... continued

today marks the last day of year 2008.

time flew by like nobody's business. looking through facebook, seeing that another batch of people from SBM has alr flown to France for Overseas Exchange Program, it really reminded me of that particular day when the closest bunch of us sent eliz and sandy off to Orlando. time flew by so fast that now, six months have already passed and they're alr back for 4 months. in another 2 months' time, we'll all be out of school, finishing our attachment and exams.

amazing how fast year 2008 passed.
the tough times we had during those hectic project periods, completeing even more projects in an even shorter period of time. ain't we proud of ourselves?

mid of year 2008 was definitely a tough time for the band comm. preparing for the Vienna trip, juggling studies, projects, exams, FYP and attachment all at the same time. without each other, we wouldn't have pulled through.

the sweet aroma of victory, never gotten to us easily. truly treasure the time spent and the effort everyone put in. the scarifices, criticism, perspiration, laughter, joy, scoldings, encouragements and what not.

in every year, there bound to be 'Hello's and 'Goodbye's, any sort of welcoming and departures.

at the end of 2007, when 2008 was arriving, we said bye to our beloved Laoshi and welcomed Mr Leonard Tan with open arms. Laoshi retired from the band scene to enjoy his fruits of labour and we learnt much under Mr Tan, bringing ourselves to another level.

now, at the end of 2008, when 2009 is arriving, we waved goodbye to Mr Tan and welcomed Dr Zech Goh into our midst. Mr Tan left us to further his studies, in order to be a greater asset to the society, the band scene. we wished Mr Tan all the best for his next 4 years of studies, and he too, wished us good luck for 2009's Sinfonia and WMC.

that were all temporary departures. cause we'll still be able to meet up with Laoshi, and 4 years later, Mr Tan will be back in Singapore.

how about permanent departures?
the heart aches, screams and tears.
it leaves an even more emptier space that no one else can fill up.

this 2008. there were many deaths all around Singapore and the whole world. earthquakes, tornados, cylones, many many accidents, terminal illness and so on. beginning of the year, throughout the year, at the end of the year.

the hardest goodbye is not having a chance to say goodbye, not having a chance to see your friend for the very last time. the cheekiest boy in class.

my sec.school pw group, reduced from 4 members to only 2 members. leaving us 3 years ago and this year. my friend mentioned, is our class cursed? maybe i should ask, is my group cursed? why such coincidents? why take them away from us, from their loved ones?

but like what others would say, life goes on, my friend. we've just gotta be stronger. and we'll grow in the midst of their absence.

and, i think, that marks the end of 2008.
not a very high end. but a fruitful year i would say. all in all, i wouldn't complain that 2008 was a dread. instead, i've learnt and gained much this year. especially being closer to you again.

we learnt, we'll go on learning.
and one thing will always remain constant, CHANGE. i hope 2009 will be better, much better and things between us will grow better, closer, and who knows? my wish and prayers may jsut come true.
stay strong little ones.
let's embrace the arrival of 2009 with hope & faith in our hearts.
(: