i've been rather moody recently, i dont know if it's a post-chinese new year hangover or something, but it seems as though my mood has been heading south with barely an upswing in sight. sounds like the stock market nowadays...
the past week has been a busy one, not least with the chalet going on. kudos to junie who came up with the idea, and thanks to the class for going and making it real fun, though it would be better if everyone could have stayed for the second night. not much of a chalet culture, eh? but still, we had quite a lot of fun even during that small period of time. i realised that there are quite a few mahjong experts in the class, and it was good that no one gambled, despite teo's requests. i also realised that taboo is a fun game and i think i did get to know some people a little better.
it's quite weird that this class is going to go its separate ways in 10months' time, as the A's and Graduation Day approaches. it's still quite some way to go and i do not know if i'd ever grow to like this class and enjoy the companionship of its inhabitants as much as i did my sec 4 class. though i am past the point of comparison. different schools, different cultures, different people, different mindsets. initially i was quite resistant to getting into a new class after dropping KI. the people here seemed so weird and even rowdy, compared to my previous 3Q. but it's a good thing that we've grown closer together as the year progressed.
seems like my RJ life will be defined by this class, with my minimal commitments in other areas. unlike in the past, where there were communities in CD and Council, and the class seemed less important. nevertheless, i suppose one grows to appreciate and enjoy the people one interacts with every day, and who go through pretty much the same experiences during curriculum time.
i do have a theory, that it was the 1h of sleep at the chalet, with no make up that is causing my moodiness...another theory though, is chingay.
now chingay was a great show. the performers danced their hearts out, there were brilliant costumes, loud music, spectacular floats and fireworks to boot, not to mention the party atmosphere every one was experiencing. having said this, i must say that the organisation in-charge of the volunteers really dampened (an understatement) my chingay experience. from conducting many useless training sessions, poor organisation and message-dissemination methods, to constantly-changing and hence confusing announcements, cumbersome signing-in and out procedures, to poor leadership, communication and time-management skills of the exco. the entire build-up to the chingay was terrifying, and exasperating, to say the least. i volunteered as an usher, btw.
i do recognise that they are young, and inexperienced and i probably have no right to call the kettle black. but i do think that there were quite a few incidents and behaviour that was uncalled for, and completely lacked leadership. many people were unhappy with them, and no wonder when the chair asked, "do you all regret joining chingay?", the reply was a resounding, "yes". i suppose some things could be overlooked, and forgiven, even. but the cumulative effect of their threats to cut CIP hours, send people to guard toilets; sitting on the floor and stomping on the stage like a spoilt brat to grab attention; time-wasting, starting and ending (much) later just really got on people's nerves. i do realise that they are working with more than 1000 impatient, restless young people and it's a very big national event, blah blah blah. but these are plain excuses, in my opinion. possibly no JC Orientation i/c had trouble getting people's attention without resorting to threats and spoilt-brat stunts.
Now young people can make very capable leaders due to their passion and almost undending reservoir of energy and enthusiasm. i wont say that i can do a better job than them, but i will say i know of people who CAN do a better job than them. infinitely better.
to avoid ending this post on an unhappy note, i shall say that i did enjoy myself watching this play called "Like Shadows" at the Esplanade yesterday. it's been forever since i watched a play, at all, and i do really like to watch plays, especially chinese ones, since i was from Chinese Drama. i do still miss the stage quite a lot and hopefully, i'll get another chance to act. we even had an upgraded seat to the foyer, and we had a good view of the stage. the acting was solid, and the visual effects were amazing, despite the rather predictable storyline and lack of action (there was mainly dialogue). Stan Lai, the guy who directed yi li sha, still has it in him. i think i'm becoming a fan. hope he comes back next year and then i'll see if i officially become a fan.
