Past Blasts on Many Fronts

Surely by now i've tried by all means possible to refrain from writing 'i-hate-army' entries, for fear of being seen two-dimensional or something. Though, seeing Isrin's entries of past muzium artefacts had somehow generated a fair bit of response from our friends, causing a string of nostalgia-inspired entries to surface.

I've told to some that i've missed school. I think other than the fact that there was where you have your close friends at close proximity (or not), for my case the academic institution was also a place for developing other talents that you may have within you, waiting to be realised. This is possibly the reason why i am not enjoying this anti-pinnacle time of my life, where opportunities for such ventures are sadly limited.

Picture above is taken after i took my last A-level paper, evidenced by the striking out of the damnable list on the board. It is officially the last day i dawn the uniform too.

I particularly liked this bit of my A-level school graduation cert, where my teachers stated:

"He is committed to his values and beliefs and these guide him in achieving clarity of vision and sense of purpose. He enjoys developing his character and personality on many fronts - in academic aspects, sports, leadership and the arts. He encourages others, through his example, to do the same."

I personally loved the 'many fronts' thingy, its soo true and i couldn't have put it better myself.

A nicely taken picture of the 2006 MI Hockey Boys Team. We painstakingly managed to clinch the 4th position in the 'A' division national tournament, the closest victory next to our predecessor the legendary Jurong Institute record of 1st place for both Boys and Girls Team in the same year.

I took on Hockey back in PJC too, before letting it go in favour of Students' Council. Why hockey? Well not many knew this, but i did it in honour of my mother, she was a hockey player back in her youth (during her days only wooden hockey sticks were available, with a nasty hooked front!). It just seemed right, especially since i'd wanted to join a sporting team.

I had always been in a leadership body since primary school, and it was my last opportunity to know what "training in a team and go for tournaments" feel like. When i got to Millennia Institute which allows me to take on both Students' Council and Hockey, i took the challenge. Though regretably, since this ventures needed different commitments of their own, training time for hockey was ultimately 'sacrificed' in favour of studies and Council, thus in hockey my abilities were not as developed as they could have been.

Orientation themed Supernovation was the last project undertaken by the 2nd Students' Council in which i am part of. Befittingly it was the best we came out with, and easily the most memorable. And of course i am very proud to have proposed the 'clan-system', to which enlightened individuals helped to make it happen, and inevitably proved to be an immediate success.

The 2 pictures above are totally rare. Thank God i got hold of them! In this picture we see the bedrock of the fun the orientation had, the unbeatable Games Committee - headed by Michelle (white watch), myself (in the red tie) and Joel (blue shorts). I dunno what came over me, but the unlikely trio proved to be insatiably perfect, of course after numerous bloodletting decision-makings.

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Important lesson learnt in that course of time is that leaders are not leaders until they prove their worth, and no measure of position, post or name can dispute that. *winks*

Well school also perhaps open the way to something beyond mere academic, and even outside the boundaries of the building. It was an eye-opener in many ways but you can't excel in what you're uncomfortable in, and truth be told, that is why the army experience fails for me as well.

The reason why Nabella is christened 'DP' for eternity. It is a reminder on how she tricked me into doing hip-hop infront of the entire school on Teachers' Day, for her supposed 'jazz dance'. Big-time ahakz. I don't believe in letting my body go, but it was a nice change. And recently watching some dance moves of the dancers in a Mariah Carey consert inspired me. :P

And how can one forget the unforgetable dikir days, whose influence came from all-time best buddy Shukri Shuhaimi. Those 3 years or so certainly were much missed, and the above is the last perfomance of the now-defunct BayanA, at a function of its birth place, the Ar-Raudhah Mosque.

And my dream of representing the school in dikir barat was realised too in Millennia's Emas, seen together with girls group Anja Digma here at Piala Khatulistiwa 2006. Though we didn't win, it was a nice closure to my dikir days, being my last performance as well.

And one almost forget, that whatever my MI days were, i had still came from PJC and had spent one year there. In a stunningly rare picture above again, taken at the NACLI camp of the budding 5th Students' Council, where presidents and ex-cos means nothing then.

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Though after a year, convinced that i will not excel academically there. And with the Council getting corrupted and too bureaucratic, despite being a co-Head of Social and Relations, i took my leave in what was to be the turning point of my A-level course experience.

And a year later I made a nostalgic homage pilgrimage to PJC at their passing-down investiture as a Millennian councillor (seen in the red tie). And such warm welcome they gave me too!

So with all such major experiences shared, all the ups and downs, tumulteous they may be, it is still such a character-building time in addition to the maturity of mind academically. I would say nothing can take that place, and above all they are the ones i truly miss when i finally receive that fateful A-level cert.