Epilogue - Never forget...
Finding SLC 2006 hard to forget is mainly due to the friendships forged with veritable strangers, from all corners of the world. We have Australia, Portugal, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan... all global citizens. But for the 8 days, we forgot who we are and where we were from. We only knew that we depended on one another if we were to make it as a group, and we loved it!
Spending this precious period with Group 2 has afforded me a glimpse into the future, a place where organizations are no longer homogeneous with the type of staff it hires. A place where different cultures are comfortable with one another. An environment where people are tactful to the other nationalities. I have learnt that Portugese do not drink hot water (You told me this Rita!). I have learnt from chatting with Ann that Taiwan's 闽南语 is truly quite similar to Singapore's 福建话 (Sandy: remember 小孩不笨's Ni Na Bu?). I have learnt that in Australia, it is common to down 10 shots of alcohol and people can still walk straight lines (Ken: 学下o野啦;Þ, this is from James) I have learnt that Koreans actually know how to write 汉字, the Mandarin characters, at least for their names (Ha Youn: I saw your name in Chinese characters too!). I have learnt much about Hong Kong and China's education systems.
I am humbled, for the appreciation from all my friends. To quote Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents." Therefore I shall remain a happy team player and appear whenever I am needed, to be there for you guys.
For those who feel lost after the Conference, not knowing where to go from here, let this guide you on your way:
"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
Even if everyone thinks you are wrong and yet something inside you says it is okay, then pursue that dream of yours. We are free to choose the paths we like to go, and we are answerable only to ourselves. It does not matter where you go. More so of how far are you willing to go to fulfil your own destiny?
Take care, all my friends, brothers and sisters of SLC 2006. May we meet again, when the territorial boundaries can no longer contain us. Peace, out.
Yours Truly,
Damon Wong
Spending this precious period with Group 2 has afforded me a glimpse into the future, a place where organizations are no longer homogeneous with the type of staff it hires. A place where different cultures are comfortable with one another. An environment where people are tactful to the other nationalities. I have learnt that Portugese do not drink hot water (You told me this Rita!). I have learnt from chatting with Ann that Taiwan's 闽南语 is truly quite similar to Singapore's 福建话 (Sandy: remember 小孩不笨's Ni Na Bu?). I have learnt that in Australia, it is common to down 10 shots of alcohol and people can still walk straight lines (Ken: 学下o野啦;Þ, this is from James) I have learnt that Koreans actually know how to write 汉字, the Mandarin characters, at least for their names (Ha Youn: I saw your name in Chinese characters too!). I have learnt much about Hong Kong and China's education systems.
I am humbled, for the appreciation from all my friends. To quote Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents." Therefore I shall remain a happy team player and appear whenever I am needed, to be there for you guys.
For those who feel lost after the Conference, not knowing where to go from here, let this guide you on your way:
"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
Even if everyone thinks you are wrong and yet something inside you says it is okay, then pursue that dream of yours. We are free to choose the paths we like to go, and we are answerable only to ourselves. It does not matter where you go. More so of how far are you willing to go to fulfil your own destiny?
Take care, all my friends, brothers and sisters of SLC 2006. May we meet again, when the territorial boundaries can no longer contain us. Peace, out.
Yours Truly,
Damon Wong
posted by Dee at 11:58 PM
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