Was intrigued by the article in the Straits Times yesterday about the state of school alumunis raising money. The article interviewed several ex-students of schools and universities and they said the reason that they did not feel compelled to contribute was that they didn't felt emotionally attached to the school and the way that the administration went about soliciting for funds was a bit of a turn-off to them.

I found it interesting because it sort of bordered upon what I have been feeling since I entered university. I have been reflecting on the days in school and realised that so far, being in school seems more like a transaction than an attachment. Yes, even though it is still too early to "feel" the same way i do for my secondary school or polytechnic, I'm a little afraid that my days in uni would just be about attending lectures and going home after. Due to the system, we are allowed flexibility of modules, which is great because you can essentially plan for 3 or 4 day weeks. On the other hand, that means we don't have fixed set of classmates which we have grown accustomed to throughout our education years. An extroverted person should have no problem adapting, perhaps even relishing in the opportunities to meet and interact with new people all the time, however, what happens to a slightly more introverted student?

To be honest, i belong more to the introverted spectrum, most of my friends are formed from classmates which is great for me because I see them most of the time and it takes a while to warm up. However in this new environment, everything seems so fast paced because everyone is rushing off some place else for another lesson and opportunities to know your friends better are largely restricted to social events which you may or may not participate in. Thus, even the introverted has to learn to be more extroverted right? Sure, but just don't end up with having lots of hi/bye friends with none you really know (I hope im not like that!)

I digress.. I always believe that it's not the place but people that matters. A building is still a building even though it may have undergone numerous facelifts, the school name is still essentially a name, void of any meanings unless you so wish to attach any to it. Last night, I attended my secondary school scout troop's 60th anniversary campfire, nevermind that they forgot to remind my batch, I rushed down after dinner to meet shuyi who was the one that found out. When i was there, i met up with several other old boys, some seniors, some juniors, my ex teacher in-charge even bringing along her two boys who will one day enroll into the same organisation. Even though we knew that the event was not for us, we were there nonetheless to show our "support" and of course, to catch up on the good times. I have had tons of good memories of my secondary school days, poly days too, I'm sure you'd emphatise.

Though the question begs: how much of it is to be "given" by the school and how much of it you have to make for yourself? If all someone does is to go to school solely for lessons, then my guess is that someone would not feel very attached to the school when he or she graduates. Grab a friend, learn where they came from and what they like. Who knows, they may even like cakes and coffee. Because you are creating the memories that you'll keep once you graduate.

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I like the Olympics because for the whole month or so, i get 6 additional channels worth of sports to watch. There was much more to cheer about when the Singapore table tennis team got into the finals match with China in the team event.

But wait a minute... those Singaporean athletes were actually from China, so its effectively China vs China in the finals!

Then again, they are citizens.. they have an identification card, just like you and me, why aren't some of us still accepting them as one of our own? So what exactly constitutes a Singaporean? My lecturer mentioned the other day in my southeast asia module, "if i took away your IC, does it make you any less Singaporean?"

It really got me thinking and it dawned on me that we too are not "true singaporeans".. though we may claim that we are born and bred here. But didn't our forefathers come from some place else once upon a time too?

Being a Singaporean, or any citizen of a country isn't just about holding an identification card of the nation, it isn't about having entitlements to subsidies in medical, education or housing. Who we are.. is a sum of the things we do, share and basically the things we have in common isn't it? We love our food, willing to travel to find the best noodles/prata/snacks, etc, complain about the weather, government, everything, kiasuism, participating in 10million toto draws.... if you partake or enjoy these activities as much as us, that makes you.. uniquely Singaporean too! haha.. Goo table tennis!

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**edited to protect identities of agents and classified materials**

Barret says:
how are things back in the dojo?

Koban says:
same old same old man

Koban says:
nothings much been up

Koban says:
u?

Barret says:
nothing much really

Barret says:
i met up with comrad koh

Koban says:
comrad koh!

Koban says:
how did that happen

Barret says:
komrad koh is doing an exchange in the north

Barret says:
and he crashed at my home

Koban says:
komrad koh going back to assist russia against georgia?

Barret says:
komrad koh is mysterious

Koban says:
money laundering through university funds

Barret says:
he works in wierd ways

Koban says:
top agents are like that

Barret says:
hummm

Barret says:
top agent eh

Barret says:
like us?

Koban says:
yea somewhat

Koban says:
though more mysterious than us

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Sometimes when it rains, it pours.
If you look carefully enough, sometimes you may spot a boy holding an umbrella standing in the rain.
Somehow, the rain never ends.
The sun merely blocks out the droplets of water.
He holds a lollipop now.
Or is it?

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hi guys!

i know i haven't been updating faithfully as before, lack motivation because i realise nobody actually reads this page? ah perhaps.

anyways, it's about mid way through the holidays and yup as mentioned in my previous post im working in some media related company. Has a bit of a learning curve as i have no prior technical proficiencies in this field. Lots of button pressing, lots of tv monitors, but great time thus far. Get to watch a fair bit of programs here and there, occasionally seeing Mtv VJs walking around (no luck with the photos yet though).

Other than work, don't really have much energy to do much else lately with the Euro cup on most nights. But still, waking up like army timing for my morning shifts can be difficult for this sleepyhead. Then again, heard next month i'll have to do afternoon and night shifts, not sure how that will pan out, not too scary i hope, as i heard stories of quite a few "sightings".

Oh.. and i'll be around next semester after all. The good people in Italy who are giving me money thought it'll be a waste if i went for such a short time, and thanks to them and the school, they have more or less confirmed that they will be switching me to go next year instead. That way, i'll get to stay a bit longer and the weather will be much more forgiving.

till the next update, and to whoever that still reads my blog, cheers :)

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you know singapore is so small, you just never really know if the person you see everyday might be your relative or somehow related to you.

uncanny...

i found out something interesting today. well, dunno how to put it, not quite a star wars "i am your father" type of seriousness, but it just feels nice having another nice person to be related to.

in fact, i may just be your distant cousin haha

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