What it takes to be us ,
Thursday, June 26, 2014 | 2:23 PM
What does it mean to be an 18 year-old Junior College student studying in Singapore? Basically this.
So right now I’ve given in to the lure of the internet, blogging about a life that I want people to think I have, and deceiving myself that people are actually interested enough to read, and at the same time, procrastinating the work that I should be doing. Yes, we are known for our talents at multi-tasking and procrastination.
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At the back of my mind, I’m constantly worried about not doing enough in my preparations for the A Levels Examinations (or at the moment, my upcoming prelims). But my actions does not reflect my thoughts as I continue to do things (read online manga, watch variety shows, blog) that in no way help me to reduce my stress and at the same time, increase my stupidity. Why do I not want to study? Hell, I sure want to, not only to do well, but to learn new things as well and use the things that I’ve learnt to my advantage (for example, showing off my (limited) knowledge about the economy to my younger brother).
When you’ve reach 18 and remain trapped in a JC in Singapore, you’ve probably gone through the system and has been brainwashed about how you need to do well in EVERYTHING (academics – nothing below a B, or you’re really stupid; community involvement programs – better hold an event or two or be some sort of leader (though you really don’t care about the newspapers that doesn’t get recycled, who cares about papers and trees when everything’s a webpage away); aesthetics – good to learn a few instruments, maybe the piano and violin/guitar, just in case your parents need to compare you with the neighbor’s kid; relationship – MUST. BE. POPULAR)
And then comes “life on the other side” and we submit ourselves to the self-pitying of how in comparison to our counterparts at the other side of the world (enjoying their teenage-life partying, drinking, being lovey-dovey with their delicious-looking boyfriends etc. doing anything but studying) they are experiencing a better 18-year-old life. Damn it, every other 18-year-olds are living a better teenage-life than you are, even those who are also trap in the same country, same system, same JC as you.
They have the things that you don’t, for example: that smile on their face.
Agree agree? Yes. Truthfully? No.
I feel that anything that I write after that chunk of meaningless claims that lack depth will sound stupid. It will become either: 1. More rants; 2. Moral lectures (about how to be appreciative, not to be stereotypical etc. which nobody needs); 3. An embarrassing attempt at being reflective and all-grownup-ish. I don’t know man, I just felt like blogging after stalking a few blogs of my fellow batch mates (yes I do check out my fellow RV year 6s’ blogs).
I get disappointed about a few blogs which have been removed or locked by their authors. Those were the blogs which have been really entertaining and gossip-worthy (sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way, but I make it a point not to degrade anyone), which have dared played with fire (and I guess, been burnt by it) and the authors have been really interesting
I find pleasure in checking out what my comrades have been doing in their JCs journey: voluntary activities, public events they attended, movies they’ve watched, birthday celebrations, clothes that they donned etc. But I get really irritated when all I read are updates about their study schedule/grades (or their supposed lack of revision, which I don’t see any lack of if all you’re posting about is your studies and nothing else then obviously you’re too much into it).
I guess my opening to this post has been influenced by a few comrades who have fallen into the trap of *this* /waves hands around the whole of MOE/ and who have blogged (or rather whined) about results, results and results and their lack of everything else. It gets too much when all the posts are like that. I blame myself for stalking these blogs which gave me nothing but annoyance and took it out on my own space. ... Perhaps I fancy getting annoyed. LOL.
Another category of irritably amusing blogs belongs to the “blogstar”-wannabes. I dare not venture into an elaboration of this because I feel that I will offend a lot of people. LOL. But thankfully it's not all that bad because once in a while I get inspired by a few blogs, to look at things from another point of view, to reflect and research on certain issues I overlooked, to compare my behavior/thinking/judgment with theirs. (Note to self: never to compare my grammar, vocabulary and phrasing with others unless I need a serious reminder on how terrible mine is).
I have some kind of unjustified pride for the fact that I’ve been sticking to blogger since my blogging journey began in 2007. Even though there’ve been wordpress which is rumored to be more user-friendly, and tumblr, which everyone flocked to during its hike a few years back and now there’s dayre, … blogging cannot get more simple than this. Dayre honestly feels like another facebook/twitter especially with its layout of a profile picture and a cover photo at the top, I guess I prefer blogger because it allows me to personalize my own space.
... I can’t believe I just blogged about blogging.
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