Class of 1997

Class of 1997, where puberty becomes the topic among guys and where
the word 'sex' is heard often in class and girls would cringe behind
their library books. The time where most of the students are on the
verge of finding out what they are or who they are, only to find out
that that's the thing to do in life as you grow and that it does
happen all the time. The time where the teachers were healthy and seen
either 'cool' or 'evil'.

A sibling from an embassy, who wouldn't give a shit about each other
but yet biasedly be on each other's side in fights. I'm not even sure
where they are at the moment, probably reproducing kids in Bangladesh.

A Pakistani loner girl, who wouldn't say much but yet contribute a
chuckle or two when jokes were shared in class. I hope she's prettier
and cooler now since I know she IS a nice girl, just discriminated
among a bunch of losers in class.

A Korean girl who would have this major speed for reading books. Yes,
she would take an hour or two to finish a book and just like any other
pretty brady bunch korean kid, she knows piano as much as she knows
how to fight for high marks in class. Still don't know where she is at
the moment.

A girl with a bad past of bad skin who would hide behind books and
wouldn't talk much in class. A girl who would always get picked on in
class for being 'different' mostly her skin condition and her
disability to socialize. Happy with a loving husband and a career and
a stable feet in Australia, she's as hard working as before yet much
more confident and to be honest, very pretty despite her burnt marks.

A lazy girl who would hide her issues from the class but would
secretly cry or pout in class while hugging her bag. Parent issues or
what not, she would still try her best to mingle with the class and
would turn out to be the hottest chick in class and sociable. Last
thing I heard about her was the fact that she turned lesbian and her
mom passed away years ago.

A toddler with a faulty leg but with a brain of gold and though
teased, would be respected by a lot of students in class. When paid
out, he would either laugh it out or pay them out back. Someone who's
not known to drama and have a high resistance to bad shit around him.
He's on my facebook friend list and I heard rumors that he turned out
to be a sex guru, where he would break girls' heart. He's also known
for his philosophical one liner on facebook and his little notes about
umm.. life in general?

My best friend back then who I would share everything with and would
always hang out all the time. A sports jock without confidence but a
favorite of our PE teacher. Someone with his name added me on facebook
two months ago. I was happy thinking it was him but it turned out to
be some Bangladeshi who's in China, who's NOT HIM.

A competitive genius in class with a passion for torturing bugs.
Pasting 'white out' on dragonflies' eyes, putting a hummingbird in his
washing machine or poking the abdomen of a bee with a compass, you
name it, he's done it all. A funny cool guy to be friends with but yet
mysteriously dangerous when pissed off. He would pack his bag and
would cry when angry. He's in the states with his wife and a kid. The
last time I talked to him, he sounded like some Latino gangmasters....
just the way he speaks....

A confused 'not sure if he's sane or retarded' Chinese guy who would
always sit at the back of the class and who would always have a good
lunch. He was the oldest in the class and he had this moment where he
became my protective brother. I do miss him a bit... not really sure
where he is at the moment. Last time I heard of him was when he
chopped of his finger slicing duck at a restaurant in Hong Kong while
working there as a chef.

A new comer who had a weird accent and a weird sense of humor. Awkward
in class most of the time and always the first to be bullied. Turned
out to be in the same college with me in Singapore. Not the most
annoying yet someone I wouldn't feel comfortable being around with.
Turned out to be the best 'mommy boy' of our class since he is the
first dude in our class who earns enough money to take care of his
family. If you thought that would mature him, you thought wrong. This
boosted his ego but the wrong side of his intepretation of 'good
humor' ego. More annoying than ever but yet we love him cos he IS our
friend... and yes we love to ignore him at times too.

A sensitive quiet yet goody two shoes boy who would worship his tail
at the back of his head. Always the tallest in class but with a good
attitude yet evil side of mischief. Later in the years, he became one
of the BEST golfers in Burma and led some horse racing team in Burma
as well. Met a girl who used to model in Burma. Fled to England and
are now living happily with two kids. Yes, he was also one of my best
friends.

An old friend who always seem to be around me a lot. Met him first in
Bangkok around 1989 and met him again in 1997 in this class. Became my
bestest friend later on. A passionate hobby finder with a smart click
in every activities he chooses. Quieted down after his sister
committed suicide but living in sydney with his wife and a kid,
happily yet busy. I miss him lots to be honest.

A once-enemy-turn-friend boy who would be first to know games, trends,
music or movies. Would know lines of movies. Had a huge passionate
fling for mischief and he would hate me so much back then. Always
best at holding grudges yet never cared about anything. Turned out to
be a popular boy among girls. Met him a lot in parties and became my
party best buddy around 2002....

Now, this guy got married two days ago and we talked yesterday about
how people changed and how our lives are all different now. It was
nice to see him all happy with his wife and I was really happy I got
to be at his wedding given I have missed a lot of my other friends'
weddings including my sister's. I couldn't help but smile at him and
his wife and said nothing but just kept smiling....

cos I know another friend of mine has drifted to a married life and
cos I know he is happy.