TROLAK. - 4 days, 3 nights of absolute fun.
To be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to this camp. I guess I was just afraid of what was in store for me, the fact that I didn't know what was going to happen. Me being pushed out of my comfort zone isn't exactly something I love to do in my past time. There were 17 Amanians chosen to participate in Trolak. As every other Interactor would have preeched, the Trolak Supercamp wasn't just about getting to know others from the other six ICC schools, it was about building a better you -one equiped with confidence, leadership and speaking skills.
Back to camp, we 17 Amanians boarded the bus along with Interactors from La Salle and CHS. The bus ride there was farely alright. I entertained myself with a abg of Cheesels, Nique's Ipod and conversations with whoever else who decided to land their asses behind. Apart from that, some of us decided to torment the rest with the "99 bottles of beer" song. They got so sick of us they decided to blast the music. Haha. You poor souls. :)
A few wrong turnings after, we arrived at our destination - Trolak Country Resort. It's actually under FELDA Plantation for oil palm. All 116 of us were divided into four different colour groups. I was sorted into PINK - later known as Pisang Pink Panther Panjang or 4Ps; along with Faye, Zai, Amira, Min Wai, Warren, Kien Fatt, Nadrah, Foo Soon and erm, Junkie (I don't know his real name!). We had a short telematch where my group collected the least points. NO matter, plenty of time. Afterall, our four days were just about to start.
Day One ended with nothing much. I was still being the same ol' timid me. Slowly building the courage to speak to others other than the ones I already know. In my opinion, the first night was the best out of the lot. After the Rotaractors came to check on us and some minor complications sorted out, Kye Min, Kim and David snuck into the Aman bungalow. We tried entertained ourselves (legally mind you) but we slowly fell asleep. Fell asleep on Kye Min mind you. For a skinny guy, he can be pretty comfortable. Kim the selfish boy took one whole mattress and pillow to himself. After sending the guys off, I thought of getting some more shut eye. Kim later messaged to go out. I crept out of the bungalow with some girls and ohmygosh, the stars. Just everywhere. All over the sky. You can't get views like this in KL, what with all the pollution and bright lights. But here, it seemed so perfect. Star gazing, one of my greatest weaknesses.
The activities for day two and three were set according to group. My group had High Rope and Obstacle Course. On the way to High Rope, Amira and I as usual were walking together to the site when we heard two guys behind us talking about exams. Amira turned behind and said, "You still have exams after this?". And from there onwards, a friendship begun. A unique one that I will always treasure between Amira, Warren, Min Wai and me. Shayang you guys to tiny oreo bits. Anyway, truthfully, I was scared of climbing the rope at first, considering my short hands. From down, it seemed impossible for my little hands to stretch so far to get hold of the next rope. I still climbed it though, rather fast in fact. In the end, there was nothing much to be scared of. Obstacle Course was alright. Nothing I've never done before. I think we really showed team coorperation during this. We even did a simple elevator stunt for one of the obstacle course. Warren, our very own monkey. :)
Night two was rather uneventful. We presented our sketch that all the groups were assigned to do earlier on the 90/10 concept. Although my group only grabbed second spot, I think we did an awesome job. With Jamaican mothers, Parriappa, Pushpa, Madame Papaya Panjang and all. I fell alseep waiting for a call. Yes, me, the one who doesn't need sleep to function fell asleep. What can I say? Everyone had their own plans and I don't like waiting for calls.
All of us woke up late the next day. When Shobs and I went for breakfast, Foo Soon was the only one in the room. My group had river rafting and jungle trekking today. During river rafting, we were split into three different groups. I was in the same group as Warren, Min Wai, Debra, Farah, Amira, Foo Soon and Faye. I think we were the most awesome group. In the first five seconds, our first float burst as it slammed into the side of the river. At the same time, Farah lost her paddle. With one side sinking, we managed to paddle ourselves outta the "dangerous zone". We continued paddling into places we shoudn't be until eventually we got stuck onto another raft that was stuck onto the log. When the other raft was released, our raft still couldn't move. We found out that the bottom of our raft was hooked onto the log. So slowly, one by one we got ON to the log so it would be easier for the guy to unhook ou raft. As the weight on the log started shifting, our raft overturned, resulting in a few people being dunked into the river.
Unlike the previous day, the water level only came up to about 2 feet, so we survived. No one drowned. Foo Soon thought he was going to though, so he decided to pull Debra down with him. Then, as we thought things couldn't get any worst, our log became unbalanced so we fell into the river once more. We climbed back on only to realize our log was moving with the current. Following Faye's lead, we started paddling the log with the remaining four paddles. Once the raft was unhooked, we jumped back on and continued paddling to our destination. Not without hitting a few more trees and branches of course. At the end of the whole journey, we were left with only two paddles from the original six, a few scratches but tons of laughter and good memories that heck, you can only get once in a lifetime.
I was happy with jungle trekking cause I didn't get any leech bites. I guess they don't fancy me, but its okay. I don't quite fancy them either. We gave ourselves nicknames to be called in the jungle, and somehow my name turned out to be Madulina because Warren thought that was my real name or B2 cause Amira was dubbed B1. Min Wai got called Leng Chai, Faye was named Pacatinator or Pacat and Warren was called the Pope. Hilarious I tell you. The Rescue Team which helped the damsels (not so) in distress cross little puddles and climb up hills did an awesome job so a big round of applause to them.
Night Three. Our last night at Trolak. You could see it in everyone's faces. No one wanted to leave. No one wanted to get out of the camp mode and return to reality. But since when do we get what we want? After a failed attempt to start off a dance floor in the conference room, the "party" moved back to the Anona(s). I spent the part of the night walking up and down the streets with Warren, Amira, Min Wai and Faye. Then, we took out a mattress and lay beneath the stars. The others slowly started coming, so in order to continue our P&C conversation, we moved to Warren's room. Talked and talked. Went back outside. Walked around a little. Then went to Min's room. Believe me, we did want to talk, just that, sleep sounded so much nicer. Poor Min Wai had to cover himself with a towel cause I stole his blankie. *woops*. ;)
Joined the rest outside later on. Just imagine this : About 20 Interactors sleeping on a tar road under the stars. Might not seem great, but it was simply bliss. Take my word for it. I'm sigh-ing as I type this out cause I know that this memories can never be relived nor replaced. It's one of those memories which just stay in your heart forever, constantly being referred to as times that nothing in the world could have destroyed it. Luckily, I moved into the room before it started raining. Some unlucky others got wet running in the rain. Haha. Woke up late the next day and was forced to skip breakfast. Haha.
Olivia, a lady for the States gave a talk on Children At Risk the next day. You could see everyone's eyes slowly shutting due to lack of sleep. Hearts were heavy as we sang Auld Lang Syne. I think its safe to say that not one person wanted this to end. I know I didn't. I did know that I will never forget the memories built during Trolak, the things I've learnt, the people I've met. I know that eventhough it was just four days, it was four magical days that will never ever, in any way be replaced. Its gonna take one hell of a camp to come close to Trolak Supercamp 06'.
And this is my silent prayer, to whoever who happens to stumble onto this page, to whoever who is willing to listen. This is my silent prayer that all of us won't forget the things that happened in Trolak. This is my silent prayer that we will still stay close in the years to come. We're more than friends, we're Trolak buddies.
Sigh, its good to be back. :)
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime. We'll take the best, forget the rest, and someday we'll find these are the best of times.
jue* all that i do comes back to you.
