it's never the end

Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. Pierce Harris

Drawing parallels to the quote, my council term can be compared to the journey along the seashore. Rummaging through my treasure trove of memories, there are really many moments that had unexpectedly become important and precious. Going into the council room during a particularly savage storm and singing songs together was one. The decision to bake 250 cookies for J2s based on impulse, and the subsequent shopping at Holland Village and baking at Felly’s with HouseD late into the night, was one. Walking with Sarah to Concourse to purchase Teachers’ Day Gift Bags and ended up lost, but having lots of fun talking, was one. The nice uncle who gave us Highlighters a ride back to school on the back of his lorry was one. The birthday dinner at Fish & Co. with T’stardust was one. And the list goes on...


I am really grateful for the opportunity to serve the school, and in the process of doing so, encounter so many unique and amazing individuals both within and without council. BB House D, Teachers’ Day Committee, Highlights, Orientation, T’stardust... every experience has its ups and downs, moments of joy and sadness, times of regret and gratitude, memories of light-heartedness and seriousness, but most importantly, each of them has carved out a space in my heart and taught me invaluable lessons, lessons I will carry with me for a long time to come. I have learnt, I have adapted, and I have changed, and at the end of the day, I hope I’m a better person.

It has been a full circle.
A journey that began with such youthfulness and anticipation has ended in confidence and camaraderie. Dreams have been realized, promises fulfilled; aims achieved, and visions too were met.


But I can’t say it has been always been smooth-sailing, for it hasn’t. There were many times when I wished my classmates and friends had understood me better, and instead of making insensitive or derogatory remarks about council, supported me through the tougher periods of my term. Most people simply skim past the superficial surface and see that council is all about having fun, making friends and enjoying yourself. They couldn’t see that underneath this veil lies the arduous and difficult times when we had to sacrifice time and effort, endure many a sleepless nights and cope with snow-piling homework, all for the sake of the school, all for the sake of them. Many complain that councillors are exclusive – but sometimes, do they reflect that what they are doing is in fact the centrifugal force that drives us away from them into the comforts of our fellow councillors, the only people who understood us? Speaking without thinking is akin to shooting without aiming.

Alas, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. After all, all the thoughtlessness only reflects frivolous friendships, filtering out the superficials and retaining the ones who will really stand by you. For that, I’m again thankful. Lizzie recently told me that I like making lists, and upon reflection, I guess it’s somewhat true. In my mind are many lists, and among these lists, I have one of the people who played a significant role in my council term, and I really wish to thank them for the lessons they have taught me, the inspiration they have given me, and of course, the friendship we have forged. I respect and look up to many of them, and I am glad to know them as fellow 27ths’ student councillors. Respect is never given – it has to be gained, and the various remarkable traits these individuals have displayed certainly earned them my respect.


Final Night is a not a night where journeys end and bonds sever. It is a night where the end marks the dawn of a new beginning, a time where friendships become stronger as we let our emotions interact and interweave into a singular entity.

I have walked the whole length of the seashore,
And I have picked up many pebbles along the way.
Stored in their present state pure and raw,
They shall always remain in my heart every single day.

<3 27ths!