I went to the reservoir to jog after I reached home, because I was feeling like the fattest thing ever, after having KFC for lunch, then falling into a nice, lovely sleep on the bus. The reservoir was pretty deserted, and I felt as if I was the only soul in my own world, on that hot, stirring summer afternoon. It was a really glorious feeling. The sun was shining, but it wasn't blazing hot, just a pleasant, balmy warmth on my face and neck. And when the sunlight reflected off the waters, it was like tiny diamonds glittering on the water's surface. It was a very beautiful sigh. I love how the sun can make the grass so vividly green, like something out of a picture book, how the cracks of sunlight permeate through the thick canopy of leaves and fall in golden pools upon the grassy floor. It was truly blissful, the run I had today. It was so peaceful and it seemed as if it was just me in a quiet world of pure, simple beauty, with no interruptions, just me and my breathing, and my thoughts.

'Cause I am hanging on every word you say
And even if you don't want to speak tonight
That's alright, alright with me

At KFC today, Mark was saying how his secondary school (Cat High) gave him a wholesome education, while other schools just gave some education, and he cited neighbourhood schools as an example. Oh, to digress, I realise that I no longer feel very affronted when people insult me, whether indirectly or directly, jokingly or purposely. Hmm. Anyway, Mark was saying that there were a lot of bad influences in neighbourhood schools, like fighting, smoking etc. And every other day, there would sure to be a police car in the school. And that is true, Dunman (Sec, not High) did have a lot of fighting, smoking, vulgarities and I remember seeing a police car in the school premises more than once. But if you gave me a choice, I would never trade the education I had at Dunman for an education elsewhere. Dunman exposed me to a lot. I don't live in such a narrow world of fairies and toadstools anymore, because of Dunman. It exposed me to an interesting variety of people, from the pai kias to the clowns, to the "nerds" (of which I suspect I was one). A lot of people frown upon the Normal Tech and Normal Acad people, but having studied in the same school with them for four years, I can honestly tell you that most of the people there, are perhaps the funniest, liveliest and most accepting people in society you'll ever find. They may not be the smartest, but they're talented in their own different ways. I've learnt to respect them. Dunman didn't have mottos like "being a gentleman", but we had our 6 Ds. Diligence, Discipline, Determination, Duty, Daring, and my favourite motto, Discernment. Dunman was far from being an English-speaking school like Mark's school. There wasn't even a proper medium of communication. Most of the time, conversations would go like that:

"CB lah, na ge lao shi sibeh buay tahan."

Pardon the vulgarities. It's a bit exaggerated, but that's about the gist. But I have to disagree that Dunman is just any old neighbourhood school that just gives some education. Dunman gave me the best education I could've ever wanted. Maybe at a "top" school, I could've done better academically. But Dunman gave me an education about life, patience, love, and most importantly, people. And I did better than expected for my O Levels, and I will never say that it was all my effort, because I think 60% must've come from the teachers. Studying in a "neighbourhood" school really taught me how to be more open-minded, less complaining, more accepting.

But that's not to say neighbourhood schools are the best. It's to each individual. I like studying in a neighbourhood school, because the environment suits me better. But I know of people who wouldn't be able to survive in a secondary school like mine. I guess it's all in the personality and expectations.

'Cause I want nothing more than to sit
Outside your door and listen to you breathing
Is where I want to be

I pondered over a lot of things today while running. Trivial things perhaps. I was mulling over why I was so attracted to JB, and I haven't been able to fathom why for the longest time. And today it suddenly hit me. I always talk about the aura I get from him. And I realised that it's that aura of decency.

Anyway, today's my baby's birthday. HEY BEL! Are you reading this? Happy, happy birthday to you. I'm so sorry we can't be the ones to celebrate today with you. We've always been the first to give you your present right? I'm so sorry to break the tradition this year. We'll be meeting very soon though. I'm missing you and please take care! Enjoy today!! :D

14 more days till I see my bestest friends in the whole Milky Way!