Never Gone

I am by no means a great lover of boybands, neither am I some crazed teeny bopper type who enjoys her daily dose of bubblegum pop, but this song by the Backstreet Boys has lyrics that really say and mean a lot, plus the tune is pretty nice.

Never Gone
The things we did
The things we said
Keep coming back to me
and make me smile again
You showed me how
to face the truth
Everything that's good in me
I owe to you

Though the distance that's between us
Now may seem to be too far
It will never separate us
Deep inside I know you are

Never gone
Never far
In my heart is where you are
Always close
Everyday
Every step along the way
Even though for now we've got to say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Never gone

I walk along
these empty streets
And there is not a second
you're not here with me
The love you gave
The grace you've shown
Will always give me strength
and be my cornerstone

Somehow you found a way
to see the best I have in me
As long as time goes on
I swear to you
that you will be

Never gone
Never far
In my heart is where you are
Always close
Everyday
Every step along the way
Even though for now we've got to say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Never gone

Perhaps in a day-to-day context, this song may not seem like much of a tear jerker, but it definitely worked that way when the Secondary Four prefects sung it at the Girls In Bolero (GIB) prefects' camp just now (4/9).

On one hand, GIB was a blast. Dinner in the courtyard, talking and laughing, watching the skit presentation by the various groups of juniors, which brought back memories of me playing wonder woman/cranky bus driver in my group's skit during GIB'05 (don't ask), and best of all, the games. It must've been ages since I've gone so crazy, or maybe I HAVE gone crazy (possible cause: pretending to study for the Prelims), which resulted in my playing like never before. It was water games, involving water bombs and water guns, which in itself, already says a lot. Put in insane people like me who get a kick out of pouring ice cold water from the water cooler down people's backs, nutty people like Deborah who run around with PAILS of water to throw at people, and mean people like Steffi who pretend to comfort you for getting bullied with a huge hug, only then to burst a bag on the top of your head, and you get nothing less than chaos and disorder. Sounds like I'm describing a warzone - well yes, I pretty much am. It was the best fun I've ever had in a long, long time, and if we didn't have to leave the school, we'd probably have been happy to play through the night. Sigh, another one of those wonderful experiences, that I'm sure will become an even more wonderful memory.

On the other hand though, GIB was probably one of the saddest occasions I've had a part in, because it really made saying goodbye a reality for me.

I've only been in the Prefectorial Board for about a year, and already I felt so much tonight, what more those that have been on board since their first year in secondary school? I remember coming in last year, a complete newbie with zilch experience whatsoever (primary school prefectship was a long time ago, and even then, it's not like I ever really did anything other than talk to fellow prefect friends and try to look important). I did feel rather out of place, because by then (my Secondary Three year), everybody already knew everybody else, and the board was so tight knit and happy together, it almost seemed as though there wouldn't be space to accomodate the late-comers such as myself.

But I was wrong.

A year may seem like a long time, but live it out, and it passes in what feels like less than a second. My one year on the SCPB has flown by in the blink of an eye, but so many things have happened during this time which have convinced me to never trade it for anything else, ever. In the beginning, everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and warming up to the rest of the prefects really didn't take too long. Events like last year's prefects' seminar to Malacca and this year's investiture in January, Mrs Phuah's farewell, and the daily duties that we do have helped me to make so many new friends and even strengthen bonds with those I knew prior to this whirlwind experience.

I might have started off unsure, but I've ended this journey more certain than I could ever be. Being on board has been truly enriching and enjoyable for me, and saying goodbye tonight was definitely hard. Still, I know that without the removal of the old, the new can't step up and bring about improvement and development for the board, so out we go, and welcome to the new prefects! I sincerely hope that the new board will hold on to every second that they have together in the coming year, because it really is once in a lifetime (:

Some things that will help me remember the good times...

A picture of this year's invest, from a powerpoint slide that the juniors prepared for us. Look! It's JUICY JEAN and SEXY SUYI (it's strangely disturbing now, how I can't get these phrases out of my head. Must be the alliteration)!

The ever-disgusting Steffi Yee Jia Meng. Look at that - she looks like she's advocating world peace on Miss Ugly Singapore Universe or something. Haha, just kidding la.

Haha, who cares if my name's spelt wrongly? I'm "DA BOMB", man! But honestly, that is a rather unflattering photo they used, courtesy of Prefects' Investiture 2006 (scary memories of 'Delilah' and line dancing). I was laughing too hard for my camera NOT to capture a blur shot.

Yes, I realised that taking a photo of a photo of myself is quite weird, but this is one photo I don't have, and it brings back fond memories of Invest day itself! Plus seeing pretty Camille beside me (have I told you the canteen uncle-Camille-Miss Singapore story yet? You'd definitely want to hear this one) further emphasises my lack of good looks, which will certainly lower my self esteem in time for the Prelims.

Nice picture, beautiful quote, precious memory. Prefects' Seminar (Malacca) 2005.

Aww...thanks! It was right about here that the tears started threatening to build up.

The juniors sang beautifully, and as they did, I heard lots of suspicious sniffling sounds coming from the Secondary Fours. Oh, and don't ask what the pairs of sports shoes lying around are for - I don't know either.

The crazy External Committee that I'm so glad to have been a part of in this last year. I'm still wondering why I was bestowed with the title of "Special Units Coordinator", since I don't particularly remember coordinating anything, but nevertheless, it's been so fun working with everyone in External - they're the best!

Lastly, tonight (4/9) was really presents galore! Here's everything...

And upon closer inspection...

A whole book of well wishes compiled by the juniors. It's stuff like this that really touch me and make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Two juniors made references to Elmo, one even "bought this whole pack of elmo stickers just to stick one [on the card for me]"! I'm so honoured! The individual card is from Yun Hui, who I didn't really get to know very well before she left last year. I do wonder how people manage to dig up so many different unflattering photos of me. But anyway, apparently thanks to that picture, I "look like a person who has the ability to crack [her] up". Haha, I'll take that as a compliment.

Oooh! Booking form! The bane of many SC girls' existence.

The Precious Moments badge is from my buddy, Jane! Yes, that's the one who gave me the red dragon pen as shown in a previous entry. Thank goodness it's a badge this time! Haha.

Groovy red underwear from the wacky External juniors! They claim it will bring us good luck for the Prelims, so I plan to wear it every day next week and the week after that, until our papers are done. I feel so much more confident now! Oh, and they gave us each a beach towel too, which I had to sit on in the car so I wouldn't get the car seat wet (I was dripping wet from the games earlier, and didn't want to change). That was definitely an extremely useful gift.

Well, I certainly hope I did. Thanks guys, for everything.

I'm on board the place where my dreams are fulfilled

You're on board the place where friendships renew

We're together on this amazing adventure

We'll be together on board