Welcome to East Side Singapore...!!!!!! (Day Three, Part 1: A visit to Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah)

I can barely sleep the night before since my aunt has agreed to bring me to Madrasah Aljunied after I persuaded her on our way back last night.

So, by 5, I was up, and by 6:15, I was ready.I had packed my luggage, I have bathed...Yes, I was THAT excited. Who wouldn't be, having got to go to their dream school which is literally located hundreds of miles away from home... 

I got on the computer and obtained the directions from Google Maps(LOLL!!!). After my aunt was ready, we set off from Little India to Bugis at about 7 a.m. We have to back by 8:40 a.m though, since we would board the bus at 9 a.m.

I was nervous, since this is my first visit to Singapore, and I don't know the street names that well. According to the directions, I was supposed to turn into Weld Rd.(I think) and we would pass through Arab St. before moving into Victoria St. However, I ended up going the opposite direction, and instead of Arab St., I had to straddle along Kallang Rd. 

Luckily, I know where I was going from there,since I memorized every single street in the vicinity of my destination. I entered Victoria Lane at 7:15, but something made my blood run cold; the sight of Juniedians in their full uniform (white tudung/shirt for the boys and black jubah/pants). I was like, "Wait... none of the Juniedians told me that anyone's schooling today...!!!!!"

Like I explained, I always wanted to meet my Juniedian friends/acquaintances, but on this day, my failed enlistment attempt has made me scared to meet any of them, since the news of my failure may have spread among the Juniedians. And some of them knew my face and name, which is the reason I was scared. I only got over my fears AFTER I returned.

 At around 7:20 a.m, I was literally in front of Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah. My thoughts were:

"I can't believe I'm at Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah; Finally, after hearing so much of this place, I'm finally here...!!!!!!!!!"

I was smiling from ear to ear from the time I was in front of Victoria Lane. But I was scared to enter the school grounds, truth be told, since my friend told me that if you want to enter the school, you had to make an appointment. However, I quickly realized that was not the case, when my aunt entered the school grounds with no repercussions whatsoever, I went in. I felt honored, somewhat. There's a myriad of feelings, from happiness to dissapointment to feeling honored and a lot others, it almost overwhelmed me.

My aunt was greeted by a middle-aged lady, possibly in her 40s to her early 50s, who might be a staff member or parent of a Juniedian. We shook hands. The lady asked us what are we here for. My aunt explained that I was interested in enlisting, but was rejected, and that we came here just to visit. She asked me what level I'm signing up for. I answered with a "Menengah Empat(Secondary 4)," and she replied, "Oh, Secondary Four is full, I think," in Malay. I hung my head in defeat, knowing that any chances of somehow getting called up in the future is close to zero.

But she said , "You can try out again for pre-U," I asked her, "They will look at your STE results, right????" "Yes," "What about O-Levels?" "I'm not sure..." This lifted my spirits a bit, and I felt good; now that I had known the reasons for my failure and that I have a second chance. "Hmm, pre-U it is then..." She said  that she'll pray for me and wished me luck before we parted. I walked around the school a bit, but not passing the receptionist's office, since I didn't actually make an appointment prior to my visit. I was amazed; the school, although small, was beautiful and nicely maintained; a contrast to my current school, SMK USJ 4.

Suddenly, from the front area, I saw three Juniedians, a guy and two girls (presumably siblings) walking along the walkway outside the gates. I FREAKED, I TELL YOU...!!!!! My heart was beating outside my chest, and my brain starting pumping thoughts of, "Hey look! Maybe those are your Twitter acquaintances..." I tried to quell the thoughts, but to little effect. We met at the gate, with the boy saying, "Assalamualaikum,". We returned the greeting. But if there's anything, it's the boy's face. I knew I saw him somewhere.

However, I ignored it. I gestured to my aunt to take a picture at the school's sign once we're outside. I took one picture, and as soon as it was done, I turned my head to the left to see more Juniedians arriving. I tried to take off, but common sense took over, and I walked calmly.

Well, I looked calm. My 5 senses was on full-alert due to my fear, my heart was beating outside my chest, and I felt a pit forming in my stomach. Each time I passed a Juniedian, I scanned their faces for familiar ones.

Thankfully, there was none, and we took a cab back to Syed Alwi Rd, where the others are waiting.

I felt really really happy, and also a sense of accomplishment. I never stopped smiling at Victoria Lane, and it would continue until we reached Bedok North. That's how happy I was.

Of all the places I went to, Madrasah Aljunied  was the most significant. Hadn't I been there, I wouldn't have known I have a second chance.

And I'm really grateful for that.