Hahaha using the words 'summer holidays' still sounds kinda weird coz it's all-year summer in Singapore. But anyway, this holiday, I had been quite actively involved in certain things that I thought are worth writing about, so here I am today.
Exams ended in early May I think.. so the first thing that happened was NUEVE XI Seniors' Camp. It was a 3D2N thing, but I think it gave me the chance to make some new friends. Well, me being the shy and introverted, by the term "making some friends" I sort of mean to actually say or exchange a few words with people I've never really spoken to.. it's a start, right? Kay so after Seniors' Camp ended I was feeling a bit bored because I didn't really have much to do. I tried tidying my desk and doing housework. I tried finding part-time work a little half-heartedly because I knew my chances weren't high given my schedule this holiday. What was coming up a few weeks after was my OCIP Trip to Vietnam with SCBE OCIP.
It being my first OCIP trip, I didn't really know what to expect. What I had in mind was a pretty village-y place, with agricultural crops, chickens, ducks running wild, a school with no proper concrete structure (?). But I turned out to be half right. So the school was actually quite well equipped for a rural area. Walls were made of concrete; classrooms had tables, chairs, blackboards, cabinets. Even the area (which was another classroom) we slept in was actually quite decent. The living environment was generally okay for me, except for the part about sanitation i.e. the toilets, and the relentless mosquitoes. Other than that, I was pretty satisfied with the facilities there.
What we had set out to do there was basically teaching and construction work. So we taught the kids there (aged 7-12 yo) basic English; did some simple Science experiments; hygiene lessons. As for construction, we were going to build a kindergarten and it was already started on by the previous team (Hall 12), so what we did were things like laying bricks, mixing cement, digging holes, plastering. All of which were completely new to me but I found joy in doing them. Yeah it's tough work definitely, but I went with an open mind and I was willing to put myself into doing those things. On top of that, I knew that it would definitely be a long-term contribution towards the Long Vinh community so it felt really meaningful. The builders (construction workers) were also patient and willing to teach us some skills thankfully so the whole thing went smoothly.
Through my interaction with the kids, I began to admire how they found joy in little things, like playing with insects and even the simple games that we came up with. These kids were so easily contented, a quality which I think is quite difficult to find in city dwellers nowadays. I also saw how they had a strong sense of curiosity and willingness to learn from us. During English lessons, some of them would actually write down the pronunciation of the words in their own language next to the English words so that they would remember how to read them correctly the next time. At the end of this trip, I am also glad to say that I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, living in conditions that were rather different from Singapore. In conclusion, I really enjoyed my trip a lot and did not regret joining OCIP at all. I really wouldn't mind returning for a second or third time haha. If money is not an issue. Haha.
Okay so moving on, after I came back from Vietnam, I started searching for part-time to recoup my monetary losses (that will soon be or already have been made). I found a part-time job as a promoter to promote English workshops, mainly targeted at those who are illiterate in English. Anyway I shall not elaborate too much on that. So I worked for a bit, and then shortly after was NUEVE XI FOC!
I joined back NUEVE XI FOC as a Photog/GL, mainly because I really enjoyed it back then as a freshie. Sad to say, this year's FOC would be the last authentic NUEVE because the school would be combining the Freshmen Orientation together with NUEVE, so I believe some of the main highlights would be removed. Anyway, I shall not put myself through explaining what happened for each day of camp coz my fingers are getting a bit lazy/tired. In general, I found the freshies this year pretty enthu (yay) and I hope that the camp will help them settle down more easily in uni life and bond them together such that they will stay together through their next 4 years :) Sorry if I had not been a very loud/enthu GL or Photog coz I was kinda tired.. plus I am naturally a rather quiet person and I'm only better talking one-to-one haha so those who have spoken to me individually might find me more likable hehe.
Okay I think my post shall end soon. But before I go off, the last highlight of my holidays will be going off to Malaysia, Port Dickson for sea, sand and fun weeee. Hopefully all goes well! :)
Tata! :D
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