2009 has been fast. It's been a year that I've actually been through quite a lot, another year that I thoroughly enjoyed and so much more. School workload increased since Sec One. And it's endless hours of mugging + projects. Sometimes you'll never know why we have to study certain subjects even if it doesn't help you in your career. 2009, there has been a maturity in my thinking (since Sec One, I've been thinking really differently.) There are many things that I have relied on faith to get through, and have gotten through. I still have many things that I am not sure whether I am going to do or not. I'm more or less at around the same standard for my academics, so yeah. Ties have bonded between family and friends. The year has been great. And I'm thankful for that.

Reflecting on the December holidays. This by far, I could say is one of the best holidays I have had ever. Firstly, there wasn't a heavy load of homework that was issued unlike the previous year. Secondly, there was going with the Choir to Bratislava and achieving a Gold! Thirdly, there is quality time spent with family. It seems as if I just completely broke off the rat race. It's a really tiring thing to be mugging all day long, for something probably you don't even feel for. And then it's really refreshing when you can take a break from all these. It's a totally fresh experience when you don't really have to care for your books anymore. And it's even more refreshing to be able to spend time at places you like to be at. And for me that's at home and when we're having choir. And I really have forgotten about that busy school life. It's going to return next year, though. But it's been a fun holiday! Not very much fulfilling, but life is great!

And now I'm going to reflect on what Weijun and I talked about just now. I really wonder why we study certain subjects when we aren't really going to need it for our career. I wonder why I'm really going to study so hard to get into JC. Then study so hard to get into University. And come out with a piece of paper that I don't really want to use as my career. It's something that society frowns upon. Not having a degree is like committing a crime in Singapore. Wouldn't it just be perfect if we all did what we wanted to? I mean, we shouldn't always conform to what a society expects of us to be. When I was young I remembered I promised never to work for money. And I still take that stand. I'm going to work for what I'm passionate about and not about the money. Although I agree that we require money, to a certain extent. But then it'll be best if both could co-exist together.

I just happened to pass by a blog that wrote about the past 40 years of Singapore is "nothing but a mistake". Because Singaporeans of today are no longer fighting like our forefathers did. Our forefathers fought for independence, for change, for so many things. But we're just a generation of clones that follow the norms of society and conform. I don't think that's what happiness is about. Is this generation just one that follows, or will it be one that brings about bold change and more individuality? I so want the world to be as I see it.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

Are we going to be the change we want to see in the world? Or are we just going to leave it as it is and hope someone else would do it?

"Time is fleeting. Do you want life to be as fleeting as time is? In the next year, you're going to be jaded by schoolwork. Are we going to forget about what the happy moments? 2010 is going to be a year of change."

Ms Quek

Or something along those lines. I think they mean a lot. Time is fleeting, a moment passes by so quickly that when we realise this, it is gone. Next year's going to be a tough year, and I really hope I can cope with the work without being jaded by it and just sentence my life to mugging or something. I want to enjoy life amongst all these. And that's one reason I enjoy choir so much. Change? Yes, we can. I believe.

So, talking about the new year. It's going to be a tough one, as mentioned. Academically, I really want to do well. (Actually I'm not sure why, probably I'm used to what the society wants me to do at least in this aspect.) I've written a few (a lot) of New Year Resolutions and I hope I can meet all of them. It ranges from doing well in academics, to singing better in choir. And health, and recreational and so much more. I hope it helps to make frequent reference to the New Year Resolutions!

There's Orientation + Performance for Sec Ones next week! And I hope we get some good juniors and that we perform well on that day! Anyway, after attending the Inaugural Choral Elite concert last night, it just strengthened my desire to enter Victoria Junior College Choir! I really really want to get in, whether it is by merit or by DSA. It's going to be tough, but I'll work hard!

Shall be counting down at home with lots of food!

Thank you everyone for making my 2009 so enjoyable. And I hope, for everyone out there, that 2010 is going to be an excellent year!

Happy New Year! :D

Shawn

2009 has been fast. It's been a year that I've actually been through quite a lot, another year that I thoroughly enjoyed and so much more. School workload increased since Sec One. And it's endless hours of mugging + projects. Sometimes you'll never know why we have to study certain subjects even if it doesn't help you in your career. 2009, there has been a maturity in my thinking (since Sec One, I've been thinking really differently.) There are many things that I have relied on faith to get through, and have gotten through. I still have many things that I am not sure whether I am going to do or not. I'm more or less at around the same standard for my academics, so yeah. Ties have bonded between family and friends. The year has been great. And I'm thankful for that.

Reflecting on the December holidays. This by far, I could say is one of the best holidays I have had ever. Firstly, there wasn't a heavy load of homework that was issued unlike the previous year. Secondly, there was going with the Choir to Bratislava and achieving a Gold! Thirdly, there is quality time spent with family. It seems as if I just completely broke off the rat race. It's a really tiring thing to be mugging all day long, for something probably you don't even feel for. And then it's really refreshing when you can take a break from all these. It's a totally fresh experience when you don't really have to care for your books anymore. And it's even more refreshing to be able to spend time at places you like to be at. And for me that's at home and when we're having choir. And I really have forgotten about that busy school life. It's going to return next year, though. But it's been a fun holiday! Not very much fulfilling, but life is great!

And now I'm going to reflect on what Weijun and I talked about just now. I really wonder why we study certain subjects when we aren't really going to need it for our career. I wonder why I'm really going to study so hard to get into JC. Then study so hard to get into University. And come out with a piece of paper that I don't really want to use as my career. It's something that society frowns upon. Not having a degree is like committing a crime in Singapore. Wouldn't it just be perfect if we all did what we wanted to? I mean, we shouldn't always conform to what a society expects of us to be. When I was young I remembered I promised never to work for money. And I still take that stand. I'm going to work for what I'm passionate about and not about the money. Although I agree that we require money, to a certain extent. But then it'll be best if both could co-exist together.

I just happened to pass by a blog that wrote about the past 40 years of Singapore is "nothing but a mistake". Because Singaporeans of today are no longer fighting like our forefathers did. Our forefathers fought for independence, for change, for so many things. But we're just a generation of clones that follow the norms of society and conform. I don't think that's what happiness is about. Is this generation just one that follows, or will it be one that brings about bold change and more individuality? I so want the world to be as I see it.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

Are we going to be the change we want to see in the world? Or are we just going to leave it as it is and hope someone else would do it?

"Time is fleeting. Do you want life to be as fleeting as time is? In the next year, you're going to be jaded by schoolwork. Are we going to forget about what the happy moments? 2010 is going to be a year of change."

Ms Quek

Or something along those lines. I think they mean a lot. Time is fleeting, a moment passes by so quickly that when we realise this, it is gone. Next year's going to be a tough year, and I really hope I can cope with the work without being jaded by it and just sentence my life to mugging or something. I want to enjoy life amongst all these. And that's one reason I enjoy choir so much. Change? Yes, we can. I believe.

So, talking about the new year. It's going to be a tough one, as mentioned. Academically, I really want to do well. (Actually I'm not sure why, probably I'm used to what the society wants me to do at least in this aspect.) I've written a few (a lot) of New Year Resolutions and I hope I can meet all of them. It ranges from doing well in academics, to singing better in choir. And health, and recreational and so much more. I hope it helps to make frequent reference to the New Year Resolutions!

There's Orientation + Performance for Sec Ones next week! And I hope we get some good juniors and that we perform well on that day! Anyway, after attending the Inaugural Choral Elite concert last night, it just strengthened my desire to enter Victoria Junior College Choir! I really really want to get in, whether it is by merit or by DSA. It's going to be tough, but I'll work hard!

Shall be counting down at home with lots of food!

Thank you everyone for making my 2009 so enjoyable. And I hope, for everyone out there, that 2010 is going to be an excellent year!

Happy New Year! :D

Shawn