Volume 6, Chapter 25, Page 168 (Post-Orientation June 2015 & Ah Tai's Passing)

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Orientation ended yesterday on a high note. We had an appreciation dinner for the OCs near to midnight and we exchanged presents between Angels and Mortals. I would think that I have the whole day and semester to be proud and happy about the camp and orientation, being able to make it this far, but sometimes things just doesn't go the way you want it to. I received news from Mom this morning that Ah Tai (my great grandmother) passed away. Well, she didn't want to tell me, except she was so insistent that I come home. "I don't want to tell you now in case you can't eat," she told me while I was having lunch outside with Ken.

Immediately I thought of Ah Tai and imagined what could only happen to elderly at 90++ years of age. Taking her living conditions and treatment into account, it is not impossible. Later on Mom called back and I asked if it was Ah Tai. She said, yes it was, and she passed away either yesterday night or this morning. Even now the fact hasn't sink in yet. I am so tired from this 10-days camp and orientation programme in which I sometimes only got to sleep 2 hours (and if lucky, 5 hours). I took a nap alone in my new hostel room - which I am thankfully be able to share with my sister. (Initially they didn't let us do a 2-person grouping no matter what, even if we have legit reason to.) Maybe they give priorities for OCs.

I'm waiting for Jared to have dinner at 10 even though I am hungry now. Only 1 and a half hour more to go.

But I decide I want to be happy for today at least though that's a bit hard. I'm not particularly very sad or what but there will be a part of me that grieve for her. ); I have to be happy for myself for being able to complete something really hard and for overcoming the limitations I unconsciously set for myself. Plus I have one more very good reason to be happy despite all this.

I scored 4.0 flat for my last semester.

That alone should be enough to make me super excited. We all checked our results during orientation, backstage, using the laptops that the Special Tack division is using. But I was too exhausted internally to feel anything at all. Still, I know I am grateful that I scored this well. It's like getting 100%. The first thing I thought of was, phew, I did it for VRC2! And also Photography; it was a close call.

So I have two things to be happy for.

I informed Kah Wai to keep track of what we will have learn on Monday next week (I have 3 classes) when school is starting as I will not be going. I will be attending Ah Tai's funeral. Hmm I don't know what to write now, just babbling whatever comes into my mind. Feeling kinda down to feel hyper.

So let's try to be happy and talk about orientation, shall we? (;

I'll let the pictures talk, I'm feeling blur from the nap I just took. Will talk more about it once I'm feeling fine.

CAMP

Creating our Group 4's identity :)

Our envelopes for our angels to put in letters and presents!

This was during last day of the camp,

everyone were crazy dancing,

it was such a hyper night.

Shooting video for the orientation which will be tomorrow.

After joining events only do I realize that nothing ever was prepared early. Everything is last minute and that is even more the case for orientation in Special Task; things were finished minutes before it was supposed to be shown to everyone inside the hall.

ORIENTATION

Grand Hall division for registration.

There are Runners (who guide people along the way), Hostel (takes care of problems and inquiries at the hostel area) and Grand Hall (student registration). I was the person on-the-run in Grand Hall guiding the lost freshies. It felt nice to be able to help them, plus I get to practice speaking. :) I saw Yi and Jasper (who I knew from my work place).

Jared slept and I called him, telling him that if he is tired I can eat at the canteen. He said OK so now I'm eating at HB3. Don't feel like eating now though even though I know I am hungry. I am still feeling down and will randomly sob. :/ Maybe I can wait for Giang to come back because he's taking a flight back from JB now. A part of me wants someone to accompany me, but another part of me just wants to be left alone. I don't trust myself to go down to the canteen to eat now. My emotions are up and down - one moment I am dancing to songs, another I am just sobbing silently. Wtf.

With Hazim (emcee) and Mai, whom was in my intake.

Mai was one of my earliest friend! You could even say she was my first friend.

Maran

Cat at the MPH extension.

I was early, so I started my work first. Then I felt something rubbing again my leg. Discovered this cat as it discovers me. It climbed onto the chair beside me and sat on my lap, rubbing its face on my arm. :3 I was a little scared (I was always a little scared of animals) especially since the pregnant cat scratched me but this cat is so affectionate.

He climbed onto my laptop (legit reason for a cat interrupting my work for being on my laptop) and then onto my lap again. I'm not a cat person but I like this cat.

Khoo came over and sat with me and said the cat feel my motherly instinct. =.=

Designing, first time.

With Jabbal!

I really like Jabbal a lot. He reminds me of Giang and is also the only other person (aside from Giang) to tickle/squeeze me on my neck because I am vulnerable there. He was the person in my simulation during interview and I often saw him in the canteen. I thought he was scary and I didn't dare to even smile at him. >.< His face when he don't smile is like a scowl. Trivia: He is my OC crush. <3

Luckily he approached me first because I don't think I can approach him first. "Are you single?" was the first thing he said hahahaha. He is like another brother to me and I am so glad to have met him! I shall talk more about it when I have the time; off to the next picture.

Special Task work corner

Raja, a really nice guy!

He has a Japanese girlfriend and he showed us her video, awwww so sweet!

I was slouching on my chair with Khoo to my left with his arm around my chair.

All of us was like a sad human group who felt so depressed.

Freshies' Night, when each group of freshies will do a sketch.

There are 17 groups for this orientation.

The ex-OCs came to visit!

They came to our camp too and because of them I overcame a little more of my fear or speaking up. I actually took my hand up twice to answer stuff. #motivation They are really old ex-OCs who are at least 40. They inspire me so much. Will talk more about that later as well.

Kenny and Pawg

Nicky, the ex-OC!

This is the guy that inspires and motivates me.

Hazim!

He's the youngest, being one year younger than me; our adorable junior!

DJ and Hazim

Rahman!

This is the first time I directly worked with Man. He is in swim club too and he also helps as a committee. This will be his last time joining orientation though. He is Mai's brother, so that's also kinda how Mai and I got to know each other better.

He told me a lot of what is actually going on in Special Task as I am a newbie. Just as Jabbal told me about what happens in Food & Sports division. I am surprised that they confided in me.

Lokesh!

I like this guy a lot; he's so warm.

He keeps thanking me for the pictures because everyone can enjoy it. He gave me a bar of chocolate from Beryl's which I think must be expensive. I was surprised! (Because he wasn't my Angel nor Mortal).

Keshvar

Vimel, he looks so cute!

This was taken after Jabbal massaged my foot for me.

I sprained my ankle - story later.

Fact: The massage hurts like fuck. Sorry.

Sharing session, candles.

I accidentally slept during the sharing session I am extremely sorry.

I woke up from shock when Azrie suddenly hugged me from the side.

Annie!

She calls me Bunny Fion.

She said she calls me that because I'm cute and like a bunny. >.<"You're my favourite bunny."

Vicky!

Vicky and DJ

With Keshvar and a photobombing Ta Seen.

I didn't know he was there...

~~My harem~~

Andy!

He is the guy that notices what I did, just anything. I'm surprised he discovered so many things about me that I didn't realize, like the way I clap my hands. He really looks over me a lot.

He says I have a good heart.

You have a good heart too, bro. :)