Finally, i get to have a chance to visit Istana in my life... and what a fun trip it was too. It was actually a ceremony for the scouts to declare the job week open for the scouts of singapore to go around and do work and earn some cash, well for the sake of the scouts HQ that is. 50% of the amount that the scouts earn goes back to their unit though.
Anyway, i was invited as a venture to participate at the opening. Little did i expect what was gonna happen. We reached istana by a chartered bus from bishan scouts HQ, then go thru the usual security checks, and then we ended up at the main istana building.
We were told by the super dua pai peter joe chia (forgot what post he was holding) to smile infront of the camera. We were to sweep the floors, wipe the windows, clean the gates for the istana during the trip. The press was there first to see us, so it was like so fake lar, cleaning and wiping stuff for the sake of camera. Some were interviewed, but no me sia, sad. Maybe i not enough charm.
Then the president came, he patrolled the area, talking to every scout and girl scouts doing the various cleaning duties they were assigned. I was incharged of cleaning and wiping the front gate. When his excellency talked to me, i was kind of shocked, well, mainly becaused a strange voice came from my back and stunned me. Here's how the conversation goes:
prez: hello there young man.
yk: *turns around. sees prez, dries hand with pants* hello sir.
prez: so, what's your name, oh i see *points to my name tag* yuan kai right ?
yk: yar.
prez: so which school are you from ?
yk: SP.
prez: what's that.
yk: singapore polytechnic
prez: oh i seee... first year ?
yk: yes your excellency.
prez: *shakes hands with me* keep up the good work.
And in my mind, i almost heard the director say "CUT". Man, i was so good at acting lar. But deep inside, it was sooo fake.
And off we go for the tea break, with the president. First, the scouts gathered as one female scout gave the president the job week card for him to sign. Then she was handed a cheque in an envelope. And off we go for food.
The tea rocks. Earl grey.
The samosa rocks. Potatoes and some cruchy filling fried to golden brown.
The chesse cake kicks ass. Freshly baked with warm temperature.
This is the reception hall. We ate here.
Then it was photo taking time as we shook hands again with the president while taking photos using the press's super cool digital SLRs.
Then we went to the main reception right infront of the gate to take a group photo, this time, i asked one of the MIB to help me take. Here are some results.
The one that was taken with me and the president wasn't clear, so i wont post it up.
One note to point out is that when i shook hands with the president again, i told/lied to him
that "It was fun sir." Then when i went off, mr chia gave me the finger or rather a thumbs up=)
Well, enough of that. I had some fun later in the afternoon and evenings too. Went out with my archibuddies for dinner and movies. Took some photos too. With my super cool camera that is.
Look at chau hin, like monkey like that. Anyway, we were eating at Lemongrass, a thai restaurant, top floor of heerens. Expensive if i may add. Oh well. Cool right ? Got photo coverage. Thanks to all who were involved one way or another. And yes, i didnt wash my hand since i shook hands with mr prez=)
