Under No Roof

“Under No Roof” was a very different experience that has happened to me. I wasn’t a participant, but a facilitator and thus I was to take a group (many schools were divided into different groups at first) and run some ice breaker games with them. However, when I arrived at 6pm it wasn’t the start of my duties but instead the participants (who were the ones staying over) had to built their own shelters for the night. so the facilitators practised the games by having a dry-run and got ourselves prepared for taking our individual groups. By about 8pm, all of us (participants and facilitators and teachers alike) all went up to the auditorium where there were close to 10 schools doing a presentation on what their school has done for other third world countries or countries that have met with natural disasters and so on. honestly, despite the tiresome 2hours listening to the other schools show much they’ve done for the world, it really inspires me to do my part as well. hopefully our school would be able to arrange for us such trips like the other schools. Cause I know if I could do things like built houses, donate neccesities, teach english and so on, I’d definitely feel a pang of satisfaction for I would know that’s the least I could do for society. I can’t wait for our service trips this year.

after the presentations we (the facilitators) had little time left before lights out (the presentations ate our into our allocated times). So we decided to play only one game. Building the tallest tower with newspapers, masking tape, and one straw. Aditya and I got the German European School as our group (the schools didn’t split up in the end) and they were an awesome bunch! And they were really creative and they built these 3 long thick sticks (made by newspapers) and so on. all groups were given 15mins and it was really exciting to watch them work together and see how to make the tallest tower. at the end of it, UWCSEA emerged champions but the GESS students were good sports. I’m glad almost all the schools enjoyed themselves in the last half an hour of games despite being really tired.

By lights out, the facilitators stayed behind and cleared up all the newspapers and left together by midnight. From this activity, I not only learnt the importance of helping other less fortunate people to the best of my ability but also that the world can be connected to the likes of charity. It’s as though (during) Under No Roof it felt like we were all working towards a common purpose or something. It was an overwhelming experience, and I am glad I got to the facilitators (beatrice, shien-yin, rachel, johnny, marcus, bing xi, chloe, ellen, sheryl, yu quan, shu mei) better.

Clocked under service

Class Service

So Chinese New Year decorations, I would say, was probably the first event my class has done together as a whole. my other two classmates were in charge so I volunteered to buy the decorations from chinatown seeing it’s one of the least things I could do. I bought the decorations outside school time and kept within the class’s funds which was pretty awesome because the decorations were all cheap and good stuff. Our form tutor allocated a specific day where all of us could stay back after school (Decorations in class) and help out with putting up the lanterns, and of course the other hand made decorations we had made by using ‘ang baos’ (red packets). It was frustrating I would admit because we couldn’t really decide what exactly we wanted to do and what theme was our class room. however, we managed to overcome that and in the end the outcome was excellent cause we mangaed to do a collage of a dragon (which I thought was the best decorations amongst the others). I enjoyed myself during this activity because I had got to know more about my classmates and form what was gonna be the start of a new friendship.

Of course, the decorations were only the first part. the other was the fashion show (6/2/08) which was held during the Chinese New Year celebrations in school. I represented my class with three other classmates of mine. We rehearsed our steps before going on stage and I must say it was terrifying modelling in front of the school. but it went pretty smoothly and I believe what was most important was being happy about it. and I was, every single minute of the Chinese New Year week. It was because I understood the importance of team work.

Creativity – 2hours
Service – 2hoours

some pictures:

Inaugural Multi-Cultural Music Marathon Auditions

I attended the auditions today at Republic Poly. It was a tiring journey just getting there from school (took me 1 and 1/2 hours!) and I had to wait another 1 and 1/2 hours just for my turn. I was of course, very nervous but after an hour after hearing the other participants I calmed down a little bit. When it was finally my turn, I was clenching my fists as I greeted the judges while at the same time trying to look confident. I played my two songs (“Whole New World” and “Moon River”) and I was so glad it was finally over! It was one of the most never-wrecking happenings in my life for this is my first ever time auditioning for a concert. However, I am glad I went ahead with it (although I did get cold feet and almost backed out!) and this audition has given me a stepping stone in overcoming fears of auditions and able to perform a skill for others to enjoy. I’ll take part again should there be other opportunities; of course, I’ll practise even harder next time! (:

Badminton Training

I started clocking in my training time today. Today’s the first training ever since we breaked for Chinese New Year. It was of course tiring because coach says that the next competition is in march. The Pilot Pen games which would be held in ACS (Independent). I am pretty hyped up for it because this is my first match in months considering I had to stop for awhile last year because of the IGCSE. I hope I’d get into at least the quater finals. That would be my personal goal for now and hopefully I can aim for greater heights after.

Training can be tough at times because we are made to do lots of physical training that would improve our stamina. Sometimes I really feel like giving up cause’ I am unable to keep up. However, I do know that it’s a ‘no pain no gain’ situation and I HAVE TO work hard for I cannot have results if I had chosed not to do anything about it.

Action – 2hours

Inaugural Multi-Cultural Music Marathon 2008

Music Lessons are now spent on the above mentioned (title) event. I have received the email that my auditions would be this coming Wednesday and I am pretty excited. Now it’s all practise practise practise. There are quite a few other schools involved and I do hope I would get in! (: of course, I would be posting the results of the auditions once I do know and I’ll blog about the auditions after I attend it. till then, ciao (:

Rotary Family Service Centre – Flag Day

On the 26^th of January 2008, I had to attend the Flag Day service in which I signed up for. I got to school by 9am and set off with my two classmates in which we had decided to start with Plaza Singapura first. Initially, it was scary having to go up to the public and nicely ask if they were willing to donate to the Rotary Family Service Centre. I was quite successful on my first attempt and that made me quite happy and motivated to go on for the next 4hours. So my friends and I walked down from Plaza Singapura down along orchard road and back again. I must say, it wasn’t easy at times cause’ some passers-by would ignore you and pretend you didn’t even talked to them. It was a little frustrating because I thought they could’ve at least said politely “no thank you.” Of course, that was just a handful that did so. The rest who weren’t willing were nice enough to reject politely. However, I believe my number one spot in which I received the most donations was standing outside the “Singapore Visitors Centre”. Of course my aim was to approach the tourists, but I was wrong because not only were the tourists the ones who were donating but also other Singaporeans. In fact, I was successful at that spot because I stood at that place for about 45mins and received a $5 note! Of course, I thanked them all really nicely and see it as my way of repaying my gratitude towards the willing donators who weren’t too busy to reach into their pockets and donate a few coins. After all, no amount is too little. I was happiest when I had a handful of passers-by coming up to me on their own initiative and donating. I gave them my widest smile cause’ it was unexpected and heart-warming. All in all, I sold about 40 flags and was quite satisfied cause some donations were pretty big. I would not mind doing so again because if I know it’s the least I could do for the underpriviledge people. I am looking forward to my next service activity because truly an experience to be helping others in a simple way.

 26^th January 2008, Saturday: Service – 4hours

Touch Rugby

My first clocked hours for Touch rugby is 25th January 2008. My following training was of course 30 January 2008. Two hours each for both training sessions. during training our coach, Ms Haseena, would drill us in learning the different tactics like ‘loops’ and ‘dummyhalves’ and so on. I find myself working at how to pass the ball right and how to be creating numbers with the skills she has taught us. although I must admit training can be tiring, I am really glad I get to enjoy and do an activity/sport I love. I would of course, talk more about trainings in the future. It’d make me easier to know what I’ve been learning so far.

Just yesterday (2nd February 2008) , ACS international Touch Rugby team played against MKIS and SRJC. We defeated MKIS but sadly lost to SRJC by one point. We got the runner-ups in the Plates division. On Friday (1st February 2008) we also played schools like UWC and LFS. Unfortunately, we were not as experienced as the schools and lost all our gamse. It was disappointing, yet motivating that we would come back next season and hopefully defeat them. I learnt alot from the games over the past two days. I learnt about teamwork, new game plans/stratedgy, and so on. I learnt from my mistakes and am looking forward to improving and learning more about the game. Pictures:

Our next season is in March. the M1 Touch Rugby Girls Series. That is the title we are going to defend, for we were the U17 Champions last year (:

25th January 2008 (Rugby Training): Action – 2Hours
30th January 2008 (Rugby Training): Action – 2Hours
1st February 2008 (Games against SRJC, UWC and LFS): Service – 4hours (3.30pm – 7.30)
2nd February 2008 (Games against MKIS and SRJC): Service – 3and1/2 hours (12pm – 3.30pm)

Student Council

I started to clock my activity of being in the Student Council on the 28th January 2008. Although my term as a student councillor would be ending in march, my goal is to contribute whatever I can and end off with an amazing event for the school. (which the student council has decided to do so with the upcoming ‘Spring Dance’ happening on 7th March). We are also of course organising upcoming events like Chinese New Year and Valentine’s day. So I can’t wait for the string of events the Student Council 07′ is organising for the school.

28th January 2008, Monday (Student Council Meeting): Creativity & Service – 1hour

Private Music Lessons

I started clocking my first piano lessons on the 28th of January. Each of my piano lesson would take about one hour and I have two sessions per week. My goal in this activity is complete my grade 8 in which I would probably take the practical exams in September. So far, in the lessons we have been doing the usual scales and examination pieces but what I enjoy mose is the preparation for the upcoming auditiong to “Republic Polytechnic Music Marathon Concert”. The auditions are on 18th February and if I am selected the concert is in March I think. From the concert (if I am selected) I hope to be able to experience playing in front of an audience. Obviously I have never done that before but I hope it wouldn’t be my last time to play for an audience.

28th January 2008, Monday: Creativity - 1 hour
31st January 2008, Thursday: Creativity – 1hour

C.A.S

hello. well this is my first post in my CAS blog so I should begin by stating what I plan to do this term:

1.  Badminton – Action (& service when I represent school in competitions)
2. Touch Rugby Girls – Action (& service when I represent school in competitions)
3. Private Music Lessons/Music Concerts – Creativity
4. Odessey of the Mind – Creativity
5. Student Council – Creativity and Service
6. Flag Day – Service
7. Chinese New Year decorations – Creativity
8. Sports modules during PE – (not sure what is it under but I choosed softball and ultimate freesbie which to me is a new skill I’m picking up)

anyways, I’ll be writing each activity with different headings so I think logging for each activity makes it easier for me (and CAS coordinator) to track my progress so far. cheers.