radley.

i'm posting my first entry in 3 months +.

much has happened.
this livejournal has been neglected.
it will not be and will never be the focus of my life.

but i hope it's title can and and will be forever. not top secret. but told to the whole world.

SHINEJESUSSHINE. fill this land with the Father's glory,

and i hope that this can be one of the avenues whereby this message can be spread.

pardon me now that i've to return to the COMPLEX world of NUMBERS. where the imaginary squares can be a negative outcome.
i'm positive that the next time i return will be another time of temporary escape from some ideal world of gas particles, or reactive world of energetic elements. till then. 

 

Breakfast at McDonald's
>
> This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through
> until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting
> facts!):
>
> I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my
> college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher
> was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human
> being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called,
> 'Smile.'
>
> The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document
> their reactions.
>
> I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello
> anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
>
> Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I
> went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
>
> It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
>
> We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden
> everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
>
> I did not move an inch.... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up
> inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
>
> As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there
> standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
>
> As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'
>
> His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for
> acceptance
>
> He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
>
> The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I
> realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed
> gentleman was his salvation.
>
> I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the
> counter asked him what they wanted.
>
> He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford.
> (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy
> something. He just wanted to be warm).
>
> Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out
> and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
>
> That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me,
> judging my every action.
>
> I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more
> breakfast meals on a separate tray.
>
> I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as
> a resting spot I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the
> blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
>
> He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'
>
> I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for
> you. God is here working through me to give you hope'
>
> I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat
> down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me,
> Honey, to give me hope..'
>
> We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because
> of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.
>
> We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the
> pure Light of God's sweet love.
>
> I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in
> hand. I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.
>
> Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?' I slowly nodded
> as she got the attention of the class.
>
> She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and
> being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
>
> In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son,the
> instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I
> spent as a college student.
>
> I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
>
> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
>
> Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read
> this and learn how to
>
> LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
>
> There is an Angel sent to watch over you.
>
> In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want
> watched over.
>
> An Angel wrote:
>
> Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends
> will leave footprints in your heart
>
> To handle yourself, use your head..
>
> To handle others, use your heart.
>
> God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

那么一对情侣.女孩很漂亮,非常善解人意,偶尔时不时出些坏点子耍耍男孩.
   男孩很聪明,也很懂事,最主要的一点.幽默感很强.
   总能在2个人相处中找到可以逗女孩发笑的方式..
   女孩很喜欢男孩这种乐天派的心情.
   他们一直相处不错,女孩对男孩的感觉,淡淡的,说男孩象自己的亲人..
   男孩对女孩爱甚深,非常非常在乎她.所以每当吵架的时候,男孩都会说是自己不好,自己的错.
   即使有时候真的不怪他的时候,他也这么说.他不想让女孩生气. 

   就这样过5年,男孩仍然非常爱女孩,象当初一样.

         有一个周末,女孩出门办事,男孩本来打算去找女孩,但是一听说她有事,就打消了这个念头.
   他在家里呆了一天,他没有联系女孩,他觉得女孩一直在忙,自己不好去打 扰 他.
   谁知女孩在忙的时候,还想着男孩,可是一天没有接到男孩的消息,她很生气.
   晚上回家后,发了条信息给男孩,话说得很重.甚至提到了分手.当时是晚上12点.
   男孩心急如焚,打女孩手机,连续打了3次,都给挂断了.打家里电话没人接,猜想 是 女孩把电话线拔了.
   男孩抓起衣服就出门了,他要去女孩家.当时是12点25.
   女孩在12点40的时候又接到了男孩的电话,从手机打来的,她又给挂断了.

   一夜无话.男孩没有再给女孩打电话.

          第2天,女孩接到男孩母亲的电话,电话那边声泪俱下.

    男孩昨晚出了车祸.警方说是车速过快导致刹车不急,撞到了一辆坏在半路的大货车.
    救护车到的时候,人已经不行了. 女孩心痛到哭不出来,可是再后悔也没有用了.
    她只能从点滴的回忆中来怀念男孩带给她的欢乐和幸福.
    女孩强忍悲痛来到了事故车停车场,她想看看男孩呆过的最后的地方.
    车已经撞得完全不成样子. 方向盘上,仪表盘上,还沾有男孩的血迹.

    男孩的母亲把男孩当时身上的遗物给了女孩,钱包,手表,还有那部沾满了男孩鲜血的手机.
    女孩翻开钱包,里面有她的照片,血渍浸透了大半张.
    当女孩拿起男孩的手表的时候,赫然发现,手表的指针停在12点35分附近.
    女孩瞬间明白了,男孩在出事后还用最后一丝力气给她打电话,而她自己却因为还在堵气没有接.
    男孩再也没有力气去拨第2遍电话了,他带着对女孩的无限眷恋和内疚走了.

    女孩永远不知道,男孩想和她说的最后一句话是什么.
    女孩也明白,不会再有人会比这个男孩,更爱她了！
 
爱上一个人的８个预兆
 1.当你正在忙时，却把手机开著，等著她/他的短信..你已经爱上她/他了
 2.如果你喜欢和她/他两个人单独漫步..你已经爱上她/他了
 3.当你和她/他在一起时，你会假装不注意他，但是当她离/他开你的视线 时，你 会急著寻找她/他...你已  经爱上她了

 4.当她/他受伤或生病时，你会很关心她，替她/他著急..你已经爱上他了
 5.当她/他和别人要好时，你会感到吃不知其味...你已经爱上他了
 6.当你看到她/他那甜美的笑时，你的嘴角会扬起一丝得意的笑..你已经爱上她 / 他了。。。。  了...
 7.当你看到这篇文章时，心里想到某个人
 8.当你看到这篇文章后，不转发将会一辈子没人爱，没人疼，没人陪，没人关 心，没人照顾！！
 

okay ignore the last 8 points. God loves us, God cares for us, God walks with us, No one can love us like Christ who died for us. (:

taking my sats paper tmr at acjc with my nephew! haha. and cousin engkeong get's married tmr.
thanks for your encouragement! 2399 will be a target. haha.
take5 recce today. AHH. when'll dry run be.
need to get og gifts, make og flag, TRAIN.

gdnight shinejesusshine.

the above story is taken from fuxing's  d-dimension blogspot. filled with nuggets of wisdom (: yeah. PATIENCE. applies on court too.

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. "
- Nelson Mandela

i think that quote's really true and meaningful, especially in my social circle this basketball trip. The Pacific School Games 30th Nov - 6th Dec, an experience i gained in terms of exposure to basketball standards of australian states and china, but the greatest takeaway being totally unrelated to the sport- Faith in God & the power of prayer. And how this quote above relates, would be very apt in the sense of living out your faith even when you're away from your church friends, your family, and in an unfamiliar environment with many non-believers. It is a challenge (but yet not really with the incentive of spending time with God my faithful lover and few other friendly rivals) to resist perhaps watching the tv with the rest of the team, playing random games like taboo or simply just doing what the other people are doing, but instead, take the bible and find some quieter place and spend whatever time left before lights out letting your own light shine. The evident effect of doing that, yin ling and i have realised is that, it draws people to our light, other torchbearers whom may have forgotten that they have a torch in their hand, and "we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same", let their light shine. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel!

On this trip, we got to know that two of the sec4s are believers as well, and that they wouldnt have had done quiet time if we hadn't. we meaning yinling and i, using daily devotional material her cellgroupmates prepared for her, arranging before the trip to maintain and deepen our communication with God even more as we're stripped of communication with our friends in Singapore. It was for them a reminder to return to Him. for yinling greater affirmation and assurance in God's power. for me a renewing experience that drew me closer to God after having felt rather habitual in my practicing of faith most of this year. Honestly speaking. and i really thank God for what He did for the team this trip. even though we lost all our matches. we even lost money, handphone, camera and random things.

On the second day after our match, Athena realised her phone was missing. We reported the loss. no news for that day or the next. The next day we had dinner at Australia's Chinatown, a place we had to take the public bus to, and got to buy nougat. We returned to Bush capital Lodge, where 180+ Singapore athletes stayed, to our bunks where 12 people occupied one room with 6 double decker beds, to find out that Jieying's camera was missing as well. Everyone's morale was low. It was then Liying suggested that the christians in the team help pray for the team and for the lost items to be found. For a non-believer to state such a request, christians may have two reactions which we shared about. that is, one of apprehension, doubt, of the consequences lets say the prayer was not answered, the impression the non-believers may get. Another would be an extremely joyful and hopeful one, at the fact that non-believers are placing hope and possibly having a little faith in christianity, and a confidence blessed by strong faith in God's ability to answer prayers and work in the team. I cannot deny that i didn't feel both. But i'm glad i held on to the latter more strongly. Praise God. After another day of inactivity, on the second last day of the competition, athena found her phone at a lost&found. We were super happy for her, and thankful to Him for answering our prayer. But a side feeling was inevitably uncertainty and fear, that the phone had a better chance of being found, that the camera may not be found, it may not be a complete happy ending. However, God didn't fail us. Just before our last game, the bus company called to say that they found a camera obviously belonging to a singaporean. JIEYING'S CAMERA WAS FOUND! we were plain, ecstatic. yinling and i. our immediate reaction being "our God is so amazing".

That's the crux of this amazing experience. Along with many other God-planned coincidences and speaking to us through the devotion/sharings. From the prayer night, a couple of non-believers questioned and even joined us for quiet time! Two of which stayed with us till the last night. Kaiyi and Jieying. Really thank God for working in them this trip. Using us & our not-so-pleasant experiences as His tools. It is amazing how God always works for the better. If the items hadn't been missing, we wouldn't have witnessed His amazing Grace so clearly and effectively.

Yupp. let me end my PSG update for now. pictures soon!

THANK GOD! (:

now i'm laughing at pictures with mummy whee.

SPEND TWO MINUTES LOOKING AT THESE AMAZING PHOTOS OF GOD'S ART. THESE PHOTOS HAVE NOT BEEN EDITED EXCEPT THE ONE WITH THE CIRCLE. THE CIRCLE WAS DRAWN AROUND THE SUBJECT SO YOU CAN SEE IT BETTER.

HIS CROCODILE...     HIS SLEEPING CAT...   EXPRESSING HIS LOVE FOR US...  (this one is so cool!)       A TEDDY BEAR...   ONE OF HIS ANGELS...       MAN...     HIS HANDS.....  (this was my favorite!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF9wo9sVn2c

mac.reminiscence says:

hey!

mac.reminiscence says:

how are ur promos?

 redALERT » joelynn says:

ongoing

 redALERT » joelynn says:

haha

 redALERT » joelynn says:

how're urs

mac.reminiscence says:

haha.

ongoing..ending in 3days

mac.reminiscence says:

haha..ya..inspirational huh...

 redALERT » joelynn says:

sama sama

mac.reminiscence says:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF9wo9sVn2c&feature=related

mac.reminiscence says:

for you..

mac.reminiscence says:

its a great video

 redALERT » joelynn says:

what a distraction

mac.reminiscence says:

share it with ur peers =D

 redALERT » joelynn says:

but thanks

mac.reminiscence says:

pls lah..not distractino

mac.reminiscence says:

trust me..it makes u want to work harder

mac.reminiscence says:

hhaaa

 redALERT » joelynn says:

wow thanks

 redALERT » joelynn says:

totally not a distraction

 redALERT » joelynn says:

i actually teared

mac.reminiscence says:

haha of cos =D

 redALERT » joelynn says:

thanks really.

 redALERT » joelynn says:

i'm gonna share it!

 

---

Get the latest celebrity gossip - Yahoo! Singapore Search.

 

The

Awesomeness

of God !

IN CHEMISTRY... HE

TURNED WATER TO WINE  
IN BIOLOGY...

HE WAS

BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.

IN PHYSICS...

HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN

IN ECONOMICS...

 HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN

(not...INCLUDING the WOMEN and CHILDREN)

 WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE...

 HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY...

 HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT...

 HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION...

HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO.
WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;

HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER.  REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.

AMEN

IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!
The Greatest Man in History

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet
He conquered the
world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all
On your buddy list .. if not just ignore it.

If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said ... 'If you deny me

before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven.'

God's Blessing is Over Flowing!

Have A Blessed Day

and pass this on.

The Next Person Just Might Need It!

 

HE loves YOU :D

A5 POWER!

 the first toilet in indonesia i went to!

 grace who took most of my memories in her cam (: nice cap there.
 obviously i aint at my highest point yet! one-legged me.

 A5.... PAOER! our teacher mr chong.


cool shot by jerome!

A5! yay our raft was a success and we fetched mrs lim the principal out to sea! <3 poor haris got stung by jellyfish like everywhere and he was so brave he didn't even scream or cry! :D bravo! kong threw a coconut super far! jasmine the pro! we had great soup on the night out! (:
 camp fire! played pass it on on mr chong's guitar. group A sang home for our item lol.

 RJC CREST LEGO.
 
my besties sleeping over tonight! and we spent half the last night at camp ABLE talking...about God, about ourselves.. and then teachers/seniors chased people to sleep. there was a noisy bunch who got into trouble.


sec415 class reunion! :D ah leong <3!


MT HOUSE DIRECTORATE! (: RED ALERT!
 
the ferry terminal... where we bough mr paoer white bermudas and bernice bracelet! 

okay. more updates soon. this was like... 26-29 MAY. it's 28th JULY tmr! 28ths day! outing at east coast! :D

 "Do not pray for easy times, pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks."
- John F Kennedy

well. hopefully next year's review will make us smile. some good photos i must say.

The HCI vs RJC girls’ bball final - a reader’s perspective

Story contributed by reader saintsyadayada

Raffles Junior College (RJC) started the game off with a quick lead of two 3-pointers made by #4, Joelynn Ng. The defence by both teams was tight, keeping the score low at 6-0 by 7:50. Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) didn’t look as composed, as their offensive plays seemed rushed. RJC, on the other hand, played an organised game centred on #7, Liew Si Hui. She put in another 3-pointer for RJC at 6:30. HCI had the advantage of having bigger centres, like #11, Tan Seow Hwee, but she missed many under-baskets.

The RJC supporters were outnumbered by HCI, but they definitely made their presence known with their loud cheering. HCI was heard to have sent all their J2s down to support the teams.

RJC’s #8, Jamie Chow, was substituted out at 5:00, with RJC playing the smaller but quicker forwards and guards. HCI’s #11, Phua Kaiyi, seemed to be handling most of HCI’s possession. Both teams showed that their defence were almost unbreakable. Both teams had made five successful 3-pointers by 1:50. The first quarter ended with a score of 15-11, RJC taking the lead.

In the second quarter, RJC counted more on their shooting from the perimeters. HCI started to have some foul trouble, with the “red flag” up about two minutes into the game. They were not grabbing the opportunities as they continued to miss many easy under-baskets. At 6:25, the game was tied at 15-15. Seow Hwee showed her ability as a centre, taking many rebounds right from above the RJC players. With 2 big centres, Seow Hwee and #5, Chong Jie Ying, HCI made rebounding for RJC difficult. With tight and intensive defence, RJC started getting into foul trouble.

RJC’s Joelynn was trying her luck with 3-pointers, taking long-range shots further than the 3-point line. RJC’s Si Hui didn’t disappoint her teammates, making a successful fast-break, her speciality, at 2:48. HCI then had a change of tactic, applying the half court press on RJC. However, it didn’t seem to work RJC. Instead, HCI might have given RJC even more space to make their runs. The low-scoring game saw a half-time score of 25-20 in RJC’s favour.

Just one minute into the third quarter, RJC’s Si Hui put in a 3-pointer. A technical glitch happened at one point of time, delaying the game for about three minutes. These three minutes were definitely used well by the supporters of both teams to show what they really got as they sang and chanted.

When play resumed, Spectators watched in anxiety and disbelief as HCI took many tries under the basket but scored none. Many 3-pointers were made, especially for this game. HCI’s #10, Cindy Chan, an MVP during her years in Nanyang Girls’ High, made a successful shoot which send the crowd into rapture.

HCI then gave RJC a good fight with their full-court press after a timeout. Joelynn had by then already put in five 3-pointers. RJC seemed to have some trouble trying to break HCI’s press. Another 3-pointer from Joelynn was made at 2:00, and another successful basket followed right after. A fierce body check by RJC’s key centre Jaime on her opponent saw her foul out of the game with five personal fouls and just one minute left in the game. This would prove crucial in the end. At the end of the third quarter, RJC led 44-29.

In the last quarter, HCI gave RJC much pressure with their double-man trapping defence, causing RJC to fumble at the start of the game. A timeout was called at 7:23 as RJC had not scored a single point by then. HCI slowly caught up and trailed only by five points at 39-44 at 7:00. The HCI supporters did not rest their voices at all as they continued to cheer their school on.

RJC fumbled again under HCI’s full-court press when play resumed. HCI continued to trail by five points at 5:50 with red flags already up. With smaller players on the court, most of the rebounds were going into HCI’s hands courtesy of Seow Hwee. HCI’s #13, Athena Tan then scored on a fast break which brought her team to 49-50 at 3:00.

“The ball comes in and the hand goes away.” The referee awarded Seow Hui with two free throws, but she couldn’t sink them. With one minute remaining, HCI still trailed 51-52. HCI intercepted a pass from RJC and passed it to Seow Hwee. She attempted a fast break while her opponent chased her down. When Seow Hui made a sudden stop near the basket, her opponent overran, and while everyone was anticipating that Seow Hui would pass it to the trailer running in, she spun around and scored from under the basket.

HCI, for the first time during that game, took the lead at 53-52.

Then RJC’s Si Hui missed her attempt at a lay-up while blocked by 3 defenders. An HCI long pass to Kai Yi saw her put in a basket to pull her team further into the lead at 55-52 just before the final whistle was blown.

Both teams definitely put up a tremendous fight. My teammates and I agreed that we would not know who the winner would be until the end of the game and so it proved. HCI surprised us once again. Well done, both teams!!!

*check out the comments. some people are just sickening. thanks danny.

Hwa Chong Institution inflict last-minute heartbreak on Raffles Junior College in “Battle of the Giants”

Story contributed by reader AJCien. Pictures by Tan Huey Ying.

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, May 22, 2008 - In an epic battle, Hwa Chong Institution snatched the A Division girls Basketball Championship title from Raffles Junior College in a last-gasp 55-52 fightback against the 2006 champions Raffles Junior College.

Backed by equally raucous crowds from both sides, the game got off to a surprisingly muted start. The HCI girls looked jittery in the early stages, allowing RJC to race off to an 8-2 lead. Having missed four shots in the first two minutes, a spirited fightback ensured that the drama was only just beginning.

Throughout large parts of the match, RJC were firmly in control, although a 3-pointer from HCI late in the quarter did reduce the arrears to 11-15. A cautious beginning for both sides, with HCI let down by poor finishing and RJC reduced to making speculative 3-pointer punts.

HCI did start the second quarter brightly amid a cagey opening that saw more blocks than shots in the first two minutes. It was thus ominous that HCI scored two unanswered shots at that moment to tie at 15-15. This quarter was marked by a series of unforced errors which suggested nerves getting at the players. HCI even ended up taking the lead for a short while, a converted free throw making it 18-17 midway through the quarter. But quickfire counter-attacking by RJC meant that HCI were put on the back foot again. The game went into the first quarter break with RJC leading 25-20.

RJC came out with guns blazing in the third quarter. Two free throws heralded a brilliant run of form that saw the Rafflesians run off into a 32-20 lead. HCI’s cause wasn’t helped by their poor finishing, contrasted against RJC’s lethal finishing by their #13. In a quarter marked by unusual incidents including a power trip of the electronic scoreboard and a ball stuck between the rims caused by HCI, the crowd was treated to brilliant 3-pointer shots by both sides. This resulted in RJC taking a 44-29 lead at the third quarter break, and (so they thought) the title was done and dusted.

But with players being fouled out in a match, HCI were suddenly finding their finishing touches. Free throws bundled with shots caused by Rafflesian fouls allowed HCI to claw back, surely but steadily in the game. From 44-29, the HCI defence restricted the RJC girls to just three points while they scored 13 points against all odds to storm back into contention.

In the last five minutes of the game, Rafflesian ill-discipline returned to haunt them as they protected a precarious 50-43 lead with two of their star players fouled out. Subsequently the match turned physical and RJC’s captain had to limp off after a challenge by HCI players en route to goal. With three minutes left, RJC’s position looked untenable and with their centre following her captain into the sick bay, it was only time before their slender lead crumbled.

Within a minute, HCI were now leading 52-51 with well-converted free throws after a fatigued and depleted Rafflesians let the title slip from their grip, conceding the two shots in the last minute. When the whistle went, the 1,000-strong HCI travelling support were delirious at the 55-52 comeback victory, while the Raffles fans were left to ponder how a final went all too wrong within a quarter.

*sighs :(

A Division basketball finals - a post-mortem

By reader AJCien.

Now that the finals are over, this is the post-match analysis brought to you as a complement to the match reports earlier submitted.

Firstly though, I’d like to apologize to readers that I was way off the mark for most of my predictions in my earlier article.

Girls’ final - HCI vs RJC: This being a big match between both giants in A Division sports, the first half was a cagey affair as I had predicted. The nerves showed as HCI struggled to convert many of their chances. RJC didn’t fare much better with them losing possession sloppily, especially in the second quarter.

The scores were kept low mostly because HCI’s good defence smothered many close-range shots by the Rafflesians, hence restricting them to speculative long-range shots in the first quarter. But when given the chances, RJC did convert them efficiently. This was especially so in the second quarter when their rasping counter-attacks shredded the HCI defence apart. More so when the HCI girls are marooned in the middle of nowhere when they missed their shots at the other end.

The second half, though, was a half of contrasting fortunes. RJC’s physical approach may have garnered a supposedly insurmountable 15-point lead in the third quarter, especially when consecutive 3-pointers seemed to have left HCI for dead. But like their solid defence, HCI played a patient game and bided their time as RJC’s cavalier approach exposed them to injury and foul risks.

Which was precisely what happened in the fourth quarter meltdown of RJC. By utilising their free throw chances, they were able to claw back points more easily, a stark contrast to them struggling to convert their chances for most parts of the game. As for RJC, the loss of key players who could penetrate the tough HCI defence soon proved their downfall. Kudos to HCI for their spirit even when trailing by a large score.

Boys’ final - HCI vs AJC: The first half was a pretty good affair, especially with Anderson JC putting up a great fight against HCI, even when the odds were stacked against them. With their defence first, counter-attacking approach, of which I’ had predicted correctly as well, they were able to counter HCI’s attacking passing-oriented basketball effectively. Long ball tactics, though, necessarily restricted attacking chances. With HCI being tough in counter-attack as well, being able to rapidly blast their way through the AJC defence, AJC had to rely on their 3-pointers, which can be a hit-or-miss affair.

In the second half though, a high tempo game necessitates an even temper as well as a good back-up crew. HCI has both while AJC were forced to concede more fouls as the match went on. While HCI weren’t able to convert their free throws as easily as expected, AJC lost out in winning rebounds, which meant scoring chanced were at a premium for AJC. With a thin bench, AJC were also prone to impacts from loss of key players to fouls. Which is precisely what happened. HCI were then left to romp home as AJC’s game plan was left in disarray.

MVP, Shengyu of HCI stated that HCI were struggling to match AJC’s intensity in the first half, but it was a matter of time before they adapted to their tactics. As Yanming, the captain of AJC summed it up, HCI had the advantage of a squad depth, such that tactics and line-ups can be tinkered to adapt to AJC’s tactics. But the intensity of AJC was also its downfall, as they are also prone to conceding fouls, which Yanming said was the cause why they lost out in rebounds, and subsequently the match.

As it goes, it has been a very good game for all teams involved, and congratulations to HCI for winning a double. Kudos to the guys for disproving my ‘jet-lag’ theory as I’ve written in the pre-match predictions. (By the way, Shengyu thought the prediction was humorous, pretty much so for an outlandish theory.)

 before we left for finals


the boys were mega sweet. stayed back the night before and prepared a board with toy basket and ball and post-its with messages, hand-drawn paper jersey tops, and balloons for all of us! <3 and i had a gift of the raffles colours (: milo bar, black impact, 100 plus! :D



we said our prayers and peace. [insert cool shot by kml]

the game swooshed by. 5 three pointers were not enough. defence could not sustain till the end without 2 foulouts; jamie and olly. good freethrows but relatively less opportunities. animated referee and shadowy referee. without warning. 2 cramps suffered; yen and i. we were leading till the last 30 secs hwach had a foul-in. we should have dragged time earlier. we should have been smarter. i should have remembered that i needed to shoot a 3 at the end. serene told me to. it just didn't sink in. but the underdogs were not supposed to win. the score was 52-55. 

i thank God for these brilliant people who shared a dream and fought with me. if not on court, at heart and mind and soul. i adore captain valerie. and all the j2s and their sacrifice. the boys are sad. but they'll move on. so have we. from a repeat of last year. can i say it is no regrets. no. but i can say i fought for none. alright. time to sleep. too much to say. CCAL camp tmr till thursday. God guide my way! <3

 TO GOD BE THE GLORY.


friendly at nyjc awhile ago. our first friendly perhaps. lousy photographer this person. should have taken a closer shot. tsk. recall there were many beautiful art/paintings along the corridors here.

let's end this season beautifully (:

A DIVISION BASKETBALL FINALS ON THU 22/5 1330 @ TPY SPORTS HALL.

GIRLS: RJ VS HCI

dreamteamfightWIN!

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

the past week was basketball mon wed fri, training two four. shouldnt have played floorball during pe on thu. cramped on court on friday. but nearly did a double double says weiyuan. ahh. hope our team keeps up the good performance! and my stamina really sucks. zz. thanks to my class who came down for matchsupport for our semis against SAJC. bryan said it was one of the happiest moments he's enjoyed in JC so far. is that sad or happy. =x and wangyu said i'm like steve nash. who's that. and i really thank God for bringing us through. giving us strength. allowing us to have fun. :D
had our first house d meeting on friday after the game, cabbed back with my besties <3 stupidest thing i went off with jamie's bag before realising i couldnt find my phone inside. had to walk back and swap it. ah captain was nice to carry my stuff for me. house d got nice red book and pen from captain too :D had gatorade instead of 100plus. had pandan cake and gummies and energy bar to induce my appetite before the match cause jap food really sucks. 

sat. ccal camp briefing. i'm in A5! 
vice capt elections! success! (: two speeches did it.
handover.
i'm switching from council camp to take 5 for function.

THY RANSOMED SERVANT I, RESTORE TO THEE THY OWN!
wangyu came to my church today! he wanted to learn how to pray for the myanmmar disaster. wow. well. thank God. (:

training tmr tue and wed! >.<

gotta do my prog notes!

 BASKETBALL! 
we're into quarter finals.
tmr match vs nyjc. monday. then wed vs VJC.
all are 330 at SBC. 

COUNCIL!
investiture was 7 may! a hectic week of rehearsals and decor before that! labour day included. played chinese chess with yijun that day too. and oh I LOVE MY BUDDY! lim weiyuan. whose camera i hogged. who gave me a panda and some other toy. PLUS herbal tea and CHUAN PEI PI PA GAO! <3 so touching! final night was sadly sweet. the blowing out of flames really blew out some tears. looking forward to a lovely term.God will make my way! :D 

SIGH. i want a red bag and speakers and camera. zz. okay la i can do without these things.

i need my sleep. and i need my God.

I PRAY ABOUT SHAO NIAN TUAN QI!

and i'm going for CCAL camp 26-29 may. CAC camp 11-14 june.

 

 "You will never 'find' time for anything. If you want time you must make it."
- Charles Buxton

i need to sleep.
>.<

"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it."
- John Buskin

i need to supplement my self with the bread of life.

I <3 my buddy wei yuan! and cousin buddy pair anna and jonlim!

<3 <3! 

YES CCIC! NO CCIC! BATCH STRENGTH 95 CCIC! go 28th STUDENTS COUNCIL! :D 

went to school for campaigning stuff!
:D thank God for my team. went to some vietnamese restaurant at thomson for lunch. ordered Pho Tai (beef noodles). 
met gaBARNEY in school, he really brightens my day! :) some sortof stranger guy talked to me today too, commenting on my three points at match yesterday. seetow i think. oh yeah! RJC VS HC friendly yesterday. danny zhen simon were refs. we lost 56-39. but my performance was unusually tyco. ok i'm usually quite tyco too. but some shots which wasn't really aimed just happened to go in. tsk. fouled quite abit on defence but oh well. and bbq on friday cancelled. aiya. anw, jiaolian thinks we've got the potential. i believe we can win champs too. so go go raffles! (:
kinda sad didn't really enjoy the pranking of april fools in its full blast. other jcs had some fun. acsi's school anthem lapsed halfway into some tribal lion king song! 
but i got pranked nonetheless. one by bingyang's sms. two by ervine's msn bluff. hoho. and he really surprises me. he was reading online...
 
Prologue

The man walks, and then stops at the entrance of the school. A boy is standing near the gates, his fingers pinching his ears. When the boy sees the man, he lowers his eyebrows and glares at the man.

The man wants to smile at the boy. He wishes to be the boy. Just a few days ago, he had been sued by a stranger in a pub. He had punched the stranger in the face when the stranger teased about his weird dressing. The man was sentenced to a year in jail.

The man says nothing. If only he is the boy. Then he can do anything that he likes without a tingle of worry. The school and law will protect the underage.

The boy wants to smile at the man. He wishes to be the man. A few hours ago, the boy had punched a friend in the nose. The friend’s nose bleed and the boy were asked to stand near the gates for two hours as punishment.

The boy frowns. If only he is the man. Then he can do anything he likes without any teacher’s intervention.

The man walks off, shaking his head. Freedom comes with a price, he thinks.

The boy bows his head. He will do anything for freedom.

http://www.goodybooks.com/youarehere.htm