Post YOG

Wanted to post this since YOG ended on saturday.But then i fell sick and didn't really feel like using the comp till today. Anw, YOG was the BEST journey of my life. It is definitely one of the most memorable period of my life. To be honest, when training first started, me myself didn't know whether i could even pull through the whole journey. Trainings were so much more tough and strict as compared to NDP. They told us the dangers of playing with fire. I was very afraid of the fire. The heat was overwhelming. Not to mention that we have to twirl the props and manipulate it in many directions. 6 months have passed. And now, can proudly say that I LOVE FIRE!!!

March:

The first time we headed down to training. I remember that we were assigned to staves. The real actual double staves. They told us the both end of the stick would be on fire. I was damn afraid. I told myself that how am i going to do it when i am even scared of lighting a matchstick. We were taught the basics. Figure of 8, front and back. It was difficult co-ordinating both hands. I remember the first time one of the trainer lighted the actual staves for me to hold. I was totally freaked out. I just held it there. Not to mention spinning. Just the heat from the stave freaked me out. We got whacked everywhere that you can think of. Over weeks, we got better at it.

April:

We were transferred to rope darts. I hated the rope darts. I had no idea how on earth am i supposed to control them. I can't even do a basic shoot out without the rope darts hitting myself. It was also during this period that i started to have doubts about joining YOG. why on earth did i even join it. I really didn't like going for every training. But then the only reason why i went was that i told myself that i have to complete what i started.

May:

We were transferred back to staves :D Happiness for me!! But then instead of the double edged staves, we were given single sided staves. Well, its so much better then darts anw :) Thereafter, things just got better. The staves group started to bond and we really enjoyed every training. The people from staves, really went through alot together. From changes to props, to changes to choreo to even being threatened that if we do not perform well, the whole stave team will be taken away. But the trainers were just awesome. They never gave up on us and they spured us on.

June:

Quite alot of disruption because of holiday and all. The staves ppl were really begin to bond even more. Trainings were getting more and more intense. Twice a week. The trainings were taking the toll on us. But we were really happy every training. Costumes measurements were taken, dry runs were carried out, the view of our whole performances was starting to take shape :) WE finally lighted up our actual props. The fear was slowly taken over by excitement and slowly, the love for fire was in everyone's heart.

July:

CR, music runs and many rehersals were held twice a week at the floating platform. The staves were really bonded and we began sharing alot of crap stories during waiting time. We were bombarded with loads of photos at the F1 pit everyweek. Every training, no matter how tiring, was the BEST time of the week. The sense of satisfaction when you light up your props and put on the best show you can, is beyond description. WE finally put on our stinky costume. But all that didnt matter when you have all the friends beside you and that you know your moment of glory was awaiting you on stage.

August:

It finally came!! For the month of august leading up to YOG, everyday was filled with YOG meetups. Fire retarding of costume, practice, performance, CR and finally the actual day. The feeling was just beyond description. This journey will be one that i will NEVER forget. (To be continued next post.)

1 day to YOG!!

Damn! I know i am supposed to blog about the taiwan trip from ages ago. But i dont have the time. Been VERY busy with alot of stuff. Have been reaching home every night earliest at 11.30pm. Been feeling super tired. Guess the details of the taiwan trip plus the photos can only be up after YOG, when i have more time. Anw, talking about YOG, I really LOVE YOG!! Don't ever want august 14th to come. I still cant believe its just 1 day away!! One more training tomorrow and one final performance and its officially over.

Looking back, Every training is filled with laughter, joy, bonding and a sense of achievement after every performance. Of course its not all about fun. There is also running/jogging for warm ups, countless push-ups for training, long hours of waiting, getting stuck in the super hot costume, smelling like kerosene after training, runs after re-runs and the way we have to tie our hair that we wont have fringe or ponytail. Not to mention burns from the fire.

BUT all these cannot be compared to the FUN we have there. The spirit that we have among our groups when we motivate each other through the tough times when we have to run and do push ups. When you are lagging behind during the jogs, someone from another group that you might not even know, would run pass you and just tell you to 加油。When your arms are breaking from the push ups, there will always be someone to tell you that there is only few more to go. Long hours of waiting during training dont seem that long when you have all your friends surrounding you, laughing about the stupidest thing and talking about anything. Being stuck in the super warm costume also means loads of memories created when we go round laughing at each other for looking dumb in the costume and hat but then we somehow try to help each other to keep cool by unzipping and only zipping up when needed.

We used to complain of smelling like kerosene, looking dumb with our hair all tied up, and the tiring runs after re-runs. But then the minute our staves are on fire, the counting starts, the minute we light up, all these don't matter to us anymore. All we feel is the urge to perform to our best of ability. We feel the support from other fire dancers from Poi when they cheer as we run out. For that 18 counts of 8 on stage, we practicsed for nearly 8 months. But then when our final move is done and we run out, the sense of satisfaction is beyond description. The bond formed among all of us is also beyond comprehension.

I really dont want saturday to come. I dont want all these to end. Cos i know after our final counts of 8 next week, we might not even know when then we will be able to meet as a group. We don't even know when can we meet to practice fire dance. I'll definetly continue to learn fire after this. Do not know about the rest, but i am thankful to be able to be part of this YOG which created so many wonderful experiences and memories. The final show is going to be the BEST show ever :D

8 days..

8 days is not a long time. Yet for the past 8 days, i had SO much fun that i wished it would never end. Been really stress in Singapore with some stuff recently. But i was already more relaxed when i came back from Sydney. However, less then 2 weeks later, i was off to Taiwan again. But this time, i really had so much fun that during the 8 days, i could forget about everything that is happening back here in Singapore. I will write a more detailed update soon cos i just reached home from the airport. Need to sleep cos we have been surviving on only less then 5 hours of sleep daily. Yesterday, we broke record of 3 hours of sleep!

-Goodnight-

Random updates...

After such a long and tiring few months, finally i could leave everything behind and head for a holiday with my parents and brother :) I love the yearly family holidays! They are the only time, you can spend loads of time with them without the disruption of everyone's busy schedule. So this year, we decided to go Sydney! The weather there was awesome. About 12 degrees? But then, it wasn't too hot nor too cold. You could wear a t-shirt and walk around. Sometimes with a hoodie :) Tried sand toboganning, 4 wheel drive, seeing fairy penguins at some aquarium and many other interesting things. I feel that the life in Australia, is so much more relaxing then in Singapore. I shall upload some photos soon when my computer decides to corporate with me.

Other then that, been busy with the same old routine stuff. YOG training, Taekwondo black belt grading and many other things. I really can't wait for school to start! I really really miss school.

These few days, something at YOG training triggered my memory of something. Something that i have been to busy to thing about. Which i presume its good that i haven't been thinking about it. Lets just say, that there is this "photocopied" version in YOG, that reminds me of the "original" version. The feeling i had when i saw that "Photocopied" version in YOG, was that suddenly, i begin to really miss the "original" version. Ok, i am not making sense anymore. I should stop blabbering nonsense here :D

Sometimes i just feel, how nice isit if i could go back to when i was a kid. When i was a kid, i used to wish to grow up fast. But then, now if i could go back, i would treasure all the carefree times as a kid. There were no responsibilities, no worries, no stress, no expectations and esp, you could have to courage to express yourself so much more freely without the worry of people judging you. I'm feeling old!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

-Goodnight-

Truth hurts. But you all made it better.

I was rather/very sad when found out the truth about something some days ago. Well, i guess i know why they didn't want me to know the truth. But i was the one who told them to tell me. Now i do know why, people always say "Ignorance is bliss" But i am in a way glad, that i know everything now. I have decided that as of tuesday, I am deleting all of a certain memory, and this time its for good. And i must really say a big thanks to all my friends for their support and listening to me grumble. HAHA! Your support really means alot to me in times like this. I love you guys. And also, thanks to my "Taekwondo buddy", for holding the target and letting me vent my anger all on the target :D Thank you guys! You all know who you are. I'm so glad to have all of you in my life :)

Graduation 2010

Today, was the day i was waiting for 3 years ago.

Today, is the day where we all sat in rows according to our surnames, like how we did 3 years ago during the orientation week in school

Today, the feeling we had when we heard the school song, was very different from when we heard it 3 years ago.

Today is the day i graduated from TP, 20th May 2010.

This 3 years, many friends were made, and many memories were created. Well, this three years, there were many unforgettable memories and moments. That most probably, i wont even forget in many many years to come. But then, all these memories wont be possible, if i didn't have such a wonderful bunch of friends. Most memorable period of my 3 years, started in sem 2.1 and lasted all the way to graduation.

Through out these period, there were times when everything got really stressful. Projects, test, tutorials, exams, PBL, consultation and all the little things that seemed so important to us back then. But, I'm glad that throughout these period, there were friends around you, who made everything seemed easier, and we all made it through.

We did many things together. Be it in school or outside school. The bond of friendship we formed, won't just end today, when we remove our graduation robe. We will always be bonded by our common experience. All the silly little things we did, all the outings we went for, all the eating session and also all the project session, where the pressure would sometimes build up and conflict was inevitable.

These three years, i am thankful for everyone that came into my life. Although at times i did many stupid things (according to my friends), All these stupid things, are memories that i will treasure.

I don't know whether i will be able to meet you again. Unless by chance do we meet, or i can say that the chances are as good as zero. But no matter what, i just want to say, thank you for being part of my life in TP. I'll miss you.

-Goodnight-

F.U.N

Today was FUN! Brought spiky to the doctor first, followed by meeting Debbie and Bella to sing at Teo Heng for 3 hours. Then we headed to Paya Lebar to have yogurt before they came over to eat and sing till 9.45pm. HAHAHA! we were so full and tired, i think i can explode! Please let the fun never end!

I'll be starting another blog at the-yellow-rubber-duck.tumblr.com

But most probably that blog is gonna be more pictures and random stuff cos i still think i like blogging here :D

-goodnight-

quick update!

It has been a long time! Anw, Life has been damn good so far! Fun, and yet very rewarding. So, just enjoy everyday as it comes along :) Graduation on Thursday! That's super fast! Thats when three years of hard work, finally pays off.

Working in dad's company now. But other then the boring job i have, but then, i have been enjoying myself so far :) My friends are finally having their holidays, and we are finally going out to SING tomorrow! Most prob dinner at my house :) Secondly, i am super enjoying YOG training now! Cos we finally started the training with FIRE! The minute when your staff lights on fire, and you starts twirling it, the feeling that you have, is totally different from when you are twirling with the bamboo stick. Looking forward to every training (Other then the kerosene smell)

I can't wait for june too!! Most prob going for a short holiday with parents and brother, followed by my TAWIAN trip! But most probably have to change date :( Cos the tour is still not confirm yet :( Lets hope everything goes on fine :)

Month of may has been good so far! And i realise when i am happy, my posts has many :) So i shall end off here before i flood my posts with :)

-goodnight-

Work!!

Have been working the past few days.. Working in the bank isn't as fun as it seems to be. Stress! Well, only when you are working that you start to appreciate weekends. So friday, was at grandma house, with cousin. Drank just a little, then we all got damn high! And i think we were very noisy! But it was super fun! Saturday was YOG training, learnt alot of new stunts and stuff. I really can't wait to light the fire! Then Sunday, was the usual dim sum day.

Blah.. Life used to be free but a little boring when i didn't have a job. Now that i have a job, its stressful and monotonous. I'm so tired! Maybe i'll be quitting soon. HAHA! Shall see :) Parents were planning to go Australia in june. Don't know where they want to go leh! Hope the dates don't coincide with my Taiwan trip! I cant wait for the Taiwan trip!

On a random note, my back hurts like crap! I think i should go swim soon! I find that my posts are getting shorter and shorter. Could be that when you are working, your life gets real monotonous and boring. You wont have the fun, the excitement that you used to have when you were in school. Year 2's and Year 3's and a new batch of year 1's are starting school tomorrow. How i wished i could go back to school tomorrow too :(

Come to think of it, i never realised that it has been THAT long. One year ago, exactly tomorrow, was the day that we started our year 3.1. That time, everything was so simple and nice. Now, i really don't know what to say about it already :( Everything seems to out of place, and so wierd. I really DO miss that time very badly. Especially all the fun, the project stress and many other things.

Run Run Run Run Run

These few days, didn't have much to do, so i ended up going to the gym and swimming quite a few times. I don't know why, but i am beginning to like going to the gym and swimming more now. I used to love swimming, but now, i love it even more. I spent few hours at the gym and pool today. I guess i just like the peace and quietness as i run/swim. Its like for that few hours, i am totally focus on running and swimming. I don't have to think about anything else. Well, i have not been stressed lately. In fact, i never felt this relax during school. Its just that this period, i have so many things to think through and decide. That sometimes, i just feel so tired. Oh well.. exercise is good, so why not. Lol! But then i will be starting work again on Thursday. Bleah! Ok la, maybe time will pass faster too :)

Anw, i am gonna sleep soon. Ran too much today :(

*Just want to say a BIG thank you to you* :)

-goodnight-