Old Times

2004-01-08 9:51 p.m.

About four more days before I say good bye to mainland Singapore and head off to the island north east of it… but I’m not going to discuss my pre NS thoughts over here…

Found something to keep me busy this week before I leave. It’s my ACS SCRUM Network stuff. After weeks of spreading the news, the number has jumped to 27 out of 433 members for ACS (I) 2001. Most of the new members are my old 4.11 classmates—I dug out their email addresses and made them join. Of course, it’s not a compulsory thing, but it’s nice to maintain contact after not seeing each other for more than two years. Actually, there should be over 30 members on the list, but many have changed their contact numbers and addresses. Although it’s a pain trying to find all the ACSians, it’s quite an interesting task. The site itself is however, quite dull, with no chat forums, pictures or other interesting stuff. Then again, I’m not the site owner and have little experience in basic HTML.

Currently, around about a quarter of my class has signed up. We really haven’t seen each other in ages. There was a small gathering back during National Day 2002, but I did not go for it. Anyway, it wasn’t much from what I heard from Vikram. The class was huge compared to other class back in ACS (I)—33 individuals altogether. Naturally, you would find various cliques in it. There were the Indonesian scholars, who did tend to stick to themselves most of the time but were actually part of a larger group. Then there was the group lead by none other Lee Seng Woon, and they focused on either bowling, pool or uh, thinking about girls. Then, there was the sporty group who were the most gregarious with other classes. I wasn’t really part of any specific group, sometimes I joined in with Seng Woon and company for movies and pool, other times, when I needed serious help or a less rowdy company, I turned to the Indonesian scholars. Oh, yes, there were also the perfects, who while trying to follow the rules of the Prefectorial board, would also be great company.

The class bore one distinct characteristic: It could never keep quiet. Almost everyone had something to say when teachers were around, and even more when they were not. The class representatives and prefects could maintain order to a certain degree, but even so they could not quell the shouting, banging and hyperactive people. In fact, some of the perfects joined in this “chaotic action”, most of the time to disastrous consequences. Only a handful of teachers could withstand this racket and only a few knew how to suddenly create peace and quiet. Other nonsensical stuff that occurred would be fooling with chemicals from the science lab or pasting bikini clad ladies on the class board—which was reserved for only the different subjects that we took. Then again, boys will be boys.

The class was not always united, despite other claims. Back in secondary 3, arguments between members were frequently, mostly between subject representatives and the other students. Other times, it was because of personal views of some members and I would fall under this category. However, this was not to last. During sports meets like Track and Field Day or the Swimming Carnival, differences would be set aside and the class spirit would be shown. People who could not cooperate would suddenly work in teams; those who could not stand each other miraculously even help each other. The class had leaders in many areas, from UYO NCOs to sports captains and to society presidents. There would always be a standing ovation when someone brought home a trophy or medal for the school. During Founder’s Day or National Day, the class would look out for their classmates marching past. In fact, our Sec 4 chemistry teacher once commented ,” Your class spirit is all too evident when the whole class stands up and cheers when Jannen—the head of the Boy’s Brigade—marches past”. This unity strengthen to its final point during our Senior’s Farewell, where countless photos were taken of the whole class together and we formed one connected line and sang “Auld Lang Sine”. Even as the event ended, we continued to hug each other and shake hands…not wanting to let go.

Now, the 33 are scattered. Some continued on in ACJC, others ventured into different JCs. A handful moved to Australia to attempt their matriculation n course there, and last I heard, they were having the time of their life. One is somewhere in Canada, where his French would turn out useful. Some others, I believe, have found their way to the US of A. Still, I do sincerely think that they still keep the two years that we were together in their minds and always reflect on the fun and pain we went through together as a class.

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