It is exactly one week since my days at KTJ have drawn to a close. Much have been left unsaid for this one week, but I felt that I needed a break to get through the emotional exhaustion, especially after Speech Day.
So how do I feel? Relieved, mixed with a tinge of sadness (well maybe more than a tinge...) and a feeling of hope and fond remembrance for this place I have come to make my home for one and a half years. It's true that in this period of time I have spent more time in KTJ than at any other place, studying, living and having fun at the same time. At the end, I have been in school for 1 1/2 months straight because of exams and the stress just took its toll on me (I've been told, and noticed that I looked horrible over the last two weeks). This would have contributed much to the feelings of relieve but I know I'm going to miss this place after this.
It would be apt of course, to describe the last day of school. It was also Speech Day and the VIP (the MB of Negeri Sembilan) didn't turn up, which was quite annoying... He was represented by his wife, and there was this whole prize-giving ceremony and stuff. Tunku Naquiyuddin, the Chairman of the Board of Directors was not present as well, but Tunku Dara was (to represent the royalty). Mr. Jones made his customary speech and the replacement VIP gave out the prizes. As most of you already know (and as Pam a.k.a. randomperson announced on CBox) I received the Tunku Naquiyuddin All-Rounder Award this year along with Nurul (congratulations to lil' nunu!). It was quite a surprise as I suppose Ash was the hot favourite to win it but he got the Principal's Prize instead together with Pam (again, congratulations to both of them!). I knew I was nominated together with Ash but after he won the House All-Rounder, you kinda expect him to win the school's award too. I'm quite happy to have won but if it had went to Ash, I would have been equally glad as he has really given a lot to the school and is also an all-rounder, in addition to being a very good friend. Maybe they should consider giving joint-awards? Anyhow, I'm thankful that my efforts are recognised and there was also some feeling of redemption after being passed over for the all-rounder in SFI (for those of you who know the story, you know what I mean). It doesn't really matter on my CV anymore but yea, it felt nice to win, for a change...
After the ceremony the Upper Sixers grouped together to say our goodbyes (some final, some not) to each other. I must say it was quite emotional cos there were people crying and taking photos and hugging and shaking hands (mostly hugging) and stuff... Even a rock like me felt damn emo (well that's kinda common) and my eyes were warm (but I DID NOT CRY!!). Anyhow, it was a parting of ways but somehow, there wasn't any foretaste of death. Maybe we just anticipate seeing each other again in UK or thereabouts. Still, it's hard not to feel attached to this group of people whom you've shared one and a half years of your life with. I don't know how many of them I'll still keep in contact with (definitely with those I was really close with) but I'm sure we'll all remember the times spent together here at KTJ.
The last few days running up to the end was spent packing, sitting for STEP and collecting signatures for my own copy of the Yearbook. It was a nice exercise as everybody said nice things (but then, who wouldn't? on a Yearbook?) and I'll certainly take good care of this. I didn't get everybody, so forgive me if you were not offered a place on my pages, but there was just too many and too little time. Still, a very big thank you for all those who signed! Surprisingly, we didn't really talk much about leaving KTJ in the last few days. Maybe everybody were just dreading the day to come and wanted to avoid the topic... Still, come it did, and the rest, as they say, is history. The teachers (amd Pam, so thankful for her) said very glowing things about me after the Speech Day ceremony to my parents, which was again, really nice =)
Having left KTJ, I wonder sometimes how would I be remembered there? In the press interview (yes there was such a goddamn thing because of the award. I haven't seen it in print though...) I said I hoped to set an example for the juniors, but I seriously doubt many of them would remember me as I am quite seclusive by nature. Perhaps what Mr. Jones said before I left was true, that in the end, I will be best remembered for two things, the Yearbook and the Award. One would be kept in the School Archives, the other, a name on one of those honour boards. Certainly my reputation as a rigid disciplinarian would live for some time yet, but I would like to be best remembered as a student who did things MY way, and who hopefully, left his mark in his short time spent there. Still, that impression is not for me to choose and for better or for worse, it is up to the members of the school to decide how they would best like to remember me...
The last day of school was also a farewell to Mr. Finch, still the best mathematics teacher EVER, and Mr. Kenneth Kulaisingam. Mr. Finch of course, I know very well from our Pure Math classes and stuff and I wish him a very happy and peaceful retirement. I salute you for all that you have done for me and for the school sir, and may age never wither your optimistic and cheery outlook on life. You will always be fondly remembered and I'm sure we'll be visiting you someday in Seremban! Mr. Kenneth, though he never taught me, was nonetheless a good teacher to talk to in school and during Forensics. I'll never for get his interesting anecdotes and ideas on life and also wish him all the best in his retirement. Another person who will be leaving is the bursar, Mr. Lim Siew Chiang, who is incidentally also from SFI, and will be taking up a teaching post in the UK. Thank you for all the help that you gave us in the production of the Yearbook (and the hardcover!) and I wish you all the best in the UK.
I would just like to end this very emotional post by saying a very big thank you to (in no particular order) Ash, Pam, Amira, Tony, Kevin, Ms. Cheah, Mr. Suresh, Mr. Sutherland, Ms. Carol, Mr. Finch, Mr. Dickman, Pn. Noorsham, Mr. Venga, Mr. Ang, Mr. & Mrs. Hitchman, Ms. Charlie, Mr. Kwok, Gerald, Aunty Anne, all the Upper Sixers (especially those who have worked with me), staff and students of KTJ. Thank you for all the memories and do keep in touch! May God bless all of you and your loved ones... Au revoir, I hope we meet again...~Zhongy~
P/S Can people not introduce me as the guy who won the KTJ All-Rounder thingy?? It's kinda weird and unsettling... Amira I really didn't know how to react when the whole table started clapping... The whole KTJ table suddenly looked lost... Thanx.
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