The World Cup - what can we learn from it?
In case you are wondering, I don't belong to that stubborn minority that refuses to watch the World Cup. What can you tell your parents you gained from watching the World Cup? Here are some observations of mine you can use to earn you some more late night viewing rights:
1 The coach matters: Portugal coach Scolari snarls enough to put fear in the hearts of his opponents. He always looks like he wants to win. This man is at war!. His English counterpart on the other hand, can only manage to summon a degree of frazzledness to show some frustration. So you need to have the same determination. Banish all the self-doubt.
2 Never mind the weight gain and even the lack of fitness - a A Star (using a PSLE analogy) is an A*. Somewhere in the scale of football skills and ability, some players cross to the stratosphere and even on a bad day, their team still wins with some help from them. So consolidate your claims to the highest grade you can for the subjects that you are concerned about and you will hold steady even on an average performance at a crucial exam.
3 Maturity and experience are underrated. Again, sometimes what counts at the critical moments just comes down to split-second judgements. So pick up from sensible, thoughtful seniors in your school.
4 Greatness is not proficiency. Thanks goodness exams are grading you on different levels of competency - look at how cruel the World Cup can be. You can only be great if you rise above the merely competent, the Ghanaians and the Australians. When Italy snatched hope away from Australia with a penalty kick in the last 5 seconds, I said to my husband, GOD must be Italian!
Enjoy the run-up to the Finals!
1 The coach matters: Portugal coach Scolari snarls enough to put fear in the hearts of his opponents. He always looks like he wants to win. This man is at war!. His English counterpart on the other hand, can only manage to summon a degree of frazzledness to show some frustration. So you need to have the same determination. Banish all the self-doubt.
2 Never mind the weight gain and even the lack of fitness - a A Star (using a PSLE analogy) is an A*. Somewhere in the scale of football skills and ability, some players cross to the stratosphere and even on a bad day, their team still wins with some help from them. So consolidate your claims to the highest grade you can for the subjects that you are concerned about and you will hold steady even on an average performance at a crucial exam.
3 Maturity and experience are underrated. Again, sometimes what counts at the critical moments just comes down to split-second judgements. So pick up from sensible, thoughtful seniors in your school.
4 Greatness is not proficiency. Thanks goodness exams are grading you on different levels of competency - look at how cruel the World Cup can be. You can only be great if you rise above the merely competent, the Ghanaians and the Australians. When Italy snatched hope away from Australia with a penalty kick in the last 5 seconds, I said to my husband, GOD must be Italian!
Enjoy the run-up to the Finals!
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