MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE...

8th April 2005. A milestone in our lives of being a student in pursuit of the elusive paper held in high regard by society. It is also the LAST lecture I've attended in my entire life. Today, everyone in class was chattier than usual, perhaps trying to mask the fact that we're all gonna miss the days of being together... of having tea breaks in between lectures, of having lunch in our smelly SIM foodcourt and of slogging for assignments in the computer labs on level 5. Some of us were trying to squeeze the most out of every minute spent in class together, for we know they don't come by ever again.

How I wish the lecture would never end and that moment would freeze in time forever, but I know as in life, all good things must come to an end, and people won't cherish the people they had around them until it was time to say goodbye - something I believe a lot of us are still trying to grapple with. And as I stepped out of the familiar lecture halls for the last time, I left with much regrets - of not taking the effort to really know other people, besides the occasional hi-bye.

Looking back at the semesters gone by, the last one was the best of all. Everyone was like one big happy family because the ties were strengthened from staying together during our trip to Melbourne. Almost everyone knew each other and coming to lectures and seeing the familiar faces was something to look forward to amidst the hustle and bustle of project deadlines. But all these happy days will be consigned to the containers of our memories forever.

Pictures and words are tangibles of what I have during my time in SIM. I shall do a recap of the wonderful 3 years I've spent there.

Semester 1:

Came into SIM at the lowest point in my life. Fresh out of army. Flunked my As. Retook my As again during NS and managed a CCD at the last attempt. Despite sending out yearly applications, I was rejected repeatedly and had nowhere to go whereas my peers all made it to local unis. I felt like shit then. Contemplated signing on with the army but dropped out during the medical evaluation phase because of my terrible eyesight. I came into SIM determined to make amends for my past failures, to concentrate solely on studies and not to make any friends. (naive... haha) This explains why I always look so aloof and unapproachable to people. Anyone looking too 'loud' and always trying to be in the centre of attention incurred my wrath and I scorn upon their every move... hahaha... actually I still do nowadays to the very same few people in my class... o_O oops? haha, like I give a damn...

Semester 2:

Started to realise you really can't do without friends in the course, especially when it comes to doing projects. Somehow in a way or another, you're being forced to socialise. And as much as you loath it, you have to do it. James or Dustin, I can't really remember, was the first few people I knew in the course. How? I don't know. We just got to know each other lah. And yeah, let me share with you all this classic conversation I had with James. Me and him were having a meal at megabites cafe when he suddenly said: "eh kah kiat, you free this sunday or not?" I replied: "why leh?" He followed: "Let me bring you to a very happening place" I was like: "Woah, zhun bo? happening arh? got chio bu one or not?" I then asked: "So... where's the place?" Without batting an eyelid, he said: "my church - city harvest" I nearly wanted to bash him up, hahaha no lah... but got 3 lines run down from the side of my face lah. -__-"" I kindly rejected him and told him my stand on religion. He backed down afterwards, never to mention anything about asking me to join him or anything. I totally respect him for that.

Semester 3:

Started to get to know more people, and the names of my classmates whom I thought never existed until that semester. Hahaha... mak was so sad the other day when I told him that. Result up to this point was consistently good by my standards but it dropped that semester because of the insane number of assignments. NUS finally offered me a place - in Building and Real Estate management that is. It puts me in a big dilemma - to go or not to go? All I wanted is to be the same as my peers and go into local unis. But 4 years in a course I barely knew? and not to mention the uncertainties involved? No way, too much risk. Decided to stay although I still feel a tinge of regret up till today. Got to know the 'anti-social' group - Alex, Zhiwei, Jasmine and Magdelene. Electic mix of personalities I say, as I found out later on... haha... things are not what they seem to be. The direct intake of people from the poly batch came in. *Strains neck to look for chiobus* don't have leh... sad... hahaha...

Semester 4:

Successfully infiltrated the anti-social group. Did projects with them, especially DPP where we had to do this research project on productivity issues for the company Barang Barang. We had to travel to woodlands every few days to visit the warehouse to do some onsite study. Near for some, not so for me... Bedok leh... Kenna the grade NN for a major assignment OSD for the first time ever. Totally shocked man, after all the effort we put in. Had a major conflict with this group mate of ours D. The impression he gave of others is that he only know how to criticize and not do any constructive work. Devil's advocate? Far from it. Anyway to be fair, he did contribute, though the things he did to piss me and the rest off outweigh the positives. But all is forgiven. No point harbouring hatred over such trivial matters. Just maintain a strictly platonic friendship. Finally won the intersem soccer tournament after reaching the semis for the past few semesters. A trophy to show for in my display cabinet. Haha... Started taking bike lessons at CDC.

Semester 5:

Really starting to enjoy coming for lectures and seeing the friendly faces. Plus, there's the melbourne trip to look forward to. So exciting. Been looking out for travel and accomodation costs to Australia while juggling schoolwork at the same time. Last semester was the final straw. Kicked out D for all of our projects for obvious reasons because we, or rather he couldn't get along well with the rest of us. Ah, you see? there's dirty politics involved in school too. Flew over to Melbourne after exams. Stayed with the clique I now associated myself with in this place called the Paramount which James got a lobang for us. Quality times there and wonderful memories. Attended classes for 2 weeks before me and James embarked on our trip to Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast on a budget travel. Had conflicts along the way on how things should be done and not to be done, but nothing couldn't be solved with a little bit of in-yer-face talks. I finally got my bike license!!! WOO~

Semester 6:

With bonds that are already strengthened from the stay in Australia, I started this semester in the anticipation of knowing more people that I haven't had the opportunity to do so. I broke off with my clique physically and went in search of new project mates. Got to know Charlene, Rachel, Mak and Ian, not forgetting my fellow phantom gina, Charles. hahaha... to think he's from the same secondary sch as me and we only got acquainted this semester. It's because I thought he was dao, and I also can't be bothered less. haha... apparently this guy was the same as me, just want to concentrate on studies and get it over and done with. Such a pity right? only last semester then know got such a colorful character around, gp b3 somemore hor? when I correct your english means you listen to me ok man? No arguing yah? wahahaha... Sadly, no more chance to do project with any of them already. Regret not knowing them earlier. Lastly, I don't know whether should I say this or not... knowing her has been the best part of my time in SIM, albeit for a few months only. I thought I've finally found her after a long wait. All those nights of chatting on msn till almost daybreak reinforces the fact that we really do get along well and is a sign of better things to come. I don't want to go into details what I did afterwards but all I wanna say is, I have no regrets. You win some, you lose some. Time to move on in life, no point making yourself miserable no matter how hard it is to face the truth.

To the friends whom have crossed path with me: Alex, Zhiwei, Jasmine, Magdelene, Shuhui, James, David, Charles, Charlene, Ian, Mak, Rachel, Wyi Teck, Dustin, Armi, Zhengyi, Zihe, Colleen, Chrisann, Hongkuan, Spencer, Mark Brown, Gary, Sean, Pamela... and others too many to mention. Memories are indeed made of these...