Most people had their Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) camp during their Secondary school days. For me, i had it only when i'm 27yrs old. Last week i went to 5days OBS leadership training camp with my batch mates. The week before i was staying with my sister so didn't really have much personal time. The weekend before, i just dump all my barangs barangs in my big bagpack and off i join my group at Punggol Jetty. I reflected back the days when i helped the teachers to handle OBS forms, sending students to the camp and now i'm going into one myself.
I just wanted to write down here so that i can rem the activities i went through with my group. It was how i expected it to be though at times i procrastinated a bit in my heart. Just stay open minded and u'll enjoy it. If i were to go through it when i'm even older like some of my colleagues at 31yrs old, i may not be able to handle physically and mentally well like now.
Day 1: Helium hoop, key punch, rock climbing, basha making, sleep in basha
Day 2: PEAKS profiling, security around OBS area, Find the tree, Alpine rescue.
Day 3: Inverse ladder, Sea expedition
Day 4: Pre-dawn sea expedition, Quarry dip, Land expedition, raft making, raft rowing back.
Day 5: Trapeze jump, Sharing session, home sweet home
Do u believe leadership is born inside you or it can be nurtured? Before attending OBS, i feel strongly that leadership is born within oneself, but after OBS, my belief shifted more towards the other side. I reflected back when i was younger in my primary school days uptill now. I rem when i was the little girl in class who can be so quiet and not speak a word in class nor dared talk to the teacher. Until today, i see the difference. I'm still a better follower than a leader but i believe it can be trained up like what one of my group mate has said. I messed up in one of the activities which i tried to be one but at least i tried.
It feels really good to have good team members. My group were all made up of soon to be senior officers with some already inside, things get so superbly done fast that everything seems possible. Honestly, i've never ever in my life work in such superb group before and it felt really motivating. Things assigned and things get done in a snap with everyone on their toes. Now that i feel the difference of how important team members can be if each talents and contribution are tapped on. The challenge is how to handle members and gel them together if your team members were otherwise or without the expertise? How i wish i always had such an efficient group to work with. hahah.
I haven done swimming for 2years? and i've always been afraid of deep waters. Only when i've my life vest one will i do water activities. What i enjoyed most is the sea expedition. It seemed long for some but for me, i wanted to row more
We rowed on our small vessel from base camp to another. I tried dragonboat only once and this is my second time. I was told to sit in front intially but i got tired out soon after cos front person had it harder having to break the water. Soon, my friend Kar Yin asked my to switch with him. I was a little unwilling initially as i wanted to row. I still went to him as i know i'm not strong enough to last. He was doing the steering behind and i thought to myself that i won't be contributing much steering the vessel. He just gave me 3 simple instructions on turning left, right, slight angles.
I was a little disappointed to think about if i could handle. Though he's thin, he had great strength, once Kar Yin settled in, i can see the big difference, he rowed hard and even though he maybe the only one rowing effectively, the vessel is movin faster. He shouted to me at times to direct the directions when i'm too slow to respond. Later, i felt the importance of steerin a vessel and at times i'll rowed at the back too to at in strength when i'm not steering. We shouted and rowed, and saw the beautiful sun rise at the horizon. That's the kind of feeling i really like and can't describe. But it ended shortly even though others think it's very long already.
I hope i'll get a chance to row as a team again.
To be able to meet so many great leaders and individuals of different talents really is my honour. I got to learned so many things from them in handling situations.
But sadly, i can't see my sister's baby she gave birth on the second day of my OBS camp. Finally now we have a little one in our family. I dont' know if i ever have one so maybe now i have chance to play with little one.
Must women always get married to a man? Does man really can't live without women? Before i read about Buddhism, i feel marriage is the natural way to go in life and that Man and Women will sure certainly bound to fall in love someday. Reading more into Buddhism showed me another path which kept me afloat and reminded me now and then about human fallacy. I'm not discouraging against marriage, neither does buddhism. As long as one do good in life, it is your choice.
For now, all is history, beautiful memories of OBS will be put aside, and tomorrow will come, a new day, new challenges with new lessons learned.
Thank you NTL!
