Having just read 2H Hurrah, the msn group for RI2H2004, I cannot help but feel a sense of belonging and pride like never before, knowing that I belong to a group of irreplaceable guys. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and I cannot help but agree. Our year as sec 1s seems like such a long time ago and i cannot help but reminiscence of the times we spent together. Coming in on our first day of school, seeing the strangers who you never thought would be sharing the good and bad times together with you. The shy smiles, awkward moments and first impressions.... then WhAm! Sec1 orientation camp. reach, they said our theme was. but reach for what? reach for the finishing line at our night walk, reach for the pinnacle of jelly hill, reach for the ultimate sealing of new friendships forged. reach for your inner self and your hidden potential.
But definitely, it would be a crime to not mention thje PSLs who guided and led us against all odds, who befriended us when we felt most insecure, whose sound advice proved imperative in our transition from primary school students to secondary school students. The seasoned veterans watching eagle-eyed at each and everyone of us, making sure that we would not be blasted to smithereens by landmines of loneliness, not be harmed by the bullets of brutality, bonding us into the close-knitted 'platoon' that we are now.
remember also the underlying code of excellence which we all tried to uphold? though not put in words i am sure you guys felt it too. 'best dance', 'best dressed', 'best class', overall supreme. to be second to none. i hope to believe that everything we achieved was for our class and i believe it was.
teachers came in and out of our lives too as the sands of time slipped from our grasp. (in no order of merit) mr colin cheong, mrs charmaine chiang, cao lao shi, miss geraldine chong, mr otto fong, mrs neoh terh ling (i hope i have mentioned all), then mrs martiina ong, mr allan soo, miss quah seok whee (i hope i have mentioned all).... all our main subject teahcers. some have left the school and we regret not showing our full appreciation. others are still teaching here and thats when we should take the chance to let them know that we care. (as cheesy as it may sound), thought i still think we were quite successful there in some ways. we owe them that much for teaching us and moulding us into what we are today.
when i realised that jerome would be going back to hong kong, i felt an emptiness knowing that someone from RI2H2004 was leaving us in physical presence. somehow, it just seemed so wrong for one of us to leave so abruptly. forget the tines we constantly taunted him, remember the times he held his patience and anger for us. he is ultimatley a part of RI2H2004 and can never be replaced. fortunately, it is good to note that with modern technology we can still stay pretty much in contact even though he is overseas.
i am afraid i am babbling too much but some things you can never speak enough of. it is only now, when we are in sec3 and somewhat separated that we really miss each other and long for the similar camaraderie and warmth felt in our old class. lets not forget each other and as much as possible, just hang out with each other. treasure the fond memories knowing that they will not come by easily. let the RI2H2004 spirit reign......