The search.

I happened to have lunch with Valane yesterday and heard from her that Mr. Wong SY was leaving the school for other plans. And so, being the very free person I have always been, I walked into my alma mater (after not entering for quite some time) to try my luck. I managed to catch Mr. Wong after all. He had become slightly haggard, but still the same old patient guy. At an age of early thirties, he was considered restless for a working adult. I could feel he was very much comforted when he saw me and told me that I was in his first batch of students when he came in as a trainee in 2005. How nostalgic. The first thing that came to my mind was that he brought in his guitar and sang 童话 during his last lesson with us. He reminisced and questioned where his passion for teaching and nurturing had disappeared to. I couldn't answer him. I regarded those questions as rhetorical ones. And I watched him look into the distance. In his mind he was probably digging out the past and searching for the roots of what he used to call his 'passion'. Despite that all, he was still very optimistic about life. His face was immediately illuminated with a euphoric smile when he shared that he was going to be a father in August. I was truly happy for him. And I like to know that there is still hope and something worth rejoicing when things aren't going well. He's not the kind of teacher who has changed my life, but I do remember his words of advice when I just entered university: Always be humble.

 

I spoke to Ms. Toh PY as well, since I met her. She was my Science teacher and later my classparent in Sec2. I remember we used to really dislike her because whenever we had doubts, she would say, "It's for me to know and for you to find out." It was until Children's Day when she gave us packets of biscuits that we started realising that this teacher was actually nice after all. Were we not realistic kids? She surprised me. I asked if she would be leaving soon. She said, "No? 我越来越喜欢教书了。". While I was taken aback, I have to say, I felt hopeful. Maybe there are still those who will find meaning in this line.

 

Me?

 

I have applied for this artiste assistant job. I don't really know how serious I am about it. I am just going to give it a try at the interview and see how things go.

 

Yeah, it's June. How time flies.

I'm another step closer to knowing whether I will spend the next one year studying or working.