Sunday, November 27, 2005

I'm back from Thailand! The trip was good, especially teaching at the primary school in the village. It really made me realise how tough a job teaching could be, trying (desperately) to keep the children, mostly with attention spans of <10 minutes, interested in what you are teaching for 3 solid hours. But along with teaching also comes the feeling of satisfaction. Of being responsible for the addition of knowledge to a growing child's life. Although they'd probably have forgotten it by the next day. But I choose to believe otherwise. Although most of the time us and the Thai kids couldn't understand each other, we still had a good time playing sports and learning together. I guess some things just transcend the language barrier. :)

You know each time I go back to Thailand, instead of getting bored I find myself falling more and more in love with the place. I like the warm nature of the people there, and I find the Thai language so beautiful. I'd probably migrate there if I were to choose a country to move to. And like what everybody teases me about I'd probably have no problem integrating there since I look like a local myself, considering my dark complexion.

Anyways, 3 days after I got back, a beach volleyball tournament was awaiting me. So the past 2 days of this weekend was spent at the beach. And I must say it was a good and superb 2 days! I think our team is surprisingly united, and equally strong in both defence and attack. We won all the matches we played, paving the way to a smooth entry into the finals!! But I just have a little problem here. I can't make it to the finals, which falls on 10 Dec.

You know the good thing about using written words is that it doesn't betray the true feelings that's going through me now. Do not be deceived by the calm demeanor I'm putting up. Because I'm none of that. HOW CAN I BE?!?! It's my first ever beach finals and I can't make it!!! You cannot possibly imagine the disappointment, the anguish, the pain!! Everything's that's happening is gonna happen. Without me. :( And it's the official opening day of the Clementi beach volleyball court. Clementi!! My own hometown!! My territory!!! And I won't be there to witness this never-before-once-in-a-lifetime event. I mean, a beach volleyball court in Clementi?! Clementi, the aging estate where 50% of the population is >45 years old? It's like finding an apple on an orange tree!! (highly impossible but still possible). But ultimately, the thing that's gotta hurt most is not being able to make it for the finals...

But on hindsight, I guess it might as well be so. I've got a flight to catch at 8.20am on 10 Dec, heading for a missions trip to Cambodia. Not that I have a choice, but if to choose, I'd still choose going to Cambodia. I don't think God will be very happy if I did choose personal glory over working for Him. But that's not the point. Beach volleyball finals I can work for it again, but working for God, it's not something to be taken frivolously. It's a commitment.

And I have to really thank God that everything was ok in the end. I thought we'd have to concede defeat in a disqualification or walkover in the finals (the most unglam way to lose) if I can't make it, but the organiser was kind enough to allow a player substitution, something which you don't really see happening at all. I really would love to play in the finals, 'cos beach volleyball is my passion. But I guess God is trying to teach me a lesson. That I'm spending too much time on worldly pursuits more than eternal ones.

Probably this is just the intro, the appetiser, to more things I'd have to give up for God in time to come. I won't deny its hard, but nobody said it was gonna be easy..

Although I can't be with you guys physically, I'd still be with you all morally! All the best, West Four*! :)


*team name, comprising Mingli Xiaowei Tiffany and Chun Li.

writing at 8:13 PM

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