Triumphs and regrets

I lived in my greatest moments, and I relive them in my memory. These moments truly are to be treasured as they carry you through life with a feeling of worth, pride and accomplishment. Here are just some memories I constantly relive;

1. 1997 - Larut Matang & Selama Inter-school District Athletics Meet, SMK Teknik/Vokasional, Kamunting - 400 metres finals. I was in the 8th lane, being the slowest qualifier for the finals. Having finnished 5th in the semis, I didnt event think I would make the finals, but apparently, the heat I was in had all the top dogs. It was nerve wrecking. Knowing that I was the last qualifier meant I was the slowest and to finnish last would have been nothing short of embaressing... and then we were off. I remember thinking, alright, I'll run like a mad man and give it my all. I dont want to come in last!!! Coming round the 200 metre mark I was certain that the other runners would catch up with me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my fellow team mate and another runner from a different school. Where were the other competitors?? When we came to the final stretch, there were only two runners ahead of me.

OH MY GAWD! I'm in third position! RUN!!! RUN LIKE THE WIND! YOU'RE IN THIRD POSITION! OH MY GAWD OH MY GAWD! PUFF PUFF PUFF... KEEP RUNNING! I finnished third and all 3 of us broke the previous record. It was a great feeling, but the 'moment' I remember most in this memory of mine is when I was running round the 300 metre mark with no one but 2 runners in sight and only the last stretch to go. It was an exhilirating experience. After that in the 4 x 400 metres, and as I ran as the first runner, I had great confidence. Going round the 200 metre bend and over-taking everyone else with a smug smile on my face, I was on top of the world.

2. 1995 - Mahkota Parade, Malacca - There was a piano exhibition in the centre of Mahkota Parade. There was a grand piano. I had been practising the piece 'Sweet Bye and Bye' for weeks. Not an overly difficult piece, but sounded quite tough. It was time for me to put it to the test. Me being the big show off at 12, I sat myself at the grand and started making music. A crowd started to gather. The sales girl stood on one side. She asked another bystander if I were his brother. He said no. My dad stood at the far end of the building watching. The memory I treasure most here is of seeing my father, standing there, looking so proud and giving me a hug at the end.

3. 1999 - King Edward Secondary School Hall, Taiping - English Language Carnival. The Choral Speaking Competition. We were third to perform. KE had only gone on. We were up next. I walked from the side entrance into the middle of the room. There was a table set in the middle of the room. I got up onto it and stood up. A little unstable at first, but I was used to it. Then the SGI team snaked onto the stage. I signaled for them to position themselves properly, and then we started. "GOOD MORNING!" *then everyone crouched in and spoke softly at the begining of the sentence, ending it louder and straightening up once again* "poised, on the treshold, of the NEW MILLENNIUM!"... at the end of the performance came a resounding applause. I knew we had done good. We should have won, and though we came in third, we were still proud of what we did. My moment here is the applause. You could say we brought the house down...

4. 1992 - Saint George's Institution (Primary school) - Darjah 3 Hijau - Puan Azizah was announcing the class positions. Saravanesh came in first, I dont remember if there was a second place, though there should have been but out of the blue, she announced my name for third position. Before that moment, I had consistently been number 19,20,21,22 and once number 11. What I remember is her asking me to stand up and getting the class to clap for me because of my vast improvement.

5. 1995 - Saint George's Institution (Primary School), School Hall - I had made the finals of the Story Telling Competition. I had always come in second or third and I was quite fed up. The teachers were always biased, but I knew this year, things were different. I was more confident and I had that desire to win. I came in first, but that was not what I remember the most. What I remember most is the standing ovation I got in the middle of my story telling. I had used my voice and immitated a door creaking open. I had to stop for a couple of seconds before I could continue. It was a great moment for a 12 year old.

6. 2005 - IVDC, Blackpool. Me and Weiqi were seated. The emcee was announcing the finalists of the Novice Standard. Each couple had to get onto the floor immediately. In the Southern Unis comp we had only managed the semis, so we really weren't expecting to get anywhere here at the Inter-Varsity or in other words, the nationals of the Uni circuit. Our number was 413. The finalists are announced numerically. Only 6 finalists. 4 couples from the 200s were called. Mostly Oxbridge couples. Naaahhh... we woudlnt make it. its too tough now, especially with more competition from the north! The next couple was in the 300s. We were just glad to have made it into the semis at the most important comp of the year! Then they announced.. four hundred and thirteen. HOLY SHIT! Both our jaws dropped. We coudlnt believe it. That is a moment I'll always remember. Not the dancing. Everything just went by with me just floating. I had made a final at IVDC. WOW! The impossible was achieved!!

There are plenty more where those came from. However, these stand out above the rest. What goes up must come down, so here are two of my greatest regrest in my short life;

1. 1996 - English Carnival, KE School. I was in the final 4 participants, and only one from my school left. I dont know what came over me, and I repeated a word. I could hear myself spelling it, and I knew I was repeating it. I was telling myself "STOP! STOP! STOP!" But it was over in a few seconds. I had dug my own grave.

2. 1999 - Associates Dip - I had missed the passing mark for an associates diploma with the London College of Music. I had the skills, but I didnt have the necessary knowledge. The practical was a breeze, but my knowledge on music theory was inadequate. It appeared my luck had run out on me.

Sigh... oh well.. shit happens. Life goes on, but it's always nice to just relive our triumphs once in a while innit?