As the walls of the room beckon around me, I take a deep breath almost forgetting to exhale. My shirt filled with a multitude of colours, the paint awaiting to be used and the paintbrush lies poised in my hand. The colours come to life, I paint on. And it begins. I am an artist. The world is my canvas, I feel the adrenaline surge through my veins and at that precise moment, there was nothing that could stop me. Not even the audience.
Generally, I think I have lived past a quarter of my life and along the way, so many things attracted my curious mind. The doors were so tempting and I just had to open them. Hence, these are the 'paintbrushes' I have picked up along the way and have fallen in love with them.
Quite a self-explanatory thing. Long story short, I just feel that I can express myself better in words. It's like a craft of it's own where you can compose a sentence, poem, song or story in a way that you can affect your readers in precisely the right moment.
SCHOOL
The place I grew up. School taught me a lot about the real world even though I knew the real world was harsher. I realised people judged you and you just can't please everybody whether you're trying to blend in or just pursue your interests to the fullest. I wouldn't have changed anything because I accredit a big part of what I am today because of school. I will miss the teachers, friends, walking up those treacherous stairs (surprisingly) and the power cuts! :)
INTERACT
Another one of those indescribable experiences. It really made me step out of my comfort zone and meet interesting people from...around the world really. Ultimately, heading the Interact Club flung me head first into crazy situations - from practising the Magunatip dance at 3am in a different country, losing my temper with last minute alterations, visiting a submarine, and getting my first bee sting. Yes, crazy but great. It was great and I would do it again. Anytime.
ART
Wow. Even the word just blows me away. I might not be a professional artist nor did I take it as a subject in the SPM exams, but it does not mean that it is not part of my life. Being a stationery freak and even bigger art freak, I just enjoy designing stuff for fun (preferably no tests involved) and once in a while, I'm up for a poster-drawing competition :)
MUSIC
Who doesn't like music? :) Just like probably everybody else, I love to listen to music - you know, plugging those earphones in and just chilling. School choir will be something I won't forget :) Honestly, I'm not the greatest singer. Pfft. But that never stops me from belting out some catchy tunes. Whether it's in the shower, walking along a corridor, celebrating a festive season, in the middle of silence due to a sudden streak of joy or just plain fooling around, if you know me long enough, you'll realise that I got a thang for singing.
DANCE
Due to the dominance of studies and extracurricular activities, I feel dance is currently quite undervalued in my life but I cherish the times I get to *sings madagascar song* 'move it, move it' :D I am glad to have dabbled into Rhythmic Gymnastics and Ballet. It means more than some people think it does to me and if God-willing, I do wish to dance in the future! Till then, you can find me fooling around to the beat with my close friends and family. Currently, Taio Cruz's Dynamite song is so infectious, don't you think?
BOOKS
Another bookworm you say? Mm, I don't know. The Bible, Jodi Picoult, the Hunger Games, Harry Potter to name a few. I prefer thrillers and touching stories but there are certain exceptions. The end of high school is also quite exciting in a way that I can read more non-fictional books and I'm psyched!
MOOTING
I decided to include this because I think I sort of like the feel of this paintbrush in my hand despite being a first-timer. Requiring quick thinking and persuasion skills, it's very daunting when talking directly to a REAL judge! This was my last year of high school and first time winning regionals and going to Australia with my beloved teammates, Eileen and Sam! Thank you for the adventure-Tr Sim, Shireen and mom included. It really was one.
Well, there you have it - my paintbrushes. They are my teachers in life in more ways than one. An inexhaustible list I would say because we encounter so many new things every day. I always look forward to new challenges to pop up, don't you? It was never smooth sailing because you get different opinions and views from various people on what you take up. But here's my two cents: as long as you got your feet on the ground, eyes set on the goal, and God holding your hand, GO FOR IT.
As the crowd awaits in anxiety, I take a deep breath almost forgetting to exhale. My hair pulled back in a bun, the skirt flowing weightlessly below my waist and the well-used shoes are tied to my feet. The music starts, I pirouette to the centre of the stage. And it begins. I am a dancer. The world is my stage, I feel the adrenaline surge through my veins and at that precise moment, there was nothing that could stop me. Not even the audience.
