In between Final-Year Project (FYP), Japanese language quizzes and the occasional job interviews, I was busy preparing for the Asia Cheerleading Invitational Championships (ACIC) 2015 which saw cheerleaders from other countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Our trainings were intense, from 4 times a week to nearly everyday nearing competition period. This was because my team was gunning for the 6th consecutive Gold Medal and we really, really wanted it. We were worried because our competitors were strong this season and we had heard so much about them, and the untimely injuries suffered by a few of our teammates nearly threw us in disarray. Thankfully, we managed to pull through as a team and won that Gold Medal.
Credits to my team: Wildcards Cheerleading Team :D
Its amazing how much a person is willing to sacrifice for that little piece of metal. The need for recognition fuels our passion and desire. Those who never played sports or do not have a current passion may think its crazy and ludicrous to spend countless hours, experience pain and bruises, tears and frustration all for one reason. To chase perfection, consistency and that Winning Gold. On the contrary, I feel sad for these people. Because they never get to experience such intense feelings before, and probably never will. (Unless of course, they picked something up later in life and well, hey! You finally know what I mean!) And I'm not even talking about sports alone. A passion in general, fuels intense feelings of wanting to be better at a particular skill. The desire in itself, produces joy, especially when your efforts and hard work are rewarded.
My cheer buddy, Shuying! Last season competing with her though :(
No doubt, I experience my share of frustration at not being able to perform certain stunts consistently. Sometimes, I blame myself and my self-esteem takes a dip. Besides my internal struggles, I have my fair share of getting 'attacked', or rather bearing the brunt of certain people's cattiness. (I wont mention who and really, there's not a need to anyway) But I'm truly glad and definitely, grateful to say that there are teammates worth fighting for. They have been nothing but, positive and motivating factors to make sure I do what was required. I am grateful and blessed. And although the entire process of internal and external struggles was not pleasant, it definitely made me a stronger and better person. Like a senior who once told me, "Once you get used to it, it gets better." Something I never truly believe, but do so now. You really cant control what people say or do, but you can control your own thought processes. While I admit it was still tough, even after having similar experiences before, it definitely got easier. I learnt to look towards my friends for support and made sure I surrounded myself with more positive people. I actually took active steps to get over this negativity, instead of being my previous self. The 'old' me would have cried everyday and moped around because of it. Well, truthfully speaking, I did cry. But not because of the aforementioned issue, but because I was exceedingly frustrated at the inconsistency of my stunts and how I wasnt quite where the team needed me to be. But luckily, the motivating forces in my life never gave up on me and I managed to achieve what I had set out to do at the start of the season.
So all these tears, pain, frustration were worth it, in the end.
My basket toss bases that were the absolute positivism throughout this entire season. (Layout double and Arabian 1.5 were possible because of all of them!)
Special thanks to my coach, Winston, for being the main driving force of motivation! :)
(2nd from left)
My partner stunt base, Owen during the routine :D
My Captain, Dz, whom I'm absolutely so proud of. So honoured to be working alongside with you as your Vice-Captain. Thank you for such a great season! :D
The Understudy Coach, Kenneth, for the constant support and encouragement!
Thank you! :D
My New Vice-Captain, Hafidz! Haha, I have found my successor. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I was the Vice-Captain for this season. Which made it X2 more stressful :<
Lots of thanks to my coach, my bases and my cheer buddy. And of course, Darren, who helped me in my execution of stunts and 'personal coaching'. Without you, I probably wouldn't have made it.
Loves <33
And here are more photos that I took post-competition! Sorry for the lack of good quality photos as I forgot to bring my camera out, so all these were taken with just my pathetic Iphone 4S ugh.
Kyra, one of my teammates who practically nursed an injured ankle throughout the entire season. So brave! Thank goodness she pulled through. :)
Wylie! Known him since the first year in Cheer and 3+ years later, still kept in touch! :D
Started out in the same team, but then, both of us moved off to different teams. Still managed to grab a photo with you! Thanks Tricia, my senior! :D
And a happier me. :D
ALL THE BEST TO THOSE COMPETING IN CASNCC 2015! :DD
P.s CASNCC is simply Nationals whereby local teams compete. It was supposed to be held in conjunction with ACIC, but due to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's passing, the Association had to postpone it out of respect for him. Because CASNCC was postponed, my team was unable to compete due to some of us having incompatible schedules. Hence, we only competed in ACIC 2015.
xx
Loves,
Nices
