Dialogue in the Dark

Visited Dialogue in the Dark yesterday. It was really really cool. When I heard that it was going to be pitch dark in there, I didn't believe it because I thought my eyes were pro and could handle the dark, surely I'd still be able to see something. I could not have been more mistaken. But I wasn't that afraid though, I trusted my professional visually impaired guide with all my heart. But it was quite scary that it could be this dark and I wouldn't know if someone was next to me, as it was when the guide's voice came out suddenly. I've learnt to be grateful of my eyes, though I think it is great to have the ability to navigate without vision. It was really fun feeling like a blind although I staggered quite a little, being so unsure of my surroundings.

We were led through stones, sand and grass for the first part, hugging the left wall to feel plants and a tree's bark. Then we had to cross a wooden bridge, to a waterfall. After the waterfall was a sign that read "Sir Stanford Raffles", which we had to feel for. There was also a statue of Raffles on top, although we couldn't be sure if it was a real statue of him. After Raffles, we had to feel for a Car and a Bicycle. Following that, a walk to a jetty, still hugging the left wall. We boarded a River Taxi in the dark, supposedly headed for town. Crossed a traffic light like a blind person, then through a market, identifying certain food items. Felt for doors, a telephone and an ATM. Then we were led to a coffeeshop, where I ate a Cookie and drank Sugar Cane in the dark. We were also told how the Blind knew if they were receiving the correct change to avoid getting cheated. My guide was a 24-year old, diagnosed with night blindness at the age of 4, when her aunt spotted her having to bend down first and feel for an object that she dropped instead of just picking it up straight away. Partial blindness meant that she could still see a little, though it must be in very bright light. We were told that the Blind preferred to use iPhones for its Blind-friendly system. They had special watches which could voice out the current time, or have braille dots on them. The Blind had to rely on their stick to watch for staircases. As to how Blind people ate meals in restaurants, they could be told the location of the food items such as "The chicken is at your 12 O'Clock, and rice at 3 O'Clock", which was pretty interesting. As to how they boarded MRTs and Buses, they had to rely on public assistance for that.

Overall, it was a very cool experience and I would certainly like to be there again. Pity the blind, be grateful for our eyes. I still think that being able to guide oneself without eyes is very cool though.

Almost 2 months away now. A lot has happened. Of course, Prelim 1 was terrible, worst results of my life yet. Not going to talk about it. It was a really really good wake up call though, one that I've never had before.

NJC DSA Trials were disappointing, absolutely disappointing. Out of 7 matches, I won none. Well, I hoped that was a sign that I wasn't meant for NJC after that. Maybe it meant something better. We'll see.

June Holidays Lessons weren't too bad, it was quite relaxing actually. Bio SPA was ok, I hope. Chinese Oral Practice was a joke. Sean had really ridiculous presentations, using english words and absurd actions to accompany his speech. In a negative topic, 这个现象有好处也有坏处. I'm more impressed with his fast correction after he realized that. 好处太少所以我不要说. That became a standard opening to 影响 after that though.

In these 2 weeks that have passed, I found out who my true friends were, really. People whom I didn't expect before to care at all, surprised me by being more concerned that I had ever felt before. I feel so grateful to my friends now. I wish I had more time to treasure them, but perhaps its better this way, so that I'll cherish them even more from now on.

Yesterday, went out with Daryl Dawn Deirdre Hanzhi Kai Zhong for the last time before the rush. I overestimated the ride time by 40 minutes, so I reached Vivo City really early and spent my time scouting my way around the messy place. Felt like the place was so poorly designed. First to meet up with was Deirdre, who recognized me first, on the escalator next to me. I was so blind. Then we found Daryl and Kai Zhong at what, National Geographic? Dawn and Hanzhi came shortly after.

Laddaland at 3.20, went to have lunch first, at Burger King. Well, the rest did, at least, I just needed water. Spent $5 on bottles of Water in all. Talked about some nonsense, mean and disgusting topics. Left burger king at about 2.40 and went to the area facing Sentosa, where Deirdre blew our minds with Mary died last night, Coffee Tea, Back to the Future. Deirdre was so annoying, kept telling us to listen clearly for Mary's death. Coffee Tea was not as bad but still bad. Back to the Future, dropped it after 2 tries.

So then, Laddaland. I can't take horror because of its video content and it's creepy audio, but I had to live through it for 2 hours, since Dawn had suggested it when she herself was afraid, crazy much. Kept whispering to Hanzhi my... fears, haha. I was somewhat fine with it until near the end. That was the worst part. Best thing to do, "Sleep" through it.

After Laddaland, it was already 5.30. I don't know how we managed to walk around until 6.15 before settling atop Vivo City to play Cards. Oh right, we wandered into Giant. Kai Zhong went to buy some Beef Noodle first because he was so hungry. The girls introduced some other Card Games to us. Indian Poker was cool, except that I was helping everyone and sort of took the fun out of it. I lost snap jack, of course. Brain lag too much. We played until about 8.30 (2 hours of cards??? Insane) before going down to the Food Court for Dinner.

Had Egg Bee Hoon, first and final meal of the day, I'm sure I could have lasted all the way though. After the meal, Truth or Dare, at the table. Poor Kai Zhong got it 3 times in the row, with Deirdre's killer questions directed at him.

If you were a gay, who would you gay with?
What is a pickup line you would use if you wanted to get a girl to date you?

Can't remember the last one. And he actually got it for the 4th time in a row, but we spared him, how could he have been so unlucky? Pitied Dawn the most haha, Deirdre's question totally embarrassed her. I won't be forgetting that anytime soon. Hanzhi found a way out of her "Why did you like your first crush?" and Daryl's answer to his question was really unexpected. "To what extent would you go to impress a girl?" My question was really easy, and I had 2 to choose from. Deirdre ended it with her possible "Boyfriend Material" since she had never crushed on anyone in her life.

Took the same way back, MRT was still so crowded at 9.30pm. And I sabotaged Kai Zhong again, shall not talk about it.