I decided to join the IDP programme (Innovation Design Programme) before year 1 semester 2 officially started. I initially wanted to overload this semester but I kinda screwed up and didn't because I thought I didn't need too. In the end, this semester was too chill for me as I had a lot of free time due to two of my modules tutorial only on even weeks. In addition, most of my modules are heavily project-based and very few exams. I regretted not overloading my second semester.
1) EG1112 (ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE II)
6 MCs
10% Oral Presentation
10% Report Write-up
40% Quiz (2 x 20% quiz)
30% Lab-work
10% Tutorial Attendance
This is a continual of EG1111 which I had previously took last semester. This module is actually a basic introduction to triple E stuffs which is something you would probably hardly use in your future mechanical engineering modules. It was a very tough module to be frank. The triple E content that you will be learning is totally foreign as compared when you were introduced to EG1111 content which at first was easy for almost everyone to learn. You will get to have some hands on on electrical circuit components like playing with wires, light bulbs, breadboard and even Arduino coding. The oral presentation, unlike EG1111 which was individual, for EG1112 is it a pair presentation. For lab groups with odd numbers, there will be one group of 3 people. The same person that you will pair with is the same person that you will be doing the report with. The report content will be the same content as the oral presentation. For the two quizzes, like EG1111, the first quiz will be held on week 5 and the second will be held on week 12. Even though the two quizzes were MCQ and open book, the quizzes were still very hard as there was negative marking (for every one question correct 2 positive marks, one question not attempted zero marks and one question wrong minus 1 mark). The questions were are also very tough and some of it were not taught in class. There were 20 questions each and total marks was 40. For both quizzes, the average was quite bad, especially the second where the median was 10. I got a big flat zero mark for my second quiz LOL but I was pretty chilled about it. This is because I screwed up my first quiz and I already resigned to fate and decided to SU this module from the very start. For the lab work, it was pretty chill too as compared to EG1111. For EG1111, the weekly lab report had to be done out of class time too and usually consumed a lot of our time. For EG1112, they decided to adjust the complexity and make it such that each weekly lab assignment could be done within the 3 hrs given stipulated lab timing. In addition, a 10% tutorial attendance was included as a lot of people were very late or did not came at all for the lab sessions in EG1111. Generally, I did not particular enjoy this module a lot as I was learning triple E stuffs which was not really my interest. I am glad that I was in mechanical engineering and not triple e after taking this module. For both EG1111 and EG1112, if you want to do well, do well in mainly the two quizzes as averagely everyone else would have roughly the same marks for the other components as everything is bell-curved. The two quizzes are the main factor that will determine you grade as seen from both EG1111 and EG1112. For EG1111 I did quite well for the quizzes and got quite a good grade. Likewise for EG1112, I did very poorly for both quizzes and got quite a bad grade.
Expected Grade: C
Achieved Grade: B-
2) MA1512 (DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS FOR ENGINEERING)
2 MCs
20% Online quiz
80% Finals
Last time, there was MA1506, now it split into both MA1512 and MA1513, both 2 MCs each. MA1513 started off as first half of the semester and MA1512 continue off in the second half of the semester. For this module, there are both physical and online lectures. However, I just watched the online lectures and skip the physical one because essentially they covered the same content of the topic and I could do the tutorial questions.The structuring of the notes of MA1512 was quite bad though. Like the other math modules, you can bring in an A4 double sized cheat-sheet into the exam hall. To score well in this module, just practice as much as you can and write down all the formulas and past year questions with workings on the cheat-sheet. Even if you dont get the final answer, as long as you write down some formulas and working, you will still score some marks. Unlike MA1505 and MA1513, the tutorials are not graded. For the online quiz, it is just 4 long questions. Basically its a giveaway too because you can discuss it with your friends and the questions are not relatively difficult too. Personally, I enjoyed doing calculus so I do enjoyed this module a lot even though a lot of other people hated it a lot.
Expected Grade: B+
Achieved Grade: A-
3) MA1513 (LINEAR ALGEBRA WITH DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS)
2 MCs
15% Online quiz
15% In class Assignment
70% Finals
This module covered more in depth contents on vectors and matrices. Like MA1505, there were in class assignments that were graded. There were also online and physical lectures, which I only just watched the online lectures though. For the online quizzes, you can submit it online any amount of times until you reach the deadline, which will be one week later. It is very advisable to discuss these quizzes every week with your friend if you want to secure the full 15% component. The bell-curve for this module is generally quite high and one small careless mistake could cost you, so do slowly.
Expected Grade: B+
Achieved Grade: B
4) GER1000 (QUANTITATIVE REASONING)
4 MCs
30% Finals
20% Online Quiz
30% Project
20% Tutorial Attendance
This module is one of the 5 GE modules that you have to cleared in NUS. It is a compulsory module, being the only module in the GER pillar. If you are staying in halls/RCs, you can also choose to take this module with your hall/RCs people. There is no physical lecture of this module and all the lectures are all online. The tutorial session is only once per two weeks, either odd or even. To score the tutorial component marks, all you just have to do is attend the tutorial and answer whatever the TA asked you. For my tutorial, my TA set up a random generator, so whoever got chosen have to represent their groups and present one of the answers. By the way, you guys will be grouped for your projects which you will be presenting around week 12/13. For the finals, it will be MCQs and the recommended way to practice for is to spam practice and past year papers questions. Likewise, most people should be getting roughly about the same average score for the rest of the components, what determines the most of the grade for this module will be the final quiz. It will usually be an MCQ but it is very tricky, be it the calculations or concepts. Most people feel that what they learnt from this module does not really have much use as there are other modules out there which provides more depth and scope into statistics On the contrary, I really enjoyed this module a lot personally.
Expected Grade: B+
Achieved Grade: B
5) SSA1206/GES1023 (REPRESENTING SINGAPORE)
4 MCs
20% Mid Terms
20% Term Paper
20% Tutorial
40% Project
This module is a GE module, under the GES pillars. I choose the module as I found that the contents covered and the way it is covered is very interesting. I also initially chose this module because it is also an arts module and I love writing essays. Unfortunately, the lecture is not webcasted. For the mid-term, you will have to answer both questions by writing two short essays each physically on the exam booklet. Ever since after A levels and even into uni first semester, all my essay assignments were due online on soft-copy so I typed it out on Word Document. It was my first time after a few years physically writing on a physical hard copy paper. After about half an hour into the paper, my hand was super pain not being conditioned into taking up a pen and scribbling down at a super fast pace. In the end, everyone did quite badly for the paper and they have to moderate the marks by adding a few marks to our initial score. For the term paper, you will be given the question in about 1 month in advance to prepare for it. For the tutorial, as long as you turn out and take part actively in class participation you will be given the marks. For the project, you will be grouped in about 3-4 and you can either do a full report, a creative project consisting of a short story write-up, a film, etc. This will constitute 30% to your total grades and the other 10% will be your final reflection about this module. For me personally, I kinda gave up halfway as I gotten quite badly from the term paper, a C+ actually. I feel that this module is unfair as everything like literally 100% of this module is graded by your TA. If your essay style doesn't suit your TA, you might not be able to score that well.
Expected Grade: B-
Achieved Grade: B-
6) EG2201A (INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN THINKING)
4MCs
This module is a special module, under the IDP programme (Innovation Design Programme). It is a 2nd major programme that is design focused based. I could have taken the other module which involves lots of electronics and coding, something which I am not too good and have a lack of interest in. This module teaches and gives you a brief introduction to design-thinking, which is something very interesting. For most people when comes to problem solving in the world they only think about the solution itself. However in design thinking, it actually teaches us on how to find out what is the problem itself. Put it in simple terms, even though the solution might seems too good, it might not specifically solve the main particular problem. For my semester, there were two projects being done and you will be shuffled randomly into two different groups for the two projects. Overall, I enjoyed this module a lot as it equipped me with interesting skill-sets and I really enjoyed the whole design-thinking process
Expected Grade: A-
Achieved Grade: A-
Overall, this semester was a pretty chill 4 months and i wished I had overloaded as some days I have too much free time. I was pretty disappointed with my GER1000 grade as I did not have enough SU and it pulled down my cap by quite a bit.
Friday 3 May 2019
🎉 Reflection of my year 1 AY 2018/2019 in NUS
Glad and yet sad that in a blink of an eye, year 1 passed. It was a meaningful AY as I had fruitful takeaways and experiences. Initially, before entering university, I was conflicted in either entering engineering or business school. I prayed to God to ask Him to show me a way. In the end, I did not did too well for my A levels, so I could only enter engineering courses. I got into common engineering in the end, as I was unsure of which engineering should I specialise into. I was thinking of going to either chemical or mechanical, but for me personally I chose to go into the mechanical pathway in the end as I realised I have more passion leaning towards the mechanical side.
I also decided to enter the IDP (Innovation Design Programme), a special double major programme that is design-centric focused. This is because initially I wanted to enter a business related course, but I could not. I initially contemplated taking a business minor but when I chanced upon this programme, I realised that this programme/second major might be more applicable because it is specially catered towards engineering students and it equipped us with also technical skills in addition to just some entrepreneur and marketing skills. It would be also very useful in my life because I would love to be involved in start-ups or kick-start my own. It would also help me in networking too. I loved the content being taught in my first IDP module EG2201A even though some of my friends find it to be fluffed. I also decided to join the IDP student club to serve in the business development committee.
I realised that after being enrolled in this programme, God was in control even evidently in my academics life. I wanted to be an inventor when I was young, a young childhood dream. However as I grow up, I have different dreams along the way. After being enrolled in this programme for quite a while, I realised God was fulfilling my childhood dream possibly through this programme.
This was my first AY uni year in uni. I came in with few friends and came out with much more. Initially, I took a group of my church friend who study mechanical engineering and created a whatsapp group. In the end, together with a few mutual friends who happened to be Christians too, we became close and studied together and became close. It was surprising as I did not expect God to also move that way through my social life in university.
Initially, I wanted to join some other CCAs in uni. However, God still led me to joining CF (christian fellowship), something which I did not plan or expected to happen. I was pretty grateful for this christian community as it is a place where I can truly call home. It is a place where I received comfort and encouragement and love when I most needed it. I really thank God that God have placed me in such a warm and loving group of people who really love God too.
Pic: Engin CF, a group of christian community that really changed my life around
I also participated in Innoventure and my group decided to work on a RFID scanner machine that enables tracing and tracking of medicine pills and the medical equipment too. Even though our group did not clinch any awards, it was nonetheless a good and rewarding experience.
The facilities and study areas in Engineering Faculty are excellent, especially the IDP studios in which now my clique always study in. Techno edge, our canteen, and MacDonald, was shut down the next semester for renovation. It was a pity as I only got to enjoy techno edge for only a semester. After techno edge went into renovation, there was temporarily takeaway food stores being set up outside the LT 6 area. Even though it was slightly more pricey as compared to canteen food prices (both techno edge and the Deck), I still find it very convenient as I could get my food in takeaway boxes within minutes that could be conveniently brought to lecture theaters or tutorial classrooms if I do not have enough time to buy and eat food.
Most of the lecturers and teaching assistants are very kind and helpful and they are very willing to go an extra mile to help their students. In terms of academics, no doubt the content are more heavier and tougher than what I had learnt in junior college. However, I feel that this is favourable for me in the bell curve. In A levels, everyone has a whopping of two years to study and revise through the content. However in university, given a typical normal module half the content of a H2 subject might be covered over the span of just 4 months. Most people wont be able to master over these content in time as they confirm have other commitments like halls, RCs, CCAs, other activities and competitions and also some of them might be working part time. Thus I feel generally the bell curve was in my favour especially if the module might be slightly tougher. My overall cap after two semester was pretty decent of just 4.17. Not too high up but still I am glad especially with all the SUs in first AY.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed my university life and prefer it over my A levels and definitely over my army life due to the toxicity especially in NS. I really enjoyed it due to the fact that the tutorials are very short (just one hour or some even once per two weeks) as compared to junior college where the same content is covered for a few weeks and lots of hours just to cover the same content. In addition, I could wear anything I want and comfortable with, especially a simple plain T-shirt with casual shorts and slippers. My timetable was also flexible and the time I spent in uni is much lesser as compared to junior college. I could really do much more stuffs as I have more time such as giving tuition, investing in my cell group and also my CF. I hope for a better and blessed time in my next semester too.
I also decided to enter the IDP (Innovation Design Programme), a special double major programme that is design-centric focused. This is because initially I wanted to enter a business related course, but I could not. I initially contemplated taking a business minor but when I chanced upon this programme, I realised that this programme/second major might be more applicable because it is specially catered towards engineering students and it equipped us with also technical skills in addition to just some entrepreneur and marketing skills. It would be also very useful in my life because I would love to be involved in start-ups or kick-start my own. It would also help me in networking too. I loved the content being taught in my first IDP module EG2201A even though some of my friends find it to be fluffed. I also decided to join the IDP student club to serve in the business development committee.
I realised that after being enrolled in this programme, God was in control even evidently in my academics life. I wanted to be an inventor when I was young, a young childhood dream. However as I grow up, I have different dreams along the way. After being enrolled in this programme for quite a while, I realised God was fulfilling my childhood dream possibly through this programme.
This was my first AY uni year in uni. I came in with few friends and came out with much more. Initially, I took a group of my church friend who study mechanical engineering and created a whatsapp group. In the end, together with a few mutual friends who happened to be Christians too, we became close and studied together and became close. It was surprising as I did not expect God to also move that way through my social life in university.
Initially, I wanted to join some other CCAs in uni. However, God still led me to joining CF (christian fellowship), something which I did not plan or expected to happen. I was pretty grateful for this christian community as it is a place where I can truly call home. It is a place where I received comfort and encouragement and love when I most needed it. I really thank God that God have placed me in such a warm and loving group of people who really love God too.
I also participated in Innoventure and my group decided to work on a RFID scanner machine that enables tracing and tracking of medicine pills and the medical equipment too. Even though our group did not clinch any awards, it was nonetheless a good and rewarding experience.
The facilities and study areas in Engineering Faculty are excellent, especially the IDP studios in which now my clique always study in. Techno edge, our canteen, and MacDonald, was shut down the next semester for renovation. It was a pity as I only got to enjoy techno edge for only a semester. After techno edge went into renovation, there was temporarily takeaway food stores being set up outside the LT 6 area. Even though it was slightly more pricey as compared to canteen food prices (both techno edge and the Deck), I still find it very convenient as I could get my food in takeaway boxes within minutes that could be conveniently brought to lecture theaters or tutorial classrooms if I do not have enough time to buy and eat food.
Most of the lecturers and teaching assistants are very kind and helpful and they are very willing to go an extra mile to help their students. In terms of academics, no doubt the content are more heavier and tougher than what I had learnt in junior college. However, I feel that this is favourable for me in the bell curve. In A levels, everyone has a whopping of two years to study and revise through the content. However in university, given a typical normal module half the content of a H2 subject might be covered over the span of just 4 months. Most people wont be able to master over these content in time as they confirm have other commitments like halls, RCs, CCAs, other activities and competitions and also some of them might be working part time. Thus I feel generally the bell curve was in my favour especially if the module might be slightly tougher. My overall cap after two semester was pretty decent of just 4.17. Not too high up but still I am glad especially with all the SUs in first AY.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed my university life and prefer it over my A levels and definitely over my army life due to the toxicity especially in NS. I really enjoyed it due to the fact that the tutorials are very short (just one hour or some even once per two weeks) as compared to junior college where the same content is covered for a few weeks and lots of hours just to cover the same content. In addition, I could wear anything I want and comfortable with, especially a simple plain T-shirt with casual shorts and slippers. My timetable was also flexible and the time I spent in uni is much lesser as compared to junior college. I could really do much more stuffs as I have more time such as giving tuition, investing in my cell group and also my CF. I hope for a better and blessed time in my next semester too.
Sunday 13 January 2019
📄 ANNTIC 2018
You guys might be wondering what does ANNTIC stands for? Well ANNTIC stands for ANNual Teach In Camp. I am in VCF (Varsity Christian Fellowship) in my school NUS. ANNTIC is an annual bible camp that is being held by VCF. Initially, I did not fully know what the camp was all about. However, when one of my senior in my CF asked me to serve, I felt that the Lord was prompting and challenging me to serve in ANNTIC as one of the committee members. I have not previously serve in my church camps as a committee member at all and I felt I would not have time to serve as a committee member in one of my faculty camps as I felt that I might be doing an Internship for my upcoming summer holidays. I wanted to experience first hand what it takes as a committee member and experiences what it is like behind the scenes. I felt led by God to step up in faith and serve in this camp. Especially in a christian bible camp, I want to also see how God moves in a christian camp.
I decided to join the committee. I initially wanted to just be one of the publicity member. However, my president for the camp coerced me into serving as one of the logistics member also because at that point in time, there were no logistics member yet. Her reason was that most of the workload as a publicity member would be done heavily before the camp. During the camp the workload of an logistic member would then be needed. So it would not be so physically daunting on me as I would be able to serve freely both before the camp and on the day of the camp itself.
Even though I was one of the two only year 1 inexperienced committee member and the only engineering member in it and I did not knew any of the rest committee member initially at first, every single of them treated me extremely nice. They welcomed me with love into their community. Even though I was not the one who always contributed the most, they still love me and accepted me for who I am.
I am also very thankful for two of my other logistics committee member (Daniel being the logs IC who took charge and Leonard someone who is well versed in the sounds engineer AVA field) who helped me a lot and tanked a lot of stuffs for me. Without them, things would not run as smoothly and get done.
The meetings and the workload before the camp itself was not overwhelming, I thank God for it too that these did not heavily adversely affected my studies or grades. We also went to recce the place once. We had a good meal at JB and the food was absolutely scrumptious.
Somehow, I became the person in charge of coordinating the bus. At first, I was not receptive towards this responsibility because in charging of the bus coordination meant a lot. If I screwed up, its mean no bus to ferry all 100 plus campers and some facilitators and even the main guest speaker. I was at first a bit scared as the person who I was in contact with would reply me very slowly and also when I wanted the bus to be initially at staggered timings, she keep taking it to be all the bus to be arrived at the same exact timing. However, in the end, all it is well and she arranged the bus timing at the staggered timing I wanted all along.
I kept praying all day long one week before the camp started. I knew I was very inexperienced as I was only year 1 and had not been to the camp once while at least the rest of the other committee members been before more than once.
During the first day, all seem well. My group members seem pretty pleasant and coincidentally, one of my close friends was in the same group as me. Glad to have interesting and godly conversations with my group mates and slowly, we became vulnerable and started to share with each other more about our life, insights and also encouragements to each other. During meal times, my group mates were quite caring and loving as they helped to serve each other the food and also with the clean up. We got closer and closer throughout the whole 6 days.
On the first day of the camp itself, it was also the release of my results. I was praying very hard because I screwed up the finals for both MA1505 (math paper) and PC1431 (physics paper). In addition, I was also very worried for my CS1010E (computing) as I was super bad at it. I was very worried that I could not pass my CS1010E and will have to repeat that module again. Thank God because in the end, I passed my CS1010E and did above average for the other modules.
Almost all of the normal campers slept in the dormitories bunks, whereby they segregated girls and guys. Each bunk got like about 60 plus beds, a double deck bed with a few single bed. However, for the committee, we were very fortunate as our accommodation were the chalets. It was like a hotel experience as the rooms were like in a hotel room. Even though the rooms were kinda small as compared to a hotel room, there were air-cons and blankets and the bed was terrific. The toilet was very clean. There was even a refrigerator in the kitchen.
As the day goes by, things went pretty well by God's grace considering that me and Daniel were first year students. Leonard helped to tank most of the AV stuffs given that he had some prior experiences in his church. We had late night meetings though everyday and we slept quite late each day.
On the second day, we went out to shop to get more supplies, food and necessities. We ate some restaurant which sold delicious roasted meat and duck and we ordered two platters of the roasted meat dish. We also had some meaningful conversations about life during the car trip. Thank God for our driver Vincent who was willing to drive us around and also showed us around JB since he lived in JB.
It was my first time going ANNTIC and I really wanted to forge meaningful friendships as much as possible with my group-mates. We played ball games during one of the small breaks (meant to sleep). There was one night where we had a heart-to-heart talk regarding relationships. I was low-key sad that I missed the majority initial part of the talk as I had a very long committee meeting. One of the committee member told me to ask everyone who are still loitering around the camp to return back to sleep. However, I knew that my group members were still talking and I also wanted to join in as I felt a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). So after the meeting, I brought my group mates to other locations to talk which were deeper in. However, only a few of them stayed back as it got quite late into the night. We went into somewhere deeper behind the toilets area to chill talk. However, 30 minutes later, one of my committee members spotted us and we all had to go back to sleep. On the way back I felt damn awkward as I was as fault as I should not have further encouraged my group to continue talking instead of going back to sleep and resting well for the next day. However, it was my first anntic camp and I really do not want to be left out and wanted to really bond with my group mates.
Time flew by quickly and in the blink of an eye, it was the finale night, second last day of camp. I was very blessed that my close friend led worship as a worship leader during the worship session of the finale night. When the finale night ended, I wanted to help out. However, my chairperson told me to not help out and enjoy the time to be spent with my group. I felt really touched by her kind act of gesture and compassion as she was able to sense I really loved by group a lot and I really treasured the friendship with my group mates. I felt really grateful as it was my duty as a committee member to help pack up right after the finale night, but I was told by my chairperson to just relax and enjoy the time to be spent with my group-mate. I also felt guilty as my chairperson saw how attached I grew with my group and she did not want to ruin that last few moments in the camp with my group being my first time in this camp. I felt extremely blessed and touched by her warm decision.
During the camp itself, I also learnt a lot of things. What the guest speaker taught about contextualization was quite useful in our current lives. It was also my first time doing IBS (Inductive Bible Study) and I found it to be very interesting. It taught me how to look at the bible from different angles and different perspectives. From then on, I started to read currently Revelations and Isaiah using commentaries to further understand what the passage is talking about. It was something I could also bring back to my cell group in helping them to further understand the bible better.
The bus journey from Majodi to JB central also went pretty well. There were not much delays and everything went pretty smooth and well. Overall, I saw how God was very faithful throughout the whole camp. Most of things went pretty smooth and well. Even though it was my first time in ANNTIC and also being part of a committee for a bible/"church" camp, God was the one who kept providing me strength and courage till the very end in stepping into unknown waters. I thank God for giving me an opportunity to serve Him as a logs and pubs member in this camp. 1 Samuel 12: 24 Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.
Pic: My ANNTIC group
Pic: My FOC group in 2018
Pic: 2 of my church friends
Pic: me and my pal shandon
Pic: me and Engin CF!
Pic: my ever first recharge group in Engin Cf!!!
Pic: went out to eat on say 2
Pic: Me and my comm members
I decided to join the committee. I initially wanted to just be one of the publicity member. However, my president for the camp coerced me into serving as one of the logistics member also because at that point in time, there were no logistics member yet. Her reason was that most of the workload as a publicity member would be done heavily before the camp. During the camp the workload of an logistic member would then be needed. So it would not be so physically daunting on me as I would be able to serve freely both before the camp and on the day of the camp itself.
Even though I was one of the two only year 1 inexperienced committee member and the only engineering member in it and I did not knew any of the rest committee member initially at first, every single of them treated me extremely nice. They welcomed me with love into their community. Even though I was not the one who always contributed the most, they still love me and accepted me for who I am.
I am also very thankful for two of my other logistics committee member (Daniel being the logs IC who took charge and Leonard someone who is well versed in the sounds engineer AVA field) who helped me a lot and tanked a lot of stuffs for me. Without them, things would not run as smoothly and get done.
The meetings and the workload before the camp itself was not overwhelming, I thank God for it too that these did not heavily adversely affected my studies or grades. We also went to recce the place once. We had a good meal at JB and the food was absolutely scrumptious.
Somehow, I became the person in charge of coordinating the bus. At first, I was not receptive towards this responsibility because in charging of the bus coordination meant a lot. If I screwed up, its mean no bus to ferry all 100 plus campers and some facilitators and even the main guest speaker. I was at first a bit scared as the person who I was in contact with would reply me very slowly and also when I wanted the bus to be initially at staggered timings, she keep taking it to be all the bus to be arrived at the same exact timing. However, in the end, all it is well and she arranged the bus timing at the staggered timing I wanted all along.
I kept praying all day long one week before the camp started. I knew I was very inexperienced as I was only year 1 and had not been to the camp once while at least the rest of the other committee members been before more than once.
During the first day, all seem well. My group members seem pretty pleasant and coincidentally, one of my close friends was in the same group as me. Glad to have interesting and godly conversations with my group mates and slowly, we became vulnerable and started to share with each other more about our life, insights and also encouragements to each other. During meal times, my group mates were quite caring and loving as they helped to serve each other the food and also with the clean up. We got closer and closer throughout the whole 6 days.
On the first day of the camp itself, it was also the release of my results. I was praying very hard because I screwed up the finals for both MA1505 (math paper) and PC1431 (physics paper). In addition, I was also very worried for my CS1010E (computing) as I was super bad at it. I was very worried that I could not pass my CS1010E and will have to repeat that module again. Thank God because in the end, I passed my CS1010E and did above average for the other modules.
Almost all of the normal campers slept in the dormitories bunks, whereby they segregated girls and guys. Each bunk got like about 60 plus beds, a double deck bed with a few single bed. However, for the committee, we were very fortunate as our accommodation were the chalets. It was like a hotel experience as the rooms were like in a hotel room. Even though the rooms were kinda small as compared to a hotel room, there were air-cons and blankets and the bed was terrific. The toilet was very clean. There was even a refrigerator in the kitchen.
As the day goes by, things went pretty well by God's grace considering that me and Daniel were first year students. Leonard helped to tank most of the AV stuffs given that he had some prior experiences in his church. We had late night meetings though everyday and we slept quite late each day.
On the second day, we went out to shop to get more supplies, food and necessities. We ate some restaurant which sold delicious roasted meat and duck and we ordered two platters of the roasted meat dish. We also had some meaningful conversations about life during the car trip. Thank God for our driver Vincent who was willing to drive us around and also showed us around JB since he lived in JB.
It was my first time going ANNTIC and I really wanted to forge meaningful friendships as much as possible with my group-mates. We played ball games during one of the small breaks (meant to sleep). There was one night where we had a heart-to-heart talk regarding relationships. I was low-key sad that I missed the majority initial part of the talk as I had a very long committee meeting. One of the committee member told me to ask everyone who are still loitering around the camp to return back to sleep. However, I knew that my group members were still talking and I also wanted to join in as I felt a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). So after the meeting, I brought my group mates to other locations to talk which were deeper in. However, only a few of them stayed back as it got quite late into the night. We went into somewhere deeper behind the toilets area to chill talk. However, 30 minutes later, one of my committee members spotted us and we all had to go back to sleep. On the way back I felt damn awkward as I was as fault as I should not have further encouraged my group to continue talking instead of going back to sleep and resting well for the next day. However, it was my first anntic camp and I really do not want to be left out and wanted to really bond with my group mates.
Time flew by quickly and in the blink of an eye, it was the finale night, second last day of camp. I was very blessed that my close friend led worship as a worship leader during the worship session of the finale night. When the finale night ended, I wanted to help out. However, my chairperson told me to not help out and enjoy the time to be spent with my group. I felt really touched by her kind act of gesture and compassion as she was able to sense I really loved by group a lot and I really treasured the friendship with my group mates. I felt really grateful as it was my duty as a committee member to help pack up right after the finale night, but I was told by my chairperson to just relax and enjoy the time to be spent with my group-mate. I also felt guilty as my chairperson saw how attached I grew with my group and she did not want to ruin that last few moments in the camp with my group being my first time in this camp. I felt extremely blessed and touched by her warm decision.
During the camp itself, I also learnt a lot of things. What the guest speaker taught about contextualization was quite useful in our current lives. It was also my first time doing IBS (Inductive Bible Study) and I found it to be very interesting. It taught me how to look at the bible from different angles and different perspectives. From then on, I started to read currently Revelations and Isaiah using commentaries to further understand what the passage is talking about. It was something I could also bring back to my cell group in helping them to further understand the bible better.
The bus journey from Majodi to JB central also went pretty well. There were not much delays and everything went pretty smooth and well. Overall, I saw how God was very faithful throughout the whole camp. Most of things went pretty smooth and well. Even though it was my first time in ANNTIC and also being part of a committee for a bible/"church" camp, God was the one who kept providing me strength and courage till the very end in stepping into unknown waters. I thank God for giving me an opportunity to serve Him as a logs and pubs member in this camp. 1 Samuel 12: 24 Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.
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