Dragon Boat!

I really neglect this blog. I should really post stuff here. It's good to look back on.

Well I'll start off saying happy summer!

It still hasn't hit me that it's summer. Today I was watching videos on YouTube and I thought "OH NO! I have homework to do! AAAAHHH". Then I realized that I don't have homework and I won't have any for a few months. It's craezee!

Saturday, June 23, 2012 was a big day!
My cousin got married. Congratulations Andrew! I couldn't be there because I had a dragon boat tournament.

It was a great day. We had to be at the ferry docks at 7:30 am. Previously Mary and I had made a little wooden boat to give to the team manager. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive we got people to sign the boat.

Then we took a ferry to the island and relaxed until around 11 when we started warming up for the races.

Everybody on the team was in 2 of the 3 races. I was in the second and final race. The first race was at 12:20. We came in 3rd place with a time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

I couldn't get a good shot during the race but this is the team on the way to the docks. 

Me and Mary eating lunch

Got some volleyball going on. 

While waiting for the second race we went to the beach for a few minutes. The weather on Saturday was perfect. Almost too perfect. It was really hot.

We finished 5th in the second race with a time of 2 minutes and 28 seconds.

Then there was a third race. Teams are put into their races by an average of the two previous times. We made it into Final B. We were the worst team in that race. All odds were against us. Worst team, worst lane. Even the announcer said we were the worst.

During the final race

Catching up. 

Passing the other teams. 

we're first. 

Wow. 

The race was pretty close most of the way but were a little behind for most of it.

THEN in the last few seconds a miracle occurred. We started our finish and just bolted in front of the other teams. Our adrenaline just kicked in full gear. The coaches were screaming. The crowd was cheering. It was amazing. I can't describe how I felt those last few seconds of that race. Everything paid off. getting up early 2 days a week all school year, being in pain from using my muscles, all the long tiring practices, everything. It all paid off. I'm so proud of the whole team. It was truly an amazing race. 

Eden, Me, Mary, Selva, Kathryn, Elise, Freya after winning. 

At first I dreaded that we had to paddle all the way back to the docks but then we started going and it was amazing. Knowing that we had just come in first place was one of the best feelings in the world. After we got off the boat the rest of the team was there to great us with their arms making a tunnel to go through. Immediately we just had a huge team hug. Then we all  ran over to the awards stage. We watched all of the other teams get their awards then it was our turn. 

Drumroll please

We ran up onto the stage and received our awards. The song playing was "We Are Family" it was just perfect.

The WHOLE team. 

 The we ran and jumped into the fountain and took a great team picture.

Thanks so much to the coaches Matt and Oriana for all that they do. Without them the team would crumble. 

Grade 10 girls! Me, Mary, Selva, Eden, Eva

There weren't enough medals so Hannah and Phillippa shared. 

 After that we had a final team meeting and headed to the annual barbecue held by one of the school secretaries who is sadly retiring this year along with our principle and other staff. On the way to the barbeque a bird pooped on my finger. It just barely missed my hair. I've heard it's good luck and I can honestly say I believe it. We had great luck on Saturday.

Kathryn trying to lick her Oreo. 

Back to the City. It was a great day. 

A friend of the host had some leftover necklaces made by her late husband. They're all unique and hand made. They're amazing. I got a whale one.

Overall it was just a really great day. It was life changing. I learned a really awesome lesson. I learned that you can be the worst in something. All odds can be against you but if you try hard enough and pull through, anybody can win.