At 8:30pm, I met Gladys at Jurong East MRT Interchange. We were going to RYLA...We bought some donuts and others food to the camp. When we reached Woodland Checkpoint, we walked across the Causeway. That was my first time to walk across the Causeway. After that, we went to City Square and I bought a cap. We met Arthur at the bus stop and we had been waiting for the bus to Kota Tinggi for around 1 hour.
When we reached Kota Tinggi, Ivan drove out and brought us to Arthur's house. After that, we departed from his house and went to fetched Ivan. After that, we drove to Tanjung Sutera Resort.
1st December 2007, Saturday
It was 1am. We finally arrived. Except Uncle Edmund and Uncle BS Chew, we could see many rylarians sleeping at the canteen because of blackout. We went to our room to put our things. We were very high that day. We kept greeting to others, eventhough we couldn't see each other's face. Then, we sat under the starry sky. We made alot of noise: singing, laughing, talking and etc. Haha...We were complaint by others...Then, we decided to play something funny. We used the electrical shaver ringtone to play fool to others. haha...After that, we brought our things out again and put them into Arthur's car. We rested for a while. Soon, the sun rose.
At 6:30 am, we went to wake all the rylarians up. Then, we did some warm up (stretching) before we started jogging. I led them to jog. Some of them were not that honest; they shortcut. But in the end, they still finished the jogging. After jogging, I requested them to do their group cheers. Well, their group cheers were not bad, but not as good as the previous RYLAs (in '04 and '06). I could see that they had put their effort into it. Before breakfast, Uncle BS Chew broke four of us into the groups. Then, I was not in any group; I was appointed to be an advisor instead because i have participated quite a times of RYLA. Haha...
After breakfast, they were doing their reflection. I personally like this reflection slot because I can observe others better. I walked around and gave them my opinion to them. After that, there were talks about 'The culture of Heart', GSE presentation, social etiquette, building relationship. The culture of heart talked about the love: Parental love, conjugal love, brotherly love and family love. The speaker had an interesting question: Who is the owner of your love organ (sexual organ)?We were laughing. His answer is your wife/husband. Well, i got his meaning. There is only one message he wanna convey through that question: be faithful to your lifetime partner.
GSE presentation was about the study trip of a group of rotaractors to Holland. They shared their experience and cultural shocks in Holland. Well, Rtn. Mark Hon talked about the social etiquette: the manner of dressing, dining and dating. It was informative and useful to know such knowledge. Building relationship is about how to build your own network effectively. After that, we watch a movie named 'Secret'. Well, I was sleeping during that session. Haha...
I jumped into the swimming pool right after finished all talks. It was very good!!! I felt refreshed and cold. Haha...We threw the birthday girl into the pool to celebrate her birthday. we swam until 6 something. Then I wiped my body till dry and changed my clothes. While the rest of the participants were preparing their talentnight performance, I was there, blowing balloons and twisting balloons...It was my first time to do it. haha...
After dinner (BBQ), they were ready to perform their best to the audiences. They had done a well job, although their performances were average. Some of them impressed me alot. haha...While the judges discussing the result, there was a "MR. RYLA" competition. This competition was very special because Mr. RYLA was not chosen according to their appearance, language, and etc., but was according to their armpit hair!!!!Haha...There were 10 participants on stage. Half of them don't have armpit hair, or just a little bit only rather. Haha...Luckily I was not sabo by my friends...Haha...
After announcing the result, we jumped into the pool again. We kept throwing people into the pool...haha...We were dancing in the pool and had a lot of fun. After that, I ordered them to go back and take bath.
2nd December 2007, Sunday
After taking bath, we sat in a circle and played polar bear. I was the host, as usual. We played one round only. Then, at 3am, I finally couldn't stand and fell asleep...We slept till 7am.
After qigong, we had our breakfast and chitchat with others. We collected each other's msn address. There was a vocational talk by fellow rotarians. They shared their experiences in their career.
The event before lunch was closing ceremony. We took the lunch time to take photo with others. After that, we all departed and start a new journey in our life...
