#16

Lee Wan Yii

     Yesterday morning, as I was entering the school compound that was the venue for my SATs, I was feeling quite nervous but kept trying to calm myself down. As I walked through the gate, I saw the security guard watching every student enter. He looked quite old, and slightly grumpy. What I didn’t understand was why no one was greeting him. After all, he must have woken up quite early to come for his job and ensure that he could perform his duty and ensure our safety! So I smiled at him and said, “Good morning, Uncle! Thank you!” and bowed to him. Immediately, he broke into a grin and replied, “Good morning; good luck!” I felt really warm inside and most of my worries vanished. Right after that, the two friends I was with did the same, and the other students streaming in behind us followed suit in greeting him. I think if Hwan were in my situation, this would not be something that he would think twice about. I also would treat it as something quite basic, but I mention it here because it also really shows that every little gesture of kindness you extend can inspire others, or at least make a difference, brightening everyone’s day, including your own, and I thought Hwan would embody that – doing what is basic and right whether or not others are doing it, because of your own standards and of what you know respect and kindness can do.

     I woke up extra early today. Sundays are usually the only days I get to sleep in a bit and catch up on all the sleep I’ve lost in the week, but I tried waking up early today with the intention of setting up breakfast for everyone, just like how Hwan would put his family before his own needs. (Unfortunately, Auntie Lina was going to church and planned to have breakfast outside even when I insisted I make her a cup of coffee L.) I made a jug of hot milo for everyone and set up the plates, and helped Scarf as he tried eating his breakfast (it was a bit inconvenient for him to eat with his cone so I held his bowl up for him). We had a nice breakfast of croissants and milo J After that and giving Scarf a bath, I asked my mother if I could bake my own batch of chocolate chip cookies. She supervised a fair bit, but I’m happy with the product, and I’m happy I got to do something with my mom (and she’s always wanted me to try baking anyway xD). Though Hwan wouldn’t necessarily bake cookies on a weekend morning, he would do things to spend time with his mother and show his appreciation for her, and I thought I’d do just that today. After we were done, we were satisfied and prepared lunch together. On Sunday mornings, I usually wake up later (at 9a.m.) and spend my morning on personal things, but today I spent my whole morning with my family, and I gained so much from it. My mom’s happy I am slightly more familiar with baking now, and I’ve got a whole batch of cookies to share with everyone! I plan to bring these cookies to school and give them to whoever I think might need some cheering up (assuming they think my cookies taste good; I think they do!!).

     While I was waiting for my cookies to cool in the kitchen, my brother was having his piano class in the house with his piano teacher, who comes once a week. I never really got a chance to talk to her before, except for an occasional greeting here or there. I only knew from my mother that she was Malaysian too, and that she lived in Singapore with her two children while her husband had to run a family business in KL, so she earned money from giving piano lessons and had to raise her two children by herself. I had an idea and packed six of my cookies into a nice goodie bag and gave them to her after the piano lesson to eat with her children at home. She smiled at me and thanked me really sincerely. I didn’t get to talk to her because she was just leaving and had to rush off, but I really hope that she and her children will enjoy the cookies and have a good day. Hwan would do the same in taking any opportunity to make someone’s day better :)