There are things that are difficult for a person to decide, but if everyone helps each other, it will be easier to choose a difficult decision for the sake of a group.
We were all gathered by Ms. Jessica and each leader of our group was drawn on a piece of paper. One by one, we took a rolled up paper from Ms. Jessica’s jar, we simplified to one side where we opened each paper where the rest of my classmates couldn't see what number we drew. When I opened it, I saw the fifth number, our group was the fifth to do the activity, I swallowed saliva. The next obstacle is also a bit difficult and we have to be double careful because we have a colleague who had an accident yesterday.
I hope we can see Charles after our obstacle because we miss his mischievousness, especially with Andrea.
I turned around and saw John Carmelo who was grinning at me and seemed to be challenging me for a fight but I ignored him because I knew I would get nothing if I accept his stupid idea.
Since we had team building, my insecure classmates, backstabbers and users have increased. They may just show it as a strategy to stay on the go and active in the team building activity.
We went to a waiting area where there were benches under a mango tree while the first group put on helmets and tied ties around their bodies. I glanced at the first group and noticed that Richard, Andrew and Mary Kate were the first to take part in the challenge and I noticed that Mary Kate was a bit nervous while holding the rope on her body.
Ms. Jessica whistled and suddenly signaled the start of the game, the three climbed the long log together while holding hands.
"The activity we will do today is the low rope obstacle activity called Tee Pee shuffle, The Tee Pee Shuffle is simply a log or pole on the ground that groups can balance on. You can make one with more of a finished look by elevating the log. The objective is to have the group perform various tasks while balanced on the log. When the team reaches the very end of the log that does not fall within 30-40 minutes, they will be eliminated as winners,"
Ms. Jessica looked in the first group with full of enthusiasm and hope.
"Goodluck to you guys, and may I request from each group to keep silence while watching the activity, thank you for your cooperation and let us start the activity."
After that Miss Jessica started to stand aside while holding her timer. Richard was the first to walk forward in gradual steps followed by Mary Kate who was constantly looking down, she also stepped behind Andrew, they didn't step together and it seemed like their strategy was to follow Richard's step.
"DON'T LOOK DOWN, JUST KEEP ON MOVING." Richard gave Mary Kate a strong command as he held her hand tightly. They tried to balance themselves through the log and I could see that Mary Kate was very scared but she controlled her feelings, she suddenly closed her eyes and stepped quickly, she even tightened her grip on Richard and Andrew because I'm sure she could slip at any time if she didn't have someone to hold on to tightly. Mary Kate may have a fear of heights and her knees are not that strong especially in slippery and high places.
They are like caterpillars and their steps are very slow, they may have acquired the Caterpillar technique in the game Caterpillar crawl where they will have to work together to match their movements, so it teaches them teamwork and coordination. In this game, children hold the ankles of the feet of the child in front of them. With several in line like this, they look like a caterpillar. This time they are not holding their ankles and crawling, without imitating every movement and gesture of their leader, they reached the middle but Richard still continued to order, I glanced at my other companions and I saw they watched silently, waiting for what would happen next and no one batted an eye at them. I looked at Lara from one side and we glanced at each other, we just let out sweet smiles for each other before we turned our attention back to the obstacle activity we were watching.
It was the first group to do the activity but they were all under the full pressure of the crowd.
After a few minutes Miss Jessica spoke.
"There are only 5 minutes left," we could feel the anticipation in her voice.
We were nervous that they might not make it to the last remaining five minutes.
But we witnessed Richard, Mary Kate and Andrew reach the very end of the log and there Miss Jessica whistled loudly.
"Times up! Team C got 40 minutes. Congratulations," Miss Jessica's voice was full of joy and thundered through the majority of each group.
And together we applauded, we praised their performance. They were happy with our feedbacks but we could see their tiredness and breathing easily while bathed in sweat, they started to step and quickly and cautiously they got down from the log and after that they shouted and hugged together while -various emotions start to come out caused by tears of joy.
On the one hand, even though Richard's attitude is a bit strict and bossy, I can say that he has the ability to be a leader, even though he is becoming a dictator and he uses his intimidation to get his colleagues to follow him. He has a unique strategy that even though he knows it's bad in the eyes of others, it's effective for his teammates. I'm sure they had planned this thing before they even climbed the log, Richard made sure that this time his group would win.
It was as if we breathed a sigh of relief at what we witnessed, as if we were watching a suspenseful action scene where we were the acting actors. I took a deep breath, even though the first group was over, I still couldn't help but feel a little nervous because of our upcoming obstacle course.