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At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
May your day, be a Shay Day.
- Mood:
good
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes.. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.
Couldn't have been more true. (: (except the gambling part!)
dance:
peace.
pride.
refuge.
joy.
love.
"Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another."
"When in doubt......dance!"
"Dancing is dreaming with your feet"
"Every day I count wasted in which there has been no dancing."
& my favourite:"Do not fear mistakes - there are none."
[No offence to anybody yea. It's purely for that little bit of humour. (:]
Q: How many RJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: 4 whole faculties. One fac to design the new bulb,one fac to test it out, one fac to market it and one guy to write a stupid Email about light bulbs.
Q: How many HCJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole school.....to compete with RJC.........
Q: How many VJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole school.......one to screw it in and the rest to cheer and wave flags and banners to give him/her support.
Q: How many NJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: NO LIGHT STILL CAN STUDY!!!!!
Q: How many AJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: They're too busy trying to be one of the top 5 JCs...
Q: How many ACJC students does it take to change light bulb??
A: None......they use all their money to employ YJC to do it for them.
Q: How many YJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: None.....only one teacher to tell them what a light bulb is in the first place and to demonstrate (how do you think they're able to change it for AC?)
Q: How many CJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: They'd prefer it darker..........(hmmm...*raise eyebrow*)......
Q: How many JJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: None......Their physics is so bad that they made the male teacher cry.....
Q: How many TPJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: Would they bother??
Q: How many MJC students does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None.They're too busy studying. trying not to get expelled..
Q: How many SAJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: None.....they believe in praying for it.
Q: How many NYJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: None.....they are still using oil lamps.
Q: How many SRJC students does it take to change a light bulb??
A: Huh, wat litebarb ...
Q: Dun you guys wonder who wrote this?
A: MI!
Q: How many MI students does it take to change the light bulb?
A: None. They think they are very bright already.
- Mood: happy
Every moment we shared together was special. I'll remember them.
Thank you. (:
- Mood:
numb - Moo-sic:With You - Chris Brown
Rehearsed so hard for the past 3 months for our showday, 3rd May. So much happened I've no idea where to start.
Memorable moments
-"WHERE'S FOUNDATION 1126!"
-"The honey water tastes weird!"
-The triple layer foundations + The works.
-Felicia's Zao Xia voice. HAHA. No offence, but I just found it cute.
-Singing "We Will Rock You" before getting hyped to own the stage.
-Crazy-high dancing under the blue light before stage curtains were lifted.
-Pseudo-dancing with the rest of the non-dancing casts backstage. Even Ms Chew & Shaikal joined in!
-The way the crowd cheered with standing ovation.
It was more than just 3 months of training. It was a time of bonding. The "cast" became "family". When someone was going through a rough period, the rest of us would help him/her get through it. Cast, if you're reading this, do you remember:
-The first time we stepped into LT4? We were mostly strangers to one another. Not even friends. Look at us now! :D
-The wonderful musical stay-over in school?
-The countless times we had vocal warm-ups? "Da huick browhn fuox jaoued o'er de la-ey gog!"
-All the rehearsals before we moved onto the hall. Chris' super funny warm-ups.
-And of course, all the actual training we had and the skills Chris, Ms Chew, Mr Tham and all the different teachers imparted to us?
I'll always hold them dear memories man.
I went with some of the dance team for supper after the musical, though all of us were overwhelmed by fatigue. Now thinking back, I'm pretty sure I wished for supper because I just didn't want the musical "feeling" to end. I just didn't want to let it go. Sigh.
EDIT:
Cast's MSN Nicks.
Been googling on the SR Musical to see what people had to say bout it. Heh, proud to annouced most of them LOVED it. :D
Besides that, there has been many messages being sent between us cast members, thanking each other for this wonderful journey. I'm pretty sure other performing groups have been doing the same too. Makes me miss it even more! :(
So, here's my turn! THANK YOU to all my fellow cast members. I'm sure we all wished the musical wouldn't end. All the great stuff we do each week. I guess it'll take a while before we finally get used to the fact that our journey as a cast has ended... BUT! Our journey as friends will continue yeah (: Thank you, to every single one of you. It's been an unforgettable trip.
Okay, enough of that super emo talk ! Here's some pics for those who weren't able to come down and enjoy the show. I'll upload more as I get them :D
( PICKTURES! )
One of the most memorable nights of my life.
Thanks to everyone who made the musical a success. (:
- Mood:
nostalgic - Moo-sic:Won't go home without you - Maroon 5
Look at the number of PI Drafts I wrote! Was so proud of the immense effort I put in. Yet, today, my PW t'cher called me up and told me in the face my final PI draft was a FAIL. Like, not even AE.
%*&$$@#.
Sigh. have to change idea for the 3rd time today. But at least he helped me in good faith that I'll churn out a nice pleasing PI tomorrow. actually today. Eh, I only have 6 hours to churn it out. Urgh, so dang tired. :(
On a better note,
Things have been better.
They'll continue getting better, I'm sure. (:
- Mood:
exhausted - Moo-sic:With You - Chris Brown
stand down.
loosen all worries.
release all expectations.
take life as it comes.
let's roll.
- Mood:
morose
Slept only 1.5 hrs yesterday. Going to sleep another 1.5 hrs tonight. :(
- Mood: tired
Credits to:
[All in the Draco team]
You guys were really REALLY awesome. 19 new pals man. Esp Maria for taking the responsibility as the leader without question, never once complaining about it, and even really making the team shine and bond closer together.
[Haniel, Bex, Yuen]
Man, you guys did well. Despite the little mess-up in the middle, don't let it discourage you okay. Freestyling was a really good way of getting out of that rut, and it took guts. kudos to you. AND for those outfits! shucks Draco ain't come near ya'll.
[Joanna]
HAHA DARL, Cetus didn't dress up too, just like Draco. Probably got like, 1/10 for costumes?! LOL. But your group's choreography was really dope. :D Esp you la, of course. HAHA. Well done! (:
[Rest of the friends who cheered for Draco]
You. Guys. ROCK.
- Mood: happy
- Moo-sic:Let's dance - Craig David
Sigh.
- Mood:
sad - Moo-sic:How to save a life - The fray
