February Fourth, Nineteen Ninety-Eight

You must be wondering what’s the story behind this sequel of numbers. It is neither a memorial day of great happenings nor the day of commemoration towards an influential leader, but simply a date – a meaningful day to me and those who love me deeply from the bottom of their heart. February Fourth, Nineteen Ninety-Eight, seven thirty in the morning, loud cries stroke the tense silence of the hospital delivery room, filling the quiet air with relief, applause and gaiety. Those were my cries and those were my parents’ happy tears. Leaving the comfy cocoon, I cluelessly took in my first breath, scrunching my eyes in the glaring room, trying to search for the heaven I used to live in. Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days, true that the song lyrics extracted from Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots. No turning back time, the story of my life then began.

With the unconditional love and affectionate care my parents showered upon me, I grew up happily together with my sweet companion – two elder sisters and a little brother. Coming out from a typical middle-class family, we children were nurtured to value smallest things and to work hard in achieving our goal. Having two rock-solid role models who strived hard to provide the family, we never need to even have a slight worry about getting enough food, clean water, safe and stable home environment and proper education.

Kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and finally university where I am standing right now. With the inborn ambitious and competitive qualities of mine, I work diligently in every tasks regardless of studies, co-curricular activities and interests. If you ever heard of me and knew where I stand today, you will never believe I was the crying sad unconfident kid who failed my language class during the lower primary despite the hard work I had put in back then. I hated the class and got so demotivated in learning that particular subject in class. However, personal experiences and life advices from parents, teachers, siblings and peers push me into believing myself and see who they have moulded today.

A class monitor then a school leader, an active St John member then a Corporal, a committee member then a president, an observer then a doer, a no name then a university ambassador, a straight As scorer then a CGPA 4.0 Dean List achiever and UCSI Trust Scholarship recipient. To me, it will never be an end for continuing my effort in pursuing my goal as there are lots more people out there having background way better and stronger whom I truly look up to. I wish to graduate with First Class Honour and as an influential great leader. Thus, I accepted the Vice President position in Foundation Student Association (FSA) UCSI University during my Foundation year and won over the President position in English Language Student Association (ELSA) UCSI University last May during election. It should not be something to show off but a responsibility to bring up a community and of course myself, honouring my parents’ sacrifice and patience.

Besides the academic accomplishments, I do have the same dream as both my parents – travelling around the world, opening eyes to gain invaluable experiences. I remembered my first flight was heading to Kuching Sarawak, then Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. As I matured and worked part time ever since after SPM, I saved up and unexpectedly managed to ease my parents’ burden for trips to Taiwan, Japan and soon to Korea! The most interesting memory that etched in my mind was Japan’s fascinating technological advancement, not to mention their lofty courtesy and polite behaviours.

Don’t dream your life, live your dream. Last word, never give up and be confident in what you do. There will be tough times but always focus on your goal and eventually you will be able to win against all the odds with perseverance and determination.