Learning Point

Received feedback on the store cleaning about myself in general.

I have to be more decisive and clear with my instructions. I also have to be more firm when getting people to do something. I have to set time limits. Set a target. Be more strict. I also have to be more alert.

Yes, I agree. Although its not in my habit to scold people, there is a time for everything. Maybe with scolding then people will realise what has to be done in a period of time. Maybe then will they take me seriously. I must change to be a person more firm when something needs to be done. That means I must be less of a joker than before.

With regards to being more alert, thats something that I have to constantly remind myself about. But then I think my lack of alertness that day was probably because of insufficient sleep the day before. What with the scouts dinner ending near to 11.00pm. But then again, yes, being alert something I need to be. How to change in this matter of aspect? I don't really know how, maybe just constantly reminding myself would be a effective start.

Here is a story I came across and would like to share...

My Friend Saved Me From Doing The Unspeakable

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!"

He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. We may all impact one another’s lives in some way. Look for that in others.

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.


I came back from swimming. Felt really refreshed. Something about the exercise made me feel like blogging. There was this story that flashed back across my mind. Something I still find meaningful even though I have come across it many times on different occasions.

I thought I would record it here so that I can read it a few more times. And also for those reading this blog. This story is just simply amazing. And inspiring.

I'm going for National Patrol Camp after all; and won't be able to make it for Lasallian Leadership Convention in Ipoh. I guess there is a give and take here. NPC 2005 will be a great learning experience, and a medium through which I can push myself the hardest. As in during physical training, and the using of skills. On the other hand, the convention will also be one that I will benefit from, interacting with other Lasallians from overseas, but on hindsight I would have another chance next year after my 'O' Levels to attend it, I hope, although not the same.

So, now that I'm in NPC, I have to be more serious, and will be. Not only for the unit, but also because I want to feel the sense of achievement after working hard. It is a team effort, and I want to make sure that I'm contributing positively to my team. Ok, enough said about NPC. Action is more important.

Today was store cleaning. To me, it was really effective. Our targets were met and the underground store is really much better than before. The lashings and guylines are now neatly seperated and labelled, ensuring that good lashings and guylines are not mixed with the unusable ones. There will be no more frustration trying to retrieve good lashings, as they will all be in the same barrel. But more can be done to improve the state of the store. I have to find some time to sit down and brainstorm/plan with Marcus.

I'll cut this post short. There is like, so many things to write, but I want to go and swim now. I guess the main points that I can remember are here, but sometimes after I think about something important to write, or type, here during the day, I'll forget it when I actually start typing.

Anyway, to the pool! Action is more important than words.

Last thought before I click publish: Although I will have to miss the convention, I am happy to be in NPC, and I'll give off my best!

Since I just started a blog, I think I should add a write-up on Eurojam 2005. It was really a memorable and unique experience for me, and for the rest of the Eurojam contingent. I think it was worth missing school for. Anyway, I did the write-up for the SJI update. Here's how it goes... ( the unedited version at least)

Eurojam 2005
From 29th July to 13th August 2005, four SJI Pelandok scouts – Ng Shih Hoong (332), Trent Lai (331), John Isaac Lee (323) and Chin Hao (333) – represented Singapore at Eurojam 2005 held in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, United Kingdom. We were part of a national contingent consisting of twelve scouts from St. Joseph’s Institution, Raffles Institution and St. Andrew’s Secondary School. The Singapore contingent participated as a result of collaboration between The Singapore Scouts Association and the Singapore Tourism Board for the purpose of promoting Singapore at the international event.

Eurojam was a jamboree involving more than 10,000 participants from 67 countries. At the jamboree, we were provided the treasured opportunity for adventure and the chance to make new friends from many different countries, exchanging contacts, whilst simultaneously learning to understand other cultures and helping to build a better world. During Eurojam, we took part in adventurous activities from abseiling to mountain biking – plus a glance back into a century of Scouting’s history at the Gilwell Adventure Park. We also participated in Splash!, a day of water-themed activities such as sailing, canoeing, dinghy sailing, rafting etc. In EuroVille – an innovative set of programme days – we experienced the many unique cultures of other European countries.

Through the Global Development Village, we explored the issues facing young people today from fair trade to land mines to the environment. Moreover, we managed to give back to the community through meeting up with local community groups and working together in a project named Starburst to help solve environmental or social issues. We were astonished at the momentous, grand and large-scale celebrations of the opening ceremony, closing ceremony and celebrate Europe day.

By the end of Eurojam, we were almost reluctant to put an end to our jamboree of learning, enjoyment and international friendships. All of us unanimously agreed on one conclusion - The eventful two-week jamboree was a meaningful and unforgettable encounter. What we would remember most are the new friends we make during the event.

END

That was the official version. For me, all that was true, but there's more to it that cannot be expressed with words. I mean, being exposed to many different cultures and people from all around the world, there was something wonderful about it. Everybody was extremely friendly. Everywhere you walked, anyone you came across would just say "hi" or greet you. It's just like greeting complete strangers. Extremely friendly complete strangers with one common link - being scouts. In Singapore, I do not think that this could possibly happen on the streets, at least not that soon. I mean, do you actually see people greeting each other on the streets, or simply walking past, not even sparing you a glance. Actually, I cannot say I'm not guilty of it.

Thinking deeper, it is the enviroment that leads to that. In Singapore, where people are the only natural resource, where time is of paramount importance, and multi-tasking is essential, how can one possibly "waste precious moments" looking for others to greet? On the train, on the bus, or while walking, we grab the opportunity to think of our project, plan our day, or maybe catch some sleep. But at Eurojam, everything becomes relaxed. The main objectives are making more friends, and attending projects. There is adequate sleep, no homework, projects to worry about. And I think that really helps to improve social cohesion. It is fun, but while we learn socially, we do not learn worldly issues, if thats the correct term I'm using.

The irony is that I don't have the "time" to continue my reflection, so I suppose the right way to go here is a balance of both worlds.

Balance is key.

I will always have fond memories of Eurojam.

reflection
I always thought a blog was for just writing everything one did in the day, but after reading some really reflective blogs, I decided to do one too. I want a blog not as a daily dairy, but maybe for recording reflections on my life. The situations I encounter and what I can learn from it. Of course, only if time permits. It's not exactly on my top priority list.

This blog will serve as a space where I can learn from my past and learn from what I do, what I go through. It is important to reflect as it is to actually carry out a plan, because it is only through reflection that one can learn. And it is even more important to record it down, so that the thoughts do not just come and go. Sometimes when we are bored, we tend to think about our lives and whatever we want to do. However, these thoughts go as quickly as they come, and in our fast-paced lives, they tend to disappear forever, together with all the invaluable learning points in them. So, I hope that this blog will aid me in improving myself.

I was inspired to start a reflective blog from LLTC 2005. I learnt that having reflective depth is extremely important in one's life. Especially in a fast-paced country like Singapore, where multi-tasking skills are highly regarded and speed is essential, I am quite guilty of cutting edges to quicken my pace, like cutting short reflection and thinking, and just plunging headlong into activity after activity.

School holidays have begun, and that is the main reason I have so much time to think and type. I guess when school reopens again, I will be even busier and will have minimal time to add postings of learnings onto this blog. Especially since next year is my 'O' Levels, and I have to squeeze much studying into my timetable, on top of other school responsibilities.

I just came back from the gift of love home for the aged again, and I guess I have much to learn from it. But I'll write about this some other time when I have more time.