More Reflections...

Dear team...

It has been a great competition, and I figured it'd be good of me to write something here. Even vulgar junsong wrote something sentimental. haha.

I've never been one who's in it for competitions, medals and glory. To me, these are temporal. They still are. But I decided to take the chance at it. Why not? Nothing to lose, just some skin here and there, and blood, most of it lost through doing sean kong. I gained a medal, which if you ask me, doesn't really mean much to me, but I speak for myself. Sure, it felt good to win, but that good feeling, lasted about 10 minutes. In this competition, I gained something more prized than a bronze medal. I gained insight, insight to the hearts of people, the hearts of team mates, and it is in these hearts that lies the most prized possessions...I apologize that I don't have the sincerity enough to write something personal for everyone, but I'll name a few of them, one by one.

Wong Fu Jie
Fellow member of team A. You're usually a bastard who's very stingy on words of kindness. Yet, competition brings out a completely different person in you. Your words of encouragement touched many, whether you know it or not. I remember how you blamed yourself for not doing better, for holland-ing in the rescue tube rescue event. 20 years from now if there is anything I remember about you, it would probably be that scene just after the race where you were scolding yourself. It shows not how much the race meant to you as an individual. It showed instead, how much we meant to you, that to disappoint us would be your cardinal sin. That, was a gold medal moment, to know where we were in your heart, and that is the medal I will remember for a long time to come.

Ng Aik Thong
Let's face it, you have a pride issue. We all knew what happened in Johana land. But that's not the point. Behind that champion of an ironman lies a soft hearted care bear. It really meant something to me that you, one heck of a cocky champion, cared enough to ask me about my injured knee. You know, that care bear is who we really want to know, who we really want to remember, and who we really want you to be. That you can find the humility within you to lay aside the champion, and find it within you to show that you genuinely care. And I know you can always find it within you, because you have shown it to me.

Johana Kramme
Our german ambassador. Frankly, I don't hang out much with you, nor do I know you very well. But I thought I'd just take the opportunity to say, thanks for choosing to be a part of this team. My hope is that you have found in ULC a place that you can call family, a home in Singapore, and a safe place you know you can always come back to. I hope the photo that Crystal made for you, will last longer than any medal you could have possibly won. Trust me on this, if any of us are going to Germany, we are sure to leech on your services. haha

Nicky Ng
You are walking happiness, infecting people with your joy and laughter. It is hard to feel down with you around. That day, I saw happiness cry, and it broke my heart. You told me it was not always about winning, it was about the people you're with, the ones who're in it together with you. It scared me for a moment, to think that happiness would be lost because of a fourth placing. It sure sucks to come so close to getting a medal, but hey, it does not change who you are in our eyes. When you gave it your all, when you swam faster than any of us have seen you do it before, you already are a winner in our eyes.

Captains Crystal and Nick
Thanks for the effort going into the photo, even though one of you is really busy at school, while the other is acting busy, haha. It may not be the best piece of art, but I believe it was the best that came from your hearts. That itself, makes the art priceless.

Unsung and unsunk heroes, Sean Kong Party
Without which, this event would not have been possible. The competitors would not have had peace of mind. This competition can go on without sufficient competitors, but it cannot go on without you. Your role is the least glorious, but the most critical, and we want to recognize that. You are the pillar of the competition, the one on whom all competitors have to rely on. You are not commandos, who's motto is "For honour and glory", but you are remarkable guardsmen, "Ready to strike".

Mr. Sim
An epic story of 10 arrows. Last friday at work, I was asked "What do you think defines a coach?" I thought for a while. I thought about you, and came up with a definition. "Someone who can see the potential in his people, and lead them to fulfill their potential". A coach motivates his people, but he cannot motivate them unless he inspires them. Your passion has been an inspiration. It is because there is a target, that there can be the strength of many arrows on one target board. Over the seasons, many arrows have hit the target, and many have fallen, but the one thing that stands firm over the years is not the arrows, it has been the target. Thanks for being my coach.

Saving the best for last...
This chapter in my life would never have been written, if not for the lazy bum who's growing fat in Shanghai right now. He had nothing to do with this years competition, but everything to do with my being a part of this year's competition. Without him, I would never have known ULC, or any of the persons above. Thank you Mr Chua Kar Meng, not just for ULC, but also for the past 11 years.

I regret that I am unable to list everyone here. But as time passes, and as memory refreshes, I do hope to be able to add more names to this list.

and i hope no one is offended in this radically bold and honest expression of what i think and feel...