~JcZw

Have been staying in hall for a few nights now, though I'm back home again through an unusual set of circumstances. Its been a hot few days, and combined with the heat generated from the fluorescent lights in hall, makes sleeping a little uncomfortable, since the fans, though working, are but blowing hot air at me. Still, it's much better than F1 ever was.

Had a pleasant Flag Day with Bombini, much less exciting than last year's, which suited me fine, but a driving lesson bang in the middle of flag day had me away from the OG for the better part of the day, since they were flagging in ToaPayoh-Bishan-AngMoKio and I was all the way at Ubi.

I must say, though, that of the short period I was actively flagging, I realized that people this year seem much less receptive than those last year. Those big charities which have proved corrupt, or to be fair, the leaders of these big charities, have a lot to answer for in terms of the way they have affected other people's donation drives. Having spent not just one morning in Sec. Sch flagging for people like N K F, the thought of having been suckered as an idealistic student doesn't exactly fill me with pride either.

On the other hand, suspecting the thousands of NUS students of being a corrupt organization STILL does NOT give people the license to ignore us when we ask for donation does it? I mean, for one day, my name could have been Moses, with the waves of people parting around me. Suddenly, the people along the front of NTUC Fairprice in Toa Payoh found the wide walkway which I was on unconducive for walking and either diverted to the carpark, with the whizzing cars which were not dangerous at all, or to the corridor under the building next to me, which was so not-narrow either.

Suddenly, people seemed very preoccupied with things in the distance and didn't see the brightly clad student waving his can in their direction with the ever present request of "Good afternoon sir / ma'am, would you like to make a donation? We're from... nutshe'signoringme". If I were brandishing a foil, let's see how little they would react.

I mean, its only polite to look at the people speaking to you what isn't it? Or at least to say no thanks. At least it acknowledges the other person's presence. But if all my years of doing flag for N KF and St. John are an indicator, the mere fact that you're holding a can seems to give people an idea that you're a lower lifeform which doesn't have to be treated with equal respect. How deplorable. That's the word, deplorable.

Still, shall not forget the various aunties and the big friendly Malay man who donated money and even stopped to chat for a while. Such people make flag days nicer and leave you feeling happy and idealistic for a little while =)

Shall go on with a subject which raises the heat less in my ears. Driving was very good. In fact, it was my most on form day so far. Was very very calm despite the circuit being moderately crowded. I hit one kerb, but if I can replicate yesterday's perfomance twice more on Friday and next Monday, I shall be pretty confident for the test on Thursday. Its pretty cool how the instructor knows me AND Med WeiLun AND YingHui. The latter passed her test today, which is a small source of comfort since the instructor said both of us drive in a similar manner heh.

Still I see how. I hope can pass first time, if only to save money and also cos the upcoming weeks have crazily packed schedules (the next person to say "so lucky, no need to bid for modules" is lying through their teeth), combined with hall. Monday starts with me waking up at 0630 and finishing school at 1800, before having KE VCF welcome supper AND Hallplay Steering Comm meeting AND a friendly handball match all at night.

This academic year looks like one big test of time management alright =)