Pre-University Seminar 2007

There were ups. And there were downs. It was fun. Not to mention tough. But all in all, Pre u sem 2007 was a most enriching and eye-opening experience that I shall never forget.



I won't give a detailed recount of what we did during each of those 5 days at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore(NTU). No, what I'd do is reminisce about the most memorable, be it good or bad, times and experiences. And it shall all be penned down here so that the memories shall be preserved for ever more, in words.



Seminar Group 23
Annabelle, Charissa, Ferena, Jeanette, Rachel, Siting, Hui Mei, Geetha, Aqila, Joanne, Zi Qiao, Mark, Terence, Clarence, Shao Yong, Keith and Shuib. And not to forget our Student Liaison Officers(SLOs) Yang Yi, Khalilah and Priscilla.

22 people. 19 different schools. One united bunch of nutters. Though it wasn't easy bonding together at first, since it was fate that brought 22 random students together. Slowly, we got to know more about each other and friendships blossomed. Unity was forged through the seminar project we had to do. Troublesome though it was, having a common goal and working together into the wee hours of the morning strengthened our sense of togetherness.


Remember the party we had on the night of day 4, guys? The exceedingly lame jokes we told? The truth and dare game(which almost went overboard)? The pizzas? That was one fun-filled, enjoyable night. It still makes me giggle whenever I think of it.

We may now be apart geographically but remember, we are always a part of Seminar Group 23 of Pre-u-sem 2007.



Panel discussions
Most enlightening, they were. In spite of the lack of sleep, I forced myself to stay awake and listen. And I'm glad I did. These discussions, with Members of Parliament and other Singaporeans who were active in the social scene, were really informative. Talks centered mainly around this year's pre-u-sem theme, iSingapore:challenge, create ,connect. Just sitting down and listening to the exchanges between the students and speakers was education. Q and A sessions were the best because it was interesting to hear students challenge what was being said. More of such dialogue sessions should be promoted.

Parallel presentations by each instituition

Every participating instituition was tasked to research and present a given topic based on this year's iSingapore theme. My school, Nanyang Junior College, did a presentation on Singapore's social tapestry. I'm glad to say that thimgs went without a hitch. Other presentations were pretty good too. Who can forget Raffles Junior College's 'Ah Boy-the-entrepreneur' video and Sigapore Polytechnic's very own James Bond?

Tough times

Perhaps you were wondering why I mentioned earlier that pre u sem was 'tough'. That was because it took a toll on our health. In order to get our project done by Wednesday, we worked till the wee hours of the morning. We also had to figure out how to incorporate some of the new software the organizers deemed compulsory to include in our presentation. Everyone displayed zombie-like behaviour as a result of this lack of sleep. Then there was the lack of drinking water. Not that NTU did not provide any, we were given a few bottles of NEWater everyday. Unfortunately, these had to be drunk sparingly in order to last us through the rest of the day. Water coolers were not easy to find (discovered one in the pantry on day 3, thank goodness) either. A number of us, including me, developed ulcers because of this. And to cap it all, my period chose to come during that week.

Visit to the Istana

Obviously the highlight of pre u sem 2007. For the first time in 11 years, pre u sem participants got the rare chance to interact with the President at the Istana. For many, it was our first encounter with the eilte of the elites in Singapore. The President, along with the other VIPs, mingled with the students and spoke to some. I got to do so too, if you count 'Good afternoon, Mr President Sir'. The dinner provided was superb. Unfortunately, all my favourite dishes were polished off before I could savour them. But never mind, it's the EXPERIENCE that counts. We are lucky, very lucky, all 601 of us participants.

Food

While they gave us minimum amounts of water, the organizers and NTU kept us very well fed. Canteen food was palatable and came 'free' (we gave the vendors food coupons). And for the first time, I actually liked eating kaya. I realize that it is green kaya that tastes like crap but brown kaya is great! NTU was really generous with food. In addition to the 3 basic meals a day, we had morning tea, afternoon tea and supper. I ditched supper though (except on 1 occasion). Lunch and tea were served buffet-style. Because the food served was often delicious and favourites of many, we kept going back for more helpings. Greedy of us, I know, but if you were present you would too.

Closing ceremony

T'was the most emotional event. To mark the end of pre u sem 2007, everyone was given 4 lightsticks each and were told to make one ring out of them. The rings were all linked together, held up high and we all sang 'If we hold on together' at the top of our voices. It was at this point that tears began to flow. Some people in my group cried; I teared a little. Hugs were exchanged. Any past animosity was forgotten. The students formed one long human train and snaked our way round the entire exhibition hall. It didn't matter whose shoulders we held on too, for we were all pre u sem participants who went through thick and thin together. After that, Seminar Group 23 got together to play some games and later, got together again for our last meal together.

What I like best about pre u sem

I think pre u sem is a wonderful opportunity for students from different students to get together and know more about each other. For the first time, the polytechnics and Integrated Programme schools participated in this prestigious annual event. Through interaction, we learnt more about the school culture of different types of instituitions. Stereotypes were debunked and misconceptions were clarified. This is especially crucial in the light of the recent debate regarding elitism among Singporean students. I am proud to say that the friends I have made during those 5 days were a diverse lot, from many different backgrounds.

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Well, that's all I have to say. I'd upload the photos when they come. Sentimentality, you know...

Mementoes of childhood

'One of my favourite hobbies is reading. The stuff I like to read are detective or cartoon-like ones. I also like those with happy endings and the -solve-it-yourselfs. Such stories include Harry Potter and The Berenstein Bears series. I also like to write. Perhaps that's why I like to write compos! Maybe I could write when I grow up! My other hobbies include drawing, cycling and etc'

From my school journal, 6F, Ai Tong School

One should always keep mementoes of one's childhood. It's not just about sentimentality, but also about reminding yourself again, 20 years or so down the road, what being a kid was like. These mementoes can be anything, but prefably does with fond memories attached. Want to know what the oldest stuff I owe are? It's a pair of moccasins I wore when I was two and a half-eaten Bert and Ernie book;) The above entry is a sample of my writing as a twelve year old. Twelve years. After that, you don't celebrate Children's Day anymore. While it means that you are at the very cusp of teenhood, which is an exciting thought (goody! I've GROWN!), it's also sad because the carefree, silly, innocent days are gone. Once you attain teenhood, there are so much more responsibilities to shoulder. The apron strings have snapped. You are more or less on your own. We have grown so used to a fast-paced, hectic lifestyle that childhood seems something light years away. But I think this is so only if you sever all ties with it. Believe it or not, I still catch Bear in the Big Blue House cartoons when I have the opportunity. Not that I have to reminded of my ABCs but because of the fact that it was my favourite cartoon as a seven-year old. It also brings back a whole bunch of memories along with it like the Wans' stay in USA, Orchard Downs etc. Moral of the story? Start a collection of mementoes of your teenhood today if you haven't done so during your childhood days.

P.S With regard to the entry on reading, I am now more into modern novels but am still a hardcore detective stories fan.

P.P.S Will be away for Pre-University Seminar for the next 5 days. Will be back on Friday afternoon. Bye for now!

Angst of a stressed-out teen

The toughest, most stressful week ever has finally came to an end*heaves a huge sigh of relief*. You won't believe how packed it was with all those tests, competitions, preparations...and how damn miserable I felt most of the time. The only happy moments were winning the inter-house debate semi-finals (go, go Dragon!) and pre-university seminar briefing (my seminar group's a really nice bunch. And NTU has superb fired noodles). That's about it.

Sometimes, I wonder if the whole of this week was just a nightmare.

And, I wonder, too,if anyone realizes, that I am not a machine that produces what you demand of me all the time but a human being with FEELINGS. I have this huge urge to rig up a system of loudspeakers all over Singapore, with certain speakers positioned close to the eardrums of some people and SCREAM this out. To further reiterate this, I'd throw in a bunch of swear words too. Speaking of swear words, I've been using the 'f' word in my head a lot more often these days. All that pressure and fear is taking a toll on my mental health. Perhaps it won't be long before I find myself encased in a straitjacket and facing the four walls of a maximum security cell.

This poem encapsulates perfectly the essence of 'seek first to understand, then to be understood', the 5th habit for highly effective teens:

"Please Listen"
When I ask you to listen to me,and you start giving advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me,and you begin to tell me,
why I shouldn't feel that way, you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me,
and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem,
you have failed me,
strange as that may seem.
Listen!
All I asked, was that you listen, not talk or do - just hear me.
Advice is cheap: you can get it in Dear Abby and Billy Graham.
And I can do for myself, I am not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me,that I can and need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and weakness.
But when you accept as a simple fact,that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can quit trying to convince you, a
nd can get about the business,
of understanding what's behind,
this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear,
the answers are obvious,then I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense,
when we understand what's behind them.
So please listen, and just hear me.
And, if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn,
and I'll listen to you.

Anonymous



I do apologize if you all were put off by all that emo-rambling. But paper (fine, blog in this case) is more patient than people. And I really have to get this lot out of my system. Rest assured, Zephy won't be full of emo-ness. Hopefully, the next post won't be so negative.

Stop being overly 'humble'

I just hate it when people moan about how terribly they fared in a test when in actual fact, they scored rather well. This is especially so for Chinese. Being weak in Chinese, I have a different idea of 'do well' than others. So when people around me mope about getting 70/100 for an exam, I can't help but feel a little agitated. Hey, if I got 70/100 for Chinese, I'd be over the moon. And then someone just has to say that 70/100 is a poor mark...I guess they just want to be humble about their results, which is commendable. But they should consider the feeling of others who are not as good as they are: if a 70 is a very poor by your standards, then a 60 must have been a catastrophe(which it isn't). And what more the 50 I usually score...In short, STOP DOWNGRADING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS UNNECESSARILY. It makes others feel inferior. And don't be so harsh on yourself. 70, 80, 90...they all fall under the same category of 'A' anyway. It's an 'A', what's there to feel unhappy about? Even if you think it sucks......just shut up and keep it to yourself.