MY COMMUNITY, MY DECISION, MY STORY

The stars shining bright in the night sky, while me, lying down on my bed, watching the stars shimmer.
I gaze at the stars, wondering how will it be tomorrow? Tomorrow, is the grand opening of a new year.
Tomorrow, is the day. I’m turning 13 tomorrow, and it’s the time for me to enter my new school.
I live in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. My hometown is beautiful and famously known as “The Land Below the
Wind”. I am a 13 years old girl who graduated from a Chinese primary school last year; I’ve been in the school with
Chinese environment for 6 years. Now, I’m entering a middle school which is full with different races. I feel nervous
as my only fluent language is Chinese. For the other languages like Malay and English, I can’t speak them fluently
although I’m good in Malay and English essay writings! I told myself not to overthink that much, and I fell asleep
not long after that.
The next day, I woke up and wore the middle school uniform. The very familiar short sleeve white collar
blouse and the light blue skirt. They are finally worn by me. I feel so weird looking myself in front of the mirror.
“It looks so goofy on me!” I scowled. I’m still haven’t coped with the middle school’s environment.
After having my breakfast, my dad sent me to school after that. I felt so anxious because there are many
people that I never met before. Only several friends from my former school entered this middle school. My dad
reached my school and I hopped down the car. There was a teacher standing in front of the school’s gate waving to
me. I walked to her and she brought me to the hall, where other students are.
I was assigned to a random class before having the diagnostic test. I chose a place to sit. And guess what,
none of my former school friends were there! How bad luck is it?
“Hi, what’s your name?” a girl tall till my shoulder waved hello to me and smiled. She was wearing a ‘baju
kurung’ and she looks quite cute.
“I-I my n-name is S-Sidney……” I stuttered and felt nervous as I can’t speak English fluently. I was scared
that she would look down on me or like feel unhappy.
“Oh, it’s my biggest pleasure to meet you! What’s your former school, then?” she asked again.
“O-oh, its S-J-K-C S-Saint…J-James” I stuttered once again. I even pronounced the word ‘Saint’ wrong. My
face stiffed and turned quite pale.
“You come from a Chinese school? Incredible and interesting! I almost forgotten, I’m Hana” she and I shook
hands.
“I come from SJKC Chung Hwa…… It’s a Chinese school as well! So basically, I can speak and understand
Chinese!” after hearing this, I was so shocked and stared at her with an ‘unbelievable’ face. But how? Hana is legit
a Malay! This really freaked me out and made me feel like I’ve entered a new universe. Everyone is special in
different ways.
After having the school diagnostic test, me and Hana were both told that we had been assigned to the elite
class. I felt so happy because I studied a lot for this test, and now the effort I putted had never been wasted. Our class
teacher is Miss Anna, she’s such a sweet and caring teacher. My friends from my former school had entered the elite
class as well. I never knew that we would end up together again! I was as happy as a lark, and I was looking forward
for the school days after that.
Not long after the Form 1s had entered the school, there were many co-curriculum activities. I had
participated in many activities, competitions, contests and shows. It was a big enjoyment as I not only can find my
interest, at the same time it can also help in increasing my co-curriculum marks. I had a wonderful time too with the
teachers! I remembered the time when my former mathematics teacher, Miss Jane, she was about to retire. At her
retirement day, the whole school was at the school hall. It was so touching to see Miss Jane’s farewell video presented
on the big screen. Even the wishes from each teacher and students are presented too. I can’t forget the time Miss Jane
walking out from the school, me, as a Girl’s Brigade member standing in a straight line with other members, bowed
down with our hands on our chests, leading Miss Jane walking out from the school hall. That moment, tears trickled
down my cheeks. Whatever that made me cry, is that when Miss Jane saw us bow to her, she bowed once again with
her palm on her chest, solemnly. This was the first memory ever recorded in my mind.
My friends are wonderful as well. They sometimes invite me to go out with them for a movie or have a meal
at the weekends. It was a great time being with them. Every time I recall the time, we went to the escape room, I
can’t help myself but laugh! It was the best moment when there was a jump, scare and everyone screamed loudly but
then laugh awkwardly. I also can’t forget the time when me and my team won an Junior Invention Competition, my
classmates were shouting and screaming with joy. I was proud and happy at the same time. We all hugged each other
and screamed again!
Sometimes I wonder, if I wasn’t in this school but in a Chinese middle school, will I ever get to have such
fun moments with friends from different races? I guess it’s a “NO”. My ex-schoolmate from Chinese middle schools
are only interacting and make friends with Chinese, the only language they speak is Chinese. Compared to the
multiracial middle school I am in right now, I speak three languages in this school! This school is built up of different
races, such as Malay, Chinese, Hindu, Kadazan, Dusun, Bajau and many more. Instead of being disappointed that
my parents do not send me to the Chinese middle school which mostly all my former school friends were, I feel
grateful to them for entering me into this middle school as it taught me a lot of stuff, including the power of friendship.
I remember one of my most splendid memory at the sports day. I was assigned to the green house.
Surprisingly, Hana is also assigned to the green house. Hmm, is this called ‘fate’? Ha-ha! I was originally
disappointed for being in the green house once again, as I was in the green house since primary school. So, it called
sick of a color! But who knows, and who will actually know, the green house members are very cooperative. They
helped in decorating the house’s flag, marching outfits and cheerleading outfits. It was a great time because we were
legit playing with glitter while decorating the outfits! At sports day, the green house cheered so loudly even other
houses ordered us to keep quiet! Ha-ha! At last, the green house won! We cheered so happily and jumped up and
down. Hana was in the green house also, we hugged each other so tightly and screamed so loudly. That day I cried
of happiness. This was one of the most memorable moment in my school life here. I love how each house worked so
hard and cooperate to win the sports day challenge.
I’m still a Form 1, but not forever. I love my life in this school community. I am grateful that both my parents
and I have made the right decision to let me study in this multiracial school. My school life story doesn’t end here.
There’re still many things to find out, and many interesting stuffs to know and happen. My community, my decision,
my story.

Written by: Sidney Foo Sze Ching