Nerds & Noobs

Children go to schools to learn the most basic lessons in life. They proceed from kindergarten to primary school. From primary school they march into high school. Eventually, they pursue their studies in universities. Although not each and every of them has the ability and capability to cope with the pressure of studies, their ultimate destination is still the labour force. Be it a corporate manager or a guy who sells pirated DVD in night market, they share the same primary mission in life; survival and good life.


When it comes to situations which require critical thinking, tension starts to rise among people and nerds are the first majority to panic. Their neuroticism levels are so high. Psychologically and scientific proven, they are most likely to die from heart attack. With so many situational factor I pointed out above, today I must emphasis on the issue of final exams. I choose the exam factor because nerds and noobs will only respond to examination. They don't even care one bit about sports and competitions. Well, because they are simply noobs and potential corporate dogs who are all workaholics..

In university, assignments and exams are norms. So does a degree qualification. They work, and work and work and some day, we'll have to work, and work, and work bloody hard as well. Some smart ass do take some day-offs to enjoy themselves on a holiday, but some don't. They work like a noob, just like a student who studies like a nerd. All they know about school are studies, all they know about their job is to work, and all they know about life is about job and education. Pathetic.

If they know about  the existence of supercars, beautiful houses, and a luxury lifestyle, they would've use the money to enjoy what this world has to offer rather than giving everything to their heirs. They work for the future of their sons and daughters who will splash their cash like hell. In addition, the cash was conned for all the wrong reasons, and when they are old, they die for all the wrong reasons too. The hard earned money they've been working for, are not theirs to be enjoyed. I remember my grandpapa once told me, 'If you don't work, how are you suppose to eat?'. Well, my purpose of writing here today, is to rectify this phrase. It should be, 'If you don't eat, how are you suppose to work?'. You see, there are many more things to do in this world. Life isn't just about studies and work. Therefore, make some rooms for yourself, and try to enjoy life. Life comes first, achievement comes second. I'm not trying to discourage effort to achieve a dream. But efforts to the detrimental of life is unhealthy and we will miss out on important things in life before we know it until our final moments on hospital bed. This is because hard work doesn't really guarantee success. On the other hand, enjoying your life guarantees fun and pleasures. In a nutshell, to the nerds and noobs who read this, CHANGE!

If Only

It's 5.31am now, Insomnia struck. So, I've decided to write here rather than wasting my time on the bed doing nothing. For the past 3 hours, my mind was playing several sad and brutal flashbacks. There were too many 'if only' and 'would've this' and "could've that". Those long gone days are my "if only years". Anyway, tonight will be the night for me to unleash these miserable nostalgia of mine.

Well, here are some of my most regrettable flashbacks and moments which I feel that I should share, or else, I'm gonna die tomorrow morning due to insufficient sleeping hours. During my kindergarten years, I was a loner. I had only one friend in my class, the rest are my enemies. I was bullied, humiliated, and most of the time, isolated. Even the teacher despised me, because I'm the only Chinese in class. Oh, my first and best friend in my kindergarten years, his name is Kumar, the best Indian friend I've had in my life. I wonder how he's doing now. If only I know how to keep in touch, I would've known where he is now.

Into the primary years, I recomposed and established myself as a little monster. I stood on the table to protest in class, cast chaos and burglary in the canteen, and vandalized the school toilets. I even stole a fair amount of bucks from my mum to buy myself Nintendos . If only I knew how to steal the correct way,my mum couldn't have caught me.

As for my high school era, it's the best which I really cherished the most. I can play the piano, guitar and drum. A gift in playing musical instruments, yet I never mold and transform it into talent. Thus, the gift was wasted. On top of that, I was a good sprinter in athletics. Often underestimating my opponents, I never take things seriously enough. I knew how to win, yet I knew how to lose too cheaply as well. Many medal was won, but many medals were missed out too. As a natural sprinter, I was given a place in the football club, representing my school, competing in annual district cup competition. Recognizing the explosive burst in pace that I have, I still can't play a full-time match very often due to my low-stamina level which resulted in my inability to deliver. Besides, I took up the Science stream, only to screw up on my elective subjects. If only I practiced on my music everyday, if only I ran to my limit, if only I trained  my stamina tantalizingly, if only I listened attentively in class; I could have achieved glory at its best as a student.

In my first year of university, I made quite a number of friends, who are weird. Anyway, I'm glad that I met them. After a year in class together, they transferred to another campus. I was disappointed as living cost in another campus is high and I had to obliged to my mum's wish to stay on  pursuing my studies in the countryside. Alright, back to the time line. There was a football tournament held during the first year's final trimester. My team was made up of a senior bunch of players who recruited my first year mates and I into the team. Resulting from a mixture of raw talent and experience, my team was rather strong. I was given a chance to play full time for two matches, Understanding the inferiority of mine in terms of stamina too well, I shirked by giving all sort of excuses. I knew I can give full time matches a shot, but I opted for half time just to make myself look good on the pitch. In fact, I went out partying all night long before the tournament day. The team progressed well until the semi-final, and eventually eliminated. I was glad I played well in the final game, but over the course of the tournament, I was still performing at below par performance. Anyway, my batch mates left the team and the campus after the tournament. I had to settle down as a more mature player. If I had a firm decision to follow them rather than listening to my mum, if only I care much more about the tournament; I would've led a happier urban life, I could've won the tournament.

Recently about 3 weeks ago, I competed in a futsal five-a-side competition. In the group stage, I played some really good stuff. But into the knock-out stages, there was this culprit who hammered his elbow onto my head, gave me an ultra big blow. I lost my eyesight for more than 5 seconds. Look, 5 SECONDS, I thought I was going blind. Thank God, I recovered my eye sight. I knew I could continue, but psychologically I was dominated by that vermin. Eventually, I passed and requested substitution for the good of the team. By the way, the team was knocked out eventually. If only I gave my best to impress, if only I had the courage, if only I continued on, I could've gave that vermin an elbow and dump his dirty team out of the competition.

Well, there are still many more "if only" here and there in between. However, If you have a long night without sleep, take some sleeping pills. If you don't, you'll end up in a situation similar to mine, consuming up to an hour writing regrets and flashbacks. So, someone, please, invent a time machine.

Cruel Reality

Amidst a student's ruthless pursuit of both academic results and future, there has never been much room for the niceties of life.

As depressing as this statement seems, it is impossible to escape the undeniable truth that a student's inability to deliver the goods in the exam hall - no matter how hardworking he or she normally may be - will be met, not with a caring arm of support around the shoulders, but with an avalanche of derision from the insatiable and blood-thirsty parents, relatives, scholarship sponsors, and so on so forth.

While mulling and mourning over just how unfair this can be, spare a thought for the particular student who will wake up in the next morning to find out that everyone who has high expectations and hopes on him, blaming him for the blunders and carelessness he made - no matter how much effort he gave.

Whilst the myriad of gory lecture from these target setters may seem a little harsh, this particular student, who until the final exam results came calling from the university, had been so dedicated to his work previously, will surely nod his head and agree with what the impassioned scribes have been busy telling their friends and relative - he is stupid and useless.

Recognition for efforts? There are none, and there will never be one. No people in this world will assess others based on their efforts. This is because, results matter the most, efforts matter none. Believe it or not, make an appointment with a high ranking manager for an interview session and you'll get an answer similar to mine, and it's a cruel reality.

Anyway, the 'impassioned scribes' are exclusive of my parents. I'm glad that they are supportive. But I still feel sorry for myself, for my inability to convert my efforts into good results. I'm writing this for the others who've worked hard as well, to give them credits and some sense of fairness in this world. Though it doesn't exist, but because it's unfair, the world is fair. Just like a piano, there are black and white keys. We might have hit the wrong key, but our time will come someday.