Pre-season Netball #2

Netball turns out to be really fun. We have a small group of people in which 2 people are my really close friends and honestly we have a blast. I go into each session which is once per week feeling a bit nervous because I still don’t quite believe I’m capable of being good at a sport but I’m really trying. I come out of each session feeling drained but really happy because I guess being active does that for you. The next day however is a different story where my legs feel like lead and I feel like I can barely walk but it’s definitely worth it.

Since sometimes, there really is a lack of people, the whole session just turns into a fitness session where we have to do cardio and push ups and that whole lot of stuff which is basically torture but apparently it’s good for the body and the heart. But sometimes I feel like there’s less of the netball element because we often don’t have enough people to play a full game or even a half game which is probably why I joined netball in the first place.

Pre-season Netball #1

I have only played netball before in P.E. and I enjoyed it and so I joined netball pre season in season 2 just to get some exercise and learn more about the sports. Even though pre season is preparation for in season, I really don’t have any intention in going in season netball because of time restrictions. It’s definitely challenging physically since it’s a sport and I don’t really do ball sports, but everyone is really quite encouraging. Some people have been playing netball for a while and are really good at it but I’m telling myself that I’m having fun as to not worry too much about dropping the ball or not being able to catch the ball. Perhaps I joined this activity also to gain some self confidence and to be able to believe in myself that I can actually score a goal or that I am capable of doing something that is out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t really engaged in PE in my old school because I felt self conscious and therefore it was hard to think on the spot. I would often space out and throw the ball somewhere random which aroused of course a lot of “come on!” and “what?”s. Which lead me to withdraw from moving around and actually trying to play the sport. So I’m trying to improve on that. Also, since coming to this school, I’ve been surrounded by people who are extremely good at a sport and since I had the opportunity to do this, I thought “why not?”.

PSE Reflection Questions (Gender stereotypes)

In our first class we explored the roles, stereotypes and expectations of men and women in intimate relationships. What were some of these roles and stereotypes? 

Women are often perceived as submissive and the “housewife” where they’ve got to take care of the kids, do the washing and cooking. They can’t be too much of anything or will be called things like “attention-whore” or “slut”. Men will most often be the pillar of the family and are more powerful. They have to provide and be strong. When shown weakness, names such as “pussy” or “weak” will be called.

 To what extent are gender roles and stereotypes prevalent in your life ?  

My mom is a housewife and my dad is the only person in my family that works.

In what ways do you see Gender Bias or Gender Privilege in your family?   

Since I am ethnically Chinese, even though less than the traditional family, there is still the thought of the guy being stronger. Whenever asked to help something like lifting, my brother would always be first choice even though I may be perfectly capable in helping out. Also when staying out or going out at night, my brother would be trusted over me to stay safe because of the stereotype that boys are safer outside rather than boys.

your community?  

In sports, guys may be perceived as being better at it just because biologically they have an advantage and perhaps do flaunt more but I think the two gender sports each have their own standards. Guys in Singapore have to do national service while girls don’t.

your World?     

Gender stereotypes throughout the world include having most presidents be male because it has been that way for the past decade or century. Women are often not in a position of power in companies or businesses and have to work double the amount just to earn the same amount of respect can easily earn by pulling off confidence.

During our final activity last week, you were given a role and asked to step forward when answer questions about self-determination, education, safety, etc.  What role did you have?

I was a male politician.

Where did you finish in comparison to others ?  Why?   

I was near the front but I wasn’t the top because as a male, I had a lot of social advantage over females and other genders. But as a politician, I may be respected but I would always be stereotyped as evil or self-righteous and would have to be extremely cautious of everything I did as for what it looked like to the public.

In your view, what are the drivers for social mobility in society?  In what instances to do gender limit that mobility?  

Social mobility is becoming easier especially in the past decade or so as people are becoming more open-minded and open to giving chances to people who are capable of it but may be different. Some people might still not be open to these different people who might be transgender or bisexual or have a unorthodox job like a sex worker.

List some personal examples of either experiencing or seeing gender bias or gender privilege. 

Girls are often told so much more than boys to protect yourself or to dress “better” or to cover yourself up because of what it might make people think or do. But there’s no wrong in looking good.

What can you do within your community to combat negative gender stereotypes or gender bias? 

Mostly to spread awareness. The more people hear about it, the more people are comfortable with it and I feel if people are used to living in a world where being homosexual or transgender is okay then these negative stereotypes will eventually fade. Even though stereotypes won’t fade from existence but it can definitely be lessened because of human nature.

Aida reflection

Now that Aida has ended, I can’t believe it. It’s been so surreal and it honestly just flew by over my head without me even realising it and most importantly not being able to appreciate every single moment I had in which I honestly did more of. I am astounded by the incredible masterpiece that we have been able to create not just because we wanted to be in a musical or we wanted to do it for CAS but in the end that we actually were loving what we were doing and enjoying just being on stage and being able to perform. I think that’s the beauty of being on stage – to be able to express. No matter with a life time of experience or it being the first time stepping on stage, everyone in the end put their 110% of effort into this and that’s what made it absolutely stunning. The costumes, the directing, the lighting. EVERYTHING. Gosh all the help from interns and people that volunteered. Stage managers, lighting people, costume people and follow spots. We were great in performing and putting on a show and all but without the help of so many people, our whole production would’ve been a flop and all the effort we put in would’ve been a waste. So I am thankful, from the bottom of my heart.

I think the goodbye was bittersweet because no one really wanted to let go of this experience because of all the people we’ve met and the amazingness of it all. But we’re just glad that we had it in the first place. Honestly, life-changing. I think I’ve become more open to other people and just talking to other people without basing too heavily on pre-assumptions because I get really intimidated by people but once I get to know them, it’s a whole other story. This is my last musical for high school as well and it’s honestly been my best. I will never forget Aida because it lives on in our memories.

Aida #2

Aida during show week is truly stressful. We’ve got to be constantly on our feet being aware of what’s next and when the cue is and what we have to do. I think because we’re all being squished into one backstage all 83 people at the same time, people have grown so much closer and friendships have been built so much easier. It’s a great thing to be able to make friends across year groups because normally, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so but everyone is so incredible in being who they are and all being incredible actors, singers, dancers and performers. I think the unity and the bond that we have with each other is what makes numbers like “The Gods love Nubia” great but honestly, it’s what makes the whole production just incredible. Especially with the guidance of Ms. Bye, Ms. Lindsay and Georgia with their hard work and dedication and all the countless hours that they put into this musical, I’m sure it’s just going to be awesome. The costumes we’ve tried on already and even though it’s simple, it serves our purpose and the frames at first seem huge and redundant but when everything comes together, it all ties up into a nice neat bow which is mind-fumbling but it’s managed.

I think the only downside really to everything is the time-consumption of it all. 8 hours during Saturdays and 3 and a half hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And on show week, it’s going to be everyday till 10 or so. Especially with being in the iB and having to juggle everything with schoolwork, IA’s and assignments on top of all the other activities I do (because there’s just too many and I want to do them all), it does get quite stressful. But I think the fun of it takes the stress mostly out.

Culturama reflection

Culturama has been such a wonderful experience and I would definitely describe it as unforgettable. I’ve learned so much about dance that I never thought I could and have met so many incredible people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. It was tiring through the performance week but it was exciting at the same time. Performing on stage isn’t like performing anywhere else and so I feel so blessed to have had this experience in my life. I think I will definitely do it again next year because it has been so amazing.

Even though there was a time restraint and everyone was stressed about it but we managed to pull through and make everything look great.