After reading about 'A Geek Love Story' from Newsweek, it got me thinking about the true definition of this thing called 'Love'.

There are different types of love and I've said 'I love you' many times to my friends. Of course those are all under the platonic category of Friendship. But it is Love all the same, for Love is a broad term, branching out to nearly all kinds of relationships, whether intimate or not. Love could even be religious, patriotic, possessive, or just platonic.

What about love between a man and a woman. The kind of love that makes one's heart flutter happily like a butterfly's wings. The kind that starts from a single spark of attraction. The kind that makes you feel that the world stops for a while when you look into the other party's eyes. Is that possible just solely through technology and without physical contact?

It's rare, and it's definitely difficult, but hey, anything's possible. When I was reading the first few parts of the article of how they'd first came across each other's avatars on Second Life, my first thought was, 'That's really shallow - they just started talking to each other because of their pretty avatars. What happens if they aren't like that in real life?' Then I realise that it happens in reality too. Sure, it is superficial. But it's true that physical attraction usually comes first.

Then comes Stage Two, where the couple starts to get to know each other. For this couple who was featured in the article, physical contact is definitely impossible - unless they are filthily rich and could take airplanes just as easily as flagging a cab. The couple also admitted that it was tough sustaining the relationship, since they are miles apart with separate lives. But their relationship lasted and they are still very much in love with each other despite meeting each other only a few times. Since they knew very well that their Second Life avatars did not actually look like them, perhaps it would be fair to say that this couple fell in love with each other's personalities first, before anything else. They didn't meet only after getting to know each other online after all. 

The first time I read the article, I'd only thought that what they felt for each other was not actually Love. Anyone can change who they really are on the Net, let alone Second Life. It could be a form of escapism for them, for their love lives in reality weren't exactly fantastic. However, the second time I read through the same page, I had different thoughts altogether. The love they have for each other is very much like what normal couples have. There's nothing to mock at. 

That said, I don't exactly support singles hooking up online. The chances of getting your soulmate online is one in a million since you never know who might be behind that screen. 

Side-note: Wow, I sound like a relationship expert when I've not been in one myself. Just bear with me. 

I've always believed that it's in human nature to judge, even if it's wrong (well, then some may go on to say that it's indeed human nature to err anyway). 

I went back to Crescent right after my lesson ended today to meet my juniors. I was invited back to speak to them and to motivate them. Somehow, I doubt I did that. Sure, I did prepare. I even did a draft/outline of what I wanted to say. It could be that I've not spoken to a large crowd for a long time. I didn't do well at all. In fact, my mind was in a jumble. This is why I'm always not used to prepared talks. I somewhat do better when it's an impromptu. 

In some sense, I think I'm lucky that I'm now studying my interest instead of being in a regular JC. I didn't stay long in Crescent since I found it mightily awkward being with the JC students in the canteen. It didn't help that my past Chemistry teacher didn't recognise me at all. The rest of my ex-schoolmates were complaining about their school and about how Secondary school life gave them so much more freedom and time. Funnily, I find that SP has given me a lot more freedom. It's not really about not having a uniform although that's part of it too. I think my current school actually allows me to express myself freely because of the culture over there. Or it could be that a lot more freedom is given to us students and we all learn to be independent instead of adhering to a structured school life as it is in JC. 

Previously, I had doubts about Polytechnics because of the usual social stigma about the students there. Then I realised that, hey, every school or institution has 'bad' students, those who cut classes exorbitantly or take it upon themselves to break nearly every rule they can find in the handbook. Thus, I decided to take the chance, to just put my current course as my third choice. If I can't make it into my ideal JC, I'm going to get into SP no matter what. I'm not going to settle for other JCs and if I get my third choice, at least I get to do something I actually like. 

Strangely, the week before the posting results were released, I had this feeling that I was going to SP. I didn't mind when I got into the school too. But I guess it was because of my friends' persuading that I decided to appeal for my first choice instead. I'm now really glad that the appeal didn't go through. I think - no, I know - that I'd be unhappy in JC. It's been a long time since I felt this happy. 

Maybe I was just being bull-headed. But if I were to be honest, I had a hard time dealing with some of my subjects in Secondary school. I used to have no problems acing for most of my subjects - even Math was alright most of the time. That stopped when I got to Upper Secondary. It was hell for me suddenly. 

I used to love Science. Physics was intriguing, Biology was mystical and Math was just, well, there. Suddenly, Physics became frustrating and abstract; Biology only unveiled more unsolved mysteries and confusion, and Math became abdominal. There was the introduction of Chemistry, the alien language I never managed to even begin to understand. Additional Mathematics was painful to study. Elementary Mathematics was dry and dreary. My teachers were all good and they tried to help me individually. Sad to say, it didn't really work out for me because I had no interest in the subjects and it took a lot of difficulty to even understand the basics. I was just dumb that way. 

It made me feel worse that my class was supposedly good at Math and Sciences. While my classmates complained about not doing well for Languages and Humanities, I was struggling with Math and Sciences instead. It could have worked out if we'd helped each other then. But there was a limit to what my peers could do since they had their own other commitments too. Coupled with the fact that I never had tuition, I guess my mum was not surprised that my results were not outstanding when compared to my classmates. Crescent was fun and I love the friends and memories I made there over the last four years. I miss it too. But I guess I had a tough time with the subjects I just could not bring myself to like or to excel in.

Thinking back to how different I felt just a few months ago, I'm really glad that I'm in DTVM now. I've also befriended many people in my new school, and I can actually see myself having an awesome time in the next few years. I'm finally truly happy. 

This whole week has been fun albeit a little exhausting.

I must admit that FOP wasn't as fun as FOC. It was great to meet my classmates finally. I'd been worrying and wondering about my classmates long before school started and I'm glad to have such awesome people as my classmates. Some of them are quiet and I guess it's because we don't know each other that well yet.

We played a few ice-breaker games and toured around the whole campus on the first day. Well, we didn't actually tour around the whole campus since we were all just so tired halfway through the whole thing. We just slacked at the Hilltop Library in the end. SPICE training didn't go too well for me in the evening since my Mac decided to be temperamental with me.

The second day was spent in the lecture hall and we got to watch our seniors perform for us. I was also sabotaged into being the class 'mascot' for the day. My classmates were nice enough not to tie balloons to my chest, like what some other classes did. I wouldn't mind actually but it's really nice of them not to do it anyway. We went along with some 'Lady Gaga' cum I-don't-know-what-it-was concept. I wasn't sure what they were tying to my body, to be honest. Let's just say it was insanely difficult to untie my costume afterwards. But we did manage to cut it off with Elijah's key later. It was a pretty nice outfit my classmates made for me actually. Just not feasible when it rains, I guess.

We then went to Sentosa on Day 3. The bus got lost and was late by an hour, but we did manage to get to the place eventually. Our class got divided into two and my half combined with another class from DADP to form our Amazing Race team. We were Team 4, which managed not to be the last despite getting to the wrong place twice!

Unfortunately, just a few minutes into our race, Natasya fell on the escalator and the sharp edges of the steps stabbed into her shin. It was a scary sight, with all the blood and all. The beach patrol came to pick her up and brought her to the Medical Center where she got treatment for her wound. Thank goodness she didn't need an injection in the end. Injections are always scary.

The rest of the team went around the different spots and it was exhausting after a while. Funnily, we weren't the last team to get back to Emerald Pavilion, which was our final destination. We were the second last, which was already a great achievement, if you take into account the fact that our team's progress was really slow in the beginning.

Then there was the luge ride! It started raining midway but no one was bothered by it and all went ahead with the ride. Zi Wei and I were the only ones who never tried it before. We were initially insisting on the 'Dragon Trail' which was infinitely easier than the 'Jungle Trail'. The two of us ended up taking the 'Jungle Trail' since the other trail was closed off from the path. It was fun, I admit. I was initially quite freaked out by the speed but it got pretty addictive after a while. Everyone was wet after taking the luge in the rain.

After lunch we headed over to Vivo City, where we watched the movie 'Limitless'. It's a pretty good movie although it has been a long time since I've watched anything this gory or serious. I usually just watch chick flicks or animations. Time to grow up, I suppose. I walked around with a few of my classmates after the movie. We just loitered around, talking about random things before deciding to head home since we had to wake up early the next morning for flag day.

Flag day was tiring but kind of fun in it's own way. An Indian man actually donated $50 without even taking the sticker I stuck onto my can! What a nice person! It was thanks to that fifty-dollar note that I became the top 'collector' in my class. My class had to start off the flag day event with the Director and the VIPs at the Plaza at 7.30am in the morning. We then headed over to Clementi, the place we were all assigned to. I got to know someone from Design School there. He's from Games Design. I didn't get his name though. Oh well. It's the first time I've met someone from Design School, since their school is on the other extreme side of the campus. I doubt I'll see my new acquaintance again anyway.

Elijah, Matin, Stefanie, Ziwei and I went to Raffles Place after two hours in Clementi since it seemed like the whole of Design School was there and there were so many other students asking for donations too. The five of us ended up walking around Marina Bay area and then to Golden Shoe Hawker Center doing nothing much but slack. We eventually went back to school and played 'The Game of Life' in the Main Library for an hour. It was more laughing than actual playing. We met the rest of the class back at the classroom later in the afternoon.

It's a pity I didn't stay for long in the evening. The buffet at the Freshmen Party was delicious! I suffered indigestion however and my stomach was killing me, so I didn't get to eat much unfortunately. Wai Meng, Matin, Stefanie, Joey and I went to Moberly after eating to play Band Hero. Wai Meng was the best faux drummer for the band. We loitered about for a few moments before heading back home after the Wii session since the party hadn't really started and most of the class had gone home by then. 

I think it was great that we had the lunch at Pizza Hut on Friday. Alright, it was my crazy idea long before FOP even started and I wanted a sushi buffet actually. But pizza's delicious too! I've not eaten it for a long time! We took loads of photos at the restaurant and I finally got to eat my beloved Hawaiian pizza. Again, we loitered and walked about after lunch. I think it's becoming our class' distinct trait: loitering about whilst blocking the walkway. Such public nuisance we are. But I love my classmates. Well, I better do so anyway, since we're going to be stuck together for the next three years!

My previous post about the FOC may seem a little disjointed at some parts. That's because I'm a lazy blogger and I didn't type the whole long post in one shot - it was typed out bit by bit over the last few days after the camp.

I went to school yesterday for the Mac OS training. They taught us about certain functions on the Mac which are not found on Windows. I didn't really pay much attention however - I was too busy trying hard not to fall asleep. Stefanie and I also met Wei Sze after breakfast. I've not seen Wei Sze since...Primary school? She was my Primary One and Two classmate, if I'm not wrong.

We later went to SIM's Popular bookstore to get accessories for my Mac. I regret buying the hardcover. I wanted my Mac to be pink but somehow the cover just doesn't fit properly. The staff then directed me to their service center which was in Toa Payoh, and within a walking distance from Braddell MRT station. Since Wei Sze had to leave for her lunch appointment with another friend, Stefanie and I decided to have lunch at school first before going on our adventure to Sapura's service center. Unlike yours truly, Stefanie has a superb sense of direction and she knows most of SP now. We got the legendary fruit juice from FC 3. 

When we finally made it to the service center, the technicians found no fault with my Mac. Strangely enough, there was still a 'clicking' sound when I opened it. When they tried it on another Mac, it fitted seamlessly. I nearly banged my head against the table in frustration. 

We then went back to Tampines where Stefanie collected her case from Punk Star - the one I very nearly bought. I didn't know they were having a sale. Maybe I could buy a few tees over there if they have my size. We did a lot of walking in just one day and I was exhausted when I got back. This just goes to show how much my stamina has suffered after not running for months. 

Our classes were announced yesterday too. I must be a really lucky girl. Not only did I get Shaw Leong who's from Masquerade in my class, I got Zhaoyi and Stefanie too! I've not met Yvette in person but she seems really friendly. That's four classmates already. I can't wait for FOP!

CASS FOC was awesome!

It was kind of nerve-wrecking at the start since I didn't know a single soul over there. I quickly made friends though and my group was friendly. Most of the people were from DMC or DADP, few were from the same course as me. I found another DTVM person from my group, Masquerade, though. And that's Shaw Leong who was really quiet at first but he warmed up to us afterwards. Hopefully, he'll be my classmate, then I'd have a familiar face to turn to during FOC.

Before going for the camp, when people from SP know I'm in CASS, they'll go, 'Ah, the crazy school'. I think I know why now. The people there are so spontaneous and fun! It's nearly like an extension of Crescent, just ten times more the freedom and liveliness! There are nearly twice more girls than guys so according to Tryne and Sheena, the two seniors who live in the extreme east too, our school is sometimes nicknamed the 'Er Mei Shan'. I later realised that it's the name of a place for nuns or something like that. Funnily, our school is also situated at the top of a hill, although it certainly seems to be a mountain when you climb it. The other nickname is 'Beverly Hills'. That sounds so glamourous.

We first got into our groups and chose our group name. The theme this year was 'Circus' and we went with Wee's suggestion and called ourselves 'Masquerade'. Our flag was the prettiest even if we took the longest to finish it (well, it is the prettiest in my opinion) thanks to Syuhaidah who helped to design and draw the eyes and mask. Every group has a flag and all of us must guard the flag for should any flag get stolen by anyone, the whole group has to do a forfeit just to get it back. In short, the flag was very important. But we lost it on the last day of the camp. It just vanished into thin air.

Dexter also gave us our group identity, the red shoelace. All of us tied it around our wrists. Some groups had really eye-catching ones like the big sequined ribbons or the angel wings. Jaime also pretended to be a freshie when she was actually the GL along with Dexter. She kind of exposed herself by accident when we were supposed to guess who was the fake freshie in the beginning.

We played ice-breaker games and learnt the cheers we would be doing for the next two days. The forfeits are really funny. The 'Fruit Dance' is just sick yet funny. Unfortunately, Melissa and I couldn't play the game at the swimming pool. We just sat with Tryne and Sheena from DMC while the rest got wet at the pool. Oh well. We did get wet during the next game though. Except that it's toilet water instead of flourine this time. My favourite game for the first day was the Watermelon Game. We had to finish two halves of a watermelon with the skin intact with just our mouths. Wee was the fastest watermelon-eater I think. Everyone tore off chunks of the watermelon with their mouths.

The first day ended with the Night Walk. We went over to Food Court 1. it was a good fifteen to twenty minutes brisk walk to the other side in the night. It was a little past midnight when we reached our destination and the DMIT people were already there. They were plaguing us with all sorts of horror stories about SP (Sheena and Tryne later told us that the stories were fake and they'll tell us the true ones in Year 2). Everyone had to go in pairs and it took a long time to wait for my turn. I was the last one to go from Masquerade - one of the last few girls left in the auditorium in fact. It was a different kind of torture waiting for my turn. They ran out of stories and jokes to tell and our GLs even danced the 'Peacock' dance for us to pass the time. There are only so many times you can repeat 'this is a magical box' however. I lost count of the number of times we did that but the line was drilled into my head afterwards.

I was initially hoping for a guy to be my partner since guys are supposedly braver. But my partner was so brave! Before she introduced herself, I'd already latched myself firmly onto her arm. Yes, I was that frightened. Funnily, we were directed to the wrong route altogether. I told the DMIT guy at the door that we were from CASS but he asked us to follow the yellow lightsticks outside. We were left floundering at some carpark compound after passing just two yellow lightsticks. There were none left afterwards. There were another two girls who were lost just like us too. We just decided to walk back to CASS then. We were wondering if there were any scary things that would pop up during the whole walk but nothing happened. Luckily we found the rest station in the middle with our seniors waiting there. After going to the restroom and explaining our situation, we had to complete the remaining one-third of the Night Walk. This time it was the correct route.

Vanessa, my partner, was not afraid by then and she really helped to ease my fears. I was just cowering behind her half the time while she led me around the dark corridors and warned me about the steps. I think I was just hugging her arm really tight to me. We made it back to CASS soon enough but not before I tripped over the stairs in my hurry. It was nearly 3am when we reached CASS and we waited about an hour more for the GLs and the remaining pairs who were returning from the Night Walk.

Despite sleeping at 4am, I woke up several times and finally went to shower after the nth time in a zombie-fied state. Breakfast was bread with Nutella! It was delicious - partly because I slathered the Nutella spread on my piece of bread rather generously. We used plastic spoons instead of a butter knife. Bo Mun also joined us for breakfast. He became the Masquerade's last team member.

We had Scavengers' Hunt on the second day. Our first stop was the 'Stone Cold Kenneth' as they call him. It was a little demoralising since our group failed to make Kenneth and Inez laugh. I later heard most groups couldn't do it too. The seniors are just too good at keeping their poker face.

Our team managed to beat our opponents for Tug 'O' War and it was fun albeit a little sore for my hands. There was also this game which was similar to 'Tag' just that we had to defend our flag in three rows. Come to think of it, it was more similar to Foosball if you look at the layout. Human Foosball. It was a draw for that game. No one got any flag.

I can't really remember the sequence but we had to move on to quite a few stations each time. We also played crazy games like Captain's Ball with tomato, soap and then later butter. Our team didn't manage to advance to the final round which turned out to be quite a good thing since I don't think I'd appreciate playing with melting butter slithering down my hands or hair as I play. Unfortunately, Syuhaidah hurt her ankle while at the basketball court. There was no medic at the scene so we were really worried that it was a serious injury. Our team had to leave her behind to go on to the next station. She later joined us a few hours later when she was able to walk properly again. Thank goodness she didn't sprain her ankle.

There was also this game where we had to spin 20 times and then high five our partner within three seconds, then run to the goal post to complete the game. I was quite pathetic and fell down to the grass with a 'thud' after just fifteen rounds. The GP was kind enough to let me spin just fifteen times, otherwise I might have not been able to stand.

We also danced outside the glass window at the gym. We had two choices: To stick our finger up our friends' nostrils; Or to dance that provocative dance in full view of the guys in the gym. Nearly everyone, with the exception of Rachel, picked the latter. The guys crowded in front of us while we were dancing and one even pounded the window. I think they were kind of annoyed by us.

It was campfire night afterwards. Instead of the usual bonfire, they actually arranged little candles in form of 'CASS' with a big circle around it. It looked so cosy and heartwarming. We did the usual campfire songs and cheers plus the 'Friendship Dance'. I nearly lost my voice while cheering. Then came the night party!

We started the party after midnight and it ended in the morning, around 3 or 4am? I can't actually dance but I tried to. It was really fun dancing with everyone although I went to the side to rest every once in a while. Somehow you get really dehydrated while dancing. Maybe that's why people drink so much when they dance in clubs and all.

I slept better after the party maybe because I was just exhausted. I still managed to wake up early to shower. I'd feel strange not showering in the morning. The GLs were slightly late for breakfast while the campers were all up on time. We then had Telematch after breakfast. This must be the craziest and the most fun telematch I've participated in! Even though the sun was scorching hot, everyone got really wet and powder-y since the GLs later had fun pouring baby powder over everyone's heads.

Everyone had to go after a quick shower and a debrief. Sebas cried after watching the video of the past two and a half days. I felt a little sad too, since the camp was such great fun. We all had some time with our GLs before taking pictures in our new campers' tees.

I had bad experiences from camps before but this is my best camp yet. It could be because of the people and the crazy games our seniors organised for us. I could see that the seniors put it a lot of effort in making this camp an awesome one. In fact, even at wee hours of the night, Dexter and Jaime were still bursting with energy just to keep our spirits high. It'll be cool to be able to take part in another camp again, I think. I doubt there will be one any time soon now that school is starting though.

Masquerades, OO-AA!