HK Expedition II: Time Flies...

Indeed, time flies. Before I know it, I am back to HK this morning.

The past 2 weeks has been draining, both mentally and physically. Perhaps I should not pack myself with so many activities during my holiday back home and during the period of time when I am not in the mood to do anything. Miracaly, everything went on smoothly and I thank Suling for the support throughout.

The primary thing I was back for was for commencement 2007. However, it seems that I am back mainly for the invited talks to the 4 JCs (YJC, ACJC, NJC and HCI) on Chemistry Olympiad. Ha, and I am talking to the teachers! Suling commented that I was daring as I am so young and dare to talk to a crowd consisting of some veteran teachers. It takes some courage I guess.

The JC talks went on rather well. It also gave me a glimpse into their system and thus allow me to better decide which JC I will like to go in the future. It's nice to see my classmates in the various JCs - Andy in YJC, Huei Huei and Baojin in ACJC, Weili, Angeline and Si Ling in NJC and Ming Lee (a senior, gotta know her during ICHO 2006) in HCI. At the same time, it is also weird to give a talk in front of them. Anyway, it's more of sharing my experience in coaching the national team and as a committee member in SCHO 2006. I realized that teachers are just like students in the following aspect:

1. When they are looking for seats, they do not like to sit "in front" (i.e. near the speaker). I won't eat them up.

2. They like to ask for model answers. :( we are not "redspot"

3. They like to ask whether past year papers to the SCHO are given. If not given, why? Ask NUS.

4. They like to ask for free complimentary copies of my book to be given. I am not the publisher. Even if I am the publisher, if I give everyone, then what do I earn? Lol.

Anyway they are cute lor. I was kinda dumbfounded. On the whole, it's a good experience. Whatever the case is, I will only need to worry about which JC to go into 2.5 years later. It's still a long way.

Monica's wedding on the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover (1st July 2007) was nice (ambience only!). The food sucked big time, downplaying the essence of chinese cooking. This was the first wedding dinner that I attended and it was an eye-opener.

Commencement on 4th July 2007 was ok. However, the feeling of "graduating" is no longer there; perhaps due to the fact that I was already half a year into my graduate studies. Felt quite empty also as I do not know most of the people in my junior cohort. Luckily, Yuan-Ting, Chee Siong and my CSS juniors were there.