Reflection 57: Moving On
Warning: Customary New Year post coming. Nothing special

2008 has turned out better than expected in some areas, and a lot more nasty than I ever thought it could be in others. But all in all, certain things have made the year conclusively wonderful, and I am here to pay tribute to them:

Debates
I started off being very fearful of debates. I started 2008 as a less than mediocre debater, one who was there to fill space. I never asked for much, all I wanted was a few opportunities to speak and that was all. But then came our coach Jonathan Yap who believed that he could change me, and he succeeded beyond our wildest imaginations. So thank you Jon (even if I know you're not going to see this). I would also like to thank my team. You have been exceedingly wonderful, and debates would not have been fun at all without you. I've said most of what I have to say prior to this, so I'd just like to reiterate, thank you, and all the best for 2009. Too good people you all are, too good and too great.

HISSOC
Truth be told I haven't done a lot for HISSOC. Pre-U Sem sort of dragged me away from it and I am sorry for that to happen. HISSOC has given me a fresh perspective on working with people, as we are not exco first friends second, but friends first exco second. You guys are wonderful to work with, and I treasure the experience of having known each and everyone of you. To make up for my transgressions of skipping RMUN, I promise to work doubly hard in the coming days. Thank you, and I will always be there.

09S06W
My class is a class I love. It's not perfect, it has its problems (some severe), but this is a good class. There are too many smart people and half the time I am left wondering what am I to do in the face of so much overwhelming intelligence. But aside from the education, the fun times in free periods, making noise in tutorials or lectures, and doing random stuff outside like swinging by places like chalets etc. just made the year sweeter than it already is. I know I'm not the best classmate, I am sometimes too rude, too acerbic and too insensitive, that I may not be so reliable, so I promise to do more in 2009. It is our final stand against this academic scourge, and I have full faith that all of you will excel.

SUTA
I give special tribute to Natalie Tai. She gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to work for SUTA, and I will be eternally grateful for that. Thank you Natalie, and sorry for the rampaging speech I delivered that was dissing the school :P Thank you to the SUTA team, I know I didn't do much and I was quite clueless, but you helped me through it, and for that I am eternally grateful. I want to contribute more to Nets for Nets, and so thank you, for everything.

Pre-U Sem
Pre-U Sem was a love-hate experience. Some things really ticked me off and made me want to quit, but there are some people I met through Pre-U Sem whom I will always treasure. Thank you for making the journey easier, for the fun times at night at NTU. For all the work we had to put in, and the random night filming the stupid video and using a lot of slapstick. It was fun, so thank you for being there.

And this ends my New Year post. I wish everyone a happy 2009. May your dreams come true, and more

Ben