It's one more week to the mid-year exams and I am still so unsure about many topics. HOW??? What to do??? MUG! MUG! MUG! Lol...that was random.

Interestingly enough, many people tend to take things for granted. We often take the people around us for granted. Many things in life are also taken for granted...our environment, our school, even the air we breathe in. I must admit take I too am guilty of these sometimes...it's in our human nature. Just finished reading Mitch Albom's "For One More Day". It's was truely an enriching book. Although it was a short and simple story, it was also filled with meaning. If we had one more day to spend with one we truely love, how would we spend it? Would we discover anything in that short span of a day? In the story, the main character discovered how much his mother loved him, and regretted not spending more time with his mum when she was alive. After reading this book, I realised how fragile human life is...you may be talking to someone and in the next moment, that person may not be in this world anymore. I thank the Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family. Sometimes it's very difficult not to take those around me for granted...however, deep down inside something tells me that I will not be able to be who I am without their support and guidance. This post is one of thanksgiving, to thank everyone who have been with me and will continue to be with me. Especially my dear parents...wishing my dad a Happy Father's Day! And to all fathers too.

What's life without challenges?

Before DE, I was wondering to myself how sad it was to miss a whole week of the June holidays. At that time, it seemed like DE was gonna be another boring camp where I get to learn the usual stuff and go through the usual elements of camp. I packed my things and sorta dragged myself back to school at 6pm. DE seemed like a leisure camp...but as I found out later, it was not.

Reporting punctually at 6pm to the MPH, we were all greeted with a rude shock. We were to remain in pumping positions for the next half an hour to wait for those that were late. That was when the revelation that DE was not gonna be a leisure camp sank in. Luckily I was used to all these...how can I not be after 4 years in NCC.

Group B for Benevolence. We are the BEST! Although we are all from different classes and different backgrounds, during the course of the camp, we really bonded and became one united Benevolence. A group with many leaders, all trying to shine. IMPROMPTU...our motto. Haha all thanks to JunYang...everything was done impromptu, and we still managed to shine. However, I'm sure that we all know that not everything can be impromptued (if there's such a word). I will never forget you guys and the fun we had together as a group. We are BENEVOLENCE!

During the course of DE, many workshops were conducted. Values workshop, Vision setting workshop 1 &2, Managing relationships workshop, Servant Leadership Workshop and Emotional SOS workshop, all these workshops have really really helped me alot. Although they may be boring...especially when we were all so tired. It was so tempting to sleep during the workshops, but I was glad we persevered through. It was difficult setting up a vision for 13/07 but I'm glad we did it in the end. Really hope that at the end of 2 years, 13/07 will live up to the vision we set for it. Really touched by the comments the our teachers gave about us the class leaders...don;t worry, we won't let you all down. One really inspirational moment was the screening of Coach Carter the movie. Watching the movie really inspired me to do more for the class. Professionalism. Addressing the key players only. Tactics to managed relationships. These skills will always be applicable in my life, even when I enter the workforce. Gandhi movie was inspirational too...but it was abit on the boring side. Emotional SOS workshop was interesting. Now I know how to spot people with suicidal ideation, depression, eating disorders and self mutilation.

An inspirational quote from Coach Carter:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people the right to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

High elements and general stations taught me all about overcoming fears and challenges. An interesting poster at the abseiling wall read, "I can because I believe I can". What an appropriate statement. Sandcastle building at East Coast was fun too.

Service Learning project...I will never forget thee. The process of planning this SL project was an important lesson for me. It was a feeling of immense satisfaction watching our project going from paper to reality. Although it rained that day, I was glad that we were able to react fast enough and everything still went smoothly. I was glad that the kids all enjoyed themselves. We all also had an enriching experience. It opened up my eyes to the world outside and I realised that not everyone is as fortunate as us. I believe that pictures speak a thousand words. Here are some pictures: