November 24, 2009.
Mr Keith Koh, 45 [Father]
I am so glad that I agreed to participate in this 48- hour kinship trail. I was initially hesitant about it, but after much coercion from my daughter, I finally dragged myself participating in this competition. Yeah, I know that my family’s not being able to spend time with each other not less see each other all year round. Maybe it’s thanks to the hectic schedules that my wife and I have. Being the busy people that we are, it’s little wonder, that we have grown further apart over the last few years and we’ve not been able to see our daughter and son develop during their adolescent years. This whole event just made us more aware of how matured they have become! Time really flies. In any case, taking part in this activity really helped all of us set aside time from our usual busy days to spend time with each other as a proper family. Really thankful indeed! Now, writing this entry, I really hope it can contribute to winning at least a prize, not for the sake of winning but to put a smile on the faces of my children who have worked so hard to bring our family together and who really made me proud to be their father today!
Mrs Lucy Koh, 43 [Mother]
Hahaz, I didn’t realise my husband will really go so crazy during the competition. All the participation in the activities today really made us laugh out loud during the entire events. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my husband have that smile on his face, but this competition really brought it out again! And my two children, hahaz, they may be mischievous at times but yes, they have really matured over the years. Something that I really didn’t notice until I saw them making decisions during the competition. They may have bickered and argued during the course of the event, but I am glad they eventually sorted it out along the way. This really made me proud of them! This trail is really fun! If there’s another trail next year, I will definitely want to join with my family. It’s really a good event for us to bond and reflect on our family as a whole. I am proud of my family, a big fat thank you to the organisers of this fun-filled event! J
Rebecca Koh, 14 [Daughter]
Yeah! Finally Dad agreed to join! Hahaz, this whole event was fun. Haha told you so Melvin! Still say I childish to make us join as a family team! Yup, the whole day was tiring but it was fun. I finally saw Mum and Dad taking time out (like it was their first time out, they really looked very happy!) I’m so glad I got the whole family to join, including my bro! Haha he was still complaining during the fund-raising activity, LOLz! And yeah despite bickering with that sickening Melvin, I know I still love my brother, hahaz. He will always being my naughty, mischievous brother! Ok, gotta go teach Dad and Mum how to select the skin for our blog. So gonna be proud of it. At least even after the event, we can still use this as an avenue to help us communicate even if we are busy!
Alvin Koh, 20 [Son]
This was so unexpected. I honestly never expected to enjoy myself! But, yeah, in the end I did. Thanks to my hiaz enthu 14 year old sister. Haha. I was like what? Join this trail? Oh man, imagine a 20- year old guy joining this? My platoon mates will go like: “ Dude, whatcha doing on a childish trail, man?” Haha, but of course I am still glad that I joined in the end after much bickering with my baby sister! Yeah, no matter what, she’ll always be my little baby sister! Don’t come wacky me, Melinda! Heez! Yeah, and this event really made me realise how out of touch I was with my family. Being so active in University and the army really kept me alienated from them. Dad and Mum were still working so hard, despite their age. And yeah, Melinda’s really growing to be a lady now! (Hey, complimenting you ok?) Yup, this blog is definitely gonna help me keep in touch with my family. So do I still think it’s childish? Definitely not! It’s made me realise that I’ve got the best family on this earth! We may quarrel and argue, but we’re still family! Spending more time with my family is definitely gonna be my new year’s resolution
Disclaimer: This post contains humongous amount of photos.
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Aloha readers! I'm...
BACK
after so many days in Genting and I actually promised to update this blog everyday but apparently, I didn't have time to do so and I wanted to wait till all my photos are updated etc etc and therefore...
THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUPER LONG POST!!!!!
Also it has the most amount of photos ever in any post!! And I spent a total of...
5 HOURS
for this post!!! Time includes changing of blog layout, editing of photos, waiting for photos to be uploaded and typing of this post!
Alright, let's start with....
DAY 1!
Reaching at Golden Mile...
On the bus, with the P.E.S (Personal Entertainment System)
This photo was taken when I was watching 881 by Royston Tan!
Reaching Genting...
It was drizzling at that time! *Brr.. Cold*
At the waiting area for check in to hotel...
Our room at First World Hotel!
Times Square/First World Plaza!!!
Beautiful Ferris Wheel!
Bought Famous Amos cookies to munch on..
RM9.50 per 100gm!
Dinner for the day was Hawaiian Chicken Chop @ Hou Mei
3 stars for it!
And when I asked for Ice Water, they served me in...
FREAKING STYROFOAM CUPS!!
After dinner was...
ARCADE TIME!!
We headed over to the arcade at Resort Hotel cause my brother and I had bad experiences of playing at the First World Plaza's arcade!!! Anyway, it wasn't too far a distance to travel so it was still okay for us...
Played Ripper Ribbit...
Drop-a-ball-and-see-which-hole-it-drops-into Game
And we got this from the Catcher Game!!!
It wasn't really crowded as you can see, but certain popular machines were filled with queues..
CALCITE IN IT'S NATURAL AND UNCUT FORM!!!
As above...Day 1 was abit
BORING
cause we reached Genting at about 3 and we couldn't purchase the Theme Park tickets cause it wouldn't be economically feasible, so it was dedicated to only arcade and LAN (which was pretty dumb cause Singapore also have LAN, why go overseas just to play???).
But...
Day 2 was really
INTERESTING AND FUN
because we get to go out to the Theme Park!!!
DAY 2!
Signboard that shows you the individual rides...
Wristband that entitles you to any ride in Outdoor/Indoor Theme Park!!!
Unlimited amount of times too!!!
All for RM58!!
Waterfall @ Outdoor Theme Park
Matahari (Ferris Wheel)!
SPACE SHOT!!
I'll never have the courage to try this!!
And our favourite...
BUMPER CAR!!
And you can also choose to take a relaxing "boat" ride...
VENICE GONDOLA!!
You're supposed to throw a coin, at the lighted bells and see if you can ring it. They hold different meaning, like Health, Blessings and Love.
SPINNER was great too!!
FLYING JUMBO!!
And I took a picture with the humongously large Energizer battery!!!
And the weather over there kept changing. Maybe we shall call it..
*WEATHER SWING*
Misty Genting!!
PIRATE SHIP!!
Me on the Pirate Ship!!!
FLYING COASTER!This is freaking scary too. I didn't try, but judging from the deafening screams and the way the tracks are structured, it's enough to know that it's
SCARY!!!
The night-view of Genting!
Stayed at Tower 2, 12th Storey..
Landscape of Genting (really huge)!!
You can see the colored buildings (First World Hotel) and the roller coaster tracks (Which I presume it's Flying Coaster's tracks) and the other hotels..
Bus terminal, where we depart Genting. 
Doesn't this remind you of Changi Airport??Like waiting for plane like that!
The cloudy misty foggy Genting Highlands.
On the bus back...Yep, and so that marks my Genting trip to an end! It was really fun there and of course I missed the...
GREAT WEATHER
which is freaking cooling and nice to be in unlike Singapore which is really warm!!! Genting makes you feel as if the entire place is air conditioned, even the hotel rooms! Even with the fan switched off, you can sleep so comfortably!! And in Singapore, you really need to switch on the air-con or at least the fan to it's maximum speed before it's comfortable enough for you to sleep!!!
This 3 days has been thoroughly greeeaaaat! It was a break from the mundane lifestyle at home where I just laze around!!! But after the trip/during the trip, I realized something...
It's 9 days to school reopen/Mid Year Exams!!
The school holidays are ending way too fast!!! And I haven't start my studying/mugging of the mid term exams yet, which is a real bad sign cause I didn't achieve wonderful grades for my faculty test and the bloody MYE is like 15% of the annual score!!! I don't know if it's too late to start now, but...
WHATEVER
I'm just going to study when I feel like it.
Yes. Feel like it, that's right.
Informal Letter Format
Block 235 (Address)
Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5
#55- 423
Singapore (555235)
15 November 2006 (Date)
Dear Mr Mike (Salutation)
As I stepped into the school compound for the last time, several thoughts flashed through my mind.
The previous time I left this school was in November, after my last O-Level Paper. I left with happiness, joy, mind filled with the holidays ahead. I felt like a carefree bird who had just found its own freedom.
But now, my feelings were totally different. My heart was thumping faster and faster as I entered the school compound, nearing the foyer. A plastered smile was on my face, masking over the nervousness felt in my heart. I headed towards the canteen to check if my friends were there.
My friends were all there, gathered at the same table as before. I walked towards them, hands clutching on to my sling bag tightly and sat down on the bench. Some mentioned about the long End Year holidays, some mentioned about the 3 months in Junior College, while I sat there, silently, trying to calm myself down while listening to their conversation.
After an hour of waiting, we were all gathered at the Hall along with the other classes for the release of our results. Everyone chatted as usual, trying to keep their mind occupied before the results. The principal walked in, wearing a blue long sleeve collared shirt, hand holding the summary of our performance. He began his annual speech and our heart beat faster and faster as he was about to release the top scorer of the year.
The top scorer was announced. Everyone applauded with loud cheer and pride was bleaming on her face. She was nonetheless, Caris of Secondary 4A, with a L1R5 of 6 points. In a few minutes of time, we were all dispersed to our own classes' table to receive our individual results. I had to wait for 38 of my classmates before I was given mine.
Majority of my classmates got their ideal L1R5, and were jumping with joy. Some were crying over the results that were way below their expectations. Some were already contemplating about the Junior Colleges and Polytechnics that they want to enter. One after one, my turn was about to come.
"Tan Jun Jie Alvis, Index Number 39." said the strict and stern form teacher Ms Lay.
I walked towards the teacher, and sat down. The ever stern teacher underwent a even more stern face as she handed me the results. I received the results with my trembling hands, and slowly shifted my eyes to the L1R5 section.
I shut my eyes for a moment to prepare myself for the worst. I opened my eyes once again, and what I saw in front of me was the biggest shock of my life.
This was the second time Gregory had been so harsh to Chantel. No one could ever stand his attitude in work, but yet, no one dared to speak up.
Gregory, as usual, stepped into the meeting room, with a stern look. Hand holding his dark briefcase, he sat down. He slammed his briefcase down on the table and started his 'speech'. As he began, everyone, in their chair of worry started to become very attentive, giving him their fullest attention. Chantel sat at the furthest edge of the table, keeping silent, trying to mimick what the others are doing. In her mind, she knew she was going to be in trouble, - she have not completed what Gregory had asked her to do.
"Chantel Lim, where is the advertisement proposal that you are suppose to hand in today, by 7am?"
Everyone remained silent. Chantel stood up but she, too, didn't open her mouth to speak.
"Where is it? Don't tell me you have not finished it." The young man screamed, shouting at Chantel.
At an instant, Chantel looked like a innocent little lamb, as compared to the ferocious beast, Gregory. Just then, a gurgle started in Chantel's throat, starts to grow into something more shocking, as her mouth opened.