l .:YongKok:.: August 2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008

untitled

I do not know how i should word this. Many thoughts went through my head just now while walking back. It's getting late and I'm feeling tired. Hence not going to organise my thoughts. Am just going to rant on and write off what's on my mind.

Saddened by the things i see. Disappointed at the way things are been handled. How many times have we put ourselves into the shoes of those who are going through the experience? If I am the one wearing that pair of shoes, I definitely detest this experience. I do not believe yelling and shouting can solve issues. I relate yelling and screaming to regimentation. And regimentation is iconic of the military whereby absolute obedience is expected from everyone. Failure to do so may result in a catastrophe of massive casualties in event of operations. Maybe this statement does not hold any truth anymore. Even SAF is embracing the concept of gathering feedback from the grassroots and encouraging more soldiers to speak up( thinking soldiers huh.) Digressing. Back to the point. However, this movement is different from the rest as it believe in using the outdoors and the element of fun to groom young boys into fine men of tomorrow so that they can contribute constructively to the society and ultimately, to lead a happy and fulfilling life. Regimentation is not part of the agenda. Discipline is. And the problem is, many think that these two are synonymous. What is the best way to instill discipline then? To be frank, I don't know the formula. All i know is that there are many plenty of other ways lest regimentation. How many times have we closed the loop after dishing out consequences to the growing boy. What learning value will he take away after that session. Perhaps nothing unless someone rationalise ( closing the loop) it to him as to why he deserve that sort of consequence. Only then will he walk away learning something and convinced that perhaps he have done something wrong. It is the direct breach of the law of buy-in (by John Maxwell).

I aint perfect and I wish not to point fingers at anyone. Just sad at how things have turned out. It does not look fun to me anymore. And, the statement -> because my seniors did this to me that's why I am just carrying on the tradition, is one a follower will make. Start to think like a leader. Question every action you take. Yes, it is tiring, but at least that makes you think and rationalise. Don't take things as they are and accept them just because it is tradition. ( Dont be mistaken, I advocates the importance of traditions. It is only when the traditions begin to lose its significance and rationale then we have to review them.)

Treat everyone with respect. And it will reciprocate. To me, shouting and yelling is not a way to gain respect. Respecting others is. I've learnt it the hard way and I am still learning.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

3rd week of school

Been feeling very sick recently. Ill i mean. Went to see the dentist today because of toothache and realised that it is due to the sinus that i am having. Argh.. Body's immune system is getting weaker. Getting more and more sick. Wondering if it is due to non-compliance to the doctors' advice of finishing the antibiotics.

That leads me to a point. I hate routine and mundane activities. I cannot follow through time tables and schedule that i set for myself. Hate myself for that! Have to cultivate some discipline in keeping to plans and roster. That's why i will never be desk bound. It will bore me to death.

Random thoughts i have there. Aunt came to my house last sunday and we had a 'chat' about buddhism. it is something that i will write in all forms under the column religion but i am not a practitioner of it. Perhaps need to dedicate some time to it in the near future. No time is always an excuse i give to myself. But what essentially is life all about? It is a question we sometimes ask ourselves, especially when the world seems to be against you. You need a faith and I do need one. But am I willing to spend time to seek it? or am i still indulging myself in activities that may not have an outcome. Too much to think about at this point of time. Shall leave the thinking to some other time.

going to sleep soon. Tired from the AHM. Glad that I completed it without stopping. A good indicator for my training so far for the marathon at the end of the year.

Friday, August 15, 2008

School officially starts

i guess this post is a little late. 4 days late to be exact. I guess the last summer was the best holidays that i ever had. Had many wonderful experience with many people, that definitely includes my dearest Mel. Now let me do a consolidation of what i have done for the last 3-4 months of break.

May
2 TA jobs with AKLTG
2 Live! Ops with AKLTG (OE)
Gurung Arong trek with NUS ODAC and MEL
Kayaking in Thailand with PCI
DSG Group Camp - Ohana!

June
Sports Camp Preparation
Venture Leadership Camp
Yalos Chalet
Venture Chalet
Coach for other Scout group group camp
Kayaking - Junior power with those wonderful P4 kids
Kayaking - Seletar Reservoir with NCC. awesome and conducive venue to conduct courses but too far in.
Washing Kayaks at AsianDetours

July
Sports Camp - get to know many funky personalities
Batam Trip with best buddies - JunQi and Gavin the octopussy part 1
Batam trip pictures part 2
Power Pleasure Craft Driving License course
NUS Race 6 with the Rovers - Wei Yang, Teck Seng and ShiWei. not the best race but we had a fun time together.
Busy with home renovation
Melissa birthday part 1 with the Yalos production
Melissa Birthday part 2 with mom and cousin

August
Kayaking Programme in Tinggi, Malaysia - coaching with like minded people in a not so ideal environment. Enjoyed that! pictures part 1 pictures part 2

May - August
Many much lots of time with melissa, something that i will treasure because it will soon be a scare resource. Gotta miss the times we had together. We will definitely find time for one another. Love ya dear!

I guess that will be all. Wonderful wonderful experience.

Now gotta hit the books again. First week was bad. dont really get the hell what the lecturers want to convey. Begin to cherish year 1 modules - more interesting. But nevertheless, will strive to do my best. Aim: dean's list? provoked by yelian, maybe i should just aim for one?

gotta go. Last lecture for the week and meeting mel time.!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Kill the procrastination fever

Kept procrastinating to blog. As one's workload piles up, one tends to procrastinate in completing the task even more.Thus, have decided that I shall not blog about what happened for the past 1 month, if not, i will end up procrastinating to blog again. =). Anyway, will be heading up to Malaysia for a kayaking programme in the next hour. Hopefully, this trip will end off my sweet summer holidays.

For those who find the above picture foreign, it is actually is a portrait of the founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden Powell of Gilwel. Read a book recently and this familiar paragraph seems to hit me hard and makes me question about scouting/ purpose, not in a negative way though. =)

B-P last message to Scouts

Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.
Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.
I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.
But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.

Your friend
Baden-Powell of Gilwell