Hi! it has been 4 days since Christmas! which means 5 days to sch reopening! haha

On 27th Dec, Wed..
We went to guides hq to take our speaker's badge. We had various topics such as gender bias, my ancestry and hopes for the future, three experiences i had in school and so on..

PLs were made to give the speech on stage and thereafter, PLs will take different patrols and test them accordingly.

The good news was that everyone who turned up that day passed the speakers badge (:

and we also get to sing taps around the trefoil in the hq, forming circles and stuff, rather different from the normal one we do.

anyway! enjoy the last few days of holidays, rest well and get ready for the new school term!

Hello all! :D

Here's a story to share, and hope everyone will learn something from it!

Once, a rich man employed a chef to take care of all his meals, and the chef has superb culinary skills, especially his ability to cook delicious soups. One day, the rich man drank a big bowl of soup, and was amazed at how delicious the soup taste. So finally, the rich man went up to the chef and asked, "How did you manage to whip up such delicious dishes? I'm sure you have some secret recipes!" The chef replied, "The beef is nothing special, the pepper is as common, the onions could be bought from the market too, but when I put myself into it, everything is just different."

Actually, this story applies to our life as well. Some things can be simple or boring on the surface, but when you put your heart and soul into it, it just makes a difference. Give your best in everything, and it will really get the passion going! :D

Hello all! Time really flies, and before you know it, Christmas is just a day away!

How's everyone coping in this season of giving/sharing (and growing fat)? I'm sure everyone is having fun during this holidays, be it just going out with your friends and catching a movie, or going on a shopping trip with all the salary earned from the work during the holidays! But always remember, even when we are indulging ourselves in times of joy & happiness, never forget to lend out a helping hand to others.

If you look carefully, there are actually many people/things that needs our help. It could be just something small to you, but it could mean a life time of gratitude to that someone. And if you're thinking that you would not be able to do anything, then you're wrong. We all have special talents and we can help someone out that we see feeling down. It takes only a few moments to be able to know why someone is not feeling happy. Take that time from your usual day and listen. Most importantly, we are here to help each other and all of us have that special talent to do it. Use yours today.

And just a gentle reminder to everyone, please do remember about the speakers' badge test at HQ this Wednesday, 27th December!

And all in all, may everyone have a wonderful & meaningful Christmas!

Merry Christmas! :D

Hello all!

Monday was the kayaking initiative for the sec3s, but before that we had "leadership seminar" at Mrs Chin's house. After the session, we broke up into 2 groups, one group went cycling and the other went kayaking. Unfortunately, it poured! So, the group of us went to have lunch before we proceeded to Tampines Safra, with the intention to bowl. In the end, half of us ended up in the pool (the nice lifeguard let us in for free, with our shirts on) while the other half went to wash up as we were all drenched from the rain. After the initiatives (which failed), we met up with the rest and had dinner at Swensens at Parkway Parade, which was the guiders' treat. We had our fill and had gift exchange before we left.











Yesterday, Wednesday, we had a sharing session within the company, which was exactly the same thing the Sec3s did at Mrs Chin's place. We went through goal settings and activities review as patrols and shared our point of views with each other. We also set up our patrol slogan, which will last us for next year.

P1: "Teamwork makes the team do work"
P2: "I am not seh, we are seh"
P3: "A three without a H is just a solitary tree"
P4: Sorry I can't remember this!! It's super long, okay let me try!
" one person = one wooden chopstick
one patrol = one bunch of wooden chopsticks
super man = one metal chop stick
one metal chopstick = one bunch of wooden chopstick"
P5: "Kingfisher Ohana, TEAM" (which I forgot what they stand for =s)
P6: "Ixora, shine beyond the stars"
P7: " No (something), no (something). No Orians, No distance"
P8: "United we stand, divided we fall"

Ahh sorry to those patrols which I forgot about their slogans!! Sorry for mistakes too =s yep, we had lunch + kite flying and revealed orientation groupings. Some groups stayed back for a while to start on their discussion while the others went back.









Today, Thursday, was orientation preparation/practise. We split up into our own orientation groupings and started working on our individual stuff. This year's theme is: hippy guides and scouts. Hippy means awareness and alertness, and it is important for guides to be aware of their surroundings. We have traditional games performance- Sheng Qiao + Fireman Ladder, souveniers, outdoor cooking, PA, stage overviewer, gadgets, mini games (building a viking ship most probably and side transverse) and etc etc. can't remember =s We were pretty much on our own today and it seems like we accomplished quite a bit! Good job everyone!

Everyone take care of yourselves! And work harder for the actual orientation preparation on the first week when school starts!

Enjoy your last week of holidays / Happy rushing-homework week!

Hello!

This blog is pretty much dead from what it seems =s Keep it burning, keep it going!

Anyway, here are some reminders for the Sec3s!

Those who did not go for the gala dinner thing, remember that there's the heritage trail competition this Friday(15th) from 8.30am-1.00pm, be in coy tee and track pants and assemble at Zhong Hwa Secondary School's foyer promptly. Remember to bring some papers and pens to take down things so as to make the heritage badge project easier (: remember that the deadline for the heritage badge project is on the day when we go back for orientation preparation (details not up yet)!

And remember there is the kayaking initiative on 18th! Details not done yet, will ask Grace about it! Remember that on that day, everyone has got to hand in their ATC reflection form, ATC reflection for respective I/Cs, NYAA reflection form and for those in Camp Challenge, the Camp Challenge reflection that Mrs Chin wants! Remember to bring extra clothings because of the dinner with guiders after kayaking! Details will be posted at a later time (:

Guess everyone's been too caught up in their world during this holiday! Hope everyone will have a meaningful holiday spent because when school reopens, it is back to stress, homework, endless amounts of tests and exams! And for the Sec4s next year who are going to take O level, THEIR O LEVEL!

Have fun during this holiday everyone!

An advanced Merry X'mas and a happy new year! May everyone enjoy during this festive season!

Let me end off with a story(:

THE MAN WHO WILLED HIMSELF TO DIE

There was a man who worked for the railroad. One day as
he went into the freezer compartment to do his routine
work, the door accidentally closed and he found himself
trapped in the compartment. He shouted for help but no
one heard him since it was past midnight. He tried to
break down the door but he could not. As he lay in the
freezer compartment, he began to feel colder, and
colder. Then he began to feel weaker, and weaker, and
he wrote on the wall of the compartment, “I am feeling
colder, and colder; and I am getting weaker, and
weaker. I am dying, and this may be my last words”. In
the morning when the other workers opened up the
compartment they found him dead. The sad twist to the
above story is that the freezing apparatus in the
compartment had broke down a few days earlier. The poor
worker did not know about the damaged freezing
apparatus and in his mind the freezing apparatus was
working perfectly. He felt cold, got weaker and
literally willed himself to die.

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Our sub-conscious mind can be cheated. The
sub-conscious mind can only accept and act on
information passed to it by the conscious mind. It has
no capacity to reject or decline any instructions or
information passed to it by the conscious mind. In the
case of the poor worker, he consciously thought that he
was getting colder, weaker and dying and the
sub-conscious mind accepted the above instructions and
affected his physical body. That was how he willed
himself to die.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation,
for when you come back to your work your judgment will
be surer. Go some distance away because then the work
appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a
glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more
readily seen."

December's nearing! How's all? Hope everyone's coping fine! :D

This day has been given to you to use as you like. You can choose to waste it, or do something constructive. But what you do with this day is important because you have exchanged a day of your life for it. Then tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. Hope you will not regret the price you paid for it.

Happy Holidays! :D

A video for P3 Ignite, here to share with everyone else!

13th Nov to 16th Nov
We spent these 4 days at Camp Christine for our Annual Training Camp. I believed it was a great oppurtunity for all the guides to brush up their skills, knots and lashes. We also managed to complete clauses for our badge test.

For the year 1s, it was definately an eye-opening experience for them, building up their endurance level and building bonds amongst fellow guides.

For the year 2s, it was a chance to build up leadership and getting a chance to take care of the sec 1s and getting to know more about their juniors.

For the year 3s, we got to build up planning skills, and more orientated in organizing ourselves.

I believed these 4 days has been a worthwhile time spent, i could see the company becoming more bonded and of course seeing our juniors having an improvement in their skills and also having the sense of urgency. Of course, building up soft skills is as important as building up hard skills. Trainees have a chance to unleash their creativity through gadget making, obstacles journey and the most valueable of all is the care of concern they had showered each other that makes it worthwhile to continue being passionate about guiding.

Continue to pia for guides and have a good rest during the weekend and be fully charged for next mon's activity!

there was a carrot, egg and a coffee bean taken out from the fridge. all three of them were placed in hot water for awhile.

the carrot turns soft, the egg hardens, the coffee bean remains the same.

apply it back to life, hot water is the adversity we face in life, the carrot appears strong on the outside, but didnt manage to overcome the adversity, thus becoming soft. the egg appears fragile, yet the adversity made him stronger and the egg hardens, the coffee bean remains the same after the adversity.

so which one do u want to be?

the carrot?

the egg?

or the coffee bean?

think abt it.

1 more day to atc!

good luck guys!

Have you packed your bag for ATC?
Are you ready to take up the challenge?
Will you be willing to work towards the same goal as a patrol/company?
What are you expecting for this camp?


RMB - Expect the unexpected!


Count down to ATC 2oo6!
2 more days! :D

Hello all!

These few days had been quite hectic days, packing the guides room and patrols' cupboards. Hope everyone is still coping fine and good job to all those who helped in the packing days! :D

ATC is just around the corner, hope everyone has gotten their bags packed!

ATC is the time to prove yourself, but in the meantime, don't forget to help those around you. Everyone's doing the same thing, working hard together. If you see anyone in trouble, never hesitate to help. It may only take you some time of yours, but it might save the day of theirs. Always pia as a patrol, a jie, and a company. Throw away the self-orientated side, and be ready to help anyone at any time with a willing heart. Never only care for the best for your own patrol and oneself, yet neglecting how the other patrols are coping on, for you guys are ONE.

Do not leave the packing till Sunday night, have everything ready days before the camp, for procrastination aint a good habit. Remember to study your notes, drink more water & sleep early!


Have a good rest during the weekends, and get charged for ATC 2oo6! :D

Hello all!

Tomorrow is the day where OBS (Outward Bound Singapore) will officially start, and there are 11 Sec3s who will be going for it, namely:
P1 - Lihui
P2 - Esther, Eunice, Simin
P3 - Chengyi, Yiwei
p4 - June, Ziying
P5 - Junting
P6 - Wendy
P7 - Tricia

OBS is a camp where it aspires to develop character, leadership skills and team spirit through direct and purposeful experience in the outdoors. It will be a 5Days 4Nights camp, starting from the 6th November, Monday to 10th November, Friday.

Let's give them our moral support and may them come back with new great experiences gained! :D

And for everyone who's preparing hard for ATC, jiayou all the way! :D

Today, we had inspection for pre-camp items like the identities, flag and so on. We jihe-d at 9.30 am and started inspection from 10 all the way to 11.30.

This year, we had a more "special" inspection as all classrooms were locked. Trainees were to standardise the no. of ponchos used in the field and lay their items out.

Some pointers to note for today:

- Trainees were very punctual- Very good, as time concept is very important

- Trainees had very good spirit & encouraging along the way

- However, alot of things were not prepared and there should be no excuse as there was more than enough time assigned for trainees for inspection today, for example, trainees could have been well-prepared in their attire (something that can be easily prepared for) but how come some patrols can even accumulate to almost 50 pumpings?!

- Instructions given by the counsellors were not well-adhered and actions were carried out very slowly, for example, simply just asking trainees to kao long & dui jiao, dui shou.

- Trainees should improve on their attire and standardization

- Trainees should brush up their standard as some do not even know how to pump in a standard manner with hands flying in every direction, not even fully down onto the ground, some even lie flat on the ground and some with their entire thighs touching the ground. Please brush up on this everyone!!!! You guys have already spent 1 year / 2 years in guides and such basics should be PERFECT by now! Start practising at home!

- Trainees should have a great deal of sense of urgency instead of doing work slowly, because in guides, EITHER YOU FLY OR YOU RUN!

- Trainees are very pia and didn't give up despite the adversities, Good Job!

- Work of trainees are very well done, especially the banners :D

Overall, the inspection ran well, with no time extended. However, there were quite a number of people falling out. Here's a big "TAKE CARE" to those who are still unwell!

*

Here's a point to note, remember there's inspection for patrol items and full-day gadget training on the 7th November, Tuesday. Trainees are reminded to be prepared for then.

Jia you for ATC!

Hello all!

Today we had our dragon boating at the Singapore Dragon Boating Association (SDBA), where we learnt how to coordinate and communicate with one another, fostered greater bonds between each and everyone of us, and of course, had a great whale of time :D Many patrols also had patrol lunch before the activity, and it definitely bonded each patrol member together more!

Tomorrow will be pre-camp inspection, sec1s&2s to jihe at SBJ at 9.30am sharp. Remember to bring whatever is needed and hope everyone's prepared for it!

Rest well tonight, and be at your best tomorrow! Good luck to all!

Hello all!

Today was 30th October 2006, Monday.

We had our Knotter's Badge Training, where Sec1s, 2s & 3s learnt much more new knots & whippings. Bowline, Man Harness Knot, Fisherman's Knot, Packer's Knot, Common Whipping... Hope everyone will remember what was taught today, & it will be tested in ATC as well! :D



ATC just around the corner, feeling tensed up?

Relax, be prepared & get yourself ready for a whole lot of experience!




Just a thought!

People jogged to lose weight & slim down.
BUT what if you jogged backward . . .
would you gain weight? :D

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.

You might have read this story before, but was it applied into our lives? Obstacles, challenges, troubles. Treat them as opportunities to make yourself a better person. Make use of these opportunities to improve yourselves. ATC is one opportunity. You may see it as an obstacle or a burden. Why not treat it as a challenge and use it to polish up your skills? First determine your attitude, then let it determine you altitude.


15 more days to ATC!

CHEERS! :D

"What a folly to dread the thought of throwing away life at once, and yet have no regard of throwing it away by parcels and piecemeal."

Treasure the time given to you for camp preparation! Dont waste them away, MAKE USE OF TIME TO THE FULLEST! :D

Put all your excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable. Believe you can do it, for everyone has the potential to achieve great heights. But always rmb, although ABILITY can take you to the top, it takes CHARACTER to keep you there.



CHEERS! :D

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

Put in your very best in everything; all the best for your camp preparation and ATC! :D

Hi all, happy Hari Raya!

Yesterday was 23rd October 2006, Monday.

We had jihe for ATC briefing, where trainees knew their groupings and were given details for the camp. We will be having our ATC at Camp Christine like last year, and the dates are from 13th November to 16th November. We will jihe at 7am on the 13th and break camp/reach school at roughly 2.30pm on the 16th.

This is the calendar for this week. Miss Tang will be issueing the updated calendars and schedule for October, November and December on 25th October (Wednesday) during ji he.

Things to note/dates to mark:
- Ji He at SBJ at 3.30pm on 25th (Wednesday) in school uniform & bring along your camp preparation materials

- Ji He at your respective allocated classrooms in school uniform and bring along your camp preparation materials on 26th (Thursday), no Ji He at SBJ that day because sec3s will be having their lessons. Start your camp prep after school ends at your respective allocated classrooms

- All trainees + counsellors are to submit $10 for camp fees to Miss Tang during camp preparation on 25th (Wednesday), if Miss Tang does not collect directly during Ji He, pass it to your respective counsellors for your ATC patrol.

- All trainees to submit $4.50 for patrol fees to your respective ATC patrols' counsellors, who will then submit to Li Hui. Trainees are to note that they are supposed to use their own money to pay for their shorts, identities etc. and safekeep the receipts. Submit the receipts to Li Hui before the camp and Li Hui will return trainees their money. Trainees are to note to work within the budget.

- There will be guides initiative on Friday. Sec3s initiatives' I/Cs will inform everyone on who will be going for which activity, either that or Vanessa will take over.

- Note that ALL camp preparation work has to be stopped and trainees are to leave school by 5.30pm sharp.

*

Classroom allocations:
Patrol 1: 2A
Patrol 2: 2B
Patrol 3: 2C
Patrol 4: 2D
Patrol 5: 2E

Should trainees have anything they are unsure about, please consult your respective counsellors!

Good luck for ATC preparation everyone, remember, expect the unexpected.

your attitude towards this camp determines your altitude. So, pia wholeheartedly and jiayou!

*

Here is a story to share,

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

There was once a boy who wanted to seek the secret ofsuccess. One day he approached a wise man living up in the mountain. When he found the wise man at the hut, he asked, “Wise man, can you tell me the secret to becoming successful in life?”

The wise man was silent for awhile. After a moment of silence, the wise man led the young lad to a nearby river. They kept walking into the river until the boy’s head was fully submerged in the water. The boy struggled to keep his head above the water. To his astonishment, the wise man did not help him. Instead, the wise man held the boy’s head in thewater. After a few minutes the wise man pulled the boy out of the water and they proceeded to walk back to the hut.

At the hut the wise man asked the young boy what he desired most when his head was submerged in water. To this the young boy quickly responded, “Of course, I wanted to breathe, you old fool!” To which the wise man replied, “Son, if you desire success as much as you wanted to breathe, then you would have found the true secret of success.”

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Success is a matter of choice. If we have enough strong reasons, there is nothing that we cannot do. Once we have the reasons to do something, we will surely find the ways to do it. A mere wish would not make things happen. It is a burning desire, turned into an obsession that will generate the energy to bring you to achieve any goal that you may desire.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"Not the maker of plans and promises, but rather the one who offers faithful service in small matters. This is the person who is most likely to achieve what is good and lasting."

*

So guys, wish you success for the upcoming ATC. There's nothing you can't do, for everything is in the power of THE mind! Or rather.. YOUR minds!

One for all and all for one; the strength of the company is of the strength of the weakest.

Hope these can be exhibited!

Good luck everyone!

in case anyone had not view the clip. here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8rgGS0DrY0

"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."

"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us." "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide.

The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.

So, we musn't judge a book by its cover and don't label others, one of the aspects of being a great leader.

counting down for atc, anyone?

"Come to the edge."

"We can't. We're afraid."

"Come to the edge."

"We can't. We will fall!"

"Come to the edge."

And they came.

And he pushed them.

And they flew.

All you need is some courage, and you'll find yourself doing things you never knew you could.

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit.
When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

so continue to keep the guides spirit and also rmb to always encourage one another for the upcoming atc! (:

-Li Hui

It is essential to differentiate the difference between a LEADER and a MANAGER!

Leader:
- coping with / planning change (especially if it is very sudden)
- determine whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall

Manager:
- coping with complexity
- brings order and consistency out of potential chaos
- applies known solition and strategies
- efficiency in climbing ladder of success

RESPECT is to be earn, not demanded
Leaders LEAD and SERVE is for the benefit of the patrol, not themselves.

Power-Abusers:
- over-value themselves and under-value others
- often don't take time to deal with the root cause of problems
- often are blind to counsel because of their "positional ego"

REMEMBER!
"with greater power comes greater responsibility"
"it's NOT about YOU!"

-

Why do we need a proposal?
1) cover all safety aspects of the activity
2) plan for emergencies that might occur (e.g. wet weather)
3) stay focused during the activity and not deviate from the learning objectives
4) show how well activity planned and how much effort is put in (help getting activity approved)

-

What is guiding?
Guiding is an adventure, fun and character-building and SISTERHOOD. It is a game of adventure, observation, general knowledge and ideas.

Patrol system:
Your company operates the patrol system through the patrol-in-council and court of honour (COH). COH is a session whereby leaders of different aspects come together to evaluate about a particular activity/event.

What is a patrol?
It consists of a small intimate group of girls who take initiative in planning activities and carrying them out.

What is a guides company?
- consists of a group of girls (6-8 patrols)
- runs along democratic line (every girl is an important member)
- members respect each other and listen attentively even when opinions differ

-

Greetings!

ATC (Annual Training Camp) is coming from 13-16 november 2006.

Good luck to all (though it will be abit early)

Keep the blog going! (:

hey everyone, this is p4's skit during the rural hike taken by June.

enjoy! :D

and all the best to everyone for their end of years, and sec4s for their O levels!

-selina

lihui once again.

Here's something meaningful to ponder...
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups made of Porcelain, Plastic, Glass, Crystal, Some ordinary looking, Some expensive, some exquisite.

He told them to help themselves to hot coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in their hands, the professor said:"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap looking ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and worse, you were eyeing each other's cups. Now if life is coffee , then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

So folks, don't let the cups drive you... enjoy the coffee instead

Hi. lihui here.
just a random story with a moral behind it. end of year exams coming, hope yall can take life easy! (: and work hard for eoys!

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible.

When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.

One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition .

Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play , Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Be Prepared For Hike!

Objectives of going on a hike:
- To cultivate patrol spirit and patrol togetherness
- To know yourself better
- To put orienteering into practice
- To explore new places

Appropriate attire:
- Light-weight and comfortable
- Light- coloured
(so that drivers can notice you, not to scare animals)
- Layering of clothings
(adjustments made according to temperatures)
- Duck-billed cap will be fine
- Scarf
(identification purposes)
- Belt with working whistle, knife and rope
(if backpack does not have a hip belt)

Long Pants:
- Thick enough against scratching branches and insects such as mosquitoes.
- Extra room for easy-sitting and squatting
- Rugged and quick-drying
- Preferably pockets

Hiking Footwear:
- Choose a size that is slightly larger
(feet expand as they heat up over the course of the day)
- Softer shoes reccommended as they are easier on the hiking environment
- Light weight

Map and compass:
- Invest in a good waterproof map cover
- Map should be folded neatly to show required area
- Put the pacing chart on the other side of the map
- Hang compass on the neck when in use
- String of compass can be used to measure distance on map
- Bring along waterproof pens to mark checkpoints

Keeping a logbook:
- List of equipments
- Particulars of guides involved
- Checkpoint study- terrain, landmark
- Account of getting there- time, weather, distance travelled, experiences and feelings
- Flora and fauna seen

(this is useful for future guides taking the same routes again)

Tips for Hiking:
- Do not rush at the beginning; keep a steady pace
- Let slower people walk in front (to set pace)
- Members should tell leader where they are going and when will they be back
- Buddy system can be used
- Do headcount during every stop or rest
- Walk in a file of in twos
(easy for headcount and for walking on a road)
- Do not swing your hands when insects are buzzing around
- Do not gulp down a lot of water even if you are very thirsty, sip slowly
- Report sick if you are not feeling well
- Take a course in CPR and first-aid before the hike
- Carry a well-equipped first-aid kit.
- Practise orienteering before the hike

---------------------------------------

Hi all, today was the annual hike that we have. This time it was rural hike at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The walks were energy-consuming but the encouragements from the patrol really helped alot, and the thought that you are one of the eldest there and have responsibility of taking care of the younger ones. P1 was very encouraging and constant patrol spirit could be felt, pushing us further on instead. It was a joy working with p4 too!

Throughout the hike, everyone bonded and cared for each other, which was a very nice experience already. So people dont harp on to the results :D 'Cos this experience was good and I hope everyone feels the same too! No matter what, it is always very heartwarming to see your patrol having fun together as one, sweating, moving on together, and no one is left behind. This feeling is one that every guide ought to feel, 'cos this is the spirit that oughts to exist everytime during guides! We walked together, we cheered together, we did things, TOGETHER!

It may be just a hike, but it is the efforts of many people and the participation of many guides. If you have not learnt something new everyday, you aren't truly participating. So.. Put in your true heart in every activity no matter what and try to give the best for it, and learn the best out of it! Also remember, a patrol's strength cannot be based on the points we got, or the placing we had at the end of activities. It depends on how bonded you all are after every activity, how much everyone has learnt about and from each other, and how fruitful the process it. These, then are the counting factors.

Hope everyone has enjoyed the hike! If there's any photos you all want to upload to this website, you may send to vanessa_sia@hotmail.com, lihui_wee@hotmail.com, selinachanjj@hotmail.com for free service!

Selina was here, have a nice day, and have a good rest after a tiring day!

Hi all. lihui (sec 3) here.

today was the much awaited hike for many of us, the day which the organizers could execute their proposal of the hike.
Amidst all the sweats and tiredness were the laughter and joy we shared. the way how we took care of our patrolmates, juniors and those constant encouragement that really boosted the morale of the patrol. We have hike annually, how time flies! It's my third and probably my last hike i suppose. (unless thr would be another hike before the next passing down)

This type of activity are hard to come by, it may be boring to wake up early on a saturday morning, BUT you would be surprised by the little lessons you learn along the hike. really, treasure it and if it isn't a guides activity, would you have a chance to go up the bukit timah summit again? Even if you have, it would be be the same feeling. not the same. cause we don't get to sweat together, laugh together, help one another and enhance the bonding.

lastly, have a great weekend!

Guides Salute




























Do we know the meaning behind little things we do in Guides?
Are we following the meanings of what are we exactly doing?

Guides Trefoil















PP = Pandu Puteri (Girl Guides in Malay [official language of Guides])
3 curves= Three Fold Promises (智仁勇)
Stalk at the centre= Compass to lead the way (in life, know your aims and goals)

what does guides mean to you?
what is guides?
what was guides?
is guides more than just a cca to you?

are the seniors commanding enough respect from the juniors?
are the seniors giving themselves enough self-respect?
are the juniors respecting the seniors wholeheartedly?
are the seniors taking utmost care of the juniors?
are both parties crossing the border line?
are we maintaining the right relationship?
are we doing the KAO-LONG way until we cant even breathe?
are we learning something in midst of every activity?
are we having fun and bonding together no matter how the activities?
are the juniors obeying the seniors' instructions wholeheartedly?
are we too full of ourselves to truly walk together as one coy?
are we following the rules closely, just like simple attire?
are the seniors strict enough?
are we pia-ing enough that even though we feel like dying we just dont want to fall out?
are we possessing the right attitude?

do we know the true meaning of pia?
do we know the true meaning of respect?
do we know the true meaning of guides?
do we know where the limit lie?
do we know what sense of urgency mean?
do we know how to pia wholeheartedly and not complain?
do we feel the "in guides you will never walk alone" spirit?

are we a disappointment to the seniors?
are we a disgrace to them?
are we letting them down?
are we meeting up to their expectations?

is guides falling?
where will once the best company in singapore, dunman high coy, stand in a few years to come?


i am not everything mentioned above,
yet these are just some questions, which i have been pondering, for everyone to ponder about.

Hi all! lihui(sec 3) here. this is also my first post here (: i made a short clip on guides last night and of course include p1! do take note that it takes time to load.

last fri i got a chance to lead the sec 1s pt, we taught them the correct breathing methods, warm up, two rounds of the field, wheelbarrow, sit-ups, pumpings.

Hello!

My first post here. A call to the other guides! Update regularly and help to maintain this site okay! Spread to as many guides as possible about the existance of this website!

Last Friday (18/8), we had guides jihe. Roll call was exercised and next was coursework. For the sec3s, we did a research on ASEAN and later presented our findings. According to Mrs Chin, this kind of general knowledge is useful and essential, especially if we want to participate for the President Guide Award as there is such a segment as "General Knowledge" too.

Next was PT. We led the Sec2s for their PT for the first time. We did warmups, instruct them on the correct method of breathing and started the activity on broken telephone line. The first message was way too long with alot of numerical values, hence, the sec2s had to do punishment by running 2 rounds around zheng xin yuan. We continued with this activity with a short message and finally the message was passed correctly. We then proceeded on to circuits. After which the PT ended.

Patrol corner, a time used for patrol time and well, so-called patrol bonding. P1 teamed up with P3 and we took pacings, followed by a series of "the challenge of the uniforms" -.- A short talk about hike with the patrol was followed up and dismissal time was up.

A brief briefing (LOL!) was carried out by Vanessa and the PS(es) regarding hike. And it's on this coming Sat! It will be at Bukit Timah. So, an advanced JIAYOU and GOOD LUCK to all patrols! Swallow your notes well and digest them properly! And be mentally and physically prepared!

Selina-