i dunno about everyone else. but i think the canoobs inspire me to no end. we fight and fight and dont give up.

i think we give the j2s some pressure. actually, we're definitely giving them some pressure. but that's good. because ideally, they will take it the right way and drive themselves further. i know i may sound like i'm cold hearted or something.. i mean seriously, can you imagine training for one and a half year just to find out you wont actually be competing in nationals? but then again, i think this is one situation where no one can afford to be soft hearted. because at the end of the day, if u're not competing, and you reflect upon it, and realise that u dint get where you want to be becuase u didnt give ur all... if we hope to see the team's dream materialised, there's really no two ways about it.
harsh, yah, but i guess that's team sports for you.

i will sweat, tear and bleed for the team. i am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team be one step closer to the gold. whatever it takes. but one person can only do so much, so i really hope my teammates can put our hearts together in this uphill task, and go the displacement, together.

before this month's intensive trainings, i was doubting our team's chances at getting at the gold this year, and felt that it was more important that we set our sights on the bronze, hold on to it, and protect it.

but now that we're training like some bloodthirsts, i start thinking about the gold..
and i realise, why am i limiting myself? why are we setting a boundary for the team? why are we settling for what's not the best?

most importantly, why must we let a fear of nat'ljc overcast everything that we do?
so long as we fight tooth and nail for it, i think we're justified to stop viewing ourselves as the underdogs. at least, if to view ourselves as underdogs is to feel that we can only achieve so much, and nat'ljc will continue to reign over us, as they always (or almost alywas anyway) have.
if we want to view ourselves as underdogs, let it be so that it becomes a motivation for us to work harder at that pushup, to thrust the paddle's blade further into the water, and to focus that extra bit more during trngs.

YOU ARE NEVER A LOSER, UNTIL YOU QUIT TRYING ANYWAY.

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?

Robert Browning

other than the team, i also have a personal motivation: everything that i achieve, i'm doing it for God.

i think it's not by chance i picked canoeing as a cca, i think God knows that it's somewhere that i can really shine for him..because yknow, i'm not where i am right now because i have immense strength (i certainly dont) or natural talent.. i guess i'm here because i have learnt that strength fades, talents go wasted if you dont put it to good use, but God is everlasting. all that i have, it's all God-given. just because i ask Him for it. so really, He has helped me come so far.. and He has blessed me with supportive and loving teammates, and a chance to patch up relations with my mum after the whole canoeing/studying fiasco, it's time i give something back.

"i feel like screaming now"
"go ahead and scream"
"THANK YOU GOD."

NWKC 2006, after my final race

that's something i want to do again, proclaim Your majesty for the world to know.
the wonders You have done in me, Your faithful love.. it's indescribable.
Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.

You hear me when i'm calling,
and You caught me when i was falling.
I am YOURS.

go to, then; your considerate stone.
7:03 PM
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