Life in Boarding School (Part 2)

I have share some of my experiences of the first day in boarding school in the previous post. (Life in Boarding School - Part 1).

As far as i have come to know, there isn't many chinese parents especially, willing to send their children far away from home for study.

They have this one kind of mentality. They think that If they sent their kids to a boarding school, their kids will grew some mouthstache, got circumcised, and get converted within the next 1 week and looked like Osama on return upon graduation.

So, i feel like i have the call for duty to share with you on the life in a boarding school - from a Chinese boy perspective.

The schedule or routine in a boarding school can be described in one word - The Kenny Sia Way. (When Routine isn't exactly normal).

5.30am - Woke up from bed, heading to shower. Cursing while showering on why there isn't any water heaters being made available.

6.30am - "Roll Call" aka gathering infront of school main building, to sing Negaraku and occasionally, fingernails and hair inspection. Entitled a free haircut if selected. Hairstyle? Only one - Go Bald.

7.30 am until 1pm - Class Started.

1pm-2pm - Lunch.

3pm-5pm - "Prep Class"

5.30 - 6.30 - Outdoor activities/sports/anything that sweat you off.

7pm - Dinner time. Ma de. Ikan Besi again. (The so called "iron fish" nicknamed because the fish is so hard that it felt like a stone.

8pm-10pm - Prep Class again.

This routine will get repeated over and over again for every week. We get the chance for an outing only on Saturday, and Sunday for the church-goers only. Once we were out from school, rules are still applied as you must wear your school uniform and Batik shirt only.

That's the only day that i know my Muslims friends dreamed to get converted to become a Christian.

Thinking back it was so insane. I still remembered i saw my friend hiding in a supermarket just because she is wearing her jeans and tops during the outing, and so happened that our discipline teacher is on the round. (Note: On a SPOT CHECK round in bloody PARKSON??). If you get caught, you are grounded for the next two weeks.

This is what we do for the five long years. Yes, you heard me.

Over the next five years, my life is only filled with books. Occasionally with fights which i try to avoid unless i have to enter my self defense.

But it also turn me in to a big boy ever since. Come what may, i will get through that. Punches? No problem. Bullies? Bring it on. Wash my own underwear? How i wish i could have a washine machine there.

As it was fully sponsored by government, you have to be smart in some ways to keep your spot. Straight As? Thats your job. SPM Grade 1, good work. Other than that are considered as failures. This doesn't goes down too well to my cousin when i told them about this. They always treated me like the most intelligent man on the planet. And they think i could build a space craft out of my bare hands, whatever.

While writing this, i asked myself if given a chance would i go back to boarding school again?

Definitely a YES.

It is not a luxury, but more of a growing up process that not everyone can get in their lifetime. Afterall it is free of charge!

And it doesn't turn me into Osama anyway.