Caution: Long Post Ahead

This is probably one of the longer posts on the blog, simply because a LOT happened on Friday. So brace yourselves.

Today might well be my last day of school at the school I had been enrolled to the past four years and I must say it was about as good as a last day can be. I was supposed to perform some songs with a couple of guys, but it was scheduled during a break in the sports competition (we'll get to that later), which, my school being itself, ran inexplicably late, leaving us with no official break, therefore depriving me (us) of said performance. That said, the events of the sports competition more than made up for it.

At the end of every semester, our school stages football (that would be what you Americans refer to as 'soccer') and basketball tournaments (they are played simultaneously). The formats vary, but this year, it was teams of year levels competing. With the Year 12s away, there were only 5 competitors.

We Year 10s played football first and we drew up against the Year 8s, who are known for several rather skilled players (well, a hell of a lot more skilled than us, anyway). Me? I was the goalie. It's sad, really, when someone as uncoordinated as myself is the best option for possibly the most important position in the team (I say this, because my year level, barring one person, is effectively inept at this sport, thus making us vulnerable to constant attacks). So, our mindset at the start was "we're bloody screwed".

We started off better than we thought we would have, having more shots than them. Then things started to get a little more predictable when they scored the first goal. Needless to say, we reverted back to the mindset.

About two minutes later, we got just the kick-start we needed: during a scramble up front (our front), an opposition defender, in desperation to clear the ball, stuck his leg out. The most incredible thing then happened: the ball floated into their open goal. One-all at the stroke of half time. It was AMAZING.

It was pretty much ping-pong-esque for the second half, so we had to go into golden goal. But before the account of that ever-so-crucial period, a shred of controversy. One of the 'star' players from the Year 8s was running down the flank when a teammate of mine, who was chasing him down from behind, slide-tackled him. In my opinion, it was totally legal (he absolutely made contact with the ball first, the 'star' just wasn't quick enough to jump and avoid the tackler). They got a free kick and got pretty ticked off, but nothing happened from it.

Back to the golden goal. About two minutes in, we had another scramble up front. However, the ball was somehow crossed into the face of the goal, which was dutifully met by the boot of our striker. Two one at full time! Suffice to say, we were pretty wild after that.

We played basketball next, again against the Year 8s. We lost. By two points. And got knocked out. Moving on.

We then played against the Year 11s in football, who also had some 'star' players. This time round, we were a little more gung-ho, seeing that we've already won one game with our 'losers' tag (some would have used the term 'underdogs', but seriously, we're that crap). Funny thing happened at the beginning: the 11s took a shot which I saved, but it rebounded off me and bounced pretty high. My teammate, more accustomed to basketball, proceeded to catch the ball in his mitts. Had he been playing basketball, I would have applauded him. That not being the case, I had a penalty to save (I didn't, but I'd like to think I was only centimetres away).

Anyway, we managed to get to 3-3 late into the game (we were surprisingly efficient with our opportunities), when the ball somehow landed at the feet of a girl on my team, who duly dispatched the ball into its rightful place (the opposition goal). We won. Again. And this time we're playing in the final!

Our opponents in the final were the Year 7s. In spite of their (lack of) size (barring this one HUGE player [I'm not exaggerating, he was taller than all of us 10s]), they managed to clobber the Year 9s NINE FREAKING ONE. So yeah, we weren't about to take them easy (especially with our 'underdog' status [come on, two wins should promote us a little bit]).

Our plan was straightforward: our one good player (he's on the school team) says that they depend a lot on one player who wasn't very fast. Therefore, we had a defender sticking to him like a bad smell. The plan worked - we ended up winning 4-0 and we ended up as the champs *cue confetti*! After four long years, our year level has won something in this department. It was a very, very proud moment.

How did I do, personally? Well, over the duration of 3 games, I managed to only concede 4 goals (one was a penalty described earlier) and the number of fatal errors were kept to a minimum (that said, I almost made a total fool of myself by leaving a ball I had expected to miss the goals, only to hear a loud clang from the goalpost). I can safely conclude that, while I suck fundamentally (I can't dive to save my life), I did make some pretty good saves and took (some) appropriate risks. I also got injured! Not really, as the worst thing that happened was that some skin on my toe got peeled off and I scraped my knees, but I am left hobbling two days later. I'm very proud of myself.

This being my last day, I also had to say my goodbyes, in particularly to some notable teachers. Some threatened to burst into tears on me, but I'm thankful they didn't (else I would have too). One teacher in particular I've known since Year 1, so it was pretty emotional for the both of us. We also had an assembly of sorts, where awards were given out. To my delight, I got one for the highest score in the Personal Project, as said teacher used the opportunity to broadcast my leaving in front of all the students from Years 7 to 10. It wasn't awkward at all.

Towards the end of the assembly, one of my classmates comes barging in with a cake. It turns out to be a surprise birthday party for that teacher! It turned out to be extra appropriate, as there is now cake on her birthday as well as three of our last days (two other people are leaving). As a result, amongst the hugs and handshakes, cake was also smeared on our faces.

It was only after school when it all really sunk in. I had to go back to school to return my locker key and grab some paperwork when I just took some time to really take the building in. I gotta admit, I almost teared up then.

It was also then I learned that destiny works in funny ways. There were some people who I hadn't said goodbye to (like a janitor whom I have also known since Year 1) who I did end up saying goodbye to after I had to go back (again) after I thought I was missing some documents. It's nice when things play out like that.

So I went home that night very, very happy. A little sad? Of course. Proud too. But mostly very satisfied with the day that had been.

That's it for now,

Thou art my life noweth.