My Kiasu Teenage Life in Singapore by Ee Lin See

I’m top in my class for everything.
    My Batchlings are organizing this year’s Farewell for Sec 4s on 18 July. Jen Nee, Eric (he looks like Alvin the Chipmunk) and I are in charge of deco (decorations). Last night, Jen Nee and I discussed what to do. I was so enthusiastic ’bout it. Imagine, everyone looking at our deco the whole night!
    Today I wrote a short story. At last, a successful story (with a steamy scene). I’m sending it to The Student Today. Love, Pei Yi
    Thursday 28 May
    Dear Mei Yee
    Tomorrow is a BIG day for me. It might just change the REST of my life. I made a sudden decision—I’m going to ask Mrs Simons and Sister Elaine to let me change to Science 3.I really want to go. I feel I can cope with the extra work and can beat the girls there in Physics, Chem and Maths. I hope I get to change. All my hopes in my life will depend on TOMORROW.
    Love, Pei Yi
    Friday 29 May
    Dear Mei Yee
    I couldn’t sleep till about 4 am thinking about how I’ll make my argument to Mrs Simons and Sister Elaine. I wrote down all my points on a piece of paper. I said I wasn’t being challenged, my full potential is not being reached, all the ASEAN scholars are in Science classes, what if I want to be a doctor in the future, I had the chance to choose a Science class at the beginning of the year but made the wrong choice, etc. I was so nervous yet hopeful when I went to talk to them.
    Well, their reply was: NO—I can’t go to 3S3. I should have known. Sister Elaine says it’s not fair to the others—they can’t give me special treatment. She says all the parents of the Arts classes will also ask for a change if she allows me to switch classes.
    My dad came to my school. He and his two friends are on holiday driving down from BM. He felt sad that he had asked me to go to Arts class but I told him it’s my own fault for not finding out more about the differences between Arts and Science classes. Anyway, I promised him that I’ll be happy staying in 3A4 and will make the best of it. I’m trying to convince myself that being in my class is a blessing in disguise. I try to think of the pros instead of the cons. My sister used to think that pros and cons meant prostitutes and conmen.
    Anyway, the pros are:
    1  Besides learning Physics and Chem, I also learn Accounts
    2  It’s a chance for me to learn to be on my own (not being in the same class as hostel friends)
    3  A wider circle of friends
    4  Gives me incentive to do well in Add. Maths ’coz I want to prove that being in an Arts class doesn’t mean you’re even more stupid
    I hate Sister Elaine.
    My goals are:
    1  Memorize all History essays
    2  Do Add. Maths till confident can beat Science classes
    3  Read Chemistry till perfect
    4  Do all the above
    Love, Pei Yi
    Sunday 14 June (Back home in BM!)
    Mei Yee!
    I’m so used to writing to you that I’m writing even at home! Slept the whole day ’coz of diorhrea (can’t spell). Will see you tomorrow.
    Love, Pei Yi
    Monday 15 June
    Dear Mei Yee
    I had diorhrea again. And still can’t spell it. So sad had to postpone our plan till tomorrow.
    Love, Pei Yi
    Saturday 27 June (Back from Malaysia)
    Dear Mei Yee
    Hi! It’s 2.30 am. I miss home and family and you. I hope I get over it soon. Right now I feel my life is being divided into two, one part in BM and one here. Why can’t I have both together?
    Found out that a few others in my hostel who went back to Malaysia also had diorhrea (still can’t spell)! I guess our immune systems lose their strength in Singapore! diarrhoea dioreah
    Love, Pei Yi
    Sunday 28 June
    Hi! It’s now prep time. Must they have it even before school starts?! You know, I used to feel angry about people selling their stuff at inflated prices to foreigners ’coz it’s cheating. Well, I don’t anymore ’coz now I realize that they need to survive