Stephen, was, at first sight, cold and unfriendly. Dark and fierce-looking, albeit with a cute voice - if hilariously - spoken, he was more like a favourite teacher than a hardcore paddler. I never expected we could communicate because I thought he would not want to waste time talking to people not within his league - but I thought wrong. As a friend, he was really sincere and truthful, as a teammate, he never say die, and as a school mate, he was always there to give advice. His personality was magnetic: never pass judgement on others, and his happy-go-lucky attutide was infectious - people around him are always smiling.
Stephen completed his course in NIE last semester. The last time I teased him and pissed him off was at Tianjin airport when I hid his motor-learning textbook away. The last time we had lunch together was a few weeks ago before the exam when he was back to do some project. The last time he praised me was during one of the last land trainings. The last time I raced with him was during Regatta in the Civil-Service category under Team MOE. The last time I chatted online with him was a few days before Cambodia.
Stephen was a very sincere friend. He would never say no to his friends' requests. He willingly lent me his harddisk and notes as reference. He was never boastful with his exceptional fitness; and the 'xmas-tree' at his back was idolized by all. He was an inspiration and a great motivator. Though he's gone now, he will always be in our hearts, our minds.
Boon San and Stephen had something in common - they were both very fit - on land and in water. They were well-known in the team for their pristine pace-sense in competitions. Not just that, they possessed immense mental strength that were unmatched by many. They would, join the school team for trainings - straight after theirs with the national, without complains; and they never failed to deliver the consistent effort required from them.
As a figure of speech, Boon San was someone I love to hate - for I can't do the many things he could do well in. He was a very real guy. He may sound like he had the knack of picking up a fight with anyone - but we all know he had a soft and caring heart. He was well-loved by all in the team, for his valuable contributions and pinpoint accuracy in giving feedback and debriefs. Boon San's results and work attitude were very positive. From a proofreading of his FYP, it was evident that he had took pains and effort to producing that few hundred pages of writeup. It showed how well he balanced and managed his school works and training, and it also showed how disciplined and responsible he was as a team-player.
I remember there was one occasion in the library last year - when he blew his top at me and threw my bananas away. I was very affected by it, but when we spoke again at night, I know he was, in actual fact, very harmless. This shows something very interesting about friendship - we are only affected by those who are nearer and dearer to us.
Boon San was the quintessential Jim Carrey and never failed to humour us with his jokes and impersonations of the funny characters in tv. Remember the visa card advertisement when the day breaks behind the hills in the rural backdrop of Rajasthan... and a little girl trots towards the village bazaar; and Boon San's famous line: "My brother is going on a journey today. I want to bring him good fortune", and "if you free the birds, you give good luck. More birds, more good luck", followed by the we-know-it's-boon-san's whistle.
Fly away, he has now, like the birds. We know he, and Stephen, will be watching after us from above.
It's not a loss, but a COMPLETE loss to the nation and to the team. And it really hurts to see two great friends just passed on like that.
Your presence defines the true meaning of 'one team'.
You have etched in us memories that will be remembered.
You made us see and learn many things that many others would never experience.
You turned us into fighters and left behind a benchmark for us to emulate.
Boon San, Stephen,
Thank you very much
Andy
