The 2I Circle

9 of us, once from the same class, more than a decade back, gathered around a table in Marche on Saturday night.

So here we were, the teacher, the almost-a-teacher, a couple of defence science engineers, an ORD person, two media stars, the PhD candidate, and the early bird (very married and quite, quite pregnant).

It was interesting to see those people again, never mind the fact I do still hang out with at least 3 of them, albeit separately.

We held our own little conversations, merging and dividing our attention as well as 9 people can, listening to and sharing stories at the same time. I was horribly sidetracked for a while when Yew Jin and Jiaming started on the former’s PhD thesis on game theory, with particular emphasis on The Angel Problem (Link as a reference for myself to find out more when times permits and interest perpetuates). Not that I understand fully what was being exchanged, but it was utterly fascinating to see two grown men in serious academic discussion. Yew Jin even illustrated his points on the napkin. I guess I am still very inclined towards the intellect(uals). I was originally caught up in another conversation, but the sight of them (just opposite me) lost in their own cyber geek world is, well, intriguing, like totally. Utter turn on.

I did take a snapshot of them downplaying their intelligence though. (See previous post)

I was taken aback though, when it was just Jiaming, Ryan, and myself left, and Jiaming revealed how at least two of our ex-classmates have commented (in private) what a pity it was that B hadn’t lived up to his student days and is only *whatever* he is now. That he should have been capable of achieving more.

Now, before anyone writes off B as scum and a let-down, c’mon, this is someone who received a PSC scholarship to Imperial College, and is to serve his bond. How is it justified that he hadn’t lived up to “expectations”, what kind and whose - those belonging to our ex-classmates, who have projected their dreams and ideals on the poor chap? I just don’t see the validity of the statement. It was unkind and uncalled for (even if they meant well, or very possibly, nothing at all), and saddening to hear such remarks being passed.

Said Jiaming coolly, a (the) gathering is like an opportunity to tell people your achievements.

Well, I’m sure that formed part of it and belonged to the least important bit.

My thrust? Still harping on the same point as in an earlier post: we are all “elites” in the pathetically classic sense (from the acknowledged and accepted pedigree schools) and yet we shoulder a ridiculous burden. If we turn out to be only mediocre and average elites, it’s like we 对不起 The World and ourselves. Tragic! And mind you, three of us are scholars, five, if you throw in the teachers, and we struggle like everyone else, if not more against heavy judgments and prejudices. Well maybe the government scholars have it that tad smoother :X

But I love my Dunman High 2I class! We are together, what's left, in this maddening world, and it’s enough for now for me to soldier on.

How we have degenerated and developed so - what hunks and babes we are now and how cute we were then!