Interesting characters
Since I blog about the retreat yesterday, thought I'd blog about the committee today, and what I've discovered about some of my fellow classmates through working together =) And I've also moved parts of what I wrote about the committee in yesterday's blog to today's (yesterday's blog was simply too lengthy already ...)
We had a big committee this year, 18 of us (SK was roped in when the retreat started to help ease Coll's role), but nonetheless it was a good balance and mix of different personalities and characters, different strengths and weaknesses. The amazing thing is that throughout the planning and retreat itself, we had no major arguments or disagreements - in fact, the beautiful thing about this committee is that we complemented one another so well, watching out for one another, highlighting each other something that we had forgotten or overlooked, helping out whenever we can even though we had specific roles assigned already, etc, etc. The other amazing thing is how each other fitted so well into the roles assigned to them:-
- we had a good match of chair (Wen) and vice-chair (Dan) to lead the entire team. Wen, you are such a no-nonsense person, but yet you are also easily excitable and reacts like a little kid during such times. Dan, I'm so tickled by your "aiyo, so cute!!" exclamation when you saw that teddy-bear shaped jelly (haha, I still can't come to terms with how a guy loves teddy bears, and soft toy teddy bears I mean) and how you tried to "resuscitate" the teddy bear jelly. "First, check pulse ... no pulse. Next check breathing ... no breathing. ok, 1, 2, 3, blow ... (performing CPR on a bear, can you imagine??). Guess you were rather disappointed that you didn't get to use your CPR knowledge during the retreat outdoor game huh, since there was no casulty (thank God for that). Aiyo, you really made me laugh till I teared ... your super "aunty" side that I've finally seen ... haha.
- we had a great secretary (Angie) reminding us of the deadlines, generating minutes, compiling all other data we ever had to work on, etc. Angie, you are just super efficient, even amidst all the papers and assignments, your minutes and reminders are always prompt and early. Praise God for your lovely dance movements unto Him!
- we had the most COOL and composed guys (Bro & Chye) ever for logistics, never was there a time they flare up at us when we requested for the day-to-day logistical needs. Bro, your steadiness was what we all can depend on, like even if the sky falls on you, don't worry it's not the end of the world. The only time you were incoherent was at 9.20pm after the retreat ended, giving a new name, in your physically and mentally tired state, to one of our faculty ... haha. And yes, Chye, you are the other so obliging and dependable guy - and for adding the much needed humour at the end of the day, "station master at B1, please note that your "pins" for the bowling game won't be there waiting for you - you have to arrange them yourself, it's not part of the logistic portfolio", haha.
- we had the most detail minded team (Pal & xiao-di) pairing up to take care of the registration needs (from sorting out the messy data to generating name-tags, labelling the different counters, filing each day's attendance, etc). Hey pal, you proved to me that you did it!! You can be on time, even early - but for once only ... hahaha. Xiao-di, you impressed me with your meticulous and detail-mindedness - sorting out all the messy data, generating all the name-tags, doing all the changes now and then, labelling the various registration points, filing the attendance sheets so nicely, and even remembering to remind us about the arranagement of food servers during meal times.
- we had the most meticulous pair (HC & Thoa) looking into our physical needs, liaising with Uncle Liew on the dietary requirements. HC, it was fun manning the station with you and glad to know you better too - haha, the prospective Uncle Liew's successor =) Thoa, it was a lovely idea getting the names of the faculty onto a name-plate (is that what it's called??). At least this year we don't have to chase after papers stuck onto tables, but blown away by the wind, to indicate which FGs are seated at the different tables.
- we had the most creative publicity guys (Coll & SK) that took time off to shot pictures of us, produce video clips, etc - so much so that these work took a great deal of time from them that they had to miss out on the programs and fun. Coll, despite being unwell, we knew you tried your best to be present as much as you can, and always rushing back to do the editing and getting whatever you can done. Don't feel bad about not being able to get the shots taken during the retreat to be screen on Finale night - your safety is more important. I'm glad the final decision is we will do without it, so that you don't have to rush down to college. SK, thanks for being so accomodating even at the last hour, standing in for Coll in his absence to capture memories of the retreat. And yes, I'm just amused by your spontaneity -and I think you almost drove the college chaplain nuts when he brief us on the service procedures ... "remember to count to 3 seconds before you say "this is the word of the Lord", but oh, count silently ..." and there you go, "1 ... 2 ... 3" (echoing the JESUS song); and when he reminded you about giving out the offering bags to the ushers, there you go with the JESUS action again ... I thought he was really going bersek ... haha.
- we had the best pair ever (Ant & Jack) cracking their brains to plan for the outdoor game, recce the places for us, testing out the timing of the games, running through all the details, preparing all the paper work, and containing everything within budget, haha. Jack, you amazes me - from taking morning chapel to playing for worship during the Opening service to anchoring the Finale Night event, you are superb! But watch it, brother, don't be overly obliging otherwise you will get burn-out very easily. And Ant, your ever calm and composed "don't worry" kind of steadiness was just what I needed, especially during the Opening Service, and of course your dry humor which xiao-mei mentioned in her email to us all - the 15 ways (or rather hairstyles) you are experimenting your hair with, haha.
- we had the best trio ever (xiao-mei, Kim & JH) looking into the indoor activity, dance, translations, etc. Xiao-mei, you are simply a gem where creativity is concerned - from dance movements to transforming the MPH for the night. And your ever ready to help attitude when help is needed. And thanks for bringing laughter to us when you ask how to identify the new faculty, "Name-tags have name on it, right?" Ya, sure ... =) Kim, wow I really got to know you better through this comm. Didn't know you can be that crazy and of course, for your very good perspective and reminders when we were overly caught up in our emotions and reacted to things. And JH, I'm just so impressed by your effectively bilingual ability - versatile will be the word I'll use on you. Although you only join the comm. towards the tail-end part of our planning, but I'm glad you fit in quite easily with us, going crazy with all of us, learning and enjoying the dance, haha.
- we also had wonderful Paul who helped link the post-graduate students as they settle down to their new environment and assimilating them to college life. Hey Paul, you just made me forget my troubles with your laughter, especially when you were beside me serving the rest during meals and I had to tell the person I'm serving, "Can you please turn your plate ..." so I can pile the dish I was serving onto the plate. I'm still puzzled about what tickle you each time I say that, that you always burst out laughing???
Thank God for all of you - it makes serving the Lord a lot more enjoyable and less stressful!
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