Philip Khor

Results for my last 2 UniSA papers will be made known on the 19th. Meanwhile, it is a bittersweet period of my life which involves transition of sorts. Traditionally, I’m awful when its time to change. Just look at these occasions:

Age 0 – Getting out of my mother’s womb. The breath of fresh air didn’t suit me as I rather have food and from the fallopian tube.

Age 1 – Jabs scare me. It really does.

Age 4 – Did I say that how scared I am of needles? Visit to the doctors is like being condemned to communistic torture.

Age 5 – The first real test, Kindergarden. BOOM. Teacher Shanti had eyes like the fierce Hindu god of hades! It was as if she could eat me up!

Age 7 – Making friends both in the playground and in Standard 1 in a Chinese school. My Mathematics multiplication table, yes, I learnt it during my 18 months in a Chinese school. It is still useful today. Other than that, the experience hasn’t been memorable. Every time failing my Chinese spelling tests.

Age 8 – Shift to Brunei. At first it sounded like fun, you know, escape from the torture thus far. Reachedthere,  it was a totally new different experience. Lining up for assembly, lining up after recess to do a “headcount” before the class teacher comes back. Being taught by Ms. Pushparani about being humble and not talking big. It is always shameful to be pulled aside, but looking back, it was good that it happened!

Age 10 – Swore in Sunday school (very very mild word lah, but it was church, so…) I think they called it a “time out”. Brunei has lots of UK influence. Transition from Primary 3 to 4 also got emotional. Our class were really close knit. Primary 4 meant a new faces, new lessons, new teachers. Mana tau, we stuck with pretty much the same people. I was in the RED house.

Age 12 – Primary Certificate of Education (PCE). Straight As. Good times… A good friend got 4A 1B and she was really upset. A lot of students got that coveted Straight As. One thing I admire about her is that she overcame the disappointment, and tapao’ed everyone in the Form 3 exam. It shows her strong character of resilience and determination.

Age 13 – SEA Games 1998 opening ceremony dance. I was a bee. What a good way to start bonding with new friends than practicing at night up to 2am??!! We worked hard throughout the whole year (effectively skipping Form 1). We prepared a basic 6 minute dance and a finale (which requires you to stand in the field for, say, 1+ hours). Due to the powers above, the dance got shortened. I learnt about compromise and how to adapt to situations even at this early age. Of course its frustrating to put in 4-5 months work just to get cut in the final minutes. All in all, the friendship really does make it worth it.

Ok, off to breakfast. Will continue tomorrow.

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