Of Writing Scripts

Jul. 17th, 2005


(Mandy is a cool girl who is dressed in her boring, drab and utterly hideous school uniform. She is bubbly, outgoing and a little ditzy at times. Shu Yin is her best friend.)

Mandy: Did you hear about the centa.. cenna... the whatever celebrations the school will be holding in a month's time?

Shu Yin: Its centenary celebration, the school's 100th year. Yeah I heard it will be a great big event that day. I even heard they are going to change the school's uniform too, and they are holding a uniform-designing competition to get ideas from the student body.

Mandy: Great! Finally we can get rid of these boring-looking uniforms and maybe get something really cool and snazzy to wear. Hey let's join the competition together ok?

Shu Yin: Nah, you won't catch me participating in school events, I'm telling you. So pointless, why don't you spend the time more wisely by studying?

Mandy: (staring at Shu Yin) Ok, I have no idea why we are best friends but yeah ok, do whatever you want. I want to join this competition and let everyone know about my artistic talent!

Shu Yin: Your what? You have an artistic talent? Interesting... We learn something new everyday...

Another scene.

(Mandy and Shu Yin are in the canteen, Mandy gushing over her idea of the new school uniform with Shu Yin looking on in disgust.)
(Ashley, the renowned spolit princess in school, and Cindy, her faithful sidekick, walk in.)

Ashley: (stopping by Mandy's and Shu Yin's table and talking to Cindy in a loud voice) Hey, have you heard? Someone with absolutely no talent and poise whatsoever is going to enter the uniform-design contest! Isn't that a laugh? How can she compete with me? Me, winner of the 2004 National Schools Art Competition?

Cindy: Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: Exactly! Why don't she look in the mirror and realise that she will pale in comparison with me?

Cindy: (chants) Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: (looking at Cindy strangely but continues) Well, I'm entering the competition too. That way maybe some people will realise that they don't even stand a chance!

Cindy: (still chanting) Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: Ok now you are being an ass. Can you say something else?

Cindy: Yeah! Uh.. Sure! No competition...whatsoever!

Ashley: (rolls eyes) Let's just go.

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Mandy: Well! How dare she say that! She thinks she will win doesn't she? See what I've got! (Eyes gleaming)

Shu Yin: (Sighs)

Speakerphone: Will all prefects please pay attention to this announcement. All prefects are to meet in the AVA room for a meeting about the centenary celebrations. I repeat, all prefects are to meet in the AVA room now for an urgent meeting. Thank you.

Mandy: Sigh. Why am I a prefect? Prefects have so many duties that are so boring. I just want to be a normal student, someone who studies all day long, goes home straight after school and have no social life!

Shu Yin: (sarcastically) Thanks a lot for describing me. Hurry up and go for your meeting, I'll wait for you.

(In the AVA room, Mandy is still complaining about being a prefect to another friend, Peipei.)

Mandy: (blah blah blah)

Peipei: (nodding distractedly) Uh huh.. yah.. I understand.

Mandy: (finally realising no one is listening to her) Peipei! Are you listening? What are you looking at? (Swivels her head in the direction Peipei is looking at)
Gasp! Who is that?! Oh my, how dashing can someone be? ohh... Peipei you were looking at him!

Peipei: (blushes) No I was not, he was making a commotion at the back and it caught my attention that's all.

Mandy: Uh huh, I'm sure. Wow, he's really good looking though. New student I guess. And a prefect already? He sure works fast. Hmm.. If I get to wear the sexy uniform I designed, he may like me! (Drools)

Peipei: Wah can you stop dirtying the floor with your saliva? Enough already! Meeting starting!

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(After the meeting, outside the AVA room)

Mandy walks in front of the boy and dropped a packet of tissue ever-so-casually on the floor)

Boy: (Picking it up) Excuse me! You dropped something!

Mandy: (turning around as gracefully as she can) Oh! Thank you so much! (Lowers her eyelashes in mock shyness)

Boy: Yeah no problem. See you.

Mandy: (hurriedly) Hey wait! Um... I'm Mandy.. You are..?

Boy: (With a flick of his hair) I'm Alvin. Nice to meet you. I gotta go, see you around.

(Mandy stared after him longingly, and in the distance, she saw Ashley walk up to him and chatting away, they walked off together.)

Mandy: What?! Ashley and him? No way. Impossible. Must be Ashley trying to sink her claws into Alvin, that sweet innocent boy. Poor thing. I have to help him get out of that witch's clutches. And winning the uniform-design contest might be the answer...

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Will Mandy win the uniform-design contest and win Alvin''s heart at the same time? Will Alvin take a second look at Mandy? Or will Ashley thwart Mandy's well-thought plans?

Episode 2 coming up.


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Of Growing Up and Responsibility

Aug. 3rd, 2005


Whatever made me think I was all grown-up and ready to fly out of the house? Whatever made me think that being 21 yrs of age has made me a woman all eager to venture outside?

Many people dream of being 21 when they were in their early teens, either because only then can they escape out of their parents' clutches by claiming to be an adult, or because they can finally watch an RA movie without dodging and ducking. I, too, dreamt of being 21 as soon as I possibly can. Looking at my sister grow up into a beautiful young lady working outside, giving money to my parents and buying exquisite yet costly clothes and accessories for herself, I wished upon many many stars to be able like her one day. Hoping that one day will be the next day I wake up.

Well it's finally here. Or at least it's going to be here in 2 months. 2 months. Flies by without anyone noticing. I will finally be 21. But it is not all I thought it to be. Sure, RA movies will still be for my taking, but I never read the fine print there on the of-age contract. It should be there in big bold letters: ALONG WITH FREEDOM AND ADULTHOOD COMES RESPONSIBILITY, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE.

I never knew that. Ok, maybe I do, but who will think about financial responsibility when you have sheltered comfort, warm beds and loving parents? I wish that I have never wished upon those little stars. Along with being an adult comes the duty of earning money, something which is not easy. Being a kid means I can always hold out my hand and money will be given to me for buying the stuff I want. But not now. No longer can I just hold out my hand. Not only do I have to earn my upkeep, I got to make sure my mom does not crack under all the financial pressure too. The burden on her is huge, no matter how much I try to take some off her, she is forever bogged down by the fact that bills are always on the pile.

What can I do? Find a job? Does tuition count? I can't possibly start any real work now like sales assistant or what-not since school is starting soon. The only way is to teach tuition. Sure, I could take up more students and be bugged by them, but I'll have to do it at the expense of my own spare time and the very limited time I could spend with loved ones and friends. Win the lottery? I have never supported gambling, though the lottery is not technically considered gambling. I think. This option is out.

What else can I do? Save, save and save. But, as much as I appreciate wholly the efforts of some friends to pass me some cash, I do not wish to take any money from them. Call me stubborn, but the value of friendship is always much more than monetary value. Money always has a way of hurting relationships, intentionally or otherwise. Thus it is up to me to hold myself up and "reach for the stars" without breaking my neck at the same time.

And guess what? I believe I can.


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Of Random Song/Poem

Mar. 4th, 2006

Girl, I know it's been a while
Since I held and kissed you
Please believe me when I say
I never once forgot you.

We have always tried our best
To give each other all we can
But there came a time when
I got so mad I forgot
What made you sad.

You cried and sniffed over the phone
However it got me all riled up
Ready to rage and pounce on your
Every mistake, this I do.

I once told you not to cry
You look ugly when you do
But then I made you so sad
That I cried when you cried too.

The more I raged so the more you cry
Till I gave up on you
I told you I want out
Me, you couldn't refuse.

But you never gave up on me
Not once you do
I called back some time later
And to hear you say "I do".

I rejoiced and so did you
We had some happy times together
But came one day again when I made you sad
I gave up once again on you.

Girl, I'm sorry now
Please forgive me
I'll never make you sad again
let alone give up on you.

But you got to understand me
The way some other girl did
I cared for her, and I care for you
Don't leave me please.


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Of being lost and desolate

April 6th, 2005

I found her. I saw her when I was walking along the path of destituism. She was smiling, ever so sweetly, at me. I looked at her and almost ran away as I did not want her to see me in this state, but her eyes drew me closer, alluring eyes with a hint of mystic. I went forward and said to her grudgingly, "Why are you here? It's too late now. Go away ok? I don't need your help, I needed it before but you didn't appear so why should you appear now? Go away."

She gazed at me and asked softly, "You really want me to go? If you do, I shall go now and never come back." I stubbornly stood with my back to her and refused to acknowledge her. She patted me on the back and kissed me gently on the cheek, her soft hair sliding across my shoulder. A whiff of nostalgia, regret, remorse and anticipation overwhelmed me but a moment of hesitation, and the feeling is gone.

She is gone too. I looked over my shoulder and I couldn't see her anymore. A deep sense of regret filled me but I shook myself and said, "Well, she wouldn't have helped anyway. She didn't appear when she should and now it is too late."

I continued on along the path of destituism, not knowing where I was headed. As I walked, and sometimes crawled due to lack of strength, I stumbled many times and each time I fell, tears of despair flooded my eyes. A single thought was on my mind during those times : Where are you?! Pls appear, I really need you now. I'm sorry I asked you to leave, I thought it was too late, but I'm wrong. Pls forgive me.

But nobody arrived. I cried and stumbled til I came to a fork. Which way should I go? Will the way I choose be safe? Can I be sure that I will choose the safer and ultimately smoother route? I stood there thinking and thinking and thinking and...

A flash of light and there she is, smiling at me with that graceful smile I know so well. I saw her lips move "Don't worry, I am always here. I heard your cries, don't think I didn't, but I wanted you to stumble and learn. I didn't leave and I will never leave you. Anytime you need help, just think of me and I will appear. But I want you to try whatever you think is right first, so I can help you achieve more when I arrive."

Is it raining? Why is my face wet? I reached up and my hand came away wet. I was crying. Touched. She is here. I found her.

Confidence.


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Of Revenge for the sake of Revenge

April 12th, 2005


After a relaxing and ultimately dreamless sleep, I found myself engaging in a tug-of-war with Adrian, my friend whom I think must be the founder of What-an-idiot-is series of books. A clash of opinions ensued in the foreground while wits battled at the back. Suddenly a flash of bright light and a slash of red ink appeared on my arm. He waved the offending pen at me and smirked, with a hint of yaya-ness shadowing his eyes. I stared at him and slowly took out my OHP marker. Bright purple. Thick nib. Smudge-able. PERMANANT.

He saw the dangerous glint in my eyes and backed away slowly. Unfortunately, the seats in the lecture hall refrained him from moving any further than half an inch or so. The lecturer's voice droned on in the background while I uncapped my marker, relishing the feel of the pen like how a psychologically-insane serial killer looks at his knife before carrying out the fatal stab.

Flexing my muscles, I leaned towards him and acting all coy, took his to-be-handed-in-today-at-2pm-coz-already-late essay and pretended to ponder over it. Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead as he imagined writing another essay in 2 hours. I hovered my OHP marker over the piece of paper and smiled angelically at him. Hand lowering. Face determined.

He was anxious. Desperate. Put his hand over his face so that he wouldn't see the result. Putting out the other hand to grab the essay back. With his eyes covered. With him sitting half an inch away. With the lecturer talking about Cartesian equations.

The sound of tearing paper was heard. At the exact moment the lecturer stopped to take a breather. Everyone in the lecture hall turned to see what was going on, some at the back even standing up to get a better look. Eyes wide, I looked at him with shock. He looked back with resignation and accusation. I decided to treat resignation as his facial expression so I wouldn't feel all that guilty about it. Seconds later, the look of resignation developed into full-fledged accusation. I sighed.

*tap tap tap* Fingers furiously clicking away, I sat hunched over the school's old and battered computer. Looking up at the clock, I saw that the deadline was only 15 minutes away.
Breathing faster.
Fingers flying over the keyboard.
Eyes blurring.

After printing that better-written-since-I-edited-for-him essay, legs pumping as fast as they would go, I ran to the tutor's office. Only to see him standing outside the office door, rejecting essays from other people, who are pleading for a redress. I looked at my watch. 2.03pm.

I could almost hear the sound of my bones breaking. Almost feel the sensation of being battered like the school's computer. Almost listen to the rantings of Adrian.

I'm dead...


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Of emo-ness

I wonder if anyone is actually reading all these posts one by one.. Hmm. Oh well. *crosses fingers*

I do hope while reading, you guys can think about how to write good compos ok? :) Not that these entries are perfect (note: spelling and grammatical errors - have you spotted any? :) ), but they are examples of how writing need not be confined to "One fine day....".

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May 26th, 2005

I wonder if the world is really as we perceive it to be. We see the world as something so colourful, so vivid in its details, so true in its relations. But is it really that simple and innocent? Is everyone really up to the standard society sets for them?

Yesterday, I saw this little boy in KFC eating with his mother. He was about 4-5 years old, clad in shirt and shorts. He was so obedient, sitting quietly waiting while his mother set about preparing the pieces of chicken and fries he was about to eat. Even after his mother said he could eat, he moved ever so slowly, picking up a fry carefully, dabbing it with ketchup ever so cautiously and putting it in his mouth with the speed of a gourmet tasting a competitor's food for the first time. His face was full of anticipation and hope. His body still on the chair, he leaned forward and offered his mother a piece of chicken. his mother refused gently and urged him to eat a little faster. Throughout the sedate meal, he wasn't climbing around like the mischievous monkeys some boys his age are. He just sat there quietly, not even chattering, savouring his food.

What caught my attention, however, was how he looked. Sure, he looked every bit the handsome boy he was, but his face was filled with such maturity and depth that I couldn't fathom. He was only 4 years old, yet he gave me the impression that he had been through a lot, endured hardships and torture, which was silly, now that you think about it, but at that moment I was struck by his features. I almost stopped eating and couldn't really take my eyes off him. I was fascinated.

Of course, he couldn't have endured that much torture, since he was brought by his mother to KFC in the first place to enjoy what kids enjoy, but still I couldn’t help thinking when I got home that maybe life trials do show on one's face or features whether they like it or not. On the other hand, if you believe in past lives, then he probably was some maligned innocent worker who got convicted of some felony. I don't know what I believe. I only know that life reflects upon us, our cultures and the way we do things. Does life reflect culture or does culture reflect life?

Whichever it is, I believe that little boy was enjoying his meal, which probably does not occur often in his 4 years. That cute innocence, those child-like mannerisms, that reflective mood, has a huge impact on me. I really want all children in the world, regardless of where they are, how old they are, who they are, to enjoy their childhood years, never to experience the awful horrors some of us are going through right now.

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