UCCF TRIP

October 30th, 2006 by Avanka Fernando

October 24th and the UCCFers were ready to rock the town of Ragama with their presence! Despite the weird sms-es and the creepy calls that were going around on the 23rd night…D Day dawned with shiny blue skies and sparkling clouds…just the day for a fun trip!!!
But who knew that it would be soooo much fun! Certainly not moi!
Until the eleventh hour we were still not sure whether we’d be going to Ragama or not, based on the wonderful patrons of Boys Town who teach people (like us!) to put their faith in God…so after a last minute call and confirmation we were ready to rumble! Ragama here we come!
So to the bus it was…but no wait! We had to wait for our ever punctual sleeping beauties who made their way slowly to the campus…how come it is always the women who are late??? Wonder why??? Probably b’cos the men don’t have much to do…it’s just a cat’s lick and a promise for them…while the fairer sex…well the label says it all I guess!
And then to Fort we rushed…an uneventful trip of course except for our dear Treasurer making new friends on the bus with some Management Juniors…make use of every opportunity!
The train ride was quite fun filled especially with a dear First Year (a member of the Core) from the Management Faculty keeping the others in stitches!!! However…the sound on one side of the train suddenly decreased…as there was a vow of silence taken on the part of one young lady…with much apprehension and delight did the other morally bankrupt onlookers view her plight but chalk one up for the innocent as she fulfilled her vow and completed her period of silence as the train reached the Ragama station putting her enemies to shame!
Finally we reached Diyagala Boys Town…and there the announcement was given…LET THE GAMES BEGIN! The wonderfully talented and spirited GAMES TEAM, heretofore known as the The Terrific Three had an absurdly simple but creative game to break the ice as it were…
From there it went on to the Worship time…which touched the heart strings of the audience as they sang!!! The Worship Team did an awesome job bringing us into contact with the Awesome God whom we worshipped!
Next it was over to staff as there was a talk on “ Our Purpose on Campus”. A heated debate and exhilarating time of discussion ensued and was followed up in the groups…
Well…such a mind boggling time could only be followed with some good food and good food it was as we were served victuals that would have shaken the strongest of digestive systems!
Then it was over to the Entertainment Trio who served up some good, solid fun as they gave each of the teams some hard scenes and concepts to enact from the Bible, songs, and from campus.
Then the time came for the best trio to take the stand as they produced some of the most mind boggling and tendon tearing games ever imagined! The Treasure Hunt was skillfully concocted that even the toughest of hearts to tremble! However, it came to a grinding halt as the rains came down…but before the floods went up…one of the Terrific Trio climbed up and retrieved the treasure from the highest point in Ragama Boys Town!
Then there was tea time and more games in the form of an Obstacle Race organized indoors…This was quite a sight especially to see rather calm and composed people jumping on one foot shouting I am a fool at the top of their voices and also quite amazing to see the innovative renditions of the national anthem produced especially by certain members of FOCUS Staff. There were also some very hopeful candidates for the next student elections and their reasons for running for the elections were enamouring…
Well then we had a time of prayer in our groups and after that it was mad rush to the station to catch the train (actually we went in a van which took the proverb All Roads lead to Ragama Station very seriously). Finally we made it after a trying time in the wilderness…and then we sprang into the train and made our way back home after a trip which could be also be termed a superb experience!
Gallery now available

Entry Filed under: Articles

39 Comments

  • 1. Anushke  |  October 30th, 2006 at 11:43 pm

    GO BLUE TEAM!!!!!

    yup thats true… very active day but hey, no one got lost though…
    he he he…..
    GO BLUE TEAM!!!!!

  • 2. Avanka  |  October 31st, 2006 at 12:53 am

    YAY!!! THE BLUE TEAM ROCKED!!! ESPECIALLY OUR CHEERING RESOUNDED THROUGH THE BUILDING AND THROUGH RAGAMA WHETHER WE WERE WINNING OR LOSING! I THINK THERE’S NO QUESTION AS TO WHO WAS THE BEST TEAM EH ALLAN?

  • 3. Dinesha  |  October 31st, 2006 at 1:29 am

    Exscuse me… some people seem to suffer from amnesia!
    purple was so obviously head and shoulders above da rest!!!!

  • 4. Esther  |  October 31st, 2006 at 1:53 am

    Pardon me, but I remember the ‘orangies’ as being cut above the rest. Also, members of the Games team should refrain from blowing their own trumpet!!! Hint! Hint taken?!

  • 5. Anushke  |  October 31st, 2006 at 5:25 am

    YAWN!!!!
    what r these people talking about purple? who got beaten so bad they became that colour!!!
    and orange got squeezed!!!
    It was the blue skies flying above the rest throughout

  • 6. ju  |  October 31st, 2006 at 12:59 pm

    oh you poor sad disillusioned ones….rejoice….for the truth is now revealed…REDS ROCKED….not only were we the absolute best…we were gracious enough to let all you other lesser teams come before us…that, my children, is true greatness….also…terrific three or maladjusted sadists?? i don’t think there’s any debate about that one…

  • 7. Anushke  |  November 1st, 2006 at 2:06 am

    oh ju… your whole team was RED after the games… whether from exhaustion or pure blushing… I do not know!!! 😛
    now I do know that the true blue blooded, blue team played tha blues and was as high as the blue skies… HA HA HA…

    GO BLUE GO

  • 8. tania  |  November 1st, 2006 at 7:38 am

    Oooh… you sure do seem to have had a good time. Onward Christians – way to go!

  • 9. Avanka  |  November 2nd, 2006 at 3:15 am

    amnesia…hmmm i don’t know about the memory defects of the Purple team…but if your’ll do have amnesia…very well…no argument about that! And also about your height well we don’t want to argue about that either whether your team is heads and shoulders (sounds like a shampoo tho) above people…we don’t use physical height to tower above the others…we just do in terms of character and strength and well i could go on but i’ve been accused of blowing my own trumpet here…
    but at times…facts have to be faced…specially when we did have such a talented Games team (a.k.a The Terrific Trio) credit must be given where credit is due…
    However, there seems to be a slightly envious streak just rippling through the Entertainment Trio…wonder why??? Was the competition too much my dears…GREEN doesn’t become you ET!

  • 10. Avanka  |  November 2nd, 2006 at 3:17 am

    A very good time if I could add…specially for the Blue Team who played with such good Christian spirit!

  • 11. ju  |  November 5th, 2006 at 2:38 am

    oh PLEASE….envious of exactly what my dear? the sadistic tendencies to drive people to pursuing snails in the mud??? or is it the joy in seeing other hapless individuals pull out their own body parts? (YES, the eyelash does qualify as a body part!!).. and alan if we were red the only reason was the JUBLATION of knowing we ROCKED!!… CRIMSON COMRADES FOREVER!…also is NO ONE going to comment on what an absolutely LAME name ORANGIES is ?? sound like a sweet for cryin out loud!!

  • 12. Avanka  |  November 6th, 2006 at 10:17 am

    I beg to differ oh kind lady…i do not think the eyelash qualifies as a body part…possibly an embellishment on a body part but a body part??? Well the very fact that you’re calling our creativite abilities, sadistic tendencies is just living proof of the fact that your’ll are looking slighly (if not totally) green in the face! And also I do believe there is a slight difference in shade between crimson and red…I do believe there is a pressing need for accuracy here by the Red Team! Do look to it! And Comrades…pray is it 1984 again!!! Oh but surely not…I do not think you dear ones were even thought of (let alone born)at the time!!! Or is it just another attempt to be creative by the ET??? Or is it the lack of accuracy raising its multiple heads like the mythical creature of Greek lore! And Orangies is rather lame…I do agree dear Red ones…it does sound rather Milady toffiesh to me as well…but then what can you expect??? Especially from a group that has a slight tinge of green and orange bearing a strong resemblance to the Pied Piper!!! I rest my case.

  • 13. Avanka  |  November 6th, 2006 at 10:20 am

    Oh btw…I resent that comment about the snails…and the eyelashes…some ppl actually enjoy wallowing in the mud and its quite therapeutic in terms of beauty culture to get rid of those stray eyelashes…so we were doing all of you a favour!!! humpH!

  • 14. anushke  |  November 6th, 2006 at 12:10 pm

    awww…. am feeling good today.. c’mon lets not squish the oranges too much now… 😛 but definitely this ju person is a bit psychotic and even desperate to save a (red) face… and dnt forget the eylashes!!! now the head and shoulders character… since when did you become an ardent supporter of these multi-nationals?
    yeah i agree with avanka, where in SL wud you get fun-trips, lunch, fun fun, and beauty (threading 😛 and mud bath) for such a LOW cost…

    I tell you this world is going mad… they no longer appreciate the value of free things…

  • 15. anushke  |  November 7th, 2006 at 1:09 pm

    WOhooo!!!!!

    the image gallery of the event are now available… check it out : UCCF Gallery Dayout

  • 16. Avanka  |  November 8th, 2006 at 6:33 am

    Definitely…I thought that was one of the wonders of the Sri Lankan people…we loved freebies!!! But these undergrads…so ungrateful!!! Don’t even appreciate the free education and the other things that come with it! Absurd! Double Humph…But Allan do we have reason to be concerned…I never said anything about mud baths nor threading??? Do tell Oh young sir from where such gems of knowledge do fall???

  • 17. Avanka  |  November 8th, 2006 at 6:35 am

    Awesome images ppl! Check it out! This is the only place u get to see the Blues in action! For those of you who missed it! Here they are!!! But autographs later! Do join the queue…

  • 18. Sonia  |  November 8th, 2006 at 8:58 am

    Hey, I totally agree to Awanka’s & Anushke’s comments!!! We deserve to be 1st for all our innovative cheering techniques!! Actually we started to cheer first and the others copied us!!! The images are soooooo sreat!!!! I think the best photo is where the blue team was in action….. Am I right Awanka??

  • 19. Sachindra  |  November 9th, 2006 at 1:40 pm

    As i c only the wannabe winners are trying to make statements here .. 🙂
    good luck losers …

  • 20. Sonia  |  November 10th, 2006 at 2:26 am

    Ya right sachi!!! I think ur the wannabe loser!!!! Its ok, u can try next time to win. Go fly a kite near Moratuwa beach and refresh ur mind coz i can c that ur suffering with amnesia……..
    Good luck sachi & don’t get lost……
    Anywayz, the treasure hunt was really interesting but next time plz keep the treasure at a reachable point not on top of a tank!!!
    Coz we dont have life insurance….

  • 21. anushke  |  November 11th, 2006 at 8:51 am

    now now sonia!!! I thought I told you to keep your temper in control 😛
    I agree treasure hunt was cool… but lets not bash poor sachi just cos he wanted to claim he was the best… let the poor chap think what he may… he he he 😀

  • 22. Avanka  |  November 12th, 2006 at 4:30 am

    the wannabe winners…of course my dear friend…we’re wannabe…guess we all wannabe something or the other! And the point is what Sonia said…which is that all you guys and girls just really had this deep and dark and dire need to b like us! yeah maybe we didn’t win! But that doesn’t take us away from the fact that we’re still winners!!! Cos at the end of the days your’ll all copied our strategies and innovative cheeriing techniques! so we’re certainly no wannabe winners here! We just know we are!!! And its these other teams with the wannabe spice girls and joey triviani’s that are the wannabes! bwaaa

  • 23. Avanka  |  November 12th, 2006 at 4:33 am

    pau men sachi..ta will buy him a kite ok sonia…then he can get some practice in on flying it and get some air to that brain of his!

  • 24. anushke  |  November 12th, 2006 at 5:39 am

    hmmm… buy a pair of good rubber soled shoes as well… lightning these days… we dont want a fried sachi flying kites… 😉
    mebbe we should tie him down as well just so he wont fly away with the kite.. 😀

  • 25. Avanka  |  November 12th, 2006 at 5:44 am

    yeah…we don’t want that…specially since he’s a member of the Terrific Trio…that we don’t want… sob sob…(can’t imagine what the Terrific Trio would be without him)… then we wouldn’t be able to reach the heights that we’ve reached before also…like the top of the water tank eh sonia?

  • 26. anushke  |  November 12th, 2006 at 7:13 am

    bad news guys… had to pull off the gallery due to security concerns… working on a way to put in authentication to set it up again… 🙂
    will keep all posted

  • 27. ju  |  November 13th, 2006 at 4:06 am

    AIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…i couldn’t see the pics!!!! waaaaaaaaaah…..and moving on ALLAN callinf MOI psuchotic???? bit of a pot calling the kettle black scenario netha?

  • 28. Avanka Fernando  |  November 13th, 2006 at 5:24 am

    well u know allan always a bit potty! 🙂

  • 29. Esther  |  November 14th, 2006 at 11:28 am

    Did someone say something about the NSE chair?! People, give him a break, he’s a good guy… rather, tries hard to be! By the way, I agree to the red lady being psychotic… don’t we have enough (and more) experience of her antics at UCCF? Also, I believe I saw Lady President’s statement: “I rest my case”. Don’t you think you should stick to your word once in a way though you seem to have plenty of nonsense to say? Also, to a certain member of the RED team who insists on demeaning the Orangies, what pray could you do with the Reds? Hold them up as danger signs?

  • 30. anushke  |  November 14th, 2006 at 4:27 pm

    ok gallery is up with authentication needed… bit of a problem in cookies not being properly set… (technical stuff)
    Thanks ‘Stha.. I owe you one… So I must say the oranges are not too bad… Good for your health etc etc.. vitamin C etc etc
    who da red lady!!! u got a problem with moi?? yup put them reds on a board and wave them around… good for attention grabbing nothin more!!!

    I tell ya it aint ovah till tha fat lady sings!!!

    and u that catty person who u callin potty!!!
    p.s. if any1 wants the UCCF gallery password come and ask moi.. I’ll give it to them… think I mailed it to avanka for distribution

  • 31. Avanka Fernando  |  November 16th, 2006 at 4:31 pm

    fraternising with the enemy eh judas??? oh sorry i mean Allan! They give you a teensy weensy bit of an ego boost with the whole NSE chair thing and u desert the Blue Team who have stuck with you through thick and thin, good times and bad (and worse in your case!!!) this is it!!! I\’m calling it quits! And these insufferable creatures have the audacity to say I talk too much and that I should keep my word! I am appalled by such insinuations that i do not keep my word! My very name reeks of sincerity (and i\’m being totally literal here) And me being called catty at that! Ha! I refuse to stand around and hear such insults! I will not be subject to such humiliation! I will stop contributing to this page…

    but wait a minute what am I saying how could i even dream of doing such a thing!?! Such a thing would be too callous, too cruel, too inhumane…to deprive all you poor sad human beings of my attention and presence on this blog! So…I have changed my mind…I will remain!

  • 32. anushke  |  November 16th, 2006 at 7:53 pm

    aww come on avanka fraternise with the enemey?.. I was just supporting the weak…
    hey u r using escape characters in your post… you know HTML 😮
    wow… impressive

  • 33. Avanka Fernando  |  November 17th, 2006 at 12:38 pm

    HTML…do not accuse me of being a part of this crazy technological world that you are a part of!!! I renounce such worldly pleasures and fancies!

  • 34. Nilusha  |  November 23rd, 2006 at 9:57 pm

    Hi ppl:-) Kind of new to the concept!

  • 35. Avanka  |  November 24th, 2006 at 7:48 am

    Hey Nilu…great to have you back after exams!!! This is another of the Terrific Trio people! Lets hear you give us another round of applause!!! Thank you thank you! Your adulation is wonderful…it really is!

  • 36. Anushke  |  November 24th, 2006 at 11:31 am

    ‘urp…. ‘scuse me 😉

  • 37. Avanka  |  November 24th, 2006 at 8:19 pm

    You’re excused ALLAN!!! 🙂

  • 38. anushke  |  November 26th, 2006 at 12:40 am

    ok… daffy… this is what you do… read the article see whats been discussed and then contribute to the discussion 😉

    well thank you!!! you are most kind sylvester 🙂

  • 39. Avanka  |  November 29th, 2006 at 11:36 pm

    of course i am kind tweety…but at least i don’t sound as condescending as u do! I’m just plain arrogant! 🙂