xx August 2007
Debated for the first time. Lost the 2nd round. I remember thinking about joining debate the following year but I never got round to it.
26 January 2010
Attended a debate workshop hosted by Omar Salahuddin.
A few days later
Ian calls and asks if I want to take Yu Li’s place in an upcoming debate competition. I agreed.
12 February 2010, Thursday
Printed out a debate handbook by Simon Quinn. Started reading it. Took it to Penang with me. Brought it with me on my angpow-collecting rounds. Did nothing else but read it the whole time.
16 February 2010, Tuesday
Finished the debate handbook.
17 February 2010, Wednesday
Met up with the HELP and CHS debaters. Met my team mates for the competition, Carmen Chua and Rachel Gan. I was to debate as a high schooler. Debated for the first time since Form 3 on two motions:
THW Allow Iran To Enrich its Uranium (OPP)
THW Legalize Prostitution (GOV)
18 February 2010, Thursday
My second ever debate practice at Ian’s place. Debated one round on the motion:
THW Ban Any Schemes Intended To Cure Homosexuals (OPP)
19 February 2010, Friday – National Novice Debate Competition @ UiTM, Shah Alam
Round 1: THBT Elite Schools Are A Mistake
GOV: MMU Cyberjaya 2 / OPP: CHS 1
Verdict: CHS 1
Round 2: THBT Politicians Do Not Have A Right To Privacy
GOV: CHS 1 / OPP: UTM 2
Verdict: CHS 1
Round 3: THW Ban Tobacco and Alcohol Companies From Sponsoring Sporting Teams and Events
GOV: CHS 1 / OPP: UT MARA 1
Verdict: UT MARA 1
20 February 2010, Saturday – Competition continues
Round 4: THBT Life Is Sacred But You Can End It If It’s Yours
GOV: CHS 1 / OPP: UKM
Verdict: UKM
Round 5: THW Allow Airlines To Charge Passengers Based On Their Weight
GOV: INTEK 4 / OPP: CHS 1
Verdict: INTEC 4
Round 6: THW Legalize Prostitution (!!!!)
GOV: CHS 1 / OPP: UCTI Zeus
Verdict: Silent round, but I think we won. (:
***update 24/2/2010: we did!***
Total: 3 wins out of 6.
Anyway, this is to explain where I’ve been the last few days and to tell you just how difficult it has been the last week. I started practicing on WEDNESDAY and the competition was on FRIDAY! And all things considered, especially the fact that we were debating against universities, I think we all did really really well.
Debaters, you tell me!
In the end, none of the 2 HELP and 3 CHS teams broke through to the octo-finals (only HELP 1 qualified to break, but they didn’t), but I had a lot of fun. So much fun that it almost, I repeat, almost overrides the fear of the impending screwing I’m going to get on Monday due to the fact that I have not touched my college holiday homework at all. Which I intend to go do something about… After this gets posted up!
Labels: day-to-day, ECA
