____T.H.E. .P.A.S.S.

____A Life for Everyone

I have been really busy. Busy with helping out at the Volkswagon Open and have some idea of how a major tournament should be organised. It was really tough, but it was also a very good opportunity to learn.

Though there was very little time to think about the events and action that happened over the past few days. Moments and images creep back into the mind like a slideshow. The moments that I would not forget. The images of talent. The images of hard work. The images of champions. THe images of losers. The images of teen prodigies live in action right in front of me.

To say that I am not jealous is a lie. In the end, the question boils down to what have I achieved?

I am talking about young Ai Fukuhara - the teenage table tennis wonder of Japan. Only 15 years of age and already ranked 25th in the world. It is really difficult not to like her. Adorable and amazingly skilful, she has the whole of Japan right behind her footsteps. Yes, I am jealous.

However, she strikes to me as a girl who is very frustrated with all the attention, all the stares, all the fans. Her tiny frame, her puny body, how can such a young girl take so much? Most of the time, her face is a permanent frown - a worried look. When the cameras did not stop, the fans did not cease to persist, she draped her towel over her head in a bid to hide from everyone. It seems to me, that she really wants out. Out from the limelight, away from everybody. It seems that she is jealous of everyone normal.

Maybe it is my consolation for myself. I tend to console myself so as not to think too lowly. However, I also think that everyone has their own life to live. I suppose it is lucky to be born with huge talents, but I want to live my life the way I want it to be. I want to be in control with it. I do not want to run around adoring idols. I try not to compare - I must not try to compare (although it is really hard).

I do not understand why people have to go around asking for autographs. I look at the Singaporean kids running around the whole stadium asking for autographs, even the Sports Sch athletes. I really feel like knocking some sense into their cotton wool heads. Don't just like them. Be them. Life your life and work hard to be like them. Don't be their shadows.

Everyone is entitled to their lives. I'm gonna live my own.

Currently Feeling Like: Nicky Butt (Man Utd) wanting to quit Man Utd to live his life.

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