2nd day of GBCC event - Middle School & Dean's Rountable Discussion

The 2nd day of GBCC started off with a meaningful event - visit to the middle school. The funny thing is that I smsed Prof Geraldine early in the morning 7am to asked if I could give her book away (cos every school had to give a book away), and I plain forgotten that it was like 12 midnight in SG, and I was anxiously waiting for her reply. By the time Prof replied me with a "yes", we've already given the book away long time, with her name signed on it. haha.

My class was fun. Had kids from all over the world and they were kinda entertained by my Singapore story. haha. Dun ask me what I told them though, I seriously have no recollection. Just remembered this Vietnamese gal (12 yrs) who was really pretty but full of character. So fun. Hmm, maybe I can seriously consider switching jobs to teach. =p

We had our group photo taken next with Prof Gilbert and we had the rountable discussion. The topic is our ever so familiar China's growth. My table had really good discussion, very fervent discussion and amazing viewpoints presented. I particularly remember the Uganda guy seating beside me (I really like the Uganda team. So humble.), I remembered the feeling of heart wrench when I heard him talk about his country. How devestated they were, and how they needed the US to help them rebuild their industries, and now with China, their already fragile domestic market is being threatened even more.

There was another UBS guy seated beside me, and cos we r both chinese (I'm from SG, he's from Taiwan), we chat one another up pretty quickly, and he whispered to me silently during the lunch in mandarin (the food here is not nice, think I dun have to translate it for all others to understand yah?) and gave me a smart wink. haha. So cute.

Then we went downtown to get souvniers. I got nothing much, and waited 30 mins for Daryl. He's really the man. He made 4 gals wait for him for 30 mins while he shops for his levi jeans. muahaha.

The most exciting event came in the evening, and that was the competition drawing, that was to determine which room we r gonna be in. Daryl was v stressed at first, and I was v cool, gave him a cool look and said calmly "Dun care lah. Dun need to be stress", but as the time draws nearer and nearer to Auckland drawing their room and all the other room are almost filled except ours, I got real panicky Daryl laughed at me big time. "Thought you v calm just now? Dun needa be afraid what, you tell me one!"

@##$%@$% To think that Prof Gilbert thinks so highly of him, and says he's like the stone (meaning steady) and we r like the ballons tied to the stone. Not the least bit man! You should have seen how badly we were being bullied by our dear Daryl on this trip.

We didn't end up with the Auckland team (God bless!). We ended up with the UW team though, together with Euganda and Columbia. Talking about Columbia, I had a flying kiss from one of the guys in the Columbia team. haha. He was the one seated at the same table as me during the rountable discussion ealier on, and I think our table share good rapport.

And alas, just as I was about to collapse from fatigue, Prof Gilbert took us out to this bar in Seattle with live music. And the live music was really good. I particularly like their soft rock. Really nice. I couldn't keep myself awake though. I practically collapsed onto the bed as soon as I reached the hotel room.

Prof Gilbert was supposed to write us an email b4 our case was released, in the end, he fell asleep on his chair halfway while writing the mail, and the whole mail was deleted! haha.

Comp started today. Will update again. =)

KJ