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| Your Birthdate: June 5 |
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| Your Personality Is |
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| In a Past Life... |
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Tuesday, August 02, 2005
My NYAA report ( how i spend these two years b4 i serve my country )
Day: 0
Date: April � June 2004
Details of activities:
I have been honing my leadership skills in Catholic Junior College by putting myself in leadership position. It started when I thought to myself whether I should run for council, a CCA that I am in since secondary school. It was the tough decision as I knew from past experience that it will be time consuming and very political. I attended a few briefings to see how is JC council different from the one in my secondary school; I realize that the part that I used to hate about Maris Stella Council is not in the JC council job scope, the disciplinary part.
Before the election, we needed to do a work form about ourselves and went through an interview. After the interview results were out. I got myself with a bunch of other guys and started campaigning. They were three other SJI boys, Donovan, Jonathan and Tze Wei who I only knew when I went for the briefing. We call ourselves A.P.E.S. the four letters represented our individual ideals then was easy for other to remember us as apes. We even had a logo that says swinging to greater heights and painted a banner at Tze Wei�s house.
We had a question and answer session with our fellow batch of student and a poster that was done by Clarence, Donovan�s friend. The campaigning was largely successful as all four of us got into council. Next up were the june holidays and we had to attend the Catholic Junior College�s Leadership Training Camp. It was a three day camp that consist of a one day seminar, when skills are being taught throught lecture and the second day was filled with outdoor activities to let us try out wat was taught. We break camp early on the third day. I will go into more detail of the second and more exciting day. In the morning, we spilt into two large details with the three council groups in different details. One detail was sent to MacRitchie Reservoir, I was in the other detail that went to a building in Tanjong Pagar. It was a rockclimbing centre, which gave us the chance to bond and help one another while conquering the bouldering walls. I gave it my all, going up and down the walls and abseiling down in a head first position. However, the tough one was the hike starting from MacRitchie and ending at Bukit Timah hill. We swap with the other detail during lunchtime; we had to carry our lunch with us until then. The hike had many checkpoints and each of us in the group had to lead us from one checkpoint to another, I lead in one of the first few checkpoint and fall back to be the last man, together with Wei Xiang. The road was long and we even had to carry �burdens� like medicine ball and bricks along with us. The journey taught us how to share these burdens and the suffering really bonded us as one.
A few days later, it was the election of the executive committee. I was lucky enough to be elected as Head of Dept for CIP. A sad note to this would be that Tze Wei was not in council anymore as he missed the LTC. There was so much to learn and do even before we were full-fledge councillors.
Day: 1
Date: 9th July 04 (Investiture)
Details of activities:
Before you could be a leader, you have to be able to act like one. I guess that was the biggest lesson I learnt through the numerous rehearsals that we had. Our investiture was held at St Ignatius Church, as this is the first year for the student council and the catholic activities council to merge as one student leadership body.
The teachers train us how to walk, sit and even how to bow. All this drills prove to be very useful in the many more formal occasions to come. I still remember one of the hymns sang at our investiture, �We are many parts, we are all one body.�
We were presented with our badges by His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia and took our statement of office after we received the flame from our seniors to symbolise the passing on of traditions and blessing from them.
Day: 2
Date: 26th July 04 (Track And Field Finals)
Details of activities:
Given permission from the principal to skip classes that day to book seats at the National Stadium. The bad part was that we had to reach the stadium at 5:30 am. The whole day was plan by HOD of student liaison, Tiffany Tay and she requested for as many people who wanted to go down and even booked a bus to sent them to the National Stadium. The plans to cheer the track team were strongly supported by ODAC who ran from school all the way to the stadium to join us.
It all seem to work out fine until the weather decided to play with us. It poured heavily and the race was postponed indefinately. Thankfully it soon stopped and we came out in our drenched bodies to cheer for the 1500m boys and the relay events.
It was a rather successful meet for the track team as both the girls and boys finished fourth in A division category. That was an achievement considering the track team in CJC almost close down five years ago.
Day: 3
Date: 6th August 04 (National Day fund raising)
Details of activities:
It was one of the first major projects by the Community Involvement. The charity walk is aim to raise fund for the Tan Tock Seng endowment fund and the Mainly I Love Kids fund. Some patients came from Tan Tock Seng Hospital to join us for the day�s program.
We act as usher and accompanied the patients.
Day: 4
Date: 31st August 2004 (Teacher�s Day Celebration)
Details of activities:
This event was planned by HOD of College Affairs and he tried his best to give us a different experience. Therefore besides the basic Teacher�s Day concert, the department planned a carnival that includes different sports competition like Soccer, Floorball, Netball and even had an eating competition. The program lasted from 8 � 11am, in the spirit of the theme �Hawaiian�, the attractive prizes were coconuts and pineapples.
Day: 5
Date: 1st December 2004 (Graduation Night)
Details of activities:
This was the first major project that we needed the whole council to plan it. As the members of the exco were put in charge of different committee, I was co-head of tables� arrangement, tickets and finances, together with Donovan Koh and Gabriel Olsen.
First, we had to decide whether the dinner was free seating, pre-assign tables or letting the JC two form their own tables with whoever they wanted to sit with. The first two options would make life easy for us but since it was their night and we think that they should decide for themselves.
Donovan came up with the forms, and we put them outside the council room for people to take their forms. After we think that most of the forms were in, we distributed the workload to others in the group to go home and type out the tables. After which all the tables were sent to me to compile, I labeled the table by numbers and compile them into two lists, one by class and the other by tables. It was tough as the new forms were still coming in and people asking to change tables. The period that I need to do this coincided with my promotional exams; this was a time to exhibit careful time management. It was also difficult to pass the compilation for someone else to continue, as I would have to explain each list I made. This instill so much responsibility in me that I was doing the list, the night before the exams and even rejected my mum�s offer to help me.
After the list was done, we needed to finalise it, double checking for names that appeared twice, looking for people who are going for the dinner but have not form any table, sorting out the choice of food, halah/vegetarian/chinese. It took the three of us the whole morning to sort out the names and cancelling the names of idiots who wanted to sit at two tables, and then we had to combine tables that had not enough people. After finalising the tables and consulting our teachers, Ms Soong and Ms Giam, we decided to announce their tables in the last week of their school by putting the entire table list on the notice board at the foyer. The tickets will be distributed on the day of the A levels General Paper Exams in which all JC students have to take the paper.
Next, we had to get the ticket designed and printed in time for that day. Khai was in charge of the ticket design and he had a few designs rejected. We consulted the people in the programming department who came up with the theme �glitz amd glam�. Khai first put Brad Pitts and Sandra Bullocks� picture on the ticket and it was rejected. After several other designs that were rejected. We settled for a rather plain red design due to time constraint. Gughan and Khai then help find a printing company that was able to get the job done at lower rates. This was where I learn how effective dedications of job help solve a lot of problems. I used to think that by asking someone else to do something, it was pushing responsibility to another person but in the student council, where we are all leaders, it was only right if we share the burden.
The fianance part was to be work out with the other departments, programs, sponsorship and prize and also movement and security. Mrs Sandra Tan. All expenses spend by the councillors were given in receipt to me, who will in turn claim the money for them from Mrs Tan, such as dinner for councillors and batteries. She will directly settle things that spend a lot more money, such as the backdrop, tickets and the dinner itself.
As we did not have a general meeting for quite long until the council retreat, we did not know how the other departments were doing. As we were the first department to finished out job as sort of in charge of preparation, we were now free to help the other departments, such as M�n� S who needs manpower on that day and prize who need help to call, shop and carry prizes. The program people were also busying in coming out with ideas for games and entertainment.
It all came together very well on December 1st, the night itself. We did a great job and had fun at the same time.
Day: 6
Date: 27th � 29th November 2004 (Council Retreat)
Details of activities:
This was another camp plan by the teacher�s to kick-start our planning for orientation I. It also gives us some time to finalize some things regarding gradnite. I dare say the two events were such a success because of this retreat. It was a good time to train my leadership skills. On the first day, we were spilt into our orientation department, which were headed by exco members again. I was assitant in charge with Jeremiah under Tiffany in the indoor games department.
The evening was used to brainstorm about games and then we needed to explain the games to everyone else. Tiffany also tell us that our department was in charge of the CCA passar when the students visit the different CCA booths during orientation and she wanted me to take charge of it. After the discussion when each department�s ideas were presented, we went back to our granite groups and started finalizing the planning. My department was spilt among the entertainment and M�n�S department as we have finished our job.
The next day came as a total surprise for us as immediately after breakfast, Mr Tan spilt us into four to five people in a group and told us that each group can only have one hand phone person. The rest of the hand phones will be taken away. We set out on a adventure ala the amazing race, during lunch we even tried some of the games then we suggested the day before.
After the race, we were given two hours to reflect on the whole year of council term and also about the camp itself. Mr Alfred Pang held a wonderful refection session for us as made promises to each other as well as learning about our weak points.
At night, the teachers prepared a BBQ for us to end off the retreat.
Day: 7
Date: 3rd � 7th January 2005 (Orientation I HOT)
Details of activities:
A five-day long program that we have plan for the incoming batch of students. As mention earlier, I was in charge of CCA Passar, we called a few meeting and I did a presentation. It taught me how to entertain a large group of motivated students with a lot of question. The trick was never to look in doubt and seem certain even when you are not.
I was rather busy in the five days as I was a House Head and had other duties as a councillor such as game master and coordinator. As house head, I need to buy items to represent our house identity, I realize that I seem too busy and tired throughout the whole orientation I as I did not use the help I got effectively.
Day: 8
Date: 5th � 6th February 2005 (Chingay Parade)
Details of activities:
This was the biggest project that I did as the HOD of CIP apart from the other administration of flag days and other smaller events. I learn from past experience and share the burden. I got a valued member of my department, Liying, to help me get the contacts of the person-in-charge. She asked about how we can help and they needed manpower for crowd control.
As a result of my fencing competition, I was unable to be part of the crowd control event itself. Liying was put overall in charge for this project. It came with a lot of other duties, such as getting people down for goodie bags packing. I took a backseat for once and just help in the planning and organising of the 200 over people who signed up only when I was needed.
Sub-leaders were appointed among the students and it facilitate the assigning of duties.
Day: 9
Date: 11th March 2005 (Rockafellaskank)
Details of activities:
This was a joint project by Student Activities Wing and Community Involvement Wing. They wanted a rock concert for the school and we needed to raise funds for the tsunami victims. It was a partership made in heaven.
The student activities wing took charge of the auditions and programs while we took charge of logistic and M�n�S for the night. As we are all experience now, the planning was rather fluent and had no problems.
If there was a problem, it was due to the lack of confidence that the teachers have in the concert. It was the first time we held something so big in our school and everyone was a bit apprehensive about it. As a result we put too little chairs in the auditorium to contain all the audience.
It turns out to be a huge success and telling the whole world that CJC can hold a rock concert. We also raise quite a lot of funds for the tsunami victims and also pass some donations to the CJC�s needy student fund.
Day: 10
Date: 24th � 30th March 2005 (Orientation II hot encore)
Details of activities:
We tried to use a skeleton frame of the time allocated at orientation I. However it just would not fit, this time I was part of the outdoor games department and we wanted to bring the JC one to sentosa. The whole idea was great by needed serious changes to the time allocation. This taught me that being flexible is also very important in planning.
As we wanted the non-exco members to be more active, the in-charges were all non exco members and the house head were all non-councillors. Wei Xiang headed outdoor Committee. We had a few recee trips to sentosa and even talk to the management about which are the areas that we can used and which are the ones we needed to pay in order to use.
The weather really played a fool on us this time as it rain heavily on the day that we went to sentosa. Really spoiling the fun for everyone. I was not as busy as I was in orientation I but I was use as utility man and had to move across the island in the rain from my station to the gathering point to distribute food. I was willing to work, as I understand how much stress there is on the overall in charge.
Day: 11
Date: 13th May 2005 (Eat with your Family day skit)
Details of activities:
I was in charge of a skit to show people the importance of eating with their family. We use a humorous and alternative idea to grab the attention of the people before we make the announcement of the date of the Eat with your Family Day. It was the scene of Darth Vader announcing that he was the father of Luke Skywalker.
Day: 12
Date: 20th May 2005 (CJC Sports Carnival)
Details of activities:
I was asked by Mr Tan to help the PE department in Sports Carnival. They needed official to help in the Track and Field meets. I gather the names of councillors and assign them duties accordingly. It seems to be an easy job compared many other duties that I had. I guess experience was growing in me.
Day: 13
Date: Whole council Term (Cheering For Team CJC/Morning assembly)
Details of activities:
The two duties that I have done during my council term gave me ample opportunities to speak in public which is very important for a leader as I have learn.
Day: 14
Date: 26th July 2005 (Council Appreciation Ceremony)
Details of activities:
We had only one rehearsal at this as we were now comfortable with any formal occasion and needed less practice. It was a sad occasion as it marks the end of our council term.
Night: 14
Date: 26th July 2005 (31st Council Installation)
Details of activities:
I believe a leader can only complete his journey when he has found his successor. That�s why it was important for me to take this first step with them. I was a facilitator for the CJC leadership camp this year and tried to pass down all that I knew and learn throughout my own council term.
The things I have learn about being a leader:
It is not about how capable you are, it is about how effective your team is.
Be decisive. Do not be afraid of the outcome.
Bear all consequences.
Respect is earned while authority is given.
Trusting others is the key to being trusted.
recent
past
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
July 2006
August 2006
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
December 2007
January 2008
March 2008
April 2008
January 2009
February 2009
friends
30th:
petak
jeremina
pido
khai
teresa aka bimbo
feebee
ann kang
i-van
donk
booger
eileen
jon
LKY
yong sze yoong
31st:
tricia
sue jean
momo
2T16:
ming hao
y1n9
norman
cl@m
alter ego:
2LT TAN KAI PIN
links
credits
