37th SSEAYP 2010 - VYL Birthday & Vietnam Night

Day 41 - 4 December 2010

I was told that the return journey northwards from Singapore to Vietnam would be a rocky one due to the sailing of the ship against the current. Indeed, it was the day when the most number of Participating Youths (PYs) of the 37th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) suffered from seasick.

Vietnam contingent made use of the Free Day (Half Day) in the morning to rehearse and prepare for their national presentation.

After breakfast, I enrolled the help of Sijie and Ethel in my quest to install a birthday surprise. Thanks to Ethel (who was feeling seasick) who open up the cabin for Sijie and I. I remember how Sijie removed the rose petals in an instant by just breaking the whole bundle of petals from the stalk. Hmmm, must have come by with experience...

I was quite certain that the cabin had a different atmospheric pressure, because just one night after the Singapore trip, all the balloons shrank tremendously. Fortunately, they still looked like balloons...

Halfway decorating the cabin, it seemed the birthday girl was on the way back to the cabin. Big thanks to the ladies of the Singapore contingent for holding her at the lift lobby.

Once done, Sijie and I left the cabin, and I hid away from the walkway.

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Publicity for Vietnam National Presentation during Noon Assembly

Solidarity Group A had lunch together and then we sang a birthday song ate the birthday cake (bought by Ethel from Singapore!)

Japan National Leader holding on to MP3 speaker playing some songs (used as a signal)

A few days ago, I asked the Administrative Staff if we could dedicate songs through the Public Announcement system at the Dining Hall but was rejected.

SG-A with Love

In the afternoon, we had Club Activity.

Just before dinner, a seasick Sijie and myself made some cheer messages for the Vietnam Contingent.

The Singapore Contingent taught PYs how to make Chinese Lanterns out of red packets. Many PYs took a rest to alleviate their seasickness.

In the evening, Vietnam PYs displayed their resilience by overcoming the turbulent waves in delivering a great national presentation.

Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts - Vovinam

Jenny singing a Vietnamese song, played by Leo

Leo playing the guitar and singing "I'm Yours"

The final of the Miss Ao Dai (Vietnam traditional costume for the ladies) was also held.

Manoly (Lao PY) crowned as Miss Ao Dai

With Rubi (VPY)

With Noinoy (LPY)

With Vietnam Assistant Youth Leader, Captain

With Tommy (VPY)

With Singer Jenny

With Lily 

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Solidarity Group A with Jiale the Guru (left)

A photo with the lovely VPYs

37th SSEAYP 2010 - Twins Contest

Day 40 - 3 December 2010

We woke up extremely early as we had to reach Fuji Maru by 8am. This would be my most sleep-deprived period throughout the entire 37th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP).

Having to transport 3 heavy contingent cartons, a dozen balloons, personal luggage and birthday gifts certainly didn't help to alleviate the tiredness.

It was an interesting experience when the security personnel was puzzled over whether to let me bring my balloons onto the ship. She initially suggested for me to put my floating balloons into the X-ray scanner. Fortunately, a little effort in rationalisation helped.

All the Participating Youths dropped their luggages at their cabins and changed into their Attire A2. Name plates were a must whenever we step out of Fuji Maru to bring our host families/families/friends on board for ship tour.

Pristine and Edmund from my Nominating Organisation (PAYM)

Family!

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Ship Tour - Dining Hall

Pacific Hall

The Open Deck

Emerald Lounge

With Universal Studios as our background

There were no arrangement for gangway cheers, so contingents just disembarked and lined up for the Send-off ceremony.

Speech by Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC

Dr Fatimah Lateef presents bouquets to National Leaders

And very soon it was time to bid farewell to family and friends again...

Tears were rolling out from the eyes of many. Felt I didn't spend much time with family while stopping over Singapore. However, it was great to be back home in the midst of the programme. Felt recharged spiritually, not physically definitely.

Singapore Participating Youths (PYs) with Lao PYs

In the evening, Japan Contingent organised a Twins Contest. The idea was inspired by two similar-looking Japanese Participating Youths (JPYs) who other PYs usually mistook them for each other. 

And because there was a PY who often mistook me for my cabin mate (Nom), Nom and I decided to just give it a try.

Twins?

Each pair of twins would be introduced by their nominator. In our case, the nominator was Taro.

Taro introducing us

Nom and I did a mime acting, which ended with me lying on top of him and sitting up to show that the spirit had left the body. Fortunately, Nom was much bigger in size to handle my weight.

As the time was nearing to midnight, I borrowed Nom's sketch book and began writing some messages. When Nom learnt what I was doing, he was so fascinated that he followed me out to the 5th deck to photograph me in the act.

As the clock struck 12, I delivered a very special birthday message, as the cold wind blows...