We're Leaving........

4 years is not enough. If only.

Started off with a prayer service and visualisation exercise by Father Simon. 6 As. 6 A1s. 7 As. He said we all share God's DNA. He said that God loves to help those who feel like giving up, those who have low self esteem, those who think they cannot make it, those who are tired. They will soar on eagle's wings.

Then all the form teachers came up to say some words. Lilan laoshi said that women are water, strong, liquid and colorless, women are able to fit into whatever container they are put in. Adaptable. Chen laoshi told us that St Nick's has given us strong wings, that we can fly up high on our wings. Ms Rockey told us that she really truly believes that we will SHINE. She, Mrs Tian, Mrs Sng prayed for us. We all cried. Then a parent came up, the lady who is always there during night study. We cried again.

Then, we sang IJ Spirit and we gave Mrs Tian her cake. Then I saw Vanessa crying and I had to bite my lip hard. And I cried horribly. Based on what I was listening around me, must have been scary. Chermin, true to her word, hugged me all the while I trembled there through the whole song.

Was totally depressed the whole day.

End of the day, we invited the teachers to come over. The counselors tried to say a few words but was interrupted by tears. Ms Susan Lim came first and encouraged us and left. Then Ms Rockey came in her green cohort tee and stayed. Then Mrs Doris Tan who left shortly after receiving her slice of mango cake. Chen laoshi came too and stayed. We talked and some said a few words to the class and Rasey was being classic. Ms Rockey shared her feelings and she was really touched. She said that we were her charge, her babies, and that she wasn't teaching Maths (which is dead) but rather teaching us (alive people). She told us her pride for us, how lovable we are despite our poor grades. Chen laoshi finally revealed how he felt at the end of 2 long years. He told us how much he cared for us, how well he knew us, even to the extent of knowing exactly who is poor in which subject. Must have gone through our PPR so many times. He told us that we had taught him to be more open to others and more accepting. And it was obviously very tough for him to block the wells. Yes, we're sorry, our teacher. We thanked the teachers one last time and Ms Rockey told us that out of his three form classes, he was most concerned over us. Without fail every time they met on the corridor, they would talk about the same problems and worry over the same students. Thank you.

Later after we slowly went home, Ms Rockey came over to check on us. So sweet.

老师，两年前连我都认为您不怎么样。六月后，我发觉其实您是一位好华文老师。一年过了，您成了我们的主任老师。虽然不少同学真的不太喜欢您，可是也有些认知道您付出的努力与心血。您的确有试着跟我们沟通，只是我们不肯用时间去认识您。老师，不要只怪自己，不然会很痛苦的。四纯班，我们也有怪在身。不要因为这种班而放弃您生为教师的梦想。这两年来，您为了我们付出那么多，可是到了最后，我们只能给您记忆。

Had no appetite for lunch. Was planning to eat Orange bowl and iced tea, St Nick's icons. Iced tea was like blegh, almost gagged towards the end. As bitter as tears.

St Nick's the school, our teachers, have given us so much. Yet all we can give them is insubstantial things called memories.

God bless, forever.