PY's VOICE

As I remember it...
by Wang Meng Ngee, PY Batch '89

To all my beloved friends and family of SSEAYP

I have been travelling since I was twelve... by plane, by bus, by car and by train, but there was a trip I did when I was 19 that left a very clear memory in my mind. I remember very clearly because I celebrated my 20th birthday on board that beautiful, huge, white ship, and in a matter of two months of travel, I have come in contact with many friends and family from all over Asia.

"Nippon Maru Family", by Aarth, 8yrs old daughter of Suguna Ramasamy (ex-PY '89)

It was on this ship that I witnessed for the very first time, the beautiful blue, blue sea... the vast ocean, dolphins flying and fresh air. I felt for the first time strange feelings, what it feels like to be seasick, what it feels like sharing cabins with friends that you meet for the very first time, and putting yourself in a position where you have time to love and care for yourself. In return, you have time and energy to give others your love because you are not stressed out from work or problems.

It was a fantastic feeling...a feeling of freedom and excitement that one can never feel when on land. We are not rushing to work, we are not pressed for time, we have time to breathe the fresh air, and most of all we have time to talk to each other and exchange ideas. Some of us even end up falling in love... NATURE was on our side. We were happy and energized most of the time. We had time to love and care. TIME was on our side.

I have been witnessing horrible events since 1989, to name a few, the current war in Iraq, the New York twin tower incident in 2001, the Asia Stock Market crash in the mid 90's, retrenchment and unemployment, sudden deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Theresa.

To me, the political world has not learned from the past. Why are we Modern MEN still fighting all the time? Perhaps there is something in my childlike and innocent mind that keeps on thinking everyday... What are we fighting over?

1. Pieces of land - when there are so many - what is wrong with sharing or giving if one has too many? How much money or land does ONE REALLY NEED?
2. Religion - Yes! We all believe in different GODS... but I am sure each GOD wants us to respect each other's race and beliefs. You have your church and I have my temple and you have your mosque. Let us celebrate each other's beliefs instead of fighting over who is stronger than the other. VARIETY is NOT a BAD THING!
3. Weapons - What it does is destroy lives, nature, and pollute our minds. Are we going to raise our children to think that weapons and violence are part of our everyday life? No! I hope definitely not!

If only the world could live like the way we were on board Nippon Maru, where we were not fighting because he is Muslim and I am Buddhist. We were all doing activities together, sharing our culture, our costumes, our dances, our songs, our laughs, our jokes, our language, our cup noodles, our smiles and most of all, our help for each other when we were sick. We respected each other. We cared for each other. We were depending on each other. Today, I get to see how much we have grown, I see the extended family, the children, the wrinkles on their faces, the grey hair... We try to get every opportunity to meet each other when we can. We come together when someone is sick, we congratulate each other when someone gets married or have kids. We will continue to celebrate, laugh and cry together.

Thank you Nippon Maru...
You are the ship that has taught me how to be free, to be strong and independent, and to love freely. I cherish those wonderful past memories, and the friendship I have found in my friends, and hope that you continue to bring the same feeling and excitement to the next generation of youths!