Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wrestling... After tomorrow, its gonna feel like a part of my life has ended. This year, wrestling has been the one thing i've been most passionate about. The passion i had for it rose above my academics, church life, and other clubs. Instead of going to Science Olympiad this year on February 4th, i decided to go to my Qualifiers tournament, in which i placed and became All Conference.
My junior wrestling season began middle of November 2011 or the 14th of November. However in actuality, it began over the summer when i went to a few inter-murals in school. For the last 4 months of my life, wrestling has been the toughest, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. It became such a great part of my life that i talk about it very frequently. It is the only sport where you earn your spot, you earn your fame, you bleed, sweat, and cry to become what you are. In order to become All conference, you must work for it and beat someone good. You make a name for yourself.
When i say bleed, sweat and cry, I'm not joking nor exaggerating. At the moment, i have a black eye, i have bruised knees, cuts all over my hands, jammed fingers, injured shoulder, and a mildly limping food. When i say sweat, i mean drenched in sweat, so when you take off your shirt, you can squeeze a bottle of water. It'll look like you just took a bath and just walked out. When i say cry, i mean being disappointed at yourself for not doing better and balling your eyes after loosing a match, you clearly would've won. You leave the room and you sit by yourself and plotting how to get better or what you did wrong.
What i found from wrestling: It must be one of the greatest sports ever known. Especially in a team setting. As i imagine it. From the first day wrestling started in November 14th of 2011, there were about 40-50 kids. From freshman to seniors, all in the same room. After the first few weeks, the numbers decreased to about 38 or so. It was necessary pruning for the one's who cannot persevere, and don't know how to make a commitment. Over the course of the season only a few more drop out. But everyday within that back gym, the ghetto wrestling room behind the curtain, we ran, stank up the place, and we worked with sweat dripping down our faces. We suck weight.
After a while, the team that stays, really becomes a team, a family full of unity. If you ever get the chance to spend 1/3 of the year sweating, bleeding, and working with another person, you are bound to become a family. A wrestling team is definitely a family in my eyes.
So let move on, as the season progresses, the 15 weight classes for varsity are filled. For me, i wrestled everyone on the team that was 145, or 152, or 160 that wanted to become the 152lb weight class varsity wrestler. I made that weight class. The other wrestlers of different weights wrestled for their spot on varsity. So when all is set, there are 15 varsity wrestlers, and the others go on Junior Varsity. (lemme define varsity and junior varsity. Varsity is the higher level more experienced wrestlers, and Junior Varsity is for the less experienced wrestlers)
Dual meets: Now this is my coach's favorite part of wrestling. (Coach Chris Macdonald) "It is our fifteen guys against their fifteen. Its a battle. When one teammate loses, the next wrestler makes up for his slack. We have each-others back. Go Get em" We wrestled for our team, for our family. When one person looses, we make sure the next guy gives it his all. Its a fight for 6 straight minutes. we say "Go Six or Get Six" which means you either wrestle for 6 minutes with all you got, whether you win or lose, or you pin the other opponent and get 6 points for our team. I love the warm ups when we run around the circle and after we finish our warm-up, we gather in the center on our bellies, and after the captain says something, we yell the same thing on 3. And we have our game face on to win. With our family, we became Dual Meet Conference Champions. Each match made a difference. It was up to the individual to pull out with a win. P.S i forgot to mention. Before every match, we can rely on our teammates to be on weight for that day. For me i could mean cutting my weight down from 160 down to 152, within a week by eating less. Wrestlers in a team suffer hunger together.
Qualifiers: I've stated this term already, but i'm pretty sure none of the viewers know what that is. Its one of the most important tournaments of the year. All other holiday tournaments and other school tournaments are nothing. The qualifiers is a place you have to prove yourself of worth. You have to place 1-4th place in order to become All Conference as an individual. Your seat in the tournament determines your worth or quality as a wrestler throughout the year and it also determines, what you are expected to place. Your seat also makes sure the two best wrestlers dont face off in the first match. So as i have said, i am all conference. And after you make all conference, you get to go to the Counties to attempt to become All county. Which means you wrestle the best wrestlers of Nassau County. If you win first in the counties, you get a chance to wrestle in the states and so on.
County: This is probably one of the most difficult tournaments a high school wrestler will get to unless they are extremely gifted and is a prodigy. In order to become All County, you must place 1-6th in this tournament. Within this bracket, there is 26 wrestlers within each weight class. And this event is tomorrow. If i win 1-6, i become All County. If i lose, this will be my last day of wrestling till next year.
I gotta admit, all the effort i placed into this sport has really been paying off excusing my injuries. Its really a sport where you reap what you sow. You gain as much as you try. Its a reflection of one of my favorite quotes. "Try a little harder to be a little better" Gorden B. Hinckley. Its a quote i think about when i practice and put my sweat and tears into something i love. And finding a passion in wrestling and the family setting really makes me come alive. "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive" Howard Thurman. It is a quote i've been living by.
After tomorrow, the county tournament, whether i become all county or not, i'm surely going to miss wrestling though i will be relieved the four months of work is over. Next year is definitely going to be a year I become the best at Wrestling in my weight class. I plan on working till I become All County and possibly continue on. I will finally be able to eat again. After suffering and not eating before the day of matches just to make weight, i'm relieved to finally be able to eat again.
But until next year, peace out wrestling. You are a great part of my life. Next year quite possibly be my last year wrestling, so i plan on doing all i can while i can. Wrestling has been molding me the last few months and i really appreciate the experience. One more day to give every last drop of sweat and work i have left on the mat tomorrow. Despite my disadvantage in the Seating Bracket. I'll go out there and wrestle with what i've got.
Till next year. -Most Outstanding Wrestler Jerry Ho-
My junior wrestling season began middle of November 2011 or the 14th of November. However in actuality, it began over the summer when i went to a few inter-murals in school. For the last 4 months of my life, wrestling has been the toughest, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. It became such a great part of my life that i talk about it very frequently. It is the only sport where you earn your spot, you earn your fame, you bleed, sweat, and cry to become what you are. In order to become All conference, you must work for it and beat someone good. You make a name for yourself.
When i say bleed, sweat and cry, I'm not joking nor exaggerating. At the moment, i have a black eye, i have bruised knees, cuts all over my hands, jammed fingers, injured shoulder, and a mildly limping food. When i say sweat, i mean drenched in sweat, so when you take off your shirt, you can squeeze a bottle of water. It'll look like you just took a bath and just walked out. When i say cry, i mean being disappointed at yourself for not doing better and balling your eyes after loosing a match, you clearly would've won. You leave the room and you sit by yourself and plotting how to get better or what you did wrong.
What i found from wrestling: It must be one of the greatest sports ever known. Especially in a team setting. As i imagine it. From the first day wrestling started in November 14th of 2011, there were about 40-50 kids. From freshman to seniors, all in the same room. After the first few weeks, the numbers decreased to about 38 or so. It was necessary pruning for the one's who cannot persevere, and don't know how to make a commitment. Over the course of the season only a few more drop out. But everyday within that back gym, the ghetto wrestling room behind the curtain, we ran, stank up the place, and we worked with sweat dripping down our faces. We suck weight.
After a while, the team that stays, really becomes a team, a family full of unity. If you ever get the chance to spend 1/3 of the year sweating, bleeding, and working with another person, you are bound to become a family. A wrestling team is definitely a family in my eyes.
So let move on, as the season progresses, the 15 weight classes for varsity are filled. For me, i wrestled everyone on the team that was 145, or 152, or 160 that wanted to become the 152lb weight class varsity wrestler. I made that weight class. The other wrestlers of different weights wrestled for their spot on varsity. So when all is set, there are 15 varsity wrestlers, and the others go on Junior Varsity. (lemme define varsity and junior varsity. Varsity is the higher level more experienced wrestlers, and Junior Varsity is for the less experienced wrestlers)
Dual meets: Now this is my coach's favorite part of wrestling. (Coach Chris Macdonald) "It is our fifteen guys against their fifteen. Its a battle. When one teammate loses, the next wrestler makes up for his slack. We have each-others back. Go Get em" We wrestled for our team, for our family. When one person looses, we make sure the next guy gives it his all. Its a fight for 6 straight minutes. we say "Go Six or Get Six" which means you either wrestle for 6 minutes with all you got, whether you win or lose, or you pin the other opponent and get 6 points for our team. I love the warm ups when we run around the circle and after we finish our warm-up, we gather in the center on our bellies, and after the captain says something, we yell the same thing on 3. And we have our game face on to win. With our family, we became Dual Meet Conference Champions. Each match made a difference. It was up to the individual to pull out with a win. P.S i forgot to mention. Before every match, we can rely on our teammates to be on weight for that day. For me i could mean cutting my weight down from 160 down to 152, within a week by eating less. Wrestlers in a team suffer hunger together.
Qualifiers: I've stated this term already, but i'm pretty sure none of the viewers know what that is. Its one of the most important tournaments of the year. All other holiday tournaments and other school tournaments are nothing. The qualifiers is a place you have to prove yourself of worth. You have to place 1-4th place in order to become All Conference as an individual. Your seat in the tournament determines your worth or quality as a wrestler throughout the year and it also determines, what you are expected to place. Your seat also makes sure the two best wrestlers dont face off in the first match. So as i have said, i am all conference. And after you make all conference, you get to go to the Counties to attempt to become All county. Which means you wrestle the best wrestlers of Nassau County. If you win first in the counties, you get a chance to wrestle in the states and so on.
County: This is probably one of the most difficult tournaments a high school wrestler will get to unless they are extremely gifted and is a prodigy. In order to become All County, you must place 1-6th in this tournament. Within this bracket, there is 26 wrestlers within each weight class. And this event is tomorrow. If i win 1-6, i become All County. If i lose, this will be my last day of wrestling till next year.
I gotta admit, all the effort i placed into this sport has really been paying off excusing my injuries. Its really a sport where you reap what you sow. You gain as much as you try. Its a reflection of one of my favorite quotes. "Try a little harder to be a little better" Gorden B. Hinckley. Its a quote i think about when i practice and put my sweat and tears into something i love. And finding a passion in wrestling and the family setting really makes me come alive. "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive" Howard Thurman. It is a quote i've been living by.
After tomorrow, the county tournament, whether i become all county or not, i'm surely going to miss wrestling though i will be relieved the four months of work is over. Next year is definitely going to be a year I become the best at Wrestling in my weight class. I plan on working till I become All County and possibly continue on. I will finally be able to eat again. After suffering and not eating before the day of matches just to make weight, i'm relieved to finally be able to eat again.
But until next year, peace out wrestling. You are a great part of my life. Next year quite possibly be my last year wrestling, so i plan on doing all i can while i can. Wrestling has been molding me the last few months and i really appreciate the experience. One more day to give every last drop of sweat and work i have left on the mat tomorrow. Despite my disadvantage in the Seating Bracket. I'll go out there and wrestle with what i've got.
Till next year. -Most Outstanding Wrestler Jerry Ho-
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday Morning 1-29-12
It gets awfully lonely being home alone.
January is almost over.
1/12ths of the year gone already.
Second semester of school is starting.
Wrestling is almost over, pretty ambivalent about that. I love wrestling and how far we came in the competition this year. I need it to end to get back on track with school work. Though it was a very great stress reliever and a great way to stay in shape. I lost three pounds of sweat on friday because i was 2.8 pounds overweight for the 152 +2 weight class for playoffs. I just wish i never injured my shoulder, which is a rotation cuff injury. My leg injuries are injuries i can deal with.
I still need some resolutions for this year.
-Get back on track for school, Junior year can have better grades if i tried a bit harder.
-Definitely try to win the Qualifiers so i can verse better kids in all of Nassau County before Wrestling ends.
-Begin SAT studying,
-Begin Taking College Seriously and stop procrastinating with it.
-Clean my room,
-Be productive
-Stop being a baby and be bold
-Progress farther in guitar, because i'm stagnant
-Stop wishing and just do.
-Begin Awake21 on my own time. Really try to fast and complete the 21 days.
-Become what you are made to be.
It gets awfully lonely being home alone.
January is almost over.
1/12ths of the year gone already.
Second semester of school is starting.
Wrestling is almost over, pretty ambivalent about that. I love wrestling and how far we came in the competition this year. I need it to end to get back on track with school work. Though it was a very great stress reliever and a great way to stay in shape. I lost three pounds of sweat on friday because i was 2.8 pounds overweight for the 152 +2 weight class for playoffs. I just wish i never injured my shoulder, which is a rotation cuff injury. My leg injuries are injuries i can deal with.
I still need some resolutions for this year.
-Get back on track for school, Junior year can have better grades if i tried a bit harder.
-Definitely try to win the Qualifiers so i can verse better kids in all of Nassau County before Wrestling ends.
-Begin SAT studying,
-Begin Taking College Seriously and stop procrastinating with it.
-Clean my room,
-Be productive
-Stop being a baby and be bold
-Progress farther in guitar, because i'm stagnant
-Stop wishing and just do.
-Begin Awake21 on my own time. Really try to fast and complete the 21 days.
-Become what you are made to be.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Big Week
Theres a big week ahead of me. Very stressful too :(
I recently got sick on thursday night 1-19-12. I got home at 1am.
I missed school the next day because i was sick. I missed three tests.
-an midterm essay in period 1 APUSH.
-essay portion of the spanish 4 midterm.
-and a chemistry test.
I was sick today as well and i missed the last wrestling tournament.. The herricks tournament.
This coming week is midterm week... As well as Playoffs week for wrestling.
Its gonna be very stressful and physically draining.
God help me through this week.
I recently got sick on thursday night 1-19-12. I got home at 1am.
I missed school the next day because i was sick. I missed three tests.
-an midterm essay in period 1 APUSH.
-essay portion of the spanish 4 midterm.
-and a chemistry test.
I was sick today as well and i missed the last wrestling tournament.. The herricks tournament.
This coming week is midterm week... As well as Playoffs week for wrestling.
Its gonna be very stressful and physically draining.
God help me through this week.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Most Outstanding
Wrestling: a passion of an individual named Jerry Ho. Jerry Ho is a seventeen year old, whose birthday passed a week ago. Instead of going out and celebrating his birthday, Jerry spends his time in places where he is needed. That place or group is called his wrestling team.This is Jerry's third year of wrestling in the high school level.
This year, Jerry has become extremely dedicated to his team. He is the 152 pound varsity wrestler for the Glen Cove Wrestling team.
(That is the background to my current topic of discussion)
This year, Jerry has become extremely dedicated to his team. He is the 152 pound varsity wrestler for the Glen Cove Wrestling team.
(That is the background to my current topic of discussion)
GLEN COVE TOURNAMENT
COVE CUP 2012!!! January 14, 2012
This year, Jerry was the varsity wrestler at the weight class of 152. He was allowed to weigh in at 155. There were three other varsity teams coming to this tournament. The teams included, Lawrence High School, a team we beat the Wednesday that week. The tall black kid, Jerry pinned on Wednesday with a Headlock came back and wanted revenge and a rematch against me. Valley Stream Central, and Great Neck South also came to the tournament. The Wrestling teams began coming in at 730am. The weigh ins were from 8-9 am. Wrestling began around 10.
The Tournament was round robin style, that means each weight class wrestles everyone in their weight class that day. It would go three rounds of varsity and two rounds of Junior Varsity, but thats not important :).
Round 1: FIGHT!! A regular match consists of 3 periods, 2 minutes each.
I versed a scrub from great neck south. I pinned him first period with a reverse headlock. I made the kid squeal a little bit.
Record at around 10:45 am that day, was 1-0,
Round 2: FIGHT!!
This was against the tall black kid from Lawrence High School that wanted revenge. This match was the toughest match ever! He was so angry after i beat him the first time. This time, i couldnt catch him in a head lock, he used his greco roman style wrestling and kept tossing me over his shoulder. He was beating me by a lot of points.. the score was about 12-5, him. we kept wrestling, and i got a take down, and the score became 12-7. I was still losing. by the last period, the score was 12-8, i was still loosing by a lot of points. with 40 seconds left on the clock, i use a turk,and almost pinned the kid, i received 5 points, the final score came out to be 13-12, ME! Sorry to mention, second period, i had a tiny bloody nose.
Record 2-0!
Round 3: FIGHT!
By this time of day, i was pretty exhausted after sweating and resting and sweating and resting. I took a fifteen minute nap prior to this last match again Valley Stream Central. I got called, and all i had going through my head was, "damn i dont want to lose" "If i win this one, im gonna be a tournament champion" " Im going to be 3-0" "Oh My Gosh im tired"
Then i began to block off those thoughts, it was just "Time to win this thing" it was me talking to myself in my head saying my favorite quotes "try a little harder to be a little better" by Gordon B. Hinckley. "time to ruin another persons life"
I got onto the mat, relatively tired, but well warmed up. Shook the opponents hand like a gentleman. and began to wrestle. i didnt waste anytime. i went for an arm drag, missed it. I took a double leg take down, and drove him across the mat. I went for a turk, the kid was tough enough to resist it, but opened up another opportunity to pin him. I stabbed in a cross face, and ran his head to his knee. and got a cross face cradle. I put my knee in his side, head to his temple, when he struggled, a laced my leg over the other. The kid couldnt move, and early in the first period, the ref slammed the mat and blew the whistle. (That means "PIN")
that concludes my record for the day, 3-0!! FIRST PLACE in the GLEN COVE, COVE CUP TOURNAMENT!!
So the end of the tournament: GLEN COVE WINS FIRST PLACE!!. THE Cove Cup remains in GCHS.
Our team all receives medals. But WAIT :)
A special reward... a reward i never thought to have received. The specs of this reward include a plaque, with a gold plating in front. The contents are stated below. Along with that reward, i was interviewed on TV called MSG Varsity. It was a great day!
I dont regret at all giving all my passion into wrestling during this season. I know my position, i am i a 152 pounder that wrestles for my team. We wrestle together, have each other's back, attack the opponent like an army front. and We ARE IN THE PLAY OFFS!!. if we win the first round of the playoffs, we are in the top 8 teams all of long island! Excited!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
^ i want to blog about that.
But atm all im thinking about is the gratefulness i have for the parts of school i enjoy. I love my sports teams. And i love music. I adore them. I love my family within the wrestling team, and i love my Select Chorale with my life. Today was the Winter Concert 2011. Select Chorale 2011, killed it, THREE Standing ovations. Impeccable intonation, sound quality, beautiful selection of Music. I love Mr. Ed Norris Aka (Babyface) <-- insider joke with the Select Chorale and Dr. Laria. Our repertoire for today was
Randell Thomson with "The Last Words of David"
"HE THAT RULETH OVER MEN, MUST BE JUST"
All My Trials
"TOO LATE MY BROTHERS, Too late but nevermind"
Circle of Life (We are the third Choir in the World to ever sing this piece/Arrangement)
"dooo dooo DOO DOO. Arpeggios. LIFE IN THE CIRCLE, IN THE CIRCLE, IN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, AND IT MOVES US ALL..."
Erick Whiticre with "Lux Arumque"
"LUUUUUUUUUU (down a half step for sound clusters) ksxx... CA LI DA.. GRA VIS CUEY"
Ashely and Holy Night (HPS Girl, like a little angel from heaven with beautiful voice"
"OOOOOHHH HOLY NIGHT, JOY TO THE WORLD. AH AHH AHH"
Praise His Name (Shania Solo)
"SING TO THE POWER OF THE LORD COME DOWN, SHOUT HALLELUJAH. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME""AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME... I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW AM FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE HEHEEE"
Hallelujah Chorus ( Alumni Song)
"FOR THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH"
I'm thinking about writing an ode to Select Chorale.
Including: When we put on the blazer, perfection is the only option. Something along those lines
Im so thankful for Select Chorale, i love every moment with you guys. Its the most mature, passionate, diverse, talented, heartfelt group i've ever been with. Thanks for giving me that moment to be shared with all of you. Just seeing you all post on GCHS Select Chorale's Facebook, im touched myself. I love this group.
Once again "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, each arm and leg" "FOR THE FAMILY!" (Jakub Micko)
But atm all im thinking about is the gratefulness i have for the parts of school i enjoy. I love my sports teams. And i love music. I adore them. I love my family within the wrestling team, and i love my Select Chorale with my life. Today was the Winter Concert 2011. Select Chorale 2011, killed it, THREE Standing ovations. Impeccable intonation, sound quality, beautiful selection of Music. I love Mr. Ed Norris Aka (Babyface) <-- insider joke with the Select Chorale and Dr. Laria. Our repertoire for today was
Randell Thomson with "The Last Words of David"
"HE THAT RULETH OVER MEN, MUST BE JUST"
All My Trials
"TOO LATE MY BROTHERS, Too late but nevermind"
Circle of Life (We are the third Choir in the World to ever sing this piece/Arrangement)
"dooo dooo DOO DOO. Arpeggios. LIFE IN THE CIRCLE, IN THE CIRCLE, IN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, AND IT MOVES US ALL..."
Erick Whiticre with "Lux Arumque"
"LUUUUUUUUUU (down a half step for sound clusters) ksxx... CA LI DA.. GRA VIS CUEY"
Ashely and Holy Night (HPS Girl, like a little angel from heaven with beautiful voice"
"OOOOOHHH HOLY NIGHT, JOY TO THE WORLD. AH AHH AHH"
Praise His Name (Shania Solo)
"SING TO THE POWER OF THE LORD COME DOWN, SHOUT HALLELUJAH. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME""AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME... I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW AM FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE HEHEEE"
Hallelujah Chorus ( Alumni Song)
"FOR THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH"
I'm thinking about writing an ode to Select Chorale.
Including: When we put on the blazer, perfection is the only option. Something along those lines
Im so thankful for Select Chorale, i love every moment with you guys. Its the most mature, passionate, diverse, talented, heartfelt group i've ever been with. Thanks for giving me that moment to be shared with all of you. Just seeing you all post on GCHS Select Chorale's Facebook, im touched myself. I love this group.
Once again "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, each arm and leg" "FOR THE FAMILY!" (Jakub Micko)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Ode to Pastor Sang
Pastor Sang Lee!! I miss you so much already!!
I'll forever miss
-your corny jokes
-your reckless driving
-your straining singing muscles
-you running for 40 minutes without stretching
-almost dying by trying parkour so i would read the bible
-how you would call or text me in the morning wishing me a great day.
-I'll miss the person that made a great difference in my life.
I've known you for almost 7 years.
You were the only one willing to pick me up from Long Island on Fridays so i could come to church.
You started the Daily Bread devotional with me about 3 years ago. We became accountability partners, and that allowed me to eventually still read it and send them out daily.
You are the closest Youth Pastor I've been with. You led the NWB for a while. You were there from the beginning to now. Our countless memories since i was 10 years old..
I'll surely miss you Pastor Sang. Oh yeah you are actually officially "Pastor" Sang now. I remember when we just called you Sang. See you in a few years. I might almost be done with college by the time you come back :/
See you soon. Love you Sang!
I'll forever miss
-your corny jokes
-your reckless driving
-your straining singing muscles
-you running for 40 minutes without stretching
-almost dying by trying parkour so i would read the bible
-how you would call or text me in the morning wishing me a great day.
-I'll miss the person that made a great difference in my life.
I've known you for almost 7 years.
You were the only one willing to pick me up from Long Island on Fridays so i could come to church.
You started the Daily Bread devotional with me about 3 years ago. We became accountability partners, and that allowed me to eventually still read it and send them out daily.
You are the closest Youth Pastor I've been with. You led the NWB for a while. You were there from the beginning to now. Our countless memories since i was 10 years old..
I'll surely miss you Pastor Sang. Oh yeah you are actually officially "Pastor" Sang now. I remember when we just called you Sang. See you in a few years. I might almost be done with college by the time you come back :/
See you soon. Love you Sang!
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