Rewards & Regrets...

Last week I just went for two camps consecutively, both with the same purpose: to train future PMs (Pembantu Mahasiswa or a.k.a in English, Facilitators for Orientation) The first being organized by the Residential College, which is 8th College, the one that I am staying in, and the second which is organized by UM.

The first one me and my new found friends went to Jerantut, Pahang. We camped in a cave for the first night. Gua Balai was the name. We thought that it was suppose to be a cool place to stay in, however it was hot even in the evening. Why? Cuz there wasn't the slightest breeze that pass through the cave. *sigh* "Nama pun camping ma" that's what my friend said. The first day we went "clubbing". LOL! You might think I am crazy to laugh at myself. Let me explain... Our supervisor was explaining to us our itinerary for the day. After setting up the camps, we are to go caving... but he mentioned "clubbing". All of us were amazed that we are going clubbing. After the great laughter, we proceeded to the caves. We went jungle trekking, climbed through narrow spaces, helping one another through difficult places, the reward was fantastic. Despite all the injuries that I suffered during the process, what I saw with my own two eyes was priceless. The scenery were breath taking. It's amazing how natural formation of the cave plus human imagination can give such wonderful picture. Images such as bats, elephants, people, couples, even objects can be seen. At certain areas when the wind blows, spine-chilling sensation can be felt, it was so cooling.

Then on the second day, we had abseiling and flying fox, both with element of my greatest fear: heights. Before that, our college master was lecturing us about human perception and how we can overcome our mind and not let our mind control us. Using that as a mind-over-matter philosophy, I manage to try them out and had fun. Then I did my first 'rakit' with my group members using PVC pipes and plastic drums. We were skeptical at first that our 'rakit' will sink in the water, but it didn't. And we manage to come third place in a race... well, not that great because there were only 4 groups, but we really did a great job that none of our members fell into the water. Ironically, there was a group named Titanic, and they came in 2nd place.

After all the hard work, we shifted to a resort to spend the rest of the night. Two days of physical activities was enough to wear us down. The third and fourth day, we spend our time on leadership training with games and activities. It really taught us the important traits needed for being a leader. When our camp was finally over, we went back to college to rest up for 1 day before the start of another camp, one that it more boring and grueling.

On the first day, boring lecture and lame activities. According to our seniors who joined this camp last year, they were required to split and form groups with members from other colleges. However, this is the first time they maintain everyone in the same college for... who know? easier management or maybe greater intra-college bond. But what we lack in this way is that we don't get to understand other college's cheers. I find other college's cheers are pretty amazing and has more power to it. Then at night, we had physical training... military style... maybe not that bad, it was semi-military style. We gathered at the Palapes training ground, did push ups, running, climbing, crawling... much like NS style (according to a friend). Then we started having inter-college cheers, bombarding one college after another. Shouting and yelling till the throat was... "out-of-order". Haha. Then we went to the barracks of Palapes, where we met an ex-officer. All the patriotism lecture... you get the gist?

Then comes the second day... the worst day of the camp. First, we were late. According to our college supervisor, it was a college tradition that we are never late for anything. GREAT! We are the first to break the good tradition. *slap forehead* Second, we had some "Mak Cik" issue that caused us to lose half of our cumulative points, talking about all the effort of our hard work. Third, we were trashed in cheers, wheres the 8th College spirit? What happened to our cheerleader? Was he too weak? Does our cheer not "oomph-ed"? Fourth, we obtained a star (not a good thing in this camp) for no particular reason... and this lead to the "Mak Cik" issue. Fifth, food was horrible, but I don't really mind cuz after all this is a camp. But some complained. I did, too, just so you wonder. Sixth, we lack discipline big time! *sigh* This day was the WORST from the start till the end.

Finally, the day I have been waiting for, the last day... and the best day of this... pathetic and wonderful camp. Pathetic in reference to the first and second day, particularly the second day; wonderful because of the third day. We traveled all the way to Ulu Yam's Amberstone Resort/Camp. Another military style training for warming up for the upcoming activities. Then all the essential BUT boring lectures on safety. That was the time when we were baked alive under the scorching sun. I got tanned and slight sunburn. After that, we were up for a challenge: Tug-of-War. This is one hilarious part. We versus another college: the result.... *drum rolled* .... The rope snapped even before we started to pull. So, that's the end. In order to compensate the time that will be lost if nothing is done, they came up with one interesting game, we are to form the longest line using whatever things we have on us. So when the game started, shoelace was untied, socks were taken off, all lined up in a straight long line... but that was not enough... guys were asked to take off their shirt if possible, then we all lie down like Superman, for the guys, we toss our shirt for an extra boost in length. Well, the verdict was never mentioned, so I assumed that every college is the winner, after all it was a very tight competition.

Then came the moment we all... if not most of us have been waiting for. Jungle trekking to a waterfall. Unfortunately, it was a weekend, so it was packed with 'civilians'. And on our way there, we met soldiers, where we had to salute to. When we reached out destination, we were so eager to jump into the freezing water; three reasons, one, we have been under the hot sun for so long, two, we are almost dehydrated, third, COME ON!!! It's a waterfall!!! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?!! When we dunk ourselves into the water... hehe, War-of-Cheers started again... we start the spark, and there goes the fire. Instead of slapping the thigh, we hit the water hard. Effect was even greater. The shortest 15 minutes in my life was this time. It was just a few splashes of water and that's the end. We were then asked to return to the camp site for other activities that requires teamwork such as searching for a rope and form a circle, passing a ball underwater and other games. Then we had a speech from our Deputy Vice Chancellor before heading back to UM.

Well, that's all for the PM camps I underwent through this week. In this camp, there are rewards that I gained, yet there are also some regrets/problems faced. However, certain things are beyond your comprehension. Therefore whatever I can do, I did it. Those that can't be done or is already a past, then I shall let it be. For now, I wanna enjoy my 1 month break before another grueling moment that is awaiting me.