I feel the need

Okay I just felt the need to blog, what with all that has been happening over the past few months ever since my moments of indecisiveness with what to do with the next phase of my life. It is at once a huge update and the need to just write everything down to counter a bout of forgetfulness that ever so often claims me, because what happens before university, I want to remember in even greater detail (so the few who are able to see this, be honoured hahaha okay I'm kidding, it's actually hazardous).


Outcome of decision
Law and Econs, with the 40-50% chance of swopping Econs with Comms, and the very, very much higher chance I will take Comms as a minor. And this just in (actually no, I'm writing very much in a hindsight that is likely to have been pickled and jarred), the university offered me a scholarship! Something that I was very, absolutely surprised to be on the receiving end, totally did not expect, could not have foreseen; yup, that about sums it. I accepted it, obviously because of the additional financial freedom it would afford my family, and less obviously because of the greater incentive to focus on my studies and account for my performance. Of the material updates, this has to be the biggest one.


Faculty Orientation Camp
Going for the camp happened because I casually signed up at the tea session, and it was more of honouring a promise I made, and since I was free anyway, why not? I'm not entirely good with orientation camps and the required enthusiasm, energy and gusto that accompanies it, and I've never been a fervent believer in first impressions and their misplaced adequacy, but then again it's probably because I don't fare too well on their scales either. To cut the long story a little shorter: I went there expecting very little, and to be honest it wasn't much either. I made a few close friends, friends who I could sustain conversation with, conversation deeper than the average banter, friends who I could share some things with, yet they were bound within the circle of the entire orientation group, and I rarely saw them beyond the confines of group meetings and activities. I know for sure I need to give it a little more time, after going through JC and the land of green, having been very close to people I'd thought I'd never have a chance with in the beginning, it has convinced me so. They're a bunch more mature and thoughtful than most, something I definitely appreciate a lot. The expected air of cliquish elitism is either non-existent or masterfully subdued, because I did not discern any throughout my interactions with them, though I can tell a few within the cohort and not necessarily close to me nevertheless bore that aura, but that is to be expected. The camp was fun enough, exciting enough, not too mild to be dull, yet not too extreme to be overdone. It was much tamer than the hall and faculty camps I heard about from other friends, and to me that was a blessing through and through. I could veritably tell that the seniors had put in considerable effort in ensuring the entire product was palatable, and on my part, it is appreciated. My whole demeanour during the camp was pretty much laidback, the only few times I remembered I stepped up (and apparently stood out) were during some drama moments that required initiative (that was sorely lacking at times within the group either because of inability or poor judgment) and humour (dry, acerbic, sarcastic, my style). At this point in time, I would like to remind myself to refrain from putting out snarky remarks, however funny I think they may be.


Bali
After some bumming around after the camp, K, ZY, KJ and I went for a much-awaited trip to Bali! To be honest, I didn't go well-prepared in terms of information and a desire to try out new stuff, but thanks to KJ's initiative in bookings and K's initiative in tour information and a little of KJ's and my background information on the island, it went rather fantastic. I tried to pitch in with the common fund and planning the day tripping on the third day. We managed to accomplish so much in such little time, that it makes me proud to think about it. Using resort amenities like the two pools, the ping-pong table, the cafes nearby; cycling through the village compound and streets, saying hi to the kids and pretending to be Japanese with the locals (though rather unconvincingly so); kopi luwak tasting (really bitter and strong! Though I know why some people bother to pay for it now, for its distinct and unique taste); the breathtaking views of Agung and Batur; smoked duck; Balinese rice terraces, farms and padi fields; a very, very value-for-money spa; Nusa Dua beach and (really, truly) spectacular blowholes; Tanah Lot at low tide; Uluwatu temple sunset and monkeys (K's and KJ's bane); Jimbaran seafood dinner by the beach; picturesque sunrise; Sanur shopping and haggling; nightly bridge sessions and minivan conversations that invariably ended up in a lot of unintended but much appreciated sharing. It was a very fulfilling, sincere, carefree trip.


Phuket
For Phuket, which was just two days after Bali, it was an entirely different experience, mainly because of the different group of people I went with, namely HW, CG, YB, and A. This group I would describe as rather jock-ish, unassailably straightforward, and altogether rather wild. It's no surprise certain wild adventures were undertaken then, some of which I didn't participate in (of course). First day comprised of a pleasant surprise on board a budget flight that bestowed us extra leg room (appreciated anywhere, anytime), walking and shopping around before hotel check-in, and swimming in the hotel pool thereafter, where we met J, a surprise I had foreknowledge of, and after that, the venture into the deep unknown that was Soi Bangla, sleepy street by day and acidic, vibrant nightlife hotspot by night, where we settled at a bar. Thereafter, we covered plenty of what Phuket had to offer: island hopping to the nearby isles and bays, snorkelling which proved to be a more-than-pleasant experience, lazing and swimming by beaches teeming with fish; white-water rafting which I would describe as nothing less than unforgettable; ATV riding (they totally ate my dust); fish spa; yet another full-body massage which was fantastic (hard is good, no pain no gain); sumptuous seafood dinners (!), nightly jaunts near Patong Beach, haggling everywhere else (one of my favourite pastimes); motorbike riding on the last day (even though as a very safe and measured rider, I never went over 40km/h, ta-dah). I felt that this trip wasn't as heartfelt as the last, and though there were moments where hearts were poured out, but I think that there could have been much more. No doubt it was tiring, but it was time well-spent, and I would love to have more rounds of such. And, I have discovered my penchant for haggling and my commendable level of initiative I didn't know I had (this is my blog, I can say whatever I want to, hahaha).


Community Service at Northlight
Because of my numerous trips here and there and the overall tight schedule I had, I basically could not be part of this as much as I would like, though for most part I guess it turned out alright. A group of us worked on a skit, quiz, group discussion and other activities to engage a group of students at the school for academically weak students on the issue of drug abuse. The topic may well be a tired one for many of us, but for them, it may well be a very close issue to their hearts, one that they are likely to encounter many times due to the social climate they are surrounded by. Whatever little contributions I had, were in terms of the role and agenda-setting, scripting for the skit, listening ear to the group leader G, and the crowd rouser and atmosphere creator on D-day itself, 15 July. Admittedly, the audience was very much like the subordinates I crossed paths with during my time in the land of the green, and unsurprisingly so, given how many of them were similar in terms of education, family background and the such. What struck me most on the day itself was the level of engagement we managed to achieve with them, in that we had so much of their rapt attention, I started feeling so encouraged, and believed that we were really on the right track with them. It was amazing and awe-inspiring, their interactions with us were truly unbelievable, and at the end of it all, I felt it was all worthwhile. Their willingness to participate after the initial inertia, the openness with us, the candid initiative to share email addresses and contact numbers, these were all unexpected and very much sincere. It was day unlike any other, and now I realise why there are social workers and an increasing level of volunteerism in this society; while there is a lot to give, there is really a lot to receive as well.
TA gathering
Oh well, though the turnout was just alright and on the diminutive side, I enjoyed it on the whole. We gathered for a time of games and conversation, finding out how each other was doing, and maybe in our minds, helping them to chart their future, and where we would stand in that. I honed my mahjong skills, as well! And I would not have it any other way, in that those who were interested to come, came. It is highly unlikely another of such an event would be organised or held in the near future (unless any kind soul offers, that is), and that was why, as much as it may not seem to be, I treasured this opportunity quite a bit, and it is rather sad not many saw it on the same level as I did. But well, phases of our life come and go, and I guess it is about time the cohort identity took a rest, and let the groups of friends (maybe for life?) with their tighter bonds start to emerge and take its place. I am truly glad for SY and J who organised it with me, and for the many friends I have made from that time of four formative and very enriching years.
Meeting people
Here goes the list of people I've remembered I've met on a rather daily basis or recently (whichever is the case), and how I feel about them (the meet-ups I mean, haha). In no order of merit or demerit:


SY, YX, HB: I am very close to this group of friends (thanks to the first year in school!), and I can talk just about anything with them. Though sadly it is getting harder for us to meet up due to conflicting schedules, I believe the bond is still quite strong (though HB and SY share the strongest bond ahahaha). We share a lot in common, though we are still unique individuals in many other ways, and that is nice to know.
G: I am really close to her (thanks to school!), and also because of distance (or the lack of it!), we can make time for each other, and that is much appreciated. I treasure her viewpoint quite a bit, and I really do hope we can keep it up.
HW, CG, YB, A: Because of our commonality in the land of the green (two times over, at that! Except for YB, which is just once), we became quite close, even though I knew HW from a long time before. It still amazes me that I managed to 'click' with them, and that they can accommodate my 'uniqueness', haha. In this group, I also share a closeness with each of them, apart from the group dynamic.
YH, LZY, YJ: I share so much in common with YH that it is quite scary, in terms of how we think and react, and certain other beliefs. LZY is frank and rather humourous and we share a similar brand of humour. Though it feels like YJ is somewhat drifting away. I am more or less closest to YH, and we often exchange insults.
ZY, sometimes with K, SY, or KJ: I appreciate ZY's dry humour that is sometimes truly blunt and straightforward, but never in my face. We meet up less often nowadays, though we still do, and the fact that we share some things in common, remains much to be treasured. K has been overseas for a while, but when she's back, it's nice to know things are the same and we can meet.
KP: I knew him much better in the land of green, though I knew him by sight two years before. He is a rather acerbic and locally discontented individual, but I realise I can talk to him a lot regarding issues of much greater significance others would be deathly bored by. It is this shared penchant for deep conversation and the discovery of new places in the country that has brought us together, I guess.
SY, J: Though we met up largely for the sake of the gathering, I realise that J and I can keep a very decent conversation going. Anyone who can do that with me is truly treasured.
CG, YC: They share in common the land of green two times over with me, and because of my close work proximity with them then, we got to know each other much better. Though we meet only occasionally, it's nice when we do.
B, KY, ML, GT, CL, TJ: They are a group whom I've worked very closely with in the last nine months of my time in the land of the green, and though I've been on a trip with them, thereafter, we met up somewhat less frequently. It is hard to keep such an extensive group dynamic going, but I do miss the times, though sometimes it is time to move on. They are a very blah-blah group, and I can hardly have deep conversation with them, except when they are on their own, and because the group is not subscribed to the lowest common denominator of maturity. I am closer to B and KY.
NJY, A, D: This is the group I worked quite closely with, like with the above group, just that in a different capacity. Though we met up occasionally, it cannot quite be considered enough, but I realise this is probably due to conflicting schedules. NJY has this penchant for teasing me, and when it begins, everyone joins in.
JY: My ex-buddy, I was really close to him due to us sharing certain beliefs, and when we were close, we really could share just about anything with each other. But I guess due to time and the divergence of experiences thereafter, while we are still good friends, we cannot boast the closeness we used to have.
M: This is a long-time friend that I have had for a good seven years now, and even though I have not seen her for the past year, when we met up recently, it was just like good times, and we could talk really well with each other. I treasure this kind of time-tested connections a lot.
B: I was quite close to her, having worked quite well with her a few years ago. I have not met her for quite some time, but I feel that this long-lost connection can be revived more than easily; the only matter now is when.
V: I have not met her for some time, but whenever we meet, we manage to have a more than decent conversation, which I feel is more than good enough.
KW: A long-distance primary school friend, I met him recently and to be honest, I didn't expect the conversation to go so well. It is very heartening to know that both of us still share a lot in common, and that we are going to be able to meet soon, again.