I'm Back!

Hello everyone! :) It has been agggeeessssss since my last update. How is everyone doing? I think my last post was about 2 months ago. Within that period, I have turned 26 which doesn't really make me feel much different to be honest, then there's fasting and Eid which I gotta say wasn't as 'meriah' as it was last year, and at the same time my sister came for more than 2 months of holiday which was fun, and work has kept me busy nowadays. I have a few things to post to update you guys on what I have been up to these past 2 months so let's get cracking! hehe.

So to start off, we had to work during kurnia in BSB & Seria back in August. Here are a few pics!

At our designated booth

In BSB

In Seria

Our booth in Seria

Til the next post!

Roughing It Out at Sea

Hi everyone! :)

I have been super busy these past 2 weeks. I have just finished attending a para counseling course in the army. It was a super awesome course, which I have enjoyed tremendously. I think that from all the courses that I have attended, this is the most fun that I have had. In addition to lectures and practicals, we also have outings, visits and outdoor activities.

One part of the course is adventure based counseling. For this activity, we spent 1 whole day at the Watermanship in Serasa. It was a day of many firsts for me. As you may not know, I am not a swimmer. It turned out, the day's activities will be spent mostly in the sea! You can imagine my trepidation when this was announced hehe. Most of my course mates are army personnel and they are fantastic in helping out a non-swimmer like me at the sea! Thank goodness for the existence of life jackets which helps to keep me at least afloat, lol. However, there was a time where we were asked to remove our life jackets in the waters and to combine all the jackets together before we move to another location!

I have to say it was rather terrifying for a non swimmer like me to be floating in the middle of the waters with no ground to at least centre myself. I remember the feeling of lying flat on my back, bobbing in the waters, looking up at the blue sky and praying that I will stay floating while being pulled by my group mates to reach our destination. For that I am very grateful for their help in motivating me along.

We spent a few hours doing a few activities in the waters, then headed back to land to build a raft per group using logs, ropes and floaters and then to use the raft that we built to go rafting in the sea. Despite using tons of sunblock, I still managed to get sun burns and cuts on my arms which I think I got while holding onto the poles in the sea. The poles has corals or some sharp things stuck to them haha. Building the raft was also a great experience since our main concern is to make sure that the raft will stay put, our ropes tight enough and the raft will stay floating for us to go to and fro from the departing area. Overall, I enjoyed the activity very much and it will certainly be something that I will always remember in a long time. :)

Group photo! :)

Listening to instructions before jumping to the water


Can you spot me just before jumping in? Haha (Dalam hati tungkal, hahaha)


With my group mates! :) Awesome bunch of people hehe

In the waters. In groups


Formation

Back on land


Building our raft :)

Carrying logs hehe

Rafts built by the 3 groups


With my group. Off we go! :)

Heading back


Resting at the female's hut.

The view at sea


One last photo before heading back home :)

Some photos are taken from abdb mates :)

Til the next post!

No Wasabi for Me

About 2 Fridays ago, my colleagues and I had lunch at Excapade during a break in between our bengkel. It was definitely a fun office affair hehe.

At Excapade

Ka Siah & Ka Asmah :)


Ka Sofi, Ka Malai & Tinni :)

Ka Masnah (our latest member), Ka Hjh Radiah & me :)


Nyum! Ka Hjh's food hehe

Til the next post!

One Night in Temburong

Hello folks! :) I'm back with more updates. So to continue with my orientation story, we had an opportunity to stay 1 night in Temburong. Our main transport to Temburong is via speed boat from the bandar hospital jetty to Temburong jetty which took about 45 minutes. The ride was quite uneventful until we came across a dead floating crocodile on the water.

On arrival in Temburong, we drove to the hospital and were given a tour of the place. In Bangar Town, I stayed at the youth hostel using bunk beds in a large room shared with 14 other girls. After getting settled in, prayers and lunch, we headed to Bukit Patoi for our afternoon hike. It was lightly drizzling and the climb was a bit slippery. After the hike (I did not reach the top, Ha! :P) we went back to rest at the youth centre and decided to head to Tamu Temburong just across the street to buy snacks. The banana fritters are very cheap because for B$1 you can get 10 pieces of it! That's very generous and cheap! :O After happily getting our inexpensive fritters, cakoi and coconut drinks, we walked back to the centre.

We spent the rest of the afternoon mingling and relaxing before joining in for a night of activities at the centre. The next morning, we packed up early and after breakfast headed to Outward Bound Brunei for a tour of the place. After the tour, we headed back to Bangar to explore the town on foot and have another breakfast at one of the restaurants. We were then invited to attend a function at the Community Hall before heading back to the jetty to catch the boat back to Temburong.

While waiting for our speed boat in bandar


Getting in the boat & lugging in our bags

And we are on our way! :P

First bus to arrive at Temburong hospital :)


Touring the hospital

The youth centre


Our bunk beds

At Bukit Patoi


Ready for the climb?

At Outward Bound


Walking through the hanging bridge

Exploring the lush greenery and clean air


The obligatory self photo hehe

Orientation group photo :)

Til the next post!

One Night in Rambai

As I mentioned in the previous post, I recently attended a 2-week induction course with fellow new officers of the ministry. I enjoyed the course very much and got to learn new stuff as well as making new friends who are also my new colleagues.

As part of the program, we had a one night stay in Rambai and so spent the whole day and night doing tons of activities involving team building. We set off on a bus in the morning, and 1 1/2 hour later arrived at our destination. At the end of the day, my body was aching so much since we had to sit on the concrete floor all day but it was definitely worth it hehe. Below are some piccies! :)

Loading our luggages & bags in a vehicle provided

In the bus

Breakfast in Rambai

Say cheese!

Mingling

Start of activities.

With my new friend Mona

Our group creating a device

Til the next post!