YTuesday, June 19, 2007

Pre-University Seminar 2007 (Part Five)

It takes me a month to finish writing about an even that lasted for the week.

Project

Our Project was entitled "Singapore as a Global City". A very open-ended topic, and one that didn't make much sense. In the end, due to our lack of enthusiasm, unwillingness to think creatively, and utter indifference, we just decided to basically rephrase everything that was said at the URA, from the point of a foreigner living in Singapore, and how it is the greatest city in the entire world. There, Global City. Simple idea.

However, our execution was quite poor. There are 3 reasons. First of all, we didn't have enough laptops. Even though we had more than enough brains, with 20 people, only 5 people could work at a time. We needed the laptops. This is what happens when people embrace the use of technology. Secondly, we were told to use the software provided to us. However, the software was very lousy. It crashed all the time, was difficult to use, and didn't have very good results. So after a while, we just completely ignored it. The last reason, probably the most severe one, was that we were downright lazy. This is what happens when you have too much fun. While other groups were hard at work, we chatted, searched through Friendster, played silly games, watched movies (yes, we really did.), listened to music, played video games, and engaged in other unproductive activities. Sometimes we would all just go for unplanned hour long breaks. After we returned, we would continue goofing off.

[Doing "work"]




On the final day which we were allowed to do work, we rushed frantically. Actually, it was more probably during the last 2-3 hours that we put in any quantifiable effort. By this time, most groups were done, and we were left... not really scrambling, just working at a slightly elevated pace. I would say at 15% more that usual. So we finally handed in our project about 30 minutes after the deadline. We were glad it was done with. There were several problems with it, for example, one glaring mistake was that our "family" in our project started out with a father, mother, and baby. Halfway, a girl turns up. Minutes later, a boy appears. But at that late hour, we really didn't care.

[Tired and Emo]


10 out of the 30 projects were chosen to be showcased on the final day, to the Minister Of Education, I think, Mr. Thar... er... you know. That guy. Anyway, to our immense surprise and disbelief, our sub-par project wasn't selected! While we were celebrating our victory with roars of laughter, congratulatory handshakes and back-slapping all around, (No showcase meant not having to do any more work. Oh joy!) we noticed that some of the other groups didn't quite share our reaction after not being selected. We saw girls with tears streaming down their face, palms hiding their face, their bodies convulsing with every sob. My, some people really don't know how to appreciate life.

Istana Visit

One of the highlights of this year's Pre-U Sem (they would harp on it over and over) was that this year they included a visit to the Istana as part of the program. It had been taken out of the Pre-U Sem for over 10 years, but for some reason, they decided to revive this "tradition" in 2007. Apparently Pre-U Sem has a very rich history.

Anyway, we would get to meet the President and all that, so there were several security measures. They made us walk through metal detectors. I don't see teenagers as being much of a security threat or being hardened terrorists, but I guess it pays to be on the safe side.

So we went to the Istana. Those who have been in that area before would know that there is a huge empty space outside the gates. However, the space inside is even bigger. Much bigger. Passing through the gates, one would immediately notice how this place is kept in tip-top shape. The lawns are perfectly manicured, smooth and even. Ponds and fountains gurgling with water, cool to the touch in the warm afternoon heat. Trimmed bushes and shrubs, with contrasting bursts of colorful flowers. Gnarled trunks of age-old trees, their leafy branches offering respite from the sunlight. The further in we went, the more amazed we were. There was a golf course. A golf course in the heart of the city. Traveling up the long winding road, we reached the top of the hill, and finally caught a glimpse of the Istana itself. It was very grand. It offered to us glimpses of ages past, where Singapore was but a colony, and ruled by the British.

We then proceeded to the Lower Lawn, where we would get to meet all the people. However, there was some sort of mix-up, some miscommunication, which resulted in having all of us shoved back onto the buses and waiting in the parking lot for an hour. After a while, we were allowed to walk back up, and stand around in the place while waiting for the President to arrive. There were several high-ranked officials around, so SG7 quietly sneaked away into some hidden corner, hoping to avoid awkward small-talk. If there's one thing I really dislike, it is being forced to converse with someone whom you have no desire to get to know better. Then the President arrived. All 600 participants lined up single file, and the President made his way slowly around, greeting each person individually.

To be honest, I wasn't all that ecstatic to meet the President. I'm sure he's a good guy, but I just don't see us becoming best buddies. Can you imagine Deyong and Mr. Nathan relaxing on the veranda, having an afternoon chat, whilst sipping iced tea together? Neither can I. As it turned out, my lack of enthusiasm was very apt. My interaction (if you could call it that) lasted all of two seconds. Sad to say, that can be considered quite a lengthy conversation.

It went like this.
Mr. President: Hello.
Me: Hello.
Mr President: From ACS?
Me: Yes.

[Reenactment Of The Fated Meeting]

(That isn't President Nathan, by the way.)

I thought of doing something along the lines of "That's why my tie says ACS all over" and then giving him a cheery smile, but I thought the better of it.

So after he had greeted every one of us, it was time to eat. So that's what we did. SG7 completely forgot the fact that we were in the company of some of the most influential people in Singapore. We just ate and talked among ourselves. Ah, the feeling of nonchalance and youthful ignorance is wonderful indeed! But of course, there were people who snatched every opportunity to talk to all those people, chatting about the future of Singapore and other big important matters. I guess some people just can't act their age.

There aren't any pictures of the Istana visit because cameras weren't allowed in. Too bad.

Closing Ceremony

This time, they got it right. The closing ceremony was put on the proper day, the final one. This was the day that the project were put on display for all to see. It would also mark the end of Pre-U Sem for all of us, something that I didn't look forward to.

Anyway, SG7 started by walking around and taking a look at all the chosen projects. We were stunned. Their projects were all incredibly professional. Well organised, nice graphics, good content. They were astonishingly good, considering they had been completed it in a matter of days. If one were to juxtapose (sorry, just felt like using this very useless word) any one of the selected projects, with SG7's work, one would realise, without even a second glance, that SG7 submitted a piece of crap.

After a while, we got bored of realising how inadequate we were. Fortunately there was entertainment to be had. The Guest-Of-Honour had arrived. The minute he entered the room, the entire mood of the room changed. The really enthusiastic ones quickly positioned themselves in their stations, encircling the Minister like hungry lions, questions at the ready, pens quivering with excitement. Others, less enthusiastic, turned to look, then returned to whatever they were doing. Some, like myself, ran away.

I'm sure the Minister is a very respectable man, one who works hard for our nation. His is a leader of the highest caliber. However, he does have a very, shall I say, noticeable bodily feature. This very outstanding feature must have been a result of him working late nights, putting himself through an immense amount of stress, all for the betterment of our nation. Okay, enough ambiguity, let me be blunt. He is very bald. And his very bald head is very shiny.

There were some people who were making fun of him. I shall describe the scene from the third person. Some were trying in earnest to take photos of his head, perhaps as a memento, or for remembrance, who knows. However as they were shuddering with laughter, the photos they took were blurry and out of focus. A tall boy was then employed to do the job. Then someone made an urgent remark to caution against the use of flash, for if it were to reflect off our Minister's very shiny head, we would all be blinded by the LIGHT OF A THOUSAND SUNS. It would be a shame if the supposed brightest minds of the nation were killed by a freak accident.

Soon we lost interest in the Minister. Suddenly, for no reason at all, schools started to cheer. Like, cheer really loudly. The halls reverberated with the shrill cries of crazed girls, and I feared for my own safety. Then everyone rushed off to find their own school, and we all started cheering. I really don't know why. Oh well, yay for school spirit. After a while, the schools dispersed. That was when The Great Camwhoring Session began. It began innocently. SG7 wanted to remember this wonderful occasion. So we took photos with each other. It led to full-blown insanity. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

[Notice our expressions do not change]




[This is just scary]


[Also scary]


[Once again, scary]


[Really scary]


[Deepa is everywhere.]

















Soon it was time for the actual closing ceremony. We strung together glowsticks to make giant chain to signify world peace or some equivalent feel-good mumbo jumbo. Our voices rang in unison as we sung "If We Hold On Together". As our noise drowned out Diana Ross, we swayed to the uplifting lyrics, in that slow-motion kind of way. You know what I'm talking about.

I am not lying.

[Feel the emo love.]








The end of the song marked the end of Pre-U Sem. I was about to feel sad, but then SG7 had to rush off, to collect food for our Tea Break. After tea, we went back to the hostels for the very last time, packed our bags, and bid each other farewell. What began as a group of complete strangers had ended up as a fun-loving bunch of friends.

[Hold me forever]


Going Home

When I reached home, I came to realise how much I enjoyed Pre-U Sem. It was a Friday afternoon, and I was all alone. Within a few hours, I had already begun to miss my friends, doing stupid things together, having meals together, working together, sharing laughs with each other.

It had been an unforgettable experience. These are the sort of memories that I will treasure forever, moments of sheer brilliance that will always be with me. Thank you MOE, PJC for organising this wonderful event. Thank you SG7, SLOs, for having been part of my life.

Thank you.






Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four


Blogged @ 3:14 PM