Lunch @ Ubin

  

Back to school

Backdate to Friday 23/08/13. 

I took the afternoon off today!!

A recent announcement was made to all NSFs that all OIL (off-in-lieu) had to be cleared within 1 month and not within 6 months, as it was previously thought. Hence, I'm clearing it before it expires.

I decided to visit my old school to catch up with some of my teachers. 

While I was there, I thought I'd walk ard for a bit, trying to get some feeling of nostalgia. It's not like I'm leaving for anywhere far but I felt that it won't be long that I will stop coming back to this place as all the old staff move on to other places and I can no longer recognize my juniors.

In fact, I could only recognize some of the year 6s and 5s. 

I spoke to a few people: my class mentor, Mrs Lay, my research mentor, Dr Tang, and finally Ms Mazni, a motherly figure who's always interacting with us students. 

While chatting over a cup of coffee, Mrs Lay shared that a student will be performing her senior recital that night.

Now this would not normally interest me, especially when the performer is someone i do not know personally, but when I found out her 1st instrument was vocals, I couldn't resist the temptation to stay and catch her recital. I've watched many piano/violin recitals, but this would be the first time I'm attending one presenting vocals.

And I did not regret my decision. Sure, i did end up coming back home really late, but I managed to enjoy a unique performance. 

Claire, a soprano trained in classical vocals, had an impressive voice. And the songs she sang that night, while having a few hiccups, were fun to listen to.

Being her own Emcee that night also added a personal touch to the recital. She had a sincere likable personality. And her awkward humor never went too far. 

Her pieces on her second instrument were however less polished. On her first piano piece, many had already realized that she was nervous. And she suffered for it. Mistakes became increasingly obvious and at one point she stopped playing completely.

Messing up a performance to such a state would kill any musician. But her personality saved her. Taking a deep breath, she told the audience confidently, that she would do the entire phrase again, before apologizing. And the crowd gave her their support, cheering her on with another round of applause.

She made it through and one could see that as the recital went on, she became more relaxed and started enjoying her time as a performer.

The recital ended at 9. By the time I got back home it was 10. So much for taking the afternoon off. :(

 

Nasi Lemak Power @ Boon Lay

Backdate to Thursday 22/08/13

Min invited us to join him and his other friends for dinner at Boon Lay. We were going to order the famous nasi lemak power that has people queuing up for more.

For $2.50, the nasi lemak is good. The service was also quick but friendly. And what if we wanted more rice or some add ons after we were already ordered and had seated down? You don't have to queue as this can be ordered separately from the main queue line which serves the nasi lemak.

Before heading back to camp, I went to stock up my snacks supply at a nearby shop. And guess what I found:

Eye glass candy! Hahaha, brings back much childhood memories. I didn't think that they were still selling these. I was almost tempted to buy one too, but ended up just getting a bag of chips.

Hahaha I'm eating so much unhealthy food today T_T

Our ma'am is running??

Backdate to Wednesday 21/08/13

Today our ma'am started her exercise routine to 'lose weight' she says jokingly.

We decided to run two rounds around our office block to start it off. Nothing much happened but I did end up seeing a monitor lizard for the first time.

After the two rounds, the rest headed for lunch while I ran another 2.4 km. I'm trying to balance out my gym workout with regular cardio such as running and swimming.

And my swimming has been improving. Just need more practice so I can endure a front crawl for at least 50 m instead of always giving up at 25 m. JY me ._. 

Projects!!!

I'm currently working on a video project for my branch that is: creating a series of educational videos about first aid skills and the some medical services SCDF provides. 

Sounds simple?

The video content is subjected to the approval of my boss. And my boss is someone who's a little difficult for me to work with so I'm not too optimistic. On the bright side, it's really nostalgic to be doing these kind of video work again.

For example: when was the last time I created a storyboard??? Hahaha. It was kinda fun but now this giant picture comic looms at my office reminding me of a project work that cannot be given up halfway like my other whimsical projects that I shelved for later years.

Progress is being made, and that's what keeping me distracted from the time that appears to tick slower as my ORD date gets nearer.

Even if this project gets rejected or doesn't get used in the end (like one of my previous ones did), i get to walk away with some more practice in my hobby.

My old school Cca is organizing a camp and they have invited me to join them as a stand by first aider. I can't wait to come back and mingle with my juniors again. Hopefully I'm be able to catch up with the teachers as well.

Now back to reading my book. 

Cheers!

Bye bye Fyn

Another one of my seniors ORD-ed today. :(

He was the one who interviewed me during my recruit time for medic selection. It was an interesting chat apparently:-

Fyn: So you're from NUS High?

Me: Yea

Fyn: Do you know someone called Hanisah?

Me: Yea. She's a friend.

Fyn: (laughs) She's my cousin.

Me: (looks at his face... suddenly realizing a similarity in their facial features)

A fun guy, fyn emits an aura of friendliness. We usually tease him that he's a whale due to the resemblance when he naps on the floor. (Kinda mean I know, haha). He's a good swimmer too despite his appearance("ur natural habitat" xD ). 

Only batch 121 and 122 are left before it'll be our turn(123). That's 7 more months. Time will pass quickly..