Just finished all the official Rovers trips for this semester, with the last being Sabah. A wonderful, wonderful trip indeed. Cold, wet, hungry, tired and fun. Land, air and sea. Simply irresistable! (Yup maybe I'll go back there again some time...ahha. Plus scuba diving!)
First up was the trek up Mt Kinabalu on Day 2, after arrival at KK. More easily said then done. With an altitude of over 4,000m above sea level, it requires great skill to acclimatise to the different altitude we're all used to. Not to mention the need to constantly combat the harshness of cold winds blowing into us.
For some of us, we were just decked in singlets and shorts in shoes (which usually we do not even wear for our treks), and compared to the many people trekking up to Laban Rata, we were seriously considered to be under-dressed. Yet, it was more comfortable to most of us, as the heat generated from walking up the many flights of stairs sure helped combat the cold.
Of course, the usual stuff happened along the way, and the group just split up, but we managed to get up there in one piece nonetheless. Though sadly, I missed the part on taking great pictures amongst the clouds. Darned.
But anyway, getting good food into the system via the buffet style sure helps, and it makes one wonder how they managed to lift all the heavy cooking stuff (like gasoline and food) up all the way. Not to forget, the heavy I-beams of the Laban Rata guesthouse-cum-canteen. It sure is a great feat to build a resort 3,000m above sea level!
Day 3 was the final push up to the summit in the wee hours of the morning. Cold winds just battered our faces and bodies. But we withstood the force of the winds and managed to reach the summit just in time for the summit. Even Annabel and Ram, who had walked slowly due to strains, managed to reach in time. It was a pity that Sebestien and Kheng Hui could not make the trip up, both sidelined by slight illnesses.
The trip down the mountain was relatively easy, aside from KH being lamed not once but twice on his left ankle. Took us probably 1.5hrs lesser to get to the base. That was good because we managed to reach the resort below and meet up with our guide to bring us back to Trekkers' Lodge and have our brunch too! Dinner was settled at Centerpoint Shopping Mall, where we had our zi cha and some dishes in the food court, Malaysian styled.
Day 4 was relaxing because the white-water rafting was pushed to Day 5, and we went off to the nearby island of Manukan to snorkel, walk around, para-glide and jetski. More fun on the beach! Interesting points worthy of note are the mua-chee of people, my toe kenna stubbed by KH, being poked (by someone), as well as the cheaper rate for para-gliding and jet-skiing! The view up in the air was great! Too bad, memories shall stay, with no pictures to attest to the wonderful scenery.
Late lunch at Wisma Merdeka, and we had our long-awaited food. Good choice of food around the food court, and managed to get ourselves settled down. Walked along the bay to get some pictures of the wonderful scenery and sunset. Dinner was settled at a nearby Italian restaurant (where we felt slightly richer), where we had 12" pizzas and some even had RM14 ice-cream! But it was worth it. Food was nice, ambience was great (though we're under-dressed IMO), and the company was great.
Soccer fever just hit the area with the opening ceremony in Germany, as well as the host nation's opening game, which they won easily at 4-2. Geez.
Day 5 was white-water rafting, and we took a 4-hr trip to the start of the rafting experience, was was SHIOK! Simply too good to be true! First time having such interesting thing, and there was always the element of danger and dropping into the water amongst the rapids. Wow. Buffet lunch was served and we also got our tee-shirts and certificates of achievement.
Day 6, well, the end of it all, the time where we realised that the surreal experience in KK is about to end with a 3-hr wait for the flight-that-came-late, and hitting home to the high-rise flats and dense urban jungle. It's then that we get hit by the fact that the holidays is all but over now.
But still, I was in a hyperactive mode till the flight..where I managed (for the first time) to sleep so well on the quick 2 hr journey.
Great trip! Photos up soon!
Current Mood: 
Awake
Current Music: Cai Hong Tian Tang
Free-lanced (first time!) with Rocky Outdoors to conduct the 2006 version of the Adventure Leadership Training Camp (ALTC) for the Bedok North Sec Sch Sec3 students. And I've just compeleted 25km+ of sea expedition (ECP to Sisters' Island and back) as well as 35km+ of walking distance (ECP to Chinese Garden, Chinese Garden to Buona Vista MRT).
Mentally challenging.
Physically straining.
But it was much better with words and calls of encouragment from friends (who were happily having fun out there...).
Ensuring that things are organised with this (rather) rowdy bunch of school kids who have almost no sense of urgency and time proved difficult. In fact, little changed from the start till the end of the camp!
Now, gonna get some rest. Shall talk more about the ALTC stuff soon. After my Sabah trip later today afternoon. Packing later.
Tired boy, I indeed am. Thanks for the encouragement...it really helped ;)
Current Mood: 
My desktop graphics card fried.
My old Walkman died.
My MP3 player cannot charge 'cos the charging adapter KOed on me.
OMG. What is happening to me and my electronic gadgets?
Sigh.
Now that they do not sell iPod Minis, maybe I shld get something else which is small...but I'm just feeling pissed because my electronic gadgets failed within days of each other! Argh!
Now is the PC Show, but no time to go there to shop. Time to rest, do up my stuff and finish up the back-dated work.
Glad that people are getting gifts they want for their birthday, and are happy with their birthday celebrations. Which is good, 'cos that shows their importance with the friends they are with. For me, I think I'd be overseas, somehow...'cos there's no need to celebrate my 22nd despite missing my 21st. Somehow, I've not experienced the warmth of birthdays...or rather, it's more like birthdays are devoid of meaning for me...
It's best not to think so much of things. At least that's what I told someone. And those who are having eyebags and all out there, rest well!
Current Mood: 
Pensive
Current Music: Guang Liang - Xiang Zuo Zou Xiang You Zou
And I realised...
I do not understand myself that much.
I do not understand others that much.
Maybe all I need is time...
Current Music: Su Hui Lun - Ai Le Jiu Dong Le
Back to reporting on Berkelah trip. A wonderful trip with nice stars, but a little dampened by the pouring rain and flood (well for the participants I guess). It seems like every Berkelah trip will definitely have a "stunt" appearing...ours was the long 1.5hrs wait for the bus on the return journey and the rain on 2nd night.
Going up with TQ and LY was simply wonderful. 3 trips together. And you already know each other more or less. This is the most number of trips within such a short period of time I've been with any person.
Joining us were our 3 hyperactive gers: Geok, Tze, Yings. Wrapping up the core of the team were HH and LG.
Trekking up and down Berke wasn't tough. The waters were nice and cool, and playing at the first waterfall, I nearly got dragged down by the plunge pool current. It was then that I realised I was tired. Well, physically I guess.
Took a cautious attitude when at the 3rd waterfall. But swimming in the bigger pool was much better and seemed safer. Indeed, it was. We had the luxury of suntanning and taking many many pictures with the gigantic waterfall!
Bathing at the campsite was great! Found a mini-jacuzzi for myself and managed to soak myself inside there. Went back in attempt to cook dinner, but realised that we did not bring a burner! Committee come out with pattern again. Literally.
Managed to whip up decent amounts of food (noodles) before hiding in our tents, and played bridge 'cos LG decided to sleep. When LG awoke, HH took the chance to sleep at the higher ground, and I went to cook outside the tent under the rain cover. Managed to whip out the Terriyaki Chicken together with a mess-tin worth of noodles. Simply delicious!
Next up was the chicken poppers I had brought. All at one go, and it barely fitted onto the frying pan. But managed to cook all to a crisp golden brown colour, and proceeded to cook the vegetables and then the finale - Tang Yuan!
The last dish was eaten up super fast. Wow.
After dinner, celebrated TQ and LY bday at the rock nearby, with an apple-scented candle and 3 pieces of Famous Amos brownies. (Surprisingly they werent crushed! Wow!)
Then it was sitting, chatting and drinking. Yeap. Brought up beer and alcohol. And we laid down after that to look at the stars. Missed the shooting star, but I thought I saw another. Oh wells. Made a wish anyway.
The nite was cold, but nice. Windy, but tahan-able. Wonderful with the company indeed.
A feeling of loss and apprehension swept through me the next day when we broke camp. The idea of going home, was simply brought back to reality. Guess it's just outdoors. On being outdoors, u'd enjoy a really idyllic lifestyle. One which just allows you to relax and rest your body and soul.
Had lunch at A&Ws (they should have it back in SG!), and the market nearby was pretty interesting! Not to mention the flower shops. Yings wanted a lily, so I got her one, and it was pretty big too! Haha.
And the rest, is history.
Current Music: BoA - Lights of Seoul
Still need to blog whilst waiting for hair to dry, can't really sleep, though I need to wake up at 8am later *rawr*
To summarize, it was hot (in the day, up the waterfalls), cold (in the night, watching the stars), wet (in the night, in the flooded tents whilst it poured heavily outside) and dry (pre- and post-trip).
Cooked under the tent (comm. tent with the new flysheet design is good!) and the food was well-received (except for the veg, which I shld've cooked with noodles). So it seems like the icetreasure box of goodies helped boost morale.
Managed to watch nice stars, and lie on our backs on that piece of wonderful rock. Starry starry nite, indeed. Had special drinks to celebrate TQ and LY's combined bday. The brownies which went up, were in perfect condition. The apple candle too! So all in all, it was great. But the card was half-written, disrupted by the rain.
Nevertheless, we had fun in the night, the committee, the 3 girls and Wai Keung. It was really great being with people you know well, and being in the company of them. Warm feeling, plus...I just think it was a great night. Too bad, not much conversation, but I just liked the feeling of closeness and enjoyment.
Return bus journey from Kuantan to Larkin was pathetic. Waited for 1.5 hrs for the bus, and a stand-in coach came instead as the bus had broke down (apparently). Managed to reach Larkin at 2310hrs, and reached SG at about 2345hrs.
Had to deal with a participant who drank a bit too much o_O" en route home. Moral of the story: Don't try to finish a bottle of whiskey yourself, unless u already did it before. And even if you did, have the decency to tell the committee people.
On another note, lilies at Kuantan are nice! Esp. the fresh ones. Gives the nice smell of fresh flowers. And they're cheap! Can consider buying from there if you've got any gifts requiring flowers (or anywhere in M'sia la)
I think I should sleep now. like SERIOUSLY.
Nites all.
Current Mood: Tired
OMG. I love his guitar moves! I wanna learn the guitar!!!!
(So can swoon girls. lol)
Yea...results are out, brooding over it but nothing will help. Hopefully a trip and a movie would help kick it outta the system. I just cannot accept that no matter how hard I work for it I still cannot get the results I want.
Not that I have very high expectations.
Or maybe, I should expect it at A+ levels so that if it fails, at least I can give myself a pat on the shoulder and say "Well Done!"?
Helped that Tze helped me look at it, but initially wanted my friend to help me take a look at it 'cos her bday's just around the corner (Luck rubbing off me? Haha). But oh wells, she's not free...not at this moment.
Anyway, onto more sad stuff.
Today went for my 1-star kayaking course at ECP Big Splash, Paddle Culture. Initially the information was that the course was in the morning, so I happily took a cab down from Anqi's place (where Esther, Weili, Jinyao, Zhihao, Mark, Justin and me ton-ned the previous nite) to ECP, only to be informed that the entire schedule's changed.
My lesson is now 1pm - 7pm, instead of 8am - 2pm.
I was stunned. I had wasted $12 of cab fare, slept so little, woke up groggy, and barely had fun with my frens (who played throughout the night!) whilst I took my sleep on the lovable couch.
So I was now in a dilemnia. To go home or not? About 4 hours to spare, with 45 mins trip either way. That makes it difficult. Initially wanted to ask if I could seek refuge at my friend's chalet at ECP, but reckoned she had not woken up yet. So I did not bother to call, but left an SMS, hoping she would reply (should she be awake), and walked the long lonely journey from Big Splash to ECP Macs.
Had my breakfast, but no reply. Decided that enough was enough, and headed home.
Re-arranged with Andy on collection of my bag in preparation for the job which Geok gave me. It should come in handy, and I was back home in time to collect.
But I barely had any time to rest, before I had to take my lunch and zoom off to ECP, AGAIN.
And this time round, the bus broke down. Now I'm gonna be so-so-so late.
I was really pissed, really felt like ranting.
And I did. I sms-ed 2 people, but received reply from one immediately, the other...well, I should say that I'm expecting her to be still sleeping. Or maybe I'm just too noisy...
But my feelings were about to explode like a volcano. It was pathetic. I had not only wasted time, I had wasted sleep and money. Things which are irreplaceable. Not to mention, a slight quarrel with my mum before I left the house. So all in all, the bus break-down just added fuel to the burgeoning fire.
Called the other friend when she replied, but realised that why should I rant to her? She's just a friend, and she's busy, and she's having fun now. Why should I dump my unhappiness on someone else?
I've never really told people how I usually feel about things. Yet I wished I had. When I do tell others how I feel, I felt worse after that instead. I wished I had not placed my worries and feelings to others, 'cos they would probably be unable to help much.
And the conversation was rather ____. Nothing much to say. After ranting it out with her, I felt better, yet I felt that I might have talked to a slightly unresponsive her. Or maybe, it's just the dual personality she has. Nothing much to be concerned about? But I was, at that moment in time.
So I just thought about it after I put down the phone.
I was basically sms-ing too much, expecting replies, but I knew I didn't deserve them. Not yet, maybe. Or just a taste of my own medicine? Maybe. Too much time on my hands now.
Back to the day...I managed to get on another 31, and reached the place (late), but the programme went on without a hitch. Was doing with this group of Innova JC ODAC people.
And the day ended with me meeting up with parents for dinner. So hungry. No delivery of food by someone. Haha. (just a joke)
Current Mood: 
Sad
Current Music: Daniel Powter - Bad Day
Morning run. Realised my running just went downhill. Track training to be effected tomorrow. Pronto. I've not even booked my IPPT date, so die le.
Anyway, went back school after lunch at home, to pass the Berkelah trip stores to one of the group participants 'cos the WHOLE group did not even go down (okay, so outta 13, 3 turned up, the other half said they did not receive the mail. WOW. What an excuse)
So I was quite pissed. But I went back anyway. Just pissed 'cos I gotta lose a friggin 3 bucks for going down.
Well, settled down (somewhat) at the Rovers table and packed the stuff which I had not brought home the previous day - 1 flysheet, 1x set of poles. And I forgot to bring home my pegs! ARGH. (Now I need to fly to school next day to get? OMG.)
Met Tze after that, though briefly, as she was on her way home after a 'happening' morning. Walked her to the bus stop, saw her board 151 for KR Terminal, then received an SMS from Yings.
Spent some time with Yings at 6th Ave, and the Venezia ice-cream was (as usual) fantastic! So was the BTM carrotcake. Well, it's been some time since I've been to either of these places, and spending a little now and then is still alright, though I wished I had been working now so that I can spend without a thought over my head...
At BTM, I dropped my phone, and it died on me! Refused to switch on. Yings tried to help, but to no avail. Then I gave a weird suggestion - drop it on the floor again.
It worked O_o"
How stunned we were. And she dismissed it as me playing a trick on her. Geez!
Hope u're reading this, Yings, and hope u're feeling better. Ur friends are around you, to lend a listening ear, irregardless whether they know the situation or not. Nonetheless, all of us care for u, that's why we are concerned ;)
So take care...and there's no need to say "Thanks", 'cos that's what friends are for!
Had dinner at home, and now I'm back home, relaxed...waiting...thoughts just flow...am I ready?
Current Mood: 
Happy
Current Music: Daniel Powter - Bad Day (for Yings)