Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

If you dunno who he is, as a Singaporean then, um.. I see a window right there. You're probably high up enough in your HDB to be killer litter.

It was such an honour to see him speak so candidly to all of us. I was invited, very much to my delight, to attend a conversation for Youths. I have always wanted to be a part of something like that and it was just incredible. I managed to ask/talk to him but I guess I'm not worthy enough to be on tv but it's ok at least I was in the advertisement HAHAHA. I raised something to do with Neighbourhood schools lah, and I was advocating for NSK (Neighbourhood school kid) spirit all the way ok. I fought for us. But dayum, didn't make it to airtime. It's ok ya know.

I'm doing OCIP now that's why I got a chance to do something like that. So I'm damn honoured and happy that leading a team opened such opportunities for me.

This happened quite a while back already. Like a month ago on August 22nd. Still, this memory is embedded in my head. 

I wish I could describe to you guys all about my feelings and thoughts about meeting and speaking to so many youth leaders and Lee Hsien Loong himself. But after a month, it's not as current and vivid. 

At least I still have one lasting impression from that event. And it is the fact that I learnt that... I STILL HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN. I met so many people from SO MANY different walks of life. Bankers, auditors, businessmen and of course, other students. And they had so many different perspectives and things to share about that I felt... extremely extremely inexperienced and juvenile while I was there. Especially when talking to those of working age. I actually felt small beside them. I saw them as people who have had so much experiences in their lives, and I just felt like I had a lot to learn. In life. And I couldn't wait to spread my wings and reach a level of SOMETHING like so many of these people.

They were giving out name cards and making small talk. It then occurred to me that wow, so THIS is what networking is all about. It hit me. I know it's not something that should HIT anyone coz well, it's just networking. But wow, I never knew it'd be like that. Seriously. 

In a way, it wasn't the Prime Minister who taught me anything. Or that conversation itself. Coz to be honest that conversation wasn't the most critical or thought-provoking. Everyone was of course hiding their inhibitions about the truths about Singapore in front of the PM. Just imagine everything unleashed behind closed doors. Anyway, it was... the people I met whom I learnt so much from. I spoke to a journalist and I was almost mind-blown by the things he had to share. And once again, I JUST FELT SO DAMN INEXPERIENCED. Nabeh, I couldn't wait to get out and work already. It was as if, all I knew about were School and New Zealand HAHAHA. 

So yeah, that was pretty much some of the main take-away points. I was also glad to meet people who thought a lot about the country and how it is run. It feels like.. people actually do think about and care about this country. And I only wish more people could be like that. To be politically aware. I still have a lot to learn definitely. Baby steps.

Instagram photo of the event BY LHL :'D

How awesome is that right. I only got to know he had an Instagram account that very night. All the girls were talking about how cute he is coz he owns an Instagram account and posts pictures of his everyday meetings with foreign dignitaries and what not.

It was really cool, being able to meet him in person. Remember how I told myself I will get to see him one day after missing seeing him in action at the museum one time? Off the bucket list now.

2) Celebrated my lovely Yijie's birthday right after that.

Dawwww...

The crazy girl's in Hong Kong for exchange now. She says she misses her SG food like curry and prata HAHA. I asked her, isn't there awesome Chinese food and dimsum over there to savour?! She says yes of course. But eating those everyday...............

I really love this picture by the way. Yuanyun and Yijie ma girliessss.

3) Sent off Suxin on the 2nd of September as well for her second exchange trip. This time to Taiwan.

Crazy ass, SECOND time on exchange man. Her first was Korea. She livin the good life bro.

Yakun for her last Singaporean meal with us hahah.

We realised that we won't ever see each other in school again coz next sem I'm having internship and that sem's gonna be her last semester in NTU. So, in essence, our school days together are over haha.

4) Celebrated a couple of my friends' 21st birthdays as well - Rebecca's and Fiona's

Am thoroughly honoured to be invited to these 2 beautiful LADIES' birthdays. I realise I love birthday parties coz they're always so happy and there's a lot of cheer to go around coz it's the celebration of a person's existence. yeah.

Celebrated for Vivian as well with jc people. Can't believe we can all still click and talk like no tomorrow.

5) I attended F1 Singapore Grand Prix just a few nights ago on Sunday!!!!

WITH MY BIMBO HUIQUANNNnn

Once again, I was very lucky coz I was asked by Huiquan to go along with her to watch F1. Best of all, FOR FREEEEEE. Coz her friend was giving away tix. First thing we went to check, was the price lol lol aunties. We found out, to buy tickets, you have to buy all 3 runs. The 2 practice runs and the final race itself. We were lucky to be given the Finale!!!! The whole set of tickets costed $298. In other words, it was $100 per ticket!!!! Wah, seriously, HUAT AH. Freakin windfall. Damn lucky Huiquan asked me along :'D It was a privilege.

It was my first time watching it LIVE and in ACTION. It's SO different from TV and live. The sounds of the cars are just awesome. Like seriously. Deafening of course.

I thought we'd get bored but no leh. No SIAH. NO MANNNN. Of coz we started talking to each other instead of concentrating on the race when it was like the 20/30th round. Like 60 laps in total crazy to be watching it non-stop. But I must say I was impressed. The atmosphere was electric. I felt like I was back in NZ, watching a rugby game, with people holding cups of beers and stuff. I wanted to buy one but $15 for a cup?! NO WAY. There were SO MANY tourists and foreigners watching and for that, I was just very proud of Singapore to be holding such a spectacular event. The one and only night race in the whole of F1. The crown jewel, they say.

Who ever said Singapore was boring. F that, people come here for this bitches.

And the race wrapped up with what else, but fireworks.

We had great seats although it was all the way to the top. But the view of the night skyline was amazing, as always. MBS and everything right in front. Awesome.

I promised to get tickets for my parents next year coz my dad has been wanting to watch it since forever. How I know? He says it every year lol. And hearing from me and how awesome it is, he's gearing to attend next year's. Vroom.

Tip: Please buy the "Survival Kit" It's only $2 but the earplugs are damn essential coz the noise from the cars are extremely deafening. We didn't buy them so we used our earpieces instead. It helped but not so much. SO I suggest to just spare the damn 2 bucks for it.

6) Of course, OCIP is still high up on my list of exciting shananigans hahah.

We've been doing great as a team. Recently started with fund raising and wow, we're getting off at a good start holy schmoly. Didn't expect such a good start so I am extremely happy about it. Carwash next.

Anyway, I'll be leaving for Laos this Sunday for my recce trip with my co-chair. Much excites to see the villagers again!!!! We were told that they are damn happy that we're heading back to the same village. So I'm looking forward to meeting them once more.

It's a pity though that my recess week will be eaten up during those 4 days. I'll be back on Wednesday/ I'm looking forward to it. Can't wait to share with the team what's over there. 

I'm just really really happy and excited about OCIP. Initially, I was really apprehensive coz it's my first time chairing such a thing and there are big shoes to fill and uncertainties awaiting. But, I can't believe this. I actually am ENJOYING doing this. I didn't think I would enjoy it this much and I'm glad that I am. It's in fact, a joy, organising this whole thing and I'm once again, blessed to have a team that is working not too shabbily for now. I'm happy with this team. People are working together to come together for Laos. Turn-up rate is pretty good so far too. I'm just very very happy and grateful.

I hope and have confidence that this trip will turn out well.

Only thing I worry about is the safety of everyone. I'm serious!

After attending this leadership workshop thingy, I'm like petrified about the horrors of what COULD happen to my team members and that is just insane. So I've decided to attend a first aid course otherwise if anything happens, I'd at least know that I AM able to do something if anything happens. BUT CHOY GA LAU SAI. I hope nothing untoward happens to my team and me. Accountability is something I have to be responsible for. 

Met fun people during my leadership course at Pulau Ubin,

Stayed at a villager's house for a night. Pretty awesome eh.

It's been a blessing.

Can't wait to head off to Laos with Soo Yun Xuan the gross.

This semester has truly been fun for me. Busy of course, but I still like doing whatever I'm doing. Taking mods that interest me so much. Singapore's society in transition, learning so much more about my country and thinking deeper into issues I never thought possible to even think about lol. TV Practicum, which allows me to coordinate and oversee what happens during live TV shows. Pretty cool, always wanted to try doing something like that. Prospective career. China's foreign policy coz I love China. Newspaper writing and reporting coz I love reading newspapers. No seriously. The teacher, Ms Hedwig, is known to be fierce and shit and all. But to be honest, I really like her. Coz she's SO TRUE TO HERSELF. And she's funny. She holds no false pretense and what I really like and respect about her is her WEALTH of experience in reporting and she doesn't make it look like she's flaunting about it at all. She has interviewed so many personalities and experienced so much that I can only imagine it in my wildest dreams. I am in awe just knowing that she's done so much interesting and exciting things in life coz of journalism. It's amazing to be taught by such a woman. She may spit words of disdain towards you, but somehow.. because of that, I feel like there's a need to prove that you are worthy. And it actually encourages me to want to like this course more and work harder. 

All in all,

this is my life so far.

It's 4:46am and it's been a pleasure to update you on all that has happened in my life so far. I cannot promise regular updates but do know that when I do, it'll be as long and comprehensive as this. Well, enough I hope haha. I won't give up on this blog lah just so you know. It's still a great avenue to air my views and keep track or look back in retrospect on the things that have occurred in life. They happen too quickly so sometimes, we must stop and think about them. I do.

On a side note, my 21st birthday is coming in a month's time wow wheeee I'm excited are you are you are you!? Freakin maiden birthday or whatever it's called.

I'm gonna cut my hair again the moment I return from Laos coz I feel like it's really longgggg. Short hair just grows really fast huh? I'm lovin it so far. I don't drop hair anymore. As much. At all actually. I used to drop so much, I was pretty sure I'd be bald. Now, it feels like I have a whole head and crown of hair. It's been so long since I ever felt that way. In fact, I haven't felt that way since a long time. I'm over long hair. Next time maybe. For now, short hair all the wayyyyyyyyy

What's more, people think I'm cool HAHAHAHA. I am honoured to be told that I am, but secretly, I snigger to myself. Goodness me, cool. 

Ok, it's 5am now. I hope to see you and myself again. Love yall, I'll be back whoever you are.