I am writing this for some people who are feeling down - people who feel they have been pushed into a corner and want to just snap at anyone who wants to help.
I am also writing this for people who can't see a way out, who think that everything has already been arranged by Fate and there is absolutely nothing they can do about to change the future.
A few years ago, about 3 I was in Korea - a freezing winter day at Phoenix Park. I was shivering even in my thick gloves, holding on to two skiing poles and wearing a pair of skis for the first time in my life. The instructor was a young Korean man. His our tour guide, ski instructor, cameraman and our shopping guide all at the same time.
I started, but couldn't stop. Literally. I had to force my entire body downwards as though something was sucking me to the ground to finally stop by landing. The instructor didn't look at me - there were others, those who picked up the sport quicker than I did, and he was more interested in teaching them. Of course, there were also those who were only slightly better than I was, but they were losing interest.
The next afternoon, I was still struggling at the horizontal slopes while the better ones - which actually meant most of the rest - were already up the intermediate slopes, having fun skiing from almost three storeys high. I wanted to give up - those idiots who lost interest - had already gone back to the comfort of the LAN gaming rooms to play their DOTA, but I fought on. I wanted to be part of those people on the slopes.
I finally learnt how to stop, and I went up the slopes. I was no fairytale, however - I still fell a couple of times, and I slipped up, but every time it happened I got up, either with the help of a more experienced skier - those friends who realised how frustrated I was after all those countless falls - or by myself. I got up, no matter what.
I wanted to ski. I wanted to.
At the end of my most enjoyable trip, something in my head told me "It is quite something to be a talented person. But it is quite something else never to say die"
Now, I'm not saying this to blow my trumpet - but I really wondered how I managed to conquer my problems then. I was that close to giving up, to just throw away those skis and get back to play DOTA with those idiots back then (I don't even like DOTA). But I did not. What went through my mind was simple - I wanted to get up there with the big boys, and in the end I did.
I learnt several lessons from this - apart from not giving up, of course - and one of them is that nothing is predestined in this world. It is easy to sit back and say, "I'm born like that," instead of trying to change yourself and saying, "I'm born like that, but I know I can change for the better." People born without a brilliant memory can at least make themselves better rememberers with a pen and a notebook. Those born with a violent streak can, with anger management lessons, can at least control their tempers.
Another lesson that I've learnt is that in life is that not everyone can please us. Likewise, we cannot please everyone with our actions. For people whom I dislike, there is an old traditional course that I take, recommended by Dad: If no choice, okay, but if got choice, avoid. There is no need to attempt to get too friendly with some people who will just irritate you till hell freezes over and I go to Heaven (probably won't happen, but my fingers are crossed).
I do hope whoever reads this will understand that life is not that difficult to live in as long as we don't make life difficult for ourselves.
This all happen to me believe it or not its up to you.
And for the hike yesterday.
Yes. I agree it was the most memorable, there was a lot of teamwork, coordination and energy involved. Everyone was tired yet they felt a very great sense of achievement, especially for my patrol I would say.
We did our best and reaped what we sowed. Getting 1st in the whole hike is only a title the real thing is the hardwork we put in. It gave us a great feeling, the hard work we put in was worth it.
And my hike group was a special one. It was combined by 3 patrols instead of 2 namely because of the lack of manpower in Scouts.
Jia Rui, Jasmine, Josephine, Pamela, Mindy, Jia Ying, all of you, every single one of you did a very great job. Give yourself a pat on your back.
Have a well-deserved rest these few days, this week had been hard on all of us all the Scouts and Girl Guides.
This will most probably be my greatest memory in my life as a Scout......
The one and only Ti-Or-Whale forever!
hold me now at 4:44 PM