Here is my writeup for "On the Haus" (NAFA Magazine), edited by Michelle.
One thing I learn about writing through her is that it is more important to capture the essence of things. I thank her for editing.
My journey through NAFA
by Lim Win Nie
As a secondary school student, I walked 25 minutes from school back to my home and what I saw in front of me was mostly, homework, tests and plenty other things to memorize. There was also my good friend who toiled with me, both studying late into the nights.
As a Junior College student, though my walk was reduced to 5 minutes but what I saw in front of me was the same sort of drag - Economics, Literature, Mathematics and History - all of which did not make much sense to me. Neither did my future then.
As a business student, things got better. I began to calculate and number my days aright but, all the same, I came to a point when I had to ask myself, “What am I doing ?”, “Where am I going ?”. Frankly, I couldn’t say I was clear about my sense of direction and so there was hardly any motivation to work hard. However, I kept telling myself to walk by faith and not by sight.
Yes, coming into NAFA was one of faith however; God used that journey to change me.
I remember in my first year, I was almost like a strutting rooster, having that kind of “confidence” that must have rubbed people the wrong way. We had to make a presentation and I stood up to talk about my work, but I was not prepared to hear or receive negative comments from some of my new classmates! I did not give thought to my words and how I must have offended them. However, some of my nice classmates defended me in a way. This incident has since humbled me and I’m learning now to be my graceful in the way I express things.
For two years, course lessons gave me the opportunity to express my ideas more constructively. Besides producing works, we were taught to do a lot of sketches, to develop our ideas, to jot down our thoughts, to read widely and do research about other artists.
As time went by, my mind became sharper and this has really helped me in my decision-making; something I lacked earlier on. It also helped me to pick up new things faster, because I learnt that nothing is too hard to understand when I put in the effort to find out more.
By the third year, we were required to be more independent and it allowed me to explore more. As time waits for no man, I decided to take this last chance before graduation to do something different, a privilege I didn’t think I had before.
Relating to people in NAFA was also interesting and a different experience for me. I found that a small tea break at the nearby coffee shops, a simple “Hi!” to a stranger in school can open up a conversation. I now realize that friendships can be made everywhere and I really do treasure the friendships I’ve made these three years.
The highlight of my journey in NAFA was not the graduation convocation when my name was read out. The highlight came instead, in two parts: - marking changes and differences in how I had once lived my life. One was during the Final year graduation assessment day, a day I decided to give my very best shot. Perhaps the shot was not like Tiger Woods’ but it was when I said to myself, I had no regrets coming to NAFA.
(From Left) my brother, me , father( Taken outside NUS Cultural Centre) the background sculpture is not mine ,by the way.
The other part was when my works were finally put up for the graduation show - not because the space given to me was one of the best, but because my families and friends came to support me. Even my grand mother who couldn’t make it for the show said, “If your mother is still around, she will be very proud of you.” That really touched me.
Photo taken with my friends in NAFA. Sweet memories
The journey was significant to me because it gave me the opportunity to be who I can really be. I was not afraid when I made mistakes. It was also a journey where I found treasures along the way that changed my perception of work, people and friendships. Most importantly, this journey has given me the privilege to enjoy and to take time to smell the flowers along the way, making my life interesting and creative. Thank you, NAFA! It was a place where I can truly say that I have fulfilled one of my dreams.
This wonderful journey also taught me to be better in running my days ahead. This training ground has made real to what some one wrote to me on my birthday card which comes from the bible:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Indeed I am working now to get the lasting crown to put on my head. Thank you NAFA for enabling me to lift up my head again.
Characters that have a journey- that’s what I find most interesting ~ Bruce Davison.
Win Nie
No comments:
Post a Comment