Chingay 2010

I reached City Hall MRT station early to meet Elaine. I was so scared that I will be late with regards to the meeting time as I left my house rather late to charge my phone. I used up a lot of battery for the previous day. I was so glad that I did not make her wait.

We then make our way to the reporting area and found that we were the third and fourth leaders to reach. The rest were late. We took a rest before the rest arrived and have the briefing started.

I was so glad that the distributing of water was changed. We got to have a bottle each at the start of the day. I really thank the guy leader that helped me to get the box of water. Volunteers slowly reported one by one. We did the necessary admin stuffs and give out the water.

I went to talk to SockHui when I see that I am not so busy. She gave me her three slices of garlic bread. The bread saved me as I was rather hungry then. It was still a long way to go till dinner will be distributed. I tried to talk to the other leader at times so that he won't feel awkward that I used to feel.

After I finished the breads, the people from the toilet company came to clean the toilet. The smell was so terrible that I felt like vomiting. Sensitive nose. It was a torture to carry this out after having all the volunteers reported to the tentage.

Mr Raymond Huang came to give a talk again. He came in the segway just like the day before. I do not really like the idea of him coming in the segway as it was a rather dangerous thing. It is a cool invention I must say, balancing the whole machine hands-free.

Just like the previous day, we went to put the pompoms on the seats. instead of placing the items on the promenade side, we were in-charge of the pit side this round. The people worked really fast I must say. Within moments, all seats were placed with a pompom. I was thinking that there is some time for rest and enough time for dinner. Well, I was wrong. It rained shortly after all the pompoms were placed and all of us have to run for shelter first. We got to rest while waiting for the rain to stop. I really dread wiping the chairs due to my back.

We were given a piece of towel each shortly. Proceeded to around garage 33 for dinner before proceeding back to wipe the chairs. Reminded my group not to hurt their back while wiping the chairs with what I learned in school. Dinner was alright. I was so glad that there were more gravy. The fishcake tastes nice. We got three pieces of checken each, but it wasn't really nice. The vegetables was alright, just the kind that I do not really like.

It was a change in timing for dinner due to the rain. Supposed to have it at a later timing, the second dinner shift. I really do not like the segway moving to and froth near me as it is putting my poor feets in jeopardy. I am not sure when my toes are going to be run over by that heavy machine.

I wasted the food again. Not enough time to eat again. Sad. We then dragged out feets back to the yellow sector, as garage 33 is around the blue sector, to wipe the chairs. Reaching there, I was surprised to find that the chairs were actually very dry! Wow. Great, I do not have to hurt my back!

As the gates will be opened earlier than the previous day, the other leader and I were told to get the volunteers into their positions first. After all of them got into their position and I gave deployment to a guy who only turned up for that day, it was time to rest my legs. I took a seat beside the staircase near the red sector so that I can watch the people rehearse. Had a nice chat with the other leader.

Volunteers beside me suddenly apologised to me out of the blue. It took me a while to realise that they were trying to say that they are the lamp-post. It's not funny. The mood of a nice chat turned a little awkward for a moment. We continued chatting till the gates were almost opened. In between the chat, I went to the end of the gallery seats and shouted over to Sockhui who was at the red sector. Her way of wiping the chairs is going to hurt her back.

I did a last round of checks and waited for the gates to be opened. I could see that many spectators were already waiting at the entrance point, ready to get themselves into the cheery atmosphere of the parade. Standing and waiting for the cue at the staircase, I saw the spectators rushing in once the signal for the gates to be opened was given. It was time to get to work.

I walked around just like the previous day. Got some free gifts as it was the last day. Furthermore, there was a special section dedicated to the PA members. There were extra gifts given to these people and I got myself some. Great. I got the blue-light Chingay fan too. It would be nice if I get to have the yellow one as well.

As I have watched the parade before, I still kept my spirits high. I still like the Chingay Wonderland music piece. I watched the parade with a different volunteer. The starting was filled with smoke. A little more than the previous day. The wind was so strong that all the smoke was blown towards my sector. All the colour papers were blown over to my side as well.

The people holding the gigantic flags had some problems balancing as the wind was really strong. But they did it! They were just so good!

As I sat at the side near the red sector, there was noise pollution. As it was the side of the sector, the ending of each performance, I did not really get a good view of the show. I sat in the middle the previous day and got a rather nice view. Well, at least I get to see something a little different.

We got ready for deployment as the parade is near the ending. Nice fireworks. I screamed till a guy volunteer in front of me got irritated. Well, it was a time for high-spirits, so why not? I really like the fireworks. Guess what? I got to see KungFu Panda too! I even got a chance totake a picture of it! Yes! KungFu Panda is just so cute. Being very high-spirited for the finale, he danced and his fat belly actually bounced within the protective ring. So cute! Though I have to take a picture of it through the metal railings of the staircase, I was very happy!

I saw a performer getting ready for her next act; dancing with a colourful pompom at the gallery. I asked to take a picture with her. Nice! Just a pity that the picture is a little dark. Great enough I guess.

I was told to stayed on top to clear the spectators while the rest of my group proceed down to be part of the "bye-bye party". As the City Alive people have taken over the pit, there was only one way to exit the venue. The volunteers were asked to direct them to that only exit.

After the people were cleared, I got a chance to take a picture together with the other leader and the PA in-charge. Nice. A pity that my hair was messy yet I did not realise!

It was time for a mass photo to be taken after that. The group was led to the blue sector to find a seat. Proceeded back to the tentage after a while as we were told that it was not a success in taking that photo. We took another mass photo at the tentage.

After the admin work, it was time that the volunteers were released. The other leader and I sorted out the excuse letters and certificates before distributing them out. Nice cooperation.

There was no certificates given out to the leaders on that day. After the leaders' mass debrief and submitting my name for the excuse letter, it was time to leave the place. It was nice of HongQuan to wait for me again. We walked really fast as it was late. I was so glad that we caught the last train to Jurong East. Phew.

I reached home at the same time as the previous day. Tired. I earned myself a wound because of the ankle guard that I wore. The protruding rubber caused my foot to be itchy. My foot bled due to the scratch. Ouch. I went to sleep after taking a bathe. It was really a relief that this project has ended. I am really tired. I am so happy that I finally got to rest.