HANGING WITH THE ACE, FRANKLIN

One of the things I am most grateful for in life is the God given opportunities to meet interesting and nice people. Of course, there are days when some a**holes get in the way and ruin your day, but they are not important, so you forget them.

But the most beautiful thing about this journey on Earth is meeting people who brings meaning to your life and that is why these are the people that you will remember, because their presence taught you something.

I wasn't starstruck meeting former UFC Middleweight Champ and current ONE FC Vice President, Rich Franklin. In fact, I have not even seen him fight prior to meeting him (but of course, now I have Youtubed his fights). I heard that he is a great fighter and therefore, knew he is somebody intimidating because of his status.

Hence I was dreading my work trip to Cambodia because I am not a fan of travelling with companions that I wasn't comfortable with. I mean, travelling with the boss alone is stressful enough, and I really don't need another high profile individual with me on the trip to make it more mental. Plus, I was already homesick and missing a lot of people.

It turns out that the trip wasn't that bad after all and I found out that Rich Franklin is actually a really cool man and he is so down to Earth that he makes one learn to feel comfortable around him. Oh sure he makes fun of me and my gullibility makes me an easier victim, but I have come to a conclusion that, he is generally a real gentleman with a nice heart.

Here are a few moments the ONE FC team shared with Rich Franklin that defines this man. He gained so much respect from me in the past three days because of who he is as a person, and not because he is a UFC champion in the cage.

Kids playing football

We were in a van and Rich saw some kids playing in the villages. He said let's play with them and we stopped our van and just went down to watch the kids play. Well, we were not "allowed" in the game, maybe because the kids are scared haha but the fact that Rich actually went down and tried to interact with the kids by the muddy villages showed how humble he is as a person.

He went on discussing about how happiness can be that simple, just being with friends, playing football. My colleague pointed out that, what about their future... when they grow up?

And he said, but maybe for them, this is all they need to be happy. We, city dwellers, spend a lot of time thinking about our futures and chasing things that makes one happy but maybe for them, happiness is just that simple. He said to be happy, we need to live the "now" and not worry about the future. 

It is so true what Rich said. As I stood there watching the kids, I felt a sense of happiness at that moment and it was a great experience. Watching them laugh and trying to figure things out was hilarious. 

Kids playing football

Waiting to eat

So everyone's food came except mine. My boss and colleague were so hungry they dugged in. I continue reading the papers while waiting. And Rich suddenly said, Tammy do you mind if I eat my toast so that it doesn't get cold?

Seriously, I didn't even know he was waiting for me! 

The art of being a gentlemanly is so rare that I didn't even notice. Haha... but that is Rich Franklin. He taught so many of us table manners that day just by showing an example. 

The funniest was then my boss started to be a 'gentleman'. But of course, it didn't last long. Not that I mind, it is just funny he tries to be 'Rich Franklin'. I still think he is better off being that New Yorker he is haha. 

Patience

Rich is a former school teacher and I think I know why. He is patient. He is patient with me when I don't get his American slang. He is patient when teaching me how to ride the ATV so that I don't kill myself. He was behind me looking out for me because he knows I was struggling with manoeuvring the vehicle. 

I wasn't used to riding the ATV because I rode it like a bicycle and so I kinda crashed down a grassy slope - it was funny although dangerous. The worst was when I almost ride into a lorry but managed to swerve last minute. Of course I later got the hang of it. In my mind that time on the ATV was my dad's words - he said that it is not important if you are not the best at something, but the most important is that you learned and constantly improve. And so, I was so determined to get the hang of it and ride that ATV!

I am just glad I did it! 

Rich took this photo of us on the ATV...and he sent to us...cool dude, right???

On luck 

Rich says he doesn't believe in luck, but in a sense of purpose. Like, you go through certain stuff not because of luck but because there is a purpose for you to go through that circumstance because God has something else set for you.

Hmm... I do believe in luck because I always feel like I am lucky and blessed in life but what Rich said, after thinking about it, kind of make sense too. Well I shall spend some time mulling over that.

I also thoroughly enjoyed his MMA seminar, and although I do not know MMA, I learned something about ground game. It is like magic - you make your opponent think that you are doing a move with your left or right hand, when actually you are making a move with the other! 

Email

My carelessness and forgetfulness got me into trouble again because I left my passport in the hotel. And I was travelling to the airport with Rich. I got my passport thingy sorted but what touched me was that Rich emailed me to check if I made the flight! 

You see, I always said that some of these fighters are great in the cage but what makes them stand out is their character and heart. Fighters like Rich Franklin gain respect because of who they are as a person and for a common person like me, it speaks much more volume than their status as world champion. 

And to end my post, I just want to thank God again for always giving me the opportunities to meet these great people. I know Rich Franklin has a lot of fans and a lot of people would give a lot to have a chance to hang out with Rich like I got to over the past few days. It is a blessing for me... and I now know how lucky I am to meet the Ace.

Although I was pretty homesick, the trip ended on a really positive and happy note. I am still feeling very blessed. I love this photo too...

Fun Fact:

Rich Franklin is known as the Ace because of his resemblance to Ace Ventura, or rather, Jim Carrey. But then again, he is also an Ace in the cage, so I guess it is an apt middle name.