May 23rd, 2008
Take-aways from Malaysia... :)
This morning, I willingly exchanged the peaceful traffic of Kuala Lumpur for the honking, bumper-to-bumper traffic of Manila. And while the magnificent skyline of Malaysia (with the gorgeous view of KL Tower and Petronas) is gone, I was happy to finally be home.
I've been to Malaysia thrice, but that doesn't stop me from taking away new bits and pieces to cherish and keep every time. My first visit in 2003 (for UKM's AIDC) gave me a nice pink miniskirt that I still wear to this day. It also served as an introduction to the addicting (and expensive) world of debate--that until now has me spending. :p
MMU Worlds left me with a handful of life-long friends. Included in the list is Jungle, who has since moved on from debating and yet has managed to keep in touch; and Sushil, my favorite Indian/Singaporean (
)---nah, really just one of my favorite people in general and probably my favorite Malaysian take-away (the friendship, I mean)...
Then, there was this year's IIU AUDC. A lot of blessings to thank God for, and a lot more than kilos of chocolate to take home. Thank you Lord for... :
* First and foremost, allowing me to conquer my fear of 360-degree rides. I know to some this sounds like it should be on the bottom of my list, but you don't know the depth of my phobia--my knees literally shake at even the thought of Jungle Log Jam. To attempt to ride anything that high and with a loop *ALONE* is a major achievement for me. It's like reaching base camp of my Mount Everest (my mount everest is still Enchanted Kingdom's Space Shuttle), and for the time being, it's given me the sense that I can conquer things without anyone's help but the Lord's and that I can conquer my other fears if I just stop over-thinking and take the first step. It's taken me 22 years of my life to do this--so for that alone, I am *immensely* grateful and happy.
* Being re-elected unanimously as AUDC Exco Chair. That must mean I've done at least one thing right the past year--and that's a validation I really needed to have, given how last year was mired with confusion (in other aspects of my life) and quite a bit of inner conflict. Thank you Lord for people's trust. Hopefully I won't let anybody down.
* For the love and support of new and old friends, some of whom I'd never have met without debating. Thank you Lord especially for the De La Salle Debate Society, who continues to embrace me as family despite my shortcomings and crazy quirks. Same goes to the CSB Debate Society and the 2007-2008 AUDC Exco, who have no vested interest in supporting and respecting me but do so anyway--for what reason, I might never know.
* For the humbling experience of not making it to the main adjudication break (and yet managing to make it to EFL
. I thought I was a good adj already, but exposure to other adjes' styles and perspectives taught me that there's still a lot I have to learn. I have no doubt as to the soundness and objectivity of my decisions as an adjudicator, but having been panelist for all rounds with the exception of one gave me insight as to how to deal with co-panelists and how to view debates with different lenses and explain decisions firmly while being mindful of the need for "smooth interpersonal relations" (as Leloy calls it)... makes me look forward to the next competition to see how much I've truly learned.
* For triumphs and victories of friends and loved ones. For Philip Binondo's Public Speaking Trophy and NTU1's long awaited championship. For 2 Lasallians in the public speaking finals! For 2 Lasallians making it to the top 10! For the highest international break (so far) in De La Salle Debate History. For Tita Maloy's promotion, for CSB's bid in 2010. For DLSU 3's 5-3, hehe. And for my own stint as panelist in the EFL Grandfinals. Thank you Lord.
* For my brand new wedge shoes. They cost more than I liked, but a new journey in life warrants a great new pair of shoes. And so it's worth it.
For these and many, many more (including tons of chocolate taken home), Thank you God.
As I start from scratch and signal a life of new-found independence (in more ways than one), help me remember what it felt like stepping into that steel platform in my bare feet. Help me remember the feel of fear as I strapped my harness on; the sweat on my palms as I gripped the handles until my knuckles turned white. And the feel of slowly letting go, putting it all in your hands. Trusting plastic and metal to keep me from falling despite being 50 feet up and upside down.
Help me remember what it felt like: extremely scary yet exhilirating. The OMGs in my head reflecting not just fear but also a sense of pride. I *am* doing this, despite years of pegging myself as not capable--I actually can! It is that same feeling I would like to get, now that I attempt to venture out and face the world alone.
I've been to Malaysia thrice, but that doesn't stop me from taking away new bits and pieces to cherish and keep every time. My first visit in 2003 (for UKM's AIDC) gave me a nice pink miniskirt that I still wear to this day. It also served as an introduction to the addicting (and expensive) world of debate--that until now has me spending. :p
MMU Worlds left me with a handful of life-long friends. Included in the list is Jungle, who has since moved on from debating and yet has managed to keep in touch; and Sushil, my favorite Indian/Singaporean (
)---nah, really just one of my favorite people in general and probably my favorite Malaysian take-away (the friendship, I mean)...
Then, there was this year's IIU AUDC. A lot of blessings to thank God for, and a lot more than kilos of chocolate to take home. Thank you Lord for... :
* First and foremost, allowing me to conquer my fear of 360-degree rides. I know to some this sounds like it should be on the bottom of my list, but you don't know the depth of my phobia--my knees literally shake at even the thought of Jungle Log Jam. To attempt to ride anything that high and with a loop *ALONE* is a major achievement for me. It's like reaching base camp of my Mount Everest (my mount everest is still Enchanted Kingdom's Space Shuttle), and for the time being, it's given me the sense that I can conquer things without anyone's help but the Lord's and that I can conquer my other fears if I just stop over-thinking and take the first step. It's taken me 22 years of my life to do this--so for that alone, I am *immensely* grateful and happy.
* Being re-elected unanimously as AUDC Exco Chair. That must mean I've done at least one thing right the past year--and that's a validation I really needed to have, given how last year was mired with confusion (in other aspects of my life) and quite a bit of inner conflict. Thank you Lord for people's trust. Hopefully I won't let anybody down.
* For the love and support of new and old friends, some of whom I'd never have met without debating. Thank you Lord especially for the De La Salle Debate Society, who continues to embrace me as family despite my shortcomings and crazy quirks. Same goes to the CSB Debate Society and the 2007-2008 AUDC Exco, who have no vested interest in supporting and respecting me but do so anyway--for what reason, I might never know.
* For the humbling experience of not making it to the main adjudication break (and yet managing to make it to EFL
. I thought I was a good adj already, but exposure to other adjes' styles and perspectives taught me that there's still a lot I have to learn. I have no doubt as to the soundness and objectivity of my decisions as an adjudicator, but having been panelist for all rounds with the exception of one gave me insight as to how to deal with co-panelists and how to view debates with different lenses and explain decisions firmly while being mindful of the need for "smooth interpersonal relations" (as Leloy calls it)... makes me look forward to the next competition to see how much I've truly learned.
* For triumphs and victories of friends and loved ones. For Philip Binondo's Public Speaking Trophy and NTU1's long awaited championship. For 2 Lasallians in the public speaking finals! For 2 Lasallians making it to the top 10! For the highest international break (so far) in De La Salle Debate History. For Tita Maloy's promotion, for CSB's bid in 2010. For DLSU 3's 5-3, hehe. And for my own stint as panelist in the EFL Grandfinals. Thank you Lord.
* For my brand new wedge shoes.
They cost more than I liked, but a new journey in life warrants a great new pair of shoes. And so it's worth it.
For these and many, many more (including tons of chocolate taken home), Thank you God.
As I start from scratch and signal a life of new-found independence (in more ways than one), help me remember what it felt like stepping into that steel platform in my bare feet. Help me remember the feel of fear as I strapped my harness on; the sweat on my palms as I gripped the handles until my knuckles turned white. And the feel of slowly letting go, putting it all in your hands. Trusting plastic and metal to keep me from falling despite being 50 feet up and upside down.
Help me remember what it felt like: extremely scary yet exhilirating. The OMGs in my head reflecting not just fear but also a sense of pride. I *am* doing this, despite years of pegging myself as not capable--I actually can! It is that same feeling I would like to get, now that I attempt to venture out and face the world alone.