Childhood -> Adolescent -> Adulthood

From 24 March 2007, I have officially become an adult.

I have thought that perhaps a Time machine would be fitting gift for a 21st birthday...something to take me back in time to alter my past...change my life.

Met up with a couple of Secondary school and JC friends over MSN and caught up with old times. I realised there were quite a few of them who had moved on to bigger and better things in their life...lots of Medicine undergraduates...some are gunning for double degrees in Australia...awarded scholarships to pursue their dreams overseas....all deemed to have a bright future before them. Perhaps it's sour grapes.....or maybe it is fate.

I have chosen to be a teacher...a career seemingly noble yet always said to have the bleakest of future. Though it is widely assumed that the job comes attached a security net and a stable income, I based my decision on more than the above mentioned. I was being selfish and a part of me chose it for a personal reason.

I wanted to help someone to live my dream...one that I know deep down that I cannot realise this lifetime.

Anyway...I have to thank my FDC platoon mates for the birthday celebration as well as the presents...I really did enjoyed myself that day. Kbox...group of guys taking Neoprints....an artistic french cartoon...board games at a concept cafe of sorts...a company of friends laughing and reminiscing old times throughout the day.....guess I could not ask for more.

Sun Yan Zi's new album is in stores now and being a proud owner of one....I have to thank Boon Kian and the guys for it. Besides the title track, Ni Guang, my initial favourites were track 6, An Ning, as well as Track 10, Xu Yao Ni. Coincidentally, both track 6 and 10 were produced by Yan Zi herself...perhaps I still prefer the old sentimental slow and mid-tempo part of her repertoire of songs. As I sat alone in the still of the night, appreciating her album, it sort of induces a rush of emotions within me. Maybe my life journey has just only just begun.

Having a new purpose in life and wonderful friends... perhaps a time machine is irrelevant to me after all. For 21 years, I have led a simple life...sans any spectacular achievements...yet it is still a happy one. And as an adult...I have finally learnt to be grateful for all that was given to me. Hopefully, it is a mark of adulthood.

Magical March

On 2nd March 2007, I passed my Traffic Police (TP) test.
On 9th March 2007, I reclaimed my IC.
On 10th March 2007, I officially ORD and became an NSmen.
On 11th March 2007, I relived moments of the 2nd anniversary of my enlistment date as well as the end of the camp at Greenridge Secondary I was involved in as a facilitator.
On 15th March 2007, I celebrated my Mom's birthday.
On 16th March 2007, I was glad my brother chose to pursue his dreams and participated in the Campus Superstar auditions.(Though he was knocked out in the first round...haha)

My Magical March kick started with me passing my TP on my 2nd try. Though I have to admit it was due to me receiving a huge slice of luck, nonetheless I was pretty relieved when the tester stared at me for a seemingly infinite amount of time before allowing himself a wry smile and remarked rather nonchalantly, " ok lor...you passed. " My mind froze. I recounted how I hit the curb early in the test when I attempted to negotiate the crank course, thinking all is lost and the sheer disappointment awaiting me at the end of the test. However, if there was a lesson I learnt from my first attempt, it was not to let one setback affect my concentration. I knew I had to stay positive. I may sound rather preachy here, but truth be told, it worked. I remember praying silently for the remainder of the test, hoping for a miracle. Thankfully, a miracle was what I got.

After that intense anticipation and over zealous eagerness, I was somewhat disappointed when I finally held onto the much coveted pink IC of mine. Though there were occasional roars of " ORD lor!", yet there were no fanfare or previously thought of "stunts" pulled to commemorate this day. I know those stunts were mere figments of our fantasy, thought of to pass the times whilst on duty, yet these memories never fail to light up my day.

Anyway, that very weekend was spent "facilitating" a group of Sec 1 kids in a leadership camp. Though the situation was rather chaotic and the crowd unruly at the beginning, I believe some form of rapport gradually built between us. There were moments I reared my ugly side, when I actually blew my top and lashed at the students yet there were also very memorable ones, such as how they tried to console me despite "pang sehing"(abandoning) me during the cheers. I really have to admit it was a wonderful experience, being able to interact and understand first hand what the feeling is like handling a classroom of kids. Though the entire camp lasted only 2 1/2 days, yet I sensed a change in some of them. The previously introverted few began to speak up whilst the more outgoing ones took a step further by daring to perform on stage.I believe my team did eventually warmed up to me and I see this as the start of a career of character moulding. The satisfaction gained justified my future profession.

For the record, my younger did indeed took part in this year's edition of Campus Superstar. I only knew about it a day before the audition whilst celebrating my Mother's birthday. Unfortunately ( or fortunately for the matter), he was eliminated in the first round as the judges claimed he sung too softly. I am just hoping he does not appear on TV under the "Rejects" section or be known as "Careless Whispers 2". Much as I applaud his courage and willingness to pursue his dreams, I disapproved his tendency to do the right things at the wrong time. Perhaps it is the teacher in me speaking, but he will be taking his O-levels at the end of the year, yet he seemed easily distracted with such events. I just hope another miracle will appear.



With the end of my NS, a chapter of my life has closed.
With the start of my civilian life, a new one has begun.