I can't believe another year has passed, when it actually felt like it was just a few months ago when I just won my first competition: MTV Exit Bold Lipstick. Year 2012 has been a remarkable year for me. Where at this stage, I've experience a lot of failures, hardships, success, conflicts, and whatnots. It is indeed a busiest year for me, and it is predicted to be so in the next few years of my career life.
1. Organizing Dhammaduta Youth Camp 2011
Having the privilege to be part of the organizing committee, and to successfully experience and organize an annual Buddhist camp. It was definitely a mind-blowing experience. Plus, it had brought me closer to some of the main committees in D2Y.
Moral of the story: I cannot live without meat.
Now, I believe it's the time where I need to self-reflect on the things I did while I was still 19. So, here goes the list of 19 things that I did while I was 19...
* * *
1. Organizing Dhammaduta Youth Camp 2011
Having the privilege to be part of the organizing committee, and to successfully experience and organize an annual Buddhist camp. It was definitely a mind-blowing experience. Plus, it had brought me closer to some of the main committees in D2Y.
2. Failed a subject in University, twice.
Before you go on judging me because of my failure, let me just let you know that I had really tried my best to study for this particular subject. Principles of Finance. The first time I failed was because I couldn't manage my own time, as I priotize my events more than my exams. This really gave me a wake up call. The second time I failed was because I neglected certain calculations, didn't practise enough calculations, and never slept for 24hours the day before the paper. It was really the worst experience ever. I admit, the paper wasn't hard at all, it was because of 1 simple mistake of mine which I neglected that caused me to go into serious depression.
During my consultation with Mr.Victor, my programme chairperson, regarding about my problem. I broke down in tears in front of him. "This is my biggest failure in my education life," I cried. And I cried the next day, and the next, and the next... It was my biggest downfall in life.
So, one thing that I learn from this experience, is to never neglect anything in my studies. And I pretty well learn my lesson.
3. Returned as a working waitress in Pastis as my 3rd part-time job experience
Discovered that I'm more suitable for jobs that will keep on me on my feet. I like being busy. It helps me lose track of time. Plus, great working colleagues, great working environment, so-so salary, and great TIPS.
4. Went on a family trip to China
A 1 week trip to my mother tongue land, which I couldn't get a good grip of the language myself. lol.
Great place! Love the weather, the historical buildings and the cheap things sold there, but really dislike the sellers there. Got cheated and pick-pocketed. But still, overall a good experience! =)
5. Went for my first D2Y Chinese New Year Carolling
6. Went for my first D2Y Committee Appreciation Trip
Although the trip could have been planned better, I somehow grew close to some of them and got to know some of their 'secrets'.... hehe :p
7. Being vegetarian for 1 week
Moral of the story: I cannot live without meat.
8. Gave my first orientation speech to the new intake students of Sunway University Business School
Sharing my university experience in front of hundreds of people for the first time. Nerve-wrecking but I totally nailed it, I think. Haha...
9. Gotten my first saman ticket
I didn't even knew it was an illegal parking spot. Have been parking at the same place for 1 year! Anyway, as a good citizen, I paid off the saman! :p
10. Experienced how it was like being half-deaf
Had an ear infection on the right ear which prevents me from hearing anything. It really made me appreciate the noises, sounds, and musics around me more after that experience.
11. Attended a 5km "Run For Education" run and was one of Top 20 females
Biggest achievement that I wished to achieve since Form 1, and it's finally fulfilled! But somehow, I was pretty lucky though. I was at the 19th spot. lol...
12. Successfully organized D2Y first charity trip event
It was my first time organizing an event, and it was definitely an incredible experience! A charity trip which consists about 30 orphanage children, and 40 helpers/committees on the 14th April, Sunday. Went through pain, work, hardship and sweat to make this event together with my supporting committees.
13. 'Accidentally' nominated as an Assistant Secretary of Sunway University Business School Student Concilium
Whether you call it an accident or fate, I'm really thankful to be in the Student Concilium. It has probably made me for who I am today, and it definitely made me closer to some of the BAF students and the committee board. Although there were conflicts and miscommunication between some of us, the experience is definitely worth it =)
14. Donated blood for the first time
Still, a better blood sucking story than Twilight.
15. Got involved in a hit-and-run incident
Oh yes. You think I forgotten you, huh? Oh no, I know you. WVA 1991.
And I will hunt you down, someday. And if I don't, hope your car tyre kena stolen.
16. Sprained my ankle for the second time
I think it's trying to tell me to slow down on rough activities. Yeah, I definitely think so too :(
17. Organized a charity run for the first time
Have been to many outdoor sports events and it has been always my dream to organize one. And it finally came true!! Although I'm not the main organizer, but I was put in charge of the logistics. Met a lot of new people, gave an awesome volunteer briefing presentation, conflicts, hardships, miscommunication sweat, etc., but it was all definitely worth it.
18. Attended my first concert
Not exactly like a concert, but it's more like an award winning ceremony. Attended the 8TV Shout Awards! recently and I had a pretty bad experience with the people at the rock pit zone. But still, at least I still get to see a lot of handsome guys :p
19. Say goodbye to my P-driving license
Oh yeah!!! Watch out everybodehhhhh!!! A mad crazy driver is on the lose!!!
If I told you, that I have a crush on him,
would you believe me?
If I told you, that he's the one for me,
will you let him go, and let him be?
If I told you, that I won't let him go,
will you give him to me?
I am beautiful.
I really am =)
You know, after some time, I really thought about it.
My face, I mean.
I really think there's no point being so negative about my imperfect face.
I'm gonna be stuck with this face for the rest of my life, so must as well make the best out of it.
I believe if I stop living my life in denial, I'll live a better life than anyone else.
I'm gonna love my imperfect face. Because it's beautiful =)
I believe if I'm more confident in myself, no matter how many people sees me, they wouldn't judge me because of my imperfect face, they would judge me based on my personality and confidence.
Since then, every time I look at myself in the mirror.
I always tell myself...
that I'm beautiful =)
It's already mid November, the busiest period where by now, I'm suppose to be busy with my studies and assignment.
But I'm here in front of my comp, sulking and blaming on my self-esteem. About how ugly I am.
* * *
Honestly speaking, I have a very low self-esteem. The only thing I'm sensitive about, is my face. Sometimes, I really envy people who had smooth, clear face. I don't really care how fair or dark they are, but sometimes I really wish that I have a face like them. Pimple-free and scar-free face.
Unlike mine, scars almost every single corner of my imperfect face.
Sometimes, I really doubt myself. Sometimes, I even cried every single month because of my face.
Everyday I wake up, wishing that the scars would go away. But it never did.
It's there, forever.
And I hate it. I hate it when people talk about my face. I hate it when people tried to compare. I hate it when people start talking about face complexion and stuff.
And when they do, my heart will starts to sink. Sink so deep, that sometimes I wish I could disappear.
And I know. I know it when people whom I talk to, look at my face.
They're probably looking at how horrible my scars are. How imperfect my face are.
I know. Because I can look into their eyes.
* * *
Sometimes I even blame on my father. The blood and genes that made me. That made my face.
"Why did my mom married him?"
"Why did he have so much pimples and scars?"
But I stopped blaming. Because it's not their fault.
* * *
My friends ask me to go for treatments. Special treatments.
Of course, I did. I took special care of my face. But every single treatment I tried, it doesn't heals the scar away.
It's there, forever.
Sometimes, I even thought of going for plastic surgery. Just for the face. Just to get rid of the scars and pimples. But I thought to myself...
Does it change anything?
Will people judge me?
Will I start being a bitch?
Will my current friends judge, hate, and leave me?
What if?
* * *
"There are more people who have worst complexion than you."
Of course, everyone I know tells me that.
You think I don't think know?
You think I don't know how to be thankful to have a face?
I constantly tell and remind myself about people who had huge birthmark, accident scars, etc. on their face.
But how long do you think this reminder can last?
But I still try. Try to grabbed onto this reminder, and remind myself through the bad times.
* * *
When guys say that they won't see beauty, but only the personality. It's all a lie.
Bunch of assholes with their bullshit lies.
Sometimes, I even thought to myself.
Is it because of my face, that the guy I like, will never like me back?
That's why I cannot have them in the first place?
I'm not desperate for a boyfriend, but is there a reason why the guy I like, can never like me back?
I know. It's because of my face. Right?
Because I'm ugly. Right?
If it's not because of my face, maybe you'll have second thoughts. Right?
Yes. Of course.
Because I know.
It takes a miracle to have you.
* * *
*sigh*
But you know, after all this ranting and typing rigorously about my complaints on this posts.
I kinda feel better.
Sometimes I think back.
Every single person who is beautiful, will definately has its flaws.
I have the perfect eyes, averagely smart, sporting, considerate, helpful, average leadership qualities, etc.
(Let me syok sendiri for once larh hor)
And if I were to have the looks, I would probably start acting like a bitch / slut. And I would probably have irresistible ego-ness in me.
So, I guess, being ugly is not that bad after all.
For now, I'm constantly keeping myself so busy, that I wouldn't have to think about my face and/or relationships. Sometimes, it really helps.
But once I stop being busy, that's where the negative comes in again.
*sigh*
I flipped through the pages of an old diary and I manage to find this particularly journal entry dated back in 2006. It was my first D2YC camp that I've attended few years ago. And this was how it had changed my life.
P.S: Please pardon my spelling and grammar mistakes. I was dumb back then.
* * *
D2YC Camp
19th-24th December 2006 (Tuesday - Sunday)
Dear Diary,
it's my first time camping and I was pretty quite excited. Tracy and I are joining.
We gathered at the Asoka Hall. There was a lot of people. The registration night was the night when we say goodbye to our parents. My father was there (For those who didn't know, I wasn't close with my father). There was 106 people joining the camp. Everyone was sent to their own groups. There are 8 groups.
My group name is Samadhi. There are 13members in our group. A lot of lengzai's in my group (-.-"). I volunteered to be the group leader assistant. And the group leader was a lengzai name Melvin (not Melvin Seow).
We were suppose to wake up at 5.45am, do puja at 6.30am, morning exercise at 7am and have our morning breakfast at 7.30am. We continued to do this for 4 days.
The daily activities was very fun! Our group were given an egg, and we named it 'ZaiZai'. Every group has one egg. If broken, the group will have to minus marks. So, we were suppose to take care of it until the end of the camp. Unfortunately, I broke the egg on the 4th day of camp during the street party. I wasn't feeling very well that day, but my group forgave me.
The rules were quite strict especially during mealtimes (referring to 'Gua Tang Chi Fan'). Although it's strict, I learnt to be more well-mannered during mealtimes. I also learnt to be more independent, teamwork, self-disciplined, more active, and lastly be more confident in acting. Although, I didn't stand out much in some activities as a assistant.
My first letter and picture from my family that they've sent to me during the camp. |
During the street party night, I was sitting alone with Tracy and watching other people dance on the dance floor. The song titled 'The Start of Something New' by High School Musical played. Suddenly, a lengzai in orange shirt sat beside me. He looks familiar, I saw him somewhere before, but I didn't know his name. He told me to go have fun.
Sooner than I know, the lengzai in orange shirt was called Haw Lun (LOL).
I really love D2YC camp! And, I'm surely going to join next year (which I didn't).
Oh yeah, I forgot, on the first day, we were suppose to write short letters to our 'rabbits'. I only wrote once to my 'rabbit'. I'm actually the guardian angel, and the 'rabbit' that I have to write to was Lum Wai Leong. He was in the same group as me. But I didn't know that I'm his 'rabbit' and he is my guardian angel too. -.-"
What my guardian angel wrote |
Steffi
I used to think that we could be friends like... forever. But I don't believe in that anymore. The word FOREVER is such an overused word.
People tend to change overtime when we're apart from each other. And I believe we have our own beliefs to follow due to what we've been exposed to.
I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of slapping sense into you for over the period of 7 years of our friendship. It's hard for me to not care, because I bloody do!
I'm always the one who is rebellious against your decisions because I really think it's stupid. And you'll always give me that excuse that I'm not open-minded or not sporting, and whatever shit excuses so that you can fulfill your own wish.
You never listen to me. NEVER.
Okay, maybe sometimes.
But not only that, your stupid friend blindly supports you sometimes. She gives in to you so easily, it just makes me wanna slap her bloody face.
Actually... I'm not sure whether I wanna walk away.
So, should I?
Like an idiot, why didn't I know?
Like an idiot, why did I let you go?
Like an idiot, my heart cries slowly
I know now
My love is only you
Even if my eyes look for you
Even if my heart pressures me
I didn't believe that it was love
I believed that I was lonely and had to lean on you
Let's not act like idiots
Let's not heart ache alone
When tears fell because of the pain
I'd become upset with my heart for being so weak
Do you know, that you are my love?
Do you know, that you fill my heart?
Like an idiot, I've just found out now
You, I call you
Because without you, I cannot live on.
. . .
So, it's game over.
For us.
"It's been 2 weeks now, and we're nowhere near being prepared for the competition," Katey complained.
"That's because you're not feeling it yet. The music. The emotions. The movements. Dancing with you it's like dancing with an iron-board," Javier commented.
Katey sigh.
"Closed your eyes," Javier continued. "Come on, closed it."
Katey hesitated but still closes her eyes.
Javiers puts his hands at Katey hips and slowly, and gently swayed her hips and body along to the music.
He stops. He knew she wasn't feeling it yet.
He moved behind her, and gently moved his hands from her hips to her...
"Do you have to be such a guy?!" Katey spouted, moving away from Javier.
Javier looked at Katey.
"Okay," said Javier,"Okay. Then, I'll be the girl."
He brushed his eyebrows with this thumb, sweeps his hair to the back, and pulled down his collar shirt to reveal his sexy shoulders. And he starts dancing, like a girl.
Katey laughs.
Dear BBS,
thank you very much for attending tonight's gathering. I'm really happy that most of you had turn up even though some of you had other personal stuff to do. Although, the gathering could have been done better but I hope this won't be the first and the last time we'll be together like this.
I'm really lucky to have met you people in my life. I would have taken up other courses and have never known you people, but somehow, fate just brought me here. Some of you whom I have grown to love, like, teach, learn, laugh, lead, make mistakes, fail, and succeed. Well, that's life. Nobody is perfect, everyone make mistakes.
But meeting you people is not a mistake.
I pray that each and everyone of us could see each other graduate when the time comes.
The future ahead may be rough, but you're definitely not alone.
Yours sincerely,
Chuah Siew Lin