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Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity in Phoenix

07 May 2022 - 06 May 2023

Photo of students using sparklers to 'draw' the word Phoenix taken in the dark during Deepavali celebration. Photo taken by Ian Tan Wei

Article written by Lim Yi Ann & Wong Shu Juan

Tossing Yusheng, a Chinese New Year tradition practised in Singapore (Photo credit: Lim Yi Ann)
Tossing Yusheng, a Chinese New Year tradition practised in Singapore (Photo credit: Lim Yi Ann)

It has truly been a wonderful two years in CAPT! Especially, as we reminisce about our time as House Heads of the Phoenix neighbourhood in CAPT for AY2022/2023, we are filled with a deep sense of gratitude and nostalgia. We thoroughly relished the opportunities to lead and work alongside our house committee in organizing various events, and the joy of bringing the house together was something we will always hold close to our hearts. Throughout the year, our committee planned a wide range of activities for the neighbourhood to enjoy, bringing new events such as PhoeHikes and collaborations with CAPTSupport, to organising events which are “house traditions” such as Angel & Mortal, Assassins and Waffle Nights.

Christmas Cocoa Stand (Photo credit: Laura Lim Shu Juan)
Christmas Cocoa Stand (Photo credit: Laura Lim)

This year was a little special as we embraced religious and cultural festivals and celebrated Deepavali, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji! Together with our house committee, we wanted to spread some festive cheer, all the while encouraging building cultural awareness. For every festival, we would line up a week’s worth of activities to engage the neighbourhood and celebrate the occasion. Some of the things we did included Telegram polls on fun facts about the festival and sharing the festival’s traditional food together.

One of our favourite neighbourhood activities was the Henna competition we held for Deepavali and we are sure many firebirds (CAPTains who stay in Phoenix are fondly known as firebirds) enjoyed it as well. We saw firebirds excitedly gathering in the lounges and making a ‘Henna chain’ where a firebird getting drawn on would be drawing on another firebird! We had some really talented artists!

 

Christmas Open Mic (Photo credit: Lim Yi Ann)
Christmas Open Mic (Photo credit: Lim Yi Ann)

One of our favourite neighbourhood activities was the Henna competition we held for Deepavali and we are sure many firebirds enjoyed it as well. We saw firebirds excitedly gathering in the lounges and making a ‘Henna chain’ where a firebird getting drawn on would be drawing on another firebird! We had some really talented artists!

Photo on the left shows a henna design of a lazy panda on someone's forearm taken by Jazz Tan. Photo on the right shows two butterflies henna on someone's forearm taken by Wong Shu Juan.
Some henna designs by our firebirds, Jazz Tan and Laura Lim Shu Juan
(Photo credit: Left – Jazz Tan; Right – Wong Shu Juan)
Photo on the left shows a group of students walking down a lit-up Geylang Serai Bazaar. Photo on the right shows a group of smiling students posing with claw machines at the Geylang Serai Bazaar. Photos taken by Margaret Tan Jingxi.
Our trip to Geylang Serai Bazaar for Hari Raya Haji. (Photo credit: Margaret Tan Jingxi)

Margaret Tan Jingxi, our year-long exchanger and claw machine champion in Phoenix, recalls the experience, “Actually it is my first time joining the festival and of course, my first time going a Hari Raya bazaar!! I am quite amazed by the food there, which were good and fresh…and reasonable as well !!!”

Yi Ann and Shu Juan (YiShun) – Phoenix House Heads AY22/23 performing their self-composed song (Photo Credit: Ethan Ow Yong)
Yi Ann and Shu Juan (YiShun) – Phoenix House Heads AY22/23 performing their self-composed song
(Photo Credit: Ethan Ow Yong)

 

 

Our experience as the House Heads of a warm house like Phoenix has truly been inexplicably fulfilling, and what better way to express it than through a song? To wrap up our time as House Heads as well as our stay in CAPT, we performed a self-composed song at Phoenix’s last event of the semester, Farewell Open Mic. The song was written as a poignant reflection of our house-head-ship, as well as a tribute to the camaraderie, laughter, and heartfelt connections that have defined our time in CAPT.

 

 

 

Lyrics of the song, So Much More, written and composed by Yi Ann & Shu JuanVerse 1 I still remember the day I moved in Nervous and unsure about what’s ahead Meeting the firebirds for the first time Are you a Bidet a Toastie or (Bean)Bag? Over time, I’ll meet you at the lounge Mugging, eating, singing out loud Or chasing the sunset down the corridor Pre-chorus 12, 13, 14 floors Now it’s two years later on These walls mean so much more Where’d all the time go? Chorus 8 College Avenue East Oh, how I’ll miss you Oh, thanks for bringing my parcel up 8 Cllege Avenue East Oh, how I’ll miss you Oh, please clear the pantry fridge Verse 2 3 Cubicles __ A B or C You take the B and I’ll take the C 3 in the morning We’re having conversations in the showers I’ll miss the times I’m at your door Laughters we heard from another floor We’re making memories __ we won’t forget Pre-chorus 12, 13, 14 floors Now it’s two years later on These walls mean so much more Where’d all the time go? Chorus 8 College Avenue East Oh how I’ll miss you Oh, thanks for bringing my parcel up 8 College Avenue East Oh, how I’ll miss you Oh, please clear the pantry fridge Outro Under the Angsana tree It’s just you and me Watching as the red birds fly in the sky Wishing that time wouldn’t pass us by And I wonder if you feel the same I wonder if things will ever change I wonder if I’ll be the same without you
Lyrics of the song, So Much More, composed by YiShun (Yi Ann & Shu Juan).

Our two years in CAPT have been nothing short of wonderful moments and beautiful people that we are so fortunate to have come across. These memories overflow from the four walls of CAPT into our personal lives we carry out from here, and we hope this has been the case for you as well, and may it be for CAPTains to come!

A big group photo taken at the MPSH.
Phoenix at Farewell Open Mic’23 (Photo Credit: Ethan Ow Yong)

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Start:
07 May 2022
End:
06 May 2023
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