CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL 2007
It was nearing 5.15pm, and passing by The Coffee Connoisseur located in the ground level of SMU's Li Ka Shing Library for the second time this week, I found myself wondering what on earth is the difference between TCC, Starbucks, and Coffeebean.
Having only drank Coffeebean before, I am certainly in no position or whatsoever to compare and comment on the quality of the different type of coffee beans each company offers. But, definitely, I think that TCC pays more attention to cosiness and patron's comfort, and puts in more effort in interior design than the other two.
I waited for the Green Man at the traffic light junction, heading towards the SMU School of Accountancy and Law. Boy, the sweltering afternoon heat is killing me. On Thursday night, we've been reminded not to wear flamboyant and colourful clothing (read: no lime green, yellow, orange, turquoise and the likes).
But, on the other hand, we're advised not to wear the predictable, gloomy black and white put-together as well. Sure, such ceremonies are supposed to be solemn, but it is absolutely another thing to make it seem downright depressing like a funeral.
So, I found myself in a dark blue jeans, white spaghetti, and a cream beige sweater to boot; just in case the temperature gets a tad too low for my comfort. And now, I'm practically melting under the cruel sun, in the same beige sweater which I had been too lazy to slip out of after PM has ended.
When everyone had arrived, we had a final rehearsal. The 30+ of us were each given a red tag, each bearing the initials of 2 different names. Our role is to go up to the stage when the initials are called, and stick in the tag into the big styrofoam which has been cut into the shape of a ribbon and painted red.
I looked at the tag resting on my right palm and read the initials silently. This feels weird. An indescribable emotion rose inside me. I wonder about the faceless names - the people who will never talk, or smile, or laugh, or cry, or walk on this Earth anymore.
Each name tells of a different story. And I wonder, has our presence somehow helped make their last journey in life a little less lonely and painful?
The two singers took their place on stage. There were a lot of sound checks and "mike check, 1, 2, 3...". By then, my stomach was starting to squirm in protest, having had practically nothing to digest and churn on for the whole day. The singers, Serena and Alex, performed "Flying Without Wings" and "That's What Friends Are For". And it's really nice, hearing talented singers singing live upfront in a modest Lecture Theater-sized Conference Hall, instead of some stadium-sized auditorium.
Following which, the 2 little girls - who look no older than 14 - from Oschool came up and performed their item. It was a really beautiful and aesthetic slow dance, with loads of graceful leaps and artistic turn-abouts.
And soon, it was our turn. As the Republic Polytechnic students were not involved in the rehearsal on Thursday night, the 14 of us from the ministry had to do it a couple of times for them to get the gist of the whole thing.
Finally, at 7.00pm, the guests and VIPs started streaming in. The turn out was quite big, and there were some guests standing at the back of the Hall. The ceremony started promptly at 7.15pm. There was the usual thanking speech from the emcee (who, in my opinion, is an Adrian Pang lookalike), expressing gratitude to the Chairman of "blah blah blah", organizer of "blah blah blah", and more blah blah blah.
Following which, Dr. Lee from TTSH gave an opening speech, and the singers performed their first item, "Flying Without Wings".
It was then our turn. One by one, the initials were called out, and we went up and poked our tags into the red styrofoam ribbon. When the last of the names were called, and everyone had returned to their seats, it was time to observe a minute of silence. Due to fire-safety concerns, all present were given a light-stick each, instead of candles.
After observing a minute of silence, the 8 representatives from the Inter-religious Organization (IRO) went up to say their prayers. There were the Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Shik, and 2 others religion which name I could not catch.
It was then that the gravity of the whole matter really hit me. 77 names, 77 people. Passed on in the past 1 year in 2006.
Although I (thankfully) don't know any of them personally and they are just faceless names to me, the fact remains that they've passed on, and will never breathe again.
Lost dreams. Lost talents. Lost visions. Lost potentials.
They had indeed fought a brave, long fight, and had - sadly - succumbed in the end. It has been a long and painful journey for most - if not all - for them. And who would understand the pain and rejection that they've experienced for the past few arduous years?
I guess, ultimately, only they themselves know the pain in their heart.
Sometimes, I think that people nowadays are way too caught up in their own world. Living inside their own bubble, having this mentality that the world revolves around them.
That all is nice. All is sweet. All is peaceful. All is beautiful.
And that other's sufferings and pains are none of their business.
And I firmly believe that the correct mindset should be taught early in life. If I were a teacher, and if I were to have my way, I would cart my charges off to old folks' home, orphanages, AfA, nursing homes etc for them to fulfill their mandatory 6-hours of CIP involvement work.
No crappy nonsense such as picking up litters at beaches, collecting old clothes and newspapers from the neighbourhoods and etc. They're useless. Really. Bah!
Life's more than chilling out at TCC or Coffeebean or Starbucks. More than gushing over the latest fashion fad. More than sun-tanning under the sun. More than going ga-ga over the latest boyband or cute Korean or Japanese actors. More than getting attached in secondary school (STILL SO YOUNG!!!), and getting love bites all over - which is not considered uncommon, especially in co-ed schools.
It was nearing 5.15pm, and passing by The Coffee Connoisseur located in the ground level of SMU's Li Ka Shing Library for the second time this week, I found myself wondering what on earth is the difference between TCC, Starbucks, and Coffeebean.
Having only drank Coffeebean before, I am certainly in no position or whatsoever to compare and comment on the quality of the different type of coffee beans each company offers. But, definitely, I think that TCC pays more attention to cosiness and patron's comfort, and puts in more effort in interior design than the other two.
I waited for the Green Man at the traffic light junction, heading towards the SMU School of Accountancy and Law. Boy, the sweltering afternoon heat is killing me. On Thursday night, we've been reminded not to wear flamboyant and colourful clothing (read: no lime green, yellow, orange, turquoise and the likes).
But, on the other hand, we're advised not to wear the predictable, gloomy black and white put-together as well. Sure, such ceremonies are supposed to be solemn, but it is absolutely another thing to make it seem downright depressing like a funeral.
So, I found myself in a dark blue jeans, white spaghetti, and a cream beige sweater to boot; just in case the temperature gets a tad too low for my comfort. And now, I'm practically melting under the cruel sun, in the same beige sweater which I had been too lazy to slip out of after PM has ended.
When everyone had arrived, we had a final rehearsal. The 30+ of us were each given a red tag, each bearing the initials of 2 different names. Our role is to go up to the stage when the initials are called, and stick in the tag into the big styrofoam which has been cut into the shape of a ribbon and painted red.
I looked at the tag resting on my right palm and read the initials silently. This feels weird. An indescribable emotion rose inside me. I wonder about the faceless names - the people who will never talk, or smile, or laugh, or cry, or walk on this Earth anymore.
Each name tells of a different story. And I wonder, has our presence somehow helped make their last journey in life a little less lonely and painful?
The two singers took their place on stage. There were a lot of sound checks and "mike check, 1, 2, 3...". By then, my stomach was starting to squirm in protest, having had practically nothing to digest and churn on for the whole day. The singers, Serena and Alex, performed "Flying Without Wings" and "That's What Friends Are For". And it's really nice, hearing talented singers singing live upfront in a modest Lecture Theater-sized Conference Hall, instead of some stadium-sized auditorium.
Following which, the 2 little girls - who look no older than 14 - from Oschool came up and performed their item. It was a really beautiful and aesthetic slow dance, with loads of graceful leaps and artistic turn-abouts.
And soon, it was our turn. As the Republic Polytechnic students were not involved in the rehearsal on Thursday night, the 14 of us from the ministry had to do it a couple of times for them to get the gist of the whole thing.
Finally, at 7.00pm, the guests and VIPs started streaming in. The turn out was quite big, and there were some guests standing at the back of the Hall. The ceremony started promptly at 7.15pm. There was the usual thanking speech from the emcee (who, in my opinion, is an Adrian Pang lookalike), expressing gratitude to the Chairman of "blah blah blah", organizer of "blah blah blah", and more blah blah blah.
Following which, Dr. Lee from TTSH gave an opening speech, and the singers performed their first item, "Flying Without Wings".
It was then our turn. One by one, the initials were called out, and we went up and poked our tags into the red styrofoam ribbon. When the last of the names were called, and everyone had returned to their seats, it was time to observe a minute of silence. Due to fire-safety concerns, all present were given a light-stick each, instead of candles.
After observing a minute of silence, the 8 representatives from the Inter-religious Organization (IRO) went up to say their prayers. There were the Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Shik, and 2 others religion which name I could not catch.
It was then that the gravity of the whole matter really hit me. 77 names, 77 people. Passed on in the past 1 year in 2006.
Although I (thankfully) don't know any of them personally and they are just faceless names to me, the fact remains that they've passed on, and will never breathe again.
Lost dreams. Lost talents. Lost visions. Lost potentials.
They had indeed fought a brave, long fight, and had - sadly - succumbed in the end. It has been a long and painful journey for most - if not all - for them. And who would understand the pain and rejection that they've experienced for the past few arduous years?
I guess, ultimately, only they themselves know the pain in their heart.
Sometimes, I think that people nowadays are way too caught up in their own world. Living inside their own bubble, having this mentality that the world revolves around them.
That all is nice. All is sweet. All is peaceful. All is beautiful.
And that other's sufferings and pains are none of their business.
And I firmly believe that the correct mindset should be taught early in life. If I were a teacher, and if I were to have my way, I would cart my charges off to old folks' home, orphanages, AfA, nursing homes etc for them to fulfill their mandatory 6-hours of CIP involvement work.
No crappy nonsense such as picking up litters at beaches, collecting old clothes and newspapers from the neighbourhoods and etc. They're useless. Really. Bah!
Life's more than chilling out at TCC or Coffeebean or Starbucks. More than gushing over the latest fashion fad. More than sun-tanning under the sun. More than going ga-ga over the latest boyband or cute Korean or Japanese actors. More than getting attached in secondary school (STILL SO YOUNG!!!), and getting love bites all over - which is not considered uncommon, especially in co-ed schools.
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