Drill Day
“Up! 2,3 left. 2,3, right, 2,3, left. 2.3, right….”
“berhenti!”
It is fascinating how seemingly insignificant, unmemorable moments can last forever. I have been wondering why these commands that made us once exhausted insist on flooding my mind, even when the drill day was over. Perhaps, it is not because of the thrills and irrational enthrallments from the slow march down the ramp which almost got on my nerves, or from the chilling weather of last Saturday that excited me whenever I reminisced about Last Saturday’s Parade. In fact, it was my friends’ unwavering enthusiasm in completing the drill instructions, concealing their tiredness and cheering one another up that made me thankful for being a member of the Primers.
I could still remember myself lethargically going to the parade and wishing that everything would went smoothly and unscrupulously. Honestly, I was too tired after finishing all the homework and clearing the movie series CSI: NY the night before the drill day to anticipate the fun and fascination awaiting me. ( Thinking in retrospect, I regretted not being able to finish the entire season 7 of CSI:NY for I dozed off unconsciously. How embarrassing it would be to let my roommate tuck me into bed and turn off my laptop!)
In spite of this incident, the drill day turned out to be, well, excessively enjoyable. At 800 am, almost every Primer was happily socializing, sharing with one another about his or her daily routine and waiting for the parade to begin. Indeed, I found it hard to be distraught and disturbed while seeing all of them joyously saying “hi”, “good morning” and ready for an activity-packed day. It was just pure jubilation that brightened up the atmosphere miraculously.
After the flag-raising session, each cohort continued with its own activity. While the year 1 and year 2 boys despondently made their ways to the LT1 and respective stations for the drill examinations, we Primers jubilantly gathered together, preparing for the commence of the drill session. Needless to say, we all were amazingly energetic and effervescent; Gabriel, despite his initial concern about the procedure of the day, surprised us with his immeasurable excitement. Yong Jian, who was in charge of the drill execution, was seemingly ready to get the ball rolling whereas Kenneth, as usual, ran around and mingled with the rest of the Primers who were equally, if not more, thrilled to learn the new commands. On top of that, what was really encouraging was the girls’ palpable eagerness for the day itself, since I knew that drill was not one of their favorite sessions. All in all, realizing every one prepared to make the day remarkable made me feel energized.
For some reasons, I always have a preoccupation that drill is physically exhausting and equally challenging for me who have no background knowledge about such matter. That is why I was subtly taken aback when knowing that we had to practice the drill commands for 2 hours! However, in recognition of such concern, the Drill and Discipline Committee members meticulously and carefully planned the parade in an amusing manner.
To start off the session, Yong Jian and Gabriel whole-heartedly welcomed us and gave a brief introduction about the day’s agenda. Afterwards, we were split up into 3 small groups for revision and teaching new drill command: the slow march. Indeed, as the name suggests, the march focuses on the body position which I found tough, for it was difficult to maintain the balance while slowly dragging my feet along. Nonetheless, it was an interesting experiment for me, especially when my group had to execute the slow march down the ramp, thanks to Kenneth’s undivided enthusiasm! Compounded with the pungent smell from the nearby dustbin and the blisteringly hot weather, the session was, in a sense, unique and memorable.
After the strenuous drill session, we then moved on to the game Capture the flag! Although Pheng Hwee carefully explained the rules to us, somehow, we ended up either breaking the rules or worse still, came up with some changes for our own sakes. Despite these surprising elements from being tagged, chased after or attacked, I totally enjoyed myself. Indeed, had we not carried out this game, I would not have experienced joyfulness and pain at the same time. Admittedly, it was purely intoxicating.
As always, the parade ended in the devotion time. Unlike the previous Christian education sessions that were held in the LT4, this time round it was organized in the LT 1. In spite of the change in location, the singing of the hymns, the inspiring speech from madam Petrina preserved their charms. Nevertheless, recognizing the Primers’ enervation after the drill session, Mr Caleb generously treated us with biscuits and snacks as tokens of appreciation for putting in our best. Indeed, these little, insignificant acts simply dawned on me the beauty of caring and consideration and transmit the love of God to each and every one of us. No matter how physically exhausted and mentally distraught we are, we will always stay strong, walk side by side and as long as there is love, we will stand!
~Written by:
Clt/5 Huynh Tan Duc
Adventure Test
While half the Primers were occupied with Drill Day and games, the other half of the Primers were busy executing the Adventure test for the Year 1s and 2s. After a theory test, the Boys proceeded for the practical test. Led by the SPA Committee under Clt/5 Alex Goh, stations were set-up around the koi pond and skate park. Groups had to visit all stations, taking part in numerous adventure related tests such as knot-tying, map reading, bearing navigation and MGR/map plotting. Primers played the role of station masters and thank God that everything went smoothly and there were no major problems problems.
Sitting and chatting... like real men.
Primers had to come up with various creative and innovative ways to manage their stations, due to the expected influx of Boys once the adventure test started. I am proud to say that we were all blue ocean in coming up with interesting ways to handle the crowds and test all the Boys. It also felt great when the Boys, especially our own juniors the Year 2s, knew their stuff well and could pass almost all the stations.
Primers at work.
Awww so cute!!! :D
The SPA committee aside, I feel that the Adventure Committee has also put in a lot of effort into the exam. Kudos to Clt/5 Lydia Chuah for that, sacrificing much time and effort for the Year 2s, giving them countless revision lessons after parades and after school. Well done lady, well done! :D
~Written by:
Clt/5 Nicholas Lim
Matthew 5:48
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
No comments:
Post a Comment