Big Talks Small Talks

A little celebration...

2006-08-17T23:50:00.000+08:00

Dear Mingxian celebrated her 20th birthdae on 13th Aug after the tri help-out at Marine Parade's Fish n Co. And my, was she surprised by it! Norman sneaked off to buy a cake on the pretext of going toilet while waiting for the food to be served while Mr Zhichao almost gave the game away by toking like an ah bang (loudly) on the phone. Heng dear Mingxian was too blur to notice anything unusual.

Here comes the cake! and the birthday song which we (well, mainly the fish n co staff) sang with gusto..

Mingxian's cake.. guess her age? oops! isn't a woman's age supposed to be secret?!

Mingxian happily waving the sparklers and balloon..

Matric Fair 06

2006-08-05T22:39:00.000+08:00

Hello fellow divers and everyone else under the sun !! here is a short short update on our past happenings !!

Dive Camp 06 : Sunkissed

Dive Camp is an annual affair that is specially organised for the batch of incoming freshmen . Conducted over 5 days 4 nights at Pulau Aur , freshmen and current NUS students took to the waters in becoming part of our diving community. i must say that for diving, it's really about the company. Even with a mix of freshmen and seniors, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the diving and new friendships were forged. Our participants even went on their own mini-expedition on the island !!! Ok pictures will tell a thousand words.

Our Sunkissed participants !!

Listening intently to the dive briefing

Campfire on the last night

Matric Fair was organised over 4 days from 31st July to 3rd Aug , just this past week... Our peepz went full force in promoting afforable scuba courses to the masses . Again, the freshmen who visited our booth at MPSH 2 had their doubts cleared when they spoke to our committee members. Signup rates for our Welcome tea and trips was excellent i must say. Very very promising for the weeks to come.

Our display at the Matric Fair booth. DIVER BELOW !!!

Erms blogger has some probs uploading more pictures at the moment so can't show everyone more pics. Do look out for this space on more exciting updates !!!

Tribute to NUS Dive Team 05/06

2006-07-18T15:21:00.000+08:00

With the handing over coming up soon, it is time to pay tribute to all in the comm 05/06, especially those who have been supporting the club since their younger days... ok, not that they're very old, just that they have graduated, some even losing much hair... hahah....

MARTIN YONG GUANGHUI
CHAIRPERSON
SCI/3

Originally in the external liaison cell during AY04/05, but his self-proclaimed talent for designing produced quite many posters, as well as our current club logo. Hence, he became the nowhere man (not here not there). Later he took on the position of Project Director of Dive Camp 2005 - Happy Island, and climbed the ladders to become our Chairperson of AY05/06. Someone who still refuses to challenge himself for higher diving education.

TEO ZHENXING NORMAN
SECRETARY
LAW/3

It is not norma(n)lly the case where you'll find a male secretary, well, but norman doesn't exactly do things normally (just joking), hence he took up the position as the secretary. Also better known as Tiko Teo, but has since tamed alot ever since Cheryl entered the club... hahaha....

LAM YINGHUA JACQUELINE
INTERNAL LIAISON HEAD
Slave of society

Small in size but don't try to argue with her in english, she'll make sure you go back to primary school to look for your p1 english teacher. But if you ever get her to speak mandrin, hahaa..... you'll just laugh your heads off. First started of in the liaison cell in 03/04, ever since, she continued to head the internal liaison cell from 04/05 - 05/06.

YEO BOON KIAT
INTERNAL LIAISON OFFICER
LAW/2

Soft spoken by nature, you'll definitely be wondering why is he in the faculty of law. Was one of our leisure divers during Dive Camp 2005, if there was a 'MOST BEAUTIFUL CROSSED DRESSING AWARD' during the camp, he would have definitely won it!

HO WEI YING DELIA
INTERNAL LIAISON OFFICER
SDE/3

Also a leisure diver during Dive Camp 2004, she was termed 'gao mei' 高妹 due to her height. She together with sookteen, were our walking pillars (partly also because most of the guys in the comm den were not TOO tall) She will never fail to bring her little bear bear whenever she goes for trips.

PEH BENG HAN
EXTERNAL LIAISON HEAD
SCI/3

Another of our Dive camp 2004 graduates, you can hardly wonder what is he up to most of the time. One thing for sure, he does have an affinity with the opposite sex, partly also due to his honey language. Have I mentioned he loves to star gaze?? Together with Norman his partner-in-crime, they provide free entertainment on our trips. Currently up north patrolling the yellow river.

NG YONG MIN KELVIN
EXTERNAL LIAISON OFFICER
Unknown

One of our leisure divers and active participant of our club events, he finally took up a position in the club during his final year. Although not exactly hunky, he is one guy who knows the exact need of girls. So if you're looking for a 24hours buddy, just go straight to him!

TEO MING XIAN
EXTERNAL LIAISON OFFICER
ARTS/2

When we first met her during the interview, we thought she was an exact replica of lihui. Everything from top to toe, clothes, hair colour, way she spoke, way she sat, etc... The only one who is IANTD trained. A nu qiang ren in the making who has a mind of her own and not afraid to speak it out.

LIANG LIHUI
MEMBERSHIP LIAISON HEAD
ARTS/4

Known for her ______ dress sense (fill in the blank), you'll find her wearing pants with zips at funny places. Her clothes are either too fitting or sometimes falling off her shoulders. If you get her started, you'll never find peace the whole day as she can blabber on and on. You won't want to find her pissed off or frustrated, or else, good luck to you. She is also well-known for kicking people with fins or banging into people underwater without realising. You'll know who _____ to find as a buddy. =)

HUANG ZHICHAO
MEMBERSHIP LIAISON OFFICER
LAW/2

Ask him about his sad tale on his divemaster training course many years ago and you'll get him started on diving. One of the rich man in the club who have since embarked on many trips just like us taking the MRT. He has a fetish for creating scandals for himself, current status is unknown but he has been appearing and dissappearing with a girl from the club.

TAN WEIYING
MEMBERSHIP LIAISON OFFICER
ARTS/3

Alleluah alleluah alleluah... probably the only words she'd speak to you... ok just joking. A seriously stonch christian who have since saved many of our lives, with her on any trip, you won't be afraid of any incidents or accidents happening. Another graduate of dive camp 2004, she has since created many jokes of herself due to her extremely blur nature.

YONG SOOK TEEN
PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS HEAD
SDE/3

Also a graduate of dive camp 2004, she is the other walking pillar of our club. First joined the comm as a publicity i/c in 2004, later appointed as the pub head in 2005.

WONG SHIJIA BERNADETTE
PUBLICATIONS I/C
ARTS/2

Born into a family of divers, ok, not really, but her family did go diving together.... Her flair for writing saved her spot in the comm as the publicity i/c. She can churn out an article within minutes, probably that's why she is a literature major student. Claimed by one of our diver friends as a hot babe!

ANG PEIMIN CHERYL
PUBLICITY I/C
SDE/4

Another graduate of divecamp 2003, she wanted to join the committee then but was afraid of arki's heavy commitments. Probably after much stories of tiko teo got to her, she decided to join the comm to keep an eye on him... hahaha.... jokes aside, she is really fast at photoshop, all she needs is inspiration and it'll be done in 5 minutes. Also leaving us going up north to the land of dim sum.

TAY CHANG FELIX
MEDIA I/C
SCI/2

Another graduate of divecamp 2005, you'll wonder if he is even a diver looking at his physique. Blur he may seem, but someone whom you can entrust to carry out duties.

TAN PINYE MARK
WEBMASTER
SOC/3

The only one who was from computing during our recruitment interview, he naturally took up the position as a webmaster. Since then, he has contributed all the web publicity as well as diving knowledge to the club. An experienced diver who have been to many diving destinations.

HO YUFA DAVID
TRAINING WING HEAD
EE/4

Another graduate of divecamp 2003, he joined the comm as a liaison officer in 2003, later raising to the ranks of a divemaster. His extremely cold jokes can sometimes put people off. Known for his fervent gambling hobby, mahjong, da lao er, soccer, blackjack, anything, you name it, he'll know it.... He also has a gift for helping weaker pretty girls underwater....

CHIANG KAIREN DANNY
DIVEMASTER
Milking cows

Famous for his balding head, danny is the first and last proud owner of his snacks shop in Pulau Aur. Self proclaimed entrepreneur, his businesses always lose money as fast as his hair. Always looking on the bright side, he seldom gives them up, hence he is still a poor man. Undoubtedly talented as well, he can act, impersonate, cook, etc. His failed attempts of find a wife for his son in singapore ended him up in New Zealand looking for cows.

LEE HUIZHEN
DIVEMASTER
Unknown

A tai-tai in the making, gossiping cannot escape her interest, whether on guys, girls, gays, lesbians... anything as long as its not kimsong (hmm... den again, you'll never know).. hahah... An arts student in JC who went on to computing, but didn't know what she was in for.... swears that she'll never study any computing related subjects anymore. Also a self-proclaim great cook who also bakes, she likes to force kimsong into saying her food tastes great. =)

LIM KIM SONG
DIVEMASTER
Unknown

Another rumour mongers of the club, no gossip escapes him too. Together with Huizhen they make a great pair. Although soft spoken and somewhat shy when you first meet him, he's a great care taker of girls underwater... hahhaa.... Having not enough underwater, he and huizhen embarked on a 2month long vacation to europe.... how lucky!

ONG WENG HWEE LAWRENCE
DIVEMASTER
Serving the nation of seas

A man of few words is definitely the term to describe him. A silent lady killer who likes to 'part tor' underwater. Hence, diving is a good sport for him as it doesn't require talking. However, when he starts sending out loooonnnggg emails, you'll know what exactly he is thinking. Currently a protector of our nation and defender of our sea.

HO XIN NI CINDY
LOGISTICS OFFICER
ARTS/2

She is one who will get excited at anything related to diving. She can talk non-stop after every dive and will never get tired diving the same spot over and over again. If you are planning to dive the world, she is the one to look for. Anywhere, any price, she'll just go.

---------------------------------------

FINALLY completed the list. Please note that this tribute is based on the bias opinions of the author. Hahaha... Anyway, thank you so much to one and all for their contributions to the club!

Seeing more than a dive...

2006-07-05T15:42:00.000+08:00

About a month's time before the semester 06/07 begins... still haven't found a job that pays you a handsome sum of $$.... still haven't thought of where to dive... basically you've been procrastinating ever since the beginning of the holidays...

If you're thinking of diving somewhere 'nice' but haven't got the money or time... a great value-for-money place I would suggest is.....

.
.
.
.
.
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THE AQUARIUM!!!
haahaa....

I wasn't too convinced about paying $20+++ to enter an aquarium seeing fishes in tanks. But after having seen what's hiding in the tanks of these aquariums... you'll probably feel cheated paying $300 for 6 dives in a neighbouring country...

Anyway, I visited the Sydney Aquarium, claimed as one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world....

A little preview of what you get to see there...

Seals. There were 2 in the tank. Video resolution isn't very good cos it was taken with my camera.

There was also this walk through of sharks and rays... in it, there were black tipped, white tipped, grey nurse shark, leopard shark, port jackson shark.... etc etc etc etc..... It was also stated that everything looks 25% SMALLER than what we see due to the curvature of the glass. Can you imagine how big they actually are??

Just a rough guide, compare head size to its body size

There were far toooOOooo many things to see that I couldn't bother to take pictures anymore... Anyway, if you happen to be in Sydney, don't forget to visit their aquarium situated at Darling Harbour. You can also visit their website for more information.

-----

I thought visiting one aquarium was enough to keep me fascinated for long.... until I saw the advertisment of Melbourne Aquarium, showing off their GIANT SQUID exhibit. Well, since it was slightly cheaper than Sydney's, I decided to give it a try.

It was quite a bad time to visit as it was their school holidays, so I was overwhelmed by children and parents, almost impossible to walk through any exhibit without having to bang into people.

Ever seen trash cans housing lobsters and moray eel??

Children just love NEMO

Seadragon!! You can easily find about 10 of them just in this tank!

Can you tell its gender?

Feeding time!

Can you find the port jackson shark's egg? Its the only shark that lays eggs...

Haven't figured out what are they...

This ray is reallly smallllll.... check out its size in comparison to the crabs...

Moonlight jellyfish

Upside down jellyfish...

For course, not forgetting the GIANT SQUID,

Giant squid frozen in time, about 7m in length...

There were also sharks and rays just like those in the Sydney Aquarium... and you get to dive with them!

And the most amazing thing I saw was a GREAT BLUE SHARK!!!! Where can you ever find one man!!!

Hahaa... a harmless one though...

Well, I'm not promoting animals in captivity... but I think aquariums really do make you appreciate nature more than ever. I'd rather see them in tanks than to see them being harmed by cruel fishermen. Both aquariums also highly promote the need for conservation and educate its visitors on some basic steps of conservation.

Nope! They haven't killed my interest for DIVING! heh... next stop, our very own UNDERWATER WORLD! anyone game?

NUS Divers Nite!

2006-06-28T08:18:00.000+08:00

Calling all divers!

Congratulations to all who had graduated from the courses, for getting ur C-Cards. Welcome to the family of divers!

We are organizing a post-trip get-together for all our divers. Divers, non-divers, future-divers are all invited to join us! If you’re a world cup fan, all the more better! You can get to stay till 5am to watch Brazil vs France!

EVENT: NUSDivers Nite (JULY)

VENUE: Bar Celona, (located Robertson Walk, off Mohamed Sultan Road)

DATE: 1 July '06 (this Sat)

TIME: 8.30pm till 5am
(It'll be nice if u could come earlier to just chill, before the crowd starts filling in)

It'll be appreciated if you could inform us if you're keen to join us so we could look out for u in there.

PARTY FOLKS!

For more information, kindly contact Danny at 93385715.

::Advertisment::

2006-06-12T22:47:00.000+08:00

After much persuasion from the chef, some of us finally headed down to give Danny's Kitchen a try. Well, I must say you will not lugi (lose out) if you are a food fighter and will go all out to grab the last piece that's left on the plate (you know, chinese culture).

And so, there were 8 of us there that night: Alvin, Benghan, David, Jayne, Lihui, Martin, Kok kiang and myself. Though there were 2 no-show, the food was just enough for the 8 of us, since the group mostly comprises of food-grabbers.

Before the meal, we were quite skeptical (at least for myself) whether the food served was worth the money. Well, I must say, it was a great job done especially since it was a one man show. According to the cook (danny); "I am the cook, the waiter and the entertainer" Especially for a group of 8, there was more food to cook, more dishes to wash and more people to entertain.

There was a total of 10 course:
[we were not informed of any dish name, so i'll just go by what is more obvious on the plate]
(Danny, if you are reading this, please update us)

1. Mushroom on baguette

2. Pork and vegetable soup

3. Fried eggplant

4. Fried fish slice with mayo
5. Mussels
6. Prawns
7. Mashpotato

8. Beef, with fried asparagus and capsicum (which came out 5mins later)
9. Pizza
10. Pan fried water chestnut cake with peppermint ice-cream

As you can see, not all the food we ate were captured on camera, because I didn't want to lose out as well. Haha... You really have to be fast when you're eating with the guys of our comm. But as seen from all the empty plates and bowls, we were definitely filled to the brim.

There were some downsides as well, since its called 'Danny's Kitchen' and not 'Danny's Restaurant'. Don't expect too much ambience or first-class service especially if you dine in a group of 8 people. The only (withered) rose that was on the dining table served more as an obstruction than a decortion. And expect to serve yourself or help out with the dish washing (for kind souls) after the meal.

Of course, all-in-all it was a good meal and a homely environment to sit back and relax after the meal or catch the World Cup (only finals available since he doesn't have cable).

All for just $20! Don't hesitate and contact Danny NOW! dannychiang@hotmail.com or 93385715.

-baoz

Right, Left, Down, Up-Dates!

2006-06-06T00:10:00.000+08:00

Finally taking the initiative to input something after this blog has been dormant for 5 whole months! Well, as some claim they don't know the password... I suggest you check back on the yahoogroups history.

Anyway, finally all May trips came and went.... sighs of relief..... sending mailers, calling up/smsing ppl, getting ready for theory lessons, pool sessions, packing all those equipment, really gets on your nerves sometimes when you know that you should be enjoying the holidays. Of course, there are cock ups sometimes which makes you feel even worse... Anyway, I shouldn't be complaining here, its supposed to be an update!

As the semester passed soooo damn quickly, I can't really recall cronogically what happended since January. So I'll just input my thoughts for the May trips, or rather Trip 2 since I went for it.

The quote for the day,

"Be careful! Got alot of jellyfish down here!" - by Norman
(and when the rest went down, they only spotted ONE jellyfish, which subsequently stung Lenith, one of our leisure divers)

Pre-trip Jitters

After learning that we're going to have over 80 people on the island, we kinda freaked out. Almost resort to bring tents and sleeping bags just in case we didn't get a room.

Trip there...

4.30 - 5.30pm
Uploading equipment, waiting for latecomer, etc

5.30 - 6.30pm
Cleared customs, awaiting our departure for Mersing, hoping to catch the tide

6.30pm - 9.00pm
Stuck in a jam from Malaysian customs to Projet! (usual travelling time <30mins!!!)>

9.00 - 11.00pm
Finally arrived in Mersing. Waiting for boat transfer.

11.00 - 0.00am
Waiting for the rest of the crowd.

3.00am+
Finally arrived at Pulau Aur, Sebukang Bay, Adventure Underwater Resort!

4.00 - 6.30+am
Can't exactly remember what happened apart from clearing up the mess, arranging equipment and stuff..

7.00am Dawn Dive (not really considered dawn actually, coz sky was already bright)

And finally, we started our Diving Adventures....

View more pics at www.nusdiveclub.org/gallery

Journey back...

Another long journey on our little fishermen convert dive boat... while we were fighting the waves and rain, those on board BlueWaterII enjoyed the view of dolphins. Well, shan't complain about that since we didn't have to wait as long as them for the tide to rise nearing the jetty.

By the time we got onto the bus, have dinner and travel back, it was 12++am. One of the longest trips that NUS Dive Sub-Club has ever embarked on.....
-------

On a lighter note, congratulations to all openwater and advanced graduates!! Hope to see you underwater soon!

Prep Nite!

2006-02-01T03:15:00.000+08:00

10.30pm: Gather at Sportsclub Room (of course many were late...)
10.45 - 11pm: Packing of stuffs to be brought to forum
11.30pm: Off we go! Everybody packed in cars, and things in the van...
11.30pm - 2.30am: Work work and more work...

And finally... everything's up in order in record breaking time...

Here's a preview of what's at the roadshow

Many thanks to all who came down to help, and of course, special thanks to Chinyeh who took time off to help us out tonight as well!

Thank you! And don't forget to do your duties over the next few days... =)

For those who haven't got any idea what the Dive Roadshow is about, come down to take a look!! You may even walk away with gift vouchers and other prizes!

The roadshow will be held from 1st - 3rd Feb (Wed - Fri) at the Central Forum.

Roadshow 2006!

2006-01-31T16:50:00.000+08:00

Gone hiding??

2006-01-08T03:20:00.000+08:00

Hmm... not really.... here we are...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Diving withdrawal symptoms

2005-10-28T01:28:00.000+08:00

Who misses diving? I do! reminiscing bout the great dive trip to redang...

Excellent time at Kalong Resort

Stroll at the Pasir Panjang Beach

Spot the Chioest babe? Clue: Lady in _ _ _

Mahjong in Europe?

Kim Song & Jiebao

Jiebao is really cute huh...

Kelvin & Cindy:

When was the last time we played with paper lantern?

Hui Zhen & Jiebao preparing mooncakes and tea

The undisputed NUSDiveClub Icon

Next stop: Hin daeng / Hin muang with the elusive whale shark?

Happy Birthday Cheryl!

2005-10-26T00:26:00.000+08:00

Happy 21st Birthday Cheryl!

Mola mola...

2005-10-21T12:16:00.000+08:00

Mola mola

although the most common sunfish

its mystery

weighing abt 1 tonne

its name's derived from its habit of bathin in the sun

Chill out b4 the exams!

2005-10-20T02:20:00.000+08:00

3 more weeks to reading week... 4 more weeks to exams....

Well, but before we officially become FULL-TIME muggers, let's all chill out a little!
Coming this Saturday at 7pm, we'll be at Brewerkz, Riverside Point!

Divers, non-divers, friends of nusdiveclub... all are invited!
Don't miss your one and only chance to enjoy before burying yourselves in your books...

Hope to see ya there!

even divers need a break....

2005-10-18T16:02:00.000+08:00

we realized during the previous meeting that next semester's gonna be fuuuuullll of dive club projects....how lidat??!? got roadshow, reef alert, scubacolours, our usual trips and courses PLUS the faraway trip that was postponed.....no problemo guys we can do this!! :) we can make the workload seem alot lighter if we all help out in every way we can....

on another note, am taking a much-needed break from my long-ass essay assignment that's due this friday. HELP. exams are a month away and i NEED to start catching up on all the readings i haven't done....who else wants to start camping out in our 2nd home the sub club room?? :P

-jacq

Giant Stride into our first entry: Best water sub-club award!

2005-10-16T00:16:00.000+08:00

The fantastic part about this whole blogging business is that it's personal. Anyone from the committee can share what they've learnt, seen or experienced on the web! And readers, you get ta find out about the latest buzz within NUS Dive Club and in the Diving Industry...Woohoo!

To start it all off, Let me announce that NUS Dive Club has won the Best Water Sub-Club of the Year award at this year's Sports Ball held at the posh Fullerton Hotel! 'Cept for two tables of untouched shark's fins soup, it was a proud moment for all of us, new and old committee members of the NUS Dive Club.

The success could not have been possible without the guidance of our 5 dear seniors from the 03-04 committee: Ron Lumein, Emily, Desmond led by Karhoe who did a successful job in organising Dive Camp'03 which then recruited Alvin, our 04-05 president into the committee, along with our dearest DMs Bao-er and David. Our presence was felt. NUS Dive Club participated in Splashdown'04 as part of our intiation bonding for new committee, Legs and Paddles as helpers and vendor and Sports Camp as councillors. We are the unoffical "residents" of the Sub-club room, the loudest and rowdiest during Sports Club AGM. Diving, we organise our trips and courses to Pulau Aur Malaysia, initiate a faraway liveaboard trip in many years to Similans, had our first underwater photography competition, organised Reef Rendezvous project that aims to gel divers from different varsities, educate and spread the diving within NUS with our NUS Dive Roadshow and of course Happy Island'05 our FOC. It was indeed a fruitful working year for all of us. For all of that, we sure deserve a pat on our backs especially Alvin our ex com-chair for making it all possible! In the process, we have to fight off external vendors like S** B**** who claims to be working with us for their Dive trips.

Let us clarify here, NUS Dive Club works only with Leeway Sub-Aquatics (http://www.leeway.com.sg) for our openwater, advanced and leisure courses to Malaysia and Noone Else. Like how the old adage goes, "Imitation is the best flattery": To have to resort to unauthorised use of our club's name to promote their trips and courses, it says alot about the operator's integrity and ethics. Being the one and only Diving Club in NUS, under the official Sports Club, we do NOT organise hiking, trekking, cycling or other outdoor activities. Diving is our specialty and Safety in the sport is our maxim. It's a new wokring year with a new working com under chairman martZ! Look out for upcoming events organised by us.

NUS Dive Club- Bringing you to greater depths.

ah hui*

Its up! Its up!

2005-10-15T13:34:00.000+08:00

Finally... the NUSDIVECLUB blog is up!

Do tag here! And comm members... feel free to write here too!