I realized that I actually do miss waterpolo. I miss having to go for training after school. Now my life simply revolves around school and home. Not much of a life I would like to look fondly back upon. But having quit the team, it would be awfully weird if I were to just show up again after one year of absence.
Maybe all I need is some sort of reprieve away from the hum drum of school. Doing something one loves helps keep one sane in the face of stress and overflowing "In" trays. It may not necessarily be waterpolo or swimming, although it would be great if I could pick either one up again competitively. Yet at this age, it's not easy finding a club or team to train with. I hate being old. If I don't keep those muscles and joints moving, in fifty years time I'm gonna be an arthritic granny sitting in her rocking chair and too stiff to move anywhere. Not a life I want to look forward to.
The problem with being in Lasalle, or any other tertiary institution for that matter, is the inflexibility of time caused by the flexibility of schedules. OK, I hear a million 'Huh's' echoing across the virtual plane. See, in primary school, secondary school, and junior college, time-tables are fixed. School starts and ends at times already pre-determined by the time-table. Which leaves the rest of the day free for self-study and other activities. In tertiary, time-tables are purely a fabrication. A facade of an otherwise fluctuating schedule. Although classes remain largely fixed, students are sometimes called back, or asked to come earlier or stay later for some reason or another, and sometimes classes also depends on the lecturers' schedules. This in turn affects the scheduling of after-school activities because timings are never really confirmed. Plus, the workload really tears down any intention of activities beyond that of our desks.
Perhaps the only way out is to make time for the things we love. That calls for immense time management and discipline. Which means no more procrastination when it comes to assignments, which is obviously one of the tallest hurdle to clear. Since time immemorial, assignments have always been completed in a last minute frenzy. If I ever tried to do that in Lasalle, I might as well take out the spades and shovels and start digging my own grave. Afterall, Batam gave me some spade-handling skills which will come in handy. Yet consistent work isn't a very hard target to achieve. With a cocktail of discipline, motivation, inspiration and perspiration, it is surmountable. I guess I better start working at my assignments rather than doing so at the last minute and end up not sleeping and then looking like the panda's closest relative. Maybe then I can find some spare time to pursue what I love. It's time to start advertising myself on music websites again: Bassist for hire.