#Graduation2015

While I myself am in that appropriate feeling, allow me to write that graduation message to the third batch of Form 5 I am teaching this year.

In 2015, something remarkable happened in the music industry. As soon as Furious 7 kicked off the silverscreens worldwide, the entire globe was appalled in awe and tears when Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa's See You Again was released to the crowd. The most touching movie scene had moved the hearts of billions, when Dominic Toretto and his crew parted ways with Brian O' Connor, commemorating the late Paul Walker.

It was indeed a solemn moment, leaving the movie goers with teary eyes as they made their ways home, pondering about that scene. "See You Again" continued to strike the top charts after that. Never did a dramatic action story is able to put forth a melting personal touch to its audience.

"See You Again" is truly a phenomenal hit- one of the best songs ever composed in a contemporary, modern tune.

It is because many of us can relate to this song.

We all do lose someone in our lives.

We all have that family member or friend who left us for a long time.

We all have that group of friends who used to be always there for us, but one fine day, they left for their own future.

We all have that special someone in life who used to be our sunshine in darkness, but one day we realise, that this person will not be with you forever.

Graduation is not the exception of it.

I have been through that stage for a few times as well. As much as it recognises that you are ripe enough to be a more grown up person, graduation also informs you of another perspective: Time to leave your friends and move on to another stage. Your classmates will also walk their own paths too.

Which was why during that graduation night, I quoted and paraphrased a line from that epic melancholic scene.

And yes, I know I have been expressing a lot from the Furious 7 finale lately.

"No matter where you are, whether it is a quarter mile, or half a globe away, the most important thing in life will always be the people in this room, right here, right now."

I even read it slowly so that everyone would have the time to guess where I took those words from.

"They are your friends, they are your teachers, they are your classmates, your companion. Have more fun, laugh more, take more selfies before you go."

Of all the three years of bidding the Form Fives farewell, never did I encounter such an emotional goodbye session before. The tune of "See You Again" continued to haunt me at midnight after that dinner.

Pictures will be our history of knowing each other. Those "thank you"s and "I'm sorry"s that I had this afternoon at my office was an overwhelming one indeed. To tell you the truth, I was afraid of seeing people crying at my office, therefore I cheered some of you up as you said your last words as my students.

In return, I would like to say to this marvellous batch of people:

1. Thank you, 5 Newton for the lukewarm atmosphere despite your deafening silence and passive learning styles. You are the first batch of students who got my Borderlands-inspired jokes.

2. Thank you, 5 Adam Smith for your cooperation with me. My mission in enabling all of you to score above 50 marks in exams is a success.

3. Thank you, Chung Yee Chen and Yap Bao Lin. You have brought yourselves up in breaking your own barriers. You have inspired me to walk further in whatever we do. You show  the best improvement by over 20 marks when compared to the beginning.

4. Thank you, Lim Tzer Yi, Lu Qin Rui, Soo Chee Vun, Liew Yi Yang, Shu Yuan, Lim Wei Jian and Chung Xing Wei for the hilarious jokes, as well as the girls' team, Chen Nyuk Lee, Peggie, Yuki, Tan Li Chung, Chin Yung Yeng, Sharley, Megga, Latifaulia, Cynthia, Elfhieana, Fong Kher Yii, Heong Mei Xuan, not forgetting Aubrey Voo.

5. Thank you for the entertaining essays, from Isaac Fong, Ng Shu Yuan, Elfhieana, Chyi, Lim Tzer Yi, Lee Jia Yi and Sharley.

6. I know I am not perfect and I do make mistakes. Here, I would like to apologize for every rude word (if there is) or reckless misconducts throughout my two years of teaching you. This is just my third year.

Life still goes on. For one month, you will be SPM candidates. After that agony, you will step up a free person.

Till then, lads. I believe that it's never a goodbye yet. Because there will always be meet ups and gatherings soon.