First week home

Time... FLIES. And now I'm left with only 3 weeks left.

What have I been up to?

Attended the Bersatu Games 3 out of the 4 days as a helper/supporter/coach. I was in charge of the first aid, mainly whacking ice on people... strapping ankles, knees, wrists, thumbs ... and giving people the deep heat cream when they needed it. I am glad I need not rub it on many people. Just 3 I think. And then whilst waiting for someone to get injured, I get to watch the games and cheering for UMSA. Quite disappointing really because they make it to the semis, coming top of their group and then...... gone.... not even 3rd. It puzzles me really but... ohh well.....

And lastly, I had the privilege to coach the UMSA's netball team. I came back last Tuesday and attended their training the following day at the rec centre. First time meeting them and there were lots to work on. The team were mainly new players, with Marilee and Naomi being the old ones only. Got to meet mama-san and my other half as well which was GREAT!!! We played for 2.5 hours, trying to pass on as much pointers as possible, getting to be noisier on court and communicating.

Friday morning, it was just me and the girls at Windmill and that took my whole morning. From 9-12 ... but it was REWARDING. The girls are so eager to learn and are always asking for feedbacks and how they can improve. They do not complain and when it started to rain, they wanted to keep playing still. They are not playful and they really listen. My morning wasn't wasted at all. However, there isn't much time left till the games and it was the last training session. How I wish I had more time with them.

Today, Tuesday, was the netball game. Swan was busy umpiring the games and so I was there to give the team pointers, screaming my lungs out at the sideline. Reached the rec centre at 7.30am hoping to squeeze a quick training sessions in before the games.

First game, it was against UMNO. I was told that UMSA got thrashed by UMNO during the friendly. And in the game, they got thrashed 2-8 by UMNO. I am still quite puzzled as to why they got thrashed because.... UMSA won WMSO and CMSA whereas UMNO lost to CMSA and tie with WMSO. Could it be the mindset that UMNO is better than UMSA because of the friendly match and therefore the team were not confident in beating UMNO? or could it be because UMSA players are usually very blur for their first game in the morning? I remembered back in Otago when we played CMSA and lost to them in our morning game and won them in the 3rd-4th placing. We were all blaming it on the early morning game. So I wonder if this was the case as well. Haha!!

But yeaa.. whatever it is.. UMSA netball grabbed the SILVER!!!! CMSA got the gold because of goal difference (CMSA won OMSA 18-1, UMSA won OMSA 10-2)... and that was what determined it. And UMNO came 3rd. So happy for the girls as I was just expecting a bronze from them. Came the final game between OMSA, I realized the girls are either in for a silver or a gold but they will need to beat OMSA by 20 points to get the gold. It was a huge pressure and I think that was what made them played badly during the first half of the game with OMSA (2-2 after first half). Before the 2nd half, I knew that they won't be able to score over 20 and told them to just play their game, and settle for silver. And they ended scoring quite a lot, ending it with a 10-4 win. Arghh!! Regret for putting the pressure on them... Ohh well!!!! Best game I enjoyed watching was the game between WMSO. The defence were beautiful and were following the opponents really tight and pressuring them. PURRRRR-FECT!!!! The mid-fielders were finding spaces and communicating.... and the shooters were using their bum and communicating in the D, playing TOGETHER!!!!!! After first half, I think the score was 5-1? The girls fumbled towards the end and ended with a 7-4 win I think and the defence got tired. But yeaa... it was good to see how they were keeping it tight throughout and taking what I said into the game.

The games were pretty intense, and I felt like some crazy girl, walking up and down the sideline, yelling "DEFENSE!!!!... get back get back!!!! .... stick your bum out!!!! .... mark her tight!!!!!!.... go behind go behind!!!!" But yeaa.. I'd do anything laaa not to lose.... Though I'm not playing, somehow I just felt that UMSA needs to win. It was once my team and I just wanted UMSA to still have a spot in the placings. And the silver was a bonus!!! First time to get Silver. It's always been bronze.... history was made back in 2008 with a GOLD.. and now... 2010... SILVER... so now all three medals have been achieved :) Woohooo!!!!

So yeaa.. well done to the UMSA netball team of 2010!!!! I see a lot of potential in this team which is made up of mainly new players who are eager to play next year. I really hope they do come back and play on and build on the team and get back the GOLD!!!!

And soo.. that was where my one week went to.

Also had momo tea with the oldies, momo tea with a high school friend, spent time with the monkey.... and also...started first day of work at the gym to earn so moolahh$$ :)

Now I'm waiting for the other half to be free and go and watch ECLIPSE!!!! Can't wait to drool on JACOB!!!!