Thursday, January 05, 2006
The third day of orientation has ended making me feel like I’m at the other end of the universe. Similar to day one, momentum built up as the day went on, and into the night… As usual, we had lots and lots of games all over the school compound. In terms of bonding, our orientation group (OG) wasn’t exactly ideal yet.
We were kind of loose at first, walking down pathways, looking at other OGs cheering their hearts out. I was wondering what happened to us. Even when Mindy, our orientation group leader (OGL) started off cheers, our response was barely there. I was worried. But, I just couldn’t pluck up the courage to lead the cheers.
Luckily, things turned out for the better later in games which we started to win such as “twin soccer” where we actually won prizes (different brands of green tea for everyone in the OG which I found really refreshing after a exciting but tiring day) for scoring four goals. Although the rain stopped us from our games occasionally, it was great fun and time flew by. Before we knew it, orientation for the day ended. By that time, it was pouring heavily outside the hall.
I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but everything that happened on this day felt like a dream, a really great dream. I really would like to experience this dream again. Anyway, as it was raining cats and dogs, I just wanted to go home. But Bryan reminded us that we should go for an OG outing. At that time, I was thinking that he must be out of his mind and that he just had nothing better to say. Come to think of it, I just feel like hitting myself hard for thinking that way. Thinking back, I must say that we are extremely lucky to have certain people in the OG for making our OG a success. If not for Mindy to suggest an OG outing, Bryan for pushing it through, Diana and Tze Min for keeping the door open by supporting the outing, nothing would have happened. I really admire Diana and Tze Min because they were still willing to go even after nearly all the other girls said that they wouldn’t go. They were outnumbered totally by more than ten boys, but they didn’t mind. Now that’s called sporting!
We were so glad when most of the girls came to join us at the bus stop slightly later. We took a bus to The Heeren, still undecided on what to do. But when we finally reached, we decided to buy a present for Mindy and meet up with her for dinner. When we walked into the shopping mall, another part of me took over and I started doing things I really don’t do usually. May be it was because I was uncomfortable with the way we were wandering around, may be it was because it was the first proper social outing I’ve had in my life. But anyway, I started engaging everyone and we became more and more like a class who has known each other for years. Throughout the shopping, I just had to tell everyone not to block the way (basically gathering in a circle in the middle of walkways for discussions) again and again. It just came out, I didn’t think. So if anyone was offended, I’m sorry. But that didn’t seem the case as all the girls were giggling away every time those words came out and the boys thought the same. At some point, we even had the security guard staring at us, greatly increasing the frequency of my reminders. There were many other little happenings that brought much meaning to the whole outing such as deciding between two good buys. We would fuss and make so much noise and it was just great fun.
To put it simply, buying of presents for Mindy and seeing the look on her face when she received them was the peak of our outing and I really had the time of my life! Thanks to everyone for making shopping so fun! We were laughing non-stop throughout while choosing her presents and I really hope to be able to shop like that again someday.
Three Cheers for OG17! *Clap*, *Clap*, *Clap* x 3, *Clap* x 4, OG17!!!
Keep in touch guys! =)
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