Yow Shuning (27) 311
Challenging Limits
Since I was young, I have been smaller than others. I would sigh in frustration whenever physical exhaustion overtook me earlier than my peers. I treated this as a disadvantage and found it extremely unfair. Due to my stubborn nature, however, I chided myself to never give in to my physical disadvantage because I believe that I could do as much as my peers could. This determination was put to test during the sea expedition in the OBS [Outward Bound School] camp that took place in Pulau Ubin.
Each batch of secondary three students has to undergo this camp, perhaps the school’s goal was to make the students cherish what we have in mainland Singapore. My adventure began when I was “abandoned” on Pulau Ubin for a few days to endure physical and mental hardship without our usual luxuries and modern technology. Sleeping in tents and losing the chance to use clean toilets did not bother me; it was the sea expedition that did. My horror started when I was elected as the sea expedition leader to lead the group to kayak around Pulau Ubin. Fear gripped me when I realized the other leaders and I were to be the pillar of support for the group and my heart shuddered at the thought of failure. A single question crossed my mind, “Would my weakness be my obstacle?” Then, a sleepless night followed.