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Friday, May 11, 2007
棱檬茶的甜 
"Tsou Wai Ting. Please tell us about your favourite food or drink.""Yes, Patrik Sir,I like to drink lemon tea.I like to drink them because they are sweet and remind me of happy things."This was a model answer Wai Ting gave during English Class in Primary2.Indeed, Wai Ting has had an affection for lemon tea since young. She just could'nt live without drinking them once a day. Her parents and relatives have told her not to drink too much as the sugar was bad for ther teeth. "Don't drink too much sugary drinks. We don't want to see you with broken teeth," they would say.But Wai Ting had her own philosophy:( People who eat sweet stuff are happy people because sugar brings sweetness to their lives. Besides they help inject energy into youand allows you to pursue happiness.)
Perhaps she was right afterall. From primary School to Secondary School, her life was filled with happiness and joy. She had everything a child needed. She had a nicewarm home in KwunTong, doting parents, a wonderful brother and nice relatives. In school, her life was equally good. her feedback from teachers were often excellent and she had lots of friends. Her acadamia was exceptional, clintching first in level positions every year. With the exception of her short height, she had everything a girl wanted. She had good looks and had a face any guy would die for. Her life could only be described as "一帆风顺" She was always happy and a sweet mile was always seen hanging from her face.When she topped the district in her O levels, her parents and grandparents took their day-off form their daily routine to celebrate for her. it seemed as if she had gotten an "Imperial Scholarship".
When she set off on her journey in High School, her family had high expectations of her. Her teachers were equally confident that she would do well and get a place in the prestigious Hong Kong University. She studied hard and her grades were exceptional. Her A level release fell on the same day as her grand father's 80th Birthday (八十大寿) Her family had expected a double surprise"双喜临门". it was expected that she would score for her As.However, that proved not to be the case.Her A levels were only mediocre. She had a B and 3 Cs. Her dreams of getting into HKU were dashed. She was hounded by friends and teachers finding out what had heppened. She did'nt want to go to her grandfather's birthday dinner as it would be such a shame for her to show her mediocre scores. But her mother persuaded her and she decided to go. Her grandfather had doted on her and it would be such a disrespect to be absent at such an important event.When Wai Ting reached her grandparent's place, she was again hounded by her relatives. All wanting to know how well she did. She could not take it anymore. She dared not show her face to her relatives who had expected so much from her. She dashed out of the flat and ran towards a nearby carpark and cried. She had never cried so hard in her life. Her mother chased after her. Her mother tapped her gently on the shoulder." So what if you can't get into HKU? You can always go to other universities in Hing Kong. There are still many universities you can choose from.You have tried you best, we wont blame you.."From that day onwards, Wai Ting never drank lemon tea again. Her liking of sweet stuff was also gone. In her past 18 years of living she finally knew the meaning of utter failure. Life is not seet afterall. Sometimes life just seems to taste bitter.Thanks to her family support, smiles returned to her face. Wai Tin got herself a place at City University(城市大学) in Kowloon Tong(九龙糖). Her university life was not bad. She made a number of new friends and she coped well with her acadamics. Life seemed to return to normal.It was after some time that Wai Ting apprached the Vitasoy drink machine again. She hesitated for a while before tapping her Octopus. She pressed hard on the Vita lemon tea button. The first taste of lemon tea was heavenly. The flavour of tea and the sweetness of sugar filled her mouth as the liquid flowed into her mouth. She had never felt so good for so long. But happiness was not to last.Wai Ting soon got attracted to Kit Zai, the (校草). Kit Zai was the guy of her dreams. He had good looks and she could not live without seeing him at least once a day. To Kit Zai, WaiTing was just another cute girl downt the street. But slowly both of them grew closer and got into relationship.Love was sweet, just like lemon tea. But it was just as bitter too. Six months after their relationship started, they broke up. Kit Zai had found someone of "better quality" and she was left...alone...The pain was scorching. Her heart was frozen solid. From the day they broke up, Wai Ting's eyes were perpetually coloured red. Her senses seemed to detect only one taste. Bitterness. Happiness was erased eintriely from her mind. Often, she did'nt know what she wanted in life. While waiting for the KCR, she always had a temptation to jump onto the tracks whenever a train was approaching. Life has lost its meaning until...It was a December morning when her grandfather was struck with a stroke. He was ruched into hospital and docotrs took almost hlaf the day to save him. After almost 6 hours of surgery, his condition was stabilized but he was in a coma. When she was her beloved grandfather in such a battered state, Wai Ting wept. It took her grandfather almost a week for him to regain consiousness. Wai Ting was there to see him. A sense of relief swept over her.That was probably the happiest day of her life...After her grandfather was discharged, Wai Ting spent ample time looking after him, taking him on regular walks. On one occasion they passed by another Vita Drink machine. Her grandfather bought a packet of lemon tea and stuffed it into her hand. 
" Drink this." he said.
"Why?"
"Just do as I say..."
Cautiously, Wai Ting plunged the plastic starw into the packet and slowly sipped out the liquid.
"Is it nice?"
"Yea...it's sweet...and there's the taste of lemons and tea leaves too..."
"What does tea taste like?"
"Bitter."
"Lemons?"
"Sour."
"Imagine how this drink would taste like if we removed all the lemons and tea leaves."
Wai Ting paused for a while. She finally understood what her grandfather had wanted to say.
"then it would be just sugar and water then.." she replied
Lemon tea would not be lemon tea without lemons,sugar and tea leaves. If we were to remove just any one of these ingrediants it would not be lomon tea anymore. Life is like a packet of lemon tea. Though it has one more flavour: spice. Together, these four flavours( 甜酸苦辣)form the base of our life. Without any of these flavours, life would'nt be as we know it today. Happiness and bitterness are just parts of our lives and no matter how bad or good you are today does not translate to the "you" of tommorow.
Wai Ting smiled and looked into her grandfather's eyes." You'll return back to your normal health soon."
End
Notes: This story has been adapted from "甜饴密语" by Chow Suk Ping. I have translated and modified some parts of the story for easier understanding for a Singaporean audience.
Hope fellow JC muggers and O level paddlers are aware of this too: o matter how suay you are today, does not mean you will have a suay future. Stay focused on your goal and keep positive. Enjoy! =)
usual Crap
Oh well, went through the wierd.serious and funny Biz Club exco interview. So far, all six of us O deparment people seemed to have done well...hope we all get to do our rallies..jiayou people!
Presently down with a Frikkin fever..F***..next week got 3 tests!!! Grr...
Labels: breakthrough, Lemon tea
6:00 PM
