Those were the times,
Jurong East Entertainment Centre
Jurong East Entertainment Centre (JEC), was an awesome place. It wasn't particularly packed with stores, so it wasn't flooded with people either. It was a nice, little place, with just enough for my friends and I. Pizza Hut, KFC, MacDonalds, Kopitiam - where we hung out at. K Pool, K Box, where we luxuriously spared ourselves once awhile.
Jurong Regional Library was right beside JEC too; and it was such a perfect location to grab snacks or have meals while studying at the library. God knows how much time I spent there during my Secondary 2 year, in preparation for streaming. I had been inspired to do well for the End of Year examinations, and JEC, along with JRL, supported me through those times. (Not a very tangible expression, but nonetheless I do mean it.)
The MacDonalds was also where I rushed my art work preparation with my beloved friends. Those memories were fond, and unforgettable. How we all coloured our preparatory pieces, and went to-and-fro the photocopying shop. I won't forget either, the three packets of fries we bought, which we almost couldn't finish.
There was also this Prima Deli outlet which sold rather nice waffles. I remember always buying one whenever I felt like giving myself a treat. And there's the Jolli Bean right in the middle, and I loved the cheese pancakes.
Those were the times, that I enjoyed my lower Secondary school days with. It was simple, but I had fun. I had so much fun, I never thought how the future would have been like. I had wanted to stay in those moments forever. I still do, now (:
But now JEC is undergoing renovation. We ain't going to see the JEC we once knew. Somehow, thinking of that, makes me sad.
Simply hilarious.
I found myself magically removed from my JC class's Facebook group. I have also one friend less in my friend list. It's so laughable I applaud the move. Since you displayed some spectacular childishness on your side, I will gladly oblige and play along.
In fact, I never knew you were that childish. I now know.
Eat! Run immediately! No more appendicitis!
It's actually quite exciting to think how life changed without my appendix. For one, I can run around after meals without having to worry about appendicitis. Adults often told us to sit down and take a slow walk after meals, to allow digestion to proceed. I was the naughty one, always running around, playing squash after meals. There was once I even played squash immediately after eating KFC!
There's the saying, "once bitten, twice shy". In a way, that doesn't apply to me anymore, does it? I no longer have an appendix to worry about. That's undoubtedly quite a warped logic, but how would one deny the truth within.
Nonetheless, I'm very fortunate to have survived through the whole ordeal, where my appendix had reached such a critical stage of inflammation to be on the brink of exploding inside. It's even more terrifying to think I actually had a mild relapse of appendicitis on the 2nd day of my 'A' Levels, which ultimately ended up being diagnosed as gastric flu. I'm still going to (indignantly) blame the pain for my results, which could've been better. Yes I still haven't gotten over it, damn.
Speaking of 'A' Levels, the J2 students will be having their Prelims very soon. I have plenty high hopes for many of my juniors, whom I believe can do very well. Please do not falter in your studying, for you might just regret not studying for that 30 minutes, or regret talking too much for that 1 hour. While prelims may not be an accurate representation of the 'A' Level standard, it will somewhat be very different from the other examinations you've been through thus far. Make the best use of it to learn, find out your mistakes, and learn again.
Frankly, I don't even think many of my juniors read my blog. I just hope these words make it to them somehow, someway. I know how regret feels, and I don't want any of them to have regrets when it all comes to an end.
Another case of Life’s fragile stories.
Driver braked, but train couldn't stop in time
2 Republic Poly students killed after being hit by train near Upper Bukit Timah
WHAT began as an uneventful and sleepy start to the day turned into a traumatic experience for a train driver.
Guiding his empty train from Singapore to Johor Baru where it was to begin its service yesterday morning, he saw to his horror two teenagers sitting on the railway track in front of him.
He immediately blew his whistle to alert them and get them to move away.
When Mr Goh Sheng Yao, 19, and Miss Clara Lee Jing Yu, 20, failed to heed the train driver's warning, he applied the brakes - to no avail.
This is because a moving train takes about 400m before it can come to a full halt. (See graphics above).
So the driver had to watch helplessly and in horror as the train mowed down the couple in front of him.
Mr Goh and Miss Lee, both Republic Polytechnic students, were killed on the spot.
The incident happened yesterday at around 5am, at the track near The Rail Mall in Upper Bukit Timah.
Ms Shahriza Embi, a spokesman for Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), which runs the trains, told The New Paper on Sunday that trains cannot stop immediately after the brakes are applied.
She said: 'If train drivers see an obstruction on or near the railway tracks, be it people or animals, we will sound a whistle.
'Sometimes, there are people who don't see the train coming so we have to alert them.
'We have emergency brakes, but the train will still move 400 to 500m before it stops. If the train stops suddenly, the impact can cause it to derail.
'So if you're within the braking distance, then it's too bad.'
The morning shuttle between Johor Baru and Singapore was cancelled. Four other train services were delayed for between one and two hours.
Empty train
Ms Shahriza said there were no passengers on the affected train, which was headed towards Johor Baru to begin the 6am shuttle service between JB and Singapore.
She said: '(Initial) police investigations concluded around 8am so it was too late for the train to go to Johor Baru.'
Passengers who bought tickets were offered refunds or transfers to trains at later times.
Ms Shahriza declined to name the driver or let him speak to The New Paper on Sunday, citing company policy.
A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesman said the impact of the train severed Mr Goh's left leg. He also suffered an open head wound and multiple body fractures.
Miss Lee had multiple body fractures, and her right leg was nearly severed at the knee.
The SCDF spokesman said: 'They (Mr Goh and Miss Lee) were already dead when we arrived (at 6.08am).'
Republic Polytechnic's corporate communications director, Mr Khng Eu Meng, declined to comment.
The polytechnic sent an e-mail to its students yesterday morning - a copy of which was obtained by The New Paper on Sunday - offering counselling to students affected by the tragedy.
Both Miss Lee and Mr Goh were studying in the polytechnic's School of Hospitality.
She studied hotel and hospitality management while he studied integrated events management.
Mr Goh was said to be an outstanding student - his name appeared in the polytechnic's academic roll of honours last year.
Police investigations into the unnatural death are ongoing. Witnesses can call 1800-255 0000.
Why?
As spooky as it sounds, the above just took place not far from my residence. I'm unable to comprehend the motive for such actions. Was it a suicide pact? It holds the highest votes, given no other reasonable explanation to why they might be out there in the dark, sitting on the railway tracks.
Both persons had a bright future ahead of them - one even a Dean lister. So why?
Both were bubbly and cheerful, as described by close friends. So why?
It strikes fear into my heart, to know people's personalities could possibly change with such drastic magnitude.
Sigh.