Today will remain etched in my mind for a very very long time...
The teaching scholarship presentation held at Suntec City today officially commenced at 3.15pm (someone had to come a little late to establish the common understanding of importance).
The speech was enlightening (though I was not paying much attention to its depth). Georgi's name was mentioned though and all of us overseas scholars led the audience and including the speaker to a resounding applause. I guess it was at this moment that reality descended upon me.
A total of 296 recipients and I was recipient number 260.
"Well done Albert!" he said.
"Thank you Sir." I replied.
With my certificate clutched in my left hand, I walked down from the stage.
Waiting in pitch darkness for our cue to move the props up on stage was actually quite fulfilling. To have Eugene, Ashraf, Ian and I mimicking the seeds was indeed refreshing. Seriously, which gardener wouldn't want to have us all four seeds!
Performance. The laughter and applause pretty much sums it all up. What sunk in the most was when the guest of honour looking at the lyrics and hearing us sing. Indeed, it made the song ever more meaningful!
Socialising with the editor of Lianhe Zaobao was not as excruciating as I imagined it to be. Considering that there were three Indians in our group who knew nuts about the Chinese media and entertainment scene, I would say that the session was pretty much a fruitful one. Nevertheless, the manner in which he ended the session was somewhat classic. "Want some food?" he said with alacrity which then followed by a surprising strong handshake.
Finally, I managed to locate Miss Cynthia Yeo, the teacher I invited for the ceremony. Mr Thomas Aldrin, my secondary three Chemistry teacher was also present. Following that, I met my secondary school principal, Mrs Carolin Tan. This served as a prelude to a bout of photos subsequently taken.
I was dwarfish in one picture yet taller the next. I was gleaming in most of my pictures, though acting silly in some and greedy in one. I was in short just simply being simply Albert!
Most of the photos taken with me in it came from various sources (which I am very grateful for) because I left my camera with my mum and it only contained pictures with either my family or my teachers and principal. I wonder should I upload them onto facebook?
Today will indeed remain etched in my mind for a very long time...
(the 3 dots at the end is dedicated to a certain someone)
