I finally have some time to blog, to say something close to my heart. About something that refuses to go away. I've always thought that nostalgia is a good thing, connecting one with the past. Now, it is becoming something of a nuisance. I might as well talk about it, hopefully these will put my frustrations to rest.
Last Saturday, went back to BVSS for the annual UG campfire. Actually met up with Shan Leong, Firdaus, Nabil, Seng Wei and Arif at SAFRA Tampines beforehand, but I wanted to change into my NPCC shirt (for the sentimental value). Too bad there was no time left when I got to Bedok Interchange on my way home, FML. All I could do was to meet up with my UG friends in school (including the ones mentioned in that fucking long list up there). Everything felt so natural in there, the school's layout, the people, the teachers... Unlike TJC, not that the school sucks or anything like that. It's just that...it feels so alienating.
After 4 years in a neighbourhood school, where academics are not all A's, minor successes become major victories, facilities are not perfect, and the personalities are varied. Going to the 5th best JC (I think) can be compared to a rural teen moving into a metropolis after winning the lottery. The memories as a Bedok Viewian still haunt me furiously. Perhaps I am too used to the simple life. With the lack of, and the "not giving a shit" type of attitude for activities and opportunities and stuff offered in TJ. A month + already and I am still trying to get used to things. Better sort myself out, pronto.
The lifestyle change is not the only one screwing shit up for me. My friends and the people I've become accustomed to. Be it the 15 or so squadmates in my beloved NPCC squad. Arif, Bhalaji, Crystal, Ding Wen, Firdaus, Hazirah, Jie Ting, Kian Cheng, Nabil, Nooraini, Sariza, Seng Wei, Shan Leong and finally Syafiq. Whose presence made my 4 years in NPCC a memorable one.
Or Benjamin, Matin, Wei Rong, Xun Jie, Jia Wei, Hong Yu, Tien Ee, Edmund and all those buggers whom I frequently hung out with as friends from 2E2 '08, with the not so great Sec 2 camp, BV bazaar, and even after the class broke up after streaming. The gatherings at Ben's place, Xun Jie's appendicitis, the swimming sessions we had in '09, '10, they will never be forgotten.
Not forgetting the wonderful people in 3E2/4E2 '10, be it the small but fun 'clique' that was the Pure Geog class to the jocks whom I sometimes hung out with, ranging from Hazwan to Jasper, Hafiz to Ryan, Pei Qing to Jia Ling and loads more. Plus those schoolmates from other classes during History or those MT lessons in which we slept (3rd worst class, 2009) or slacked (3rd best class, 2010).
And I must include under pain of death, my small band of nerds, Isaac, Nobel, Yan Zhong and See Cheng (a long suffering buddy of mine (and vice versa) of 4 years), with the occasional presence of Chun Kiat, the 'dog' which we all adored [and despised ;) ]
Yet, there are a few others I have to include in this post (even if it is now a long-winded P.O.S), those special few people, Josephine (Jo Jo, Bad Jojo or Nanny), Jezebel (from whom a violent reaction is triggered whenever a sleeve is pulled), Mitchell (that 'special', hyperactive one), Hui Ting, the one whom I didn't really know at first and Joshua, the pianist. They aren't the closest of friends, but they have a special place in my heart.
And how about the Juniors, be it from NPCC, RDA and so on, or even the seniors? The UG friends we have made over time and over inter-CCA rivalries? They count too!
They may not be the brightest, the most cool tempered, the most urbane, the most enthusiastic, the what-so-fucking-ever of students, but they mean a lot to me, and that's what matters. I miss being enthusiastic for NPCC trainings, I miss hanging out with my NPCC comrades at the bubble tea shop behind the school, I miss having lunch with my schoolmates at tuition, I miss slacking in MT after my chinese O'levels, I miss all these and more. Since TJC is near Bedok View, I might be able to have a look around, or perhaps get a bite or two in the places I used to hang out in, but there will not be any Bhalaji or Isaac, Nobel or Yan Zhong, or See Cheng for company.
Right now, if I was given the opportunity to relive those experiences again, I would be willing to sacrifice another 4 years of my life. Sounds extreme? Perhaps, but you are not in my shoes.
The only problem is that that opportunity will never come. I am left with only memories, recollections, blog entries, photographs and the occasional video recordings. Are they proper substitutes for experiences? Hell no! Unfortunately, they are the only ones I have left. All I can do now is to get used to it and get on with life, like the rest of humanity. These experiences and memories have brought me this far, better not fail them now.
Whew! Finally got that off my chest. Now I've homework to do. And I doubt many will see this in the 1st place. Perhaps I might have a different view of things 10+ years down the road, and even after JC, only time will tell.
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