Sunny days & Starry nights ... Friday, January 11, 2008
Well, here it is, the 12th day of year 2008, with 8 days spent in school . After fating upon yw's page, it dawned on me that i haven't been reflecting well enough, at least, not well enough to mark a closure to year 2007. The leap over has been somewhat blurred; it hasn't been so good a beginning, with no proper drive and all. Hence, now, i shall look back at the many little pebbles strewn in the journey thus far and relieve them, one by one.
The year 2007 has been a paradoxical one, impacted by the transition that rendered me helpless 9 months back. And then, life started on a whole different note and played on until this very day.
Part 1- a wonderland
it matters not where we are from, to temasek we now belong, sharing experiences, yours and mine, giving more meaning to our lives...
that was the tune that played in my mind for the start of 2007, marking a refreshing beginning to a brand new JC year. It was filled with hopes, laughter, happiness, joy, familiarity, peace and the warm fuzzy wuzzy feelings.
Pre-school
I remember the night before, i was sharing my many thoughts with a friend and getting the motivating booster. That was the accelerator for the things that were about to come. I anticipated. I knew that i will be greeted by a bunch of familiar faces, people whom i strike cords with and felt at home with. There were no fears to speak of, just sheer anticipation. Before then, i was still somewhat resenting the fact that i haven't gotten to a better college. My massive pride has yet to swallow the shocking result, that me myself was admitted to the school of my 3rd choice , which , i viewed ,was sub-standard to my own. Now, i regret for even having that thought.
3rd January 2007, Wednesday, Orientation
As i remember clearly, i reported a lil' late but was glad to be greeted with my confidant. There were unfamiliar sights everywhere, but they didn't disturb me any bit. Hence, i enjoyed the walk to the audi, where a congregation of freshmen were found and i spotted my dear modestians. Seeing them on the first day of school eased me a great deal. but then, i didn't know how lucky i was to be faced with such assurance. We found out our orientation groups- me in og3, narah. There and then, life started. I cannot recall much what went on after that but it was certain that i had a good deal of time- the O night and mass dancing at suntec were splendid. The new friends i made were real nice but they are surreal now. ( thinkin of them now is somehow distant as we haven't kept in contact) Just to mention the O night a lil', it was of band rapping, jumpin crazy, O peagant and crazy mass dances. In short, nothing beats that night. ohya, and cheers with nyrah in yellow, blazon is white, orexus in blue ( or maybe not, haha) and hooga shagaa in green.
8th Jan 07 - 2nd march07, surreality in tjc
There were md mini lunches almost every day after school, climbing training that cannot be more enjoyable, KI orientation that prolonged orientation fun, my splendid birthday lunch, english fair skit, 30th anniversary day, chats in the bus cafe, cg lunches, bio call organism presentation, swimming lessons on tuesday mornings, school that ends by 1150, time spent idling in library, subway cookies, angel and mortal game with a very very caring angel, nice beyond measure seniors from og and kI, my idol ....that's all the memories left with me now. They were, indeed, sweetest and the very best things that i got out of my time in tj. There weren't, in fact, any scars from heavy workload or worries from conflicts. Life was a BREEZE. I was free to participate in any college activities and stayed back in school for as long as i feel like. i could just sit in the canteen and wait for company and enjoy dinner at the hawker after late trainings. Those 9 weeks - sweet.
Memories Revisted
Choir Concert
With the collegeTransition: tough time deciding between A&B. Head or heart?
Part 2- The bid to survive
I do not have fond recollections of that period , those weeks after admission. I can remember escaping from orientation and returning to tj , just because i really needed familiarity and comfort. It was unimaginable having to face a sea of blues and people who have been leading a whole new form of life from me. It seems like they were another set of beings who can only speak english and cheer like there's no tomorrow. This brings me to the first encounter with my class. Unexpectedly , there were only 5 of us , 2nd intakers as we were labelled, in the class. When i stepped into class, a gal in the blue pinafore was seated. She was new too and had that convent look which i very much rejected. Then, vaguely rmbed, the class and ct came in and we were seated in a circle. Everything was tense, very tense and there was no single soul i knew. no one. I wasn't prepared for this. Everybody who walked past the window were merely aliens who knew each other, so were the people seated around me. momentarily, i felt like a sore thumb, a gal from a "cheena"( as it was known) school put into a community of gals with a history of girl culture. There were more than 15 of them. of cos, i was O-ver-whelmed. One newbie could not take it anymore and transferred out of school. Alright, so that was the first meeting with the class. i rmb seeing myself all tight up and not daring to speak a single thought. Then, i slowly learnt that that was how things were. People communicate on that superficial level and that, was the culture ingrained. sports people. Make up lectures, new found ccas and tests started a frenzy which lasted for a long 7 weeks. i was literary left spell bound and suffering from the missing symptom. I was still so attached to my former life and wasn't ready to start a new page. and that, made everything harder. resistance never helps.
Slowly, bit by bit, things started to unwind and i was gradually recovering from the many set backs. I was beginning to get a hang of stuff and learning this new game. Shortly after, the mid years came with me scoring straight Es with an S. Results could not be worst and it was my first academic downfall. Well, i braved myself to work harder and found strength from within. Fast forward and tada- i emerged with Bs and Cs. My first success in the school after numerous rejects that left me disillusioned.
Near year end, things started to look up with me seeing myself getting selected for the overseas cip trip and securing a place in paws exco. I needed much affirmation for my abilities as i was suffering from an all time low self esteem. It was still daunting to see everyone doing so much better than you and i had to face the peer pressure from being a geek, just because that was unacceptable in the culture and i enjoyed time away from superficiality and popularity. But still, things weren't as bad as before and i've met a few good souls amidst all these. 
Year 2008- hopes * aspirations
Although 2007 ended with a bombshell and perhaps, the saddest incident for as long as i can rmb, the period of morning is over.
2 weeks into 2008 hadn't been too bright but i'm sure things will get better. I've got numerous tutorials and rejected all class obligations so far and now i'm just thinkin if it was alright to have a lil'bit of fun. Anyway, i'm gonna generate some goals of the year:
Academics
(1) Be consistent in my studies ( understand every lecture and question immediately when in doubt)
(2) Achieve at least Cs for common test 1 ( above 60m)
(3) Achieve at least Bs for mid yrs ( post june hols)
(4) Strive for As for prelims
(5) Achieve straight As for Alevels
pace: normal ---> start accelarating in term 2 -----> begin revision in june ------> strive for prelims ---->break---> Go all out for Alevels
Social
(1) Make time for meaningful class outings
(2) Continue volunteer work at ymca till April
(3) Organize mini social re-unions from time to time
Personal
(1) BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE!
(2) Expel selfish thoughts
(3) Believe firmly in myself ( immune against negative influences)
(4) Boost self confidence
(5) Find happiness
Yup, there. My goals for 2008. I'll learn as much as i can and give my best .
Slogan of the month
Always look on the bright side of life ;-)
& Lazy afternoons ...
9:12 PM :D
Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.
With the college
CG & OG fun
