Saturday, April 21, 2012

Happiness is a warm gun.

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I'm such a chicken. I'm scared of guns. I couldn't resist thinking how fast a bullet escapes the muzzle. That with a twitch of a finger, life can be compromised. You know that if you're scared of something, you don't usually want to be in the same vicinity or let alone handle and learn about that something. I read somewhere that there's a bit of normality in despising guns but then one must also learn how to respect it's existence. We all have some form and fears and the ugly truth is that the best way to deal with them is to face them head on and do it as soon as you can.

Al Forsan Sports Resort caters to the professional shooters to the "never fired a gun" individuals like me.  So when I had the luxury of quiet time while watching wakeboard enthusiasts do their thing, I finally came to a decision.  I will fire a gun today.  I was trying my best to find the root cause of my fear, for I know it didn't come from some kind of a personal trauma.  Then I thoroughly convinced myself to come up with even a pinch of courage to allow me to just hold that thing with the hope of discovering why guns turned me into that chicken sh*t.


Rachell was supposed to go firing with me that day, sadly we need to present either our National ID or passport to be able to use the facility.  I had my passport with me, and when Rach presented her labor card, they refused to accept.  We argued that they didn't provide that information in the website and that we came all the way from Dubai, but they firmly said no.  I guess I was on my own this time and that didn't help at all.  I was really scared to death.

Since it was my first time, I have to go through this beginner's safety induction.  I was a bit at ease when I met my mentor, Will. He's a Filipino and an ex-military marksman. YEY!  I began to feel safe.


=)

View of the wake park from the main building

The lobby
Corridor leading to the shooting range
Waiting for my mentor
Kuya Will explaining the parts of a gun
The correct stance - upper body leaning a bit forward, this I should really improve on.
Rach showing off her bangas position. ahahahha.
She's more confident than I am
Chill na chill si Kuya Will
Pinapakalma ang sarile =)
This is like the safety operation booth, where they control the door locks.
Firing booths
Entering place of doom
Target
Thinking of running away
A live ammunition right in front of me. Whew!
Trying to apply the proper position
Kuya will making his last minute instructions before my first shot
Getting the feel of it


Sweaty palms. There's a box of tissue beside me, naubos ko yata. Every after round, pinupunasan ni kuya yung baril ako naman yung kamay ko.

Pep talk, lots and lots of it =)


I'm trying my best to listen to everything he says


...and to keep my hands from shaking.


This is it


Here goes nothing.


If you can only see how badly my hands were trembling

Front and rear sight should be of the same level

Nakalimutan ko nang mag-lean slightly forward neto. =D

Todo suporta ni Rach. Look at her smile from ear to ear. =D

Rach gained lots of friends, nakipagchikahan siya habang nakasalang ako.  We learned that all of them are ex-military marksmen pala. =D

Kuya Will pointing out where I should aim

Now he's teaching me how to load a gun

FORCING A SMILE. 

And another try

Peace tayo!

Reload

Ganito ako kaangas, loading a gun habang nakapikit. Bwahahahaha.

The irritating facial tremor

Inggit fez nya daw to. =)

Hinde pa rin ako makangiti tapos na, ba't ganun? =(

Finished at last!

Parang graduate na inabutan ng diploma. =D

What a relief!

The circuit. My next challenge. =D
I'm so proud of myself. =)

The moment I stepped into the range, I wanted to leave.  My palms were sweaty, hand shaking and my body was trembling.  It took me a while before I could pull the trigger.  I was anticipating the sound of the gun shot and the vibration.  I tried to focus on everything kuya Will taught me.  I was anticipating the gun to react violently against me...picturing my entire body being thrown at the wall.  I started singing "Happiness is a warm gun" in my head just to calm my thoughts.  

I did it.  I pulled the trigger, and then again and again and again.

Al Forsan Sports Resort
Shooting and Archery
Induction training
Caliber .22 (25 rounds) - 200 aed
Caliber 9mm or .38sp (25 rounds) 250 aed
+9712 556 8555
info@alforsan.com
www.alforsan.com

P.S. Thank you Rach for documenting my conquest, having you there is more than enough support.  To the ex-military marksmen of Al Forsan resort, I appreciate the encouragement and for taking my photos inside the shooting range.  We'll definitely see each other again. =)

"Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will."
- James Stephens

Giving "it" a try.

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Are you into sports? I'm not.  Most athletes are tall and strong and obviously, I'm in none of these categories.  Between many laughs and literally gasping for air, I get a little but anxious thinking about how it must be to be athletic.  But then, I never say no to a challenge.  When Rona invited us to spend a day at a sports resort, I panicked.  Seriously, a sports resort?  Is there such a thing? What am I supposed to do there?  I checked the website of that dreaded place and still there was no definitive answer.  

The next thing I knew we were on the road that leads to Abu Dhabi.  Weather was perfect, we had a hearty breakfast at McDonald's and I was with two of my best friends, it was a great start.  During the road trip, while we were screaming out every word to every Eraserheads song the thought of not knowing what to do there still bugged me.  After about an hour, we finally reached our destination.  It was such a humongous place.  You'd need something with wheels (car, bike, skates, what have you) to be able to tour the entire compound.  A wonderfully helpful map was provided.

Our first stop was at the Wakeboard park and we actually spent most of our day there. Being that my dear friend Rona was so hooked to wakeboarding (rolling my eyes), buti na lang mahal ko siya, at hinde ako nag-monster hahahaha.  Here's our day in photos.

Rach and I all "girlied" up
Al Forsan
BB muna wala pa akong maisip gawin eh
Wave restaurant
 Gear rental
Liquid Force Watson Wakeboard Bindings
Do you think she was excited?
KONY 2012: Participants are requested to wear their Kony 2012 t-shirts from their Invisible Children action kit to school (and all day) on April 20. 
Rach wearing her KONY bracelet
The map/activity guide.  Still undecided at this point.
Kony bracelets
Now she's ready.
Unpacking her board.
Enthusiasts
Swimming not allowed
Patiently waiting for their turn
Rentals
You should have seen how these kids ride
 A picture of total excitement 
Removing water from her ears
Saya saya nya lang. ahahahaha.
Hmmmm.
In action
Moral support. ahahaha.
=)
All wet
Kneeboarding
iPhone naman, kung ano na lang ang mapindot. =D
I have my own "action" going on here
Lunch buffet
Just look at him fly
Young adults
Woohooo!
=)
This young girl was unstoppable
=)
Sobrang galing ng batang to. =)
=)
Lunch or what was left of it
I'm still burping all the beef until now
Enjoyed the salad bar a lot!
Liquid Force Daisy Helmet
Rona's Hyperlite Bindings
Swoosh
=)
Getting help from friendly staff
Rona in action
Kunot noo? ahahahaha.
Rach really loves this "lounging time"
Gorgeous isn't she?
Dress: Aeropostale
Eye wear: H&M
Hinde pa ako ready sabe eh, gulo pa ng damit ko. =D
Ok na ba 'to? =D
Dress and Eye Wear from H&M
Nairita? LOL!
Good thing I brought my book.
To fix the twisted rope...
...one had to climb this.
=)
The buffet (kept us eating from time we got there 'til 5 pm) =)
Competitions are always held here
Chismisan caught on camera. =D
Bwahahahaha, mga MUKHANG 'YAN! =D
Hilata nonstop
Rona and Rach
I love this pic =)
=)
Sumuko ang board na to kay Rona, sinulit ang full day pass eh
I just had to grab the camera when I saw this cute little girl
Bigla kong na-miss si Kaya habang kinukunan ko to. =(
One day I'll bring my little girl here, maybe she'll be into sports. =)

Adventure's not over yet, for me at least.  An afternoon of recumbency made me decide to do one thing that scared me.  Eleanor Roosevelt once said "Do one thing everyday that scares you".  I must admit with the overwhelming changes in my life right now I am clearly challenging myself almost everyday.  So I thought, why not shoot it up a little more?  My next post will be quite interesting, so just you wait. 

Al Forsan Sports Resort
Water Sports
Cable rides:
1 hour = 125 aed
2 hours = 180 aed
4 hours = 230 aed
Full day = 280 aed
T: +9712 556 8555
info@alforsan.com
www.alforsan.com


"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."
- Gen. George S. Patton