The Revolving Realm

THE REVOLVING REALM

The Revolving Realm literally mean a world spinning on its axes. Metaphorically speaking, the world is changing.

Change, that's the keyword.

And that people, is the gist of the theme of 4th Unit Rangers Main Convent Gathering 2009; The Revolving Realm.

18th April 2009, Saturday

The day that we have all been awaiting for. The day that the 14 of us toiled till the very last, for the past 6 months, has finally arrived.

I remember not having sufficient sleep on that Friday. I only had *counts*, 4 hours of sleep. I was so scared. I might have left something at home. So about 5.45am, I left home to school. And when I left my abode, I know I'll be coming back at night, and the gathering is all over. While the car reversed, I stared at my house. "Right now, I am going to school. To organize a gathering. And to make it a successful one." And so as the view of my house began to shrink in a distant, my eyes transfixed on that white single-storey terraced house, "I'll be coming back. And by that time, this view will be completely different. As the gathering will be over then."

So I reached school about 6.05am. Alot of them were in school already. The Coyians and Rangers. Some of the leaders were there. So we just gathered in the upper hall just to get everyone congregated and not loiter around the school grounds. There was nothing much to do. Just waiting for time to tick, till 7am for the other schools to arrive.

The various schools that participated in the gathering was SMI, AMC, ACS, Anderson, Poi Lam Scouts, Yuk Choy Scouts, Shiang Yang Open Troop, and Yuk Kwan Scouts.



Some of them were quite punctual, like SMI and AMC, these are the super active ones. They brought so many peralatan. The mangroves and all. AMC with an amplifier and all. I wonder how did they fit through the registration space. Haha.

About 8.15am, the marching competition started. 4 schools participated and they were the following:

SMI

Poi Lam

AMC

ACS

I have concluded that the marching teams, all of them, didn't have much interesting formations. As in nothing caught my eye. But I'm certain of one, Poi Lam's basic marching is superb. So synchronized. So firm. So nice lah! What else can I say. Their basic marching is to die for. Seriously. Their hentakan so synchronized. The beat, so nice. We, judges realized that when they hentak, the dust of the volleyball court had a dance. Haha. Like really, you can see the dust around their shoes. It's like *pak pak*, *dust everywhere*. I am so amazed!

SMI didn't do that well as I expect them. I think their seniors were better. But they weren't that bad.

AMC for guides, you guys were quite good. That determination. The only guides team. But one thing, lack of spirit.

As for ACS, erm, it wasn't that good. Not up to gathering marching standards actually.

But anyways, after the marching competition, the signature hunt began and the people started hunting for us. Our clues were random facts. Which the answers will all be revealed during the opening ceremony; the trailer.

During the signature hunt, alot of hilarous and also tensed moments. I remember Eva asked a bunch of them to say, "I like to shake my booty." For guys to do it, funny. Haha. And my random fact is actually, "I have vertical limitations and am space efficient". Majority of them came to me and guessed, "Believe me, I'm blur". I was like WTF I'm so not. I blame Teng Kuan for this. Haha. Some of them guessed "Food will not make me fat". Well I wish lah. I'm flattered but I'm not that. Haha. But I think my random fact is pretty obvious. Hey, I'm not even 5 ft! Vertical limitations spells on my face!





I just went walking, making sure nothing is wrong, and things are going smoothly. I ventured to the scarf design competition which was held in the primary hall. To my surprise, there were 5 teams. I certainly didn't expect that. Good for you, Pui Mun. Haha.

Poi Lam's scarf. Impressive with the gadget.


And then I ventured to the cooking competition. The smell of food made me so hungry. I didn't have anything on that day except for drinks and some food from judging the cooking competition.

ACS's. Very oriental. Not much explanation. The food was okay.

AMC's. Their creativity is not bad. I like the custard thingy.

And SMI's. Their presentation and creativity were their niches. And the food was nice. Boleh tahan. Alot of variety. I didn't taste the pudding because there were flies over it. Haha.

After the competitions, we distributed the lunch to all. Our nasi tomato with ayam masak merah. Probably one of the most luxurious food ever provided in a gathering. Haha. We are so over the normal, mundane fried rice with peas and carrots.



Then when the gathering is going to begin, chaos formed. Programming. People missing. Banner couldn't fit into the hall. Too many MC girls. And alot of madams. Woah. After all the brouhaha, when everyone was situated in the hall, lights were switched off and the actual gathering began. Our opening ceremony was the trailer. Another thing about the gathering, we don't have a cliche-d opening ceremony, you know, the typical ones. The judges walked in with the V.I.P., accompanied with a Star Wars theme. Ours was way different! A breath of fresh air for gathering go-ers!



Kudos to Jane for it. It's nice. Too bad the judges missed it. But really glad that many liked it. =)

So the gathering started and I can see that the Upper Hall is really small. But we just squeezed the people in. What to do. Main Convent has limited land space. Thank god I didn't invite more schools. Haha.

This is the ultimate backdrop. Idea from Mabel, of course. It's made up of mahjong paper, lantern paper, aluminum foil, cardboard and polystyrene. Super flimsy actually. But it didn't fall apart or anything. In fact, it's still there till today!

We did two banners only for this gathering. They are simple and nice.

The scouts one.

The guides/rangers one.


Behold......

the judges! From left: Sue Li, Sook Yee, myself, Eva, Mabel and Ju Ean.

After the trailer and introduction of schools, the various troops/coy/unit started supporting and cheering. And the competitions and presentations began.

Yuk Kwan's banner. Very detailed. In the sense of creativity they are good. But did they do this banner for the gathering? I don't see the banner has any significance with The Revolving Realm.

ACS's sketch. The fella that played the girl character. The one with a hideous bob-cut hair. haha. That's hilarious.

SMI's sketch. I expect them to be better lo. The ending doesn't make sense. Kept on drawing the curtains and delaying. But anyways, the front part was funny. Very SMI lah.
"Teh tarik, tak mau tarik."
*laughs*

Shiang Yang's Advertising. The item that they were suppose to advertise is a lunchbox actually. But somehow they got it as a briefcase and crapped about things like there's a water faucet lah. And password for it. Hahahaha. Funny, though they didn't win. And and and, they kicked their product! Poor Eva's lunchbox. In the end, they promoted their troop's T-shirt instead. Hmph..

Shiang Yang (A) scarf presentation. The cycle of guides and scouts. And there was a girl scout and a boy scout drawn. And after that was a so-call baby, but it looked more like a stone/pebble. Haha. Fill in the dots of what happened in between. Haha.

Shiang Yang scarf presentation (B)

SMI's banner presentation. I had alot of questions in my head when I first saw it. Like, "Why the hell so huge?" and "Why so narcissistic?". Hahahaha. They almost knocked down one of the flourescent lights. Super large banner with a minimum amount of creativity.

Revealing the other banner. (notice the shimmery stuffs)

Surprise! Actually it ain't that great. Cliche idea. And and and! They didn't clean up the mess. Left it there. Disappointment. At last, the Rangers swept the floor.

AMC's banner presentation.

Poi Lam's scarf presentation

SMI's advertising! Presenting, Kiasu Pt. Ltd has taken over........ BARBIE!
Omg. They were great. It's funny and well-advertised. I was laughing my butt off that time. Couldn't hold it. In fact, I think everyone else in the hall were. Tickled everyone's funny bone, extremely. Hahaha.
Kudos to you guys seriously.

SMI's scarf presentation

SMI's dance. To those who were there during the gathering, I'm sure you all agree with me. The first half of the dance is just plain weird. It's unnatural, with their stunts and chicken dance and all. To actually see half naked boys in towels when the curtains first opened stunned me. Let alone doing some stunts and weird stuff. It's like when they played the chicken dance song, "kiss your trophy goodbye!", I thought. Lol. Worse of all, one of them came in with a sleeveless-shirt, removed his shirt during the dance. I was like, dei, you apa pun tak ada. Small budak kecik. Hahaha.

Then came the breakdancers. I was like, "Oh. Okay...." *crow caws*
Their breakdancing skills were quite good. It's just the first half was so weird!

AMC's scarf presentation. The scarf design was very nice. But the presentation was just okay.

AMC's sketch. Once again, they done it with the props and impressive music. And pretty good acting.

Poi Lam's banner. All about DESTRUCTION. Another bongok, no offence, that didn't put the theme there. Although the explanation was kinda draggy, but I liked the fact that they had this 'destruction' idea in their mind from our theme, The Revolving Realm. Which is kinda true. The world is turning into a living hell.

Probably the most impressive performance of the day, AMC's singing. We were all wow-ed by their amazing vocals and song choice. Which I think they composed themselves. A plus point, they got the other AMC-ians to have a sing-a-long with them for the chorus. Which brought me to tears. Yes, I shed a few tears. I liked the song and the fact that the AMC Rangers portrayed that much unity and integrity throughout the day. I was very much moved.


After all the competitions, we, the organizing committee went to discuss the awards. Then, the last open dance was opened. Lol.

And they party like mad!

As for us, Omigod. That time, it was so tensed. So chaotic. Some of us were practically shouting in the prefect's room. Everything is so undecided. So rushed. We hadn't much time. Or else we would've made better choices. And there was a power failure. Like the electricity just went la-di-da-poof-da! Imagine that. Omg.

Anyhow, we had to end everything quickly. So we were rushing everything. So the prize-giving was a lil messy. In fact, very. And some of us were just furious. I was very infuriated. Reasons.

Anyways, these were the awards and the winners on that day.

Best Marching- Poi Lam
Best Commander [troop]- SMI
Best Commander [coy/unit]- AMC
Best Banner- SMI
Best Modern Cooking Team- SMI
Best Scarf- AMC
Best Sketch- ACS
Best Dance- AMC
Best Singing- AMC
Best Advertising- SMI
Iron Guide- AMC
Iron Scout- SMI
Signature Hunt- SMI
Best Discipline- AMC
Most Supportive- Shiang Yang
Overall Champion- SMI

Best Marching- Poi Lam

Best Banner- SMI

Best Modern Cooking Team- SMI

Best Sketch- ACS

Best Dance- AMC

Best Singing- AMC

Best Scarf Design- AMC

Best Advertising- SMI

Most Disciplined- AMC

Most Supportive- Shiang Yang

OVERALL CHAMPION TROPHY! 8FT++!

Overall Champion- SMI

AMC-ians with their trophies. If only there were an Overall Champion Runner-up. Haha.

Some of the Rangers leaders with some of the Michaelians.

SMC!


I have to say, I enjoyed this gathering the most. It's a whole new different perspective to organize a gathering. The whole process of wanting to organize one, getting the proposal done, getting it approved, struggling with the funding and sponsorships, dealing with hiccups here and there, the experience altogether was an overwhelming one.

Although it has been 20 days passed 18th April 2009, the fond memories of the gathering is still fresh in my head and I'm living in denial. It's just the impact of preparing for it, which by the way took around 6 and a half months, is so tremendous that it has been marked as one of the most memorable experience in my secondary school life. In fact, it is the most memorable experience. Nothing can top it off.

I have been wanting to organize a gathering since I was Form One. MC Gathering 'Fortress of Crystal' 2005 was the first gathering I've attended. And from that, it has brought me closer and closer to the guiding world in SMC, and thus what I am today. It's just that I have this close-knit relationship with guiding, I can't help it but sacrificing some things along the way. I have no regrets whatsoever. When I was entrusted as the K.U., my first thought is to have a gathering. The 09' batch. And so it became a reality. Oh I tell you, we went through all kinds of hardship, extremely bumpy ride, to make this gathering a success, as what it is. I'm glad that the exco is all into the gathering. Any miscommunications or anything similar to that, I sincerely regret it and am truly sorry.

That great impact this gathering have on me. Unimaginable. Everytime I pass the upper hall, I see the backdrop. I see people cheering. I still see the two banners, hung. I walk along the corridors, I think about the gathering day, with guides and scouts around. I look at the Syuen Block and pondered over those days we Rangers spent cleaning up the entire block. To see, the labels of each school, still there.

Although the gathering only lasted for 12 hours, those 12 hours have been a mixture of emotions. I was so excited for it. The day that we've all been waiting for! Finally here. But depressed at the same time, it's gonna end pretty quick. So many feelings involved; fury, amazement, flattery, thrills, stress etc. But oh, those 6 months of preparation is worth it. Although our event only lasted for about 12 hours.

I would like to take every opportunity to thank those who helped. To the Rangers especially, helping out with the Syuen Block, banner, backdrop, hall deco, dungeon and tank cleaning etc. To those who donated. We struggled through the motherlode issue, but all is well at last. Teacher advisors, Pn Norazlina and Pn Chan for being there, so supportive of us. Pn Habibah, well she's new. And she got frightened of the whole gathering. Don't think she'll ever supervise us in any gatherings to come. Haha. Although they underestimated the power of us in the first place, but we proved them wrong. Ha-ha-ha! The various schools that supported this gathering. Madams who took the initiative to come back and attend the gathering. And individuals who have assisted along the way. Really, thanks a bunch!

But wait, not forgeting the organizing committee. Never would this gathering be a success as it was without you guys. Together we have toiled our way, yes, this memorable milestone, which I think the memories would be implanted in most of us. We are great, the 14 of us. Well to those that have underestimated us, saying all kinds of doozy-woozy tales about us not being able to have a gathering, I think we have proved you wrong.
We are GREAT aren't we?

Despite of the roller coaster ride, I want to do it all over again. Like what Eva mentioned in her blog, I too wished I can have a remote control to rewind time. To go back to 3 weeks ago from today. To experience it all over again. The experience of it, never have I felt that way through out my entire school life. I enjoyed every bit of it thoroughly. Perhaps different individual has their own view or perception. But through my eyes, this was a success. And a success it shall be for the years to come. For many to remember.

I hope the guides/rangers of SMC is more aware of the message we send across. As The Revolving Realm signifies change, and a change we shall seek in all of us. Those struggles, blood, sweat and tears of making the gathering a reality, is mainly to deliver the main idea of change. In years to come, when the upcoming 'destined' batch is going to organize a gathering, I wish them the best. Do it with passion and desire. The desire of wanting to organize one. Like what we did. And when it's time, despite all the outpouring emotions and the overflowing problems, never let the fire diminish. Whatsoever, never ever give up.

Yes, it has been a success. Thanks to all those who commented on the gathering. Be it good or bad. Nevertheless, I have several regrets. I would sincerely like to apologize if we have been biased towards any school during the gathering. And also on behalf of the judging board, I really regret the sarcastic and sardonic remarks we made, if there is. We have no intentions of judging any particular individual or hurting anyone's feeling.

In conclusion, I enjoyed myself through all this. Hopefully you did too. And yes, I am still living in denial. Still have the gathering sensation in me. Haha. Looking at the time, saying, "On that day we're doing this lah, that lah. Aiyor. Memories lah!" LOL

Memories indeed.