Greatest desire at the moment:
1) Watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
2) Go to Orchard Road for a ride in the Knight Bus.
3) Go to Katong and get Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban game.
4) Search for Harry Potter 2-in-1 vcd/dvd set
5) Finish The Chronicles of Narnia.
Firstly, I would like to say: Thanks Kenneth, for that anti-Sasser thing. It helped a great deal.
I can’t believe this. Firstly, I have to FORCE myself to update my blog on my camp, trip to Night Safari and other activities I’ve done! Secondly, how heartless can I be?? I saw a disabled person on a wheelchair (those who lives near me, he’s the one selling newspapers at blk 419) struggling to turn his chair around. I wanted to help him at first, but then something stopped me and I stopped in my tracks and walk by another way. I just can’t believe this!
Ok, camp… It’s been a week already, more than that actually… The Sec 3 camp was held two weeks ago from Monday morning to Friday morning (5 days, 4 nights) on the last week of school. It was held in Pahang, yes very far, the more exciting. As some know, I’m separated from both Siti and Nuurul who chose Thales, so I’m going to live without them (as well as without my parents), scary but kinda exciting. Lucky for me, I know half the people on my bus and I even made more friends, which probably then makes up to 3/4. So… on to the whole event:
Day 1 ~
Assembled in school at 6.15 a.m. and we boarded the bus at around 6.45 a.m. I was in Pericles - Sappho, bus 3. I sat with Faridah. Reached the Singapore Immigration at dunno-what-time (didn’t bring watch alone) and we alighted only with our passports. Queued up, chatted, moved, bla, bla, board bus. Travel a short while and reached Malaysian Immigration and this time we alighted with our passports along with our big backpacks, luggage and whatever treasure chest (jk) we’ve brought along. Queued up and chatted some more, bla bla, check luggage, get on Malaysian ‘bas persiaran’ (tour bus), tried handphone (still not working). After that we headed over to Yong Peng (izzit?) for lunch. Shared a plate of chicken rice with Siti and drank Milo ice. Then bought a big packet of Twisties for journey. Boarded bus again and this time along the way, no buildings (not many), no people (very few), just trees, trees and nothing else but trees, mainly oil palm trees. Watched Scoby Doo on the small tv set at the front of the bus. Trees and more trees. Slept with jacket hood on and then woke up. Joked around with Faridah. Trees and more trees. Stopped at a very smelly place for toilet break (after about 3-4 hrs), Those who went in had to pay 30 sen I think, for nothing. There was no water! I told myself, “Forget it, control, control…” Then, (guess what?) trees and more trees. Then, FINALLY, reached at a rest house or something to go toilet, pray and eat. After that? Trees and more trees. But there was an excited feeling bubbling in me. We’re already in Pahang, then in Jerantut (observed the railway track). The bus then made a turn to the left somewhere in Maran and into a rainforest! It then turned right and goes deeper, deeper, passed gates, passed a cave, deeper and deeper. We then saw a small hut and the bus stopped. That was supposed to be the campsite! All Pericles then alighted, took out the bags, lined up in threes (3 to a tent) and listened to instructions. One from each group then went to take the tents and off we go pitching our tents, girls on the right and boys on the left from the hut’s view. We were then asked to find dry firewood and stones for campfire. Before starting, Mr Ng arrived and talked to my group (well, we have 2 canoeist here). Then, with such a small light from my weak torchlight, I looked around for dry sticks and gather them in front of my tent. Daphne helped me a bit, then looked for stones while Khairunnisa guarded the things we’ve gathered (no torchlight). The instructor then gathered us round him and talked about teamwork and asked us to take the things we’ve gathered and put as one in front of the hut’s entrance, some way away from the tents. When that was done, we boarded the bus to Tekam Resort for dinner with our fellow Thales. Along the way, I closed the window to avoid seeing anything I shouldn’t. With nothing to do, I eavesdrop on the teachers’ conversation. Wrong move, I heard the guide telling Mdm Suriadi about cavemen and all and I got all shaken. There, we first had to gather at the multi-purpose hall (with bugs of all kinds) for a briefing before having dinner (also with bugs… and cats, not that I mind the latter). Most of us lost our appetite and bid our time chatting and swatting flies. Well, after that was back to campsite (no idea which was better then). Along the way, we begged for no campfire, no matter what good supper the guide said he had. We were too sleepy. Since I didn’t go to the toilet at the resort (bug-infested), I used the toilet at the campsite, which was no better. It smelled and the water is murky brown stagnant water. No idea of its origin. I didn’t really ‘go to toilet’ as in do business, nope I didn’t. Don’t ask what I did, k. After that, I prayed at the hut and then off to bed. But really, for more than an hour, I was hardly asleep. I can say I was fully aware of my surroundings. Then I heard plitter, platter, plitter, platter. I thought it was Khai smsing or something, but it was actually the rain. And so I got up and closed the 2nd layer of our tent door to avoid water from entering. Daphne then woke up due to gastric (or was it cramps?) and she asked me to bring in the shoes and so I did. After that, we heard voices about flooding and all and the tent across to ours keep shining the torchlight our way. Daphne got back to sleep but I was already wide awake. More voices. People then got up to caves/hut for shelter. Khai woke up and I pleaded that we go up to the hut, as my clothes were already drenched from the ‘flooded’ ground and so we did, with Daphne and all our things. In the hut, it was much cooler and safer and I slept soundly till next morning (I heard I kept kicking Andrea’s head and Fenny couldn’t sleep properly because of my head, o… k…).
Day 2 ~
Long day, day 1 wasn’t it? Now, on to the second day... Everyone didn’t have any intention of bathing, not even Christine. First thing, breakfast! It wasn’t so bad for the fact that we’re camping… Next, caving. It was soooo cool! Dark, scary and eerie, yet fun. We had to get into the forest, across puddles, overhanging branches and what other else before reaching the cave. The Muslim students were reciting some prayers of safety and we think Reza actually saw something but kept his mouth shut. Ok, anyway, in the cave, we first have to climb through a small hole with the help of a few student leaders. Ok I did bump my head and got stuck a bit ‘cause I don’t know where to step on. Then we gathered at one place. One on side was a cliff while the other, you had to climb quite a height before getting into the dark. But the guide led us to the cliff side. We were surprised at first, but then he turned a corner and into the dark. I was feeling frightened then ‘cause the guide was quite far in front, I have no torchlight, neither does Khai who was behind me and the only person in front of me, other than the guide was Steven. I must thank him very much for shining the torchlight for me to see where I was going as it was pitch black and I think I saw a few holes. When we were out there though, the most beautiful sight faced me. The rays of sunlight were streaming in and it was evergreen. I really have no idea how to describe it. Not in the cave of course, but just some way up. I hope Reza remembers to develop the big group photo that we took there. I would really love to remember that place, it was just the sweetest, the best. We walked around awhile before the guide called us over to a really, really dark place. There, he asked us to switch off our torchlight. Only his was on and he showed us where we’re heading using it. Oh and he didn’t forget to mention that if we slip all the way down, we’ll be 170m deep in the cave and no one might save us. This really scared the hell outa me! Off we go then, one by one on our butts sliding slowly and very carefully. Being one of the first few, I waited at one corner and was later crammed to the back. (mind you, here Mr Wong was umm… going berserk? I daresay it was kinda irritating, him telling us everything the guide had told us to do. He even told us to do things that the guide didn’t even mention to do!) Then we went even further down. Down a very narrow ‘slide’. When I was about to reach landing, my legs were too short! Then my bottle dropped and alarmed the people in front of me and I was so scared that I grabbed can’t-remember-his-name’s arm/hand. Phew, passed that critical stage, now was to sit down and just keep moving forward/down to make way for those coming. I’m lucky I wasn’t near Effa (the wall was on my left and Abbas on right) because she actually put her hand (or was it sat) on a decomposed bat! Eww! I saw it, there were still a few drops of blood at the joins of the bones. While sitting, Reza was like making dragon shadows eating Asri’s head or someone’s hands. When he said ‘monster’, the guide who was still at the top helping the others, scolded him for mentioning it in such a place. As for me and Abbas, we were trying to figure out if below is water or land. He kept shining at it and I really couldn’t make up my mind. So, we then moved all the way done and discovered that it was land. Ok, this part… As I had been fearing, the guide mentioned things that we did good and then mentioned something like, “Now I would like to see you following your student leaders’ instructions!” I was like, “I knew it! I knew it! Oh no, what’re we gonna do??” I think you’ve guessed what they wanted us to do, but I’ll tell you anyway. He asked us the time and said we’re only to move after 5 mins and off the go, up, up and away! I really thought that it was a long way from sunlight, but it was just uphill and move a bit and another uphill. Ok, before 5 mins, Mr Wong was like, “Ok, go now. 5 mins already, go.” We did just that and when some got out of the top (I was in the middle), the guide shouted to us that 5 mins is not up, get back don. Aiyo! So, we went back down, waited a bit and climbed again, girl, boy, girl, boy, just in case… When I got to the top, I couldn’t get out ‘cause my legs were too short and I can’t grope on anything. I stretched, stopped, thought, stretched somewhere and heaved myself out. And what a relief, air and light! Outside, we had to go back downhill and I nearly slipped and fall (actually, I did slip but got hold of something). One of the guides at the bottom looks like he’s about to laugh at me. So, down, down and down. I looked at myself and realized how dirty I really was. Then someone, can’t remember who saw a shallow river and we washes our hands and some, faces too with clear, clean water. I think I would have bathed there if it were deeper. The water was so cooling and refreshing since we didn’t have any water from morning. Ok, right… After that, we crossed the river and walked, walked, crossed river, walked, walked, crossed river, go under short rocks, walked, crossed river and we’re out on the bus track (no bus there, we had to walk back to campsite). At the campsite, the Thales were already there. They told us about abseiling and we told them about caving. Then we, Pericles had our lunch and chatted even more. After lunch, we watched (and some helped) the Thales pitch their tents. I think the Pericles did better at it the previous night, even if it was in the dark. Soon after, the Thales made a move to go caving and the Pericles were once again bored. Some girls were already sleeping in the hut and I decided to join them, but as soon as I put my head down, the teachers were already calling us for abseiling. Now, for abseiling… It was total danger, total fun, total whatever else lah! I was the ‘first girl’ (maybe ‘cause of my size, hmph. It’s not fair you know, the guide chose who goes first and who next and so on) to try the abseiling but Hana was the ‘first girl’ to abseil since she wanted to get it over and done with. When it was my turn, I was kind of nervous at the top as quite a number got stuck and hurt themselves before me. Lucky for me though, I got off with no blood on me at all. The whole trick is to spread your legs as wide as possible and lean your body back so gravity can pull you down. The only problem I faced was, I kept moving towards the right at the bushes (the guide was like teasing me saying like, “Wah! You love the bushes so much, ah? Move left lah” in Malay) and when I was already reaching down, the guide said like, “Yes, way to go, father’s daughter” in Malay again. The most, most scary, yet funny, yet crazy part was not on me, but on Asri. When he was nearly reaching the ground, the guide actually pulled the rope and made him swing around! I would have screamed and cried if I were him, truthfully speaking. Ok, before the whole thing was finished (I heard Fenny’s ropes got stuck, aiyo, scary), me as well as most of the Muslim students went back to the hut to pray, so we didn’t catch the last good parts. Ok, so when all was done, we were asked to board the bus and also requested to sit on newspapers so as not to dirty the non-washable chairs. But before we leave, the girls had to do some cleaning with the girls toilet. I helped out as I was kinda guilty, but really, what can we do with no flush and water? (we used the stagnant water to watch the whatever-lah) Ok, then off we go to Tekam Resort. How glad I was! The bad news was just the night walk and another caving that night. The Thales said that the cave is brightly lit except at the end, but I was till thinking about the morning cave and I really didn’t wanna go. Since it rained after that (thank God!), we were asked to take a bath (after 36 hrs, yes we counted) and meet back in the multi-purpose hall where we learnt line-dancing, crap but quite fun. They actually lied to us?? They said we’ll be performing it in front of the Minister of Pahang on the last day but we didn’t. That night, I only got a little sleep ‘cause I woke up at about 2.30 a.m. and no matter how many times I tossed and turned, I couldn’t fall back to sleep, all thanks to Siti’s ‘ghost’ story and also from the unbearable heat (I don’t dare move the towel that was blocking the fan from reaching me). So, what did I do? I tried waking Effa, but she got a look of terror on her face before falling back to sleep and I went back to my bed. Smsed my mum (yes sooo early in the morning), and wrote a journal entry on my phone (which couldn’t save, how nice) and also observe my other roommates sleeping so pleasantly. I got quite a fright when a pillow came flying down a top bunk though (Hana & Fatin’s bunk I think). Until at last I was so tired that I fell asleep. That was round 4.30 – 5 a.m.
Day 3 ~
Ok… Woke up at about 7 and what a fright the girls in my dorm had when we see all the insects filling up the whole bathroom (the one and only that the girls have). The girls in my dorm (with only some help from the Lysians and the other Pericles) cleaned up the whole bathroom using water in small pails and clearing the bugs from one cubicle to another while me and Fenny went to get a broom (which I don’t think they returned). This went on until a few cubicles were free of bugs while others so full of bugs that you can’t even enter. I didn’t really feel like bathing so I just went to toilet. I then looked for my school shorts in my bag for the water rafting and I realized that it was kinda torn and tattered (at some parts) and I didn’t realize that. Lucky Ifana got extra shorts, even though if there were bears all over (can’t remember who ‘complimented’ how cute it looked at Jeram Besu). So, my next fear, I dunno how to swim!!! Well, I do know, but not quite well. Then the teachers were all saying that we’re required to show that we can swim, what was I to do?? I really, really want to do water rafting! Ok, relax, relax… So, at last we boarded the bus to Jeram Besu where we did some morning stretching to prevent any cramps. Then, the time has come… They gave out the life jackets and 10 by 10 walked across the shaky bridge or whatever you call it. My batch I think was the unluckiest. Firstly Mr Wong was behind me and secondly a few rude (and crazy if I may add) ones rocked the bridge. I nearly lost my balance. Near the end, I skipped to level land and went down rocks to join the first batch. When everyone was gathered, the guides showed us how we’re going to do the swimming thing, which was just a backstroke. How relieved I was! So after the backstroke thing (the water was as cool if not cooler than the one in the river the previous day), the guides led us back up to the swaying bridge, past it and to the rapids where we’d jump from like ‘superman’. It looks fun, but when I jumped, water got into my nose (no breath control according to Ifana) and I panicked. The ‘swimming guide’ shouted to me to turn on my back so can backstroke. Then instead of moving towards the rocks, I moved towards the place where we did the backstroke so the ‘swimming guide’ had to throw a black rubber floater for me to catch. Since my left (or was it right?) hand was holding onto my sandal that nearly got lost in the rapids, I only had one hand to hold on tightly to rubber thing. I was quite angry to know that I had to climb so high, risking falling into the waters to the swaying bridge, across it and back to the ‘backstroke place’. Haiz… Then, when all had done the jump, the guide showed us how to go about with the water rafting as well as the safety precautions we need to take before doing the capsize drill. The capsize is done by having the heavy ones on one side and lighter ones on the other. The boys were skinny and most probably lighter than me so I was on the heavy side. Then, the heavy ones were supposed to pull the lighter ones on their (heavy) side to make the raft (boat, urgh!) turn turtle. My partner was Ivan and we were at the most front if I’m not mistaken (or was it right at the back? Something like tt lah). On the count of three, I pulled his life jacket, but as soon as my face reached the water, I let him go ‘cause my nose hurt sooo badly! Ok, next… the real thing… I sat on the very front of the left side of the raft. Behind me was Effa and I dunno who else after that and what. All I know was that our raft had 13 (or was it 12?) people – me, Effa, Christine, Rui Qi, Ivan, Benny and 5 (or 4) others whom I either not know their names or can’t remember who, Mr Wong and 2 guides. There was no competition between the rafts and so we took our own sweet time. My raft was one of the last few but we caught up 2-3 rafts altogether passing rapids, rocks, low-hanging branches and the nice surroundings on our left and right. After some time, there was a very strong rapid and towards the end, I felt myself going to the left no matter how much I pushed myself towards the right and when I tried to grab the safety line, I lost and balance and phoosh, splash, whatever! In the water I ended up and I threw the paddle towards Effa whom I caught a sight of while dropping out. I didn’t scream, just flailed my hands to try and swim (which of course didn’t do much since I can’t really swim). Even with a life jacket, I felt myself falling in. My feet didn’t reach the ground since I was sort of lying horizontally. In the end I saw one of the guides jump in and he grabbed my life jacket and pulled me towards the raft. Well, even at the raft, I dunno how to get in. They said lean in and push forward but friction stopped me and I think Mr Wong pulled me into the raft. While I rested, someone on the right side took my place, but it wasn’t long when we stopped at the side where the other Pericles were. There, while still inside the raft, the students threw water into each others’ faces (of course those in other rafts not your mates). My raft had holes at the front and back for water to go out but some other rafts didn’t and they had to scoop the water out, haha! They then allowed us to get out of the rafts, which we gladly did. We scooped water into our helmets and splashed at each other. Some were jumping on each other to bring them underwater, it was lotsa fun! After some time, they called us back into the rafts. This time I was still on the left side, but the 3rd from the front. Another girl was right at the front, then Effa, then me and then Benny. Mr Wong was still in the middle (and keeps shouting, “In! Out! In! Out!” while trying to overtake). We were still one of the few last ones to move and only managed to overtake one this time. So we paddled for quite a distance (not as fun as before since no rapids, if I’m not mistaken and I was sitting somewhere in the middle so I don’t feel making a difference while paddling) and even passed a ‘civilization’ or so since there’s kampong houses, but not really civilization. According to Mr Wong, the dwellers do toilet business in the ‘river’ where we were. I felt pulling my leg in, but I fear of falling out again. Mr Wong then caught sight of two monkeys in a big tree. Most of us were trying to find out where they were, including me. I only saw one when we have already passed the tree. Then on and on we continued to paddle and stopped halfway to carry our rafts ashore and into a truck before getting back on the bus, where we had to sit on plastics this time, aiyo. We were then brought back to the starting point at a small shop where we had our lunch, a delicious plate of chicken rice, which I finished in no time at all. Before that Aileen (Eileen, Elaine, whatever) forced us to change into dry clothes and we argued but what can we do? After that, I really thought we were continuing our water raft, but instead we spent about 2 hrs on the bus back to Tekam Resort for flying fox. On the bus, Aileen checked that we changed. Actually I didn’t change my shirt, but it was the material that don’t look wet and dries kinda fast, so she didn’t catch me. A few guys were caught and they changed right on the bus. Along the way, slept a little, then woke up and listened to Christine and Hana talking about puking and listened to Christine singing and being joined by others. Faqeh and another guy (was it Kang Sheng?) complained that they needed the toilet and Hana offered them the plastic bag I sat on earlier since she didn’t really feel like puking yet, but luckily they didn’t ‘do it’ as we’ve reached. As soon as they heard the direction of the toilet, they dashed off, followed by a few others. As for the rest of us, we went to the flying fox area that was just about two-storeys high and above the small width of a river. Along the river, we watched the Thales paddling their DIY bamboo raft and barely moving. When we reached the flying fox area, we were told that the preparations for it took very long and the boys were asked to play soccer first. Some of the girls got bored and followed the boys to ask if there were any netball balls. One of our guides there went to get one and then we had a short game (with a few boys and a few girls from Thales when they were done). I then got bored and walked back to the flying fox area and saw Christine getting out of the river and she told me that everyone who did the flying fox had to cross the river. I shrugged and replied that I’d do it the next day as the guides had advised those who went to play earlier. However, Aileen (whoever) shouted down that there’d be no ‘tomorrow’ as there’d be no time. As first Fatin and me walked back to the netball court as we really didn’t feel like getting ourselves in ‘longkang’ (drain) water filled with tadpoles and leeches (the very dirty river). Halfway though, I decided to turn back do the flying fox. Thought, “I paid $130 the camp, why shouldn’t I do this? I have the extra pants more and I was wet before. Why not get myself wet again?” With that, I queued up for the flying fox behind the sunburn Fenny. Before long, the boys came over and said that they wanted to do as well and so I wasn’t the last, more started queuing behind me. While waiting, a very irritating big black bird (belongs to one of the guides) flew over. It made a great deal of noise that some girls started suggesting ways of shutting it up. I also thought that I might consider patting its head when I climb up for my turn at the flying fox, but when I did reach there, I decided against it and continued going up. Mdm Suriadi was somewhere nearby telling the boys that they must do both the flying fox and the river crossing ‘cause they’re a set (some backed out) and the guide was saying, “Look, girls have done both, why can’t you boys?” Good one, good one, haha! When I reached the other side, I tried my luck and asked if I must cross the river and they said yes. Like the abseiling, the hard part was actually walking to the river. My sandals (like my shoes) were really slippery and once I slipped and poked a hole in my right palm from a tree (shoot, whatever you may call it). When I said ouch, one of the guides said like, “Aiya, a bit of blood only. Nothing lah. Come, let me see.” I was kinda angry, so I just went and crossed the river. Woah! It was sooo painful when it touched water! It may be small, but deep (still has the scar till now). When I got across, due to my slippery sandals, I couldn’t get out. I kept slipping and falling back into the waters, urgh! When I finally got out, Fenny and I were asked to carry the whole big box of mineral water, but since we had such a difficult time trying to carry it that the teachers asked us to bring just two bottles each. Ifana joined us (she didn’t do) without having to carry any ‘cause she was downstairs. Hana and Reza soon followed us. Reza had to bring the whole box, but Hana helped him with about six bottles. Fenny and I then couldn’t figure out which way was our dorms and Reza ended up leading us. When I got back, I took a long, nice bath in the well, enclosure… The shower room was full since the Thales were with us and so I followed Christine’s lead and did as she did. The water was very cool and I showered as if I was in the shower room except that I had to squat really low (well, actually I sat on the floor) to get my head under the tap. When I was done, I think I was one of the last few that time. That night, we went for the night walk and caving that we refused to do the day before. I sat with Rui Qi on the bus and got to know her better. I was also her partner for the night. Before our activity started, the guides showed us a few cases which showed skulls and things belonging to cavemen. There were also paintings and a bit of history about them. Then, off we go walking in total darkness except for the lights from our torchlight in twos. I looked straight ahead, hoping I wouldn’t catch anything ‘unusual’. When we finally reached the cave (Terang Bulan or Bright Moon was the name), we saw Mr Ng, Miss Leong (and Miss Shirin too I think) waiting outside. I saw that the cave was rather high up and was kinda brightly lit. Up and up we went with frequent “watch out for the rock” or “careful of the hole”. When we finally got into the cave, the guide explained to us about the stalagmites and stalactites and how these two stretch to meet to form pillars. He also showed us some nice ‘carving’ which were made by the waves of the waters that used to be in there (the whole place including our campsite on the first day, was believed to be under water a long time ago), the wind and the bats; such as vultures and a woman carrying a baby. He didn’t forget mentioning to us that we can ‘help’ him clean up the railings full of bat shit and urine by putting our hands on them. Dream on! While talking, two (or was it three) groups from the other Pericles passed us and a few girls scream and shout. One of them was Sabrina, who happened to be behind me. She practically shrieked out and hugged and jumped up and down and stuff. At one part, she made such a sad face saying, “I miss them sooo much!” I was rolling my eyes with my arms folded and said what the guide had said, “Come on, you’ll see them tomorrow.” I was like, PUH-LEASE!!! You can’t even live without your friends within three days?? Urgh! Oh and I forgot to mention, nobody from the other Pericles noticed me at all, how insignificant! Ok, the whole thing pissed me off. I only smiled again when we started walking and seeing so many wonderful stuffs. It was kinda cool inside there and I really liked the cave. When we reached far inside, the guide showed us one part high up where the sun would stream in, in the morning. He then asked us to switch off all our torchlight and stay silent. He wanted us to feel the silence and darkness. I was like OMG! I groped Rui Qi’s arms and opened my eyes as big as possible. I couldn’t see a thing at all and neither could I hear a thing. It was making me crazy but that was one experience… When we got back out, it was starting to rain heavily. I wore my jacket, so I just had to put on the hood. I even had my cap on. I offered Rui Qi either one but as I expected she said no. I mean that jacket survived three days without any washing and my cap was already wet with sweat, eww… When we got back to the bus, most were already drenched and sweaty. Since the bus aircon wasn’t functioning well, Rui Qi took out her minifan and fanned us. We talked little and started to doze off. When we got back to our dorms, I can hardly remember what we did but I knew we didn’t sleep early. It was afterall our last night there. We chatted, sang, ate. Actually the girls in my dorm did that to get me to sleep. That night, we didn’t forget to switch off the toilet nights as well as the lights outside our dorms to ensure a bug-free place. At last I fell asleep, without much difficulty, probably from the comfort of shorts instead of pants or from the security I felt from so many people around.
Day 4~
I woke up around 6.15 a.m. I panicked and started forcing myself to sleep. When I couldn’t, I took out my handphone and say that it was going to ring soon at 6.20. I got up and woke Effa up, before doing the same to Iyliana for morning prayers. When we turned on the toilet lights, Siti walked out of her dorm followed by a few other girls. We say that the toilet was rather ok. Soon after that, other girls started waking up. I did what was necessary and went back to my dorm. After praying and waiting for awhile, I went out. I met Siti and we went to the dining hall. Along the way, we met Mdm Suriadi and we talked about how badly we wished we had taken Elect Geog instead of Elect Lit and she started into Social Studies and advising us how to do better and stuff. I dunno why, but I felt like crying. After that, I played with the cute black kitten (which so resembled my lost cat) for awhile before having breakfast at the dining hall. Siti and I ate our breakfast while feeding sausages (raw according to Christine) to the cats. After that, we had our morning exercise and the Pericles headed onto the bus to the Tekam oil plantation. I think I’ll cut short on this to the part of coconuts and fruits right at the end. When we returned, there was lunch and then we had a game of Treasure Hunt around Tekam. We were the first group to finish and we got back, but we realized we missed one and all ran back out except for Hana, Andrea and me. I was to accompany Hana who had cramps and Andrea who had blisters. Since I was well, I helped Mr Ng and Miss Shirin arrange the chairs for that night, the last night. My group soon returned again, mission accomplished as we thought at first. But then, we were asked to look for our guide and where in the world was he?? When most of the groups had returned, he appeared. Group leaders followed by some members rushed up to him and shouted, “We got here first! We got here first!” Childish, but after our running, we do deserve something. Then, as I expected, he said everyone was a winner and gave a Tekam Plantation chain to each of us. Kinda disappointed, but the chain was a full remembrance of the camp. As I help the oil palm seed in my hand that night, I relived what had happened the pass days I was in Pahang and I somehow believe that I will remember the whole event later in life just by holding that seed. Ok, after that, we went out of the multipurpose hall for the cultural show, which showed the gasing (spinning top) game. It looked pretty interesting, but dangerous as well. When the show was over, they allowed us to stay to learn how to play, but I went over to the weaving area. I wanted to learn how to make the ketupat, but I didn’t. Instead, I (or our instructor) did a crown halfway and gave up before going over to Fenny (I think) and learnt how she had made the keris from one of the other instructors. When that was done, I heard shouts of joy outside, so I decided to go out. I needed a bath anyway. Outside, I saw that the other groups, Demostenes and Pericles (the lucky ones) had come to gather for the big night. There were few that said hi to me, so I got to the girls’ toilet fast. I bath at the exposed area again with Ashley, who upset me afterwards (won’t say what, but it totally pissed me off). After that, I finished my packing and put all together on my bed and went out for dinner. That night, dinner was different. It was buffet and we sat with our friends in big groups (wasn’t too happy with my group for I’m not really close to them, but the other group of my friends were even better off without me). Before eating, Mr Ng said clearly that girls were to be served first and if he saw any boys queue up before their turn, they’ll get the taste of caning when they return to Singapore. They girls cheered while the boys booed, haha! I didn’t eat well that dinner for I felt kinda sad that we’re returning. I like the freedom no matter how much I miss my parents (ok at that moment I was quite angry at them for being busy on a Friday to pick me up). I don’t want to let go of my friends. I want to simple and happy lives they lead. Nevertheless, after dinner I got pack to my dorm, took some pictures, took my bag and walked out with a silent goodbye. In the multipurpose hall, prizes were given (one was the most leech-bites: 11!!!) before clear instructions were given about the seating arrangement in the train. When all that was done, we formed groups of four, chose the train we want and sat down. I to sit with Faridah, Fenny and Ifana (they’re the ones that helped me a lot throughout the camp along with Rui Qi, Christine, Effa and a few others and also not forgetting the skilful guides) in Train 9. We then boarded the bus in fours and off we go to Jerantut train station. Along the way there, I held my oil palm seed and planted memories in it as tears escaped the brims on my eyes. At the train station, Faridah, Fenny, Ifana and I walked around. At one part, we talked to Siti and William about this camp as well as school. William felt the brush of death on him during cycling and Siti helped him tell us again. Dangerous group, the Demostenes. We were then asked to bring our bags to the carpark and were sorted out again before returning to the shelter. There and then I fell asleep until about 2 a.m when the train arrived. I was still tired when I got on but I think I was wide awake when I saw all the cockroaches aboard! Later on I found out that only my carriage was filled with them, others were insect-free. I didn’t dare to sit on the inside and poor Faridah had to do so. Sorry Faridah… It was already so late and people just sat anywhere. Some were unhappy about this and made their irritation known to the whole train. I just shouted, “Will you just sit down??” For goodness sake, it’s the same with or without your friends.
Day 5~
Woke up at about 8 a.m., no idea where we were. Most students were awake and I decided to go to the ‘canteen’ as so thy called it. I bought a pack of twisties along with a small bottle of strawberry milk, which probably caused the sudden stomachache I had after that. About an hour later, the train stopped at Johor and we were stuck there for quite long. I walked about, looking for friends (unexpected of me but I need to move those legs) and playing card games. When the train finally moved, I think about an hour had passed. I went back to my seat and very soon after, we reached Singapore Custom Immigration, brought down our bags, held on to our passports, queued up, joked around and moved. This was when I had a really bad stomachache, felt like I was poisoned or something (but I knew it’s the milk. I have a very weak stomach on milk.) and so I ran to the toilet. Didn’t go so well as some people were shouting that the train’s leaving so I had to hurry. On the train, I felt sick to the core. I’m very sure my face showed no colour, but I can’t say about that. It took quite some time to reach the Singapore station. I left my bag with Izyan and ran to find a toilet, somewhere. How crazy I was when I got to know must pay 20c! Luckily the guy allowed me go in first, pay later, which I gladly did. When done, I ran out and realized my friends were heading out already, along with Izyan in the crowd. I ran back to my bags and saw Rusydiana there and she asked, “What took you so long?!” Ok, whatever. So I walked out and since I was with Siti, I joined in Reza and pals’ photo taking session (at first I didn’t but Miss Shirin asked me to join at the front row which I did). (Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the 20c I owed.) Then, Siti and I followed the teachers to the school bus waiting to bring us to Temasek. Along the ride, I was squashed with my bag on my lap. I looked out the window and welcomed myself. The driver was kind enough to drop the teachers where they wished (near the school also) and so no harm done to follow them to Bedok MRT. From there, Siti and I took 18 home. I was kinda… I dunno… when I got home. My parents didn’t really care much about that camp and wasn’t too enthusiastic about hearing my journey, but I told them bits and pieces to let myself breathe anyway.
Now that I really did let go, I feel relieved that I will find this journey either in my blog or in my own diary (gonna print this or something). I don’t know what to say now except that I’ve been writing this since 7th June and today’s 12th, long huh.
