a story worth remembering\\we skip the goodbyes *sometimes its hard to express in words*

Yuda at 2:45 PM

Sunday, June 17, 2007

was feeling quite bored today so decided to make this collage of the activities we had in ODAC. Take a look!!

Anyway, i am finished with the krabi video and the links are here. So do go and have a look if you have the time. Study hard ppl!!

-Love, Yuda

Krabi Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikaHlrxPvl8)

Krabi Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vLK8XUpv48)

*do leave some comments after watching the video. Thanks!!

Yuda at 11:30 PM

Thursday, June 14, 2007

SAINTSODAC0607 (One Family Unbroken)

It has been a year; a year since we had our post-LTC dinner, a year since we really bonded together as one, a year since all the friendships became kinship, a year when saintsodac became a family forever unbroken. Yesterday we had our annual post-LTC dinner. Although it came a little later than last year, the spirit was still there. Our spirit that burns brightly forever. Not everyone went down though, some had things on which was such a pity. How i wish it was full strength last night. But an amazing 20 people went down for the dinner and i swear all of them believe that it is the best dinner we ever had. We havoc Seoul Garden with our laughter and nonsense but who cares? All that we cared about last night was to take as many photos as possible so that the memories wil lie in us forever. All we cared about was talking and having fun together as a family. All we cared about was to cook the meat enough so that there was no LTC food poisoning syndrome. All that we cared about was just to be together as one.

It really brought back a lot of memories, last night. I was thinking about how we finally had good food after LTC camp last year. It was 2000 after we bought our supplies for Ophir and then we were so famished that we really wanted to eat something in huge amount. Seoul Garden was the outcome. Thinking about how we gobbled up the food and kept taking meat in large amounts until we had to play games to finish the food. Thinking how you see geok hian competing with weihao to finish the digusting post-mix food. How we kept taking videos and laughing at them when weihao lost. Thinking about how reluctant we were when it was time to go back and have a day rest before Ophir. Carrying the big packets of food supplies and taking pictures in the middle of the walkway. I hope this will not be the last ODAC dinner we have together. Really do.

"Cause these are the days worth living, these are the years we're given. And these are the moments, these are the times.Let's make the best out of our lives"

Our Lives (The Calling)

Is it love tonight
When everyone's dreaming
Of a better life

In this world
Divided by fear
We've gotta believe that
There's a reason we're here
Yeah, there's a reason we're here

Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we're given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives

See the truth all around
Our faith can be broken
And our hands can be bound
But open our hearts and fill up the emptiness
With nothing to stop usIs it not worth the risk?
Yeah, is it not worth the risk?

Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we're given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives

Even if hope was shattered
I know it wouldn't matter
Cause these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives

We can't go on
Thinking it's wrong
To speak our minds
I've gotta let out what's inside

Is it love tonight
When everyone's dreaming
Can we get it right?
Yeah, well can we get it right?

Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we're given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives

Even if hope was shattered
I know it wouldn't matter
Because these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives

Yuda at 3:21 AM

Sunday, June 10, 2007

This post is going to be the longest entry i have ever written. So pls do read it only if you have the time to do so.

Just came back from the last camp in ODAC yesterday, LTC2007. It has been a year since we last attended the LTC camp as our first leadership or rather bonding camp. Time flies, it really does. Making our entry in ODAC during Orientation 2006.

Memories of SAINTSODAC0607

Orientation 2006 was our first experience of what ODAC could bring to our lives. It was an orientation with over 60 people, coming from all different kinds of CCAs, all of different character but we really did play hard during the games organised. A fun and enriching experience you can say for us.

Following up to that was the endurance run which many people freaked out about ODAC and lesser and lesser people remained in the ODACian family. It was like a run of our lives, running 32 and 34 rounds respectively in the 1st and 2nd endurance run. After which was the preparation for OEC 2006, which involved the delicious and wonderful activity, field cooking.

Field cooking 2006. The winning group of the evening. A yummilious experience for all of us. Our group was the cat high group, with 4 cat highs in the group. Still remembering the skits that we have to put up and the cheers we did for our group; pacific ring of fire etc. Group 1 group 1 XX, group 2 group 2 XX, group 3 group 3 XX, group 4 ding ding ding ding ding!!!

Not forgetting the Bukit Timah hike before the camp that we will never forget. The toilet pics and the climbing of stairs up the hill.

The hike where the ODAC guys really got to know each other. The running from pierce reservoir to bukit timah hill, the toilet photos. Dinner was at some prata shop at bukit timah road and the milo dinosaur that we nearly got sore throat drinking it.

The next activity was one of the toughest and most physically demanding camp i ever experienced - OEC2006. This was where we really experienced the harsh and tough life of ODAC. Being put in Ubin and doing activities there which really trained us up as a person.

OEC2006, a camp that i will always remember. The camp where many things happened. Ranging from hornet attacks, sprains, and all the different type of scenarios that we were given. The solo night which consist of wild boars, talking flowers and many insects bites. Field cooking with the instant noodles until it started raining half way and we had to eat in the tents. The last scenario when we were all happily on our way home. The scoldings by our seniors and the chocolates that made us happy during debriefing by jessie, just too many things that will always remain in my mind.

After which was the selection phase where we only had PT conducted by our senior's senior. The ranger jumps, ranger kicks, push-ups and all the different exercises which really shagged us out. The selected list was put up in may 2006 and there were only 30 names on it, out of the 47 that went for OEC2006. The following camp, LTC 2006 was where we bonded, where we became one family, SAINTSODAC0607.

LTC2006, a camp where the good things and bad things happen. Bad things, i guess no ODACer would forget the food during the camp and the competition who went to toilet the most number of times during the camp. All the high elements stations, ground stations, kayaking, rafting and egg auction that we played at the campsite. Before that was the cycling cum singing session at ECP. The rafting where our raft sank before it touched water, the high elements where we had to sing on the station, the egg auction where our structure was built in a way for ease of clean-up. All the memories of LTC2006 left behind was recalled in LTC2007.

Then was the post LTC ODAC traditional dinner, at Marina Square Seoul Garden in preparation for Ophir which was a day after LTC. That was the period of time where we had way a lot of fun during the june holidays.

Seoul garden dinner was simply great; buying all our stuffs for Ophir before going there at around 8 for the buffet dinner which we ate like dinosaurs!! The mood was happy and everyone was excited about our first overseas trip, Ophir 2006!!!

Our first overseas trip in ODAC, Ophir 2006. The trip where the ODACers had fun and strong friendship was instilled in all of us. The helping out of each other and the singing up the mountain.

Ophir 2006 was our first overseas trip as a family. The train ride which was rocky but enjoyable. Where we had our first singing video taken and uploaded on youtube. The rain before we could climb, the slippery undergrowth in the trek up. The singing up the checkpoints, the long tiring treks but the satisfaction on the summit although the view was rather disappointing. This really proofs that the process is what matters, not the end. The shopping trips in town and the farewell to Mount Ophir when we boarded the train back home.

That marked our take-over to be the members of SAINTSODAC. The next activity was how we bid farewell to our seniors.

J2 farewell 2006 was conducted at minqi's house. A time where we wore all our secondary school uniform to attend the activity. The giving out of prizes to our seniors and presenting the various titles to them. The photo which was almost full strength J1 and J2s. The official handover of the name of ODAC to us, SAINTSODAC0607.

These were the few activities that happened in term 3 of 2006. Namely, sentosa beach-volleyball, PT, teacher's day celebration, post-common test games day, day-cycling etc. I will not go into these details, pictures can tell us how fun it was already.

Top left: Day-cycling

Top right: First-aid course

Bottom left: Sentosa Beach Volleyball

Bottom right: Teacher's Day celebration

Term 4 ODAC was where all the courses and dry runs for the activities in 2007 came in. There were quite a few courses we went to and even in an overseas trip during the december holidays. These are a few of the activities: archery, rock-climbing, dragon boating, trekking, jogging, kayaking etc.

Top left: Kayaking Level 1

Top Centre: Dragon-boating

Top right: Outdoor Adventure Day 2006

Centre left: Rock-Climbing Level 1

Centre: Trekking 1 (Macritchie)

Centre right: 5 Generations BBQ

Bottom left: Archery

Bottom centre: NISCC Competition

Bottom right: Picture with the SA Star

The next activity was the most anticipated activity of the term, KRABI trip 2006. A really enjoyable trip i must say, trying out all sorts of acitivities in foreign soil. Ranging from hot spring, trekking, rock-climbing, snorkelling, kayaking and of course not leaving out, shopping.

I will show you a collage of the things we did in the wonderful land of Krabi.

Top left: Full strength at Budget Terminal

Top centre: Trekking in Krabi

Top right: Hot spring

Centre left: Kayaking

Centre: Rock-climbing

Centre right: Snorkelling

Bottom left: Free N Easy Day (Shopping)

Bottom centre: Debriefing

Bottom right: Going home at Krabi Airport

Krabi trip was ever changing and exciting. We learnt many things during this trip that made us into better ODACers. Although we ended Krabi in a bad note, there were still many learning points that were benficial for us.

The trip marks the end of the year of 2006. 2007 was full of surprises and major activities and ODAC became more recognized as a strong, united and fun CCA to be in.

The 1st major activity that ODAC introduced itself to the school was CCA team-building 2007. After months and months of hard work, our effort finally paid off with rewarding praises from the various CCA teacher in charge of the participating members.

Top left: Touch Rugby girls with xiuhui and geok hian

Top right: Track and Field with serene

Bottom left: ODACers with Miss Seow

Bottom right: Cricket girls with Yuda and Mel

CCA team-building involved a lot of hardwork and planning which started from december 2006 being the first dry run. We stayed at the campsite a day before the activity and had to rush out to buy food as well to bring the various CCAs to the campsite. They played various station games conducted by us as well as the exciting high element stations. It ended with a skit performed by us; the theme for this team-building activity was taken from Pirates Of The Carribean.

The school trusted ODAC so much that we were made road marshalls for annual cross country at ECP.

Although we received criticisms on how slack ODACers are and not running the cross country, we still stayed strong doing our job as marshalls and allowing the event to be run smoothly. After that was 'teach serene how to cycle" project as we aimed to teach her how to cycle before night cycling. There was really a sense of satisfaction when she finally knew how to cycle.

It was then when ODAC being better known in school is a successful CCA that everyone will remember. Then, came teachers approaching us to conduct another team-building activity for the school, the SS team-building as they called it, meaning scholars and SCGS red-cross units as well as units from other schools.

SS Team-building was what happened during the day.

Top left: Serene with scholars

Top right: xiuhui and wanling with SCGS girls

Bottom left: Yuda with scholars

Bottom right: ODAC with scholars

SS team-building was done in school, therefore there was only station games. It was almost similar to one who did for CCA team-building but not as fun. Perhaps is due to the fact that it is done in school. Had a great time facilitating the scholars though, they were cooperative and it feels really good to see them bond. This activity made ODAC even better known in school.

We did not only joined ODAC activities but other activities as well. There was the vertical marathon which we participated in early this year.

Vertical marathon was organised by NUS Sports Club and we had to climb up republic plaza. Our team name was TLBS (odacers should know what it stands for).We practised hard by climbing the stairs at HDB buildings in potong pasir and achieved a 12/50 ranking in the competition. That was TLBS!!!

The next activity was the most antipated activity in ODAC for most of us, NIGHT CYYCLING 2007.

Night Cycling taskforce was voluntary and the taskforce consist of lester, yuda, jason, xiuhui and minqi. Although we had 2 dry runs before the activity, many things went wrong during the actual day. There was the wrong route taken, breaking down of joshua's bike and the locks with no keys that resulted in the police coming down to cut the locks. A tiring but fun activity though. May be one of the best activities in ODAC.

After night cycling, there was our final rock climbing activity before we welcome the J1s into the club.

The final rock-climbing activity was conducted in school and there was much fun and enjoyment climbing the school wall which was so difficult to climb at that time.

The next few activities were organised for the J1s. We had a disappointing 52 sign-ups during CCA sign-up 2007. However, we still did all our activities with much success. First up of course being Orientation 2007.

Orientation 2007 was planned since february 2007 and there were many games played during the activity and many positive responses given. This was the first activity that we get a chance to see the new batch of J1s. They were quite different from our batch, a really different team of players.

They went through the same activities that we did last year, having first-aid courses, field cooking, orienteering before the major activity, OEC2007.

Been to Ubin countless times before the actual OEC. OEC2007 was a painful experience i must say. We had to rehearse our scoldings and how we are going to carry out the scenarios many times. Having been through OEC before, we set ourselves a standard of strictness and fierce-ness to treat the J1s in this camp. The things that they do often remind us of ourselves a year before when we were still newbies in ODAC. The mistakes they made, the fear they encountered when we scold them etc. Its like a flashback of us during OEC last year to see them experience the wrath of the camp itself.

OEC Group 1

J1s: Shih hoong, elson, rui zhe, kelvin, yuzhen, jerilyn, seow hui

J2s: Nathalie, yuda, clarice

After being through OEC2007, we prepared for the last camp we had to do, LTC2007. That was the camp which we bonded and the J1s did the same.

LTC2007 was the last camp that we are going to attend as ODACers. It was really a pain to part from the campsite yesterday on the bus. The place, Jalan Bahtera was where strong friendships were made, where a family was formed, where a legacy was made, where SAINTSODAC became one. Even in the toilet at Jalan Bahtera, we thought of the things we did last year. How much fun we had together. Although we had different roles to play during the camp, and it there was uneven distribution of work, all of us played a vital role. What Mr Lam said yesterday was very true, all of us are like gears and parts of a machine that made this camp a success.

Now that ODAC officially ended for us, i was hoping that it would never end. I once told my friend, ODAC itself is not a really fun CCA. Its not because of the teachers, the activities, the PTs, the planning but is all about the people that made it fun. The people that contributed everything in my boring JC life. The people who lighten my mood on CCA days. The people who are always there for me during times when i need someone to talk to. The happy times, the sad times, the last-min anxiety before any major activity, the excitement once the activity is starting and the satifaction once the activity is done. It was how we came together as one that is important. When i was typing this post. i included almost all the activities that we've been through. You could certainly see all the times we been through together, the times when we got scolded by the teachers together, the times when we were rewarded with food by the teachers after a successful activity. the dinners we had together etc. Certainly, this is a happy and unforgettable chapter in my life. Campfire during LTC was what inspired me about this post. Weihao said about how we were like them a year again, divided into different groups within the CCA. But after LTC, there was only one group remaining, the big group or big family of SAINTSODAC. About how we lit the torch of SAINTSODAC and how we pass it on to another group, about how the torch nearly extinguished but we managed to save it in time to let it conclude with a happy ending. The chapter is not closed yet; there are still many things to accomplish, there are many days remaining to write in my book of life with SAINTSODAC. I like to dedicate this song to all the ODACers who made my life happy in JC, we will always be, till the end.

Till The End (SAINTSODAC Special)

All these precious moments

with you by my side

must be a gift from heaven

that's holding me all night

i don't know how i found you

i'm thankful that i have

now that i have a love so true

to hold, to keep, to share

* In my heart i can no longer hold inside

all of the love i used to hide

i'll always be with you until the very end

in this world there is no place i'd rather be

you are my life, my soul, my girl

and through it all i know that you've come to see

that you're the one till the end*

All my friend around me

say you'd be gone too soon

baby i'm gonna make them see

we've found our way back home repeat *

We'll always be till the end.

The post is not over yet. I still have many things to write. Many things about my love for ODAC, the people i respect, i am going into details now. LTC Campfire 2007, a campfire i will never forget like what Rahul said. Its not about the activity, its about how it was conducted, The friendship dance, the things the emcees said, the songs that meant so much to us. The lyrics which were as if written for us and our times in ODAC. SAINTSODAC0607, 24 people, 24 names, 24 friends, 24 souls that will be in my book of life forever.

Edmund - a leader i respect, a friend i will never forget. Although we had prejudice against him that time, he changed a lot and i really mean a lot. A friend who says cold jokes to lighten up our mood.
Jason - a friend who been through most of the competitions with me. NISCC and vertical marathon. A friend who is serious in his work but able to enjoy and have fun with you. Had many working experience with him and it was really great working with him.
Joshua - my bishan buddy who never fails to go with me to the toilet to make his hair. Although i did not have a chance to work with him in any of the ODAC activities, he is serious in his work too. My singing buddy and one of the members of the future superband!!
Lester - a friend for 6 years already and going. Never fails to cheer me up and a great partner to work with. The get-high guy on board the bus back to school from Bahtera!! Night-cycling taskforce rocks!!
Weihao - One of "class" mates and bro!! my singing buddy and fellow brother in class. Never fails to make you smile with his swearing. Hahah. I also don know wad to write about you. Fun-going and really a friend in need. Thanks for everything!!
Ziyi - If you are in need of a laugh, just find ziyi to entertain you with his cold jokes. Thanks bro for telling me so many things about yourself. Mr Saigang of ODAC, always doing all the saigang work and packing the stores!!
Abu - Mr funny guy in ODAC. Should be an actor or comedian instead!! what are you doing in ODAC?? hahah.. super funny guy who never fails to brighten up your day.
Hakim - The guy who tells you cold jokes also!! A very funny guy with a comical face and makes you laugh all the time.

Those are the ODAC guys who never fails to brighten up my day. Although we are all of different characters, it was amazing that we can bond so well in a short span of our lives in ODAC. Now for the ODAC girls.

Wan Ling - OEC2006 group mate cum LTC2007 taskforce member!! it was great working with her for campfire. A responsible person who always gets everything done on time.
Melissa - LOUSY!! my fellow facilitator for CRICKET GIRLS!!! it was really fun and great working with you to be facil for cca team-building!! never fails to cheer me up with her whininess!!
Clarice - LTC2006 cum Ophir group mate!! great working with her in LTC2007 and being in the same group for Ophir!! tells funny jokes sometimes!! hahah
Ee Ling - The fierce but funny girl!! OEC2006 I/C who frightens J1s away but comes and laugh together with us after the scolding!! Prepare for egg auction!! last activity for us
Yumin - Joke of ODAC!! hahah.. a girl who gives lots of feedbacks during debriefs and do funny actions to make us laugh. A serious person when it comes to doing stuff!!
Richalynn - Fellow group facil for orientation!! a shy girl at first but not anymore now. Great working with her in OEC solonight! great singer i heard. Next time must go K-boxing!!
Valerie - DINOSAUR!!! my fellow organic chem lover. The girl with the funny smile and the funny laughter. Laugh like dinosaur.. hahah. Had fun doing saigang work during LTC!! We love organic chem!!
Geok Hian - the ever-commited ODAC who left school but still come and join ODAC activities still. A big eater but nevertheless, fun to work with during LTC2006. Can be very fierce at times.
Minqi - my online talking buddy!! song-sharing and ranting partner. A great leader and blogger too. Always love to read her blog. It was great to be in the same group as her in OEC2006 and always the one to provide lots of ideas and feedbacks!!
Xiuhui - my bestie in ODAC since OG13. Chilling buddy and talking buddy who never fails to cheer me up when i am down. Thanks for listening to me talk about stuff always!! a friend that i would never forget.
Qihui - BCC buddy!! great to be in the same group as her in OEC2006 too. Always taking initiative in doing all the stuff. A great VP of ODAC who always cares about others. A funny girl who is a bit weight-conscious. Hahah
Serene - Cat-high buddy!! Our brother among the girls. Thanks a lot for relaying the msgs to me for ODAC activities. Cat high girl who is ever ready to get high and joke around. A funny person who spreads the laughter around.
Clarissa - Tai tai and fellow saigang warrior of LTC2007. It was great working with her and talking a lot of crap with her during ODAC activites. A person who would never fail to make you laugh at her whining.
Nathalie - My fellow fierce OEC group leader who has violent mood swings as described by the J1 ODACers. Hahah.. was great working with her and talking a lot of crap with her during OEC2007. Let's play basketball!!
Cheryl - Funny goldfish!!! hahah.. the girl who got bitten on the face by mosquitoes during LTC. My fellow TLBS member who loves outdoor activities and adventures!! thanks for always entertaining us and making us laugh. "We are not laughing at you" hahah..

These are the 23 people who made such a big difference in my JC life. A group of people i dare to call as family. A group of people i can rely on and have fun together. During LTC campfire, we had our first group hug. A hug that i wish i never let go, a hug that was so warm and loving. This is really what it is meant by unity, everlasting friendship, family. There should be 24 names here but i really don know what to write about myself so if you all have anything to write, feel free to type in down in my tagboard. I don know wad others might think of me now, but i feel that i really grew a lot throughout my time in ODAC. From one who don dare to speak up in front of a lot of ppl to one who can project himself well in front of an audience. From one who lacks confidence to one with full confidence when he is doing his things. ODAC has really taught me a lot. A lot that books can never teach me. Taught me how to be a happy person, how to be a solution instead of a problem (quoted from minqi). Thank you so much!! I love all of you, i really do. May our family never be broken. SAINTSODAC0607 Full Strength. One family unbroken!

Yuda at 1:52 PM

Monday, June 04, 2007

its been quite long since i last blogged. Holidays... or rather these days without school has been more hectic and busy. One week has just past without waking up at 0600 to bathe, eat then go squeeze on the heavily packed bus 13 and make my way to school. All these in exchange for endless nights of staying up late to either finish proposal or making changes all for the LTC camp this thursday. Tried very hard to make it the best one ever but the mood is just not there. Nevertheless, we'll make the last activity we are ever going to have in ODAC to be the best.

BT2 is just round the corner; less than 3 weeks to revise all that we have learnt from 01/01/2006 to now. The past few weeks should have been more of catching up on what is left behind throughout the 1.5 half years in JC life but all has been sacrifaced for these plans. This is going to be my last week without touching my books. I really need that same amount of motivation and perserverance to study for common test. But, i really can't find it in me now. What am i going to do?? perhaps this camp is going to serve as a wake-up call that everything that i worked for is over and it is time to be back to study business before its too late.

Summarising what i did so far:

1.Dry-runs

2.Guitar practise sessions

3. Ironing clothes

4. Cooking

Ermm... for number 3&4, its because my mum was away for holidays in guangzhou for 2 weeks so had no choice but to iron my own clothes, do all the household chores with the help of my dad :/ luckily she's back and everything is in order again. Alright!! off to finalise LTC proposal already. Will be away from thursday to saturday!! Bye people (: hopefully the next time i blog, i will be telling you all how much i studied so far.

hopefully able to find the path of my life

Yuda at 11:18 PM