Friday 8 March 2013

Girls Brigade, should I visit?

I think I started joining the Girls Brigade back when I was primary 1 or 2 (7 or 8 years old). My father was the one who sent me there, to Shern En Methodist Church to join the Girls Brigade 5th company that represented Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. I remembered myself wearing that blue uniform, that red tie which I had trouble  in retying it all up, that blue hat that matched the uniform, that dress code of wearing white canvas shoes and socks that were not supposed to be above the ankles, those two shiny Girls Brigade badges, and last but not least, that black rectangular shape name tag. I also kind of remember the sewn award badges on the sleeves of the uniform. All those bible studies, all those praise and worship sessions, all those activities and events, they somehow just flashed in my head. I guess the thing I enjoyed the most was the camps, including international ones with other Girls Brigade company around the world, well some countries. Let's see, my first camp was at the church, and I still remember that I was praised by the officers for not being a crybaby and a complainer. Haha. And the annual church camps went on for a few years. Then there came the leadership camps, where I faced the harsh training of marching and learnt a lot of things about the Girls Brigade world, like how it all got started. The last Girls Brigade camp I went to was back in Sabah Tea Gardens. That was the camp with Girls Brigade Philippines and Singapore (I think). I have to admit, that was like the best Girls Brigade camp I had ever been to. Why? Because of the fun activities we did there, like the team-building games, the jungle-trekking, the tea fields night walk, and the camp fire time. That caused me to write an essay about a story in Sabah Tea Gardens back in Form 4.

Hmm...let's see. Any more Girls Brigade memories left in my mind? Oh yes! I remember I cried for not being selected to be in the marching competition. Oh gosh, that was embarrassing. I couldn't believe I cried just because I wasn't chosen. Lol. I think that was when I was...primary 4? or 5?

Girls Brigade somehow taught me how to cook new dishes, like the lasagne and the pineapple fried rice. Well right now I lose track of the recipes. XD And then there's the church choirs, the arts and crafts, the aerobics, the dancing, the games...The privilege of becoming the leader of a roll call group and the commander during the dismissals also got caught in my head. It just taught me not to be afraid when leading a large group of members.

There is still a lot more to remember about the Girls Brigade. I wonder where are all my Girls Brigade stuff now? Back in Malaysia? I believe so. Maybe...when I go back to kk, I'll find the time to visit the Girls Brigade company at the methodist church. I wonder whether the officers still remembers me...