That Surprising All-aroumd!

Jr. Jungle Challenge

3rd/Last Competition for WAG Level 2 Age 9yo +

It's been an interesting journey, as our little gymnast faced this WAG Level 2 stage of her gymnastic life. The first competion, Chinese New Year Challenge (Home), was gut-wrenching --as it's our first time for this level. The second competition, Milton's Springer Challenge, was a confirmation of her skill set. And the third competition, Jr. Jungle Challenge, was a test of her strength and weaknesses. These are her Level 2 scores for all three competitions.

This competitive world is a revelation to Khloe, and even to us, her parents. It's a totally different environment from the PreComp last year. All these kids are still young to feel the pressure and the tension of competing, yet, it's already there. It's in the air, no matter how much the parents would deny it. And it's still surreal for me and my husband, as we are still in this oblivion that we are still in here for Khloe's joy. 

But still, reality bites. The other parents could actually drag you into this competitive mode. Then,  you find yourself checking out the real-time scores online. Then, you find yourself holding your breath everytime they start the dismount. Then, you check out the standing online. Then, you get scared of that 9.800 because somebody could still do better. Then, somebody beat that score and you lost hope on the over-all. Then your athelete screwed up on the bars. Fell off on the beam. Screwed up on the floor. Messed up on the vault. And finally... you started adding up the scores. And realized -- she hit that 37.000 + threshold again!! And you prayed Thank You. For her safety. For her good scores.

This has been the story of our lives the past few months since competition started. We came into this journey all blind. No expectations. No clue of what Khloe can do. Then, she pulled out all these medals since Day1. Gold. Silver. Bronze. She even had a certificate for Most Confident on Beam. At first.. we thought it's just a one-time achievement. But she pulled another sets of medals for the next competition. And another set of medals for her last competition. And what she can't believe is garnering that Gold/First Place medal for All-around on her last competition. It was her best triumph for this year. She was pretty proud of herself. 

All-around is  a huge deal. We realized that towards the end. The score kind of define your skill set, of where you are on all of these 4 events. It made Khloe realized that consistency is needed from her. That she has to stay on her game on every event, and try her best everytime. And she proved herself once more, that she can do it, even if that means not being first place on any/if not most or all of the events

This journey has taught Khloe a lot. She grew up so much, not just as an athlete, but as a girl who is determined to stay on the top of her game. This is notwithstanding the other activities she's into: acro, ballet & Math Club Classes; and consistent straight A's on her report card. Her gymnastics strength balances out the sensetive Khloe that she is, emotional, tearful & soft-hearted. 

It's a humbling experience for her and for us. Whether or not she'll continue,  is all up to her. But one thing is for sure, there's no pot of gold at the end of her rainbow, if she cannot weather the storm, first and foremost.

Little Bestfriends

Khloe is one lucky girl who is surrounded with awesome friends.
She is comfortable playing with the boys, and hanging out with girls. She is friends to almost everyone, and appreciates each of them as individual. She doesn't pick one, nor fight with another.
She treasures her friends, just as how much she treasures her family.

But being lucky does not mean she gets spared of the daily harshness of these little graders' world. Of course, there is that bullying issue, the "where-i-belong" drama, and the "i-don't-wanna-play-with-you!" moments. Khloe is just like the other kids, she went through some of those moments. Howerver, she does not go home from school thinking about it and feeling sorry for herself. Most of the time, she forgot to tell me. Just goes to show how little of an issue it is for her to deal with. This doesn't mean she thinks less of bullying. She is just one strong girl, and knows how to deal with it her herself.

Strength in mind and heart.
Khloe is raised to deal with issues in school, by herself first before excalating it to us, her parents. Despite her weak demeanor, we tried to raise her to never let anybody deprive her of her rights and her choices. She may be a cry baby, but she is one strong girl. Hence, as much as she treasures her friends very much, she can actually put them on their places if they push her to a corner.
She knows her rights and her wrongs, and will gladly let you know yours as well. Say that one time her friends made her choose between the new girl (who is getting bullied) and them (whose been her friends since) -- Khloe chose the new girl. Why? Because she grew knowing it is her Christian duty to protect the weak. And she's been doing this eversince. That is one thing that we are very proud of her.

Friends are forever no matter what.
The only thing that breaks Khloe's heart is when her friends separate from her. As Khloe choses to protect the weak, she befriends most of them and connects with them sincerely. However, these kids do not stay long in the area. They have to leave, much to Khloe's dismay. But that does not stop her from making beautiful memories with them. In their own little way, these girls collect moments, share ideas and spend as much time as they could have -- knowing fully well that they will separate soon.

Tears are proof that you loved!
Khloe will cry again and again everytime she misses these girls.
My heart breaks watching her go through this everytime. But I am proud of her. I am proud of the kind of girl that she becomes. She might be broken for a bit, but the memories with them makes her a better girl. A better friend. A stronger friend.

Friends until the end.
A bestfriend is what Khloe is to her bestfriends. They are the ones who are always there, even if Khloe is too busy with her activities. They are always there even if Khloe cannot spend as much time with them. They are always there to understand her, to protect her when she needs protecting, and play with her when their mood sets in. This is the friendship that Khloe is so proud to have, be that with the girls or the boys, around her. She loves her friends and she treasures them sincerely


Photo credit:
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/480688960199202771/