Of Romance & Philosophy: PD Camp 2007 – Epilogue + Footnotes+ Photos

Sunshine Aunties, Lion Cubs.

Sounds Weird, perhaps uninteresting.

But I tell you, I was wrong.

I have never seen how Sunshine aunties working, for de Primary Division, until I’ve joined de PD Camp 2007.

One word: Compassion

Immediately when I reach Jurong Kaikan from a cab, I was greeted by 2 aunties, carrying a average size desk table ,which requires two YMDs to carry.

Aunty Mary and Auntie Sok Heng immediately introduced me into de team, and in no time I was on rhythm with everyone’s momentum ,ready to go out for de PD Camp.

I hold de mind to come to this camp to learn from anyone, everyone,even de cubs. De aunties are really compassionate and they really go into details to take care of every single individual. For example Me n Liyan were de Campfire Emcee for de Campfire, Can you imagine de aunties even wrote our names on de cups, plus water n drinks for us. Not to mention our food, performance aid, technical support, all demonstrated by de wonders of them.

It is such detailed things they are attentive to, which I feel both de FD and SD has a lot to learn them. Personally I’ve helped de recent SD Camp, and I’m from FD myself. I feel that we youths are far from it. To recognize each individual has a part of play, and to take care of each single individual, even de logistics group, de aunties not sleeping to protect our cubs,

Toilet washing group, de back stage people, and de unsung heroes. This is how far de aunties go. Usually we would verbally exchange thanks, but these aunties walk that extra mile for everyone.

When I was listening to Auntie Kelly, Yean Fong, Lye Chan talking about de dialogue, fundamental basis of each encouragement shot my heart, like it was said just for me, telling me to fight on, for my personal career problems now. My eyes watered as I listen to their warm encouragements for these lion cubs. Little do they know how much these would mean to them in de future. But, it meant everything to me.

De Campfire was a training ground for me. It is also a test of my skills as a disciple of Sensei. Working closely with Liyan(cooperate n improvise) for de success of this camp was my main concern. Many rooms for improvement for me.

Met up with 4 young lion cubs that refused to zzzz after 12am, I took de chance to have dialogue with them. Youths, always like de exciting,fun,n ‘wild things.’ Hence they wanted to talk about ghosts; I took de oppunitunity to explain life condition, de protection of Gohonzon, wonders of ND’s Buddhism, and to my surprise one of de cubs even shared her mom’s testimonial! I was right; One does not have to be under a school to learn. If one have de right mind set, one can learn from anyone, anywhere.

I believe de youths of soka are truly talented people. Even a person like me to know music,(guitar,sing) Sketch, drama, Song Leading, In-charge, Logistics, Emcees, how could anyone else do less than me? De youths will definitely do better than me. This is a platform for youths to learn all these, and polish their skills for their individual happiness.

This incident struck me, when a cub was missing and his peers have to go look for him.

De auntie(Auntie Sok Heng) immediately know how upset de rest will be,n show hostility to him. In order to change de situation, She presented de Group of Cubs a bonus card, in order to reward them for their unity.

This is de power of our sunshine aunties.

De selflessness and wisdom displayed by each smiling faces, among de screaming fanatic you-wonder-when-they-will-be-tired lion cubs, is de true sun of de Soka Gakkai. It is this warmth we youths must humbly learn, from these Magnificent Sunshine Aunties.

So de next time you hear about Sunshine Aunties, still think de name’s very “auntie?”

Think again.

Many Thanks,to all my FDics, SS Aunties, lion cubbies,students, My Great Mandela, and everyone, for this valuable life-fulfilling event.

photos time!!!!

Young Champions! PD Camp2007

De attentive lioncubs+Sunshine Aunties

See Mr Chan?He shares with de students abt de life of Nichiren Daishonin.

De students trying to pay attention(despite of de short attention span..)

PD Chief Soon Heng giving her encouragement.

whispers heard from de cubs "listen! or they deduct points liao!"

De Flag-bearers! (from left Ronnie,Desmond,lotus,Qi wei n Brian-far right)

De engrossed children.

Sunshine Auntie sharing abt de importance of reading. (this part where i feel de warmth of de sunshine aunties)

Listening to de encouragemt

16 different teams!Moonwalk Armstrong is one of them!

See my name? yan's Li yan's cup.

I love this photo! de details n attentiveness of de sunshine aunties!

De Banner of de Campfire!

After dinner, de children gettign ready for de campfire..

All ready n eager!

My most powerful suit.

What's campfire without de fire n wood?

Our VIPs alight de flame at de lighting ceremony to start de campfire!

Campfire Emcees of PD 2007, Koh Liyan aka Star² jie jie,and Zhirong kor kor.

Each team battling it out! Mega stars like Luo Zhi Xiang,Jay chou,Jolin,Gwen stefani, lotssa MTVs and lotsa project runway!

De emcees doing their job

Superband!

Live performance+live audience

Great Mandela's Luo Zhi xiang+dancers+live band!

Lion cubs enjoying themselves!

more exciting fun!

Our wonderful FD SICs!

lioncubs enjoying to their fullest! (+ courtesy of dave's finger,haha)
after de campfire..

Supper!!!Pizza+fried chicken wings+softdrinks

Everyone rushing for theif food+bathtime+preparing for bedtime

not in photo..children whom went to IPA)lvl 3 for Sensei's anime movie)
slept at 3am.

De FDICs+SICs taking a break..this was taken at 9pm,though tired after de screaming n super active children, still fresh!

Day 2,after our morning walk+exercise,de student went to do de amazing race!(not in photo)
teams were announced as winners and b4 de camp ends, we went taking grp photos!

PD tee-$10/-
Panadol after 180 screaming active children-$5/-
de fulfilling smiles and wonderful memories of de camp-priceless

taking group photos..that's Auntie Mary in de centre..she very fierce one ok..but kind-hearted.hee..

Preparation of photo taking..

lift your flag n banners high!

Hon-ben-bon-dai-neeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Day2-sleeping at taking photo at same time

smilezzzzzzzzzzz!!!

De children reading each words of encouragemt preparing by Auntie kelly,yean fong and lye chan (and me!)

Group photo taking with my group,Great Mandela!

Yaohui's group,Brillant eyes!

Second photo of de great mandela!

Auntie Kelly+me

yean fong n lye chan and me!

De 4-5 lion cubs from supreme apollo, whom spent de night listening to uncle zhirong talking about ghost stories,life conditions and gohonzonat de lobby,till wee hours of 3am.