My hobbies include writing, listening to music, singing, playing the acoustic guitar and photography. I am currently learning Korean in school so I can write and speak the language quite well. If you don’t know me, you may think I’m a nerd but I’m definitely more than just a nerd. When I really get to know you, I can talk a lot. My ambition is to be a journalist, or a professional in the media industry.
PicasaYoutubeSearch
Follow Us
Subscribe
Subscribe via RSS
I hate saying goodbye.
Two weeks later, these 22 people, together with the 9 other Singaporean SMEs, have become my friends.
In the past two weeks, we have all bonded together through group outings to Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa, Universal Studios, Opening and Closing ceremonies, City Celebration concerts, and simply by saying hi to one another in the function room at our hotel.
And now as I watch the China SMEs pack up their function room, and shift the room back into its original state, I can't help but feel sad.
These people are now my friends. Friends whom I can't help but keep remembering that I probably will not see again. It's been a good two weeks, and I remember how these people were initially strangers. Looking at them during the Official Kick-Off event at the Samsung Hub on 13th August, I never dreamed that I would form a bond so close with them.
The bond is so close that I don't even mind staying up till 6am today (it's 3.32am now) just to go to the airport with the China SMEs to send them off.
To all the SMEs, from China, Korea and Singapore, I'll miss each and every one of you.
I hate saying goodbye.
Two weeks later, these 22 people, together with the 9 other Singaporean SMEs, have become my friends.
In the past two weeks, we have all bonded together through group outings to Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa, Universal Studios, Opening and Closing ceremonies, City Celebration concerts, and simply by saying hi to one another in the function room at our hotel.
And now as I watch the China SMEs pack up their function room, and shift the room back into its original state, I can't help but feel sad.
These people are now my friends. Friends whom I can't help but keep remembering that I probably will not see again. It's been a good two weeks, and I remember how these people were initially strangers. Looking at them during the Official Kick-Off event at the Samsung Hub on 13th August, I never dreamed that I would form a bond so close with them.
The bond is so close that I don't even mind staying up till 6am today (it's 3.32am now) just to go to the airport with the China SMEs to send them off.
To all the SMEs, from China, Korea and Singapore, I'll miss each and every one of you.
"Sing gah por! Sing gah por!"
Hello everyone :)
The blog title is not, in any way, meant to flame my country. After all, I'm also a patriotic Singaporean.
The blog title is a representation of what I heard (mostly) at the Table Tennis match yesterday.
The blog title is the chant of the primary school children at the Table Tennis match yesterday.
Singapore's paddlers Isabelle Li and Clarence Chew went up against Europe's Konrad Kulpa and Olga Bliznet yesterday in the Mixed Team event, and beat them 2-0.
I believe the spectators played a part in this. Even though these primary school children probably were forced into coming to support Home Team, it certainly didn't show on their faces that they didn't want to be there.
And so they went "Sing gah por! Sing gah por!" to cheer on our national paddlers. It was heartwarming, to hear these young voices rooting for our athletes.
It made me wonder. if it wasn't for this Samsung Mobile Explorer programme, I would probably be at home exercising my fingers on the computer keyboard.
The indoor stadium, which can seat 13,000 people, had more empty seats than filled ones. And if you do not count the primary school children, it would just be athletes, officials and table tennis tables.
It's sad, I must say. I tried to think of reasons why no one came, and here's what I got:
-it's a weekday, the adults are working (unless they are primary school teachers)
-the matches are telecast on TV, so why go all the way down to Singapore Indoor Stadium? (despite there being a Circle Line station there)
-it wasn't clear when Singapore was playing, unless you follow the Olympic website at http://www.olympic.org/en/content/YOG/Results-Zone/Results/#/side12 (but even then, the results are quite unclear and needs a bit of scanning through)
-the exams are coming, the Secondary School and polytechnic students have to study (and besides, the Secondary School and Junior College students still have school.)
Chances are slim that Singapore will host another Youth Olympic Games, but these are all learning points for the next YOG host - Nanjing.
Go Nanjing!
你好！-'Hello' in Chinese
This time, I've done an interview with a Chinese SME.
Xia Song (夏嵩) is from Hubei, China. The 17-year-old currently studies at Wuhan Finance School.
But before you associate and stereotype him with anything traditional, old-fashioned and dull, do know that he likes Linkin Park, Westlife and Black Eyed Peas. He could even tell me that there were Linkin Park songs in the Transformers soundtrack.
Through a short interview with him, Xia Song tells me about his hobbies - playing computer games, drawing, painting Chinese calligraphy, playing badminton and snooker. Things that he can't live without? The mobile phone and the computer. Sounds like an average teenage guy.
But I was impressed with his reply when I asked for his aspirations. "I want to be a world-class accountant. I'm taking the accounting exam next year," said the soft-spoken guy. At 17, some of us do not even know our goals, our aims, what we see ourselves doing in future.
Before coming to Singapore, he researched on the food in Singapore, so he came with the expectation for good food in Singapore. He also researched on fun places to visit in Singapore, like the Merlion and the Esplanade. Like Karen, he also read about some local delicacies and got to try them in Singapore.
"I read about Bak Kut Teh and Laksa on the internet, and I got to try these dishes for myself in Singapore. I find laksa a bit too sweet because of the coconut milk, but it's still my favourite food in Singapore."
Si Ying: How did you get selected to be an SME?
Xia Song: I applied online, then they picked 30 people to go to Beijing for an interview, before we were selected to be a China SME. For the interview, we were divided into 5 groups of six. Each group had to prepare a presentation and cultural performance, to be presented to about 10 judges, who will then judge and grade us individually.
SY: How is social media a part of your life?
XS: I have a blog, which I update once or twice a week. The blog is like my online diary. My blog link is http://blog.sina.com.cn/xs550315735
SY: What is your impression of Singapore so far?
XS: Singapore has a clean environment. I like the work pace in Singapore, it's faster here. The people are kind and friendly, open to conversation and very helpful in giving directions. Singaporean girls are also more open-minded, whereas girls from Hubei are more conservative.
SY: Will you ever come back to Singapore, and bring your friends/family along?
XS: Yes, definitely. I like Singapore.
안녕하새요! -'Hello' in Korean
Hello everyone :)
As you can see from the title, this blog post is related to Korean.
But what is it?
Today, I interviewed a Korean SME. Through the interview, I got to know her better.
17-year-old Karen (Byun Juyeon) has never been to Singapore. Majoring in Japanese at Handong University, Karen is from Jeju Island in South Korea. She shares with me more about herself, her impression of Singapore and her take on Singaporean guys.
Though she has a petite frame, this girl is not to be messed with. She cites one of her hobbies as playing soccer with guys, and watching soccer. You would then ask, which team did she support in the World Cup? Karen confessed that she was rooting for her home country South Korea, as well as Argentina.
You would think that as a Korean, she would probably love Korean pop groups like Girls' Generation or Super Junior, but that's where you're wrong. Her favourite singer is Jason Mraz, with her favourite song as "I'm Yours".
Karen, who is nicknamed Snoopy for the way she looks, also shares a bit of humour during the interview. When asked about her aspirations, she replied that she wants to be a Diplomat for South Korea, but also cheekily added that she wants "older brother to be mentally healthy because he got dumped by girlfriend".
Roasted chicken rice is Karen's favourite local delicacy. Prior to coming to Singapore, she did her research on the internet. From there, she learnt about Singapore's infamous durian fruit, and popular places that are a must-visit, like Bugis Street.
Even though the internet is vast in providing information, nothing beats experiencing it yourself. Karen had expected Singapore to be clean, and she said that the city had lived up to her expectations. She also added that Singapore's weather was as humid and hot as Jeju Island.
Comparing Singaporean guys to the guys back in her hometown, she said that "Jeju guys are scared, they don't talk a lot, whereas Singaporean guys are nice and kind and cute".
How true that statement is, I have no idea. Unless I visit Jeju Island myself.
Si Ying: How did you get selected to be an SME?
Karen: Ji-hyeon (another Korean SME) told me about this programme, so we signed up togethe. Then we went for the interview together. Then we were chosen to be in the Korea SME Team.
SY: What's something you can't live without?
Karen: My diary. I write entries in my diary daily. I like the conventional way of writing.
SY: How is social media a part of your life?
Karen: I have a Cyworld account, which is like the Korean version of Facebook.
SY: What is your impression of Singapore so far?
Karen: Singapore is a hot place. It's small but it has the world, like people from different countries living here. Can have novel food like laksa and durian anytime in Singapore. Singaporeans are sweer and nice. Seriously. I asked people for directions to Peranakan Museum, and they kindly helped me.
SY: So will you ever come back to Singapore, and bring your friends/family along?
Karen: Yeah, of course! (nods head vigourously)
Hit some balls.
Hello everyone :)
Did the blog title catch your attention? Well, what I mean was ping pong balls.
Some of the Samsung Mobile Explorers (SMEs) are going to report from the Table Tennis matches tomorrow, and I'm one of them!
So I did some research on table tennis and I've read from the news (I'm sure you have, too) that Singapore's paddler Isabelle Li clinched a silver for the Girls' Singles event. According to http://www.olympic.org/en/content/YOG/Results-Zone/Results/#/side12, it seems I'll be watching the Mixed team matches!
Since young, I've liked Table Tennis. The sound of the ping pong ball in contact with the racket, and the bouncing on and off the table. I remember how I used to play table tennis with my dad when I was young.
Even though I may not be an athlete donning the Singapore team outfit now, I know that I will be rooting for my own country like a patriotic nut tomorrow.
I'm back :D
Hello everyone :)
It's been a long time since my last post.
What all of us Samsung Mobile Explorers have been doing in the past 12 days:
checked into the hotel where we'll be staying at till the end of YOG,
met our fellow SMEs from Korea and China at the Official Kick-Off at Samsung Hub,
attended city celebration concerts by B2ST & 4 Minute, The Click Five, Singapore Idol 2009 Sezairi Sezali, Nicholas Zhang Dong Liang and Singaporean singer Alarice
(and did I mention, we got to meet The Click Five and Alarice and get their autographs, PLUS we got media passes to give us the best photos!)
witnessed the Opening Ceremony,
sat in for the preliminary rounds for swimming,
gone to the Youth Olympic village for the Culture & Education Programme,
bonded with the other SMEs through a group outing to Jurong Bird Park...
And just yesterday (Monday),
we went to Universal Studios!
But before that, we went to The Luge and Underwater Worls in Sentosa. I must say, racing with the fellow SMEs at the Luge was really exciting. Underwater World has also changed quite a fair bit since I last went there (which, trust me, was eons ago). But it was a good revamp. The exhibits seem more interesting and captivating now.
Then it was off to Universal Studios! In a nutshell, it was an experience to remember, and at the end of the day, I left with no regrets, no disappointments, no unhappiness at all. We went to a fancy restaurant called Mel's Drive-in for lunch, which served quite good burgers. A crispy chicken burger costs $5.60, but you can use your $5 meal voucher which came with the ticket purchase.
We tried funny hats at a store (good photo opportunity), watched a 4-D show on Shrek, went on a semi-scary Ancient Egypt rollercoaster ride (it was my first time on a rollercoaster, so it was scary but REALLY GOOD), a Jurassic Park-themed ride that soaked some of us really wet, and watched a show performance about a pirate hijack. Queues for the rides were quite long, but we didn't have to wait long thanks to effective staff. And I had the company of good friends, so the torture of waiting seemed to be more bearable. The rides are really worth the wait. Do note, however, that this is my personal opinion and may differ from yours.
But overall, I love the Universal Studios. Of course, we couldn't leave without buying souvenirs. I bought a laptop case that I could use for school.
Thinking back, I really can't believe that we did so much in just one day. A word of advice though, Universal Studios needs about one full day for you to really enjoy everything.
And for an extreme lack of photos, I've attached the Facebook link where I post some of the pictures that I've taken as an SME:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194619&id=562288520
Friday the 13th
Hello everyone :)
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this Friday will be Friday the 13th.
However, this Friday also marks the day that we will be meeting the other Samsung Mobile Explorers from Korea and China!
(time to brush up on my Korean and Chinese)
It also marks the official beginning of the Samsung Mobile Explorer programme, where we will all be working together for the next 13 days to bring you the reports from the various events at the Youth Olympic Games.
I will be going for the Aquatics-Swimming event this Sunday, 15th August, so be prepared for more pictures!
This Friday, I will also be going for the YOG City Celebrations, where there will be performances by local band Electrico and B2ST & 4MINUTE, among many others.
And these are VVIP tickets.
(I will upload the pictures on this blog, so stay tuned)
Hello everyone!
With the National Day Parade coming to a close, let's prepare for the next major event...
the Youth Olympic Games!
The world will be watching us, but we are prepared. The Samsung Mobile Explorers have also been gearing up to bring you (yes, you) the coverage of sports events!
We have attended training workshops by MediaCorp's Senior Sports reporter Patwant Singh, seasoned photographer Willy Foo, as well as renowned blogger Muhd Hisham!
Now all we need to do is apply what we learnt, into the stories that we write and the photos we take.
And trust me, we will. So stay tuned to our blogs :)
The first post for the first YOG :)
Hello everyone :)
As the title states, this post is my first post for the Samsung Mobile Explorer (SME) Programme for the Youth Olympic Games. Before you feast your eyes on all the pictures I have, let me first introduce myself.
My full name is Clara Rachel Lai Si Ying, and one thing my close friends will say about me is that I am incredibly lame. So if you can't stand me, sit down. And if I crack you up, fry an omelette.
Moving on to the more interesting things. I went to Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) today.
It looks so quiet and empty, is this really the venue of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame Community Celebrations?
That's where you're wrong. Boy, was it packed inside!
People, people and more people!
But what I found really heartwarming was that this event has brought together people from different walks of life, different races, the young, the old, and even the foreigners! It was like another National Day Celebration. There were performances by some of the talents from Nanyang Polytechnic, as well MONSTER, an award-winning cheerleading squad from Taiwan, which was specially invited by Samsung for this event.
Our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong graced this event. He was accompanied by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
The moment came when the torchbearer arrived with the torch. The crowd went wild with cheers and everyone rushed forward to take a closer look at the Olympic Torch. My first thought was that it was unbelievable how I was looking at the same torch that had been lit in Olympia, Greece just two weeks ago.
And that basically sums up the whole Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame Community Celebrations.
Everything ended on a nice note with a mass dance by the NYP students.
0 Comments