I wish you enough.

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. 

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said:"I love you and I wish you enough.

"The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." 

They kissed and the daughter left.

The mother walked over to the window where I sat.

 Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" 

"Yes, I have," I replied. 

"Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?"

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." 

May I ask what that means?" 

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." 

She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". 

Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger

.I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person. 

An hour to appreciate them. 

A day to love them. 

And an entire life to forget them.

I wish you enough.

I'm afraid I'll forget.

Its been a while since I wrote something substantial here.

Happy 20th Birthday to myself I guess. hahaha.

Its been long. The past decade has seen so many changes. I knew time will pass, but it feels strange looking back.

Time works in a strange way - Like our actions and thoughts, moments don't seem to count until we put them together.

That is when one actually sees a bigger picture - the sum of the choices we made and the path we took.

Something like the mechanics of a particle and the path it traces out as time flows.

So many things happened during this 10 years, and even though I find myself changing so much so quickly, I think I will pretty much stay rooted to some insights that I have gained these ten years. (mostly insights that I have developed the past two years)

1. Truth that is founded on weak foundation will crumble easily. Have good thought habits - especially Integrity. Do not deceive yourself - you are the easiest person to cheat. Think for yourself.

2. Be curious. Question everything and accept nothing at face value. It'll bring you to many places. It may not be where you want to be, but it is where you should be.

3. Stay grounded in reality. (Of course, question what reality is first!)

4. Treat all ideas seriously, until proven absurd. Have the luxury of changing our minds. Suspend judgement until we have enough evidence, and change our minds if new evidence emerges.

5. Everyone has a common goal. Unite, and not divide. We are all connected; we are all one.

6. Say what you mean and mean what you say. 

7. Do as you want others to do.

8. Do not waste time.

9. Understand and appreciate diversity.
10. Above all, be kind. People may hurt you but always remember that everyone will hurt us. It is only a matter of who is worth it.

Thank you everyone who have impacted me the past 10 years.

6/8 friends, especially Aaron Liew, Aaron Kua, Jasmine, Huihui, Hui Mei, Joscelin, Evangeline, WeiFong, WeiYi, Cai Zijian, Ang YanLin, Lanxin. (and many others)
Our friendship was innocent, and it was real. I really thank you guys.

PPS Choir. It was fun with you guys.
SYF 2004, Bangkok, and the many other performances I've had with you all.
It was amazing to be able to sing in front of so many people at different places.

Advanced Friends - Gerald, Eng Han, Aik Meng and Zaff.
You guys are the best. I didn't make it to RI or Anderson, but it was the warmth you guys gave me that paved the way for many more friendships.

BB48th Coy. You guys have shaped me into who I am today. I am thankful. From a fat and depressed boy, you guys have helped me struggle. And though I did many things wrong, I'm glad that I made those mistakes then. To Officers and seniors, thank you for coaching me and helping me be more confident. The change was based on my own effort, but I wouldn't have done it without you guys spurring me on.

Bad Boys -Zihui, Joel, Chinhow, Benjamin, Melvyn, Titus, Jiajun and Puvan.
Thank you all for tolerating my nonsense all these years. (HAHAHA I don't think you guys have a choice either hahah)

ZHSS Choir. To be really honest, I loved my time there in sec 1 and 2 cause of the seniors.
Thank you batch of 2007 and 2008 for everything. Xinlin, JiaNee, Christopher, Mingying and Sylvia.
Jaslyn, Shiling, Cheeyew, Shaohan, Huibing,  All of you have been very kind to me.
Sec 3 and 4 was mostly full of awkward moments. But I'm thankful for everyone who pulled through with me. Sze Neng, Charlotte, Leona, Bridget, Junjie, Renjun, and the juniors - Luoting, Weining and Desmond,

Bus 82 gang. :)
From singing at the back of the bus to talking cock (which I would now consider unruly behaviour hahaha), I thank you guys for everything. It was good fun.

e5 friends - Cherpeng and Jaime. You guys have taught me an important lesson on regret. I wish you guys all the best for your lives ahead.
e5 - taught me that many things are beyond our control. I was so much of a control freak back then. Thank you for putting me back in my place. I will enjoy the rest of the show in my seat.

e3 - We had good times, especially during our class chalet. I really enjoyed myself then. Thank you guys, especially for the support leading up to the 'O's.
Thank you especially to Sibyl, whom I've not talked to for a very long time.
It was the first time anyone was willing to confide in me. I really thank you for your trust.
I'll be here if you ever need a listening ear.

And others in ZHSS.
Thank you Leechin, Tan Yun, and Shannen, and the many others who were kind to me.

TJC Guitar Ensemble.
The one and a half years with you guys past by too fast. Things might have been monotonous sometimes, but the company made it enjoyable. It was challenging picking up some new stuff, but I showed me that practicing right and having perseverance is important in mastering anything.
Thank you Seniors - Yuhang, Bagus, Lipin and Michael.
Bass section - Wanda, Priyanka,  and Denise, Lorraine (Contra), Ridhwan and leader Faiz :)
Exco - Ridhwan, James, Nadia, Elizabeth, Yen Peng, Sheng Hong, Hai Shan, Lorraine, Housheng, Abigail, and Faiz.
Junior Exco - Jonathan Quah, Sabrina, Jonathan Heng, Lum Jiahui, Alessandro, Vanessa, Joy, Ray.
And of course, the many other people.
Ira, Louis, Jessica, and many others who have been kind to me.
Thank you.

Kazer (Orientation'11) was the most high period of my life.
OGLs & Delta House Comm, it was great working with all of you guys.
OG 12 - OGLS Yannis, Jordan, Kaixin, Dylan, Deryn, Bing Lun, Jiahong,
You guys are the best team one could ask for. :)
I remember the night we went to Yannis's House to make cards.
So tired, but happy :)
OGMs too. I hope that I was a good OGL to you guys, and I hope that my jokes made orientation just a little bit funnier. I wish everyone the best for the next phase of life.

Friends from other classes..
Iddo, Brian, and many others who have been nice to me :)
Thank you for your kindness.

Teachers
PPS: Mrs Ng, Ms Ng, Ms Michelle Tan, Ms Ivy, Ms Ambrose, Mdm Madinah, Mrs Lee, Ms Siti Aisha.
ZHSS: Ms Rajinder Kaur, Mdm Jennifer Lum, Mr Turner Lam, Mr John Yeo, Mr David Wong, Ms Tan Seow Lan, Mr Low Kee Ley, Huang lao shi, Mrs Ngiam, Mrs E. Lim, Mrs Koh SH, Mrs Wong CS, Mr Hazry.
TJC: Ms Norsheha, Ms Cai, Jiang Rui laoshi, Ms Yvonne Awyong, Mr Han, Mr Elwin, Ms Jay, Mrs Eunice Toh, Ms Rita Wong, Mr Ang Wei Tiong.
(and others not mentioned)

Thank you all for your service to education.
I have received, and I'll pay it forward.

24/10.
I really don't know what to say, but you guys mean the world to me.

I remember the first day of school, when I talked to Robert in Gamma OG7.
First day of class in LT1 with Mr Han and running round the school with the puzzle pieces.
First Chemistry lesson with Rita Wong at the chem lab.
The first outing at orchard.
CG bonding day in the Geog room.
Rock jokes.
PW angst.
'DUDEEEEEEE'
Mass PE and stoning at the canteen buying Tauhuey.
Birthday celebrations.
The very fun Group PE when Joshua brought his camera.
'DOODOO!'
Supporting each other for our various concerts.
Playing taupok in year 1.
'Confucius says...'
Spending year 2 in the stinky classroom. :)

I thank you guys for the good times.
A levels was a mad rush, and you guys helped make it so much more bearable.
Even though it is difficult for all of us to meet each other now, I still hope that one day, everyone can make it.
As we move on with life, lets not forget the kindness each of us gave and received.

I love you guys.

Lastly, Dad and Mum,
Nothing I say here can do justice to the compromises you guys make just for me.
(I hope you guys don't consider it a sacrifice.)
I won't understand how it feels to have your ambition extinguished by circumstances.
Thank you for your love.

Dad, I'm still angry because of that punch so many months ago.
I know deep down, you still care.
I am sorry for being such a disappointment.
But I can't bring myself to talk to someone who despises me like that.
I'm sorry. You can fault me for that.

Sis, Bro.
Thank you for tolerating my nonsense.
I'm a bad sibling, I'm a bad son.
I'll try to do more for you all.

The next 10 years will be paramount in developing myself.
I'm happy I have the many opportunities ahead of me, and I promise not to squander it.

I'll pay it forward.



Here's to the next ten years.

Met up with joel today.

He a smart guy.

Really have much to learn.
Lets go lets go Lets go!