Real Admiration

Let's face it friends, everyone wants to be respected. This is proven by the reinforcement theory in psychology. People in this world are willing to put their entire life's work into becoming remembered in history. Growing up to be powerful, famous, rich, smart and so on will do the job because of how hard one needs to work to become as such. In fact, people will often choose a particular career path because they know their friends would admire them for becoming so "successful". The reaction from a community when they hear a student got accepted into a famous school or a particular professional program demonstrates the whole idea in a concrete way. Strangely, the people most respected in the world do not necessarily have any of the above. All said and done, it's possible to be the things listed above, or not, and still be what I'm trying to get at. As you get to know a someone better, it's a real warmness, care, and kindness that you notice emanates from their heart that makes you admire them.

The person I would like to use as an example is my grandpa on my mom's side. One of the kindest men in this world. Even going out to buy groceries, he wears a suit. I don't think he's ever left his front door with out wearing a dress shirt. Yet, he's so down to earth. He doesn't have an imposing personality and isn't especially educated. A very quiet hardworking man, but when you are around him, there is just a natural admiration for him. There are two past events which provide a small glimpse into why.

My grandparents and dad were having a meal one morning, when my grandma mentioned that she was a little cold from the air conditioning. Without making any commotion, he asked the waiter for a clean table cloth, folds it and puts it around grandma. Only an every day example of the loving things he does for grandma. Everyday, he is the person who goes out to buy groceries and cooks, even after a long day's work. When I was visiting him a couple years ago, after a wonderful evening, we went to bed. The next morning as we prepared to leave the house, my brother and I found our sneakers sparkling clean. Without telling anyone, he had woken up in the middle of the night, and cleaned our shoes for he saw that our white sneakers were dirty. How much he loves his kids and grand-kids is just unimaginable. Exceptionally gentle, never gets angry at his own children. On both sides of my extended family, I can't think of a single person who does not get hyper when a baby is present in the room. They're just too cute. Anyways, I'm digressing.

I admire this humble man so much. To care unconditional about the people around him so much that he's willing to sacrifice his time and energy everyday without any thought of reward. In a world so focused on personal needs, I hope to instead learn in my grandpa's example. So...in the end, does it make it wrong to, for example, aim to be the best in school or work. Nope, not at all. But the question is why there is such an aim. There is no need to worry about what the world calls success. Genuinely serve others without thought of benefit, and all your worldly needs will naturally be provided for. I have a very long way to go, but hopefully I'll become like him!

Gratitude

Hamber Debate's Year End Party

My failure at regionals has shown me a side I am very thankful for. So many people have worked incredibly hard for me to have been given this chance just to compete. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a couple of those many people. I know I'm missing a lot, and I will express my gratitude personally. I will be replacing some of the names with *  for I don't have their permission yet.

The first person I would like to thank is my wonderful coach *! I was recently judging some beginners when I started to feel frustrated and that maybe my time was not put at best use. Then I thought back to when I first started in grade 8. I was too scared to say a word for the first couple months. If I where her, I would have given up and focused on someone with more potential, maybe someone who naturally spoke their mind a lot. * did not give up on me for all three years and has help me all the way though. If it wasn't for her, I would have no passion or life, and who knows what how I would have ended up! I own her very very very much, and will always remember my gratefulness for her.

*, my other coach is the coolest person on the planet! Always came to practices to help and never missed a single one. That's what I call dedication and care. Gave up her weekend to judge for us. She is just awesome! 

* is the most best sponsor teacher ever. Her dedication for her students is honestly surpasses the majority of teachers. She with no experience in debate, volunteered her own time, and isn't even the main sponsor. She said she maybe couldn't make it because she was out of town but came to watch us. She is exceptionally busy too. I spotted her marking student's work, while she was eating dinner at the tournament, while helping out one of the debaters brainstorm a prepared topic, all at the same time. She works so hard! I feel as my character is slowly improving just by knowing her. She will be leaving Hamber soon, and I wish her the very best where ever she goes next.

Faliure

I would like to start off by saying I don’t want any sympathy. For the past three years, I've been training hard and have put all my energy toward debate for I’m passionate about it. It was my dream to advance onto provincials. Due to the fact that the region we’re in has so many competitors, they expanded the amount of people who could advance by 6 to 20. I knew that my skill level was probably adequate to progress. To my surprise, the results told me that I did not make it, and wasn't even close. I sulked about it for a long time for I knew I could have done it because some people who I debated against in the past and I know that my level is similar made it in. I know that I could have done it. This was the last year I could compete in the junior category because of my grade, and also because I will be moving, so I’ll never get a chance to compete again. I was prepared physically, but not mentally. This kind hurts because it harder to figure out what went wrong. I have since reflected upon it and have learned some very big lessons that I wish to share. While I thank those who say I was robbed, I know there are many many areas I could have done better. Yes, I was disappointed, but the success of U-Hill and Hamber debaters has made me forget about it and happy instead. The failure has opened up a bigger picture that I could not have seen otherwise, for which I am very thankful.

Lessons Learned:
1) The week before, I had attended a small preparatory tournament in which the organizers bombarded us for days after that our win was tainted and suspected us of cheating when I know we didn't. I replied to their statement with anger, and wasn't able to think of anything else thereafter. I have now learned to forgive and forget. There is no need to demonstrate to others that you have done no wrong for you'll never be able to convince them otherwise. As long you have a clear conscience, let the rest be.

2) Never let circumstances around you change who are are. For the first two rounds, we were against some beginners. With the entire round going badly, I knew my speaker scores were affected a lot. I let that stay in my mind. The third round was just perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was because our opponents where the nicest and caringest ever (no mater what *** gets you to think). The last round, I lost my cool and I became very very very aggressive during cross-x to the point I was cutting off answers. Never let the people around you affect how you act.

3) Let real passion not be covered up by anything else. This has shown me that debate by itself was not all that I seeked for. Especially when competition is involved, I now know to focus on the things that are important. Others comments on your skill does not matter at all, they go above and below. The most important things are the passion for debate and the wonderful people around you. 

4) This is by far the most important thing I've learned. Events like this show you how much support is behind you whether or not you fail. My coaches, friends, and parents all given me so much support. My gratitude for what everyone has done cannot fit into this post so I'll be doing that in a separate one. Please read that one! 

I'm hoping to go to provincials as a spectator even though it is in Victoria to cheer and support my friends on. I feel that it would be good to see what it's like, take some notes, and immerse myself into such an atmosphere to improve for the future whether I get a chance to debate again. Best wishes to all the public school competitors!