Goodbye my Friend

I first met him during the secondary 2 camp at Jalan Behtera where he was both my group mate and bunk mate. Initially when he introduced himself to me, I was very intrigued by his name as it was very unique, perhaps even more unique then mine. Up till now, whenever I see him (or should I say saw him), the image of a teddy bear would always spring into my mind, like it was synonymous to his name. During the camp I found that he was a nice chap whom was full of nonsense, like every other guys and the entire group of us had lots of fun. The camaraderie that all of us shared is something that would linger in my mind for a long time to come.

I still remembered during the Secondary 3 overseas trip to Penang where he thrashed everyone in the 42km cycling activity. He was already quite a triathlon enthusiast then and it was made apparent when he was decked out in his cycling suit and gears with that thousand dollar bike by his side. During the cycing journey, he was way ahead of the pack--he was so good that he was actually keeping pace with the patrol car that was supposed to lead us througout the 42km. After the activity most of us were suffering from sores and aches (especially around the groin area) but he on the other hand still looked relatively fresh. I was thoroughly impressed by his fitness and I'm sure the other guys in my group would concur with me too.

Back in school I knew him as the kind of person who was rather laid back in his studies and he really knew how to slack, which was the norm for us then. After that I would sometimes chat up with him along the school corridors as we are not classmates. If memory serves me right, i think we had ran race together before, should be the 4 x 100m relay I guess. We came in 2nd that year. I didnt really catch with him during the graduation year back in Cat High cause I guess everyone was busy with their own commitments. I heard from Hansen that the last time he saw him was at Macritchies reservoir when he was there for a morning jog with Shaun. I originally intended to join them for the run but I was a no show in the end as I was dead tired on that day due to a late night the previous night. I'm beginning to regret a little for not being more deciplined and go for the morning run.

During secondary 3 for chinese lesson, our first chapter had something to do about cherishing those around you as you would never know when they would depart. The significance of that message had never made a lasting impression on me--until yesterday morning, 24th June 2007. That day was a day of solemn for most of us who knew him on a personal level as I'm pretty sure everyone was taken abacked by the sudden news of his departure. I for one is certainly one of them. Even though some of my friends thought that i was apathetic to this tragedy as I seemed to be ignorant of the event in school, but trust me, I am not emotionless. I'm more inclined to masking my feelings with layers of bravado which may cause me to appear uncaring in nature.

Yo if you can hear me I just wanna tell you this:

I'M PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN YOU, MY FRIEND

This posting goes out to you

Thaddeus Cheong

Ex Catholic High Gentleman

RJC Student

Friend to many