Its a new Year

Hey everyone. I know its been a long time since I last updated my blog (more than half a year). I am gonna be 15 this year. Woo-hoo? I think not. I am also gonna sit for my PMR examination this year. A major turning point in my life.

2008 was a blast! I will even go so far as to say that 08 was the best year I've had. I knew that it (2008) was my last chance to kick back and have some fun (PMR, new subjects in form4 and SPM), so I made full use of it. I made some great friends (you know who you are), and I got to know my old friends a lot better (again, you know who you are). Here are some of the crazy things I did;

I met this totally whacked guy in my class, called Amandeep. He's from KL, and he's your typical normal kid, loves music, loves stand up comedies, and has a great sense of humor. He does all his homework, and listens to the teacher, and then tells us what to do (cause we wont be listening). There is this other guy, Aidan, the noisy, annoying, bugging one that keeps irritating us. And we all like him for that! Then there is this other guy that I've known for 5 years now. He's the weirdo, the one we all LOVE!! He does the weirdest of things at the oddest of times, and we all fall over laughing. On the outside, he is this shy, quiet kid. But on the inside, he's just as crazy and wild as the rest of us. I am talking about none other than....... Arthur Tan Junior! And then there's me. Together we make up the craziest group in our class.

One day, somewhere in the middle of the year, all four of us were feeling bored. Classes were a drag, and we all wanted to do something fun, dangerous and weird. So we started plotting in class (we all sat and still sit, this year, behind and beside one another). We made about a hundred paper boxes, the size of our palm (the type that cannot be opened, and the only opening is a small hole at the top). Arthur is really good at origami, and he thought us how to make it. The last subject was science, and we had sports earlier that day. It was the perfect time. During science, we changed into our sports attire. In the middle of our science table, there is a sink, complete with a tap and running water. We filled our paper boxes with water, through the small hole at the top, and............. let it fly! It was a water bomb battle. The paper boxes worked perfectly: during the time it takes us to fill the boxes with water, and throw it, the water softens the paper, so that, upon contact with anything, the paper bursts, literally. The water splashes out, and the victim is drenched, with little strips of soggy paper clinging on to him. The perfect harmless-yet-annoying weapon!

Yea, we nearly got caught for that one. Nearly. We also used to stay back in school, up to about five, six p.m. to play basketball. We used to play until we were too exhausted to even toss the ball. I remember once trying to get past Arthur to score (too exhausted to run, I only managed a slight jog), and he made one desperate run to stop me (did I say run? I meant, stagger). He managed to get in front of me, but I was too tired to bypass him. Heck I was too tired to even stop. I crashed into him, and we both went down, hard. Very hard. And then we burst out laughing. I'm serious, no moaning, no groaning. We just looked at each other and burst out laughing. We continued laughing for the better part of five minutes, and only got up about ten minutes later. That's how tired we were. Needless to say, our arms were killing us the next day.

There was this once, when Amandeep, me and Arthur stayed back in school for fun. Amandeep brought his electric guitar and amp, Arthur brought his keyboard, and I brought my guitar (which i plugged to the amp). We increased our volume to the max, and started jamming. The entire school heard us (afternoon session). They sent teachers after us! We played some familiar rifts, and then we just played a string of chords that sounded nice. At least I think it sounded nice.

Then there was the class group oral test! That is a day to remember! I did a little skit. The cast: Andy, Logan, Arthur, Deva, Amandeep, and me. I wrote the script the day before the test, in class (my cast members were pestering me to write it quick and hand it to them, but I told them I could only write when I get a brainwave, or when I'm inspired). I told them what to bring, and the next day I told them what the main story line was. I wrote very brief dialogues, telling them to improvise when on "stage". It was a success. All 4 A's for everyone! The play had so much humor that people actually teared while they laughed, and the teacher was having a hard time controlling herself...and the class. My classroom was chaotic. People/students/the audience (whatever!) roared with laughter (I later found out that the noise was heard throughout the block, and the one beside it!). The play peaked when we let loose the 'yo momma' jokes. If it was humorous before, it was the screaming riot now! Oh, and did I mention that the play was a musical? It was, sort of. I managed to write some short, simple lines, and then got Arthur to put a tune to it. The fact that one of my cast members was tone deaf only added to the amusement of those who could actually hear it.

Last year I also joined the Paulian Fencing Club, after a long, grueling debate with Arthur (he got me into it!). I quickly realized that my thin body and long limbs gave me a considerable advantage. It also helped that I could improvise. We had a competition among ourselves, and I emerged second (I'll beat you yet Nathan!!). Then we also had the competition against KTJ. That game was good. It was a continuous game, so we each add in our own points by scoring. In the end, the team with the most points wins. At first we were loosing...badly. 12-4. Then we managed to rise up, taking a 17-15 lead, thanks to Christopher and Sirajuddin, but then KTJ came back with force, crushing us to a 41-26 drop. But then I came in. I took on their team captain. In 10 minutes, I managed to take him out 13 times. He only got 4. I managed to slam KTJ, wiping off their smug smiles. It was now 39-45. But time ran out, so I could not win any more points. The end result was 50-43. At the end of the day, I was black and blue all over, with some pretty nasty red lines (caused by the swinging of the blade. It acts as some kind of metal cane).

I met the fencing club members at the start of the year. Now it's as if I've known them all my life. I met my other class friends at the start of the year (most of them anyway), but by the end of the year, we were (and are) inseparable. We buy each other drinks, get each other out of trouble in class, cover up for each other, etc. Let's face it, I made friends with a bunch of freaks. Now I'm one of them. 2008 was a blast.

But where does God fit into all this? All the events last year, and I hardly think of Him. Sure, I pray everyday, do my devotion. My faith has gone up several notches etc. He has given me a wonderful year, and I thank Him for that. He has given me wonderful experiences, and taught me much. I have changed, make no mistake, I have. Though I havent changed for the better much. It still is hard to follow all His rules and commandments (the water bomb incident confirms that). I am confident that by the end of this year, 09, I will have changed for the better. That is my hope, my prayer. To God be the Glory!

Oh, one final touch: Flame On!