| SPORTS |
| I don't know if this is the same for everybody, but sports used to be something I absolutely dreaded, at least in the junior school; I mean, after all is said and done, it's just a GAME. Compounded on this was the senior school's FABULOUS P.E. program (at least when I was in grades 8, 9, and 10). Actually, it was (and still is) a super program, just there was a slight controversy over how marks should be distributed in P.E. But now it's been "fixed"...I think. |
| But aside from that marks thing in the senior school, I just simply began to like sports more in high school. They're a great way to relieve stress, keep in shape, and, HAVE FUN! Some people know that I am very competitive (i.e. who doesn't like to win something?), and others will know that I am the complete opposite. Actually, to tell you the truth, I'm probably *much* less competitive now than I used to be; I don't see a need to prove myself at any sport, probably because I don't play it for any school or group's pride anymore. I merely do it for myself. |
| The sport that was pretty much my "first", which I (yes, like sports in general) used to hate, but now pretty much love, was swimming. I have come to appreciate this sport, in particular, for its incredible "fitness" value. Right now, I'm part of the Club Swimming group at Duke; I like how you can choose when you want to train; it's really completely dependent on your schedule and how hard to you want to exert yourself. I think also that this teaches you to be responsible for yourself, something that you don't really learn until halfway through high school, or, in my school, only since I got to Duke last August! Swimming is awesome. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to get fit in a reasonble amount of time. The sport also doesn't get nearly the recognition that it deserves. Maybe it will in the future. |
| There are very few sports that I actually hate...I must say that I used to hate basketball and American football (and all its versions), and have never really enjoyed playing or even watching it. Of course, I am not studying in the states...hating football is extremely difficult, and not liking basketball at Duke is an ABSOLUTE SIN. I confess, ever since I've come to Duke and gone to a ton of the games (since I am in the marching/pep band), I've come to appreciate both football and basketball so much more than I used to...they really are super sports...I...just...happen to suck at both of them. |
| Of all the sports that there are these days, two others have attracted my attention: cross-country running and ultimate frisbee. I don't do either a whole lot anymore now that I am in college, but if I ever had the chance, I imagine that I would probably go for a run or toss a frisbee around. Duke tends to breed a lot of "fit" people; it's almost a state of being around here. It's almost so prevalent that sometimes I feel like not exercising because of my inferiority in many respects, most particularly muscle tone. My biceps are the size of chopsticks. Oh well, I have an excuse I guess: I'm Asian. |
| I don't know how many people would call it a sport, but I've already told you that I love the ourdoors...so I really like stuff like camping, canoeing, kayaking, and mountian climbing, even if just for recreation, are some of my favourite activities. You're not doing it to beat anyone; in fact, you're often working in conjunction with someone else. I've learned from camping that you can have the most fun when there's absolutely nothing at stake. Also I think it's sort of cool knowing that, as you're paddling, only a small layer of plastic separates you from an entire ocean. If you have a comment about any of the sports or activies above, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks! |
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| Ah, those were the days when were younger. I'm in yellow, and Marc Soo (before his prime) is the one in green, closest to me. This was an annual thing called "Jump Rope For Heart" in the junior school. I got a water bottle and a pencil!!! (1997) |
| I had a super camp trip in the summer of 2001, up a portion of BC's coast, called Desolation Sound. This pitstop for the day, Kinghorn Island, was a particulary nice location. (July 2001) |
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