tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88992790178197121552024-02-19T07:39:02.478-08:00UndefinedSeanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-18100935811453792372012-03-05T09:14:00.004-08:002012-10-25T13:00:59.659-07:00Mindsets.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Perhaps many might have noticed him, but I’m confident most have not. He has camouflaged his hiding place well; even though it was so near a place where joggers frequent, he was all but invisible to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Four years ago, he was a successful businessman at the peak of his career. Then the financial crisis. Then the fall from grace to a pauper. Incompetent management of his finances brought him here, he says. Things he </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">had once taken for granted now he pray to be given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">I wouldn’t have found him had I not gone for a nighttime stroll by the lake. Two burly guy decided to mug me since I looked vulnerable. Indeed, I had to fight tooth and nail to get out of the mess, and yet that wasn’t enough. Until he came to my rescue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Mr. Alan, his name was. A shame to his ancestors, he says, not revealing his family name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Paradoxical, it was. To live in an elite residential compound with a poor, homeless man a mere 100 metres away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">I looked at my diary and found this entry:<br />It was a night when the full moon was beginning to take shape. The birthday of an up-and-rising doctor; how fitting. All friends from each part of the country converged to celebrate the day of his birth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Excellently done so. Pails were filled with eggs and detergent and all kinds of syrup. Just the kind of stuff you’d pick up in the mart and wouldn’t even bother about the price, you see. Definitely fun pouring it on a person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Night came. The moon rose to its highest. The bash began. In a residential compound populated by hundreds, twenty gathered and made a din equivalent to a rock concert (emphasis put on <i>din</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Residents woke and were expected to join in the fun, but then why such serious scowls and restless shouting? They should join us in the celebration! Come on, the one and only! He’s here to save, and affect, thousands of lives! All hail him!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Nah bother them. We are the kings of the world. Twenty and still counting. Oldie mindset, shoo! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Smear the contents of the pail everywhere! Give the cars an extra coat of protein! The ants shall have a party as well! Honey!! Syrup!! Syrup!! Syrup!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Immature kids, says Mr. Alan. Rather be a maverick and not conform to the general society if you feel it’s wrong. What happened to the calibration of the moral compass by parents? There seemed to be no place for the future in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">All in the name of fun? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Take the money spent into this wastage of materials and send it to Africa. A family would have gotten a meal for a day. Take the time spent into this madness and call your parents. How long has it been since you last heard your mother’s voice? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Mr. Alan and I became good friends, and would occasionally gaze at the moonlit lake whilst having supper together. So many things Malaysians can do, but they choose to take the road much travelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Malaysians are rich, yet they don’t realize it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Does our future still hold hope? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-42667766067187279342011-08-27T03:43:00.001-07:002012-10-25T13:02:44.516-07:00Angel On Bus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is easier to go downtown nowadays as compared to the past. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Definitely. DUH.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">With the completion of the Taman Perling – Danga Bay stretch of road, the journey downtown would be less time-wasting. At least the compelling, offensive traffic congestion at Jalan Skudai would be avoided. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">However, many could not deny the charm of the good ol’ public transport system of public bus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Even though the prospect of speeding down the road with an exhilarating speed would have made Alvin Peh salivate, he nevertheless appreciates a journey downtown on a bus once in a while. You might not understand the lure of taking a public bus but, Alvin is certainly fascinated by it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Imagine sitting in a metal box with strangers all around you. You either stare out of the window hoping to see something special, or you chat with the person next to you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Alvin does both. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Thus far, he has seen the beauty and ugly of Malaysians while on the bus. Road bullies, inconsiderate drivers and Rempit individuals make up the ugly side of the citizens, while touching tales of schoolchildren helping a blind man cross the road was something that has made Alvin see hope in the future for Malaysia. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">At least the Moral Studies classes in school were a success after forcing students to remember the countless moral values. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Besides that, Alvin chats all the time to kill boredom. Other than chatting to the <i>mak ciks </i>asking them about their day, he too spends time talking to teenagers his age talking about random issues such as the Malaysian football team, government policies and almost everything that happened around the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">These chatting sessions actually helped build Alvin’s communications skills, thus forming the present Dr. Alvin who was always praised for his ability to communicate efficiently with his patients. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">However, whenever he’s having a holiday at his hometown of Johor Bahru, he would always find time to go downtown for a cup of tea with his classmates of yore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Today was one of those days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Alvin’s mother fetched him to the nearest bus stop (awww just like the good old days) and in his hand he held the already prepared fare of exactly RM2.50 in coins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">It was quite a joy standing at the bus stop reminiscing about the past. About the time a bird excreted on Ivan’s bag; about the time the old gang had ice creams as they waited for the bus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Now you understand the lure public bus taking held over Alvin. There were memories he and his friends would remember till the end of time in it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">An elderly man was waiting for the bus as well and Alvin wasted no time in engaging him in a talk. The weather, the new developments in Johor Bahru, the Raya holidays. It was a pleasant chat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The bus arrived in no time at all. Once on the bus, Alvin selected a window seat and proceeded to look out of the window. He had left his home so long; he almost couldn’t recognize the place the bus was passing through!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The bus filled up gradually as it drove along its usual route. People were going downtown to celebrate the upcoming Raya holidays. There was quite a joyous atmosphere on the bus, with the radio playing lighthearted Raya songs and people chatting happily. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">As the bus stopped by a shopping mall, an old lady climbed up the stairs, her hands laden with heavy plastic bags. Being impregnated with <i>the </i>thirty six Moral values since his primary school days, Alvin leapt out immediately and flashed a friendly smile towards the old lady. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">He beckoned at her cheerily but realized she was having difficulties moving her groceries. So, he walked towards her to help. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">He had barely taken a step towards her when a man, in his mid-twenties, took his seat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">So furious he was, he wanted to roar and fight with that insolent man. </span><br />
So incensed he was, he wanted to confront that atrocious man.
<br />
So enraged he was, he wanted to let the monster inside him run amuck on that impertinent beast of a man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">A woman sitting next to him grabbed his hand and flashed a warning look at him. She jumped up from her seat and called out to the old woman, ‘Auntie, have my seat please!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">What a heartwarming scene. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">If only all Malaysians would ditch the Third World mindset for the more prudent First World attitude. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The old lady smiled gratefully at her and took up the offer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">At that instantaneous moment, a dazzling light illuminated the woman who gave up her seat to the old lady. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She is one of the most beautiful women Alvin has ever seen and, it wasn’t from the physical aspect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">It was her heart. Her heart of exquisite gold. One so rare that many people fail even to see one in their entire lifetime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Alvin left the bus before he reached his station. The invaluable kindness shown by the woman was so beautiful he was sure she was an angel. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">This is why Alvin likes to take the public bus, even though it is a hassle. On one trip he managed to be awestruck by the beauty, and stunned by the ugly of Malaysians. However, when there is a sparkle of light in darkness, hope will always be present. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The inconsiderate man will reap what he had sowed; and the thoughtful woman has definitely planted the seed of kindness in the hearts of the other passengers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">All is not lost yet. </span></div>
Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-7562086525115003252011-08-22T06:39:00.000-07:002011-08-22T06:41:25.148-07:00The Unheard Whisper<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The empty road stretched on forever in front of me. Alone on it, I felt good. No obstacles, no hindrances – a perfect antidote to the poison building up in me. I had to vent it all out; I had to release myself from the prison of guilt I felt. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I like the feeling of my foot on the accelerator. Hard and firm; the corners of my mouth twitched upwards as the needle on the speedometer zoomed towards 200kmph. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">My mind, however, was still in a mess. Contrition was never absent in my everyday life. Regret washed over me. Ashamed of myself, I was. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I should not have gotten myself into this mess; never should I have hitched her along in my trip on the highway to hell. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I was driving all around with no specific destination in mind. The images in my mind showed only of the girl whose life I had destructed in a moment of folly. The high speed escapade was soothing; unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for me to get further than the range of my conscience’s nagging. <span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Funnily I had the sudden urge to revisit the place it all happened the very first time. The very first time I saw the symmetry of the universe. I never knew if the universe revolved around the earth or around the sun. But finally it’s plain. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was the girl with a dazzling smile that held me then. She was the center of my universe. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Racing uphill, the avalanche of memories continued its cascade. I shook my head, hard, and asked myself <i>that </i>simple question, do I love her?’ Indeed, we were happy together. We could make the sun shine and the rain fall. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I would want to spend the rest of my life with her. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It has been a mere three months since I last saw her; Ireland has definitely separated us. Though did I even take a look of lust at any other? Nope, never came across my mind. I missed her dearly. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Slowly, I parked at the tip where the whole of Kuala Lumpur was at the tip of my feet. This was my comfort zone, where she and I once called home. I stepped down from the car with reasonable deliberation, unsure of what I was going to see. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Had the commencement of the developing projects made this place unrecognizable? No, it stayed the same, as if waiting for my return. Even the girl sitting on the bench looked familiar. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hold on, that was the shirt she loved the most. The Liverpool jersey with my name etched on it was a part of our first month anniversary as a couple. I looked down and realized I was wearing the jersey with her name on it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">My eyes widened in shock and my heart skipped a beat. Could it be? I have been looking for her since my return, and here she was, right in front of me. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I walked towards her, moving each leg with considerable difficulty. It took every single ounce of concentration for me not to fall to the temptation of running forward and hug her; for the fear of mistaking a look-alike girl for her. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">A few feet away from her, I was absolutely sure. My dear XXXX. Her left hand reached for the right arm, just like every other time when she couldn’t believe what she saw. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Her eyes, the soft chocolate brown, never for once even left mine. Hungrily, they bore into mine without blinking, just like every other time. My breath staggered; they reminded me of every touch, every kiss. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">My lungs felt like they were going to burst. I opened my mouth, wanting to tell her about everything I missed about her but, sanity left me before I could do anything else. My lips parted, but it wasn’t a crooning that left them. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘What are you doing here?’ I whispered. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She froze. Her expression hardened. For so long I had been dreaming, missing, thinking of this sweet face, but now etched onto her features was pure hatred. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So little time had passed but so much had changed. This time, her favourite perfume and this intense gaze made me tremble. Before I could unlock my petrified muscles to hug her, to bring her closer to me, she answered indifferently, ‘making a decision.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I bit my lip in confusion. I had never understood the complex mystery of a woman’s brain. What could it be that was bothering her? Was I still in her heart, the way she never left mine? I could not decide; I could never know. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our gazes were locked firmly together. A deep breath I took and I left my mind to the control of insanity. I had long given parts of myself up to commands of insanity, yet it was now that I finally saw fit to embrace its might.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘Let me decide for you.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I took hold of the railings and put my hand on your back. ‘I love you,’ said I.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As the good old times stirred at the back of my mind, I was glad finally we would be doing something together. A final push, that was it, and you fell off the cliff with the grace of a ballerina. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Right before my eyes, you fell off the cliff and my hands were the cause of it. I did not cry, I did not howl. Finally fate brought us together again, and this is the only way to make sure we take the next step together. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘Babe, I’m coming with you. You wouldn’t be alone any longer.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As my last words left my lips, I took two quick steps backward, and launched myself forward, hard. My eyes were closed tight and the wind stung my face viciously. My heart beat loyally as it galloped towards the last beat; determining to fulfill a lifetime’s beat before the end. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I felt not fear, but joy. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“THUMP” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">That was the last thing I heard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This story is produced through a collaboration with a friend. Written from the boy's perspective, maybe it would be inadequate to fully understand how complicated their relationship was. To know more about their sad story, please click <a href="http://shushhhhnomore.blogspot.com/2011/08/unknown-answer.html">here</a> <---</span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-78117815183264811782011-08-16T19:51:00.000-07:002011-08-16T19:52:17.575-07:00The BTN Nightwalk<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The sky put on its veil of darkness, bringing an end to the day with a hint of mystery. The full moon was displayed with dazzling illumination; the opera of the crickets gave the ambience a touch of melancholy. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Stars decorated the veil of the sky like diamonds on black satin; the sound of water splashing on the waterfall in the distance gave the woods a peaceful impression. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Suddenly, a whistle shrilled, breaking the serenity of the place. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘Next!’ Boomed the voice of a man and two girls moved forward, holding on to each other as though giving support to the other. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘Follow the blinking red lights and don’t stray off course,’ said the man, not unkindly. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The two young ones stared at the path cloaked with darkness in front of them and gulped involuntarily. It was the seventh month in the lunar calendar and to Malaysians, it is the Hungry Ghost Festival. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Daunting and uninviting, this night walk in the jungle of Rembau, Negeri Sembilan is a part of the activities organized by the National Civics Bureau (BTN). April and Catherine had valiantly protested against the walk but to no avail; the organizers replied with, ‘the camp is a platform for you to face and control your fears.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">However, the organizers relented a little by allowing the participants to go in pairs. Having heard the screams of countless people before them, the two girls were in no haste to begin their walk.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘Hurry!’ A voice behind them screeched, making them jump.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Gripping each other’s hand tightly, they proceeded cautiously. It was difficult to spot the tiny blinking light and mosquitoes were feeding happily on the exposed flesh of the two girls. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Very soon, they rounded a bend. The light emitted by the flashlights of the facilitators could now not be seen and they were engulfed totally by darkness. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Catherine whined. “April, my throat hurts…”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">April cursed silently under her breath. Catherine’s tonsillitis has been worsening since they arrived at the camp. She rummaged in her backpack for a bottle of water. As April took it out, her peripheral vision detected something moving. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Something white moving, no, <i>gliding</i> in the trees behind them. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">April’s blood ran cold. Beside her, Catherine’s mouth was opened in a silent scream. Her eyes were bulging and she was shivering uncontrollably. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was Catherine’s fear and panic that brought the adrenaline surging to April’s muscles. In a swift moment she grabbed Catherine’s hand and they ran as fast as their stiff legs would carry them. Both girls were sobbing uncontrollably but did not stop even when they heard shouting from afar. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Finally, coughing nonstop, Catherine sat down at last. They had run relentlessly for more than five minutes, as if being chased by an axe-wielding madman, with the objective of getting as far away as possible from the creature. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">April slumped beside her, panting loudly.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘What was that?’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘No idea. Let’s walk though. Gotta find the rest, fast.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">They continued their walk down the path with renewed spirit. However, much to their dismay, the red blinking lights seemed to have disappeared. The trees seemed to grow thicker there, and the sound of animals was ominously absent. Every sound they made was magnified ten times; the imposing darkness made chills go down their spines.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Out of a sudden, a terrifying howl brought their hearts to their mouths. The girls shrieked at the same time and, in unison, sprinted back up the path. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Unexpectedly, April slipped on a slimy object and took a tumble. Her knee landed on the sharp side of a jagged stone and a metallic smell made her dizzy. A sudden, sharp pain pierced her right calf, and April looked in time to see a black slimy snake, giving out a sibilant hiss, slithering away.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">April’s scream drained the blood off Catherine’s face. She never would have believed that April, strong, tough April, would be capable of producing such a sound of mingling terror, fear and pain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Writhing with agony, April could not do anything but whimper. A feeling of paralysis was spreading up her right leg and she was in terrible shock. All she could do was to moan for the help that would never come. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Catherine was lost in panic. She could not leave April alone in this state, no she would get lost trying to find help; yet staying with April would not bring help to them. The snake venom was rather poisonous, judging on the rapidly deteriorating consciousness of April. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She was losing much blood. The fangs must have punctured a vein, as dark red blood was oozing out copiously. Catherine knew she had to react quickly. It was a matter of life and death. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Pulling her hairpin out, she proceeded by making small cuts at the side of April’s snake bite. Next, she did the thing that felt right at that moment – she pressed her lips to the bite, and sucked the contaminated blood. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It tasted horrible. Like the smell of rotting flesh. Catherine spit the first mouthful out and returned for a second mouthful. The repetition was continued until April’s blood tasted normal without the repelling stench.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Taking a spare shirt from April’s backpack, a partial tourniquet was tied to reduce the blood flow at April’s leg. The result was instantaneous – the blood loss reduced dramatically. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">However, Catherine began to feel dizzy. Perhaps it was due to the sheer exhaustion, maybe it was due to the intoxicated blood she accidentally swallowed in her haste to help her friend, her mind blanked out suddenly. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The branches swayed gently in the wind to the tempo of a cradle being swayed as the nightlife in the jungle remained in its active mode. Owls flew about finding prey for their chicks and rats ran about, dodging the flying birds that were looking for a meal for their nest. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was a scene of peace and harmony - the way nature should be.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When the search party arrived half an hour later, they found a girl with snakebite from the vicious cobra breathing with quick, shallow breaths; weak but not quite ready to meet the Creator yet, and the body of a brave girl with blue, swollen lips, who gave her life to save that of her friend. </span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-42755495273156060532011-05-16T08:06:00.000-07:002011-05-16T08:13:52.481-07:00The Mortar Board<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A cup of freshly brewed home roasted coffee in the middle of a mountain of books emitted fragrance equivalent to that of the kopitiam coffee her dad loves.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The aroma was so tempting that Susan had to put her book down and take a sip. She felt her drowsiness disappear in a fleeting second. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She rubbed her weary eyes and they lingered momentarily at the mirror on the wall. Her reflection scared even herself. Was it possible the woman with bloodshot eyes and a pallid face Susan? Gosh, she looked like a zombie!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She took in a deep breath to pull herself together. It is not the time to lose her focus. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She threw a nervous glance at the round clock on the wall. It was nearly two in the morning. She heaved a sigh and carried on with her revision. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The next book…one more after this…there’s still time for this…” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">These were the words Susan kept repeating to herself as she went through her notes. Her mind, already saturated with information, went into an overdrive, absorbing information like sponge absorbing water. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She had come too far, further than what her critics have thought her possible of. They have been hostile towards the first ever girl taking an engineering course in the university. Told her she would never make it. Picked on her since the first day as she arrived on a wheelchair. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Ahh, her legs, a casualty of the fatal accident that occurred years and years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It was a perfectly normal day for any family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tuan Sheng had taken a day off from work to spend time with his family. Being a people’s leader in the state of Kelantan, the title ‘Tuan’ did not come easily for Sheng. However, he had been doing well over the past decade, and the fruit of labour ripened fast for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A challenging job, a perfect family, and respect from the people were everything he ever wanted. Happiness was a possession for the Sheng family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Alas, fate intervened. He was driving home from the beach in Bachok when a blue Honda rammed into his car from the passenger’s side. The screams of his wife and daughter made the blood drain from his face. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He was powerless to prevent the car from turning turtle. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The massive jam that resulted from that crash delayed the arrival of the ambulance. Had the traffic been more relenting, Sheng’s wife would not have passed away on the way to the hospital. As she was rushed to the Operating Theater, Susan was in a critical condition, fighting for her life. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Sheng blamed himself for the tragedy. Had he approved the construction of a wider road in that area earlier, his wife would not have died. Had he drove with more vigilance, Susan would not be in mortal peril. Why, of the three of them, did he receive the least injury? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Susan woke up from comatose a few weeks later, by which Sheng had taken to alcohol to ease the pain of losing his wife. And another blow hit the Sheng family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Susan was paralyzed from waist down. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It was a setback that would deter many from moving on in life, but not Susan. She knew it was her mother’s wishes for her to excel in her studies, and she vowed to fulfill her piety to her mother by doing just that. The positive energy radiating from her managed even to rouse her father from his drunken stupor. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It was a long, long journey before she made it into University Malaya (UM). She had survived jeers from her parents, biased teachers and even the cruel hands of fate far too long to give up now. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">No, she will be undertaking her ultimate paper in her fourth and final year and there is no room for quitters. She will soldier on no matter what!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tuan Sheng, who had requested to be transferred to the Klang Valley upon his daughter’s admission into UM, was sitting at the kitchen table when Susan emerged from her room. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Are you ready for it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Susan nodded confidently. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“That’s my girl.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A fire rose in her chest. The wrinkles around his eyes showed how much Sheng had aged, and Susan was determined not to let him down. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">At nine o’clock sharp, the examiner gave the go-ahead and the scribbling began. Susan’s hand flew across the paper at breakneck speed. Her peers around her looked at her in awe as she filled the blank papers with formulae and calculations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Finally, exhausted, she put her pen down and closed her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Susan woke to the sounds of machines beeping. She was in a white room filled with weird devices and tubes. The sense of déjà vu filled her eyes with tears. She adjusted her right hand and it brushed against something soft. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tuan Sheng woke to a start, and couldn’t believe his eyes as he saw his daughter smiling at him. For two weeks he had slept beside the unconscious body of his daughter and finally she has woken!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The result for the finals was announced a fortnight later. Susan gave the honour of opening the envelope to her father. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">With trembling hands he slit the envelope open and gave an enormous gasp. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Susan had obtained first class honours despite fainting in the middle of the last paper!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">On the day of her convocation, Tuan Sheng, the proudest man in the universe that day, put on his best suit and went to the ceremony with his daughter at his side. When Susan Sheng was called, the crowd gave her a standing ovation, to the girl who had proven that nothing is impossible. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">As she received her honours from the chancellor, Susah held her father’s hand tightly and touched her mortar board. Tears welled up in her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Mum, I’ve done it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-24296642739768226662011-05-09T05:26:00.000-07:002011-05-09T20:39:14.165-07:00The GameCube Adventure<div style="text-align: center;">"This story is purely fictional</div><div style="text-align: center;">all likeliness are totally coincidental"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The day began in the same fashion as it had for the past few years. <div><br /></div><div>The alarm clock disrupted her sleep at a quarter past six. Yawning, she would get downstairs and get ready for school. She would then be at the kitchen for breakfast, and her dad would fetch her to school. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a pattern that repeated five days a week, and sometimes even six. But she was already used to it. There was only a year more before she graduated from high school, and she was already impatient to leave that place. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng came from a family filled with love. Her parents gave her what she wanted. An iPhone. An iPad. Approved her relationship with Ivan. You get it. </div><div><br /></div><div>She was a sweet girl, full of life and enthusiasm. However, as age crept in, she began to enjoy solitude. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rebellion was ever present in her as she grew older. Call it the side-effects of a growing teenager, she became vulnerable to the influences of her peers. Succumbed to the desires of people her age. Materialism stepped in and immaturity took control. </div><div><br /></div><div>She wanted fun. She yearned for the merriment she could not find in her home. Thirsted for the thrill Ivan wouldn't give.</div><div><br /></div><div>It started with the weekly movie trips, and the hanging out with friends. Cheng and her friends preferred the GameCube, which was the attention hub for teenagers or young adults her age without the sense that education was the key to future success. </div><div><br /></div><div>But it doesn't matter, because it's all about staying cool and trendy when you're young.</div><div><br /></div><div>The craze of teenagers seemed to have frozen over loud music and the hip hop genre. Everywhere she turned, she saw teenagers with tight jeans and flamboyant hairstyles.</div><div><br /></div><div>A pulchritudinous girl to start with, she attracted gazes from the boys. Some of them wolf-whistled at the mini-skirt she wore but she didn't pay much attention to them. Those jerks aren't comparable to Ivan anyway. She was just there to chill with her friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Pretty girl, new here? How come I've never seen you before?" A voice said, and a hand caressed her chin. </div><div><br /></div><div>She stepped back in shock; her hand slapped the stranger's hand away automatically. </div><div><br /></div><div>The man who assaulted her laughed wickedly. "Ooh you have character. I like that."</div><div>Behind him, his two followers snickered evilly. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thug that was obviously the leader had a handsome face, with a scar running across his cheek. His hair was dyed blond, and he wore a silver earring on his right ear.</div><div><br /></div><div>"So, any intention of hanging out with me? A drink, perhaps?" He leered at her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng's self defense mechanism set in. "Er, nope. Sorry but I think we have entered the wrong place," she rejected politely and tried to leave. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thug waved his hand. A group of muscular men surrounded Cheng and her friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Cheng, it's just a drink. Why don't you go with him?" Ling, her best friend said. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng looked at Ling in horror. "I never thought you would do this to me." Hurt was quickly coursing through her veins, filling her with the feeling of betrayal. </div><div><br /></div><div>She knew doom was impending. There was no way out for her. If only she hadn't left the safety of her house for an hour of fun. She glared at Ling.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ling averted her eyes. The blond waved a hand and his men formed a pathway for Ling and her group of friends to leave the building. </div><div><br /></div><div>"So," said the blond after the girls left the building. "Now let's have some 'alone' time in my room upstairs."</div><div><br /></div><div>She was powerless in preventing herself from being shepherded along various corridors. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Hey Shuit, so that's how selfish you can be."</div><div><br /></div><div>The blond stopped and turned around. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that's his name, Cheng thought miserably. At least she would be able to give the police something later. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Saarvinraj, my old classmate, long time no see. What's this nonsense about me being selfish? Since when was I selfish? Hahahahaha."</div><div><br /></div><div>Saarvinraj wore a white jeepa' which complemented his dark skin perfectly. The shades he wore made him look like Shah Rukh Khan, and his perfect Indian slang made him look like he just came out from Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Cham<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">, </span></span>a famous Indian movie. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Aiyooo, Shuit taking a girl for yourself and not sharing is being selfish. You haven't changed since our Matrix days."</div><div><br /></div><div>Shuit looked taken aback. "So how do you think we should settle this?" </div><div><br /></div><div>Saarvinraj smiled, showing his perfect, shining teeth. "The usual rules. Two laps."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Game on."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng was brought to an abandoned house. She was tied to a chair at the porch and tears streaked down her cheeks as she watched the two baddies rev up their motorcycles. The process, as told to her by a follower of Shuit by the name of Kentmun, was simple. The first person who completes the two laps first wins the prize. </div><div>Cheng had struggled with all her might but to no avail. By the end of this race, she would be of the possession of a malicious crook, and there is no way out for her. </div><div><br /></div><div>The race begun and the night sky was decorated by cheers from the gangs belonging to the two thugs. Shuit led the race at the first lap until he reached the final turn, where Saarvinraj capitalized on a lack of concentration to overtake him. </div><div><br /></div><div>They were neck in neck going into the second lap when something strange happened. Two of the gang members suddenly jumped onto their motorcycles and joined the race. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that was the cue for the action to happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Police sirens filled the neighborhood. The night sky was lit ablaze with the red and blue emitted by the lights on the police cars. The gang members cheering their boss scrambled to escape. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the racetrack, the two leaders of triad realized what was happening a fraction of second too slow. As they reached the finishing line, Shuit shouted triumphantly, "Haha, I've won!'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saarvinraj was too enraged to speak. He threw his helmet to the ground and attempted to leave the scene when two policemen handcuffed him and took him by surprise. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shuit, knowing that things have gone wrong, made a desperate attempt to make a bolt for it. He turned, just to see a policeman pointing a pistol at him. There was no escape. He raised both his hands as a sign of surrender. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Shuit, the leader of Siew Kit Triad, you have been placed under arrest of abducting a minor and for your part in an illegal motor racing activity.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Saarvinraj, the popular Bollywood actor, I never thought you would get caught. However, you are detained for your participation in an illegal motor racing activity. by the way," he lowered his voice. "Can you give me your autograph?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Saarvinraj laughed humorlessly as he allowed himself to be led away. </div><div><br /></div><div>The officer who addressed the two thugs walked over to Cheng. "Miss, how are you? I am Inspector O.B. and my friend over there is Sergeant Ahmad Fauzi. A report was made by a group of teenagers a few hours ago, and we kept a lookout in the area. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Come, the worst is over. Let's get you home."</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng was escorted back home by the police force to the relief of her parents. Ling and the group of friends were there too. Upon seeing her parents, Cheng hugged them and sobbed unashamedly. Ivan, who arrived not long after, spoke to her words of comfort.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the saying goes, all's well that end's well. Cheng learned to appreciate what her parents gave her, and realized her friends did not betray her. She forgave them and apologized for jumping to conclusions too early. </div><div><br /></div><div>And she finally understood that she was the luckiest girl in the world. Loving parents, rational friends, and a kind boyfriend. She has finally grown up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a tribute to Miss Ang Sung Cheng for her 19th birthday, and a happy 1 year Matrix anniversary for the class of 2010/2011. ;)</div>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-46429369387177373452011-02-14T02:18:00.000-08:002011-02-14T02:19:58.012-08:00A Matrix Love Story<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Two things I hate most in this world. Homework. And boys who compete against me. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Life, was always tough on me. First, I've been sent to this "college" in the rustic town of Kuala Pilah. The homework load was terrible. Then when I thought nothing could go any worse, <i>he </i>was assigned to my class. Now I have lots of homework, and a boy who competes AGAINST me to complete our homework!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Life is extremely kind to me. I hope you heard the sarcasm hidden in the sentence. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">This kid, is seriously a pain in the neck. He wouldn't stop talking to me! Not in the talk-about-polite-stuff sense. He just wouldn't shut up about Arsenal FC and stuff that only people with a Y chromosome would like. Don't get too impressed. I only remembered the Arsenal thing because he wouldn't stop showing off his jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Like I would be interested anyway. I AM A GIRL, DUH!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">My friends keep telling me he likes me. OH MY GOD that had better not be true because you know what? I never felt anything towards him. Just two ordinary classmates, that's all. End of story.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Still, I've been feeling quite well the past week. It was the Chinese New Year holidays! Five days of glee in the shopping heaven of Kuala Lumpur. Yes. Yes. Yes yes YES!! Most importantly, I wouldn't have to see his face for five whole days. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Now that's music, to my ears. *Winks*<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Usually he would pester me with his incessant text messages but I wasn't that bothered with the absence of his messages this holidays. Probably fooling around with some other girls. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">But time flies. I'm now back in the college, heading to class on this devastatingly cold Monday morning. See, even Life is making it extra tough for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I walked into the class, late as usual. Weird, he's not here. It doesn't matter; it's better for me. :)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Suddenly, there was a frantic knock on the door, and he rushed in. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Sorry I'm late sir."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Gosh. My personal nightmare returns. I stole a glance at him; he was looking at me intently, the cheeky smile back on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">The rest of the day passed by as usual. I left the classroom first, and he caught up with me. We walked all the way to our classes, went to look for the teachers and even ate together. Along the way, he couldn't seem to stop talking. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">It's like being tortured in Hell. Everyday for the next eight weeks. Thank God it's not for eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">We were walking to our Chemistry lecture when it happened. Being extremely late for the class, I finally opted for a shortcut that required me to run across the field. I was halfway across the field when I realised he wasn't with me. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Alvin?"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Hey slowcoach Caroline, what's taking you so long?" He was standing in front of the lecture hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I was stunned. There was no way he could get there so fast. I mean, I was the one taking the shortcut and, he was still next to me twenty seconds ago. I wasn't possible; I didn't see him running or...even fly. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I frowned, but threw it to the back of my mind. He was fond of coming up with new tricks to surprise me. Bother him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">That was the start of many events. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">You see, Alvin is an extreme-outdoor person. He loves soccer more than his life (I mean, he did get so many injuries and accidents while playing the sport that I flinched every time I imagined him playing) and he's the most auntie-like boy I've ever seen - once a rumour reaches his ears, you would bet it'll reach the ears of everybody in the college. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">The thing is, nobody seemed to want to talk to him anymore. I was with him all the time, and nobody even gave him a glance. None of my classmates teased me about him; nor did any of my friends mention him when we were chatting. They acted like he never existed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">And nobody seemed to want to talk about him anymore. Whenever I mentioned his name, the topic would change instantly. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">He started to shun company; he started to skip meals. The only thing he intensified his effort in was...his care to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Every night, he would have his dinner with me in the cafe in front of my dorm. He would always get a carton of milk and watch me eat. Then, as I prepared to leave, he would force me to finish that carton of milk. I pretended to be annoyed by his antics, but truly, I was touched to the core.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">His hoodie, always the same one, was always in his bag. Whenever I felt cold Alvin would help me put it on. My friends were like, "It's <i>his</i> hoodie!!" with surprised expressions on their faces but I didn't care. Alvin...was starting to melt my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">As we all know, time flies. Soon, February was ending. We both received our results for our middle-of-semester-test. I got a pointer of 4.00 and he was a little behind with 3.87. It wasn't too bad, but we were having a study group consisting of the two of us nightly. All the time his gaze would not leave my face, and to tell you the truth, I was totally basking in happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">He gave me my first ever Valentine chocolates, and they were the sweetest chocolates I have ever tasted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">As March came creeping along, he was getting more and more protective. We were spending all our time together. Eating, studying, looking for teachers....you name it. Except for the time when I was in my room, we were never separated.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">As April approached, he was always with a grimace on his face, which immediately turned into a sparkling smile whenever I look at him. It was all very mysterious, but with the final examinations looming, I didn't care much. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I was very, very, very touched with the attention he gave me, and I myself was basking in happiness each and every time we were together. When two people are in love, even silence is sweet when being together. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I never thought I would fall for him in this hell of a place. But...the attention he gave me, the adoration he has for me, they were...indescribable. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Finally, the day reached. The final paper was taken, and we were now going home. He pulled me to a side, and gave me a letter. His face was shining with tears and, without saying a word, he sprinted off. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I tried to follow but, he seemed to vanish into thin air. I stopped, and opened the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">There was a stack of photographs; pictures of us. Ah those happy times, wonderful to reminisce. Behind every picture, there were words of love. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Caroline, don't forget to take more vegetables k!?"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Carol dear, next time, please snug closer to me if you're cold..."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I couldn't stop myself from tearing up a little. There was a newspaper cutting at the bottom. I picked it up, and gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Boy Killed On Journey Home.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">There was a picture of him lying sprawled lifeless on the tar road, with a wrecked car next to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">He died on the journey home from the college during the Chinese New Year holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">So that's why my friends ignored him. They couldn't see him at all. Only I could.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"></span>So that's why my friends refused to talk about him anymore. They were grieving. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">So that's why he wouldn't walk under the sun anymore. He couldn't.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">"Carol, I know you would be crying when you read this. I'm sorry I can't wipe your tears from you this time. Happiness doesn’t come easily for those who seek it; as it possesses wings and tends to fly out of our reach. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I rue the day I met with the accident, as it cost me the chance to walk down the aisle with you. I regret not listening to your advice, for if I did not speed, I wouldn’t have met with the mishap. Now I couldn’t be with you for the rest of your life, and it was all because of a moment of folly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">The play has yet to reach its end, but the lights have dimmed on our story. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">Rub your tears off, dear! Be strong. Take care of yourself properly in honour of my memory. Don’t forget the milk; and get an optimistic outlook on life. If you do believe in reincarnation, then I would never want to separate with you just like this. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">If there is a next lifetime for us, I hope for me to be your Guardian Angel once again. I want you to know I would be waiting for you for all eternity. Forever and ever.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">I just came back to spend the last eight weeks with you. It was seriously the most genuine eight weeks of my life, and I hope it was a part of your best memories too."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-SG">All I could do was to hug my knees and sob. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-24001178625100604082011-02-04T02:09:00.000-08:002011-02-04T02:10:03.201-08:00Devil's Playground @ NSMC<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fung Sheng Fatt is nineteen years old. He studies in the “prestigious” Negeri Sembilan Matriculation College for “brainy” students. Pretty impressive, isn’t it? Besides that, he is a member of the student council. Now that’s cool. I mean, twenty nineteen-year-olds being representatives of two thousand teenagers living away from home? Wow. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Now, it so happened that the student council, being aware of the general inability of the students to<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>take care of themselves properly without the chaperoning<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>of their parents, organized a “Love Yourself” programme, designed to give the students awareness on taking care of themselves properly.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The act was pretty commendable huh? Yeah, obviously. However, who was to know that the free dental checkups were part of a drug trial by the government? For those who went for the checkup, a jab (of the H4N3 virus strain that was said to give immunity against the next wave of influenza which would drastically hit South East Asia) was given to them. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sheng Fatt, being an active member of the student council, was among the first to volunteer himself for the checkup. Positively filled with glee after receiving the jab, he was seen boasting around, describing how stronger he felt after the checkup. The rest of the day passed as usual. Class. Quiz. Homework. You get the idea.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But when the night came, and the moon rose, everything changed. My name is Sean, and I live in the college compound as well. There is a really tough, buff guy called Tilak, and he lives in the room right above mine, We are in the same lecture and we study together in the ironing room of our hostel whenever we are free.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Everything was as usual. Our discussions comprised of a wide range of topics from Biology to automobiles; from the tyrannical school rules to girls. All of a sudden, screams shattered the peaceful serenity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">That was the sign of danger. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I am a boy, and no girls were allowed in the hostel. The only time a boy would scream with such enthusiasm would be when he was caught naked by a woman, unless he woke up and saw a cockroach on the back of his hand. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But it couldn’t be, because the screams came from everywhere! Different directions, different people. There couldn’t be so many cockroaches in a place at a time. Or SNSD (the Korean pop group, anyone?) couldn’t be in our hostel.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“What the?” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Hey bro, let me go check out what’s happening. You want milo?” Tilak asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Nope, thanks. Just go find out why – “</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Just then, there was a crash and someone I didn’t know stumbled into the room. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hey, hold on, it wasn’t someone I didn’t know. It was Eiswaran, Tilak’s roommate. I couldn’t recognize him at first because….his features were so badly disfigured.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">He struggled to keep himself standing. “Run….Tilak…” was all he managed to say before collapsing onto the floor. Being a first aider, I rushed to his side immediately. He wasn’t breathing anymore. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Around us, the commotion was getting louder by the second. Howls, groans, moans and other inhuman screams were deafening from every direction. Without pausing to think, the two of us sprinted to Tilak’s room. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And what we saw made our hearts freeze. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Shawn, Eiswaran’s best friend, had changed completely. Not his size though, he still was expanded horizontally as the day before. The difference was, he was pale white, with blood oozing out of his orifices. In his hand he held Eiswaran’s guinea pig, and as we watched, he stuffed the rodent into his mouth, making an inhuman growl as he did so. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We did the most sensible thing we could think of. We ran.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We rushed to the room of our warden. It was empty. Fearing the worst, we tried to look for his car keys, only to see the warden, half transformed into one of the undead zombies, staggering into the room. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">He stumbled towards us, but Tilak, an accomplished archer, took the warden’s set of bow and arrow, and shot him. The arrow flew through his left eye and he collapsed.. One zombie down, two thousand more to go. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“C’mon Sean, get the car!! I’ll cover you!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I fished the keys out from the back pocket of the warden’s tight jeans. So much for banning the wearing of jeans in the college. Around us, the zombies, it transpired, had the ability to smell humans. They rushed out from the blocks towards us, the fresh meat that had not been devoured. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As we made our way to the car, the zombies started attacking us. Their speed and strength were obviously devastating assets to them. They clawed and roared, trying to get to us, but Tilak’s arrows were equal to their attack. A shot from his bow took out three zombies at once. Awesome.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Hurry Sean!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Hop in!” The engine was started but there was no clear path in front of us. We were COMPLETELY surrounded!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Sean, step on the accelerator!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“But…but…they were our friends,” I wailed, suppressing a sob.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“And they want to eat us now!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">A crash brought me to my senses. An arm smashed through the passenger seat window and grabbed Tilak’s bow. I stepped on the accelerator, hard. There was a great ripping sound and the arm was detached from its owner. The zombies in our path were knocked down like pins in a bowling alley. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We sped uphill, all the way to another of the boys’ hostel. As I drove past the building, a body was thrown out of the first floor window. It was Petra, a good friend of mine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There were no zombies around us so I hit the brakes. Tilakrushed down the car and in no time at all, Petra was in the back seat of the car, moaning for painkillers. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Nothing could be done to save the rest of our friends. It was all about escaping this Devil’s playground or being turned into tasty snacks for our ‘friends’. The zombies were advancing towards us at an alarming rate. It was an alarming sight to behold.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Sean, we have to get out of here now,” Tilak whispered.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Petra moaned, “the girls’ block. Mickey, Mickey…”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I stepped on the accelerator. It was a tad too late. There was an almighty crash and both Tilak and Petra yelled. I looked into the rearview mirror and saw a zombie standing on the boot of the car. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Lucky I watched Initial D. I turned the steering wheel as hard to my left as possible. The car drifted as if it was a Subaru AE86 and the zombie was thrown off. I sped down the road to the girls’ hostel.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There was a riot at the area. Zombies were tearing the place down, looking for fresh meat. I knew there was no hope left. Mickey couldn’t be saved, nor the rest of our friends whom we have gone through thick and thin with. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And then I heard a scream. Not the inhuman scream the zombies make, but something…hmmm…human. Once again I looked into the rearview mirror, praying I wouldn’t see the sight I saw a while ago, and what I saw surprised me. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Mickey and two of her good friends were climbing out of a drain. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I stopped to let them in. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">A girl named Felicia, supporting a bloody cheek, was helped into the back seat by the two girls. The other girl, Sung Cheng, leapt into the passenger’s seat (which was vacant because Tilak was caring for Petra in the back seat).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Are there anyone else we might be able to save?” I yelled.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The girls were crying uncontrollably. Their inaudible answers were drowned by the inhuman growls from every direction.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Sean, GO!” Tilak shouted.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I sped away. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You know I managed to drive all the way to safety now you’ve read this story. I expect to be arrested under the Internal Security Act for whistleblowing this national secret but don’t worry, I’ve gone into hiding just like Paul the Octopus. The Malaysian government is in the process of destroying the college and the town of Kuala Pilah, just to remove all traces of this destruction, and of course, those whom we had, once upon a time, addressed as friends. And so, I’m making a correction to the beginning of the story.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fung Sheng Fatt was nineteen years old. He studied in the Negeri Sembilan Matriculation College and was a member of the student council …until the government’s sinister plan was put down to action.</span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-8764303909228402262010-10-07T23:58:00.000-07:002010-10-08T00:01:20.045-07:00‘Sex education should be introduced as a compulsory subject in schools.’<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u>What is your opinion? You should write at least 350 words. Illustrate your opinion with examples.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">Talk about the birds and the bees and prepare to get mixed reactions, whether nods of silent consent or a furore of angry protests, by the public. True, Malaysia is a developing country that has scaled great heights in numerous aspects, yet social stigma still has it that sex is a confidential issue and taboo that should not be discussed publicly. Therefore, many views were expressed when the Malaysian government proposed to introduce sex education into the current education system. Some called it madness, while others applauded the spirit of the Ministry of Education in making such a courageous decision. As for me, I concur wholeheartedly with the government’s new policy. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">One good thing that this move would bring is that of dispelling myths and old wives’ tales surrounding intercourse. As an example, many people are instilled with the belief that females would not get pregnant at the first try. However, it is not proven scientifically and couples who are unprepared to bring a new life into this world are faced with a dilemma of choosing whether to keep the foetus or to abort it. Those who opted to give birth to the foetus but were unable to care for it, would then abandon the child; contributing to the rise of the numbers of abandoned children in this country. Efforts by the government to combat this issue are evident, such as the baby hatch that was set up recently in Petaling Jaya. However, as the saying goes, prevention is indeed better than cure, and is also much cheaper than cure. Thus the community should be thoroughly educated so as to know what their moment of folly would bring. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">Following that, sex education in schools would certainly raise the public awareness of schoolchildren, especially teenagers who have reached puberty and are nearing maturity. It is never easy to satisfy the curiosity of an inquisitive child. As they approach puberty, changes in their body and the sudden interest towards the opposite sex would definitely pique their desire to know more about the opposite sex. Rather than letting them learn through the wrong channels, why not let the Ministry of Education device a syllabus which would answer most of their questions and at the same time, encourage and promote the benefits of post-marital sex? This would ensure the children getting the correct information from the right source, wouldn’t it? </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">Furthermore, the society should be exposed to the dangers Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) pose, and what better way to educate the public than to start by educating children, the Masters of the future? It has been told that if you spare the rod, you’ll spoil the child. Thus by teaching the children that pre-marital sex is prohibited not only by the law but by religious aspects as well, we would be moulding a generation community which would abstain from pre-marital sex as their mindset would have been long set since young.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Other than that, by knowing the diseases associated with uncontrolled sex, the children –in the future- would be discouraged from participating in intercourses without basic precautions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">Being enrolled in sex education, the children would be taught the difference between a ‘friendly touch’ and a ‘malicious touch’. For instance, a girl who has been educated would know if the person attempting to get close to her has a nefarious motive and would be able to act rationally at the time of distress. She would also be able to keep her calm and composure besides gathering evidence for the police instead of wailing and crying helplessly. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, boys are of as much danger as compared to girls. As girls were given more attention, we forget that boys could also be victims of rapists. Hence it is obvious that boys should attend the sex education class too as the knowledge gained would be essential in the real life if anything happens. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:89.25pt">All in all, my stand remains strong and firm: Sex education should be taught in school. However, the burden on honing young minds in this area should not be placed entirely on school teachers but to be shared equally by the parents as the primary education of every child starts at home. Of course, syllabi which are age-appropriate have to be arranged. Let us ask ourselves this: Do we want our children to be taught that they were delivered by storks; or they be given the correct and relevant information? It is time for you to play the judge and decide if this new policy should be encouraged or condemned. </p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-80972551639696948412010-10-01T21:45:00.001-07:002010-10-01T21:45:58.440-07:00‘Traditional entertainment like wayang kulit and Chinese opera is rarely seen nowadays.’<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Discuss the causes of the decline as well as the steps to improve the situation. You should write at least 350 words.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Have you ever witnessed a Chingay parade? Participated in a highly entertaining match of congkak? Or perhaps watched a performance of the Sumazau dance? Malaysia, a nation rich in the diversity of cultures, offers us more than just those mentioned above. For us lucky citizens, we have pretty much been exposed to the variety of cultures around us since young; engulfing our lives with enriching experiences and fulfilling entertainment. If we explore the depths of our cultures thoroughly, we will see how resplendent values such as determination and innovation transformed the lives of our forefathers. Alas, what we get to enjoy now may not be available for our future generations. The reason? The decline in traditional entertainment among our community in recent years. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">There is no point in pointing fingers at each other with regards to this trend that is slowly diminishing the traditional entertainment from our lives. The most effective way to correct this landslide of popularity in traditional entertainment in our lives is by examining its cause and coming up with effective solutions to amend our mistakes of the past. It cannot be denied that the decrease in exposure of our cultures within the society among adults and youths is one of the main factors that accelerate our disregard towards the arts passed down from our forefathers’ era, decades or even centuries ago. Nowadays, the ancient knowledge created by our forefathers to amuse themselves in the boring old days without television and internet is in danger of being lost forever. Thus, it is of utmost importance for us to preserve the techniques and skills so as not to lose the arts we have been entrusted to by the older generations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">As we are aware, young minds nowadays are being corrupted by the hectic city lifestyle – all emphasis is being directed on scoring high grades in examinations. Following that, parents are sending their children for extra classes in addition to the strenuous school life and the young minds are exhausted at the end of the day. So how are they to participate in other activities when their minds are burnt out and their bodies weary? The government has to look into the education system and come up with a plan to cultivate all-rounded students, not only students who are able to memorize facts and formulae. In this context, bringing in traditional entertainment into the school extra-curricular syllabus would be celebrated as a brilliant move, killing two birds with one stone, by the government as it would ensure the students are being exposed to our cultures at a young age besides bringing up students who are able to think creatively and dynamically.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Next, we have to understand that the mass media plays a pivotal role in our lives. Everything is getting easier and easier in this era of science and technology. We can search for information by just a click of a button. Therefore, it can be concurred that to address this current issue, the mass media plays an important role. Events regarding traditional entertainment such as competitions should be given wide coverage by the press. For example, newspapers should publish news on large-scale happenings concerning traditional entertainment. It is no doubt that through the mass media, more people will be exposed to traditional entertainment and their interest in it built up. Publicity is an important aspect to excite one’s interest in an issue and with the correct amount of publicity, it is certain that traditional entertainment will be enjoyed by more people. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">In addition to that, the mindset of the people is another major issue. These days, people would rather become slaves over illusory assets to be bothered with traditional activities. In order to obtain fame and riches, they work, work and do more work. Hence, they feel that it is a hassle to go for ‘silat’ classes because working out on a treadmill machine for ten minutes makes them yield the same amount of benefit. Furthermore, teenagers now are addicted to computer games such as Defense of the Ancients (DotA) and Maple Story and would choose to spend hours of their time in front of the computer screen rather than to play a game of Chinese Chess. Thus, parents have to instill the belief in the mindset of their children that they should at least participate and possess the basic knowledge in traditional activities so as to be able to pass them down to the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It is obvious that the condition of the issue on hand is pretty bad. However, it can still be improved if drastic action is taken fast. Thus, to ameliorate the situation, we would have to look at all aspects regarding the issue on hand objectively. In a country rich in cultures and diversity, we have to preserve our traditional entertainment so as not to allow the efforts of our forefathers go to waste. Moreover, we should be aware and equipped with the knowledge for us to remember our roots as every culture and tradition is unique in its own way. Let us sustain and safeguard our traditions; and contribute to the building of a spectacular 1Malaysia. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-27389947307801433212010-09-25T08:19:00.000-07:002010-09-25T08:21:33.773-07:00My Idol<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Thousands of years of civilization have witnessed the coming and going of many great names; among them we’ve seen King Solomon, the wisest king of all time, Zinedine Zidane, the outstanding football maestro, and Florence Nightingale, who revolutionized our mindsets on nurses, not to mention the rest who have left their mark on history. Now, everyone should have a person whom they look to when they call for inspiration; one that makes them dream, and consequently reach for their dreams. We call them our idols. Who is yours? Take a guess at mine. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sit back and relax; enjoy this story.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When I was a child, I was a subject to much prejudice. I was fat. Some people might have been so kind to suggest that I was ‘chubby’ but no, I had to face reality. I was overweight. Obese. My so called friends laughed at me. The kids at the playground teased me and refused to play with me. They pulled my hair. They pinched my cheeks. The ‘Fatty’, they called me, bringing me to the brink of tears each and every time they did this. I was only a ten year-old; what did I do to deserve such treatment from them!? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Every time they pointed at me, pulled my hair, chanting the sobriquet they gave me as well, I would run home straightaway. I would hide in the darkest corner of my house and weep uncontrollably, until her warm and gentle hands wrapped around my shoulders. She would then pull me into a tight hug, stroking my head at the same time and whisper, ‘sweetheart, it’s alright.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was just a simple act, yet it was enough to make me stop crying. Yes, my mother has been the pillar of my strength since I was a little girl. She taught me that clothes do not make the man; a person’s appearance does not foreshow his abilities. She taught me to climb up where I fell, and hold my head up high, just to prove the critics wrong.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In the few years that followed, I began to observe mum more. Even though she was often busy with housework, she nevertheless did her utmost best to give us, her family, the best. When I was sick, she was there beside me. When I was hungry, I could always look forward to a hot meal on the table. When I was down, she was there to lend me her shoulder. She was the best mother ever, a devoted wife and a dutiful one.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Alas, this is not Hollywood. This is a small town, where good endings never occur. I took her for granted and abused the care she had for me. I screamed and shrieked and shouted at her, but she never once lost her temper towards me. Instead, she just hugged me tight until my tantrums subsided. I didn’t notice that she was getting more and more fragile. She got weaker and weaker by the day until one day; she collapsed in the living room.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The doctor diagnosed her as a patient of third stage leukemia. I was too young to know what leukemia was, but I could see her getting frailer. And that was a torture I could not describe with words. It was like being crucified on a burning cross; or being hit time and again by a spiked bludgeon. I began to surf the internet, to find ways for her cure as she lay fragile in the hospital. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She passed away on a cold and chilly morning. I was fifteen. Her parting words were, ‘Samantha, I’m sorry mummy couldn’t accompany you anymore. Be a good girl, and listen to daddy. Maybe you weren’t in time to cure mummy, but do amass enough knowledge, and save more people in the future, alright?’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I wiped the tears from my eyes. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In all honesty, despite the legions of great people whose stories inspired millions to bring out the very best in them, she was the one who provided me with the spark that ignited my passion to become a doctor. Being such a dutiful mother to me, her memory was the most vital asset on my obstacle-filled journey to achieve my goal. She was the foundation of my motivation, the source of my power and the fuel of my spirit. In the face of impediments, the memory of her was the only thing with the ability to generate my fortitude when I look directly at the jaws of defeat.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She is the force behind me; my strength. The one who guided me; my mentor – my idol. </span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-29532126800108217882010-09-22T02:41:00.000-07:002010-09-24T03:51:58.339-07:00No Smoking<p class="MsoNormal">I stopped my car in front of Kim’s Florist. How fast does time fly. Felicia likes the bouquets they sell most. She said they were much fresher, and were more elegantly arranged.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I chuckled under my breath. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I knew how she liked her flowers arranged. The colours had to be just nice, not too colourful nor too dull. The flowers have to be of the right size, and there must be at least nine violets. To symbolize September, the month we were both born. So sweet.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I walked into the florist. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today is her birthday. I remember this day, exactly twelve years ago, when I first met her. We both were taking our driving test. There she was, a sweet and cute girl, sobbing pitifully because she failed her test.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fast forward seven years, and there she was, being walked down the aisle with her father. All these were memories, distant but clear…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I paid for the bouquet, and turned to leave. Behind me, an old couple was having a heated argument. As I walked past them, I heard what they were saying.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">‘George, how many times must I tell you not to smoke!? Can you please not smoke!!?’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I stopped in my tracks. A tsunami of sadness crashed into me…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span>*<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>*</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Felicia was a sweet girl. She was good-tempered and patient, not to mention being very caring towards her friends and families. However, she whose father had passed away due to lung cancer was extremely stringent when it comes to smoking. Anyone who smoked in front of her would immediately get a severe tongue trashing. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Of course, there was an exception. Me. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She loved me so much that she would let me off the hook when I took one or two puffs. I told her I was trying to kick the habit, yet she didn’t know I was puffing away like nobody’s business at my workplace. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She did attempt to reason me out a few times, but I just laughed her words off.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Gilbert, can you please not smoke anymore?” she had asked me nicely but…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Erm Felicia, can you not play the piano?” I replied cheekily. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She grumbled but didn’t say anything more. I knew I would win; she gave in to me too much. Yet I didn’t feel elated at all. Something in her expression bothered me much. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">How I was to know that was the last time she would tell me not to smoke….</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In the few days that followed, I continued to smoke in the house. The feeling <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">was </b>heavenly. Have you ever filled your house with the sweet scent of burning tobacco before? Well, that was it. Alluring.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I smoked when I read the papers. When I watched football. And even when I ate. Felicia didn’t say anything and I felt guilty. However, I thought she was using the old ‘make-him-feel-guilty’ routine again. So I wasn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">that </i>perturbed by it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Until she collapsed at the dinner table.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Lung cancer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Why must every story end in the same way? Why? WHY!?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I could do nothing but to stay by her side for the remaining two months of her life. Seeing her lifeless body in the hospital ward, my heart was crushed. Into thousands, no, millions of pieces. Looking at her suffering I could never forgive myself, just for the fact that I was the one who brought death to her…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She passed away. During her final moments, she did all she could to keep me from being sad. Typical Felicia. Trying to give me the best even though she was suffering. I was in total agony, but I kept the smile plastered to my face. No, I didn’t want her to be sadder. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She told me she didn’t forbid me from smoking anymore. I couldn’t reply her. In spite of everything that made her body fragile and weak, she didn’t care about anything but to make me happy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I knew it was too late; that nothing I could have </span>done would bring her back again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">*<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>*</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I snapped out from my reverie. Turning to George, I said, ‘for you not to regret; for you not to harm your loved ones, don’t smoke.’</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never touched a cigarette since the day she collapsed on the dinner table. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Felicia, I love you.</span> </p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-46157701276272092882010-09-19T05:44:00.000-07:002010-09-19T05:46:15.202-07:00The Most Unforgettable Character I Have Ever Met<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">I could still remember the day it happened.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">So clear, like it had just happened yesterday. I guess it will be a part of me, the part which I would never forget no matter what.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">It was a Saturday, a day in which I was feeling depressed after losing in soccer match with nobody to talk to and no outlet to release my frustrations. The setting sun glowered at me, as if reprimanding me for being overly downcast, but even the knowledge that I will be having extra classes for English couldn't lift my spirits.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">I pushed the door open, as gently as I could so as not to show the class what my temper could do. The door still banged against the wall with a force enough to knock a person off his feet, so I wasn't surprised when my teacher gave me a scowl which I returned, only pleasantly.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Then my gaze focused onto the seat I usually occupied, and my scowl became uncharacteristically prominent. A new girl. Great. Occupying my usual seat. Even greater.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'<i>No!</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">' I told myself. I had to fight the strange urge to strangle her.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><i>I had to</i>. She wasn't worth it. I glared at the teacher, who glowered at me and instructed me to seat beside her. I did so grudgingly. Really, my blood was at its boiling point.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">I thought it would be polite if I could make up for any of my irrational behaviour so I offered her my hand.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">A surprised look, then a cold gaze. She stared at my hand for a full second, then she turned away.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><i><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Man, this is worse than hell.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'Sir, what's her name?'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">It was time to take drastic actions. Heh, I'm smart.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'Abigail. Sean, no flirting in my class though.'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'I won't'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Like I would flirt with people like</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><i>her</i>. I don't like unfriendly girls. They make my goosebumps excite.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">I stole a quick glance at her. Wow, nice scowl lady. You'd scare the daylight out of anybody who looks at you.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">The next two hours passed by so fast that I didn't even have the time to think about Abigail. All I could do was to finish my work as fast as possible and wait for half-past ten to arrive. All I wanted was the class to end soon. How cliche.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">As I was doodling on my paper, suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, the teacher clutched his chest and stood quite still. Then he collapsed.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">The silence that followed was one of the loudest I've heard in my life. A bloodcurdling scream broke the eerie silence and before I knew it, the room was filled with panic and shock.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Everyone seemed to have lost his or her head. There was a fair amount of screaming and then sobs could be heard. Annie Tan fainted. Junyang Ng vomited. As I surveyed the scene, I could not help but marvel at the only person who did not show signs of stress-Abigail.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">With a commanding voice, she yelled for the class to calm down. And with a sense of authority I could never have, she gave instructions. However, the shell-shocked students remained rooted to their seats and looked as though they couldn't understand English. She took an exasperated look around the room and finally decided to utilise my hidden potential to its fullest.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'CPR?' She said, grabbing my hand.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">At that instantaneous moment, I felt my heartbeat accelerate. Wow. Reflex reaction, I guessed. She gave me a small smile, and I felt my cheeks go hot. Another reflex reaction.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">I nodded briefly and I blew a lungful of air into the teacher's mouth. Ewww...his mouth tasted of cheese. High cholesterol. No wonder. I pumped at his heart. One, two, three, four.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Behind me, Abigail has called the ambulance.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'They're coming'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'Of course they are. Get Annie and Junyang out'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">'No I want to assist you'</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">My brain seemed to freeze. I couldn't think. I had to take a deep breath to steady myself. How unusual.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">For the next fourteen minutes, we didn't stop performing CPR on the teacher. It was tough but with her beside me, strangely enough, I didn't feel tired. I was prepared to do it the whole night.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">But the ambulance arrived. The defibrillator was used and they stretchered him to the hospital. Pushing the rue I felt to the back of my mind, I packed my bags and went home.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">After this incident, I totally changed my view of Abigail. She is kind-hearted and calm, not to mention being extremely knowledgeable and street-smart. Her ability to take control of a situation has greatly impressed me and thus she tops the list as the most unforgettable character I have ever met.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-64809500300548189282010-05-08T09:15:00.000-07:002010-05-08T22:31:47.349-07:00For the JB AC, 2010Memories don't come easily.<br /><br />If you didn't work for the memories, you wouldn't be deserving of them; at least, that's my mentality regarding memories. Every great success begins with the manifestation of an opportunity, but how did that opportunity get there?<br /><br />It is there as the result of hard work. Your hard work.<br /><br />Organising memories has never been easy. Not when you've had experienced many things; seen much, done much. Especially when you're a perfectionist and whatever you do would be remembered for long.<br /><br />Today, I bring you my story/experience with my friends.<br /><br />We start in 2008, when I was a rather unknown guy. One who has got nothing to show, nothing to shout about. In a nutshell: Just another average student. A forgettable one.<br /><br />Then, as a new prefect recruit, I was participating enthusiastically in every event which was held by the prefectorial board, hoping to strike a good impression in my seniors (which, eventually I would find out that I didn't succeed). So I went to the then biannual camp, which was held in Kem Kaizen.<br /><br />That was the place which I first got to know them. My juniors.<br /><br />The first time I got a <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> close contact with them was when we were choosing places to sleep. Then, we had 41 people in that room and to save space, 5 of us (Justin Low, Edwin Ho, Lim Mao Fong, Nabil and I) decided to sleep on two mattresses. It was a tight squeeze but nevertheless fun.<br /><br />Then, as the activities commenced, I got to mix with them; I got to know them. To remember the night-walk, in which Edwin, Justin, Lim and I walked together (oh Lim, thanks for your shoulder). To remember the obstacle course where Justin fell off the monkey bar, and Lim sitting on the raft(gondola) I steered. Priceless. Not to mention Lim's dream about Mr.Chew snoring when the siren/alarm sounded to wake us up.<br /><br />Moving on, we have the memories of the epic drama journey to speak of the time we spent together. Most of my time was spent chopping trees down and stuff but we managed to had a few laughs here and there.<br /><br />Shafiq, with his Silat moves as Panglima Gagak Hitam.<br />Edwin, with his skirt and the RM4xx sword.<br />Keshan's deep voice made him a stern spirit of the Ring.<br />Justin, bearded and all, looked like a very evil Jin.<br />And of course, Lim the Batman and his gun + Batman sticker on his shirt.<br /><br />I now wish that I could attend a few more of their practice sessions but no, I couldn't.<br /><br />A friendship isn't built through marchings and cases and theory and all. It's built from the love among the individuals, sustained by the sheer willpower of the friends, and enhanced through the constant care for the other ones.<br /><br />If there's one thing I'd remember throughout my life in my tenure as an Editor of the LDDS, it would be the production of Graffiti '10. (Ash, you reading this?)<br />Anyway Lim submitted a couple of quality articles which got published. Totally superb. In addition to that, Justin co-wrote an article with me. About the importance of sleep.<br />And one guy whom I would remember is: Edwin, who didn't submit his poem despite assuring me it would come.<br /><br />Guess that didn't exactly help my stress level.<br /><br /><br />There were a lot of things which we have gone through together. Being with friends gives me the pleasure and energy to carry on my duties with extra zest and being with them truly has helped me much. In them I see confidence, diligence, teamwork and many more.<br /><br />And I believe these values would carry them far.<br /><br />I have the faith, and I shall keep it. Although the journey has been abruptly stopped, they will rise as phoenixes do, rise from the ashes, and keep the flag flying high. Although I might've left the place, I know that they will do me proud, my friends.<br />This post is dedicated to EC AC '10.<br /><br />There is still a myriad of memories still buried in the depths of my mind, but let them rest; us who remember will never let them be forgotten.<br /><br />I'm grateful to have them as my juniors, my friends. Let's hope the chance arises again. All the best for now.Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-44134155758139477682010-04-27T18:45:00.000-07:002010-04-27T20:37:34.943-07:002010 State Level First Aid and Nursing Competition - JohorWell, the 2010 State-Level First Aid and Nursing Competition went on <span style="font-style: italic;">as planned</span> and a hearty congratulations to all the victors, especially to the team JB people who have once and again proved that we are the best!<br /><br />This year, we managed to have three winners in the theory category.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf2OKHi4otCJtEWD4ch-rxMY334H2FPbpYdySqMvJZ-5_gFaLTaacnyonh9gKytp3U_gZp5NXARuWfzJnpCYaLpDwLej89NsWKQKz39wU6Zp9zAZI45PcHJBKVViIWrQ1ysfMdm_HbILd/s1600/P4250021+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf2OKHi4otCJtEWD4ch-rxMY334H2FPbpYdySqMvJZ-5_gFaLTaacnyonh9gKytp3U_gZp5NXARuWfzJnpCYaLpDwLej89NsWKQKz39wU6Zp9zAZI45PcHJBKVViIWrQ1ysfMdm_HbILd/s320/P4250021+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465001531033349186" border="0" /></a>Yeo Lee Kee for the Nursing Cadets,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn9osnolWN675YYHfWoYrgSkqw5kCfKqsvEH8mQZiAt0qB2gi8dq9rear7lzWY09-AZXOM5kg0FXr-DXPAQVz2Jhjcyhee7FIi7MyAcwRtOzd_1NhAWFurbfS-of6jZIwu1jrYw4eOinn/s1600/P4250024+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn9osnolWN675YYHfWoYrgSkqw5kCfKqsvEH8mQZiAt0qB2gi8dq9rear7lzWY09-AZXOM5kg0FXr-DXPAQVz2Jhjcyhee7FIi7MyAcwRtOzd_1NhAWFurbfS-of6jZIwu1jrYw4eOinn/s320/P4250024+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465001526527023330" border="0" /></a>Lim Mao Fong for the Ambulance Cadets; and<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVajIrJmvI9konb4mRRiup-RuJbiYpWoaFSDAwUZ3KsYciNMI1I_C2QrQsLeW7dHwfQA3SqWFzAAUuiCQfKaE4MPj6OM9NsKJlo4qS_MgZj5VoL4YE37NM_Aq7Cyv9Bx0wDA1wnrSR0kL5/s1600/P4250023+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVajIrJmvI9konb4mRRiup-RuJbiYpWoaFSDAwUZ3KsYciNMI1I_C2QrQsLeW7dHwfQA3SqWFzAAUuiCQfKaE4MPj6OM9NsKJlo4qS_MgZj5VoL4YE37NM_Aq7Cyv9Bx0wDA1wnrSR0kL5/s320/P4250023+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465001514260447250" border="0" /></a>Khau Yu Ning for the Nursing Adults.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, a big hand has to go to Chia Li Xin who was the 1st runner-up in the Nursing Cadet Category, as well as Liew Jun Jia who was the third in the Ambulance Adult Category not to mention the rest of the winners from the other districts.<br /><br />Then let's give another round of applause to those who did well overall!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlbuOGgII9B2OaXbMovFaA3JrrTG7vY090A8dT8Qu9ktvcp6pbKm0Lt4axE1Nm0eRhFaDCGJIJ80CrKUPVbQPyICCcVgWQXWNJvXDsscG5qSCd6qEwxwY6EmSCEAL67NOmHAt8VY0m-gm/s1600/P4250051+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlbuOGgII9B2OaXbMovFaA3JrrTG7vY090A8dT8Qu9ktvcp6pbKm0Lt4axE1Nm0eRhFaDCGJIJ80CrKUPVbQPyICCcVgWQXWNJvXDsscG5qSCd6qEwxwY6EmSCEAL67NOmHAt8VY0m-gm/s320/P4250051+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465009597832899602" border="0" /></a>The Nursing Cadets!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2pmN5vje5JRoImCt9fhLUhxz5XqbA0_8AtitN8sAH7xuGsLKNaxBeCsk3BE0Z-zWrSYrL8mAUJLqRHuW5Mch3x6xF3Z2DKNuvxbjc2T5Q_g0bcGfhFaEQJzxW_Y8PtIeqY1I7JecVTnm/s1600/P4250053+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2pmN5vje5JRoImCt9fhLUhxz5XqbA0_8AtitN8sAH7xuGsLKNaxBeCsk3BE0Z-zWrSYrL8mAUJLqRHuW5Mch3x6xF3Z2DKNuvxbjc2T5Q_g0bcGfhFaEQJzxW_Y8PtIeqY1I7JecVTnm/s320/P4250053+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465009609268002114" border="0" /></a>The Nursing Adults!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp6tvDEyY24BBHvFTUIgzB7Cu28oX9rMFnl-Hon75uO2-ROiQeVpH4ZDGvl_9b0B5-bcRC7L_M_lV8u2XCAYCi5yolMTpV5bXmyKa_FsBUzfqXk2-AfBYwadAwtGN89BmiY5KB8sUzazu/s1600/P4250057+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp6tvDEyY24BBHvFTUIgzB7Cu28oX9rMFnl-Hon75uO2-ROiQeVpH4ZDGvl_9b0B5-bcRC7L_M_lV8u2XCAYCi5yolMTpV5bXmyKa_FsBUzfqXk2-AfBYwadAwtGN89BmiY5KB8sUzazu/s320/P4250057+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465011234560780290" border="0" /></a>The Ambulance Adults!!<br />and.............<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF2K24MWEZPZNsSurF3pL1BPnY9WfYBMawZI2dCuwAbhJMxwZbN9YVb5iqHcThz6l79Ybypi0C6NL5Nv41AvNeNhP0tb2Yf0FJkN39_NUoBJsQ5NviyGFikSiN-xOklZXg9Ols7GGfZIk/s1600/P4250056+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF2K24MWEZPZNsSurF3pL1BPnY9WfYBMawZI2dCuwAbhJMxwZbN9YVb5iqHcThz6l79Ybypi0C6NL5Nv41AvNeNhP0tb2Yf0FJkN39_NUoBJsQ5NviyGFikSiN-xOklZXg9Ols7GGfZIk/s320/P4250056+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465011225283742194" border="0" /></a>a big hand to the gallant losers, our Ambulance Cadets!!!<br /><br />May they bounce back with more zest next year and claim the Dato' Lee Kong Chian Singapore Gold Challenge Trophy as their own. The greatest achievement lies in acquiring knowledge and the greatest pleasure lies in spreading knowledge. Remember that, guys, and go for greatness.<br /><br />2011 will be your year the way 2009 was ours.<br />And Lim, win back what I won.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, let's hope the best for the rest. To our AA, NA and NC, get the C.I.C. Cup back to JB for a glamorous quadruple. To the Segamat AC team, you'd better prove yourselves to be better than us.<br /><br />There is a month and a half before the Nationals, so let's sit back and relex. Meanwhile, enjoy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQkotYaxCTVd7EerNMilJ3EznBrHIoYLqOMCcf848rsNMz8iWuf9pKdWSnqEACFsxTdh0tPxQrOmrUyfPZ_fKBvw3bgbUEV_obWoBnqPrX86BpUXOE8HdeLC83crL45XMq516-njfUU7N/s1600/yong+peng+high+school.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQkotYaxCTVd7EerNMilJ3EznBrHIoYLqOMCcf848rsNMz8iWuf9pKdWSnqEACFsxTdh0tPxQrOmrUyfPZ_fKBvw3bgbUEV_obWoBnqPrX86BpUXOE8HdeLC83crL45XMq516-njfUU7N/s320/yong+peng+high+school.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019478546131314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8Uwv4I1TGqzNlowyKuVG56xlRcdcm6-n8ZVEIHU3Cp0Pg2mf2JMdSo61BIWOjAdIlq8OrQGPnnacuNNMv-igdHptnnqKjmUPgNNU6BJhfizJegCwsazngjIH-qbsciXOxLQ-H0jhjgUp/s1600/muar.jpg"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OP8baZwvpeYxas0j37Qe6nn0rWGUd0HQjBUYzdGh-080Vza1aps_ZKj_aggvJJrtiwZa6tG3ms3Sf9nFYbH51woWOgmaP2YJCZRibi-RxwWCqiOhTFOj5A4QofN7CovR4gF8vtNAQtve/s320/praying.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465017713402061330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCncssda4Cbma1okZzQxu7OGWvYPJe0agS_ZjpaOP_rJsgjPBr5gaRkDfiAlOkPp-yijMjO5aloNedw3lzJvNKv3MxYc8Axqmr2_cjSTRJKYv0C-t3SZoLAA7dNIBbM5wZmlwl6MCQKle/s1600/theory.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCncssda4Cbma1okZzQxu7OGWvYPJe0agS_ZjpaOP_rJsgjPBr5gaRkDfiAlOkPp-yijMjO5aloNedw3lzJvNKv3MxYc8Axqmr2_cjSTRJKYv0C-t3SZoLAA7dNIBbM5wZmlwl6MCQKle/s320/theory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465017725438262002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYISb5mZjkVwQ4uIEi20YMpE4jaDwc8kWPQ4o3c-vHIprbnDL9XObReXWZ4AvUVqRrkdTRsy3wAiRHVaQqy3fqxtR3odYOn4k6O-AAiPsBsp2km_57Q_CxcrlaXe3KDvhN8_K02rHLntT/s1600/nursing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYISb5mZjkVwQ4uIEi20YMpE4jaDwc8kWPQ4o3c-vHIprbnDL9XObReXWZ4AvUVqRrkdTRsy3wAiRHVaQqy3fqxtR3odYOn4k6O-AAiPsBsp2km_57Q_CxcrlaXe3KDvhN8_K02rHLntT/s320/nursing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019495803361602" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xL5ADpUxEdOG49wTWB8T5OlodceajI9crCfgvzMHNMz62cXIC_cXWoThbVyz2JWhSE5PHwcMQgLfGxX5pmpvpgsVr4cx7_58e2nDVnGau02b-fBMgcVoNTd3wWbsbYIpOxsUC8kRhTpm/s1600/long+case.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xL5ADpUxEdOG49wTWB8T5OlodceajI9crCfgvzMHNMz62cXIC_cXWoThbVyz2JWhSE5PHwcMQgLfGxX5pmpvpgsVr4cx7_58e2nDVnGau02b-fBMgcVoNTd3wWbsbYIpOxsUC8kRhTpm/s320/long+case.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019485219055506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR4DKa2oLR2Ivvo2r6-d9QKOg6B_BeChX5h_hUDyBwoKCMZD0KXtGp7kjktkkK0k-b1zujERZdfBkCC9tOVQj2cjja-bHVvD3B2e4TA5zSUzhatXP_GguVYuj1hUMooDTY5yWVxV25GYU/s1600/short+case.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR4DKa2oLR2Ivvo2r6-d9QKOg6B_BeChX5h_hUDyBwoKCMZD0KXtGp7kjktkkK0k-b1zujERZdfBkCC9tOVQj2cjja-bHVvD3B2e4TA5zSUzhatXP_GguVYuj1hUMooDTY5yWVxV25GYU/s320/short+case.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019511443520034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjXHlVp1DstMVNStHYFtD6UElDpFMhSQrwaCsVS9oBPg9-C3bGrR1ZP9tP8Q5Xxy6hINJ9Y2AhEmipeEA88d4E-vCJ_7jg8Ozxm7KLaCGhDzURhnRt4EGwmOlNpY2zB7ekmU1dd3zUYpU/s1600/marching.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjXHlVp1DstMVNStHYFtD6UElDpFMhSQrwaCsVS9oBPg9-C3bGrR1ZP9tP8Q5Xxy6hINJ9Y2AhEmipeEA88d4E-vCJ_7jg8Ozxm7KLaCGhDzURhnRt4EGwmOlNpY2zB7ekmU1dd3zUYpU/s320/marching.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019501406362370" border="0" /></a>We'll be back next year, bigger, stronger and better!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8hlTbKF-WWX5HPDHTJBhObsxHkqxbkSwxR9E-F9ZBVr1_Jx3GIjPPJ8DaI575z0oNnCIeglUAGXGOxM_vTLXf4Cj3PParkHzEUuEnOsagAR0Q8_zUuAki3xU81mAJvu9tlcfTY9LlsGf/s1600/z1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8hlTbKF-WWX5HPDHTJBhObsxHkqxbkSwxR9E-F9ZBVr1_Jx3GIjPPJ8DaI575z0oNnCIeglUAGXGOxM_vTLXf4Cj3PParkHzEUuEnOsagAR0Q8_zUuAki3xU81mAJvu9tlcfTY9LlsGf/s320/z1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465026854814488978" border="0" /></a>And we start preparing now.<br /></div></div></div></div></div>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-21515678076842042172010-04-22T20:23:00.000-07:002010-04-23T01:53:01.523-07:0025/4/2010As it seems so, the achievements of a person determines his success.<br />Reality places certificates and trophies above everything else.<br />And so everyone competes for success in order to be real.<br /><br />Non-reality places skills and knowledge, thinking skills and mental capabilities above all.<br />Sadly, no one gives a damn about it.<br /><br />As everyone sets their eyes on the acclaimed prize, many neglected the most important things they obtained: <span style="font-weight: bold;">The things they learnt throughout the process</span>.<br /><br />There was a topic for debate which I encountered, back in my younger days: 'Which is more important, the process or the results?'<br />The gridlock(stalemate) of words regarding the issue is concrete evidence that reality and non-reality gives us two separate insights into the community's mentality. One supports a materialistic mindset while the other goes all out for a more relaxing, laid-back approach to life.<br /><br />Anyway, one thing which is completely true is that: whenever you attempt something in your life, go all out and leave no space for regrets. And that is what I would say for the JB contingent that is going to Yong Peng early on Sunday morning for the State-Level First Aid and nursing Competition.<br /><br />To the participants:<br />All the best and don't hope for luck.<br /><br />There is nothing more I can say.<br /><br />Be it this place where you do your first act as a family.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDXv3gF_SN9PLJxrc3lqGLqet8u-qyyv-QHkem45EB0Bx1fBZv0wgoPrW1qaX2PvQ9QTTjau6urBX79jKNAs1zuruXf5GQ8aDe56nlAG9BQSKyi8C_VOcg0yMeSkwc7JL00Q9MdH9NDi/s1600/22432_263714562301_263711552301_3191696_5907741_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDXv3gF_SN9PLJxrc3lqGLqet8u-qyyv-QHkem45EB0Bx1fBZv0wgoPrW1qaX2PvQ9QTTjau6urBX79jKNAs1zuruXf5GQ8aDe56nlAG9BQSKyi8C_VOcg0yMeSkwc7JL00Q9MdH9NDi/s320/22432_263714562301_263711552301_3191696_5907741_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463168618535278274" border="0" /></a>Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-35144386319426963352010-04-12T18:51:00.000-07:002010-04-15T20:42:03.088-07:00The Five Men in BlackThere was no breeze in the air that afternoon on the streets of Pelangi, nor any hint that a thunderstorm was on its way to ravage the little town; just the typical Malaysian hot weather casting its charm over the lands of Johor.<br /><br />Zahid Dolah shifted the bag on his shoulders and prepared to cross the road. This road, as he knew it, was a dangerous place to be at, due to the number of accidents that had occurred throughout the years. He looked at his watch and cursed the unrelenting traffic. He was late for tuition, again.<br /><br />There were neither pedestrian crossings nor overhead bridges to aid his goal of crossing the busy road. He waited for another moment, before finally giving up. Turning his back to the road, he decided to have lunch before mounting another attempt to conquer that road filled with never-ending traffic.<br /><br />As he passed by a shop, his peripheral vision detected something that made him do a double take. It was a pencil. An unusual pencil, one that has a curved plastic handle and which is double the length of any <span style="font-style: italic;">ordinary</span> pencil. It was a dream come true for Zahid, for a pencil that special would garner him the attention he craved so much.<br /><br />All of a sudden, he heard a dull thud of metal on flesh. Zahid, too absorbed in his thoughts, did not think much about it until he turned around and saw a crowd gathering at the side of the road.<br /><br />Not even pausing for a second to think, he rushed to the place where the crowd was forming. There lay a woman, in her mid-forties, whose consciousness was deteriorating fast. One moment she was able to moan for her son, and then she couldn't do anything but to mutter incomprehensible words to herself.<br /><br />The woman's son, a teenager about the age of Zahid, was kneeling helplessly at the side of his mother. He had a few scratches here and there, but he looked unscathed otherwise. He was shocked though, judging by the expression on his face. Another old lady say by the side of the road, supporting a bruised leg.<br /><br />The crowd was getting bigger by the minute, but nobody seemed to know what to do. Zahid's tears came running down his face. He could not help it. And then he saw them.<br /><br />They came with pageantry, with a kind of beauty.<br /><br />It was the kind of scene in which the slow motion technology would be used in Hollywood to maximise the emphasis on the importance of these people. Confidence was evident in their gait, and Zahid knew at once, that the injured women would be saved.<br /><br />With a commanding tone, the one who seemed to be the leader told the crowd to not panic. To quote him, ' We know what we are going to do. Please step back so to let us do our jobs well.'<br /><br />The leader delegated jobs to his friends and they sped off without further ado. Concentration etched on his face, he bent down and tapped the semiconscious woman's shoulders,' Sir, sir, are you alright?'<br /><br />There was a minimal amount of laughter. In his haste to help the woman, he addressed her inappropriately by mistake. However, despite his blunder, firmness was present in his help for the woman so nobody laughed out loud.<br /><br />Zahid was really impressed with him. He could never make such a blunder and yet continue what he was doing with a straight face. He turned his attention to the rest of the men in black.<br /><br />A guy with really small eyes was talking to a phone. That's it! Why didn't Zahid think of that!? Calling an ambulance was within his means but he had panicked and didn't know what to do. There was a bespectacled guy who looked like Harry Potter carrying a first aid kit box, sprinting out from the school opposite the road at a breakneck speed. Zahid could have done that too.<br /><br />Zahid was impressed beyond words. They really knew what they were doing.<br /><br />Following that, the five men were all over the place, helping the victims clean their wounds. Bandaging the exposed injuries. Judging by their voices, they could only be fifteen or sixteen years old! How did they know how to do such things which most adults don't know of?<br /><br />Just then, the semiconscious woman threw up. The leader gave a sharp bark of command and all his members were at his side at once. They turned her sideways and wiped away the discharged from her mouth. Her condition improved a little just then, and her eyelids fluttered. The son, clearly still in a state of shock, scrambled to her side at once. Relief filled his face, and he told her to hang in there.<br /><br />The ambulance arrived about twenty minutes after the call was made, by which Zahid was feeling rather impatient. The way the paramedics lifted the semiconscious woman was extremely rough and showed the level of care they have for the woman was miserable. In fact, the leader of the Men in Black protested and offered to place the woman onto the stretcher but the paramedics didn't care and just lifted the woman indifferently.<br /><br />As the other female victim went off to a nearby clinic, and the son went on the ambulance with his mother, the crowd dispersed off gradually. A few people congratulated the five men and shook their hands. Zahid wanted to do so as well; however, the leader shouted that they were late and they jogged off, leaving Zahid with the regret of not being knowledgeable enough to help them,<span style="font-style: italic;"> yet</span>.<br /><br />And so Zahid promised himself, one day, one day, he will be able to work alongside the five men in black. And he will be working hard, waiting for that day to come.Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899279017819712155.post-10554491159273604042010-04-11T22:29:00.000-07:002011-07-06T07:42:14.246-07:00There Is More To Come.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRHlYOT1V9HLj2ombySj3WtK8LFMpy7HqaqhP2C_hIO-eZL4UXHAFJy3YSxKrU8gXzIr-djINb9yCZPpdDyAnPqYyjbFvew8GMDc4JDiO3idz_wsuTOZm8mm9viAf0gZWNtIvAladFjmX/s1600/24314_1130950454021_1835050184_241060_3188446_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRHlYOT1V9HLj2ombySj3WtK8LFMpy7HqaqhP2C_hIO-eZL4UXHAFJy3YSxKrU8gXzIr-djINb9yCZPpdDyAnPqYyjbFvew8GMDc4JDiO3idz_wsuTOZm8mm9viAf0gZWNtIvAladFjmX/s320/24314_1130950454021_1835050184_241060_3188446_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459122897019777458" border="0" /></a>Kaltxi, frapo. Peyfa si nga si? Siltsan trr ne nga.<br /></div><br />Oh, I'm so sorry. I did so forget that we are not on Pandora. Do forgive me for that mistake. I've been speaking Na'vi for too long and well...English...is so troublesome with grammar and all that. A rough translation for the greeting would be,'Hello, everyone. How do you do? Good day to you.'<br /><br />Yes indeed, welcome, to my blog that has yet to be named.<br /><br />Names has always been problematic if you are the sort that emphasises perfection. Now I may not be that sort but I would surely love a name that is quirky and also easy on the eye.<br /><br />Who doesn't?<br /><br />Thus the name of this blog is undefined, and so I'll leave it as it is for the time being. Until something great or just decent pops up in my head.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw0v0xLGtdAVurtUJkLjG-5i4rWD1pOrwE9TCHsWJRZLO8kCs5zBXGin40f05z0rKJ-2dWTRQSNPlsu7_1ss6F1GSVCDn2cv1pfHe37PIKVPmOxQMxU9LvvBL023upBXqiCrY3X9s_gjw/s1600/gasp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJw0v0xLGtdAVurtUJkLjG-5i4rWD1pOrwE9TCHsWJRZLO8kCs5zBXGin40f05z0rKJ-2dWTRQSNPlsu7_1ss6F1GSVCDn2cv1pfHe37PIKVPmOxQMxU9LvvBL023upBXqiCrY3X9s_gjw/s320/gasp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459122021010809746" border="0" /></a><br />There is no reason to be stuck in this state of shock. Fear not as a name worth remembering will arise soon. And may this blog which is currently under construction be one great one, spreading word about the activities I participate in.<br />Till then.Seanniethumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556783596982675351noreply@blogger.com0