28-30 May

This week has been a very quiet week for me. I did a 3 days environment module, and it opens my mind as to how I can bring the environmental issues and awareness across to the students, through interactive games and presentations. We did a 1 day voluntary service at DOC [Dept of Conservation]. It’s very cool.

Beginning to feel the onset of the winter especially when I have to struggle to get up from my warm cosy bed every morning. Learnt an interesting way of “defrosting” my car every morning. Bryan taught me to get a jar of lukewarm water and splash across the windscreen, and with the wiper wiping the water away, it did the trick. Since this takes up at least another 10 minutes everyday, I decided to wake up at least 15 minutes earlier to get myself ready.

Having a car is such a convenience! I can get to OPC myself very early in the morning and do some work. Initially, I relaxed at the homeroom where I do my computer stuff. But now, I decided to do a 20 minutes traverse climb to “pump” my finger.

Bev has been very inspirational to me. She lets me realize I did not improve because I set the limitation upon myself. We are just too comfortable to go into our stretch zone. We should enjoy what we are doing, not going for higher grounds. Just loving the sports and doing it, will get us to higher grounds anyway.

I decided it’s time to set some short term goal too. Me and Bev have decided to sign up for the winter half marathon event in Lake Taupo. Though this may look a very small achievement to some kiwis, but to a singaporean like me, it’s another big step forward. I have never run in winter before. It gave me a goal to work towards and I got so excited that I got my church mates to join me as well. It’s 9 weeks away now.

There were some unfortunate events that happened recently :

My good friend, Awhi, got her finger tendon torn and currently on the 8 weeks MC. So she will be missing out on the Marae visit tomorrow.

My friend, Ashleigh got into an accident, and had her car rolled over 3 xs. Luckily she was not injured.

My friends’ house got burgled into 4 weeks back and Jess’ car was broken into 3 weeks ago as well.

There were also accident reports on teenagers’ drink driving and it is scary to drive at night. So far, Taupo was infamous for accidents derived from drive driving.

Hilary Challenge [school division] has just ended last week and New Plymouth school came in first. It’s heartening to see that Opunake School came in 2^nd when they were positioned 10^th last year. Met Jacob, a Singaporean travel agent from Travelations who came in as an observer for the Hilary Challenge. He will be the liaison officer between OPC and CCAB [UG] when MOE organize the first Hilary Challenge coming July. Also met a group of Hwa Chong students taking part in the 7 days adventure program in OPC. Good to see Singaporeans coming in NZ. Felt so close to home.

Oh yes, I bought myself a pair of gumboots. The “Phua Chu Kang” type, except it’s not the obiang yellow. It does wonders when I have to cross the rivers. Great!