different different, but same.

Seven years in a row, i've been to MAF. there are ppl who come back every year, but there are really not a lot. some cant help it, some dont want to come, some dun see the point. but for me, its an important date of the year that i always make it a point, and a priority.

Perhaps its because i was a councillor. and thus i make it a point to be there every year. Sometimes, i wonder if its just a mindless obligation, that started when we entered hwa chong and the tchrs told us that thousands of hwa chongians return to sch on MAF every year.

MAF holds an important place in my heart. The first big event that we had that had numerous tiring yet fun work sessions. Fountain! haha.. and of the 7 events, this is the main one which attracts so many ppl. It has all the elements of hc life. the people, the class benches, the central and inner plaza, the teachers, the songs, the dances, the cheers. And youth and energy of course (:

The first MAF i was at was our own. it was really exciting. at the welfare booth selling tshirts/bears and what not, and at the fountain srsly praying that the pumps will not short circuit like they frequently do. and of cos, for dry weather. all we wanted was for it to be successful, without major hiccups. When it was over, it was truly a moment to be proud of. Its awesome in a way that these 43 ppl alongside you have all worked hard for this 4 hours and it all paid off!

And the next year, in j2, going back to MAF was truly emotional for me. Stepping down was one of the saddest moments of my life. and to be back and witnessing the juniors putting on their version of this show, and to immerse in the intensive emotions due to a surge of memories and nostalgia, unbelievable. It was as exciting as ever, as emotional as ever. at the song session, along with so many councillors who are back, arms around each other. we sing the songs, that really meant a lot to me. the words, the tunes, its as though they speak our story. The connection to HC was really high. and this feeling extended for one year or so after graduation. This spirit stayed within me for much of the first half of my army days as well.

Then, as the years pass, this strong sense of connection slowly, but surely, faded. Other than seeing my old friends around, being back in the school did not cause an emotional surge as it had used to in the first few years. different, it was. it was less awesome too.

Yesterday, when i sang the songs, the feelings were different. it wasnt as emo as it used to be, and more fun (: and interestingly, i can still rmbr the dance quite well! except for one or two parts, the main mass dances were good haha.

Although it is different now, the attachment to HC has faded, some things are still the same. the two jokers of our batch still being so loud and irritating hahaha. and in our small group of ppl left, although we have all moved on with our individual lives, we can feel that there is still a kind of connection between ppl. its like, its different, but essentially we are still the same. the same old kids from HC. our inner selves have not changed much.

thus, i say its different, but still the same. its no longer awesome in that way that it touched me years ago, but now, it is awesome in its own way (: i dun have to be super high, super enthusiatic and super touched to feel awesome. in a more toned down manner, feeling comfortable at home and seeing the smiles of the ppl around you, its another level of awesomeness all together.

MAF, you always add dimensions to my thoughts.