And keep up the good work. At the beginning of the academic year you all were worried that there were too few new members to continue the long lineage of the Crew. But look at the activeness of the Crew now. You all are doing something at least twice a week. Major activities are cropping up regularly. There is a whole lot of closeness between members. This is far better than how it used to be like in my times (especially when Teng Han disappeared for sailing), and it is already a certain level of success you have achieved to me. Congratulate yourself in that, in reliving what many of your alumni used to keep close to their hearts. I bet the alumni would be proud of you all as I would be, even if they don't say it. Have faith in the club. Although I didn't start out well when I first came to SP Rovers (ok, it was partially because I was so different from the others in my batch- and older- that I couldn't fit in), I know it does not mean anything about my affiliation to Scouts, because sometimes it's not about whether others consider you as one of them, it's whether you consider it/them as part of you. I am a bit regretful though of some of my wasted experiences with the earlier batches of Rovers, though of course I can't deny there have been some great moments as well. It's true that there has been an issue of finding capable leaders that would take over from Teng Han and Jasper (and his committee), whom have done a tremendous job themselves, but to me it's more important that you emulate the good qualities of a Scout first. Only then will the leader in you come out naturally when the time comes for you to take responsibility, because you would've instinctively known what it takes when you carry out your duties. You see I usually stay out of your planning of activities not because I dunno anything at all or I feel that that I'm not in the authority to say anything (although it probably is partially true haha!) but because I trust that Teng Han and Jasper have more background (not just leadership experiences) than me to know what do what's best for SP Rovers. Try your best to get the background, learn the ropes (literally and figuratively) and attitudes they have so that they can hand over the leadership with a peace of mind.
And take pride in what you are representing in the bigger picture, as representatives of the world's largest youth movement of over 40 million members. Scouts unfortunately is declining in numbers and spirit in Singapore, however you guys still have a certain amount of power to make sure that this treasure in humanity never die. Scouts share a unique, universal bond and background that other youths may miss out, and so the movement is counting on you all to live the BP Spirit out in your Scouting and daily activities to keep it alive. It's no longer a mere CCA where you just come and enjoy and take off with CCA points; it's an identity that grows on you that makes you feel part of something much larger for life.
One thing that you guys, as a brotherhood, that would be great if you cultivate is empathy. Not saying you don't have (I'm sure Jasper and others have particularly been very nice :) ), but I'm just saying if you all could develop a strong culture of "Leaving No Scout Behind", that would makes SP Rovers stand out even more than other CCAs, uniformed groups and youth organizations. Take genuine concern in your fellow Scouts' personal well-being. If any of your fellow Scout falls behind in Scouting or in life, or is feeling down-and-out, lift him/her up voluntarily and inspire some hope and spirit into them. Every single Scout is part of the troop/crew; a troop/crew is incomplete and cannot move forward together when one is left behind. You know, actually this is a part of my story I forgot to share at the Ubin Campfire, a story similar to the "person I said whom we may be different on the outside but similar in the inside" (you know who hehe)...I used to be like some of you now- I felt lost, left out, doing horribly, and felt like I was being judged by others for being different- not being able to "get into the flow" of everyone else, whether was it in Scouts or in other places. But I got empowered when I felt genuine acceptance and encouragement from my fellow Scouts like Sapphire, and that's why I start to come out of my shell and felt a little more at home in Rovers. It would be wonderful if you all let more of that happen in SP Rovers, because compassion is a core quality in brotherhood. Embrace the diversity of talents as well as imperfections in yourselves and in your fellow Scouts that makes all of you beautiful in your own ways.
Once I get my issues ironed out, I will be leaving for the United States very soon. I may not come back to Singapore for at least 3 years. Who knows where we will be 3 years later. And so it will be a difficult goodbye to you all, especially who I consider my brother Teng Han. You guys are one of my last group of friends in Singapore, and I will always look back to this one moment in time when I had one of the most heartfelt memories. I hope that you do treasure your experiences like I did in SP Rovers eventually as you move on in life. Let's make a Scout promise to continue this tradition of brotherhood through legacies, continue communication on Skype LOL (Skype name: ardindelmundial) and keep me updated of your progress...and that we will meet again one day later in life.
Take care,
Your alumni-in-Rovering .|||. ,
Jia Xiong
Here's a song for you all, especially dedicated to my brother in Scouts :) I have been listening to it since I visited Sungai Petani ;)
回忆里的疯狂 (光良)- Crazy Memories (Michael Wong Guang Liang)
我跌进了 温暖的时空 I fell into a time and space of warmth
年少追的梦 都已尘封 The dreams we chased when we were young are all covered in dust
一点一点 收在我心中 Bit by bit, kept in my heart
再没说过 要跟谁走到 世界尽头 I haven't said before who I'm going with to the world's end
再没做过 谁门前的等候 I haven't done it again, while waiting in front of someone's door
几次爱过 越伤过越不回头 A few times I loved, but the more I got hurt the more I don't want to turn back
我 已不是 最初那个我 I am already not who I used to be.
心里有一个属于你的地方 There's a place in my heart that belongs to you
在我们最无畏的岁月闪著光 Lighting up our fearless years
那一天狂乱的雨淋湿 你的倔强 That day the thunderous crazy rain wet your stubbornness
看着你 我看著天堂 Looking at you, I saw heaven
知道你现在 过得不错 Now knowing that you're getting by well
我也有我 想要的生活 I also have the life I want
也许一生都 不再重逢 Maybe we won't meet again in life
你的笑容 永在我心中 But your smile will always be in my heart
再没说过 要跟谁走到 世界尽头 I haven't said before who I'm going with to the world's end
再没做过 谁门前的等候 I haven't done it again, while waiting in front of someone's door
几次爱过 越伤过越不回头 A few times I loved, but the more I got hurt the more I don't want to turn
我 已不是 最初那个我 I am already not who I used to be!
感谢有一段回忆里的疯狂 Thankful that we have this time of crazy memories
在我们最无畏的岁月闪著光 Lighting up our fearless years
那一天狂乱的雨淋湿 你的倔强 That day the thunderous crazy rain wet your stubbornness
看着你 我看著天堂 Looking at you, I saw heaven
感谢那一段回忆里的疯狂 Thankful for that time of crazy memories
不管我走了多远都不会遗忘 No matter how far I go, I will never forget
那一天一道彩虹划破 你的泪光 That day an arc of a rainbow tore up your tears
我不想 让你再受伤 I don't wanna let you get hurt again
你是我最初的想望 You were my first source of hope
