For his 15th birthday, his godmas gave him, (what I consider a very appropriate) a present in the form of a 10-day outdoor programme at The Outward Bound School in Lumut, near Pangkor Island, the place that the late Luciano Pavarotti called Paradise. That was back in September and even back then he was less than thrilled at the OBS gift. Now as the days drew closer to December 1st, the day to report to 'camp' he became very grungy and irritable.
The eve of his departure was the worst. He was in such foul mood that I had to convene an emergency family meeting to ground him and allay fears both for him and us, the family.
It started off rather well we thought but it didn't end very well as fear got the better of him and he 'resigned' to the fact that there was no way out of this 'fate' that had been befallen him but to just 'do as he is told'. That was not what I had started to achieve but after the tempers died down, I realised that we never have been apart for more than 2 or 3 days and this is the first time he'll be gone for 10 days. As for Zane, this temporary 'incarceration' is a major interruption in his otherwise full and contented life on his computer, PS2, iPod, Canon G9, Astro Channels, Archie comics and his must loved badminton trainings.
At this stage interruptions are NOT welcome. I can imagine.
That night we all went to bed each with a heavy heart but tired-out from the stress we gave each other.
The next morning Zane was up early, went into pensive and contemplative mode and wrote a post on his blog
here
We took a quiet drive to Lumut via Bidor where we had lunch at the famous duck noodle restaurant. Upon arrival at OBS Lumut, we were greeted by a troop of young boys and girls who were warm and enthusiastic against the backdrop of a seaside cove that front the whole facility. It was quite lovely and picturesque. An exciting new environment.
I felt that Zane was very much at ease when he saw people his age and of different shapes and sizes all gathered there, some happy as a puppy, others as sour-pussed as he. He was quickly inducted to his group where his trainer was on hand to brief and walk him through the registration process. A while later, he handed me his excess cash in foreign currency and off he went to his group leaving us to fend for ourselves as we wandered around to catch a glimpse of him to say goodbye but to no avail. In the end we could only wave him goodbye from a distance and drove off. Me, happy knowing my son feels fine with the place and more importantly, will have his leadership qualities taken to a higher level. I drove away thinking how good he looks in the group of young men and ladies.
For his 15th birthday, his godmas gave him, (what I consider a very appropriate) a present in the form of a 10-day outdoor programme at The Outward Bound School in Lumut, near Pangkor Island, the place that the late Luciano Pavarotti called Paradise. That was back in September and even back then he was less than thrilled at the OBS gift. Now as the days drew closer to December 1st, the day to report to 'camp' he became very grungy and irritable.
The eve of his departure was the worst. He was in such foul mood that I had to convene an emergency family meeting to ground him and allay fears both for him and us, the family.
It started off rather well we thought but it didn't end very well as fear got the better of him and he 'resigned' to the fact that there was no way out of this 'fate' that had been befallen him but to just 'do as he is told'. That was not what I had started to achieve but after the tempers died down, I realised that we never have been apart for more than 2 or 3 days and this is the first time he'll be gone for 10 days. As for Zane, this temporary 'incarceration' is a major interruption in his otherwise full and contented life on his computer, PS2, iPod, Canon G9, Astro Channels, Archie comics and his must loved badminton trainings.
At this stage interruptions are NOT welcome. I can imagine.
That night we all went to bed each with a heavy heart but tired-out from the stress we gave each other.
The next morning Zane was up early, went into pensive and contemplative mode and wrote a post on his blog here
We took a quiet drive to Lumut via Bidor where we had lunch at the famous duck noodle restaurant. Upon arrival at OBS Lumut, we were greeted by a troop of young boys and girls who were warm and enthusiastic against the backdrop of a seaside cove that front the whole facility. It was quite lovely and picturesque. An exciting new environment.
I felt that Zane was very much at ease when he saw people his age and of different shapes and sizes all gathered there, some happy as a puppy, others as sour-pussed as he. He was quickly inducted to his group where his trainer was on hand to brief and walk him through the registration process. A while later, he handed me his excess cash in foreign currency and off he went to his group leaving us to fend for ourselves as we wandered around to catch a glimpse of him to say goodbye but to no avail. In the end we could only wave him goodbye from a distance and drove off. Me, happy knowing my son feels fine with the place and more importantly, will have his leadership qualities taken to a higher level. I drove away thinking how good he looks in the group of young men and ladies.
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