Costings

Hi,

I am still currently working on the costings, but here is a rough gauge of how much exactly to bring.

• S$200
• US$150
• S$500 worth of Thai Baht (S$1=23.15 Baht)

There will be more Thai Baht as it will be used more often and its more worthwhile to change from Thai Baht to Kip.

And do remember to bring along at least 3 or 4 passport photos just in case or anything.

VJC Adopt-A-Tree Project

Hi,


Thanx alot for contributing your part for the tree in Yuksam, Sikkim.



Below are the pictures of the young sapling.



Though it does not look much lke a tree now it will soon in time to come.



But still......thanx alot!!!!!!!

:)

Zhan Liang

Meeting - 26th November

Date: 26th November, Monday
Time: 1400hours (pls dun be late for those 'regulars')
Venue: VS Canteen

Agenda:

1)Eoy trip to Laos:
-Travel insurance for group
-Currency exchange
-Trip proposal and itinerary
-collective logistics for trip

2)Homework to be completed before Mon
-what are the topics to be covered?
-what are the types of activities used?
-what are your main artefacts for each topic?
-what are the pre-activities?
-what are the post-lesson assessment tools?
-what teacher aids will you produce?
-what makes your "lesson" so special?

3)Look at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/socialstudies/
-what are the features of a teaching package?
-how does your package compare?
-how can you improve on your learning package?

Pls have your answers to ALL these questions WRITTEN DOWN before meeting on Mon.
*Khooky will be present, please come prepared

Laos/Cambodia trip 2007 Travelogue guidelines

Each of us will be given a notebook, which will be our travelogue for the trip. We are to write into the travelogue each day, with the following guidelines:

1) Exact details: Where we went, what we did, what we saw, how we got from place to place, specific costs involved.

2) Thoughts: What we experienced, what we felt, what we learnt, from our experiences.

NYAA Entry- Service -Hari Raya and Deepavali

Date: 12th November 2007
Venue: Marine Parade Goodlife Centre (Block 16)
Duration: 3 hours (1230-1530)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Jiawei, Joseph, Seth, Thomas

On the 12th of November, belated Deepavali and Hari Raya celebrations were held jointly under this event. This event was meant as a celebration catered specially for the elderly. We were given the task of organizing this event by MPFSC. During the week that preceded the event, we had all met up to plan for the event and purchase the necessary logistics. The turnout for the event was 78 elderly people.

The event would start at 1400 hrs and we had come at 1230 as planned to set the area up for the event. The event consisted of different game stalls set up in the manner of a fair where the elderly could patronise different stalls at their own time. This had allowed for greater interaction between the elderly and us. The preparation for the area included the stalls being set up as well as decorations being put up.

The event first started with a game of Bingo played as a whole by all the elderly that had turned up. The game lasted till 5 winners had emerged to win the 5 prizes prepared for the game. This game had garnered good response as the elderly had been responsive and enthusiastic to this activity. After the game, we briefed them on the rules of each game stall before we had let them go off on their own to play the games. The elderly had much fun playing each game, many enjoyed simply playing a few of their favourite games repeatedly. Some of the favourites were games like Dart Throwing and Transferring Marbles. The darts and dartboard used were magnetic in nature as a safety measure. The other game of Transferring Marbles was simply the task of using chopsticks to transfer as many marbles within a set time frame .Prizes were given out at each stall to stimulate their interest in the games stalls and it had worked as the elderly had seemed eager to participate.

The event lasted till 1530 hrs when it ended. We then proceeded to clear up the venue before heading home.

NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending

Date: 6th November 2007
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1.5 hours (1030-1200)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang

This family was introduced to us by Seow Hong, who works at MPFSC. An elderly woman, Mdm Alimah, lives alone at home with his son, Azmi, who has difficulty moving around and in speech. His condition was due to a drug overdose some years back. Our objective was to make friends with her son, and to keep him company so that she can have more personal time to her own leisure. The old lady had been taking care of his son ever since the incident.

The first visit was only meant for introduction sake. We also spoke with her on the probable dates we would visit again, which was set on every free Tuesday. However, the following weeks will be impossible as Changyang and I are going overseas one after the other.

We found out that her son likes oil painting and smsing. So we took his number down to inform him prior to future visits.

NYAA Entry – Service

Date: 4th November 2007
Venue: MPFSC (Block 53)
Duration: 7 hours (0800-1500)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Calvin, Edmund, Jiawei, Joseph, Seth, Thomas, Zhan Liang
Special Thanks to: Zi Hao and Changyang

On 4^th November, the usual eight of us with the help of Changyang and Zi Hao went down to MPFSC to help them in a local community event. Senior Minister Gok Chok Tong had graced the event. In this event, MPFSC is trying to raise their awareness among the Marine Parade community with their target being the elderly living in the vicinity. They would hope to reach out to all the elderly so as to be able to attend to their immediate needs and bring joy to their lives.

All of us met up at 8am. The event was held at the multipurpose hall and the void decks of around Block 53 to 55. At this event, different non-profit organizations would showcase all the activities that they could offer. Computers were set up at the MPFSC booths with installed games which were meant for senior citizens. The main purpose was to attract the elderly to step forward and try out the games and if they were to be interested, they could sign up with MPFSC as they would arrange more activities for the elderly. When everyone had arrived, we reported to Seow Hong-jie before she started to assign different tasks to us. Zhan Liang was in charge of walking around the area, encouraging senior citizens to try out the games that were set up for them. He would at the same time hand out the queue numbers to them if they were to be interested. Seth was then in charge of keeping track of the queue numbers by collecting them back from the users when it was their turn. Lastly, the rest of us were assigned to all eight computers individually. We had to guide all the senior citizens and teach them how to play the games. The games featured included Bejewels, games involving mahjong tiles, etc.

Initially, for all senior citizens using the computers, it was tough for all of us as they were extremely unfamiliar with regards to the utilization of the computer. Thus, they had difficulty in following our instructions. However, within the time limit of around 10-15 mins provided for each user, they were able to get used to the maneuverability of the game itself. Hence, all of us felt contented and elated by the fact that the senior citizens were enjoying themselves and we were able to add colour to their lives in that short period of time.

The event had ended at around 2pm and we began dismantling the computers and packed everything up. By 3pm, we had returned to MPFSC with all the computer systems kept safely in the storeroom before going off for lunch.

After the event itself, we proceeded to Block 6. We would be helping MPFSC plan for their next activity. We would be holding a Hari Raya/Deepavali celebration for the senior citizens. The celebration would be held at the void deck of Block 6. Thus, we went over to check out the area to ensure that our floorplan was correct and that the space given was sufficient for us to fit in at least a hundred senior citizens for the celebration itself which would be held on the 12^th of November. Through this recee trip, we have ascertain the space given was sufficient and everything would go according as planned.

NYAA Entry - October and November - Electronics and Electricity

Date: 7/10/07 - 3 Hours

Date: 21/10/07 - 3 Hours

• Charateristic of Resistor-Capacitance Series Circuit.
• To verify the relationship between the supply voltage, voltage across capacitor and the voltage across resistor in a Rc series circuit.

Date: 28/10/07 - 3 Hours

• Charateristic of pure Inductive Circuit
• To show that the ratio of the voltage and current in a pure inductive circuit is equal to the inductive reactance, X of the circuit.

Date: 1/11/07 - 3 Hours

• Fixed sockets for Osim exhibition at Vivo City.
• Circuit tripped due to incorrect connections.

Notice for meeting - 8 November

Date: 8th November, Thursday
Time: 1200
Venue: Victoria School (no soccer before or after)

Agenda

AAR Report
Post Trip Project
Confirmation of Route
MPFSC Festive Celebrations

Entry For Skills--Competitive Swimming--October 07

Entry For Skills
Swimming Training For October

Participants: Thomas

Overview:
- Techniques for Butterfly Stroke

Venue: Geylang East Swimming Complex (Mon, Wed)

Date: 10/9, 15/9, 17/9, 22/9, 24/9, 29/9, 31/9,
Hours completed: 14 hrs

After training for a month and concentrating solely on freestyle, the coach decided to switch to perfecting our butterfly stroke. It is the most difficult stroke to learn as it requires the coordination of the whole body. In order to compete efficiently, one must be able to perform the stroke with grace and power. Grace comes with swimming smoothly in the water and power comes with the leap out of the water to create the distance moved through the water.

Hence, in order to attain these 2 criterion, both the upper body and lower body must move in sync. Firstly, we started off by practising the movement for the upper body. The arms must thrust forward and move through 360 degrees. The whole arm should be kept straight and not bent. Our fingers must also be constantly kept closed together so that the swimmer would be able to pull off a higher leap out of the water and move a greater distance, hence gaining an advantage over the other swimmers. The lower part of the body must ensure that the hips are able to move like a wave or a dolphin and the feet must give a powerful thrust to help the body leap out of the water. Lastly, we practised the movement of our hips. Placing the pull buoy in between our legs, we moved our hips to swim like a dolphin. The common mistakes made in the techniques for butterfly stroke is one; the arms would always bent when we enter the water again after the leap, two;our feet would always separate, causing the swimmer to slow down tremendously and lastly; our fingers would sub-consciously be open and as a result pull off a smaller leap out of the water, thus unable to travel a greater distance in the water.

Nevertheless, we hav to consider the techniques used for the swimming

Meeting Minutes for 1st November 2007

MPFSC Service:

• Deepavali cum Hari Raya celebrations proposal (I.C.s are Boon Kiat and Joseph) to be completed and given to Mr. Khoo on Saturday, 3rd November, for vetting and presented to MPFSC on Sunday, 4th November, for approval
• Helping out at an event at MPFSC on Sunday, 4th November
• Calvin and Chang Yang have already started off on their befriending
• All remaining 3 pairs will be starting on Thursday, 8th November

Wong Wai Lit Post-trip Project:

• Last dateline for everyone for handing-in of final proposal plans on Wednesday, 7th November
• Implementation of project will be on 20th December, Thursday, and if need be will stretch for another day on the 27th December, Thursday

EOY Laos trip:

• Confirmed only 5 people going, namely Boon Kiat, Edmund, Jiawei, Seth, Zhan Liang
• Confirmed Thomas’s adventurous journey has been completed
• Itinerary for the trip (several rejected due to safety concerns and being unfeasible, a good point to take note when coming up with our next one), as well as service plans, has yet been confirmed
• All these will be planned out and confirmed asap
• New I.C. for service section of the trip will be Edmund
• AAR to be completed and sent to Jiawei by Sunday, 4th November, evening at 6 p.m. for compilation to be handed in to Mr. Khoo by Sunday night
• EOY Laos trip group to meet again on Wednesday to discuss with Mr. Khoo with regards to the trip, the itinerary and service section, basically the confirmation of the details of the trip

NYAA Entry - Overseas Service

1. Focus

• The aims of the outcomes of our trip are to help the disabled who have lost partial use of their legs and also to raise awareness of the literacy levels in Cambodia.

2. Outcome in Singapore

• Photo journal/booklet

-This photo journal/booklet would be a compilation of the thoughts of the children who face the dangers of UXOs(unexploded ordnance) in Cambodia, combined with our thoughts. We intend to do this by passing around strips of paper around in schools for the children to write down their thoughts.

-The photojournal/booklet concept will be one which reflects our perception of life in Cambodia as well as the perceptions of the children on their own lives. It would include their messages to Singaporean children or simply a reflection of their thoughts. These would provide insight into how they view their own lives. All these would be written down on the paper.

- The photo journal/booklet will act as a means of showcasing the plight of the children in Cambodia who need education. The booklet will also provide a platform for people to make pledges by providing instructions on how to go about making such pledges through NGOs already in place to help such causes.

• Gather donations in the form of walking aids from Singapore.

-Get them from our schools or from relatives and friends. (Crutches are often bought for one time serious injuries but then are left untouched subsequently after recovery)

3. Preliminary Activity

• Survey one session of SCAS on Tuesday to have an idea of what dealing with the disabled would be like. Subsequently we will carry out a similar activity to the one we're going to carry out in Cambodia to have a feel of what it would be like in Cambodia and anticipate possible problems

4. Areas of Research to be covered

• Availability of walking aids
• Locations of UXOs in Cambodia
• Specific route (Stopover in which towns,lodgings and transportation etc) to take which cover Bangkok-Cambodia-Bangkok
• The intended target group i.e. children in Cambodia, specifically also the ones afflicted by the mines
• Check for NGOs that deal with the target groups (e.g. NGOs that deal with handicraft or other forms of products that subsist the target group)

Song of the Month - November

For the completion of our skill section, we shall be posting one song a month for all the guitar people to practice. After leaving Edvox,we plan to continue learning independently and will meet up in the 2nd and 4th week of every month for a group practice. This month, the song is Sonatine by Mauro Giuliani, of which the tabs are also provided. Please note that the relative closeness of the tabs are used to represent the timing of the notes played for the whole song. You can go faster and faster for this song once you get more proficient! Happy practicing....

Tabs Taken From : http://www.sheetmusicusa.com/guitar, where you can also hear the MIDI file of the song! Enjoy

After Action Review for Vietnam 2006

Those who are going for the EOY trip are required to do an AAR to reflect on what happened in Fusionoize Vietnam '06 and state the the lessons learned from there to be applied in the '07 trip this year. The format below is as follows:

1) What we should have done during the trip
i.e Things that we did not do or plan to do, but realized it was necessary after the trip. These are the lessons learned by reflecting and evaluating.

2)What could be improved?
i.e What we should have done and done better?

By answering the above 2 criteria in point form, we have to derive the following:

Based on the areas for improvement listed above, what could we have learned to be applied in the '07 EOY trip?
i.e To ensure we do not make the same mistakes of leaving out or not doing something crucial in the future for such trips. (In the EOY trip '07 context)

Please answer the above 3 reflections and send them to me by Sunday morning, 10am. It can be a word document or email, just make sure I can understand what you are trying to say. The writing can be in point form, continuous writing or even in a table, as I will compile everything to be made into an group AAR for submission.

Your input is particularly important as I cannot do this alone, so please do not default on this submission. Do note that this only applies to those going for the EOY trip in '07 (5 of us) and will determine the success of our trip this time.