IVP 2007It's been quite awhile since I last blogged, guess all the training and dating is getting to me. Finally, I have some decent space and time to sit and write.
After months of grueling training, frustration and emotional agony, the competition came and left. For me, it was my first time being part of the pattern competition. Never had I been in a pattern team, neither have I been an AI. Guess, the club never thought of me as a pattern person or maybe I downright sucked. Hahaha.... I must say, it is an experience I will never forget lar...
I was just as nervous as my members as I was giving command in front of so many people. Normally, I talk quite loud lar and with ease, but having the focus on me and the team is very stressful.... While I was trying to psyche my team up, I was like panic mode.... how? what if I shout wrongly or not loud enough that they never hear? Hahaha...
Nonetheless, my team went up and performed and I felt that they did good during the semi-finals. Timing and "seh" was there, strength was there and I can tell they are giving all their best. At that point in time, I was quite confident that we would be the top 2 teams during the semi-finals but when the results came out, we were at a measly 4th, behind some of the CMI teams (N....S). Oh well, I noticed HS and WT face look so stressed and depressed. Ruth was there too and everyone was just purely shocked. Only Jimmy maintained a more positive outlook. All I could do was just try to mentally motivate them. Honestly, I felt that only S....M was on par with us during the semis. But things turn out funny.
Oh well... after all the motivation to them and I myself being consoled by lots of TKD ppl, I felt that it is really a finale for us. Whether 4th or 1st, we are in the finals and that mattered the most. It meant we had 1 more fighting chance and 1 more chance to prove to ppl that we are the champions. We practiced and perked up and went down to gather. All the while i kept psyching HS, Jimmy and WT, made them practice their counting. And this time I was very confident to say that their pattern this time round was so much so much better than they have ever done. Timing was good, strength was good, execution was good and the aura of death of the best. I know they know it too and I know they have done it. None of the other teams really came close to us.
But the results came as a shock again. NTU Eejang Team 1 came in 5th, which was a shocker. We came in 2nd with S....M coming in 1st. It was very obvious that S...M dun deserve the gold, but like some ppl say, pattern is subjective and also they are trying to distribute the medals for better participation for subsequent years.
Anyway, I was really proud of my team and I could tell from their faces that they were super relieved and happy. The underdogs have come through at the end of day... They were not the hot favourites from day 1, yet their fighting spirit really proved that no matter what happens, they will never be beaten.
I personally think that the 4 of them have great potential if they train hard in TKD. I can see HS in Chil Jang and also in sparring, WT in O Jang, Jimmy in O Jang and sparring, while Ruth in sparring. All of them have good foundation and a strong mental strength. In fact, I can foresee them coaching as AIs in future.
In addition, I got to know some wonderful people.
I never really knew Candace much apart from the fact she was Nic's GF. But I realise she is very strong in character and have great determination. From a girl who did not really enjoy sparring till where she stood and fought a tough match in the arena, she have really improved greatly. Candace, do not shed ur tears because of failure, but shed them because u have done the best and have come a long way to achieve what u are today.
Jiamin is an amazing girl who can juggle multiple task at the same time. School and being a JAI and one that is so responsible. I can safely leave a task to her and she will accomplish it. Really a great help to me and Candace when we both are busy with things. Furthermore, her pattern is good and have very good potential as AI in future. Just need to be more firm though, dun be like tou fu nuah nuah one.... hahaha...
Sky... dunno what to say except always come out stunt. Honestly, I was pretty pissed with his attendance or shd i say lack of attendance. But, he did come down when he could and helped out every now and then. Life in JCRC is tough I understand and it is not easy to handle so many things at once, but always keep ur word if u give it. That's the motto I believe in life. Hope it means something to those who sees this.
Veron... Smart and tough girl. Reminds me alot of Xin you when she was in year 1. Was picked to join a group of seniors in Chil Jang Pattern team. Which meant lots of things to catch up with the others. More hard work and determination. More commitment and pain and emotional rides. I could see her hard work to perfect her pattern and be part of the team. I could also see her effort she put into sparring and as a responsible member of the committee. It was sad to have to make her decide whether to stay as a JAI, but I felt it would be alot better for her. Not very good to get burnt out so early in University. Girl, take things easy ok? No need to fight to do everything in life. Find the correct pace and enjoy the scenery, u will go further and take in more if u give urself time.
Ok lar... I better stop my nagging.... later people call me naggy old man again... very sad lei... I got so old mah?
Ee jang team 2, Have faith in the wings that you have given yourself and soar the skies of heaven proudly.
Alright the small little island and the building on it is the infamous Prison Alcatraz... No chance to go visit, but will do so in future.
Supposedly the windiest road in the world. It is quite scary driving down this road as the turns are so sharp that people are literally just crawling down this slope. Quite stupid hor? a bunch of cars queuing up to go down a slope. Hahahaha.... feel so touristy...
