Roads and Decisions

Increasing acceleration. That's what some would say. From a luxuriously laid-back and relaxed holiday mood with a shot of vodka on Monday, to an extremely fast paced pre-examination mood with high adrenaline action over the weekend. Oh, I don't drink. The vodka was just some root beer from A&W.

Monday it was just some simple revision, with the sole intention of catching up for Mathematics, and I left out the 3 reports, which are due over the next 2 weeks. Tuesday was more or less the same, except I was preparing for a different module. Wednesday, was when I finally started on a design report, whose first draft is due come Wednesday. Progress was slow, considering the fact it was akin to a squirrel waking from a 100-day hibernation. Thursday. The first eye opener. It was talk after talk from 12pm till 5pm. In between I went to a few booths to find out more about how I could further my education after graduation. Friday, the mad rush to get things done finally began. Once it started, there was no turning back. Saturday, came another wake up call. This time, it was really bad. Looking at the guide, my options were severely limited, thanks to the effort I put in toward the end of 2010. Now, I had to give it everything I could, to finish it well. I went to the Suntec Convention Centre, where the Nanyang Technological University was holding talks for Polytechnic students. I found my calling in 2 disciplines, but I'll leave it to fate to decide which I would be accepted into, but more importantly, if I would be offered a place to study. Today, was a miracle. I completed in 2 hours, a segment of the report that used to take me 3 days to complete a year ago. In the evening, I completed another segment in 30minutes, of which the similar process would have taken me 2 hours if I were to do it a year back.

On Thursday, a senior I have known for three years, would be going to Australia to further his studies, very soon. Everyone around me is getting better. I'm no exception. Everyone's moving forward. Some are faster, some are slower. No one is getting left behind. I should follow the tide, using it as a guide to my next destination. Meanwhile, I have got a fight to finish, to complete the course with the last colourful set of results, to prove that I have indeed done my very best, and have no regrets as to what may come after that.

The past few days have been tough, but things would only get tougher, as February and March approaches. Come March, I will ride the waves of a tsunami, conquering vast parcels of land that once mocked my weak, humble body that could only go where the waters went. I shall prove to them, I might have been the wreckage of a ship, but once ashore, I become the foundation, the pillar, of a new development.

Workshop

Today I had my first TCP workshop in 2011. More of a preparation on what to expect in an interview, be it for a scholarship, university admission, or a job.

Learnt lots of stuff from preparation, what to wear, to how to portray oneself and everything about the exchange of words.

Felt really tired, but managed to learn lots of things I never knew about interviews. Prior to receiving the email, I had thought that a polo tee and jeans would make the cut. Apparently I was so wrong!

110111

That's a lot of 1s today. The next time it happens would be in October and November.

The first week of the year passed rather well. Almost, until the first day of the second week. Saturday. The days before, we were setting up, everything was going really well. This year, was the first time I was taking part in the Open House, joining the frontline with the Student Ambassadors and staff. The experience sure was good, and I felt my skin grow a couple of centimetres thicker. I was more daring as compared to during the F1 weekend last year. I must say, the team, my boss and supervisors have indeed done a great job in pushing me. Though I wasn't really into the service-oriented roles, it sure helped me gain some confidence, and improve on my speaking skills! A great improvement compared to 6 years ago, while I was a student volunteer at the Singapore Science Centre, and visitors had a difficult time understanding the words I spoke!

My eyes gained a few kilos as well, from all the eye-candy! Well, I don't know, but maybe I should just hang in there. I have faith that day would come, good or bad, sooner or later. Saturday was the busiest day, and I had to put on a one-man show. Many thanks to the friends who stood by me, for I would not have been able to survive the last 4 hours without them!

Yesterday, I found out from a friend that I had another dream that happened in the real world. The first part of a dream that happened 2 years ago, back in August 2009. I had already expected it, and told my friend, that part of the dream did come true once I found out it happened.

Apparently, I failed my NAPFA once again. This time, it was the shuttle run station which I did badly. Back in September I was able to score 5 points for that station, but today, I scored only 1. Perhaps it was the floor, perhaps I really needed more training. The coming Monday, I shall train for it.

Tomorrow, I would be confirming my grades for the common test. Hopefully there would be no marking mistakes. Hopefully, on Thursday or Friday, I could help with the course counselling, even if I would not be given any accreditation for it. Just want to help the prospective students know that this course, is what they truly want to study and enter as a career in future.

The night before, I dreamt I visited a fair at Suntec or Expo in the afternoon. The booths looked like guest registration tables at wedding dinners. Of course, there would be 2 representatives stationed at each booth.

There were so many booths, yet the place did not seem to be crowded with people. I visited 5 booths, a junior college, a polytechnic, a local and a foreign university, as well as a travel agent. At each of the booths, each time I turned around, I would notice a girl, turning with her back facing me. I felt weird. As much as I wanted to go up to her to start a conversation, I wasn't able to, as I was making inquiries at the booths.

At 3pm, I entered a room where a seminar, meant for students preparing to travel to Australia for their university education, was being held, but was opened to the public. I sat next to a guy, who I did not know, but seemed to be a good friend of mine(maybe I would know him in future). He was going there to study. Just as the seminar ended, he said to me, the girl who I noticed, wasn't the one I was looking for(though it might appear she knew me).

I had no idea who the girl was. 1.6 to 1.7m tall, shoulder length black hair, and wore a grey sweater with a hood, and a pair of dark blue jeans.

1st Dream of the Year(which I remembered)

I can't remember much of the details, even after trying so hard to recall since 9am this morning. Seems as though my memory's starting to fall back a little. It feels as though there's something controlling what it wants me to remember. When I try to recall something from that dream, I'll manage to see something, but just as it happens, I end up seeing myself rolling in bed. Imagine yourself trying to focus on looking at partially decoded images from a Starhub Cable TV channel, on your television screen.

The places, well, I'm not sure, though there are two possibilities. At a public library, or at a shopping mall. I'm sure we did take the SBS Light Rapid Transit(LRT) train, but I did not know whether it was the Punggol LRT, or the Sengkang one.

Characters. It's the usual. I wonder how many times I had seen them in my dreams.

What we did, I can't recall except that we were having a little chat at a table in a restaurant, or in a library.

I woke up just as the train doors opened.

Since we took the LRT train, I'm assuming we did go to another place after that, though I'm not sure if I was sending them home, one by one(since I did not know which line we were on).

I wonder why, I had been seeing these images. Had I been thinking a lot about them? Not a lot, but maybe once a day or two? At one part, I seemed to be interested in one of them, can't really confirm that, though I had decided, not to light any candles till the future, when things are brighter and clearer(even if something like that were possible). Talking to them. I'm very sure I know why I dreamt of that. I had been dying to have a conversation, but seldom knew how to start and maintain one(for at least 10 minutes). I should become less tense, and relax more often. In that dream, the conversation(though I did not remember what we were talking about) appeared to carry the most sense. Whether I'll be there in future, well, we'll have to see about that. Difficult, but I'll just go with the flow.

When I woke, I had 2 resolutions. Know, and understand them better, so that I could be a better person to them. The other, well we'll see.

2011

2010 went by so fast. Many things happened, but it just felt like a month. It's like running a marathon. Just moments ago, you were striding effortlessly past the start line. Minutes, and hours into the race, you gradually find yourself losing strength and stamina, however the momentum to go on just gets stronger. By the time you notice the finish line in sight, you're in great pain, feeling as though your legs could detach from your body and fall off anytime. However, it's the will to finish, that provides the force, the last bit of energy in you, to complete it. Completing a year, is just like running a marathon. 365 days, 366 once every 4 years, Your age simply depicts the number of marathons you have completed.

In the past year, studies was more on the downside, while everything else, was way up. On Tuesday, January 5th last year, I received my driving licence. Ever since, I had been driving at least once a week on average.

In the past 2 years, it seemed that going to the Philippines was like an annual activity, though each time it was a totally different experience. Saw for myself how environments change faster than people. I went on an adventure race with a friend, for the fun of it, back in June. During the term break, an unexpected meeting took place, which led to a reconciliation with a few long lost friends. Wondering how they're doing.

In June, I took part in an adventure race with a friend in somewhere in May or June, which helped prepare me for a marathon later at the end of the year.

Shortly after in July, I was the official photographer of Speechcraft 2010, a speech contest for Ngee Ann Polytechnic students jointly organised by the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Students' Toastmasters Club.

I attended a Gawad Kalinga Summit in school and at the National University of Singapore, a Philipine Non Government Organisation which aims to send world poverty to the history books by 2015. Learnt many differences in the ways their culture hosted such large scale events.

Later on, I became a volunteer while being an event photographer for a friend and Youth Expedition Project Delegation Head. Operation Juvi as it was called, an event started by a second year student from the School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology. It's the first time I was involved in something by the United Nations. Hopefully, I'll be able to return to help if they held it again this year! A day later, I went to Liang Court for an Italian dinner with my cousins, uncle and aunt, who were going to take me for the 2010 New Paper Big Walk, which would be held the following day. That was the first time I stepped into the first floor of the Marina Bay Sands.

Then came the Youth Olympic Games in August. Nothing much actually, though it was an experience to learn night photography featuring fireworks, and putting what I learnt to use just 30 minutes after grasping the basics! Not a very fruitful evening for me, but I did get a couple of good shots.

In September, I had my examinations clash with the Saceda Youth Lead International Programme in Asia 2010, which made it a real challenge for me to prioritise my time. I wanted the best of both worlds, and to make things worse, that was the toughest semester in my three years of Polytechnic Education. The result wasn't in my favour, though I already knew the direction I was headed for. After my exams, I took on my first job with a few classmates and schoolmates, taking stocks and repacking for delivery to two locations during the Formula 1 Weekend, though my main role was a sales associate at a booth. Not my cup of tea definitely, but it sure helped me gain some confidence, and my skin became a few centimetres thicker after that.

September till November were the toughest months in 2010. Long story short, I was juggling between many things, which made it hard for me to stay focused most of the time. October and November were spent mainly on finishing up on a project, and preparing for a big run in December.

December, well, it was one of the happiest, and most happening months, with lots of gatherings, outings, projects, presentations, examinations and events. A marathon on Sunday, 5th December, which was successful thanks to a friend who guided me along(though there were times I got so fearful of him, I wanted to fall so far behind he would give up on me). A day later I had my final presentation, which was the best group presentation we had since the first one. Two weeks later, I had my examinations. Three papers, with 2 expected A grades, and a B or C grade for the third. Results out in the coming week. The last two weeks of December, was well, filled with partying, and hanging out with friends I had not met in a long time. I went for a medical check-up on the 21st, a Wednesday. Found out I had a heart problem, which was very unexpected since I never had anything wrong with my heart. Well, went to get a second opinion on Wednesday, but found nothing wrong. So, I guess it should be fine, for now, until another review scheduled by the government is done on the 4th of April.

2010 seemed rather simple to me, as there were less than 20 big events I took part in, though I'm sure I attended more than 40 events and celebrations in all. 2011, is definitely going to be a better year. I have no regrets to how 2010 ended, but I would work towards my goals in 2011. Some are, well, nearly impossible(since they depend on fate, not on my part alone), but others, are achievable if I work towards them.

Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror

It's him. Again.

Hey you. Yes. Why are you following me? I have enough problems myself already. Would you leave me some time alone?

I just want some peace in here, without anyone there to stop me. Just a moment of silence alone, please?

Alright. Fine. You can stay. It's been 19 years anyway. Why aren't you any better than me? I don't want you to be like me. If I could, I would definitely do whatever I can to turn you into someone better. I just can't. You look like me, do everything like me. I want to help you, but you'll just mirror my actions anyway. What do you want me to do? I really want to help you. I really do. I don't enjoy seeing your sadness paint the window each time I see you. I want to see you, jubilantly jumping around, just like the first time I saw you in the mirror years ago.

I'm a late bloomer. Are you? You don't have to follow me, you know. I'm sure that although you look exactly like me, inside, you are way different. Knowing what move I would make next, is your best ability I have ever known, and no one can beat you at that. Only someone who knows me inside out would be able to, and so far, I know none. You're special, for I see you only on reflective surfaces.

So what if you never found anyone to spend your life with, yet? I haven't either. It's not as if I'm not trying. I don't know how to approach her. Even so, I don't know if I have found her. As for you, if you do know something, would you tell me something? A tip or two? I don't want to die single. I wish to leave this world, with a ring in my finger. Your world, is my gateway to the great unknown. I would like to join you, but I have many plans, wishes and promises to fulfil.

Have you felt what it's like to be lonely, to be ignored? I certainly have. Have you ever wondered, each time I turned to walk away, when I would return, to see you again, at the same place, or somewhere else? I'm sorry, but you are not one of those I look forward to seeing again, for I fear outsmarting your perfect ability to mimic me. Many times I have wondered if I would meet someone again, after seeing his or her back disappearing into the distance, into the crowds. However, I wonder, how great you must be, to be able to appear right where I am, no matter how far, or how long I have travelled from that point we last saw each other.

You never fail to help me get dressed. Always, you point out where I should tidy myself, or if I look perfect for the occasion. I even carry one of your windows to school, so that I could help make my project perfect. You were there too.

If there was someone who could be like you, always there when I needed you, I'm absolutely sure I would never have to live another day in sadness. Yes. You might say I always wear a smile each time I look at you. However, pure and true as it may be, I want to be able to smile just like any other guy out there, who's helplessly in love. Don't worry, I'm sure your day would come as soon as mine does, for I have heard, and seen for myself, that the soul is linked to one's reflection.

PS If you could help me to become happier, please do. I wish to spread it, for a simple, pure smile, is extremely contagious.

With lots of love,Happy New Year.

Day 28 — Someone that changed your life

Another tough one. This year, I attended many activities, each with many people, and all of them, changed my life.

I don't know who to start with, so instead, I shall write one to the 2010 YEP team. Being a simple person, I'll just make something general so there shall be no secrets about anyone(as if there were any to hide).

Honestly, I don't know everyone very well. All of us do know a lot about each other, though to me, nothing beats all that without having gone through something with everyone. We all had.

You guys taught me new things in life, many of which are things I did not know were unnecessary. I'm the kind of person who likes to be there for everyone, and where I can't help, I'll be at my worst. Through photography, I have achieved it, though there were times I was tired and wanted a break, but, you guys always come first.

I liked to travel, so much it did not occur to me that I was able to take initiatives to gather like-minded friends to do go on morning walks with me! Even now, I'm planning for a short trip within the island.

The company with everyone, was a great escape from the stress of studying. There was lots more to just the simple stuff we did over there, since there was the administrative work, and the foundation laying for us to do what we went there to do. Lots of effort put in, many times the reward we harvested, though the fruits of our labour was shared with not just us, but the people as well.

Though the place did not change much within the year, travelling with everyone, has shown me that the place might be the same, but the environment does change. No matter where you go, each time you went back to the same place, you can be assured of a different experience, better or worse. That's what makes me like travelling so much. To like the place is one thing, but to embrace what the place has in store, is another.

I guess, as much as I would like to travel, I should do it on my own, or with a group of friends. There's only so much the school can do for the students. Shortly after our return, I registered for another YEP, but decided to withdraw as a student leader, simply due to the fact that I wanted someone else to feel the great joy we all felt during our journey. I wanted to pass a stack of paper and a pen to someone, so that he or she, could write a new chapter into his or her life.

It's more than a year since we all met for the first time, but I'm glad, and amazed, we are still closely knit together as great friends, and I'm sure, we will always stay that way.

Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day

Surprisingly, I had a few in mind on who to write to, but, I did not know their names! Initially, 10 faces came right after I saw the topic. Some of them, I knew their faces, but did not know their names. Some I knew their faces and names, but did not know if I had correctly matched the names to the faces. Only one, I could remember, just in time for me to write a proper letter to.

Hey, I met you just yesterday(maybe even a few times before, just that I had forgotten), together with Andy and Zhong Rong. It was one of the rare days I had dinner with them, and thanks to them for allowing us to have a nice chat yesterday, to find out more about the changes taking place in school, 3 years on.

We learnt a lot about what our future would be like, through the chat we had yesterday. Many things I found out that were similar or different between the different groups. Guess the two main UGs are having a cold war again, though I doubt there's anything to be worried about, as there's bound to be a turning point where everyone would come together to stage something impressive just as the first camp fire was, years back.

I never expected you to be a nice person who's easy to talk to. Just ask them. It's really that difficult to get someone like me to put my shell aside. You have that level of maturity in you, which somehow makes me all the more interested in what you shared with us about your training. It sure has benefited you lots, and made you a better individual.

Though I'm not sure if I'll be able to have a meal or something similar with you guys again, I sure had a great evening with you all, celebrating boxing day!

Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to

I can't remember who I made a pinky promise to, but I am sure I have promised many people many things. I can't even remember who was the last person I made a promise to, though I know the last 20 or so promises I made.

I have promised many things to many friends and people, but so far I have broken quite a few, but it's less than a thousand, for sure. Sadly, most of the promises I broke, were the ones that carried really bad consequences.

Since I can't write a letter to the last person I made a pinky promise to, I shall write a letter to the first person I would make an extremely important promise to. To whoever you may be, I promise to make my first promise, a promise that I will promise to care for you eternally, to promise that even while I'm physically or mentally absent from your presence, I will be there with you, to give you strength from afar, to promise that you will never walk to the finish line alone.

Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times

This Christmas might be the best I ever had, but then again, I wonder, how many have suffered prior to this special day, we celebrate on the 25th of the last month. It's written with three in mind, but maybe I should not mention any names, so that I could reach out to even more friends.

Hi, I heard that you have felt like giving up. Well, it just isn't the worst of all the problems you have been through. What might be the obstacle that's preventing you from moving on? Work, stress, someone else, or yourself?

Sometimes, if the matter's too great for you to handle, you might want to ask for help, unless there isn't anyone who is able to. It stressing you out? Just take a break. Perhaps, you might have pushed yourself so far beyond your limits, your biological gauges are screaming their lungs out so badly they need some rest. Even machines need a break too. Whenever in doubt, ask. Unless it's something silly like "Do I have to write my name in the box that needs me to do so?", questions never hurt, especially if they're meant for something that requires no mistakes. However, do note that people usually don't entertain the same questions that were asked more than twice. Though I don't really ask questions that often in school, the workplace sure has taught me that asking is almost always the best way out of a deadlock. It's akin to a list of cheat codes to doing well in a job(especially where it's a blue collar job).

Interpersonal skills. Between two or more individuals, communication is vital. Well, it boils down to how you talk to them, the level of respect they need, and how you treat them. A person who's hard to please is like a fish on a fishing line. Sometimes you just got to loosen a little, sometimes you might have that chance to reel in the line. Done well, the other party wouldn't even realise it, and you would be on your way to being on excellent terms with him or her!

Health, own expectations, and commitments. I can't really help you in these areas, except to offer a listening ear, and just see how I could help. I can't really promise you I would be there 24/7 for you, but if I had the time, I am willing to be there for you. You might have gone through a lot, but who knows, maybe someone else has been going through the same situation as you, or maybe worse. So, you can be sure that no matter how bad your situation or problem may be, there would definitely be someone out there who has had an experience worse than you.

All in, no matter how bad your times may be, just know. You have a friend who trusts you, and believes in you. All you got to do now, is belief in yourself, and give it the extra push to make things happen, to turn the tables around. You can do it!

Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad

You're probably the life of the class. Probably the only one who might be able to keep us awake during lessons with the questions you ask, allowing for a short, powerful jolt to jump start our dozing minds.

However, even before the first word is being pronounced during the lesson, you have already gotten part of my mind into action, wondering what would your first question of the day be. Not sure if that's a good thing, but it does help, somehow.

Other than that, your songs, could do only two things for us. They could lull us to sleep, or simply accelerate the rate we complete our stuff. Other than that, well, there's nothing much more that pesters my mind, except, wonder how you could be like that, yet do so well in the tests.

Wonder how you could do all that, making the tests that cause question marks to appear all over my head, seem like chicken feed on your part. Thick-skinned is no longer a good word to describe you. Maybe, you're just so good, that I just haven't found the right word in my vocabulary to describe how good you really are.

Finally, just wanted to say, no matter how you are like or what you do, though your actions occasionally put some of us off, thanks for being in our class, being that piece of the puzzle that completes the picture.

Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be

If a person like you ever existed, could you tell me how you became like that?

Hi! You may not know me, but I think I might know you. Sometimes, I even dream of being similar to you. Diligent,quick-thinking, humorous and many more. Well, those are just some of the things I'm kind of lacking.

I just hope I could be like you, so that I could become less imperfect to the world, since looks can't be changed freely by the mind alone. I could gain lots of wealth with a personality like yours, maybe fame too. I could do many things, help many more friends, do what I want even!

But then, again, who am I to just become like you overnight, when you obviously took on many challenges that stood in your way, while myself, together with the world, stood at the side, watching you make your way to your peak. You might have all that, but then again, if I were you, I might not enjoy what you were doing. We both have different expectations and beliefs. Similarly, you may not like what I am to begin with too. In the end, we'll be back to being our own, usual selves, living your own lives, walking your own journeys, carving out our own, precious memories.

That being said, just as much as I want to be you, I just wish for the chance to gain some of your ways, so that I too, could become a better individual, who is able to do much more than I currently can.

Thank you!

Day 17 — Someone from your childhood

Childhood. It's really long, yet I'm amazed I can vaguely remember facets of that past.

We took the same school bus, we played tag with the same group of friends, however, among us, I guess I was the worst off. I never really knew you very well until my second term of school 12 years ago. Back then, we were still small, extremely mischievous and fun-loving. Anything could become our topic of the afternoon or evening.

It was only when we were both 11, that we finally got to be in the same class. Shortly before that, fate had it that I should excel in my Mathematics when I was 10. That paper was the first since my first Semesteral Examination in Primary 1, where I could answer every question like a breeze, to the extent I looked in disbelief that I could solve a few 4 or 5-mark questions in just one, simple step.

When we were 8, we did something terrible yet weird, that was started and ended, by the same kid. Our early June holiday gift from him? A visit to the Principal's Office for an activity we took part in, but actions we were the victims of. Speak of not telling lies, when clearly, as kids, we had to tell them, for the opposite was more likely to be the real lie in their eyes. I remember there was once you said I got called to the Principal's Office with you, as we were throwing paper aeroplanes out the classroom window. Though I can't really remember it, maybe I did help you with a plane or two?

Well, after we graduated from Primary School, shortly after you came to my home for a barbecue. Can't really remember why, but that was how it was back then. Simple, yet enjoyable for all of us that evening. Ever since, we had been travelling on different routes, but the occasional plans of a girl and a few others who loved the occasional reunion of our P5/6 class, would bring our paths back together for a brief moment. Within those brief moments, we were able to catch up on the times, sometimes not noticing we had lost touch with one another until it was time for us to continue where we left off in our respective lives.

However, one thing's for sure, you still have your great sense of humour, and myself, I'm still kind of quiet in nature. And, our areas of study compliment each other, though we might not be working for the same company in future.

So much has passed, and it's simply wonderful to know that, I have at least one friend who's been there, walking with me since I was a kid, who had to climb onto a stool just to turn on the lights in a room. For everything we did right or wrong, but in the end the fun made it worth our while, I thank you.

Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country

Many names easily come to mind. And well, just felt like writing something in general for all friends I have who're not in the country right now.

Hey. It's been quite awhile since we last had a nice chat together. How are the times? Doing well? It's the holidays back here in Singapore, though there're a couple of days I have to return to school(so I won't die of boredom! Just joking.). Christmas is just round the corner! Is it snowing over there? Got your gifts ready?

If you're overseas on a holiday, glad you're getting lots of weight off your shoulders, getting that well deserved break from an exciting 2010! Whether is it free and easy, or a group tour, you're bound to enjoy yourself, just be sure to play nice and safe! If you can, do upload some pictures of the places of interest, for I might have some interest to visit those places in future.

Whether or not you're in the same country I'm in now, or if you're just reading this to pass some time, Here's something for you. I might not be physically there with you, neither might I know you very well, but nonetheless, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas in advance!

Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from

First got to know you and many other awesome people to come during the first then TDP activity. Got along quite well, you taught me many things, some of which I later passed on to other friends.

Three years sure pass fast, and very soon we'll be collecting our certificates. We did many activities together, especially under NYAA. Wonder what happened to the scheme the small group of us came up with. Seemed like everyone became overly busy and caught up with other stuff and studies that it's become silent. Perhaps we'll continue once we graduate?

Hope you're coping well with your final semester, since the final sprint is usually the toughest. After that, we'll pass the finish line, collect our prize, and enjoy.

Haven't got much to say, though there's something I plan to do after completing poly, while waiting to enlist. You, Samuel, me, and maybe a few others, go on a photography outing to some parts of the island?

All the best!

Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain

Right from the moment I breathed my first breadth, I have never hated anyone. Maybe, just the feeling of dislike, for awhile.

To be frank, I used to think that only such people existed only in the fictional world, in books and on screen. Never expected to meet someone like you in the world we live in though. Although I wasn't in favour of the ways things were to be done under your leadership, you have shown me how I could cope under such pressure. Thank you for that.

Under your wing, I seem to have come to realise, studying had never been easier. Which is the reason why, into my final semester of study, I'm even more determined to score straight As, for a better future. No idea whether or not we'll see each other again, but trust me, I'll be more prepared to take on whatever you may throw in our way, if there were a next time.

Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

Though I'm trying to fulfill the challenge, I want to make an effort to make every letter worth something , at least to whoever they're meant for.

Hi, hope the letter I'm typing to you would not seem awkward or anything, since we haven't been talking to each other that often to begin with.

We weren't really that close to begin with. I occasionally talked to you, as I felt you were easy to talk to, without feeling tense and all. I never expected to become that close while we were hosting friends who were here on a visit back in February. Was nice getting to know you better during the few occasions we happened to be together, though I did not say so much about myself.

Anyways, I'll be looking forward to meeting everyone again in the extremely near future, and catch up with everyone as well. All the best to your coming tests(if you still have any)!

Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

Two years later, three of you went on to serve the nation, while I'm still living the life of a student. It's just a matter of time before I join you guys on the field.

Thadd, I wonder where you are now, and how you're doing. Among the 4 of us, you were like a guy with great strength, a friend I looked upon for reassurance you would be there to help us whenever we had difficulty completing our tasks during PE during our 1 month's stay at MI.

Didn't get the chance to say congratulations on being attached to Shi Hui. Only found out recently. How are you getting along? Great? I could only imagine you as a body builder, always striving to make yourself stronger than ever.

If there's the chance, I do hope we could meet up soon, even a simple tea session with you guys is good enough.

Haven't heard much from Limther as well, though he sounds the same as before. Hope he's as well as ever. Sean, well, I guess he's still the same, maybe better than before, just that I never really noticed?

Let's see if we could meet for once, before next year, hopefully? Looking forward to seeing you guys!

Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

I'm currently 3 days behind schedule due to assignments and tests, but I'm aiming at returning back on track before the next weekend arrives.

Hi!It's almost two years since I first met you. It was meant to be a break from the December common tests, doubled with something to treat myself with on Christmas night back in 2008. At around 2.30pm on boxing day, you asked me to join your training party. That's about how our friendship took off.

You introduced me to not one, nor two, but three friends, who I would cherish, whether or not we would even have the chance to see each other face to face. There's something about this friendship that makes it so special. At the beginning, we were able to talk about almost anything under the sun. Music, arts, math and many more. I seldom have such long conversations with friends, and so often too. It used to be fun conversing with you, almost every night back then. You helped relieve me of my stress, and handed the job to another friend, of whom I eventually came to develop some feelings for. Befriending you, was like a never-ending roller coaster ride. A moment of thrill was never enough. A pleasant surprise,good or bad, was always waiting at every turn. Until recently, I never knew you had a thing for photography. Wondered how long you had been into it, maybe even longer than me. Perhaps one day, we could exchange photographs and pointers online?

We've been going through a lot. If there's one thing I really wanted to do right now, it would be to resolve whatever issues and doubts between us, and continue walking together, enjoying and taking in whatever comes our way. We do not know each other personally, but I do know there's a possibility in strengthening the friendship between us. With that, till I see your names signing in again, I'll be missing everyone.

Day 6 — A stranger

Hi! Just wanted to ask, what makes a stranger? I don't know you, you don't know me. Somehow, I don't know how, we're friends online. Was it this year, or last year? Well, though we were probably taught by the same teachers, but in different buildings, on the same parcel of land, somehow, we're strangers. Till now, I still don't know how it came about. Alright, this is probably going to be the shortest letter I have ever written,but anyways, maybe since we have exchanged words a couple of times, it wouldn't be that awkward for me to write this to you(for fun), though I had a hard time finding someone in my friend list to write to.

Hope you don't mind this being short, since the length is more or less, pretty much an idea of how much I know about you.I wouldn't mind getting to know you a little better, though.