Enter the C.O.B.A.

  I have just been accepted into the Clearone Olympic Badminton Academy (COBA). This may not sound like much, but I've been trying my best to get in ever since I moved to Richmond in the first place. Basically, the COBA is the elite of the elite at ClearOne. Current members include Adrian Liu (Canada Men's doubles #1), and Nyl Yakura (Under 19 #1) as well as other top Canadian players. This is a full time, twice a day program. I am just so happy to finally be a part of something so meaningful to myself. This makes me feel like I am finally making progress with my badminton. We all have losing streaks, where we ask ourselves if we will ever improve, but it is fighting through those awful times that makes you a truly better player. I still feel as though I am definitely the worst player in the group, even though there are certain things that I am quite skilled at performing.
 It is definitely a change though. I have to work my very hardest to keep up. Doubles becomes extremely nerve wracking for me because I don't want to let the other players down so badly. And I find it especially tough because I am regularly a mostly singles player. And although I have the basic ability and understanding of advanced doubles, way more is needed to be able to play with the likes of the top players in the nation.
 I can't really think of anything else to say. I'm just going to go to bed tonight with the feeling that I accomplished something. This is one small step towards my destination..