My two years of CAS experience was nothing short of amazing. What started off as just another course requirement had turned into a life changing journey of memorable events. Never have I discovered so much about myself and yet had so much joy in learning what I’m capable of, and to be able to share these moments with friends made it all the more unforgettable. Fun as it was, the skills I’ve acquired over these two years are invaluable.
Like most of my friends, the CAS program just seemed to be another daunting IB assignment, a mere course requirement to be completed by the end of two years. Never did it occur to us that the future tasks we undertake will empower our minds and mold us into the global citizen that is in every IB student. I began clocking hours by participating in a school-organized charity event, the Methodist Walk. The purpose was to bring several Methodist schools together to raise money for the Methodist foundation. Already I was experiencing new things. I have previously participated in a charity marathon, but never in such a huge scale. Though I only clocked in a few hours, it was a good start. With a hundred and forty more so hours to go, it seemed as though I had a colossal mountain to climb, and I didn’t have much time. The first school term was over and all I had was a few measly hours. Panic started to set in.
Miraculously, an offer came to me during the second term which would change not only my interest in the CAS program, but also my personal life as well. I grew up being well educated in the field of music. I picked up one instrument after another as a growing child, but the instrument that I loved the most, I never had a chance to perform with it. The drums further instilled a passion for music in me, yet it bothers me that I could only sit around and watch my other friends play on stage while I could only reflect upon my own personal skills without a chance to develop it on a stage. There was much anticipation and excitement in the air when it was announced that the school would be hosting Celefest, a fun filled charity carnival to raise money for needy children. Little did I know that I would already be having fun way before the actual event. I couldn’t believe my ears when one of my friends approached me on a regular school day to ask if I was interested in forming a band for the Rockout competition at Celefest. It was like a dream come true. To be able to clock in hours and finally be able to form a band like I always wanted, I was the happiest kid in school. For the first time in my two years as an IB student, I was eager to be involved in CAS activities. The actual event turned out to be a success, though the competition was a disappointment for the band. Feeling that we should have won the competition, we came in fourth instead. Though we played our hearts out, we were still a fresh band and without the experience of playing together as one, we could only contemplate over our loss. If this event had any positive effect on us, it was to push us further and motivate us to do better. Ever since then, I have blossomed into a decent drummer in my own right, and we have been constantly looking out for chances to perform at gigs. This event would be one of many in which I will discover new things about myself, develop my talents, and pick up new skills along the way.
I thought it could only get as good as Celefest, until my friends and I embarked on a service trip to Chiangmai. Going on a service trip was another thing which I have been longing to do. Not only was it rewarding and fun to be able to help a remote group of village children build a new school, I was able to live in their shoes for a moment. We hear of third world issues all too often, and say that we are thankful for what we have. We claim to understand the problems of poverty and empathize with those that are suffering, but how many of us have actually experienced it firsthand? Though the conditions in the village are considered to be far better than those of third world nations, these people are nonetheless in need of financial help to provide their future generations with a better education. I have learned much from the villagers. They have inspired me to volunteer for future service trips, and perhaps with my experience, I can inspire others to do the same as well.
Before I knew it, I was enjoying the opportunities of joy and rewards that the CAS program was bringing me, and none presented a pleasurable time more so than the Performing Arts Concert. Firstly, I got the chance to play in a different band, broadening my experience as a drummer. Secondly, I got to showcase my skills as a drummer and actor in front of a gigantic audience. Thirdly, I successfully pulled off a drumming trick that I have always wanted to do for the first time. Last but not least, I got to do all this on my birthday. This concert had boosted my confidence as a drummer and I have ascended to a higher plateau in my skills as a drummer. It seemed like I came a long way since first playing at Celefest. The other activities that I have participated in might definitely be more educating, but it doesn’t get better than finding out you have the ability to get better at the things you love doing.
I don’t think I have ever accomplished so much within such a short period of time in school. During this time, I have bonded with my friends, shared immeasurable joy and laughter with them, and together, forged memories that will last me a lifetime. The numerous other activities that I have undertaken, served to further reinforce the lessons I’ve learned and reveal qualities in me that I never thought existed. To sum it all up, I’m glad to have been through the CAS program. It is not simply a course requirement, but a window to a better perspective of the world as an exemplary IB student.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Trip to Last for Ages...
This service trip to Chiangmai was an experience of a lifetime. I’ve seen many of my friends go on service trips and the sense of fulfillment they got was something that I’ve wanted to achieve in a long time, and hearing that my friends and I were getting such an opportunity made me feel more than ecstatic.
The journey to Chiangmai was a tiring one. Everyone had to wake up early in the morning to meet up at the budget terminal. The sky was still dark and some of us didn’t even have breakfast. While the teachers in charge were settling all the paperwork for check in, many of us were heading over to the nearby cafeteria to get some food to fill our stomachs for the flight. It was my first time travelling on a budget airline, and I found it to be quite all right even though there were no in-flight services or entertainment, perhaps because I was travelling with friends and the flight was a rather short one.
We were still feeling lethargic even after sleeping on the flight to Chiangmai. Some of us dozed of again after getting into the taxis that were going to bring us to our first stop. As for me, I took the chance to take a look at the countryside. Having stayed in Thailand for quite a while when I was younger, this ride brought back fond memories. Our first stop was a youth lodge that accommodates students going on service trips. We had breakfast there and were introduced to our guides for the trip, several university students and a local teacher. If breakfast at the lodge didn’t wake us up, the ride up the mountains certainly did. Words cannot describe the fun I had riding up the mountains. We had to sit on trucks as the taxis were unable to travel in the rocky roads. Some of us, including me, decided to stand up while we held on the bars. At times we felt as though we were going to get thrown off the truck when it swerved and shook around the corners and bumpy ground. Along with that, we got to appreciate the peaceful ambience and simply wonderful scenery of the mountainside.
After a long but exhilarating trip, we finally had our first glance of where we will be staying and working at for the next couple of days. There weren’t really any surprises. The village was exactly what we were expecting, if not better. What shocked us was that the guys found out that we were switching lodging spots with the girls. We were now assigned to sleep in a little hut next to a pig sty, and being the gentlemen we are, we complied. Not that we had a choice, but some of us did groan a little. We got debriefed and had our first taste of the freezing village night. All of us had to cuddle together, wrapped up in layers of clothes and sleeping bags and still it wasn’t enough to keep us warm. What worried us was that we were going to have to sleep through these conditions for a few more days. To add to that, the chickens were making such a ruckus, we couldn’t get a good night’s rest. As is the weather wasn’t bad enough, they would start to crow at three in the morning.
Many of us were quite reluctant to get out of bed the next day, but somehow we all dragged ourselves out of bed to have breakfast and start work immediately. Our goal was to set up the foundation for the new village school, while some of us would spend time with the children to teach them things that weren’t taught in their class, such as nursery rhymes and the English alphabets. Working out in the sun was a great feeling. I finally get to experience working with concrete at a construction site, which is rather fun. Carrying buckets of wet cement and shoveling gravel and dirt gave the guys a chance to build their muscles. When it was my group’s turn to head down to the children’s classroom, we were filled with joy to see so many happy faces greeting us. We taught them songs and games, some of which they already learned from previous groups, and carried the little ones around. What we did on the rest of the trip was fun, but nothing came close to the joyous times we spent with the kids. Simply making them happy brought warm feelings to our hearts.
Unlike the previous batch of students who came to the village, our whole trip was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances. The dreaded day came when we had to say goodbye to everyone. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having the time of your life. A moment we’re whining about how uninhabitable the place is, and the next we’re complaining about how the trip is too short. We lit up flying lanterns with our wishes written on them and sent them toward the skies to sum up the whole trip, and thanked our guides and the village for their hospitality. To show their appreciation, the village people held a bonfire for us, while the children put on their traditional costumes to send us off. They even made us one of their local delicacies, a sort of sweet sticky rice stuffed in bamboo shoots and heated against the bonfire. Though we went to bed with jovial yet depressed moods, knowing we will be leaving the next day, we had one thing to look forward to, the trip to the city.
The next morning, we said our goodbyes and thanked the guides and village people again for everything they’ve done. We took the same bumpy ride down the mountains again and had as much fun as the first time, screaming as the trucks swerved around the corners. Once we’ve left the mountainous regions, we headed over to a local market to buy some souvenirs, but of us were eager to leave quickly to arrive at the city earlier. As night fell, we cheered in excitement as we drove into the city, finally making contact with the civilization we know. Everyone scattered the moment we were dismissed from the hotel, raring to spend some cash, shopping for souvenirs. Deprived of our usual junk food, my friends and I decided to head over to Burger King to get some food, after taking a walk along the night market. Fast food never tasted so good. We went on to shop for more things and as our curfew approached, we reluctantly walked back to the hotel. Many of us were unable to sleep due to the lingering excitement in our hearts, but as the clock went pass midnight, we all dozed off one by one.
Nothing much happened on the journey back home. Most of us just reminisced about what happened over the past few days on the plane. As the plane arrived back in Singapore, we hurriedly dragged our luggage out of the plane, desperately wanting to go home and rest. I find myself reminiscing about this trip every minute since I’ve left the hotel. It is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and if I ever get the chance to do it again, I’ll be more than willing to take it, and I’m sure my friends would do the same.
The journey to Chiangmai was a tiring one. Everyone had to wake up early in the morning to meet up at the budget terminal. The sky was still dark and some of us didn’t even have breakfast. While the teachers in charge were settling all the paperwork for check in, many of us were heading over to the nearby cafeteria to get some food to fill our stomachs for the flight. It was my first time travelling on a budget airline, and I found it to be quite all right even though there were no in-flight services or entertainment, perhaps because I was travelling with friends and the flight was a rather short one.
We were still feeling lethargic even after sleeping on the flight to Chiangmai. Some of us dozed of again after getting into the taxis that were going to bring us to our first stop. As for me, I took the chance to take a look at the countryside. Having stayed in Thailand for quite a while when I was younger, this ride brought back fond memories. Our first stop was a youth lodge that accommodates students going on service trips. We had breakfast there and were introduced to our guides for the trip, several university students and a local teacher. If breakfast at the lodge didn’t wake us up, the ride up the mountains certainly did. Words cannot describe the fun I had riding up the mountains. We had to sit on trucks as the taxis were unable to travel in the rocky roads. Some of us, including me, decided to stand up while we held on the bars. At times we felt as though we were going to get thrown off the truck when it swerved and shook around the corners and bumpy ground. Along with that, we got to appreciate the peaceful ambience and simply wonderful scenery of the mountainside.
After a long but exhilarating trip, we finally had our first glance of where we will be staying and working at for the next couple of days. There weren’t really any surprises. The village was exactly what we were expecting, if not better. What shocked us was that the guys found out that we were switching lodging spots with the girls. We were now assigned to sleep in a little hut next to a pig sty, and being the gentlemen we are, we complied. Not that we had a choice, but some of us did groan a little. We got debriefed and had our first taste of the freezing village night. All of us had to cuddle together, wrapped up in layers of clothes and sleeping bags and still it wasn’t enough to keep us warm. What worried us was that we were going to have to sleep through these conditions for a few more days. To add to that, the chickens were making such a ruckus, we couldn’t get a good night’s rest. As is the weather wasn’t bad enough, they would start to crow at three in the morning.
Many of us were quite reluctant to get out of bed the next day, but somehow we all dragged ourselves out of bed to have breakfast and start work immediately. Our goal was to set up the foundation for the new village school, while some of us would spend time with the children to teach them things that weren’t taught in their class, such as nursery rhymes and the English alphabets. Working out in the sun was a great feeling. I finally get to experience working with concrete at a construction site, which is rather fun. Carrying buckets of wet cement and shoveling gravel and dirt gave the guys a chance to build their muscles. When it was my group’s turn to head down to the children’s classroom, we were filled with joy to see so many happy faces greeting us. We taught them songs and games, some of which they already learned from previous groups, and carried the little ones around. What we did on the rest of the trip was fun, but nothing came close to the joyous times we spent with the kids. Simply making them happy brought warm feelings to our hearts.
Unlike the previous batch of students who came to the village, our whole trip was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances. The dreaded day came when we had to say goodbye to everyone. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having the time of your life. A moment we’re whining about how uninhabitable the place is, and the next we’re complaining about how the trip is too short. We lit up flying lanterns with our wishes written on them and sent them toward the skies to sum up the whole trip, and thanked our guides and the village for their hospitality. To show their appreciation, the village people held a bonfire for us, while the children put on their traditional costumes to send us off. They even made us one of their local delicacies, a sort of sweet sticky rice stuffed in bamboo shoots and heated against the bonfire. Though we went to bed with jovial yet depressed moods, knowing we will be leaving the next day, we had one thing to look forward to, the trip to the city.
The next morning, we said our goodbyes and thanked the guides and village people again for everything they’ve done. We took the same bumpy ride down the mountains again and had as much fun as the first time, screaming as the trucks swerved around the corners. Once we’ve left the mountainous regions, we headed over to a local market to buy some souvenirs, but of us were eager to leave quickly to arrive at the city earlier. As night fell, we cheered in excitement as we drove into the city, finally making contact with the civilization we know. Everyone scattered the moment we were dismissed from the hotel, raring to spend some cash, shopping for souvenirs. Deprived of our usual junk food, my friends and I decided to head over to Burger King to get some food, after taking a walk along the night market. Fast food never tasted so good. We went on to shop for more things and as our curfew approached, we reluctantly walked back to the hotel. Many of us were unable to sleep due to the lingering excitement in our hearts, but as the clock went pass midnight, we all dozed off one by one.
Nothing much happened on the journey back home. Most of us just reminisced about what happened over the past few days on the plane. As the plane arrived back in Singapore, we hurriedly dragged our luggage out of the plane, desperately wanting to go home and rest. I find myself reminiscing about this trip every minute since I’ve left the hotel. It is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and if I ever get the chance to do it again, I’ll be more than willing to take it, and I’m sure my friends would do the same.
The Gunshow
I’m an avid basketball player and one thing that I always felt I lacked in the game, was physical strength. I borrowed some dumbbells from a cousin and started on some weight training, but without the proper guidance of a trainer, I wasn’t making much progress. So when a few of my bodybuilding friends decided to start a bodybuilding club, I joined in.
Before we founded the club, I was already lifting weights outside of school. The major problem that I faced was discipline. Though I could do fine in the gym, I couldn’t stick to my training routine. Every now and then I would slack off. The bodybuilding club thus helped to instill that discipline in me to build up the strength I needed for basketball. I found it very helpful that apart from the accommodating training schedule, friends are almost always in the gym to help me out with heavier weights. Though my muscles are sore almost everyday of the week, I find this a very rewarding activity.
Now that I have an adequate knowledge on bodybuilding techniques, I am able to continue with my training routine even during school holidays. What’s more, I am able to help friends who are looking to start weight training. Not only am I fitter, I believe that bodybuilding has helped elevate my skills in basketball, making this one of the most beneficial activities that I have taken up.
Before we founded the club, I was already lifting weights outside of school. The major problem that I faced was discipline. Though I could do fine in the gym, I couldn’t stick to my training routine. Every now and then I would slack off. The bodybuilding club thus helped to instill that discipline in me to build up the strength I needed for basketball. I found it very helpful that apart from the accommodating training schedule, friends are almost always in the gym to help me out with heavier weights. Though my muscles are sore almost everyday of the week, I find this a very rewarding activity.
Now that I have an adequate knowledge on bodybuilding techniques, I am able to continue with my training routine even during school holidays. What’s more, I am able to help friends who are looking to start weight training. Not only am I fitter, I believe that bodybuilding has helped elevate my skills in basketball, making this one of the most beneficial activities that I have taken up.
We built this city on rock 'n' roll...
This concert was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Playing in a hall in front of a large audience was a treat, and being able to do so on my birthday made it extra special. Ever since my friends and I have formed a band, this is by far the biggest performance I’ve had to play in.
Due to scheduling problems, we had to make changes to our band line-up. With only the lead singer and I being the only ones from the original band, we decided to form a new band, naming it “What’s the Date?” I was more than happy to play along with my other friends who, as talented musicians, simply did a marvelous job at the concert. It’s surprising as what started out as a new bunch of people with no experience of playing with each other, fused together so well to put up an unforgettable experience. Frustrations grew as we had a tough time deciding what song to play when we got together. Practice sessions after practice sessions, we could only begin to figure out how to play together cohesively and end the day in dismay as we walked away with an empty feeling of unaccomplishment. Days went by and time was winding down. The pressure was on us to play a song well enough within a week, and as we IB students always do, we managed to pull it off.
The anxiety and excitement filled the air on the first night of performance. We laughed and fooled around before the big event, and when the time came, we delivered. The second performance was on my birthday, and it was with that joy that I felt I had to take my performance to another level. I played my heart out and did things that I never did on the drums at a gig. The night ended on a tone of fulfillment, ecstasy, and to a certain extent disappointment, as we knew this fun we had was coming to an end as well. Even so, I walked away with an invaluable experience that I’ll never forget, and a newfound confidence in myself as a drummer.
Due to scheduling problems, we had to make changes to our band line-up. With only the lead singer and I being the only ones from the original band, we decided to form a new band, naming it “What’s the Date?” I was more than happy to play along with my other friends who, as talented musicians, simply did a marvelous job at the concert. It’s surprising as what started out as a new bunch of people with no experience of playing with each other, fused together so well to put up an unforgettable experience. Frustrations grew as we had a tough time deciding what song to play when we got together. Practice sessions after practice sessions, we could only begin to figure out how to play together cohesively and end the day in dismay as we walked away with an empty feeling of unaccomplishment. Days went by and time was winding down. The pressure was on us to play a song well enough within a week, and as we IB students always do, we managed to pull it off.
The anxiety and excitement filled the air on the first night of performance. We laughed and fooled around before the big event, and when the time came, we delivered. The second performance was on my birthday, and it was with that joy that I felt I had to take my performance to another level. I played my heart out and did things that I never did on the drums at a gig. The night ended on a tone of fulfillment, ecstasy, and to a certain extent disappointment, as we knew this fun we had was coming to an end as well. Even so, I walked away with an invaluable experience that I’ll never forget, and a newfound confidence in myself as a drummer.
Outward Bound
I’ve always heard my friends talk about OBS, especially since I never got the chance to go to it in all my previous schools. So when I heard that my school was going to send all the year sixes there, I was delighted, and I hoped to go through the same unforgettable experience that my friends had been through.
On the first night I was afraid that I would not be used to the harsh camp conditions and all the tough physical activity, but as the days progressed my friends aided me and advised me. There were friends who had been to OBS before, and thus were much more knowledgeable than me. The camp instructors were of great help too.
By the end of the camp, I had bonded so much with my friends, as well as my camp instructor. I have learnt how to kayak and rock climb, among many various other things, such as how to lead and navigate. Given the chance, I would do OBS again, taking on more responsibility and leadership roles than before.
On the first night I was afraid that I would not be used to the harsh camp conditions and all the tough physical activity, but as the days progressed my friends aided me and advised me. There were friends who had been to OBS before, and thus were much more knowledgeable than me. The camp instructors were of great help too.
By the end of the camp, I had bonded so much with my friends, as well as my camp instructor. I have learnt how to kayak and rock climb, among many various other things, such as how to lead and navigate. Given the chance, I would do OBS again, taking on more responsibility and leadership roles than before.
The Internship
It is a great privilege to be able to learn graphic design skills at a printing and labeling company. I’ve always liked to work with Adobe Photoshop and this activity allowed me to pick up some very useful skills.
It didn’t take me long to settle down when I got to the office. The Graphic Design Department was rather small so I got to know everybody in a minute. I started the first day off with a tour of the whole company. To see the structure of a corporate company is simply mind-blowing, and it made me think about the amount of money put into setting up such a business. I then proceeded to learn more about graphic design when I got back to the office. Unlike the other departments, the Graphic Design Department was filled with state-of-the-art computers and machinery. I got to work with giant sized Macs and after a short course on basics, I immediately took on a simple label Photoshop project.
In the next few days I completed several other small projects and a major one. I got the chance to get out of the office and do some hands-on work at the factory. The experience was greatly rewarding as I single handedly went through the whole process of designing a label, printing it out, and making the printing template. I look forward to getting a chance to further develop my skills and apply them in another project.
It didn’t take me long to settle down when I got to the office. The Graphic Design Department was rather small so I got to know everybody in a minute. I started the first day off with a tour of the whole company. To see the structure of a corporate company is simply mind-blowing, and it made me think about the amount of money put into setting up such a business. I then proceeded to learn more about graphic design when I got back to the office. Unlike the other departments, the Graphic Design Department was filled with state-of-the-art computers and machinery. I got to work with giant sized Macs and after a short course on basics, I immediately took on a simple label Photoshop project.
In the next few days I completed several other small projects and a major one. I got the chance to get out of the office and do some hands-on work at the factory. The experience was greatly rewarding as I single handedly went through the whole process of designing a label, printing it out, and making the printing template. I look forward to getting a chance to further develop my skills and apply them in another project.
Say CHEESE!!!
My form tutor was asking if anyone would bring a camera to school to help take class photos for the school magazine. I love taking pictures and thought it would be nice to help out, so I agreed to do it. I brought my camera on the day as told and was ready to start taking pictures when my classmates decided to have the class photos taken another day. I brought my camera again the next week but my classmates just didn’t want to have their pictures taken. It was rather annoying having to persuade everyone to stay still and look at the camera, but the whole experience was fun anyways. We only had the first period to take pictures and it turned out that the pictures taken weren’t good. The photo taking session dragged on for another week but this time we got some decent pictures. Everybody was glad that it was finally over. I uploaded the photos to my notebook and sorted out the good ones from the bad. I then sent them to my form tutor, who was pleased with the quality of the pictures. Though it wasn’t easy to get everybody to cooperate with me, I was rather happy to have been able to help out.
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