the rope, where the centre of the rope will be at the start of competitions.
   
   

   TO WIN

   • A pull shall be won when one of the white tapes or markings on the rope has been pulled over the mark on the ground (4 metres), and will be signalled by the umpire blowing his or her whistle and pointing in the direction of the winning team.
   
   
   
   
5. Athletics - 100m Sprint
   
   
   • 1 Team - 2 Males and 2 Females
   • Meaning that there will be 4 representatives from each organisation/society
   • Reserves are on Stand By only, they do not need to register
   
   

   RULES

   • Participants will be allowed ONE false start.
   • There cannot be two false starts in any single race otherwise the last athlete to false start will be disqualified.
   • The Run:-
   • Participant will have to finish the run in their own designated lane.
   • Participant will be disqualified if they step on the line between the running lanes while running.
   • Participant will be disqualified if they run on the lane of the other participant.

   TO WIN

   • The runner that passes thru the finishing line first will win the race.
   
   
6. Athletics - 4 x 400m Relay Run
   
   
   • 1 Team - 4 Males and 4 Females
   • Meaning that there will be 8 representatives from each organisation/society
   • Reserves are on Stand By only, they do not need to register
   
   

   RULES

   • There will be FOUR runners in a team.
   • Participants are allowed ONE false start at the starting line.
   • There cannot be two false starts in any single race otherwise the last athlete to false start will be disqualified.

   THE RUN

   • The first runner MUST remain in the same lane for the full lap.
   • After receiving the baton, the second runner may leave his/her lane after the first turn.
   • The third and fourth runners are assigned lanes based on the position of the team’s previous runner when he/she is halfway around the track.
   
   

   RELAY RULES

   • The baton can only be passed within the exchange zone.
   • If the passing of baton is made outside the exchange zone, the team will be disqualified.
   • Passers must remain in their lanes after the pass to avoid blocking other runners.
   • The baton must be carried by hand throughout the race. If it’s dropped the runner can leave the lane to retrieve the baton as long as the recovery doesn’t lessen his/her total running distance.
   • Runners CANNOT wear gloves or place substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton.
   
   

   TO WIN

   • The runner that passes thru the finishing line first will win the race.
   • After the race is completed, the last runner MUST hold and return the baton to the line keeper at the finishing line.

* Please note that you can join more than 1 category and that BUDDY is required to join ALL categories.

BUDDY is hoping that you'll be interested in joining in any or ALL of the categories! Rules and the regulations of each game will be further notified, however there will be tropics awarded to the Top 3 winners of each games. Not just that, they will also award the 'Championship Trophy' for the overall winner!

Those who are interested can contact me at jiarhwei@gmail.com to let me know which category you'd like to join.

It'll be great if you could bring some friends along and we'll get to meet the other Buddhist youths in Klang Valley! We'll need to register before 14 August, 2009 (Fri) so please let me know soon.

BUDDY Fellowship Party

Hymn Singing Performance

Hello BUDDYies (:

If you have not heard (which is likely), the Youth and Teen Hymn Singing Group will be performing THIS saturday !

Location : Hilltop Buddhist Centre
Street : off Jalan Awan Pintal, Taman Tan Yew Lai

Time : 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

(: You should come along and support them as they've practiced real hard, and they'll be representing BUDDY! (:

The last time, I went to this Hymn Singing Competition and noticed that BUDDY could use more supporters to cheer from them. I'm sure our cheers can beat the other teams who bring busloads of supporters!

So, it'll be GREAT if you'd come along, and show your support for your very own hymn singing group!

Transportation can be arranged.
Please just leave a message in the cbox with your email, and I'll get back to you ASAP!
Or you can email me directly at:

melinda.loves.dramatism@hotmail.com

(Yes, laugh at it. Laugh.)

ON ANOTHER NOTE!

The Hymn Singing group is also looking for awesome, enthusiastic, talented people, for example, YOU! (:

Don't worry if you can't sing, we've got an Opera Singer who'd teach you Singing 101! (:
I'm not pulling your leg alright?! She's really a trained singer (:

We'll be learning basic inhaling and exhaling techniques, rythm, and all sorts of singing stuff (:
anyone can sing, you just need to know how!

Our practices are on Sunday mornings, 10.30 - 11.30a.m

Yes, it sort of clashes with BUDDY session, but you can always dismiss yourself earlier if you'd like to.

Do leave a message at the cbox if you want more information or if you're interested! (:

That should be it.
Have a good week (:

BUDDY Guitar Lessons for Beginners!

*click to enlarge*

Great news! Starting this Sunday, we'll be having free guitar lessons thanks to Sister Melinda! For those who have a guitar, haven't had the time/money to start on lessons, this is for you!

The program will be carried out for 1 and a half months, so be sure to attend every class to make the best out of it. You wouldn't need to bring anything except for a guitar and have those fingers at the ready :)

If you are interested in joining the session, please email your name to Melinda at melinda.loves.dramatism@hotmail.com

Congratulations, Jia Wei!

Congratulations, Jia Wei for bagging First Prize for the Secondary Solo category of the 5th Inter Dharma School Hymn Singing Competition.

Wesak Blood Donation Campaign 2009

written by Jiar Hwei

On Labour Day (1 May 2009) fell BUBS annual Wesak Blood Donation Campaign. This year, I vowed to donate my blood instead of chickening out *cough* like the last two years.

Basic guidelines to follow when you want to be a blood donor:

• Enough rest/sleep before donating
  
• Had food before donating
• 17 years and above (17 years old require parents' consent)
• Feeling well (and do not have any serious medical conditions e.g. HIV/Aids, STDs)
• Weigh 45 kg and above (this one I pass lah, for sure)

I was there early with my mother, hoping to be one of the first few. I have this feeling that they always treat the first few people with more care. Heh.

First, you have to fill up an extensive form (it's dwibahasa like your SPM paper) about your information and medical background. You then weigh yourself (!) and wait for the guy to test you blood. They prick your finger with this cool plastic thing to get the blood out and they test the iron consistency in it by seeing does it sink to the bottom of the liquid. After that, they test your blood type by doing cute doodles on their clipboard. Hah. I'm type B.

Next you get your heart/blood pressure measured by a fresh/training doctor. I had to get it done twice, so I was kinda afraid that there was a problem with me. When that was done, it was just getting my donors book ready and done!

So here's the part that makes me nervous. I was the 2nd donor of the day and was determined to get this over and done with. But, the nurses couldn't find my vein to poke in. I was panic, saying things like "Am I too fat? Is that why you can't find it?" Well, they just ignored me lah, 'exercised' my hand to get the nerve out.

The getting the needle part in was hard, I'll admit, but wasn't as painful as I thought it'd be. My mother was trying to distract me until she couldn't stand the sight of blood herself. After that, my hand was numb and I couldn't feel a thing while my bag was filling up with blood.

I finally overcame a fear of thinking it's super painful to donate blood when it really isn't. A whopping 450 ml! I did get a little dizzy after but I just had to lie down for a minute and down a super sweet cup of gluclosin (grape flavour!). It's really a great meritorious deed to give your blood to someome who needs it. So if you do fulfill the guidelines, I urge you to give it a go!

PS: Vice Prez Eugene was there to donate his blood too, like a pro. Btw, he's special cause he's type O.

PPS: I rewarded myself by stuffing down a Big Mac during the McDonald's 12-3 lunch promo.