A real CAS blog

Reflective, sometimes funny, always sarcastic, entry blogs (with a particularly long reflection of the Borneo Project Trip)

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5K Manchester University Run // February 2019

 I’ve only ever participated in a 2K run back in Brunei and the occasional Borneo Project Lapathon, so to do a 5K I was pretty nervous. Compared to Brunei’s fun runs, this was a very cheap run to do. It was only £3 to do the run, plus a medal and a tshirt! In Brunei, it would’ve cost at least $25 BND, so I took the opportunity. I felt way more motivated to keep on running with other people around me and I am confident enough to say that I ran at least 2K nonstop and then had staggered bursts of run-jog-walk during the remaining metres. But it was sort of difficult to find someone to do it with, I asked my housemates and they weren’t into it, I asked my coursemates and they said nah bro so I went with Zimah and even she agreed whilst she was intoxicated lols. But I enjoyed it and looking back now the whole 5K run wasn’t as difficult as I thought.

10/10 would do again. 

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Winter Warmers for the Homeless // February 2019

Donations were collected from the Bruneian Society in Manchester for winter warmers, food, sanitary essentials to be bought and distributed to Manchester’s ever-growing homeless population. Essentials bought are pictured above. We then divided the goods into 10 large bags to give to 10 homeless people around the city and along Curry Mile.

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Peak District National Park Hike // February 2019 

Out of a sudden whim, I was invited out for a hike on a Sunday. We took a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Greenfield Station £4.30 open return ticket. Here are a few shots of the views that I got during the trip, it was absolutely amazing and I loved the whole journey. I have to admit it was a demanding hike, but it wasn’t impossible. It was easier going back down than hiking up. We had to hike up this steep, slippery waterfall, slowly trying to hold onto stable rocks (don’t tell my parents though, they’d freak) on top of that, it started hailing and it hurt so bad, I legit thought I was going to slip on a rock and tumble to my death but... I trusted my fellow hiking companions. And I survived and came out with a bombass picture of me on the edge of a cliff (I showed my parents this picture and si buiii kena marah in the groupchat LOLs)

BUT ya, I would have never done anything as adventurous (or as dangerous) as this back in Brunei. One could say it was a lifetime opportunity and I am thankful that I took it. 

10/10 would recommend and do again.

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Learn to: Kickboxing

As part of the University’s Sporticipate program they offer a 5 week block of learning how to kickbox. It was £2 per session and being the cheap ass that I am and love trying out new things, I joined. I’ve doen about 3 classes out of 5 and I really kind of want a dummy to just punch when I’m bored, should I buy one. The thing about kickboxing is that, the actual techniques and skills of the sport is not at all intense and tiring but its the warm up beforehand that completely destroys my body and makes me wake up sore as fuck the next day. But i lowkey love the pain and the soreness, like this one week, my core hurt like a mf and evening sneexing/coughing/laughing hurt, which is enough evidence that I am in fact U N F I T. 

I think the fact that the lessons are paid, makes me want to go and not miss it. Like time is money yaknow, I might try something else after this 5 week block ends. I wanted to try kayaking but I didn’t bring my swimsuit with me to the UK and I don’t really want to buy another one. But first things first I have to see who would want to join these activities with me because my housemate is not too keen on kayaking, but she’d rather join the gym! Which I guess is still a new thing to try out, but I don’t know, I’m not much of a gym girl like that shit takes commitment.

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Farm for Good: Organic Farming // December 2017

I sacrificed my precious Sunday (that I would’ve usually spent doing homework anyway) to participate in this local NGO activity. The project was to establish an organic farm for a disadvantaged family located in Tutong, this farm will act as a subsistence farm so they are able to use the yield to feed themselves but to also sell in the local market. There were 3 sections, one was for vegetables, another for fruit and the final one was mixed use. This project was organised by Bina Ukhwah and Nurture Enterprise. I’ve done alot of charity at which funds are sent overseas to Vietnam, Malaysia but I’m trying more and more to get involved with local NGOs so this was a perfect opportunity, plus I got to learn how to organically farm, made new friends from UBD and ultimately made a difference.

We first started off with clearing the area of previous pots and rubbish, we assembled a line and it was quite efficient. Next step was dig and hoe raised beds for the crops to grow, rotting wood were used to give height to the beds but also act as a natural fertiliser as it decomposes. After lunch, we worked on Site B and marked the spot of where the Banana, papaya, jackfruit and Tapioca plants were going to be planted. Then we got to it, getting down and dirty nearby a coop of chickens. Never judge a hoe by the way they hoe.

I wish I had taken before and after pictures because the area did look a lot different and changed alot in a matter of hours, all by the hands of determined  youths wanting to make a change and help Brunei develop further. I hope the foundation we laid for the farm will motivate the owners to continue taking care of the land.

Global significance of activity - “Think globally, act locally”

Ethical implications of your actions

Developed new skills

Shown perseverance and commitment.

Collaborate with others.

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House Dodgeball // December 2017

This was the last House Sport of the term, so the Sports Captains thought it would be a great idea for each house to come in a specific Theme. Fireback’s theme was supposedly 80′s gym, with headbands, sweatbands and long socks. Sadly we lost 2 games and won 1. It was different style of dodgeball that I am used to, as the concept of a joke was introduced. But the amount of support we had, the atmosphere and the energy within the Fireback girls made the games fun and tolerable despite having to dodge some balls. Right after the house dodgeball, Fireback and Eagle has an UY social at the boarding house. With the help of Fireback and Eagle’s events team we were able to organise this social successfully (picture not shown)

Shown perseverance and commitment.

New  or extended skills

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Undertaking new challenges

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November 2017: Touch Rugby Mixed Tournament

After attending Touch Rugby CCA once a week for 3 months, we played a game against the UBD Touch Rugby Team (not pictured). I was super nervous because I don’t usually play outside games so I didn’t know these people nor their tactics. We were split into 2 teams, the other team was slightly better than ours so I was surprised when we managed to score a try when the other team didn’t. But the UBD Touch team was so fast and slippery like snakesssssss. But I learnt not to underestimate myself and work together as a team. 

A few weeks later, a Mixed Tournament was set up. I was one of the Captains for one of the groups, we had to gather team members to play including guys as well - hence a Mixed Tournament, but also have enough players for subs. The pitch was smaller than I was used to playing so there wasn’t alot of running, which made me feel unsatisfied. But overall, we coordinated and communicated well despite only winning one game and losing the rest. It was all good - the other teams were fierce as well!

Undertaking New Challenges

Planned and Initiated Activities or part of an activity

Collaborate with others

Shown perseverance and commitment

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November 2017: Borneo Project Lapathon

Above picture shows me, red hot and sweaty with a fan drinking a Milo. I was part of the Borneo Project Team last year, and I continue to support it by participating in the fundraiser activities. I was determine to actually try and run this year and this is the year of lasts. I ran a total of 9 laps, wow fitness am I right. I am still in the middle of collecting my donations from the sponsors I asked the day before Lapathon, but it’s is looking to be about $160 dollars. Might be a small sum compared to others, but I tried my best and asked everyone I knew - possibly I don’t know alot of people or they’ve already sponsored someone else. In the beginning, I ran with music, then I walked, then I sang and walked, then i got tired and crawled on my 9th and final lap. I have gained a tan and sore legs but it was worth it. 

Undertaking new challenges

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Global significance of activity - “Think globally, act locally”

Shown perseverance and commitment.

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September 2017: War of Words

First of all, I’ve never had knack for debating, let alone debating in a public space? This was a first for me and unfortunately the last because we didn’t the qualifying round! 

In the picture you see me and Chuck, a guy from Eagle (Fireback’s brother house), debating furiously against the notion that “Celebrities should get involved in politics.” I hate politics, don’t understand a thing, apart from geopolitics (Wow Spratly Islands). Anyway, the days leading up to the debate was a nervous wreck, I research all my points and collaborated with another House who we were not going against, for their points. I sat down in my seat, I forced all 2 of my friends to come and got ready to deb8.

I was the first speaker, and one of my strengths is speaking loud and clear, but it does not mean what I say makes sense. But speaking loud and clear gives off the illusion that I do know what I am talking about (which by the way, I do not). It was a strong start and me and Chuck managed to successfully speak equal times compared to our opposing team where the guy was always speaking. I admit, I had a few weak points and Chuck sort of went off topic and lacked structure. BUT STORY TIME RIGHT: during our closing remarks I planned this phrase that is completely mic-drop worthy, it goes like this

“...therefore Celebrities should stay in Hollywood and not Washington DC”

Then I calmly sat down as the raging crowd burst into applause, at the back of my mind I was confident “We’re going to win this, ” But I spoke too soon, because the judges came back in the room after discussing and said “...And the winner is Blackeye and Ibis” WOW YAY COOL like did you not listen to my last sentence or??????

Truth be told, I was sad and devastated, I put alot of effort and sometimes you just can’t win no matter how mic-drop worthy your conclusion is. and That sucks but its okay. It was my first and last War of Words, and I will cherish the disappointment always.

Increased awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth

Undertaking new challenges

Collaborate with others

Developed new skills

Shown perseverance and commitment.

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My family on my dad’s side is having this fitness challenge, together we hiked Bukit Shahbandar. I don’t usually go to bukit because my dad is always cautious of landslides plus remember the rape murder that occurred in Bukit ? So the only time he let me go was if it was with him. I didn’t find it super tiring because I’ve gone trekking before during DoE expeditions and Temburong trips. My dad was surprised that I wasn’t tired, but possibly doing Touch Rugby each week (which requires alot of running and squating) has increased my stamina. 

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I really cannot believe how nasty I can be when provoked by the right person. It’s sensational.

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Blue Dragon House Charity Bake Sale (October 2017)

During our school’s annual Football Funday, Fireback set up a charity bake sale to support our chosen charity: Blue Dragon. Blue Dragon is charity based in Vietnam that focus on sheltering homeless children, rescue missions for trafficking victims and many more. By the end of the academic year, we hope to raise enough money to personally travel over to Vietnam and spend more time with the charity. Our bake sale was a major success and there was this one customer that kept coming back to buy the same thing, we persuaded kids to bring their parents to the stall and even had a banner for which I stood outside the gym yelling out “Cakes and Cookies Inside the Gym!!!!!” whilst holding it.

It attracted attention, but mostly I had people laughing at me. Also we learnt a tactic to put parents on the spot and said “Would you like to donate an extra dollar to charity” it worked for some, others just said “ohhh cool” and walked away. But in total we raised $564 on that day and to make sure no food goes to waste because food waste is a sin, we donated some baked goods to the cleaners for them to share with their friends. 

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Collaborate with others 

Global significance of activity “Think globally, act locally”

New or Extended Skills 

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Count and Countess of Wessex Royal Visit (October 2017)

As part of the Sultan’s Golden Jubilee, Prince Edward and Countess Sophie were invited to Brunei and during their visit they came to our school. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to talk about the charity of Borneo Project to Prince Edward. I was a bit nervous, I’ve met the sultan of Brunei before but Brunei’s a relatively small country, so its not everyday you meet a royal member of the British Monarchy. 

My palms kept sweating and so I kept on wiping them on my skirt in case I had to shake his hand (I didn’t need to). When we were talking to him he seemed genuinely interested (I think!) and completely human, I was talking about us doing physical labour and cementing and how much of a challenge it was. He started laughing and agreeing, and then I pointed at the picture. I think he made a joke but I can’t remember because it wasn’t that funny, but I laughed anyway because I have manners. Overall, I hope that our mini talk has made him more aware of this charity project and our attempts of making a change in this world

Ethical Implications of your actions

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Global significance of activity “Think globally, act locally”

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Peace Van (September 2017)

A major week of the school year was coming up, because our year group is very extra and wants to make this the best Peace Day ever (which it was by the way) they’ve asked me and other creative house leaders to create and paint a  hippie peace van photo booth. We collaborated with the DT and Art department to get the wood cut and the appropriate paints. The schedule was quite tight actually and we sacrificed alot of after school hours and skipped CCAs to get this peace van finished. 

I was fearful at first that all of this hard work might go to waste, that in the end it would get overlooked by the other Peace Day activities, that would really make my heart break. The Peace Van came out looking amazing and I was proud that we managed to finish it in a week. Making the peace van was in actual fact really fun and very independent and student led. From designing it, getting permission for the paints and the use of the art room, to gathering volunteers and finally the completion of it. 

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Collaborate with others

New or extended skills.

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Last Bantu Food Distribution (September 2017)

This happened to be my second and last Bantu Food Distribution, it was a massive group ranging from Year 10 to the high school graduates. As normal we distributed the food the houses in Kg Ayer, but to commemorate the day we had a 100 balloon release, though it was difficult to not think about the pollution after-math, it was a beautiful and warming sight. Later on in the night, we hung solar powered fairly lights around the houses of water village to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha. It was sad to see this project come to an end, it still amazes me how a student and group of her friends are running this project. 

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Collaborate with others

Global significance of activity “Think globally, act locally”

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House Leadership Day (September 2017)

First week back to school, House leaders engaged in a beach hike and cookout. Because this is our last year in school, we are the oldest - at the top of the food chain. This activity aimed in team building and develop relationships between our paired houses as well as other house leaders. Together we made burger patties and made sure no one got food poisoning as we grilled them on the beach. The beach hike was nothing new as I engaged in many hikes before in my DoE days so that was fairly easy, but I learnt a lot more about my team and I’m confident that we can work well together in the coming year. 

Collaborate with others

Planned and Initiated activities or part of an activity

Increased awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth 

New or extended skills

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Netball Game (August 2017)

Before school started me and a couple of my friends organised a casual friendly netball game, something different than just going out to eat all the time. It was during Summer so my physical health was not at its best especially after my trip to South Korea and the amazing street food there. It was a great night and sweating made me feel alot better, more relaxed for the upcoming school year. 

Planned and initiated activities or part of an activity

Collaborate with others

shown perseverance and commitment.