Tribute to 2001_Youth 7

This is my group of friends who quite simply brought me through my Secondary School days. What was originally a society where you join because "it's the rules" turned out to be a place where tears were shed, laughter were cracked and lives were shared. The reason why I pay tribute to our Group is because this is our 10th Anniversary knowing each other. Although we've left school for quite some time now (almost 5 years to be precise), we're still close and we do meet whenever we return to our beloved hometown Ipoh. We also go for trips together such as to Pangkor and Penang.

Background.

What a name for a group of BFFs. 2001_Youth7 if you ponder, really sounds like some url address or code more than a name for a group. And rightly so, it is our group name on Yahoo! Groups and I don't think we did "registered" or have an official name. 2001 is obviously the year. In fact it was our penultimate year at Malaysian Red Crescent Society Unit Youth 7 (hence the name)- that's the society where it all started. Our official activities include (but not limited to) marching, bandaging, first aid (obviously!), fundraising , camping and other crazy stuffs that a uniform club does. Unofficial activities: (dot)A lot, including "ponteng" (skipping) weekly meetings. These official and non-official activities were what built the relationship into what it is today.

Coincident or Destined?

I guess it doesn't take a bang that the universe was what it is. Neither are friendship or colliding of lives by chance. So I think we all do appreciate it a lot. I know I do and I am not afraid to admit I LOVE all of my heng dais (brothers). Thanks for the time together. As our Yahoo Group has it : Friendship Forever !

In the picture (Chinese New Year Gathering 2005):

Back Row: Wong Zan Yi, Leng Pang Huei, Leong Yuen Jee, Lim Tuck Choy, Tang Seng Hong, Tung How Run, Lee Mun Yew
Middle: Ang Kah Woh, Hor Sien Pin, Lee Chun Keat, Yap Chen Joon, Puah Chee Hung,
Front: Cheong Theng Meng, Cheong Mun Kin, Fong Wooi Joon, Wong Chun Wah

Absent with Apologies: David Leong, Ooi Goon Keat, Chan Kin Fei, Lim Kuan Yang, Foo Mun Hon, Yoong Loong Hey (They are outstation/overseas)

Back to 'School'?

My last post was 'The I Heart Revolution' by Joel Houston. Make no mistake about it. It has been 7 months since I updated my beloved blog. In fact, as I was logging in, there was a slight worry that the blog may have by any chance been suspended due to inactivity (like my Maybank account after 1 year being in Australia). Well, it hasn't - and I'm back to make a "long awaited comeback".

I guess I owe an explanation to you as a "loyal fan" if indeed you are/were on the delay. But it's the new year and explanation/excuses would not convince anyone most of the times. Of course, the last half a year or so was a period of tremendous change in my life. For one, I finally graduated from Uni. I can officially declare myself as a LLB holder/a graduate/ a degree holder and what not, but I was told it doesn't mean much in this part of the world. Moving on, I've also embarked to pursue a new cert - the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) in Brickfields Asia College (I shall not put in the url here as my adopted policy of not advertising for ANY private institutions since KDU misled me into doing so for my school magazine without any remuneration). CLP is notorious for its low passing rate so you can understand my situation. More importantly, I am also currently in my first job (permanent) at a law firm. So this is the long awaited new season in my life and perhaps it has passed the transitional period that I have decided to start blogging again (hopefuly I will endure to post several more within this few months).

Fast forward to 2008, I have already worked for 5 'whooping' months already and it was an awesome experience! to say the least. I have had my fair share of the busy days, the boring days, the excursion days (meeting clients with my boss) and challenging days (mistakes,mistakes,mistakes!)- but I am not sacked yet/not fired - now that's what I called an achievement. And as a matter of tradition and as well as a "taking-stock" thing, it is good to review the past year and preview the coming 12 months.

2007

Breaking Chains and Rising Up was the theme for my 2007. To a certain extend I have broken chains and rose up - but perhaps I could have done better. Making meaningful and great new friends and exploring a new place at another part of the world seems to be the highlight for most part of the first half of the year. And jumping into working-life in the second half was a blown-away and challenging experience as well. I thank all my friends in Tassie, in Malaysia (2001_Youth7 & others), as well as my family and the most supportive and loving Yean- Love you all. Most of all, I thank the Good Lord for taking me through both the challenging, the exciting, the saddening, the happy moments of '07 -To God be the Glory.

2008

Already it had been a eventful year for a few (Chua Soi Lek and The Royal Commission, for instance). And with CLP exams in July, it will be a year to be reckoned as well. They say it's good to put down all your resolutions come the new year, I find listing them down here a little uncomfortable- but enough said- the quote below does reflect my wishes and dreams and aspirations for 2008 - Year of the Rat:

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the
affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the
betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To
leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a
redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived. This is to have succeeded.

- "What is Success?” by Bessie Anderson
Stanley in Heart Throbs Volume Two (1911) Edited by Joseph Mitchell Chapple

Happy New Year 2008 - Sincere Wishes from a Friend who Cares