Tuesday, October 18, 2005
I really have no idea how long this entry will be.. This shall be my longest entry so far. There is no other better time to blog about this--my college life, cos today is the official end of my college life. Not only that, it marks the end of my relationship with the 12-year long Singapore Education System. 12 years. im amazed at how much ive grown and matured. And over these 2 years, i really muz say, i never made the wrong decision to go TJC. Never.
Before i start rattling on, i've a request for all those who had taken pictures with me today..
PLEASE SEND ME THOSE PICTS K? THANKS A MILLION!!!~=====================
Today is exceptionally significant. Cos, I'd be doing alot of things for the LAST TIME in my life.
1. Flag raising ceremony. Well, i noe there'd still be more of this in NS, but having flagraising ceremony in school will very much be different.. Those assembly procedures; those familiar faces all around me; Mr Desai walking up n down the row... Such scenes shall never ever return again. Today was the last.
2. Uniforms. Well, after today, we won't be wearing uniforms for lessons anymore. After wearing uniforms for the last 12 years, it would feel weird for me to be out of it.. To be really frank, right from the very start, i didnt think that TJ uniform suck. Many ppl kept saying that the colour sucks and all that, but honestly, i didnt find it bad at all.. And i've really gotten used to it pretty much..
3. School Song. Today, we sang the school song for the last time. I'll elaborate on this later on.
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Farewell Concert.
I must say, after attending many farewell concerts, today's was the best.. Although all the past farewell concerts had been great and really give me the 'bu she de' feeling, this one that i attended today was really a quality one..
I love the first video that was aired.. It really captured our TJ college spirit well, during that significant basketball match that put us top after a 20-year drought. The video got the whole audi high and it started the concert well.
I love the principal's last address. She was still inspiring and charismatic. i guess she's the best principal i've encountered so far la, compared to the ones in pri n sec sch.. I love the teachers' citations, cos it really shows that everyone has potential. Everyone is a talent. Though im fully aware that im only an average person in the society, it doesnt mean that i won't achieve anything in life. Thanks to the teachers for all the inspirations.
I love the GP department's item. Rather corny and unique, esp seeing how gp tutors dress up and act in a comedy. it brought the concert to another climax.
I love the maths dept's ppt. Really creative in using maths statistics terms to craft out an interesting and inspiring and encouraging words of wisdom.
"success and effort have a
positive correlation"
"please grow
exponentially"
"one day, you may be a
significant figure, but don't forget the teachers here"
"life is full of
random variable..."
"work hard and strive....... to increase your
level of confidence"
"life is not always
standard normal..."
"....there are uncertainties in life....remember to explore them and
test hypotheses.."
I really love the maths and science dept's item. Mr Low CH (not me though) was strumming a guitar and the rest of the tutors were singing. What's cool is that they actually changed the lyrics that became really funny la, cos they reflect the feelings of a teacher... Songs that were sung were quite pop, like tonghua, peiwokanrichu, laoshuaidami etc. Those songs got the concert into the highest climax.. really cool. i was quite impressed la, and was hoping that they sing song after song non-stop..(i really hope to have the lyrics to all the songs) they ended wif auld lang syne.. and i somehow heard sobbing sounds around me.. this item was really my fave.
(to the tune of laoshuaidami: zhi yao neng rang ni na A, wo shen me dou yuan yi, zhe yang wei ni)
Next was a long long long long Thanksgiving session, with graduating students going up on stage to say wadever they want to tutors..Those on stage spoke for very long, and somehow got everyone bored.. haha. but really, the sincerity of each and every thank-you could be sensed by the teachers and us..
The 29th SC den showed us a slideshow of fotos they made.. though its only been 22 months, i can see how some of us changed.. from sec sch kids all over singapore, into a well-integrated big TJ family..
Before the concert ended, we sang the school song last. This was the LOUDEST school song i've ever heard in TJC. The volume was easily 10 times louder than normal. There wasnt any vice-p to stand on stage to sing wif us and encourage us to sing, there wasnt any plans or appeals to get us to sing loud. But yet we did. Unanimously. The feeling was really great la. The feeling of unity, the feeling of everyone contributing, the feeling of everyone being part of a big family. ironically, this always comes at the end of everything. But looks like all of us have come to realise that today was the last chance to sing the school song la.. We won't even get to hear the tune or background music after today already..
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We took alot alot of fotos after the concert. and we TOOK PHOTO WIF MRS LIM, our principal!!! WAHHH. Made us all so high lor. We've rose Mrs Lim's status to that of a celebrity since early last year.. the primary reason was cos she looked like FISH LEONG. And i can always remember how crazy the few of us will become whenever Mrs Lim is in the vicinity. We would all be like LITTLE FANS around a BIG SHOT celebrity. Then that time she came to us and spoke to us in the library, and we were high oso.. Right, IM SO GLAD that we took a foto wif her today.. Lol. Im going crazy again.
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After that, we went Siglap area for lunch, den headed to HAAGEN DAZS! I tink our class is really seh, cos we actually won the $50 voucher, cos of our excellent performance during Napfa test. Its really beyond our expectations la, din know we could actually win it. So the 16 of us went and enjoyed it la.. Played zhong ji mi ma dere oso, and we oso forced yang to tell us his darkest secret. hMm.
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This entry shall not end without me looking back at my college life and pick out some exceptionally unforgettables...
Unforgettable places in TJC1. The Library, where I spent countless days mugging in.. without it, I wont know which other conducive studying areas I can set foot in. The library is responsible for my prelims and common tests results.. I wont forget those hot stuffy spots, where unwilling ppl have to sit at and sweat.. and of cos those very-cold spots, where I shiver while studying. And there’s oso this subway corner, supplying us with sandwiches and cookies, where we once settled our Tuesdays lunch.. Of cos, there’s the librarian Darren, whom we all simply love to gajiao, so that he feels irritated and scolds us, -almost everyday-. We've even come to play a stupid game, that is to let Darren scold us everyday. We managed to do that consecutively for many days.. But luckily not to the extent that he remembers our faces to ban us from the library...Lol.
2. Behind the audi. This secluded area has been our favourite haunt. Its cooling dere, and deserted. So we feel exceptionally free and easy.. there were times where we played poker cards there, away from teachers and so were never caught. We also studied dere occasionally when library is packed. I won't forget this favourite haunt of ours..
3. The cafeteria. This is where the food stalls are, with creative names that im still amused today. ‘wild wild west, noodle parade, the wok, aunty’s corner, temasnack, zap, bookz, Tropicana haven and so on’ . One thing different in our sch canteen from others', is the tables and chairs. They are those u can really find at starbucks or any other high-end cafeteria. But also due to this, its not easy to find a seat at lunch time. And everyone simply loves to join tables together, making the screeching sounds in the process. The food there isn’t those that u can boast of, but I guess they are gd enuf for some hungry cravings.. i guess i'll have to miss some of the food there as well.. they are economical too, though the food had become very much inferior, by the end of our first year..
4. The sick bay. This is the place where I spent countless mornings sleeping inside. I really cant keep track of how many times I’ve slept on the bed.. of cos, there were times I slept dere when I was really sick, juz that ppl dun believe me. Ugh. And I wont forget that during the IP orientation camp which we organized, I oso slept dere secretly with my frens, leaving the rest of the organizing team clearing away the campfire. Oops.
5. LT1. the most frequently used LT. and its common practice for me to head for those seats at the top left hand corner. It had officially became our class seats. I juz feel more comfortable with those seats. Quite ideal for copying during lecture tests too. I don't think i have the chance to step inside the LTs again.. Sigh.
6. Sports complex. This is the place where I got gold for napfa for 2 years... This is the place where we all got scolded and pumped, and had those gruelling pe lessons. This should also be the place where I was supposed to join the class for overnite bbq, but sadly I was very sick then. Sigh.. I guess there won't be another chance to have a full-class bbq again.
7. The temasek room. This is the place I was interviewed twice. The first interview was for SPP.. I got thru it and experienced a lot during the memorable 1 year period..The second was for ocip. There in the room, I had my first encounters with mr tony tan and ms leong, who were the teachers-in-charge for the sabah trip. They passed me and gave me the chance to be part of the 25-strong team to head for sabah and left me great memories.
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Unforgettable events1. Annual Road Run 2005. This day, I ran 4.995km out of the 5km for the annual road run. Cos, I blacked out and collapsed juz 0.005km away from the finishing line. It was quite a pity, cos I sweated and put in my best effort for the entire run. But I didn’t feel sad, cos I was more afraid than sad. i didn’t know wad’s wrong and why i actually blacked out, and whether this fall would mean anyting bad to me.. and I tink I shocked the school, well at least the hundreds at the sports complex.. nevertheless, I have to thank all who came to me and asked abt my condition.. I was touchéd yea.
2. Ocip 2004. The most memorable days, in JC and perhaps in my life. Spent 16 days in sabah, doing those voluntary work.. It was a totally different lifestyle that we had to adapt but still, we succeeded in accomplishing all the work that we planned to carry out. Those meaningful days, I would never forget.
3. TKD Expose 2004. I trained very hard for this inter-college competition. Everyday was training until late nights..up to 10pm.. And our team was scolded and pumped many times and there were failures that crippled our confidence of ourselves.. but yet it didn’t turn out bad on the actual day.. we got black team bronze.. this was the first sports medal I got.. unforgettable.. we trained so hard and slogged.. it’s a great team effort..
4. Other college events. I muz say I attended all college events, except for the national day celeb in 2005. I muz say I haf some college spirit in me lor, though definitely not as strong as those councillors, but sure i do. Perhaps one of the more memorable college events would be our orientation—genesis 2004. it was this event that I first got to know more abt this unfamiliar college. The mass dances were really fun and I wun forget those games we all played. I got to know my classmates for the first time, though at that time, the ice wasn’t broken yet and we were all left in well-defined school cliques…
5. CNY carnival 2005. Our class set up a stall to sell fondue. Prior to the event, we went chawmun’s house and sort of messed it up.. but the response on that day wasn’t that bad.. we kept selling out of stock and had to run opposite school to buy new raw materials. We made a profit, even after the 40% tax for the welfare fund. The event showed our class unity and i was glad we did a great job..
6. Teacher’s day 2005. We prepared a video for mr desai. It took us days to prepare this video and when we showed it to mr desai, some of us noticed his wet eyes. Lol. This had been blogged earlier in the last august post, so i shan't elaborate here.
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Unforgettable teachers who taught us 1. Physics-Mr Desai. Patient and kind. Our class sort of changed him.. He became more light-hearted after teaching us. To him, we are the liveliest class he had taught.. and hopefully his most unforgettable too.. He had been a nice CT in our year 1 times..
2. Chemisty-a) Miss PowYeeLin. A relief teacher who taught us when she was awaiting her A Level results.. She’s nice and responsible and encouraged us.. Hope she succeeds in her higher education.
b) Mr AndyGoh. A patient teacher who likes stef sun as well. He is fond of telling cold jokes and always encourages us to achieve better results..
3. Maths-Mr LeeCheeHong. We are the first non-FMaths class that he teaches..He is a cute tutor, always puts a smile on our faces.
4. Econs-Mrs LinaLow. A tutor that made me change my opinion of her from time to time. But I guess she’s nice la.. at least she cares for us, when it comes to major exams. And we r her top econs class, never failing to achieve this honour since year 1 JCT, though this achievement cant be attributed to her. Haha.
5. GP- a) Mr DustinChin. Our GP tutor in Year 1. We had fun and -slack- GP lessons for one year. Haha, but it doesn’t mean that mr chin is irresponsible ok. He’s another cute tutor who invited us to his wedding, only that we didnt actually turn up.. Oops.
b) Mr FrancisTong. Also the discipline master and our civics tutor in yr 2. GP lessons became more fulfilling after those in Year 1.. We did alot more work under MrTong..
6. PW-MsHoSernLing. Our mentor in year 1. Our group achieved Band 1 for PW.
NOT FORGETTING....
-Principal Mrs LimLaiCheng. She is our ever charismatic, encouraging and inspiring principal. She just keeps reminding me of Fish Leong cos of her resemblance to the singer.. Sadly, she’d be leaving the college this year-end too. Actually, before i came TJ, i've heard of her being a really nice new-age principal, who is ALOT better than principals from other JCs, in particular, some JCs in the east as well..
- Other tutors whom i had interaction with.. like Ms LeongFoongYee, MrTonyTan, MsKwanKahWai and many more..
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Last Words
Looking back, i've really never regretted joining TJC.. I can remember vividly, that even before O levels, I had made up my mind to set foot on TJC no matter what. People asked me “why not choose greener pastures?” Hello, who says tjc is not good? Being someone who had completed 2 years in this college, I dare say it’s a quality institution. A place that is warm and comfortable. Greener pastures? Isn’t TJC green enough?
TJC is really a unique institution. It is especially Student-centred.. Which other school would have a student's lounge that is refurbished from an SBS bus? well, though we dun have the luxury to enjoy this ambitious lounge, im already impressed at how unique the school admin and its decisions are. What i've learnt is, as long as students are willing to carry out any plans, the school would give its utmost support for us. There are also events that enlarges our school's name.. Events like Mardi Gras and other special and one-of-its-kind events really colour and add more variety to our college life. Who would forget "Slippers Day" and other weird days??
TJC would definitely be an unforgettable journey for me. Though 22 months had been very short, i've gained lots that i would certainly take away. I really have TJC to thank, for all that i've gained from it, from the tutors, from the experiences that i was put through, and from my peers. I have everyone to thank.
If it wasnt for my fateful decision to put TJC as my first choice, i wont be sure if i would gain and enjoy as much now. Im glad, really glad.
Thank you TJC and the big family. I wont forget these 22 months. As i officially end my days at TJC and also terminate my relationship with the 12-year education system today, my new life would begin shortly. But i would bear in mind the very fact that, however far i may progress in future, i would not be wad i am, if not for the foundation education that i was put into.
Dear friends, as we all graduate and move on today, lets not forget the very days that we were once together... We once enjoyed, we once had fun, we once had our serious moments. In a short while, we'd all be in our very diversified paths that eventually lead to success. Whichever paths we take, whichever dreams we pursue, shall we not forget the memorable days together? I won't forget it all and i believe we would all meet again somewhere, sometime, somehow. Lets move on and fight on.
"Once a TJCian, Always a TJCian" ~ MsKwanKahWai, during citation on farewell concert.
人生是黑白的.
7:40 PM <3
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