Round Square Conference 2010 - Steering Committee April 2009 - Oct. 2010

The Worldwide Round Square Conference is an event held once a year annually and participants come from around the world. All members of Round Square organisation usually all try to send delegates this year there were around 800 delegates. Round Square is a philosophy which quite a few school follow which have 6 aspects (pillars) IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership, Service). For approximately 2 years I have been planning for this event and each and every detail as a member of the Steering committee I have seen almost every detail of the conference and contributed to it as much as I can. The planning of the conference would be my biggest and most meaningful activity of all and this is why it will be my final post. 

My objectives of the conference were to meet new people from different cultures and different works of life, create a conference where the theme was emphasized enough that this could've started more service projects, convey a powerful message through different form of stimulus, show myself that I have ability to organize a major event, challenge myself in different ways, discover abilities I never knew I had.

As a team, the responses of the conference were very strong and everyone had a very memorable conference which touched them in so many ways, there were many positive response to everything that happened at the conference and the different aspects of the conference and although our main Pillar we focused Service we managed to incorporate all pillars into the conference. In the personal aspect I believe accomplished so much; far more than I could've ever imagine. I think that I discovered many abilities like behind the scenes work and event planning I've never knew I had. I challenged myself in so many ways that I surprised myself at times when I would conquer these challenges. For example, I consider myself as a somewhat socially awkward person, and find it quite difficult to bond with someone am also quite timid so challenging myself to meet people was a task that quite intimidated me, howeverge I overcame this task by getting enough courage to socialize.

I am proud of what I have accomplished, I know that all challenges that I had set myself were successful and all challenges as a team were successful. I would not change anything from the conference and any action I did with the exception of me being the delegate so I can experience the great Job I did on the conference. I think we were so successful because we worked together so well even though a lot of us were in different year and different ages, our team chemistry was high and everyone was open to constructive criticism, and we usually made collective decision. We were sort of a family, through time we developed bond with each other which is why we were so cooperative with each other.

1 Day LEFT!! apparently one person can't count :)

I think this very long activity developed me into a more confident, competent, cooperative, adaptive leader ; in general I would say all areas of possibly growth increase greatly. It definitely meant a lot to myself because it was so long and we developed bonds with each and we basically was always kept busy juggling our schedule to balance everything and we had to make sacrifices, all to come to the point of completion. This experience for me is an unforgettable one and one I would cherish my whole life. It has also opened a whole lot of doors for me present and future. Knowing I did this gives me the satisfaction of accomplishment, and if I know this I know I can conquer all obstacles to whatever it maybe. 

Senior Games (2011) Feb. 2011

This was my final set of games before I finally retire from being in the Senior Football Team as after I would need to focus on My Exams, so this tournament was very important to me this was also my first game after finishing the conference. The task I aimed to achieve was to finish each match satisfied with my performance. I aimed to socialize a bit more this year as well. To be honest though, I wasn't expecting a podium position finish from my team this year (coach decided that he would put the best into one team, although I reckon if my fitness was on par, I would've been selected for team A)

This year I was selected for team B again, and we weren't a very good team but I wanted to make he best of it because it was my final tournament of the year and playing for the school. So I gave it my 100% in every match but unfortunately this old man fitness level was just to low to keep up with the pace and don't give up attitude failed him at time. Although, These unfortunate moment occurred I did some good moment as well.

communicating with my
 teammate defender

In consideration that I wasn't as fit as I required and wanted I think technically I had a decent game and playing the game was satisfactory too. I think it was my overall fitness that let me down when playing. Therefore, When I finish with IB studies, I have decided to bring my fitness level up during my summer holiday and my gap year. And when I will try getting into my favorite sport again.

This final Tournament was a big deal to me because as football is my favorite sport and playing in the school team for all my secondary life, I wanted a gold medal but I had to make prior decision which lead to prior commitment to other activities this lead me to being dropped from the 1st team and I had to accept the consequences of my action. But I do not regret the decisions I've made because to me studies comes first but sports still stay close to my heart.  The lesson that I would associate with this is mainly don't live life with regrets because as I reflect on this activity knowing how everything lead me to become a Team B player, although I couldn't get the best of both world, I had a choice and took the opportunity that would excel and advance me in future goals. Even though, I didn't get a medal, in make a better prior decision ill get better opportunities in the future. This does help me become content with what I got, because there was a possibility that might not have been able to play. So if I apply this to different situation, I know that an opportunity that closes is another opportunity that open and reflecting on this activity has shown me that.

International Day World Cup (Organizer) Feb. 2011

On International day, there were several events planned for the day, one of the most popular activities included is the International Day World Cup. As I was part of the international day committee and Adventure Pillar leader it was my task to organize this event with Pae Keturman. As he is a close friend it was easy to co-operate with him. Even though the football itself is entertaining its fairly difficult behind the scenes because I had to make sure the leader board was to be updated after each match, get the commentators ready (in terms the microphones and speaker were working), make sure each team arrived on time and etc.

Some Action of the day!!

I wanted the whole event to run smoothly and me and Pae planned it so that everything should've run smoothly. But as we all know, that will never happen when planning event and there were some speed bumps.  Some teams showed up late, even some didn't even show up. I found being an event organizer isn't as easy as I initially thought, partly because I thought I planned everything well and that other people could listen to instructions and keep to their word of actually showing up on time or even at all. I also didn't take into account that I would be as lenient as I was. However, a winner did emerge at the end and my task was over, which was joyous. It did also involve me having to go on stage and announce the winners later on which is always a nerve racking experience.

I feel in the end I did a superb job as this small event organizer, but it was never an easy task for me. I found that sometimes you can always rely on other people with simple instructions therefore next time it either have to be a plan B or I must be more strict on the rules and regulation so that if a team does not listen they are automatically disqualified.

I learn't the struggles of event planning and organizing, it also good to not be so naive in thinking that this task would've been easy. In fact, I think the task would have been easier if I anticipated the worse because I would be prepared if something were to go wrong (which did). I can apply this to numerous situation like friendly surprise party or a corporate dinner which I would be hosting or any like those. It is never wrong the expect the worst, because it would allow us the prepare on what to do but I must have in mind the being optimistic is also a good thing if I can balance them too it would really help myself mentally and possibly physically as well.

Kiteboarding Lessons Nov. 2009

Click image to view the company's Official Website

My objectives were to successfully learn how to kiteboard; learn to operate the kite, how to land launch, how to water launch, safety features, theory behind the kite and riding the board.
The course is a 3-day course which should be able to bring me to at least IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) level 1 Certified. During the course, I learnt with to kiteboard with another person as this was the cheaper option. Therefore, I would only get half the time with the instructor.

I believe I was able to complete the task having been able to get on the board and fly the kite around for few seconds before having crashed the kite. I think as time passed I started getting the hang of it and started changing that few seconds into few minutes. Unfortunately, I didn't get time to be able to increase that time and I never was able to go switch or do any airs.

The difficulties I encountered were rather minor and quite quick to overcome. This included mainly operation of the kite; the different moves required in flying the kite took some time to conquer because these concept were new to me and estimating when to turn the kite had to take me a bit of attempts to master the feeling, but my determination to get it right and ability to adapt to different situation quickly found this easy once a few successful tries. I did have to share the instructor with another student and this slowed me down because at times I had just observe however, to some extent it helped because I not only learnt from my mistakes but his mistakes as well (a concept that he didn't grasp too well). During the time I was doing the course, the water was infested with jelly fish, although protected and these were baby and harmless creatures there were an absolute irritation (at times got the best of me and lost my concentration).

Compared to the other student, I think I was more prepared and more enthusiastic for the sport. I think this is what in the end made me able to learn more and become more successful in being able to kiteboard than him. Although, he was a nice man, he did tell me about himself I got a small sense of his culture (Indian) in a way of his career (Bollywood). I think this activity mean't a great amount to me because it was a new experience and is a sport that is filled with excitement, adrenaline, euphoria, happiness, innovation and so much more all at the same time. This sport is now one of my favourite sport, although it been a while since I last kiteboarded, I do wish to continue kiteboarding after my exams.

One of the most useful thing I learnt from the activity is the power of not just learning from one own mistakes but improve upon and learn from other peoples mistakes. This point of view seems so clear but by doing the activity it became so much clearer how effective it is. This can be applied to any situation relevent to this situation and I am 100% this will be an extremely useful tool in the future.

Currently, I am planning to try promote this relatively new sport by just kiteboarding and encouraging others to try but After I finish my IB I intend to become a qualified IKO certified instructor where I would be able to teach the values and experiences my instructor gave me.

Pattaya to Phi Phi Challenge June 2010

My objectives were to raise money for charity, get 25 times around the oval (10,000 meters) and as collective travel the distance from Pattaya to Phi Phi Island. This event was organized by the PE department of The Regents School. Any money collected would go to charity Koh Phi Phi Laem Tong Resource center project from the Monten Sea gypsy village. This event Kind of came out of no where so I quickly assembled to team, we were aloud to skateboard, Cycle, roller blade, run and swimming. 

It was a tough event especially taking a toll on my overall fitness but I managed to just complete the task of 10,000 meters. As a collective, we completed The pattaya to Phi Phi challenge quite quickly in in fact in the space of 4 hours we had done this 5 times back and forth, making a total distance travelled of 6,171 km. We also raised quite a lot for the Koh Phi Phi project. 

In my personal goal of perseverance and determination to go 25 times around the oval was a tough challenge for me but I kept going when I thought I couldn't go no more and in my final 2 laps I suddenly had a burst of energy and ran to the finish my goal with a strong finish. I didn't run into any particular difficulties except the challenge itself wasn't so easy. 

The activity shows how perseverance and determination can overcome challenges and obstacles. The attitude of never giving up can only be within us and if we don't embrace this we won't feel success because they is no such thing as an easy task and if so then you're not doing well. Going through the pain and persevering makes the accomplishment that much sweeter. I can take this lesson learn't into mentality of anything I set my mind on and as an ambitious young man to get the mentality to succeed.

JUMP! Leardership training Program July 2010

The JUMP! Leadership training program itself is a self empowerment program which is designed to make us better leaders. the main aim for myself was to improve my skills as a leader in particular my communication skills. As a team, we designed our own self improvement course, however, The Jump facilitators taught us the required skills we needed for improvement. They did this, through series of activities which was designed to test us and help improve our cooperative and communication skills.

Click on image to go to JUMP! Foundation official website

Partners with JUMP! Foundation
Click image to view photos and article

The outcomes we wished to happen was improve on leadership skills that we lacked in or had difficulty in performing in. My personal outcomes was to improve in keeping discussions flowing and using everything under control. I believe we were extremely successful in completing our objectives because we put our facilitating abilities to the test when it was our turn to teach our valuable knowledge to the barazza leaders, I found it quite a unique experience because I've not really put new knowledge into practical use in such little space of time. It definitely showed myself how much I really learnt.

The difficulty I came across was deciding with group what our strengths and weaknesses were, as I feel my public speech skill are moderately good I felt I should've focused on something else, however as team we had to compromise and I thought that the team would benefit from improving on public speech. The activities the JUMP! foundation made for us were also quite challenging we in the end managed to complete majority of the task.

I thought this course was a must do experience because these powerful lessons and activities made me better leader and at mean't a lot to myself because I could apply the lessons learn't to different aspects of my life like school work or self study or keeping healthy or self improvement. I feel as long as I keep to what I learn't on the course I could always improve. After the program, I am a stronger person spiritually, intellectually and emotionally.

Try living connected to 6 other people!!

Throughout the whole program, I challenged myself the whole time and I was constantly focused on the tasks in hand. The program was designed to make us global citizen and better leaders and this can be applied to many aspects of my life; too much for me to mention but I'll never forget this experience.

Go Team Regents!!

Cross Bay Swim 2009 Nov. 2009

Rotary Club of Jomtien - Pattaya Thailand
 (CLICK image to go to official website)

My objectives was to complete the swim and place in the top half, raise at least 1,500 Baht in sponsorships. The cross-bay swim is a popular event in Pattaya organised by Pattaya's Rotary Club which the money raised would go to charity. Swimmers have the choice of swimming across the whole bay (3.5km) or half the bay (1.5 km). I decided to do the shorter 1.5 km because in previous years I did the 3.5 km and I was completely exhausted and this year I felt my fitness level weren't up to par therefore I made the logical choice of going for the shorter swim as I would still be part of the swim and I could help charity as well. however, I did set myself the goal of placing top half of the swimmers so I could push myself to the limits.

In the end, I manage to surprise myself and had placed quite high which mean't it was a very successful race. I placed in top 15 which compared to the amount of swimmers; I was top 5 %. At the same time I managed to also exceed my goal of raising 1,500 Baht; I raised an extra 1,000 more Baht (making a total of 2,500).

The body of the next Micheal Phelps
(before he took the drugs though)

Raising the amount of sponsorships I made was not an easy task for myself, and found it quite challenging as it tested my social skills, in term of asking for donation. I feel quite uncomfortable in doing so especially from strangers, and quite often I was very hesitant in to ask for donation, but I managed to overcome this obstacle and raised a significant amount of sponsorships.

I believe the the skills I used and improved upon would be beneficial in the future as I believe that in the future I would get involved in charity work and would require similar or the same skills used in this activity. through improvement of these skills I can now get more comfortable and less hesitant in asking for donations. In terms of swimming, I learn't if motivated enough and have the will power to succeed, it sometimes possible to surprise yourself. And not to mention the activity helped me keep a balanced life style as I did some previous training prior to the event which kept me quite healthy.

Senior Games (2010) Feb. 2010

The Senior is a fairly new Annual sports competition. As FOBISSEA games are not running for senior student this is the only alternative. I accepted the invitation by Mr. Larkins to join his team for the senior games football because throughout the year I've had to decline many of the matches and I basically gave up football because it conflicted with  steering committee commitments of the Round Square Conference 2010.

Me playing football and full of skillz!!!

My main aims of the senior Games was to make new friends, get into podium position, have fun and play my hardest. During the games I found myself very Unfit and it was extremely exhausted to the play game after game, luckily there were substitutes with consideration I took someone else's position by playing in this tournament, I kindly let the substitute take my place while I recovered. I tried to give a fair amount of play time to the other players who didn't get to play as much as me. It was really my first time in many months that I got a good chance to play football so I really wanted to challenge myself and see if I still have my talent and I can still play along some of the best in our school. It meant a lot to me because I love this sport and when I had to give it up for long time kind of broke my heart.  And it would be my only chance until after the conference is over. Knowing this in every match I would put 110% into every match I played, no matter how tired I was, no matter how much pain I was in I wouldn't let my passion for the game die down. 

Video of the results and some pictures

In the end, my team placed 2nd and knowing I played exceptional really made my day and motivated myself to continue with my prior duties of steering committee member as I knew I would be welcomed back into the football team with open arms. The Tournament really made me think that if you have a passion for something would it suddenly be innate within you and just takes a bit of work to light a burned out flame you used to have. I learned that determination can be a huge factor in overcoming obstacles. I acknowledged that we must not get in someone else way by your own action as for the better of the team we must communicate as a team a share the load equally are else 'we are not a team at all'. 

Volleyball Team Sept. 2009 - Nov. 2009

A few of my friends who are already in the senior volleyball team suggested that I should join too. Now, I dont normally play volleyball and it a relatively new sport to me. In this activity, I learned a lot like how to smash, how to set, how to block, positioning and etc. I proved to be quite valuable player and hopefully sooner or later I could possibly be captain. Because of my busy IB scheduele, playing volleyball managed to fit in therefore I was able to get a bit fit as it is not a too demanding sport. (5hrs of Action)

Croston House Walk (09 Oct. 09)

The Croston House Walk was a fund raising event for which The Regents School held. This event should've been a walk in the park as the previous year I had ran it and for me they made it much longer. It turned out is wasn't as easy as intended as I had assisted in helping from 8G, few of the student are not very fit. I stayed behind to assist the ones who required help, this required me to motivate them to go as far as they could go and required me to keep my 'cool' and be patient which I am trying to develop. In order for me to stay calm, I had a deal with Bavin to have alternating shift attending the slow and unfit walker.
I am very proud of myself as I managed to get this unvery unfit person to a resting check point which was about 4-5 km from the begging. I had also learnt and got some experience in crowd control as this event had the whole school walking for charity. (3hrs of Service and 3hrs of Action)

Koh Chang (30 Sept. 09 - 03 Oct. 09)

Koh Chang (30 Sept. 09 - 03 Oct. 09)
My main aim of this trip was to explore the unexplored. this objective has multiple meaning; discover the explorer in me, get out of my comfort zone by trying stuff I've never tried before, and litterlally go exploring. I feel, i have successfully fullfilled these objectives and I have attempted try each aspect of CAS during my stay at Koh Chang:

Creartivity - The culinary arts of a mix of Thai and other nations cuisines have opened up my mind to a variety of flavours which have been remote to my mouth before the trip.

Action - When Kayaking, it is an adventure itself, because there is a factor that is quite unpredicable and underestimated which is wheather. As we were exploring around an area close to the camp, we were hit unexpectedly by a gust of wind which made me and Mr. William work a lot HARDER!!! This kayak trip was intended to be exploring and was quite worried as I had no idea what lied a head of the journey. Although it was very intimadating, I took a leap of faith and I had no other choice (I was in the kayak already when I found out!).

Service - This aspect of CAS wasn't my biggest contribution but I do beleive it was significant. I had limited myself to 1 shower in 2 days which consited 5 min. The ideal time should be 3 min. but 5 min. is a lot better that what I normally do at my home.

In this trip, I learnt that not everything can go my way so I'm trying to develop on how to respond to this situation, if I'm still not satisfied with the situation I'm in I will also try to develop on coping with these situations and try to stay positive. I also learn't that will power can be much greater than pure muscle power as my determination had nearly got me to the other side when playing British bulldog in the pool against two stronger competitors ganging up on me. and I also had discovered some part of 'the explorer in me'. (1hr of Creativity and 9hrs of Action)