closure
I went back to RGS yesterday to take my little sister for a DSA interview. What surprised me was how my feelings toward the school had changed. I used to have feelings of bitterness - strange enough, I know, for those of you who miss RGS - feelings of claustrophobia, inadequacy and apathy. But it was gone yesterday.
I walked around a bit, watched the girls, and now I understand what the teachers meant whenever they told us that they think every one of us has potential. I dismissed it then as feel-good rhetoric, wondered how they could mean it when they knew only a fraction of us. I guess you've grown old when you find yourself echoing words you heard years ago.
Unexpectedly, the receptionist recognised me and told me I'd changed, that I look different, that I wasn't the Yona she remembered "leh".
I've moved on; RGS itself hasn't really changed.
The Marigold jelly from the drinks stall uncle still costs 80 cents, the lock of the first cubicle at the toilets is still spoilt. The nasi padang aunty still drops hair in the rice for extra protein. There are still those familiar sounds of the piano in the foyer, band practice in the distance, chattering, shouts and laughter.
For me, though, something about the RGS I saw yesterday was different.
If someone asked me what shape best represents RGS to me, no, I wouldn't draw a heart. Instead-
Maybe, a full circle.
I walked around a bit, watched the girls, and now I understand what the teachers meant whenever they told us that they think every one of us has potential. I dismissed it then as feel-good rhetoric, wondered how they could mean it when they knew only a fraction of us. I guess you've grown old when you find yourself echoing words you heard years ago.
Unexpectedly, the receptionist recognised me and told me I'd changed, that I look different, that I wasn't the Yona she remembered "leh".
I've moved on; RGS itself hasn't really changed.
The Marigold jelly from the drinks stall uncle still costs 80 cents, the lock of the first cubicle at the toilets is still spoilt. The nasi padang aunty still drops hair in the rice for extra protein. There are still those familiar sounds of the piano in the foyer, band practice in the distance, chattering, shouts and laughter.
For me, though, something about the RGS I saw yesterday was different.
If someone asked me what shape best represents RGS to me, no, I wouldn't draw a heart. Instead-
Maybe, a full circle.