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University life

Here's a little story about Vincent- by Vincent

Back in 17 Dec 1977, a boy name Lee Chi Ee was born in Singapore. My 1st education was at a neighborhood PAP kindergarten. That was where I met my long-time childhood friend Eric. We still contact each other every now and then.

St. Stephen School was where I had my primary education. I name myself Vincent in primary 4 because there were three other Vincents in the class and I thought it would be great to name myself Vincent too, just for the sack of confusing my teachers.

I guess my parents were one of those modern parents who want the best for their children and arm them with skills. I had a learn swimming and organ when I was young. I remember I use to swim like twice a week or three times till I was so sick of swimming that I totally avoided the pool for a period of time. It was interesting how I chose organ as an instrument to start my interest in music. At that time my aunties and cousins where all learning piano. My father brought my to Yamaha and ask me if I wanted to play a piano or organ. I pressed the piano keys and thought it was hard but the organ keys were much softer. Also I wanted to be different from everyone so I chose organ. Given a chance, I would choose piano although I loved organ very much. It’s simply a great instrument if you want to learn music in the long run.

St. Joseph's Institution was my choice for secondary school simply because it was new and looked "cool" (well I was only 12). But it turns out to be an enriching and unforgettable experience. When I was secondary 2, my class had one of the fastest swimmers together with another rival class. We were one of the favorites to win the inter-class competition. Mt class was short of one swimmer because of injury of one of the original swimmers. I was added because the class knew I could swim. I was the second swimmer in the relay as I told them I was the slowest. But surprisingly I manage to pull them to 1st place when I swam to the surprise of many. I still remember getting out of the pool, hearing my form teacher asking another student,"Who's that superman?" We finished behind the rival class but both classes got disqualified. But even though I didn't win a medal, I won back the love for swimming. I joined the SJI Military Band and I'm glad I did. Learn a lot of stuff like discipline and leadership, and made heaps of buddies. It was also during this period that one starts to be interested in opposite sex. My vote goes to convert girls, especially those from Tao Payoh and Katong Convert. There is just something about them...

After 4 fun filled years in SJI, I went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic to study Banking and Financial Services. Join the Concert Band and was made vice-president in year 2. But I must say that I could have done better both in terms of academies and responsibility as a vice-president of the Band. I met my present girlfriend in year 2. She happens to be my classmate then, and the rest is history.

National service was next. It was Singapore's way of turning boys to men. Responsibilities, leadership, survival skills, living and working with total strangers, and a whole lot of @$#&* were thrown to you suddenly. I must say I cursed my way through my years in the army. At the end of the day when you look back, it just brings back bittersweet memories.