NBS 3rd Annual Camp, "The Journey Begins"

If I had to sum up the past few days in one phrase, I'd say, "Tiring, yet refreshing, but well-spent."

As we learnt during the camp, reflecting on our time spent is very important. Why? Well, that's because we only learn when we reflect-- taking the time to think about the "whys" of the the things we did or the things that have happened to us. I was a participant of the NBS 2nd annual camp and pa...rt of the organising committee of the 3rd one. And boy, was there a world of difference.

Imagine having about four hours of sleep a day. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week. Then imagine having about four hours of sleep a day for a week and having to be very active everyday. That was, on the surface, a summary of my experience in the camp. There is no room for any doubt that the NBS camp was indeed very tiring for me, and I daresay the rest of the committee members too. The amount of time and effort needed to prepare and accommodate unexpected turn of events is no small matter.

Yet I said it was refreshing.This is probably the biggest point of the camp. There is a whole new perspective when being an organiser as opposed to being a participant. People look to you for decisions. You are expected to lead. Although I was just the official photographer, and a little bit of everything else, I still had my own leadership roles. I was always more of a front office kind of person. So, when I was assigned to be the photographer, I was a little sad that I wouldn't get the chance to interact with the participants and develop friendships with them. It was unwarranted though. Regardless of whatever roles we are given, it's up to us to make the best of it, and I did try-- although I believe that I always could have done better. It was also refreshing, in a sense, to be part of the background rather than in the spotlight. You get to see things from a different perspective-- more objectively. And I can say that I probably learnt more from being a role that I'm not really used to, rather than doing what I've always been doing.

Lastly, I said, "well-spent". There aren't many things which can top the learning experience of spending two days and nights at a monastic environment. Somehow, you tend to be more grateful for the things you have and the food you eat. And you realize just how much food you actually "need" and the rest is simply luxury already. When you see others cherish food so much, you tend to feel the same way too. You also begin to be aware of the sounds around you and the sheer number of unnecessary things we do. It's really eye-opening. It really is.

I also said well-spent because every single moment throughout the camp was meaningful. There was not a single thing we did that was pointless. We walked to places for a reason. We said things for a reason. We carried things out for a reason. And it was a really nice feeling-- considering that people nowadays, me included, waste so much time doing things that really serve no purpose at all. And from that we really come to understand just how important every moment is. We might take the days for granted, but really, we will never, ever get this exact moment back again once it's gone.

Well, that was my summary of the camp from my point of view. Of course, I could also talk about the new friends I've made and the already-made friendships which became stronger by the end of it. Truly, I am grateful to be able to meet everyone there. And I don't think, in my current state, that I can find the proper words and phrases to use to elaborate. Also, I was really surprised, in a delightful way, that some participants wanted a photo with me, a person who didn't really do much, in a way, to help them directly.

I probably missed out some points here and there, which I might add on once I post it on my blog. But yeah, if you've read till this point, thank you and congratulations! Have a good day :).