Orientation

Since I've just had a week of orientation, I figured I'll post about it... so... what have I done? I've crawled around wailing like a baby... wrapped yellow paper around my leg hoping to make it look like PCK's yellow boots... worn layers and layers of clothing pretending it's super cold even though the temp is around 30+ degrees... pretended to be a mirror... worn the traditional indian guy costume (still can't remember what it's called)... been a new breed of primate (chimporilla)... went wif a guy to the lingerie dept to buy something for him (strange ahz...)... rolled in the mud... used eggs as "hairgel"... the list goes on.. OH!!! did I mention??? I HAD LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of fun!!! Heehee...

I left early to get back to JB, so didn't get to hear the results of orientation. Don't know if my group won anything... but like I said on friday night... what matters is that we had fun. Mud, eggs, flour, wasabi, sambal, syrup, poster colour blah blah blah... dirty stuff... some people would say "sheesh! this orientation is no fun. so gross" but... I think the mentality with which you approach the whole thing is very important. If you go with the determination to enjoy yourself, you will. Even bathing after the event, washing the soiled clothes can be funny. :)

Didn't like variety night very much though. Yes, the plays and the IMCCs (I-am-sissy) performances were funny but some were just a little too crude. I'm not the super prim and proper type that don't enjoy the occassional dirty joke (as my friends would probably know) but there is a difference between being cheeky and being gross... don't you agree? I loved the witty things some groups came up with... super farnie... laughed like crazy... but some of them were just going overboard...

Home again

Hi there. I'm back again. Think I'll post more tmr.. if I remember to... 'cos right now.. my brain is not functioning too well.. haiz...

Zzz

Ah... it's 8.03 in the morning. What in the world am I doing in sch? Argh. Should be sleeping.. especially when I'm only meeting my groupmates at 9.30. Sigh. I missed out one issue for my pbl. Feel so stupid. Just realised that I left my wallet at home. Even stupider. Have to go back and get it in a while. Sigh sigh sigh. Looks like today isn't a very good day...

Tibia

Did you know that the scientific name for what we call "shin bone" is actually TIBIA? (to those who didn't, you've learned something new!!!) So... why did I suddenly mention this strange word in my blog??? Well... because I'm doing research on tibia fracture. Okok... RC friends... it's not the normal immobilizing thing lahz. I've gotta cover radiography, healing process, rehab.. blah blah blah. And oh!!! in clinical terms, leg is the area of lower limb b/w knee and ankle... doesn't include your tigh! bet you didn't know that either. Heehee... as most of you can see, I'm kinda cranky... 'cos erm.. it's 8.20 in the morning, my voice left me sometime yesterday and I'm super sleepy....

I've been having orientation for the past few days and it'll continue until saturday... skipping BBQ nite though. 'cos wanna get home to go for angie's bday party... angie!!! honoured right??? Long long time ago, I thought my voice can make it... can do FD for long long time and still speak normally after that... now.. erm.. don't know lah. Cheer for 2 days already half dead. So, when I see you guys on sunday... if I can't talk, don't be surprised lah. sigh.

Better get on with my research... bubuaiz.

Hui Jia De Gan Jue Zhen Hao

Ah... I'm home but going off again tomorrow. I think it's only when you have been away from home, all alone, that you can truly appreciate HOME. Hmm.....

I guess that's the way with everything in our lives, it's only when we lose it or not have it for a period of time that we see its importance. Hmm....

A New Beginning
200803 -- First day of school

Looking out of the window when I woke up, it became obvious that this is a different city. If I were still in JB, the roads would have been busy at 07 00hrs.

I've done everything I need to. Now, I'll have to stone for a while. School looks quiet. Have to be in school for registration at 09 00hrs. It says "registration is b/w 09 00hrs and 13 00hrs" seems like I can get there at 12 00 hrs and still be early hor. Hee. Nah. Shan¡¦t. First day leh. Might be meeting Cousin Ping aka Ping kor for lunch later. Don¡¦t know yet. No idea how busy I'm gonna be.

Oops. Have to get dressed for school. 08 22hrs

08 39hrs Back. I'm feeling good about this new beginning. I wonder what is has in store for me. Like I mentioned in one of my previous posts, this will be a new phase in my life. It does mean that I'm taking a step closer to what I want to be.

It looks as if my blog has turned into a diary, accounting the happenings of each day. I'll still keep my "themed posts" I think. If there is something I want to write or reflect about, it'll still be up here.

I'm back after registration. Actually, I got back before 11, or is it before 10. Heehee. Can't remember. Just called mom to tell her that I'm OK, checked out my timetable for this week and next. These few days will be mainly briefings, briefings and more briefings. Next week, orientation, but will be having some lessons also. Called Angie to tell her that I might not be able to help her out for her party. My intake has 186 people, split into 16 groups. Ermz... A to P is 16 right? I'm in A. Don't know a single person from my group. I'll get to know them in time to come. We have PBLs together, so I guess there's no way we won't know each other by the end of week 2. I was missing 2 forms but it's settled now. I wanted to buy my stuff early, so I went to pay at the Cashier's office, only to realize at the Students Affairs that I can only collect them on Monday. HRMPH!

I got my week 1 PBL thingie today, with the rest of the stuff (rules and regulations, library guide) PBL = Problem-based learning. It's not like the PBL they had in RGS when students had to do a cross disciplinary project. The main teaching method here is through PBLs, with lots of SILs (Structured Independent Learning), not so much on lectures.I'm not very sure what PBLs are going to be like, but it seems like a case study thing... Hmm... and something 'bout discussions. Not too sure lah... Hmm....

Homesickness
190803

Here I am, alone, in strange Bt Jalil, KL. Left JB at around 08 45hrs this morning arrived at 11 30hrs. Security guards at the guard house told us that there was a burglary yesterday night, at another block though. Great news ya? As if Mom isn’t worried enough. Started to feel strange all over the moment I entered the apartment but had to pretend that all was alright. Didn’t want Mom to worry. Mom, Aunt Viv and Jie left at about 15 55hrs. Mom was crying. She’s worried about me. I know. I wanted to cry. Can’t. Will only make matters worse.

Mr Homesickness came knocking at my door less than 10 secs after Mom and gang left. Was still unpacking and tidying… Mom called. Wanted to cry again. Can’t. Wanted to blast Jay Chou but didn’t want to make a nuisance of myself. Didn’t blast in the end. Sat down to read. Tried hard to occupy myself.

Called Dor and Angie, everyone else should be at school right? Nice to hear familiar voices. *smilez*

Well, it’s strange isn’t it? Over the years, I’ve been to countless camps. 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights, 4 days 3 nights and even 5 days 4 nights. Never did feel homesick. Didn’t even know what homesickness really feels like until now and I’ve only been here for less than 10 hours. Going home on Friday, wonder how I’m going to survive till then. *prays hard*

Oh, Aunt Geok gave me the phone I’ve always wanted. Samsung S300. *grinz* Supposedly, I can see it as a Modem and connect to the net. Got Digi to activate my GPRS, the customers service guy is supposed to call me back and help me with the setting up. Didn’t. Hrmph. I’ll call again after school tomorrow. Hopefully this will mean I can blog and check emails while I’m here. Well, chat will be tough. It’s expensive… Maybe some time later, I’ll get a phoneline and can start accessing the net from “home”. Have to make do with this at the moment, no choice.

It’s now 19 31hrs. Mom called a while back, when I just started to write. Good to know that she got home safely. Now I’m sitting in my room, typing away at my laptop, listening to “nuo fu” for the 5th time today. I’ve got a 5CD changer function on my Hi Fi… lazy to press the button and get it to change, never mind that I’ve got the remote right next to me. I’m lazy. Hah. Might be seeing one of my cousins later tonight but wonder if I should. He’ll only be here after 9pm… Hmm…

First day of school is tomorrow. Wonder what it’s going to be like. Hmm… Maybe getting to know more people will help.

19 40hrs, Aunt Geok called. Mom crying in the background. She’s super worried. I kinda understand. She was all worked up when Kor went to US 5 years ago. Me… Well… I’m the youngest… I’m a girl… My first time going to sch while staying at home. Lotsa things happening in KL these days. No wonder Mom’s worried. I’ll just have to prove myself then. No choice. I put down the phone and am crying. I hate crying. Sucks. Argh. Oh no, doorbell’s ringing, better go wash face. Looking like a silly crybaby. Needa open door also. BBL

21 20hrs, had dinner, spoke to Ling on the phone. Put down the phone. Hmm… good time to go orh orh. Feeling sleepy. Should I zzz? Hmm… Ok. That’s all for today. Bubuaiz. Nite.

After a long long time

Hmm... the last time I blog was 19th morning.. it's now 21st. But it feels like it has been a long long time. I've been typing away at home... have 2 word docs that I'll post when I get home. Connection here is kinda slow. Sigh.

nice pic

Took this photo with Mel, YH and JF on Friday. The big orange thing you see is something they gave me.. I love it. :) THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Future of Blog

I may have told some of you this. I will not have internet access at home while I'm in KL. It is possible, however, for me to access the internet while in school, so please send me emails!!! As for "YP's Rantings", I hope it will not die off. What I plan to do, is to type what I've got to say on a word document and post them when I have the chance to. Maybe in school, maybe when I'm back for the weekend. So, don't be surprised if you don't find anything on my blog for ages and suddenly see long long posts or large number of posts. That's not because I suddenly have a lot to say, but because I'll be cutting, pasting and posting what I have to say for the past few days all at once. *grinz*

School

First day of school is fast approaching and with that, comes a new phase of my life. Over the years, I have written many essays entitled "My First Day of School" whether in Mandarin or in English. They always start in the same way "Rrriinngg... the school bell rang, signaling the beginning of a new school day. It is amazing how fast a year has past, I am now starting a new school year.. blah blah blah..." or "Guang yin shi jian, ri yue ru shuo, zhuan yen jian you shi xin xue nian de kai shi. Jin nian, wo jian sheng shang (whatever level)...blah blah" This time around, I wonder what the school year will have in store for me. It's going to be different from other times, I think. Firstly, it's going to be my first year in a tertiary institution. Next, it's going to be a different country from what I am used to. Yes, I'm a Malaysian and am proud to be one but the last time I stepped into a school in my own country was when I was erm... 6? Most of you will know that I have always studied in Singapore and am more used to the Singaporean culture than the Malaysian one. Strange right? People say I speak and act more like a Singaporean than a Malaysian. I wonder what that means. Hmm...

I am looking forward to 20th August but in a way, dread it. Well, I like challenges and feel that this new phase of my life will provide me with new challenges. It would also mean that I am taking a step further in my life, a step closer to one of my goals in life. What I dread, however, is the part about having to know new people and having to adapt to the culture of a new place. Like many people, I have my comfort zone and don't want to leave it. Getting to know new people has always been difficult for me. I tend to give people the impression that I'm arrogant and definitly not "friend material". I know that the former is true, hey, I'm dao. As for the latter, I don't know. Can someone please enlighten me? If my 5 years in IMU is something like my 2 years in ACJC, I will be more than happy. I hope.

This new phase in my life would mean that I am leaving my secondary school and JC life further behind. I have had a very happy time during the last few years. Friends, of course, are the main reason behind this. Ling, Gina, LQ, Jane, Siaw, Millie, Cherlyn and the rest of SC7... thank you. In red cross, my batchmates, whom I have mentioned in many of my past posts, people like Mel, YH, JF (both of them), HM, Nini, GX and the others have definitly made the 2.5 years plus in HQ wonderful ones. The seniors have taught me a lot and the VDD staff have been (and I hope will continue to be) a bunch of nice friends.

Well, I have no choice but to begin on a new chapter of my life. I hope it's not "goodbye" to everyone, just "hello" to new people and when I come back, there will still be people around me that I can call friends. Hmm...

150803

Hmm. JF asked me to blog. K lor. Blog lor. Since I can't think of anything worthwhile to blog about, this'll be one of my rare "sequence of events of the day" blog.

Had a busy busy yesterday. Had lunch with dor and angie, went to pay xiao di di a surprise visit. Heehee. Poor xiao di di. Looked so surprised to see us at the place he was doing attachment. Couldn't resist bullying him... teasing, rather. Heehee. "Can I take this away (hand lifts up plate)".. "No! put down!" Hahahhahahahhahaa. *meanie*Had a great time there. It was fun. Haha. I hope we didn't get him into trouble though.

Then, went back to HQ. Oh, I HATE NYLON ROPES! Argh. Hate Hate Hate. 200m long ones are the most terrible. Especially when they come in one whole roll and you have to cut them into 4 equal pieces. Argh. Don't like knots either. Hrmph. Heehee. Then went to visit a senior. It's nice to see him after such a long time and to know that he is much better already. Did felt as if something hit me *BISH* when I first heard news of his injury. Haiz.

Got a big big orange err... seat? stool? Er... ya.. big.. bright.. orange.. cute. Ya. :) It is from my darling batchmates. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I'll bring it with me to KL. And oh, I just got a photo frame for the photo... will bring that along with me too! Looking at the pics, suddenly, it felt so strange that time passes so fast, we have changed so much, both physically and mentally. Hmm...


Haiz. 19th Aug is fast approaching. I don't know many people going to IMU. In fact, for my batch, I only know one other person. This is so sad. Well... Can always get to know people when I'm there. Haiz.

Joining HQ

It is the time of the year again, when graduating cadets should be concentrating on their studies but are deciding whether to take the big step to join the large RC family instead. Why does anyone want to volunteer with RCY? So that you spend Saturdays with people that drive keep your blood pressure high, your weekday evenings in meetings that drag on and on, other times worrying about your cadets and whether the coming event would go well? WHY? WHY does anyone join HQ? Friendship? CCA points? Authority?

As with everything that has to do with teenagers, peer pressure plays a part in graduating cadets' choice to join HQ. There is always the "I'll join, only if my friend joins." Then there is the "I'll join, 'cos I'm friends with so-and-so and he/she is already an instructor." Or the "Ok, I know I'm going to have great seniors." Why? Well, because everyone is afraid to be alone, everyone wants to be with someone nice. Next, uniform groups are some of the CCAs that give you the most number of points, all of us know that. Not many CCAs can give you as many points for leadership, especially if you're just a member. Thirdly, the authority. Yes, to many cadets, instructors seem to have a lot of authority, a lot of power. I wouldn't be surprised if these are the main reasons some people give for wanting to become instructors with the RCY.

However, the main factor that pushed many of us to volunteer and to stay on as active volunteers is our desire to serve. To give back to RC what we have, in our cadet days, taken from it. And of course, there is the inexplicable sense of satisfaction we get when we pass on our knowledge to cadets, when we know that they have picked up something from us and when we see them mature and grow into young adults. By saying this, I am implying that we're like teachers but in our own ways, I believe we do contribute to the moulding of some young people.

There are, of course, those who wanted to join but decided not to in the end. What turned them away? The bad examples of current instructors? Some things that people say? They can't afford to commit? This brings me to my next question. If a person is truly keen to contribute, if a person is joining for the right reasons, would he/she be discouraged so easily? There are good and bad people no matter where you go. Similarly, you find both wonderful and horrible instructors, reasonable and unreasonable ones. It would be silly to decide not to volunteer because you don't want to work with people you dislike. Face it, in life, there are bound to be people we don't like to work with and we just have to learn to work with them. Learning to tolerate different working styles and to work with a variety of people is something all of us have to learn. Secondly, hearsay might be the most unreliable source of information in this world we call home. Lastly, commitment is something you choose to give, I think not willing to commit would be a better term to use and of course, we are all volunteers. I feel that someone that can be so easily discouraged from joining would quit, even if he/she did join, after a year or two. Simply because he/she would likely meet a senior he/she doesn't like, or would hear horrible things one day, or school or work will eventually take time away from the person. So, do we need to be disappointed because someone like that chooses not to volunteer? Yes, it is sometimes unavoidable to disappointed when someone who tells you he/she is going to join doesn't join in the end, or when intake for a certain year is lower than expected but do we truly need someone for the seniors to guide for a year, then take leave for another year and disappear for good the next? Think about it.

Why did I join HQ? Hmm... that's a question worth thinking about. Friendship, yes. That's one reason. Friends I made during course, and a certain yearmate promised to join with me but backed out at the last minute... haha. Don't know if anyone still remembers, but nvm. After I joined, I found myself in a large family so in a way, it's also friendship that kept me going. But as far as I can remember, no one pushed me to join. I remember during my first days in HQ, a senior officer asked all of us "why did you join HQ?" and my reason was that I wanted to see the other side of RCY and that I wanted to contribute. It's my third year as a HQ instructor and these three years, I have seen many people leave. Some become MIA after less than 6 months, some after a year, others don't return after their study leave and the rest lost interest. Due to my studies, I will no longer be able to be as active as before but I do hope to come back during my holidays. As of now, I really really want to but will months of uni life change my mind? Will I decide to leave for good? I don't know. Only time will tell.

Argh

Yesterday was my last day at BWLSS. All along, I thought it would be one of the happiest moments in my life is say goodbye to the unit. It wasn't. Hrmph. Strange. It is strange knowing that I am no longer their VI, that I will no longer be going down for their trainings, that maybe I will be disappearing for good in their lives, and them in mine. In a way, it is saddening. I guess somewhere along the way, in the 7 months, I have developed a somewhat close relationship with them. I'll miss them. That's for sure. Life has much installed for this bunch, and I pray that all will be successful in life.

The parade went well, I think. Not that I got to see much of it. During the marchpast, I was busy carrying an NCC cadet to the car so that he can go to the clinic. The marchin was good, I think. From what many teachers say, marchpast was good too. I'm glad. They worked hard, I'm glad it paid off. :) I have said this many many times. Actually, what matters to me is not the standard of their drills but the amount of effort they put in. Even before the parade, I felt that they were great. Even if they had marched in with the wrong timings, untidy armswings, I would have been happy, because I know that they were doing their very best. The trainings have given them more than just a higher standard of drills and greater discipline. :)

Well, The Sec 4s have handed over, it's time for them to concentrate on school work. I can see them some of them have grown a lot along the way. Sec threes have taken over, I think they will do a good job. I have a lot of confidence in the new chair and vice chairpersons. Sec 2s are doing well. They will be a great help to the new committee, I'm certain. Sec 1s... I'm happy that they have developed a sense of belonging to the unit.

OH!!! How can I forget! The xiao di di. From last dec till now, I can see that he has changed. A little more mature now, maybe shouldn't call him "xiao di di" anymore. *grinz* I don't know if I really played any role in guiding him... I hope I didn't do any harm, though. Kinda proud of this junior. :)

Nothing better to do

A few days since my previous post... Hmm... Wanted to blog yesterday night, but couldn't think of what to write. I just did a few quizzes... since I don't have much to say today, I'll show you my results... hee... can see how bored I am... As for how accurate the quizzes are... you judge!


May I, your majesty? You were the highest class of
your time, and you still expect to get your way
without any fuss.


Who were you in your past life?
brought to you by Quizilla
you may rise...
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You are Jasmine from Aladdin!


What Disney Princess are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Ooooooooo... where is my magic carpet?
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ICE is your chinese symbol!


What Chinese Symbol Are You? -- Updated (7/21/03)
brought to you by Quizilla
heh? me? cold? HEY!
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What Finding Nemo Character are You?
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but.. I DUN LIKE THAT SILLY BIRD!!!
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Hypocrisy(???)

\Hy*poc"ri*sy\ (h[i^]*p[o^]k"r[i^]*s[y^]), n.; pl. Hypocrisies (-s[i^]z). [OE. hypocrisie, ypocrisie, OF. hypocrisie, ypocrisie, F. hypocrisie, L. hypocrisis, fr. Gr. "ypo`krisis the playing a part on the stage, simulation, outward show, fr. "ypokr`nesqai to answer on the stage, to play a part; "ypo` under + kri`nein to decide; in the middle voice, to dispute, contend. See Hypo-, and Critic.] The act or practice of a hypocrite; a feigning to be what one is not, or to feel what one does not feel; a dissimulation, or a concealment of one's real character, disposition, or motives; especially, the assuming of false appearance of virtue or religion; a simulation of goodness.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm a hypocrite. Or maybe, everyone is a hypocrite. Think about it. Are there times when you laugh and joke with a person you don't like, someone whom you bitch about, someone whom you hope day and night will disappear from your life? Is that hypocrisy? Or, is that a way we have to behave in order to thrive in this world? Does call for some pondering, doesn't it?

Hmm... and... where do we draw the line between being diplomatic and being hyprocritic. Is there a marked difference? Or, is it just a different way of saying things? Haiz.

Phonecalls

Sometimes, don't phonecalls from certain people give you shocks? Hmm...

This post is actually something I promised Ms Kwa. 'nuff said. Heh