2006 debates

I am strangely elated. St Theresa lost, for the first time in many years. This may sound cruel and stupid, but its really good for a different school to win. A lot of debate teams were discouraged from even joining, coz St Th3 would just win again. That doesn't bode well for healthy competition, coz it just feels like you're taking part in a debate where you'll never win, anyway. But they lost! Yippee!

Now, at least, we can all root for St Th3 without prejudice. It feels satisfyingly free to know everyone has a level playing field, although the judges still do not follow Semenanjung/International Debate rules. But who are we to say, eh? Since when has Sarawak made it to the finals in Malaysia? Cikgu Orlinda, our couch for three years (prob more, but i wasn't in the team then) has complained about the sheer lack of proper enforcement. Well of course she'd say that. She'd debated Semenanjung back in high school and won (yes, she is not from Sarawak), she debated the teachers debate and won, and she's been to (was it Harvard or Oxford or Yale?) and debated there too alongside Andee. And was good at it.

For starters, you're not allowed to POI after a POI. Everytime you do that marks is taken off. Somehow most of our judges strongly believe you can do that.

Next, you need a Stand. And a stand is not a stupid repetition of the motion, it is why that motion is supported. It'll go ... So so and so (eg, Homework is a burden to students) because *state reason here*

Without a stand you lose immediately. However, here most of the judges don't even know what a stand is.

Truisms and tautologies are not allowed. If you use a truism or tautology, such as Abdillah last year, you should lose immediately. Unfortunately most of the judges do not know what the heck it is. Strange, really. It is amongst the first things taught to international debate teams.

AND, we lost. This is probably the first year none of the seeded Saints teams made it to the semis. St Mae got kicked out by St Th3. St Jo was to be expected - the poor 1st speaker made a point of how handphones could help in emergencies.

And gave an example of a girl having her period in the library.

*sigh*

We were defeated by Green Road, who didn't have a stand. Nevermind, i told the rest of the team. Personally i wondered if i was at fault. I did not help Paul enough with the reply speech, and i was the most experienced in the team. How i have changed. When the Green Road third speaker spoke, i wondered if i should revert back to the debating style i used in my first few debates. Aggressive, fast, like-a-bully. In those days, the early debates, i was really brash, with the sole purpose of making the opponent look stupid. I did too, with alarming frequency. I made Abigail speechless, made Sarah look like a dummy, talked circles around the entire prelim opponent last year, and at the SM Sains friendly even before that.

I cringe at the thought of that style.

And when the Green Road third speaker spoke (and mind you he got best speaker award later), all i felt was pity. He was self assured and very aggressive, but when my rebuttals appeared to be solid (so far the only person that has made me look stupid in debate is Orlinda) he became irrational and bothered and loud. He even claimed newpapers were more reliable sources of information than university studies, because our Prime Minister read them.

Maybe i should have been a bully. Maybe i should have been this fast spoken hot shot. I was not. I was calm, sickeningly polite. Orlinda called me classy. But maybe, just maybe, if i had pushed a lot harder Green Road, who had no stand, wouldn't have won.

Maybe.

8, Debates and Shizenkotai

It would be unfair if i do not blog this. Tomorrow is the debates, loud, furious and nerve wrecking. I just defeated James last week with a Morote Gari in the Judo monthly contest for March. Attempted an Osotogari, but the kuzushi failed. In the end my body reacted of its own accord and swept him, almost like a uchimata-sukaeshi (is that how you spell that?). But nevermind really - ippon is ippon.

But, and this is most important - Elaine called to tell me that she's going to Singapore to take up nursing!! WOOTS! I am happy as anything for her. Even better news - Lynn was shortlisted for the JPA scholarships - and i pray that everything will fall in place. And now all that is left of the eight musketeers is Aaron and me.

Of course most of the readers of this blog won't know what i'm talking about, so let me explain. I was happily part of a team of 8 wonderful people that was the pulse and life of St Faith young people. We worked very well in organizing events, we learned, we grew up and i must admit they are closer to me than any of my school mates of Judo sparring partners. I mean, we were so comfortable with each other, in such a way that none of us hid any part of our personality. Most of them are gone, but we have Abigail and Paul (woohoo!). At any rate, outings with them is like letting down your hair - these are friends that can get under your skin remarkably well.

They are:
Amanda - she's now in the process of becoming a doctor, in KL doing her foundation. She taught me the joy of taking care of kids, and was a damn good debater. Always ready for a good laugh, very easy to work with.

Aaron - Amanda's little bro. Still in church, still serving. Great guy.

Adele - Known her since Godknowswhen. Really sweet person. Teases me about (what she calls) my feminine legs. Damn larr (why did i call her sweet horr?). >.<''' Moved to another church with Rach.

Rachael - Also known her since Godknowswhen. Sukma squash player, funny, witty, smart. Also one of the few females i know that is seriously into gadgets and games. C'mon lah. She can beat me in Prince of Persia hands down. Now in a different church.

Elaine - bouncy girl that was once in girl's wing of the Boys Brigade. Amazingly, she's still loyal to the organization. I dunno why. Sings, dances, worked with kids. Flying to Singapore this Sunday.

Lynn - We all used to call her 'everything girl'. She really is. Anything you need, be it string, paper or coloured markers during an event crisis she will get. Plus Aunty Faye once called her Artsy Farty. Which she strangely doesn't like. Now in another church, shortlisted for JPA.

Jason (JJ) - Aaron's good friend and a natural athelete. Probably among the most popular guys in BL, for reasons all of us in the 8 are very familiar with. Hehe.

And last of all, Me. No comments.

The farewell party is this Saturday. Prob in a McD somewhere. And it seems to me more and more farewell parties are happening. Sooner or later it'll be my turn.

I don't like that.