EXCITEMENT!!! It's in the air!

Written by Charis Chen
Edited by Nathanael Chong

20th September 2015 

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the evening edition of ICC News!

Okay... just kidding. :)

Excitement! It's in the air!
Somewhere there...

We all lads and lassies fair
Up to heaven utter a prayer
As we begin our joyous affair.

We began our meeting with an exciting icebreaker by our speaker Jern Yoong. He would read out a list of criteria, and we would have to gather into groups that fit the criteria within a specified time limit, e.g. "By the time I count to three/five/seven/ten".

Photo by Charis Chen

Now!

Photo by Charis Chen

 "... at least 7 people with a total age of 300..."

Photo by Charis Chen

Awaiting Jern Yoong's command

Photo by Charis Chen

Ready to run!

Photo by Charis Chen

listing criteria...

Photo by Charis Chen

Still listing criteria...

Photo by Charis Chen

Run, Aunty Stacey, run!

Photo by Charis Chen

Aunty Michelle: "Come on in, Ian!"

Photo by Charis Chen

Yay! We're done!

Photo by Charis Chen

The observation deck

Photo by Charis Chen

Yay! Mission possible!

After several suspenseful rounds, a group did not manage to meet the criteria, and were sent to the observation deck to wait out an ascertained number of rounds before they were allowed to join the game again.

Photo by Charis Chen

Even losers smile. So what are you doing now? Smile!!!

Photo by Charis Chen

Hello!

Finally, after rushing around Coach Joseph's living room like frenzied mice [smiles], Jern Yoong announced that the game had ended, and started us thinking about the ICC Core Values that it related to-- Community and Cultural Communication.

Photo by Charis Chen

Next was an memorable devotion led by Speaker Eliza about "Do the G.O.O.P.!", and got us thinking about ways to do the G.O.O.P. :)

What does G.O.O.P. stand for?

Respect for G od
    Respect for O thers
         Respect for O urselves
       Respect for P roperty

She continued to share four phrases that would be especially useful to us as we "do the G.O.O.P.!"
They are:

1) I am sorry - immediately after realising I am in the wrong

2) Thank you - shows gratitude and appreciation

3) I care about you - significant of consideration and self-sacrifice. Is someone having a bad day? How can we be considerate?

4) How can I help? - significant of a person's initiative.
- going the extra mile vs. doing only what is required/requested
-shows that you care
- may require one to go out of one's way to help

In relation to the last two phrases, "How can I help?", Coach Debra and Speaker Eliza shared stories of times when someone went out of their way to help them and show them that they cared. Coach Debra shared about how Franklin Hoëcke had gone out of his way to help her during the IMPACT conference earlier this year.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Eliza recalled how Colleen Au had made the effort to make her feel welcome at the ICC Training Centre in the U.S., going so far as to come out of the swimming pool to sit next to Eliza, who had forgotten to bring a swimsuit, and talk to her.

The devotion ended with all of us repeating together: "Do the G.O.O.P.!"


Photo by Nathanael Chong

After the devotion, our Chapter Sponsor, Coach Joseph, came up to say a few words!

Photo by Nathanael Chong

 Expectant... :)

 Photo by Nathanael Chong

Coach Joseph talked about something we face everyday- REALITY.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photo by Nathanael Chong

The Bible is the ultimate Truth, and from it we can find truth that works in the real world.

The 4 Absolutes of Truth:

1. Forgiveness
2. Justice
3. Evil
4. Love

Photo by Eliza Tan

After the sharing by Coach Joseph, it was time for the YCCers' and YSGers' respective sessions. The YSGers' session was led by Coach Alfred.

Photo by Charis Chen

First, he talked to us about nursery rhymes (no, he didn't teach us about nursery rhymes XD. He USED them in his lesson.). A very surprised Speaker Jern Yoong was then called up
by Coach Alfred. [smiles]

Photo by Charis Chen

Look at that alarmed face!

Jern Yoong was then instructed to recite to us his favourite nursery rhyme, to which Jern Yoong replied, "Err, I don't have one. I'll just do "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" la..."

Photo by Charis Chen
"Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. Oops, what comes next?"


Coach Alfred then turned to us and asked us to give Jern Yoong feedback. Immediately, a girl spoke up.

"Very dull, Jern Yoong!"

"Very monotonous la..." another added.

"You could pronounce your words a little better," piped up another.

Then... Eliza spoke. And the girls glanced at one another sheepishly. Because constructive criticism doesn't put others down. So we all learnt a lesson from that.

Then....

Jern Yoong had to re-recite (I made up that word XD)  the poem. :) And boy, were we surprised! Some of us nearly fell off our chairs laughing.

Photo by Charis Chen

 TWINKLE TWINKLE little star!!!

Photo by Charis Chen

UP ABOVE the world so high!!!

And the response...

Photo by Charis Chen

Photo by Charis Chen

We learnt that there are two types of feedback-- positive and negative. Sometimes, feedback might be meant for good, but if it is presented in a wrong manner, the person it is supposed to benefit may end up discouraged. 

So, we should give feedback in a CONSTRUCTIVE manner.

Coach Alfred then directed us to split up into pairs, find a place to work in, recite our favourite nursery rhyme to our partner, and practice giving good feedback by, well, giving constructive criticism.

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

It was a hilarious time! 

As we gathered back together in the cozy living room of Coach Joseph... [smiles], Coach Alfred said something that really struck me: "Feedback indicates how much you care." It really made me think: "Do I really care?"

Next, the four portfolio coaches were announced: Coach Joseph, Coach Alfred, Coach Debra, and Coach Honey. Each of the YSGers was then assigned a portfolio coaching group... and... each group went their way!

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

After which we had tea break... :) and Student Leader debrief...

And finally, for memory's sake, here's a picture of our two beloved Eunices enjoying each other's company playing ukuleles amongst lush greenery. :)

Photo by Coach Wai Hong

And so ends our ICC News! Stay tuned for more updates!

'Till next time, folks!