My CCA - The Boys' Brigade

This is the last post for my English assignment. And I shall end it off with something that happens very regularly in my daily life. My CCA – The Boys’ Brigade (BB).

The BB emblem

“Why did you join the BB?” some of my friends would ask me,” What is the use of joining a uniformed group?” Well, I have a few reasons. First, BB helps me train up for the National Service (NS), Second, I was attracted by all the different fun and interesting activities BB offers. Third, I am a Christian and BB is a Christian Organisation. Fourth, BB can help me attain at least an ‘A’ grade in the LEAPS CCA point grading system and this can help me cut-off 2 points when I go into the Junior College of my choice. Lastly, BB is the FIRST uniformed group in history and I feel quite honoured joining it.

Now, I will go into a bit of history – how The Boys’ Brigade was founded.

Sir W.A.Smith

BB was founded in 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith (Sir W.A.Smith) in the Free College Mission Hall at North Woodside Road, Glasgow. He was a Sunday school teacher and he had a hard time controlling a group of unruly Boys after Sunday school. So, he thought of making an organisation for Boys as a part of the church. It proved very popular and 50 boys in the church joined. Many different activities were added to make it fun for the Boys. That also marked the start of camping for the young. This also led to the formation of other uniformed groups such as Scouts and Girl Guides.

In Singapore, BB has been around for over 70 years. We have over 6700 officers and boys and over 100 companies (or units). BB was first founded in Singapore in 1930. The company in VS is founded in 1931, which also means that it is the second company in Singapore.

The BB Programme in Singapore is divided in to three groups:

1) The Juniors: Primary School.
2) The Seniors: Secondary school.
3) The Primers: Post Secondary.

The Primers are mainly those who are old boys and they have come back to help serve their company as Cadet –Lieutenants (CLT).

There are many different ranks in BB and they all come with responsibility.

For Boys (Seniors):
1) Recruit (REC)
2) Private (PTE)
3) Lance Corporal (LCP)
4) Corporal(CPL)
5) Sergeant(SGT)
6) Staff Sergeant(SSG)
7) Warrant Officer(WO)

For Officers:

Uniform for:
Cadet - Lieutanents (CLT)

Uniform For:
2) Officer Cadets (OCT)

Uniform for:
3) 2nd Lieutenants (2LT)
4) Lieutenant (LTA)

For now, all the Sec 2s are just PTEs. But soon we will be LCPs. But the maximum rank a boy can attain in Sec2 is CPL.

There are 5 main attires for BB.

REC/PTE/LCP/CPL/SGT SSG/WO

1) Day Dress (Full Uniform)
This attire is for normal day to day activities

REC/PTE/LCP/CPL/SGT

SSG/WO

2) Ceremonial Dress
This attire is for grand occasions.

3) Musketry Kit (Half Uniform)
This attire is for less formal occasions

4) Fatigue Dress

5) PT Kit
These two attires a worn when more physical activities are performed

Every Saturday is when BB parades (trainings) are held. The parades normally last for about 5 hours, from 8am to 1pm.

First, we will start off with Muster Parade (fall in). This is when every one will fall in their squads and the squad leader will report to the Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of their squad strength. Then the CSM will attend to the late comers and they will have to explain why they are late. If the reason is invalid, you will have to ‘Knock it down’ (do push-ups). Then the Officers will check your cleanliness and ‘shininess’ of you uniforms. It is like taking attendance, except that you get punished it you are late and if you uniform does not look good. Sometimes there are a lot of late people or there is a lot of people moving during the parade, then they will have to ‘Knock it down’, and this will cause the parade to lengthen and result the rest of us in leg cramps. A normal Muster Parade lasts for about 45 min - 1 hour. Sometimes it might even drag on for 2 hours!

After that we will go on with our badge work for about 2 hours. This is when we learn all the skills and prepare for the theroy and practical test to attain the badge.

Next is Physical Training (PT). PT lasts for about ½ - 1 hour. For me, I am the lazy type and I will always slack off. Until the PTI comes chasing after the slackers, I will pretend that I am doing my best. But in the end I will get caught and results in doing more push ups. Sigh.

After PT, it will be games and this is the time where squads go at knuckleheads with each other and try to win the games for squad points. The Games IC will plan the games and scores and he will determine the winner for the game.

Finally, it will be fall out and announcements. But before every fall out, we will sing a prayer called the BB Vesper to thank God for giving us the opportunity to get together and learn, and this is an oppurtunity to remember Him.

After this, I hope that my readers would understand more about BB and the importance of Uniform Groups like us.

A photo of our company taken last year.

Besides all these, BB also cares for the society. One of our most well known programmes is the Sharity Gift Box. Here is a video of other companys doing the Sharity Gift Box

My Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner

It was the time of the year again. The time where the whole family gets together. It is Chinese New Year!

Yesterday was the eve of Chinese New Year, and all Chinese will go to their paternal Grandparent’s house and Celebrate this day.

For me, the day started with a nice hotpot at home.

Our delicious hot pot.

My mum decided that we should have a hotpot for lunch that day as all my other relatives can only make it there at 3 o’clock. The day before I had to help my mum carry all the food from Isetan. As you can see from the image above, there was a lot of food, and we had too many left, so we had hotpot for lunch again for tomorrows lunch.

Then we went to our Grandparent’s house by cab. Along the way, we collected a suckling pig for the reunion dinner as Grandma asked every of her children to bring at least one dish to the dinner.

The suckling pig Grandpa, Grandma, and Me.
My favourite cousin Edric and me.

Even though he is only 4 and I am 14, we like to stick with each other because we are the only boys there. The rest of our cousins are girls!

Grandma and me with all the food she and my relatives prepared

Today, there was a great piece of news. My generation of cousins have become Uncles and Aunties (to be exact, 2 Uncles and 19 Aunties). My eldest cousin, Cindy, who is now 24 years old, just gave birth to my now 2 month old nephew, Aden, last December (Okay that was good news to me because I just knew it that day.). He was such a cute little pink thing. When it was my turn to carry the baby, I could feel the baby in my arms, and I tickled his cheeks. He responded to me by ‘hitting’ me on the face. Everyone laughed at the sight, and I felt a little embarrassed.

Then it was dinner time! Time to eat all the scrumptious food we and Grandma prepared, and boy, it was delicious. Especially when you are eating with all your relatives, there is a special feeling that makes it feel and taste good.

Finally, a climax to all of us young ones. ANG PAO!!! This is also a ‘judgement time’ to see whether you have been a good child this year. The more money you get, the ‘better’ child you are. And again, I got the ‘best’ child again 7 years running (We compared the money in secret once our parents started playing mah-jong and ‘ballack’.).

My first Ang Pao from Grandma.

Edric and I Receiving our Ang Pao from Auntie Irene

After that, the adults played Black Jack (a.k.a. Ballack) and we watched TV and talked about school stuff. Edric then pulled me away from the ‘condemned’ girls and played with him dinosaurs and read his story books to him.

After a great and happy night we all gathered at the living room for the countdown to the Ox year.

Some of us on the living room sofa awaiting the countdown. From right to left: Dad, 1st Uncle Thou Sei, Edric, Grandma, and Me.

A happy and wonderful night, a great reunion party to start of the year of the Ox. To my readers, I wish you a very happy Chinese new year.

This is a New Year Song 新年到, by your favourite meadiacorp artists, enjoy!

West USA

This is West USA
Day 6 – New Jersey/Detroit international airport/Los Angles.

Finally, to the west coast! After a total of 8 hours (including transits) we finally got to Los Angles!

My whole body was jumpy and filled with all the happy emotions I could describe. This was the real climax of the trip for me. First, from now on, it will be a free and easy trip, meaning no need for early wake up calls, no rush, and no time limits! Next, I get to go to two of the greatest theme parks in the world! Disneyland and Universal studios! To me, rides are just nothing, but what is most important is the thrill and entertainment factor.

After we collected our luggage, we headed to our hotel, but on the way, we spotted the mother of all fried chicken restaurants. No, if you think it is KFC, you are wrong, terribly wrong. It is Knott’s Berry Farm. It has the best chicken in the whole world! Unlike other fast food restaurants, Knott’s serve with quality plates, metal forks and spoons, and mugs. The chicken is extra crunchy on the outer skin layer, but it is surprisingly easy to bite and chew on the under side of the skin. The meat is juicy and tender and it has a strange fragrance which no other company has. The chicken is not oily at all. You will not be able to smell or taste the oil, and you can eat as many as you like, and you will not feel the oil! After stopping over for a while, and spending about US$45, we had a take away of 22 pieces of chicken, 3 clam chowders, 1 corn soup, three bottles of special berry jam, and it all cost about US$70. When we got to our hotel at 3.30, we finished it all at 5.00.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm even had a theme park! It is even the first ever theme park in the United States! But unfortunately, I was not able to go because we did not have time.

Knott’s main business is manufacturing jam. Their jam was very tasty. Unlike some other jam, their Jam was just nice. It was very sweet, but not until your mouth screws up, there was the flavour, rich, but does not overwhelm the sweetness, and the jam was rather easy to spread on your bread.

Here is a short video of Knott's Berry Farm and Its rides. Enjoy!

Day 7 – Los Angles (Anaheim county, Orange county), California

I could not sleep. I was all jumpy. I was about to go to a Disneyland!

Me and dad at the entrance of Disneyland.

The whole day was fun, fun, fun. There were countless rides we have been to, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Thunder Rails, Buzz Lighter Space Rangers, etc., etc. and etc. But the most disappointing was that Space Mountain was closed for repairs. I was flabbergasted. The last time I went to Disneyland (Tokyo), Space Mountain was also closed for repairs. I had a bad tantrum but the other equally thrilling rides made me forget about it.

The only ride I got a picture. Toy Story’s Funfair. (An interactive shooting ride)
Me and dad at ‘a bug’s life’ 4D movie.

Besides rides, Disneyland also provides quality 3D and 4D Movies and behind-the-scene shots of how they made the movies.

And I am extremely pleased with ‘California Screamin’ ride. It was the best of all Disneyland Rides. It has the fastest speed, the highest amount of Gs, and the most number of twirls!

That was a thrilling and entertaining day.

Day 8 – Los Angles (Anaheim county, Hollywood), California

I could not sleep again. Darn it!

Today was the day where I go to the most thrilling and exciting theme park. Universal Studios Hollywood!

All of us at a queue for a show
Me at the Universal Studios Hollywood Entrance

Although this Universal Studios is a little small, but it has some of the most adventurous rides, The Return of the Mummy, Jurassic Park, and the funniest, The Simpsons Ride.

The Return of the Mummy was one of the scariest. Although it was an indoor rollercoaster, it was fast! There were mummies following your cart, mummies trying to grab you from above, scarab bettles 'crawling' into your cart (it was a special effect below the seat and a woman beside me screamed very loudly), and the king mummy sucking you into his pit of doom. I was not scared easily, but this scared me out of soul.

The Jurassic Park

There were not many people around, so I took the liberty of sitting in front! It was so much fun! But to ride this, you must wear a poncho, or you will get drenched.

The Simpsons Ride

If you a Simpsons fan like me, this ride is a must! An all star cast, this is a hilarious ride! You will be laughing and screaming all the way!

Day 9 – Los Angeles/ Tokyo Narita International Airport/ Singapore

The end of tour has always been the most heartbreaking days of my life, to leave behind so many fond and fun memories.

Breakfast pizza?

This is the most interesting of all the food I have eaten in USA. This is sold in the Wolfgang Puck express restaurant in the Los Angles international Airport. This pizza contains all the goodness you need in a healthy breakfast. There are tomato slices, egg, cheese, bacon, ham, and a tinge of mayo. I am a pizza fanatic and I have to say that this is a good pizza.

Well, that concludes my fantastic trip to USA. Where will I go next time? I will have to wait and see!

East USA Part 2

This is East USA Part 2.

Day 2 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/ Washington D.C.

Isn’t it nice?

After New York, we had a good rest at the HYATT Regency Hotel (Penn’s Landing). We all liked the view of the hotel as it is by a small river. To me, this view provided me with a soothing and relaxing feeling. My dad particularly liked this hotel as he is a harbour pilot and he liked the sea.

Mum and me at the United States Mint

After breakfast, we headed down to the United States Mint (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.) When we got there, my family was first to go in, so, I barged in through the doors of mint. Suddenly, I heard a loud voice calling me, “BOY! YOU COME HERE!!!” I got the shock of my life. I literally jumped when I heard it. When I turned around, I realised it was a security guard. Then I saw my dad grabbing me to a queue. I then found out that I forgot about the security check! I was so embarrassed that I hid my face in my jacket.

Inside the Mint, there was a hallway, full of history about coins, about how they were first thought of, how they were first made, etc and etc. Opposite it were many weird and strange gizmos and coins. After the hallway, came the production of the present US coins. There were many windows that showed how the present coins were made. When the video on the side screen was played, the children and I were watching those valuable pieces of metal dropping one by one from the conveyer belt to the basket. For me, I was staring at it because I am ‘money faced’.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed take photos inside the mint. Otherwise I could show you all the interesting and cool stuff inside.

“Super” Mario (The orange guy in front) leading the group to the Independence Hall

Mum and me at the Liberty Bell

The Independence Hall of America, the place where the declaration of independence was signed. The red brick building, built between 1732 and 1753, was commissioned by the Pennsylvania colonial legislature and it was initially inhabited by the colonial government of Pennsylvania as their State House. Two smaller buildings adjoin Independence Hall: Old City Hall to the east, and the Congress Hall to the west. I felt very honoured to be able to be there as it is a place of rich history and a place where about 200 years ago, gave freedom to a country.

Soon, we were back on the bus again and sat for about 3 hours to Washington D.C. Do you know what does D.C. stand for? Some of you might know that it stands for District of Columbia. Why Columbia? Because that was where Christopher Columbus first step foot on America, and lands that were named after the femine version of the discoverer's name.

Washington Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

White House

Wow! So many memorials and attractions! At D.C., there are not only memorials but also many museums too! Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take picture inside the museum. This day has been very fruitful, exciting, and enriching, but, this has also been the most unforgettable as I have seen so many historical sites.

Day 3 – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania/ Corning, New York/ Niagara, New York

Do you like chocolate? Well, my whole family is crazy about chocolate. And we went mad when we got to HERSHEY CHOCOLATE FACTORY!!!

Hershey Chocolate factory

Me and our friendly bus driver at the factory food court.

We loved the chocolate so much, that we bought over US$160 of chocolate! Yum! And we still have one months’ supply of chocolate!

Mum at the entrance of the Corning Museum of glass.

Then, we headed to corning tor the museum of glass. Inside, there were many different types of exhibits of glass. Who knew, that such and ordinary thing like glass, could be so fascinating! Have you ever seen bendable glass? Well, the glass was so thin, it could bend!

Although I could not get the picture of the bendable glass, I was still able to get you a few other photos.

Some machinery to make glass cutlery

The “mystic” wheel

The tower of (600) glass bowls

The glass Christmas tree

Niagara at night

Finally for the day, we ended of with a night experience of the Niagara Falls. It was a magnificent view, with Toronto, Canada on the opposite side.

Day 4 – Niagara, New York/ Boston, New York

All of us at the Falls

Niagara in the day

Well, not much to see for today, besides the Niagara Falls, the time was mostly spent on travelling to Boston. In Niagara, most of the things here are called “rainbow”. I am not too sure myself why, but maybe it is due to the “rainbow” effect the waterfall has when light passes through it.

Day 5 – Boston, New York

Today, we went to 2 of the most prestigious Universities in the world. Harvard and M.I.T.

Me and dad at the Harvard University Library

Do you now that the statue of John Havard in the University, is not John Harvard! In the past, no one knew how John Harvard looked like. So, they took a french scholar and used it for the sculpture. I wanted to show you a video I had taken there about the sclupture and in it, Mario speaks English and Chinese, but, unfortunately, the video format is uncompatable with blogger.M.I.T. Main building entrance.

After going to these institutions, I have aspired to work harder and set a target to get into either one of these great places, so that I can maximize my potential and have a good future. What a great experience for the East of the States. What would the West bring me? Again, that is all for now, see you again some day!