So as you can see from the last post, I was really privileged to be able to go to the istana for the job week opening last tuesday, and be one of the first scouts to do the jobweek, and also meet the president himself! First we met up at the scouts hq, so I missed a few lessons...=( (hehe) And had a short briefing, on what to expect and stuff. For some reason, a cub scout and I were selected to speak to the media, so we had an additional briefing and had to think through what to say. That got me really nervous, lols.
So we did our uniform check and went on our way in the scout vans to the istana! Some standard procedures, as Mr Teo would say, with the security, and then we were in. The istana was really beautiful. All the greenery, and the grand building...gorgeous. But once we were in, we didnt have much time to relax. It was time to do work. I was assigned to polish some silverware:
Haha so we did our work, until the president came into the room. We all rushed to join the rest, who were already standing in a row to get their handshakes, haha. He is a really nice person, and talked to everyone of us.
The president then signed the first jobweek card, donating S$2000 to us! Thank you! Haha. Oh yes, right after, a group of guests from the middle east entered and came to meet us. So we shook hands, and stuff, and I was the last guy in the row. Guess what? The prince/prime minister asked me for my scarf! Wow nobody told me about this...I was stunned! But then after a short while I hurriedly took of my scarf and said "of course", haha! That was seriously unexpected! I never thought of this...wow. And my hair was really messy from the beret haha.
Haha the president talked to me after that about the incident, lols. And we had a nice little chat over tea. haha. Then was the phototaking session. Took a few group photos.
Haha also got to know some of the other scouts and scout groups through the interaction! Heard some pretty interesting stories... Overall, a really fun and once-ion-a-lifetime experience! Thanks so much to the people who gave me this opportunity! =D
Now...the actual job week. Throughout the past 3days, from saturday to monday, I have been running about some parts of singapore, looking for jobs and stuff, to raise money for the scouts association! The three days were really quite tiring, both physically and mentally. There were many challenges I faced during this whole process, but I learnt many things and found this to be a meaningful activity, haha. Like when I just started learning, there were times when I got stuck and blanked out, lols, and dint know what to say. But then luckily I still managed to get through everything, haha. The first and second days werent too bad, cos we chose safe places where people do not usually take, but would receive less earnings. I guess that was a good choice for a beginner like me haha. Dont want to be competing witht he other groups. At homes, it was quite good, cos people like to be at home and are happy. haha. But there are some things people have to take note of. One of which is about the eyeholes. Do you know how it feels, when you ring the doorbell, and see the eyehole turn from bright to darkness, and then bright again after a while, and not see anyone open the door? Note very encouraging, at least tell me a 'no' please...daoing is not very nice... And oh yea, for all 3 days, there were rain. So basically Alvin and I got wet on all 3 days, haha. but I have to say, that made the experience even more memorable and fun haha. Still remember the first day when we tried to cross a road junction together with just one umbrella becos I was just too lazy to take out my poncho. We got ALL WET! Haha so sorry to Alvin, who never should have gotten that wet, lol.
On the last day, which was a monday, we knew that less people would be at home, so we approached the shops this time. And although I thought that it was a good move, it didnt actually turn out so well. We expected something like this, but it was worse than we thought. Because of the recesssion this year, the businesses especially, gave us amounts which were comparable to those at HDB. So it was rather difficult this time...and I got scolded many times at shops...seriously. Although there were also some kind souls who smiled when they saw us and talked to us nicely. =D Thank you! And also thanks a whole lot to Alvin Chua for kindly allowing me to follow him on his routes! And for listening to my demoralising comments, haha. Thanks a lot for showing me the ropes too! Cos now I see it! haha =) And also thank you to those who were manning the hotline, your help is greatly appreciated! It got us going when we were demoralised, and the suggestions were great too! =D Hope that the amount we earned would be enough for the group this year...$$$! lol.
Now that job week is considered over (for most at least), tomorrow some of the 601 peeps will be playing badminton together! I only hope that enough people would go, and...there are enough racquets, lols. =D
