+ I will keep my eyes upon Jesus +

Monday 28 August 2006
*.* Ophir Team 3 Made It To The Top! *.*

PS: This is going to be a super duper long entry. It's not my summary but all in details. I just wanted to make this a memorable one that's why I wrote all that happened sequentially and in details.

It really feels good to be back home SAFELY in ONE GOOD PIECE. To be able to brush my teeth with my electronic toothbrush, floss and use my favourite Oral B mouth wash. I feel very clean, comfortable and most importantly I smell nice.

First of all, congratulations to all who went to Ophir AGAIN and made it this time round (finally) and I just want to say one big thank you to all who went up (Simon, Eileen, Emmie, Daryl, Jerome, Kian Kuen, Tat Tong and Jian Long). If it's without any of your encouragement, I won't be able to reach there feeling all so tired. Thank you. We've made it!

Let me show you what was SUPPOSED to happen to us first:

PLAN A
Fri
8pm - Meet at Kranji MRT to take 170 into JP
930pm Bus sets off for Segamat Sat
1am - Arrive at Segamat Bus Terminal
2am - Sleep
6am - Rise and shine+ breakfast
7am - Take bus 65 to Mt Ophir
9am - Ascend to CP 4 12pm - CP 4 set up camp Mobile Lunch
2pm - Ascend to summit 5pm - Summit and descend to CP 4
630pm - Dinner at CP 4
8pm - Celebration-We finally made it! Midnite Sleep

Sun
8am - Breakfast
930am - Descend to base Mobile Lunch
1pm - Take bus back to Segamat town
230pm - Check in into motel-SHOWER!!! And rest
5pm - Let's paint the town red!! Dinner

Mon
10am - Bus/train back to Singapore
*** Pray that we won't need PLAN B***

BUT!!

It didn't go as we planned and expected. (Laugh) We reached the bus terminal in Malaysia at 9.45pm and guess what, our bus didn't wait for us. (Oh no!) After much of plan C that we planned on the way to the checkpoint, it quickly needed to activate plan D or F immediately.

We had McDonald's for dinner/supper, played Charade and Scumbag and we slept there, good thing the toilet was very near and clean enough to use it. We woke up at 6.30am and we needed to take the bus at 8.30am from Johor to Segamat. We had breakfast before we set off to Segamat. It was during breakfast that we decided to punk Simon during this trip.

We walked about 1 hour just to reach the Ranger Station and our horror began. We walked pretty fast for just 2h 30mins to get from the Ranger Station to Checkpoint 4. I really felt that I almost couldn't make it. The first part almost took up half of my energy that I had for that morning (Sat). When we got to CP4, the guys helped to pitch the tent, the girls prepared the stuffs for cooking. Emmie started her acting by saying that she lost her pack of lunch such that we had little to eat. But actually we placed it in Simon's bag and Emmie started to blame herself and it reached the climax when she started to cry. Everyone then went to check their bags just to 'make sure' that SOMEONE might find it. Anyway Simon found it and we went 'Simon you were punked!' Everyone laughed. The girls got the privilege to get into the square pool first but were intruded by the guys. They just needed to get onto our nerves (hahaha). And night falls. I think we slept at 9pm.

What would be doing at 2am? Sleeping right? We were getting ready to climb all the way to the summit, putting all our gears, torch lights, light sticks and trying to stay awake. Whenever I reached CP 5 I looked back at the last trip and we just stopped right there because of the heavy rain. We passed by CP 5 this time and head towards CP6 (hurray!) BUT not to our expectation, it rained. Somehow nobody said anything about stopping and I believe that all of us prayed a little prayer in our hearts so that the rained would stop and we would be able to ascend. To our GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT, it rained so heavily that we had to turn back before reaching CP6. All the tracks that we walked turned into milk tea/milo river. It was dark, raining, our vision were not clear, our torches are not working well (at least for mine) and everywhere were so muddy, slipper and wet. My tears rolled to the corner of my eyes and I just told myself that I needed to go back. I shone the torch on my hand and I saw a black kind worm on my hand and it was a leech! Oh my, I was screaming all the way and Simon was trying to pull it out from my hand. It was really disgusting. The path back was just as quiet as the last trip. It was the disappointment kind of silent. During the stone (rock should be more correct) track, Eileen fell twice (Ouch!) and I fell at the last part of the rock track too, hurting my knees, elbow and my head and I thought if I would be dead here at Mount Ophir, even without reaching the summit. Anyway I'm still alive. (De, Who do you think wrote this entry then?)When we reached CP 4, everyone was so tired, disappointed, grouchy and people were saying they didn't want to try anymore. Eileen and I decided to go to sleep and decide again whether we should try to ascend to the summit at 8.30am AGAIN.

The nap was really good and it recharged our body really fast. At 8.30am, we decided that we want to go up again. I think if we didn't try again, I really don't want to climb this again anymore. I don't want to always stuck at CP5 and never get a chance to get up just because of the rain. The good/bad news came when we get another (Last) chance to try it again; we needed to pay another 140RM for the ranger to get us up.

The going up was scary especially from CP6 to CP7. The rocks are really huge and high, there were many big holes. Half of the time when I got up I was thinking why how to get down later and what if I fall and roll down. Simon kept encouraging us by saying we would reach soon, another 5 minutes to go but I kept saying I don't want to befriend him because I just didn't see the hill and it was definitely more than 5 minutes. Anyway, when I reached the summit, it was just a summit. We had a 'yum sang' ceremony with Ribena and photo taking after that we needed to descend because we were seeing dark clouds.

I was so scared of the coming down. The height just makes my legs wobbled. Whenever Simon helped me down from one high step to another, I would stuck there and say, 'And Then?' and there were once when he I asked the ranger 'and then?' he said 'Then?!, just jump lah!' I laughed real hard and couldn't move until I finished laughing. There were many more 'And Thens' when we came down. The scariest part was the repelling. My fear was what if I slipped and fall and I might have landed at CP 6 dead. Luckily Simon was behind me, giving me instructions and the not looking back was good because I didn't see the height at all so I wouldn't be scared, but it was slippery. It was a great relieve when we reached CP6 safely. My legs were shivering so badly that I couldn't even differentiate whether I was afraid or my legs were so tired that I couldn't take it. And all that Simon said was maybe it was both. Kian Kuen was saying that he didn't dare to take photos of me doing the repelling because he was afraid that I might twist with both my hands or trying to take my Eeyore out for a photo and let go both my hands and I would be gliding my way down.

Everyone walked so fast after that from CP6 to CP4. Some of us were left behind and at some point of the time we were so scared that we might lose our way because we couldn't catch up with them and we can't see them in front. We hurried our way to CP 4 to pack our stuffs, cleaned up the place and we needed to get down that place as soon as possible.

Along the way, I was bua (2), gong (3), kok (4), tiao (2), my legs and my hands got scratches. We walked very quickly back to the foot of the mountain. All of us were tired and we were very scattered. Me, Tat Tong and Jan Long were left very back behind and when we reached CP1, I saw Simon shouting very loudly, I couldn't hear what he shouted ( he shouted, "What right do you think you have resting here while your friends are still very far behind?!"). There was a total silence and everyone was very shocked. We never see Simon like this before.

There was quite a silence when all of us walked down from CP1 to the ranger station, everyone was tired and a little angry and still wondering what happened to Simon exactly. He was still very nice to us, encouraging us but later when we started to complained too much, he walked so fast that he didn't to be bothered with us anymore. Finally we reached the Ranger Station (6.45pm) and everyone was pretty relieved.

I couldn't believe that I actually did that. I kept saying I am a freako to think that I must have gone insane to do it. Many times I just wanted to give up but how to? Stay up there and don't come down? Cannot! Die die also must roll down.

It was because we reached the Ranger Station after 5pm and the walking out of another 1 hr, we had missed the last bus to Segamat Terminal Station. That would meant that our R&R would be at the nearest resort and it was just right in front of us (The resort near the Ranger Station). We quickly checked in and put our stuffs and went for some nice coke and dinner.

During dinner, Simon was very tired and quiet. I actually asked him if he was angry with us but he said he wants to meet us later at night for a briefing. There were only Simon, Tat Tong, Emmie, Eileen and myself and Simon was asking the whereabouts of the rest and he said this, 'I can't be bothered already. It's so hard to please everybody. Sign.'

The rest came and everyone stared at him, all knowing that he was not happy. After Simon left we were discussing whether he would give us a trashing and dinner was so hard to swallow. I quickly went back to my room and waiting for my turn to bathe but time was running out, so we being girls were so nice by giving Simon a call to say that we would be late. I saw the time and knew that we sure got to be late so I went into the guys' room still with my soaked clothes, smelling. Simon was so nice to ask me to bathe first. Our room was like a sauna because the air con was not working so during my bath, the rest of the girls shifted to a new room with nice air con.

Everyone gathered in Simon's room in a circle and he said this, 'I don't know about you guys, but I felt this trip is a disappointment for me. I don't like people standing around and need to ask them do things. I think you all should take the initiative. To be honest, I don't intend to go up to the summit...' (And blah blah I can't remember all that he said). All of us took turns to say about the good and bad that happened to us. We were VERY SERIOUS and finally when the last person finished, Simon wrapped up saying '...Someone of you said you never want to climb opera anymore... You should be ashamed of yourself... I want you all to feel the tension (Excuse me, what tension?!), total silence followed immediately. I though Simon was going to cry and he said, 'actually you all got punk!' Another 2 seconds of silence until when Simon laughed and it then registered it into our minds that we were punked by Simon!

We nearly wanted to throw him off, luckily the resort was only 1 storey if not... Anyway, we all thought this trip was going to end so low when Simon said all those stuffs. That was so much of having positive attitude. There not no more US in the team but Simon and us (the rest). I thought that was the climax of the trip when ALL 8 OF US GOT PUNKED BY ONE PERSON WHO IS SIMON CHEO (fed up).

We all slept and checked out on Monday noon, reached Johor safely and went to have a nice dinner (my favourite butter crayfish). We shared cabs to Malaysia getting ready to go home. After getting through the Malaysia Customs we decided to walk along the Causeway. As we walked we took some photos. I got a little worried when I saw all the vehicles went past me with high speed thinking if I would lost my right arm so I was trying to walk with my right arm in my pocket to prevent it from swinging here there everywhere.

We were about to reach the Checkpoint when we saw a few policemen and they stopped us. They asked us who are we from, did we take photos and they were doing some administrative work. We were then escort to the other side of the road, the policeman had to stop the cars for us so that we could cross safely and for a moment we felt we were some big shot people. I told Simon that we were once again punked by him because he led us the way back. Out trip just need to end off with such exciting experience.

People, just want to say a big thank you for your being so accommodating and encouraging. I really enjoyed myself during this trip. You have helped me complete one achievement that I wanted to achieve (see blog 3 Mar 06 entry). Thank you making this a memorable trip with lots of unexpected and surprises. Thank God for all of you.

posted by Michelle at 23:07:00 | 3 comments

Friday 25 August 2006
*.* It's the final.. *.*

Puffy eyes, pimples outbreak, not in the right state of mind - These are the signs of lack of sleep. I should say SERIOUS lack of sleep. Wondering what had I been doing for the past few days? I spent my nights and early morning at McDonald. Come to think of it, really thank God that there are such things in Singapore called the 24 hour McDonald. My friend and I studied from Yishun, Sembawang, Sun Plaza, Ang Mo Kio McDonald since Sunday night till this morning (24 Aug) when we reached at 8.30am. My sleeping time can be count just with one hand and I couldn't even differentiate day or night. Hmmm, can you also just imagine you had McDonald meals/snacks for 5 consecutive days?! Go ahead and count how much fats I had gained just for these 5 days and don't remind me because I really need to go on a diet real soon.

Anyway, exams are over (finally!! No more exams!!) and I should be catching up with my sleep. But I just can't bring myself to sleep. I was talking to my classmate over the phone just now and I was tearing. This is the first time that after exams I get all so emotional over it though it was my last exams in NYP! I think I'm having the 'after-exams-syndrome'. I'm missing the sleepless nights that I had all of a sudden. Crazy me. But I really want to thank God for giving me 2 new friends especially this semester, Suet Lin and Jo. They are really helpful.

Suet Lin stays pretty far, in the northern side of Singapore, and she would come over my place sometimes when we decided to be naughty (can't tell you what we did, it's an OPEN secret..) and we would just 'stone' at my place, talked anything under the sun, baking and shopping. Not forgetting all my interviews that she accompanied me to there when I needed a job. Thanks girl! ( I don't think she will get to read this..)

Okay, I'm going to Mount Ophir again. My excitement level had gone lower compared to the last time. Maybe when get to reach the summit then I will get more excited over it. I really feel bad because I haven't been doing my training especially during this crazy packed week. I must say that I had short changed the team and I think I'm going to be a liability to them. I'm sorry Ophir Team. Please forgive me. I pray that God will give me that kind of strength that I have never experience before. I'll try my best to push myself no matter how hard it is. I've done it before the last time, I hope I can do it again this time. =)

posted by Michelle at 00:25:00 | 0 comments

Sunday 20 August 2006
*.* *.*

Yeah, I'm counting down to my last exams in my poly days. After that it will be my 3 months industrial attachment and 3 month final year project and I will say my last goodbye to NYP. Time just simply fly so fast. Entering into poly was like something that happened yesterday. I'm quite happy to leave this place but not so happy with the exams part. Who would like exams anyway?

Well, still thank God that it's my last 3 papers. Ever had 4 papers before and that was really crazy. It's 3 days and after that I will have some rest time after I squeeze some informations for my next exams in time to come (provided I further my studies).

I just pray that I will do well for my last exams this week..

posted by Michelle at 18:16:00 | 0 comments

Thursday 10 August 2006
*.* My very own national day preview *.*

The prayer rally at the indoor stadium was great. It was God's awesome power moving through us. My nightmare began after the rally when the Ophir team started to hike from Kallang all the way back to Yishun. It was a crazy night for me as this is my very first overnight hike. So much of the enduring that I really really really almost gave up when we were climbing the highest HDB building at Toa Payoh (40 storeys altogether) at our very first checkpoint. Not forgetting our 4.5Kg load with us from the beginning of the journey. I was thinking in my mind that it was a crazy for me to do it.

The next was at Ang Mo Kio with 25 storeys and that was really tough by then. It was I think almost 4am on the 9th August. I reached the point where I couldn't feel my legs anymore and I was kicking the wall so hard. Yeah, that was silly but I just needed to do that.

I went more crazy when I was leading the way from Ang Mo Kio all the way back to Yishun. It was really tough as we were all struggling with our lack of sleep and it was a very super long journey. I was not in the right state of mind to talk, much more to think. All I knew was when I walked past my house, I just wanted to say good bye to everyone and make my way home. Thinking of my nice shower and my nice bed. The thought of making up to Ophir just kept me going and we all made it through and we reached Yishun at 6 plus. Well done everyone!

I really need to make a public apology here.

To all who been there and done it, except for... Never mind... I'm sorry for my craziness that I know I've stepped onto some toes that I shouldn't had. Thank you for toleranting my nonsense. Especially to Justin Tan, really sorry for all that. You were trying to encourage me but I was just so tired that I didn't control myself. Sorry!

We all went back home and slept and I woke up at 2pm! I wonder where I got my energy to get to national stadium to watch the NDP, well, I survived. It was not too bad after all.

posted by Michelle at 23:34:00 | 0 comments

Monday 7 August 2006
*.* FOP was great! *.*

It was my first time sitting in an ambulance and it was fun. I need to clarify something here, it's because my friend is a paramedic and he happened to go to indoor stadium so he decided to give us a ride. Who would ever like/wish/want to sit in an ambulance in their life? Anyway, it was really fun. When people started to give way to the ambulance and there eyes were staring at us when some girls got off from it.

Anyway, FOP was GREAT! Don Moen, I think I've got to like him better. My goodness, not only he plays the piano well, he sings well and he plays the violin.. He is just superb! It was a waste for those who wasn't there. He was really good.

But God is definitely the best. His anointing was there to fill the whole indoor stadium and I believe everyone who was there was ministered.

posted by Michelle at 23:52:00 | 0 comments