by Malik Badaruddin

All Hail!

It was just the beginning of what happened  to be a long but exciting day. All the SPYs were thoroughly enjoying themselves on the low rope courses when they were handed a new set of challenge altogether….. THE HIGH ROPES!

Looking up from the ground, it has already given some SPYs the chills. Some of the SPYs even declared themselves to be medically certified unfit for height elements. Having said that, the writer himself must confess that he was  FEARLESS…rawr!

Belay Boys & Girls

There were 3 high elements in total and almost everyone had their share of each of them. The heroic NL, however, was given a challenge unlike any other. He was tasked to complete a course blindfolded! Yes folks, you read it right… BLINDFOLDED!

Being the hero that he is, he completed it in RECORD TIME! It must be mentioned that it was only a record as nobody else has ever done such an insane, death-defying, jaw-dropping, flip-over-backwards, eye-poking, spoon-bending, jedi-mind-trick kinda stunt ever! Well other than the writer himself who did it afterwards…….

YOU CAN DO IT!

As the sun slowly sets in the western sky, the SPYs were shepherd to their very own cabins. It was luxurious by any standards, though some of the SPYs could only reminiscence the days when they were camping back in their secondary schools, where sleeping on the  floor was a norm.

The day has not ended. It was time for some night activities. Ms Haslinda was the speaker for the night and she taught the SPYs some very important tips on their conduct and social responsibilities to adhere to while on Fuji Maru.

The end of the night was marked by an unofficial “Milo Party”. Coincidentally there was a hard fought issue on the Milo Table. Two camps emerged from the party. The first and the coolest of them all was called

“The ‘I DIP MY BISCUITS IN MILO’” Gang

And the second was called

“WHAAAaaaat??? DIP BISCUITS IN MILO????!?!!!” Gang

So you see its not that hard to distinguish which is the cooler bunch!

The battlefield was laid out and skirmishes were fought. Casualties were strewn across the floor in gasping laughter as one side tried to convince the other how magical it is when biscuits are dipped in Milo. Victory was called in by the cooler bunch as they managed to convert one member from the opposing gang into their own..HUZZAH!!

Not long after, the midnight trumpet was sounded in the form of Tammy’s ringing phone, and all of the SPYs eventually retreated to bed before further sanctions were called against them.

And for once that day, SHINES Outdoor was quiet and peaceful again.

-Pun

There’s a new lingo that has been going around among the SPYs of 09, spreading like H1N1.

For the benefits of those who are still foreign to it, allow me to take this opportunity to elaborate on its etymology, its meaning and its application in real life.

Etymology of this word: c.2009, “siow hwee’s hair,” of SSEAYP ‘09 origin.

Meaning: N.A. *Note: not to be confused with the other slang meaning*

Application:

1. when you are bored and you see Syahms stonning. “BANG!!”

2. when you are bored and you can’t find any nearby source of entertainment and Malik/Syahms is/are around. “BANG!!”

3. when you are bored. “BANG!”

Of course, action speaks louder than words. The explosive expression can never suffice as the new fad unless there is a complementary action that goes like thiiissssss(combing your hands from behind to front and..) BANG! (see example below)

BANG!!

It is interesting to note that our dear PYs have emulated the essence of a famous art work by Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein “WHAAM!” in their very original interpretation of pop culture and explosion. (see below for picture of art work)

Roy Lichtenstein “Whaam!”

Before we applaud the two PYs for their great contribution to the local art industry, for their very iconical act that rivals that of the great Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein, we would first like to draw your attention to yet another sighting of SPYs embracing the vibrant popular culture of Singapore.

Said SPYs (Derek, Garry, Damien, Asykin, Tammy and writer) gathered at local club Zouk one Wednesday for a beer and dance session.

One would have thought that the initiator of the event (the writer herself) would sweep everyone off his/her feet with her killer Mambo moves. Never did they imagine that the diamond in the rough that grabbed their attention that night was in fact Tammy–the up-and-coming closet Mambo Queen!

No, the writer could never hold a finger to Tammy who knew every single song just by the first 3 sec of it playing! ‘Tis in times like these you see the true colours~~ Shining through…

On a side note. Derek’s wife Germaine graciously and sportingly joint the SPYs in their craziness. An interesting incident occurred under the influence of alcohol and loud music: Derek introduced himself to the writer’s friend in the manner “Hi, I’m DEREK”. Upon hearing that, the writer almost lost her cool as she thought he said “Hi, I’m MARRIED” as she wondered what in the world made him do such a thing (though she wouldn’t for a second doubt that Derek is capable of doing things like this).

Before the writer signs off for the happening updates of the contingent members, she’s just like to say… in the spirit of SSEAYP Singapore Contingent 09:

BANG!

Happy BDay to Lily…

-Pun

Previously, it was mentioned that PYs went home with a head full of ideas, wild ideas of what could be used to present to the returning PYs who would be sharing their experiences.

Hyder, the one who looks suspiciously like someone of the Ministerial level (perhaps he’s a Minister-Mole!), volunteered to print the group photo taken on Saturday night, and the rest would scramble for scrap materials to piece up for the frames of the photos.

People started falling in at McDonald’s at Chinatown around 9am. By the time the writer arrives, half of the frames were already done (just the way the writer likes her steak)! Lieja had this whole row of ikea mugs/cups lined up on the McDonald’s table, waiting for a miracle to happen (a miracle in the category of Cinderella’s fairy god mother’s work).

Miracle happened.

The writer appeared(Shamelessly announcing her arrival).

Derek, Lily, Garry and yours truly embarked on a journey of self discovery, travelling through time and finding ourselves painting suns and letters like we were in Primary School.

There was a void in the memory for a while, at this point, as the writer (moi) was just too absorbed in the painting and too excited about the ingenius idea of personalised ikea cups. There was only vague memories of Yining cutting the hotcakes (McDonald’s Breakfast’s still the best) and feeding it into my mouth.

Before you know it, time’s up! Pack up and off we go!

The committees were announced first thing in the morning. Telok Ayer CC was said to be the birth place of all the various committee leaders too. Some leaders were elected through a diplomatic process, others through sheer spirit of volunteerism. Ah! What a healthy mixture of policies!;)

As the Culture committee leads the group in committee songs practises, the Excos began their meeting outside the room.

The writer is very tired at this point, so she shall postpone this narration till later, or till someone wishes to take over and continue the narration… =]

p.s. it is uber confusing and gives me identity crisis to write in third person then switch to first person!