July 14th: It’s important NEVER to forget.

“And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.”

It’s important never to forget. What we are today is nothing more than an accumulation of many distinct pieces of our past. Each strand of memory contributing towards how we shape ourselves in the uncertain tomorrows. I’ll be leaving Malaysia for the United States on the 17th of August. And I’ll most probably wouldn’t come back for the next 4 years unless for any emergencies. As of this date, I’ve been through 4 phases of my life: innocent childhood, blur-case primary school life, metamorphosis secondary school life, and a never-to-forget INTEC pre-university life.

I’m here to state a case of which I am very certain. I’m here to explain my years of joy and the months of silence. On July 14th 2005, the mischievous prefects from the Class of 2006 in SMK USJ 12 was officially appointed to the seat of power. They were notorious for their non-conformity, flouting of illogical rules, and broad-casting of their two-cents worth of ideas. 

And I was their chief prankster.

The dinner we had when we retired. (Aug 12th 2006)

—

“I’ve lived a life thats full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.”

They adored their mischievousness. For some of them, they dreaded school because of that. Hairs were pulled; “Swipe-card” was performed; name calling sessions were prevalent. For some, it was the reason for school. But whatever side those individuals were, they all agreed that secondary life was too important to gloss over without making a conscious effort to live it to the fullest.  

Fun, laughter, mischievousness was used to the fullest to ignite the crazy ideas that marked the modernization of our board. Forums, websites, emails, CCTVs…..they lived the dream of technological expansion when many were still dreaming it. 

And yes…they lived it their way.

I told you that they’re maniacs. 

Now they want to kill me cause I’ve just labelled them nuts. =)

—

“Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.”

For me personally I’ve had my own share of regrets. I regret the day when I had to write a friend’s resignation letter, knowing that I would soon come to regret it. I regret the day I quarreled with my Chief Secretary, knowing too well that I pushed her too hard. I regret that I hesitated and thus acting too slow when organizational rift broke out between the afternoon and the morning sessions. I regret that I couldn’t save the board from what it has become today, far off course from what it’s founding fathers hoped for.

I regret because I wasn’t strong enough.

But all those regrets and stumbles pale in comparison to what I’ve achieved. I’ve worked with the best of my batch and know deep down inside that they are all way better than I am. I’ve pushed through a plan for modernization when all others thought I would fail. I’ve lived to see the day when our prefect Constitution was at its height. I’ve lived through laughter, fun and craziness; all that worth more than any treasure in this world. 

I’ve stood tall and didn’t force myself to crawl. I did what I had to do. 

And I’ve survived to tell the tale.

Those trying politics…….but always ended in good and great fun. =)

—

“Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.”

There were dark moments when we’ve shouldered more than we should, trampled by adversities internally and externally. But we have never failed to regroup, reconcile and move on. We value friendship too much for political gains.

We wrote letters of objection when we disagreed with public policy. We complained to the relevant authorities for an issue we felt strongly about. Some of our past actions might not augur well with the crowd and we paid the price. But what the hell…..

We faced them and stood tall. And we did it on our terms. 

Proud people.

—

“For what is a man, what has he got? 
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!”

To the prefects of Class 2006 of SMK USJ 12:

You have taught me things that textbooks can never do. You brought me challenges after challenges that reminded me of what education is really all about: not the striving for As but living each day and soaking in each experience without compromising on our own believes and identity. 

I wouldn’t shy from the fact that I am not in favour of the policies that have befallen the board that we once preside. I’ve not attended any of their functions since, and I’m not regretting it. One day they come to find out that I am right. I’ve learnt along the way that there are things that money can’t buy. And one of them is our stance in life. We might not enjoy the support of the many, but at least we can live each day knowing that we crafted the life that we wanted and not living it for the sake of others.

Thank you for not clipping your wings when you were meant to fly.

Thank you for not crawling down when you are meant to run,

Thank you for all the years filled with laughter and fun,

And thanks the most:

For doing it YOUR way. =)

HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY!! 

Last 5 posts by Jian Wei

• Budapest: Contradictions Aplenty - August 15th, 2010
• Istanbul Day 3: Masters of Our Universe - August 11th, 2010
• Istanbul: At Night - August 10th, 2010
• Istanbul: Putting a Face to the Past - August 9th, 2010
• It Was All Worth It - July 14th 2010 - July 14th, 2010

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