Thursday, March 14, 2013

HKCC

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I had planned to write a bit more often, but I have been caught up with living life recently and have not taken much time to sit down and reflect. In a sense, I enjoy the spontaneity that Hong Kong brings, but sometimes, I crave a bit more of a routine for things like catching up on the news and writing blogs (I know, I know, I'm an old man at heart...tell me something I don't already know.)

To sum up the student life here, I will steal a quote from my good friend, Otter Kohl. "Hong Kong happens while you are making other plans."

In other words, there are so many things pulling for your attention, sometimes it's refreshing to pull in the reins, make a pot of coffee, and sit down and force yourself to reflect. So, that's exactly what I am doing.

Since my last post, one of the main highlights of my trip was my introduction to rugby.

A New Zealander friend named Lawrence whom I met through a spider web of family connections invited me to go see his club, HKCC, play in the championship match. Before ever coming to HK, I heard that rugby had a great presence here, mainly due to all of the ex-pats who enjoy playing, so I made it one of my goals to understand the game before I left. Anyway, I was extremely excited to get involved.

I met Lawrence at a local field and we watched matches of lower leagues all day- all the matches leading up to the showcased, championship match at 7:30. Throughout the day, Lawrence was kind enough to explain the game to me and answer my litany of questions as the games carried on.

At first, rugby seemed like a chaotic cacophony of massive men smashing into each other without much regard or respect for any of Newton's laws of motion. It is still amazing to me some of the hits that I saw- full-blown open field hits with no pads or helmets. It was unreal. However, as the day went on, I began to understand more of what was going on, and the game looked less and less like a jumbled mess, and more like the beautiful game that so many around the world have come to love.

So, after gaining a brief understanding of the game throughout the day, 7:30 eventually rolled around and the showcase match was about to begin. I did not realize until Lawrence told me just before the match was about to begin, that this match was essentially a battle to claim the title of the best rugby club  in Hong Kong, which is a HUGE deal. Also, many of the players on the pitch also played for the HK international squad- we were in for a great show.

From the very first kickoff, the HKCC fans went crazy. Singing their club songs and standing/jumping the entire game. Throughout the day, I was able to learn their club's songs, and screaming the songs with Lawrence and all of the other HKCC fans was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. Normally, I am not one to show much emotion or scream, but something about being there and getting involved with all of the fans just drew me in- I couldn't help but support my friend's club, and screaming "Aberdeen" and "HKCC" songs alongside my new Kiwi (person from New Zealand) friend will forever be a treasured memory.

Finally, if rugby taught me one thing about life, it's this: Go For It. After watching 200 lb men collide full speed with no regard for the pending physical consequences, it struck a chord with me in the sense that sometimes we exercise too much restraint. I am definitely guilty of this. Many times, I love to have a roadmap and plan for everything- I like the calculated. I like being in control and being safe. Hong Kong has challenged this area of my life many times already, and watching rugby only made this challenge even more real.

Of course, I am not suggesting to live life without intention, I am simply stating that sometimes we just need to pick up the ball and run full steam ahead into what we want. Without regard for getting hurt. Without regard for failure. These two fears have held me back many times, because it's easier to sit on the sidelines and conjure up a million excuses of why you can't win and why taking action will probably result in injury. That may be true, you may lose. You may get hurt. But at least you can say you played the game, and that you played it with everything. I may never run full speed into a pile of guys twice my size, but I will find my rugby, I will grab the ball, and I'll play till it hurts- until I've finished the game.