Netball.

As a shooter, it would be natural or maybe even an instinct to focus on the shooters when watching a match. During the countless times that I've been to watch matches by other schools be it at friendlies or at a tournament, I've always found myself focusing on the shooters' every move and well, practically even to the extent that I neglect the rest of the players and even the game itself. Something I've always noticed about these shooters which I've never ever observed from any other shooter in school is that their bodies have this habit of going through a certain motion whenever they take a shot. It was most obvious just before the game when they were practicing their shots at the pole and as I observed the techniques that they put into practice, I realised that almost all of them are going through the same motion. However, whenever I took my shots, i never felt myself doing that so I thought that it had to be that I was not on that level yet - that I was still inferior. Previously, I had attempted using the same technique as what I had observed from these shooters who were playing for top schools in the East Zone and though most shots were put in, I felt that it didn't come naturally and that I was just making my body go through the same motion. It was just like trying to be something you're not. But lately, ever since the exams were over, I began my shooting practices and found that my shots were worse than ever before. That was when I felt that I couldnt keep this up. I couldnt sit back and put aside practicing my shots even though it was the exam period. I had to commit myself to at least half an hour of shooting practice everyday without fail. During the last training which was actually just yesterday, we played a match - a mixture of next years B-Div girls on each team & i played GA. Just when the game had begun, as it was the White's (the team I was on) centre pass, the ball reached our goal circle soon after the game started. I took the shot but it rebounded and Siewmei, the GS caught the rebound. We kept rebounding and when we finally scored, it felt like forever. Throughout the first few minutes of the game, the shots that I took felt rather awkward. I can't describe how it actually felt but it was like...I was nervous and afraid that I would miss and lose the team a chance at the goal. I felt that way though it was just another match at training, I really want to make it far with the team nexy year in the tournament. I'll be in Sec 3 next year which gives me and my team mates of the same cohort just another 2 years to do something for KC Netball and for ourselves.

As the game progressed, and as i took my shots, i suddenly felt this change. I don't know how or what, but when i took my shots now, it was as if i could feel the shot being taken - I mean, I could actually feel the distance and how much to push the ball, how much lift I needed to give the ball in order to make that goal. Although shots were being taken and most were in as some were missed, I could feel myself going through the exact same motion that those other shooters of whom I've seen before going through whenever they took their shots and this time, I wasn;t forcing my body to go through that motion. It sort of came naturally, just like that. It was almost happening unconsciously but I could felt the motion. It was amazing. Like reaching the peak. Haha. As dramatic as it may sound, it realy felt good. Really good. Alright, off to the other stuff...

Nadiah's Birthday Party

I met Nicola at the busstop near my house before we made our way to Nadiah's place. Nicola and I had intended to have lunch at KFC but it was really crowded when we got there and not a single available seat was in sight . Then, we decided to try out luck at Macs. By the time we got there, it was just as crowded as it was in KFC so we decided to order takeaway and munched along the way and also while we waited for 17 to come. Oh this is the funny part. haha. We boarded 17 as soon as it came which wasn't too long then we called Nadiah who told us that the bus ride would take around half an hour so we sat patiently. haha. Nadiah also told us that it was the stop after Tampines Junior College which was going to appear on our left. We kept a lookout but started yabbling away soon after. I was afraid that we had missed the stop so I took out the bus guide that I had brought from home. (Oh yeah, when I opened the drawer which contained the bus guide, a BLACK LIZARD emerged...YIKES. yeah whatever.haha.) Anyway, yeah, I know I was being kiasu but wth. haha. So we were staring at the bus guide and it took us really long to decipher how it actually worked. I mean the route the bus took and all yeah. After awhile of starring at the guide, Nicola exclaimed that we had missed the stop cos we were already in Pasir Ris!! haha. So we alighted at the next stop and crossed over, took no. 17 to 7 busstops down which was where we were supposed to alight. haha.

When we reached the busstop, we called Nadiah and she told us to wait there and that she would go down with Jezebel to fetch us. We bought some tidbits from the provision shop stationed just at the busstop and waited for them to come.

(some time later...)

I felt my phone vibrate, picked it up and it was Nadiah. She asked if were at the busstop opposite TPJC and I was like yeah. Then she told me that we were at the wrong busstop and that we were supposed to alight one busstop down so yeah. haha. But then she said to wait at the junction so we walked and met up with each other. omg Nadiah dressed so formally! Well, "hotly" too! haha. We were like WOW. Haha. She even wore eyeliner!! haha.

Anyway, when we got to her house, only Jezebel, Nicola & I were there. I mean from those ppl she invited. haha. Her family was home too. There was food lined up along the side of her home so we munched and munched as we waited for the others to arrive. Soon after, Jiamin, Alison & Jia Jia came. we ate, sang the birthday song and ate the cake. After that, we went to this really cool room in Nadiah's house to watch HSM 3. The room was SWEET i tell you. haha. It was like a mini amphitheathre. however you spell it haha.anyway, Nicola and I had to leave just when the movie was about to end. sobs. oh yeah, i actually forgot that i had watched it before and had to have Jiamin & Nicola remind me ahaha. lol. stm. major one. yeah.

Areef's Birthday Party

We got to Primrose(his house) at around 6 plus, close to 7. Had dinner, played with sparklers which were a gift from his teacher ir smth like that. haha. They were freakin loud and way screechy. yup, you can bet i was covering my ears the whole time. hmph. we had CRAB. haha my LOVEEEE...hahaha...Then, we played with Spongebob Monopoly! haha. omg it was so cute!! lol. all the tokens n currency etc. ahhaha. lol. we ended the game half way though. cos everyone was getting tired. oh well.

Etc.

Okay. Guess what? I just checked youku.com for the upload of episode 14 of My School Daze, the chnnel 8 9pm weekday chinese drama and someone actually uploaded it at last!! I had been waiting for it since like TUESDAY!!! haha. but since the videos on youku don't work well at night, I guess I'll have ti try tmr haha. I just hop e it works! Its the only video of episode too! haha. Oh well, its getting late and I guess I should end my post now so I can read my Tess Gerritsen book, get sleepy and sleep. Then tmr morning I'll wake up early, watch the video, go to CHRUCH (!), go to Sg EXPO for the Crocs sale haha...and maybe go to Tangs after church to take look at the watches that they have there. hmm. Mum's promised to get me one! haha. YAY!! lol. right. okay, so BYE!

loves;Ria

[[can'tlivewithoutnetball7:16 AM

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