Alpha Premier: We Built a Kindergarten in 3 Weeks!

As all of you may know, I've been away on a Raleigh expedition for the past 5 weeks and travelling around Sabah-Sarawak for another 2.

My Delta (pre-project phase) Group: Delta 3

Working on the Raleigh project in Kampung Keranaan, Ranau has been an eye opener to me. I did recall thinking to myself,

"Oh shit, what on Earth I've gotten myself into?!?!??!?"

when I saw the huge piles of wood on the first day at the project site. Days 1 and 2 were exceptionally hard and harsh as it involved moving piles and piles of wood, not forgetting huge and HEAVY belion poles from point A to B.

And yes, my 3 weeks involved long hours under the hot scorching sun! 7 days a week, an average of 8 hours a day (8am - 5.30pm). We had no day off from the project site, which was particularly harsh. But well, we pulled through.

Axing...

Digging 4 feet deep holes to plant those impossibly heavy belion poles...

Sawing...

Painting...

It was satisfying, looking at the day to day progress.

From ground zero...

To getting the main structure up...

And my favourite part... the roof = shelter = NO SUN!!!!!

To the wall claddings...

Painting the undercoat...

And the distinctive Nestle 'kindergarten yellow'...

Some final touches and the steps cum verandah...

And VIOLA, we're done!!!!!!!



We were exceptionally proud of our masterpiece come 21st August 2008 to have completed the kindergarten in 3 weeks (in comparison to the usual 10 weeks).


In retrospect, I'm glad to have participated in a 5 week expedition as I got to work on the project right till the very end. It was certainly satisfying!



And to quote Alex (whenever we find that the going gets tough),

" {name} You built a f**king kindergarten in 3 weeks, so everything is possible!!!!"

I can't help but to agree with this man! Building that kindergarten was certainly rocket science which was made possible with the help from the locals!

And to quote from our team's infamous motto, which was banned by the field base for its sexual innuendo...

Team Alpha Premier: "We nailed, we screwed and it came together!"


Mission accomplished!

-LV-

Day 13: Honey, I'm Home!

Home, at last! My bed, my shower, my moisturiser, my laptop... Ah...

Day 12: Bau - Damai - Kch

Caves, the beach and the city.

Day 11: Kuching City Centre

Fun filled day with educational museum tours. Lawatan sambil belajar excursions.

Day 10: Sarawak Cultural Village

Day 9: KK - Kuching

Had a lovely time conquering Sabah, off to tackle Sarawak next!

Day 8: Mt. K - KK

Conquered the mountain and back to the city now. Seafood galore!

I Did It!

Made it up 8.5km on Mt. K, had to abort the hike up to Low's Peak due to bad weather. Charged down the mountain with KF in 2h 40m. We're knackered! Waiting for the rest to arrive now.

Day 6: Mt. K

5 hours hike, 6 kilometres trek uphill, and a 7kg rucksack. I made it (to Laban Rata)! 2am hike up summit tomorrow! Rain, rain, stay away; come again another day!

Day 5: Kg Keranaan Revisited

Ranau-Sabah Tea Garden-Kg Keranaan-Kinabalu Park in anticipation of the climb tomorrow. Praying hard that the skies will hold up for us on the 7th and 8th!

Day 4: Sandakan-Sukau-KK

River cruise along the Kinabatangan River. Finally saw the Proboscis monkeys. YES!

Day 3: Sandakan

It took me a 2.5hour plane ride to the South-Eastern tip of Malaysian-Borneo to find my clan (Sze Yip) association.

Day 2: Ranau

Back in Ranau for an overnight stopover.

Day 1: Destination Kudat

The 190km drive to Kudat was worthwhile as we managed to watch the splendid sunset at Simpang Mengayau @ The Tip of Borneo.

Turning 25

Timed post (Written 12th July 2008)

I turn 25 today

And I just got out of the jungle yesterday

I'll soon, in a couple of hours time, embark on a trip around Sabah, and conquer the highest peak in SEA
____

The past year had been great for me

For this, I'm thankful
____

From September 07 - September 08, I have

Resettled down nicely in Malaysia, and will likely be here for the next 5 years

Sat for my CLP exams (results soon to be announced)

Have just completed one of my 'unfulfilled dreams' i.e. Raleigh expedition

Gotten used to driving, and enjoy doing it now (except for the parking bit)

Got to know a lot of new friends

Come to realise my priorities in life

Have learned to loosen up a bit, and to let go at times
_____

And my hopes for this year

To pass the CLP (when results are announced later this month)

To find the right career path and a job that I'll love and enjoy

To take time out to enjoy the company of my loved ones

To learn to take disappointments

To criticise less

To be less cynical

To avoid judging books by its cover
____

AND
____

As always

To live life
____

Happy Birthday Babehhhhhh!!!!!!

-LV-

Happy 25th!

A be-earlied celebration yesterday. My tiramisu slice, courtesy of my dear expedition mate- Louise. And yes, along with my favourite Green Tea Frappucino!

Reconnected

Bade farewell to my expedition mates at 4pm today. And I hereby re-welcome my life, and things that I am familiar with. LV's unleashed and on a trans-Borneo tour! See you guys in mid-Sept!

Raleigh: Task Complete

At Borneo Paradise for our post-expedition party. My Raleigh experience was, put in simple words; priceless...

Alpha Premier: Mission Accomplished!

Our moment of glory, a culmination of 3 week's worth of hard work! Well done team! Changeover now, off for Adventure Challenge in 2 day's time!

Happy Graduation!!!!

Timed post (Dated: 14th July 2008)

To my friends in UNIMAS!

Happy graduation!!!!

You all have worked hard for this. So savour the moment.

Work hard, play hard and strive to become the most kick-ass (i.e. good) doctors around!

Anyway folks,
This marks the beginning of our long journey...

Life long learning, to be slaves of hospitals and slaves of courts. Dang!

-LV-