{SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.}

Sunday, 18 January 2009

title:{When the battle's lost and won...}

As you would infer from the title, I lost something and I won something. No, im not chanting an incantation from Macbeth. But its just that this blog title really suited my day.

I lost the Science Buskers title championship. However, on a much happier note, the champions are from VS. They are none other than The 3 Buskateers, comprising Joejyn, Bok Woon and Jia Peng. Though my stabs of disappointment were hard to swallow, I was still happy that VS ultimately won.

We were not exactly 100% satisfied with our performance as we had our little boo-boos, like the candle experiment not working etc. However, we were still triumphant as our group had edged over other fine institutions like Raffles, River Valley etc. Anyway, before I continue, let me upload some photos of that day.

Supporters.

In the foreground: Ms Shyamira, Mr Anith, our vice principal, and finally Miss Ho.

In the background: (from right to left) Jonathon, Daniel Lock, Tomus, Yong Xiang, Matthew and Peer Support Leaders a.k.a. red shirts.

An ethereal plume of nitrocellulose flame thrown by me.

The candle experiment.

The fire money experiment.

A purple- flamed smoke bomb to end our busking .

Looking back after this competition, the team really put in massive effort from research to execution. But it just wasn't our day. Our experiments worked fine during practice and rehearsal. But the same experiments let us down when it mattered most. Anyway, the fact is we lost. But the lessons learnt and the experience gained were priceless.

We accepted our defeat graciously and congratulated the winning team. My parents were cueing me to leave and I hastily congratulated the winning team again before rushing off to Bedok South Secondary School for my Edusave Scholarship Award Presentation Ceremony. The Scholarship is given to the top 10% of the cohort every year. I was, needless to say, in ecstasy as I have never ever won any form of scholarships for the past 12 years. I "transformed" from that yellow costume into my school uniform and rushed there with great celerity.

When we reached there, it was already very crowded. Many students were streaming up and being ushered into the hall. It was a transition from a cool morning to a sultry afternoon and I could feel my uniform soaking in perspiration. I was more irritated when a rotund boy stepped on my foot and instead of apologising, glared at me. I was so incensed I had a great urge to scold him. Thank goodness for the anger management course in school, I managed to restrain my burning impulse to step on his foot.

At precisely 1:35pm , the Guest of Honour, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, arrived and started giving out the awards. Like an assembly line in a factory, the recipents went up one by one to be honoured. After a while, everything seemed mechanical - the announcement of the names, the applause, the handing out of the awards - devoid of emotions. To top it off, the emcee's voice was so monotonous and dry I almost dozed off. He was just like a machine, droning on and on and on and on.

When my name was called, my countenance changed and I smiled contentedly. I was proud of myself and I hope my parents sitting in the audience are proud of me too. The fruit of my labour has finally paid off. I smiled for the camera , shook the Guest-of-Honour's hand and saw my prize.

I gaped.

Enclosed was a high -quality- printed certificate of attainment and also a $500 cheque. Obviously the latter was more attractive!

After enduring a few minutes more of that emcee, we had to rush off again to my sister's birthday party at a resort. I was quite bored as my sister and her friends went off to swim, play games and bowl whilst I stayed at the chalet watching cable tv. It was only more interesting in the evening when our relatives arrived. Dinner was catered and guess what my mother ordered?

YES. PERANAKAN FOOD! MY FAVOURITE!

I happily lapped up my dinner and cleaned out my bowl of chendol and played with my little cousins and nephews, then watched somemore TV until I dozed off.

So, to conclude, it was a day with a plethora of emotions. You hit rock bottom one minute and rocket off to seventh heaven the next moment. Life is full of strange happenings. But we must learn to treasure the highs and let go of the lows.

C'est la vie.

1/18/2009 01:07:00 pm;