I'm trying so hard to be strong...
And it makes me feel so sick.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A Game.
21/02/2010.. Interhall Rugby semifinals: Hall XI vs Hall III.
Today happened because hooligans, not gentlemen, played a hooligans' game. The match was doomed to be memorable. One red card, one yellow card. Two players sent off and a penalty given to us.
It probably disfigured Hall Three's image in one fell swoop. Spectators will say that it was an inglorious victory for them, an unscrupulous, dirty team who fought without honour. It took just a few of them who hooked our players by the throat to arouse the righteous fury of everyone present, who immediately rose in uproarious protest. I myself showed the middle finger. Haha.
Yet we're forgetting that like us, they're only students playing as a hall team, passionate for the game, thirsty for the victory. We may term them however we like, but deep down are they really the terrible people we curse and swear at? Don't they resume their studies the next day, sitting in the same lecture theatre as us, doing the very same things we do every day? It doesn't make sense, does it.
Perhaps we're letting our emotions get the better of us. We may say that their behavior today was unsportsmanlike, unbecoming of a good rugby team. But let us not extend our prejudice to their hall, to their residents, who, like us, are just... human.
And we all err.
Today happened because hooligans, not gentlemen, played a hooligans' game. The match was doomed to be memorable. One red card, one yellow card. Two players sent off and a penalty given to us.
It probably disfigured Hall Three's image in one fell swoop. Spectators will say that it was an inglorious victory for them, an unscrupulous, dirty team who fought without honour. It took just a few of them who hooked our players by the throat to arouse the righteous fury of everyone present, who immediately rose in uproarious protest. I myself showed the middle finger. Haha.
Yet we're forgetting that like us, they're only students playing as a hall team, passionate for the game, thirsty for the victory. We may term them however we like, but deep down are they really the terrible people we curse and swear at? Don't they resume their studies the next day, sitting in the same lecture theatre as us, doing the very same things we do every day? It doesn't make sense, does it.
Perhaps we're letting our emotions get the better of us. We may say that their behavior today was unsportsmanlike, unbecoming of a good rugby team. But let us not extend our prejudice to their hall, to their residents, who, like us, are just... human.
And we all err.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Reflection
Well then, it's that time of the year.
Aloysius asked me for a reflection of my role as Special Events Director over the past year. I sure didn't know what i was getting into when i joined. I wanted to get to know people outside hall and be more active in school activities, but it turned out quite badly when i realized hall was still taking up a huge chunk of my time.
Last semester flew past way too quickly. At first i was busy recruiting the FOC committee. Then the database project deluged my life like a goddamn tsunami. While still staying alive amidst the flotsam, i managed to slot in as much of FastForward board games society's activities as possible. Here's a quick summary of my jobscope (that i wrote for my successor):
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Events Director.
Seek out new event opportunities for the club, to create higher publicity and boost our club’s image. Communicate with people, brainstorm, be creative and daring.
Liaise with external organizations while sourcing or confirming details of event.
Create event proposals, make preparations for the event. Take charge of planning and organization if chairs are busy. Procure decorations, publicity materials, etc.
Lead by example and facilitate with passion. Your participants will feel it.
Key Takeaway point: You are THE Events person. Be passionate about what you do, be it a big event or a normal gaming session. Infect others with your love for board games. Be a creative force for change and push forth new ideas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So it didn't turn out the way i idealized. I really wanted to make a difference and push the club forward. But the way things crept up on me, my ideals got squeezed out of sight, out of mind.
Thank god softball is over. This second season was just as exhausting and exciting. Just as bad for the nerves. I don't think i can take these single-scoreline-difference matches anymore. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? But silver was not bad. I remember losing the gold last year was much more painful. Overall, a very good experience.
Plus rugby. I have no idea how i got into it, but seeing i stayed through all the bruises and cuts like the rest of the team, i must be either mad or in love with the game. Probably both, and more of the former. I still suck at it after these few months of training though. Just hope to do my bit for the team.
Meanwhile, stuck like an angsty, stubborn child between all of this is FOC. I'm just trying to hold on till the hols where hopefully it'll overwhelm me without much pain. Not sure how I'll manage that with my UBS summer internship, but well.
What was i talking about? Not enough time to fulfill my events director role. I hardly mentioned school yet, but business and computing isn't exactly the cushiest degree(s) out there. Still it's a great load of fun with the greal pals in BCG.
Anyway, i'd like to apologize to Aloysius. I was inspired by him, by the steadfast, composed way he led the club. Thank you for showing me a simple, effective leadership style, and your endless patience and understanding. It was really a refreshing, delightful change of pace from last year's stint in JCRC, and i enjoyed every last bit of my role (when i did act the part).
Well, that's that. Things seem to be looking up, for a change. I hope to write more like now, when i feel cheerful and inspired...
And not when i'm in deep pain.
Aloysius asked me for a reflection of my role as Special Events Director over the past year. I sure didn't know what i was getting into when i joined. I wanted to get to know people outside hall and be more active in school activities, but it turned out quite badly when i realized hall was still taking up a huge chunk of my time.
Last semester flew past way too quickly. At first i was busy recruiting the FOC committee. Then the database project deluged my life like a goddamn tsunami. While still staying alive amidst the flotsam, i managed to slot in as much of FastForward board games society's activities as possible. Here's a quick summary of my jobscope (that i wrote for my successor):
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Events Director.
Seek out new event opportunities for the club, to create higher publicity and boost our club’s image. Communicate with people, brainstorm, be creative and daring.
Liaise with external organizations while sourcing or confirming details of event.
Create event proposals, make preparations for the event. Take charge of planning and organization if chairs are busy. Procure decorations, publicity materials, etc.
Lead by example and facilitate with passion. Your participants will feel it.
Key Takeaway point: You are THE Events person. Be passionate about what you do, be it a big event or a normal gaming session. Infect others with your love for board games. Be a creative force for change and push forth new ideas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
So it didn't turn out the way i idealized. I really wanted to make a difference and push the club forward. But the way things crept up on me, my ideals got squeezed out of sight, out of mind.
Thank god softball is over. This second season was just as exhausting and exciting. Just as bad for the nerves. I don't think i can take these single-scoreline-difference matches anymore. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? But silver was not bad. I remember losing the gold last year was much more painful. Overall, a very good experience.
Plus rugby. I have no idea how i got into it, but seeing i stayed through all the bruises and cuts like the rest of the team, i must be either mad or in love with the game. Probably both, and more of the former. I still suck at it after these few months of training though. Just hope to do my bit for the team.
Meanwhile, stuck like an angsty, stubborn child between all of this is FOC. I'm just trying to hold on till the hols where hopefully it'll overwhelm me without much pain. Not sure how I'll manage that with my UBS summer internship, but well.
What was i talking about? Not enough time to fulfill my events director role. I hardly mentioned school yet, but business and computing isn't exactly the cushiest degree(s) out there. Still it's a great load of fun with the greal pals in BCG.
Anyway, i'd like to apologize to Aloysius. I was inspired by him, by the steadfast, composed way he led the club. Thank you for showing me a simple, effective leadership style, and your endless patience and understanding. It was really a refreshing, delightful change of pace from last year's stint in JCRC, and i enjoyed every last bit of my role (when i did act the part).
Well, that's that. Things seem to be looking up, for a change. I hope to write more like now, when i feel cheerful and inspired...
And not when i'm in deep pain.
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