cjLee
The NS program started on a thursday, 3rd Jan '08. That day was the first class of Modul Pembinaan Karektor, Modul 1- Menampilkan Yang Terbaik Dalam Diri Sendiri. It was particularly boring and vapid.. I find it easier to fall asleep in each subsequent class.

We each get a workbook and the class was conducted in a kindy-style, as most would call it. The class hit off with music, to which we were forced to dance/walk around the class, clapping hands according to the beat. *Only compelled to do so for the first few class sessions. The teacher eventually got fed up of asking us to do so.. =P*

After two or three songs, there would be another one, signalling for us to be sitted before the end of it. Otherwise, we would have broken a class rule.. When we're all seated, we'll be asked to clap hands for ourselves.. == *I find this utterly pointless*

Then the teacher would read whatever he's teaching from a piece of paper, readily prepared for all ns teachers. We would then be asked to stand up almost immediately after we're seated to perform 'Gerakan Ceria' of the day according to a topic. Ie. Act out what one does when he wakes up --> teeth brushing, showering, clothing, hair combing, breakfast eating etc.. After that, we are to clap hands for ourselves and be seated. When we're all seated, we'll be asked to stand up once again and move to our divided groups. =="

From then on, the class will continue following the topics of the workbook. Whenever there's an activity or a game, my teacher will take an agonisingly long time to explain it. First, he'll read the instructions from the paper in his hand, next he'll repeat the whole thing with explanations for each sentence. Sometimes, he'll repeat it all over again, this time, with his own words.. *Gomez* Then, he'll have a group do a demo. Finally, it's out turn to carry out the activity and most of the time, we finished it off in about a minute or two, while he took about 10-15mins to explain.. =="

When we do our workbook, we'll be asked to sit in 'diet' form, which is face to face with a person and share what we've written in out workbook.

Classes begin from 9am to 12pm with a break at 10.30am-11am. For Monday and Tuesday, there'll be classes at night too~

Classes for modul 1 was really uninteresting and wearisome, due to boredom. Modul 2-Menampilkan Yang Terbaik Dalam Diri Orang Lain was more lively because there were more activites and more eventful. Overall, we devoted about 2 weeks to each modul mentioned and were all glad when both modul ended~ Throughout the duration, made more friends and meet more people. Class sessions (& Aktiviti Riadah) were the only time one is official allowed to interact with the opposite sex. For this camp, interaction with the opposite sex isnt too difficult as compared to the other camp i was transferred to.

Besides class sessions taking pretty much of the day, sometimes we would have theory classes, eg. CPR and Safety talks and Types of Ropes in the afternoon at the hall dressed in PT(sports) clothes. We also had about 3 PTS(Permainan Tanpa Senjata) sessions. It's something like Teakwondo. We dressed in PT clothes to do this, while in my latter camp, they had to be dressed in Full Celoreng! (the full camouflage-looking attire) which makes one feel REALLY WARM!

At other times, besides the classes, we dont do anything but be seated in the hall and wait patiently for time to pass by.
PK2 - My Class
cjLee
6th Jan. '08

The first Sunday that non-Muslim trainees get a step out of camp ground. I, as a Roman Catholic got on a bus to St. Anthony's Chapel, which is the furthest from the camp.

The chapel is little, surrounded by trees, earth and mosquitoes. Mass service started at 8.30am in Bahasa Iban and a little Bahasa Malaysia when the chapel was fully filled. Half the time i was relating everything to English.. == This is the only mass celebrated by a priest. The following visits were conducted by a brother or two.. *i Dont know, i didnt attend.*
After that, we took a 25mins bus ride to Betong town~ Where we were only allowed to spend 20mins.. == WtF .. methodists spent 2Hours there!
So in that short frantic time, i bought a shoe glue to seal my gawping class' heels and spent the rest of the time waiting for others and (somewht 10mins) looking for doris' relatives' shops.. to no avail.. Soon it's back to the bus and Back to camp..

Since it's the first week of the month, my mom came for a visit!~ Supposely with my dad but they met an accident on their way up so my mom hitched a ride and only she showed up. *Details of her visit will not be mentioned.*
cjLee
30th Dec '07 - 5th Dec '08

First week of NS was a Bore~ Major letdown~
We practically sat down and waited for the hours to pass by.. From sunrise to sunset.. I suppose it's a way of adapting us to the new surroundings but they Should have at least given us Something to DO! so that most people wouldnt be terribly homesick. Then they did something worser by taking handphones away on the eve of New year. T.T Only light side, we got our free clothes and met some more new pals~

Hence the first week went by rather slowly. By the end of the week, it feels like i've already been there for a month~ ==
cjLee
*this is the 2nd time i'm posting this entry..==*

I only started having the sinking feeling that 'IAMGOINGTONS!' when i got on the bus. == The ride had a couple of stops took about 4 and a half hours to reach destination.. Due to some mechanical problems, my ride was last to arrive at camp, that's around 3.15pm. Took a hell long time to register and only got that dealt with at around 6pm-ish.

Had dinner before climbing uphill to dorm, hoping to find a comfy bed i saw in the newpaper.. Without luck, all beds of my Company were already occupied! At the bright side, i managed to get a canvas bed so that's where i slept.

My 016 hpno. also has no line there, unless i climbed higher uphill to where the 'laboratories' are.

To conclude, first day of camp was rather grumpy and grouchy for mua~ Did make a couple of friends.. woofWoof..