The route to the battle

2003-10-02 11:23 p.m.

Now let’s gets something straight. Just because my entries mainly mention people from other class doesn’t mean that I hold a special love for those classes. Neither does it mean any break my association with my class. My class will be mentioned in later entries.

Let’s start of this entry with a question from Mr. Gilbert Lee:

“If I let you take your econs paper tomorrow, what grade do you think you will get?”

He answered this question for certain individuals, and of course the answer varied. I shall not reveal what he said to those individuals for privacy’s sake. However, the point which I wish to bring across is that the road towards the A levels differs greatly, even more so after the prelims

Let’s look at the different types of students in the aftermath of the first battle:

The ever ready soldier: His prelims were a light battle for him and he sustains little or no wounds from it. In fact, he picked up enemy weapons a learnt to use his environment to his advantage. Views the upcoming battle as nothing more than a repetition of the previous one and his confidence and arrogance is justified given his effort in the last battle. Possibility of achieving similar or better results in the actual fight: very high

The risky general: Bold and brash was his strategy for all the battles he fought so far, and it worked sometimes. His cocksure attitude has never changed through out, despite his failures in certain parts of the battle. The pain from his wounds is suppressed not so much from the treatment of them but by his ever persistent and at times impatient attitude to get the final battle and get it over with. He holds the belief that despite his many defeats, his victory will come in the end. Probability of winning: Depends on the battle terrain.

The weary footman: He suffered a lot and gained some from the first big battle. He is weary from the endless fight and welcomes the short lull in the conflict, only to know that he has to re pack his gear after only a few days to prepare for the final show down. His battles always end with the same result, a stalemate rather than a lost or win. His strategies vary from battle to battle, improving each step of the way, but luck is never on his side all the time and even if it is, it only favours certain areas of the battle. His prospects for high success in the final fight are neither high nor low.

Of course there are other types of individuals who emerged from the prelims. Excuse the use of extended metaphors here, must be because of too much literature. However, the main point I’m bringing across is that the road to the A levels are different for ever one of us. Mr. Gilbert Lee pointed out that the path is a straight line for most of us, but be wary of obstacles. During my one hour odd session with him, he assured me that something magical will help you during these forty odd days before the actual events. However, I’m not the sort to be totally comforted by this or anything else. Ms Ng pointed out today (or pointed at Amandae, Wee Jian, Joe and me) and said something along the lines of, “you guys are the top of the cohort, and will continue to be so. You’re in a strong position.” That was followed by Joe’s worry that something negative may happen. I for one am not pleased or elated even though I’m in the top three for history. There’s always something that I missed out something that could have been done. People cry over their “not so good performance, some keep silent while holding acceptable grades, while others envy those with distinctions. Just how far have we come and how much more should we put in? Have we been following the wrong strategy, plodding along another path? And should there be any worry on how well we have done in comparison to the rest? Chih Hung is disappointed on not clinching any top prize in any subject. I guess I hold the same feeling too but as he explained, it’s worse for him as he holds a strong competitive spirit.

Went for yet another PSC tea session on Wednesday. Of course, the issue of prelim and predicted grades surfaced, with the majority in that LT filled with anxiety that these grades are not adequate for the various scholarships. Then after that, some of the officials came up to me, Vikram and Feng Yi asking us whether we were balancing our act between the A levels and university applications. We replied affirmative, but for me, the first priority was to sort out the route to the battle. People say we are “scholar material”, but there’s more that can and should be refined, more that must be build up in order to produce not only a straight path to the A levels, but a high degree of certain of achieving your best.

Today Ms Ng also commented on our behaviour during our history S exam and the performance of other schools history. With the exception of me and Shuwen, the other three stopped for long periods and stared off in the distance. I bring this up not to comment on their actions, but just to say that that day (refer back to my entry “Renewed and refreshed”) has gone, the time to relax and unwind. Ms Ng’s indication on where we stand also shows just how far we have come and what standards we should hold.

I'm a fighter like Chih Hunng. In fact I believe that everyone is fighting with everyone else. I don't aim for the best of what I can achieve, I aim for the highest anyone can achieive. I don't compare myself to those just around me, I set my siights on the best of the best and aim to reach their standard or higher. Back in ACS (I), I remember a poster on the library wall saying,"Reach for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars!" While factually inaccurate, it's something that I've always been folowing. In fact, I've landed in the midst of space, that is, I've missed most of my goals by such a narrow margin. However, that will and can change. Golden Eggs are around the corner, and I will garb them.

Sir Winston S. P. Churchill said," This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end. but it is perhaps the end of the beginning". This was mentioned after Operation Torch, the battle to reclaim North Africa, which turned the tide in the European Theater during World War Two. Indeed, now is only the start and many more things will appear along this route to the end. A history S question states that "the one who controls past controls the present and the future." What will occur is because of our control and nothing else. Churchill's speech, while warning us of the challenges ahead, also shows how far we have come. We reached a point where nothing should hinder us at all. We falter, we slip, picking ourselves up again. Often, similar mistakes are repeated and anger is only hurled at ourselves. Where are we in the path to the ultimate battle? We are where we placed ourselves and where we will be if we don’t initiate change. However, don’t fret. Don’t dream its over.

Song: Don't Dream It's Over

Lyrics:

There is freedom within, there is freedom without

Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup

There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost

But you'll never see the end of the road

While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now

Don't dream it's over

Hey now, hey now

When the world comes in

They come, they come

To build a wall between us

We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof

My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof

In the paper today tales of war and of waste

But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum

And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart

Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof

Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief

Hey now, hey now

Don't dream it's over

Hey now, hey now

When the world comes in

They come, they come

To build a wall between us

Don't ever let them win

Don't Dream It's Over (Neil Finn)

LYRICS

There is freedom within, there is freedom without

Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup

There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost

But you'll never see the end of the road

While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now

Don't dream it's over

Hey now, hey now

When the world comes in

They come, they come

To build a wall between us

We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof

My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof

In the paper today tales of war and of waste

But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Hey now, hey now

Don't dream it's over

Hey now, hey now

When the world comes in

They come, they come

To build a wall between us

Don't ever let them win

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum

And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart

Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof

Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief

Hey now, hey now

Don't dream it's over

Hey now, hey now

When the world comes in

They come, they come

To build a wall between us

Don't ever let them win

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