Embrace love and life.

mood: confused

music: Stars and Boulevards by Augstana

Back from camp- and I'm thankful for the sights and sounds of civilisation. Being at Sarimbun Scount camp is like being in Tarman Negara, or some secluded forest. Nature's peaceful, no doubt, but I still don't think I am an all out nature girl. I still complain alot about the scorching sun, high humidity levels and the tons of stinging insects. Damn I have a sting on my right heel, and it was hurting so badly yesterday everything my heel struck the ground. It's still tender though, and I have lots of bites on the underside of my feet! >:( Itching all over.

I guess the fun part about camp was the goofy times I had with the OC and facis. Carmen Ching aka The Nanny (she really sounds like her!) was so bitchy and hilarious, and together with Sammie, they make an entertaining pair to watch. They're so crazy everytime they're together. Had unexpected deep talks with some of the guys and the girls as well, while slacking in our air-con dorms during the long talks that everyone else had to attend. 

I'm just thankful that the camp went without a hitch, save for the afternoon thunder storms, but contingency plans were in place. I can't believe it, all that we've planned for is over in 2 days, and in about 2 more weeks, the grand finale for Worldview 2007 is coming, so I'm telling myself to cherish this time well. If there is one thing I'll take away from this whole experience, it would be the people that I've worked so closely with, and the time we've spent together. <3 

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New training session at the RDA this afternoon, and darn it, I got the grandfather of all horses, meaning one of the grumpiest one of the lot- Chester. He's kinda hard to handle because he's slightly deaf so I've got to give commands firmly and loudly. What's more, the new kid, Don, who's 7years old and autistic, cries really loudly when he feels scared- especially when Chester jerks, or scratches... amd this kinda makes it worse. The first time he wailed, I got a shock because we all know that sudden loud noises would startle the horse. He cried a couple of times... eeks. I just cross my fingers that it would only get better. But thanks to this new guy, Francis who I think is very experienced and friendly for managing Chester for me during the jungle ride. That's the thing about volunteering about the RDA. Every week, it's a different set of challenges, and I feel that it's meaningful because even as a volunteer, you don't remain static; you learn and adapt as you go along. 



After the session, Olie, Dawn and I headed down to Island Cremery to pig out. Ice-cream always works to cheer up our days. Except that my bike riding and 2km run this morning would have come to naught now.

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I had my SMU interview last Wednesday. This is utterly horible, but I was 10 minutes late. :S They asked about my pre-tertiary CCA choice (lifeguard corps; because I love swimming, and would pick up a few skills useful in future (who knows?) in light of the Pasir Ris drownings), my choice for choosing SMU Social Sciences, NUS FASS and which of the two I would pick if they both offered me places. And why I did not apply to NTU. Partly because I'm a lazy ass that couldn't be bothered, but more importantly, the courses and the style didn't appeal to my interest. I knew this was going to crop up- they wanted my opinion about the current rise in ministers' pay. Gave both sides for the answer, rambled on for a while, talked about what I wanted to do in the future (I am considering working at grassroots level, but let's put that on hold first), asked about overseas attachment chances (much higher than NUS, as cohort is much smaller) etc.

I think in about a month, the posting results would be out and let's just see how it goes. I really love SMU's building (all new and sparkling, with air-con!), seminar style learning where it encourages active discussion, not passive listening, the cool school gym, how it's so convenient from my place, the positive feedback by employers on how SMU students are granted with an 'edge' so their level of employability is much higher ... but at the same time I want to experience NUS hostel lifestyle, and to be in/from one of the top recognised universities in the world, the broad-based learning offered in FASS, the wide-ranging CCAs available, and most likely the place where most friends would end up with. 

Goes to show I need to learn to step out from my comfort zone more. I can't decide if I am actually more dependent or independent. Guess it depends of the situations.

Though sometimes I wish life isn't so much about this paper-chase/job-chase.... :(
OK I need to crash into bed now. Goodnight world.