Longest thank you note ever...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I know it’s been a long time but blogging seems to be a fad that has faded away from my life. I will now use it to post extremely significant things happening in my life. Currently, as most people know by now, I’m a retainee. There’s nothing shameful about that. Although it’s a sad thing, I would say it also gives one a chance to buck up in life. Enough said about that.
Being a retainee means that I’m not able to continue with my term in the council. Bluntly put, you can say I handed in my ‘resignation letter’ with my lousy report card or I was ‘fired’. What made it worse was that I held an executive committee (ex-co) position, Head of Students’ Affairs, which is vacant now. How do I feel? I feel sad, empty, guilty, and frustrated. Looks simple with words, but you have no idea how it feels for me. Everyday I go to school with a happy smile, bringing laughter to people and stuff. Hey, you know I’m an extremely cheerful person who’s always high and crazy. But when I’m alone and all quiet, I still get bothered by the fact that I’m retained. No, I won’t be emo, but it’s just that stupid feeling. Different class, different CCA, different lifestyle. I walked by friends from my batch with a different feeling. It’s weird; I feel that they are no longer as close to me. I can’t help it, it’s natural.
Being in council has definitely changed the way I view things, and how to look at things in a different perspective. Of the numerous events I’ve handled or helped to manage, I do not look at things by just thinking of the fun part. Sure, we have fun, but we must think of safety, logistics, wet weather, and all the so many ‘what-ifs’. I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve changed. People might think I’ve not done much or done things not seriously just because I appear to be mischievous and stuff all the time. But hey! I do my stuff seriously. Why must I be serious all the time when I can just be my jovial self, getting the work done nicely, and cheering people up along the way! Perhaps that’s why people noticed my absence from council, which is because of my noisy presence!
The last event I had with the council would be Orientation 2009. It was perfect for the OGMs. They loved it. For council, all I could say was that it was an enriching event that everyone would have learn a lot from it. For the council after everyone left, I didn’t expect the night to end in that particular manner. Some drama and loads of crying was all I can say. It sucks for the last night to be so unpleasantly shocking for me and Maisarah. We wouldn’t want our last day to be like that. I cried to. I admit. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Yeah, if you are reading it anywhere (most probably in the school library showing off to a bunch of friends), I don’t give a hoot admitting. I was really attached to the council. The near 1 year of working with friends. Strong friendships were forged. ‘Brotherhood’ if I could put it that way. I had my close friends. But I can truthfully say I had interacted with every single one of the councillors. The feeling of leaving is so heart wrenching. One could never feel it unless you are in the same situation. The emptiness and pain made me tremble when I fought back my tears. A losing fight I would say. The little speeches by my friends at the last night moved everyone. But it was most impactful for me and Maisarah.
As I stood alone after Finale (Rock O.N) has ended, I see the new J1s leaving happily, laughing their way home and cheering with their friends. I stand behind a whiteboard alone. Looking at the paper with my new class allocation as the cool night breeze blew strong. Flashbacks of my term in council just happened without me realizing. Before I knew it, I saw some of my council friends tearing. I fought back the urge, but succumb to the feeling eventually. I cried uncontrollably. The feeling all too familiar as my grandmother’s death happened only last year. Perhaps not as painful, but the pain was somewhere near. Close friends tried to comfort me. The teachers too, they tried to show concern. But perhaps they don’t know what to say or do, that’s why they stay around and just look. I appreciate that.
To the ex-cos:
I really loved all the little time we had. Small meetings and the dinner we had. We were close and we never had any quarrels or disagreement between us. For that, I’m extremely happy and grateful. I always feel like I’m the little kid among the 6 of us, all of you so mature and smart. The ideas you guys shared were enriching to me. Edwin (a.k.a gay or Ogre), the authoritative grandfather whose words are the final verdict. Melissa, the perfectionist whose ideas never fail to let someone see things in a different perspective. Nina, the most hardworking ex-co which helped in every single event tirelessly. Samantha, the silent warrior whose like Nina but sometimes unnoticed by others. Thank you for putting up with me disturbing you about your small eyes constantly. Kamal, my counterpart which randomness and crazy ‘himbo’ suggestions make everyone laugh! Thank you ex-cos!
To SA:
My dear SA peeps! I only officially met you guys all together for once in my whole council term, which is at the start. You might have been wondering, why no more meetings? Why PA has so many meetings? Simple. SA gave me no problems. Blazer commitee, yes, you have your fair share of troubles. Fines not paid and blazers overdue. But I can say that Suan Kai and Suapanee handled the problems efficiently. IF it cannot be handled, it was settled by Mr Jeremy Wong. Of course, they had help from the rest of the committee namely: Afshan, Chee Kian and Theodora. Suan Kai, the king of logistics is one of the most hardworking in council. He could work tirelessly and is so selfless that he survives with only 3 to 4 hours of sleep per day. Supanee is exactly like him, that is why council always tease that they are a couple. Afshan, she tries to help as much but she has to leave early due to early closing time for her hostel and also to maintain good grades because of her scholarship. Theodora, another silent warrior. She is rarely seen in action by anyone. But working with her during my nominee period for soccer cheering, she is very hardworking, easy-going and tries her best in everything. They do not need their Head of Students’ Affairs (HOSA). Vending committee. No problems. Handled by, I daresay, the 2 most efficient girls in council: Shi Yeng and Ke Hui. Vending had no problems as they worked closely with their teacher mentor and vending in charge, Mr Own Tan. Shi yeng. This is a scary and amazing wonder woman. She could handle all council work, take H3 maths, and is part of the Talen Management programme of our school. Kudos to her, what more do I have to say? Ke hui, the mountain tortoise of council. I think she have learnt a lot from the brothers association. She is still very hardworking, but more cheerful and talkative than before. They never need their HOSA too. Morning assembly commitee. Atiqah, Chen Peng, Gladys. Perhaps I’m more of knowledge of what’s going on in this particular committee. But these 3 i/cs have been dealing with their guilt of collecting fines from fellow councillors the whole year. They feel frustrated when people come late and stuff. But kudos to them for managing their duties well with seldom glitches and the ‘surprise’ they plan to give the council. Atiqah, always teased by me, she is one of the few people who laughs really hard at my jokes and funny comments. We share lots of stuff together too, and is extremely fun to work with. Oh yeah, especially during Chingay where I helped her spot a cute Japanese boy. A die heart Jonas Brothers fan that defends them selflessly. Chen Peng, the boy boy of council whose extremely loud burps at unexpected times brings groans and laughter. It’s something that one could never get use to. Extremely hardworking and sentimental guy. Gladys, super glam, super whiny and aspires to be a Tai-Tai. Yes, she’s on her way there already. Just need a super rich husband in future *hint hint*. Her sometimes funny “bimbo” comments and complains would be missed. They too, do not need their HOSA. Lastly, locker committee. Bin Li and Yi Hui. They might not handle the most prominent duties, but they have quite a tedious work. They have to promote lockers rental, clean EVERY SINGLE locker and to keep checks on them. Oh, and cutting metal locks with the huge metal cutter isn’t an easy feat for 2 girls. The girls are managing fine. Bin Li, hardworking girl with more than enough pressure from home and studies. I share a lot of her problems too. But she is a very nice person to work with and could withstand all sorts of things people say to tease her. Yi Hui, the general consensus is that she is a bimbo. She being a vegetarian is always teased by us too. But only joking, nothing against her or vegetarians. Relax. Very emotional, sentimental and easy to make her laugh. She’s a very thoughtful person too. They too, could do without their HOSA. What more do I need to say to these fabulous people?
To Brothers Association:
Let start with The Coolies. Chee Kian, the most uncouth and ah beng person in council. The only person which I could seriously talk to as my normal self and the person who’s almost exactly like me. BUT HEY! He’s a changed man now. =X Not supposed to say why but he’s changed for the better. With him and me together, everywhere we go, it’s definitely noisy. Our R21 jokes of almost anything and everything would definitely frustrate people, putting them in a spot whether to laugh or to be angry. Not to forget our frequent use of hokkien! Wei sheng the polar bear. Never met anyone with such a fond craving for ice cream. A single cone a day is a must! His small eyes and funny laughter is a must by my side. Working with him has never been more enjoyable. Yong Jie. No matter what people say about you, I still think that you have a good heart. Your mouth is perhaps your only flaw as you tend to offend people unknowingly. Yes, always the object of being ridiculed as bring ‘slow’ and ‘Pentium 1’, The Coolies would be different without you. The late nights of duties and sharing cabs would never be forgotten. Now, the Jiao-ness Brothers. Bi xuan (a.k.a xiao bi-er or bibi or ah boy). My earliest working partner in council. My number 1 shopping partner! There’s nothing we cannot crap about. Even though she’s a girl (yes, SHE IS!), I always find it comfortable to talk to her and we share lots of stuff together (even though she shared once unconsciously). She is one of the coolest and awesome girls I know of. Dancing and laughing together, that’s what I would miss the most. Hui xin! Always fragile and injury prone. But hey, that’s to tease her only. But hey, she is another person who confides in me most of the time. We have hang out time to time and I would always find time to tease her in events by tugging her sleeve and poking her arm. My dance partner for couple dance too. Must always remember to go slow and easy during washing machine part of couple dance! And yes, without her, all events with AV could never be successful. Nah, just joking!
To Dance Committee:
We are from council but the dance committee of council just to get this clear. Maisarah, the first i/c. Yep, same fate as me, only person who could totally understand me. Extremely hardworking although could be late sometimes for events! She and Bi Xuan the 2nd i/c are so hardworking that they would dance until they are too tired. I remember during OGL camp, they did that just to perfect couple dance. Respect. Just this word is enough said. Daryl. My fellow mentee. Daryl is another silent warrior. At first, you thought he’s the typical uncouth and arrogant VS boys. But his heart of gold takes time to discover. He is perhaps one of the most unnoticed hardworking chap of the council. He does things which are considered ‘backstage’. He never likes the limelight and even though he is sick frequently, he never backs down and always shows concern to other councillors. Even though a little too straight forward at times, he means well to that person. Loretta, the little girl. Always tease her in council but never get to work much with her. Her hard work might go unnoticed but she delivers the results and impresses people. Good lucky for friendship day, it’ll be a success I’m sure! Oh yeah, she’s not a bisexual, I always tease her by calling her that! It’s a girls’ school thing, right?
To the others:
Hakim, this dude here can withstand any racist comments thrown at him and it’s worth saluting him. Sorry for not being your second i/c for CTC and all the countless teasing. I hope that it’ll be a success! Ishleen, I remember working with you during nominee period. I always disturb your tagline: Smells like sheen spirit! Always with Afshan and with the same situation as her, you 2 are extremely smart and hardworking people. All the best in future! Amalina, the cool wrapper in MJC! The funniest girl which can entertain herself, and is one of the few girls who can really make me laugh. Although sickly, she tries her best to commit to council and put in her best. As you can see, Finale (Rock O.N.) was a success! Kudos to Ama!! Shannon, always the main centre of my unmerciful teasing. Perhaps one of the worst victims. But yes, just want to say a big thank you for withstanding all those nonsense and thank you for anything everything! Samuel, please do not think that you will be forgotten! No matter what people say and what people do, I still believe that you have put in your all for council. People might not like to work with you, perhaps of certain issues. Sometimes, you should slow down your thoughts and feelings, and listen more to others. In that way, you could work with others more pleasantly. Also, don’t always apologise before anything starts. It’s not your fault for being who you are. You could perhaps be not as good as others in dancing, but you could always ‘repay’ by helping in other ways.
To the TAs:
Miss June Tan, you are like THE mother to all councillors. I think your bunch of ‘kids’ have certainly given you loads of trouble and vexed you. But always remember we do appreciate whatever you have done for us and we will never forget that. Mr Robin Hon, although scary at first impression, you appear to be exactly the opposite in actual fact (except when you are hungry, angry, tired, or all rolled into one!). Others might say you did little for council. I think that your hard work would be negotiating events with the school admin and to fight for the council. You step in when council has gone ‘off-track’ in whatever we are doing or when there’s unruly behaviour. Who says you’ve done nothing? Mr Jeremy Wong. I think I feel the closest to you than any other TAs. Perhaps it’s because you interact with us in a more informal way. Joking and disturbing councillors are certainly quite similar to what Chee kian and I always do. Even though you are the “supervisor”, your concern for blazer committee and logistics in events ensure that nothing could go wrong. Miss Karen Ng. When I first heard you speak, I thought: her English is powerful. So COOL. But after knowing you, I think that you always expect the best from councillors, which is a good thing. You push the boundaries with your creative ideas and in a way push us to take up the challenge. I think the council, especially the Prom Comm, really appreciates what you have done. Mr Owen Tan. Since Event 1 during nominee period, you gave me an impression of how council life is going to be like. It had prepared me to be in council as I knew that things would be different. You have also always made me think of stuff in different perspectives. Things that we councillors would miss out, you would definitely point it out to us. In that way, I’ve learnt much from you in council. Miss Samantha Wong. I had very little chance working with you, except during morning assembly. But I know you have done lots in other events too, only that I know very little of. But whatever mistakes of errors I’ve done as a Parade Commander (PC), you would definitely give me feedback for improvement. I’m grateful and thankful for that. Lastly, Miss Serene Wu. I knew very little of you. In fact, I knew you even before you joined council. You were my math teacher. I remembered sitting in front of you and you spoke very loudly in our small classroom. Apart from that, I regret not being able to work with you in council. I think you are a very fun teacher to work with as I’m quite cheeky sometimes when talking to you. Thank You TAs!!!
Yes, a very long thank you post. Tomorrow is another school day. Another school day with my new classmates. Very fun people but takes time to know them. A pity I didn’t join them as an OG during Orientation. With that, I would like to end of the blog something along the lines as Ama had at her blog: Council, forever and always 30 strong.
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