Burning questions

2003-12-15 8:30 p.m.

One week and two days later, I still can’t forget Prom. It’s not like that was the first time I ever had a Senior’s Farewell—there was my ACS Graduation night back in 2001—but I guess it was the atmosphere which kept me dreaming about it this whole pass week. It’s more than just wonderful, it was like you were transported into utopia (your own kind of utopia) but with in a few hours it faded away. Sounds distinctively like the PC passage dear Mr. Whitby gave us for the Prelims—yes the one about Turgis—and it also sounds like the “Floating World ” concept in Ishiguro’s “An Artist of the Floating World.” Anyway, yes I still can’t forget it. Maybe it is also because I did not capture the moment fully (haha, sounds familiar.) Yes, pictures speak a thousand words, but I hard took any pictures so I have to keep it in my mind. My dreams, don’t just recollect the whole scene, they improve it, like added more songs, more prizes and dancing in the ballroom. The details are very sketchy and I could only picture some of the individuals I sat with, the rest just were fuzzy silhouettes in the background. What is more painful is that they are just dreams and when I wake up, I can no longer hold them. Ok, I’m getting sentimental here, but it’s just my usual attitude.

On to more serious (and what could be classified as controversial stuff). This entry will be one of my last few—I still got my debate stuff to post—entries before I launch into my massive recollection of my NJC life. This entry will centre on a couple of questions about my JC life. First up, did I enjoy my class, 02A05 or did I keep on yearning for things to be different? To answer this truthfully, I must say my time with my class was not torturing at all. On the contrary, it was beneficial in that it changed my perception of people and society. The 24—later it was 23—individuals may not have been whom I expected to meet and neither were they a perfect bunch, but it was nice knowing of them. Some were indeed difficult to approach and start a normal conversation with, but slowly there was interaction, albeit when it was only necessary. The class could not have said to have no strengths; for certain members and certain groups excelled in particular subjects or areas. A few of them were maths wizards, a boon not only for me but more those who simply couldn’t solve tutorial questions. Others were strong in economics, so much so that there was friendly rivalry during tutorials, especially in JC 2. In the field of sports, not all were enthusiastic about it and it was disappointing to see the distinct disunity during PE lessons. The class, as I’ve mentioned in an earlier, was fragmented due to several reason, and PE was one of them. This subject of disunity exacerbated itself in events like College day or Funtasia, where it would always be the same group taking charge of the food stall and rebuffing the suggestion of others. I’ve learnt how to handle such an attitude as time went on, but it was irritating to see such domination and subjugation of fellow classmates. From this area of segregation and domination came constant criticism of each other, and I tried my best to steer clear form it. This is not something uncommon of human nature, and contrary to what would be expected, I learnt to handle group politics. In conclusion, the class was just another ordinary class you would find anywhere.

Second question: So how did 02A04 change my relationship with my class? Let me first say that there was hardly and change at all. Yes, I may have interacted more often with that class, but my class always came first in everything. I never saw myself as distant from my own class or wanting to be some place else. I guess my daily perception of life improved after meeting 02A04. I never saw it as a miserable one but one filled with laughter fun and studying at the same time. So in a way, I owe both my class and that class a great amount thanks.

Third Question: was NJC the JC for me? This is extremely difficult to answer affirmative or negative as I would have to gather the experiences of others from the other schools. What I can say with certainty is that the school gave me ample opportunity to excel in all fields. No where else would find the chance to lead, serve or represent with the everlasting guidance of teachers and the constant support of friends. It was a school where students found equal footing, where one discovered a vibrant spirit that he or she could never forget.

Short and vague answers you may say. True, I am sort of rushing this entry. Again, I mean no disrespect to anyone or any group nor is this about venting my displeasure. It is just a few afterthoughts which try to be objective. I never did have any qualms against anybody to begin with.

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