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2006 has been eventful, and I’ve been thinking quite a bit about life.

I guess that’s the least the death of two young people in your life can do.

Lena Cheo of course is the closer one. I still remember the phone conversation with my Aunt (Wee-what I can’t remember because I always mix her up with her sisters — I’ve always known her as Ah Mai.) In a calm, deliberate tone, she laid down some instructions for me, since she wasn’t able to contact my dad. Pass the phone to grandma, but make sure I was by her side. She started asking me if I knew Lena was in Canada, and well she told me she was there for holiday (actually USA Work & Travel.) And then she uttered the words I will forever remember. Or rather, I will never be able to forget.

Lena died in a car accident this morning.

Me being me, messages spoken softly never register quickly, as my mind strains to process the information. Without even thinking I said “Pardon?”, although even before my Aunt could break down, it hit me. The death of someone I really don’t know at all, yet would give up my life for, simply because she is my cousin. It was the first real death I’ve faced, and it was a real shock to everyone that it happened to arguably the most bubbly one from the 3rd generation of our extended, extended family. I was (and probably am still) hurt by the event, in ways that simply transcend description. Familial ties are just that unique and incomparable.

Hardly 2 months later an acquaintance died. Known by everyone as Chow, and by me as Cpl Chow, I really don’t know him. Yes, we were in the same unit, but while we had day-to-day dealings as well as bitching about the system, we weren’t really friends — we belong to two different cultures, him to the much-derided AC one, and me to the heartlanders. Of course that doesn’t say anything him — he’s a really funny guy and a great friend, just one that I somehow wouldn’t get close to. Funny then that we ended up in the same OG for the ASOC1 orientation camp, and we sure did have lots of fun. In fact, in the world of strangers that was SMU, he was one of the handful of people in SMU that I knew before I had entered. And yet, shortly after making an impact on the lives of his OG in this year’s camp, another bubbly character had to succumb to fate.

Of course Steve Irwin died too. But really what’s there to mourn? With all due respects, recognise that it’s a loss to the world, as all individuals are, but why get sucked into commercialism? Why did the whole friggin’ population of young people put stupid turtles in their MSN nicks to remember him? Bleah. Pop culture.

Again, a major part of my life this year has been SMU. True, I always will moan about the stupid AC culture that I so will not let my children grow up in, but that doesn’t hide the fact that SMU is a really interesting place to be in, and the individuals in it are really quirky ones that make life so memorable. Sometimes, we have to look past all the egos, jock culture, paper-chasing, politicking and back-stabbing. And here I will thank some people who have made 2006 such a great one.

• Team SMU: We rocked at the Opens! Haha. It was such a great experience. My memories from SJAB never really did give me a sense achievement as a team, nor the closeness of one. Everyone of you are just so wonderful.
• Convocation 2006 Student Team: What can I say? We were great too. Haha. Convo opened up my eyes to the world of events and the arts-side of SMU. What an eye-opener! We’ve set the standard so high up, I really wonder what next year’s team is going to do. We pushed each other to do our very best (I admit, I was lazy at times but I was forced to produce great results and not just mediocrity.) Well done guys. Here’s to success!
• Frisbee Exco: We’ve done well guys. Lots of conflict, but it only represents the diversity of the 6 of us. And we’re doing great!
• Jayne: You will forever be an important part of my life. Haha. Who asked you to be so free in June? I didn’t tell a lot of people about Lena, but I really needed an outlet. It so conveniently happened that you were so bored at work you could entertain me on MSN. Haha. But the most important thing is that you were there. So thank you. A lot. In fact, I can never thank you enough.
• Jasmine: I would never have envisioned me knowing you as a close friend. Seriously, we’re damn different, and I really can’t stand whiny cheerleaders. Haha. But like I’ve said, you’ve proven to be a genius (for a cheerleader,) and despite the external angmoh-fied shell, you are deep down a very cheena, AJ person. Haha. Damn, such colloquial words. Good luck in your love life!
• David Lau, David Wong, Chong Min: Perhaps my best gay buddies in SMU. Haha. What else can I say? You guys are really great, and we click along so well. I have so much to learn about accountancy from you guys. Haha. Damn, I will die during internship lah! Oh ya, apologies to Chong Min for repeatedly pang-seh-ing you this year. Haha.
• Jialing: 生我的气生完了没有? 我们怎样也算是要好的朋友. 事情都过了,再给我个机会好吗? 看到你上网了, 却不敢和你象以前那样聊天, 我觉得很遗憾!
• Marie, David, Esther, Jingyang, Vanessa: We made our CT module so fun! Haha. And Esther especially, so sad that you’re now in NUS. I hardly see you online anymore. Oh well. Extreme Fitover was such a great production. I will still show it off to my friends. Sorry Marie! =)
• Amy: Well, we really got to know a lot about each other this year, didn’t we? Thanks for entertaining me with your whines and rants. Haha. I think outside of SMU and my buddies I’ve met you more often than anyone else lah. Lucky you.
• Endurance guys: How can I not thank you all? Haha, simply the best buddies I have. Till now, the only group bond in which I treasure (rather than individual one-to-one relationships) is still with you guys. Friends till the end of time. If there’s only one thing as certain as Junyang staying fat and single, it’s us staying such great friends. Oh wait, Junyang now has the greatest body lah. And he’s attracting all the cute girls. Shit.
• Animesh: Fuck off. Seriously. Don’t appear in front of my eyes ever again. Please.
• Celestyn: Haha, I guess you’re the last person to make an impact this year. Haha. Our MPW group was so cute, can? And without you I think our group assignments will buang. You’re also such a great person to hang around with; one of the guys if you know what I mean. And have I told you that you’re such a bitch? Haha. Just remember, that I want big, big presents from Belgium. Gonna miss you when you’re there. Awwwww.

Here’s to 2007!