Friday 12th/Saturday 13th

THE LAST DAY! :O Today we were up early again for the flag raising ceremony, and then to our sabbaticals. At breakfast, it was a real shock because the girls were the first ones there, and the guys were rushing in late with shirts inside out and looking ragged. We were quite proud! :D At the Model ASEAN Summit, Ben and Aidan joined Ethan and I, and we introduced them to notes. Ben took full advantage of this sending notes everywhere, and so did Aidan. Unfortunately we only got to sit in the 'boring' part of the Summit's final day, with all of the presentations and the good stuff happening after we left. Overall our sabbatical seemed to be the most happening and Ethan and I created scandals which made everything more fun. After recess we headed back to the boarding school to finish off most of our packing, and then head off to the 'farewell lunch'. Our farewell lunch was very informal and I actually thought it was nice having it like this, however, not many others did, and most had hoped for a more formal setting, with speeches etc. I was glad that I wasn't volunteered for ANOTHER speech :P. We had lunch with the Japanese and Hong Kong students and all of the buddies, and got to chat, exchange gifts and have a good time. Unfortunately, Ethan and I had to say goodbye to our buddy, Yan Perng, at the lunch because he wasn't able to see us off at the airport. It was sad, but it was great to be able to meet him and knowing that he is coming back later in the year was helpful. Bryan and I ran around trying to get everyone's e-mail addresses (from the Japanese, Hwa Chong and Hong Kong) so that we could stay in touch with our new friends. We also interviewed our buddies, for some research assignment we're meant to be doing on the trip. No one really knew what was going on and what they were meant to do, so they all copied my notes. I just found it funny :P. After this, we headed back to the boarding school (again) to get our stuff to go to Bugis Markets for last minute shopping. Andre and Darrel took us to the markets and we had only an hour (by the time we got there) to shop. We were meant to go as a group, but we made a group decision that it would be easier to go in pairs. In actual fact the boys just didn't want to have to wait for the girls. Courtney and I went rushing around getting last minute present for friends and family, and Courtney finally bought something for herself. Basically everyone bought a watch....or 2....or 15, and we then had to head back to complete our packing and clear our rooms. Us girls had all of ours already done, so we just messed around for a while and took some photos that Courtney and Diane wish no one to see :P. I got to say a final goodbye to the girls from Japan and gave them hugs and got their e-mails to keep in touch. Darrel, Ooi and Jarret met us in the boarding school and came to the airport with us, along with Mr Rong Yeifei. It was really hard to say goodbye to the place that had been our home for the past week, but we had to get to the airport. At the airport, after we all checked in, we had some free time around the airport. I went off with Damon, Evan, Bryan and Jarret and we all headed to find something for dinner. I ended up buying the Australian guys their dinner, cause they all spent their money :P. Not that I minded, it meant I got to get rid of all of my Singapore money. We were able to have a really good chat together and with Jarret and it was cool cause it was our final meal in Singapore. The hardest part came next....the goodbye. By this point, only Darrel and Jarret were left and so everyone said their goodbyes, and gave hugs and then headed into customs. One by one we went through, with Jarret and Darrel waving to us the entire time. Myself and Aidan were the last two through and it was really hard not to turn back and just stay in the incredible country that felt like our new home. Things got interesting just after we got through customs. Evan stated that he felt like crying, but couldn't, and so this meant that Damon had to try and make him cry.....this failed.....however, it, instead, made me cry. Damon felt so bad, as I was welling up with tears. After I finally stopped crying, I told them not to worry, and that I'm just a sook :P However, then Mr Roubanis decided that he would, all in good spirit, joke that Jarret and Darrel were waving to us from outside....of course I turned around like an idiot and actually thought they were there :P This then made me cry again. We laughed about it later :). We finally got to board our flight at about 11:40pm and the plane finally took off just before midnight. Basically everyone slept on the plane, or attempted to. I got about 4 hours sleep which, I believe was more than anyone else. Must've been all the crying :P. When we landed in Australia there was a sort of sense of disbelief that we were really back home, but excitement to see our family and friends. Again most of the students showed true Heights spirit and forgot to fill in their immigration cards on the flight, so most people were left behind, while Ms Oakey, Evan, Ben, Aidan and myself went through. I was the only person to declare anything, yet I was the only student who didn't get my bag scanned or opened :P Ms Oakey and myself were the first through, and I didn't cry.... until I hugged my dad. Again, me crying :P. Everyone else took quite a while to come through, which made all of the parents nervous and anxious. Ben, Aidan and Evan came through shortly after me, but everyone else took a long time. Courtney's and Ethan's parents were getting very anxious to see their children after the time away. Eventually everyone came through with only one confiscation (of a honey no one realised was there). All of the students and teachers were tired and had mixed emotions of being back, but missing Singapore, but they would be visiting us later in the year, so we can show them our city, just like they did :). We are all really excited to see them again later in the year, and wouldn't give up the friends and memories made, for anything :D. Thank you to everyone who read all of the long blogs, it is reallyappreciated. Even if it is now a while since we've been back, but I thought I started this, so I need to finish it :) xoxoxo Sarah Williams SS24 (on behalf of Evan Day, Diane Banks, Courtney Roberts, Bryan Banks, Damon Hopkins, Ethan Tucker, Ben Geytenbeek, Aidan Sakovits and Keenan McKenzie)

Thursday 11th

This morning there was no flag raising....well for The Heights group at least. Ms Oakey requested that we be excused from it this morning, because we were really tired. However, this meant that we had to go straight to our sabbaticals, and, of course, the girls were late (again). We didn't realise what the time was, and Courtney and Diane then forgot their key cards, so were extra late. We all ended up arriving to our sabbaticals about half an hour late, but luckily the Hwa Chong people didn't mind. In the "Model ASEAN Summit", Ethan and I were asked by the chair of our room to not 'interfere' today because they had to get through a lot of declarations. We agreed and then just sat there kind of bored, but going along with it. Everything was fine....until the delegates of Indonesia and the delegates of Vietnam (who happened to be the buddy of Ethan and I) decided that Australia would like to contribute to ASEAN. They did ask us, however, we didn't realise, until we were told in note from the delegates of Brunei, that we had agreed to Australia contributing $1 billion. Many of the other countries were against this (particularly Myanmar :P), but Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia were, i guess, fighting for us. It made things really interesting and made it a lot of fun for everyone. At the end of the days discussions, there was a vote for nominations for awards. Thailand was nominated as the 'Hottest female delegate'....although this had its drawback with the fact that the delegate of Thailand was, in fact, not a female :P. Ethan and I put ourselves in for some nominations including 'Most awesome country' and 'Biggest country'. We thought we were sure to win! But we didn't. For recess, Darrel and Yan Perng took Ethan, Aidan, Ben and myself to the junior canteen, which they think is much better than their own canteen. It was still amazing and had much more variety than most Australian schools. Our excursion for today was to the National Museum. Evan and Bryan didn't go because they were too busy cheering on their buddy Jarret at water polo. At the museum, our guides were all Hwa Chong students who were doing a course for the week. The museum shows how Singapore has changed over time, and how it is continually changing now. Once again we were there with the Japanese and Hong Kong students and their Hwa Chong buddies. We all gathered in a large room and were given a speech by a lady, whose name I have forgotten. Some of the Hwa Chong students who were our guides, then did a short skit for us, about the 'discovery of Singapore'. It was really funny and they did a great job. Once again, I was asked to get up and do a speech, this time with Damon. I think this was about speech number 3 or 4. We were originally meant to be going to Orchid Road, along with the Japanese and Hong Kong students, but Ms Oakey and Mr Roubanis organised for us to go to the Hwa Chong swimming complex for a swim instead. Jarret and Andre were the only buddies swimming, but Ooi and Darrel were there too. Everyone went for a swim except for Aidan, Courtney and Diane. Most of the time we just threw a ball around, or Damon and Evan jokingly fought with each other. We had a great time though, because we were sort of able to relax for the first time. After a couple of hours we finally went up to eat dinner at the poolside cafe. It was nice for everyone to go back to the place we all first met, and just chill. After that we all headed back to the boarding school and the buddies went home. The night wasn't over however, we were all still wide awake and the night was young. We were all supposed to do most of our packing, so that there was less for us to do the next day. Of course the girls room was pretty messy....well mainly Courtney....and me. The rest of the girls night involved me going around taking pictures of everything, Courtney and Diane running around our floor (when no one else was there) chasing each other, and also us talking to the Japanese and Hong Kong girls. Overall it was probably our least stressful day, which was nice after so many days rushing around, but it was still awesome! Tomorrow is the last day and no one wants to go home....well except Damon, but even he secretly wants to stay :P

Wednesday 10th

This morning there was no flag raising, because it was raining, so we got a bit of a sleep in, and just went straight to our sabbaticals. In the Model ASEAN Summit (the sabbatical being done by Ben, Aidan, Ethan and myself), things finally started getting really interesting (well, for Ethan and I at least :P). Our buddy gave us some notes that we could pass around our room to the different 'countries'. We took full advantage of this, sending notes to various countries, including cheering on Thailand, and telling Myanmar not to be so mean. We even asked to officially become part of the ASEAN Summit, but were declined because Australia isn't actually part of South-East Asia. We thought that this was unfair, so the only conclusion we could come to was to declare war against all 10 countries in the summit. However, all this was done in good spirit, and we were even asked to come and discuss our reasoning for declaring war, in the press conference. After our sabbaticals, we, with the Japanese and Hong Kong students, headed to Little India. It was nothing that we expected, and found it boring and kind of creepy. Although most people enjoyed the Henna tattoos they got. After wandering around Little India, we headed to the Night Safari, which everyone had been looking forward to. On the way, the group had been discussing how Evan and Ethan had picked up the Singaporean accent quite well, and how funny it was. Through this, somehow, we got back to an American accent which I had used the previous day at Sentosa Island. This then made Evan and myself walk around for most of the night in an American accent. However, Evan went that little bit further, by copying what a random American woman had said to Damon on the weekend, "Excuse me, you're beautiful!", and saying it to random people (primarily women) all night. Whilst all this was happening, there was a performance with men in traditional outfits, dancing with fire and doing various tricks. Diane and Courtney enjoyed this because the men had, quote "awesome abs". Everyone then got on the tram ride around the night safari, seeing all of the many animals. Poor Damon got stuck sitting next to Evan and myself, doing American accents, on a tram behind most of the group (only Keenan, Evan, Damon, Ooi, Jarret and myself were in the carriage behind the others). The animals were really cool and we were even able to see some close up which was really good. Once the tram ride had ended, we went straight to the animal show. The host of the show was quite nice, and introduced herself in various languages, asking where people in the audience were from. Of course I raised my hand for each country said (so I am now Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Australian, from what I can remember), and of course when she asked about Australians in the audience, what did the students from The Heights do? We screamed and cheered at the top of our lungs :P. There were lots of different animals, some who wouldn't go back inside, but all were really cute and could have probably killed us :P. There was an act where they pretended that they lost an animal in and it ends up being a snake (called Maggie) who is hidden in a trap door in the audience. I hate snakes, but actually wanted to go up on stage and hold it, but another Australian (not involved with us) got chosen. That was the end of the night, and we headed back to the boarding school. With only a few days to go, we are all getting used to the heat, and know where to go around the school and the boarding school. Everyone is having a great time discovering this amazing country :)

Tuesday 9th

This morning we had the flag raising ceremony again, and the students from The Heights, GT College (Hong Kong) and Keio Shonan Fujisawa (Japan) had to get up in front of the entire school. I was told that I had to do a short speech on our trip and the experience so far....notice was given 5 minutes before which made me nervous. A students from each of the schools addressed the school, and then it was time to go to our sabbaticals. Bryan, Evan, Diane and Damon were in the MAGE sabbatical which discussed the links between science and religion (although I'm not really sure exactly what they were doing :P), Keenan and Courtney had debating, and Ethan, Aidan, Ben and myself were partaking in the 7th Hwa Chong Model ASEAN Summit, which disussed various issues affecting south-east asian countries. There were various rooms (i.e. environment, economics, peace and security etc.) and in those rooms were the chairs (people in charge) and delegates from 10 different countries (Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos). They created delegations and amendments, while we just sat there and observed. Ethan and I were with our Buddy in the Special Committee room, whilst Aidan and Ben were in the Peace and Security room. Ethan and I were told that it does get better :). We left our sabbaticals at 10am and headed back to the dorms to get ready to go to Sentosa Island. Sentosa is basically like a theme park, and was a lot of fun. We first went to have lunch, which ended up being Subway. The Japanese students were really happy to see a Subway, because it was something that was familiar to them. After lunch, we headed into the forest walk, and slowly made our way through to the beach. At the beach, Damon, Bryan, Jarret and myself decided to stay back and sit in the shade for a while, whilst the others went on to the water, and walked in it for a bit. Once the group came back together, we caught the tram to the 'Images of Singapore' exhibit. It was quite cool and the guide was really funny. The group had photos taken in a truck and then moved back to Subway for another rest in the cool air conditioning. After the rest, the Luge was our next activity. Everyone went down the hill in these go-kart like vehicles and had a great time. Once down the hill, the group got on the sky ride, which took us back up to the top, giving us a fabulous view of sentosa. Afterwards, we headed to the Merlion, and went all the way to the top where many, many photos were taken. The view, like so many other places in Singapore, was incredible. When we finally went back inside, we found this room with some lions heads, where we were meant to put in a coin that we were given when we walked in. Most people put their coins in, but some kept them as souveniers. We then headed down to the bottom, where you exit through the shop. In the shop we could collect the prize we got from putting the coin in the lions mouth. Everyone, even those who didn't put their coin in, got a fan. This fan was AMAZING, and became a huge saviour to all of us in the heat and humidity. Aidan, Ben, Darrel, Damon and myself all went ahead of the rest of the group and went down through a large water feature outside the shop. During this I was able to take many hilarious photos of Damon with the different water features. The others eventually came out of the shop and everyone headed to the final attraction of the night, "Songs Of The Sea". It was a show filled with incredible light and water affects, and some very corny songs. Damon, Aidan, Keenan, Jarret and myself sat separate from the others, because we got behind in the line and couldn't find them. It was then time to head back to the boarding school, but just before we departed Sentosa, Mr Roubanis decided to take some really cool pictures of everyone and also some of just our buddies. It was a really long day, but all everyone had a great time and would do it again any day :)

Monday 8th

Today was our first day at the actual campus of Hwa Chong. We had a very early start, and the girls room slept through all of our alarms, and so were racing downstairs to make it in time. The school day starts with a flag raising ceremony, with a marching band playing. It is all very formal and we all just stood there in silence, not knowing what to do. We were then taken to a lecture room (us and the Japanese and Hong Kong students who arrived yesterday), where we all assembled for introduction. They decided to take us on the tour of the school before we did the intro, because the air conditioning in the lecture room takes a while to start. Our buddies took us around the school and showed us as much as they could within an hour. Hwa Chong is soooo much bigger than the heights, and has so many more facilities.....although i guess it means that the heights has something to aim towards :). When we went back for introductions, the Japanese students went first and told us all about their school and Japan using a powerpoint, and they even chopped wood (karate style). The it was the heights turn, with Aidan and I having written a speech the night before, and not having any powerpoint presentation or any technological help. However, we got up and told them all we could about the heights and Adelaide. They actually seemed to like it, because it was short and sweet. We had a break for a couple of hours, and then headed off to URA gallery which had some cool features, and then went to the singapore flyer which was absolutely awesome. Most of the heights group was in the second cabin, but Courtney, Diane, Ethan and myself ran to get into the first one. Courtney and Diane hadn't wanted to go on it, but Ethan and I made them. They sat on the floor of the cabin and vegetated, while Ethan and I were running around the cabin taking photos and enjoying the view with the Hong Kong students who were on their with us. Whilst we were up in the flyer, we experienced our first lot of rain in singapore. It did make everything a lot hotter, but it was quite cool, and ethan was finally able to catch some singapore rain, to go with his air. We all then walked to a shopping centre about 10 minutes away and had tea there. Most of the group have been trying different foods, to try and take in the culture, but others are still kind of hesitant. We went to another shopping centre and were given free time to wander for 15 minutes. We all then caught the bus back to the boarding school and just chilled for a little bit. Today was a great chance for getting to know our buddies a bit more, and was also a chance for us to meet the Japanese and Hong Kong students. They are all very excited and energetic, whilst the heights group, after two days of walking around singapore, are dead tired. Tomorrow is another chance for us to get closer to our buddies and to also get to know the other students as well. We're all having a great time and are looking forward to the rest of the trip :)

Sunday 7th March

Today everyone went off separately with their buddies, and were taken to more sites around singapore. Keenan and Courtney - Went to Chinatown and other places to do some shopping. Damon and Diane - Went shopping 'here, there and everywhere' as quoted by Damon. Bryan and Evan - went to and adventure playground. Aidan and Ben went to Sentosa and then spent time at their buddy's house. Ethan and I went to a traditional restaurant and had chicken and rice (a famous singaporean dish), and later in the day - when it was cooler - to the botanic gardens. Most of the students were able to go to their host families house and see what it is like for them, compared to us. The botanic gardens are extremely beautiful and the orchid garden was fantastic. This was the day where we really got to see more about the deeper culture of singapore, and learn more about this glorious country. The teachers went and shopped till they dropped, and couldn't take anymore :P. As today was my birthday, I was given a gift by my host family, Damon and Diane's host family, and had everyone saying happy birthday all day, which was great. What a way to spend my 17th, on exchange in singapore with these fantastic people :)

After an early morning we went to meet with our buddies. Evan and Bryan left at 9:00am and went in a car with their buddy - Jarrett - to a dead body museum and then to laser tag. Diane and Damon left at 10am in a car with their buddy - Ooi -, and went to botanic garden, a fancy Indian restaurant, and some other small stores and sites along the way. The rest of us - Keenan and Courtney, Ben and Aidan, and Ethan and myself - caught buses and the MRT (bullet subway) with our buddies - Andre, Darrel and Yan Perng. We went to Orchid Road first, and saw all of the amazingly HUGE stores and incredible architecture. For lunch we split up with our buddies and went to restaurants in a part of Orchid Road. Each 'group' had something different which was really good :). Keenan bought a green tea latte and it tasted really good^v^, and also came in handy later. We went up these absolutely MASSIVELY HIGH escalators, which Courtney really loved :P. The view was breath-taking :D. By this time most of us were pretty tired, but we kept going. Our buddies decided to take us to Marina Barrage, where we were able to see parts of the busiest port in the world, and which also had an amazing view. There was also a gallery which was filled with lights and examples of how Singapore is trying to become an eco-friendly country, or as they put it, "Sustainable Singapore". There were random cameras, in the walls, along the final hallway where you could take pictures of yourself. This is where Aidan took an opportunity to take a lovely picture of himself :P. Once we were done there, we started the long and tiring journey home. On this magical journey, our buddies sort of got 'lost' (although they were adamant that you can't get lost in Singapore :P). When we were climbing the hill up to the boarding house, the only one with any energy left, was Keenan, and we do believe that this is because of the magical green tea that he had. So for anyone out there who wants everlasting energy, try some magical green tea latte :P. Eventually we arrived back at Hwa Chong and ate dinner, which was curried pork, tofu skin, cabbage and bok choy with rice. I am beginning to think that Keenan is the favourite with the lunch ladies, because he always gets something extra, better, and different to us :P. hehehe^v^. I went back to my room and chilled for a bit cause I was kinda dead, but everyone else hung around outside and didn't really actually do anything :). The girls did our first lot of laundry (the guys did there's Friday night) but we sorta made the security guard a like angry because we put it in just as the bell went for lights out. Oh and about lights out, we have found out that it actually doesn't mean much. It is actually when all of the students start having there showers, and all that happens is the main lights inthe bedroom go out, but you still have the very bright lights above the desks. I think it makes a lot of sense :P. So that is all for the Saturday of this Signapore trip. This morning Evan and Bryan left with their buddy at 8am to go to an adventure park, and their buddy also brought them KFC for breakfast. Diane and Damon, Courtney and Keenan, and Aidan and Ben are all leaving with their buddies at 10am, but Ethan and I aren't meeting ours until 12pm which is kinda good cause we get a bit of a rest :). Ethan and I are going to the botanic gardens with Yan Perng and his family after we have lunch. I'm not really sure what the others are doing, but I guess we'll find out tonight. Until next time xoxoxo

We arrived at 5:20pm last night, and after everyone finally correctly filled out their immigration forms, we went through customs and then on the bus to the school. On the bus ride we found people sitting in the backs of utes, cool cars, cleanliness, about 30 pieces of rubbish (Ethan counted) and amazing scenery. Everyone had to hold their jaws closed when we pulled into the school, because it was HUGE and beautiful! The boarding halls look like hotels from the outside, and kinda like a hostel (the rooms themselves). They're six floors high and have vending machines all around the outside. Everyone actually slept really well, even with the heat, and both the boys and girls were up at 6:30am. We all beat the teachers to breakfast, and had only Ben and I chose the Laksa, with everyone else opting for toast, an egg and a bun thing. We're now going to get ready to have a day with our buddies :)

It's tomorrow!

Only 2 days to go!
We leave on Friday, at 1:05pm, flying Singapore Airlines.
We're spending the next week at Hwa Chong Institution, one of our sister schools, and are really looking forward to it :)
Those participating in the exchange are:
Students - Ethan Tucker, Evan Day, Bryan Banks, Damon Hopkins, Diane Banks, Keenan McKenzie, Courtney Roberts, Aidan Sakovits, Ben Geytenbeek and Sarah Williams
Teachers - Sheralyn Oakey and Arthur Roubanis
We return on Saturday 13th, at 9:10am.
Should be an awesome experience!

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We haven't left yet, so all we can tell you is that Singapore is not where we are

HOORAY