Funniest thing happened in formation today. 1Sgt, when doing receive the report, referred to us as Eblock. After PIR our TAC walks up and is like "Why's E Block still here?"
So, some context. We in Echo have fondly nicknamed ourselves "E Block" for a variety of reasons. We're a tight knit group. Also yes, the company's are color coded and we're highlighter yellow.
One of our guys in Echo is doing a mockumentary type thing. Episodic style.
If you were ever in KR for the last two years you’d probably have heard Caiyi’s distinctive cry, “EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHH!” Well-known for her loud lion roar and prowess on the handball and netball courts, Caiyi is a true blue Kent Ridgean through and through. We speak to her about her fondest memories of KR in the three years she’s been here.
Were you pulled into KR by anyone in particular or did you just stumble upon the hall?
Caiyi: Neither. Three of my relatives, including my brother, were from KR so it wasn’t new to me. I also visited my brother twice, when he was still a resident at D Block 3rd floor short wing. No one pulled me into KR though haha. I applied late because I appealed into NUS and so I had to go through the appeal window and was accepted a day before FWOC.
What were your first impressions of KR?
Caiyi: To me, I felt comfortable in KR, maybe because quite a few seniors knew my brother before he left and so it was easier to adjust into the environment cos they kept making fun of me.
Has KR lived to your impressions while you were here?
Caiyi: Long ago, when I knew that my cousin was staying in hall and didn’t go home till the sem ended, I always thought that he must have really hated home cos I only saw him twice a year despite going to his house twice a month. But having lived here for almost 3 years, I’ve grown to understand why. KR did live up to my expectations in a good way as I made friends really quickly and the culture somehow fits my personality. My friends from other halls have complained to me about not receiving the same kind of treatment and experience in their halls and that is what I feel have exceeded my expectations of just being a hall with bigger rooms and an elevator in every block.
Summarize your KR experience in no more than 5 words.
Caiyi: Friendships and insomnia.
What are your fondest memories of hall and why?
Caiyi: FWOC & IHG: These two periods in which I don’t bother about school work and focus more on having fun, making new friends, picking up new sports and disciplining myself for that short term of a few months.
Dance: It was in KR that I started performing because contrary to my image, I’ve always been quite shy :)
Friends: I’ve made so many friends here in KR and even after some of them have left, the bonds remain. There are just too many memories with them to even keep track of, especially since I see them almost everyday.
Has KR changed you in any way as a person? If so, how?
Caiyi: It has taught me to be a leader, to receive criticisms and to prioritize. KR has also allow me to try out new things; joining choir and dance weren’t activities I have ever thought I would do before entering uni, especially since I’ve been an athlete for 10 years.
What are some things you’re particularly proud of KR about?
Caiyi: I’m proud of the fact that one of the best cheerleading teams are from KR. GO STEPPERS! I’m also proud that our hall is all-rounded, excelling in our culture groups and the way we compete in IHG, making use of who we have instead of having to resort to poaching and always trying to be better and never complacent.
Do you have any advice for other Kent Ridgeans as they continue in their degrees?
Caiyi: Learn to prioritize. If you are aiming high and can’t cope in your studies, don’t get too involved in hall. But if you are like me and don’t have your priorities in studies (hehe), take this time while you are in uni to make more friends and try out as many things as you can and hall has to offer. You may find your passion in an area and make a career out of it!
What do you pre-empt you’d miss most about KR when you leave?
Caiyi: My friends and late night suppers because I wouldn’t be doing these outside of hall because I can’t drive.
Do you have any regrets about KR in any way?
Caiyi: I’ve always wanted to try singing in a band but no one wanted me… maybe because I sound too manly :((( And that’s another regret, for becoming more vulgar and manly here at KR.
Text by Chun Wui
Photo by Pakkee
This is part 4 of our series of talks with FYFs. To read more from our series click here.
