2008, a year packed full of stuff is coming to an end…now for some resolutions? And my traditional thanks…

This year, if you ask me, was a particularly exciting and interesting year. Truthfully, I enjoyed a big part of it. There was just so much for me to be happy about. This is a year of changes and firsts. Hm…Singapore’s first F1 night race? First Singaporean passed away in a terrorist attack? Happy or sad, those weren’t what I was referring to, haha, its about me! Well, the first and probably one of the biggest change this year would be my CCA.

As all of you know, my past CCA was Track and Field-throws, which unfortunately the school decided not to keep and there it went. But this shock turned out to be a blessing in surprise for me…01 Scouts is really a great CCA. I mean, I have made so many close friends in the past 6 months, and done much more than I otherwise would have…its really unbelievable. Since this is all about beginnings…well, when the bad news hit me, so I was pretty much looking for a CCA roughly in the middle of the year. And I was deciding in my mind what kind I should join. Nope, not musical groups for me (no offense, but im just not musically inclined), sports…it depends, and uniform groups…why not? Haha, some of you might know that I was in Scouts in primary school, and with a number of 01 ppl who I know, that’s where I went. Don’t ask me about 01/02, its sensitive haha. Thanks so much to those who brought me to 01, directly or indirectly, Hiok Yang, of course, Kenneth, Suphasak, Amos, and also to all of those who welcomed me so warmly with your open arms, the rest of 01 06’: Alvin, Anurak, Francis, Tak Wei, Jon Ed, Joel, Zhong Jun, Rong Jun, Marcus, Soham, Bryan. All of you made it seem almost easy to cope with all that is needed to be learnt, and all that we have to go through. =) Haha. The experience I have had in 01, indescribable. (or maybe its my weak vocab, haha, something to improve on next year) All the times we were sitting around in the den, or sitting around at night on the groundsheet…those were my most memorable haha. And I actually feel better this year in that I know I’ve contributed in some way to my CCA, unlike in the past when everything was just negligible to them or something. But for the most part, I love 01 for the family it has given me. Thanks so so much! You know how much I appreciate your patience and care! Couldn’t have pulled through without you guys!

3T…I guess you can also consider it another one of the best things that has happened to me this year. I never expected my sec 3 class to be so…wonderful. Truthfully, last year when the class allocation was just released and I was looking out for any one I might know, I couldn’t spot any more than a few other than my classmates from 2E. Never would I have imagined that these strangers to me then, plus Mr Koh, could come together and make this 3T that I love. I mean, it isn’t by chance that we got first for both the interclass decoration competition and the interclass soccer…haha, maybe its also because of Mr Koh’s constant: pushing, telling us that we have to get first at all costs, ‘I don’t care you just do it’, ‘Must win’, and ‘I don’t want to see you if you don’t win’…haha ok la, but he made it clear that he’s not kiasu, just want to pressure us to do our best…and win. haha. But anyway, I don’t think that winning those stuff is the best thing I like about 3T (although it plays a part too), it’s actually because of the people. Quite weird how we all just get along rather well together, its like you can just talk to anyone in class so easily…and of course the ever-so-important best friends in class. Thanks so much for your company! Hope our class spirit will always remain as strong! Hmm…suddenly remembered some of the best times with 3T, the first was of course during OBS…towards the end when the whole Lincoln group grew closer, and started to work more closely together and we had some laughs together…I guess I really came out of it different…and then there was a time during one of the afternoons after school when a group of us stayed back to decorate the class, especially the leaves part, all the picking, cutting and pasting, and even eating food… another was the end-of-year class party we had, where everyone brought their own food to school and we just had fun playing games and cards, watching videos eating…so memorable. Thanks to 3T for making me a better person! Haha…looking forward to another new year with 3T, or should I say 4T…

Haha, just remembered something which I guess very little people would mention in their eoy post, but Im writing about my Research Education project this year…HSSRP. Jim, Shayne and I have been a great team, working out everything nicely and rather efficiently, throughout the year. Our research topic this year has been quite interesting to research on too, on recycling, haha. Think we did well for RE this year, got some praises from our mentor, so should be ok haha. The process was actually tough, formulating our research, determining the direction we want to take, and how to go about doing it…also the public survey, which was quite a disaster for us, its difficult to get Singaporeans on the street to take surveys you know, spent lots of holiday time on that…Thanks for being a great team! =) Lets go ace the rest of the assessments next year! lols

And then there’s also the interaction with foreign students we have had this year. Lets see, the first was the Korean students from CheongShim who joined our class for a week or so, and we all had so much fun together, haha. As a student ambassador, I got Michael (a really nice guy) as my buddy, and through our interaction we really learnt a lot about each other in the days we had at school. I definitely found the time worthwhile, and I had lots of fun! Really hope that they enjoyed their time here and we have been good enough hosts to them! That’s because during my 2 weeks in Hanoi for the OIP, my hosts have been so warm and welcoming, almost making me feel embarrassed at how I didn’t treat our own visitors as well as they did…made some really good friends there, who I still keep in touch with today…haha. These student exchange programmes are truly memorable…

Maybe DMPs now, I kinda filled my timetable to the max this time, and took everything that sounded interesting. And most of them really were, haha. Ok, the exception would be the philo module, which was seriously too difficult. But others like the Geog, Maths and SS ones were great, learnt lots of interesting stuff which were out of curriculum…Hoping for more interesting ones next year! =) But maybe maxing out is not a good option haha…or is it?

EOYs were something. I really studied for it this time, but sort of chattered with Jim and had some fun in it too, while revising. So, maybe I could have done better, but this year I have done well. Some subjects were really unexpected, like Biology, which I haven’t been able to do very well in, but improved in the EOY…The rest were quite expected I guess, and many more are very lucky indeed. Got lots of low 70s or 80s. Too lucky. I better start to work harder next year…who knows how luck will be like? But please, please be nice…haha. 3T has been such a positive influence on my grades too, so now you know my secret! =)

Hm…last year’s new year resolutions were:

1. Make lots of new friends
Haha, I think I did well for this, at the end of last year I still didn’t know many people from our batch, but now I think I know more! =) The more the merrier I guess…though I still prefer close ones.

2.Do my best to keep up with friends, old and new
This…hm…don’t think I did well for this, because I’ve kinda lost the ‘connection’ with some old friends, but of course others are still well in contact- Rosyth, 2E’07 and others. I don’t like the idea of losing friends, so maybe I should try harder.

3.Maintain this blog, lol
Haha me writing a post this long, and all the reasonable updates…hmm…I guess its up to the readers la…lols.

4.Excel at school(as in academically, in CCA, etc.)(or at the very least, maintain)
This is something I did better in! But its not thanks to me, but all the people around me, 3T, 0106’, my family, friends, among others. Really, I cant do much without them.

5.Do something about my dreams!
Haha, I guess you wouldn’t know what my dreams are, but I can tell you that I on my way! All the stuff which I have been participating in, and the training…I just hope I can do more next year…

6.Get some new stuff
This is very vague. But I can sense a new me…yet still the same me. Confusing huh?

7.ALWAYS stay happy and remain the same me (in terms of happiness)
Haha, this is something Im not too sure about, but I would like to think Ive succeeded in this. Somehow I’ve changed a lot in this aspect from young…when I was a stubborn little kid, so easily agitated and got angry easily…now I just wish to be able to keep that smile of mine. =) It’s a great thing you know…a small action that means so much. That’s how I would describe it.

New Resolutions for the New Year 2009:
1. Form stronger friendships
2. Make something of my years in RI(SS) (haha, afterall the next would be my last) No regrets!
3. Excel at School!! and maintain my GPA…
4. ALWAYS stay happy, in the face of difficulties or whatever
5. Improve as a person
More can be added as we go along, haha.

Actually Im kinda in a rush now to go over to my cousins’ house for some fun and games and a small countdown party!! Similar to last year’s. And haha school starts in 2 days…but Im looking forward to being a class-based PSL with the new students, going through the experience again from a different perspective.

2009 awaits…

Note: Hope it wasnt too long and unbearable...

Hey everyone! Firstly, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!! (happy new year will be in a few days time...) Haha, I know I've been lazy recently...sorry Santa!! But for Christmas, dont expect much of content...=( For Christmas eve, I went to Yi Fan's house, together with LinJin and Daniel to do up our OIP media stuff...which to my horror hasnt been done, my fault. Sorry again Santa! But we had a fun time there, since we got the 'all clear' to like clear his fridge, haha. Chocolates, milk, ice cream...hm...haha. They were practising their band stuff first, blasting around the house, lols. And then we went to do work, like sharing around photos, then somehow it became games. They started to lan....lols dunno how, but I got into it too, and...then time was up and I went home. Yay! Not sure what was done. Haha, at least I went straight for dinner with my family (ok, not really, missing my sis who is returning home soon). Ate at a Japanese restaurant, haha, decided to eat on Christmas Eve to avoid the crowds... Anyway, LOVE the tempura and stuff. Well, what I would say is quality family time...coincidentally in stark contrast to the last...ok nevermind. Thanks Mum and Dad for the Christmas treat during this time of economic downturn! Oops somehow I manage to have bad stuff included everytime... ok lets try again...Thanks! Love you all!! =)

Now for Christmas...hm...first we went to our paternal grandmother's house to have lunch (not that i skipped breakfast, just the first thing to say) There we met up with our relatives...and we all had a great talk while we ate and just watched tv... Then time slowly trickled away, and before we knew it, it was already the evening... So we got home and just ate at home. Simple, Christmas dinner. =) Then for some reason I started to worry about work, so here I am, blogging after reviewing a few more newspaper articles...my christmas night...

Thank you so much to everyone for the presents! Love them all!! My heartfelt gratitude. =D

Im leaving one particular disappointment to the last...the unorderly and rowdy Singaporeans at the soccer match against Vietnam last week...saw it in the newspapers...I might not know much about soccer, and I regret our loss, but I do know that this kind of behaviour is rude, and is unacceptable...what would people think of us? What does this show? Sorry, but I never thought that I would be saying this to Singapore fans...

冬至 was yesterday, i think, but well my family celebrated it 2 days ago, on Saturday, the usual time we met up. I found it, sadly, even worse than normal family gatherings, in many ways, whether its the food (so sorry...) or the whole atmosphere... Truthfully, its the first time I have been back at my grandmother's house in a while, and that should have made it even better for me, but... Ok, it isnt any one person's fault in particular, just that the whole family doesnt seem as close now? Im sure it doesnt come as a surprise to some of you whom I've told about my unusually large family size. Its something I have been pondering about on and off for a long time, whether a family like this is, well, good. Not that I have a choice, but just out of curiosity. I mean, Im always thinking that such a big family has made all of us even more distant than we should be. There will always be faces I dont recognise at these family gatherings, is it someone really distant whom I've just never met? or is it some newcomer into the family? who is he/she married to? Things like this. I dont even know what to address them by, much less talk to them... For the past years, I could at least feel being included or that family spirit, but now, not so. I could remember while we were all rolling the 汤圆 (glutinous rice balls), I was standing like outside the circle, not being able to reach in to get my hands on the dough and stuff...doesnt feel good. Ironically, 冬至 for the chinese is supposed to be a festival where the whole family gets together and celebrates the reunion... would have preferred to celebrate it with the smaller family from my paternal side, where physical size is smaller, but emotional bonds are much stronger. Trust me, the full story is much more complicated.

At the end of the day, I asked my parents why. I told them how I felt. And they said its because Im looking at this from a different perspective now, I have grown. Dont quite get it, but I hope thats not a consequence of growing.

Lols, today was...okay...woke up at like 5.15am to go to school for a short briefing before the actual thing started and the new sec 1s with their parents flood into the school... Was assigned to the road junction between the porch and the junior block, where there were less cars compared to the main gate. I must say it was tiring to just stand there and be a road marshall, like signalling...but talking to parents and students really made it easier for me, something interesting at least. Haha talking or even just greeting is fun, would have preferred to be an usher instead, haha, but its ok. Found out that smiling does come in useful, haha. Ok so much for the first part of the registration day...now for the second, which is after the briefing, the purchasing, which left some people rather unhappy, i must say. The organisation wasnt exactly the best we could have done it...so to all there, sorry about that! Still hoped that the first impression given was positive? Now for my first impression...they all looked capable, haha, of course, but saw some really big guys and smaller ones...haha.

Anyway, lucky us, we got released at noon and went as a big group to eat lunch, and then Jim, Shaun and I went to his house to have some quality anime time! Lols, really animes all the time, even when we were actually supposed to be showing him some physics stuff...we were watching naruto then. Lols, but I fell asleep halfway during appleseed because I slept like 4 hours last night. lols. Apologise. Anyway thanks so much for hosting this 'quality anime time' session, haha it has been very enjoyable...=) Got to know more about some animes too! Nice catching up on animes...

Haha Sunday today is kinda different...morning was ok, woke up late and had breakfast, then ate an early lunch which I couldnt really finish haha. Then I was getting ready to go to school when my mother forced me to go to the doctor's because of my cough. It seriously isnt that bad, but well, no choice. So ok went to the doctor, got my medicine and then rushed to school, to move stuff and count stuff again, lols. Today it was Ram and me, plus Gabriel and Jim, haha. My mum got him to come help, hopefully to cover me since im 'sick'. Lols, maybe we did till a bit too late again, so we had to rush to the cinema this time.

Haha, the two of us went to watch Twilight! The series Im currently reading, lol. Shaun is probably going to suan me tomorrow telling me he has already finished the series...but haha the movie...it was okay, to me at least, maybe not too new because I already knew how it would go, haha, but still liked it. The actors/actresses fitted in with their characters pretty well, cos both of the 2 main characters were supposed to be wierdos, and they did look like the wierdos they were supposed to be haha. Its quite interesting to learn about vampires too haha. So I would say...it isnt too bad haha. =) However, as my first movie in the holidays, haha, love it! =) Im in a good mood today! =D Work tomorrow...

Ok I admit it im starting to worry about things, like finishing the homework which I havent started on, like getting all the files and things ready for next year, like being able to fill the increasing orders for the hampers for christmas, like getting the Hanoi OIP media stuff ready before school reopens, like being able to be a good PSL...woa.

Anyway, today was my first actual QM stocktaking... So we started work at 8am in the morning...and then just took everything out, count, clean a bit, check for things that need to be replaced and stuff...lols doesnt sound that tiring...but wait. How about all the things, from the 'Living' Den to the storage...lols, so ended up doing all the stuff like the tents, pythons, posterboards, gas canisters, gas stoves, and all the crockery! Lols, quite horrible actually...haha. (Ok, maybe I forgive sarimbun a little more now, haha) So sorry that I couldnt make it for the batch outing...heard that some of you 01 people played pool and watched movie...while I was in the storage...=( But dont worry la, Im happy for you too! Just hope that you enjoyed yourselves. =D Im simply tired, nothing else, cause it stretched longer than expected...until 8pm...and tomorrow there will be another session of this...meaning that I wont be getting any full rest days before work again on Monday...actually wanted to watch a movie too...maybe I'll try to squeeze it in at night tomorrow?

Hey! So today is the very very tiring, but yet still fun day at work! We arrived at the usual 9am, and changed and everything before going to wrap the hampers again, until we realised that we are missing quite a lot of things such as: Stickers, 1 kind of cookie (1 more kind ran out during the packing), stickers, ribbons, etc. Haha it was quite funny trying to fill the orders with so many things missing, lols. So after a while we were sent for lunch, then hung around at the CDEC office before being redeployed to somewhere else again! Haha its actually quite fun being redeployed cos there is a sense of mystery and you get to experience new things! So for today we went off to the banquet section. Lols, and for some reason, on our first day there, we were sent to set up a ballroom for a company's huge dinner/christmas meeting. Lols, even our friends there couldnt believe we skipped all the small meetings and stuff to this big thing haha. Well, it was really tiring there, and there was a lot to do, such as wiping the utensils, laying the tables and chairs, putting on the chair covers, helping the guests with their gifts, setting up the food table, and stuff...but the people there were generally very friendly, and I realised that some of them were also students, but were having their internship for their diplomas there. Haha, so much to do, and we worked slightly overtime, until about 5.20pm. So the manager quickly let us off, and while we were having our dinner at tiffins, we quickly had a discussion on what we wanted to do next. We could either: Go home and hope that everything will be ready tomorrow, or , Work into the night today and less for the next few days. Haha, obviously we chose the first one... Shaun should know one of the reasons...hes not coming tomorrow...haha. Well, so we returned to the christmas hamper packing, getting all the required items from all over the hotel, from the pastry kitchen to the really freezing freezer (where we had a short briefing in, lols), to the chef office...haha. So we worked another four hours past our standard time, until about 9pm, when our manager, also coincidentally well-named, Jack, thanked us and told us to go home haha. As we were preparing, we were calculating how much we 'donated' by working FOC haha. It amounted to about $80 just for today, for each person, haha. So do the rest of the maths yourself. Lols, although this was meant to give us experience in work, I feel that through work, it has also bonded the few of us more closely together...=) Or should I say us colleagues! Haha. Here are a few more photos lol. So tired, so wont have OIP update for today. =( And so sorry I will be missing out the stuff like OIP gathering and 3T soccer session...so sorry, but I have to show some commitment to my first job! Haha. Please enjoy without me!


Jim arranging the table.



Christollens waiting to be packed by us!



Sorry for wrong side up, but see our lunch, haha, pretty good, lols.

Today was work again, but with a difference...in the morning we did the same thing, which was wrapping the christmas hampers again, but just after our early lunch, we were all transferred over to the F and B department, haha, and so I was joining the Cherry Garden this time, which was the Chinese cuisine restaurant in the hotel. And, only after I got there, did I realise why we were there. They were going to have a wedding lunch there! Lols, a bit scary, not just because its an important occasion for the couple, but because I attended a wedding dinner a few days ago, and one of the waitresses was scolded quite badly by one of my uncles because she did some things wrongly... And somehow, I was going to have to experience serving at a wedding...lols. Scared myself half to death before the actual thing began, with the manager going through everything with us again, and also reminding us that the couple is a close friend of one of the hotel's big chef, and its important we dont get any complaints... Wow, stressed...haha looks like I really got what I asked for yesterday...for more challenges. Well, think I did pretty well today, managed to do everything required without any errors...and also made some friends in the kitchen haha. It was really tiring today compared to yesterday, because we were all rushing around in the kitchen...never realised that a simple wedding could be this much work, haha, at least today's work gave me an idea... Well, I also kinda shared the happiness that the couple is feeling after the whole thing...haha so thats good. Shall show you a few photos of us at work! And maybe a small ad. =)






Ok, now for OIP update! haha
Day 4- Preparation Day
Its supposed to be our free day today, but we decided to spend it on preparing all our programmes for our hosts. Like in the morning was TLC (The Leadership Challenge) preparation, to teach them some of the aspects of exemplary leadership and stuff. The main problem was to make all the concepts easier to understand for the Vietnamese, like trying to show it through games or activities... then we also practised the songs and dances we wanted to do for them, and even learnt a vietnamese song from Ms Goh! Haha, it was really challenging for us, even after the whole session, we still needed the lyrics to sing the vietnamese song...Haha, today's one is a short one, because there wasnt any actual programmes... =(

Today I went for the first day of the Work Exposure Programme after these 3 days of rest, haha. Im being attached to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel beside Marina Square! It really looks much better inside compared to on the outside. It looks very luxurious and comfortable, haha. Other than myself, Jim, Sean, Shaun, Martin, Matthew, were also working there today, haha. First thing we did was a short briefing then fitting into our uniforms! Lols, quite fun cos the uniforms are really cool... The 4 of us working with the festive desk got all black uniforms while the other 2 with the international buffet got red shirts, which also look good, but ahem...less than ours la. haha. Then we got started with our work, which is mostly wrapping of the hampers and gifts for sale. It was difficult for us at first, cos there is quite a lot to learn and we havent really done this kind of things before, but think we did well today la...haha, i wont say i had a lot of fun, cos its afterall work...but it is an enriching experience, haha. Will be looking forward to more challenges in the days to come...=) Now for OIP...

Day 3- Trip to Temple of Literature and Sword Lake
Today was a really interesting day cos its our first day really going out to visit a place outside school, and it also gave us a chance to interact with our student hosts in a more stress-free environment, haha. We first went to the Temple of Literature, where I followed Hien's group and we went around the temple together. In there, there were turtles, whose heads, if touched, was said to bring you wisdom and intelligence and helped you in your studies, so naturally all of us were like crowding over to touch all of them haha. Then we went to the Sword Lake, or Hoan Kiem Lake, which was really beautiful, because it was a large and green lake with a white pagoda in a small island in the centre...imagine that haha. Really a beautiful place... Then after the visit, and some dangerous roading crossing...haha we went to eat some vietnamese ice cream! haha it was already slightly cold, but no harm...haha. Zhu Jie was also doing some other thing there...was it locking arms with a girl and eating ice cream? Haha, anyway thanks for treating us to ice-cream! Oh yes, and also all the other food, like the egg pudding, the sweets and chewing gum haha.

Next was lesson observation, and ahmad and I played badminton with the vietnamese! It was really fun, especially since I havent gotten a chance to really sweat since I reached, haha. And I also couldnt believe that we were from different countries and couldnt even communicate to each other properly! haha. I guess friendship can transcend over space...lols. We even switched sides to play together with someone from another country, haha, really a good way to make friends. =) So thats about all for today, photos will be up soon! =D And here they are!


Amos and YiFan touching the turtle's head, haha, though they dont really need it...so smart



Us mimicking some kindergarden kids we saw over there haha.=)



Haha everyone is smiling! (in the temple of literature, haha)



Love this photo...most of the good friends I made there are here! Beside Sword Lake...

Update: Just finished reading the book, Twilight, after reading crazily yesterday from morning till night, up to like 3.30am...haha. It was Ting Wei from the Hanoi OIP who encouraged me to read it, lols. He was reading it during one of the nights when we were playing taiti, as usual, haha. Some of you might have read it before or heard of it, cause the movie adaptation is about to be released in Singapore soon, on 18 December! Haha, well its about the love between a normal human girl (Bella) and a vampire (Edward)... I must say that for most of the book, it was about how they got to know each other, and got closer, with just the last part being with more action and more things happening, but I enjoyed the part about them together, because, well, their love is forbidden, in the sense that Bella might lose her life anytime to Edward if he even gives in to the temptation of not drinking Bella's blood for one second, among other issues. Haha, I also like how they speak to each other, really realistic. Haha, never realised I could enjoy love stories... Now, back to where I left off about OIP!

Day 2- Intro to NTT
Today's breakfast was Pho Ga, which is a kind of vietnamese noodles with chicken in it. Its the first time all of us have tasted this dish, and I have to say that I never knew food could be this different haha. It was mostly the taste of lemongrass? in the noodles, and it was just different, so I couldnt really make out whether its good or not, haha.


After our breakfast, we walked to NTT, where we got a small welcome and then a tour of the school. The school compounds were, a little old and also smaller than ours, but it was really filled with life, haha. When we walked in, students from all levels (referring to both the physical floors and the education kind) were so excited and staring at all of us. Really, everywhere we turned there would be people smiling and welcoming us. This hospitality was again shown during the first interaction session we had with the students at NTT. Our hosts danced, taught us some basic Vietnamese, sang, and also played some icebreakers with us. All so enthusiastic and friendly. My buddy for the session was Hoa, the first person I actually got to know over there. And then I also got to know of Linh, from 10A6. I added that because Linh is a very common name there...haha. Today was a lot of fun playing games with our hosts, but the language barrier and unfamiliarity still kept some of us from really immersing in these activities. But still, their overwhelming welcome was enough to make us feel so so ashamed of ourselves, where we in Singapore do nothing to make them feel welcomed in the past when visitors join us for lessons. The least we could do is to talk to them, but did we? Or did we leave them at one side of the classroom alone? Really...

After the long period of 'procrastination', I have decided to start writing on my OIP experience! This trip has been really fun and memorable, so I just have to write on it some time haha. Throughout this whole 'series' I will also be taking some photos from everywhere haha so thanks to the owners as well!

Day 0- Before the actual trip
Well before the trip all we had were practice sessions to get to know each other, planning of the programmes (songs and dances) we want to bring to them, and the gifts we want to give them. Since I was the Documentation IC, I was tasked to do up the phototaking for the photo album we want to give them, haha. Basically it was just taking random shots around the school to show them, haha. Heres one:


Anyway, after all that preparation...the day came for us to leave for Hanoi!

Day 1
Haha on this day, it was basically just me and my dad at the airport cos the rest of the family are all already overseas. Jim's flight was in the early morning, my Mum was already in Egypt, and my sis was still in Shanghai studying. Haha so I was at the airport and just looking out for people, and before I knew it most of us were there. Then was the meeting, giving out of our tags, then the usual collection of passports, check-in and ticket collection. Even Mr Mac was there to wish us a pleasant journey, haha and gave a short speech and stuff.


Then some of us had our lunch at burger king before boarding the plane...lols when it was time to check my luggage...the person asked my to open up my bag and...they found a swiss army knife in my bag! Lols, that was really shocking because I actually forgot to take that 01 merchandise out of the bag I bring to school sometimes for CCA... I was like at a loss and the person just brought me to one of the air stewardess and she told me that I cant bring that on to the plane...so she will keep it for now and I will have to get it from them after I arrive there... Then she helped me to pack it in a box, and I was on my way...wow.
The Vietnam Airlines flight wasnt as bad as I thought, but the first thing I saw happened did indeed leave a bad impression on me haha. Ms Goh was sitting in front of me and she just received a call so she stood up to answer it. Then one of the air stewardess walked over and scolded her! Like just said, "Miss! Please! Sit down!..." Ms Goh surely got a shock too, haha. Then throughout the flight she was like telling us that the air stewardess hates her because everyone got their drinks but her, haha. Spent the time on the plane just eating, talking or sleeping...it was quite a short flight anyway...
Once we reached there, the usual checkouts and then time for luggage collection. Yes, I got the luggage I checked in, but I just couldnt find my swiss army knife... and I didnt want to give it up...it was one of my first 01 stuff... so I just waited for it at the belt...but still didnt get anything after a long wait. Everyone was waiting for me already, but.... So I went over to one of the air stewardess there, and tried to ask her for my item, but before I did, I spotted the box behind her...ok so it was there all along. Then we went to the guesthouse to stay for the night. Giang ly guesthouse...hm...it wasnt too bad, but could do with someimprovements! My roommates were Stephen (also my buddy), Wang Kwan (Tracker) , and ChangCheng (Jim's classmate). All of whom are nice people in their own ways, haha. Ok the first thing I noticed today in Vietnam was the air. Not exactly what you will call good, so thats something that needs improvement! and theres a reason why I joined the humanities club! Hahaa.

Many misleading things happened today, but looking forward to Day 2!

Hey...Im back from the Group Training Camp! My body is aching...ouch. Anyway, i had my fill of ice cream, fries and burgers and other unhealthy food after the camp haha, so now im sort of back to normal, except maybe the aches and the insect bites from Ubin! Lols, and of course the memories...not just from the GTC, but also OIP and NPC (more pics added for NPC courtesy of Alvin)...they are just so beautiful...all of them, just regret that I do not have much time to reflect upon each of them....Before I go into details about each of them/ my parents force me to do my homework...the next holiday programme on my plan is the Work Exposure Programme(WEP), which will take place right next week! That officially means that I have 2 days to rest after the camp before I start 'work'! Haha, looks like my holidays are really really...well made use of? ok or just packed... Seriously wish I have more time to do whatever i want to do...like all these and chatting with our Vietnamese friends, doing homework, or just sleeping....

More pics from NPC 2008:

Haha, I just returned from the National Patrol Camp 2008 (NPC)for scouts!! It was a really fun and interesting experience for me, getting to know people from other schools more, discovering new ways to use camp equipment and the magnificent camp gadgets and structures... Really an eye-opener for me. I didnt expect to say that our own standards actually need improving...I also got a small souvenir from NUS High School's 23 Eagles scout group(Best Newcomer)! Haha one of their shirts. In the end, we got a Silver award in the end...anyway here is a picture of our campsite and my patrol members! (sadly excluding Wesley)


And so tomorrow I will be getting a day off (fortunately!) and the day after will be another camp, this time the Group Training Camp 2008 (GTC), from Wednesday to Friday. As you can see, time is not really something I get to have much of at this moment, so please do wait for me! Haha =)