My 2008

Today is the last day of 2008. Never will I experience such a tumultuous, yet enriching year. Never will I put "o8" as part of the date on my laundry slip. Never will I spend one whole year without touching the soil of my homeland. And never will I forget this episode of my life, a year to be commemorated.

From Sichuan earthquake to Beijing Olympics, I have witnessed how a nation rose up from disconsolate dispirit to uproarious celebration. From global economic crisis to Mumbai terrorist attack, I foresee what kind of legacy this uncommon year would leave us, a mission yet to be fulfiled, and a dillemma yet to be solved. From the beginning of my Sec 3 life, to the dawning of my graduation year, I have experienced what growth really means: you have to live through it.

People usually wish each other "happy" at every celebrating occasion. Happy birthday. Happy Labour Day. Happy Valentine's Day. Happy April Fool's...Finally comes to Happy New Year, which marks an ending to the whole year's "happy" wishes, and heralds a new year's anticipation of joy. Joy does not necessitate hilarious sensations. For me, the last day of this year was spent in a "sublime" way, quietly exhilarating. Some go to Marina Bay for the countdown; some share the last day of 2008 online with their friends; some are hurrying back Singapore for a new school year; and some welcome the upcoming of a new year for the sake of a "new" year, as the night draws to its end. When the time comes, won't we enjoy the same excitement? I wonder.

As we are about to wave goodbye the passed year, I feel a strong urge to look back the path I come, or, if possible, tread back to the starting point, when I was nothing but an uncertain "new" student in Nan Hua, everything was unfamiliar and everywhere cast an unforeseen shadow. I did not know when the mist began to disperse, nor did I know the exact time when what had befoged me died away. All I knew was that I lived through it, and I did not know why.

Now, think about what I was feeling one year ago, I feel invigorated, refueled, buoyed, and bolstered. Facing the unknown, I was so optimistic, and so undeterred by any possible setback. Facing the unfathomable, I was so carefree, and so light-hearted. Now, standing at the threshold of 2009, I know what I am facing, and I can foresee what is awaiting ahead. Only that I hope I will never lose my origianl optimism and determintion; only that I hope time does not and will not abrade my passion and belief for what I am pursuing.

Also comes to an end is the school holiday. It is subtly unsettling when one comes to his or her graduation year. Unlike China, when there is literally no school holidays before graduation year, here we could still relish a relaxing holiday before we sit for our O Level. It's like wrapping a caterpillar in a cocoon and seeing it metamorphose into a butterfly. This holiday let me find my cocoon, a place to rest, and a place to change, for which I shall forever hold a gracious attitude.

Finally, my mum and dad. Though I saw your faces for a meagre ten days' time in this 2008, I am sure our hearts are meeting every day. Though I seldom express my love in an explicit way, I am sure you can hear what my mind says. Though we occasionally went through tirades from both sides, I am sure we never let a grain of unhappiness tarnish our pure and mutual love. In the aforementioned aspects, I find great solace and strength to work hard on.

Faraway friends, I heard your voices. I thank you for your touching letters and your heartwarming encouragements. We shall always rotating on our orbits, and see if in some future time fortune will bring us to meet again.

One year has passed, 365 days, 8760 hours, 525600 minutes, 31536000 seconds. Now, let's hope that in the next 31536000 seconds everyone will fulfill his or her wishes through hardwork, mutual understanding, and love, which is a basic requirement for us since we came to this world.

Happy 2009!