'A Conversation With The Blogging God'

In this week's edition of 'A Conversation With The Blogging God', I manage to catch up with one of my close friend back in BNSS. We had a lot of good times together back then we had a lot of fun together as well. Some people say he is fair as in his skin color, some people say he has a funny way of speaking, which sounds like a British accent, maybe because of too much lesson at the British Council, but to me it doesnt matter how he look or speak like. He will always be the same person. He's a Chelsea supporter and he is none other than Tan Zhuan Liang. Let us begin...


Hi Zhuan Liang. Nice to talk to you again. How have you been and where are you now?

Hey there. It's been a while yes? Life's been good so far, except for moments when I think life was harsh on me. Yeah. I'm at Meridian Junior College now (smiles) .

It is nice to know you are doing well. Now, we all know you did very well for the 'O' Level examination and you had many option to choose from in terms of where you are heading next, but why choose Junior College and not, lets say, Polytechnic?

Hmm. This question ran through my head many times, why JC? and not Polytechnic? Honestly, after the N' Level examinations, I decided to head to a Junior College, because I believe I can excel in the Junior College route. Polytechnics are starting to get all the attractions and attentions these days, it did occur to me that I would change my tertiary education. Despite having able to choose many course, there were only two polytechnic courses that really stood out for me. I felt that Law & Management (Temasek Polytechnic) and Accounting (Singapore Polytechnic) were cool and had prospects in life, but I chose Junior College since I was not so certain about taking up these courses. Anyway, both routes are equally good, despite their different education system.

I see. So that was why you decided to go to Junior College. But was Meridian Junior College your preferred choice? If so, why?

Frankly, at the start of last year, I felt that there was a level playing field, and there was a feeling of a 'brand new start' for me. Intially, I wanted to go to Raffles Junior College as I wanted to go against all odds to be the first secondary 5 to be there, but after the Term 1 results, I realized that my Mother Tounge was hindering my progress. (I needed an A1 for it, but I could not achieve it, though I tried). Then I felt that Saint Andrews Junior College was the ideal college for me. I tried to appeal there through the Direct School Admission, but it did not work out since badminton was not their niche sports. For the PAE, I placed SAJC as my first choice, Meridian Junior College as second, and Catholic Junior College as my third. Somehow I thought I would enter my third choice, but I ended up in Meridian Junior College. Even after the O' level result, I wanted to place the same order, but my time at MJC during the PAE made me felt wanted. So, I decided to stay there. Frankly, I was hoping that MJC would not accept me in, and I'll get into SAJC, but it did not happen. I was wanted to be part of the Saint's history and culture, but somehow I felt that my work would not be well taken care of.

And that is why you have decided to go into a Junior College instead of Polytechnic. Is there anything that you like or hate about Junior College now that you have experienced life as a JC student?

I realized that I fail almost every test there, and it is not easy to digest a big 'U' grade on the paper. It is hard to get up and continue with life. I felt that it would make me stronger since I believe Failure is the mother of success. One thing I like about Junior College is that there is more freedom in the school, and also there are hot girls around (laughs). But I heard there would be more hot stuffs at Polytechnics. Anyway, life is not about having beautiful girls around you.

I would have to agree with you there. Moving on, how would you compare life in Junior College as to Secondary school? Is there a huge difference in terms of the way everything is being run or is it pretty much the same?

The schedule is not like secondary school. I cannot go to shopping malls or places of leisure anymore during the weekdays. Most of the time, the lessons starts at 7.25am and ends at 5.05.pm. This doesnt apply to every JC though. Teachers = tutors. And normally, we call them by "Sir" and "Madam", with respect. Unlike secondary school, there is a little more liberty in the school, where there is one day when the students go to school at 8.30am. Another difference is that in JC, there is a strong spirit build upon. (Like supporting the school's soccer team, singing the school song, school events etc). There is not much differences really.

I heard that you have decided to take floorball as your CCA. Why floorball and not other sports like your CCA in secondary school, the badminton?

I wanted a new breath of life. Moreover I could not make it to the school badminton team, they are really good. Since the college is the champions in floorball, I wanted to give it a try. It is a really fast sport. I am trying to improve in every game and drills, and it is not easy. My aim is to make it to the school team. Frankly, I wanted to join my school band too, but felt that the college's band was not run like the secondary school's band.

Wow, school band huh? That's interesting. Anyway, going back to the past, since the last time you step into our old school, BNSS, is there anything that you miss about it?

There are so many things I missed about BNSS. Let me see, I miss the teachers, the food, the beautiful people around, badminton, and not forgetting my class. The food in BNSS is not only nice and cheap. In College, I would always think about how wonderful the food back then would taste like. (Especially Aini's father stall, Zhen Zhen Cooked Food). I missed the teachers a lot since they were the ones who shaped me up and impart their knowledge. I enjoyed talking to Mr Lee about how life has changed. I missed how Mrs Fong would take swipe at my ego, and that helped to instill a stronger confidence in me. I missed how Mdm Low and Mdm Wong gave me the trust and belief to do well. Mdm Low and Mrs Foo were like my second mothers, who took good care of me. I also missed how I could talk nonsense duing English Lessons, and how Miss Tan and Mdm Sultana gave me the liberty to do so. I missed how the class would have fun during the lessons. I missed the wonderful people around. I missed talking to lower secondary students, advising them not to be like me, and be someone better. I miss a couple of sweet faces too (laughs). It's getting personal (laughs).

(Laughs). Alright, like I have said earlier, we all know you did well in the 'O' Level examination. But what was your secret behind your success? I am sure many of us want to know.

Being in Normal Academic does not make one short of confidence, but it gave me a little boost to do well in the 'O' Level examintaions. I am not those super muggers/nerds living in this world. Frankly, I study when I feel like doing it, and go excercise when I feel stress or play when I don't feel like studying. Some people say they could do last minute study and ace the O's, but it doesn't work out all the time. There is no secret behind the scenes, all I did was prepare myself and finish the ten year series during the June holidays. After that it was all about doing other school's paper, and that's all. If going to tution centres is a secret, then it was another key behind the success. At British Council, I met many of friends who were from other schools. Many of them were of better schools. Learning and sharing life's events with them certainly make my world expand a little. I still keep in touch with them, trading our lives' story.

Keeping faith with God also helped me, at times I felt like giving up. But I was determined and I thank God for guiding me through my secondary life. My family also gave me the push to do well, especially my mom. And if the remainder of 'don't be like your brother' from Mrs Fong was a push factor, I have nothing to say. And sometimes it is not about listening to the teachers that would do you good. Think, be smart, do what's good for you. Clements, Hayati and I sat during Geography lesson and spot our own topic to study, not listening to the teacher's advice. It did work out. We had B3, A2, A1. So that is an average of A2. Not bad for students who didn't listen to their teachers. I bet nobody thought I would do so well in the O level. Well, I surprised myself too. It ain't about competing with your classmates, I felt that it was all about doing your best, and choosing the next route in life.

No wonder you did well. Now looking at the future, what are your plans after JC?

After the 'A' level exam, I would be heading to the army to serve the nation. After that, I think I would be in University. I hope to enter National University of Singapore or SMU to study accountancy, if I managed to do well for my A's. I want to get a job that provides a lot of money (laughs). I want to be richer and travel around the world within my lifetime (smiles). I plan to get married too. (If she agrees, laughs) wait. I'm still far from a relationship yet (laughs).

(Laughs). And finally, do you have anything to say to our former classmates?

Well, I seriously miss the class. I think we have all gone to different paths in life, the roads are blocked and things might not be so easy. Just be cool and hip, time is meant to be enjoyed. And we have wonderful memories to look back on, we could tell this to our children or grand-children. It's worth to think and talk about it. Maybe someday we shall organize a class outing or a get-together. (How about the holidays?) I miss you guys... Take Care And God Bless!


Well we did have a mini get-together recently and Zhuan Liang was among the guys who came down so I hope that it has help to ease your feelings someway or another. We have come to the end of the conversation. It was a long one but was worth the time reading I guess. For more interviews, continue to visit my blog, where everything is great.