Gopeng Nature Resort

It's good to be home and blogging again. I've just returned from my UBS Annual Trip this year, and it was a blast (how not so? =P)! This year, it was different. For me, and a few others, it is the first annual trip that has been held in some place other than a comfortable setting. Basically, it was very rural. But the facilities were great, and the people,even more so. Can you believe it? Even the mak cik at the kitchen wouldn't let us wash our own dishes! But of course, most of the time we did anyway. Mr Ooi (who runs the place) told Pn Song (our mother in the unit) that he was very impressed with us. We were very well behaved it seemed, and the teachers could just let us be for hours without incident. And when Mother 'blooms with pride', how can we not?

Hahaha Pn Song is interrogated. I think she's saying 'I just want to be done and get away from this!' XD

So I, the responsible (ahem), beautiful, charming Assistant of the Trip Biro and Camp Commander, shall report back on what I learnt.

The head and the ass. LOL

We got to ride in trucks and shipped off like kambings and ayams. Wheee! It was bumpy, but it totally beats any rollercoaster anytime. Hang on for dear life at the sides, and watch for low-hanging branches lying in wait to slap the next unsuspecting victim. Captain Jack Sparrow warns us of these dangers with a 'Duck!' but gets hit himself. Pathetic, utterly useless. XD

This is where we live

The modules conducted were fine, Pui Ying's was a recap of the courses on how to handle peer pressure, and Ebe did Sex Education. Mind you, do not cringe or laugh at this. He pulled it off splendidly. I bet all of us have learnt something that day. SAY NO TO PORN!

PORN -> MASTURBATION = addiction,memory loss, loss of self-confidence, erectile dysfunction -> SEX = loss of dignity, addictiveness, underage pregnancy

* Oral sex (French kiss, etc) is sex. It is done to stimulate and arouse sexual desire before the act itself.

Makan!

Top 2 getting fresh with each other. =X

Another brutal truck ride later, we were unloaded at an Orang Asli settlement to trek all the way up to see a real Rafflesia. In all my jungle trekking experiences, I have to admit, that I have never seen so many people falling, or getting injured. I have to add though, that it is unlike ANY other trek I've been to. The gradient was just getting steeper and steeper ; after a quarter of the way, it was probably 75 degrees. Rope was there to provide a handhold throughout the way. And I must simply mention the guides. We never expected to be provided with so many guides : 12 for 47 people!! (or more). And even though they themselves slipped and fell, every 20-30 seconds they would ask 'Are you OK?'. They absolutely went all out for us; tending to injuries, hauling, pulling and dragging most up.

Orang asli settlement. Beautiful, really.

Many fell, and some just could not continue. Shin Ee had a cramp before the trek and had to stay behind. Fortunately, Xin Lin volunteered to stay with her for 3 hours. Bless her. The ones who got injured or could not continue were upset, I can tell you that. They were SO dissapointed at not making it to the top. But let me tell you, I admire their determination and spirit. They pushed themselves till they just could not go any further. 'Sometimes, the spirit is strong but the body isn't', Mother said. But its alright, we shall clap for them anyway for trying.

Pn Song, you rock!

The Rafflesia itself was dissapointing. It was miniscule, and there was no smell. However, it IS one of its kind, and how many city people can admit that they've hiked up that kind of trail to see one live? Not many I'd wager. But nevermind, 'It's the journey that matters, not the destination.' And this one's from me. Hahaha

Apparently it can't bloom fully because its 'senget-ed' XD

2 dead butterflies on the ground =(

All our truck rides were eventful. Here's what we did while trying not to fall, trip, or hit plants.

1. Negaraku
2. School song
3. Kau Ilhamku
4. Spirit cheer
5. 'You want some? Come get some!'
6. We Will Rock You
7. Daulat Tuanku!

The Kabadhi game was brutal. Its from India and the guys played it. Bruises were exchanged and a bit of blood was spilled, but no harm done. Its all in the spirit of the game. Even the girls had their fair share of it.

Both nights, we hardly slept. We talked about many things, some endulged in a Chor Tai Ti marathon, while others fought for the hammock. Others just gossiped and played games. For the seniors, it would be their last trip. Basically, a last time to bond with the members. And then, it hit me. With such force and brute force that I could hardly breathe. Next year would be my turn, my last year, my last chance. And I realised, that I did not want to go. This is one family I'd miss. They have shaped me in so many ways, moulding me into a better person. When I'm with them I see realise all the beautiful things I am, and sometimes, I reflect and I realise the ugly side of myself. So thats when I tell myself : 'I want to change, I need to change... And so I WILL change... And I HAVE changed.'

You never treasure something until you lose it. I think I shall quote all these things in my farewell speech, if given the chance (and if I'm president, or top 5). OK, now I just realised something very peculiar... Surprisingly, its not the fear, or the anxiety of leading the board that overwhelms me, but the thought of one day leaving. It cripples me. I feel like giving myself a kick in the rear for not realising how much the UBS means to me.

Do the Ebe . Muru looks like *swt* HAHAHA

'I think this camp is very good. I have never seen you all smile this much, its like sunshine around you all the time. I know that it is stressful in class, because we teachers have to rush the syllabus and have no time to nurture you. But the UBS makes up for it. I have seen a different side to you. This board is not only the best in Malaysia, but the best in the world. And I can tell you that.'
Puan Jeyanthi aka Super J aka J Coco
Science teacher and Special Guest at the Annual Trip

'When I see you growing and improving, and having the courage to come up to speak in front of people, I just BLOOM inside, like a Rafflesia. Because I am so proud of you.'
Puan Song aka Mother

'There is no board, no society, that can match us. Not even the Interact, the Librarian Board or the Prefectorial Board... I guarantee you that neither of them can offer you what UBS can. They don't nurture you the way we do, and they can never understand you the way we do. We cannot be categorised, because we are special. Every trip has brought me many memories. Memories which I will treasure forever. So please continue this tradition, never, ever, let Pn Song cancel a UBS trip!'
Ebenezer
UBS President and Head Prefect

'When we are on trips, there are no barriers, no status quo. It doesn't matter if you're a prefect, or a librarian; if you're in the first class or last. You're intellect is the last thing that matters. Everybody mixes with everybody, as is required. And I think thats what makes our bonds strong. Its what makes our unit one of a kind.'
Yours Truly.

a new moon

Sigh... I love reading. Everybody knows that. Sometimes I get caught up in my tense, little bubble, detached from reality. Is it so bad then? My exams are behind me, all I ask for is a little alone time, with a book for company. It's true, that when I am really into a story, everything else ceased to really matter, or exist really. But if books hold a temporary escape from reality, how bad can they be?

Yesterday my mom chatised me about reading too much. Yes, I shouldn't have asked Andy to stay back because I had my librarian duties. But I well couldn't ask you to give me a ride home, knowing that if you were caught leaving the office again you might be fired - because of me. Plus, I know I can't take a cab alone, I have no guts to anyway. Andy has exams. And yes, I did feel a twinge of guilt. I am not without emotion. I must be a terrible sister.

But I am only human, selfish as I may be. I wanted to saviour my reading time, they have become so limited. And so I dived into my books, trivial and fiction as they may be, they were comforting - to me. I feel guilty, leaving them on the top buck of the maid's bed to collect dust. Hmm, I might have to clean them sometime.

Books are your truest friends. They'll never leave you, never complain, never compare. They feed you and ask for nothing in return.

So why can't I be left alone with my books. I don't ask for much, I just want to be left alone when I was reading, I couldn't be bothered if I was ignored totally. Occasionally I might ask to hang out with friends, but where's the wrong in that? I can count the number of times I actually go out in a year with my fingers.

Mom, I don't like it when you used my blog material against me. I just don't like it. Blogging is my solace. What I can't say in words, or tell people, I put it in writing. It isn't the same as having a diary. Here, I get responses from my peers, and yes, their opinions matter; but yours is the most important. I can't take it when you talk to me like that, like I was crazy. 'Read funny things, later dream also of funny things.' Are you saying that I shouldn't read? Or that I am mentally incompetant?

Sigh... There is no more to say. I might have to make this blog private if this goes on.

A tribute to my favourite series.

Why Me?

Publishing one of my dreams for public scrutiny for the first time felt good. For those in the know, (well, make it only one) my 2 most recent dreams didn't really seem like dreams at all. In fact, it was like watching a movie from a first person view. It was, interesting, to watch the plot unfold. I wonder what triggered these, I know I couldn't have conjured it myself, I wasn't that creative.

Its not like nightmares where you wake up at the climax, screaming and sweaty. It just so happens that when the story ends, when there is no more reel left in the film, I wake up - just like that *snaps fingers*. And then I'd ponder about it for ages and ages, and still come up with nothing, nil.

And WHY? Why have I started this vicious dreaming cycle all over again?! I thought I was through with them, having a 4 year break since I was 10. Not only have they ceased to fade, they hit me with a more severe blow - becoming more intense, more complex. I've had eight so far...

1. Not unlike a scene from Eight-Legged Freaks, I dreamt of giant spiders infesting my aunts house. I was uber young, and it was scary. Don't laugh.

2. I was five. I dreamt of the lion at Sunway Pyramid. It was night time, and something was chasing me, it was terrifying.

3. I was ten. I dreamt the same dream. I was raped by ghosts. (There you have it people, my deepest secrets exposed)

[4 year break]

4. It was a nice dream at first, then it morphed into a nightmare. I dreamt of a demon, and this includes God.

5. This one got me traumatised for 3 days. I dreamt of a mutant-ish spider the size of a dustbin lid about to consume me. I repeat, its NOT funny, especially if the spider jumps, aiming at your head, and thats when you wake up.

6. Another spider dream, at KLCC park no less! This one I laughed at... I was chased by a huge spider around the park, with a visitor screaming 'Don't run, its just playing with you!' Hahahahaha!

7. My team and I were getting rid of baby aliens (think small, cream coloured version of the creature in Alien 1,2,3 and Alien vs Predator). I saw a kid, he was not human. But when I got my partner to come with me to retrieve the poor thing, he was gone. For some unfathomable reason, we ended up screaming 'John!' (the kids name) and I broke down. The End.

8. Read about it below.

WHY have my last two ended in unparalleled sadness? What does this mean? And why me? WHY???

I have decided to dictate my dreams, turning them into short stories. You might decide to stay away from me after this... I'm sounding more like a psychopath already XD. Haha. But for you who dare, or those who are just insatiably curious, I say :

READ ON

My Angel

The orange flames licking the grand mansion did nothing to ease the chill that emminent chill that sinked into her very flesh. Clutching Mr Teddy, she blinked over and over, her lashes trying to rid of the translucent sheet of rain that fell so lightly, it seemed like snowflakes drifting down from the heavens. But there is no heaven. This was hell on earth.

The crunching off boots against the shrapnel and debris reached her tiny ears. Through the rain, a shadowy figure emerged, barely a shilloute in the shadow of the flames.
'Come,' he ordered.
'Why isn't the water killing the fire?'
'I don't know child. For now, you must come with me.'

With a hand on her shoulder, they dissapeared into the night.

Life after that has been a blur. He lives to fight, sometimes I try to follow, but I always got into his way. He loves me, I know that. I know it when he asks me if I'm OK, when he hides little trinkets in my room so I wouldn't know he got them for me on purpose. But sometimes, its like he never wants me around. I don't understand, I am only ten.

The battle raged on. The thunderous firing of machinery deafened the ear. Only the trained and expert would be able to fight under such perilous conditions. A band of fighters, clothed in black, struggled to fend off the surging millitary.
'Whats the stats?'
'Half section of the building has blown. Main structure damaged by 80 percent. Its gonna come down soon.'
'Roger.'
As if ruled by tendril of thought, the pair shot cables to the opposite building, readying themselves for the timely escape. Only one made it. The other fell like a doll, laying in a crumpled heap 10 storeys bellow. A strangled, agony-filled yell followed. But the child did not die.

I don't remember anything before the helicopter. Yes, dad was beside me, holding on. Thats what I call him now. I am his, he saved me from my family's dissintegrating house; from being chared to death, just as my family. But something was not right. Dad was screaming. Why? Slowly, my eyes began to adjust, and I stared down at a pad full of people. I... I don't understand anything. Dad was still shouting, cursing in fact, but still my ears were filled with cotton - I couldn't hear a damn thing! Then he shot two people in the front. Silence. I looked around. By Gods! The pad was failing, falling like a bird shot out of the sky. We both then looked down at the men in black coats seated at the back, fearing their wrath of vengeance for killing their leaders.
'Good job mate.' one of them smiled as he took of his glasses.
Beside me, dad relaxed too. I suppose they were our men.

The tall figure looked uneasy in the luxurious surroundings. Indeed he would have been more fit as a street urchin. Many guests in fine silk eyed this lone figure with disgust. He sighed.
'Daddy!' He turned to face someone half his size, clothed in a delicate frock of pale pink. She was smiling.
'So, how do I look?' She frowned, unaccustomed to the finer things in life.
'Sends shivers down my spine,' he replied, shrugging.
'What?! Dad!' And unsatisfactory feature replaced the uncertaincy.

'Oh Emma darling, how lovely! It is so wonderful to have you back,' A woman of enormous proportions strided down the elaborate Greek stairway.
'Look dear, everyone is here to see you... You have been too long away,' she said, smiling.
And thank you for returning her,' This she directed to the man. It was said briskly, courteously, but not without hint of superiority and hardness.

The man gave a nod, and turned to leave.

'Dad, where are you going?'
There was no reply... Slowly, he got into his vehicle, and it roared to life. During the entire exit, he did not look back, not even once. The girl was frozen, tears gathered like crystal pools as she realised he was leaving.
'Dad... Daddy..... Daddy no!' The first and final attempt to reach the retreating vehicle failed...
'DADDY DON'T LEAVE ME!!!' Followed her guardian angel, the only family she ever had since her own had perished.

'He made you call him 'daddy'? How despicable.' Her glittery aunt stood beside the crumpled child, no mercy in her words, no emotion...

While the child's sobs echoed through the night.

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Note : This is my most recent dream. I have had many which I remember since childhood. These dreams are not the ones which slips through cupped palms like water does. Why do some dreams like this one, stay? I cannot answer that. I just think its time I told their story. So if some parts are a complete blur, it is because it was dreamt like that. I have tried my best to fill most gapping holes in the story.
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Fun Fact : I woke up just as the child (myself) crumpled to the ground in violent convulsions of despair. That morning, there was a light drizzle. Somehow, it felt oddly nostalgic. On the highway, I saw the most beautiful thing that morning - a rainbow. A full arc, just like the ones in story books. And somewhere, I knew, that my angel was watching over me.

Three cheers for temporary freedom! The last day of our first momentous battle against the horrifying exam papers has finally come to an end, but not without drama. The first Biology paper went on smoothly, though with the usual minor glitches that surround the task of answering a question.

Recess was God-sent. Extra study and mingle time. The odour of anticipation wafted through the entire left wing of the third floor. This was it, 5 minutes to go, one more paper to slave in… Then, sweet freedom.

I can taste our freedom!

Amirah

KRRRRIIIINNGGGGG!!!! The shrill monotonous ring of the fire alarm went on. First, an unpresidented silence – then…. YAY!! How wrong we were. The field was wet, it was drizzling, and everybody was sloshing around looking confused. I saw no tell-tale smoke. It was obviously a fake. Why couldn’t that Someone just leave the papers alone. Murder would be worth it today, if only we knew who did it. On the other hand, only a senior student could have done this. Why?

1. Its Teachers Day. Why would the school organize a drill on a day like this? Nevermind that it is also an exam day AND it was drizzling. School – Busted.
2. A junior could have done it as a Teachers Day prank. But they weren’t having any papers to worry about. Juniors – Plausible.
3. Only senior students had the perfect motives. No time to study for Bio, and they desperately need to score. Plus, it would be a fun thing to pull on the day we honour the teachers, lets test their efficiency! Wheee! Seniors – Highly likely.

We were told to head home ten minutes later, due to the late paper. 1.20 p.m. I couldn’t help finishing super fast along with everyone else – oh the anticipation of a free ass – and couldn’t be bothered to double check my stuff, so I played with my stapler (not very ingenious huh?).

But the moment of truth arrived…. AND WE WEREN’T ALLOWED TO LEAVE! What in the sick and damned world is going on?! We were jailed in our own class while all the discipline teachers were rallying outside. Spies brought back some information though,

‘Because your class is so smart’ – note the sarcasm.

But all’s well, ends well. Our PK HEM dropped by and apologized for holding us up, and that we all could leave except a certain Somebody. This obviously had something to do with the fire alarm set up. Lucky her.

Just one more day... No need to sleep also can!
Vi-Jean


My fingers ache. Muscle concentration in the right arm is significantly more than the left. Since History, half my brain has shrivelled and ceased to function. Only one day remains. I can do this... We can do this....

And I simply cannot resist the urge to blog. Its an addiction, its better than any drug available, a state of high can be obtained by the pure joy and satisfaction of reformating and modification. It is a bulletin board for that inert circle of friends who cannot see each other everyday to ask 'Hey, whatcha doin?'.

I think I know my Biology. I did just finish reading it... God, I'm gonna blog like crazy after this.

But now, its back to the books for one last time now. Wish me luck!