ME!
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SHANNON ! 13/07/92 and 23 Ex-rosythian, ex-sky, ex-srjcian, NSmen, FASS! ILOVEMYLIFE! |
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Designer - LiTtL3 aH mA Softwares - Photoshop/Dreamweaver Hoster - Photobucket |
Unspoken
Friday, October 2, 2015; ( 11:06 AM )
The words left unspoken often speaks the loudest
Shit
Wednesday, September 16, 2015; ( 1:19 AM )
I haven felt this tired ever since Oweek & the thought of what lies ahead is killing me
Unnamed
Thursday, September 10, 2015; ( 12:25 AM )
Like how the waves form ripples after it has crashed onto the shore, I often ask the tide about the ocean's pulse, only to realise it's my own heartbeat over and over and over again
Untitled
Sunday, September 6, 2015; ( 11:27 PM )
It's one of those nights that I feel so trapped I just want to go for a long run, just to be free momentarily before the demands of life suffocates me again
Oweek 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015; ( 11:02 PM )
Oweek 2015 - Avatar, Revolution
3rd August - 8th August 2015
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelou.
Here's Oweek 2015, a camp that redefined what camp meant to me. A camp that made me feel that extra in an ordinary. Here's everything that happened, from deciding whether to do Oweek again, to pre-camp and lastly to the camp itself.
Here's Oweek 2015, a camp that redefined what camp meant to me. A camp that made me feel that extra in an ordinary. Here's everything that happened, from deciding whether to do Oweek again, to pre-camp and lastly to the camp itself.
During the entire period of arts camp, me and Frances were very sure that we did not want to do Oweek. I mean we are definitely too old to be sleeping on the floor, hoboing around with our bags and all. Moreover, being through so many camps, we fully know how Oweek will turn out to be. It's an orientation camp, not arts camp! So things will definitely be more tone, more mundane and ultimately harder to hype the mood. When the time came to choose the last house I/C, we couldn't come to a decision. We could have put 2 new people to do house I/C but the chances of screwing up Oweek would be very high. It's not that there were not good (in fact they were damn good), it's just that we felt that it's safer to put someone who has experience. Initially, we wanted to put all 12 of us as house I/Cs HAHAHA. Everybody will be so mindblown as to who is the T house I/Cs. It's like everyday they will ask, oh so who is the house I/C of the day? That's actually pretty cool. LOL. But ultimately due to time and work constrains, me and hou sheng ended up doing House I/Cs for Oweek. So yeah, there we have it. I had to do it again!? I cannot count how many seniors came to tell me "Eh, ting shuo ni semula ah?" "Eh, zai lai yi ci ah?". I cringe everytime someone tells me that HAHAHA. But a part of me felt sian to do it again yet another part of me wanted to make up for the mistakes I made during Arts Camp. The journey of Oweek 2015 began.
The same struggles came to me before I decided to accept the post of househead for Oweek 2015. One of the reasons why it was so hard for me to make the decision was that Amanda was leaving after Oweek and I really wanted to spend Oweek with her, and all the other crazy seniors together. I also felt that perhaps if I were to go back T2, things would have drastically change. After much consideration, I took up House I/C. Honestly, my main focus when I took up househead for Oweek 2015 was beach day tug-o-war & that will come later in this post. Today, I want to say that I've not regretted being househead for Oweek 2015. So here goes nothing!
Presenting my other house I/C - Hou Sheng
So I barely know hs actually? We kinda know each other from Arts camp when he was an OGL while me and Frances were the househeads. Throughout the entire Arts camp, his OG was the one OG me and Frances were never afraid of. They knew what to do, their team was strong and capable. They know the direction that they are suppose to face and they were damn good in their admin. This time round, I kinda expect and know what to do alr and having an intern househead means HEH I CAN ABUSE HIM HAHAHA. So he kinda tanked the admin and the financial stuff which was damn intense but I honestly think you did a damn good job man! Our work relationship can be described as freestyle. We somehow are able to complement each other when we are infront of the house, leading cheers and knowing what's on each other's mind. Like Frances, we had one of the best working relationship together. Our slipper swap is a good indication of that. We swapped our slippers and forgot to switch them back until school started! I've truly been blessed to have him alongside me during Oweek 2015.
Oweek 2015 OGLs!
Just like Arts 2015, a photoshoot was paramount to introduce the OGLs to the house. Somehow or rather there were alot of discussion in the chat as to what theme we should have etc which I find something very refreshing. I never liked making such decisions so when there is a collective opinion, I really appreciate it! Here's a shoutout to all the seniors and councillors who did Oweek 2015. I know it's damn hard on you considering you all already know Oweek is, so I really respect yall for stepping up to the position of OGLs and AOGLs and leading the OG. Thank you so much. You guys have also been my pillar of support throughout the camp. I know that you guys will have my backs when things goes south. So thank you so much. Back to photoshoot! Freshies were here this time round and the usual serious talk with the OGLs had to start/begin. All the what to do in camp and what to expect etc. I felt that this time round was especially necessary considering that there are freshies involved. There's something strange in Oweek 2015 when we were discussing the house intro. The amount of laughter and random crazy ideas we had at tembu lounge was amazing. The best part is everything came true during the intro, AND WE OWNED IT.
Oweek 2015 House I/Cs
There is always this anticipation on who is going to be the next house I/Cs for the various houses and how will they lead/change their house to suit their goals/identity. Here is a picture of us before our house I/C intro posing for a shot and rehearsing our combined intro. I honestly wasn't a fan of it because I knew that it was ganna fail. We tried that during arts camp and it was a horrible way to start the camp. Then again, if everyone wants to do it, we may as well just go ahead with it. Househeads play an important role when it comes to camp. People look at you for a direction and look up to you. I had this feeling back in arts 2015, but for oweek 2015, I got used to it and I figured the best way to put on a good show, is to be me, to be Shannon.
Tecktonik v2 at Pre-camp
Pre-camp has always been a time for people to bond with each other. For OGs to get to know other OGs and it's especially important for the OGLs because they can practice how to lead their OG like for real and all. It's also a good time for the House I/Cs to be on the ground and get to know everyone of the councillors and OGLs so much better! Pre-camp during Oweek 2015 wasn't so anxious or scary for me. The reason is partly due to the fact that most of them are freshies whom I've alr know or have met me during Arts camp. It feels good that I dun have anything to prove cause the respect has alr been given. So I was free-er to do anything I wanted. Yeah I may get judged and all but all those judgement has alr been done during Arts camp so in a way I feel really free? I really enjoyed my pre-camp this time round during Oweek. Tug o War was especially good considering I just need to teach how to pull and dun need to do the moving of left and right. It felt good, it felt right. I was looking forward to pre-camp quite alot actually. That feeling of being right back leading the house and cheering. I feel free, enjoying my life & creating memories. I will never forget dunking jeslyn, amanda and phoebe in the sea. Damn they didn't even put on any resistance but it was damn funny cause I tried something different. Pre-camp also saw the tents being set up! Figured that it was damn hot and we (okay actually me) needed some shade HAHAHA. There wasn't as many seniors that came back during pre-camp. But it's okay because it forces me to be even outside from my comfort zone.
Meet the Freshies
Never be afraid to try something new because life gets boring when you stay within the limits of what you already know. Oweek 2015 saw a different kind of meet the freshies, one that was rather different from that of arts camp. It is always a good sight to see my new OGLs stepping up to be at the front of the house, learning to be confident and not be afraid. MTF saw freshies stepping up to be OGLs, which meant that the fear is real, considering that they haven even started school and their peers judging them is sometimes, quite daunting. Nonetheless, I'm extremely proud of everyone of them for stepping up and being brave infront of the freshies, their batch people, seniors & laolaos. MTF this time saw us doing our good old sampan, eenie meenie as well as the thrust cheer. Through this summer, I've come to really like eenie meenie. That cheer may seem super old school but when T house does it together, it's a deafening cheer which sends chills up your spine. Cheers growing old teaches us new things, one that comes with layers of nostalgia & feelings.
Nothing without them
My pillar of strengths in times of need, my friends that matter the most to me. People who gave me the courage to roar when I'm timid, who gives me a heavy push when I'm stuck, who are the quiet voices that tells me it's going to be okay. Thank you for standing by my side when times are hard, for buying me supper even though you're tired, for making me laugh when I dun even want to smile, for driving me around as I lie dead & sleepy in the car. You guys took time off to come back for Oweek despite knowing the pain involve & that's the most thoughtful gift of all that I can ever receive. You guys may never know, but thank you for touching my life in ways you never know. My life do not lie in discomfort because of friends like you & I am nothing without you all, so thank you and thank you and the rest are mute.
Oweek Day 1 (House Intro)
You know sometimes, all you need is a minute of insane courage, just a minute of crazy embarrassing bravery, and something extremely wonderful will happen. House I/C intro has always been of the highlights during arts camp and oweek. This being the last camp, I really wanted to do something epic, to leave a legacy behind, where at least for the next few generations to come, people will remember and talk about this legendary house introduction that was attempted. We decided to freaking crowdsurf down the lecture theatre. No way am I going to rehearse a dance like crazy, or shoot some long video. We just need 1 epic idea after another and the crowd goes wild. I remember the reservations that we have, whether we will fall while going down the theatre but we just need a moment of courage, a push and friends beside you whom you know will be there to catch you when you're falling. Despite all the fun (all the pulling down of my shorts and tickling me), I am extremely grateful to every single one of them who put in the effort to aid us in crowdsurfing down. It demonstrates something more than fun. It has shown how T house will always support each other. We may be strangers at the start. But as long as we are wearing green, we are friends. We smile, we curse, we laugh, we bask in the enjoyment together. I dunno how many pictures and snapchats were being taken, my friends told me all the other houses were just looking at us with smiles on their faces. I think as househeads, we made it and this was a successful one. We initially didn't think of how the other freshies from other houses will feel, so we decided that we needed more epic ideas to impress the whole Oweek! As such, every og had to perform something. T1 wore onesies and danced, T2 wore bikinis and threw their bikinis to the crowd, T3 did their T house is the best!, T4 wore diapers on their heads, T5 showed cool we were. Then here comes the next highlight of our intro, which brought a roaring cheer that echoed throughout the entire theatre. We drove a motorcycle through the LT! Omg, just thinking of it now sends chills down my spine. Feelings that comes back are feelings that have never gone away. Looking back at the pictures, I see EVERYONE shocked, everyone cheering, the clapping, the laughter. T house successfully managed to create a 1 arts spirit.
This is how T house lives, this is what T house leaves behind.
Oweek Day 1 (Labrador Park)
If you have crazy friends, you have everything. Introducing the seniors who came back for Oweek 2015. These bunch of people gelled T2 together, making us into a family. There were many people who were supposed to came back but just couldn't. Nonetheless, seeing old faces among the crowd is amazing. These are the periods in our lives where we can just go crazy doing whatever we want. I miss those carefree times. Times like these I never want to forget, times like I'll never regret.
Oweek Day 2 (Wet & Dirty Games)
How do we continue our epic ideas when we have already crowdsurf and broke a motorcycle in we asked ourselves. Then we thought, OMG LET'S WEAR ONESIE AND TAKE OUR WATERGUNS TO SPRAY PEOPLE!! And that's what we did. Upon knowing that there was a cheer competition coming up, we thought, sian but it's quite boring if we just go in and cheer. Then Gina said, why not you all just wear the onesie and do the cheer? And that's what we did. However, wearing the onesie was suddenly too normal for us, so how do we impress the crowd? Then we said, we just be the latest, wait for ocomm to ask where we are, then we come in with a bang. And that's what we did. Who the heck wears onesie to do a cheer?! Omg it was so funny crazy when everyone saw us. Even the OGLs didn't know that we were going to do this. We literally surprised everyone in the crowd. And we won the cheer competition which was erm, ok can. LOL
Oweek Day 3 (Beach Day)
Dejavu is the mind's way of saying you're in the right place at the right time. It's a reminder of the beautiful things that once happened, a radio rewind to where everything felt right. It's dejavu all over again at beach day introduction. Those 4 cheers that we did where we quake towards the sea as a T house family, where we sampan as a T house family, where we t(h)rust as a T house family, where we run as a T house family. I totally died during the station games, had a splitting headache so I went to rest with Phoebe and Ojj and ended up talking alot with them. I started to get back into things at mass games. I remember clearly there was this obstacle course that we suppose to play. When the mass games started, half my house din even know it has started LOL WTF. And when the mass games ended, I thought to myself eh how come T house suddenly so small. Then I realised there was a T house group in the sea and another T house group on the land. So we were split half-half and the rest of the houses alr finished. I thought to myself, it's time for T house to shine HAHHAA. So I got the house on land to quake into the sea, while those in the sea quake towards the land. When we meet with each other, I remember shouting, T house, who the heck cares about the mass games. Let's show the other houses how we do a sampan. We do a 1x good sampan and we go for tug o war! And then came the loudest sampan I've ever heard in my entire camp experience. With the splashes of water thrown around as if they were dancing in the wind, the voices echoing throughout the beach, that euphoria feeling that tingles through our skin. We dun need to win, we just need to have fun.
This is our beach day, our T house.
Oweek 2015 (Beach Day)
The new generation of T-dunkers which will always remain the most awesome. Although I pretty much died cause I'm just so tired and had a headache during beach day, I heard that you guys went around dunking almost everybody. You're damn zai, you guys are a new legacy!
Oweek Day 3 (Beach Day)
Wow, I dun even know how to start typing this paragraph. I remember when me and hs first talked about the camp. There was one thing that we always emphasised and told the OGLs, that we want to make everybody cry during tug o war. That we are going to attempt to win, to cheer the loudest that we can & not give up. This beach day, we won. WE FREAKING WON OMG AFTER 4-5 YEARS WE FINALLY WON! I teared when we won. I drank so much ppg, so much alcohol just to keep my voice in check, to cheer and get the House to cheer together. I remember the stuff we say "If they dun stop pulling, you dun stop cheering" "T house it is damn shag to pull the rope, all I need you to do is to cheer, to keep cheering because we are a family, and no one leaves family behind". I remember there was this point in time where all the houses stood quiet & only T house was cheering. I'll never forget that immense pride and joy that I feel at that point in time. I remember seeing Jolene started tearing up and that got everyone emotional. When we won, all I could think of was hugging everybody, everybody that mattered to me. I remember when the whistle blew and the ocommer pointed to us, that scream we gave off, that YESSS WE'VE DONE IT. The picture above does not do justice to whatever we have experienced. It's joyous, that magical feeling, and it's just a great feeling to be part of it all the time. This paragraph I've type is rather incoherent but it screams FUCK YES. Nobody will ever understand why I've teared and I've stop trying to tell people how it feels. That's how magical it is. And everytime I think about that time, that moment, I can't help but smile to myself.
We've finally done it T house, I am so proud to call you all my T house family.
Oweek Day 6 (Big Box)
So I skipped the past 2 days of oweek cause I couldn't be around. But here's the last day I'm there with my other house oversleeping so I took the first round of stuff. Hahaha, nothing much during the last day except that we won the most upz and thankful house + champions of beach day which was honestly, OVER-WIN ALR WHAT ARE WE DOING. Nonetheless, we took it and sang the sampan song proudly. As I re-watched the sampan song, so much nostalgia overwhelms me. Yet I know everything is ganna fall back into a beautiful memory only to be kept at the back of my mind.
Oweek 2015 - The winning team
Thank you my ogls. Aqid, for bringing the ukulele and wanting to play for the entire house on the last day, Tan En, for being the cheerful and crazy girl, Joshua, for all the hearty laughter and stepping up to be ogl, Gary, for going through all the stress and coming out stronger, Ivan, for being crazy and hyping up the OG, Shu Ying, for agreeing to do oweek again with us, Tan Yang, for taking notes and trying your utmost best, Wei Jian, for being the hype in T3, Daine, for feeling old together with me, Natalie, for always giving me the seductive eyes, Jolene, for being the silent but powerhouse behind the og, Shi Kai, for an excellent job managing his OG, Lee Ting, for being always drunk and crazy, Zi Jing, for pulling tug o war and bringing home the win. We may not know each other for long, but we brought home the win from beach day, we struggled and stayed throughout the entire oweek. For that, I'm so damn freaking proud of all of yall.
Green are our hearts
Tied are our blood
Oweek 2015
Tecktonik
T house
Arts Camp 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015; ( 6:12 PM )
Arts camp 2015 - Avatar, Revolution
22nd - 26th June 2015
It's been a memorable one. One of those things in NUS where I'll always remember. Here's my full experience of arts camp 2015. From accepting it, to pre-camp, to arts camp & post arts camp.
I remember the very first time that lx wa me to ask if I wanted to do an internship for T house as the house I/C. I was excited at that point in time and yet, a little hesitant about it also. Being through 2 arts camp and 2 Oweeks, I know how it was like to be a house I/C & the standards that comes along with this title. To tell the truth, I was afraid and I didn't really dare to step up and lead the house. I felt like I wouldn't be able to live up to my predecessors and can't be as zai as them. I consulted alot of people before I gave lx an answer & that answer was a nope. A part of me regretted it after telling her; a small part of me wanted to do it because it will really be fun and yet I couldn't let go of the times that we all could have if we all came back to T2 together. It was ultimately a choice between T house v.s. T2. And at that point in time, T2 felt like a better option!
After much persuasion and a lunch talk, I took it up the position. Ultimately, I guess what really got me to accept it was after reading a thought catalogue article of letting things go. T2 @ 2014 will never be T2 @ 2015. It's always hard to hold on to something that matters to you but does not really matter to some of them & it's difficult to let go but it's better that way. I'll always remember how it is like back last year but I know that an attempt to recreate what I've felt last year will never be the same. As such, I decided to move on with my life & hence, accepted the house i/c position. Anddd the excitement began!
Presenting my other house I/C - Frances Winata
Me and Frances were to be honest, barely friends?! I only got to know her during oweek 2014 where she was the OGL and I was just hoboing around trying to find my freshies and talking to random people here and there. The only actual thing I've ever said to her was HIII FRANCES along the walkway but that kinda ended pretty fast. After that, we didn't really meet or see each other. As such, we had alot of things to talk about. How we wanted the house to be like, whether our goals for the house is the same, what do we wanna achieve and such. Alot of things had to be iron out. Throw in the admin work that was required and the planning of the logistics, it was really alot of behind the scenes work. I never knew how much work was involved until I took up this position. I guess that's when I appreciate what my previous house i/cs have done for us and that spurred me to do more for the coming batch. We had a hell lots of ideas & we tried to leave our legacy behind. It wasn't easy and that's what made it so memorable!
Presenting my OGLs for Arts Camp 2015
Back when I was an OGL, I felt that the initiative of doing a photoshoot to introduce the OGLs and AOGLs to the house was a good one! It gives T House a sense of who the OGLs are and who to approach should they require assistance or help. It also gives the OGLs a newfound sense of belonging to the house. Furthermore, it gets things going on after 2 semesters worth of studying and no camp stuff! It sets things in motion, slowly builds up the hype and the best part, we get to finally see each other faces so that it will not be so awkward anymore. The organization of the photoshoot was not easy. We had to come up with a theme, get the props needed to take the shots and all. It was a worthwhile effort though! After taking the shots and editing it, there was really much laughter going on too! We had a super long talk, the kind that is serious/entertaining with the OGLs on our house direction and ensuring that all of us have a common goal before the camp starts, followed by my most awkward lunch ever LOL. Thanks Phoebe for helping us take the photos and editing it & Arthur for coming down to help out!
House I/Cs at filming
For some odd reason I really love this shot, us the house I/Cs attempting to pose for a bash photo. As per every arts camp and oweek, there will always be videos that us house I/Cs will have to act out just to hype up the mood before every activity begins. This was us towards the end when we have almost finished filming all the videos. Filming has been an exciting and us complaining about the same thing made it even better. Here's where we got to know each other better and that really improves the dynamics of the camp! I used to worry how awkward I would be during the filming of the videos. But then i realised it doesn't matter, cause we are all awkward and unique in our own ways. LOL.
T House at Pre-camp
Pre-camp was initially extremely intimidating for me. Nobody knew me and that added even more pressure on me. The reason being that I wasn't there during Oweek, I was a nobody back then, just a senior coming back to T2 and being part of something that I thought could have been magical back then. Hence, it was extremely hard for me to get to know people, to earn their respect and for them to know me better. Being a house I/C didn't really help my situation too as I soon realise people do not really talk to you. I could roughly understand how they feel though. Back when I was a councillor/OGL I rarely spoke or had a conversation with the house I/Cs also. I really had to step out of my comfort zone to talk to them and get to know them better. Ultimately, what ended up was a picture like that, where we are no longer laoslaos/Seniors/House I/Cs/OGLs/AOGLs/Councillors, but just a happy T house family that can joke, have fun and laugh with each other. I used to really dread pre-camp, especially the mixing up of the OGs. But after being through so many, it really helped me to get to know other amazing people from other OGs that played such a significant part to the house spirit. During beach day, I especially enjoyed the time where we, seniors gathered and have a simple meal near 7-11. T house, for that hour, didn't have house I/Cs! LOL. We were just having our own fun with the seniors and doing crazy things and having a hearty laughter which I've missed so much during the entire camp.
Tug O War Pre Camp
I guess I really have to thank the people who came back to teach us how to pull tug O war. Tug O war has always held a special place in my heart ever since I was a freshie. I was really disappointed that for the past 2 camps, everything has ended off with a draw. I want the freshies to know how is it like to tear over a rope & a camp that no one expected that they will. Although pre-camp was just for fun, Tug O war really helped the house bonded as 1. Never will I forget times where they chanted chicken breast when i was pulling & A house shouting over whether T house was really pulling. After this moment, I think the whole arts pre-camp recognised me chicken breast. It was funny! But most importantly, for me, I felt accepted or being accepted into the whole Arts camp spirit.
Meet the Freshies
A tradition that will never die - Meet the Freshies. Meet the freshies did not just happen miraculously. It took us time to plan for the food and when our space for the caterer at central forum was being taken up due to construction, we had to find another place to place our food. When I was a freshie, I didn't attend my own one because I was in BKK, so I never knew how it was like to be in there. Subsequently, the seniors and laolaos showed me that meet the freshies is a tradition in T house where we all gather and get to know each other in an informal way. It is also a time where the freshies meets their OGLs and their councillors. It is also a time where everybody meets the house I/Cs. Prior to meet the freshies, we had a meet-up to teach the everyone the cheers that we have and those that we have come up with. It's also the first time that the councillors actually met us too! So to us it was a whole new get-to-know-each-other session again! It was again, abit scary at the start but it got better once we got to know them on by one. One of the largest fear I had during meet the freshies was the judgement that fell on me and Frances inevitably. We already know that this will come sooner or later. Since MTF is a time whereby seniors/laolaos come back and welcome the new freshies, it is also a time where they come to see us and the OGLs that are going to lead the house this time round. On my part, it has also been a daunting experience for this to happen. But I guess standing there infront of the crowd, with my partner house I/C and the other OGLs gave me alot of courage. It's not easy. It was harder than I thought and we probably screwed up a little here and there but we hoped it turned out well. We did a 6 min cheer and our usual sampan cheer which we adored so much. I would say MTF was one of the defining moments for me because I was really forced to step out of my comfort zone to get to know the freshies and actually, everyone. But I'm glad I've gone through it! Not only did it help me to know the people better, but I improved on how to hold a small conversation with people too! So here's to MTF - Huat ah!
The pillars of support
Here's the people that everybody did not see, but they were the ones working so tirelessly and effortlessly, especially on beach day to present what we have. Thank you everyone for being there for me, for telling me that everything is going to be okay, for telling me to be myself when the time calls for it, for dedicating your time to decorate the T house banner and all the logistical effort that you all have done. Honestly, I am really nothing without the house and YOU GUYS. Thank you so much for all the time & contribution. I really wanted to spend time with you guys, to laugh and go crazy but my role kind of forbids me too. Forgive me but Oweek I assure you all, I'll be there with yall! I cannot wait for it to happen. Thank you for being my pillars that gave me so much support throughout my journey.
To go into detail of every part of arts camp is truly impossible because there are just so many things that was fun and entertaining. Everyday was memorable, everyday we left our legacy. So photos and phrases will sum everything up. I can't seem to put in words, the magical moments that happened.
It's legendary.
Arts camp 2015 - Day 0
One of the legacy that we leave behind. We even made a cheer out of it! Cannot be more proud being in T house than having this here! Thank you See Min for the design and everybody who came down and help to paint this! Even rag also lent us their paint for this. I remember us flagging this out outside LT11 and everybody is just woah T house had something and the smiles on their faces is something we wouldn't forget!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 1 (Mass Icebreakers)
This photo was taken with so many people photobombing and us holding up the whole of arts camp just cause of this shot. But it was necessary and good also cause it's our very memorable photo during the first day of camp! We didn't play protect the king this year but instead, changed it to something different where T house just improvise and kept going on about the thrust cheer. Heh it was damn fun and interesting though!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 1 (House Opening)
I'll never forget the times where we stayed back during pre-camp just to practice this house opening for awhile. It was amazing and we had so much freaking laughter and fun during that time also. It was super impromptu our house opening, with me and Frances adding in so many words that shouldn't be said. So here's us doing the dance that only seniors and all can understand with everybody going WTF?! But we enjoyed it alot, like really alot alot heh.
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 1 (Spiritual Walk)
As usual T house always gets to walk later and we end very late after that also. A bad situation actually appeared here though but it was resolved already! I particularly like this photo of us. This is us, being US. Like we are usually crazy and all, and this picture really depicts us for actually who we are. LOL. Sorry I digress from T house here, was scrolling through my photos and saw this!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 2 (Wet and Dirty Games)
So this year for wet and dirty games, Frances came up with a brilliant idea of having water guns and spraying people with it. I mean it's wet and dirty games right and from past experience it seems like freshies dun really get wet and dirty. So this time we got like waterguns from tembusu to spray them all! And of course the Ocomm too. Shit it's damn fun just that we got to keep refilling it which is quite a burden heh.
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 3 (Beach Day Opening)
As we move along we know we have to quake! One of the best cheers that T house ever have imo. I really enjoyed this cheer alot as we all quake into the sea. It was quake, followed by thrust cheer and the traditional sampan cheer and running man up the beach again. IT WAS DAMN SHAG. Towards the running man we alr no voice but lucky the OGLs were there to help us through! I like how T house is united when we quake into the sea, and the un-cheerable sampan as we hit the water. Good-times man. The best part is that we WON! Makes things even better HAHAHA.
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 3 (T-Dunkers)
This is what me and Frances left behind, our own legacy of T dunkers which hopefully will be passed on to generations to come. This was such a pilot idea at the beginning. It was tough finding a supplier for the shirt but we still managed to do so with the help of some strings. Thanks Jazreel for recommending the Econs shirt supplier and we finally managed to come up with this. Thanks Phoebe for designing the singlets. All this would not have been possible without them! Everybody knew about T dunkers, the ocommers, the other houses and everyone. It was one of the best times I've had in beach day!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 3 (The seniors/laos)
Thank you everyone for coming down to remember how it feels like for beach day, for showing support to me and the other T2 members. Sorry that I didn't had much time to entertain you all, to be part of how it feels last time. I really appreciate your presence there and hopefully we get to see each other on beach day and bring the beach down together and laugh, play games and talk and all. 214 to all of you all!
Arts camp 2015 - Day 3 (Tug O War)
Tug o War has always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a freshie. This year was another whole new experience for me. Being the tactician was intense. Everybody is watching you, whether you make it or break it's your decision and your decision alone. Everyone relies on you, whether you want them to move left/right. It's so crazy and imo it's worst than doing finals! We had 2 draws again, which is much to our disappointment because we wanted to have the feeling of tearing and all that. But oh well, I guess I'll just have to do that during Oweek. The non-stop cheers were as loud and clear as the sun sets. Being infront, I've finally experienced how it's like to hear the house behind you. If they dun stop pulling, you dun stop cheering. 1 T house family
Arts camp 2015 - Day 3 (Kong Ming Deng)
Much mixed feelings coming back to T2. It feels like I belong there and yet I do not belong there at the same time. Being a house I/C, I cannot be always coming back to where I came from. I have to show my face infront of the other OGs to show the freshies that I'm around. This time for arts camp, I feel I'm here but the person behind ensuring that things will always be okay for you all. There isn't a need to be in the limelight nor being in the centre. Seeing how the new freshies bond and my old freshies working together towards something is enriching and comforting for me. Thank you seniors for coming back and I know they may not feel as attached before, but the fact that they are here means something. A feeling of not being able to fully let go and wanting to experience something is in a way, refreshing yet insecure.
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 4 (oneARTS)
I cannot believe that I dun have a photo with me being in any OG so this is the best one that I can come up with! But this photo is great also because I'm with my other house I/C whom we spend the entire day roaming around like some hobo kid without anybody with us since all the OGs are being split up! And also with Amanda who is one of the craziest friends that I ever have. I've never liked the idea of splitting the OG, especially after beach day when everybody is close together and back but I guess for the sake of oneARTS they didn't really have a choice also. It was at least, much better planned than last time! So I guess that's a plus point & it's nearer to school. House I/Cs forever driving everywhere cause too lazy to take bus/walk. Oh I remember I had to go back to grab hou sheng and an injured freshie and when we were driving back we were behind a lorry which is the ocomm lorry! It was super awkward cause we kept laughing and they kept laughing but idk what we are actually doing. Should have been a good photo moment actually!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 4 (Pre-drinking)
This is another tradition left behind by me and Frances with the idea being inspired by Nicholas! There were some initial worries to this pre-drinking idea. OSA was coming down hard on us with the alcohol and the ocommers were constantly telling us not to do it. But this idea was so epic that we cannot have it lying down! So we decided to go ahead with the plan & I'm so thankful that we decided to go with it. The execution wasn't perfect but the OGLs did a good job hyping everybody up during the drinking portion! The alcohol wasn't strong and we added alot of mixers to ensure NOBODY gets drunk! It was great, the atmosphere, with T house once again being in the limelight. I heard from my friends that other houses the freshies just awkwardly walk away from that area. It's like T house owns that area that night somehow! And we probably saved alot of awkward sp couples. The ocommer decided that they want to help us finish up the drinks and they even washed it for us! Thank you so much ocommers!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 4 (Social Night)
Ever since last year, T2 & T5 have always been getting closer together. This is a picture for social night, our pillar of supports that are always helping us at the sidelines and helping us to get respect from everybody. Thank you everyone in this picture. We are nothing without yall! Social night was another experience being a house I/C. I didn't had to worry about what drinks to get for everybody, didn't had to worry about being drunk and all. I was driving so I didn't really drink much! But all was good until halfway through the night when HALF of T house was literally outside drunk. As a house I/C I cannot be more happy/proud to be their house I/C. They really showed me what it's like to be crazy and to party without giving hoots about the world! One of the most memorable thing was of course when a freshie of ours drank too much and collapsed onto the floor. An ambulance had to be called and she was brought to the hospital. Alcohol intoxication they said, and damn I was freaking worried but I'm glad things turned out well in the end! We took a drive back after that and almost crashed into a freaking tree homg it was damn scary! Timely reminders never to sleep and drive man. Social night was amazing but I was so freaking tired. I'm glad that they didn't have any party games or what on stage, I would have died with the alcohol. it was a great night, seeing people get drunk and KO along the corridors. It was good!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 5 (War Games Briefing)
BOOM SHAKALAKA BOOM SHAKALAKA BOOM SHKALAKA WOW FANTASTIC BABY. So I apologise for not starting this trend earlier cause I kinda totally forget about it and there isn't enough LT time for us to show too. But T house decides to impromptu-ing bring it back during War games. And to me it's okay because to the other houses they will think oh it's T house again! And we kinda love it, the vibe of telling other people hey we are damn freaking cool and that's all we really are. So this picture is preparing and leading a boom shakalaka with the OGLs all getting ready too & the freshies laughing behind. Times like this are times I really miss. Times like these we are really a T house family.
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 5 (War Games)
This is my happy face before I got smashed with water bombs by the other houses HAHA. I've finally experience how it feels like to be up there being smashed with waterbombs and all those flying into your face. It's a crazy experience and a rather painful one at that too! We had a strategy with R house for this, the RT alliance and it was awesome at the start! Until things started to change and we just decided to heck and play ourselves. It's quite a good sight to see T house protecting the house I/Cs after my partner kinda drop a tear or 2 cause it was really very painful and the freshies were aiming for her instead of the shield. Nonetheless T house also had their own war games after everything was over. Like just T house and round 3 all by ourselves. I guess the freshies really appreciate that!
Arts Camp 2015 - Day 5 (Prize Presentation)
& as usual we never win arts camp. This year we won the happiest house award! Imo I truly think that we deserve this happiest house award cause we have done so much. So what if we didn't win Arts camp, we won arts camp in our own very special ways. We didn't win the war, or more like I've never thought it was a war. We won friends that will be with us throughout our uni years, we won in our ways that other houses never could imagine themselves winning. We did so many things to surprise arts camp because we are T house, and we never stop trying to impress the other houses. So if you think that T house didn't win, look around you and see all that happy faces we all have. We won smiles, admiration, pride & most importantly, a family.
Arts Camp 2015 - The OGLs
I remember the times where me and Frances were anxiously waiting for each OG to get us the OGLs. We were excited and curious who are the ones that are going to step and lead T house together with us during Arts Camp 2015. After we got our team, the chat was so quiet that we thought that they didn't like us. I mean it's weird how the OGLs are so quiet in the chat. So we were worried for awhile but soon came to realise that this worry was unfounded. Through pre-camp and arts camp 2015, on the last day, this is a shot of us, after war games where we are really being ourselves. Gone are our awkward selves, our awkward conversations. 5 days felt like 5 week or 5 months or 5 years that we have known each other, sharing so much laughter with one another and just being ourselves. We helped each other when times were low, when we felt down and the energy level just wasn't there. Now that I'm moving on to Oweek (unexpectedly), a part of me wishes that I could have done Oweek with the rest of you here. Here's another foolish attempt of me trying to recreate a memory that would totally be different from the one at arts camp. So thank you Arts Camp 2015 OGLs, for everything and every memory that we shared, the fuddapness in every OG, the drinking sessions, the hearty laughter we have and most importantly, a family we created. Till the next time we meet (OGL outing), Arts Camp 2015 OGLs HUAT AH!
Arts Camp 2015 - T House
I particularly like this photo where we shouted HUAT AH into the camera. Seniors were around, freshies were around, OGLs were around, councillors were around. Minus away the red colour people who (actually wanted to be in T house) were extras and wow we got a full T house photo here. I took a closer look at the photo and realise that everyone is smiling and truly feels happy to be in T house. As a house I/C, I cannot be more proud than to see all their happy (tired) faces on the 5th day. They have fed me with so much energy, so much vigor that kept me going on everyday. And because of that, I will never stop doing even more things for them, to constantly give them the best Arts Camp days they will ever have. T House has been amazing and I can never ask for another house like this one. Action 214!
With that, Arts Camp 2015 has come to a bitterSWEET close.
One Arts
T house
Tecktonik 2015
Nongsapura
Thursday, May 21, 2015; ( 8:50 AM )
One of the nua-ing staycation at our stay in Turi Beach Resort (Batam) where we spent our 4th year anniversary together! The staff were very friendly and nice despite their minor hiccup while we were checking in when they got our bill wrong. Other than that, I was rather surprised when a staff showed/led us the way to our rooms.
The interior design of the room was actually quite good! I was pleasantly surprised. On the outside, it looked like Kampong houses but stepping into the room brings about a overwhelming urban-feeling that feels like home suddenly. Well the only thing was that we slept with mosquitoes buzzing in our ear which was SUPER irritating. We had to apply mosquito repellent most of the times even though we're asleep.
The weather wasn't really that kind to us. For the entire duration that we were there, there was occasional rain which really hinder my suntan plans and our nua-ing at the beach day. Nonetheless, we still managed to dashed our during times where there was sun and dived into the swimming pool. Dearest changed her handphone a day before into the Sony Z2. It's a phone that has damn good picture quality and it's also waterproof! Which explains our above shot. We took many attempts just to get it right. People float man.
So here's the main reason why I was really impressed with the resort. They surprised us with a complimentary cake! And to think I actually turned it down when they called me. LOL. Of course the 2 of couldn't finish the cake so we, bring Singaporeans, brought it back!
Note to self: Never check out so early in the future cause freaking mosquitoes thinks that you're free food and swarm to you as if they haven eaten for years/decades. This is our angry & sad faces cause it's day 3 and we had to leave the resort and put our nua-life behind us which was DAMN sad if you haven realize. Back to Singapore, our sunny island and on to our busy lives in June!
It was a good staycation less the mosquitoes! Really enjoyed the nua-ing life and the company this round! But I would'nt wanna come back here though, should try other resorts. With that,
HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY MY DEAREST!
Beyond the South
Friday, May 15, 2015; ( 9:47 PM )
I've been here before, Vietnam, back in 2013 during Winter. It was sure cold as hell up in the mountains and sailing through Halong bay then. It's summer this time. It was hot and humid in Hanoi, breezy and cool in Sapa, hot and cold in Halong. Different people bring about different experiences. Different seasons bring about different photos. Different photos bring about different memories.
Vietnam (8th-15th May)
Just imagine your whole trekking trip filled with photos like ^ and there you go - Sapa in it's full glory. It was a different route taken in Summer compared to Winter and it was breathtaking in it's own way too. This was one of the panorama shots taken by them and it kind of sums up what we have been through for the entire 2D1N trek. We took so many photos that we ended up taking a short-cut and becoming like goats on the verge of death. There were 2 foreigners who joined us during the 1st leg of the trip and alot more on our 2nd leg of the trip. Of course all of us took turns to fell within a short span of 10mins which was like ?!?!?!?!?!. None of can believe that omg but HAHAHA wtheck it was really damn funny. The guide literally followed us after that.
We embarrassed ourselves attempting to take the ^ shot. So many burst shots. This was one of the most breathtaking views where we had a stop for like 10mins. The route up here was crazily intense though. I'll never forget climbing up that waterfall just to get here. It was a good climb. That picture is our happy faces. But trust me, it was back to pokerfaces after that as we finished up the trek.
One of the best rest points during our 1st leg of the trip. I like this photo somehow. Cause we all have our sticks and are still smiling LOL. The scenery is good also! We had a homestay for our 1st night and it was some delicious dishes being served. Food was great though the night ended quite early. Stayed up to talk. Oh I didn't mention. The number of hours we spent talking can add up to more than 48 hours. Trust me, that's how much we talked.
And this picture signifies the end of our trek! We had maggie mee (comfort food) for lunch and quickly took this shot while everybody was waiting for us. It was a great climb with many things that happened. Most notably is our falling down and embarrassing ourselves taking jump shots. Let's not mention Jia Jing's non-stop talking which entertained me throughout the trek, Phoebe's death and trembling legs and Arthur's moment of folly which caused his hands not to be able to close.
Caught the coach back to Lao Cai and a overnight train back to Hanoir. Walked an hour back to ODC travel and trust me, with empty stomachs, it was not an enjoyable walk. But it was still fun walking in the early hours of Hanoi, looking at the early beginnings of a permanent-rush-hour traffic. Caught the bus to Halong Bay and started our Halong Bay tour!
Phoebe's awesome shot of Halong Bay while the sunsets. When I first saw this, I thought it was taken from google images or something. I was pleasantly surprised to know that phoebe took it. That amazing colourful sunset is something we wouldn't forget.
So the first day of Halong was met with lunch, a sampan tour and some visiting to farms and all. I had a damn bad flu after the sampan though and had a super early night. And homg, highlight of the trip coming up. In the middle of the night, there was a huge storm and I guess some ship beside of us did not anchor properly and it came slamming towards our ship and BAM. Collision. LOL. I can't believe all of us slept through that. I did wake up to see what's happening outside but apparently it's calm on my side so I guess the ship must have hit the other side. I was too sick and tired anyway so well I went back to sleep. The next day the Australians were recounting to us how the ship collided and we were freaking amazed. LOL.
And the second day was some visit to a cave which wasn't really thatttt interesting to me though it's really a cool and nice cave. I just think that the lights made it nicer and that's about it. Kayaking to explore the light and dark cave was great though (without life jacket?!)! Please do not let the above photo fool you. Kayaking with phoebe was (fill in the blanks). We prolly made a full of ourselves with a Hanoi jam and shouting at the top of our voices. Damn we're like embarrassment of Singapore. It was great fun though. And after our kayaking trip was another highlight of the trip
This is the only photo I've got?! So all was good until the engine died. The guide informed all of us that we the engine cannot start and we had to wait for a rescue boat. So the summary of the story was we were stranded for 3 hours, in the middle of the Halong Bay. After like 2 hours, the captain realized the anchor wasn't put properly and our ship was slowly drifting to a rock?! And with the sight of the open sea infront of us, it wasn't cool. It was fear damnit. The rescue boat finally came and it was pretty cool how they slowly pulled our boat back to mainland. And LOL while sailing back, a group of kayakers was kayaking across our ship. Should have took a photo of their epic omgwtfbbq faces as they kayak the hell of our way. LOL.
Behind these happy faces were shag faces who climbed hundreds of steps, panting as we climbing our way up. But we took a shot, got a full view of halong bay which was pretty nice! That concluded our 3rd day!
Back in Hanoi, we literally nua-ed in our hotel room & only moving out to have dinner lunch and breakfast. We did made a visit to this coffee cafe which was good! Though it was an hour walk there and an hour walk back. Plus, the Hanoi traffic didn't make it all that better. LOL.
So that concludes my Vietnam trip. My only regret is that I didn't manage to tailor a suit for myself cause they needed at least 2 days. Ah crap.