Three Schools

Eh, it's been a great two days. Been to so many different schools that it's quite exhausting, really. I myself am quite surprised at how things have worked out. Heh, I didn't visit around so much when I was deciding which sec sch and JC to go to...

Went back to VJ on Thu to help out with Grace's set design thingy. Ah well, there wasn't much that I could do, really. Besides providing the genesis of the idea, I don't have the skill or the resources to actualise the idea; all that has to rely on the abilities of the team assigned to help Grace with her dramatic sequence (what a thing to call a play =P). So I appeared in the compound, found them painting this 11m long stretch of pink silk, and chipped in by helping to hold the cloth up so the artists could do their work. Heh, so much for the glamour of set design, eh? =P

The J1s assigned to help out are a really good bunch of people to work with! It's a real stroke of luck to have people who can actually paint on cloth with acrylic, and there was this girl who was an art student so she had access to all the paint and supplies, which was undeniably convenient. And while we were holding the cloth and they were painting, some of them were discussing Jap anime and songs...apparently Jap subculture is very popular among the TSD people...it's quite hilarious, really, and they're so enthusiastic about animes and their theme songs =P And other people were playing inane games like Mr. Fuzzy Wuzzy, Open-Close, Black Magic...you know. And we finally ended up telling blonde jokes, and that green pingpong ball one =P

It's not every drama production that has such a blessing, with people who are so dedicated to working for the production and with such good humour and skill too. Of course, TSD being one of their examinable subjects, that could explain their commitment. But it really is wonderful, to have this team who is just as happy helping to hold the canvas as to pour out paint and wash brushes and run other little errands for the artists. With a team like that, I think we can get a heck of a lot of things done.

Oh, and that idea that I planted in Grace's group last week? The teachers threw it out =P So now they're doing a self-reflexive piece based on some story about searching for the story's author...I forget the title. It does sound interesting, and this idea has the advantage of being their own product. And that can be crucial...the people involved in the production must believe in what they're putting up, must take ownership of their production; that is the best way to assure that one puts in the utmost effort.

Went back to CHS today and talked to Ms. Ong at the busstop outside the school. Heh, a part of me feels older than her, really. How is it that people like Mr. Purvis are bogged down with experience, but Ms. Ong and Mr. Liew can find new reason for hope? Perhaps I think that given all their complaints, they're too happy to be true. Heh, and they do do some rather childlike things...Ah well, but I can't tell if they're like that all the time. At any rate, it's definitely more fun to chat with them as friends rather than teachers. In this kind of circumstance, no one owes anyone anything. It's interesting and satisfying to see that the teacher-student relationship can morph into something else rather than wither away to nothing. There's still a lot to be gained with them.

Then popped over to HC again to visit that class. Hmm...I wonder if they feel like I'm an invader, crashing so often now. Maybe they're getting bothered with me imposing myself on their class. Hmph...will have to continue to monitor the situation carefully. Anyway, caught the class mugging their Hist S teacher outside the classroom. Compared to our Hist S two hours later, the HC people certainly have spunk, though what is taught is essentially the same thing. But I think HC's students are clearly more impassioned with the subject, or at least they make their passion a lot more evident. In the long run I guess that could cause exhaustion, but with limited exposure, it warms up the discussion quite a bit. Unlike RJ Humans classes, these people have no qualms talking about anything with their teachers.

Anyway, saw YJ and Joel again. And everything's set for a reunion of sorts on Tue, which is CNY Eve. Heh...I must sound very repetitive, but I still feel that old warmth and familiarity with them, and practically all the other old 4N people. We did after all go through a lot together. That's why I really hope that the HC class doesn't begrudge my crashing, because I sincerely enjoy being in their company. And they were asking me to stay for their Lit Wing meeting with Alfian Saat. Hai...if only I didn't have Lit S at three, I would have loved to see what a real writers' meeting is like.

After S papers it was a dash down to TJ to join in their CNY carnival. Hehheh, compared to the lethargic but well-intentioned events organised by RJ's Council, the TJ event was practically Mardi Gras...carnival games, food and drinks, live performances and an auction made the setting most lively...or at least livelier than what I dare to expect from RJ. Not that RJ's style of celebration is bad...it gives lots more emphasis to personal interactions, but the element of large group activity in these non-RJ events have their own distinct allure. Heh, at one point one of the food stalls started selling platefuls of custard cream, and then it wasn't long before you could see faces full of cream chasing after cackling culprits =P Yes, things like this just don't happen in RJ.

Oh...today met three other people. Saw Denise from Texprog getting off a bus at the busstop outside CHS, which was a nice surprise. And then at TJ Shixian, also from Texprog, found me. And then on the bus back from TJ, I bumped into Chiat Ying from Pre U Sem sans her glasses, which was a really cool coincidence. Hehheh, it's good to see them still going strong. Though of course one doesn't expect anything cataclysmic to happen, it's nice to see reason corroborated by empirical observation. Anyway, it suddenly struck me that all those programmes last year has made me acquainted with lots of people from all over the place. And that can only be a good thing. Which is why the Rafflesian determination to sequester itself away in its elitist Bishan colony is so incomprehensible to me. It depletes a lot of variety, and cliched though it may be, you know what they say about variety and spicing up life.

But you see, knowing so many people from different walks of life is something really enriching. It opens up lots of new viewpoints and ideas, and opportunities to all sorts of experiences. And it gives me a visa (or a convenient excuse) to visit all these great schools (a part of me reasks the question of why I didn't take TSD and go to VJ)! And from superficial observation as an outsider (though I try my best not to make the differences too obvious...they just get in the way anyway), I have to remark to myself that RJ seems a lot colder than these other schools. There is a sort of vibrancy that comes from smaller, older campuses, and the simpler interactions of simpler people. These schools make us look really pretentious sometimes, with all our efforts to differentiate ourselves from them. And the danger is that we will become too different from them, and then something vital would have been lost. The name of Raffles would be alienated from everyone else, and how is that a good thing for anyone?

No, the way forward is to maintain as many personal level ties with people around you as possible, and to throw away the annoying and wholly unnecessary distinction between the students of the "top" JC and everyone else. I think it would be better for us if we didn't know we were the best. There is quite a case to be made for not being on the top...it lets people be more carefree, less paranoid. And it seems that everywhere else, life proceeds at a less elevated pace, and there are less pretensions. Why is it that people don't seem to care as much for appearances as we do?

pondered by phoenican @ 4.2.05