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.
I tried to enter into
a local university after army but was smack with a "there are many with
merits ahead of you" rejection. And so I join the rank of local
"talents" who seek tertiary education overseas. I am currently taking
my Bachelor of Commerce in University of New South
Wales, Sydney Australia.