Hmm life's getting really busy at the moment...
But who believes that in the midst of busyness one can find new meanings and fulfillment too! Here's one filled with faith in this!
The International Cadet Exchange Programme (in Singapore) is really meaningful! Just imagine, meeting like-minded and similarly youthful teenagers from all over the world -
Australia, USA, United Kingdom, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Brunei, and last but definitely not the least (in fact the best,)
NEW ZEALAND! (Well, i just must proclaim it's the most beautiful and desirable-to-go-to-country in the whole wide world!)
Yes, things have been really overwhelming and taking up every single moment in my life - in the midst of all the events, there is still Meet the People's Sessions, MINDEF (Ministry of Defence) Internship Programme, Vacation Bible School, Weekly church services, scholarship talks, and even the RJC PROM NIGHT! Haha it's so cool to be like a super-busy man, taking leave here and there constantly to attend every possible event, turning down offers to "hang-out", postponing other appointments, and possibly declaring to your friends how capable you are, being able to handle so many things with your high capacity! =P
(Ok i don't really mean that last point)
2 days have passed since i entered Pasir Laba Camp (according to Benedict, it was the most digusting place ever). And having interacted
extensively with our overseas cadet counterparts, I felt truly blessed and a happier person. Indeed, diversity rocks.
Different cultures, different attitudes, different tastes, different beauties.
AND "BEAUTIES" DOESN'T MEAN THOSE I USUALLY "REJOICE" ABOUT.
Yup, different beauties of every culture. Every man with his unique choice of beliefs and actions, and the reflection of his love through the picturesque description of his environment, circumstances, and relations, is indeed beautiful. Friendships of genuine connection between two or more souls inevitably form out of the small but important sparks, igniting significant bursts of colourful fireworks in the process.
I love the people from England. (Hey, not only the super hot babe with seducing blue eyes and eye-catching features, though that's cool. or hot?) The English people, initially, may seem like an audacious group, due to their strong and seemingly innate nature to "get drunk", and party their lives away. However, upon closer inspection, and finding out more, hey! They are a serious batch too! These could actually be good role models for us!
Haha one may wonder what if i understand what i'm talking about. But yes, i'm pretty sure. Let me explain why. It is of great importance to look at the competitiveness of their academic and working environment, which was something i initiated asking Stephanie. Youths, though to the naked eye, looked like they only knew how to seek fun and pleasure, are actually working their best during the weekdays, slogging their lungs out, and striving to achieve better results each day! No clubbing during weekdays, and no getting drunk if you have school the next day. Hey, they know what they're doing -
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!
This is a really cool revelation. Think about it. We Singaporeans are often either working too hard and neglecting our families, friends, even taking time off just for a break... (like those in a certain Junior College i frequent...) or slacking too much, enjoying life excessively (clubbing, pool, movies, BGR, promiscuities...) and not seeking improvements for the better!
Seek a balance!
Know what you want out of life, strive REALLY HARD for it (like the Britons aiming for Oxford, Cambridge etc..), and do PLAY REALLY HARD when you're not working!
The Thais are a really awesome bunch of people too! Yes, the country may be associated with regular coups, corrupted governments, terrorism, poverty, and many other characteristics, but i certainly believe this is what molded good character in the Thai youths too! Villains may corrupt the times, but such times also raise up a whole new generation of heroes too!
What i see in the Thais are compassion, helpfulness, modesty, and sincerity!
I took the Thais, New Zealanders, and cadets from the UK to shop at Suntec City today (met Cai Jing, whose nose bled by the way) and then took some photos at the Singapore River. Beautiful Sunday spent. However, it is not the shopping part or photo-taking part that the Thais impressed me. Rather, it was the experiences on the train that touched me. While we boarded the train from Boon Lay where there were abundant seats and i was satisfied most of us managed to enjoy the comfort of sitting through the journey, the Thais, having no prompting from anyone, were actually the first and only ones (shame on you, local youths) to give up their seats the moment an older lady or one carrying heavy things entered the train! By the time we were approaching city hall, most of them with seats initially were actually standing up without seats! How amazing...
I love their character. I love talking to them and showing them Singapore.
Oh, and i truly think today, that soccer is indeed a universal language! World Cup's message was especially evident to me today. Players may come from different backgrounds and spoke different languages, but when on the same playing field, both players and spectators were undoubtedly united by common purposes. It was really so delighting to see New Zealand, Thailand, Brunei and India cooperating so well together in their game and everyone from different countries watching their game with one heart! I love diversity and the flux that brings it together.
Flux is cool. I love flux.
Until further news from yours faithfully,
God bless friends. =)
Cool diplomacy.. hmmm..
The mischievous James from New Zealand is the one right smack in the middle staring into the camera's lens! (that's the one i missed most)
And here goes: 
Orchard Road!
And Thomas the Harry Potter!
From left: (NING!, =D), Xin Ying, Captain Lee (from Hong Kong, a.k.a lao fu zi), James, and (FUHUA =P)