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Camp 5 feature built in the wall. Talk about brand identity! 

So the highlight of my day was spending the day rock climbing at Camp 5 with my friends! Five of us went in total: Wl, A, Ks & Kn. This is only my third time rock climbing, but my first time going with my kampung friends. 

It was Ks's first time, so we taught him the basics and everything, like the figure 8 knot and how the belay system works. However, only Kn could belay him because Ks weighs quite a bit and if any of us tried, we'd literally fly off the ground. Plus we're not THAT experienced, so we wouldn't know what to do if we flew.

I didn't climb that much today. I only managed one big climb, but all my energy was spent after that, and i couldn't even untie the rope even after i came down. I can be such a girl sometimes. NOT a good thing.

That's me up there!

The Vista Wall that i mentioned earlier in another post. This time i did the orange, although i had to rest about like ten thousand times. I may be exaggerating, but it was a lot. Sigh. It's not that i'm scared of heights; it's just that i don't have enough strength to haul myself up even if i have a good handhold. Time to go for strength training. *glums*

  

That's A up there, in orange.

After that energy-draining climb, i spent most of my time observing how other people climb and helped to belay a bit. I think i'm not much of a hardcore climber, but i guess i like it because it gives me a kind of challenge, plus it makes me feel pumped up, nervous and scared (i think it's the adrenaline) when i'm up real high.

Xiao Long Bao @ Dragon-i.

After climbing, we went for dinner around 8 at Dragon-I (Ks's treat!) and ate some pretty good food. Planned to go for a movie with extra buddies around 9.30pm, so after dinner we met up with Ty & S to watch: 

The Internship!

Some parts were pretty funny, and i like that i can relate a little to what kind of obstacles they had to go through. I'd give it a 6/10. Liked it, but i didn't love it. Oh, but i absolutely LOVED the credit titles though. REAL creative. 

By the time the movie ended it was already 11.45pm, and Ks had to meet up with his parents. So we agreed to drop him off at the front entrance of the new wing, while A would drop us back at our respective homes. However...there was a dilemma of having to squeeze 7 people into the car. 

We jokingly suggested that one of us get into the car boot so that there'll be enough space for everybody, and i was really excited at the thought, so i consented to it! I mean, call me crazy, reckless or irresponsible, but it has been on my bucket list for quite some time now, and this was a great opportunity because the distance wasn't that far, and hey, when am i ever gonna do this in my life? I don't want to waste my youth.

At least now i can say i know how kidnapped people feel.

But that's not the only thing. After S heard about it, she wanted to try it out too! So we did! Two crazy people laughing away at the back of the car whilst we drove all the way to CP to drop S off. Hilarious, heh.

Got some ice cream on the way home too. McD's Banana Crunch sundae. All in all, it was a great way to end a great day.

& loving it,

Jwen.

Dance

dance
/dans/

Verb Move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps: "their cheeks were pressed together as they danced".

Noun A series of movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music.

Synonyms verb.   hop - leap noun.   dancing - hop

That's the proper definition of dance. But they never mentioned how hazardous it is to your health! Ever since i started learning this dance called Zouk Lambada, i've been bruised, stepped upon, elbowed, kicked and bumped all over, not to mention the sores my muscles gets after a long dance workout.

But i've also learnt to hold my frame, feel more confident, picked up (some slight) gracefulness, perform stunts, execute dance moves and not wash my hands right after a dance session (yes, i am slightly OCD. I do still think about germs at times but it doesn't bother me that much anymore).

Picture from http://www.heritageinstitute.com/ .

Thing is, when i dance, my mind is like a clean slate. Dancing wipes out all the problems i'm facing out there in the world and forces me to concentrate on the problems in my very own "World of Dance". I'm not sure how to explain it. It's like, when i'm dancing, the only problem i can focus on is getting the steps and body movement right. And when i DO get it right, i feel ecstatic! Because i have never, ever thought that i could be the kind of person that dances. And here i am. Dancing at least once a week.

Plus, i'm participating in a showcase routine competition that's going to be held during Zouk SEA, which is in about 3 weeks time? I would never dream of participating, but my partner coaxed, cajoled, pleaded and asked me so nicely that i had to give in. Little did i know what lay in store for me when i finally said 'yes'.

Been practising for about a month now. Just finished the entire choreography 2 days ago (which is actually quite slow), so we have to polish up on the moves for the weeks to come. Kinda nervous and yet excited at the same time because i've never did this before! This is something so OUT of my comfort zone that i can't imagine ever being well at it (and that is quite hard for me, as i'm a perfectionist who likes to get everything right).

Not only that, i think i might potentially cripple my partner if i'm not careful. I've injured him so many times, it's a wonder he's still willing to go through this with me. I can't imagine the patience one must have to put up with my pessimistic attitude and clumsiness! Really gotta thank him for seeing this through with me so far...

Dance is something new in my life that might never make sense to me. I may always see it as something impossible for me to be good at, but that doesn't mean i don't enjoy trying to do it.

Here's to hoping that my interest towards dance never wanes,
Jwen.

Backwards

So i've been keeping up with Internet Icon, and this was one of the finalist's videos by Matthias, which really struck a chord in me. I mean, at first i was intrigued by the catchy tune and amazing visuals, but when i actually listened to the lyrics, i realized that...i could really relate to it. And that's why i'm sharing it here, along with the lyrics.

Backwards, forwards,

I'm exploring the borders of,

Everything I want,

Everything I need,

Lethal Doses,

of my own emotions,

Seep into my dreams,

and Paralyze me,

I pick myself up off the ground,

I keep telling myself,

No, I'm not backing down,

I keep telling myself,

The best is still yet to come,

I keep telling myself,

It's darkest before the dawn,

I'm going backwards,

And I'm made to believe,

I'm moving forwards,

And I'm chasing my dreams

But I'll be,

Just who I want to be, 

Without you controlling,

Controlling me.

Toxic thoughts can make me, 

easily drop this,

But I won't shift my step,

So there's nothing to regret,

I'm broken and coping,

with this broken hope and,

I kept blaming them,

when the doubt came from within,

No more ugly white lies,

I keep telling myself,

This time I'm gonna try,

I'm not just telling myself,

The best is still yet to come,

I keep telling myself,

It's darkest before the dawn,

I'm going backwards,

And I'm made to believe,

I'm moving forwards,

And I'm chasing my dreams

But I'll be,

Just who I want to be, 

Without you controlling,

Controlling me.

I will be seen and be heard

And they hang on my every word

I will break free from the chains

And beat anything you throw in my way

I will be seen and be heard

And they hang on my every word

I will break free from the chains

And beat anything you throw in my way

Anxiety

This is actually a pretty awesome personification of anxiety. Coupled with the eerie soundtrack and literary words, it gives a pretty haunting feeling.