Saturday, December 25, 2010

Climbing Journey

I was going down the memory lane on Facebook, viewing my 1500+ photos there, reminiscing all those things that I've done, which seemed like so long ago.
I haven't really done a proper wrap up of my climbing journey in TJCCC, and this post is specially dedicated to it. My competitive climbing days started in JC 1 and I have never looked back since.

It all started with my very first competition in J1.

National Schools Sports Climbing Championships (NSSCC) @ Safra Yishun 2009
My very first official competition I had a podium finish, winning 3rd for A Div' Girls Difficulty category, and 1st for Speed Team which I proudly announce that my role was a clipper.

Thereafter I took part in Rockmasters at Singapore Poly which was a total disaster, I don't even remember finishing in what position, but it was my first bouldering comp. and I was glad to have been given the chance out of so many other girls.

Next competition was
Climb On 2009
And then it was our first overseas rock trip to Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was then, I fell in love with natural rock. It upped my footwork skills so much, trusting on seemingly nothing to a non-climber.

Rock trip @ Batu Caves, KL, M'sia, 2009
After the end of 2009, TJCCC started the year with French School! It had a unique competition style, comprising of bouldering and difficulty climbs. Despite not getting a podium finish, I was rather satisfied with my difficulty climb as shown below, with the only exception of the speed that I was climbing at. My climb always get terminated when I'm so close to the top yet so far away from finishing it.

French School Climbing Competition @ French School 2010
To be accurate, or rather, to be honest, I can't remember French School came first or Bouldermania. But they all happened in the first 2 months of the year before our March Common Tests came. Bouldermania had been one of my easiest bouldering comp ever, with so many girls breezing through the 4 problems that we ended up with a superfinals.

Bouldermania @ NTU 2010
After Bouldermania, it was Gravical at SMU. This time the entire club took part. And it was one of my proudest moments as the Training Coordinator of the climbing club because out of 10 girls, 7 of us were promoted to the Intermediate Category. I've never felt prouder of the club than ever before.

Gravical @ SMU 2010
At Gravical, I finished off at 2nd place for the Novice Women category. And our school was the leading JC in the National Bouldering League for A division.

After Gravical, we took part in Boulderactive organised by NUS as a club again.
It was my first bouldering competition where I took part in the Intermediate category and I missed the Inter finals by a spot. It was an achievement for myself and I was satisfied with my performance as well despite that. As for the schools ranking, we still competed in the Novice category, and I don't even remember getting what position but a lot of our girls came in top 5 and that sustained our school's ranking as number 1.

Boulderactive @ Orchard Central 2010
NSSCC 2010 was pushed forward so it happened before half the year was gone. It was another moment for the whole club to be ever so proud again. The boys clinched best overall school, and both the boys and girls cleanly swept the top 3 positions for the Difficulty climbs. I came in 2nd for difficulty losing to my all respected Valerie who got 1st and she totally deserved it because her climbing skills have always been better than mine but her mental strength was not as well conditioned, and with this competition, it was really where a strong foundation was built. I felt proud for her making another jump in her climbing journey.

National Schools Sport Climbing Championships (NSSCC) @ Safra Yishun 2010
After NSSCC, our club organised Climb X at our very own school, inviting other JCs as well as tertiaries to take part. It was another milestone for me as I clinched my first Champion's medal in a climbing competition.
Joining me on the podium were Kris, Ash and Val. I've never felt like I was such a deserving TC, but at that moment, it occurred to me that my efforts had paid off seeing the club shine competition after competition.

The very last bouldering competition was Pumpfest organised by NTU. It was my 2nd time taking part in the Intermediate category, and boy was I owned by the routes. Made me realised that there was so much so much more to learn in climbing, so much more to advance and taught me never to be complacent. It was a good exposure despite the routesetter claiming it was too difficult a standard for the Inter girls.

Pumpfest @ City Square Mall 2010
With this last competition of the year before we officially step down for the pure madness of A levels and its mugging phase, TJC came out as the top JC in the National Bouldering League. So many achievements within a mere one and a half years, I was proud beyond words of TJCCC.

The only disappointment I ever had in this school is the fact that Climbing as a sport is never recognised in school nor at the national level. It hurts when we had our Sports Appreciation ceremony and the Climbing Club was never once mentioned with regards to our achievements.

The blood, sweat and tears that have we have toiled through, fighting for that last bit, reaching out for the last hold will all be deeply remembered by each of us. Experiences be it unique, it had indeed left a legacy in the climbing scene for our year. I have never excelled so far in a sport before, and I am no doubt still thankful to the school for having such amazing facilities and providing us with a loving teacher-in-charge and a dedicated coach.

My climbing journey in TJC has thus far ended.

I look forward to the next phase.

Climbing has shaped my life and given me a new found determination and confidence I never knew I had. The photos of me gritting my teeth and reaching out for the next hold are pasted on the wall in front of my desk while I study for the past months, reminding me of how studies, like climbing, require undying efforts and hardwork.

Philip's inspiring words to always focus on the process of climbing, taught me to really treasure the littlest things in life - that some time, many years later, we might not remember what positions we achieved or how many competitions we have taken part in, but we'll always remember the journey in each climb being special and unique and we ought to take pride in every thing we have ever done because it has helped shaped us for who we are today.

Just to add to the whole nostalgia - http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=406331750987
The climbing video that Calvin made, it sure did bring back many memories.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Busy?

I was thinking about how when the new week starts and I'm going to be mad busy day and night with barely even time to read my papers so I decide to blog before this starts to rot. I'm so busy that I don't even have time replying SMSes, don't even have time doing hair treatments for my scalp(yes I promised myself I would do it regularly after As, and see I'm not doing it now that it's AFTER As), don't even have time to read books(yes I promised myself I would start reading Sigmund Freud's works and find my destiny), don't even have time for all my friends in the world.

Somebody out there, save me?

I need the ching ching so badly, because my savings account is drying up so badly. I'm sponsoring my own driving licence and right now I've already bombed about 1.5k. And I have barely enough for my meals and enjoyment.

Talk about the season of giving right? I've been so generous with my own meals that I just splurged an entire month's worth of allowance and more as well buying presents and etc etc.

And how great have I gone on this path of financial independence? I told my mom I would get my own Macbook Air with my own hard earned money to learn to really treasure my material items.

Good job girl.

Money's never enough. Psychology is a long road.
The safe path? The fastest money?
Business, Finance, Economics. Hot hot hot, not my interest. Not.

SIGHHHHHH.

Adulthood? Hell yeah.

FYI, prawning's fun. I kid you not. LOL.
Even if you tell me that you can get more than 20 prawns for my worth of $30, it's the thrill.
I found a new thing to indulge in and waste money. Fine, not waste money. Just less savings. Heeee.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Telok Kurau

It's been years, not that long, but long enough to go back down the memory lane of the childhood days that were once the happiest times of my life. Weeks back during A levels or slightly before, we drove into Lor J Telok Kurau, the feelings that stirred upon me are beyond words. I couldn't decide if I felt nostalgia or plain sadness. The place somehow looked so much smaller than I had remembered. The art studio across the soccer field, the little lanes into the rows of houses; they all seemed much much smaller. The world's perspective from a child's eyes is hugely different now that I have reached another phase of my life.

Every single activity I once did remained vividly fresh in my mind, of playing with fire, of playing catching, of cycling, of skating, of climbing over my own main gate, of playing in the tub of water in the backyard, of playing soccer and getting rammed in the head/legs/hands by the ball roughly kicked by boys, of crying from being chased out from a bro's friend's place. It's endless. Those were my formative years, and I remember walking down the long stretch of road, taking in everything, storing it in my memory, making sure that I would remember this place forever, of how much I loved the area when I was so little.

Then I would get excited playing at the park, getting surprised and awe-struck by Adrian Pang and his kids playing as well. Swinging the highest possible swing till the chains rattle, screaming and yelling that it felt sooo good. Walking down the canal imagining huge crocodiles swimming in it, and fearing for dear life if I ever fell in while skating because of the slopes linking from all the Lorong whatever to the park connector.

I could go on describing all the seemingly mundane activities that were once the highlights of my childhood life. But a rude jerk stops me, because I know it's time to move on. I love the serenity of the place. It offers peace and quiet beyond any other areas that I have shifted to.

And now I am back on the hunt for properties again with resale flats having COVs skyrocketing. I wish... I really wish. I guess I can only let out a simple sigh, that I'll have to wait, when the next opportunity arrives. It's my dream to buy back the same property that had been my parents' first landed property. And I will work hard. But at what expense should I go to? Pursue my interest or pursue the money to achieve my dream?

It's one of those difficult defining moments, again.

I have been so caught up with too many activities, that I'm losing sense of my self, my sanity, my principles and my beliefs. It feels so good to clear up my thoughts that I'm losing interest in frivolous things too soon.

虽然身边有很多人围着,自己却觉得特别孤单特别寂寞.

P.S It's just one of those lonely emo nights, a sleep heals all wounds, superficially or permanently, it matters not.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Cruise

On the 3rd Dec - 6th Dec I was missing in action from Singapore, as most loyal readers would know, I have been away on a cruise. Super impromptu holiday trip with mommy and her many years best friend and her best friend's sister with all their kids. Ok, they each brought a kid only. So there were a grand total of 2 kids. Wow.

In 18 years of my life, this is my virgin trip on a cruise that my mom kept thinking it would resemble Titanic. But no, it's not as grand as Titanic. But nevertheless, the food was great. Especially the dinners that consisted of my favourite kinds of western expensive food that would set one back about a hundred bucks back in SG. Full course of dinner consisting of appetiser, beverage, main course, dessert and tea/coffee.

Due to my amazing memory, I wanted to list the amazing food down, but I got stuck at the first 2 appetisers I had on the first night of dinner - lobster bisque and escargots. So we shall move on away from food. The cruise's highlights were the late night parties, I especially loved the rock n roll one. Classic hits that stay through the time like I Will Survive, YMCA etc etc, and gosh, the old fogeys there sure could dance very well. Contrasting it to the young punks at the club lounge on another night where the DJ was playing hits that are the in thing now, i.e. Only Girl, Club Can't Handle Me Right Now etc, the old fogeys looked sooooo much better on the dance floor. The young ones were just dancing like monkeys, I'm serious. Foolish looking and totally having the time of their life oblivious to the world with their antics.

I think the crew at Royal Carribean really have a thing for folding towels.

Every night when I went back to the hotel the room will be all ready for sleeping and all, and there, a little companion would be in the room waiting to be played with.


They used paper boats and colour it for the eyes. Totally scoring points for creativity. Hahaha

And this was my all time favourite! A doggy with my mom's sunglasses on it and sequins for eyes!

I climbed on the rock wall on the cruise ship too. Though it may be small, it got me aching for a couple of days till now. I did a mere 4 short climbs only. Says much about my fitness level eh!

And on the last day, I finally managed to wake up in time for the beautiful sunrise.

And oh yes, I passed my BTT already! Zooooom zooom.

Pamper

Diapers.

Randomness.

I suddenly feel all girly and doing all the girl things that I thought I'd never waste money on. On prom day in the morning/noon, busied myself getting manicure + pedicure. And then treated myself to an expensive haircut and curling that costs $50 at Anthony Hair Boutique. That gets you 5 normal economical haircuts fyi. And I get a haircut once a year, so that means I just spent 5 years' worth of haircuts. Okay, stop laughing at my cheapo-ness.

Then bombed another $150 for the get-up for prom. So I kinda 'wasted' close to $200 and loads of time and my mom's and stress and what not, just for a special night.

If it's a memory of a lifetime, it's definitely worth it.

Everyone looked so different that I couldn't recognise. Make-up + beautiful evening dress sure does something to a person. In this world, 真的没有不美丽的女人,只有懒女人! The guys were amazingly hot as well. Presentable and all grown up, ready to face the next phase of life.

Yes, JC life has ended. Officially. Everything has finally ended. The mad studying, the mad climbing sessions, the mad late mornings that I've chalked up 3 detention classes. Amazing.
We've been on a crazy fast train, speeding through life. Eighteen years old. I've been waiting for this day for so long. It has finally come, and why do I still feel the same old same? Like nothing's changed, but I know everything has. People's changed, lives' changed, mindset's changed. But somehow, there's one thing constant about me - I have too many principles and I tend to make them up along the way and stand by them.

I used to think gloriously of how nice it would be to club, to drink, to do everything that's associated with having the same privileges adulthood brings along. But nothing's really that appealing anymore. I'll have to find something new to look forward to - growing old and getting someone old.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Pre-prom

I have been missing out on quite a lot from this virtual world with an absence of close to a week. Surprisingly, I don't really miss my virtual life that much.

I have been taken on a new road of experiences during the cruise. Holidaying with adults and little kids with none my age can be quite tiring and lonely at times because I'm stuck in the middle of being an adult and playing with the kids and being the role model and being mature and fun-loving. It doesn't help that I'm getting a sense that little kids these days are spoilt beyond measure, it's simply scary. It's this fear building in me wondering about my future family/kids etc, what will it be like? Will the academia faze be over? Will the technology craze still survive?

It's killing real emotions and feelings and all the simplicities that were beautiful on its own.

I wonder if somewhere, someone out there, feels the same as I do that twitter/facebook/foursquare and the likes should have restricted access when one is outside away from home. It gets on my nerve that twitter and facebook updates come by every hour or so, lamenting about simply the most mundane things, that it makes the whole prospect of twittering/facebooking just pure boring because you're always reading off someone's toilet experience or movie queue experience or waiting for bus and being bored experience.

It's the point of being so connected in the virtual world, that real pure friendships are compromised with the web of tech mess interfering and interrupting conversational exchanges. As what HIMYM's Robin said, it's so hard to get the tone across when you're simply typing something off into the net. Misunderstandings arise, unnecessary misunderstandings as well.
Can't we give ourselves a break and stop multi-tasking all this while and just pay attention to the world outside and stop complaining about how boring it is because one is simply too caught up in one's own virtual world to notice the smell and sight of roses, literally.
And yes, I also mind people messaging blatantly 24/7 in front of me. It's pure rude. You're better off staying at home messaging than hanging out, really.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Heading to Narnia

Through the painting, it's beckoning to me. The waters are seeping through right now, in about 24 hours more, I would have been totally submerged by the painting's water and be transported to the land of Narnia. Now, that's just an analogy of the whole cruise trip I'm going on tomorrow and for those who have watched Narnia already i.e. me. As usual, being annoying.

It's merely a short trip and I'll be back on the 6th Dec, so please don't fret. Don't send a party looking for me because I don't appear at dawn okay?

I've finished studying for Basic Theory Test in 1 hour from this e-learning service that CDC (ComfortDelgro Driving Centre) offers. And I read the book leisurely before this e-learning in 2 days. And I think I'm going to ace it. So await my good news.

Oh yeah, my BTT falls on 6th December too. So it's going to be soooooo exciting disembarking from the cruise ship and heading to the driving centre to take the test, not.
Then I'm still half deciding on doing something to my hair too. If not, I'll just do a mani+pedi and gear up for prom on 7th! Yes, gear up.

I'm STILL LOOKING FOR A CLUTCH TO BRING. Not the stupid clutch pedal from a manual car. Yes, if you can lend, I'll gladly borrow. Save the Earth.

Till then.

P.S anyway I miss you Nel. It's been much quieter these days without you. Please come back safely. The best gift to your loved ones is yourself.