Breifing for the camp was, as expected, a waste of time. We collected shirts, signed our names, and watch the officers at HQ collect all prohibited items. As soon as all were collected, he said "Ok, breifing is over." O.O WHAT. THATS IT? so alright, no valubles or handphones at camp...

- Day I -

On the day itself I was getting rather apprehensive. Truth to be told, I expected it to be like a NCC camp: strict, fierce, and the usual 'rushing to wait, waiting to rush'. Thanks Novell for offering a ride to Weikit and I to the SAF jetty =)

After the ferry ride to Pulau Ubin, we got to NPCC Camp Resilience. I remember still bracing myself for the worst when I walked towards the parade square. When we got there, we all had to split into our divisions. I left the party to join the sea of RED ALPHA. I sort of expected Rui jie to come as well, but Jackson from Bravo said he was sick. Looks like i'm the only CHS guy in my division. Weikit had Desmond and Jackson with him, lucky >.<

"Err. Benedict, CHS NCC (air)".

So we waited somemore. Apparently the President himself was to be our GOH. The emcee was making all the campers practice going wild, telling them to SCREAM ><><) and everyone clapped for like, the 5+ minutes he took to walk to his seat.

"I declare the National Camp '08, open."

Ahh. Then the performances followed. I was'nt really looking, but I did like the songs and the anthem played by the St. Hilda's band. After all that, it was lunch time, went to help carry da boxes of food. My mini-division was to be A3, and the first thing that went through my mind was the paper size A3 o.o My instructor was Sir RIZWAN. HE'S NOT OLD. Haha I feel for him, people saying he looks older then his age. I get that comment sometimes too XD Our other instructors were Jess, Chester (!) and Liyana. Our OIC, Mr Dennis Ong (he's da best TO I've ever met at camps ^^) and the usually unseen worker, 2IC Andy.Then I met another NCC air in A3 as well, Liyana of RGS.

After lunch, we had to settle into our campsites. We occupied the sweet tentage at the sqaure previously used by the band and marked it with the Alpha sign. I got into a tent with Haiqal (NCC land) and JunYan (Scouts) =D Hahah both were really nice people but they were rather quiet. Mr Ong then brought us to a nice little area and we claimed that ours as well, our courtyard. He gave us privilleges o.o I was thinking 'wow, this is seriously no NCC camp'. Then was the first activity cycle - TEAMBUILDING.

-Team Building Activites-

Well, A3 got to do the 'Forest Trail' first. We got there and had to be blindfolded (!) Had a hard time deciding who to be leader to lead us through and avoid the 'traps' inside. Held one another's shoulder and Bala was our leader. Infront of me was Lingesh, CHEATER! HE COULD OBVIOUSLY SEE THROUGH DA BLINDFOLD XD.

The 'No Punch' game. Numbers from 1 to 20 was scattered on the ground in the circle. With each one assigned a number, we must run into the circle, tag our number and run out before the next number can be tagged. o.o alot of blurring out in the game, but I could'nt see how any one could cheat in this =D

Then was 'Human Soccer'! The first thing that came to mind was that we were going to kick someone around ^^ Similar to table soccer, we held onto ropes and tried kicked a basketball pass one another into the "goal". I never fancied soccer, but this was fun ^^ Then difficulty was rasied - tennis ball! Haha violent game, I think i made a few 'enemies' here XD

OHHO. The last one was 'Pipes'. We were to put together and fill this pipes with water (there's holes in the pipe!) and transport it to a pail slightly upslope. Its a heck lot harder then it looks. Haha I remember Joey's idea of the positioning of the pipes and stuffing the holes with our fingers! I also got to know Shahrul, from Brunei Cadet Force (BCF), haha he's so cool =D Hee fun ^^

-Low Ropes Course-

This was seriously no kick XD I WANT HIGH ROPES. RARGH. Anyway we did our 'spotter' practice, pushing Lingesh around was fun ^^ Ahah since it was low ropes, it was'nt much of a challenge: balancing on a shaky log, climbing up a horizonal ladder, swinging down~ into a tight net, swinging down again~. It was really fun to be shaking like crazy on the thin ropes and you just can't control it ^^

After that was dinner, then we sat around the council ring. Mr Ong taught us the 'KuKu' song, I think we all went abit crazy after learning it, needs focus! Haha he's such a fun-loving person ^^ After showering, we sat around the Council ring. I did'nt do much, but the moon was really nice that night ^^ One girl from A2 asked me if I was Malay or Chinese ._. Ahhah then met Sateesh, and OMG HE'S A NCC LAND MASTER SERGEANT. HOLY, HE'S SEC 3! Apparently they sent him for SSC in sec 2 cause he was really good. omg.All NCC guys there (including me) were in awe @.@ And every one around me was snapping away pics and sms-ing with camera phones! Ragh, who told NCC that camera phones were'nt allowed?! ><

-Day II-

Woke up at about 5.45. Did a quickk wash up, and realised that we were already late: reporting time was 6.15, and it was 6.14 on Junyan's watch! So we choing to the meeting point which was the little Alpha tentage only to find that most of the girls were'nt there yet o.o Then followed the slackist PT EVER. All we did were a couple of stretches, but I was still blurry, slapping myself awake o.o A couple of laps around the area, then it was breakfast! 5cm and 2.5cm (nicknames derived from how 'thick their skins were' ^^) taught a new makan cheer o.o they both may appear gangster-ish but I feel that they are really, great leaders. Then Xinhui was sitting beside me and suddenly ask 'Are you Benedict?' O.O Ahaha apparently Weikit told her I'd be in the same group as her before the camp. But how could she guess it was me? Could be my lanyard...

-Rockwall . Abseiling . Maze-

OH YEAA. I <3 rockwall ^^ We had a 1.2km walk to Bahru campsite once more. A3 had to wait awhile, and Instructor Nemo taught us some stuff there. The best one is da 'Lame clap' - it's so lame! XD Ahaha he's a natrual joker.

Oooh yea. Abseiling. This course looked more challenging then the usual, flat wall. This had wide ledges to get past! I was all hyper inside, waiting for my turn ^^ When I got up, I was used to the procedure already: then I launched off. No kicks till I got to that ledge. Then I was instructed to lean back, body and legs 90 degrees, and move down. I did so, and suddenly my foot slipped =X and I swung into the next lane crashing shoulder first into the wall. Pppaaainnn =X I got down and apologised to the instructors belaying for the slip =P They were really nice. "As long as you're all right" =D Thank you!

Next was Rockwall! The shoulder one was a scratch, but it did'nt hurt too much even if I stretched. I wanted to go up but I saw this other person from A2 waiting longer, so I allowed her to go up first. She ended up forcing me up instead, saying she was'nt prepared =X Changi Coast Adventure Camp's is nothing compared to these, the ledges are'nt grippable for long! But I was up in about a minute, fun =D Then I helped spot the Jurong Sec girl and watched her go up the wall. She may look weak but she's really strong on the inside O.O

I hung around, unsure where the last activity was. Then I saw Brandon, Bryan, Liyana, Joey all going towards the last section, the Maze. O.o then I realised I have'nt gone that course yet. So we all got in line, everyone holding each other's shoulder (oww left shoulder has the cut!) Brandon was the leader. There was'nt a need for blindfold, we could see nuts in the Maze. A rollcount of 9 of us, we ventured in. We had to adopt a technique to pass on the message on where the obstacle is, by holding the person's hand and guiding him to touch the obstacle, then pass the message down. At the end of it, we saw the LIGHT. Then we all had to do a cheer before instructor Rizwan opened the door for us =D

-Nature Walk-

Ahah off to the nearby site for the Nature Walk. A1 and A2 went ahead, and A3 and A4 stayed back for a couple of games first.

First game was 'Animal Farm'. Oh great, BLINDFOLDS AGAIN? Not like we had'nt have enough of them... We broke up from A3 to merge with part of A4. In Animal farm, each group had to choose an animal (HORSE!) Then we were all blindfolded and brought about to random places around the area. I was led away from all the voices for about 15+ m! The objective was to find every other animal in your group. When it started, I walked about randomly going 'Neigh. Neigh.' for about 5+ min till I heard someone shouting 'HORSE. HORSE.' I ended up shouting HORSE HOOORRSSEE as well until we all gathered. The person who found me was Jaccqie of A4 XD thank you! Doing introductions blindfolded was werid =X And thank you mysterious instructor who saved me from tripping over a rock ^^

Next game was 'Tower Building', and it was fun ^^ With strings and anything around the are, we were to construct a tower of stability and design. Sateesh was super resourceful, he found large leaves, rocks, sticks, etc. o.o Sharul, Haiqul and I worked on the base with the strings while the girls were making it look nice from the top XD Then it was PRESENTATION time, and we had NO IDEA what to say, until Liyana swooped in and rescued us with her seat/war machine model o.o Other groups build a 'Bicycle of the past (Nice try, Lingesh XD)' and a....pig...?

Cat 1 alert. We all were rushed to the nearby shelter and squeezed in with Bravo. That's when all the camp songs kicked in! (I've got peace like a rriiiivvveeerrr~) OH my favourite was 'There was a stream"! =D I was thinking about singing until 'micro-organism' then 'atom' XD abit crazy already then. After lunched we changed, and went for KAYAKING.

-Kayaking-

The activity organised by NCC! I recognised the NCC (sea) CLTs there, same guy from AKE trainings and MKE! I can NEVER forgot MKE XD Then Incik Ong was there too...he was..poking the celling with a paddle..and there was squarking sounds... Anyway the breifing ensued, kinda boring, since I heard it countless of times already o.o but Sir was doing his job =D When we got into sea, my partner was Lingesh, a 3-star! When we moved out, I realised something grave:

"Omg. I forgot my spectacle bands."

AHHH. Then I was SUPER SUPER CAUTIOUS not to capsize. I told Lingesh about it and he kept jokingly ROCK THE KAYAK. He's HEAVIER then me, and could easily capsize it even with me locking my legs! "LOCK YOUR LEGS ><" I was dang worried. I'm near blind without specs. So we rafted up about 50m away. And then there was a little 'games' session. People chosen randomly from the front seats to switch kayaks by crossing over! SOO COOL ^^ But I had to hold on extra tight cause my neighbour was the one who changed. Then same for back seaters! Aha my neighbour was Lisa, and we both shared one common worry: LOSING SPECS. So then all front seaters had to stand up O.O Both of us were dang nervous, and we clung to our specs while standing as calmly as we could. HENG. Then it was the back seaters turn to stand up: LING SHOOK THE WHOLE KAYAK. I was holding on like nuts, so afraid we'd break raft and capsize =X Then watched the CLTs capsize one another. We choinged back to shore again later, the only real kayaking throughout the whole activity =X.

Thank goodness I still can see.

-Water Confidence Jump-

Straight to the jetty. What fortune, now we don't have to have 2 sets of wet clothes ^^ It was'nt much, ratio of waiting time to activity time was 5:1 o.o anyway when it was my turn, a guy from A1 asked if I could do a favour and fetch his specs for him: Black with white stripes. I agreed to do so, donned my vest, went to the jetty. On the barrel with specs were...3 black specs. O.O So I chose the two I felt matched his description and went back, then da guy said 'Not mine'. SO I went back to take the other pair and he said 'Not mine either'. RAGH. Nah, I did'nt show my frustration =X But he was nice, he told me to go ahead and jump first, and thanked me for trying =P Now I felt quite bad.

"I, Benedict Chan, is ready to jump, Sir."

ONE.TWO.THREE. -slip- I sort of skidded off the board instead. WHOOO then I was struggling the urge to let go of my vest and nose =X after the plunge I floated up once more again, showed the *thumbs up* and swam to the ladder nearby. Nothing much eventful later, I just sat watching the rest jump off and the sun lowering.

After that was bathe =D finally could get out of the drenched. After bathe I wore my trusty track shoes once more and went to the council ring again. I was bored and alone, so I went back to get my camp booklet and pen.

"That tree looks nice. ^^"

I wanted to remember it =) But I had NO CAMERA. So I drew :D I could'nt complete it by dinner. After dinner I took my little corner of the Ring and continued. Sateesh joined me ^^ 1st autograph! Haha my 1st autograph was by the MSG! I'm honoured~ :D It grew steadily darker, the sunset on the 2nd evening was shrouded by the looming dark clouds =(

Then it was divisional time! We first played the game 'KFC Revolution' o.o I remember it concerning a egg, a chick, a chicken, then a rooster. Scissors paper stone! Hahaha I think we were playing then we sort of...cheated XD Suddenly people were 'evolving' without even playing with another person!

After that, campsongs followed. I don't know why, but all "camp-song fears" from P5 sort of dispelled after Mr Ong started teaching them to us. It was a really good time for me, kind of like aquiring a new skill. He taught us many from the booklet, some of his own, 'the more we get together' in chinese and malay (!) as well =D It was all for us to enjoy tomorrow's closing campfire. It drizzled, so we moved to the shelter to continue. After dismissal, I checked the time. O.O 8.30pm! Heee ^^ I took my book to the Coucil ring once more and my spot under the spotlight, continued my tree =)

Liyana joined me later. Followed by Bryan and Bala. We just sat there talking about school life =) Then Audrey and Dawn of Girl Guides joined the group. Haha they are so alike, like they were related =D We all were talking and avoiding the other groups for a common reason: ghost stories o.o We just talked and talked about our lifes and stuff in general. Hahaha - 333.33% improvement! =D Oh I completed the tree before we all decided to turn in =)

-Day III-

Report at 7am? NCC insincts kicked in and I was there at 6.50am o.o PT was more of a...games session. After the warm-ups, Mr Ong had us form two even, straight lines, facing one another. There was no name for this game, but I'd remember it long. We straightened out our hands to touch the other person's tip of their fingers. Then one person would run through the two rows without stopping, and we are to lift up our hands in time for him to run through. It may look easy, but it was about building the trust amongst the cadets themselves, having confidence in his friends that they would lift their hands up in time, having faith that they would not injure him. It was a highly meaningful game, and I played it with the Part As on the very next training.

-Archery-

OH. YEA. this was what I was jumping about for when I read the camp booklet. When we got there, the usual breifing followed, then we spilt into 6 groups of 10 or so. The curve-back bow was easy control, I love the tension of my bow =D WHAT. ONLY 3 ARROWS PER TURN? pfft. Way to kill the fun. Haha we did 2 rounds of this bow, then onto one I never tried, the long bow.

A simple, white pole-like stick pulled back by a tensioned string. That was my first impression. Until I picked up the bow and shot. I AIMED ABOVED THE BULLSEYE, but it landed...on the blue zone? I pulled back max again, till my chin, and shot. STILL BLUE ZONE. I watched Dawn hit the red section XD So I recalled all I learnt before: stance, breathing method, poiseture, aiming - higher above the red section. Shoot.

Yellow section. RAGH. nah, I did'nt show my anger, that would'nt be nice XD We did another round later, and while waiting to go back to the curve-back bows, I stood around watching Dawn and Ryan (the twins!) playing the "Have you ever" song together that instructors Chester and Jess went crazy over o.o aha then Audrey asked me over =X I did the song once with Liyana, and it was a little fun on the coordination XD The 'half-time' games also included the "Scissors, Paper, Stone - SLAP." game XD I was tempted to play, but I still have my scars on my left hand. So no way. Nonono.

After two more cycles of both bows, the activity ended. That was fun =) But what followed up was'nt.

-Campfire Organisation-

OH GOSH. This was the first time I was SO BORED at N.Camp. No, it was'nt conducted by seniors of about 19 ~ 22, but by a adult scout of about 30s. So we start of by introduction of campfires and their origin. Then about how one should plan for campfires, considering what factors and sorts. With majong paper, we spilt into our mini groups and started working on it. I attempted to work on it, timetable, setting and all. I could see people in A3 dozing already, or only showing mild interest o.o

Brandon did the presentation along with Liyana. It was...highly energetic, the first bit of energy injected into this activity. Then followed by the other groups. 5cm's performance was a eye-opener as usual, its amazing how open and unafraid he is infront of a crowd. After that, everything just degernerated. While the adult rambled on about the origins of campfire where people come gather and exchange stories of their adventures and babblebabblebaaabbbbllleee....

I DID attempt to listen. I could'nt help switching off, but I just did. All I remember was being bugged by Eugene of A4 a heck lot with that annoying, bit of rubber band. I remember chattering, even the intructors were amonst themselves. But the Adult did not stop, he rambled and rambled. I know we appeared rather rude then, thats why I fully understood instructor Chester and Liyana's scolding later.

Lunch followed. Then was the 'Concentration' game koped from A1! We played it amongst ourselves in A3, and the one who spoke the most always became the one who got caught unawares when his number was called *HINT HINT* ^^ Then was the lame "Black Magic". I wanted to hit something after realising the tricks behind this.

Sir Rizwan had 6 pens. He arranged them like I I I I I I and said it represented 6. Then he did I - / / I - and asked what it was. RARRR. I was like puzzled for a full 15 minutes, until Xinhui pointed it out to me, his FINGERS. No matter what the arrangement his pens were, the fingers he displayed as he puts his hands on the floor was the answer. He could do like I I I I I I and stuck 6 fingers out as he lay them on the floor. RAR. Then was the common trick of "Is that it?", the identifying object game through 'telepathy'. Then there was the "Listen very carefully, did Aunt Mary die last night?" I kept thinking it was the play on the commas! RAGH. Until Xinhui pointed out to me again that its the inclusion of 'listen carefully' determines the answer! Then we also played the 'Who Died Last Night' game of the senseless but fun 'WHY? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? HUH?' all the way till the next activity.

-Intermediate Ropes/Dangle Duo-

OH YEA. another highlight ^^ I got excited ever since I got there and saw the site, it makes the NCC one look like nothing XD I was sooo hyped when I got there, but people were faster then I was, they beat me to the helmets and harnesses. So Xinhui and I were sitting at the back watching the rest like Brandon and 5cm. Rarrgh. We were like so eager to go up XD then FINALLY HARNESSES. Then we went there and I did some assisting first, Joey pulled herself across the first section =) When I went up, I chose the most challenging-looking path ^^ I had to wait for that path to open, so I cheered on Bala and Jaccqie who were doing the course as well.

THEN WAS MY TURN. OH YEA. First section, sit on the seat, swing self towards the little step to hook your foot into, then swing to the next seat. The seat keeps tangling with my safety line! Then the next one was a single rope. I asked the instructor for advice as to how to cross over. With my body forward, right foot hooked around, I had to pull myself forward slowly. Then AGH lost my balance and tipped over, hanging on my safety line. Paaaiin. Someone rescued me with the ladder, thanks! Climbed up and continued the section. A instructor took my pic! =X Until the very end I slipped AGAIN and knocked my side unto the platform - agh injury 2. The final part was stone steps in the air. Just step step step hop and it was done ^^ I loved it.

Next we moved on to Duo Dangle! Bryan agreed to do with me. This time we choinged for the harnesses and helmets, then we climbed! It was 5 logs suspended above one another, each gap was larger and larger. So we started. It was easy at first, then i required...jumping and grabbing. AHH. 5min TIME LIMIT? Soon we did lift up one another, step on shoulder, pulling up one another. TIMES UP - 4 LOGS. Ahh not bad bah. So we got down. Wanted to do the tunnel but the last group of girls went in already, then it'd close. Lingesh was irritating the girls below by singing into the air pipe XD Then the sir scolded us for a door shutting by itself. Bad-tempered fella. Thank you instructor Liyana for defending us and believing us =)

-CPR/AED/Flight Simulation-

Spilt up, A3 and A4 went for Flight Simulation first. I've met the speaker before, he spoke before my Aeromodelling Competition at SYFC last year. His opening speech, was anticipated, a promotion of SYFC and being a member and pilot there. After his speech, A3 went out to learn how to fold paper planes. It was a demostration of how a real plane works. Mine kept making werid turns and dives! WEERRID. Bala's one was ownage: It flew backwards more then it moved forward o.o then we went in for the flight simulation on the computers. It. Does'nt. Crash. No fun! It just like, boings up again. Hee. Interesting. The sir there knows Bryan! He must be doing well at SYFC =)

Then was the CPR. They talked about all the proceedures to do when a casualty is unconcious, not breathing, etc. and all the actions. Except that it was puntured often by Eugene's comments on how it should have been done and Lisa's light scolding and looks of disapproval towards him. They're so matching! =D Then we went over to the mannequins. Lingesh and Sateesh had a easy time, Jun Yan even got his cert. in this before! But when I did it, the chest won't rise! Blow air like nuts, IT WONT RISE. RAR.

Then we all went back. Bath! It was dinner time, and campfire was about to begin. Began collecting more autographs, just like the others =) Sateesh, Shahrul, Liyana, Joey, Bryan, Audrey, Dawn, Ryan, Xinhui, Bala, Brandon, Haiqal, Lingesh, Instructors Rizwan and Jess, Mr Dennis Ong ^^

OMG. RIZWAN IS WRITING ON CAPS. Bryan and I were uber gan choing ^^ We choing back for our white caps and rush to Rizwan =D Bryan got his cap to show 'Bryan' on his cap. Then Rizwan asked what I wanted, I replied:

"Can you write Balthus?"

HAHAH ^^ Then he wrote! I fell in love with my cap =D I did'nt even keep it, I brought it to campfire! Oh, and all A3 had a 'big-mouth family' member on their lanyard, thanks to artist Rizwan! =)

-The Campfire-

Everyone was so HYYYPPPEEEDDD. Even I myself who did'nt fancy campfires was grinning away XD it was contagious, and we were ON HIIGGHH. The fire was lit, we were shouting when ever cued to. No other group could match up to our craziness. I sat with Audrey, Dawn, Ryan and Marcus. There were performances, some dance, then followed by FREESTYLE DRILLS by NCDCC! Sweet~ I was'nt really watching though, was abit focused eslewhere XD Then the emcee went into a world of his own and started singing SLLOOOWWWLLLYYY.... Mr Ong joined back, and we all did the ALPHA VERSIONS ^^ (Lalala~, Laaalaa~) lol =D

Then was the combined performance by Alpha and Bravo! It was rather good, I feel, especially the disclaimer at the start XD If I'm not wrong, I thought I saw a problem during the skit, where one girl forgot what to do, but 5cm stepped in and covered her up. Another display of his leadership =) Then some Alpha guys got drunk on mineral water, and started standing up in a group, arms around each other, and swung left to right singing and shouting whenever possible. Then we did divison cheers! EMCEE FORGOT US. Wonderful allies Bravo reminded him ^^ We did "Who's gonna win the war". Then we did Alpha-Bravo bombing -- cooperation is key!

"A-B bomb, A-B bomb~! A-B bomb to Delta bomb!"

Eat that, noisy Delta =D I remember alot of running in and out of the green field for songs. Haha campfire songs like 'Friendship Dance' and 'Thousand-Legged Worm' were sung, but I did'nt really join in =X felt abit paiseh as usual. But I enjoyed myself all the same =D We sang my favourite as well: "Peace like a river" ahh~ I had this kinda sinking feeling as I watched the national camp flag being passed to NCC..and the campfire was extinguished.

"Whoosh.."

It felt like a loss, somehow. I never had this kind of thoughts at sec 2 camp as a camper or an OAL =S Alpha took a picture on stage (I could'nt be seen, so I held up my cap instead XD), and in high spirits we went back to the coucil ring.

Mr Ong talked to us all as we sat around. We reflected, we thought back, we joked, we showed our gratitude towards the people around us. A little gift from Mr Ong to all the foreigners amongst us like Shahrul.

The person in Alpha I really respect the most, besides Mr Ong and the instructors, was still 5cm. He was amazingly...'thick-skinned', and not in the rude sense, but in the courage to step up and talk to the whole crowd like his own friends, having us in unison say our thank yous and sorries to the instructors about certain events, acting as a medium to show our gratitude to the instructors. Never mind the gangster hairstyle and ear pierce, that boy brigader is definitely the best peer leader I've ever met. Although you may never have known me, thank you 5cm for being such a great example I aspire to be =)

Night was upon us already. We were allowed to stay up to midnight =) thanks to Mr Ong again. Valerie was dang scary. "EHH. YOU. Sign on my SHIRT!" Wah, damned scared. So I signed on her shoulder. Shahrul was asking to be signed too! I think Shahrul and Valerie get along well ^^ Then Xinhui told me Weikit was looking for me o.o I thought it was regarding NCC. Turns out he wanted me to sign his shirt as well o.o ookkk.... then showed him DA BALTHUS CAP =D Oh I hunted down instructor Rizwan to get his book, must thank him! I took his book to the spotlight area, while the rest of Alpha and Bravo lingered the area playing or telling stories, I sat there wearing my cap and drew the same tree for Rizwan =) Liyana, Bala and Bryan joined me. Bala found an awesome way to annoy Rizwan - hair-flicking XD While I was drawing on the book, Bryan casually started a conversation.

"Hey Benedict? Did you used to play Maple?"
"Uh huh yea. Delphinus."
"What was your guild?"
"Er. It was Requiem. Why?"
"Do you remember...Ech0sinwind?"
*stares at Bryan* "What?"
"I'm that Bryan Yong from Requiem. You're the priest Balthus, right?"

Then realisation struck me. Omg. It's THAT BRYAN YONG OF REQUIEM. I've been talking to him before online, and I know facts about him even before I met him in person and now he's....he's sitting there in flesh recounting it all! OH GOD. He's reply to my 'HOW DID YOU KNOW?' was:

"You wrote Balthus on your cap, I thought it sounded familar to me. Then I remembered."

All this was too much for me to take. I remember shouting into the coucil ring, I did'nt care who was staring, who was giving werid looks, I just had to let it out. Then I remember taking my cap off and screaming into it "Wo bu gan xiang xing!" multiple times till I was out of breath and drained. Agh. But my mind still would'nt register this. Bryan still sat there cooly looking at me calmly, Liyana laughing her head off ._.

When I finally calmed down, my mind finally decided to accept. I completed the tree for Rizwan and went with the two of them to headhunt for him. He liked it! Then it was supper, we sat around with Rizwan, and he talked to us about his thoughts and feelings of us during camp. Then people started doing the Friendship Dance together with Bravo, but I did'nt join. Went for quick wash-up with Lingesh and Bryan, the boy's toliet light was out =X With the candle there, Ling made mini flamethrowers with the insect repellent: dangerous but cool o.o

After that, I packed everything up. There was still time before lights out, so I went alone to the council ring and lay down on the topmost bench, the sky was really clear that night with a nearly full moon =) I wished (again) that I had a camera, just had to make do with admiring it then. I stayed AWAY from instructor Chester's stories and those other groups spooking one another. Ahh, then we got chased back into our tents at midnight, I nearly rolled down the slope =X

-Day IV-

Woken up at about 4+ by Haiqal, he wanted to do business. So I sort of...slept on my torchlight at the toliet XD Anyway he got up again at about 6, and got down to the coucil ring early at about 6.45. There was no PT, only breakfast. After that, A3 and A4 did area cleaning at the tentage area. AGH. Bottles and socks littered the area. FILLED bottles. Box by box we moved them to the bin =X

Then was our..final divisional time. Mr Ong talked to us, we sang more songs together, then Mr Ong decided to teach one final, Chinese song to us. It was about a guy's problem to approach a girl for a dance, there were actions and all. Abit...embarrasing at one point of time =X The exagerated one by 5cm and Bala was hilarious =D

Then it was time to gather at the square. Most of Alpha moved to the special little tentage of ours, but I stayed back to help remove litter and water. It was that kind of clingy feeling that I did'nt want to leave the council ring.

I arrived later at the tentage to see many people at Alpha looking around - every other division has split back into their organisations already. I saw looks of dread and loss, knowing that the same thing would have to happen to us. Mr Ong had us gather infront of the stage area in a circle. When the song 'Graduation Song (friends forever) - Vitamin C' played, all smiles sort of faded, as we put arm on shoulder and swayed, singing aloud. By the second chorus, some girls were already sobbing away. I had this...-sinking- feeling, like swallowing something hard.

As the song faded, our circle broke and wailing from many followed. We did our "Who's gonna win the war" cheer, and Chester yelled after the cheer: "What war are we going to win?" I remember seeing Bala yell back:

"The war of friendship!"

I gave Haiqal my tissues - he was really attached to the group of 'drunkards' from campfire =) I remember feeling really lost, knowing I need to join back NCC, but..I just stood around. Handshakes from many, tried to comfort some from crying =( Joey's face was really quite..saddening, with one final handshake I said goodbye to many, one by one we left with a small smile on our faces. I went to Mr Ong and thanked him with a hug for everything he has taught - and my promise to him that I'd work hard in both NCC and studies. With one final bade and wave of my cap, I sort of dragged Lingesh with me back to the NCC group.

I still remember Mr Ong's final words to me: "Who said camps cannot be fun? Work hard in both studies and NCC, ok?" I'd really miss the times I had in this camp - Mr Ong and his supportiveness, a leadership method to emulate, being both kind yet firm; I still remember many conversations I had there with many people I never thought I could get along with on the first day =) ;The unexpected meetings of someone I've "met" before; The crazy Ling getting drunk on water and yelling 'GG!'; Rizwan's love for art ^^ ; how I still miss many there; and the feeling that I've gained, not lost, something new through this camp. I'd still hold these memories close to me, Alpha =)

Etched in heart,

Balthus