Spring Singapore...

Well, I didn't smile as much as I thought I would today on stage. Perhaps I had spent too much time laughing in the audience. Today was the finals of the National Schools Debating Championships, held in the Spring Singapore auditorium, and RJC triumphed unanimously over HCI. I have no qualms about the results. The judges were clearly being diplomatic by saying it was a "good debate".

All said and done, it was an entertaining debate. Argh... How I wished I was up there on stage. Debating is...addictive. Once it gets into your bones it won't let go. There's something fascinating about beating down your opponent's points, trashing through one argument after another, hearing the sound of your own voice pierce the air... For me, ultimately, debating is a narcissistic experience.

Those who do not understand debates will simplify it to just listing out a bunch of pros and cons. May that never be! Debating is a combination of wits, talent and skill. It takes analytical power to debate. Perhaps this has made me all too analytical. But hey! that's who I am! If you can't accept that fact, if you don't like the way I question things, then... too bad. I can't just argue through emotion. Some people think that's all there is. But no, I like my arguments tempered with reason and sound logic.

The coming week will be hectic.

In two days, in two weeks

In two days I will be in Spring Auditorium, Bukit Merah. I will be dressed to the nines, clothed in the finery of the college's formal attire. I will watch the finals take place, then go up to collect our awards. The cameras will flash, hands will be shaken, I will smile. And amidst all of this, I think I will actually be rather pleased.

It's funny to think that some 11 days ago I was sulking and moping around because of the loss. How much things have changed in less than two weeks. The problems of the past seem insignificant to the turmoil I have been through. While HC and RJ (all the best to both teams. I can't decide who to root for) have been crafting their speeches, polishing their case, loading up their ammo for that final clash of wits and banter, I have lost a friend, forged a stronger relationship with another, and generally realised how much I've been blessed by the people around me. I should probably start paying more attention to the company I keep.

Turmoil, said I? Indeed, much of the pain and agony I have felt was caused through the same medium through which I now publish my thoughts. I don't think I've ever so truly realised the power of words to cause pain. But I know better now. I know that despite my circumstances my hope and joy are built on a firm foundation that cannot be shaken. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.

At long last

At long last, the doors are open, my narcissism has overcome me, my desire to speak breaks free. I have resisted this urge to get into the flow with everyone else for so long. Till now. I have realised the power of blogs. The incredible power of words.What pain! What anguish! What sublime pleasure!

And so, a toast to my first post, on my first blog.