As cliched as this might get, all good things are bound for closure and albeit my 4 years in RI have been carved on stone, it is but tangible actions that are irrevocable. Feelings persist and so do the sustainable relations that I have forged over these 4 amazing and yet surprisingly short years. In part, I would like to extend my gratitude and heartfelt feelings to a set of special individuals that have accompanied me through my journey for a large part and have left an inexorable imprint on my life.
Naturally, the people whom I love the most would undoubtedly be the scouts (the TT to be specific but hey, no bias shown here haha). You guys have walked through these 4 years with me and as cheesy as it can get, it was you guys who stuck through thick (mud) and thin (apple skins) with me. Words cannot fully describe the adventure and expedition that our scouting batch has undergone and sometimes I just look back at the other batches and I no longer see the camaraderie and brotherhood that we so naturally reciprocate. Perhaps, the times are changing and friendship is no longer oft importance to some but to me, I am proud to be a scout because you guys made it so much fun and enjoyable.
And of course, my deepest affection goes out to the wonderful TT members who have been a scouting brother and a dependable friend. I will never forget the individual birthday celebrations that we staged for each other, and let this be a sustainable tradition that we will carry out in our reunion 5 to 10 years down the road? Wouldn't it be a joy to see Jervan eating doggy beef jerky off his bak chor mee once more, or just to wince at Joel's cunning yet adorable smile? Sometimes, I just think about the memories we had together and I smile to myself. Because of you guys, I have truly understood and indulged in the simple pleasures of life. As the Chinese saying goes "至亲不如好友", you guys are more than just fellow scouts working together in the administrative department; we are practically family, a pack of dogs that I hope will never stray from each other's paths.
Aidan, I've known you the longest of all the TT members and even now, your trademark still remains to be your voice. For good or for worst, it has made you an outstanding individual in your life and as I have brought life and excitement into your secondary school life, you have always been a true friend to me (since the very first day when I was sandwiched between you and Deepak!). You're more than just a scouting friend to me. All those times we had together as true dogs, HFH, boarding and even those emo moments at F1 (I will never forget what you told me that night), we've grown so much since Sec 1 (though I still continue fragging haha). Keep strong and wherever your foresight leads you now, pursue your passion wholeheartedly. When you become a famous enough photojournalist, you have the obligation to return and document our journey (:
Jervan, thanks for always being around and saying the right comeback lines to practically everything that everyone else says. I don't really remember how we got to know each other but just like many of the TT members, we just fostered a bond that is inexplicable and irreplaceable. Thanks for your cynicism because sometimes we all just need a little skewered humor and you, yes Minister, you have served that purpose well. Here's to you becoming a successful transport minister cum PSC scholar cum food gourmet hosting another food channel!
Gabriel, thanks for always being so happy-go-lucky and keeping the spirits of our group high always. You have always been actively organizing outings for us and I'm really appreciative for that, because all those precious moments we spent together sure did reinforced the already unbreakable friendship bonds we have. You've been a really cool dude (save your Chinese name haha, jkjk!) and an awesome friend to my life. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have any problem fishing out the right girl in JC within the first few months ;)
Awks, you were there even before the TT got together and raised this new family of dogs. Thanks for sticking by me during our COH days and even before those. Matthew was always the quiet one and well there's that fish-out-of-water but you were a good friend and patrol mate all through. Thanks for accompanying me on all those bus rides (which used to be so lonely with me taking 58 by myself) and being an awesome buddy all these years. Take pride in yourself and what you have, not what you don't. In other words, don't live your live thinking that by gym-ing, you'll be able to recover some lost ego. Truth is, you just need to find confidence in what you already have.
Ding Ian, you're also a really cool dude and I think we grew much closer this year after being part of the same batch team. You've always been really supportive and truth is, I wouldn't really know what to do without your assistance this year. Of course, you've always been able to spice up our conversations with your quirky accented lines and of course your Borat impersonation. All those memories shall never fade and your comedic nature shall live on in our hearts forever. And of course, those lanning sessions haha (Hightower ftw!)
Boze, I will forever remember your swag and that epic face of yours. You've always been the center of fun and epicness, with your "Hey" jokes and your pirate fantasies and of course Don Cablass (however you spell it haha). Keep cool and stay awesome as always. Your charm shall never be forgotten. I also remember your worthy sacrifice to sit with us instead of your round table with the knights of splendor and for that, it proves that we are closer than you might have imagined. I'm looking forward to the night of splendor we can have in substitution of your class haha (: And you know what's better than normal friends? AN EPIC FRIENDSHIP, and that's us!
Joel, I'm pretty sure you'll read this after I tag you but thanks for adding a stealth element to our friendship. It's really intriguing just thinking whether you'd reply to the next FB message or not (even though the answer is clear) but one question still remains: WHO IS YOUR SECRET BOYFRIEND?! Haha, those good old memories in boarding spent with Jervan, Aidan and of course the dumbf****. You know what we're not just friends, we're f****** friends (yea it does make a difference!) Haha stay secretive as always and one day when you find the right girl to open your heart up to, don't forget us (:
Chiam, thanks for always being there to take the rap on behalf of us. I know that the red-tape bureaucracy has always been thick and there are many scenes that take place backstage but just know that we appreciate you're efforts as the SR and now, TTL. Thanks for always being such a affable friend out of scouting as well and it's been a while since we all got together and had a LAN party session haha (kinda missing those). Don't mug so hard and just take it easy (for once you can learn from me) haha.
In any case you guys have been really awesome and to say the least, I love you guys. No homo though ;)
Of course, there is another group of wonderful people who saw me through the last 2 years of my life as well and I also love them. All those recess and lunch sessions we had together just summed up the simple but wonderful pleasures we indulged together.
Jet, thanks for always being such a helpful friend with regards to academic and of course just sacrificing your mugging time to hang out with us haha. To be honest, when I first met you, I didn't really know that we were going to be great friends in 3J/4J. Haha you reminded me and still remind me of those sloths in the zoo (no offense but haha) who can barely keep their eyes open. You are one of the few people whom I respect for their high tolerance and resilience against the odds and limits of humankind. You push past those boundaries by taking all those supernatural power naps and surviving with so many other commitments. Now that exams are finally over, you can TF(2) all the way haha. Kuang will definitely miss you ;)
Tham, you were the first friend from our class that I actually made (I don't really regard Tobby as the first friend cause I knew him before). I never really notices but just reminiscing the OBS days, I seem to recall that you were already you're cocky and boastful self then haha. It was quite a surprise when I came to know that you were a 4.0 in Sec 2 and I remember all those special moments in OBS! Till now, you've been a strong friend through and through, save the times you pang sei us whenever you spy tail or see another friend haha. Hope you see this in Taiwan and have fun there (:
Kee Yong, thanks for being the jester (in a good way) of our clique because conversations can never go weary with you around. I'll always remember you're stimulating relationship with your Fathers (I emphasize the plurality of the word) and the epic moments trying to get a "big cup" from the henpecked uncle haha. Stay cool as always and don't get raped by Wee Xuan in JC haha. Work harder next year and hopefully you can own Jet 8-0 next year (:
Cher, thanks for always being the butt of the jokes (haha, sorry couldn't resist). Don't worry, I never really meant any of the snide comments or rude jokes I cracked but thanks for putting up with my insolent tongue. You've always been cheery and a great friend these years and I won't ever forget the evolution of the insults meant for you (haha blob to cheripop to other things that I shan't mention). Hope you get into Physics and Chem RA and have fun suanning Jet and all the other girls in JC (:
And last but not least, I wanna thank a very special guy who has accompanied me throughout these 4 years and revolutionized my life completely. My life would have been completely different if I had not decided to insult a chinaman in Sec 1 that ushered in a new friend in my life. He was my best friend in Sec 1 and this has not changed over the 4 endearing years. In fact, our friendship has only grown stronger.
Chiraag or Nanik haha, thanks for being such an awesome bro in the history of bros and you and I have redefined the meaning of bros. I will never forget our childish days bullying Liang Pu and you trampling all over his table chanting "I CONQUERED CHINA! I CONQUERED CHINA!". Those were the days. Even the tragic moments when you got punched by Ernest or when we made Liang Pu cry. We were and I might say still are, tyrants to a certain extent but you're ruthless attitude has made you the friend I always wanted. To me, you'll forever be an over-sized kid, a tad too tall for your maturity level and even though you piss me off way too often, I can count on you not to hold grudges and that has seen our friendship through the past 4 years. We may finally be heading towards diverging paths (with you taking Physics and I Biology), I will never forget all the times spent over the phone (to be crude, we were a bit gay don't you think?). I think I chalked up more talk time hours with you over these 4 years than I have with my parents since birth and that alone is a feat accomplished only by the best of bros. Stay cool as always and we'll keep in touch!
Once again, to the aforementioned wonderful and very special individuals, I love you guys (:
