Today, we went kayaking at PasirRis. It was sooooooo fun!!!!!!! First, we were taught how to put on the buoyancy vest (life jacket), and make sure that it is tight. Then, we were taught to carry the kayak and transfer it to the so called "trolley". It was soooo heavy!!!! (We needed like 6 or more of us to lift the kayak, haha) After that, we had to pull the trolley of kayaks to the beach. At the beach, we had to go into the water and the instructor taught us the basics. There was the front paddle, back paddle, etc. After the dry run, the instructor showed us how to get into the kayak in the correct way, such that the boat will not capsize. We got our partners and went out into the sea. (Finally!) My partner was Wei Xin, who was not from my patrol, but from 1K. We practised paddling for a while, like the front paddle, backward paddle. To move left, you have to keep on paddling on the right, and vice-versa. At first, it was quite challenging for us as we had to coordinate ourselves very well, for the boat to move in our desired direction. But with practise, we managed to get used to it. (Although our muscles were aching, haha) We also had to do something called "build raft". While in the middle of the sea, the instructor would hold up his paddle to inform us about building the raft. We had to line our kayaks in a straight line in front of him, and hold on to each other's kayak, with our paddles lying horizontally in front of us. (We had difficulty maneuvering and we kept on banging into each other, haha) We repeated the procedure of building raft for a few times, with intervals of 15 minutes each time, when we could practise paddling. At 12.30pm, we headed back to shore for a sumptuous lunch of nasilemak. (Yummy) At 2pm, we headed out to sea again, with our energy replenished. This time, we went on a so called "mini expedition". We paddled and paddled until our muscles were so sore!!! We paddled past the fishing village, following our expedition leader. (It was really fun!!!) At about 3pm, we were done and had to wash the kayaks, paddles, our shoes, and of course ourselves! A lot of us splashed water onto ourselves because we felt so sweaty as the sun was scorching hot. (Wasting water, haha) After that, we went to have a quick shower which was restricted to 3 minutes per person!!! (Well anyway, that's what we do in Girl Guides) I have really gained a lot from this kayaking orientation course. (Apart from sunburns and me becoming a red-nosed reindeer, that is.) In Year 2, I think we have to go for the 1-star kayaking, in which we have to capsize the kayak and get ourselves all wet. I'm looking forward to more of these cool outdoor activities.
Friday, March 23, 2007
♥ 3/23/2007 07:51:00 PM
Talk about the ups and downs of a vice-chairperson...Today, just before recess, I had already reminded those on duty to stay back to clean up the classroom. (I gave clear instructions) So, I went to the toilet. But when I returned, only the girls were sweeping the floor and arranging the desks and chairs! Calvin and En Zhi were supposed to clean up the classroom, but goodness knows where they had gone...(And they thought it was after school) They were standing right in front of me when I made the announcement, and they heard it wrongly? Well, actually it's fine with me, because if they don't do it, then I shall clean up the classroom. (Sweeping the floor is quite fun, actually) But I feel we should play our part to keep the classroom as clean as possible so that it would be a conducive study environment for us. And what will the teachers say when they see our dirty classroom? (Who would want to study or teach in a messy classroom?) Anyway, during recess(yes, again), Zong Long took something away from Jacob and of course, he started running to try to catch him. They ran out of the classroom and onto the corridor!!! (Other classes were having lessons!!!) So, I made them return to the classroom. (I hope the students were not distracted from their work...) Anyway, I get to learn things through experiences like these. I have learnt to be more firm and strict in some situations, sort of like authoritative. (Haha)
Yesterday, the class committee camp commenced. First, we were divided into groups (We were with 1J & 1L) and our facilitators introduced themselves to us. (Our group was called Delta)Then they took us someplace to play ice-breaking games. (Always starts with remembering one anothers names, tsk tsk) After that, we went to the lecture theatre to have a lecture(*snores*) on leadership. (Oh fine, it wasn't that boring) The outdoor cooking was simply great! We cooked simple instant noodles, but because our team ran out of solid fuel, we could not cook our second pot. So, we put the dry noodles into the empty mess tin and poured curry over it. It was really delicious! We played quite a variety of games, but there was one really memorable one called the "Risk Connector". Our opponents called themselves the "Great Happy Idiots"(1G,H,I) We were competing to see who could form the longest line using our belongings and ourselves. We started off from the area behind the parade square. I really couldn't believe that we would be so desperate as to even remove our shoelaces and connect them together. (We had a hard time untying the knots!!!) But it was enjoyable, something I have never done before. ---Forwarded to the next day--- PHYSICAL TRAINING! It's true, I'm not lying. First we did some warm-up exercises. (Obviously) We were supposed to assemble in the parade square by 6.15am, but because we were late, all of us had to do 40+ pumpings(tsk tsk) We also did 40+ sit-ups and 50+ sets of jumping jacks. After that, we had to run 6 rounds around the field. Actually, we slacked.(The instructor ran slowly, hehe) Most of them dashed during the last round. (Bad for health, *sighs*) During the games, guess who were the facilitators. The vice- chairpersons!!! The three of us planned up 3 activities which were "Balloon Popping", "Pass the Message" and "Captain's Ball". (Of course, we did changes to the games, but I don't wish to elaborate, haha) Anyway, our teammates seemed to be enjoying themselves. (But we had to remind them to cheer constantly) Just to sum it all up, I really had a memorable time in this camp, and I have also learnt a lot of new skills. I feel that this camp is enriching, three cheers for the organisers!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
♥ 3/10/2007 08:59:00 PM
Yesterday, it was the end-of-term Girl Guides camp. I really had a whale of a time! We started off with the mini obstacle journey, which involved building of stuctures and a lot of physical strengh. It was tougher than the very first obstacle journey, although our Year 4 seniors were quite lenient with us.(They did not make us do pumpings when we exceeded the time limit, hehe!) I felt that the most difficult checkpoint was the minesweeper, but it was quite fun actually, something I have never done before. We had to cross under a suspended structure without touching the mat. That really required us to have the strengh and flexibility. The Year 3 patrol leaders were lending a helping hand to us Year 1s, as we were unfamiliar with what to do. (Awww...) After that, it was the Initiatives. We made earrings using beads. That got us to exercise our creativity and innovation. After dinner, we sat in the hall to watch the movie "Cars". I did not understand the story as the sounds were a little inaudible and unclear, so my Yr 2 seniors taught me some patrol cheers. When the movie ended, we prepared ourselves for the night game, "夜里经军"。We had to be blindfolded with our scarfs as we held hands and walked around the school to our checkpoints. Most areas of the school were dark, so the Year 4 senior(obviously not blindfolded) who lead us held a torch in her hand and blew a whistle constantly. Our first checkpoint was in the dimly-lit gymnasium. We had to search around for messages and piece them together, while a pair goes into the dark PE room. Suddenly, the lights went out, and we were almost in total darkness. Then, it was my turn to go into the PE room. I went in with Xinyi, a Year 3 senior from my patrol. We had to walk straight to the toilet and fill a cup of water. The toilet was really in TOTAL darkness, so we had to feel our way around. There was another one where we had to go into the dark staffroom individually, and find a way to the door at the far end. I felt that out of all the for checkpoints, that was the most scariest, although it was quite okay. A few computer screens were turned on, to give the room a luminous and glowing effect. Suddenly, a personal alarm rang and impaled through the eerie silence in the staffroom. (*ring...*)I think that shrill alarm was set off by a Year 4 senior to scare us.(I hope I'm not wrong, haha!) Anyway, I really learnt a lot from this camp, and I have also trained up my guts and overcome my fear of darkness. I'm looking forward to more of these camps in the near future. I heard that at the end of the year, there will be an Annual Training Camp, which will be held somewhere in Chua Chu Kang, surrounded by cemetries. (*Scary music plays*)
Thursday, March 08, 2007
♥ 3/08/2007 08:54:00 PM
Today, the re-election results were out. (*Drums rolling*) I was elected the new Vice-chairperson. (WHAT???) I was really shocked as it was unexpected. While the votes were tallied up yesterday, Mrs Tan found out that Sing Rue and I got the same number of votes, so we were asked to leave the classroom for a while, while the class voted again. (*Secrets*) Sing Rue and I were afraid that Tabitha would be hurt, and we tried not to think about the re-election. I looked at the grassy field and exclaimed,"Wow, the field is so beautiful, if only I could roll in it!" just to create some humour between us. We were in the midst of chatting when Sheena came towards us and announced the results. (*Drums roll again*) The class was silent when we stepped back in, then, they broke into cheers. As I was previously the Maths Rep, Mrs Tan asked,"So do you think you can cope with being a Maths Rep and a Vice-chairperson?" En Zhi and Yvon were whispering to me,"Yes..." (Just so them) But after hesitating, I replied, amidst the "Yes..." chanting, "I'll let Tabitha be the new Maths Rep." My classmates were teasing me with some words which I rather not say. (haha) En Zhi and Yvon were groaning away, especially Yvon, who was the second Maths Rep. She was like,"Why did you let Tabitha be the Maths Rep?" (Awww, poor thing) Well, what could I do? I don't want to hurt Tabitha's feelings, right? Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Girl Guides overnight camp tomorrow. I have already more or less finished packing my bag. I will also be attending an overnight class commitee training camp next Monday and Tuesday. We will be sleeping in classrooms. Wow, in 5 days, I already have 2 overnight camps!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
♥ 3/03/2007 09:02:00 PM
Yesterday, some people from my class drew up a petition for the vice chairperson to be re-elected. Actually, we were already unhappy with the vice chairperson long before, only that we had been bottling up our feelings and confiding in each other after school everyday.(Bad for health) They agreed that as long as 80% of the class approves of the re-election, the class will carry it out. So far, only 75% of the class have stated their approval, which means that there are two more people to go before the re-election is successful. I am one of the crucial voters because if I approve, so will my friend, Sing Rue, and that will make the re-election successful. I am in a dilemma now, because our vice chairperson is really keen on being one, and she will probably hate the new vice chairperson if the re-election is successful. I don't want my classmates to have feuds between one another, I want us to be united and bonded, just like a big family, like 6/1. (Miss them, *sobs*) But then again, I don't want the class to be under a vice chairperson who is not really favourable, because we will have to put up with her for the rest of the year. Neither do I want to hurt her feelings. I have to put myself in her shoes too. I don't know what to do. (*sighs*)
♥ 3/03/2007 08:20:00 PM
Yesterday, we had Girl Guides. It was raining cats and dogs. First, we had our patrol corner. Our seniors, the Year 3s and 4s, taught us Year 1s the square lash. We needed two sticks and a long string. Using the square lash, we tied the two sticks together to form a cross. It was quite complicating as we had to maneuver the especially long string around the sticks, and the end product had to be neat and tight. But at least I learnt something new. (It was soooo fun!) Next was physical training. (Help!) We had to run umpteen times around the school and cheer loudly at the same time. After that, we proceeded to the grand stand to do some exercises. We had to do push-ups, better known as pumpings. We had to kneel on the floor and cross our legs, with our butts down. While doing the push-ups, we had to sing. After that, we did a 45 degrees leg raise which was really difficult and depended on our stomach muscles. Now, my stomach muscles are hurting! (Ouch and ouch!) We also did some half-squats, but luckily my leg muscles are not hurting because we did not do that much. (Hehe...) I know that this will help in training for our NAPFA, so of course, I am hoping for more of this, Anyway, I am really looking forward to the overnight camp next week. I hope that we will have a whale of a time!
