by Tao Jing

"The show must go on". This was the common belief everyone had and brought along with them on the tour. We were really lucky to be disappointed initially but have the chance to fulfill what we had been training for in the end. Thanks to those who sacrifice nights of sleep, million of brain cells. Everything needs to be organized within a really short period of time. I am sure they had aged a few years because of this ordeal.

I love to wear the tour t-shirt whenever I can, it reminds me of the experience and the design of the "beheaded" rocks! Thanks wing!

"I love the grass!" ailei shouted when the scrums did not work out for a couple of times and our faces were lying on the grass. It sounds funny when I think of it now but everyone in the scrum was really motivated by her then. Too many flashes of memories of the game in my head, it is hard to name everything. Gene and his theory of the medicine ball. Jane speaking to the forwards moments before the game. Wing tapping my scrum cap asking me to wake up. Gina pulling me closer to her in the front row and said that we can do it. A trip like this beats any games I had in Spore. Juan I know what you mean now, the experience is just different.

I am fortunate to play with all of you passionate players. It makes me see the beauty of rugby where the team made up with 15 people with different capabilities but is bounded and spurred by one desire.

Thanks again to those who had made this trip possible. Thanks alone will not be sufficient to express what everyone felt but be assured that I will never forget this trip and it will be part of me, an experience I am dying to share with those I know. And the song in my play list now…

We had a moment
Just one moment
That will last beyond a dream,
Beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do
All we got to do
Now and forever
I will always think of you

by Juan

41 hours, 23 girls, 2 men, 1 mission.
Mission: to play rugby, to play good rugby

Being able to go up and play against Bangkok and Hong Kong is not as easy, knowing what's going on behind the scene…

We didn't have enough numbers initially, thanks to those non-active members who are willing to join us for the trip. Thanks Kristy and Jeslyn for joining us too. The trip won't happen without you guys… Sleeping less than 5hrs every night just to arrange this trip for us, BLACKS. Imagine, Designing t-shirt, ironing out administration; accommodation just for all the 23 people can be a headache. I would say it's a nightmare considering all these done within a few days. On top of that having emotional damage going… All thanks to Jane, Wing, Serena, Sabrina, Ailei. Just relating some of the difficulties and efforts they put for this trip, making this trip an unforgettable one.

9th Dec: Game with Bangkok.

Feeling like as though I've been toasted under the blazing sun. Not forgetting to hydrate ourselves whenever we can. But not too much as toilet is way far-out. We played and lost.
Did we really lose to a better team? Or we lost to a slightly faster team that makes them a better team?

Is there something that we learn or pick-up? Are we able to work things out before our last game which is the next day? We come all the way to play with them, is that what we are capable with? Are we still prepared for the next game? Questions go on and on…

10th Dec: Game with Hong Kong

To be frank, my palms were sweaty, feeling nervous and worried. The only way to clam myself down to take a few deep breathe, running through all the backs and the forwards moves, visualizing how I cream e opposition scrum-half when she gets the ball, doing beautiful 10m passes to my fly-half, staring at e opposition knowing what she does next…Looking at what I wrote for my process and outcome goals for the game. All these during the bus ride to e field.

When I got onto the field, I just tell myself to play my best. Jane psyches the team 5 minutes before the game. Whistle blown. I know I'm ready so are the rest. True enough, we looked like a totally different team playing as compared to the day before. I can sense the hungriness and eagerness for the ball. According to our coach, gene, it was an exhilarating match to watch. Yes I agree. In fact we were in our own 22 for the last ten minutes. We played with our heart and soul thinking that there is nothing to hold back, we gave it all out. Encouraging one another: "Come on, its only 10 mins to go… 5 mins… 3mins…"

"Ohh… We love the grass" (positive self-talk by Ailei when scrum collapse)

I really never thought that I could survive throughout the whole 60mins game. It's really amazing; e word fatigue never sets in my mind. Words just can't describe how I feel. I believe those who were there know what I am talking about.

Lastly, the final whistle was blown. Glanced at all the familiar faces, I burst into tears, cannot control my emotions. I feel for each and everyone's effort, I really do. I'm touched. Most importantly, I have achieved my process and outcome goals, done my best; never would I want to let the team, myself down including M2, who has kindly sponsored us this trip. It is not cheap to stay in 4.5 star hotel and having 23 air tickets booked at the eleventh hour. I hope M2, is delighted and feels that the money spent is worthwhile. I never felt so great after a game before. You guys really made my bruises worth it :)

On behalf of those 23 people who went up, I would like to express my appreciation to whoever has helped out in arrangement, planning and M2 who funded us.

It's definitely a trip to remember.

"So are we still able to take on Hong Kong and even Bangkok in year 2006?"
I certainly believe that we can. As long as we play as a T.E.A.M

Together
Everyone
Achieves
More

Whenever you see H@#$ K@*$, won't you? SMACK THEM! Wuhahaha… :)