About Me

To leave a comment username: ntudragonboat@gmail.com password: wemissyou same for photobucket.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Hi Boon San... just to wish you Merry Christmas, and to let you know that you will be be remembered, always.

Abby

Friday, December 21, 2007

It's been 4 weeks...

If We Could Bring You Back Again

If we could bring you back again,
For one more hour or day,
We’d express all our unspoken love;
We’d have countless things to say.

If we could bring you back again,
We’d say we treasured you,
And that your presence in our lives
Meant more than we ever knew.

If we could bring you back again,
To tell you what we should,
You’d know how much we miss you now,
And if we could, we would.

- Joanna Fuchs

Monday, December 17, 2007

Thursday, December 6, 2007

To my team mate (the best left paddler in NTU)

Hey Boon San,

It feels really weird that you're not around anymore. I miss your pacing, your teasing of people and simply your presence. Somehow I'm still hoping to read the news that you have survived and will be back with us again...

When you just joined us in 2004 I was wondering how you would gel with the team. But you turned out to be one of the most influential member in the team. Everyone has absolute trust in you when you paced the boat. All the juniors looked up to you because you're one of the few seniors who actually spend time to train up the juniors in your free time despite your busy final year schedule.

I have known you for 3 years.. not a very long time but these 3 years have been full of wonderful memories that I will never forget. I wish we could still paddle together in the alumni team because you're one of the few I could trust completely in the boat. You might not say it but i know you care a lot for the team.

Val and me used to mis pronounce your name and call you Boon Shan instead. But after some typical reminders of yours I managed to get your name right. I remember I almost broke my arms trying to keep up with your weights during our first gym training with you back in 2004.. I remember we went to SRC during one of the exam period even though it's already 11pm to do kayakpro and you were trying to help me correct my stroke. After the PM Race in 2006 you were the first to ask me if we had crossed the finishing line first and I will never forget that handshake after the race.

Just recently we were sitting together in the auditorium to receive our colors award in NTU and you were teasing me to drum for the alumni team. The last time I saw you was during the alumni training just before you left for Cambodia. You joined us for training even though your Nteam training had just ended...

I will never forget your jokes, your determination to win and that famous smile of yours. Time will pass but memories will never fade. I will remember you as a fighter and great friend... always.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
SUXI Sports Camp 2004


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Dragonboat Experience 2004


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Regatta 2004


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Initiation 2005


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
NTU Dboat Training Camp 2005


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Drinking Night 2005


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Last training before PM Cup 2006


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
PM Cup 2006


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
NTU Dragonboat Experience 2006


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
August Bday Boys


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Xmas Gathering 2006


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
June Race 2007

Xin Zhi
it's been more than 2 weeks have passed since the freak accident..no more headlines flashed across the newspapers on it..but i feel touched seeing new posts on this blog continually.shows just how much u guys have impacted our lives that we keep coming back to view the blogs in remembrance of u.though i nv knew u until the reports on the accident,i added the blogs dedicated to u guys to 'my favourites'.

boon san,i was totally impressed and marvelled when i read that u were a school dropout before but later made it to uni due to ur sheer determination.i grieved whenever i read ur blog coz i was so touched by ur strong character and principles and how u helped turn ur frens into better pple.and i still feel damn sad for ur family and frens who must still be missing u badly.but now,i try to stay strong and not cry anymore..

much thanks to u for inspiring me..i cherish my family and frenz more now..i'll constantly visit the blogs of u guys..

my msn nick still reads,'rest in peace.the 5 of you will always be fondly missed.'


much love,lwh

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The guy who called me Cai sao

Hi Boon San, I kinda feel that you can read all our posts here... so dun worry, i will try to make my ang mo here simple for u... lol

CHOU BA GEY! This is actually what i always call you to my bf... (althou i do know my bf's teeth are more 'bugs' than u) Now wheneva yr name is mentioned, i juz cant luff or make sarcastic comments like i used to... the disgusting truth is that i actually miss yr loud sarcastic remarks, dirty jokes, irritating teasings, tico naughty look with yr eyes so small & wide flashy grin, super mini sexy fbt shorts, waking up suddenly in the middle of the nite hugging yr blanket mumbling dunno-wat-shit (i guess u'r sleep-talking), banging yr room's door to mak yr grand entrance, always peeking out of the door to catch 'chiobus' changing clothes (LOL..Haha)... the list goes on... Althou i am not a close fren with you (unlike my bf), i thank you for taking care of Soon Chye as yr Bro & longest-serving roomie.

Many of us are still so in denial that we cant share any memories with u anymore... but all of us truly pray you can rest in peace up there. We wun forget your voice, your jokes, your trademark bugs grin, etc etc - You are always alive in our hearts.

*I'll be missing you - by Puff Daddy*
Seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track, you locked the flow
So far from hangin on the block for dough
Notorious, they got to know that
Life aint always what it seem to be
Words cant express what you mean to me
Even though youre gone, we still a team
Through your family, Ill fulfill your dream
In the future, cant wait to see
If you open up the gates for me
Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When its real, feelings hard to conceal
Cant imagine all the pain I feel
Give anything to hear half your breath
I know you still living your life, after death

Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
Ill be missing you
Thinkin of the day, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
Ill be missing you

Its kinda hard with you not around
Know you in heaven smilin down
Watchin us while we pray for you
Every day we pray for you
Til the day we meet again
In my heart is where Ill keep you friend
Memories give me the strength I need to proceed
Strength I need to believe
My thoughts big I just cant define
Wish I could turn back the hands of time
Us in the 6, shop for new clothes and kicks
You and me taking flicks
Makin hits, stages they receive you on
I still cant believe youre gone
Give anything to hear half your breath
I know you still living youre life, after death

Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
Ill be missing you
Thinkin of the day, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
Ill be missing you

A Legacy of Love and Heart

It's heartbreaking to read these tributes and get a real sense of how painful it is for Boon San's friends and family. Your tributes give us a good understanding of his character, and his special personality. How he overcame the challenges of his past and went to NTU and did well at school and dragonboating, how he cared for his friends and family, and how he took time to comfort his friend who had broken up with his girlfriend, and inspired him to join dragonboating. All these things point to a man of real deep character and a big heart.

God Bless all of you and may Boon San live on in your hearts and lives always. Make your lives wonderful and live for him, as he does not live here now, and make your lives a tribute to him.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

A Glowing Tribute to My Friend

Dear Boon San

I remembered many things about you, the list goes on and on. I dun really know where do i start or how should i start or for the matter, why should i start. I still cant accept u have disappeared from our world. Haven really gotten of this reality, I always tear whenever your name is mentioned, even as of now when this entry is being written. It really hurts me when i am not able to make it to your wake. I seldom live my life with regrets. This is easily the biggest regret in my life.

I remembered one of my saddest moment in my life. I was at the library in the year of 2005, semester 2, in feb, shortly after Valentine's Day. You, being the hardworking student is already in the empty Lee Wee Nam library doing tutorials and practising past year papers. I was dejected, did not know where to go. My girlfriend at that time had dumped me, life was really suicidal. U came, cheered me up, studied beside me, ate with me. And you encouraged me to join you in the National Team, to fight with you, for Manila 2005. I never look back, looking back at this tough period, without you i probably will not be here at this very moment. I never have said THANK YOU for this period, and i guessed i never will have the chance to.

I have offended you once badly, when i imitated your signature buck tooth grin. It was my fault definitely. We did not talk for three days, i was remorseful on my part, but after these 3 days, everything was back to its original best. For that, i regret, not saying SORRY to you.

We were roomies in Nteam for Penang International Dragonboat Festival (PIDF 2005) Nteam came from behind and clinched a remarkable 3rd placing behind Indonesia and Mynamar. Those days were memorable and we did standing stroke for 400m, and despite the big day and the pressures, u are always reassuring us with your cocksure language and behaviour that all will go well as planned. I am grateful for that. I have never shown my APPREACIATION for you, and i never have the chance to do so.

When I went back NTU the other day, the Lee Wee Nam library, the old gym, the chin ups bars, the running track, the weighing machine at SRC office, everything flows back. It is extremely heart wrenching. Those were the days, and it is firmly etched inside me.

I have kept all the articles on papers with you on it. For now, I still missed u alot and if i do, i go to the papers to see a glimpse of u. The photos taken are still in my CPU, and i have backed them up in case my pc decides to call it a day. I am quite sure u came back dat nite to look me up on that tuesday. Its you and i dun tink i am wrong.

I want to end by saying u have been an integral part of my life. I understand you really wanted a 10 men crew gold medal at the 2007 River Regatta. On my part, I will be out of retirement to train with NTU alumini. I will lay down this 10 men crew medal right before you. I know you will be reading this blog, you have always love blogs. May you rest in peace brother.


With loving memories
Justin Chua

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Roaming in the street of yishun...

Ah San, brother 2 yr my junior.
In our Primary school days, We roam the street of yishun, in a gang of 4.
Me - Ah Nam, Ah Guang(cousin), Ah Zheng(cousin) and of cos our Ah San.
Used to steal money from the drawer where my parent keep all the money.
Sometimes 50cents, and sometimes 2 dollars, we are just craze over buying tamiya cars, he got an avante(blue) while i had a vanquish(golden color one) - i still remember how we send our tamiya cars for Modification..Hyper dash engine..and remote control cars and of cos tikam from the Blk 278 Mama shop - that Ah Na...
World cup - Mexico 86, Italia 90, USA 94 - those pannini sticker book are always on our iternary for those WORLD CUP years. Even till the last world cup, he had never fail to get those shinny shinny stickers and do exchange.
Always after school at the age of 9 and more, we will gather and grab our favourite BMX bikes.
i will longbang him on the bike stand i had on the back of the bike, from there we go around places in RURAL Yishun then in search of tadpoles and guppies.
We spent most of our time in the basketball court playing basketball, soccer and riding bicycles. Learning vulgar words in various language to deal with various groups of enemy kids is always what we are so good at...
Enaged in numerous fights with some of the neighbourhood boys, we ended up getting hatam by them cos we are simply outnumbered. But that didnt just end there, we always take revenge. Ramming the lifts of the ENEMY Boys whenever they took the lift to their places causing them to be trapped there for bours until rescue came to them. Blasting ICE Water- those syrup water 10cent each in their letter boxes, seeing those ants crawling out of their letter boxes simply crack the best smiles within ourselves.
One guy who is really a rich kid join in our conquest as the yishun street roamers, he is one rich kid who is seriously neglected by his busy parents, always inviting us to Uncle ringo, paco funworld, distributing 50 dollar note to us after stealing from his parents. We really had the hell lots of fun then, all FOC...thats the best part...
There are more "terrible stuff" that we did which u can never never imagine. That is how unforgettable our childhood are!!

Kampong Kid then, a comeback kid now. That is how Ah san is remembered now.

Ah Na - Mama shop uncle was around to see Ah San for the last time, when ah san got from his shop some MAMMI(snack with a blue monster outside the yellow wrapper) crackers. Ah San actually ask this Ah Na uncle how is his child doing in School?

That just shows how mature this bro of mine had become. FRom this Ah Na uncle, i only come to knew that he is really so special. So special that he simply etched his presence in all the hearts of people around him....these are just some of his doings that simply touched us.

I know that he always "kao bei" me Ah Nam - his brother to some of his NTU hostel bunk mates and also to some of the dragon boat kakis that i cut down his monthly financial supply when it is term break time. I only did it because i want him to come back home more frequently.

I had always like his presence at home, he is always so XIAO SHA. How i wish i could be like him sometimes....Just like a drifter, i always like to associate him with this song.

It is Here i go again - By WhiteSnakes 1987

I dont know where Im going
But, I sure know where Ive been
Hanging on the promises
In songs of yesterday
An Ive made up my mind,
I aint wasting no more time
But, here I go again
Here I go again

Tho I keep searching for an answer,
I never seem to find what Im looking for
Oh lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on,
cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An here I go again on my own
Goin down the only road Ive ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An Ive made up my mind
I aint wasting no more time

Im just another heart in need of rescue,
Waiting on loves sweet charity
An Im gonna hold on
For the rest of my days,
cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An here I go again on my own
Goin down the only road Ive ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An Ive made up my mind
I aint wasting no more time

But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go...

An Ive made up my mind,
I aint wasting no more time

An here I go again on my own
Goin down the only road Ive ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An here I go again on my own
Goin down the only road Ive ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An Ive made up my mind
I aint wasting no more time...

But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go,
Here I go again...


Lastly...we would like to say this to u that
We are really proud of u.
We love u.

Love from all at home...
Ah Choo, Ah Sa Jei, Ah Boon Sen, Ah Lian, Ah Nam...