Memories of TPJC -part 1-: COSMIC EVOLUTION

04 January 2005

Applying for TPJC rather reluctantly
I scored 16 points for my Prelim's L1R5. Nothing fantastic, but I am still eligible for most Junior College (JC) Arts. However, being rather rebellious, I was quite determined to skip the conventional JC route for polytechnic education way back in secondary 2. Furthermore, I really hate studying Maths & Science, even though I can score 98 points for both subjects. This decision remained the same throughout secondary 3 & 4.

Shortly after the end of GCE 'O' Level Examination, promotion for Provisional Pre-U One Admission Exercise (PAE) started. With much pressure and influence by teachers like Mdm Yue and Mrs Sum, both of whom stated that it doesn't harm to go for PAE to test it out, I started re-considering the option of going JC. Since I'm having a long break, I do not want to take up a part-time job during the long holiday and many of my friends are choosing Tampines Junior College (TPJC) as their first choice, I decided to apply for PAE to experience JC life. This decision was also my strategic 'preventive measure', in case if I did badly for my 'O' Level, I can still appeal to stay on in TPJC.

TPJC Arts as my first and only choice
On the morning of 1.12.01, I arrived at TPJC for the PAE application. Bumped into Wenhao and his cousins who are also here for the application. At the Computer Lab, I registered TPJC Arts as my first and only choice. This shocked all the teachers of TPJC (one of whom turns out to be Maths teacher Mrs Tay) who are in the Computer Lab to facilitate the PAE application. They urged me to reconsider my choice as I might risked not being enrolled for PAE. But since I'm applying for fun, I don't really care, because if I'm not offered a place, I will just enjoy my 3months long holiday. Right after the application, I went cycling at Pulau Ubin with Wei Zhen and Lii Ngn...

As my result barely meets the entry cut-off point of TPJC Arts (TPJC Arts cut-off is 16 points), I know my chance of admission is extremely low. However. when the result of PAE was announced on 21.12.01, I'm really surprised that I'm actually admitted into TPJC! Mixed feelings because I'm happy for being accepted, but I'm sad that my long holiday is gone...

Tampinesian
School started on 2.1.02. Located only 2 streets (St 44 & Ave 9) away from my home, TPJC is the 2nd nearest school after Tampines North Kindergarten (which is just next block)... Living so near to school allows me to leave home 10mins before assembly, take an easy morning stroll there and still not being late... As TPJC is located within my neighbourhood, it is easy to spot many familiar faces and former classmates...

TPJC COSMIC EVOLUTION ORIENTATION 2002
Named "TPJC COSMIC EVOLUTION ORIENTATION 2002", the orientation started on 2.1.02 and lasted for 3 days till the evening of 4.1.02. A memorable set of orientation T-shirt, towel, file and handbook was issued on 3.1.02, which I still cherish.

I still remembered going to Eastpoint CD-RAMA to purchase then newly release "I am..." on 4.1.02 before attending the finale. I had to admit that this is the best orientation I ever participated, with a wide variety of fun activities. Get to know new friends from various schools like Victoria School, Maris Stella, CHIJ, Nanyang Girls, Tanjong Katong, Dunman, Ngee Ann, Temasek, etc. TPJC lives up to its good reputation that it gives me since my childhood days...

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Memories of TPJC -part 1-: COSMIC EVOLUTION   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

Memories of TPJC -part 2-: 02A10

Geography, Art & Economics
During orientation, choice of subjects had to be decided, so that lessons could commenced on the following Monday. As Geography is my forte and I love Art, it is without surprise that I choose Geography, Art & Economics as my 'A' Level subjects. In addition, I still need to take General Paper (GP), AO Chinese & AO Maths for my 'AO' Level (because I didn't took Higher Chinese & A Maths)...

When I was submitting my subject combination form, I was shocked to see that my best friend Tian An was in my queue. Tian An scored 10points for Prelim and he was originally admitted into TPJC Science. However, he was "demoted" to TPJC Arts because he did not study A Maths. If he wants to stay in TPJC Science, he would need to take the C Maths proficiency test. Unlike me, Tian An has always been very interested with Maths & Science and he was very determined in studying Science. He considered several options, like taking the C Maths proficiency test or transferring to SRJC. But due to unknown reason, he chose to be demoted and thus joined me in TPJC Arts. Both of us choose the same subject combination and this will make us classmates for 6years.

02A10
Tian An and I are enrolled into Class 02A10. To our surprise, we are also classmates with Hooi Ling (HL), Joanne and a bunch of interesting people from A10... As the 4 of us are already close friends, our friendship grew closer in A10 and the other classmates called us the Pasirian. The interesting fact about A10 is that our Civics Tutor Ms Faten Hana is our fellow alumni (3rd batch)! A10 basically shares similar subject combination of GP, AO Maths, Geography, Economics, Mother Tongue and another 'A' Level subject...

Lessons officially starts on 7.1.02 and my impression of TPJC started to change from this point of time. After making a very "communist like" entry, then-principal Ms Susan Chan gave an opening speech, which was rather sarcastic and condescending towards Arts students. Many teachers of TPJC are also unreasonably biased towards Science students. All these unfair bias towards Arts students seriously diminished my morale, which makes me want to quit school and leave TPJC. Not long later, I learned that Tian An, HL and Joanne shared the same sentiments as me. The 4 of us started skipping classes to enjoy long breaks and created much havoc in school...

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Memories of TPJC -part 2-: 02A10   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

Memories of TPJC -part 3-: from Art to PE

General Paper (GP)
A10 is divided into 2 GP class. HL, Rafidah, Raymond and I are in the same GP class under Mr Charles Remedios. GP is mainly on current affairs, social or political topics, which can be interesting or boring (depending on issues).

GP is one of the subjects that I enjoyed during JC. My parents have been cultivating me the habit of watching TV news since primary school and I read the newspaper regularly (mostly on new urban projects in Singapore), so GP isn't too difficult for me.

The most memorable incident during GP lessons would be the plastic surgery debate. The class was split into equal halves and I was in the "Pro" Team. While presenting my argument that plastic surgery is reasonable for people who had noticeable asymmetrical facial features (e.g. single eyelid on an eye and double eyelid on another), I started having images of weird asymmetrical faces and I suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter gets so bad that I can't finish my sentences and I need to be bailed out by my teammates. The laughing spell last throughout the whole debate, in which I still continue to burst into insane laughter several times...

I also remembered spending long nights writing essays, with the "traveling" single playing in the background...

Art
After much hindrances of pursuing Art as an 'O' Level subject, I finally had the opportunities to take Art as an 'A' level subject in TPJC. Being an Art student, we are required to submit 4 artworks of any topic each month.

Mr Eugene Tan is an alumni from TPJC Art. While waiting for his enlistment, Eugene worked as our relief Art Teacher by assisting Mrs Mary Choo to teach JC1 Art students. Being only 2 years older than us, Eugene is always joking around with us in the Art Room. Eugene gave us complete freedom to express ourselves in our works and providing valuable advice to help us improve. I learn a lot of drawing and painting techniques from Eugene. For example, mixing of colours to make an acrylic painting look realistic and principles on drawing human features using pencil. He also encouraged his student to experiment with different drawing techniques to develop our own style, and this leads me to find that using fingerprints when painting leaves is realistic and unique... After numerous experiments, I learnt that my strengths is in pencil drawing, with potential for improvement in acrylic painting... I would really like to thank him for all his guidance...

To prepare us for our 'A' Level Examination, Eugene brought us on a study trip to the Singapore Art Museum on a Wednesday afternoon... Although I don't understand what the artists wants to express in some of the works, the trip did inspire me with ideas for some of my projects. For example, Tian An and I teamed up for the recycling-themed term project. Although Tian An don't understand what is my idea initially, he was willing to give the idea a shot and contributed by collecting empty drink cans and setting up our project. Titled "evolution", it is only when the final product is taking shape then did Tian An, Eugene and many other classmates understand what I'm trying to express. I still find it honourable to be able to present "evolution" to then-principal Mrs Susan Chan. An interesting part of "evolution" is that the "BATO" stone plays a significant role in the project...

For Art, I always put in my best effort to produce the best artwork. A handful of my better works were being displayed on the subject notice board outside the Art Room... However, there are still times when I produced below quality works like "Crayon Lady" and "Joanne", which are still big jokes among friends till now... From then onwards, I learned that crayons and charcoals are not the right medium for drawing portraits...

The Art Club is a compulsory CCA for all Art students, which conveniently allocate time for us to complete our assignment and at the same time earn CCA points...

The Art Room is an extremely carefree place. It is very common for students to work on their assignments and sing to the melody from their discman... The most notorious incident would be the extremely high notes make by Joanne when she is listening to a ballad by Zhou Hui... It is also in the Art Room that I incidentally found out that by placing a sharpener-mirror at the end of Tian An's name, it will produce the word An|nA, thus resulting in his nick. I skipped countless lessons and will spend the extra time obtained in the art room to complete my work. These are the reasons why the Art Room is always a happy place with endless laughter and minimal stress...

Geography
'A' Level Geography is actually split into 2 sub-subjects "Physical Geography" and "Human Geography"; a concept similar to 'O' Level Combined Science (Chemistry / Physics).

To my surprise, 'A' Level Geography is quite difficult, even for a huge lover of Geography and 98-pointer like me. Every lecture is a tedious session of notes scribing... But with enough training from Mdm Yue, Mr Foo and Mdm Ashiq, note-taking is now a simple chore for me.

My Physical Geography tutor Ms Karen Teo would take almost every opportunity to criticize our class for being lazy. She would even go to the extreme of praising how hardworking or outstanding her Science (civic class) students are and how Arts students are such a nuisance, who are nothing better than trouble. After our 'O' Level result was out, she even sarcastically made a remark "So what if you are a 7-pointer", which was obviously aimed at Tian An. But the good thing about Ms Karen is, she can teach and sarcasm do work in pushing us to study harder.

Human Geography is taught by Mr Kelvin Tan, who can be quite funny in his teaching. Although Mr Kelvin can be quite sarcastic too, he is more friendly and approachable. Mr Kelvin is also the teacher in-charge of TPJC Guitar Club.

HL is chosen as the Physical Geography rep, so for almost everyday, she has to go to the photocopy shop to collect notes for the class...

Economics
Economics was my most hated subject during my stay in TPJC. Economics was taught by a team of lousy lecturers, who could make the simplest topic to be extremely difficult to understand. Lecturers like Mr Mahtani Naresh can be very biased towards Science students, which makes me hate the subject more. I'm thankful to have Mr Albert Tan as my tutor, who makes effort to explain the lectures again, so that we would understand all the topics and concepts.

With little interests, poor understanding and low attendance, I obtained an extremely lousy result of 10% only (the record-breaking lowest score in my study life) for my 1st term test... But with lots of hard work, I eventually improved to Distinction.

AO Chinese
I have to take AO Chinese as my Mother Tongue subject because I didn't took Higher Chinese during Secondary School. AO Chinese lessons commenced a week later than the other subjects. Students are streamed into classes according to their result for 'O' Level Chinese. I was streamed into the same class with HL and Joanne. To my horror, I am the only guy in this class and my teacher automatically picked me as the class rep... Tian An, HL and Joanne are crazily thrilled when they learnt that I was being picked as the Chinese rep, because they had already being appointed as class rep for other subjects at this point of time (Tian An = GP, Joanne = AO Maths, HL = Geography)...

To my surprise, AO Chinese is an extremely difficult subject. For the first time in my life, I find Chinese to be a subject that is difficult to manage (considering that I scored 98 points for Chinese before). I can't believe that we actually spent 3months learning Chinese idioms that starts with 'A' (hanyu pinyin)...

I resisted attending AO Chinese classes, because the subject was just too difficult and boring. It is very common for me to skip lessons and my teacher Ms Ruth Lim will always need to hunt for me or delegate tasks through Joanne and HL...

An interesting point to take note is that Ms Lim is actually Jesscan's primary school Chinese teacher (triple horror)! The two of us even intend to visit her during CNY to give her a surprise that we were dating...

AO Maths
While I can score very good results for Maths (another 98 points subject), I have no interest in Maths and I don't see Maths being useful in everyday life after school. Therefore, I am not sure why I choose to take AO Maths; either it is recommended by TPJC for those without A Maths background, or Tian An psycho-ed me to apply together with him. Something went wrong with HL's subject application so she did not manage to take AO Maths with us. Joanne was chosen as the class rep for AO Maths which makes her rather upset...

Tian An and Joanne took private A Maths for 'O' Level, so it naturally makes me the weakest link for this subject among the 3 of us. But lucky enough, AO Maths isn't as difficult as I imagined; or maybe it was due to my sudden false resurgence of interest in Maths during the first 3 months...

To be honest, I should have dropped AO Maths to lessen my workload as I dislike Maths.

Physical Education (PE)
PE lessons are on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, and it is my 2nd favourite lesson after Art. TPJC PE is extremely tedious and physically demanding. It is very common for Botak Chew and Commando Lee to make us run along Ave 9 and Tampines Park Connector to Ave 12, climbs the stairs of TPJC stadium grandstand (that results in sole pain) and many other physical activities. Sometimes after PE, I will sneaked out of school to go home for a shower (benefits of staying near school)...

Knowing that the toughness is good in training us for NAFRA Test, Tian An and I never skipped any PE lessons. The 2 of us even had our own running session after school, which continue till early 2003 (before being disrupted by the outbreak of SARS). Since then, I had my weekly run along Tampines Park Connector which lasted till my enlistment...

ODAC
Starting from December 2001, I had a sudden obsession for outdoor activities. I was very satisfied with the orientation and was quite sick of Concert Band. Therefore, I joined TPJC Outdoor Adventure Club (ODAC) as my 2nd CCA...

ODAC is a fun CCA that is loaded with several fun activities and games. But my phobia of height do hinders my progress and I do take a long time to complete some activities... Nevertheless, ODAC adds another interesting memory to my TPJC life...

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Memories of TPJC -part 3-: from Art to PE   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

Memories of TPJC -part 4-: BATO

Formation of BATO
As part of the Civic lesson syllabus, we had to complete a General Project. Without doubt, HL, Joanne, Tian An and I would form a group for this project...

While brainstorming for the group name, I wrote down our names and extract alphabets from each of our name to make a word. Suddenly HL burst into laughter, saying that our names can form "BATO", which I contribute B, A from Joanne, T from Tian An and O from HL. As usual, the group started laughing madly and we confirmed this name immediately. The laughter last throughout the whole lesson. After class ended, HL still laughed so crazily until she squat down (like a frog) while we walked out the classroom.

Roll-A-Phone
Regarding the project, HL comes up with an idea of inventing a vehicular hands-free set named "Roll-A-Phone" (something rare and innovative during time of inception) and with no better ideas, we decided on this. During group discussion, I came up with an idea of using TV-CM to promote our product. BATO started throwing stupid thoughts together which lead to explosive laughter again. As a result, the final idea for our TV-CM was an innovative one. The content of the TV-CM is as follow:

"Set in the rustic countryside of India, the TV-CM begins inside an obsolete non-aircon ivory Mercedes (same model as one of our classmate's father), with a Tamil tune playing from the radio. The owner of the Mercedes is a middle-aged Singh, who wears a white turban and Pringles moustache. The car drives through a coconut plantation and the camera starts drifting from the inside to the outside of the car. Attention is now focused on an Indian teenage couple, who are playing the typical Bollywood hide-and-seek among the coconut trees. At this moment, the camera is filming from a high spot, showing the car driving slowing towards the village and the couple run parallel with it. At the village centre, the couple joins all the villagers who are dancing in unison to the same Tamil tune played in the car (another typical Bollywood scene), and the car drive past them. After driving through the village, the car continues through the coconut plantation and Mr Singh's handphone rings. He stops the car, pull out "Roll-A-Phone", turn around to face the camera and shout "BATO" (with the typical Tamil accent). At this point of time, the image of the TV-CM freeze and details of our product starts showing on the screen"...

The "BATO" Stone
HL picks one of the stone from a garden behind the foyer for use as a paper weight in the Art Room. Because BATO is the Malay word for stone, the stone was fast in becoming the mascot of BATO and it takes on the same name as our group. With nothing better to do, I started painting the "BATO" stone with multiple colours...

TPJC Library
Besides the Canteen and the Art Room, the cosy Library is another favourite hangout for BATO, especially when we are waiting for the next class, or when we skipped lessons. There are many interesting BATO incidents that happened in the library. Being another important base for BATO in TPJC, BATO has our exclusive table, which is located at a far deserted corner of the library and each member had our respective seat...

An unforgettable incident in TPJC Library would be the "3h laughter incident" which happened around 1pm at our exclusive table. We were already laughing at something funny. When we just sit down, the 4 of us can't control ourselves and begin laughing madly. Whenever 3 persons stopped laughing, there would always be a joker who is still laughing, or someone did another hilarious action that lead to another round of crazy laughter. This process repeats itself several times for about 3h until the library walk to us to give a warning then it gradually ended...

"BATO Sports News"
As our exclusive table is besides the windows that faces the stadium, we get a full view of what is happening on the tracks and fields. It is an alternative enjoyment watching our schoolmates being tortured during PE. This slowly evolved to become "BATO Sports News" (BATO 体育新闻), which the 4 of us would take turn to be sports news anchor by presenting tortures that are happening at the stadium in Chinese and we will laughed at our horrid reporting...

"BATO Crime Scene"
TPJC Library is located at a new block. The library is linked to the rest of the building by a long corridor. Whenever we passed through this long corridor, Tian An, HL and I will joke about filming our imaginary murder drama or prank reality show "BATO Crime Scene" (案发现场) here. We even planned to ask Tian An to lie down on the floor, then we would use white chalk to draw a perimeter around his body and spray some tomato ketchup. After which, we will hide to watch and filmed the reactions of other students...

TPJC Canteen
The Canteen is another place where BATO and friends frequently hangs out. BATO's favourite store would be the western food and the wanton mee stores. As seats are limited during peak hours, the 4 of us would always split the tasks of chopping seats, buying food and drinks. HL never fail to amuse me with her clumsy look whenever she grips 3 cups of drink using both hands without a tray... However, nothing can ever beat her "laksa incident"!

TPJC is situated at an open area, where the canteen is always windy. One day, while we are eating laksa, the wind is so strong till it blew HL's un-tied shoulder-length hair into the laksa gravy... HL started using tissue to wipe her hair and immediately after she finished wiping, her hair would dipped into the gravy again... Encountered with such stupid situation, HL had to hold on to her hair in order for her to finish eating the laksa, resulting in an awkward eating posture. Needless to say, there was merciless laughter from the 3 of us...

As BATO always like to ask "what are we eating today?" (今天要吃什么?), it is quick for this question to become the name of our "variety show" about food...

BATO anthem "o-lu-lu"
One morning after assembly, BATO followed HL to collect Geography notes before going to the library. After we left the photocopy shop, the 3 of us realized that HL did not tagged along when we reached the 2nd storey, so we retraced back to the photocopy shop to find HL. We found HL laughing and squatting outside photocopy shop (the infamous froggy squat position) again. Equally curious, Joanne asked her what happened and HL tried to control her laughter and struggled to say something. However, none of us understand what she was saying.

After calming down, HL starts singing "o-lu-lu, o-lu-lu, an zua an ni o-lu-lu, wo ma um zai ya an zua an ni o-lu-lu, li be ka gin ga wa gong" (very black, very black, why is it so black, I also don't know why is it so black, will you tell me asap). While singing, she keeps pointing to the dark copies of notes fresh from the photocopy machines. Now everyone understands what she was trying to say earlier and everyone burst into laughter.

The "o-lu-lu" song is a cover of the Barney's "I Love You", which was very popular with BATO at that time. The "o-lu-lu" song is fast to become the anthem of BATO and members started creating remix variation of "o-lu-lu" (e.g. rap version, house version, gospel version etc).

BATO even choreographed dance step for the song! The dance begins by pointing to our black file (the TPJC file issued to us during Orientation) and is followed by dance steps that narrates the lyrics.

BATO performed "o-lu-lu" to close friends in the Art Room, Eugene and during gatherings...

Skipping Classes
The school hours of TPJC started from morning assembly till 1pm. Within this period, students are required to remain in the school compound, even if lesson starts later in the day or ends earlier than 1pm... During this period, the side gates will be locked and a discipline teacher will be station at the main gate driveway pouch during recess to stop students from escaping...

BATO always pong Economics lectures... One morning, BATO can no longer tolerate Economics lecture and we decided to pong (for the 1st time). However, we were seated in the middle of the last row of the lecture theatre. Leaving the lecture theatre abruptly will catch the attention of the whole lecture group. Therefore, this leads us to brainstorm for several (nonsensical) ideas on how to leave the lecture theatre quietly. Finally, we decided on our final escape plan. Lady luck was on our side. When Mr Mahtani goes to the toilet, we proceeded with our plan...

First of all, Tian An will walk down the stairs and directly out of the door, while HL will sit at the seat nearest to the entrance. Joanne will sit at a seat halfway along the aisle, while I will shift to the last seat of the aisle. Then HL will leave the lecture theatre, while Joanne replaced HL seat and I substituted Joanne's seat. Joanne will then take her leave while I will follow next.

The initial reason for us to adopt this escape arrangement was to reduce the chance of all of us being caught to the minimal. This is because, if Mr Mahtani was to return at anytime, he will at most caught one of us, instead of all 4. But never did we expect that this strategy would attract unwanted attention from everyone, because it is even more obvious than leaving together. Ironically, we received applause when each of us leaves the lecture theatre.

When I leave the lecture room, I saw Mr Mahtani stepping out of the toilet, so I ran downstairs and immediately burst into a loud laughter. Now then I realize that we actually forgot to decide on where we shall meet! After buying some snacks from the bookshop, I try my luck at the library and found the 3 of them at our exclusive table. Of course, all of us burst into laughter again to commemorate our successful pong...

As the thrill achieved from skipping lessons slowly diminish, BATO decided to up one level by trying to escape out of TPJC during school hours...

I had long heard that faking MC from polyclinic is an extremely easy and inexpensive task, so one day, I decide to give it a try. I reported "sick" at the Staff Office and was endorsed by our Discipline Master Mr Chew. After a long administration process, I finally get to see the doctor. I act a pale sickly look and lied to her about a fake stomach upset. I managed to obtain a MC easily. Initially I intended to collect the medicine from the pharmacy to finish the act, but the queue was really long, which does not worth the wait. I also do not wish to waste the medicine and most importantly, I only need the MC... Although I can easily afford a MC by paying $4, it isn't ethical and it is not a wise long-term strategy to skipped school...

Therefore, BATO decided to escape school right under the nose of the discipline mistress... Plan like the classic Economics lecture pong, BATO was divided into 2 teams for this recess escape (HL & Joanne and Tian An & I). We took turns walking from the carpark and exit from the 'Out' main entrance... Like the previous pong, it is another success and BATO frequently use this technique. As time goes by, our courage increases and BATO even dares to walk out the school from the driveway pouch...

BATO secret base
While waiting for the next lesson, BATO might escape school to buy snacks at Esso across the road. We would usually buy a Walls ice cream cake and treat ourselves to a relaxing ice cream party at a void deck nearby (Block 371 – 374).

BATO spotted a quiet playground at Block 372 and we had a fun time there, where we vandalized the playground using liquid vapour... BATO regularly returned to the playground every other day to check whether our vandalism work is still intact and we took photos there...

Sometimes, BATO might made surprise house visit! There was once when I didn't attend school and Tian An, HL and din suddenly raid my house that morning... They accidentally discovered that I am not that tall when I didn't wear my sports shoes...

When BATO lost our way @ Bedok
Economics requires us to submit a project, but as none of us has PowerPoint. Therefore, we decided to seek help from our friend Geraldine (din), who stays at Bedok Reservoir. We decided to meet on Sunday to complete the project at din's house. HL lives close to din, so she will be going straight from her home.

Tian An, Joanne and I were supposed to meet at 1pm at Bedok Bus Interchange, but Joanne and I were late for 45min and 1h respectively. As none of us have din's address, Tian An took instruction from HL on how to go to din's house while waiting for us... When Joanne and I finally arrived, Tian An told us he had forgotten what is the correct bus to take. We tried calling HL, but failed to reach her.

Tian An only remembered that the bus ended with the digit 6 and we had to alight after the mosque. So the 3 of us made an educated guess and perceive the bus should be #226, as it is a feeder service that loops at Bedok Reservoir Road. We boarded the bus. It is only now that HL returned us a call and she exclaimed that we should had boarded #66 (afternote: actually #66 plies a longer route than #226); but HL continued that #226 can also reached din's house and reminded us to alight at the bus stop immediately after the mosque, which is where she will be waiting for us.

As we are busily taking instruction from our BATO leader, we did not notice where was our current location. Suddenly, Tian An noticed a mosque and he told us to hurry down the bus. After we alighted, we waited for very long and we still didn't see HL. Tian An called HL again, who firmly affirmed that she is at the bus-stop. It is only now then we realized that there are 2 mosques in Bedok (to our surprise)! We were at the first bus-stop immediately after the bus left the interchange, and the mosque we saw is Chai Chee Mosque. Whereas HL is at the 2nd mosque at Bedok Reservoir. Knowing that we had made a huge misunderstanding and there are actually 2 mosques along the way, the 4 of us laughed madly in public and the 3 of us boarded the next #226. When we arrived, HL gave an exaggerating slam on her forehead, with a hopeless expression on her face...

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Memories of TPJC -part 4-: BATO   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

Memories of TPJC -part 5-: Aim & Achieve

'O' Level Result
27 February 2002 is the eve of the release of our 'O' Level results. 27.2.02 started off as a rather bad morning, evident with me throwing tantrum and throwing away that piece of bread (which I'm quick to regret, as it is a waste of food). However, 27.2.02 slowly changed into a beautiful and unforgettable day in my life...

Knowing that we might split our ways after PAE, Tian An, HL and I decided to take photos in TPJC as a memorial on 27.2.02. For the whole day, Tian An, HL and I take numerous photos of several weird positions at our favourite spots.

As the 3 of us are too anxious to be alone at home, we decided to waste our time together at Tampines Central that night to reduce anxiety. I remembered I bought hiro's "Confession" that night.

I had been extremely anxious for those 2 days (27.2.02 & 28.2.02), especially at the moment before getting my results from Mr Teo Pat. But upon knowing that I scored 5 distinctions and 12 for L1R5 (9 after deduction), I feel relieved and all my hard works paid off...

Aim & Achieve
Scoring 9 points for my 'O' Level's L1R5, I am eligible for TPJC Science. In fact, I can even apply for RJC Arts or ACJC Arts. Obviously, I choose TPJC Arts as it is near my home and I really don't like Maths and Science.

However, TPJC is rather sarcastic and condescending towards Arts students, while unreasonably biased towards Science students. This affected my ego and self-esteem. Eventually, I only attended school on days when I feel like it, usually on days with PE or Art lesson... Sometimes I go to TPJC late just to complete my Art Project... I became such a problematic student who constantly skipped classes, created much havoc in school and was blacklisted by many teachers of TPJC naturally... I performed very badly academically and flunked almost every subject in JC1 (i.e. I scored D for GP, F for Economics & didnt attempt AO Chinese). I also did badly for my SAT Reasoning Test in May; I scored 450 (29th Percentiles for college-bound seniors in the class of 2004 / average score 508) for Critical Reading, 640 (84th Percentiles / average score 518) for Math and 440 for Writing. Therefore, it was a miracle that I still managed to complete... Happy to score AAB/B; A for Geography & Economics, B for Art, GP & AO Chinese...

Looking back (with serious consideration on my future), I should be more disciplined and less rebellious, so that I don't need to waste an additional year. Alternatively, I should have leave TPJC to study Interior Architecture in TP... But sometimes when God closes a door, he opens a window. The longer route teaches me a lot of things and provides me the chance to apply for Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design & Media (SADM), a new programme offered for Academic Year 2005/2006, starting in August 2005.

Despite having a rather unhappy academic experience and tensed relationship with the teachers, I really enjoy myself to the max during my stay in TPJC. I accomplished everything that I don't have the courage to do in secondary school. I made great friends and wonderful memories with BATO. This period is without doubt, some of my happiest days in my study life. In fact, my life experience in TPJC is one of the happiest moments in my life...

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Memories of TPJC -part 5-: Aim & Achieve   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.