Merry Carols
Thursday, November 26, 2009 @ 11:38 am leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Guitar lesson on Sunday wasn't exactly good since I didn't practise. We are doing Christmas carols now.
Choir has been alright I suppose. The French school exchange was really fun albeit it being far too short. We had only one and a half hour to mingle with each other. There were not many chances to speak to each other too since we had to utilise that short period of time to the maximum by singing.
When I entered the school, I wondered if we were still in Singapore. It was my first time in an international school and the campus looked really different from our usual school compound. The students also didn't have uniforms and you could see them walking about. When we got there in was already mid-afternoon so most of them were heading home. It really seemed like a school scene from those European shows.
Everyone took quite a while to settle down in the auditorium. Partly because we couldn't understand their conductor initially. Well, at least I was confused. She calls the sections by different terms and I wasn't used to sitting in once whole big block, I guess.
I stood in the first row, in between two girls from the French school. The girl on my right was Julia ( I think that was her name ) and the one on my left was Ariane. When Julia told me Ariane could speak Mandarin I was actually kind of surprised since I didn't really expect to find Asians in the school. Ariane told me that she has been in the school since she was five and her mum is a Taiwanese. After Ariane knew I can speak Mandarin, she started speaking in Mandarin to me and I think she is more fluent in the language that I am if I were to be frank.
Although they did not seem familiar with the combined pieces at all I was struck by how earnest they were in their singing. Julia told me that they only learnt the first few pages of Why We Sing and sang 大海啊！故乡 using the syllable 'la'. They also performed two Swedish pieces for us afterwards and during our turn, we performed around half of our December concert repertoire.
It didn't really matter whether their standard is as good as us, or worse than us. In my opinion, their enthusiasm and willingness to learn had already won me over from the start. I really like Julia too, she was really friendly.
At the end we gave each of them our choir badges and a bouquet of flowers to the French conductor. Let's hope we will get to have a combined performance with them soon!
By the way, the journey from the florist near my house to Redhill was a little awkward for me. It wasn't the first time I was carrying a bouquet while taking the public transport. The first was with my mum. We were going to visit Aunt Rachel at some hospital after the birth of her daughter. So my mum and I got this bouquet of teddy bears for Aunt Rachel. And for the duration of the journey there, I had plenty of stares. Yesterday was the same too, just that it was a bouquet of lilies instead. A lady asked me about it on the way too. She spoke to me in Mandarin; I guessed she was a Chinese/Taiwanese tourist since she didn't appear local and she had a luggage with her.
My arm went numb from cradling the lilies on the train. The florist told me that I must not crush the lilies and must cradle it gently. Somewhat like how parents carry babies I think?
Dinner at Yoshinoya went well. Lots of people couldn't make it unfortunately. Our group of nine went to Bishan Library (I didn't know there was a library there) after eating. I nearly walked into a glass panel there. It has been proven repeatedly that I should not have too many glass panels at home if I were to shift. Otherwise, I think I will have plenty of chances to walk into them.
I went to watch the movie Disney's A Christmas Carol last weekend with my mum. The three ghosts that visited Scrooge at midnight seemed scarier than the ones I saw in previous versions of the same story. The last version I watched was the English version, I think. And it wasn't an animation so there was a limit to how dramatic the ghosts appeared. There wasn't the journey to outer space in the old version I guess. But the animation was as heartwarming as all earlier versions. After all, the main plot is still the same, carrying along the lesson to be learnt by Scrooge. Charles Dickens' stories are good.
Should I go for the carolling even though Yibin won't be with me? D:
Choir has been alright I suppose. The French school exchange was really fun albeit it being far too short. We had only one and a half hour to mingle with each other. There were not many chances to speak to each other too since we had to utilise that short period of time to the maximum by singing.
When I entered the school, I wondered if we were still in Singapore. It was my first time in an international school and the campus looked really different from our usual school compound. The students also didn't have uniforms and you could see them walking about. When we got there in was already mid-afternoon so most of them were heading home. It really seemed like a school scene from those European shows.
Everyone took quite a while to settle down in the auditorium. Partly because we couldn't understand their conductor initially. Well, at least I was confused. She calls the sections by different terms and I wasn't used to sitting in once whole big block, I guess.
I stood in the first row, in between two girls from the French school. The girl on my right was Julia ( I think that was her name ) and the one on my left was Ariane. When Julia told me Ariane could speak Mandarin I was actually kind of surprised since I didn't really expect to find Asians in the school. Ariane told me that she has been in the school since she was five and her mum is a Taiwanese. After Ariane knew I can speak Mandarin, she started speaking in Mandarin to me and I think she is more fluent in the language that I am if I were to be frank.
Although they did not seem familiar with the combined pieces at all I was struck by how earnest they were in their singing. Julia told me that they only learnt the first few pages of Why We Sing and sang 大海啊！故乡 using the syllable 'la'. They also performed two Swedish pieces for us afterwards and during our turn, we performed around half of our December concert repertoire.
It didn't really matter whether their standard is as good as us, or worse than us. In my opinion, their enthusiasm and willingness to learn had already won me over from the start. I really like Julia too, she was really friendly.
At the end we gave each of them our choir badges and a bouquet of flowers to the French conductor. Let's hope we will get to have a combined performance with them soon!
By the way, the journey from the florist near my house to Redhill was a little awkward for me. It wasn't the first time I was carrying a bouquet while taking the public transport. The first was with my mum. We were going to visit Aunt Rachel at some hospital after the birth of her daughter. So my mum and I got this bouquet of teddy bears for Aunt Rachel. And for the duration of the journey there, I had plenty of stares. Yesterday was the same too, just that it was a bouquet of lilies instead. A lady asked me about it on the way too. She spoke to me in Mandarin; I guessed she was a Chinese/Taiwanese tourist since she didn't appear local and she had a luggage with her.
Wow! Who gave you those lilies? Your boyfriend is so sweet/romantic!
Nonono, I'm giving these flowers to someone else. They are not for
me.
How much is it?
Around $55 for a bouquet this size.
Ohh...Still, so sweet of him to give you lilies. They smell great!
My arm went numb from cradling the lilies on the train. The florist told me that I must not crush the lilies and must cradle it gently. Somewhat like how parents carry babies I think?
Dinner at Yoshinoya went well. Lots of people couldn't make it unfortunately. Our group of nine went to Bishan Library (I didn't know there was a library there) after eating. I nearly walked into a glass panel there. It has been proven repeatedly that I should not have too many glass panels at home if I were to shift. Otherwise, I think I will have plenty of chances to walk into them.
I went to watch the movie Disney's A Christmas Carol last weekend with my mum. The three ghosts that visited Scrooge at midnight seemed scarier than the ones I saw in previous versions of the same story. The last version I watched was the English version, I think. And it wasn't an animation so there was a limit to how dramatic the ghosts appeared. There wasn't the journey to outer space in the old version I guess. But the animation was as heartwarming as all earlier versions. After all, the main plot is still the same, carrying along the lesson to be learnt by Scrooge. Charles Dickens' stories are good.
Should I go for the carolling even though Yibin won't be with me? D:
Labels: choir, Christmas, Crez chorale, Movies
The Second Attempt
Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 10:20 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Our very first 3G1 class outing was miserable, with only seven people present.
Our second gathering was also less than half the class. Around sixteen went (Yitong and CTTT joined us for dinner later) and most that didn't go actually did not have much of a reason to refuse. I would not hide the fact that I am indeed disappointed that most who were absent chose not to go just because the venue was 'too far' and they were 'too lazy to'.
Let's just say I am utterly taken aback by these people. So much so that I do not even have the means to feel any anger. It's just... ... Shock. Shock due to the large number of people who chose not to go - that is exactly what I felt.
I thought a class gathering is for bonding. Isn't that the main objective for most outings? If so, what's with the 'too lazy to go' excuse? It's not even a reason. 'Too far'? I find it's quite unfair to the rest of the fifteen who came took the trouble to go - shouldn't most of us take the effort to do so too?
But I don't really feel angry with these people. I guess I'm too surprised. After all, this is the first year that I find so few classmates turning up for gatherings.
It was alright I guess. Rosi and I met at Tampines Interchange in the morning to do some shopping in preparation for the BBQ. I was late as I didn't know the bus service Rosi took would take such a short time to reach. And it was also partly because I forgot to bring along Jia Wen's SHINee's merchandise and had to make a trip back home to get it. Rosi and I were eating at Subway when I suddenly saw Jia Wen sitting at the open area in the basement of Tampines 1. We sort of loitered around the shopping malls after that. I didn't really know how to bring them around since Rosi kept saying that she was really sleepy.
They also mistook Tampines 1 for Tampines Mall. Rosi loved Century Square's second level ladies though, as it has the sofa inside. We then settled down at Starbucks whereby Jia Wen and I just stared at Rosi while she drank her mocha. Haha.
After Jia Wen left, Rosi and I proceeded on to Bedok station, where we waited for the rest to come. We had no difficulties finding Ms Chee's house since the block she lived in was one of the tallest in the vicinity.
The first word that sprang to my mind when I entered was: clean. Maybe it's because the floor and walls were white or beige. But Ms Chee's house is really nice.
Most of the girls were playing mahjong in one of the rooms the whole day while the rest settled for watching television programmes. It was the first time I watched a mahjong game up close. It seems like it needs lots of brain power to play it. Probably that's why old folks say that mahjong will help to prevent them from becoming senile.
In the end we couldn't have a BBQ although I'd already booked the pits at ECP. Which was kind of disappointing to me. However, it wasn't the case for those mahjong addicts since they got to continue with their game. We then boiled the sausages and meatballs we bought. We spent quite a lot of money on food that day actually. We ordered pizzas for lunch and then Macs for dinner.
Everyone ate while watching the movie She's The Man on some channel I guess. Charmaine (TTT) and Yitong arrived afterwards and had their dinner there too. Although 3C2 got to go to Ms Chee's house earlier that week, I heard that they were 'chased out' of the house after eight. But our group managed to stay on till nine since we wanted to finish the show. And even as we left, I think there were still some people playing mahjong.
But it was still fun on the whole I suppose. =]
Our second gathering was also less than half the class. Around sixteen went (Yitong and CTTT joined us for dinner later) and most that didn't go actually did not have much of a reason to refuse. I would not hide the fact that I am indeed disappointed that most who were absent chose not to go just because the venue was 'too far' and they were 'too lazy to'.
Let's just say I am utterly taken aback by these people. So much so that I do not even have the means to feel any anger. It's just... ... Shock. Shock due to the large number of people who chose not to go - that is exactly what I felt.
I thought a class gathering is for bonding. Isn't that the main objective for most outings? If so, what's with the 'too lazy to go' excuse? It's not even a reason. 'Too far'? I find it's quite unfair to the rest of the fifteen who came took the trouble to go - shouldn't most of us take the effort to do so too?
But I don't really feel angry with these people. I guess I'm too surprised. After all, this is the first year that I find so few classmates turning up for gatherings.
It was alright I guess. Rosi and I met at Tampines Interchange in the morning to do some shopping in preparation for the BBQ. I was late as I didn't know the bus service Rosi took would take such a short time to reach. And it was also partly because I forgot to bring along Jia Wen's SHINee's merchandise and had to make a trip back home to get it. Rosi and I were eating at Subway when I suddenly saw Jia Wen sitting at the open area in the basement of Tampines 1. We sort of loitered around the shopping malls after that. I didn't really know how to bring them around since Rosi kept saying that she was really sleepy.
They also mistook Tampines 1 for Tampines Mall. Rosi loved Century Square's second level ladies though, as it has the sofa inside. We then settled down at Starbucks whereby Jia Wen and I just stared at Rosi while she drank her mocha. Haha.
After Jia Wen left, Rosi and I proceeded on to Bedok station, where we waited for the rest to come. We had no difficulties finding Ms Chee's house since the block she lived in was one of the tallest in the vicinity.
The first word that sprang to my mind when I entered was: clean. Maybe it's because the floor and walls were white or beige. But Ms Chee's house is really nice.
Most of the girls were playing mahjong in one of the rooms the whole day while the rest settled for watching television programmes. It was the first time I watched a mahjong game up close. It seems like it needs lots of brain power to play it. Probably that's why old folks say that mahjong will help to prevent them from becoming senile.
In the end we couldn't have a BBQ although I'd already booked the pits at ECP. Which was kind of disappointing to me. However, it wasn't the case for those mahjong addicts since they got to continue with their game. We then boiled the sausages and meatballs we bought. We spent quite a lot of money on food that day actually. We ordered pizzas for lunch and then Macs for dinner.
Everyone ate while watching the movie She's The Man on some channel I guess. Charmaine (TTT) and Yitong arrived afterwards and had their dinner there too. Although 3C2 got to go to Ms Chee's house earlier that week, I heard that they were 'chased out' of the house after eight. But our group managed to stay on till nine since we wanted to finish the show. And even as we left, I think there were still some people playing mahjong.
But it was still fun on the whole I suppose. =]
Labels: classouting
This Year
Sunday, November 15, 2009 @ 10:29 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
This year's birthday has been a great one.
My mum celebrated my birthday with me a day before as it falls on a choir practice day. We went to Plaza Singapura and walked around the place. The first place we shopped at was Cotton On. The branch there was almost twice and a half times bigger than the one in Tampines Mall. More clothes were available too. I bought two skirts and my mum bought a sweater for herself.
Next we went to the upper levels and went pass this baby spa outlet. They wrap this float thing around the baby's neck and let the baby dangle precariously in a circular tub that is at least one metre deep. My mum was really intrigued by the whole process and just stood at the window staring into the shop. I don't really fancy being dunked into the deep water with just a float loosely taped around my neck if I were the baby however. It just isn't my idea of fun.
I do love showering and bathing though. The longest bath I took was near two hours. When I was that baby's age, I was playing with toy ships in my own shallow tub of water at home. It was those tubs that were also used for soaking clothes which are meant to be hand washed. Actually you can just create a tub at home and soak your toddler in some hot water. Funny how people actually spend so much money on their children even when they can just do it on their own. Then again, maybe when I become a mother in the future, I may just do the same.
Dinner was at some Japanese cuisine outlet. I had curry omu rice. It was delicious. Then again, an omu rice lover like me will like the dish as long as there is omelette in it. My mum and I later shared a pretzel from Auntie Anne's. I didn't really fancy the oily taste though.
We later watched the Korean movie, My Girlfriend is an Agent. It's a really hilarious romantic comedy. I could hardly keep from laughing.
The following day, I went to school for choir practice and was greeted by many wonderful presents and cards from my great friends. Maybe it's because I now have a Facebook account, but I also received many birthday greetings. Oh, and Yibin, I will try to reduce the number of posts spent on Kpop. =]
Sungmin has just recently gotten a kitten, Hyaku. And the kitten is most probably a Siamese, one of my most favourite cat breeds. I think Russian Blues, Siamese, Japanese Bobtails and Ragdolls are really pretty cats. Ah well, I don't think I can ever care for a pet till I can get rid of my zoophobia. I wouldn't have the time to be truly responsible for one either. And there will be added expenses to worry about, plus the problem of fleas, rabies and other health problems.
It's late, therefore I will post about my class gathering later.
My mum celebrated my birthday with me a day before as it falls on a choir practice day. We went to Plaza Singapura and walked around the place. The first place we shopped at was Cotton On. The branch there was almost twice and a half times bigger than the one in Tampines Mall. More clothes were available too. I bought two skirts and my mum bought a sweater for herself.
Next we went to the upper levels and went pass this baby spa outlet. They wrap this float thing around the baby's neck and let the baby dangle precariously in a circular tub that is at least one metre deep. My mum was really intrigued by the whole process and just stood at the window staring into the shop. I don't really fancy being dunked into the deep water with just a float loosely taped around my neck if I were the baby however. It just isn't my idea of fun.
I do love showering and bathing though. The longest bath I took was near two hours. When I was that baby's age, I was playing with toy ships in my own shallow tub of water at home. It was those tubs that were also used for soaking clothes which are meant to be hand washed. Actually you can just create a tub at home and soak your toddler in some hot water. Funny how people actually spend so much money on their children even when they can just do it on their own. Then again, maybe when I become a mother in the future, I may just do the same.
Dinner was at some Japanese cuisine outlet. I had curry omu rice. It was delicious. Then again, an omu rice lover like me will like the dish as long as there is omelette in it. My mum and I later shared a pretzel from Auntie Anne's. I didn't really fancy the oily taste though.
We later watched the Korean movie, My Girlfriend is an Agent. It's a really hilarious romantic comedy. I could hardly keep from laughing.
The following day, I went to school for choir practice and was greeted by many wonderful presents and cards from my great friends. Maybe it's because I now have a Facebook account, but I also received many birthday greetings. Oh, and Yibin, I will try to reduce the number of posts spent on Kpop. =]
Sungmin has just recently gotten a kitten, Hyaku. And the kitten is most probably a Siamese, one of my most favourite cat breeds. I think Russian Blues, Siamese, Japanese Bobtails and Ragdolls are really pretty cats. Ah well, I don't think I can ever care for a pet till I can get rid of my zoophobia. I wouldn't have the time to be truly responsible for one either. And there will be added expenses to worry about, plus the problem of fleas, rabies and other health problems.
It's late, therefore I will post about my class gathering later.
Labels: Birthdays, choir, Crez chorale, Movies
Puberty
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 4:27 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Yesterday was my cousin's housewarming party. I like my cousin-in-law - she's nice :D
My mum and I had some difficulties in finding the place initially. My second aunt said that my cousin's house was opposite hers. However, opposite was a series of condominium apartments. Actually I think my aunt meant the HDB block the other side of the school next to hers. You see, there is a Secondary school sandwiched between the two blocks. And when she looks out of her window, she can just see her son's house just across, over the school compound. This kind of proves that different perceptions will lead to different definitions too.
We were the first to arrive at my cousin's house. My cousin gave us a little tour around the whole flat. I kind of like the way they designed the whole area though. It's pretty cosy yet not too squashed up. However, like what my cousin and his wife mentioned, the master bedroom is small. It seems to have barely enough space of a person to move around inside. Otherwise the place looks really nice.
A while later, fourth aunt, uncle Patrick, Sheree and Ivan arrive and second aunt came with two pots of curry too - one vegetarian, one with mutton. The food catered was delicious. While we were eating Yu Sheng's family arrived. My cousin-in-law gave us eclairs and vanilla cream puffs too :DDD I love her already, hahaha.
We then settled to watch this Japanese movie, The Handsome Suit. It's kind of amusing yet a poignantly true show. It is true that appearances are often mistakenly valued above inner beauty. The rest of those who came arrived while the show was going on. The next movie was really funny - it was this Korean movie, The Scandal Maker. :D
My mum made me eat a second round of food, spoiling my attempt to eat less.
And Dennis has slimmed down so much!! I feel envious of him. Boys, aren't they lucky? Although he initially claimed that he didn't do anything and just got skinnier naturally, after my constant questioning (more like pestering, really), he told me that he climbed lots of stairs for exercise. Sigh.
When we left, Dennis told me that I could start my mission to lose weight immediately - to use the stairs instead of the lift. I just brushed it off, saying that I would start tomorrow. Ivan and Dennis laughed when I said that. I guess it will be really difficult to lose any weight without exercise.
My mum and I had some difficulties in finding the place initially. My second aunt said that my cousin's house was opposite hers. However, opposite was a series of condominium apartments. Actually I think my aunt meant the HDB block the other side of the school next to hers. You see, there is a Secondary school sandwiched between the two blocks. And when she looks out of her window, she can just see her son's house just across, over the school compound. This kind of proves that different perceptions will lead to different definitions too.
We were the first to arrive at my cousin's house. My cousin gave us a little tour around the whole flat. I kind of like the way they designed the whole area though. It's pretty cosy yet not too squashed up. However, like what my cousin and his wife mentioned, the master bedroom is small. It seems to have barely enough space of a person to move around inside. Otherwise the place looks really nice.
A while later, fourth aunt, uncle Patrick, Sheree and Ivan arrive and second aunt came with two pots of curry too - one vegetarian, one with mutton. The food catered was delicious. While we were eating Yu Sheng's family arrived. My cousin-in-law gave us eclairs and vanilla cream puffs too :DDD I love her already, hahaha.
We then settled to watch this Japanese movie, The Handsome Suit. It's kind of amusing yet a poignantly true show. It is true that appearances are often mistakenly valued above inner beauty. The rest of those who came arrived while the show was going on. The next movie was really funny - it was this Korean movie, The Scandal Maker. :D
My mum made me eat a second round of food, spoiling my attempt to eat less.
And Dennis has slimmed down so much!! I feel envious of him. Boys, aren't they lucky? Although he initially claimed that he didn't do anything and just got skinnier naturally, after my constant questioning (more like pestering, really), he told me that he climbed lots of stairs for exercise. Sigh.
When we left, Dennis told me that I could start my mission to lose weight immediately - to use the stairs instead of the lift. I just brushed it off, saying that I would start tomorrow. Ivan and Dennis laughed when I said that. I guess it will be really difficult to lose any weight without exercise.
Labels: Mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifovies
Hint Hint Hint
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 9:10 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
A portion of the sole of my left foot has been hurting for the past few days.
Unlike most people who only have one flat foot, I have two instead. Sometimes I wonder if I should seriously consider the option of undergoing surgery. If I do intend to have that, now isthe time to do it, since it's holidays and I won't be able to walk for some time with a surgery on both feet. But I'm kind of afraid and arches don't help at all.
Maybe it's true that as one ages, the things one desires will change drastically. This will be my wish list for this year. I don't think anyone will buy me the CDs though...since it's not easy to get them here. But if you are serious in buying them for me, you can order them from Evangeline's friend, Eileena. Just ask Evan :D
And I think most will just forget my birthday. It was really ironic last year, the most of the people I expected to give me presents or wish me a 'happy birthday' didn't and those I least expected to did so for me. And this wish list is more for taking up a space in my post, rather than to coerce people into buying them for me since most won't.
Unlike most people who only have one flat foot, I have two instead. Sometimes I wonder if I should seriously consider the option of undergoing surgery. If I do intend to have that, now isthe time to do it, since it's holidays and I won't be able to walk for some time with a surgery on both feet. But I'm kind of afraid and arches don't help at all.
Maybe it's true that as one ages, the things one desires will change drastically. This will be my wish list for this year. I don't think anyone will buy me the CDs though...since it's not easy to get them here. But if you are serious in buying them for me, you can order them from Evangeline's friend, Eileena. Just ask Evan :D
And I think most will just forget my birthday. It was really ironic last year, the most of the people I expected to give me presents or wish me a 'happy birthday' didn't and those I least expected to did so for me. And this wish list is more for taking up a space in my post, rather than to coerce people into buying them for me since most won't.
This Birthday...
CD Albums/OSTs (if you want to buy them for me...)
Stuff
- You're Beautiful OST (A.N.JELL) - around SGD$20
- Brown Eyed Girls Repackage Album (Sign)
- A grey/olive/chocolate pageboy cap
- Cash!!!
- Accessories (bracelets/bangles/hair clips/hairbands/ear studs/rings)*
- Soft toy**
*For accessories, they must be unique, funky and cute. :D
** I don't like soft toys with coarse fur. Don't give me those snake stuff toys too.
Hint: I like TY and NICI
Please don't get me food unless you're treating me since I can be quite fussy.
Today's sectional was more or less focused on the Secondary Ones' singing techniques. They are improving and making good progress. In fact, I'm proud of them for making the effort to do so. :D
Lunch at Shokudo Food Bazaar at Raffles City with Rosi and Anna was fun and the saiyaki bento set was absolutely filling and delicious albeit a little pricey. We then browsed around the shops on the basement level. Papermarket is filled with lots of interesting, uncommon art materials. I would definitely go there again.
I haven't started on my actual holiday homework yet. I've only been doing the additional homework given during the lessons this week which are due within the same week too. D:
Let's hope I will be able to make good progress in my singing for choir and my homework... ...
Labels: Birthdays, choir, Crez chorale, School Days
I called You Butterfly
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 @ 5:19 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
My tablet PC has died on me.
It was still functioning fine when I used it to watch some Korean variety show and the first episode of the drama White Lies (하얀 거짓말 / Hayan Geojitmal). But when I switched it on again at night, it just refused to start up. And even when the screen managed to show something else aside from just a black screen, an error message would come up.
Since there was committee meeting this morning, I brought my tablet along for its check-up at the TA office. I've never seen the guy who tended to my tablet before though. Anyway, let's hope that my tablet will turn out just fine. I have to go back again tomorrow to check what's wrong with it.
Today's committee meeting is the first since the new committee got chosen. We did manage to discuss the things that needed immediate attention such as the open house and stuff. I'm getting a headache thinking of the repertoire for the event though. I really hope that the Secondary Ones will perform but they do not know as many songs as their seniors. Hmm.
You're Beautiful is a really good drama to watch. But I don't really like UEE's character. Or rather, I don't really like her - don't ask me why. Somehow I never really know how to appreciate her since her appearance. But considering that she hasn't got much acting experience, I think she is kind of good I guess.
It's funny that Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye are working together again though. The first time I saw them as a couple was the Etude kissing advertisement thingy. And the first time I saw both of them was in Tree of Heaven (Park Shin Hye) and DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo (Jang Geun Suk). I think they look kind of compatible and they sound good together anyway. Pity that they will be in a love triangle with that 'fake fairy' later on in the show. I really hope they wouldn't have something like Tae Kyung and Jemma/Mi Nam are long-lost siblings. I want the Tae Kyung x Jemma couple in the show please, and not the Tae Kyung x He Yi which kind of turns me off.
In almost every drama, there will be a love triangle. And almost every drama I watch, I tend to skip those parts with these love triangle stuff. I will rather watch the parts that the main lead will be with the character I like instead of the other. But I can see a Boys Over Flowers kind of relationship taking form in You're Beautiful too. There's Shin Woo who seems to want to be Jemma/Mi Nam's guardian angel and Tae Kyung who will slowly like her and care for her. And then there's the He Yi who will like Tae Kyung in turn and will most probably get jealous and fight for him since she will find out the Mi Nam is a girl in the following episode which should be released by this weekend.
Oh by the way, unlike most people, I never did support the Ji Hoo and Jandi pairing. Somehow I preferred Jandi with Jun Pyo all the way - but of course I did feel sorry for Ji Hoo.
Anyway, my main reason to watch this show was initially due to the presence of Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye actually. I know Hongki's also in the cast but I was interested mainly because of these two artistes since I've seen their acting and thought (and still think) that they act really well. But Hongki came as a bonus actually. His character, Jeremy, is as cute as him. I couldn't stop laughing at Hongki's expressions throughout the released episodes. I don't really think much of Shin Woo though. I find the character Shin Woo (not Jung Yong Hwa, the guy acting the character) too nice and a little boring. Somehow, I didn't really notice Jung Yong Hwa in CN Blue...But at least he looks great in the drama :D
I don't want tomorrow to come...It'll be doomsday...
Oh. Can anyone tell me the username for 3G1 class blog? I forgot D: And I need it to post some annoucements..
It was still functioning fine when I used it to watch some Korean variety show and the first episode of the drama White Lies (하얀 거짓말 / Hayan Geojitmal). But when I switched it on again at night, it just refused to start up. And even when the screen managed to show something else aside from just a black screen, an error message would come up.
Since there was committee meeting this morning, I brought my tablet along for its check-up at the TA office. I've never seen the guy who tended to my tablet before though. Anyway, let's hope that my tablet will turn out just fine. I have to go back again tomorrow to check what's wrong with it.
Today's committee meeting is the first since the new committee got chosen. We did manage to discuss the things that needed immediate attention such as the open house and stuff. I'm getting a headache thinking of the repertoire for the event though. I really hope that the Secondary Ones will perform but they do not know as many songs as their seniors. Hmm.
You're Beautiful is a really good drama to watch. But I don't really like UEE's character. Or rather, I don't really like her - don't ask me why. Somehow I never really know how to appreciate her since her appearance. But considering that she hasn't got much acting experience, I think she is kind of good I guess.
It's funny that Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye are working together again though. The first time I saw them as a couple was the Etude kissing advertisement thingy. And the first time I saw both of them was in Tree of Heaven (Park Shin Hye) and DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo (Jang Geun Suk). I think they look kind of compatible and they sound good together anyway. Pity that they will be in a love triangle with that 'fake fairy' later on in the show. I really hope they wouldn't have something like Tae Kyung and Jemma/Mi Nam are long-lost siblings. I want the Tae Kyung x Jemma couple in the show please, and not the Tae Kyung x He Yi which kind of turns me off.
In almost every drama, there will be a love triangle. And almost every drama I watch, I tend to skip those parts with these love triangle stuff. I will rather watch the parts that the main lead will be with the character I like instead of the other. But I can see a Boys Over Flowers kind of relationship taking form in You're Beautiful too. There's Shin Woo who seems to want to be Jemma/Mi Nam's guardian angel and Tae Kyung who will slowly like her and care for her. And then there's the He Yi who will like Tae Kyung in turn and will most probably get jealous and fight for him since she will find out the Mi Nam is a girl in the following episode which should be released by this weekend.
Oh by the way, unlike most people, I never did support the Ji Hoo and Jandi pairing. Somehow I preferred Jandi with Jun Pyo all the way - but of course I did feel sorry for Ji Hoo.
Anyway, my main reason to watch this show was initially due to the presence of Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye actually. I know Hongki's also in the cast but I was interested mainly because of these two artistes since I've seen their acting and thought (and still think) that they act really well. But Hongki came as a bonus actually. His character, Jeremy, is as cute as him. I couldn't stop laughing at Hongki's expressions throughout the released episodes. I don't really think much of Shin Woo though. I find the character Shin Woo (not Jung Yong Hwa, the guy acting the character) too nice and a little boring. Somehow, I didn't really notice Jung Yong Hwa in CN Blue...But at least he looks great in the drama :D
I don't want tomorrow to come...It'll be doomsday...
Oh. Can anyone tell me the username for 3G1 class blog? I forgot D: And I need it to post some annoucements..
Labels: Kpop, School Days
Ding Ding Ding
Saturday, October 17, 2009 @ 11:22 am leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
It's been quite a while since I last played the guitar.
I finally went through the music sheet that my teacher sent me through mail. It felt kind of good to play chords - at least this piece doesn't require me to strum for the chords. I just have to remember to hit the strings with the back of my fingernails every second and fourth beat. :D
I'm playing More Than Words by the way - well, only the intro actually, since the teacher only sent me that part. I guess the more difficult parts will come tomorrow when I go for the lesson.
However, my fingers and muscles hurt now since I haven't been practising much...it hurts to type.
SHINee's 링딩동 (Ring Ding Dong) music video has finally been uploaded onto YouTube by SM!
I think they look much better in the MV than in their Comeback Stage performance on Music Bank last night. Minho and Taemin's permed hair looked quite awful on Music Bank. Their hairstyles look tons better in the MV. Onew looked better during Juliette's period.
I guess Jonghyun and Key are the ones that look much better than during the Juliette promotion period. I really love Key's outlook. Those violet streaks and maroon tinting on his hair really makes him look so cool. It almost made me swoon hahaha.
I still remember my surprise and delight when SuJu came back in the first half of the year too: Eunhyuk looked (and still looks) really cool with his new hair style and the eyeliner. I prefer Donghae with straight hair though...too bad it was permed after that.
Oh and I realise I'd forgotten to mention about F.T. Island's Raining MV. I really like Jaejin's singing! And it's great that Jaejin has finally shed that geeky outlook: Gone are the black-framed glasses and bowl cut. I hope he lets his hair grow a little longer. The rest look as good too, like they always do. And this is the first time I listened to their Japanese songs too. I usually just listen and watch their Korean releases.
Strangely, it's quite the opposite for TVXQ. I started listening to Tohoshinki and bought their Japanese releases. It was only in the second year of knowing them that I started listening to their Korean songs although I knew they were a Korean male group from the start.
This morning, as I was rubbing my hair dry with my towel, a loose thread got caught with my right ear stud. Unfortunately, I didn't realise it and just pulled my towel away. My ear lobe hurt quite a bit after that. Otherwise, I think both sides are healing quite nicely. I don't really know how to clean though. All I do is to try to spread the alcohol around the stud and pull and twist the studs. Let's just hope I won't get ear infection.
I watched thirteen episodes of Shining Inheritance/Brilliant Legacy yesterday. However, I still have another thirteen more episodes to go till the end. Somehow, Han Hyo Joo resembles Song Hye Gyo at certain angles. Both are as pretty though. =]
I finally went through the music sheet that my teacher sent me through mail. It felt kind of good to play chords - at least this piece doesn't require me to strum for the chords. I just have to remember to hit the strings with the back of my fingernails every second and fourth beat. :D
I'm playing More Than Words by the way - well, only the intro actually, since the teacher only sent me that part. I guess the more difficult parts will come tomorrow when I go for the lesson.
However, my fingers and muscles hurt now since I haven't been practising much...it hurts to type.
SHINee's 링딩동 (Ring Ding Dong) music video has finally been uploaded onto YouTube by SM!
I think they look much better in the MV than in their Comeback Stage performance on Music Bank last night. Minho and Taemin's permed hair looked quite awful on Music Bank. Their hairstyles look tons better in the MV. Onew looked better during Juliette's period.
I guess Jonghyun and Key are the ones that look much better than during the Juliette promotion period. I really love Key's outlook. Those violet streaks and maroon tinting on his hair really makes him look so cool. It almost made me swoon hahaha.
I still remember my surprise and delight when SuJu came back in the first half of the year too: Eunhyuk looked (and still looks) really cool with his new hair style and the eyeliner. I prefer Donghae with straight hair though...too bad it was permed after that.
Oh and I realise I'd forgotten to mention about F.T. Island's Raining MV. I really like Jaejin's singing! And it's great that Jaejin has finally shed that geeky outlook: Gone are the black-framed glasses and bowl cut. I hope he lets his hair grow a little longer. The rest look as good too, like they always do. And this is the first time I listened to their Japanese songs too. I usually just listen and watch their Korean releases.
Strangely, it's quite the opposite for TVXQ. I started listening to Tohoshinki and bought their Japanese releases. It was only in the second year of knowing them that I started listening to their Korean songs although I knew they were a Korean male group from the start.
This morning, as I was rubbing my hair dry with my towel, a loose thread got caught with my right ear stud. Unfortunately, I didn't realise it and just pulled my towel away. My ear lobe hurt quite a bit after that. Otherwise, I think both sides are healing quite nicely. I don't really know how to clean though. All I do is to try to spread the alcohol around the stud and pull and twist the studs. Let's just hope I won't get ear infection.
I watched thirteen episodes of Shining Inheritance/Brilliant Legacy yesterday. However, I still have another thirteen more episodes to go till the end. Somehow, Han Hyo Joo resembles Song Hye Gyo at certain angles. Both are as pretty though. =]
Pu-su
Thursday, October 15, 2009 @ 9:47 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I've already posted once today but I wanted to post about this:
I finally pierced my ears. I went to the Goldheart branch at Tampines Mall this evening and got it done. It hurts though. Oh well, Yimin said it should stop hurting that much after a week.
I finally pierced my ears. I went to the Goldheart branch at Tampines Mall this evening and got it done. It hurts though. Oh well, Yimin said it should stop hurting that much after a week.
생일 축하합니다
@ 2:09 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Happy birthday to Fishy Donghae! 생일 축하합니다~
I think I'm the only one who didn't go out after the examinations. Well, I couldn't find anyone to go out with and I didn't plan anything D:
My last paper ended this morning. I kind of sympathise with those who need to go back to school tomorrow to take the Chinese Literature paper. It's great to go home earlier than those History students today too.
Before the doomed day for the release of the papers next week, I shall immerse myself in my Kdramas - You're Beautiful and Shining Inheritance (!!!) - and my Super Show concert DVD which has been lying in under my textbooks (Suju!!!!!!~)
Ahhh~ It would be nice to be able to have the holidays start next week... ...
One more day to SHINee's comeback on Music Bank!!! They really went through a radical change...
I think I'm the only one who didn't go out after the examinations. Well, I couldn't find anyone to go out with and I didn't plan anything D:
My last paper ended this morning. I kind of sympathise with those who need to go back to school tomorrow to take the Chinese Literature paper. It's great to go home earlier than those History students today too.
Before the doomed day for the release of the papers next week, I shall immerse myself in my Kdramas - You're Beautiful and Shining Inheritance (!!!) - and my Super Show concert DVD which has been lying in under my textbooks (Suju!!!!!!~)
Ahhh~ It would be nice to be able to have the holidays start next week... ...
One more day to SHINee's comeback on Music Bank!!! They really went through a radical change...
Labels: Birthdays, Kpop, School Days
Lying in the wait.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 @ 4:38 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
A little more...
Today; Ring Ding Dong's digital release...
Tomorrow; one more paper...
Two more days for SHINee's comeback stage...
Five more days to SHINee's 3rd Mini-Album, 2009, Year of Us release...
End of this month, F.T. Island's Double Date [One Date and Two Date]
Today; Ring Ding Dong's digital release...
Tomorrow; one more paper...
Two more days for SHINee's comeback stage...
Five more days to SHINee's 3rd Mini-Album, 2009, Year of Us release...
End of this month, F.T. Island's Double Date [One Date and Two Date]
Labels: Kpop, School Days
Exile in a Cold Land
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:24 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Exile in a Cold Land
-Goh Poh Seng
From The Girl from Ermita and Selected Poems: 1961-1998, 1998
In a winter air when bare trees
inlay calligraphics in the sky,
snow flutters perhaps
from a grey distance,
and trailed by his own voice,
a lone man walks,
afraid of being smothered,
immured in a white universe.
Night by night he threatens
to jettison the stars,
evict them in tumbles
as snow from a frozen sky,
else dreams the thin-sheeted ice
cracks beneath his feet,
fragile as a brief handshake.
-Goh Poh Seng
From The Girl from Ermita and Selected Poems: 1961-1998, 1998
Labels: Extracts; anecdotes; quotes
Please look after me!~
Thursday, September 24, 2009 @ 9:12 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I'm quite surprised and happy with the new committee positions.
I was really happy that others think that I can be a good and capable leader.
A heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who has congratulated me. I will definitely work harder and prove that I am a responsible person and help the rest of the committee.
To the new members of our committee, each of you were chosen with great consideration by the old committee. Welcome to the group and don't forget to work hard~ /(^^)/
May all of us work together as a great team!
I was really happy that others think that I can be a good and capable leader.
A heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who has congratulated me. I will definitely work harder and prove that I am a responsible person and help the rest of the committee.
To the new members of our committee, each of you were chosen with great consideration by the old committee. Welcome to the group and don't forget to work hard~ /(^^)/
May all of us work together as a great team!
Labels: choir, Crez chorale
All the way
Saturday, September 19, 2009 @ 2:12 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I've just changed my blogskin...it's been a long time since I changed it...
It's three weeks left to the final exams...
I must reduce the time I spent on reading entertainment news on the net and watching videos TT T TT T TT
It's three weeks left to the final exams...
I must reduce the time I spent on reading entertainment news on the net and watching videos TT T TT T TT
どけ，どけ，どけ！どこ，どこ，どこ？
Wednesday, September 09, 2009 @ 11:27 am leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
It's been eons since my last post.
Up till now, the new choir committee has not been chosen yet. We will only know the new positions for certain people next week. And we are the last CCA in school which has not done so. The new committee will only have to work till April next year then...I don't really think my position will change much though D:
My guitar playing has been really bad this few weeks. I honestly dislike playing the solo version of Canon in D. The guitar examination will be held this coming Saturday. Good luck to those taking it. I, for one, am relieved that I'd chosen not to apply for it. I don't have any confidence in my guitar playing - it's much easier to sing instead.
The past two days of choir practice were spent on learning Ant's Summer / Ari no Natsu / 蟻の夏 by Ko Matsushita. I think it's quite a quirky and lively song. It's a difficult piece though. Much tougher than Salve Regina by Kocsar Miklos , which we are also singing currently. Still, it seems that these are hyperactive and complex ants we are singing about here. I find it kind of catchy and likeable though.
Up till now, the new choir committee has not been chosen yet. We will only know the new positions for certain people next week. And we are the last CCA in school which has not done so. The new committee will only have to work till April next year then...I don't really think my position will change much though D:
My guitar playing has been really bad this few weeks. I honestly dislike playing the solo version of Canon in D. The guitar examination will be held this coming Saturday. Good luck to those taking it. I, for one, am relieved that I'd chosen not to apply for it. I don't have any confidence in my guitar playing - it's much easier to sing instead.
The past two days of choir practice were spent on learning Ant's Summer / Ari no Natsu / 蟻の夏 by Ko Matsushita. I think it's quite a quirky and lively song. It's a difficult piece though. Much tougher than Salve Regina by Kocsar Miklos , which we are also singing currently. Still, it seems that these are hyperactive and complex ants we are singing about here. I find it kind of catchy and likeable though.
Labels: choir, Crez chorale
A Long Long Time Ago
Saturday, August 15, 2009 @ 9:39 am leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
It sure is good that Common Tests are over now. However, the workload does not drop in any way.
With eLearning in the way, there's a whole lot of lesson packages to be done online and synchronised lessons to endure. I've never been able to figure out the effectiveness of these lessons...Everyone will try to type at the same time and it's a big mess in the end. In some ways, iMedia seems like a Facebook look-a-like although there are no games and very much less interaction. VGLF can seem like Windows Live Messenger at times too - however, teachers are able to check our screens and lock them.
I just changed my mobile on Wednesday. Since my Nokia 6300 model is really old and the side is breaking apart, my mum encouraged me to change it too. And my contract had already finished three months ago. So now, I have the phone which I was eyeing at the start of the year: LG Ice Cream KF350. It's not as new but at least it's not as expensive as the LG Crystal model which costs a whopping $400 plus which is over my so-called budget for phones.
It's a pity though, that they didn't have any blue in stock. I got the white model since pink seemed too common. And the mobile's pretty =DD
I'm still wondering if I should buy SHINee's second Mini-album which has six songs. But I really want the songs Romeo+Juliette and Senorita. Those two are lovely. Or maybe they will come out with another full album at the end of the year since they will be doing promotions in Japan this time. Anyway, I'm most likely to buy SMTown 2009. SHINee, SuJu, DBSK!! Hahahaha.
With eLearning in the way, there's a whole lot of lesson packages to be done online and synchronised lessons to endure. I've never been able to figure out the effectiveness of these lessons...Everyone will try to type at the same time and it's a big mess in the end. In some ways, iMedia seems like a Facebook look-a-like although there are no games and very much less interaction. VGLF can seem like Windows Live Messenger at times too - however, teachers are able to check our screens and lock them.
I just changed my mobile on Wednesday. Since my Nokia 6300 model is really old and the side is breaking apart, my mum encouraged me to change it too. And my contract had already finished three months ago. So now, I have the phone which I was eyeing at the start of the year: LG Ice Cream KF350. It's not as new but at least it's not as expensive as the LG Crystal model which costs a whopping $400 plus which is over my so-called budget for phones.
It's a pity though, that they didn't have any blue in stock. I got the white model since pink seemed too common. And the mobile's pretty =DD
I'm still wondering if I should buy SHINee's second Mini-album which has six songs. But I really want the songs Romeo+Juliette and Senorita. Those two are lovely. Or maybe they will come out with another full album at the end of the year since they will be doing promotions in Japan this time. Anyway, I'm most likely to buy SMTown 2009. SHINee, SuJu, DBSK!! Hahahaha.
Labels: School Days
"EEK~", says the spider.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 @ 8:45 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I miss the holidays.
And I wish to continue watching my Korean dramas!!! D:
I find that this year's batch of Secondary three students are quite unlucky. Our seniors had to cover the topic of Mandarin MVs and illustrate some points in in. However, this year, our dear Mother Tongue department decided to subject our batch to a more challenging project: Getting to be a news anchor. I know this can be beneficial to us since it forces us to practise our oratorical skills. But, Mandarin news anchor? D:
And I wish to continue watching my Korean dramas!!! D:
I find that this year's batch of Secondary three students are quite unlucky. Our seniors had to cover the topic of Mandarin MVs and illustrate some points in in. However, this year, our dear Mother Tongue department decided to subject our batch to a more challenging project: Getting to be a news anchor. I know this can be beneficial to us since it forces us to practise our oratorical skills. But, Mandarin news anchor? D:
Labels: School Days
Dango Family
Monday, July 06, 2009 @ 8:30 am leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
It's just a one day holiday, but it's much better than nothing. I suddenly feel thankful for Youth Day this year.
So it's back to school once more:
Homework, projects and lessons are piling up. Free time has been greatly reduced. Sleep deprivation has started to make its presence felt. The scheduler is getting filled again.
Ohhh, how I miss the holidays.
One of my tablet batteries is spoilt. It can only last up to thirty minutes. And I don't think I can get the faulty battery replaced anytime soon since a lot of people have the same problem. The TAs just asked me to write down my particulars and the battery's serial number. D:
Yesterday's guitar lesson was per usual, everyone was pretty quiet. It was pretty amusing when it came to Kai Ming's and Cheng Meng's turn to play though. I think all of us have pretty much forgotten how soft Kai Ming plays since he had to stop playing due to his right hand injury last month. The teacher then said that his fingernails are too short to play that's why the sound produced is so soft. But the thing was: Kai Ming's fingernails are quite long. It was only when the teacher came nearer to inspect his nails did he understand why we were giggling. Kai Ming was also staring at his nails, thinking how much longer and sharper must they be. That was when the teacher corrected himself and asked him to play with more strength.
As for Cheng Meng, he forgot to bring his book, so he had to share with Owen. But because the song we were playing is a revision for the exam, he could memorise part of it. Till he had to stop halfway just to see what is the next bar. And he had to stick his head out to read from Owen's stand. It looked pretty comical.
After my class, my mum and I went to take a look at the annual Hokkaido Fair at Tampines Mall atrium. I bought a melon bun, Hanami dango, and Kinako kushi dango. It was quite a mistake though since I felt really full after eating all of them. My mum refused to eat them because they were too sweet for her. Sheesh.
Oh, in a bid to improve my Chinese language skills, if it is of any help at all, I have decided to have a Mandarin blog. Hahahahahah, let's see how long it can last!
So it's back to school once more:
Homework, projects and lessons are piling up. Free time has been greatly reduced. Sleep deprivation has started to make its presence felt. The scheduler is getting filled again.
Ohhh, how I miss the holidays.
One of my tablet batteries is spoilt. It can only last up to thirty minutes. And I don't think I can get the faulty battery replaced anytime soon since a lot of people have the same problem. The TAs just asked me to write down my particulars and the battery's serial number. D:
Yesterday's guitar lesson was per usual, everyone was pretty quiet. It was pretty amusing when it came to Kai Ming's and Cheng Meng's turn to play though. I think all of us have pretty much forgotten how soft Kai Ming plays since he had to stop playing due to his right hand injury last month. The teacher then said that his fingernails are too short to play that's why the sound produced is so soft. But the thing was: Kai Ming's fingernails are quite long. It was only when the teacher came nearer to inspect his nails did he understand why we were giggling. Kai Ming was also staring at his nails, thinking how much longer and sharper must they be. That was when the teacher corrected himself and asked him to play with more strength.
As for Cheng Meng, he forgot to bring his book, so he had to share with Owen. But because the song we were playing is a revision for the exam, he could memorise part of it. Till he had to stop halfway just to see what is the next bar. And he had to stick his head out to read from Owen's stand. It looked pretty comical.
After my class, my mum and I went to take a look at the annual Hokkaido Fair at Tampines Mall atrium. I bought a melon bun, Hanami dango, and Kinako kushi dango. It was quite a mistake though since I felt really full after eating all of them. My mum refused to eat them because they were too sweet for her. Sheesh.
Oh, in a bid to improve my Chinese language skills, if it is of any help at all, I have decided to have a Mandarin blog. Hahahahahah, let's see how long it can last!
Labels: guitar, School Days
Follow your pulse. Follow your heart.
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 9:54 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
'Dance, Subaru!' is a touching movie about a woman's passion for dance and the many obstacles in her path. It may sound cliche but I think the characters were portrayed very well in all aspects.
I vaguely remember a younger me pleading in vain with my mother in my bid to become a ballerina. Pity the only response I got from her was that I was too fat. I stopped any valiant attempts at unleashing my inner dancing self since then. Dancing is still an enjoyable activity when I get the rare opportunity to do it though.
Saturday's lunch at Shokudo thereafter ended on a sour note unfortunately. My mother was displeased with the staff's serving etiquette. I could only smile sympathetically while the poor guy listened to my mother's complaints. Her complaints were not totally unfounded however. It took them twenty-five minutes to take our orders and another twenty minutes to serve us. The waiter also forgot to give us our cutlery and we did not get any serviettes. Most appalling fact was that they forgot to serve us our dessert after the main course. Which was why I did not try to help or argue with my mother while she unleashed her frustrations onto the poor soul. It was the wrong person she scolded though. The one who 'promised' to serve us vanished after that and we had to get another person to take our order. That poor guy had many other orders and if I'm not wrong, he'd asked his colleague to take over. Someone who displayed a suitably unprofessional working etiquette that caused my mother to start fuming. The least they could do was to apologise profusely and deduct the service charge from the total cost of our meal. At least their food was good.
Guitar lesson yesterday was alright I guess. I somehow managed to miss that 'F' note in the last few bars though. The teacher also taught us how to tune our guitars by the ear even though he went through that two years ago if my memory serves well enough. This was the first time he tested us on it though. I took some time because I kind of got mixed up and ended up tuning to the wrong string although I got it sorted on my own in the end.
I immediately proposed for us to start from the other end of the class instead so that I could buy some time before my turn. Cheng Meng's rasgueado was really good. And Gabriel was also pretty good at it and could play it at the normal tempo. He really is good I guess, since he is supposed to be one grade above all of us. I did alright at my turn although I got lost halfway and had to start all over again. Tammy had a little difficulty with the 'aggressive' sound thing that applies to all flamenco pieces. Somehow, Soon Yee and I could not stop laughing once Ji Xuan (I think that's his name) played. It was such a contrast. He was playing it too aggressively in my opinion. I was a little afraid that the strings would snap. I felt kind of bad for laughing though.
I also went to Bugis after this morning's classes with Mandy and Jolene. With more than two hours to kill before the movie, we went to Takashimaya after buying our tickets. Also, due to the limited choice of movies to watch, we ended up watching 'Monsters VS Aliens'. Lunch at Mos Burger was going along pretty much normally until Mandy almost threw down the plastic basket that Mos Burger provides for its set meals. She didn't know they were not disposable and were reusable, much to our chagrin.
A huge portion of time was spent at Kinokuniya, whereby Mandy held a great internal debate as to whether she should buy the new manga.
Although we were initially shocked at our choice of movie too, it must be said that the movie was nice to watch. There was a great sense of humor in the plot and the dialogue between the characters. Especially the last part whereby the blue blob was confused as to who Derrick first dated. Pfft.
I vaguely remember a younger me pleading in vain with my mother in my bid to become a ballerina. Pity the only response I got from her was that I was too fat. I stopped any valiant attempts at unleashing my inner dancing self since then. Dancing is still an enjoyable activity when I get the rare opportunity to do it though.
Saturday's lunch at Shokudo thereafter ended on a sour note unfortunately. My mother was displeased with the staff's serving etiquette. I could only smile sympathetically while the poor guy listened to my mother's complaints. Her complaints were not totally unfounded however. It took them twenty-five minutes to take our orders and another twenty minutes to serve us. The waiter also forgot to give us our cutlery and we did not get any serviettes. Most appalling fact was that they forgot to serve us our dessert after the main course. Which was why I did not try to help or argue with my mother while she unleashed her frustrations onto the poor soul. It was the wrong person she scolded though. The one who 'promised' to serve us vanished after that and we had to get another person to take our order. That poor guy had many other orders and if I'm not wrong, he'd asked his colleague to take over. Someone who displayed a suitably unprofessional working etiquette that caused my mother to start fuming. The least they could do was to apologise profusely and deduct the service charge from the total cost of our meal. At least their food was good.
Guitar lesson yesterday was alright I guess. I somehow managed to miss that 'F' note in the last few bars though. The teacher also taught us how to tune our guitars by the ear even though he went through that two years ago if my memory serves well enough. This was the first time he tested us on it though. I took some time because I kind of got mixed up and ended up tuning to the wrong string although I got it sorted on my own in the end.
I immediately proposed for us to start from the other end of the class instead so that I could buy some time before my turn. Cheng Meng's rasgueado was really good. And Gabriel was also pretty good at it and could play it at the normal tempo. He really is good I guess, since he is supposed to be one grade above all of us. I did alright at my turn although I got lost halfway and had to start all over again. Tammy had a little difficulty with the 'aggressive' sound thing that applies to all flamenco pieces. Somehow, Soon Yee and I could not stop laughing once Ji Xuan (I think that's his name) played. It was such a contrast. He was playing it too aggressively in my opinion. I was a little afraid that the strings would snap. I felt kind of bad for laughing though.
I also went to Bugis after this morning's classes with Mandy and Jolene. With more than two hours to kill before the movie, we went to Takashimaya after buying our tickets. Also, due to the limited choice of movies to watch, we ended up watching 'Monsters VS Aliens'. Lunch at Mos Burger was going along pretty much normally until Mandy almost threw down the plastic basket that Mos Burger provides for its set meals. She didn't know they were not disposable and were reusable, much to our chagrin.
A huge portion of time was spent at Kinokuniya, whereby Mandy held a great internal debate as to whether she should buy the new manga.
Although we were initially shocked at our choice of movie too, it must be said that the movie was nice to watch. There was a great sense of humor in the plot and the dialogue between the characters. Especially the last part whereby the blue blob was confused as to who Derrick first dated. Pfft.
Bumbling Lives
Tuesday, June 02, 2009 @ 9:36 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Yesterday's concert was good. ACJC choir has always been good from what I heard therefore it was not surprising that they performed well last night. And their concert booklet's cool! With the cover being lightly embossed at the side, it looks really stylish.
I spent the day doing homework at a snail's pace while chatting on MSN. Dinner at TCC with Yibin and Claudia was nice. The sandwich was really delicious albeit a tad too filling.
As for my guitar lessons, I was prepared to be relieved when we finally finish the entire Romance D'Amor piece - only to be intimidated by the new flamenco song we are required to learn. Rasgueado has always been my weakness. I am also dreading learning tremolo since it seems even more difficult to muster than rasgueado. And after doing rasgueado in most pieces, my fingernails are all scratched from the strumming since we are using the back of all our fingers instead of our index and thumb in normal strumming. I have a feeling that after this Sunday, we are going to move on to tremelo, finally, after one year. I must must must try my best for my rasgueado. It's the main reason why I always dread flamenco pieces. Hopefull my rhythm will be alright since I always get thrown off at each new bar. Good bye, my pink, flawless nails. Hello, scratched torn nails. My fingernails have always been my sacrifice for classical guitar playing and I think it's pretty much the same for the rest of those who are learning too.
I was overjoyed upon learning that we are learning 'You Raise Me Up' by, one of my favourite singers, Josh Groban!! Of course, we are singing the choral and not the pop version and hence the rhythm is quite different. But it is indeed a much better song to sing than 'Kalinka' since we still have problems with the dynamics for that song.
I spent the day doing homework at a snail's pace while chatting on MSN. Dinner at TCC with Yibin and Claudia was nice. The sandwich was really delicious albeit a tad too filling.
As for my guitar lessons, I was prepared to be relieved when we finally finish the entire Romance D'Amor piece - only to be intimidated by the new flamenco song we are required to learn. Rasgueado has always been my weakness. I am also dreading learning tremolo since it seems even more difficult to muster than rasgueado. And after doing rasgueado in most pieces, my fingernails are all scratched from the strumming since we are using the back of all our fingers instead of our index and thumb in normal strumming. I have a feeling that after this Sunday, we are going to move on to tremelo, finally, after one year. I must must must try my best for my rasgueado. It's the main reason why I always dread flamenco pieces. Hopefull my rhythm will be alright since I always get thrown off at each new bar. Good bye, my pink, flawless nails. Hello, scratched torn nails. My fingernails have always been my sacrifice for classical guitar playing and I think it's pretty much the same for the rest of those who are learning too.
I was overjoyed upon learning that we are learning 'You Raise Me Up' by, one of my favourite singers, Josh Groban!! Of course, we are singing the choral and not the pop version and hence the rhythm is quite different. But it is indeed a much better song to sing than 'Kalinka' since we still have problems with the dynamics for that song.
Labels: choir, guitar, School Days
To Serve, To Strive, And Not To Yield.
Friday, May 15, 2009 @ 8:00 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Day One
I was the third to arrive in school as I took a taxi there. Everyone was in a mess at first since we didn't know where to assemble, according to our watch numbers. After gathering into our respective groupings, it was temperature taking, before we all set off for the Outward Bound Singapore Reception Centre. There, we were separated into Camp1 and Camp2. Camp 1 got to leave first.
After letting us know our watches' names, we split up and gathered with our respective instructors. Our watch is Columbus and Jasmine had us take a photo together after introducing ourselves and then taking the boat to Pulau Ubin.
I was one of the few to stay behind to share the boat part of another watch: Hilary, since there must be at least one instructor on board. Faisal then told us that Columbus, Cheng Ho and Hilary will be buddy teams and commented on the landmarks on the shoreline. However, I couldn't hear what he was saying over the sound of the boat's engine and I was also sitting the fartherst from him.
After meeting Jasmine at the jetty, we went to put our bags down at Block 5 and did a few ice breakers. There was this game whereby we had to link arms and transfer the loop of rope one round within the time limit. After that, we counted the equipment from our store and dumped our bags inside too. We then changed into longs for kayaking. Jasmine brought us to the tri-yaks area and showed us the paddling strokes. After making sure that we got the correct paddles, it started to rain heavily. We had to wait for a while before heading out since there was lightning.
When we first entered the water, I was really scared even though we were wearing life vests. Everyone got into a circle, held hands and went down, till all of us were wet. After that, we got into our tri-yaks. Since there are six out of fifteen non-swimmers, our tri-yak had only one swimmer: Lim Min; and Vidya and me. Capsize drills were done twice, once near the shore and another time further out. Each time we needed to do the capsize drills, our tri-yak just wouldn't capsize till the fifth or sixth try. And when we didn't need to capsize, we capsized. That was because we had to grab on to everyone's tri-yaks and align ourselves together, and stand up one by one on our tri-yaks. We did manage to do it actually, just that after a minute things start to get really wobbly and my tri-yak was the first to capsize since we were right at the side. Since we didn't hand over our water bottles and spectacles like what we did for our capsize drills, we had to struggle to find our paddles, yet hold on to our stuff. My shoes also posed a huge problem since the left side is too loose. Jasmine had to pull my shoe out of the water and search for the other one for me.
After that, we got back and hauled the tri-yaks up again and stack them up, with our life vests on top. We then had to cook our dinner after a quick shower. There were many insects in the bathroom but I guess it was quite fine since it was clean. After dinner, we had to wash up and clear the trash. Then Jasmine asked us all to gather at the multi-purpose hall to learn how to set up the tent for the night. Midway, there was a fire drill and we had to rush to the sea parade to assemble. However, we forgot to report our watch strength to the one in charge- this guy called Andy. And he was a little disappointed that all of the watches took eleven minutes, which is too long, just to assemble there. I think we were one of the last few watches to go down to pitch our tents at the bottom of the slope behind the instructors' area since Hilary and Cheng Ho were much faster. I kind of went to sleep after a long while. I was too lazy to take out my sleeping bag.
Day Two
Throughout the night, I could hear music and maybe a wild boar. Pearly and Charmaine are sound sleepers so it was alright sleeping in between them. I could sense Liping tossing and turning at the other end of the tent though. Our watch decided to take only three tents so that it will be more convenient for us to carry when we go for our sea expedition and land expeditions for this day till Thursday. Therefore, five people had to share a tent. Of course, it can get squeezy sometimes. After waking Pearly, Charmaine, Liping and Jia Ren, we went to brush our teeth and wash our face before going back down the slope to unpitch our tents. Columbus ate breakfast at the parade square once done with the tents parts and waited for Jasmine there. Jasmine, Faisal and Evan taught us the Dodo Dance, the Morning Greeting Game, and the Mingle Game. It was really fun playing with the people there. Cheng Ho, Columbus and Hilary form a mobile and they called us Camp 2 D.
After morning activities, we broke up into our separate watches again. We had our morning circle for our reflections. Columbus also had to pack our backpacks for our next three days since we have our sea and land expeditions. When we finally separated the tent parts, food bags and into everyone's bags so that no one has to be so pitiful as to carry one whole tent bag on her own (like what Raffles did to Deborah), and the Food I/Cs carried all the mess tins plus utensils and some had to carry all the ponchos in their bags. Therefore, most of us had to share bags. Like Lim Min placed all her personal tiems in my bag so that she can carry all the food. In the end, I think everyone's bags were really heavy. When we were loading our bags onto the boat later that afternoon, I heard someone complaining that mine was super heavy.We then moved on to the high elements once Jasmine ensured that we brought sufficient water and food supply.
The first activity we did was the Trust Fall. Everyone except Jia Ren had a go at it. I was kind of scared actually, since it was after all, falling backwards. But it seemed alright after falling: I mean, there were fourteen watch mates watching your back for you (literally). However, I think Jia Ren was really scared and just could not do it. We waited for her for about thirty to forty minutes. She still didn't in the end. Ah well. We then climbed up further to the other height elements stuff since time was running out.
First of all, we had to learn belaying. Wearing the harness, helmet and the belaying were not foreign to me since I remember what I did for Primary five. It was pretty much the same actually. Cheng Ho was already finishing up their rock-climbing by the time we reached the area. They got to leave first and went to sleep at block five with their backpacks. Lucky souls.
I chose to be the first climber for rock-climbing as I wanted to get it done and over with as soon as possible. It is really a fact that I am hopeless at rock-climbing. Utterly hopeless. I could only manage a little before I slipped and fell, shocking my belayer and even managed to slam into the rock wall many times. I only gave up after the third or fourth failed attempt though, since I really wanted to try. I also had to give up since I already had bruises from the rock wall and there were many people waiting down there too. I really think I do much much more better as a belayer. The roles anchorman and assistant belayer are kind of alright too.
Since we had to meet the rest of the mobile for our sea expedition, we went down after a while and packed our helmets and harnesses back into the store. Lunch was eaten at Block five with Cheng Ho asleep and Hilary being busy packing some stuff. Right after lunch, everyone helped to laod the bags onto the boat at the jetty. We also loaded our water bottles onto the tri-yaks, carried our paddles and launched the tri-yaks. I exchanged places with Jia Ying on the second day though. Since there were two non-swimmers, therefore we switched people and I shared another tri-yak with Yimin and Ting Hui from Hilary.
I found kayaking really fun actually. We had to make sure we don't go too near the coast line and rocks though. And we could not go past the channel as it was dangerous. The big waves sometimes threatened to capsize us but I got pretty used to it after a while. The big waves come in after ships by pass us. I really loved the teddy bear I saw on Evan's life jacket. I wonder where he got it. It's cute. We reached Kekek in the evening. It was tough carrying the tri-yaks up the steep slope to the clearing. There were also our bags to be sorted. I could not find my bag at first and had to walk around with Jasmine just to find it. First of all, we had to pitch our tents. We also changed into dry clothing in the tent. Our tent put our wet clothes atop the tent, hoping that at least, our pants will be drier the next morning.
Cooking was alright and quite an experience: we had to search for three stone slabs for our cooking fire. Only Cheng Ho brought their own solid fuel burner to cook. But that meant that they had to carry more stuff.
Eating was quite scary. We sat on some ponchos that were on the ground. Actually, come to think of it, those didn't seem to be our ponchos...they were Cheng Ho's. But at least they didn't notice, I hope. We ate while sitting on the ponchos and ants started coming fast once they saw food. That day's dinner was curry chicken instant noodles and some canned food I think. While we were eating, there were a few suspicious noises coming from the tall grass behind me. Lim Min said it could be a rattlesnake. That triggered quite an alarm in everyone. I decided to finish my food quickly although I burned my mouth in the process. Since I was too lazy to search in my bag for Lim Min's utensils, we shared my fork and spoon that night.
Of course, we had to clear up and wash our mess tins, cans and utensils in the sea. I was in charge of providing my torchlight. My torch was one of the brightest anyway. Going down and up the steep slope was still scary but it was kind of easier since I more or less knew how to maneuver myself. We then had to crush the cans with the stones since no one was wearing shoes. I realised that the cans with the brand Campbell needs a lot more effort to crush than the rest.
The instructors came over after the time we said we will finish up and ensured that our trash was disposed in the correct manner. We had to tie our plastic bags containing our trash to the fencing at Kekek. They pretty much left us alone before that - all of them went over to the other side where we can't see anything. Jasmine got us to arrange our bags on the tarp and wrapped all the bags up like a piece of popiah while the other two watches went on to their nightwalk first.
We were asked not to switch on our torches or say anything during the nightwalk. Unfortunately, I didn't see anything because I was so focused on keeping my eyes on Jac's slippers in the dark. We by-passed the other two watches in silences and just went back like that. Everyone was so afraid to get lost inside - especially Liping, since she was the last.
Once we got back, we could just go to sleep whereas the other watches had to cover their bags with their tarp - like what we had done. But there was still Faisal's bedtime story. It was about this guy, who went to the Mama shop. He saw this cocoon on his way and wanted to wait for the butterfly to emerge. However, because no butterfly emerged after he waited forty minutes- he even went into the Mama store and got what he wanted, he decided to help the butterfly out by force. The butterfly's wings were shriveled up when it came out and was eaten by a bird almost immediately. I heard this story before but I don't remember it including the Mama store part. Sometimes when we want to help someone, it doesn't help to make the party overly dependent. Therefore they wanted to make us more independent, lest we end up like the shriveled up butterfly.
While he was telling us the story, the captains in charge that day were discussing on which shift each watch and tent should take for sentry duty. Hilary got to go first followed by Columbus, and then Cheng Ho. Our tent's duty was from 0100am to 0150am. Cool, huh? Throughout the night, there was Malay disco slash karaoke music blaring from the Malaysian side. It didn't take much to ponder over the strength of their eardrums. I heard that they only ended the music at three plus in the morning. I also had my first experience pee-ing in the open during my night duty. Liping and I went together. It was scary actually, since you're not sure what animals there are out there. But I guess it's alright after all and there were two of us. I also had to wake the wrong tent after our shift. Oh well.
Day Three
Morning came and every tent was woken on time by Yibin's tent mates since they had the last sentry duty shift. I saw the same spider that I spotted on Cheng Ho's tarp during the sentry duty on the bag pack next to mine. Somehow, it travelled to our side. And it's pretty big, thereby inducing screams from those who saw it with me included. Breakfast was taken from our own food supply and everyone changed into their wet clothes once more after brushing their teeth.
We had morning games again. Such as the Earthquake, Forest, Hunter game, the Captain game and once again, the Dodo dance for our forfeit. Everyone had fun together. After the games, we separated into our watches for our usual morning circle whereby we wrote down the previous day's reflections onto our journals. It was quite nice, sitting on the ground, under the sun and trees. I had gotten used to the insects by then. I got bitten by a red ant while writing though.
We then started on rafting after the other two watches joined us at the quarry. Everyone helped out to shift the pipes, barrels and ropes for the rafting. Then they taught us the basic necessary tying techniques for the ropes and then left us to design and built our own raft within an hour. I had to ask Jasmine to take a look at my feet first though. Because my wet shoes creates a lot of friction inside due to its material and also because of the sandfly bites and blisters, my feet hurt to the point that they were numb. Turned out to be nothing serious, just that the bites and friction caused the severe pain. Faisal and Evan helped their watches a lot. Whereas Jasmine gave us minimal help. Although our raft was only just barely floating in the quarry later, while the other two rafts were actually floating in the right way, we still felt proud since it was our own creation and it was unique. Everyone wanted to swim in the quarry since it was freshwater - like an oasis in a desert since we didn't bathe. It took courage to take the giant step into the quarry at first as I do know that quarries are way deep. I really love life jackets now. Without them, I would never have a chance to do all these fun activities.
After getting clues to the next destination after Kekek which were hidden in a plastic bottle tied down by rocks in the quarry, we were allowed to submerge ourselves for three more minutes before dismantling our raft parts in the water. We had to watch out for the ropes as they were the only things that didn't float. Yibin then had to drag me back to shore since I really can't remember how to swim. We had to shift most of the things back to the equipment store once more and the bottoms of our wet attire turned dirty once more but I didn't really mind it as much after the refreshing dip. We met Juniper's watch by chance at Kekek's quarry when we returned to eat our lunch which we were told to put inside our life vest pockets. She was doing trekking I think. We didn't chat much and Camp 2 D had to plan our route for our next destination in our sea expedition. I let the other captain besides me, to do the job of the leader.
I think Jac really wanted to have the job anyway. They needed a navigator, who was Megan, and then two more leaders to guard the sides so that no one crosses them. Two more tri-yaks were selected to stay at the back with Jasmine to push the others onwards too. We had to launch the tri-yaks again with our water supply. It was lucky that I remembered to wear a cap since it was really sunny that day. We had to turn left and right through the mangrove swamps instead of the open sea this time. The first portage was this really muddy small, narrow trail. A few slipped on the mud. Once Yimin, Ting Hui and I reached the other side to launch our tri-yak yet again, Faisal helped to pull us down into the water. Maybe it was unintentional, maybe it was deliberate. But he actually pulled us to one side instead of just plainly pushing us down. We almost capsize and the thought of swampy water didn't really appeal to three of us. And we screamed. Evan could still lounge in his kayak and remarked to us that screaming will not help.
We didn't capsize in the end as we managed to regain our balance in time. We then had to go through a series of even narrower streams through the meander and tri-yaks collided frequently. The next and last portage we came to was a road. We had to once again, pull the tri-yak up. But this time, we pulled it under the road barricade, and climb over that road barricade, drag it in line with other tri-yaks on the other end before launching it again. It was quite fun. After that portage, it was mostly just the channel and the open sea once more.
Ting Hui wanted very much to give up and Yimin and I kept pushing her on. I think she got a tad fed-up with us. But once she saw Camp 2, she decided to push onwards.
Once we reached Camp 2, we had to wait for our turn to go up and carry our tri-yak. I volunteered immediately to wash the tri-yaks as my feet hurt too much to walk around carrying them. Another girl from Cheng Ho helped to hold on to the hose while I sprayed water at the tri-yaks. Besides me, Faisal and Evan were doing the same too and Jasmine was directing the others at the tri-yaks store area. After that, there was this long while whereby no one came back to carry any tri-yaks to us. Evan then sprayed at the girl and me. We didn't mind it at all though since we were already pretty wet.
It was a relief to use the toilet facilities in Camp 2 although we did not have any electricity except for the toilet and the instructors' area. That was why we had to cook in the dark. There were two cockroaches seen creeping around when we were cooking at Block 5 if I'm not wrong.
That was also the night Sabrina had an asthma attack. It was pretty scary because we could not find her inhaler in the dark at first. After that, we gave her some biscuits to eat at the side. The sardines triggered the attack, it seemed. Eating was done with our one hand occupied with the utensil and the other with the torchlight.
Camp 2 was not our campsite and destination for our expedition though. We were supposed to continue trekking a few more kilometres after kayaking before pitching our tents in some other place. However, due to a rule about not having any kayaking or trekking after 10pm, the instructors were given the no-go from their superiors. It was already ten plus at night by then so we just had to pitch our tents at the grassy area behind the instructors' area. Camp 2 D were the only ones at the whole campsite. Everyone was tired albeit a little happy about the toilet facilities. However, the instructors were not happy since it meant that we had to trek faster and more the following day. Like Faisal said, "This sucks."
Day Four
Morning was the usual, just that once again, there was actually a toilet to use. Columbus separated everything so that our bags were made lighter. However, Liping and I did not have ponchos. It was lucky that it didn't rain that day. I still remember asking Hilary and Cheng Ho if they have any more ponchos.
Cheng Ho and Hilary left first after their morning circle stuff and breakfast. Columbus arranged our bags first while Jasmine made sure we brought enough water. We also had to wait for Sabrina to come back from the medical centre since she was feeling better already. I wasn't feeling well in the morning though. Just after I climbed out of the tent that morning, I just flopped down on my tent. I couldn't help my watch mates arrange the tent parts properly after that because I was too dizzy to even stand and walk properly. It could be due to the fact that I didn't drink much the previous day since my temperature was only 35.9 degrees Celsius.
We welcomed Sabrina back and started on our Morning Circle while the rest of Camp 2 D left first. It was nice to have her back. We also went to the 100m mark near the toilet area to see our pace. My 100m was 78 paces and I volunteered to be the pacer since no one seemed to want the job. I didn't really want it too but I guess it was alright after all. I just counted when our two navigators, Jac and Lim Min needed me. Liping kept count with me at the beginning and then Wan Yu helped to keep track for me while I counted after Liping moved to chat with Natalia I think. We passed the German Girl Shrine and went to the top of the quarry. Yimin told me that their watch was faster because Faisal really guided Hilary along, whereas Jasmine pretty much left us alone during the land expedition and we had to find our own way. But it was really fun trekking I guess. There were several cyclists along the way. There was this guy who kept passing by us throughout the expedition as he was cycling with his group of friends around the island. He kept encouraging us: "Jiayou!", " You can do it!", "You all can do it!" and "Don't give up!"
At the highest point of the quarry, you could hear the echo of your shout vibrating throughout the whole island. The echos were amazing!
Also, Jac and Lim Min had this mosquito fanclub. For those who chose to wear their wet track pants from the day before, the mosquitoes were swarming to them. It was really a cloud of mosquitoes around their legs. However, those wearing shorts were bitten too, since they attacked us after we walked behind them.
Altogether, we had to trek around 14km and reached Camp 2 in the late afternoon, at five plus, after reaching the two checkpoints in the map. By then, the other two watches had already completed their land expedition.
Right after we finished our trek, Jasmine asked us to ask no questions and just follow her to the jetty for our last ever wet activity after putting down our bags at the toilet area. We got to do the jetty jump since we didn't get to do it on the first day due to the rain. Like the quarry jump, it did take courage to just jump once more. As I was really nervous at that time, I actually forgot to bless my watch for the last time before jumping off. You see, Jasmine has us all bless our watch every morning and for the jetty jump, we had to do the same before jumping off. But since I was so scared, I forgot all about it and just had to make do with declaring my love for Columbus in the sea.
It was high tide and there were many non-swimmers in our watch. As such, it was pretty difficult for the swimmers to pull all the non-swimmers around. Natalia and I did the heart-shaped thing for Marilyn in the water when she didn't dare to jump down at first. Afterwards, once everyone was down, we made a circle around Jasmine and hugged her in one go. We had to form a human chain to go up because the waves were strong and everyone was drifting further and further away.
The chain was broken once Sabrina felt fishes around her body and she clung to Shona like a koala bear to its mother. It was really funny and although everyone was scared that they were drfiting away once more, we were laughing too. Poor Jasmine had to drag us back and everyone held tighter after that. When it came to my turn to go up the ladder, a wave came up behind me and I got slammed against the barnacles on the ladder. My left shin was bleeding by the time I went up. It was sad once up on the jetty as it was the last water activity and the evening air was chilly.
Everyone hurried to bathe and started on our celebration dinner - also our last dinner together. Till now, I don't understand why Hilary and Cheng Ho always sit so tight with each other while Columbus is at one corner, isolated. Oh well. Our food wasn't as good as theirs but it was fun nevertheless. We had to make do with orange fondue which isn't really yummy as the combination tasted all wrong. Jasmine made the fondue out of all our milo packets. She used my spoon so I got to lick all the chocolate off my spoon afterwards. Our soup had too much garlic. It was seriously garlic overload.
Shona and I were fooling around while the others cook. We were calling each other vain. I was teasing Shona about how she wants to attract attention from the wrong gender while she teased me about attracting attention from the other side of the multi-purpose hall. Tsk, tsk. Because we were fooling about, I lost my balance and my slipper strap came off for my right foot. Shona fixed it for me before that but it still came off. Jasmine was really nice, she helped me fix it back after she cleaned my wound from being scraped against the barnacles with some antiseptic cream.
After washing up, we pitched our tents at the high elements area, which was around a hundred steps higher than the parade square. Before that, Evan and Faisal were lying on the ground at the Parade Square looking at the sky while everyone tidied their stuff. I understood why when I stared at the sky after pitching the tent. It was clear that night and the sky was strewn with stars. It was the first time I saw so many stars in the sky. It was lovely. Really.
A lot of people shouted for everyone to keep quiet that night since there were a few who could not stop talking in their tents. Some said it was Armstrong and not our three watches. Who knows. But it was quite sad: Our last night together.
Day Five
Everyone got to to see our instructors sleeping in hammocks. It was really cute, seeing those cocoon-like things hung in front on the instructors' area. We proceeded to unpitch the tents after washing up our faces and brushing our teeth. Jasmine asked us to shift our bags out to the old rock wall in the Parade Square after breakfast. We split the duties between us and I was in charge of the helmets, lifevests and whistles plus the map and compasses. In the end, we lost a camping and had to beg for a compass from Armstrong. As for the map...Well, it was really lost.
Cheng Ho actually lost their cooking pot cover. I found it lying on some random place - I think it was the washing area - on the first night. I just washed it, put it into our watch's store and forgot all about it until I realise that the cover should be theirs. Alas, Columbus had to pay for two missing items: the map and a camping stick which cost a total of $10. Everyone had to pay sixty-five-cent.
The last activity we did was the dive thing. We had to climb up and dive to reach the bell while fourteen others held the sheet below for us to fall onto. Jac was the only one who could touch the bell though. The rest of us just touch it afterwards although it could be cheating I guess. We were supposed to say our goals before leaping forward. Mine was to be braver in facing challenges.
Morning circle was sad and we had to throw this ball of cotton twine around our circle. Once we had the ball, we had to state our best experience and worst experience, together we what we'd learnt from OBS. I love kayaking and trekking the most. I learned so much that it seems difficult to list everything down in one shot.
To end off, I really love OBS. It brought new experiences to me. In fact, I really love the outdoors now. It's just magical. Discoveries about one's self were made there and from the camp, comes the willingness to strive.
There's something about OBS that stays with you for life!
I was the third to arrive in school as I took a taxi there. Everyone was in a mess at first since we didn't know where to assemble, according to our watch numbers. After gathering into our respective groupings, it was temperature taking, before we all set off for the Outward Bound Singapore Reception Centre. There, we were separated into Camp1 and Camp2. Camp 1 got to leave first.
After letting us know our watches' names, we split up and gathered with our respective instructors. Our watch is Columbus and Jasmine had us take a photo together after introducing ourselves and then taking the boat to Pulau Ubin.
I was one of the few to stay behind to share the boat part of another watch: Hilary, since there must be at least one instructor on board. Faisal then told us that Columbus, Cheng Ho and Hilary will be buddy teams and commented on the landmarks on the shoreline. However, I couldn't hear what he was saying over the sound of the boat's engine and I was also sitting the fartherst from him.
After meeting Jasmine at the jetty, we went to put our bags down at Block 5 and did a few ice breakers. There was this game whereby we had to link arms and transfer the loop of rope one round within the time limit. After that, we counted the equipment from our store and dumped our bags inside too. We then changed into longs for kayaking. Jasmine brought us to the tri-yaks area and showed us the paddling strokes. After making sure that we got the correct paddles, it started to rain heavily. We had to wait for a while before heading out since there was lightning.
When we first entered the water, I was really scared even though we were wearing life vests. Everyone got into a circle, held hands and went down, till all of us were wet. After that, we got into our tri-yaks. Since there are six out of fifteen non-swimmers, our tri-yak had only one swimmer: Lim Min; and Vidya and me. Capsize drills were done twice, once near the shore and another time further out. Each time we needed to do the capsize drills, our tri-yak just wouldn't capsize till the fifth or sixth try. And when we didn't need to capsize, we capsized. That was because we had to grab on to everyone's tri-yaks and align ourselves together, and stand up one by one on our tri-yaks. We did manage to do it actually, just that after a minute things start to get really wobbly and my tri-yak was the first to capsize since we were right at the side. Since we didn't hand over our water bottles and spectacles like what we did for our capsize drills, we had to struggle to find our paddles, yet hold on to our stuff. My shoes also posed a huge problem since the left side is too loose. Jasmine had to pull my shoe out of the water and search for the other one for me.
After that, we got back and hauled the tri-yaks up again and stack them up, with our life vests on top. We then had to cook our dinner after a quick shower. There were many insects in the bathroom but I guess it was quite fine since it was clean. After dinner, we had to wash up and clear the trash. Then Jasmine asked us all to gather at the multi-purpose hall to learn how to set up the tent for the night. Midway, there was a fire drill and we had to rush to the sea parade to assemble. However, we forgot to report our watch strength to the one in charge- this guy called Andy. And he was a little disappointed that all of the watches took eleven minutes, which is too long, just to assemble there. I think we were one of the last few watches to go down to pitch our tents at the bottom of the slope behind the instructors' area since Hilary and Cheng Ho were much faster. I kind of went to sleep after a long while. I was too lazy to take out my sleeping bag.
Day Two
Throughout the night, I could hear music and maybe a wild boar. Pearly and Charmaine are sound sleepers so it was alright sleeping in between them. I could sense Liping tossing and turning at the other end of the tent though. Our watch decided to take only three tents so that it will be more convenient for us to carry when we go for our sea expedition and land expeditions for this day till Thursday. Therefore, five people had to share a tent. Of course, it can get squeezy sometimes. After waking Pearly, Charmaine, Liping and Jia Ren, we went to brush our teeth and wash our face before going back down the slope to unpitch our tents. Columbus ate breakfast at the parade square once done with the tents parts and waited for Jasmine there. Jasmine, Faisal and Evan taught us the Dodo Dance, the Morning Greeting Game, and the Mingle Game. It was really fun playing with the people there. Cheng Ho, Columbus and Hilary form a mobile and they called us Camp 2 D.
After morning activities, we broke up into our separate watches again. We had our morning circle for our reflections. Columbus also had to pack our backpacks for our next three days since we have our sea and land expeditions. When we finally separated the tent parts, food bags and into everyone's bags so that no one has to be so pitiful as to carry one whole tent bag on her own (like what Raffles did to Deborah), and the Food I/Cs carried all the mess tins plus utensils and some had to carry all the ponchos in their bags. Therefore, most of us had to share bags. Like Lim Min placed all her personal tiems in my bag so that she can carry all the food. In the end, I think everyone's bags were really heavy. When we were loading our bags onto the boat later that afternoon, I heard someone complaining that mine was super heavy.We then moved on to the high elements once Jasmine ensured that we brought sufficient water and food supply.
The first activity we did was the Trust Fall. Everyone except Jia Ren had a go at it. I was kind of scared actually, since it was after all, falling backwards. But it seemed alright after falling: I mean, there were fourteen watch mates watching your back for you (literally). However, I think Jia Ren was really scared and just could not do it. We waited for her for about thirty to forty minutes. She still didn't in the end. Ah well. We then climbed up further to the other height elements stuff since time was running out.
First of all, we had to learn belaying. Wearing the harness, helmet and the belaying were not foreign to me since I remember what I did for Primary five. It was pretty much the same actually. Cheng Ho was already finishing up their rock-climbing by the time we reached the area. They got to leave first and went to sleep at block five with their backpacks. Lucky souls.
I chose to be the first climber for rock-climbing as I wanted to get it done and over with as soon as possible. It is really a fact that I am hopeless at rock-climbing. Utterly hopeless. I could only manage a little before I slipped and fell, shocking my belayer and even managed to slam into the rock wall many times. I only gave up after the third or fourth failed attempt though, since I really wanted to try. I also had to give up since I already had bruises from the rock wall and there were many people waiting down there too. I really think I do much much more better as a belayer. The roles anchorman and assistant belayer are kind of alright too.
Since we had to meet the rest of the mobile for our sea expedition, we went down after a while and packed our helmets and harnesses back into the store. Lunch was eaten at Block five with Cheng Ho asleep and Hilary being busy packing some stuff. Right after lunch, everyone helped to laod the bags onto the boat at the jetty. We also loaded our water bottles onto the tri-yaks, carried our paddles and launched the tri-yaks. I exchanged places with Jia Ying on the second day though. Since there were two non-swimmers, therefore we switched people and I shared another tri-yak with Yimin and Ting Hui from Hilary.
I found kayaking really fun actually. We had to make sure we don't go too near the coast line and rocks though. And we could not go past the channel as it was dangerous. The big waves sometimes threatened to capsize us but I got pretty used to it after a while. The big waves come in after ships by pass us. I really loved the teddy bear I saw on Evan's life jacket. I wonder where he got it. It's cute. We reached Kekek in the evening. It was tough carrying the tri-yaks up the steep slope to the clearing. There were also our bags to be sorted. I could not find my bag at first and had to walk around with Jasmine just to find it. First of all, we had to pitch our tents. We also changed into dry clothing in the tent. Our tent put our wet clothes atop the tent, hoping that at least, our pants will be drier the next morning.
Cooking was alright and quite an experience: we had to search for three stone slabs for our cooking fire. Only Cheng Ho brought their own solid fuel burner to cook. But that meant that they had to carry more stuff.
Eating was quite scary. We sat on some ponchos that were on the ground. Actually, come to think of it, those didn't seem to be our ponchos...they were Cheng Ho's. But at least they didn't notice, I hope. We ate while sitting on the ponchos and ants started coming fast once they saw food. That day's dinner was curry chicken instant noodles and some canned food I think. While we were eating, there were a few suspicious noises coming from the tall grass behind me. Lim Min said it could be a rattlesnake. That triggered quite an alarm in everyone. I decided to finish my food quickly although I burned my mouth in the process. Since I was too lazy to search in my bag for Lim Min's utensils, we shared my fork and spoon that night.
Of course, we had to clear up and wash our mess tins, cans and utensils in the sea. I was in charge of providing my torchlight. My torch was one of the brightest anyway. Going down and up the steep slope was still scary but it was kind of easier since I more or less knew how to maneuver myself. We then had to crush the cans with the stones since no one was wearing shoes. I realised that the cans with the brand Campbell needs a lot more effort to crush than the rest.
The instructors came over after the time we said we will finish up and ensured that our trash was disposed in the correct manner. We had to tie our plastic bags containing our trash to the fencing at Kekek. They pretty much left us alone before that - all of them went over to the other side where we can't see anything. Jasmine got us to arrange our bags on the tarp and wrapped all the bags up like a piece of popiah while the other two watches went on to their nightwalk first.
We were asked not to switch on our torches or say anything during the nightwalk. Unfortunately, I didn't see anything because I was so focused on keeping my eyes on Jac's slippers in the dark. We by-passed the other two watches in silences and just went back like that. Everyone was so afraid to get lost inside - especially Liping, since she was the last.
Once we got back, we could just go to sleep whereas the other watches had to cover their bags with their tarp - like what we had done. But there was still Faisal's bedtime story. It was about this guy, who went to the Mama shop. He saw this cocoon on his way and wanted to wait for the butterfly to emerge. However, because no butterfly emerged after he waited forty minutes- he even went into the Mama store and got what he wanted, he decided to help the butterfly out by force. The butterfly's wings were shriveled up when it came out and was eaten by a bird almost immediately. I heard this story before but I don't remember it including the Mama store part. Sometimes when we want to help someone, it doesn't help to make the party overly dependent. Therefore they wanted to make us more independent, lest we end up like the shriveled up butterfly.
While he was telling us the story, the captains in charge that day were discussing on which shift each watch and tent should take for sentry duty. Hilary got to go first followed by Columbus, and then Cheng Ho. Our tent's duty was from 0100am to 0150am. Cool, huh? Throughout the night, there was Malay disco slash karaoke music blaring from the Malaysian side. It didn't take much to ponder over the strength of their eardrums. I heard that they only ended the music at three plus in the morning. I also had my first experience pee-ing in the open during my night duty. Liping and I went together. It was scary actually, since you're not sure what animals there are out there. But I guess it's alright after all and there were two of us. I also had to wake the wrong tent after our shift. Oh well.
Day Three
Morning came and every tent was woken on time by Yibin's tent mates since they had the last sentry duty shift. I saw the same spider that I spotted on Cheng Ho's tarp during the sentry duty on the bag pack next to mine. Somehow, it travelled to our side. And it's pretty big, thereby inducing screams from those who saw it with me included. Breakfast was taken from our own food supply and everyone changed into their wet clothes once more after brushing their teeth.
We had morning games again. Such as the Earthquake, Forest, Hunter game, the Captain game and once again, the Dodo dance for our forfeit. Everyone had fun together. After the games, we separated into our watches for our usual morning circle whereby we wrote down the previous day's reflections onto our journals. It was quite nice, sitting on the ground, under the sun and trees. I had gotten used to the insects by then. I got bitten by a red ant while writing though.
We then started on rafting after the other two watches joined us at the quarry. Everyone helped out to shift the pipes, barrels and ropes for the rafting. Then they taught us the basic necessary tying techniques for the ropes and then left us to design and built our own raft within an hour. I had to ask Jasmine to take a look at my feet first though. Because my wet shoes creates a lot of friction inside due to its material and also because of the sandfly bites and blisters, my feet hurt to the point that they were numb. Turned out to be nothing serious, just that the bites and friction caused the severe pain. Faisal and Evan helped their watches a lot. Whereas Jasmine gave us minimal help. Although our raft was only just barely floating in the quarry later, while the other two rafts were actually floating in the right way, we still felt proud since it was our own creation and it was unique. Everyone wanted to swim in the quarry since it was freshwater - like an oasis in a desert since we didn't bathe. It took courage to take the giant step into the quarry at first as I do know that quarries are way deep. I really love life jackets now. Without them, I would never have a chance to do all these fun activities.
After getting clues to the next destination after Kekek which were hidden in a plastic bottle tied down by rocks in the quarry, we were allowed to submerge ourselves for three more minutes before dismantling our raft parts in the water. We had to watch out for the ropes as they were the only things that didn't float. Yibin then had to drag me back to shore since I really can't remember how to swim. We had to shift most of the things back to the equipment store once more and the bottoms of our wet attire turned dirty once more but I didn't really mind it as much after the refreshing dip. We met Juniper's watch by chance at Kekek's quarry when we returned to eat our lunch which we were told to put inside our life vest pockets. She was doing trekking I think. We didn't chat much and Camp 2 D had to plan our route for our next destination in our sea expedition. I let the other captain besides me, to do the job of the leader.
I think Jac really wanted to have the job anyway. They needed a navigator, who was Megan, and then two more leaders to guard the sides so that no one crosses them. Two more tri-yaks were selected to stay at the back with Jasmine to push the others onwards too. We had to launch the tri-yaks again with our water supply. It was lucky that I remembered to wear a cap since it was really sunny that day. We had to turn left and right through the mangrove swamps instead of the open sea this time. The first portage was this really muddy small, narrow trail. A few slipped on the mud. Once Yimin, Ting Hui and I reached the other side to launch our tri-yak yet again, Faisal helped to pull us down into the water. Maybe it was unintentional, maybe it was deliberate. But he actually pulled us to one side instead of just plainly pushing us down. We almost capsize and the thought of swampy water didn't really appeal to three of us. And we screamed. Evan could still lounge in his kayak and remarked to us that screaming will not help.
We didn't capsize in the end as we managed to regain our balance in time. We then had to go through a series of even narrower streams through the meander and tri-yaks collided frequently. The next and last portage we came to was a road. We had to once again, pull the tri-yak up. But this time, we pulled it under the road barricade, and climb over that road barricade, drag it in line with other tri-yaks on the other end before launching it again. It was quite fun. After that portage, it was mostly just the channel and the open sea once more.
Ting Hui wanted very much to give up and Yimin and I kept pushing her on. I think she got a tad fed-up with us. But once she saw Camp 2, she decided to push onwards.
Once we reached Camp 2, we had to wait for our turn to go up and carry our tri-yak. I volunteered immediately to wash the tri-yaks as my feet hurt too much to walk around carrying them. Another girl from Cheng Ho helped to hold on to the hose while I sprayed water at the tri-yaks. Besides me, Faisal and Evan were doing the same too and Jasmine was directing the others at the tri-yaks store area. After that, there was this long while whereby no one came back to carry any tri-yaks to us. Evan then sprayed at the girl and me. We didn't mind it at all though since we were already pretty wet.
It was a relief to use the toilet facilities in Camp 2 although we did not have any electricity except for the toilet and the instructors' area. That was why we had to cook in the dark. There were two cockroaches seen creeping around when we were cooking at Block 5 if I'm not wrong.
That was also the night Sabrina had an asthma attack. It was pretty scary because we could not find her inhaler in the dark at first. After that, we gave her some biscuits to eat at the side. The sardines triggered the attack, it seemed. Eating was done with our one hand occupied with the utensil and the other with the torchlight.
Camp 2 was not our campsite and destination for our expedition though. We were supposed to continue trekking a few more kilometres after kayaking before pitching our tents in some other place. However, due to a rule about not having any kayaking or trekking after 10pm, the instructors were given the no-go from their superiors. It was already ten plus at night by then so we just had to pitch our tents at the grassy area behind the instructors' area. Camp 2 D were the only ones at the whole campsite. Everyone was tired albeit a little happy about the toilet facilities. However, the instructors were not happy since it meant that we had to trek faster and more the following day. Like Faisal said, "This sucks."
Day Four
Morning was the usual, just that once again, there was actually a toilet to use. Columbus separated everything so that our bags were made lighter. However, Liping and I did not have ponchos. It was lucky that it didn't rain that day. I still remember asking Hilary and Cheng Ho if they have any more ponchos.
Cheng Ho and Hilary left first after their morning circle stuff and breakfast. Columbus arranged our bags first while Jasmine made sure we brought enough water. We also had to wait for Sabrina to come back from the medical centre since she was feeling better already. I wasn't feeling well in the morning though. Just after I climbed out of the tent that morning, I just flopped down on my tent. I couldn't help my watch mates arrange the tent parts properly after that because I was too dizzy to even stand and walk properly. It could be due to the fact that I didn't drink much the previous day since my temperature was only 35.9 degrees Celsius.
We welcomed Sabrina back and started on our Morning Circle while the rest of Camp 2 D left first. It was nice to have her back. We also went to the 100m mark near the toilet area to see our pace. My 100m was 78 paces and I volunteered to be the pacer since no one seemed to want the job. I didn't really want it too but I guess it was alright after all. I just counted when our two navigators, Jac and Lim Min needed me. Liping kept count with me at the beginning and then Wan Yu helped to keep track for me while I counted after Liping moved to chat with Natalia I think. We passed the German Girl Shrine and went to the top of the quarry. Yimin told me that their watch was faster because Faisal really guided Hilary along, whereas Jasmine pretty much left us alone during the land expedition and we had to find our own way. But it was really fun trekking I guess. There were several cyclists along the way. There was this guy who kept passing by us throughout the expedition as he was cycling with his group of friends around the island. He kept encouraging us: "Jiayou!", " You can do it!", "You all can do it!" and "Don't give up!"
At the highest point of the quarry, you could hear the echo of your shout vibrating throughout the whole island. The echos were amazing!
Also, Jac and Lim Min had this mosquito fanclub. For those who chose to wear their wet track pants from the day before, the mosquitoes were swarming to them. It was really a cloud of mosquitoes around their legs. However, those wearing shorts were bitten too, since they attacked us after we walked behind them.
Altogether, we had to trek around 14km and reached Camp 2 in the late afternoon, at five plus, after reaching the two checkpoints in the map. By then, the other two watches had already completed their land expedition.
Right after we finished our trek, Jasmine asked us to ask no questions and just follow her to the jetty for our last ever wet activity after putting down our bags at the toilet area. We got to do the jetty jump since we didn't get to do it on the first day due to the rain. Like the quarry jump, it did take courage to just jump once more. As I was really nervous at that time, I actually forgot to bless my watch for the last time before jumping off. You see, Jasmine has us all bless our watch every morning and for the jetty jump, we had to do the same before jumping off. But since I was so scared, I forgot all about it and just had to make do with declaring my love for Columbus in the sea.
It was high tide and there were many non-swimmers in our watch. As such, it was pretty difficult for the swimmers to pull all the non-swimmers around. Natalia and I did the heart-shaped thing for Marilyn in the water when she didn't dare to jump down at first. Afterwards, once everyone was down, we made a circle around Jasmine and hugged her in one go. We had to form a human chain to go up because the waves were strong and everyone was drifting further and further away.
The chain was broken once Sabrina felt fishes around her body and she clung to Shona like a koala bear to its mother. It was really funny and although everyone was scared that they were drfiting away once more, we were laughing too. Poor Jasmine had to drag us back and everyone held tighter after that. When it came to my turn to go up the ladder, a wave came up behind me and I got slammed against the barnacles on the ladder. My left shin was bleeding by the time I went up. It was sad once up on the jetty as it was the last water activity and the evening air was chilly.
Everyone hurried to bathe and started on our celebration dinner - also our last dinner together. Till now, I don't understand why Hilary and Cheng Ho always sit so tight with each other while Columbus is at one corner, isolated. Oh well. Our food wasn't as good as theirs but it was fun nevertheless. We had to make do with orange fondue which isn't really yummy as the combination tasted all wrong. Jasmine made the fondue out of all our milo packets. She used my spoon so I got to lick all the chocolate off my spoon afterwards. Our soup had too much garlic. It was seriously garlic overload.
Shona and I were fooling around while the others cook. We were calling each other vain. I was teasing Shona about how she wants to attract attention from the wrong gender while she teased me about attracting attention from the other side of the multi-purpose hall. Tsk, tsk. Because we were fooling about, I lost my balance and my slipper strap came off for my right foot. Shona fixed it for me before that but it still came off. Jasmine was really nice, she helped me fix it back after she cleaned my wound from being scraped against the barnacles with some antiseptic cream.
After washing up, we pitched our tents at the high elements area, which was around a hundred steps higher than the parade square. Before that, Evan and Faisal were lying on the ground at the Parade Square looking at the sky while everyone tidied their stuff. I understood why when I stared at the sky after pitching the tent. It was clear that night and the sky was strewn with stars. It was the first time I saw so many stars in the sky. It was lovely. Really.
A lot of people shouted for everyone to keep quiet that night since there were a few who could not stop talking in their tents. Some said it was Armstrong and not our three watches. Who knows. But it was quite sad: Our last night together.
Day Five
Everyone got to to see our instructors sleeping in hammocks. It was really cute, seeing those cocoon-like things hung in front on the instructors' area. We proceeded to unpitch the tents after washing up our faces and brushing our teeth. Jasmine asked us to shift our bags out to the old rock wall in the Parade Square after breakfast. We split the duties between us and I was in charge of the helmets, lifevests and whistles plus the map and compasses. In the end, we lost a camping and had to beg for a compass from Armstrong. As for the map...Well, it was really lost.
Cheng Ho actually lost their cooking pot cover. I found it lying on some random place - I think it was the washing area - on the first night. I just washed it, put it into our watch's store and forgot all about it until I realise that the cover should be theirs. Alas, Columbus had to pay for two missing items: the map and a camping stick which cost a total of $10. Everyone had to pay sixty-five-cent.
The last activity we did was the dive thing. We had to climb up and dive to reach the bell while fourteen others held the sheet below for us to fall onto. Jac was the only one who could touch the bell though. The rest of us just touch it afterwards although it could be cheating I guess. We were supposed to say our goals before leaping forward. Mine was to be braver in facing challenges.
Morning circle was sad and we had to throw this ball of cotton twine around our circle. Once we had the ball, we had to state our best experience and worst experience, together we what we'd learnt from OBS. I love kayaking and trekking the most. I learned so much that it seems difficult to list everything down in one shot.
To end off, I really love OBS. It brought new experiences to me. In fact, I really love the outdoors now. It's just magical. Discoveries about one's self were made there and from the camp, comes the willingness to strive.
There's something about OBS that stays with you for life!
Labels: Outward Bound Singapore
