Reminising the Past...

As I was reminiscing about the past, primary school days especially. I felt that I have had transform a lot in a person. The characteristics of me changed to a better one. Drastically is the word use to describe the change in me. Out of the blue, I thought of the upcoming National Day.

Singapore is going to be 44 years of age. The always changing nation I would describe it as. From a fishing village, to a successful trading port back in the olden days. Gone through Japanese Occupation and racial riots. Been through merging and separation. Changes the name twice(Temasek and Syonan-to) I supposed before naming it 'Singapura'. Creation of the High Rise Buildings for citizens to stay while clearing all the slums. Been attracting Multi-National Companies (MNCs) to invest in Singapore and rebate their taxes. Organising campaigns to shape Singaporeans into responsible citizens. Until now, attracting foreign talents to settle down in Singapore and start a family to contribute to Singapore's population as it is dropping.

In my opinion, I really felt that given just 44 years(even younger than my parents), Singapore had transform into a country which is recognised worldwide. Talk about 'clean and green' and a Brazilian babe will spout out 'SINGAPORE' naturally. Talk about world class airport and any Tom, Dick and Harry would agree Singapore owns it. Singapore is not a country anymore, its more than that, its a brand. It is a world class branded which could win any branded (LV, Gucci, Hermes and etc) single handedly. Another example on why Singapore is more than a country. Take Michael P. Fay for example. He was an American fellow who came to Singapore and steals and even scratches any car he sighted on the street or in the car park got caned four strokes even after the appeal of a powerful country, USA. Singapore is also a country without the fear of seeing riots or protests on the streets. Anyone who wants to protest should send in their application and go indoor. International Monetary Fund (IMF) held in Singapore laugh at us but we are firm with our rules and regulations. It is because of all these that Singapore is ranked the top 10 worldwide for its security. I am truly amazed how such small island could make such huge impact to the world.

Back to the subject, I reminisced about the past. I remembered very clearly that when I was in Primary 5, I was taken to the National Day Parade(NDP), it was 2001 then. I still remember how awesome the feeling was holding my Primary School flag and leading other school mates into the stadium to watch the NDP. When the ceremony starts, it was and always is the uniform group marching in the stadium. Although many may think that the marching and all was boring, I am truly drawn to what is sighted before me then. The different platoons marching to the command given in Malay. They were all so organised together. Their faces were all the same, seriousness is the word. The parade commander was so impressive that I instantly felt in love with him even though he is a guy. The command he gave to the different platoons gave me a trigger down my spine. Everyone who was wearing the uniform followed his command without any error. He is the leader, he is the man. Because of that, I aspire to be like him. I hope that one day, I could stand in the National stadium and command the different platoons. Because of this dream, I went to join NPCC in Secondary school. The NDP'01 is the only parade I watch it live, but I was hooked ever since. Every year, August 9, I would not go anywhere but to watch the NDP live on television. Not only that, I would be at home marching to the command given by the parade commander. Some of you may think that I am mad, but this is how I show my love to Singapore during this day. By marching and saluting. Even go to the extent to singing 'Majulah Singapura' together with the live audiences and president. I always felt the atmosphere when I am doing this, I could feel that I am watching the parade live at the stadium. Because of that, every August 9 is the day of joy. Although there are performances and songs sung by the choir of various school, I would still not get sick of the formal parade. Because this is the part where Singapore could show the world how disciplined our people are, how united and ready to fight for Singapore we can be and how multi-racialism is possible within the uniform groups and citizens. We are the pride of Singapore and because of all these factors, I never miss any National Day Parade live on television after NDP'01.

As Singapore is embarking towards being a 44 years young nation, I would like to see that Singapore is still a strictest and fine-ner yet at the same time; racial harmonious, safe environment and definitely a place with lots of fun and excitement country.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY in ADVANCE SINGAPORE !

Below are a video summarising Singapore's past and present into a song.

ENJOY!!!

Ai Ru Chao Shui

Let my wonderful voice accompany you through lonely days. HAHA!

CAUTION: Background conversation are said to be a curse, if you listen to it, you will be curse to have a very bad sore throat hence make you sing awfully.

A whole new Chapter in Life.

10th March 2009 marks the end of me label-ed as an ITE student. For those who does not know, its because I got admitted to Republic Poly using a combined result in O level that I retook a few months back. My dad was relief I could go to poly, my mother are proud of me and so does the family. A few months back when I was still in ITE, dad do not even dare to take the same lift as me when I was wearing the polo tee. Well, I was also skeptical back then about being an ITE student.

Being in ITE lets me learn a lot of things. The education thought me how to be competitive among our classmates, as well as the course mates. The friends in there thought me how to care for one another by teaching the weaker ones in their work despite the tough competition. The lecturers thought us how to be responsible for ourselves and to love ourselves and others selflessly. Also, the whole ITE system thought me how to be confident and proud of ourselves under the constant mocking and prejudices from the eye of the skeptical public.

I've made many friends in this school. They are really true to me especially Weetiong. He will always text me which classroom should I be going whenever I came to school. He would also collect worksheets and mark the attendance for me when I was away from school. He is a very hardworking boy. Always sets a high target for himself and get paranoid very easily. He's the target of classmates in UQ0804D. The apple in the bullies eye and also, the lecturers' pet hence would always get to do extra work compared to us. His character inspired me to study hard and be like him, but also teaches me to be flexible in life. He is definitely someone whom we can learn a lot from. Well, there's also other classmates which thought me a thing or two in life. But if I were to mention all of them, it could really be a very long post.

Like I mentioned above, lecturers thought us lots of things too. Not only in academic wise, but also in life. Miss Annie Koh for especially, thought us how to love our parents. Her stories would be a release of stress from her dry teaching in Business Fundamental and Business Communication. She always have all sorts of stories to tell us, inspire us and to learn from. She is always very true towards each and everyone in the class. Very straight forward that sometimes I tend to hate her. However, looking back, if she's not that true to us, I wouldn't have improve in my character wise and also, the attitude in study. Another lecturer whom inspires me a lot is Mr Jerome Goh. A very successful entrepreneur in his early age, retired before he's 40 years of age and came because he is passionate about teaching thus being a dedicated teacher who is strict when it comes to rules and regulations. I don't deny that majority of my classmates hated him because he always lock us out of the classroom after being late for 15minutes of his lesson. Especially when his lesson always starts at 8 in the morning. For a heavy sleeper like me, I'm always a 'visitor' who are locked outside the classroom and misses most of my 8am lesson. However, it was his firm principle of believing in punctuality that makes me grow as a person. As I said earlier on, I'm a heavy sleeper who tend to be late in meetings. It was him who makes me know the importance of being punctual for any meetings. Punctuality is the first impression in your character that you deliver to people. Hence I'm learning to be punctual at all time despite if its a casual or a serious meeting.

I've benefited a lot in the whole ITE system and am proud that I came to ITE. Mr Jerome Goh has so much faith in me that he chose me as one of the partner for a recycling business together with the elites in my class, Wei Jie and Eugene. When I first heard from Wei Jie that I got selected, joy filled in me and I'm speechless. However, when it comes to business, I learn that we must be patient and cannot rush things or it would backfired. Everything must be well planned and go in a systematic order so that it would be of a smooth flow. This amazing lecturer thought us how we should not go around boasting and telling others about how much we have contributed but to do everything with a silent confidence within us. Like a servant leader which I learnt in Blaze Camp. We will have to serve without complaining and wait for the trees to bear fruits so that we could benefit from it. His way of presenting himself awe me and I'm so inspired that I wish I could be like him in the near future. He is my role model, a mentor that never complains and treat everything with a smile which would never fade.

Having to said all these, I urge those who did not do well for their N or O levels not to be depress as ITE has a really wonderful way in transforming student into a person who are capable of doing anything and who believes in everything is possible with the high level of confidence within. To sum up everything I've learnt in ITE, its 'If you're willing to give it a shot to things that you wanted, you'll definitely succeed in times to come.'

Goodbye UQ0804D