Day 1 in Singapore Polytechnic was OK. As requested by the lecturer, everyone took turn to introduce them self. I gave a short one, name, secondary school, age and hobby. :P

Poly life is very different from secondary school life. People from North, East and west part of Singapore do have a slight different in term of culture. Background of their family is also very different from mine. I grew up in Jurong for the last 16 years. During those days my concept for people living in the East are more well off more English speaking.

My result was as usual from earlier school days, shaky... Averaging of a grade C for all my modules. Thanks to 3 unique friends that i met in poly. Without them i don't think i can complete my poly in 3 years.. Taking this opportunity to thank Tan Zi Xuan, Marvin Lim and Huang Ming Hui. Best of pals..
All 3 are pursuing their degree. I am still in very close contact with Marvin and Ming Hui. (Zi Xuan is in Australia waiting for his permit now)

Had two girl friend during my poly life. Both are also very nice to me. But it just didn't happen.
Wondering how are they doing now. :P

Army life next...
2:56 PM



[-Be simple.Be original.Be yourself-]

Part 2~> The lunch box







What do you mean by memory?

History? Past?

Well.. memory for me means valuable lesson. :P





Its afternoon, I am standing outside the school main gate directing the flow,

helping primary 1 student out of the school.

Zhou Xing Yong mother, sneakily carrying a lunch box to the school gate. I called on her, and she was kind of embarrassed and greeted me. "Mr Lim.."

<>"Hiyoo.. didn't i told you not to sent any more lunch box to your kid anymore..?
What if every mother starts to bring lunch box for their kids? You are going to jam the school gate!
These primary 1 to 3 kids are still very young. They might fall easily. We don't want that to happen. I'm sure YOU.. also don't want that to happen right..? You can ask Zhou Xing Yong to bring the lunch box to school himself right? So please.., promise this is the last time."

"erm... ok."


Zhou Xing Yong is a well behave, quiet and polite student in class. But he didn't like to mixed around with the other classmate. He keep everything to himself.


There was once i catch him sleeping in class. I was thinking since its a one off incident i shall close one eye and let him off this time.

The next day i catch him again. This time i woke him up and asked <>"what happen to you?"

He didn't say a thing. And again i decided to give him one last chance.

Third Day, same thing happen again! I asked him over. <>"Xing Yong, Whats wrong with you!?"

Zhou Xing Yong lifted his head. Tears flowing down his cheek. "My mum is in the hospital. Last night I stayed back and accompanied her in the hospital."

After what Xing Yong said, my anger disappeared. In fact, i actually felt ashamed of myself.
<>"Xing Yong, why is your mum in the hospital?"
"Its lung cancer."
I feel sorry for him. Thinking at his age, how will he be able to cope whats awaiting for him ahead.

While I am having dinner with Hui Xian my mind cant stop thinking those moment Xing Yong mum sneakily sending those lunchbox every noon for him.

The next day after school i went to the hospital to visit Xing Yong's mum.

When i first saw his mum i almost couldn't recognise her at all. She shelve her hair and is very thin now. She look really weak.

When she saw me, she tried to sit up and greet me but half way there she fall back to her bed.

<>"Auntie please don't move, rest on the bed."

"Mr Lim.. Thanks.. Thanks for coming..."

At the corridor Zhou Xing Yong dad said to me, "Only 2 more months left. hmm.. I really don't know what to do..?" Tears flow..

Back in school i went to the principle and told him what had happened to Xing Yong.

<>"Xing Yong dad is 50+ years old, his mum is leaving very soon. Can we do a fund raising? No matter how much the amount is, as long as we can help any single bit." Without any hesitation the principle agreed.

After 4 days of fund raising, we raised $52120. When i sent the money to the hospital, Xing Yong mum is already in a semi-unconscious state.

Xing Yong dad said "we are bringing her home today." Tear stored around my eye..

"My Lim, can you do me a favour?"

<>"Mr Zhou, please say.. as long as its within my power i will do it."

"Few days ago, she kept on holding Xing Yong hand saying she can no longer sent lunch for him anymore. Mr Lim, can you allow her to sent lunchbox to Xing Yong for 1 last time? Because only by sending lunchbox to Xing Yong that will make her feel shes doing her job as a mum." I turned my head wipe my tears off.. <>"Mr Zhou... no problem, i will do the arrangement."

Afternoon, an ambulance parked outside the school gate.

Mr Zhou and one paramedic helped Mrs Zhou on to the wheelchair.

My eyes filled with tears.. Standing at one side directing the flow of the crowd at the same time witnessing every bit of the moment.

Mr Zhou bought a lunchbox. The pale and very weak women on the wheelchair stretch out her thin arm to get the lunchbox. The paramedic slowly pushes her to the gate. At the other side of the gate, Zhou Xing Yong. He stretched out his arm as long as he could to get the lunchbox from his mums hand.

"MUM...", Xing Yong cried out loudly.

At this moment i saw Xing Yong's mum looked up trying to say something but was unable to do so. Shes just too weak to even speak.

Xing Yong cried out.. "MUM...!! Don't go.. I don't want you to go.. I don't allow you to go.. Don't leave me..!!"

The barrel blocking my tears from dropping finally gave way.. I am so cruel.. I felt ashamed of myself on what i have done in the past.

The next day Zhou Xing Yong mum past away.

After the funeral Mr Zhou came to see me. He return the money. He say this money can use to help more needy students. And he also thanked me for the help. He passed me the money and left.

Everyday i will look for Xing Yong to console him.

"Mr Lim.. Don't worry please.. I'm ok already."

"Mr Lim, in fact very early i already knew this is coming. Its not that i didn't want to disobey your order to stop my mum from sending lunchbox every afternoon. Its because only in the afternoon that i can have the chance to taste my mum cooking."

I am puzzled, <>"why only in the afternoon?"

"Mum is very weak, dad didn't allow mum to do any of the cooking and housework. It is only when dad left for work then mum can sneakily do the cooking for me. She insisted to sent me the lunchbox."

At this moment my mind can only think of Hui Xian..

My Hui Xian.. how i wish you were here. I finally understand what you mean by Mother Love....

Treasure every of your memory. For me, i will never forget the magical moment when Xing Yong mum passed the lunch box for the very last time to him. It taught me how powerful love can be. Memory is something that help you in any other way to make your life better but its something money cant buy...

-The End-

10:52 AM



[-Be simple.Be original.Be yourself-]

Story--Cruel Mum--


Its Friday 3.30PM so quiet here. 2 hours ago this place is worst then a market, its noisy. I can see student running about in the con-course area, teacher chit chatting among them self, student having their lunch before going home. And its so different now. I am back alone in the class, eating my lunch fish burger with apple juice. Why didn't i go back home too? :p
Today was the deadline for the science project. And I forgotten to bring it to school. To make matter worst.. Nobody was at home. I was only ten so mum never trusted me with the house keys..
Anyway.. mum told me they will be back home by 4.30pm.

When i got home i was tired.. i went to the fridge and took out some snack and started watching cartoon...(shiok.)
Piak!! i was slapped by my mum. I was shocked and angry. Mum shouted "how can i have such a dirty daughter like you? Come back from school haven bath then watch cartoon eating snack. Don't you have any homework to do? We are going to have dinner soon. Quickly go and bath." I couldn't hold back any more and shouted back saying " Mum.. ITS Friday..!" Piak!.. Another slap.. (Mum) "Where have all your manner gone? How dare you shout back at your mother. You better go and bath now. "
I cried in the bathroom.. Mum have never hit me before. What happen? Is she mad already?
I hate her...

Since that eventful day my relationship with my mum got worst. My life changed. Everyday after school will be homework follow by housework housework housework.. She even force me to learnt to cook dinner. If i didn't obey her i will be slapped... I was always crying at night thinking why cant i have a better mum who can do all the house work and cook dinner for me?
Day by day my hate for her grew..

While i was having my end of year examination, mum was admitted to the hospital. I was forbidden for visiting her. 1 week later after i finished my exam, shes was still in the hospital. I told dad to bring me along to the hospital but he say " your mum didn't want to see you." I say to myself," better still.. save my trouble."
2days later she passed away..
During the funeral i didn't shed a single drop of tear for her.. i wasn't sad at all. i will never be sad for a mum like her. She is not only a lazy but mad mum.

I have a step mum when i was in my secondary 3. I called her Auntie Chen. She does the housework and cook our meals all by herself..
She never hit me and we were able to talk like friends. I'm really glad to her a new mum like her.

When i got my result for my 'A' level i was happy with my grade but felt lost. I wanted to further my studies with a degree but i know dad didn't have much saving left after just finished paying off the medical bill left by my 1st mum. But still, i was happy and cant wait to tell my dad about my good result. When i got home and told dad about my result he didn't say anything but he went back to his room and handed me a box. (Dad) "Your 1st mum told me to pass you this after you complete your JC."

I was reluctant to open it because i know shes trying to ask for my forgiveness which i will never do. Inside the box was 1 letter and an envelop.

In the letter~~
``Hui Xian I'm sure by the time you read this letter i would have been gone for a few years already. Do you still remember the 1st time i slapped you when you are in your primary four?
It was never easy to slap my own daughter.. my fresh blood daughter..
That Friday i went to get my medical review with your father. I was told by the doctor that i have a terminal disease and need an operation immediately. Otherwise i might have less then half a year to live only. It was my fault to pamper you when you were young. I spoilt you. I tried to be hard on you so many times but when ever you do your trade mark kissing baby face i couldn't resist but give in. But this time round i know i have no choice but to be really firm to you. I know you have to be more independent when I'm gone. You have to learn to take care of yourself. Every night i hide in the toilet crying. Feeling scare and pain in my heart. Hui Xian my only daughter.. my sweetheart.. Mummy love you.

Inside the envelope is $15000. The money was raised by your grandmother for my operation. But i know even if i go for the operation i might not recover also. So i lied to your grandmother for not going for the operation and took the money. If you take up part time and combine with this lump sum of money it should be able to sustain for your university. I'm sure my Hui Xian can be a very successful person. With love, mummy.

After reading the letter i ran out of the house straight to her tomb. Kneeling in front of her tomb. Crying forgiveness...
"Mummy.. I'm sorry. I'm the world most stupidest daughter. I have the best mum in the world please forgive me..."

'Epilogue'

With the lump sum and by taking up part time work, Hui Xian managed to complete her degree without any financial difficulty. And she met her boyfriend Lim Jun Lang in her university.
Jun Lang is from a slightly above average family and is going to become a teacher. Jun Lang never understand what Hui Xian meant by mother love and is a very logical thinking person. He always argue with Hui Xian saying " dad is still the one providing the money for our living. Dad should be the most noble person compare to mum." and so on..

-The End--

Part 2 coming up. :P

2:53 PM



[-Be simple.Be original.Be yourself-]