Hey Peeps, I (ms tan) transferring the posts from Multiply over. =)
Multiply POST 1:
Dear Girls,
I am very proud of you for all your achievements. YOu have done well and fought hard AND WE MADE HISTORY this year. Mr. Ding has set up this post and my first post is specially dedicated to all girls and Mr. Ding.
My most memorable moment of North Zone with the C girls was how you girls screamed your heart out during your first match. You girls won, in high spirits, and were very swift and fast. We literally trashed some teams with your service and you girls really impressed me. However, we went downhill after that. It was a very painful process for me, watching the C girls because my heart ached every time I see you all 'blaming' each other for each ball lost. C girls, we need to pick up and realise that Volleyball is a team sport, and there is no 'I' in 'team'. We need to learn that every player plays a part in the game and we all need to put in our best to make sure we win. All girls must want to win and not show each other faces or give comments that hurt one another. We are a team, no mattter what, and we need to show it to the other schools that we work as a team.
The C girls, to me, are amazing. You have impressed me with your passion and commitment in wanting to improve yourselves. I remember how Aasandra will hound me for morning trainings, asking me to start it. How the girls will come ON Time to set up the post and ensure that they do well at service and games. I remembered talking to you all just before our last match (where the fate of Top 4 was not sealed yet) and saw how much you girls wanted it. For that, I am thankful for your commitment and your passion in Vball.
My most memorable moment of NorthZone with the B girls was when we lost our first match to Xinmin. How the B girls had sat down and cried because we lost due to the fact that we did not play well, not because we were not good enough. I remembered wiping my tears, talking to YY and Yuping. And how we sat down later, as a group to trashed things out. Camelia and Deslyn, telling YY and Yuping how their faces on court affect the team dynamics, and how we picked up as a team afterward. We lost to CCHY the following match, but i remembered that our spirits were high and that we were clearly excited and happy with our performance.
I am also very thankful for the help of the seniors (B girls) who sacrificed their sleep in order that they can help build up the C div team, not forgetting Mr. Ding and Wayne, who on many accounts, helped me out in the execution of trainings. We must thank these people girls, for they make us better, stronger, offering us advices to the best that they can
All vball Girls, we must remember: it is always the PROCESS that counts, not the PRODUCT. North Zone top 4 is only a product, but the training moments and the bitter-sweet feeling of me scolding you all for being late for morning trainings and how you girls stuck on as a team will be forever etched in my head. I love you girls. =)
PGSS..... Ace! Thank you coach too!
Multiply POST 2: Nationals here we come!Hi dears
This is Miss Tan again. =). This is really a random blog. So far we have beaten st hildas 2-1 for both teams and the competition is really going to get stronger. We need to work hard. seriously. We need to be serious in our trainings and we need to start 'chasing' for balls. The heat is up, the pressure is on. We must press on and become better. =)
I want to emphasize that winning is NOT the main issue here. it is about playing well and putting our best foot forward. I don't want any girls to be feeling lousy about a match AFTER it. We have to have a winning mindset. We need to get our act together and work as a team. whenever we lose a point, let's do better and win the next point. don't blame urself and then start losing points.. we (spectators) shout ourselves hoarse whenever you win a point so think positive. we are all with u! *smiles*
I was upset with the C div for not trying hard. but i am counting on your promises that you all will try hard this time round! The senior girls like yuping, christina and des come almost every morning to train you all. You girls must work harder so that their efforts don't go down the drain also. C girls, you girls have a gd chance, so pls pls pls work hard,,,
B girls, we need to keep our team spirits up k? Don't be so easily disheartened. We have a long long journey ahead. We have come so far, making it into the nationals, we must try our v best to get to a better standing.
ladies.. we must jiayou! and i will be looking out for you girls.
Please also study real hard. A good sportsperson balances her work and studies and excels in both. We need intelligence in the playing field too! so let's work hard and give our best in every thing we do!
Love you girls. =)
Multiply's 3rd post: If life is about winning...Catchy headlines?
Bet it caught your attention! =)
My dear girls, if life is about winning, it would be a very sad thing. No. I am NOT speaking from the viewpoint of a loser. I am speaking from a viewpoint of a spectator and supporter that has seen you through the rounds of winning and losing.
Life is filled with ups and downs. There will always be a winner, and ultimately a loser. However, what matters most is how we take losing. If we lose and then gripe about it all the time, complaining about how the circumstances are against us and blaming everyone and not look inwardly and ask ourselves if we had tried hard, then we are sore losers. However, if we lose, but asks ourselves if we had tried our best and we find the answers to these questions to be an affirmative, then we are winners in our own rights.
My point is: Even though we may have lost in the National rounds, you girls have always been a winner in my eyes. I admire each of you for your tenacity, your efforts, your commitment. I admire you for the sweat and tears you have put in. I admire you for wanting to win, for trying hard as a team.
Like what i said during the last debrief of each game: what we have gained is more than what we have asked for. We became a team. Getting both teams into Top 4 North Zone, getting into the National rounds was a bonus for us. We achieved what we hadn't had achieved in the first place. However, what was more important was the friendship forged and the improvement in the skill level. I saw you all on court, encouraging each other, shouting out "PGSS" at the top of your voices. that was winning in my eyes.
I don't know what else to say except that I love you girls. Thank you for making this journey so memorable for me as a teacher-in-charge. You girls were worth the monetary and physical sacrifice of time.
To my entire team: Thank you for the hard work and sacrifice put in. Nationals Volleyball Girls is closed chapter for us all.
To the team of players who sat on the bench: you girls were great. Thank you for being with me, cheering for our main six and for picking the balls and making the competition such a smooth-running affair. Even though I may not have said it too often, I really do appreciate you all.
To the main six: Thanks for playing. You girls were amazing. I saw how you chased for balls and how much stronger we became. I saw how we pushed as a team. I saw how we settle our differences and come together as a team. Thank you for showing such winning spirit.
To the Sec 4s and Sec 5s: Thank you for your commitment for the past few years. I also wished this competition would last longer so that I can see you all more. Alas, all good things must come to an end. I wish you all the best in your O levels. Remember, bring along your fighting spirit into your studies. A good sportswoman will have a winning mindset and will excel in her studies too. =) Take care of yourselves and should you need help, Miss Tan is a call away.
One Last note: if life is ONLY about winning, then it will be pretty sad. Remember, Life is about the process not just the Product. Well, this is our final chapter, at least for this season...
Pgss... ACE! =)
Multiply 4th post: A Random Rant
(at outdoor vb court after training)
Me: Hey girls, let's go for drinks at SPC after training. I have just gotten my bonus so I want to treat you all drinks.
VBG: okies.. Yayyy..
(at SPC)
Me: Ok. Just grab any drinks you want.
(after much scrambling and some hushing by SPC staff because we were too loud)
Me: Okay, are we all ready to pay?
VBG: yep.
Miss Tan spots Z putting back a drink
A tells Miss Tan that Z didn't want Miss Tan to overspend so she decided to share with her friends
Me: Does everyone have a drink?
(furtive glances at each other--esp to Z)
VBG: er... ya
I spotted YW holding onto instant noodles (she didn't want her drink)
Me: Hey pass me your noodles. I will grab it,
VBG: NO... NO... You are paying a lot already. No need. NO need.
Me: Nope. I insist!
Z: No. I didn't get my drink too for fear that Miss Tan will pay too much! YW should not too. It costs too much.
Me: Go grab your drink. I want to buy all of you all drinks
Z: No No. Miss Tan. Thanks but no. We feel bad, making you pay for us.
Me: It is ok...
After much discussion, they decided to let Me pay for the instant noodle. But Z remains steadfast that she didn't want any drinks.
You know what struck me, girls? You girls have grown up. =)
Love you all. You made my day. It was totally worth it to end work early just to see you all play at the outdoor court.
Thanks for being part of my life.
-Miss Isabelle Tan
