17th Birthday ‘Speech’ (:

Hello, hello! The most special annual event on my calendar has finally come! Today, not only do I celebrate 17 years of age, but also 3 years in the APSC Red & White team! :D For now, let me just reflect on the experiences I had on my 16th year.

When I celebrated my birthday last year, I was in the middle of my stress period, meaning the preparations for my O Level exams. I was in the middle of my prelims by the way, but I still made good time to celebrate.

Before the O Levels, my stress level had yet to reach boiling point, the highest I’ve experienced so far. But it was back to normal right after my last paper. In December 2008, I had the most wonderful time I could ever have with my swim mates while we were training in Kunming. Before that I had lost so much weight and momentum, and I wanted to win it back immediately after I’m through with my O Levels.

I remember when I turned 16, I was still stuck in RW2. Many of my swim mates asked why I was not training in the RW1 team. I only used the three words to reply them, “I’LL BE BACK!”. And now, here I am. BACK IN ACTION!

Many things have been accomplished during my previous year. I still managed to graduate with appeasing O Level results, brilliant enough to book a place in Temasek Poly in the Aerospace Engineering course. By then it was a fresh start in my new level of education.

Thank goodness for DPA, I would have had to work extra harder in my studies, but anyway, it’s settled. For my swimming, I celebrated my own victory by meeting the qualifying criteria to get back into the RW1 team, during the SNAG in March this year.

I managed to keep my ‘promise’ to my parents and the parents in APSC. I also wanted to get back to RW1, and I did it, just like living a dream. :D

But still, I wish my crew was joining me in my new team. All the hard work had paid off, including my efforts in Kunming. I managed to get my strength back.

Anyway, here’s to another fruitful year for me being 17. And another fruitful year to my swimming career with the RW team! (:

Cheers everybody! :D