A Camp Review

3 days, 2 nights, 1 worn-out me. Last weekend's camp was the first BB I got to attend this year. The aim of this camp was to prepare the Boys for their upcoming production - the church 114th anniversary cantata. While the main focus of the camp revolves around the vocal trainings, we got to sneak in some team building elements for the Boys.

Both Edward (an instructor now, previously a 1st KL Sergeant who left for studies in Australia) and I have been spending days to plan the camp, its activities as well as all the details involved. It was a fun experience as both of us haven't really ran a camp as officers before. So we took out all the past experience we had in camps management and ran it our way.


Aside the fruitful vocal training sessions the Boys had, they also enjoyed each other's fellowship. Considering most of them as "the younger ones," most of them had a good time learning to take lead and work together as teams. Many of the activities planned was to challenge these youngsters to think and participate as a team.

We are glad that many young leaders stood up to guide their younger members. I also observed many sacrifices these leaders made to help their teammates achieve success. BB is indeed a place where you learn to give and receive help from your comrades.

After the camp, many gave feedback that they have learned to better trust one another. I have also personally learned to work with younger leaders.

Overall, this camp was a great springboard for the senior section to achieve greater things. Both Edward and myself believe that teamwork is the ultimate foundation for a collective success. Having gone for a long time, I miss camps. I really look forward to the next camp installed!

More photos here.

A "White" Perspective

Didn't realize that this week was flying by extremely fast (and furious) when I got to meet up with old college friends and BB comrades. It was really fun to catch up with these peeps, trying to understand how their lives have been.

I consider myself going back in full force to 1st KL as things begin to roll out pretty smoothly. The company is functioning as usual and I look forward to more exciting events to take place every week. Being there physically reminds me of the challenges I used to take up when I was a member and it tells me how luxurious I'm living my life now:

No longer am I suppose to report to a parade Officer about the company attendance; no longer am I assigned to monitored all company activities; or attending meetings, etc. So many things that we once "suffered" through as a young leader in the company are now no longer applicable, realistically.

However, dressed in white, I see the company from another angle during parade, activities, and dismissal (literally!). Sometimes it makes me wonder if I am still the sergeant that boys like to hang around with those days when I was still "on the same boat" with them, or am I now one of the officers whom boys should salute every time they see me.

Today, I find that it is neither.

Being a new officer I learn that this generation (I try not to make myself sound too old) of Boys are preferring a brother-leader. They do not want a boss who tells them what they are doing is right or wrong; I think they need a friend who can show them what is the better ways around things. And being the youngest officer in line, I felt obligated to perform that role.

A Boy threw at me a dozen of questions regarding the basics of Christianity today at the praise and worship session. It was as if he has been keeping those questions for a long time and waiting for the right person to ask these questions. I am not afraid to deal with the situation, yet, I am concerned why hasn't he approached any other Officers whom may be more knowledgeable in this area? Are we doing a good job building the rapport and relationships between Boys and Officers? With the Grace of God, and Wisdom and His Guidance, I hope we are moving towards the right direction.

The Boys' Brigade is indeed a perfect ground for all to learn, regardless of our age. As Boys learn to grow up to be Men via the activities designated for them, Officers learn to be better leaders and servants in the ministry.

No one company is perfect with all its functioning, I believe. What we need to achieve is building the bridges for Boys to reach their role models and Christ, which is reflected clearly in the BB Object. I salute the current Officers for all the time and efforts sacrificed for the sake of the company. I have never seen anyone worked that faithfully for something that doesn't pay nor reward in any material way.

While we are in the business of preparing Boys for their Menhood, I think another focus will be going down to the Boys' level and trying to understand how things work with them. We were once Boys, just that as we grow, we tend to forget how things were for Boys.

And I still believe that Boys will always be Boys. No matter the so called generation change or any differences in that concern, being Boys is a unique phase at its own. As Officers, we can make that phase a significant, memorable, and most importantly, a Godly stage for these young men to grow - all that tend towards a true Christian manliness.

boys brigade, boys, officers, 1st Kuala Lumpur, Boys' Brigade, BB

BROTHER-hood in the Brotherhood

“Have you packed your bags?”

“Yes, but I couldn’t find my haversack!”

“Look into the drawers. By the way, can you please bring along my field service cap, as well?”

Similar conversations have been around with the five boys who are preparing for BB parade every Saturday since 2003.

Known as the Tham brothers, I am the eldest among the five. I joined BB in January 2003 together with all other Form One boys from MBS, who were so fascinated by the BB display during their recruitment.

Three months later, I brought two of my younger brothers, Benny and Johnny, to the same parade. They joined the Junior Section then. They both were also excited about the weekly activities held in 1^st K.L.: brass band, singspiration, bible studies, badgework, and games. We especially love the special outings that were held several times in a year.

Soon, my parents thought that my youngest twin’s brothers, Alvin and Kelvin, should join the fun! There you go, two faithful parents taking turns to send their five boys to Wesley Methodist Church ground week in and out.

Have you ever wondered what are some of the “challenges” faced by siblings in the Brigade? Let me share my two cents with you. First, your friends will sometimes address you by your brother’s name. Especially when you have so many brothers in the same section, it is a norm to find people mix up our names. Second, when two of my youngest brothers were in the Pre-junior Section, the other two in the Junior and I in the Senior Section, we all have to come to a consensus about the time to arrive for parade due to the different timing of weekly roll-call in the sections. Nonetheless, we had no trouble agreeing on the time of arrival. During the first year, my poor youngest brothers have had to wait three hours in the church premise before they could fall-in with their section.

Furthermore, I also find it especially challenging to teach my brothers drill as I rise to the ranks. It was somehow embarrassing because we had never spoken to one another in English when we’re home. Teaching them sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. However, I overcame this situation when I learned to see the overall picture.

I consider joining the Boys’ Brigade as one great turning point in my life – I came to know Jesus Christ personally. Coming from an old fogey Buddhist family, my brothers and I were always taught that Christianity is basically brain-washing. I was taught that the tides and offerings taken during church services were ways pastor earn their living. My grandparents have set in me that Christianity is almost like a form of business.

Yet, my brothers and I learned the true Christian values through the weekly bible study classes and sharing sessions from the Officers. I committed my life to God and was baptized in August 2007. My brothers too have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and are attending church services regularly.

Just this year, my two other cousins joined the Junior Section. I can already see God working through the Tham brothers, making us the Christian forerunners in our families.

Having blood-brothers in the brigade mean something difference to me. Besides having known that we share the same interest with the brigade, I am thrilled that my brothers and I are a part of this greatest movement in the world.

Article | Berita Anchor

Boys' Brigade Malaysia

Last Camp

This will be the last camp before I can sleep over in the church premise for a BB camp for soon. It was the 1st KL Juniors Leadership Camp that was held from Friday till Sunday. Thanks to our very own Captain and the First Lady, this camp was made possible.

The Boys did enjoy themselves very much in this camp. As an assigned mentor, I bonded with a few Junior leaders. I also taught a session on upfront speaking. Overall, I enjoyed sharing my bits and pieces with the younger generation; it is how I feel I can "payback" to 1st KL for its training upon me.

Also, having had the final presentations taken place during the camp, I am coming to the final sprint with the Gold Award candidates. It was not as simple as thought to just prepare the Boys for their application to this national award. I believe there was none in 1st KL history that 12 Boys applying for this award all at once. Nonetheless, it was a good experience and I would volunteer to take up similar task if given the chance in the future.

After camp break, I went for a K session with my fellow brothers. It's been long since we last shouted our lungs out in the K room like no body's business. It was worth the sore throat.

I look forward to nothing but just a more fruitful week ahead. Cheers!

Time for Bonding

Oh my, it's been a looong weekend for Boot Camp and BB to take place. Congratulations to the newly promoted Privates! You are no longer the newbies in the company and on behalf on the Officers' Council I wish you all the best and an utmost enjoyable journey with 1st KL.

I have not helped much in the overall running of the camp but there just to support the Boys. I must say this was the most relaxing camp I've ever been to, where most of the time I really feel useless because the committee has done such an excellent job that I don't have to step in for any interference.

Every camp is a good time for bonding. I am sure every Boy have now known one another better.

I also get to know some Boys better through the camp. I guess this is really what we called a sense of brotherhood. I think I am so gonna miss my juniors when I have to leave for the States again.

Well, like a Boy said, it was really like a holiday this weekend. To me, I felt so relieved from work and daily routine. A camp like that is something that I indeed look forward to.

Apparently, my internship is left with only a week to go. Can't believe that two months have just passed, just like a blink of eye. Life is indeed like a ride on a bullet train!

Cheers.

Getting Excited

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate -Oprah Winfrey.

I'm totally moved by this quote from the world's famous TV personality. A positive attitude leads a cheerful life.

I think God wants to do something through and within me. Recently, I find myself gotten overly excited about the projects I've embarked upon with 1st KL.

Last two weeks, I was inspired during a church service to conduct an intensive drill workshop for the Senior section Boys. I just think our Boys need an injection of intensive training to boost their self-confident and subsequently improve the company's drill standard.

The proposal was soon approved by the council and this training will begin this Sunday. I pray that the result of this training will be as close to the proposed objective.

The second factor to my excitement is my responsibility to prepare the Form 1 Boys in achieving their Gold Award this year. After receiving this task from my comrade last to months, I have literally done nothing till last week. Nevertheless, I believe I could work within the time frame given and able to complete the task before I leave for the States again. One of my aims this semester is to assist at least 10 Boys from 1stKL to qualify for Junior Gold Award. Wishing to see them succeed is my strongest motivation. I pray that God will make this whole process smoother and will minimize hiccups too.

As for academic progress, all three online classes are coming to their final sprint. I have done most of the assignments in advance so I could have the second half of July unoccupied. Also, next week will be the final week for my internship at Creative Thumbprint, leaving me more flexible time towards the end of July. I want to dedicate the few weeks I have to 1stKL, and also my loved ones.

OK, there goes all the wannado's for the month. Sounds overwhelming but I'll see it as blessings. Share with me if you have thoughts.

Or else, let's celebrate life together!

A weekend for celebration

Oh first, kudos to Spain!

They did well, winning the Cup for the first time. Well, England will come back. See you in 2014.

Anyways, what an awesome weekend! BB was fun, the Officers played volleyball with the Seniors and we had so much laughter. Its time for the games committee to get a proper net. Though it was crazy for the Juniors to run up-down-left-right with their bags along due to the church occupation of their parade ground, we enjoyed doing physical activities at the field.

The excitement didn't end there, seven of us - my bros, Chee Fei and myself - made a last minute decision to visit the 3rd Kajang company's charity concert at PJ. The concert band was impressive. Well tuned and controlled. I'm sure the audience had a night of beautiful music.

On Sunday, my parents made one of my wishes come true by getting me a new toy - Nokia 5800. It is indeed a great gadget and I played with it all night long.

Well, that was a weekend for celebration isn't it? I want to close this entry by sharing with you this Irish hymn that touches my heart so deeply.

One stripe that made the difference

Though many have known that some operations in 1^st K.L. differs with most of the B.B. companies in Malaysia, my experience in the recent Pesta has made the picture even clearer.

Take the road-march event as example. I wonder if we are the only company where the three Staff Sergeants were covering the squad or the band from the rear while the Sergeants made the lead.

Or during the band competition, have you seen any blue slash(s) in the 1^st K.L. band? It goes the same for the singing and dancing competition.

Don’t get it? Allow me to explain.

In 1^st K.L., the highest ranking in Senior section is the Sergeant, who also chairs the N.C.O. (Non-Commissioned Officers) council. This rank-and-file structure is slightly different as compared to many local companies where the Staff Sergeants are the spotlights in that section.

I suppose this culture begin in 1^st K.L. ever since I was 15, when I first promoted to be Lance Corporal. I saw my Staff Sergeants being appointed to the Junior section as helpers, leaving the Senior section to the Sergeant and his team.

To be specific, the Staff Sergeants in 1^st K.L. nowadays are simply probationary Officers. They no longer step foot into the N.C.O. council nor any major functioning of the Senior section. This is why you don’t see a band major, or drill squad commander to be a Staff Sergeant.

In the absence of a Sergeant, like what happened in 2007 and 2009, the Corporals took the leadership position. Staff Sergeants were never allowed to interfere with the decision making process with the Seniors. However, they were allowed to sit at the advisory seat.

Being a Staff Sergeant myself, together with two of my best buddies, Kar Hoe and Sai Hong, we saw this as a turning point. It feels odd when we no longer could participate in the national level competitions, though our ages were still under qualification.

So whenever it comes to “only-Senior-section-activities” like National B.B. Pesta or State drill competition, the three of us could only be shouting our lungs out from the audience seat. Yet, I find that the three stooges kept finding ways to sneak in, at least to be part of the team.

Taking Pesta as an example again, the 1^st K.L. Staff Sergeants volunteered to prepare the Boys for the competitions. To be more definite we were the managers of the team.

Sai Hong helped with the band, while Kar Hoe and I were there all the time for the singing team. Even during the actual competitions, we were the one helping to check the Boys’ uniform, making sure their instruments are there, bringing them water, running up and down to do the AV & lighting, staging, etc. Above all, we were the spiritual pillars for the Boys.

I find that when we help with these, we feel more belonged. I do admit that it is envious to see other companies where the Staff Sergeants could be the drill commanders executing the squads, lead singers soaring in the singing competitions, or the band majors directing the bands.

Nonetheless, we are proud to be there FOR the Boys instead of ourselves.

This week is going to be critical. We won’t know what is going to end up upon the three stooges. As our company’s Enrolment Service is to be held this Sunday, it marks our official age limit as Boys. Either we turn white, or (Insya Allah!) to remain in our blues, no one knows yet. All I know is that I have a passion to be an Officer but I have to leave for the States again in 7 weeks.

Through these 1.5 years of Staff Sergeant-hood, I’ve really learnt a lot. I learn to yell less and cheer more; I learn to punish less and motivate more; I learn to do less and pray more; I learn to sit back, and let the younger ones to take the lead.

This one more stripe on my right chevron did not set me apart from the Senior section but a stripe that raised the bar for higher service.

Dear Kar Hoe and Sai Hong, you guys have made my BB career colorful. I couldn’t imagine how much fun (and suffering, I am sure) I have missed from the nine months of B.B.-less when I was in the State. Thank you, for your support. This brotherhood will not be complete without any of us contributing to each others' life.

Here’s to the three stooges, and the memories we’ll cherish for generations to come.

A very different Pesta experience

1st KL in action.

The Enormous 12 took stage at Dewan Sri Pinang for National Singing Competition.

You know you turn from a Boy to an Officer when:

• You start telling Boys what not to bring to camps.
• You start skipping dinner after work just to make sure you are there on time for Boys' practices.
• You start learning how to motivate Boys before their competitions.
• You start sacrificing your working hours to hunt for Boys' competition costumes.
  
• You start praying from them every night so that they do well in their competitions.
• You start checking what the Boys are eating before the competition so that they don't hurt their throats.
• You start bringing mints, halls, hacks, and gums for the Boys, just in case.
• You start telling them they have won the competition even before it begins.
• You start scolding anyone who's in your Boys' way during their final rehearsal.
• You start looking at them, giving them the "don't worry" smile at the backstage.
• You start sweating when the music plays.
• You start crying when the Boys finally take their bow on the stage.
• You start saying "Its OK, I'm very proud of you guys!" when the result is announced.
• And you start finding ways to make sure the Boys get their trophy back the next Pesta.

Without me realizing, Pesta was actually over.

This Pesta was totally a different experience compared to the one I've attended in 2006. It is mainly because I am no longer simply a participant but a supporter and instructor to our very own 1st KL Boys.

Though the results were not as pleasing as expected, I am proud because the Boys did their best. Given the short time (for the singing team preparation), a 3rd Runner-up is a blessing. The Boys learned everything from scratch in 3 weeks and the choreography in three days during the final camp. From choosing the song, re-arranging the music, setting the harmony parts, figuring the choreography steps, and teaching them to the Boys, it was a long yet memorable journey.


I want to take this opportunity to thank all the instructors who had spent their valuable time with the Boys.

Overall, 1st KL did slide back a little since the last Pesta. However, it is fair to say that the level of the competitiveness has risen and it was a stiff one that our Boys underwent.

19th National BB Pesta competition results:

Band
Champion: 1st Johor Bharu
1st Runner-up: 3rd Kuala Lumpur
2nd Runner-up: 1st Kuala Lumpur

Best Drum Major
Champion: 3rd Kuala Lumpur
1st Runner-up: 1st Kuala Lumpur, 1st Johor Bharu

Singing
Champion: 2nd Subang Jaya
1st Runner-up: 1st Johor Bharu
2nd Runner-up: 8th Penang
3rd Runner-up: 1st Kuala Lumpur

Dancing
Champion: 16th Penang
1st Runner-up: 1st Johor Bharu
2nd Runner-up: 3rd Kuala Lumpur

Drill
Champion: 8th Penang
1st Runner-up: 16th Penang
2nd Runner-up: 3rd Kuala Lumpur

For more detailed results, click here.

1st KL shall rock the next Pesta down south, Johor Bharu!

A BB-ful weekend

Back to my office; back to my seat; back to my PC; back to reality.

I had a really fruitful weekend with the Boys at their final Pesta Preparation camp. The camp commenced Friday and it ends today afternoon. I joined them immediately after work on Friday. Too bad that I have to work today, or else I'll be with them till camp breaks.

It was one of the most tiring camp I've ever had, maybe my stamina isn't as good as before. I salute the Boys for their high spirit in this camp, though they went under the sun for hours in the school field. Overall, the band, singing team and dancing team is pretty much ready to go. 1st KL is all set for championship!

One thing that differ in this camp as compared to the many I had previously is the prayer session and many spiritual encouragement from the Officers. Our Boys were taught to put their trust in Christ, who is the ultimate One to control the whole game. I want to give thanks to God who has sustained us from all these while. Without Him, 1st KL wouldn't have gone thus far. Praise the Lord!

It is just 3 days away from Pesta! 1st KL will be departing KL Wesley on the 10th by 8 a.m. Then it will be a 5-day-4-night of woos-haas in Penang! I am so excited for it.

I'm all pumped up. What about you?

Humble Update Before the Weekends

It’s been two weeks since I started my internship here at Thumbprint. Overall, I would say I have learn a lot in these two weeks. I learn to write Corporate Identity manuals, flyers and brochures, websites, and proofreading, etc. Besides, I also experienced how a real working environment will be in the field of advertising and branding or marketing. Tough…yes, a little because of the working hours:

A typical weekday:

7 a.m. Reveille

8 a.m. Arrive at office

9 a.m. Start of the day

1 p.m. Lunch

2 p.m. Start of 2nd half of day

6:30 p.m. End of work

7:30 p.m. Gym

9 p.m. Wash up

10 p.m. Dinner

11 p.m. Home

12 Midnight. Last Post

I wonder if this will be the kind of life that I will be living after my graduation. Now I know why people always say that university’s life is the best time of your age. Like my dad said: “When you’re studying, the time is yours; when you’re working, the time is your employer’s.”

Anyway, I love learning about new things, especially stuffs that are important to my field of study: Mass Communications. Though what I am doing in this internship is not directly related to my Broadcasting sequence in my degree, I am at least getting in touch with people who are experienced in the field. I am sure this internship will be a great experience and will leave a nice impact on my resume.

Thank God, it’s Friday! (A quote from “Hotel for Dogs”). I am looking forward to the final Pesta Preparation Camp series that is beginning this afternoon till Monday noon. I miss those times when I can stay through the whole camp because now I couldn’t have done so due to my work.

And, the National Pesta at Penang state is just a week away! I have been praying, praying, and praying for the Boys as well as the Officers of 1stKL and BB Malaysia as a whole. As a Boy, I know how much this event meant to the Brigadiers. My last experience of Pesta was in 2006: took part in the footdrill competition (defeated), singing competition (1^st runner-up) and band competition (1^st runner-up), I was one of the very few who took part in all the competitions.

This year, knowing that I do not have the chance to participate in any of the competitions, I am taking up a role of instructorship. From re-arranging the theme song, to vocalizing, recording, choreographing, and costuming, I worked very closely with Terence, former 1^st KL Captain (when I was in Form 1), who’s also one of my bosses at work now. I take the singing team as my masterpiece (of course with some other instructors helping too) and they will go out to grab the trophy. Trust in yourselves, Boys, you guys can do awesome! Strive for the best, and God will do the rest.

Cheers, for this is the day that God has made.

Roles of Parents in the Brigade

I joined BB in 2003. After seven years of experience, I find that I am old enough in the Brigade cycle to put in two cents about "evolutions" of a parent's role in the Boys' Brigade.

I mustn't say parents' involvement with the Brigade has changed tremendously because I came in to learn about them gradually as I was given bigger responsibilities with the growth of my rank. Yet, I find that there's a trend in every generation of Boys and how their parents are concerned with the function of the Brigade.

At 13, I saw parents as the caretakers. They send their Boys to the Youth Center week in week out, help their kids to purchase uniform parts, drive them to functions (events) venues when necessary, etc. I have also seen parents who came every week to send a container of soup to their Boys, making sure that they are well fed for the Saturdays.

At 15, as a young NCO, I found that parents are supporters. I remember how most of the parents come to almost every company level activities, i.e. Awards Day, Enrolment Service, Pesta Review, and so on, to cheer for our Boys. Their presence were the pillars of every Boy's spirit and motivation to move on.

At 17, as a Sergeant of the company, I saw parents as the complaint-makers. Due to my position, I have very frequent contact with Boys' parents. Especially when something big is going to take place, like camps and outings, or competitions, I have always received countless phone calls from parents asking why their sons have to participate, and "why the tough trainings?" I remember how I can only keep silent when a few parents asked why the drill team only got second place in the state level competition.

At 19, I was placed to the Junior Section and I saw parents from another point of view - the providers. I saw how many parents make sure that their sons have the sufficient materials to come to BB meetings, i.e. lunch boxes, shirts to change for games, water tumblers, stationaries, etc. May be it is the position I held that I don't see parents as a separate party in the Brigade anymore.

Looking from an Officer's viewpoint, I find that parents' involvement in the company is very much as important as an NCO's. I believe many Boys have been through a period of "restrictions" from their parents to attend BB meetings, mostly during the exam seasons.

My mum always says, it is the Boy's decision to whether or not attend BB parades because nothing is impossible to achieve; if they have a willing heart to do so, they can achieve good results even without skipping any BB meetings. This is also the reason why I never missed a single meeting until my SPM months. I know that whether or not I skip BB meetings, my results would still be the same. In fact, I want to thank BB for "tieing" me to some regular sports since I don't do much of exercises when I prepare for SPM.

I believe a parent's support and motivation is vital for their Boys to attend the weekly BB meetings and special programs. Many times, I find that it was the parents' uninterested-ness in some BB activities that Boys were not able to join. This is why I've always supported the ideas that Parents should be one of the targeted customers when we sell BB.

Still, it is how much a Boy can convince his parents about the benefits of BB, be it by their academic results, or able to make friends, learn another language, acquire living skills and be independent. As a parent, if I see my Boys benefiting from an organization that doesn't require a very high yearly subscription, why not let my Boy join and learn together with a group of peers in a church ground?

The main reason I am writing this entry is because I receive a bunch of negative feedbacks from parents about the camps and trainings their Boys have to undergo to prepare for the coming Pesta. I want to quote my mum again in this matter: "If you don't plan to win in those competitions, why go Pesta? Go for your practices now!" I hope parents too understand that we Officers see the Boys as precious as they themselves do. So, parents don't have to worry too much placing their sons here with us.

Be they caretakers, supporters, complaint-makers or providers, parents' roles in the Brigade must not be overlooked.

May be someday, I might suggest the Brigade to spell Parents with a capital "P"!

When two or three come together...

Nothing recollects memories more than a humble chat over teh tarik and roti canai at a local mamak. Four long-missed friends - Addison, Kar Hoe, Sai Hong and myself - had finally met for some updates in life.

Initially, Addison made some arrangement to bring us to a TRAC gathering at Puchong Trinity Church. After that meeting, the four of us decided to simply sit down and chit chat at a mamak restaurant. It feels great to get updates from friends that you have not met for months, getting to know that has happened/is happening in their lives. Especially for Addison, I guess the last good chat we had was a year ago.

Addi, S'hong, KarHoe and me @ Port Dickson Beach 2006

Of course, we did talk about BB a lot. This is some sort the issue with us: whenever "two or three come together," we talk about BB stuff. Not a bad thing really.

Kar Hoe actually suggested to go for L4D before we call it a night, but Sai Hong is too tired to handle it. So we left Addi at Puchong and headed back to respective homes. Thanks to Sai Hong who drove us the whole night.

Aite, will go to BB this afternoon. Cheers!

Back to BB

Hot, just hot! I am sweating even as I was writing this entry.

I never thought the weather can be so affective to me. How I wish the wind here in K.L. could blow like the chills in St. Cloud. I felt so much better every time after the cold showers. I now miss the teens Fahrenheit.

So, I went back to 1st KL BB today. It was really nice seeing those familiar faces, young and old. My heart simply melts when I hear some juniors calling me as they saw me walking into the building. Those boys have grown so much. I felt so proud seeing some of them picked up leadership positions.

I remembered how we always called BB our second home when I was in secondary school. Now, I see BB more than a second home to me. It is more than just blocks of buildings: the Youth Center, Multipurpose Hall, or the Sanctuary. It is the Brigadiers that has made this home stood firm for decades. Everyone stepped into 1stKL came out as a different individual. I daresay I would never be the "me" today without the nurture from 1st KL. I am grateful for what I've received and now it's time for me to serve the next generation.

As for today, all we did was basically rearranging the competition song "A God who never fails." It is not an easy task to unlearn the tune that we've been singing since the 55th Anniversary celebration. I am sure the new tune now is more "killing" and competition-friendly.

There's so much to be done, yet so little time available. I understand that everyone has their busy schedule. I hope the boys can really make time to rehearse. All that officers can do is to prepare the ingredient, the chefs are the boys themselves. I pray for the best.

Also, I taught the Pre-juniors drill. It is kinda uncomfortable teaching my own cousin brother. Nonetheless, I treated every boy the same. (One boy cried after I gave him a 'don't-move!-look,' haha.)

Alright, I suppose there will be more BB postings in these three months. I will my best to put down anything that's interesting. The most attention now should be drawn towards the national BB pesta at Penang state.

Go, 1st KL!