*|Story
I know I have come across this many times but I still love it all the same. This is how the story goes...
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. " They really should get lives. " He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he ha d gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! " He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. " Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 11:42 PM|*
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*|Sunlight
It's Saturady now. For once I am home on a weekend. It feels weird. I don't know what to do with my time. Homework, projects. These are out of the question. I am not up to it. Eventually I turn to my keyboard. And as the orange sunlight fills my room, so do I in my music. There I am playing away, playing Canon in D. I admit I ain't good in playing that. I am just learning. My piano teacher has not taugh me that yet. Amazingly, time pass by quickly and before I know it, it is time for me to go for my church's saltshaker service. I think it is the sunlight. It is like magic, bringing me into another dimension. Somehow the world seems different because of its warm rich hue. I like that. I like that very much.
I don not usually write in this way. It's difficult to explain but I think you will get what I mean from reading the paragraph above. it feels like I am writing an assignment for HW101: Craft of writing. I think I stop here for now. Really have to go. Ciao.
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 4:20 PM|*
*|18/05/07 - updates (Sentosa pictures)
Sigh... I have the flu! Hate it! My nose is running (I don't meant that literally) . Anyway that is besides the point. I have finally gotten my hands on some of the Sentosa outing photos. Got it from Danny's blog. I am wondering if there are more such photos hidden somewhere. The answer is yes I think.
Royston and his big boobs. WE HAVE FINALLY TAKE HIM DOWN! It was hard work but worth the effort. Ah Gong... TOO BAD!

Frankly speaking, I don't remember this picture at all.

Our 8 sitter sand sofa. It is not that difficult to build. The next time we go Sentosa we shall aim for a bigger sofa with bigger back space cum a coffee table. Wonder if that is really possible? (Left to right: Royston, Pang Ren, Wang Xun, Danny, Shi Qi, me, Jit, Jeffrey)

Product designers in the making?

Royston, Jeffrey and Pang Ren
That's all for now. I wanna sleep. Head is hurting! SLEEPY! ILL!
Labels: 18/05/07 - updates
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 1:29 AM|*
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*|Shay
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children,the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 1:21 AM|*
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*|L.A, San Diego here I come.
I am goint to L.A and San Diego from 23 July to 13 August. It was supposed to be a 2 week trip thing but somehow it turned out to be a 3 weeks trips. Will be touring L.A with YY, Wei Keong and Ying Han before we head down to San Diego to volunteer for the Siggraph conference. Before the start of conference, we be going down to Mexico for a day. We didn't plan to stay there long as it is kinda dangerous. Pretty excited about the trip. But for now, we have to do more research on the places that we might wanna visit while we are there. We have settled the accomodations. Now we are left with air tickets. Probably taking SIA flight there with a stop over at HK on the trip there and a stop over at Tokyo on the way back. Erm... I wonder if I am able to make it for classes on Mon, 13 August at 9am since the flight back to Singapore is 1:15am plus. Think I am going to have some serious jet lag. But there is one thing I can be sure of... We can all meet up while we are at L.A. We as in Rong Rong, Elgin, Kaman, Felice, Erica and Jia Hui. All of us will be in L.A then. LOL... Gathering of the ADMers. It be cool.
Sigh... But Jit is sad because he can't go to UCLA in L.A. I guess I will not mention all these in front of him. I don't want him to be reminded of it and be upset. Sigh...
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 11:01 AM|*
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*|Sorry
I did it again. I started another argument. I didn't mean to. I guess it is always me. I did it too when I am home. But sometimes I didn't really mean to do so. Want to undo what happened but there is no such thing as a undo button in life. Sorry, it is my fault. Not yours. Here I am stuck in stop motion room. Being really sad. The one thing I like about it here is that it is empty and I can be by myself at least to quiet myself down. But I hate the coldness here. It is freezing. I am freezing but nevermind. So sorry. You probably won't see this anyway so I guess it doesn't matter.
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 11:25 AM|*
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*|Sentosa trip
I am currently listening to the music I got from Ying Han. The album is "The power of Love". Listening to these love songs makes me very emotional. It makes me think of my boyfriend. I know I have not mentioned to many that I got attached. Yes, he is not a christian and I know some of my friends don't approve of it. Frankly speaking, I was sad that some of my friends didn't support me in this but I can't blame them. I really like him for who he is, his character, his personality. This reminds me of the conversation that I had with Shi Qi. I remembered that we said that even if Danny and Jit are not christians, we will still be with them. Erm... I don't why I am typing all these. SEE! I told you the songs are making me emotional. Haha.
Anyway what I really want to blog about is the Sentosa trip today. It was fun. Wang Xun, Danny, Shi Qi, Royston, Pang ren and Jit went and we had a blast. I like the building sofa part. We made a 8 sittter sofa with a back rest from sand. TODAY WE PIN ROYSTON DOWN and got him all buried up. WOO HOO! Apparently he was suaning me again then suddenly the guys decided to take him down and we girls joined in the fun. It was a difficult task pinning him down but we managed it somehow. He got totally buried in sand so much so that only his head is sticking out of it. After which we modelled him, gave him big sand boobs and all and the lingam (only asian art student know this term... Haha don't wanna elaborate further on that) But whatever it is, it was our version of Lingam embeded in yoni. LOL.
I am really glad that I got to know them. My university friends are the best ever. We are all art students. All of us are interested in the same field and it is so easy to communicate with one another. These few years of school is the best ever. I love my school and my friends they only make my life there more spicy than ever. I can't imagine life without them. I really can't. Thanks you all. Haha... You know who you are. Keep smiling always!!!
P.S will post the photos once I get them from Shi Qi. They are very telling. Haha Animators are taught this " SHOW, DON'T TELL!"
*|cailing scribbled on the sand at 10:35 PM|*
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