MEMOIRS OF A (PRESIDENT OF THE) BANANA (CLUB)

INITIAL VERSION (3 PAGES)

No one is indispensable, or so the maxim goes. For the greatest of rulers too, one day, have to descent from their golden throne, albeit with much deliberation and hesitation. As such, the next generation will spearhead and ride the waves of globalization, for that is the universal law and how Mother Nature had intended it to be. As we arrived to yet another crossroads in our life, we tend to leave behind our footprints of life, and whether it was worthwhile or not, that’s not for us to judge but others. All that we can hope to establish with our limited prowess, is to live life to the fullest degree and contribute to the society, for the measures of one’s life is not by means of its duration, but its donation. The words of wisdom by Peter Marshall echoes through generations.

No being on this very soil is immortal, with the exemption of the Almighty (freethinkers are excluded!) I want to be remembered too, of course! (who doesn’t?). But who’s going to go the extend of erecting a bronze statue, draw a picturesque portrait, put up a golden plated memorial, nor write a biography of this poor chap (me) here? Keeping this etched in the back of my cerebellum (for those none Bio students, it’s part of the feet!), I’ve came to a decisive conclusion. I’m known for being quite the patient lad, however, I’ve waited and waited till my patience wear off and finally, I’ve decided to … scribble in this CC Magazine! (Come on, what are my alternatives?) By scribbling here, I’ve finally immortalized myself in the 3rd RC’s CCC … astonishing eh? This magazine is going nowhere (NOT now-here, it’s no-where) but in the safe hands of CC fanatics, and perhaps passed down to generations as well. Savvy? “Tao Nao Ho Si Ho Eh, Bo Pian.” I’m so proud of myself *kembang* *kembang*

Not to go off tangent, well, my exposure to the CCC commenced during the orientation period where we were segregated according to our races at certain period of times. I still could recall vividly Yee Chia (the then CC head) and Weng Siong (my self-acclaimed ‘sifu’) conducting and introducing CCC to us, freshmen. As I hailed from a non-Chinese medium school throughout my primary, secondary and pre-varsity student life with English being my main language, suffice to say, I never comprehend Mandarin other than Cantonese (thanks to TVB!), Hokkien, and Teochew (thanks to the maternal side of my family) which I’m rather familiar with. I do attend Mandarin classes in my infant years in the kindergarten, however, I dropped it for some reason that I couldn’t at present bring to mind. I only remember one word, and that is 人, haha! I shied of and avoided Mandarin speaking society, even in my Sixth-form when they were the pioneers in the Persatuan Tiong Hua in Setapak High School, as I couldn’t blend in. However, like any other freshman, I was naïve and basically did whatever seniors instructed us to and part of it is that we’ve to attend the CCC gatherings. I am very grateful to a handful of people who were ever so generous in translating every bit of word for me, amongst them are Evaely and Chun Hee. After my second CCC gathering, I told myself, enough is enough. I just don’t comprehend what the seniors were blabbing in front and I felt dead bored, not to mention, lost in a sea of translation. I contemplated quitting CCC in that spur of the moment.

Despite that, I continued to attend the upcoming CCC gatherings. Wanna know the reason why? It’s not due to the hospitality of the seniors nor the inner desire to socialize with my fellow Chinese, but for the simple reason that … I truly enjoyed the ice-breaking games at each gathering! Peculiar as it is, I really embraced them. I find them rather unique and plain … fun! Although Melanie calls it dorky, haha! Somehow in my batch, we had 4 bananas in the likes of Andrew, Benjamin, Wan Cherng and I with very contrasting-yet-interesting personalities. The ever lanci, cool, Andrew, the social animal with eccentric behaviors, Benjamin, the joker, Wan Cherng and yours truly =) My love towards CCC grew as I continue to make my presence felt in CCC gatherings where I came to know my ‘parents’ and ‘grandparents’ in my family, namely, the small ugly fish … or in Mandarin, ‘Xiao Chou Yu.’ My very first Mandarin phrase was created by Kin How, when he became an instant genius and proposed, “Wo hen chou, ke shi wo hen, wen rou!” in our family cheer. I saved it into my hand phone and basically tried to memorise it, hehe.

Our very first activity was the CC Trip to Fraser’s Hill (thanks CC Trip committees 07/08!) and surprisingly, all bananas enrolled themselves. As usual, I still enjoyed all the games, haha! But the defining moment was when we were given a task to perform a drama on the 2nd night with random genres incorporated. The (gay-ish) role-play of Benjamin and Yean Khinn as the Jack and Rose lovebirds in Titanic - Kanasai, Andrew’s solo performance in Infernal Affairs - Horror, Wan Cherng assuming the role as a pirated, X-rated CD seller in his drama (Sorry, I can’t remember the title and the genre) and me taking the lead role in Pearl Harbour - Artistic. We massacred them with our performances … literally! Ben-Y.Khinn was nominated as the best couple, W.Cherng was the nominee for the best supporting male actor (which he won) and Andrew and I were shortlisted as the best male actor (of which *ehem* I won XD). Adrian was sporting enough to be roommates with us then and we even belted out our very 1st and 2nd banana songs, namely “Bananas of CC Trip” and “Chinaman.” Other fun-filled activities were in line with the Pesta Tanglung, CCC Reunion Dinner etc. 1st sem to me, was a blast! 2nd sem though, we were really caught up in the turbulent times of PTH 3 and they aren’t much fun, although Nemo’s family outing was a very memorable one with (Ah Zho) Chee Wei and (Ah Kong) Kah Chun bringing us out for karaoke, late night movie and supper.

Time flies and I’m already in my 2nd year. By a unanimous decision, Jimmy was elected as the next CC head and is very welcoming in his approach towards the bananas in our involvement in CCC yearly activities (thanks a bunch Jimmy!). Ben and I were in the Supreme Council (MT) whilst W.Cherng and Andrew played key roles in being the Director for CCC Reunion Dinner and Head of multimedia. 2nd year wasn’t as much fun as the previous one as now, we’re supposed to conduct activities instead of participating. As it is the norm, 2nd year is really the busy year in terms of academic as we’re caught up to the throat with assignments, tutorials, labs etc. which we escaped scot-free in the 1st year. Consequently, Andrew, Ben and W.Cherng didn’t made it to the CC Trip in Cameron and somehow, I reluctantly agreed to lend a hand to Han Liang in organizing that trip (I was tricked T_T). At the end of the trip, Kit Meng did bring up a meaningful question, “How many juniors did you (committee members) got to know?” and that brought me to despair. One – I didn’t get to participate and enjoy the trip as a participant, Two – I couldn’t get the chance to mingle and get to know the juniors (CC Trip’s the best opportunity!). All in all, it was a successful one. Looking at the ecstatic impression and the thrill the participants experienced, we were satiated knowing that our sacrifices were worthwhile. The journey in my 2nd year was a rough one in trying to juggle both academics and co-curricular, but collectively, we braved the storm together.

Before I knew it, I’m now in my 3rd and final semester. Where did the time go? Just for the record, I still have in my possession my family list from my 1st year. I rose from being called ‘Ah Sun, Ho Kia’ to ‘Ah Pa’ and currently, ‘Ah Kong.’ Whatever needs to do, have been done. There are 2 things that I regretted throughout my years in CCC, one – I had to make an early exit from CCC Reunion Dinner 08/09 and missed out entirely from Pesta Tanglung 09/10 due to my commitments in MPMUM. My advice to all (makes me sound so old already, hehe!), try to participate in as much activities as you can that are organized by CCC. I mean, it is done solely for you to enjoy. Why not savour the moment? As someone who previously isolated himself from Mandarin speaking society, only to fall head over heels in love with CCC, I just do not understand those Mandarin-speaking people who anti-ed or avoid CCC for some uncertain reasons. It’ll always remain a mystery to me. I’ve met great seniors in Chern Zhong, Weng Siong, Suk Chai, Yee Chia, Che Wei, Kah Chun, Adrian etc. I’ve also the opportunity to work with a bunch of faithful peers like Kin How, Kit Meng, Wai Kin, Jimmy, Bei Shan, June etc. and finally, got to know fun and sporting juniors in Ah Chai, Ri Chian, Pak Koon, Wee Keng, Xin Min, Louise, Elensha etc. (Sorry, if I were to name each and everyone, it’ll be too taxing. So, I just named a few whose names crossed my mind) and not forgetting everyone in CCC who I came into contact with. My apologies to the juniors of 09/10 as I might not have the chance to get to know you guys better. Guessed I’ve other priorities to attend to prior to graduation … hopefully *gulps*! Whatever it is, I’m fervently hoping that CCC will continue to prosper and grow from strength to strength throughout generations. God Bless!

This is … my memoir.

“You and I will meet again
When we're least expecting it
One day in some far off place
I will recognize your face
I won't say goodbye my friend
For you and I will meet again”
[Tom Petty]

With love to CCC,
Amos Aw Teik Onn
(2007-2010)