After I heard from the guys that Stan has gotten out, I tried my luck and called his number. He picked up the call and after a few minutes, we arranged to meet up. He later sent a text and asked if it was okay if his girlfriend came along. So this afternoon, I met Stan and his girlfriend for lunch.
Now he works for his uncle 6 days a week, while waiting to be enlisted for NS. He said he has wasted enough time and wants to get on with studying as soon as possible. He got himself a place at SIM but could not get the army to defer his enlistment. He really wants to make up for lost time.
Today, Stan told me his story. He was not interested in studying and his home wasn’t exactly perfect. So, to “rebel”, he handed in blank scripts for his N level exams. Naturally, he didn’t get to sec 5. He spent two years at home playing computer before knocking this chap down onto the floor and carried on punching him. This started because that guy accused him of cheating in the game and the accusation carried on for weeks until they arranged to meet up to “settle”. And then, that fateful knockout. I asked if that chap died. Stan smiled and said, “No lah!” For this, he got sentenced to 18 months in RTC. 6 months into RTC, he got into TMP and that’s where we met. He aced the exams and did rather well for O levels.
Stan said that although his PO did not recommend probation, he still sent the PO a text to thank him before he went into RTC. The good thing about this chap is that I think he is all adjusted and ready now. I don’t like to say this, but I think the 18 months has done him some good. What’s great about today is that I got to see a young person all positive and appreciative of what’s in front of him. He wants to be good, and I’m sure he can be and will be.I gave him “The Last Lecture” and he gave me a card, and we said we’d meet up again soon.
That’s lunch. Now dinner.
Weeks ago I ran into Ci Hong at SDC while attending a Seminar. He was having lunch and saw me standing at a buffet line. He sent a text to confirm that it was me before he came over and we chatted. This led to him calling up a few of the guys, and to us having dinner tonight, with Ms Koh.
Wilson, Guo Xiang, Cai Jie, Ci Hong, Ms Koh and myself. Daniel and Hanyuan couldn’t come. It was … heartwarming. It was as if these boys were still in our classes last month. We looked at photographs and tried to recall who’s who; asked who married who, who have kids and who’s doing what; chatted about silly things they did in class and what the teachers said and did.
These boys are 30 years old which means I taught them 15 years ago. Suddenly, I feel like I have to sit down, close my eyes, and take a nap. It has been so long. Thinking of what’s been happening and trying to piece out what I have been doing for the past years makes my stomach turn. Wow, 15 years.So, of course the boys bought their teachers dinner. We arranged to meet again soon and next time, Ci Hong promised, they will get more to show up. Yep, I do miss them.
Twice in a day. Two times, in the same day! I get to feel like I’ve done something good twice in a day. What else could I ask for?
I love my job. Actually, I think I love my life.
