Okay. After a week of no updates, here is a long post with lovely photos. Somehow I’ve been unofficially appointed as the school’s co-photographer without my knowledge. The teachers had a meeting and the next thing I knew, I was rostered as photographer for the Cross Country Carnival at MacRitchie which happened on Wednesday.

Not that I mind seriously, because the kids are absolutely adorable to photograph; they are such a gorgeous bunch! But they should drop a memo and check with my Personal Assistant first next time. Haha. I wouldnt have known if it wasnt for the other teacher who told me.

Only after a few hours in the shade, I still managed to get a slight tan. It’s pretty awkward at times going around shooting in these situations. My almost black hair makes me stand out amongst the natural blondes, brunettes and redheads. Furthermore, without the official STAFF tee-shirts the other teachers were wearing, I looked like some random person going around pointing a camera at their kids. But this being the second time I was the “outsider” poking my camera lens into their faces, I think the parents present pretty much recognised me as one of the teachers helping out with the event.

There were several races – Pre-school race, Kindy race, Year 1 to 6s. The pre-school and Kindy has the shortest races of course: 250m. Hahaha. Imagine those tiny 3, 5 and 6 year olds running along gravel at MacRitchie Reservoir. So cute!

Okay. I’ll tell you at this point that the view at that part of the MacRitchie Reservoir took my breath away. I didnt know that the area was SO gorgeous! That probably explained why so many other local school children from track and field teams were there training in their respective teams.

So, it was thus a sight to see the big bunch of little ang mohs trudging down the gravely path of MacRitchie in their trekkers and coloured house tees.

I like this picture – brotherly love. Awwwww.

The kiddos had a walk through the dark forested area before the actual race started.

Along the way, deep in the forest trails, were the checkpoints where the teachers were stationed with spray bottles to cool them off.

When we finally got back from our recce, the race, starting with pre-school, commenced before proceeding to the Kindys, Year 1, 2 all the way up to the Year 5/6.

Run Forrest run!

“I see the finish line!”

As the other kids waited their turn to run, they cheered their respective house teams on.

Once the races by 12 noon, we were done just in time to avoid the strongest sun of the day. Not that the sun wasnt already bright enough during the morning.

Here are some other pictures I particularly like, captured as I was trigger-happy on that bright sunny day.

My absolute favourite: it almost looks like some family ad. Hahaha!

OH did I forget to mention that there were monkeys in the area? As we were recce-ing the place, we saw the monkeys jump from tree to tree. But we never thought they would attack anyone.

Lo and behold, at the end as we were packing up, we heard news that a group of TEN monkeys came and charged at one of the teachers, in particular the one who had the First Aid box. They must have thought that the box contained food for they ransacked and scattered the contents all over the place. What the hell.

Here’s the pictorial evidence by the other teacher. She got really good pictures of them. Hahaha.

Look at the scary teeth! It’s yellow. I dont think they have monkey dentists.

“Oei come down now! Here got food!

They ransacked the cotton buds. Lol. Maybe they need to clean their ears too.

“Ooooo… What’s this? White and fluffy! Maybe it’s cotton candy.”

“Let me taste it”.

“Nommm nommm nommm…

“I think I might be able to use this for lining the garbage bin.”

“Ooooo.. That white stuff didnt go down very well. I think I have a headache.”

“I think some Panadol will do the trick. One might not be enough, I better take the whole pack.”

Let me play some music on my straw flute for you. Doooo.. dooo.. dooooo.. DOOOOOO!

“WAH! Who’s making such a ruckus? I need my Tiger Balm.”

“Ahhhh.. I feel much better now after downing some water and using the Tiger Balm. Whaaa… What? What do you mean this is the end of the post? Fine.”

BYE!

The End