Friday, March 27, 2009
You never walk alone...
Finally, the day that all of us, canoeists that is, have been "eagerly" waiting for is here. Yes, the much targeted MR500 race that we have been training with so much fervour and zeal, is finally here and its like starting in 7 hours time as we speak.... Despite the tough and exhausting trainings, I guess many are still unprepared and unsure of themselves for the upcoming race, me inclusive...An extract from what the little O'inspiring speech that our dear president Sala has sent us:
Just wanna say.. Results/Winning/Whatever is not what matters most, the journey is. Tell anyone else about the frustrations we felt when it seemed like we could never cross that time barrier or when we couldn't go straight or the tummy butterflies or the sprinting with resistors and flying after they're off, and they probably wouldn't understand it as well as we do. And of course, the bonds that were forged through the trainings - the deeper something that is irrreplaceable, here to stay, and definitely beyond what a win at any race can bring. This, my friends, has been OUR journey - one that I wouldn't trade for anything even when it has been one hell of a ride.
Even as all the trainings culminate in this one race this weekend, I'd just like to say: "No Fear!". No fear in both ways - our competitors and because at the end of the race, we (or at least Peiyu and I, 'cos our event is soo early >.<) will definitely be there to give you that pat on your back and offer that peanut butter biscuit. Because at the end of the day, no matter what happens, you're still part of the SIM canoeing family, and as what Lilo or Stitch said:
"Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."
As what Sala said, results/winning/whatever is not what matters most, the journey is... So just paddle forth and do your best, the main thing is to enjoy yourself even though we are up against rather tough competitors... Although we may not win, at least we will give them a run for their money right? (or in this case the trophy? haha)... Though, I may not be able to go down early to support those whose events are in the morning and early afternoon like Peiyu, Sarah, Kylie and Pamela (T1, T1 and T2 women respectively), my heart are with you girls out there although I am stuck in a camp listening to some stupid briefing....
Aside from the upcoming nerve wrecking competition, I am glad that our investment project has been finally submitted. After much discussion, redoing of parts and compilation of the project, it is OVER!!! YES!!! Now, there is only 1 more test (International Trade) before the exam study break.
That aside, Da Clique has also finally purchased the air tickets for our Grad trip to Australia. So the final members that are going are namely Nizam, Pamela, Wini, Pei yu and myself. Clara could not attend the trip at the last moment due to some issues, which was rather regretful since we had already been looking forward to the trip for a long time... Oh well, next time I guess?
Some event happened not too long ago which enabled certain issues to be settled, I must say that i am rather grateful that it happened since I have been waiting for it for quite some time already, but due to the abruptness of the situation, I guess I didnt really make full use of the opportunity to settle most of the issues that have been in my mind... Maybe, there will be a chance sometime later to settle more of the issues....
Also, since I'm at it, I would like to take the opportunity to apologise for always being the one dampening the mood of the outing or speaking insensitively. It all started from last sem, though I know not what change had overcome me... I guess the nice guy that thinks before he speaks have mysteriously retreated into some hidden enclave within the mind, while this new blunt guy has taken the forefront... I guess I will try to persuade the new me to take a back seat while allowing the old me to take the lead... But its going to be hard...
Posted by Clarence at 9:15 AM
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Okie, so the first test of the semster is over and I must say though the test was easy... I wasnt really pleased with all the last min changes and the thorough ineffectiveness of the lecturer. Can you imagine your lecturer telling last minute that a MCQ test that was supposed to be 2 hours long was suddenly cut to 45 mins and instead of 20 questions, it was 30 questions instead? Worse, he said that he didnt know anything about it either... Geez, what kind of lecturer does not know the test structure or even the syallbus? He even said, " I can tell you the practical side of the subject, but with regards to theory, I dunno anything abt it and I need you to teach me..." Gosh....totally crap can... And the school had to assign this lecturer who was teaching for the very first time in school to us, when this was our last sem... Great....Now studying for intro to futures and options, and I am just as stumped.... I dunno how I am going to survive this sem... dun even talk about the exams.... Geez...
04/03
Met in school early for our very first project group meeting to thrash out all the difficulties that each of us had for our part for the investment project.. Thought I would be late, as I overslept... Turned out I was the first to reach.. Haha... Anyway, after much discussion and lunch, Pei yu, Clara, Zam and I headed over to the foyer to register for the Battleground challenge organised by the RMIT Student Council. The Canoeing team had submitted 4 teams out of the 8 teams, waha high chance of winning right? Well anyway, the match structure was like this.. The preliminary rounds would decide the teams to enter the semi-final via best of 3 matches... My team ended up facing Zam's dinner in the preliminary round which was kinda wasted I guess... Otherwise, we would really stand a good chance of clinching 2 of the top 3 positions.. But anyhow, after much battle and balancing, we managed to clinch the 3rd position!! Despite only 1 team making it to the finals, the more important thing was that everyone had fun!!
After the whole event, rushed to class as we knew that there would be plenty of things to copy from the lecturer. However, as my hand was smarting from the broken skin sustained during the challenge, I was unable to write... Coupled with my fatigue level, it equals time to sleep which I did... Only to be woken up by the lecturer... How embarrassing can?
Anyway, went out with the canoeists after that for dinner at Lucky Plaza. The Nasi Ayam Penyet there is rather good, or rather the chilli is BAGUS!! Though a tad ex, a recommended muz try for chilli lovers... Pei yu joined us later, and the gals went off to have their gals talk, while Jason, Eric and I went to Borders starbucks to relax and just chill cuz all of us were rather tired. After waiting for an hour or so, we decided to leave to find the gals... However, as they were not done yet, we decided to leave earlier to rest...
The Battleground Teams
3rd place!
26/02
Spent time at the airport studying with Eric, Sarah and Kylie.. Though not much was accomplished, not in the least due to them, rather due to the chimness of the investment notes and textbook, leaving me clueless as to what is important to study and what is not... Wore the vest for the second time since I received it... Do I look alright in it? haha I wonder...
24/02
Finally decided with Da Clique that our final Grad Trip destination was Australia, after doing some research on the other places that we wanted to go to and realised it was just too expensive. And then it was training time yet again!!! Was rather surprised to learn earlier on that Angie and Geok Ting were joining us though.. Haha... Anyway after much discussion, we decided to run to the Bukit Batok Nature Reserve... Eh come to think of it, I think I only knew of its existence like right there and then... The run was kinda good... Cooling and not that fast paced, the way I like it... It has been a really long time since I last ran such a long distance without feeling very exhausted and I must say I look forward to running such distances again, of course with friends... I dun think I will be able to get my lazy bum to move if I were to run alone... Haha...
Anyway, as the weather was rather cooling, I was like "steaming"... Dun get me wrong, haha I meant literally steaming as in one can see steam coming out of my overheated body... Haha one extremely funny comment I still remeber up till now was what Angie said.. " OMG, he's going to transform into PUMBA soon!!" Lol, everyone cracked up at that! The scenery there was simply magnificant!! An ideal dating place I must say to enjoy the quiet of the night and appreciate nature... Anyway, after the static, I lent my shoes to Nizam who forgot to bring out his shoes... Haha wasnt really eager to lend him the shoes, but since he asked... Oh well... what are friends for right? So, I ran bare footed all the way back to school and tripped when I was outside Ngee Ann... Apparently, when I tripped all those around me felt the earth tremble... Waha got that yan zhong mehz?!!! Thankfully, I only injured my knee... Had dinner at Al Azhar before heading home...
Wonder whats with canoeists and poles these days... Haha
Awww... So sweet.....
Chun Li in action..
Haha I like this picture!!I guess that everything is now nearly back to the way it once was before and I am thankful for that... You may not have an idea as to how much I actually cherished the friendship and the amount of frustration was tearing at my heart at the way things turned out after that incident last year... I felt like I had been in a roller coaster for the past year... Ups and downs... Cold and hot... The situation got so bad till I had no idea how to face you or even talk to you despite trying... I even thought of giving up on the friendship once... but thankfully, things changed just there and then... I understand that undoubtly, you will have some reservations... but I just hope that things will get even better and that we will grow closer as friends in time to come...
