I don't tithe money because I don't make anything now.
But sorry I fail to tithe my time in service to you.
Thanks for being bigger than all my problems and being the most understanding boss: my boss in life.
Love
Jem
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Time Alone
Everybody needs a little time alone. As do I.
I complete my work and a lot of other stuff at 3.30am (now) so that I can keep up in school sometimes. I prefer to sleep late. I prefer to sacrifice physical well-being (and make it up over the weekend/some other way) than lose track in school. Unfortunately, today, Chem test was a slight wake-up call. Getting 16/29 was not too much of a shock. I hadn't studied. I was tired, both mentally and physically. I was in no right frame of mind (during Orientation 2012) to be taking a test at all. Somehow I pushed myself to finish it with 13 marks worth of mistakes. Never can I allow that to happen to me on a department quiz. Department quizzes are for aceing, not for throwing away.
This means I'm slipping. I know I'll catch up again. Once I set my focus to it. Once I clear Orientation, I will first BREATHE. Then I will get back to TOK essay and getting my studies back on track. Meaning revision, intense studying. Not playing on facebook trawling for videos and photos of groups going out having fun. That's for this week. It's serious stuff already, in Y6. I keep telling myself I don't want to end the year with lousy results; but I also don't want to end the year knowing I've done nothing but study. Discipline is what it takes, just a little. Computer on for an hour each day, 30mins for R&R, 30mins for admin/email. Work on the computer does not count, but no distractions should supersede the work I have.
If I sleep late, so be it...but I have to start sleeping early. Because I need to run and keep fit. Or GET fit rather, now I'm so unfit. NAPFA is important, but I have no wish to collapse whilst running 2.4km. It's possible, so I will have to condition my body back up to its physical optimum and give it enough rest. I will not slip anywhere. One thing I've gotten out of my way for now is SATs. I may opt to take them though, if I'm more free towards March/April. This is just to open up options, I don't plan to study in the US.
Getting serious about stuff so I can spend my fun time having fun. Twitter, after all, can still be used on the phone on the move. =) I have to keep myself focused on my end-goal, but never compromising sustaining strong friendships.
I have more things I want to say about life and council and friends and stuff. But I'll save that for a few days. Need my rest. 3.30am. Time to crash.
Yes I'm damn busy. But I make time for you all the time.
And yes I'm damn busy, but no excuse for slipping up in class.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Away
It's 2am now. I have Chem Design IA 2 and World Lit Outline both open. I'm staring at them. Happy somewhat with the progress I've made. Upset I couldn't get more done.
Then again, I didn't want to remember spending Year 6 merely studying. There is more to Year 6 than that. Though I know as a junior I always thought IB was a treacherous area I'd never reach. Looked up to seniors wearing that IB tie and thinking, poor fella, busy all day studying and working his butt off.
And now here I am, at the top of it all. Giving myself some alone time. At 2am. But I'm glad I'm here.
This place is too cold for hell.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Or Maybe
It's not so nice how I feel used at times.
It's not so nice how we drifted apart.
It's not so nice how sometimes investing time and friendship in juniors is termed 'paedophilia'.
It's not so nice how things are strained between us.
It's not so nice how something is so big that we miss out the small relationships which are what's important.
A Circle of Friends
It's pretty amazing how we're so different, yet we take time to talk to each other.
It's pretty cool that you're 3 years younger yet you regard me as a close buddy.
It's pretty fantastic that you're so cool and you consider me your friend.
It's pretty nice that we've been around each other for 8 years and we're still close as ever.
It's pretty awesome how we never seem to have time for each other sometimes, but take time out of each other's busy days in school to chat and catch up.
It's pretty great that you always keep me in check everyday and you take care of me.
It's pretty fantastic that you're a girl and you're so easy to get along with.
It's pretty lovely how we can find rubbish to talk about from nothing, and occupy ourselves for hours on end.
It's pretty good how we're so distant yet we can be close friends, even though you're my junior.
It's pretty wicked how we suddenly became bros in 2008.
It's pretty wonderful that we dig out time to eat and study together, though always studying and eating something different.
It's pretty splendid how you're on the other side of the world and we could still meet up for breakfast. Wish you were here.(:
It's pretty marvellous how you are such a mature person to talk to, sharing our problems and gripes yet always being encouragements to each other.
It's pretty pleasant that you've taken all the setbacks so far in your stride and came out stronger. I admire you, junior.
It's pretty comforting that you are such an affectionate friend and junior and you never fail to cheer me up.
It's pretty neat that you have big dreams. Take them and fly!
It's pretty super that we always stand by each other though we hardly see each other nowadays, and have totally different schedules.
And it's PRETTY EXCELLENT that I happened to chance upon you. I imagine you to be the greatest of friends and confidants one day, though I may be mistaken. But to date, you've grown to be someone I admire and love, dude. Thanks loads already.
Thanks guys.
You can try and guess who you are. If you even read this place. :) I kinda forgot who's who already so don't bother asking.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Open Letter: Pertaining to matters on Founder's Day Parade
ACS Boys and Girls, past and present, UYO leaders and proud members across ACS (Independent)’s 8 uniformed groups, the Military Bagpipe Band, Boy’s Brigade Bagpipe Band and Symphonic Band who never fail to support each Founder’s Day Parade every year, students of ACS (Independent), personal friends and all else to whom this may concern:
1Greetings. I am Jeremy Ong from the ACS (Independent) NCC (Land) Unit I come to you today in my personal capacity as a friend and student of ACS (Independent). I write this open letter today to explain to you and update you on the occurrences dating back a few days up until today. I may at times insert my own opinion when I shouldn’t (very unprofessionally) and I pray you forgive me in advance.
2It is a honour and privilege to come from the school’s NCC (Land) unit, which has achieved a consistent GOLD award for the past 8 years since 2004. It is a hallmark of pride and prestige, and it has helped to shape me into the person I am today. I have led the unit and am still presently active in the unit, serving and striving to bring the unit to its potential. By writing this letter, I hope to be able to communicate with you some of my findings in my non-personal capacity.
3Whether at the end of this you see me differently or see things differently, is not something which is within my control. What we can do is our best, and nothing more. We can hope and pray as well, for Romans 12:12 says “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” After which, the decision does not come down to us. We may not see the results we hope for an expect at the end of the day, but so be it. At least we tried.
4To place things in context, I am deeply aware that there has been a lot of unhappiness and deep dissent about the fact that many CCAs in ACS (Independent) have been receiving budget cuts or drastic changes to the way things are done. These are things we are not used to, things we do not expect coming at us; so be it. As ACSians, in fact, ACS(I)ans, we should be ready to adapt, make changes as necessary and do our best to keep our CCAs running at full capacity, manpower and ability. Many want to speak up and out against such change.
5This blew out of proportion on the night of 11th Jan 2012 (Wednesday), where word spread that the 126th Founder’s Day Parade would not materialise. The news got out as such: on 10th Jan 2012 (Tuesday) evening, it was made known to me that the Parade would not be mounted this year. It was my duty to inform the Parade planning committee that the Parade would not continue thus ceasing all operations related to the matter. The people informed included all senior and junior Cadet Officers from the Tri-Service NCC units in ACS (Independent) (59th and 61st intakes) as well as the respective Unit Sergeant Majors, so that preparations and training would halt.
6As such, news got out by Tuesday night and it spread even further on Wednesday night, to the extent of being viral. Many people were notably angered, disappointed and upset by the decision, expressing their thoughts online and through social media. It was something I believed I could do little about, being raised instead to listen and follow instructions, not to question them. This changed, which I will elaborate on later.
7The 126th Founder’s Day Parade has been in planning since late August 2011, so the planning committee has undertaken about 6 months worth of conceptualisation and playing with ideas to make the Parade unique yet grand, special yet full of tradition and mystique. Yes, the effort we have put in is a great deal, including working out a proposal, spreadsheet and a full set of Parade Orders which has undergone multiple revisions.
8I have also been made aware of many old boys from various ACS (Independent) UYOs and even those not from UYOs, who have been planning to come back on 1st March 2012 to watch the Parade proceedings, because it is a highlight that most of us look forward to. I understand and share their disappointment, as I do all others who are upset or disappointed, but Proverbs 30:33 says “…anger produces strife.” This should not be what we seek. We should refrain from being angry, for not only does that hardly solve anything, it causes us to be irrational in our thinking at times.
9This had to come at a bad time, when a majority of the students and teachers were overseas on the Overseas Educational Programme/Character Development Programme (OEP/CDP). It would cause trouble once everyone was away. Little connections would be made back to Singapore, where my cohort mates and I would be working hard in our final year here. Gossip would spur overseas, whether in Malaysia or further, and what would happen after was something I did not want to even speculate.
10On Wednesday night, it came to my realisation shortly after the news got viral, that so many students were unhappy. In my capacity as a Student Leader and Cadet Officer, surely I had a part to play. I wondered what I could do about this and was moved enough to think long and hard despite having my Physics homework and Chemistry Design IA to worry about. I spent Wednesday night deciding how I was going to go about doing this.
11On my part, I could not really do anything even though I am the bridge between Students and Teachers (including the Senior Administration). Talking to the teachers would gain us no ground, merely because of the fact that the people who are expressing frustration do not want reasons, but merely a full reinstatement of the parade. The reason behind the decision, I can safely say, is because the school management felt that having a National Day Parade would be more appropriate to attempt to display our UYO prowess. We ARE the only school with enough UYOs to pull off a parade of as much stateliness and grandeur, and we should pride ourselves on that fact and be happy that there will most possibly be an NDP, instead og griping over the fact that FDP is not going to materialise.
12Saying this, I am intricately aware that in my professional capacities I have been unable to serve as an effective bridge between the students and the school management. For that, forgive me. The school will have reasons, and we should trust, as a Methodist institution, that the management knows and wants the best for us, because Romans 13:1 says that “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” I urge everyone to let this matter pass, move on and look towards other significant feats our UYOs are capable of, NDP being one of them.
13If anything, even if this has gone nowhere, we should always bear something in mind. All that we do in our professional capacities should be in love for and with deepest service to the school. As leaders and members of our various UYOs, or even if you are not, people look up to us for a role model, and we have to present ourselves as that. And bearing in mind always, that for our juniors and peers and even seniors, “let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deed.” (Hebrews 10:24, ACS (Independent) Theme 2012) Through our actions, thoughts and words, let us do all that we do in passion and in loving service.
14To God Be The Glory. THE BEST IS YET TO BE.
Yours Always In Service
C/2LT Ong Jun Kai Jeremy
6.02 Bethesda 2012
President, Student Council 2011-2012
ACS (Independent) NCC (Land) Unit
59th Intake Cadet Officer Course/5th Intake Advanced Drills Course
Planning Committee, 126th Founder’s Day Parade
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Welcome to Year 6 Life.
I think it's absolutely unfair that you judge my commitment based on how often you see me, when obviously I'm quite concerned with the day-to-day running of the organisation I lead, when I don't hit 'reply all' so I don't look like a bossy control freak, when I try to let others step up because that's what the whole 'leadership experience' is all about, when I do things quietly and silently because I don't like attracting attention. And the only reason why I'm putting this on is because I don't want others who read this to feel the same way when put in a situation similar to mine.
I have no time to blog anything else. I'm knee high in homework. Maybe higher.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Of Climbing Barricades and Fake Mums
Yeah. I'm giving myself some alone time. So I can rant a bit and stuff.
I guess the world is a selfish place. Me included. I guess promises are never kept. Me included.
Today, I found out who my new teachers were. And who were gonna follow me up. And I guess I was happy. But I guess also it's never the teachers. It's the students. Those who shut themselves off and complain later the teacher was terrible. You don't expect the teacher to bounce around for 6 hours a day being excited about HL1 the whole time right. I guess we need to motivate teachers too.
I realised this because, as Mr Hodge said today, for those of you listening, we have to be sensitive and we have to encourage constantly to nurture a loving community in ACS (Independent). That means teachers too. No-one's going to come up to me and say 'excellent job, Jem' every day of the year. Even if they did, I'd feel lousy because I know I'm doing a far from excellent job though I am trying hard.
Life's quite a mess for me now, I just need to keep the faith and work at my EE. Things are changing and they're changing fast. And I have to be on the balls of my feet to keep with the climate.
Confession time: I jumped the barricade twice and a friend got someone to pose as my mum so we could sneak all the way near the fireworks on New Year's Eve. It was bad. It was fun. It was the spur of the moment.
I guess school will keep being a drag. I make it out to be more though, just that it seems very bleak whenever I look in retrospect.
A buddy to talk to.
That'd be good.
Jem
What Makes Me
Jeremy Ong. 俊凯
18
Born on the 13th Day of Christmas
Left-Handed
Rooster/Capricorn
Single. Until I am ready for a relationship.
You can contact me at ongjkj@hotmail.com
If you believe in Him, I ask that you pray for me. Just a quickie, whatever God puts in your heart to say.
ACPB
ACS (Independent) Student Council
ACS (Independent) Mathematics Competition Team
NCC (Land)
ABRSM Piano
Runner
Mountain-Climber
What Breaks Me
God. God breaks me every day and makes me cognizant of the fact that I'm a weak boy.
I am a sinner and I cannot do anything without Him.
I want to be broken because only when I am weak do I know that I am strong.
I want to be dependent on Him alone. I try to fail Him less and less every day.
He multiplies my joy and decreases my sorrow, comforts and nourishes.
Few things in my life are out-of-this-world. His love for me is one of them.
Going to church since 2007 but trying to find my faith up until today.
Christian, but not yet a Disciple.
Leader, but a leader trying hard to find the revelation of God.
'Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.' - 1 Peter 5:6
My Friends.
My juniors, peers and seniors break me everyday.
They, along with family, give meaning to life. I admire seniors, co-operate with peers and nurture juniors.
They make everything in the first half of this page unimportant and irrelevant.
They take me for who I am. They multiply my joy.
They love me and care for me. They bother to support me.
They talk to me at crazy times on the phone.
They help me every step of the way.
Lists
Bucket List
Venice
Macchu Picchu
Grand Canyon
Anfield
Dubai
Maldives
Learn how to skateboard
Re-learn rollerblading
Books To Read
S R Nathan's Memoirs
Hard Truths: Lee Kuan Yew
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J K Rowling)
Sing You Home (Jodi Picoult)
How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog by Chad Orzel
Movies To Watch
Sherlock Holmes 2
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Muppets
Next Mountain To Climb
Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m ASL)
To Keep On Collecting
Tea from around the world
Model Aeroplanes
Bears! (and other stuffed animals)
To Complete My NCC Experience
National Day 2012
Hold Colours once
ICEP
Survival Course
The Superficial Wishlist
A Photo Album (18th Birthday Present for myself)
Laminator (for the photos)
Clothes
iPod Classic
Nike+ (for the iPod)
Bose QuietComfort 3 Headphones (only ones that are spectacle friendly and fit me)
New Phone (to replace this piece of scrapmetal) [being extremely superficial]
Mountain Trekking Equipment! (for my masochistic endeavours)
Road Bike/Mountain Bike (for when I'm not in the mood for running
Logitech G25
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit E3
Need For Speed: Shift E3
Need For Speed: The Run E3
Rolex: The Daytona (it's $15000 and I don't need it)
Oakley Half-Jacket Custom Sunglasses
Poster for myself in school :D
Uglydoll
To Do List
Climb Kilimanjaro (after IB)
PPCDL (after IB)
New Musical Instrument (after IB)
Driver's Licence
ABRSM G8 Piano
SATs
Is 45 points too much to ask?
The Spiritual Wishlist
A crucifix for my room
Grow more mature
Let Christ lead
I don't tithe money because I don't make anything now.
But sorry I fail to tithe my time in service to you.
Thanks for being bigger than all my problems and being the most understanding boss: my boss in life.
Love
Jem
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Time Alone
Everybody needs a little time alone. As do I.
I complete my work and a lot of other stuff at 3.30am (now) so that I can keep up in school sometimes. I prefer to sleep late. I prefer to sacrifice physical well-being (and make it up over the weekend/some other way) than lose track in school. Unfortunately, today, Chem test was a slight wake-up call. Getting 16/29 was not too much of a shock. I hadn't studied. I was tired, both mentally and physically. I was in no right frame of mind (during Orientation 2012) to be taking a test at all. Somehow I pushed myself to finish it with 13 marks worth of mistakes. Never can I allow that to happen to me on a department quiz. Department quizzes are for aceing, not for throwing away.
This means I'm slipping. I know I'll catch up again. Once I set my focus to it. Once I clear Orientation, I will first BREATHE. Then I will get back to TOK essay and getting my studies back on track. Meaning revision, intense studying. Not playing on facebook trawling for videos and photos of groups going out having fun. That's for this week. It's serious stuff already, in Y6. I keep telling myself I don't want to end the year with lousy results; but I also don't want to end the year knowing I've done nothing but study. Discipline is what it takes, just a little. Computer on for an hour each day, 30mins for R&R, 30mins for admin/email. Work on the computer does not count, but no distractions should supersede the work I have.
If I sleep late, so be it...but I have to start sleeping early. Because I need to run and keep fit. Or GET fit rather, now I'm so unfit. NAPFA is important, but I have no wish to collapse whilst running 2.4km. It's possible, so I will have to condition my body back up to its physical optimum and give it enough rest. I will not slip anywhere. One thing I've gotten out of my way for now is SATs. I may opt to take them though, if I'm more free towards March/April. This is just to open up options, I don't plan to study in the US.
Getting serious about stuff so I can spend my fun time having fun. Twitter, after all, can still be used on the phone on the move. =) I have to keep myself focused on my end-goal, but never compromising sustaining strong friendships.
I have more things I want to say about life and council and friends and stuff. But I'll save that for a few days. Need my rest. 3.30am. Time to crash.
Yes I'm damn busy. But I make time for you all the time.
And yes I'm damn busy, but no excuse for slipping up in class.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Away
It's 2am now. I have Chem Design IA 2 and World Lit Outline both open. I'm staring at them. Happy somewhat with the progress I've made. Upset I couldn't get more done.
Then again, I didn't want to remember spending Year 6 merely studying. There is more to Year 6 than that. Though I know as a junior I always thought IB was a treacherous area I'd never reach. Looked up to seniors wearing that IB tie and thinking, poor fella, busy all day studying and working his butt off.
And now here I am, at the top of it all. Giving myself some alone time. At 2am. But I'm glad I'm here.
This place is too cold for hell.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Or Maybe
It's not so nice how I feel used at times.
It's not so nice how we drifted apart.
It's not so nice how sometimes investing time and friendship in juniors is termed 'paedophilia'.
It's not so nice how things are strained between us.
It's not so nice how something is so big that we miss out the small relationships which are what's important.
A Circle of Friends
It's pretty amazing how we're so different, yet we take time to talk to each other.
It's pretty cool that you're 3 years younger yet you regard me as a close buddy.
It's pretty fantastic that you're so cool and you consider me your friend.
It's pretty nice that we've been around each other for 8 years and we're still close as ever.
It's pretty awesome how we never seem to have time for each other sometimes, but take time out of each other's busy days in school to chat and catch up.
It's pretty great that you always keep me in check everyday and you take care of me.
It's pretty fantastic that you're a girl and you're so easy to get along with.
It's pretty lovely how we can find rubbish to talk about from nothing, and occupy ourselves for hours on end.
It's pretty good how we're so distant yet we can be close friends, even though you're my junior.
It's pretty wicked how we suddenly became bros in 2008.
It's pretty wonderful that we dig out time to eat and study together, though always studying and eating something different.
It's pretty splendid how you're on the other side of the world and we could still meet up for breakfast. Wish you were here.(:
It's pretty marvellous how you are such a mature person to talk to, sharing our problems and gripes yet always being encouragements to each other.
It's pretty pleasant that you've taken all the setbacks so far in your stride and came out stronger. I admire you, junior.
It's pretty comforting that you are such an affectionate friend and junior and you never fail to cheer me up.
It's pretty neat that you have big dreams. Take them and fly!
It's pretty super that we always stand by each other though we hardly see each other nowadays, and have totally different schedules.
And it's PRETTY EXCELLENT that I happened to chance upon you. I imagine you to be the greatest of friends and confidants one day, though I may be mistaken. But to date, you've grown to be someone I admire and love, dude. Thanks loads already.
Thanks guys.
You can try and guess who you are. If you even read this place. :) I kinda forgot who's who already so don't bother asking.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Open Letter: Pertaining to matters on Founder's Day Parade
ACS Boys and Girls, past and present, UYO leaders and proud members across ACS (Independent)’s 8 uniformed groups, the Military Bagpipe Band, Boy’s Brigade Bagpipe Band and Symphonic Band who never fail to support each Founder’s Day Parade every year, students of ACS (Independent), personal friends and all else to whom this may concern:
1Greetings. I am Jeremy Ong from the ACS (Independent) NCC (Land) Unit I come to you today in my personal capacity as a friend and student of ACS (Independent). I write this open letter today to explain to you and update you on the occurrences dating back a few days up until today. I may at times insert my own opinion when I shouldn’t (very unprofessionally) and I pray you forgive me in advance.
2It is a honour and privilege to come from the school’s NCC (Land) unit, which has achieved a consistent GOLD award for the past 8 years since 2004. It is a hallmark of pride and prestige, and it has helped to shape me into the person I am today. I have led the unit and am still presently active in the unit, serving and striving to bring the unit to its potential. By writing this letter, I hope to be able to communicate with you some of my findings in my non-personal capacity.
3Whether at the end of this you see me differently or see things differently, is not something which is within my control. What we can do is our best, and nothing more. We can hope and pray as well, for Romans 12:12 says “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” After which, the decision does not come down to us. We may not see the results we hope for an expect at the end of the day, but so be it. At least we tried.
4To place things in context, I am deeply aware that there has been a lot of unhappiness and deep dissent about the fact that many CCAs in ACS (Independent) have been receiving budget cuts or drastic changes to the way things are done. These are things we are not used to, things we do not expect coming at us; so be it. As ACSians, in fact, ACS(I)ans, we should be ready to adapt, make changes as necessary and do our best to keep our CCAs running at full capacity, manpower and ability. Many want to speak up and out against such change.
5This blew out of proportion on the night of 11th Jan 2012 (Wednesday), where word spread that the 126th Founder’s Day Parade would not materialise. The news got out as such: on 10th Jan 2012 (Tuesday) evening, it was made known to me that the Parade would not be mounted this year. It was my duty to inform the Parade planning committee that the Parade would not continue thus ceasing all operations related to the matter. The people informed included all senior and junior Cadet Officers from the Tri-Service NCC units in ACS (Independent) (59th and 61st intakes) as well as the respective Unit Sergeant Majors, so that preparations and training would halt.
6As such, news got out by Tuesday night and it spread even further on Wednesday night, to the extent of being viral. Many people were notably angered, disappointed and upset by the decision, expressing their thoughts online and through social media. It was something I believed I could do little about, being raised instead to listen and follow instructions, not to question them. This changed, which I will elaborate on later.
7The 126th Founder’s Day Parade has been in planning since late August 2011, so the planning committee has undertaken about 6 months worth of conceptualisation and playing with ideas to make the Parade unique yet grand, special yet full of tradition and mystique. Yes, the effort we have put in is a great deal, including working out a proposal, spreadsheet and a full set of Parade Orders which has undergone multiple revisions.
8I have also been made aware of many old boys from various ACS (Independent) UYOs and even those not from UYOs, who have been planning to come back on 1st March 2012 to watch the Parade proceedings, because it is a highlight that most of us look forward to. I understand and share their disappointment, as I do all others who are upset or disappointed, but Proverbs 30:33 says “…anger produces strife.” This should not be what we seek. We should refrain from being angry, for not only does that hardly solve anything, it causes us to be irrational in our thinking at times.
9This had to come at a bad time, when a majority of the students and teachers were overseas on the Overseas Educational Programme/Character Development Programme (OEP/CDP). It would cause trouble once everyone was away. Little connections would be made back to Singapore, where my cohort mates and I would be working hard in our final year here. Gossip would spur overseas, whether in Malaysia or further, and what would happen after was something I did not want to even speculate.
10On Wednesday night, it came to my realisation shortly after the news got viral, that so many students were unhappy. In my capacity as a Student Leader and Cadet Officer, surely I had a part to play. I wondered what I could do about this and was moved enough to think long and hard despite having my Physics homework and Chemistry Design IA to worry about. I spent Wednesday night deciding how I was going to go about doing this.
11On my part, I could not really do anything even though I am the bridge between Students and Teachers (including the Senior Administration). Talking to the teachers would gain us no ground, merely because of the fact that the people who are expressing frustration do not want reasons, but merely a full reinstatement of the parade. The reason behind the decision, I can safely say, is because the school management felt that having a National Day Parade would be more appropriate to attempt to display our UYO prowess. We ARE the only school with enough UYOs to pull off a parade of as much stateliness and grandeur, and we should pride ourselves on that fact and be happy that there will most possibly be an NDP, instead og griping over the fact that FDP is not going to materialise.
12Saying this, I am intricately aware that in my professional capacities I have been unable to serve as an effective bridge between the students and the school management. For that, forgive me. The school will have reasons, and we should trust, as a Methodist institution, that the management knows and wants the best for us, because Romans 13:1 says that “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” I urge everyone to let this matter pass, move on and look towards other significant feats our UYOs are capable of, NDP being one of them.
13If anything, even if this has gone nowhere, we should always bear something in mind. All that we do in our professional capacities should be in love for and with deepest service to the school. As leaders and members of our various UYOs, or even if you are not, people look up to us for a role model, and we have to present ourselves as that. And bearing in mind always, that for our juniors and peers and even seniors, “let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deed.” (Hebrews 10:24, ACS (Independent) Theme 2012) Through our actions, thoughts and words, let us do all that we do in passion and in loving service.
14To God Be The Glory. THE BEST IS YET TO BE.
Yours Always In Service
C/2LT Ong Jun Kai Jeremy
6.02 Bethesda 2012
President, Student Council 2011-2012
ACS (Independent) NCC (Land) Unit
59th Intake Cadet Officer Course/5th Intake Advanced Drills Course
Planning Committee, 126th Founder’s Day Parade
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Welcome to Year 6 Life.
I think it's absolutely unfair that you judge my commitment based on how often you see me, when obviously I'm quite concerned with the day-to-day running of the organisation I lead, when I don't hit 'reply all' so I don't look like a bossy control freak, when I try to let others step up because that's what the whole 'leadership experience' is all about, when I do things quietly and silently because I don't like attracting attention. And the only reason why I'm putting this on is because I don't want others who read this to feel the same way when put in a situation similar to mine.
I have no time to blog anything else. I'm knee high in homework. Maybe higher.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Of Climbing Barricades and Fake Mums
Yeah. I'm giving myself some alone time. So I can rant a bit and stuff.
I guess the world is a selfish place. Me included. I guess promises are never kept. Me included.
Today, I found out who my new teachers were. And who were gonna follow me up. And I guess I was happy. But I guess also it's never the teachers. It's the students. Those who shut themselves off and complain later the teacher was terrible. You don't expect the teacher to bounce around for 6 hours a day being excited about HL1 the whole time right. I guess we need to motivate teachers too.
I realised this because, as Mr Hodge said today, for those of you listening, we have to be sensitive and we have to encourage constantly to nurture a loving community in ACS (Independent). That means teachers too. No-one's going to come up to me and say 'excellent job, Jem' every day of the year. Even if they did, I'd feel lousy because I know I'm doing a far from excellent job though I am trying hard.
Life's quite a mess for me now, I just need to keep the faith and work at my EE. Things are changing and they're changing fast. And I have to be on the balls of my feet to keep with the climate.
Confession time: I jumped the barricade twice and a friend got someone to pose as my mum so we could sneak all the way near the fireworks on New Year's Eve. It was bad. It was fun. It was the spur of the moment.
I guess school will keep being a drag. I make it out to be more though, just that it seems very bleak whenever I look in retrospect.