Hello everyone! I am back from the Secondary 2 camp. I had a lot of fun at the camp. I reminisce the days at the camp, it is both scary and happy. Before the camp, I think that the camp would be totally plain, just having night walk and rock-climbing. But the instructors had changed my view of the camp.

My initial expectations was just to challenge myself to try all activities given. In the end, the camp still managed to meet my expectations. On 4 July, we were all ready with our baggage for the camp. I was excited and anxious. I really cannot wait to try all the activities. My group was the last to get onto the bus. On the bus, we were talking, joking and fooling around. I was very happy and ecstatic. When we reach the campsite Jalan Bahtera, we went to assemble in the multi purpose hall(MPH) in the groups given. After some briefing by Chief Eunice about ground rules, discipline and the Do's and Don'ts, we went to put our bags in the huts assigned to us.

Let me tell you about the activities in chronological order. On the very first day, we played ice breaker games. Firstly, the instructors introduced themselves. They are Oliver, Joseph and Khairul. Then we played a few games. The instructors also ask us to think of a group name. We squeezed our brain juices, and decided to choose a group name. Since group 13 and 14 are together, our instructors decided to call us Ice Cubes. Without ice, there would not be cubes and vice versa. It is said so because, we are all in this together. Group 13 is Ice and group 14 is Cubes.

After ice breakers, we went to obstacle course. Before obstacle course, we are able to do abscaling, but due to delayed time, we are not able to complete the activity. The obstacle course requires teamwork, innovation and trust. We went for lunch after the activity. We did the hungry cheer. The instructor would say," Yishun, are you hungry?" We would say,"Hungry, hungry, Very, very, Hungry very, Very hungry, Ji ge la ka pi ya pi ya, Ji ge la ka pi ya pi ya, Jiak(eat in hokkien)!" We did it several times as the instructors think that, it was not loud enough. After lunch, we went to rock wall at the back of the multi purpose hall. I tried, but I keep falling off the wall because I could not step on the small stones. I think spiderman would not have any problem with climbing. Not long after, we did rafting. We built a raft with six poles, (four short and two long) and two barrels. We wore the Personal Floating Device(PFD) and did the floating test. The camp instructor ask group 14 members to help to carry group 13's raft. We carried the rafts down, but the tying of ropes was not secured enough, hence, the raft fell apart when we were about to put down. We had great fun. Dinner comes next. We took our food and did the hungry cheer. After our meal, we had night confidence walk. We had briefing, and we set off to the starting point. We waited for 1 hour and 40 minutes. I was pretty restless waiting there. I kept grumbling to one of the instructors. He was laughing at me. I felt pretty silly of myself too. Then when we started walking out of no where, one of the masked instructors jumped and shouted,"BOO!" I shouted "AH!" For your information, I am not scared, but I was a little shocked. After the walk, we went to the multi purpose hall. We sang songs and cheered. There was one instructor who taught us the song called "Underwear". His name is Melvin. The song was funny. It was like this.

I no money I dun care,

I buy cheap cheap underwear.

If it tear,I dun care u go buy me another pair.

I buy hero underwear.

Superman, Spiderman, Power Ranger also can.

Underwear,good good wear.

Underwear everywhere.

For the second day, the first activity was kayaking. Everyone was excited to kayak but sad to say, the weather was not cooperating with us. The wind was strong and the sky turn dark. The instructor received information from the camp manager not to let us kayak as it is risky. The reaction of the team was,"Aww.." We were disappointed. The instructors taught us dry paddling instead. The instructors let us go for a wash up. Then group 13 and 14 had to rehearse for the skit that was to be performed during the camp fire. I suggested that we could do a skit about Silly Idols of Yishun. Contestants would do something silly and contestants who had wrong performance for the competition. All of them agreed and started planning how and who to act. The funniest contestants were Anirul and Yuniza. They were "The Beans". They dance ballet to the stage. They also danced to the Captain Planet song. Not forgetting that they tucked in their shirts very high. They look so cute. After having rehearsal, we went for challenge rope course. I tried the one with the trapeze. I had cleanly forgotten to tell the instructor that I was ready to jump, but I just jump without telling them. Luckily, the instructor held the rope. I almost got hold of the trapeze. Then it was campfire. I enjoyed campfire the most. I would not forget the campfire. It is the best campfire I had. After the campfire, there came a bad news. Somebody's wallet was missing. Teachers came to our huts and rummaged our belongings. I hope that the missing wallet would be found. Lastly, we did supper duty. I picked up litters that is on the floor. Then, there was one of our instructor's, Oliver, he has to help out with another campsite so he had to leave very early in the morning. A few of my teammates bade farewell to him. He was a nice and experienced instructor.

The last day, we packed our bags and assembled at the carpark. We did area cleaning at huts 5 to 13. Clothes, shoes, socks and even underwear were lying all around. I picked up a lot of shoes, socks, plastic bags, eaten apples which were rotting and a lot more rubbish. I sang the underwear song when I was picking up the underwear. I enjoyed the area cleaning too. I love the camp instructors. They are Joseph, Oliver, Khairul, Jaslyn, Hafiz and Melvin. Next activity was Prize Presentation. The best male and female camper are Shawn and Louis respectively. The best group was Group 1. Finally, we took the bus and went home. I had enjoyed myself.

The important lessons I had learnt were Courage, Self confidence and Facing any problems or obstacles with a positive mindset. About improvements, is not about the camp instructors, is with ourselves that we ought to be punctual and disciplined to let the activities that the camp instructors planned, run smoothly. Before the camp, I thought that it is very plain and boring. During the camp, I felt home-sick because I missed my family. Lastly, after the camp, I really enjoyed myself. That's all about the camp! :D

Welcome back after June holidays. You may be wondering what topic am I posting today. My seventh topic is none other than the new vision of our school Quality Minds, Caring Hearts. Now I'm going to share with you my views of Quality Minds, Caring Hearts. Well, there are several points on the vision. Let me first share with you about Quality minds.

Firstly, a person who has Quality Minds means that, the person will have leadership. Secondly, the person would also have initiative to lead others. Thirdly, the person would also have unique and creative ideas of expressing him or her views on a particular issue. Fourthly, the person is enthusiastic and very meticulous with every single task that he or she has been given. Nextly, the person would also have a sense of intellectual and curiosity. Lastly, the person has a positive mindset when facing unforeseen challenges or problems.

Now, let me continue with Caring Hearts. A person with Caring Hearts means that, he or she has the spirit of character. Secondly, the person is considerate whereby, whenever he or she sees that someone needed help like an old lady was on her way back from the market and dropped her bag of groceries, he or she would walk up and help her to pick up her groceries. Thirdly, the person is helpful whereby he or she sees a teacher who is carrying stacks of books, volunteers himself or herself to help the teacher to carry the books. Fourthly, the person is full of compassion whereby, he or she does volunteering work at orphanages or homes for the elderly and share his or her happiness with the people who needed love the most. Lastly, a person with caring hearts not only needs to care and concern about the elderly, the disabled and those who need help, but also show respect and love to the closest around him or her like friends, families and even relatives.

Well, I have finished sharing about my views on Quality Minds, Caring Hearts. I really hope that you have a clearer idea on the school vision. Hope you have enjoyed reading my blog. Have a nice day! ^^

I HATE IT WHEN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IS GOING TO BE OVER

Argh! Fun time is going to be over.. I haven't have enough fun yet! I shan't say too much.. The picture speaks a thousand words.