I wrote this lest I do not have time to tell the world how great it was to know you during the eulogy later, buddy. Thanks for being there during the best years of my life.
Hey Jude, you still remember the first time we met? I was there in the room waiting for my Windsurf Committee interview. You, as you always do, came up to me out from nowhere and said "Bro, can I cut your queue or not? I need to go for Muay Thai later." I didnt get a chance to tell you this but secretly in my mind, I was wondering "eh did you come wrong place or not, its windsurfing leh". No one would have believed it, but like the strangest of all coincidences, our incredible story begun.
We both became Training Coordinators eventually, though I had zero experience points at that time. I was a total newbie, but with your constant encouragement, I got better as time goes. I can still vividly remember you correcting my tack/jybe even till now. Of course, plenty of fun and laughter as we got to know each other better.
December "Traning" Camp was our first major project together. You were always there as we brainstormed games to play with the freshies. That was when you got to know our dear friends, Charissa, Sabrina, Karen and Henrietta. Somehow as time goes, Things could only get better with you around.
Our first year as Training Coordinators
Jude, I could sense some change in myself after knowing you. I used to be quiet and introverted and timid.You never failed to cheer me up when things were tough. You gave me the confidence to try new things. Uni life would not have been that memorable with you and the CPGs. We went on trips together (eg. Ubin, Zoo, Bukit Timah Hill etc), lunches in school, the HTHT sessions, karaokeparty etc. Who could forget our wacky Jude the Surfer at our costume party, or the two-faced Jude at Horoscope Dinner? Those were precious memories shared by us.
One classic Gay Buddy Post
Our first ever costume Party
Horoscope Night
Oh yes, thanks for the birthday kite and birthday celebration as well! Though we didn't manage to fly it, its still hold dear to me. Remember this photo? I rank this as the most "gay" on my list of common photos with you. Those were the wacky times.
Our most "gay" photo
But windsurfing was still our core business. We trained hard for competitions and ITWC. You were always showing off at the rowing machine, telling us "if you can do it, so can we!" But I don't possess biceps that big, but we tried our best anyway. This was the photo that inspired us to work for our goals. Though we lost it one particular year, you were never discouraged. Instead you kept our fighting spirits up and that spurred us to work harder.
That ITWC trophy that windsurfers trained hard for
Windsurfing would never be the same without you, Jude. You understood the purpose of having a strong line of heritage. Windsurfing was all about fun, fun, fun. You wowed and charmed many freshies over the many camps that we went on to organise. We talked about you these few days, and the juniors remembered you as the friendly and encouraging senior. You would always be at the shores guiding them, people like Jocene, Katrina, Valerie, Xingyan, Yew Ming, Chuanzhi, Hongjng etc.They are our next generation that we wanted to grow. Look at them, they have all improved over the years.
Our next generation of windsurfers
We missed you while you were away on exchange. As Jocene said, "this photo can attest to it". But we knew you will be back. While you were not around, we continued our legacy to make windsurfing the best water club in NUS. That was a great vision that wouldn't have made it without your constant support.
I was so emo then
Strangely enough, time passed quickly and you were back. I had a shock when I saw your ponytail back then. But you were still the old jude I knew, the wacky one. But I could also notice a change in you. Your trip must have opened up new perspectives on life. You became more "special", daring to be different from the rest.
You told me your dream of become an entreprenuer. Surfing Pizza was like your baby. You were the pizza maker, Yew Ming the oven guy, Valerie the chef, Amelia the PR and me, the seaweed cutter. But nevertheless, you were always positive-thinking. "The pizza will not be that good if you didnt cut the seaweed." We had that much fun in Eusoff Hall.
Our times at Surfing Pizzas
But some parts of the old you remained, like Jude the entertainer with his harmonica during windsurf camps. Nevertheless, exchange have brought you new insights and you became more confident. You were the dreamer while I was a realist. It's a strange combination but it seemed everytime we got together, some powerful and magical will appear. That was when our 20 seconds of insane courage came and "Dare to Eat alone" was born.
We held on to this belief that the world will become a better place if we put effort into changing the status quo. On that night in camp, we sat and wondered why people didn't dare to eat alone. We shared stories of ourselves eating alone in the canteen and friends would come by and say "Aiyo why you so kelian, eating alone?" Actually we were perfectly fine, but we noticed this social stigma of avoiding been seen eating alone.
That was when we hatched our plans together with sonia. Many people are afraid to be seen eating alone and avoid doing it. But why not? Eating alone is not anti-social. Maybe people are afraid because they never tried. Hence, we encouraged people to spend this day eating alone, to experience that it was not as psychologically fearful as they thought.
But how would people know that we are fighting this social stigma if they just sit alone quietly? Experiences are short-lived, how would people be reminded of their eating alone experience? Let's make a t-shirt! And that was our masterpiece that will go on to live forever. Now, each time I wear the shirt, I will be reminded of this great plan to change the world. And I believed it has impacted many others as well.
We have our own troubles. I was quite affected by all the negative comments targeted at us on the forums. But you never lost faith in us. I wouldn't have made it without you Jude. And now, that newspaper cuttings, interviews remained kept dearly. I tell you, that was the most crazy thing I have done in my life.
Dare to eat alone
We have done so much in such a short span of time together. You were always at the forefront of everything and I hope you can continue to serve God well up there.
Your spirit and our common memories will continue inspire me. Now, I am no longer afraid to eat alone, because I know you will be watching over all of us. Thank you my dear friend, RIP.
