Post-Exam life: On the Game I Love, the Fringes of Summer , Sad Departures, Looming Unemployment/Boredom
Hey folks,
It has been a while since my blog post. Frankly, I have been enjoying a lot of time outdoors playing basketball and I must say that I have missed this sport dearly. A combination of good weather (gorgeous sunshine) and enthusiastic friends equals a lot of hoops and sore muscles.
I've settled into a satisfactory sleeping cycle, attempting to offset any physiological damage incurred during the last three weeks of hell aka 3 hours of sleep is already a blessing aka I should have studied this long before aka cramming is horrible aka exam period. And boy, did I come out of those examination halls with a victorious feeling.
A Time for Hoops
Anyway, I plan to schedule my time properly over the next few weeks so I don't catch either boredom bug or lazy bug (yet again); for in idleness there is great potential to be vegetated and unmotivated. So, I attempt to channel my youthful vigours into basketball and related exercises to boost performance. Honestly, that's what I have been doing for the past 5 days, just pounding the hardwood and pumping iron here and there.
You can say that I'm trying to get away from books, paperwork and a routine that has largely neglected physical fitness and mental tranquility. I could say that I am a student of the game, studying what others do and pushing myself to perfect certain techniques and to improve my athleticism to compete with other players. Basketball is purely a match of brains and brawn: brains to outwit and do smart things; brawn to outmuscle, outjump and outperform the person guarding me. It is a game I fell in love with back in high school, and till this day I am thoroughly enjoying this labour of love. The jab-step, the cross-over, the pull-up J; string music and the lay-up; matching up with a ridiculous, sick player with the likes of Tim Subs , sinking almost every three if not every second one. You learn to be patient, be a team player and the importance of creating space for your jumper.
Before this becomes a half-time show on ESPN, I'd just like to say that any sport is relevant, if not essential, for our well-being not because of our physiques or health, but for our mental maturity and tolerance of other competing individuals. In a competitive setting, the ability to control your emotions and act with composure is a merit. Many times, frustration because of a missed shot or botched lay-up; getting blocked or throwing an errant pass; angry because of miscommunication or because you think the guy guarding you stinks to high heaven; all of these emotions kick in and beg you to whine and wail. It is a practice of professionalism as well, as you attempt to be diplomatic about certain situations, and in this respect, I am still trying to master the art of tolerance in an atmosphere brimming with testosterone and fuming with temper.
A Time for Goodbyes
Amidst basketball, playoffs, leisure reading and facebooking; I have to admit that I will miss two very important people in my life. The first would be my best friend and brother, Andrew, who will be leaving for Beijing for two co-op terms in a pharmaceutical job-posting. At least, I know he'll be doing a lot of lab work. Point is, he has been a very close friend and confidant of mine since we both came here to Vancouver in 2004. We had our rough spots as in any friendships, but we progressed from being the freshest people off the boat to being the 'freshest' 2k11 players in UBC. Well, we have many accolades of course, but we're not about to brag now, are we? Thanks for looking out for me, and you're welcome for all the times where I bailed or helped you out. All the best to you, brother, you and your nonsense will be dearly missed here in the 604!
The second person would be the amazing Grace who has been a good and close friend of mine in recent years, as we encouraged and talked each other through our undergrad work. She will embark on a prestigious journey eastwards to Ottawa for a government internship, which I am extremely envious and proud of. She has the tenacity to overcome any challenge, so the next few years would be an exciting time for her as she discovers her true potential en route to GG-ship. I am a believer and a witness, Grace! May you mature in stature and allow His countenance to radiate through your daily interactions and endeavours!
To both of you, keep in touch, stay safe and God bless!
As for me, I hope to get a job in the summer and have a solid work, workout, basketball routine. That's the least I can do while my close friends are so far away working their asses off for a better future!
Signing off,
Dennis.
It has been a while since my blog post. Frankly, I have been enjoying a lot of time outdoors playing basketball and I must say that I have missed this sport dearly. A combination of good weather (gorgeous sunshine) and enthusiastic friends equals a lot of hoops and sore muscles.
I've settled into a satisfactory sleeping cycle, attempting to offset any physiological damage incurred during the last three weeks of hell aka 3 hours of sleep is already a blessing aka I should have studied this long before aka cramming is horrible aka exam period. And boy, did I come out of those examination halls with a victorious feeling.
A Time for Hoops
Anyway, I plan to schedule my time properly over the next few weeks so I don't catch either boredom bug or lazy bug (yet again); for in idleness there is great potential to be vegetated and unmotivated. So, I attempt to channel my youthful vigours into basketball and related exercises to boost performance. Honestly, that's what I have been doing for the past 5 days, just pounding the hardwood and pumping iron here and there.
You can say that I'm trying to get away from books, paperwork and a routine that has largely neglected physical fitness and mental tranquility. I could say that I am a student of the game, studying what others do and pushing myself to perfect certain techniques and to improve my athleticism to compete with other players. Basketball is purely a match of brains and brawn: brains to outwit and do smart things; brawn to outmuscle, outjump and outperform the person guarding me. It is a game I fell in love with back in high school, and till this day I am thoroughly enjoying this labour of love. The jab-step, the cross-over, the pull-up J; string music and the lay-up; matching up with a ridiculous, sick player with the likes of Tim Subs , sinking almost every three if not every second one. You learn to be patient, be a team player and the importance of creating space for your jumper.
Before this becomes a half-time show on ESPN, I'd just like to say that any sport is relevant, if not essential, for our well-being not because of our physiques or health, but for our mental maturity and tolerance of other competing individuals. In a competitive setting, the ability to control your emotions and act with composure is a merit. Many times, frustration because of a missed shot or botched lay-up; getting blocked or throwing an errant pass; angry because of miscommunication or because you think the guy guarding you stinks to high heaven; all of these emotions kick in and beg you to whine and wail. It is a practice of professionalism as well, as you attempt to be diplomatic about certain situations, and in this respect, I am still trying to master the art of tolerance in an atmosphere brimming with testosterone and fuming with temper.
A Time for Goodbyes
Amidst basketball, playoffs, leisure reading and facebooking; I have to admit that I will miss two very important people in my life. The first would be my best friend and brother, Andrew, who will be leaving for Beijing for two co-op terms in a pharmaceutical job-posting. At least, I know he'll be doing a lot of lab work. Point is, he has been a very close friend and confidant of mine since we both came here to Vancouver in 2004. We had our rough spots as in any friendships, but we progressed from being the freshest people off the boat to being the 'freshest' 2k11 players in UBC. Well, we have many accolades of course, but we're not about to brag now, are we? Thanks for looking out for me, and you're welcome for all the times where I bailed or helped you out. All the best to you, brother, you and your nonsense will be dearly missed here in the 604!
The second person would be the amazing Grace who has been a good and close friend of mine in recent years, as we encouraged and talked each other through our undergrad work. She will embark on a prestigious journey eastwards to Ottawa for a government internship, which I am extremely envious and proud of. She has the tenacity to overcome any challenge, so the next few years would be an exciting time for her as she discovers her true potential en route to GG-ship. I am a believer and a witness, Grace! May you mature in stature and allow His countenance to radiate through your daily interactions and endeavours!
To both of you, keep in touch, stay safe and God bless!
As for me, I hope to get a job in the summer and have a solid work, workout, basketball routine. That's the least I can do while my close friends are so far away working their asses off for a better future!
Signing off,
Dennis.
protect your ankles, dear boy.
ReplyDeleteill miss my bro fo sho.
ReplyDelete