Our class officially disbands today.

Tonight, we officially disband. These are the last pieces of school, and particularly of 5U.

Yi Lin, Vivian, do you remember this one ?

At a time where I didn't have enough energy, and Cik Rahimah was no longer in school, Ms Ooi took over, and the class split into two and formed rugby teams. This is just one of them. From left, top to bottom : Naomi, Aainaa, Anis, Sue Faye, Amélie, Vivian, Shuet May, Farah Dinah, Phoebe and Jia Wen.

And that picture eventually ended up on someone's desktop !

Doing the sports crowd charge.

Vivian and Sue Faye, the apparent "sponsors" of the game.

All of us doing a rugby ball formation. Try to spot me in the picture !

Lynnett slumped on her table.

Kuhaniyaa sleeping during Physics class.

Ms Winnie in a bubbly mood during one of our Chemistry classes. She's a really nice person, but she's firm. As in, really firm. I remember before the Chinese New Year holidays, because she still wasn't married yet and she had the urge to give us something, she handed us loads and loads of chocolate ! I miss you, teacher.

Naomi, Anne Yap, Phoebe and Elaine making hyper-stinky soap during Chemistry class. We were doing Chapter 5- the one on commercial chemicals or something like that.

The prefects of 5U on the floor. From left : Vanitha N, Shalene D, Amalina, Su Ning, Edelin, Vivian, Sue Faye, Skye and Shalini M.

Sitha and me near the stage area. This was before my tearful Toc de Mac rendition. Enough said.

These are the last pieces I have of school and of 5U - no specific timeline, and I've taken them from several sources. One notable source is Vivian's Windows Live space. Many of them would've been used for a PhotoStory project but I ditched it anyway. The pictures are enough. Each picture speaks a thousand words, a different set of words for each student. And each person is special. That's what makes our senior year special.

Just to sum up what I went through in school

Being in Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) was a roller-coaster ride - not to say that I loved every single moment of it, but I miss being in school. CBN is just like my sister - we are close to each other, we grow up together, we have catfights, as it were - but catfights, again, don't really get in the way of our relationship.

I entered Year One on 1998/01/05, clueless, and I can't believe that till today I vividly remember the day I entered school. I know that in the assembly hall they were wrongly mouthing the school song so much that I couldn't follow suit, but I followed the Ikrar pretty well. And when they were saying their prayers, I just pak turut everything. When registration came, I was put in this class called 1 Delima. It was at one end of the school. My class teacher then was Puan Rahani. And she was a motherly person - I enjoyed her classes. She was my Malay language teacher and she had a daughter named Farah Ellany (when I first heard about her, she was in kindergarten and still struggling with the spelling of words).

I remember how I used to be teased in Year One for my short hair - CBN being an all-girls school, they never heard of my real name before, and they thought I was a boy in a pinafore - so much so that they ostracised me. But with mom's help - especially for tulisan (writing) and sketching and art - I ended up among the top in the class, winning a prize for Math. I still have my first crystal plaque. And I also received this gold trophy for one of my Language Week activities. My, that made me feel proud !

Then Year Two came. I had a Kelantanese, Puan (at that time Cik) Mariani, and she was my Math teacher. I remember vividly that while reciting my 9X multiplication tables, I did, in front of the class, the hand gestures I used to help me remember my 9X tables - putting the thumb inwards meant 9X1 = 9 (there were nine open fingers at the right), putting the forefinger inwards meant 9X2 = 18 (there was one open finger at the left and eight at the right), putting the middle finger inwards meant 9X3 = 27 (two open fingers at the left and seven at the right) - and the sequence goes on, try it yourselves.

The first "catfight" began when I was in Year Two - some person by the name of Thaneswary something pushed me down the stairs. Everyone saw it. But just because that perpetrator's relative was the school gardener, they threatened to take me to justice. I relented and, not wanting to put up a fight, I apologised for something I was not wrong of. When I returned home, I poured out the whole story to mom and I even told her, "I'm very disappointed with Ms Low !" - Ms Low is one of the senior assistants in CBN 1 and the school disciplinarian. That, however, was resolved a little while later, when people realised I had a talent and passion for music. I guess Ms Low took an interest to me back then. I began to adore her.

Year Three was a good year. For some reason or other, I was moved to the Zamrud class. I sat for the Penilaian Tahap Satu (PTS) and was promoted to Year Five (I accepted the promotion), and later that year, I was taken to Sabah to perform. It was a competition - some music/cultural thingy, and KL didn't get any prizes, but well, the audience loved us ! I remember that time I was with Edelin Johanna (later a Ressonnant Inc. member) and Tee Foong Tsin. That same year, I joined the school choir.

I had no Year Four as I accepted the promotion to Year Five, and and I had some sort of a Malay homework backlog, but it wasn't so serious - anyway, I confronted the teacher and we started the showdown - if I got an A for my end-year exam, she'd let me off. And I did, and she let me off. Later that year I was torn between two performances - a choral speaking performance in the Palace of the Golden Horses for the King's instillation, and a choir/music performance in Putra World Trade Centre for the World Book Fest. I wanted to shake the Agong's hand - but I couldn't, I ultimately had to go to Putra World Trade Centre. I wept when I told mom about it, but she told me I was a star in PWTC.

Then, on came Year Six. I was moved to the Zamrud class again (imagine, every exam year they move me to Zamrud instead of Delima) and it was a rather uneventful year. I felt a little sad, though - because I had to leave. Another pianist was being trained in my place - Rebecca Ong. I knew, at that instant, that she too, was going to be a household name in CBN. There was this motivational camp for UPSR students somewhere in this Telekom ashram ; I went there, and I paid tribute to all the teachers whom I grew to know and love. Among them - Cik Heryanti, Puan Rosnah, Puan Zaiton (who was later to visit mom in hospital during the last few months of her life), Mrs Phua...... I left primary school with all A's in my UPSR - that too, owing to mom's and dad's support, and Ms Low's words of encouragement.

I went on to Form One. By the time I even set foot in secondary school, my name (the real one, of course) became a household name in primary school. Whenever it had to be something related to academics or music, my name would be mentioned. And people told me that they all saluted at the mention of my name. That was momentary of course, but I guess it was my truest moment of glory. I pretty much spoilt it later - I had a serious homework backlog problem after befriending this certain Asmira, who asked help for every single thing until I couldn't concentrate on my work. By the time book-checking season came, I didn't have much to submit. And that put me under fire from the teachers. I couldn't bring myself to tell them what kind of company I had.

At the same time, some teachers accused me of practising witchcraft (just for playing these silly number games, the stuff that kids play) - oh puhleeze, I'm a devout Catholic, and that's that. It was a dark cloud in my school life, and the teachers who actually sympathised with me were Ms Woon, my Living Skills teacher, and Mrs Lalitha Ramdas, the senior assistant for the afternoon session. Nyeah well, I proved my worth at the end of that year by being the best student.

That same year I joined the school choir, but well.... that was un-glamourous. We were the laughing-stock of the school as well as the other teams - we didn't even land a placing anywhere because the girls croaked.

Form Two came, and it was a rather un-glamourous year because nothing much happened. And I fell from grace, this was the first year that I didn't receive any prizes for my academic competence (I didn't score top marks for any particular subject, and despite being the second in the form, only the top student in the form gets it). Form Three came and went, and I still had to put up with the fact that the choirgirls croaked. But when it came to PMR, I scored well. 7A's, for the inquisitive. (I'm actually mentioning this because some people, when they say "scored well", it could mean 7C's and they're happy !)

Form Four came and things began to pick up. For starters, the school choir finally won the state finals after so long and that was my first year outside the state after Year Three ! I entered one of the Science classes - I guess I asked for trouble there because taking Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English for Science and Technology was compulsory. In the middle of the year, I failed my Add Math. I was heartbroken. But I just worked at it, and time passed by......

Form Five came, and despite the smiles I was trying to keep, I felt heartbroken inside. I knew there wasn't much to look forward to. For the first half of the year, when my class teacher was away, I had Peter Yap as a temporary teacher. And he was one of the best I've ever had. He had to leave somewhere in May. I was preparing hard for my SPM examination, and it was also my final year in the school choir. This was the year we called ourselves Ressonnant (I only added the Inc. later) and I guess it was among the best batches we've ever had. After not doing that well in the national finals, I returned to studies. Mom had an operation to remove her gallstones and fibroids in the uterus. She came out rather healthy.

I did my SPM well - the only B I got was for Add Math. I remember, the day before the results were announced, I was on the bed with mom and she asked me how well I did - I told her, maybe 11 A's ? She thought I was aiming too high. But I told her then and there, I didn't do pretty well in Add Math. True enough.

I guess I'll have to put everything behind me. Start anew. CBN is in my heart, and I love my alma mater, no doubt, but sometimes, thinking of what happened makes me cry. Memories are nice, but that's all they are - just memories. All I can do is note them down right here. But as far as this phase of life is concerned, my physical tours to CBN are over.

Prom Night 2007

These are memoirs of my school's prom night :

Narin and I posing in front of the Christmas tree before leaving.

The Loft's interior. Warm and nice, eh ? :)

Farah Dibba looking demure before the camera.

Lyana and Intan talking about Intan's new camera. Both of them are choir members, so we're quite close. (Man, I love that rose hue !)

This is the mess it all became. People shoving into each other, glow sticks and all... so after taking this shot Narin, the choir members and I decided to wait outside at the balcony.

KLCC from The Loft. Yep, that's how near it is.

Lyana and Narin just look perfect, I couldn't resist taking a shot of them !

Me and Narin with KLCC as a backdrop.

Sabrina and Intan.

When I returned inside, they were crowning the Prom King and Queen.
 

Not sure what the guy's name is, but I know the Prom Queen is Farah Syazliana.

And upon returning home, I put the wrist corsages on the floor and took a picture of them. Everyone who went to the prom got a corsage of sorts : the boys had them pinned on their shirts while the girls wore them around the wrist. Not sure which is Narin's or which is mine, but yeah well...

The Prom Night anticipated by all girls of Convent Bukit Nanas and boys of Victoria Institution took place yesterday night at the Loft. It was my cousin Narin's nineteenth birthday, so I decided to take her along.

As the name suggested, the dinner and dance area was upstairs.

When I went up, I was enthralled : the stairs were all lit up, and it was like a clubhouse fairyland. Honestly. The theme was all things warm - the sidelights, streamers, beads, tealights and table lights were all red ; the spotlights were yellow. Walking in with Narin and my friends Wing Yie, Sabrina, Lyana, Intan, Natalia and Farah Dibba, I was hoping this prom would be a completely good one. The sadness started when two of my friends, Fazrina and Booba did not make it. Booba, being in French High School KL, still is in school term.

I looked around the place. The ambience was simply perfect ! At the front side, there was a stage - the DJ's place, and the place where the awards were kept. Heck, I didnt come for these. Turning next to the dinner place, was another stage - for the live band. Seeing the mike stand, the drum kit and all the other equipment, I was all the more tempted to sing... or to do some beats. I didn't sing that day. *sobs* Anyway, the hospitality of the bartenders was really good. As we entered, we were served drinks of our choice - with a smile and perfect manners. I was impressed.

At 8:15, the doors were closed for dinner, as stated on the tickets. So as we all sat down to dinner, we had a little of everything - spaghetti (it was lovely !), sushi, popiah, and a whole lot more finger food. Some fifteen minutes later we saw the first band come up to perform. Everything was fine except for one thing - the vocalist screeched (worse than Ayumi Hamasaki) ! Yes, fine, she is no Ayu.

We all took to the floor. It was okay for the first two hours. Plus, we were all given free glow sticks ! Slowly, the mixes became more harsh, with more and more kicks and scratches - which definitely do not suit Rihanna and Jay-Z's "Umbrella" or songs with that mood. Worse still, imagine how many times "Umbrella" was remixed - at least ten times ! Ten freaking times ! The prom was no longer a prom to the students ; it was a rave. Having the mood to listen to "Gourmandises" from Alizée or "Above and Beyond" from Ayumi Hamasaki for a change, I decided to head outside. Narin was outside. And both of us were taking our group of friends outside for pictures, and cursing "stupid DJ" !

While it became a mad rush inside, Narin and I couldn't stand nightlife in the fast lane anymore. We stayed outside and talked. I was hoping this to be the night of her life as it was a birthday treat for her. It wasn't ; but we still did enjoy ourselves.

And just as I thought, the Prom Queen title didn't go to me. It went to Farah Syazliana of the former 5K. The Prom King title went to some Eric guy from Victoria Institution. So Narin and I went home at midnight while some decided to dance the wee hours of the morning away.

*sighs* This prom could have been better. Definitely. And then again, there are just so many tracks which could have deserved their places in the prom. Like "Above and Beyond" or even "C'est dans l'air". And then again, I pity those who stayed outside... they wanted fun, lighthearted fun, assez paisible fun. It was definitely not paisible !

Oh....... if only I could become the Troisnyx I wanna be. That is something I only dream of. Then I would not need a planner : I'd know how to host a 200-pax gala night myself. That night, we'd have been better off watching Koffee with Karan.

Memoirs from SPM days

Ah, we'd remember that time of the year. No more lessons, and practically the last time we'd see each other in school uniform. Oh, and for many of us, SPM was the time we brought in all the prohibited stuff - handphones, cameras, iPods, .mp3 players, the like ! These are the few memoirs I have of my SPM days. Some of these pictures aren't mine, but they help tell the entire story.

Teddy Mak (Mak Pui Yee) with bulging eyes.

Vivian Choong is a prefect, and even she broke the rules by bringing in her digital camera.

I don't know what they were doing there, but it looks like congestion. From left : Kim Li, (what's her name again ?), Vivian, Adina and Lynnett.

Kam Siew Lei looking disillusioned.

I bet this is the last time anyone would wanna pose under the celebrated frangipani tree. Man, that tree brings me good memories. From left, top to bottom, (I forgot her name), Vivian, Adina and Kim Li.

They make smexy models. (: From left : Adina, Kim Li, Vivian, (I forgot her name), and Lynnett.

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and ya know what, it's better than yours..." From left : Mei Yan L, Lynnett.

I guess this is the first - and last of all the pictures I have of Aunty Clara, the caretaker of the library. From left, top to bottom : Vivian, Pui Yee, Aunty Clara, Lip Chin.

I, audiophile...... Yes, now you know I brought along my cell phone. It's a Sony Ericsson headset for goodness' sake !

Sabrina (hidden) and Lyana browsing through the books in the school library for the last time.

"You infringed our right to privacy !" From left : Lyana, Sabrina. Man, being in the core team of Ressonnant Inc. actually made us closer friends than ever !

Scribbling prohibited, photocopying allowed. No, I thought photocopying was prohibited ? Anyway, this is my last shot of the books in the library. I never thought I'd never see the school library ever again......

Sabrina doing her final revision for the Biology paper.

Camera shy or trying to study ? From left : Zarith Sofia (covering her face with paper), Fazrina, Puteri Sabrina (burying her face in her hands).

A group from 5B, preparing for Physics examinations. From left : Zawanah, Najwa and Shanaz.

The canteen is crowded, but this time, only with Form 5 students. I think I see Kim Li standing up and teaching somebody ?

The famous foursome of 5U - from left : Mei Yan L, Vivian Melissa, Anne Yap and Su Ning.

5U girls preparing to pose for the camera. Sue Faye gives us instructions on where to stand and how to stand. Background, from left : Sue Faye, Phoebe (hidden), Jia Wen, Naomi. Foreground : Su Ning
 And this is all of us - posing as a full class for the very last time.

You may be wondering why all the pictures are clear this time. For starters, my K700i got stolen during Add Math exam. I had no choice but to put it in my bag, in the canteen, because phones weren't allowed in the hall. And I've no idea : someone was said to have left the exam hall early, and maybe she dug into my bag and stole it. Mine wasn't the only thing in the loot : Fazrina's phone and RM20 and someone else's .mp3 player were stolen too. I told mom about that over the public phone, she understood. I think, about one week later, I got a new phone from dad : K550i. And the pictures are really clear and I'm happy ! No more lousy camera. =)

And I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !

I marked the date 2007/12/04 on my calendar and now the day is here. And three words some it all up for today :
I am freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!

Yes, the dreaded SPM month draws to a close today. For me, the French paper ended at 10:30 a.m. and I was among the first to celebrate on that day. It was me, and Kim Li, in the near-empty hall doing the French 9303 test... the one I was anticipating. And thank God, it was easier to comprehend than that of 2006 ! So while I was waiting in anticipation for the test to end, I didn't know how to check my paper anymore, and I exited early. I had to.

Now, I have four months of freedom, and no idea how to spend them. I really miss wearing my turquoise uniform. I really miss Ressonnant. I truly miss school, and its likes, and the friends, and the teachers. I miss everything ! The fact is, I won't be returning to these grounds next year. Never again. *sobs* Unless of course, the school authorities allow me to return and train Ressonnant. Or unless I do some kinda charity concert. But still, there is one thing missing... my uniform !!!!!!!!

I know there was a whole lot of unease among students, and tension while I was in Form One (2003), as well as broken dreams during my high school life ; but to be honest, when I hear people say that high school years are the best in one's life, I have to agree with them. High school years - or just school years for that matter - are the best in my life. Meanwhile, I have to wait for the last few pieces of my school life : my SPM results, my testimonial and my leaving certificate.

And I hope high school was finished well. I did UPSR well in Year 6 and PMR well in Form 3. Now I hope it's SPM !