Bandits @ MINDS

as a follow up activity to LTAW '08, the bandits went down to MINDS school (pardon me if i spelled wrongly) @ Woodlands. Helped out with their Christmas party like blowing balloons, moving tables and chairs and manning their game station. Not forgetting about interacting with them and learning more about this group of people.

First impression. I thought the party will involve childrens but it actually turns out to be a party for adults. Yes, these are the people who work in places like KFC as cleaners or those who help pack the earphones for our SQ flights. Some were non-responsive to people, some were quite responsive to us while others were just well... not having a good mood that day.

I find it hard to believe at first that they are in the perhaps the same age group with me but only have the intellect of a children. It leads me to wonder how do they go about doing their day-to-day activities. For example, the game station requires coupons to play. The coupons are like money and it teaches them how to buy things. For us, it becomes second nature to use money with out much difficulity, but for them it sure seems hard to understand what a dollar is.

Well sometimes we need to nudge them a little to get them to throw a ball or maybe do some hidden stuffs so as to give them that sense of achievement like "accidentally" falling bowling pins just so they can be rewarded for their efforts. I applaude the other volunteers (non-smu) who are there weekly to help them despite being weighted by studies and not forgetting those who spend their careers just to help them.

My take away. I strongly believe that there are still many that needs our help. We just need to remember not to take what we have for granted. We go about doing simple task without difficulties but there are people who find it hard to do the same. Since we are able-bodied people, we should always stretch out our hands and help those in need. This will be one motivation to why i should head the next candle of the soul project. Perhaps the band should do a charity performance for them? lol...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Beyond 65km its only a dream

Took part in Let's Take A Walk 2008 stretches the past 2 days. It is a community service event and the main beneficiary was MINDS School. The entire team signed up for the 100km extreme walk which cover a few area in Singapore and we explored some places that we students won't normally go. For a start, post-band prac activity of wine, food and lots of chit chats the night before wasn't a good idea even though we all enjoyed that session. haha!

Flagged off at 8am and off we go! Head down towards the Southern Ridges, turn westward towards Science Park and Holland Village, Botanical Gardens, up north towards MacRitchie and Bishan before heading eastwards to Kembangan, Tampines and Pasir Ris.

Tampines was the 50km mark, which most of the team decide to fall out. No they are not losers, i really admire them as they are girls and walk long distance without any training. What got them going was really sheer determination.

By then, only 3 guys left standing (including me). This has no longer become a challenge against the elements but rather against ourselves. The muscle fatigue level has hit an all time high, and every step we took its pure agonising pain! Slowly, we make our way past the IKEA Tampines into Pasir Ris park for our 60km mark. By then, its already 1.30am Sunday. Made our way towards Downtown east to stock up on water supply.

Approx 65km mark. Our legs crumble and we could not finish the walk because the every next step we take the pain is beyond description. The remaining 30+ km hugs the eastern coast which made up of endless stretch of road and beaches before ending in school.

I may have done many route marches, but this walk is a totally different story. This is done purely without any training. Past experiences help, switch off your mind and just keep on walking. Quite proud of myself to accomplish this distance but now its only a dream to complete the remaining. Of course not forgetting to applaude to the rest too! Let's Take a Walk 2009 anyone? =D

Auf Widersehen!

Post exams

And so Term 1 end in a flash. Perhaps its due to the heavy workload i have that kept me working non-stop the moment i wake up till i decide to crash out for the night. What's work without fun eh? Definitely there lots of fun moments especially during LTB meetings where we will brainstorm and work out the fine details and then end of with camwhoring moments and when meetings are held at hostel... Woots! TAU HUAY!!!

IS mods are heavy and it isn't like what used to be during poly. But okay, with a little help from fellow poly mates, we still survive through SIS. Just make do with less sleep and fun time, and perhaps spending time in school during public holidays completing projects. Wahahahha!

Okay, exam period, 2 papers only but spend almost everyday in SRs and GSRs till late mugging. So last paper ends on Monday, and Tuesday start on JAVA course. Refresher for me, got clearer picture on certain key programming concepts. hope it will come in handy next term. Yeah, 5 days course "chiong" to complete in 4 days so my holidays officially start yesterday! Woots..!

Suppose to be in Bangkok now, but because of the airport siege, our group decide not to go even though i am still keen to go and well, perhaps witness what's going on in there despite the dangers. Well, one lesson learnt is not to travel budget, its my first flight and didn't manage to take off smoothly. The "no-refund" policy + political crisis doesn't go well together. haha! Well, we just have to see things from different stakeholder's point of view.

Without the "no-refund" policy, well, they would probably have nothing to cover the cost of operating that flight and in the end cost are passed to consumers and will budget airline be low-cost? From a tourist point of view, there is nothing we can do about the crisis there, its just unfortunate. But hey! we can still travel another date, but whether i will return back to that city third time round, well... let's leave it to another day to decide..

So meanwhile, there are still stuffs to do at home, in school. Shall have more tennis sessions, sparring with another player or against a training wall and GYM!!!. Keep fit, stay healthy. Lots of meeting, sectionals for band. *Yawns.... =D till then....

Auf Wiedersehen!