CRYING seems to be something that was closely connected to me.  My grandmother used to tell me that I cried a lot when I was a baby. Imagine I would rather be caned then to go to school.  I was then still a "piece of lean meat", so those cane strokes definitely had opened the faucet from my eyes..... I even cried a few times in class, once when the ink toppled on my almost completed art piece when I was taking my Sec. 2 Art Exam.  Next, was after a Physics Common Test in Sec. 3 to find that I had forgotten all the answers that I had studied till 3.00am the night before. (Lesson I learnt here: Study smart and hard for a perfect score; study hard for a pass, study smart for a chance).   

I hated schools when I was young.  My mum would have to bring me to the KINDERGARTEN and stood by the little wooden window for the whole of 2 hours.  If she walked away, I would cry.  Not like a small timid rat but a wild animal-like.  This also applied to my Primary One days.... To think about it, I must have been very dehydrated since the contribution of my body fluids must be enough to fill up an Olympic swimming pool.  

I had a very fierce form teacher when I was in PRIMARY SIX.  He had to keep his 3-in-1 canes in another teacher's cabinet so that it would not be easily accessed (or else, I think the boys in our class would be a garden of bottom "flowers" by the time we took our PSLE) since he caned right onto the fleshy buttocks.  The girls were not spared the humiliation either. If he was frustrated or irritated, the order of group punishment of kneeling outside the girls' toilet with hands crossed to pull our ears will be discharged.  Imagine the stares that we received from fellow schoolmates, juniors and the teachers.... we were already 12 years old and some of us were even the school prefects... Anyone had suffered that kind of indignity before?

I didn't study very hard during those early years.  Too late to lament now but I must say that other activities that I engaged myself in then, would have been a consolation that I did not waste my prime days away.  

When I was in SECONDARY SCHOOL, I spent a lot of time and energy in a uniformed group that I joined:- Saint John Ambulance Bridage.  Those four years of Extra Curricular Activities had played a very important part in what I am today too.  

First Aids, Home Nursing and Footdrills were what we were taught.  But on top of that, it was the training camps that were held every twice a year that I enjoyed most.  Under the strict training of the officers, we went through training like water discipline (not allow to drink any drop of water after many hours of footdrills under the hot sun).  Those trainings were very tough 'cos we were one of the best national schoolteams in Singapore (not boasting, see for yourselves below).

  See us in those smart and hard-starched uniforms. (thumbnail, click to see)

  The bravery test of 2.5m jump (click to see)

Once, we had to jump down from a 2.5 metres high roof in the school compound as a bravery test. I almost gave up after many failed attempts.  But my inner struggle of not wanting to be defeated by this test finally won. That jump surely left a deep print on the garden soil that my classmate even came to know about it a week later when school term started.  After that experience, I knew I can do many things that I would have thought my physique is a hindrance.

_FRIENDS    

THE GREATEST SHOW OF FRIENDSHIP BEGINS WITH THE SMALLEST ACT OF KINDNESS.

School, of course must have classmates. I am thankful till today that I had a good bunch of them.  Not that they were perfect, but the very fact, we grew together for the 4 most crucial and formatting part of our life....spiritually, mentally, emotionally, intelligently...physically also.  We shared little secrets, had our very own "Lau Di Fan", giving nicknames to teachers and even paired and teased them!

I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this short poem to 2 of my classmates who had made an impact in my life (though they may not be seeing this at all).  So be kind always, you never know when you are touching people around you and made a difference in their lives.  

Siew Khim: you were the first person that I made friend with in my first day in Secondary School.  And that friendship actually brought us so close for the next 4 years, that I almost spent most of time studying in your home during examinations period.  You were sincere and frank though equally hot-tempered as me. You taught me what it meant to give in even if you were not in the wrong, as both parties would benefit from it.

Nancy: I want to thank you for your sincere care, you took on that sharing that afternoon after Sec. 3 mid-year examinations and prayed for me. I think the greatest gift that you have given to me was to introduce the greatest FRIEND into my life.

Especially for :-

  Ms TAN SIEW KHIM  &  Ms NANCY TEO:

It is only the great hearted who can be true friends ..........  

......... The mean and cowardly can never know what true friendship means.

                                                                                                                                                            ...Charles Kingsley

An earnest welcome of freedom for those TERTIARY DAYS , but also a daily headache of what to wear (since no more uniforms to put on).  Attending a lecture of more than 100 people when the lecturer might not even notice you at all as compared to the closely-monitored eyes of the teacher in earlier education.  A continuous 5 hours learning versus a time-table with empty slots...  All those were so refreshing for a uniformed student then.  Those were also the years that a group of us would regularly hang around the campus' Orchard Road and "ogled politely" at the opposite sex. ha..ha.. 

It was a good training ground for me to speak boldly before a group of audiences (my groupmates) too.  I think 'cos of my height (others need to look up to me), it was easier for me to delegate duties & responsibilities during those class parties, BBQ....hence indirectly an exposure for leadership training.  

Let me share one workshop scenario:-  we were grouped in twos for our practical session.  One particular lab session, we were supposed to tighten a very heavy cabinet on the wall with some wirings to be done inside the box, believed it or not, it was my teammate (a guy) who had to do the tightening of those bolts and nut because my fingers were too clumsy for those internal components. I ended up doing a guy's job by holding onto the cabinet. The other teams found it so amusing as we were the only pair who was having this reversal role for that practice.

Good and truthful friends brought me through my tender stage to face life's up and down as I joined the working force.  Be sincere and truthful, they had taught me. It has been one of my principles in life, not just towards friendship, but in my workplace too, and a basic requirement in maintaining family ties.

So for those young ones reading my story now, don't be too excited to rush into "adult businesses", they are not meant for you at this age.  Go and enjoy and worked out like a teenager should have and you will know how much good it will have on you as you grow older.

See what My Friends and Teachers said about me.