Hello!

Finally created this blog on this very significant day... 07/07/07! Have been thinking of creating this blog for a long while already, following the 'success' of my daily announcement blog, but never really got underway until today.

2 events were conducted concurrently today (well, almost concurrently):
(1) The cycling expedition (in collaboration with Gong Shang cubs)
(2) Briefing for the hosts of Thai Homestay Programme

The Cycling Expedition (botched)
The turn-out for the event was not too bad. About 20-odd boys turned up (poi ching alone). As it was raining cats-and-dogs, the cycling trip had to be converted into a song-singing and games session. Very impressed by how the Gong Shang parents/leaders reacted. There was no tinge of complaints by them! On the other hand, all chipped in to engage the children in song and games! Must learn from their positive spirit, resourcefulness and most importantly, their sense of dedication. In fact, the organisers (the Gong Shang leaders) had to contend with so many obstacles to put up this event. I had only come to learn about some of the problems only this morning. Few months back, the event was supposed to be conducted at Pasir Ris Park, but had to be postponed due to an incident of a lightning strike at the bicycle post. Then, just the other day, there was news that Pasir Ris had become a dengue prone area. The venue for the event had to be relocated to East Coast Park. Unfortunately, it poured as we were about to set off for ECP, so we had to convert the event into an inter-unit games interaction of some sort. Well, the organising committee still does not relent. They are determined to conduct the event at all cost, for the sake of the children. Next Saturday (14/7), we intend to have another go at cycling. And so the story continues next week...

Briefing for Host Families of Thai Homestay Programme
The briefing was conducted successfully, with the attendance of 14 out of 15 host families. The host families were briefed in greater details what to expect for the homestay program, the do's and the don'ts etc. Many of the parents who were present were a little shocked when we told them that they had to take in at least 2 Thai students. But all seemed to empathise with the situation after a little egging. All turned out well except for the Racial Harmony Day component. The original plan was to have a group of pupils from other races to join in the home visit with the Thai pupils. However, many children of the host families have other programmes in the afternoon (eg. enrichment classes etc.) and are not able to accommodate the 'home-visit' by pupils from other races. Anyway, I'll learn not to count the eggs before they are hatched... and end up being accused of giving false hope to others. I shall add in a clause: "join at your own risk" to anyone who wants to tag along any programme.

By Mr ChangCL