TJCCCCamp 2010

busy busy week, preparing for numerous things

like buying logistics, packing them, finding alternatives and so much more

it was hard juggling between TOOP, Climbing camp, CLIMB X preparation and studies

but we've all been through worse

i'm glad the camp turned out successful

i wouldn't have it any other way

despite the last minute decision to hold the camp last weekend

the seniors pulled through for the TJCCC family

because we wanted all too badly for the J1s to experience what we did last year

except more.

it started on a Friday evening with tile stripping and washing

and sacrificing would-be time at Mega House Func

a brief briefing then followed, i was surprised every one grasped the 2D1N camp in a mere half hour

even though we were all exhausted, Sherwin and i sat by the grandstand for some time alone

and i liked that we talked about everything

it wasn't a "hm, nice weather. hope camp goes fine" talk.

rather raw, with more depth and honesty (:

slept came at 2am, ending at 7am

juniors came after breakfast and we proceeded to do MORE stripping/washing/sorting/drilling.

you know.

games finally started off with trust fall (which i missed..?) followed by

HUNGRYHUNGRYMUNKAY - a whole lot of laughs, blisters, wide-open mouths and flour-throwing. Yes, we learnt that our Captain and Vice Captain liked it white.

Bucket balance was next (another game i missed-i'm missing these games from preparing the next/packing up from the last. NOT slacking! see?) followed by climbing games!

1) Pass the pocky-gross much? apparently (while i was gone again!) the J1s bullied J2s by challenging them to pocky passing. Except it was minuscule to the point that Sherwin was licked by Clem. =( bad boy!

2) Hang challenge, and

3) Scissors Paper Stone (endurance-y game)

Water-hole was next, and i must say, the juniors were really innovative(: our cups' designs were pretty menacing, but they managed to fill the bottle oh so fast

Oh yes, i think i missed out their trials to be the next top Yati/Maria. The climbing area's so CLEAN now. Free of tapes, tiles, bolts, screws, weeds and litter(: yay for j1s

Sock challenge on soapy mats was realllllly entertaining. I didn't quite want to get down and dirty (or squeaky clean for that matter) so i watched from the side and took pics! haha SO hilarious. I don't know who/how/when/where/why/what, but J1s beat us =(

we ended the day's activities with a yumyum dinner and a visit from j3s! hahha(:

OR SO THEY THOUGHT! while they were catching up on sleep in lalaland, we were half-zombified, preparing for Night Games.

Last minute? Yes, but it turned out better than expected. At least Jun Wei told me i was creepy... "Ring around the rosies...." And i initially had a kick out of being a mental kid-ghost.

Talked again with Sher till my hair dried and we went to sleep(:

The next morning brought about PT race! which the J1s embraced (RIGHT?!)

Butt abrasions, lactic acid build-up, scorching hot weather and a whole lot of sweat.

Like Jia Ying Ma'am used to say, "What's bitter to do is SWEET to remember"(:

I hope this camp really brought the team together and gave them an opportunity to know each other. Not superficially but as friends, as a family, as a TEAM. I really was moved when (during the debrief), Mr Kao said to the J1s that we've left a legacy behind, and that TJCCC 09/10 was the best batch of climbers ever ;D

To the dear J1s, as Exco elections approach and the seniors get prepared to step down... Always remember the passion you have for climbing. The rest will fall into place.

let's just fall in love again

why do I compete - a question clement asked me, to which i gave a "politically correct" answer: Exposure

I say I'm not in it for the tangible accomplishments,

The shiny medals and glittery trophies that speak volumes in an instant

I know it's more than that - for how long can these last?

Competing psyches me up, a feeling we hardly get to indulge in

And we react accordingly by taking advantage of this boost of adrenaline

Without causing too much a strain on the nerves and tummy

What's most important is competing with yourself

Because once you compare, you insult you

Don't think about RELATIVE, think about I

Yet sometimes instincts tell us otherwise

Nobody enters a competition aiming to lose

Not one person would willingly give up without a fight

I hate to feel jealous or disgruntled or upset

When I want to do is be happy and unselfish

But every time, every time, it hits a nerve (the one that never wants to lose)

CLIMB X is coming up, and I've decided to participate

Even though I have not trained for high-wall difficulty since Batu Caves???

The main reason is that this would be our final high-wall competition

And more importantly,

I don't want to leave without falling in love with our amazing wall again

Allez ash(:

NSSCC 2010

To start off explosively, here are the results accumulated from 2 weekends of Nationals

A Division:
Speed Individuals (Boys): 1st - Christopher Yong

Speed Team (Girls): 3rd - Jolene Tan, Jacinda Siew, Gwendolyn Lee, Kristal Cheong
Speed Team (Boys): 2nd - Christopher Yong, Clement Tan, Alistair Chong, Ahmed Khalil Khan

Difficulty (Girls): 1st - Valerie Chu, 2nd - Jacinda Siew, 3rd - Kristal Cheong
Difficulty (Boys): 1st - Clement Tan, 2nd - Sherwin Lau, 3rd - Rahul Raman

All I can say is I'm so AMAZINGLY proud to be part of this family

Going down on both days (that I wasn't competing on) was more than worth it

Even though it rained on us yesterday, today was such a heart-pumping, adrenaline-filled day

It made up for it and so much more

So many of you broke out of your comfort zones

And got psyched up for the competition without feeling the nerves

You did incredibly well, whether or not your name was mentioned up there!

I'm all smiles now(:

When this is announced in TJ tomorrow morning or the day after,

SOAK IT IN.

You earned it;D

permanently black and blue

the roughest week of April has just gone by.

with unreasonable parents who once more try

to reason with grades - threats fly

with new things to learn and more datelines to keep

with heart aches that make each day look bleak -

haunts from the past, one hopes never to seek

"so little cause for carolings", yes?

cos though I try and I try my best

to let things simmer, those weights on my chest

never seem to want to go, no bidding good-byes

the roughest week of April has just gone by

or has yet to say hi?

I tried to do handstands but everytime I fell for you
I'm permanently black and blue, permanently blue for you

it's april!

April's fine - new topics bury disappointment (or lack thereof) from results

I know I need to buck up because I really am under-performing.

I will. I can. And if I can't, I must.

Our class really is blessed with good teachers who care and make learning such a breeze.

For JCTs I want to give it my all and do justice to my class and our teachers(:

Who's with ;)

Today brought another bouldering training with J1s.

It wasn't any different from last week - Traverse, Boulder (new routes today!) followed by Medium PT (6x8 pull ups, 4x20 push-ups, 4x30 sit-ups, 3x1min plank) and punishments =( for climbing in the Barea without j2s around and not closing the store gate and being slow and being late.

Well I hope the J1s have it drilled in their heads now. We aren't sadistic seniors who enjoy punishing them, it's all a matter of discipline and safety.

Slight bouldering and moderate PT made my arms sore and fingers raw (it rhymes!), but as always, I LIKE. On Friday, I hope we'll get warmed up to Speed Climbing(: and highwalling in general!