da-da-da we ain't gonna live forever

ABC Saturday, June 5, 2010 9:21 PM

I am back from AB camp.
I never knew I could survive the camp, but I did it. It is really a rather unexpected and interesting camp.
I remembered dragging my feet to school on Monday (31/4) as I do not like camps and this camp is 5 days long!
I also caught some stares from the public when I lugged my extremely huge camping bag. I looked awkwardly silly to carry so many bags.
It is a five-day camp and not the normal 3 days, what do you expect?!
I was also rather disturbed by the stares and worried whether did I over pack.
Something about me is that I like everything to be packed neatly and to be place in a small space.
However, my fears where soon gone when I reached Yio Chu Kang and saw the AJCians there carrying big and small baggage.
Then I was again reminded it is a 5-day camp, of course we need to pack more stuff.

As expected, we had to do pumping on the first day we reported.
Why am I not surprised?
I took it with a pinch of salt as I know there is more to come, according to my senior, and I was more worried about the bathing to care about punishments.
The first two days was torture.
Literally.
Why do I say that?
Maybe it was more of my mindset that was rather negative.
That is why perspective is an important when one does anything.
With positive perspective, the event is enjoyable.
With negative perspective, the event is unfortunately a torture.
Anyway, it was also contributed to the fact that I have some bad first impression about camps.

However, things took a turn.
On Wednesday, everything was simply amazing.
My group and group 7 went for Service Learning, in short CIP.
This was supposed to expose the going-to-be planners for SL. I never had so much fun with children before.
I relived my childhood days when I played a hand game with scissors-paper-stone--“Vampire, vampire, chess~ vampire copy-cat”.
What I really made me happy was being able to be connected with the world. That is one thing I dislike about camp is that they confiscate all source of communication, including your hand phone that can be used as an alarm clock, this makes me feel so isolated from the world.
I guess this can be the cause of over dependence on technology.
Nevertheless, I knew nothing about the outside world and that state; my GP teacher will skin me alive as I am not updating myself with the latest information.
Also, I forgot to off my alarm setting in my phone. I don’t think it bothered anyone cause no one found me to off my phone.
Another thing that made my Wednesday a happy one was we were able to get hold of our hp for a half-day. Holding it makes me thrilled. I also got a chance to off it before it disturbs anyone in the morning.
The Wednesday was a rather relaxed as it was to ensure that campers and student instructors had enough sleep before the Night Expedition.
There was Day and Night Expedition.
The day expedition was in the west and I went pass my house that made me feel home sick. At that time my group was still a group and not a true blue team.
However, for the Night Expedition my team was awesome!

The greatest achievement was that I, MICHELLE, walked from the north of Singapore (AJC) to South (Marina Barrage).

I really repeat WALKED.
You got you got to admit that Singapore is small but it is really a record-breaking event in my history.
I was also amazed as what a true team can do and really praise the Lord for giving me such a co-operative bunch of people.
During the Night Expedition was also the first time I had my night walk.
Frankly speaking, I am not a huge fan of dark and being alone. Having to do that in the middle of Fort Canning Park was terrifying.
Praying every step I took.
Thankfully, the path that my group was assigned to was near Orchard Central and there was some event with music blasting from the building, so it kind of distracted me from the fear of dark.
The path was unexpectedly short; I guess I must have enjoyed it.
Trust me, this will be the last time I will be doing it, hopefully.

Towards the Marina Barrage, my group started to become extremely motivated and ‘high’ as we were cheering and shouting “One more minute” when ever we saw the marina barrage sign. Though the journey was longer then a minute but it lifted the spirits of the group and my legs did not hurt thought I was walking at a high speed.

At Marina Barrage, my group was at the highest point of the parabola curve. We were running up the slope to the second level and did a round of high-fives with the first group. Everyone was literally screaming and cheering.
This soon died down as the adrenaline in our bloodstreams were gone.
5.50am was the time my group reached.
Walked for 7 plus hours.
Admire at the view of the sky.
Simply breath-taking.
All seven colours.
Fluffy clouds drifted across the sky.
The sun rose before my eyes.
Though I felt cheated as my group rush down at high speed to catch the sun rise that was predicted to be at 6.25am but it happened at 7.00am
But it was definitely worth the walk.
I personally witness a cloud raining over some HDB flats.
Awesome.
The camp ended with a graduation ceremony, the moment I had been waiting for.
Getting the certificate.
Though the camp ended, I am a bit reluctant to leave, as I know I need to start on my studies soon before I get back home.
There is a time for everything.
AB camp had the time to come and a time to go.
Indeed, a life changing experience.
Praise the Lord for making this an enjoyable camp.

Love,
Mic3helle