Schools

Tall and Wide, Stable and Secure, a sense
Of joy in the comfort of learning and pleasure
Of friendly faces and smiles, all beyond measure,
The Classroom, where I come from, where I found friends.
We sit together and talk as one, our perspiration
Drip drops in the sweltering months of heat and stress.
We hoped and prayed that we really did our best
And we can graduate with joy and fufill our aspirations.
But most are forgotten when the school bells ring
An end of the day, a clattering of books and glee
We ran out like of school, happy to be free,
One day's hard work seemed now like a passing dream.
The Classroom remembers, it always does,
Generations of students, brought together as a class.

-Nick Lai Weixuan, 'The Classroom' (22/02/2007, Thursday)

Funny how that when we enter the workforce, and we really think back in time to the days of our student life, a sense of nostalgia would arrive like the shadow of the night.

Some people complain, that their school sucks, their classmates suck and everything sucks. Well too bad, they viewed a wonderful growing experiance in such a negative light, its probably too late to convince otherwise anyhow.

Education in Singapore is not that bad, and I'm not really going to get into that. Its the spirit of a school, an institution where you can learn more than just book knowledge if you just open your eyes and ears to experiance the school itself. Can you imagine walking down the corridors, and feel hundreds and thousands of ex students who graced the very path you walked? Fine for those with a new campus, isn't it exciting that you are one of the few pioneer generations at this campus who will walk the path of learning before others?

I believe that everybody leaves a small part of themselves with every place they spend a significant time with, and leave a bigger part if they are particularly attached to the place. This is not a bad thing, because the spirit you have for the school endures, and the school itself becomes a holding ground for the collective experiance of all its students.

Ever wonder why some schools feel homely while others feel a little emptier or even intimidating? Its the emotional attachments of everybody that leaves this psychic mark, this mark is felt rather than seen, or smelt like typical men's toilets.

I recount my visit to the new campus for Millennia Institute, the place is fresh and new, the air is crisp and everything looks spanking. What everybody says is true, this school is THE new happening school, and its just so exciting to be there. Its like moving to a new home.

What is particularly exciting about this, is that the school feels very inviting, in the energetic sense, its litterally ready to receive heartfelt blessings. Without hesitation, during the Heritage Walk as well as the Chinese New Year celebrations, I've added a little energetic touch to the school, giving it my heartfelt wishes for it to continue to nurture her students forever. As the Program and Events Officer, I am garunteed more chances to return, and hopefully with each visit, I can feel and receive confirmation that the school is thriving.

As a part time student now, finding work to pay the bills and course fees, the lack of a campus environment fills me with dread. Gone are my own aspirations to be in a school environment for a decent part of a day, filled with classmates I will see regularly and generally not having to worry about most stuff that we don't generally worry about before we hit the working society. Reality is a harsh jug of cold water to jolt one from fond dreams, and this time, I'm still not dry yet.

The poem above is one of my first few attempts, its raw and probably not up to typical poetry standards, but bear with me. As I unlock my poetic juices, I hope I can produce better pieces.

Have a nice day all.

"Have no Fear, Nick is Here."

-Anzillu