Hi all, squad blog is kinda dead AGAIN. And though people still check the squad blog, no one seems to bother tagging. It's kinda lonely when you are the only one tagging and/or posting, so can I please ask squadmates who come to the blog to tag once in a while.
And since it has almost been a month since the previous post, I'm going to post about the Universal Studios CIP yeah? Don't mind me, it'll be quite lengthy.
I guess that it is a pity for those who didn't come, though, in a way, for it became several hours of squad bonding for the other 20 of us.
Although there were many a communication lapse (dinner was supposedly provided, yet refreshments were only made available at 9 plus; the number of students leaving directly from Sentosa was also limited; it wasn't CIP at all, just Community Resilience day- on a weekday and ending so late, no less... And why, pray tell, did some of the RVGG join us when it was so obviously an NP event? Come on, we were surrounded by NP cadets of various units lor.) But that's about all even I can complain about, and I'd like to bet that I'm the most skeptical person in Hotshots- after hearing me deluge them with complains about the dismal Heal The Earth event, I bet squadmates would agree. No...?
So we arrived at Universal Studios, after a long ride which brought us pass Malan campus. All in the bus (NCOs and RVGG in one bus, juniors on the other) turned to stare out and reminisce, apart from the squadmates who'd fell asleep. At the entrance of Universal Studios, we started off sitting in relative discipline- perhaps until excitement set in (“自 high”, Pei Hao called it) - whether it was brought about by the fact that Madeleine dropped her sweet or the fact that we were at Universal Studios I'm not sure.
[For the record: Madeleine had a sweet in her mouth while talking- then all of a sudden the sweet disappeared, and she looked around for it- which was when Amanda pointed to the ground: "Is it this one?" ^.^ ]
We started chatting, taking candid photos and a squad photo of 20: those present were Jie Min, Yun Hui, Ying Ying, Yang Sheng, Pei Hao, Amanda, Zhang Ying, Ruth, Ken, Kenneth, Seow Hwee, Sylvia, Madeline, Michele, Freda, Chloe, Pei Jia, Madeleine, Shou Fong and I.
All while waiting for the other bus of RVNP cadets who were lost somewhere at Siloso beach. We were probably the last unit to enter.
We were treated to the glory of Universal Studios at night: which was probably the lack of. Anyhow, we went into the only thing alive in the sleepy street: the theatre.
The theatre was half occupied by NP cadets, the other half by people wearing the (label?) "Guest"- we students wore "Exercise participant". Then we got to watch/listen to the musical (supposedly) "Monster Rock"- not a bad experience, though I had my fingers plugged in my ears most of the time- it was deafening. There were also a good use of special effects, I guess- with all the colourful firework-like sparks and several "explosions".
Just at the end of the "Monster Rock", we were alerted by an announcement that some bomb threat was discovered or something, that this was not part of the performance. We were then ushered out through escape routes til we were out in the street again.
If we had not been briefed that this was just an SPF demonstration, I guess the idea of terrorists bombing Universal Studios could have been more frightening.
We were then told that the bomb had been detonated by the police with a bomb blanket or something. Then we were ushered a bit again, and then there were, supposedly, gunmen firing. Since most of us were stuck at the back, we didn't see much/anything, but there were many rounds (of blanks) fired. Then the announcement came that the officers have now to locate the bullet shells, if I'm not mistaken.
At long last, we were ushered to the end of the street to listen to the minister's speech. He read his words one by one, made several errors in his addressing speech (I think: I mean, he told us that he was there for the St. James powerstation one too, but most of us students were probably not there, being underage and all. --!?), shook hands with the CEO of Universal Studios (whose name was "Tan Wee Teck" if hearing serves) and then we were invited to help ourselves at the refreshments.
So we all went into Sci-Fi City, and helped ourselves. There was a dessert table, amongst others, and waiters(?) went around handing out drinks. The cheesecakes and brownies were declared delicious, and we gathered together to eat the satay, spring rolls, etc etc. We were told to meet Ms Lim to leave Universal Studios at 9.15, but we all wanted to stay. Everyone was in cheerful moods, and not very eager to leave the buffet.
But go we must, so we joined the juniors for a unit photo in front of the theatre and had one of the squad as well. Another unit photo after we got out of Universal Studios, beside the gigantic globe- then those who would leave from there were released, Amanda as well as some other juniors. (Kenneth didn't bring his bag though he lived near Vivo-!! 0.0 He had to go back all the way to Boon Lay and back again by MRT...)
The bus we returned on was the one the juniors came in- much less pretty, much older, and didn't smell very good. But the atmosphere was hyped up, so I guess we had less to complain. All that we complained about was not being able to stay for more food, actually ._.
We passed the Malan campus once more, and Ken observed that the canteen lights were on. We began to reminisce about the times we were there ("much happier memories here than at the new campus") and fancy thoughts of returning there someday. Squad outing or something- maybe before ROD, we can return to the Malan campus- just once more. There was also interest in seeing the Malan campus NP room, which was definitely had much more essence of mystery than the current one.
About this time, Seow Hwee cried- for the fact that we would be parted soon, amongst probably the memories in Malan. Then we entertained some thoughts of joining the same CCA in year 5- or create a new one: RVNP CIs, getting the whole squad in there. ("Another one of the milestones created by Hotshots"- no elaboration here, but perhaps squadmates can remember. ^^)
To sum it up- there were discussions about who would cry during ROD (Freda said I would- and that Kenneth would. ~?!) We reached Boon Lay campus around 10.20pm I guess. Hotshots returned to NP room and got the juniors' bags out for them, and Mr Low seemed surprised that juniors weren't allowed to even peek into the room, much less enter. To be frank it was quite a hassle to carry them to and fro and finding each item's respective owner- but it was tradition, so too bad.
All in all, Universal Studios "CIP" was quite nice, allowing for squad bonding and all. Though I guess the downside is what everyone felt this morning- fatigue. Yours truly couldn't keep her eyes open in CHAMPS... damn tired. I would have liked to have begun the post or end the post with a picture taken from yesterday- but the pictures are with Ms Lim.
The likelihood of all getting in the same CCA is to me quite small, but if I could, I would. Hotshots has become a dear part of my memories in RV, and I wish that it is the same for the rest of my squadmates too.
This next half a year or so... Treasure them. Let it be memorable. Because it is 缘分 that we are one squad. Let Hotshots bond, not break during this last year of NCOship.
And finally... Shall we try to return to the Malan campus before/after ROD? ^^
--
Jing Yee
