I've always known that crew (rowing) is for big guys. But I was on a mission to prove the power of not-so-big people. I tried out for crew mainly because I want to work my upper body. Almost everything I did in the past was mainly leg-work: Frisbee (running mainly), Soccer (running), quarter marathons (running =_=).

You see, I'm fit only relative to my size. Sure I can never beat those big guys in things like arm wrestling but I can definitely do more pull ups than them. I thought crew was a pound-for-pound activity, which means:

But I was wrong... By theory if:

I think it makes sense. I remembered when I go shopping in the weekends with my parents back home. My mom always does the shopping while I trailed behind to push the trolley. I learnt something from the trolley. The heavier the trolley, you need to exert more force but it can maintain that speed for a longer time. As in friction will be of less effect since Force = Mass X Acceleration. The same thing probably apply to rowing.

Darn, I sounded like a geek...

So anyway, on the 2nd day of try-outs (tuesday), I was totally demoralized because of this incident:

Coach: Alright... You (pointing to some tiny guy).... you.(pointing to this midget)... and you (pointing to me). I'll like to talk to you guys.

Coach: So guys, I don't want you guys to take this personally. I have over 10 years of experience in this sport and by looking at you guys, I don't think rowing is for you. The best shot you get is at being a coxswain.

The other tiny guys: Oh yeah, we're all aiming to try out for coxswain anyway.

Coach: What about you (to me)?

Me: (thinking: what the heck!?) Well, I wasn't aiming for anything in particular but anything will do I guess...

In rowing, the coxswain is someone who sits in front and guide the boat. No physical activity required. Usually for short and small guys. I was so happy for gaining 4kg (10lbs) this spring break but coach just destroyed my self esteem.

I can't be that skinny right? Oh - I almost forgot that I'm in America.

So maybe I'm not that skinny

I feel bad quitting crew but honestly, I'm not the kind of guy who sit down and shout command at people while doing no physical work. I like sweating! I like feeling tired! I'm not some little imp who boss people around...

So I have to change my co-curricular...

The first thing that came to my mind was track and field...

People here are godly at sport so to beat them, I have to try something that gives light people an advantage.

Track qualify for that criterion.

I love to run

And I love getting tired

But after some serious consideration

I don't think I'll really enjoy track

I love to run

But I don't want to get forced to run

Running gives me freedom

Forcing myself to run isn't freedom

I decided to do community service instead. Usually people in Community Service are failure at sports, but I think it's the best choice for me. It makes me feel different about myself though.

Back then, I would always get GOLD for every single NAPFA test since primary 4.

And here I am doing community service instead of sports...

But I have no regrets.

I miss those times when I was usually the first 3 to finish a 2.4km run in class

I miss those times when I was usually the first few chosen for ultimate frisbee match.

I guess that's what happens when people move to a different environment.

No matter what happens, I have no regrets

I never regret coming to America

And I won't regret doing community service as co-curricular.