Eagle's Eye 2018 - Cageless

cageless EAGLE’S EYE 2018 1

2

cageless Eagle’s Eye 2018 Dalat International School

THANKFULNESS

Polished by: Mrs. Lydia Roberts Compiled by: Advanced Composition (Rahul Gill, Tommy Han, Hyun Ji Kim, Louise Kim, Peter Kim, Areeya Kunawaradisai, Tian Ooi, Chan Woong Won, Mika Yeap, Teddy Zimmer) Edited by: Miss Emily Grad

THE HISTORY OF EAGLE’S EYE The first issue published at Dalat was on August 1949, underneath the name Pine Echoes. By 1958, the name of the publication changed to Pine Hill Echoes. In 1962, the issue was titled Bamboo Beacon. The first issue of Eagle’s Eye was from 14 October 1964. Regardless of the name, the purpose of each issue was two-fold: 1) to let kids showcase their work to parents and alumni, and 2) to inform parents of what was going on at Dalat. The latter was especially important when 100 percent of the student body boarded, and communication between parents and kids was limited to a weekly airmail letter. Obviously, as this means was often inadequate to let parents know what was going on at school, the paper was sent out.

I, John “Tommy” Tompkins, served as collector/facilitator/formatter from 1978-2015.

Copies were produced quarterly for parents and alumni; eventually, these publications went from print to online. My favorite aspect of publishing these updates was to receive letters of appreciation from alumni and parents. The most common article type in Eagle’s Eye was feature writing. Occasionally, one of the students would write an editorial giving an opinion on a topic or a poem. There was also a “Dear Abby”style column called “Dear Gertrude.” Lastly, there were point/counterpoint columns where kids wrote on two sides of an issue. Archives of these issues can be found on Dalat’s website.

—by Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins

EAGLE’S EYE—WITH A TWIST Made For and By Seniors Also in the spring of 2016, Eagle’s Eye became an annually published literary magazine.

Each senior submitted one piece that represented him or her as an artist, being within the discipline of writing or the fine arts; the heartbeat purpose is still to showcase student work. But the vision of Eagle’s Eye is expanded to the following: • representing a Dalat tradition through a collaborative publication that hosts multiple art forms and spotlights creativity and personal flair • empowering artistic ownership of senior students by providing a platform to engage in purposeful interaction • serving the community by presenting a piece of academic excellence This year’s pieces highlighted the following artistic expressions: poetry, creative fiction, essaying, news article, song, photography, painting, drawing. Be filled with joy from their artwork.

—by Miss Emily Grad 4

MINGLING OF MEDIUMS Mingling of Mediums was a project between writers and students of the fine arts (3D printing, ink drawing, music, prose, poetry, watercolor). Members from each discipline were paired and exchanged an initial artistic piece.

Without consulting the other party, each individual responded to his/her partner’s work by creating a new one. The mirroring interpretations of partners are published side-by-side; enjoy these purposeful interactions. — by Miss Emily Grad

*not pictured: Peter Kim

5

INITIAL PIECE: LIFE Mika Yeap

6

RESPONSE PIECE: SEDIMENTARY Tian Ooi “Sedimentary rocks form when mud and sand are deposited in layers on the Earth’s surface. The weight of overlying layers compresses the mud and sand to form solid rock . . . with the oldest layers on the bottom and the youngest layers on the top.” — “Sedimentary Rocks,” National Park Service More or less, everyone starts out the same. From life’s first cry, we are all involuntarily entered into an enormous self-indulging rat race, forced to participate in a construct called society whether we love it or not. And, thus, our first layer is set in stone.

We are told to sit still, don’t snatch, share with your sister, don’t touch that, listen to me, smile, be nice, brush your teeth, and on and on and on. We fill out the corners of our boxes quite nicely, right up to the pre-prescribed edge, in hopes of fitting in snugly in the place carved out for us. Room for spontaneity is sparse but allowed for some, whether it be attempts to eat playdough or splatter paint all over crisp white paper. For others, the path is straight, narrow, and lined with thorns. From there, the roads diverge.

As the wheel creaks and churns in its own slow, inevitable way, we grow—too fast and yet too slow. We make choices, even before we realize it: Do I play with others in school? Do I scream when I can’t get that toy? Do I read or draw or game or sleep?

Layer by layer, each day leaves grainy deposits that mold and shape and make up who each one of us are, each curve and twist there for a reason, each layer solidifying the one beneath it, totally unique.

Noting is left unexplained.

Some are plagued by howling winds, storms, water, and ice, violent things that batter away at their being, eroding their sense of self until they hardly recognize themselves anymore, a black puddle of viscous oil under crumbling rock. But with every new day, week, month,and year, we find that things can change. We can build ourselves up again, even if only to be weathered through a hurricane, for it is often only later that we see: The places where we hurt the most is where we shine the strongest.

And when we change our minds, turn our life around, and wish to forget about the past, we can start over, build on what we have, layer by layer, and become whoever we long to be, despite the cracks or holes or darkness in our lives.

For we are sedimentary.

7

INITIAL PIECE: CAT Tian Ooi

The shrill shrieks of crickets billow through the air, swallowing the quiet noises of a predator slinking along the floor. From high above, he is but a small orange dot moving slowly across the terrain, nothing more, nothing less, an insignificant splash of fire among seas of dark green. Soon, though, he will start a chaotic blaze.

For the small creatures down below, he is much more real. Strong muscles, sleek whiskers, and a undercurrent of ominous danger about him. Those who see him, tremble. He pauses in his onward prowl, nose twitching, eyes focusing as he sweeps around for his target. He has been here before — this is not a new game for him, this is one that reaches back into his very ancestry and root of his being, one that connects him to thousands of his kind before him.

Slowly, slowly, he puts one soft paw carefully in front of the other, back two legs following seamlessly in suit. He is a well-oiled machine, but the word is too harsh to capture his gentle, yet powerful movements that unmistakably ooze of life.

A few feet from his prey, the great cat stops, ears swivelling to the front.

Tension ripples through his fiery fur as orange eyes watch his prey, who is still unsuspecting of the fate soon to befall her. And then, at the perfect moment, he pounces.

Flies through the air, with barely a whistle to be heard.

And lands precisely on his target.

8

RESPONSE PIECE: CAT Mika Yeap

9

INITIAL PIECE: L’APPEL Peter Kim

10

RESPONSE PIECE: A THOUGHT ON SELF Areeya Kunawaradisai From the second you are born, Till the last breath that you take, They tell you who you are, They tell you what to think, They tell you how to live,

And on and on it goes.

But you are not a grade,

Nor the size of the jeans you wear, You are not a label,

Or your parents’ shame and past, You are not less than,

And not what the world insists.

You are your tears and frowns,

And also your laughs and smiles, You are the flaws you have,

But the beauty you hold as well, You are your past mistakes,

But also the lessons you have learned, You are everything you’ve become,

And, love, you’ll go on to bloom.

So sulk and cry and mourn,

If that is what you need,

It reminds that you’re still human,

And it’s okay to fall.

But remember to get up, And rise back high again, For you are never alone,

They can try to dictate you,

And tell you who you are,

Please just remember this—

you are so much more.

11

INITIAL PIECE: HERE’S TO Areeya Kunawaradisai To To To To

the the the the

place place place place

I I I I

laughed, cried, rested, tired

To To To To

the the the the

place place place place

I I I I

loved, hurt, healed, broke

To the place I fell, And to the place I soared To you, And to you, And to you Here’s to you, For teaching me, For loving me, For shaping me, For being my Home And here’s to me Here’s to me, For learning, For growing, For trying For becoming who I am, For being Me. 12

RESPONSE PIECE: OVERFILL Peter Kim

13

INITIAL PIECE: CANARY Sophia Ong

14

INITIAL PIECE: MARKS Rainbow Chan (Bb Major) Here we are Here’s the part Where we will say goodbye Tears are shed Our time is dead But this won’t be our end Been through the up and the downs Seen your smiles and your frowns And though this is farewell Let me tell you Thank you for those makeup nights And all of your fashion advice We’ve seen each other’s best and worse You’ve seen me fall and through it all You pulled me back up I’ve been with you all these years So you’ll expect many tears But thank you for all these marks the marks you’ve left on my heart

Link: soundcloud.com/emily-grad/marks 15

RESPONSE PIECE: GREY Rainbow Chan Capo 1 Pluck strings 1, 3, 4, 5 for G and D Pluck strings 2, 3, 4, 5, for Em and C [Verse 1] G D I’ve been sitting here Em D Alone in tears G D Em Wanting to get out, I want to get out G C D [Pre-Chrous] C D Out of this cage I’ve made G Em For myself since that day C D The day that I forgot how the sun shone G Em C And the crystals of ice as they froze, oh

[Verse 2] G D I’ve been sitting here Em D For a number of years G Em I want to get out, I want to get out [Pre-Chorus] C D But I’ve made this cage G Em So who has the key?

C E Please, please tell me G Em I want to be free

[Chorus] G This cage is my nest Em C D For hiding away from the pain I hold G D Em [Chorus] But I feel it is time, time to let go G C D I’ve been grey for so long To go into the world Em G Em I’ve forgotten the songs To be loved, and to love C D C D That the blue jays would sing Though my heart may be sore G G Em I want to get out I’m ready for Em C Cm G As I start to stand, I feel a rush that brings me to my feet Myself to be grey, grey no more once again Link: https://youtu.be/JGabaUSKWGk 16

RESPONSE PIECE: MARKS Sophia Ong

17

18

OTHER CREATIVE WORKS Each student not part of the Mingling of Mediums project was told to submit a piece that represented him or her as a creative and academic artist; each piece was meant to empower personal flair and artistic ownership.

The students also hope to serve the greater community, especially parents and alumni, by sharing these pieces through this publication. For pieces within the fine arts discipline, brief blurbs of explanation are provided.

Continue to be refreshed by this creativity.

—By Miss Emily Grad

“I bear ankles

shackled by chains, I am my own prisoner, but I am also a phoenix.

I can fly, fight, and explore the world

till I am burnt into ashes;

but from those ashes,

I am reborn...”

Natalie Ryan

19

STRONGLY FIXED GAZE Yigal Ang Viewing the horizon I see the path The better future is in sight I don’t have to think about the past It’s time to view the better light Oh what beauty is on the other side The greener it was it seemed true There were better things that I could see But no other could see it too Turning their heads they look the other way But yes, my gaze is strongly fixed The things I saw I could not forget It shone to the path I will pick The better future has just begun As time continues to tick

20

THE FULLEST Richard Baek My senior year inspired me to create this photo montage because it was full of adventures, challenges, and achievements. So, this photo collage is pretty much the summary of my senior life. This collage contains major and minor memories, such as going to Phi Phi Island for Senior Sneak to getting a wound in my right arm from paintball. Some of them might not sound significant and can easily be forgotten, but one thing I realized from this photo collage is that all of these memories, regardless of how big or small they are, have to be combined to summarize my life. Life is all connected and related. Every second and minute will create a day, and every days will be combined to create one week, and weeks will combined to make a month, year, and entire lifetime. So, what I am trying to say through this photo collage is don’t waste your life, challenge yourself to try something new, and do what you really want to do. Live every moment, live every life, to the fullest, and cherish those memories because life is short and you only live once.

21

TWELVE YEARS Rainbow Chan F Am/C This is our time Dm Bb F The time that we’ll all shine Am/C Dm But also the time we’ll say goodbye, we’ll Bb say goodbye F C Dm Bb I want us to stay right where we are, right where we are

Dm C Bb I don’t think that I’m ready for this

F

Am/C Dm Bb But maybe who knows twelve years from F now Am/C Dm Some of us might bring our children Bb around

F C Dm Don’t wanna think how we’ll each go so Bb far, go so far

F Am/C Dm I guess we won’t know till we take our chance Bb C So let’s take a leap of faith right into that

Dm C Bb Can’t we stay? Is this it?

F C Dm Amazing in all that you do

Dm C Bb Have all the memories and tears come down to this?

F C Dm Bb I’m glad I have a reason to cry

F C Dm Bb Just yesterday we were all little kids, all little kids F C Dm Now we’ve grown up so much just for Bb this, for this Dm C Bb I don’t think that we’re ready for this

22

Bb

F C Dm Bb And I’m sorry this will be our last goodbye, F our last goodbye

SWEET AND MEMORABLE Alexander Chan The dorm retreat trip created fantastic memories for many to experience and share, as they were unforgettable and meaningful.

The dorm retreat students and parents launched from the school on November 10, 2017 at 9:00am. The dorm students who attended enjoyed a long sleep and playful time on the bus until their arrival in Cameron Highlands. The Dalat dorm community stayed in a guesthouse called Cheefoo. Before arrival, the students were able to go and see the tea plantation where many students created some great memories and took a vast number of pictures.

During this short trip at the tea plantation, many people got the chance to try the freshly picked tea leaves of various flavors.

When coming back to the guesthouse, many students stayed outside to enjoy the facility by playing basketball, football, and swinging around the playground.

Later, the dorm community had in-depth sessions about relationships and spiritual guidance, specifically on how to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships.

One thing many dorm students wanted to participate in was the talent show.

Many people spent hours to prepare their performance for everyone in the dorm community. There were many talented and brave performances. One that popped out to me personally was the performance of Lydia Kim (11) and Wansuk Kunawaradisai (10). They both sang “Redbone” by Childish Gambino and “Two Ghosts” by Harry Styles. These two made an excellent performance, and the catchy songs were ones everyone knew; at the end of the performance, everyone was wandering around and singing the two songs that were stuck in their heads. I interviewed Kunawaradisai and asked him what his feelings about the performance were, and he said, “It started out a little scary, but after a few seconds of playing, it was lots of fun. I felt a lot more comfortable and enjoyed playing.”

After the talent show, all the dorm students were treated with fresh and delicious strawberry shortcake, which were mouthwatering and sweet.

They ate these while enjoying a gentle breeze of cold weather to chillax in.

23

The next morning, all the students prepared for departure from the guesthouse and then took a stop at the strawberry plantation. The strawberry plantation had various types of recipes served with strawberries, which were picked right off the plant. From eyeing around, most of the dorm students got strawberry ice cream and strawberry milkshakes, which were unbelievably amazing to devour.

Overall, the dorm students made great memories to share with their friends and created a strong, meaningful relationship with the people they live with.

24

DEAR HUMANITY Grace Chang Dear Humanity, Why are we so broken and corrupt?

Why can’t we live according to the purpose of our creation?

The enemy calls you closer and closer to the edge of the cliff, The cliff that leads you to destruction, But its sweetly coated temptation is difficult to say “no” to.

I understand. I understand.

I’ve experienced the temptation from the enemy, Trying to rip me away from my Father.

It still continues to tempt every day.

But I resist.

I declare it to leave the holy temple of God, my mind and soul.

The name of my Father, So powerful that the enemy trembles and leaves me alone.

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

Don’t lend your ears to your enemy.

Don’t let it whisper into your ears.

Don’t let it control your heart.

Don’t let it turn you away from our Father.

25

Find God. Find Him and you will be restored.

A life full of joy and love, For we were made to have a relationship with God. That’s our purpose.

“Why is it so complicated,” you may ask.

Then, just believe.

It’s as easy as that, And He will show you the way to life.

With God’s love, Yours sincerely

TUNNEL OF ESCAPE David Chinn As the armies of Temptation approach in the distance, one king sits upon his throne, confident that he will live to see tomorrow because his city is well prepared for the battle. The observation towers of awareness have spotted the enemy. Now, the walls of prevention are manned; and the gates of submission are well-guarded by the soldiers of resistance, who would gladly give their lives to keep out Temptation’s warriors of lust, anger, and pleasure. Even such an onslaught of foes will not find it easy to bypass the intricate and sturdy outer defenses. But every so often, a hole opens in the city defenses, and seeing the hole, Temptation orders every soldier under his command to exploit the gap. The ever-widening hole becomes an opened floodgate. The city is lost.

Hope evaporates with the overwhelmed defenses, and the king only has one more choice. The tunnel of escape—full of creepy spiders and other things he doesn’t like; but it’s the only way to evade the clutches of evil. Temptation calls his name, offering peace, satisfaction, and a nice time. The king knows that Temptation is his enemy, but his offer is very alluring nonetheless. Will the king run, or will he concede? Such are the endless battles between a man’s selfcontrol and the seduction of sin.

26

THE EAGLE’S EYE RHYME Jonathon Chinn Hello boys and girls. It’s Jonathon Chinn, And I’m well known for my double chin, Not because of an actual double chin, But I have a chin, and my last name is Chinn.

My beats are sick and my flows are dank, But my rap career came up and then it sank.

I’ve always sucked at rapping. I should put it to an end Cause I’m only just as good as the new Eminem.

It’s true when Shion says that mostly guys love his gains, Because whenever we compare both our muscles, it gives me pains.

The drama of school brings a lot of strife, But seeing Shion’s muscles pop always brings me new life.

I’ll be out walking in the jungle. Nice breeze.

When the monkeys and Rainbow start swinging in trees.

They will be having parties up there– bonanzas.

They will be saying, “Rainbow, eat those bananas.”

Rainbow always finds a special way to stress every day, Even when she’s having fun, there’s always stress in the play.

People, Chem, Calc: the options are endless, And it’s always over nine-thousand times longer than her friend list.

Teddy Zimmer likes to find a lot of anything to shoot, If there’s no guns, then he’ll find animals to kick with his boot.

Or he might just decide to be normal and shoot hoops, And he’ll fake out any player with the way that he dupes.

His blood runs American–blue, white, and red– He’ll pop off any kind of animal when he sees its head.

America is to Teddy as silver is to a dime, He’s ma’ partner, but we ain’t do no crime.

Cause it’s the Eagle’s Eye rhyme.

27

THE BEES AROUND US (A METAPHYSICAL POEM) Aurelie D’Couto A very nice life with a lot of sun With so many days where much can be done.

With unpredictable changes at times, Nobody can see the days stand like mimes.

Instead, we are surrounded by small bees That are black and yellow but shine at me.

They are the ones that make the days go fast Where someone is first and someone is last.

As the bees pass on by and give their buzz, Not all of the days will last with their fuzz.

With the speed of the bees, life is not long, So we must be aware of right and wrong.

Though the bees are quick, they give something sweet, And there is more to them than what we meet.

We don’t always have to be seen as neat Since in life, there are short moments to greet.

As the bees offer us tasty honey, Each day is more important than money.

However, the bees can bring us some pain That can induce horrid thoughts in the brain.

Although the bees can be mad when they sting, It reveals something that makes the bells ring.

The bees make us see that life can hurt us, But we have to look for a good purpose.

What hurts us should not make us fall right down, But it must help us stay tall on the ground.

Life can be fleeting without knowing it, Which is why we must love and not covet.

With the bees, we should have happy faces, So that we can die without sad traces.

Life is full of days that we must enjoy, So we should give our all and not be coy.

28

AN ODE TO SNAKES Chia Hoong Ewe Hello friend, how’ve you been?

Quite some time passed ever since, That day you told me your feelings true, Yet here you are down with the blues.

Staring are you? At that girl over there?

The one with fair skin and silky hair?

Stop sulking here alone in despair, Muster your courage and head over there.

Stop making excuses like “there is no rush”, Any longer and you’ll soon be crushed.

For there are many hungry fish in the sea, Swoop her up before she flees.

Out of your league it matters not, Remember to put on that cologne you bought, Come on now, take the shot, After all, “it’s trash can, not trash cannot.”

29

PINK CLOUDS Shion Fraser I’ve been learning guitar for a little over a year now. I’ve come to absolutely love spending time practicing and playing it. This small tune for the guitar takes inspiration from all my favourite aspects of playing.

The different fingering styles were all taken from songs that I’ve learned, and I used some simple chords to express my entire guitar experience.

30

CUT SHORT Aidan Vance Frusher September 15, 2017- a Friday, every student’s favorite weekday, but this last Friday was not the usual Friday.

We (the students) had a special program on this day which was a welcome change to the mediocre daily grind. We opened with the Eagle Games’ winners, and then a profound chapel lead by Mr. Corman. Afterwards, we were dismissed to go through the day with different stations with scrumptious snacks in between. It was a seemingly welcome change despite the downpour.

Once the battle-hardened students had finished their last cycle, they ran out of whatever room they were in and went to blissful freedom, except those poor juniors chained to the ritual of slave labor, known as the Junior Class Store. For everyone else, it was the harkening of a new era of liberation that would, sadly, only last for the next two days, but it would be enjoyed to its fullest extent. Students disbursed to go to their choice of activities, such as basketball, socializing, volleyball, etc. There were the determined few who, instead, went to the room of pain, suffering, and iron: the weight room. We went in with a will to give it our all, and so we did. Music blasted over the crashing winds outside as we strained to better ourselves, but all this was not to last. We were informed that the campus was being evacuated due to the violent weather outside that we were oblivious to; we were to leave immediately. So after all was put back together in its proper place, we, the few, solemnly marched out of the House of Gainz, pledging to lift another day.

31

WHAT’S CREEPY Rahul Gill Creepiness can be what you wear or how you talk. But it can also be what you do. Your job can make you seem creepier than you really are. In the same survey by McAndrew, survey-takers were asked to rate occupations on a scale of “1” (not very creepy) to “5” (very creepy). Of the twenty-one jobs listed, the jobs that had to do with death and sex were described as creepiest (20). Except for clowns. But why clowns? What does a clown do that makes them creepier than taxidermists, sex shop owners, and funeral directors?

Maybe it’s the makeup. But I think it’s who they interact with.

Generally, kids like clowns. But the idea of a clown is kind of creepy when you think about it. These are men or women that you hire to entertain your children. Men and women that are many years older than your children. And being older than someone is actually a personality trait that people think is creepy (McAndrew 21). But let’s talk about the Power Rangers and me.

When I was a kid, I would love watching Power Rangers. I obsessed over them. And writing this, I’m just remembering some new things I associated to the Power Rangers, like a girl I liked (she liked Power Rangers too). But one day, I was walking out of Toys“R”Us, and there they were. My idols. The Power Rangers themselves. Of course, they were just people dressed up as the Power Rangers. But that was one of the scariest things experiences of my life. They towered over me in person, and they were actually trying to talk to me. I couldn’t see their faces, so I hid. Under the shirt of my aunt, naturally.

But I think I’ll never forget this memory because I feel bad. I feel bad for people who are like these Power Rangers.

The people who put on costumes to cheer up kids should be heroes. These should be the people we want to be like. Not Shia LaBeouf or Jennifer Aniston. But some kids like me are terrified of them. And I feel bad for clowns too. A good clown only wants to entertain kids. But lots of people hate them now cause they think they’re creepy. And this probably hits me the hardest, because now in my life I feel like I am creepy. All I want to do is have fun. But I’m weird. And this vagueness, the uncertainty that people don’t really know what I’m going to do, probably creeps them out. Now I feel for the clowns and Power Rangers of the world.

32

PILGRIM Daniel Go My name is Daniel Go, and I’m a trendsetter Not a typical Korean because I’m taller and better All my clothes I cop, my friends wanna copy But that doesn’t mean I wanna be cocky People say I look dull and sleepy every day That is because of all the work I finished yesterday You know my name but not who I am I’m a really nice dude. You can ask my fam I secretly make beats, and I think they are lit Follow me on SoundCloud and you’ll surely admit

33

BEAUTY OF THE OCEAN Tommy Han As I trotted to the beach, a faint scent of the sea tickled my nose. I could almost taste the saltiness in the air, the musty stench gradually increasing as I approached the beach. However, the undesirable stink was long forgotten when the exquisite scenery of the horizon unfolded itself. The vast ocean spread unendingly as the roaring waves crashed upon the shore. The dark, crimson buoys bobbed up and down helplessly, swayed back and forth by the sheer force of the waves. The seashells rolled back and forth constantly, taunting me to reach for them, only to find them scamper away from my grasp. On one side, towering trees stretched their branches as far as they could. I closed my eyes and focused on hearing the sounds of nature.

The rustling of the leaves carried by the wind whispered words to my ears.

The sound of the receding waves was like the subtle fall of rain, and the scraping of the sand was like the gentle shake of maracas. I could scantily detect the reserved chirping of crickets. I could feel the rough, jagged sand pressuring against the soles of my feet as the searing sun scorched my back. Thankfully, the refreshing waves gently enveloped my ankles, invigorating my body as if I had drunk ice cold water. Sand sank below my feet, drawing me deeper into the ocean as the waves pulled with all its might. Walking back, a sudden breeze wrapped around me, cooling the droplets of sweat that had formed on my cheeks. I looked back to find the distant ships slowly sail and disappear into the horizon.

34

THE TIGHTROPE Ke-erh Huang Expectation.

You’re on a tightrope, Palms sweaty while it grips the one pole that keeps you balanced, Knees ready to weakly collapse under the stress and fear of falling.

Your arms are strong; you know that, but under the crushing weight, They’re just weak. Quite simply, weak.

What is this increased weight you have to carry?

Is it yourself? Your buckling knees and two heavy, sagging arms?

Your self-expectations consume you as you continue forward, Dreading any ounce of failure.

Is it your family? Who bestowed such a mission and purpose for you, That beyond this, nothing seems possible?

Who’s expectation are you living out of?

Only you would know.

Perhaps, even you don’t, then... who could?

Anticipation Grips your soul, As hard as your faltering hold On the pole that supports you completely.

It’s your true core, often overlooked, For indeed, you merely focus on the tightrope, The impending doom of failure, The unsteady steps that hesitate to inch forward, And that’s the moment — you ask yourself, “Am I going to fall?”

You treacherously pass the first checkpoint, And look straight ahead, At the seemingly endless abyss, The journey never seems to end.

35

In a disappointed daze, Your eyes fall low, And there you see, A giant trampoline It beckons you to jump, With a welcoming embrace, It seems to say, “It’s safe here!”

“Come on down!”

“It’s so much easier!”

No matter what, Do not take this leap, It’s a shortcut, A temporary tease, A false solution!

Keep your eyes steadily forward, Don’t look back, Walk past the trampoline, And marvel in the present.

You are in this journey, You will fight through it.

Because at the end of it, You will realize, Anticipation is a virtue, And expectations?

Well, it’s all up to you.

36

THE BOTTLE Simon Jeong In the factory, a water bottle is made Formed from nothing but plastic, molded by machines Recycled plastic, that is Good for the environment and good for storing water The bottle seems to have so much meaning Molded by cold-hearted machines and designed by ill-hearted humans After the quality check, the company brand is printed on him Nice and clean Fresh and new Gets ready to be shipped to the markets where he’ll have a new life So much meaning A kid comes near him while he is sleeping on the shelf Brings him to the school replete with water Provides the boy with water whenever the boy is thirsty Gets hugged with love whenever the boy is lonely Meaning Meaningful So meaningful But one thing you should know Although the bottle does great things He was made to do so, to store water Molded, checked, printed, shipped, bought, used All predetermined Whatever great things he did or he wanted to do All predetermined

37

HAPPYVILLE Melynn Kendrick There once was a city set on a hill That people nicknamed Happyville Laughter was loud and smiles were wide All were accepted, none denied As time went on, clouds rolled into town Rain poured, people left, and the town shut down A curious few wiped off the dust Unlocked the doors and cleared the rust A new bunch of bodies filled the space The city grew at a fast pace As other towns caught the public’s eye The city feared it would again die To save its life the city changed All parts of it were rearranged Doing everything to please the crowd It completely lost its unique sound After so long wearing a disguise The town lost the spark in its eyes Happyville was no longer a place The town was a lonely disgrace With a new desire to be free The town rid itself of debris Room was made for new things to be stored Like the reckless love of the Lord Blessings poured out upon the city The town found worth in God Almighty Though life was not always a piece of cake The town knew that God’s not a flake There once was a city set on a hill That people nicknamed Happyville 38

DON’T FOLLOW YOUR PASSION Isaac Khor Follow your passions, follow your dreams, be your true self, do what you love — because if you do so, you will become happy, fulfilled, successful.

This is the most common career advise in this day and age — do what you love, and you will succeed. Follow your passions, and you will be happy. Be your true self, and you shall be fulfilled.

If only it was that easy.

If only life is as easy as finding your passion, and then doing it until you succeed. If only life is as easy as doing what you love.

The truth is that life is not that simple. Doing what you love and following your passion doesn’t magically grant you the secrets to a happy and successful life.

You don’t have a passion To start with, to follow your passion, you need to, well, have a passion.

The word “passion” here usually refers to some burning desire in your heart that drives you forward and keeps you up at night, but guess what, if you don’t have this burning flame in your heart right now, you are not going to wake up with one tomorrow.

Yes, there are people who are “passionate” about their work, but guess what, if that’s you, you won’t need somebody to tell you to “follow your passion” because you’ll be doing that anyways.

The whole concept of “finding” a “passion” burning inside your heart that you somehow haven’t already noticed, is, well, ridiculous. You’re probably won’t wake up tomorrow suddenly enlightened about your true “passion” and purpose in life with a lightbulb over your head.

Passion /= future happiness If you somehow do have a burning passion inside your heart, it probably won’t make you happy, because, as it turns out, you are terrible at predicting your future happiness.

You like to imagine a glamorous life as a YouTube gamer, having fun playing video games all day. But as a case study shows, playing Minecraft for hours every single day stops being fun after about a month or two. You can’t switch games, because all your subscribers want to only see Minecraft, and your comments are full of people telling you how bad you are at gaming. You only imagine everything great about your life as a YouTube gamer, and ignore practically everything else.

Life as an astronaut sounds great until you realise that most of what you do as an astronaut is not going out on space missions, but exercising, studying engineering (because you are the person who’s going to be maintaining the spaceship), training for space missions for months and months on end in the middle of a pool.

39

Passions change over time When we ask children: “what do you want to be when you grow up?” The answer is almost always “an astronaut” or “the ice cream guy.” Obviously, we laugh at these answers now, because we know, with the benefit of hindsight, that these dreams and answers will change over time. They don’t want to be the ice cream guy when they are 40, they want to be the ice cream guy now.

Jack Gleeson, the actor who plays King Joffrey on Game of Thrones, retired from acting just a few years into the job, he stated that he “just stopped enjoying it as much as he used to.

The prospect of doing it for a living” changed his attitude towards acting. Turning a hobby into a 9-to-5 job fundamentally changed how he viewed his former hobby.

There is a fundamental difference between doing something in your free time and doing that thing for your livelihood. Testing a game for your job sounds fun, but when you play the exact same level all day long it becomes a lot less.

Passion /= employment In the unlikely miraculous scenario that you both know what will make you happy, and that thing will never ever change again, it still doesn’t mean that you will get a job that actually pays your rent.

Nobody dreams of becoming waitresses, doing nothing but serving tables all day long, but there are currently two and a half million of them in the U.S. alone. Nobody dreams of filing paperwork in a boring government office somewhere, but the U.S. federal government employs 22 million people. I can guarantee that most of them have no passion for filling out paperwork.

There are jobs that will need to be done, and people will need to fill them. Over half the population have passions in the arts and sports industry, but they collectively employ less than 1 percent of the labour force. 50% want jobs, 1% will actually get jobs. You do the math.

You hobby should remain a hobby There will be people making millions doing what they love. These people exist, and you have probably seen them on the news. The problem here is that, by definition, news is thing that probably won’t happen to you. For every celebrity that succeeds, millions and millions fail.

Instead of thinking of life as the endless pursuit of passion, think of it like fishing: some spots are beautiful, and some spots have lots of fish. You won’t know which is why until you try. The younger you are, the more time you have to try new spots, and the older you are, the more time you have to refine your technique.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do what you like. Do your boring government job in the day, and draw or sing or act in your free time. Your hobby doesn’t have to be your job: that’s why it’s a hobby.

Go ahead: have a passion, have a dream — but they don’t have to drive and consume your life.

40

BE HAPPY Asher Kim Hey there, Why the tear?

Breathe in the air, And come sit here.

You know, You should be stupid, and be crazy.

You should be fervid, and be hearty.

But don’t be sad, Because life is too short to be anything But happy.

TOY ROCKET There once was a boy from Joybrokett, Who bought a new toy rocket.

But his sister, named Joy, Came to him with the toy.

And as for the toy, Joybrokett.

41

A LESSON ABOUT POSITIVITY Daniel Kim A new season for volleyball started. My older brother, eight other seniors, and one of my friends had left the team. After a disappointing end to the previous season because of a broken leg, I wanted to do everything I could to make up for it this year. But did we have hope?

Several seniors, juniors, and one freshman—who became our team baby— filled the ten empty spots. And so, playing as a new team, we started from the bottom. We had a rough season with countless games—a rollercoaster of highs and lows that never seemed to settle down. But through our many struggles and disappointment, our coaches always remained cool.

They didn’t scold us or show any anger. They just told us two things: stay positive, and keep giving your best. Those words hit me like a truck, and it changed how I played for the rest of the season.

ACSC week finally turned up, and we flew to Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines. We moved into a guest house which provided two rooms for our twelve players. I had to share a bed with Simon, but I’ll stop there because that’s a whole different adventure. Anyway, I knew this tournament wouldn’t be picnic, but I kept in mind the two golden rules.

Throughout the week, we won some games and lost some more games.

And so, just like the beginning of the season, we started from the bottom of the playoff bracket.

We won our first game against Faith Academy’s junior varsity team. It served as good warm up game. The next game was against Faith’s real team. We had lost to them before, so we knew we would have to go hard or go home. Each member of our team played hard, encouraged each 42

other, and played their best. Despite being the underdog, we won that game and secured fourth place. The next game was against St. Paul. They were a crazier team than Faith, but we busted our butts and ended up beating them too. The next game we got crushed by Yongsan (YISS), and that was the end of our tournament.

It still amazes me to think that we played three back to back games with the top teams of the tournament and ended at third, but I believe that if we never changed our mentality from solely trying to win to just being positive, we would’ve never reached where we were or become the team we became in the end. If you stay positive, you’ll experience a whole new world.

43

AN OPEN LETTER Hyun Ji Kim Dear Class of 2018, I was helping out in a second grade classroom, arranging their ID cards the other day, when something caught my eyes. The cards read, “Class of 2028.” Are we seriously that old? Thinking back, I used to think that 2018 was far away. And to be frank, I still forget that it’s already 2018. It’s even stranger to think that these second graders will be in my position soon and go, “Wow, I didn’t think that 2028 would come so fast.”

All of us, including myself, have been running towards graduation ever since day 1 of first grade. And to some of you, it’s a day that you’ve been anticipating since the very beginning, while to some of you, it’s a day you wished would never come. For others, you just didn’t think it through. But regardless of the different attitudes and feelings towards graduation, it’s something that’s already here and something we must go through.

I’d be lying if I said that I’m not excited about finally ‘escaping’ the same old pattern that I’ve lived in for the past 12 years — wake up, go to school, come back, do homework, sleep. But at time same time, something holds me back as I write the last few sentences of the ending of this chapter.

Although I must have complained at least a thousand times throughout my school days, I’m going to miss it for sure. Checking the lunch menu on Monday mornings, secretly packing my stuff a few minutes before lunch, talking about things that don’t even make sense or matter with friends, and even writing essays the block before they’re due. It’s been a part of my life without me even noticing it, and it’s alarming to think that it won’t be there anymore.

44

Well, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe we won’t miss our time here together as much as I think we will. Maybe we won’t remember it at all. But whether we will or not, these days will never come back. It was a one-time thing.

We’ll never be “high schoolers” again, even if we wanted to, which some of us might wish sometime soon when we get out into the real world and realize the comfort that high school provides. We can’t come into school without having to sign in at the office first. We can’t act like children anymore. We can’t get student discounts at GSC with our Dalat ID cards ever again. But that’s not the point. The fact that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing makes it special.

And as we bring closure to this chapter of our lives, I genuinely do hope that it has been a great journey that you will want to remember. It has been for me, at least. What else can I say other than good luck? And thanks, for being part of my journey.

Lots of love,

Hyun Ji Class of 2018

45

MEMORIES FROM A DUSTY CORNER Louise Kim One day this moment in time will be the past. We live in the present relentlessly, slowly inching away from the previous to the new. We’ll adjust, yes, and go our separate ways; but one thing will last—the memories.

Whether we liked it or not, we gathered here, from preschool or just a year ago, each having experienced different people, environments, situations, and beliefs. We interacted, even if it was an awkward smile or “hello”. For a year or longer, we shared the same routine and strived to reach the end of a never-ending road to growing up. We have come a long way but still have a long journey ahead. A senior in high school about to be a freshman in college: we are at the start again, stepping out farther into the world.

Dispersing out, going our separate ways. We may or may not meet again.

Still, once in a while, we may pick up these memories from a dusty corner and remember. Remember the highs and lows, the friendships, and the ways we impacted each other.

46

IN BETWEEN THE PAGES Doris Koay Looking for the best book, Might not be the hardest thing to do.

It could catch you like a hook, But you’ll never have a clue.

As much as the content, The cover is significant.

As that is what it represents, If that book is magnificent.

Is it pretty?

Is it romantic?

Or is it a dull, Boring book?

As you flip through the pages, Understand the words.

The meaning behind the stages, Misunderstandings cured.

Like or dislike it, You need to make a choice.

You can’t be half split, Or else you can’t rejoice.

To Or To Or

read till the end, ditch it before that. find out the bend, lay the next book flat.

At one point, you’ll read an end, By then, you’ll need to see the end.

Is it a happy ever after?

Or just a tragic shatter?

Maybe you should have read the reviews before you entered.

47

THE SACRIFICE Zachary Kok “Please state your name for the record sir.”

“My name is James Buchannan.”

“Mr. Buchanan, do you know why you’re here?”

“I do very much, but I don’t think you do.”

“Would you like to enlighten me?”

“Perhaps another time. I know this lovely cafe nearby that serves better coffee than that cup of cold-cop coffee. That’s where...”

“You aren’t going anywhere besides prison after what you did, Buchanan.

But, with this sort of crime, you’ll probably go to the chair instead.”

“And I suppose you have evidence for that.”

“I will have the evidence when we’re done here, believe me.”

“I’m sure you will. Now, shall we begin?”

“Do you know who this man is, Buchanan?”

“Oh yes I do, and I’m sure you do too, Barnes. Jake always comes over with gifts when my wife throws birthday parties for Maggie. You know that.”

“Then why did you butcher him?! He has a missing eye for goodness sake!”

“I didn’t kill him. Why don’t you go out there and search for the real murderer?”

“I’m a high ranking official, which means I don’t have to go around sweating in the heat all day chasing weed-smoking teenagers who can’t afford college. Which also means I get to stay in here, which also means you’re stuck with me.”

“Well, good luck then.”

“Where were you on the night of his murder?”

“I was out. You can confirm with my wife. She should be home babysitting Maggie.”

48

“We are on the way to pick her up now. She is going to be very surprised when she hears about Jake.”

“Oh, I’m sure she will. Then again, I’m going to walk outta here and tell her it was all a big misunderstanding.”

“You’re not getting out of here, Buchanan. And I will get the evidence required. Now, when was the last time you spoke with Jake O’Connell?”

“Probably last week. We usually talk over the phone.”

“What do you talk about?”

“Just things at the lab and business. We are currently studying about the human lungs. It is very fascinating.”

“Yeah. I’d love to hear about that. What else do you talk about?”

“Nothing much. Just about our wives and kids. How’s yours? Oh wait, you don’t have one.”

“That’s real funny. Buchanan, are you aware that the night you both last talked was the same night he was murdered?”

“Coincidence, to be sure.”

“I doubt it. It was seen on CCTV footage that your car passed by the same street he was staying at. Also, there was physical evidence of your fingerprints on his coat. Do you have anything to say about that?”

“I think I went there to discuss something on our recent breakthrough in the lab. And as for the fingerprints, I took his coat off before I sat down.”

“And what time did you leave?”

“It wasn’t a long discussion. We just talked about how to solve a problem and that was it.”

“You went all that way just to solve a problem in the dead of night? That’s a little suspicious.”

“Only if you’re a cop. Besides, we couldn’t risk the NSA or the police tapping in on our call and listening to everything would say.”

“That statement itself sounds sketchy, don’t you think.”

“Like I said, only if you’re a cop.”

“Fine. How are things home? How’s things with your wife? Maggie?”

49

“My wife is doing fine, which is none of your business.”

“Ever since we got the report you were in touch with Jake during that night, your life is my business. Now, do you want to repeat your answer?”

“Let me ask you a question, Barnes. How will this play out, hmm? If I’m found guilty, you won’t get to see me again, which would sadden you.

And me, deeply, to be honest. And what if I’m found innocent? I get to go home to see my lovely wife who would be so worried about me, and you will be here knowing that you couldn’t put me behind bars. It would frustrate you deeply, wouldn’t it?”

“Why you..-*ring ring*-.I need to take this” _______________________________________________________________ _______________ “Please tell me you got something good.”

“Sir! We found a dead body. Female, Caucasian, probably mid 40’s. And guess what, sir? She was murdered the same way O’Connell was murdered.

We managed to identify her, and she is the wife of Buchanan. What do we do ....” _______________________________________________________________ ___________________ “You sack of trash!”

“Ow! You’re still capable of hitting hard. Didn’t know that.”

“You, how could you! She was your wife for goodness sake!”

“Ah! So you found her. Feels horrible, doesn’t it? No longer getting to see her again. It feels even worse knowing she has been disloyal to a man, a man who shared his WHOLE WORLD with her. And yet, she has been in another man’s arms this whole time.”

“Wait, are you...are you saying she was having an affair?”

“Wow, you catch on quick.”

“So, Jake... Was that why you killed him?”

“Yes. That is why I mutilated him. It all makes sense now, doesn’t it?

50

Such a waste.”

“Alright. That’s it. We have this whole conversation on tape. You’re going to prison, you sick…”

“The tape? Right. It shows you hitting me, doesn’t it? I wonder how that will play out in the media. ‘High-ranking official abuses a victim in crime.’

I would love to read that.”

“You’re not the victim here. You’re the freak. Now put your... *cough* ... hands behind your ...*cough*....back.”

“You’re right. I’m not the victim here. You are.”

“What...*cough*...are you ...saying?”

“Di-hydrogen monoxide. It’s harmless in dry and normal conditions.

However, when placed into a wet and hot environment, like the coffee you drank when you walked in, it becomes a deadly toxin which starts to inflame the lungs, not allowing air to pass through and eventually, dissolving your trachea.”

“Why......*cough*?!”

“Oh, because Jake wasn’t the one sleeping with my wife. It was you. Yes, I knew it from the beginning. Jake was merely bait. You see. With someone as ‘high and mighty’ as you up there in the rankings, I figured it would be hard to get close to you. Therefore, Jake had to be a sacrifice. I hope you’d tell him I apologize for what I did when you see him.”

“You....little.....”

“Sleep tight, Barnes.”

51

ALWAYS THERE FOR ME Yi Lin Law My life has been a giant jigsaw puzzle, Breaking and trying to find myself.

I have been feeling lonely and depressed for years, Never really gratified with the God-given obstacles in life.

Turning side to side but never satisfied.

Running and hiding from life is hard.

I would often feel lonely and without any sense of purpose, Wandering alone contemplating about life’s purpose.

I did not have the courage to step out of my comfort zone, And share my adversities with those around me, not even loved ones.

Over the years, as I grew up and finally acknowledged that God exists, I started growing a sense of courage to share my troubles and pain.

Slowly, step by step, I opened up to our Heavenly Father.

I would talk to Him for hours and feel relieved As the feelings that have been bottled up inside of me were lifted off my shoulders slowly, I started to slowly forget the atrocious thoughts of self-harming.

52

DUCKS ARE DUCKS Vivien Lee This artwork is a piece that I drew when I was in grade 11. In the picture, the duck in the center tries to stand on one leg, just like the other flamingos.

However, flamingos are flamingos. Ducks are ducks. This fact does not change, and what the duck is doing is unnecessary.

When Dalat students graduate and go out into society, they will face situations that make them feel so inferior to others. But we are just who we are. We do not need to compare, imitate, or feel any shame. I hope this art piece gives this message to my friends and other students: God will always love us, and we should not forget how to love ourselves as well.

53

NEVER GROW UP Shannen Leong This paper cutting piece is a combination of different parts of my childhood that I wish to remember. I believe that it is important to keep your childhood memories even as you grow older. Growing older doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. This piece is a reminder that no matter how old you become, there will still be the kid in you who never grows up.

54

THANK YOU Jesse Lohman It seems like I just got here Like I just took my first step off the plane Like I just spent all summer trying to get used to this place Like I just started trying new things unique to Malaysia It seems like just last month when I went to my first day of school at Dalat Last month I fought to fit in and make friends Last month I traveled to Taiwan and won ACSC with my team Last month I spent my junior year working hard Last month I went to my first JSB It seems like last week I spent my second summer in Malaysia Last week I had my second first day of school here Last week I was captain of the soccer team Last week I went to Phi Phi for Sneak Last week I found my best friend Last week I went to my final CB It seems like just yesterday I began applying for college Just yesterday I decided where I would go to university Just yesterday I went to my second, and final, JSB Just yesterday I graduated It seems like an eternity ahead without my friends whom I made An eternity without the neighborhood I came to know as home An eternity without a clear path Looking back, I can say I’m thankful for all that happened I’m so glad I moved here and met you all I hope we can continue being friends no matter where we may end up Thank you, Class of 2018

55

DOODLES Julia Munson I think that my love for doodling started when I got a new notebook and “borrowed” my brother’s Sharpies. Almost every day, I would doodle in my notebook–even in class. I was determined to fill the entire notebook full of patterns. And I eventually did. Afterwards, I started another notebook, but I am only halfway through that one. The photo below is just a few of my favorite patterns that I drew. I was going to draw a new piece of artwork for the Eagle’s Eye but I decided that these doodles mean a lot more to me than just drawing a random art piece.

56

TUNING Jerald Ooi My grey fingers pluck at the strings Each note a story Each chord a ballad I run my fingers through six steps— And I hear a sound I turn the screw loose And again— I run my fingers through the six steps— And I hear a sound I turn the screws tight And once again— I run my fingers through the six steps— To hear not sound, But the gentle caress of music To feel not the bland air But life resonating under my skin, And once again colour fills my being, my soul.

57

SUPERGLUE FRIEND Harin Park It was a warm April day with the sun so bright that it hurt my eyes, and the clouds were so white that they seemed like a flock of baby sheep going on a picnic. The harbor was full of loud laughter and excited giggles of my classmates, adding to the welcoming greetings from the seagulls and the cool breeze of the ocean. My classmates and I, the Class of 2015, were thrilled and readily prepared for our graduation trip. This trip was our last chance to hang out with our friends before we started our intensive preparation for Suneung, the Korean SAT. I couldn’t wait until we got to Jeju Island, our final destination. All of us already had images drawn in our heads about what the trip would be like. The teachers watched us with pleased glares, as if remembering their own graduation trips.

Then, my homeroom teacher, Ms. Choi, yelled, “Quiet down and get on the ferry! And make sure that you all don’t disturb other passengers, okay?”

“Okay!” we replied with loud, exaggerated voices.

Then we got on the ferry one-by-one with hope and excitement. When it was finally my turn to step onto the bridge that connected the deck to the ground, I slipped and almost fell into the water. But, thankfully, my best friend—whom I called my superglue because she literally would never get away from me but was always beside me—grabbed my hands and pulled me up.

“Gosh! Be careful! You don’t wanna cross the Jordan River yet,” said Jieun, my dearest superglue.

“Okay, okay! Don’t worry. I won’t. I won’t,”I said. Maybe I should have taken note of that little sign, just maybe.

As we headed to the ferry again, we joked about my clumsiness and how I would probably do that again when we got out of the ship. The captain of the ferry made an announcement that the ship would sail, and the ferry, Sewol, began its journey with a loud grumble of its old boat horn.

Of course, the noise was followed by my classmates’ jubilant yelling and clapping.

“Boys...” Jieun and I said, shaking our heads though fully aware that girls were much louder.

58

As the ferry gained speed and began to accelerate separating the indigo ocean, the scent of the sea through the windows overwhelmed us, and the seagulls talked to us; everything, even the eardrum-hurting snore of Mr. Yoon, the school nurse, sounded like classical orchestra music.

“Dude, it’s our last chance to hang out. We gotta have lots and lots of fun and make good memories,” said Jieun.

“I know right! But after this trip, we have to study like death! Suneung will kill me!” I said, frowning.

“Gosh, stop talking about that! Just forget about it for now. Let’s just enjoy the time we have now, okay?” she said, trying to be cheerful.

“Yes ma’am,” I said, nudging her.

The noises settled to whispers after a while, and for the first time, the ferry was peaceful. Then, I heard a sound—a creaking sound, the sound of the ferry getting punched by something.

“Um...did you hear that Jieun?” I said.

“Huh....? What?” said my superglue, unplugging her earphones.

“The sound, I think the ferry just hit something.”

“What are you talking about? They would have announced it if the ferry did hit something.”

“True...” I replied reluctantly.

To shake off my growing fear, I picked up one earbud and listened to her music. For a moment, she looked into my eyes, and I avoided eye contact in my best effort to hide my anxiety, which didn’t turn out well.

She grinned a little and said, “Don’t be so scared you, little child. Mama is here for you. Come here.” She followed this by hugging me.

“Don’t call me a baby now!” I said, trying to act a little offended yet helplessly smiling and hugging her back. I grabbed onto her cold hands to calm myself down from the fear—the freezing hands that she insisted were because she had used up all her warmth on her heart.

Once again, edged in tranquility and glee, I was so thankful that my dear superglue was always with me; I closed my eyes and smiled a little.

Then, for a fleeting moment, I felt the tremor of the ferry again with a 59

deafening thud. My heart started to beat faster and faster; I could feel its vigorous pulse and hear its accelerating beats. “This time you heard it right?” I said.

“Yes,” Jieun said, with a pale face.

Then I felt something cold underneath my feet. “Did you spill something, Jieun?” I said.

“No. What are you talking about?” she said, looking at where I was pointing.

I, then, also looked a little closer at the strangely increasing level of the water—I sensed the imminent catastrophe.

The ship was sinking.

As soon as I realized that, I froze in panic. I began to tremble, and tears gathered in my eyes. But Jieun, my calm, decisive friend, shouted to the rest of the classmates and other passengers aboard, “The ship is sinking! Please wear the safety jacket!”

Then, all of the passengers on board made a combined effort to make our way out of the sinking ferry. The ferry’s crew reported the shipwreck to the maritime police, and they responded that they would come as soon as possible. The passengers, which were mostly my classmates, helped each other put on the safety jackets and calm each other, until we realized we were short on jackets. We had no choice but to yield or share the jackets— still, we grabbed onto the hope that rescuers would come before the ferry completely sank. But, as the water level kept increasing swiftly and the waiting prolonged, so did our anxiety and fear. My shaking intensified until I couldn’t even grab onto Jieun’s icy hands tightly. But my superglue held onto my hands firmly and put a smile on her face to soothe my terror, even when I could clearly see her own fear from the quivering ends of her lips. Sensing the coming end, all of us on the ferry made our last calls to our families and sent our last texts—our very last words that we couldn’t say before: “I love you.” I wholeheartedly and desperately prayed that all of the passengers, especially my superglue and I, would be safely rescued.

Nevertheless, the ship sank rapidly, and the cold water swallowed us bit by bit.

Then, breaking the lugubrious sobs, a man shouted, “They are here! They are finally here!”

60

The rescuers had finally arrived; however, they were not the maritime police—they were fishermen. A fisherman had seen the ship sinking and had called his fellow fishermen to come along with him to rescue us. Tears went down my pale cheeks, and I thanked God. We tried to make our ways through the heavy water, but as we all moved, the ferry sank even faster.

The teachers and the crewmen let the students get out first, sacrificing themselves and endangering their lives. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about me.

I’ll follow you guys right after you get out. See you outside, guys, and listen to the adults and follow what they say. You can promise them right?” said Ms. Choi, our homeroom teacher, putting on a stiff smile to hide her fear. Ms. Choi, who just graduated from college and had newly become a teacher, was eager and desperate to save us, her first students.

The crew members tried their best to get us out safely, saying, “It’s okay.

We are more experienced than you guys, so we’ll be fine. We are the crew of this ship. We have to be the last to leave it.”

As we carefully made our way out, the current of the water pushed us back, and hope seemed to be running away from us. My legs were losing their strength, and my body was getting heavier and heavier, and I almost got swept by the dark water, which was now up to my chest. Seeing me struggle, Jieun yielded the safety jacket that we were sharing for me to wear and led me to where the rescue boats were waiting for us. “No, you can’t go without a safety jacket! What are you doing?” I said.

“Yes, I can. Don’t worry. Besides, you can’t even walk properly without it.

Just keep walking. I’ll be fine. See? I’m holding your hand. I’m attached to you,” said my benevolent superglue with a warm smile. Then, she handed me her phone saying, “And in case...just in case I don’t get rescued, get this to my mom, okay?”

“No, you will…you definitely will get out of this with me. I’ll never let go of your hands,” I said tearing up.

“Just do it for me. Will you?” said my beloved pal, also with tears in her eyes.

“Then I’ll keep it just for now. But you have to get it back from me, okay?”

I said, wiping her tears.

“Of course!” she said, wiping my tears.

61

We continued our way to the rescue boats, and finally, I grabbed one of the rescuing fishermen’s hands, while still grabbing onto Jieun’s. Then, the ship shook severely and sank further down. The fisherman pulled me up immediately. And the cold, indifferent blue separated me from my dearest friend—our hands parted finger by finger. Behind the heartless water, she smiled.

And that was the last expression that I saw on her.

“No!” I shouted, trying to go back to the ship and find her. The rescuers held me back and did not let me go back in. “No!” I cried with her phone in hand. “No...this can’t be...she promised to get it back from me. I need to go look for her,” I said desperately to the fisherman.

“I am sorry, child...but you can’t,” said he mournfully.

“No! Jieun! Come back! You are my superglue...you are supposed to be next to me always...no...this can’t be…”

But no reply came back. Ever.

On the twelfth day of the first month of 2016, I am standing in front of Jieun’s desk for the last time, as I have been doing every day since I last saw her. I need to leave this school now; I am graduating from my school, Danwon. I sit on her chair and touch her desk. I see the doodles that we drew. Tenderly I feel her handwriting: “My hands are cold because I used up all my warmth on my heart!”

No, that is not true, Jieun. Your hands were warm like the shiny sun of the day when I last touched them. I love you. We shall meet soon. Until then, I will always keep you in my heart because, remember forever, you are my superglue.

A tear droplet falls on her neat handwriting. And I smile a big smile just like hers when I saw her last, looking at the bright sky.

62

RESONANCE Daniela Rana She swayed by the way she tipped toed.

Tall enough to be the greatest, Accompanied by the ill-fated.

Frostbitten by the cold, Burned by the invigorating blizzard.

Time was once a portal, To where pictures frames captured, Frozen as an immortal.

The atmosphere feared, A change that was deeply veered.

Constantly being in a battle, seeing the world as it appeared From a million miles away, A constellation orchestrated by the attraction of forces.

I wrote this poem as a reflection to the realization of being alive and present in the moment. Having lived and travelled to many places, I realised how every scenery has a story—it has characteristics; it has character. Penang has been a place where I could finally call home after a decade; however, I will have to leave it soon. My father always reminds me that a picture can tell a thousand words. As a way to show my future self how much a moment can mean, I started taking snippets of my present. I might not appreciate the moment as I take it in, but perhaps it may teach me about it in the near future. We, all of us humans, fear change. Still we have a nomadic tendency to be in constant movement.

63

DEAR BEATING HEART Kayla Ronning Dear Beating Heart, You need to know the importance of your existence. Your anatomy may require you to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body, but is not the only thing that makes you so vital for human survival. People will perform unthinkable acts from the deepest parts of your chambers. This alone is what binds them together, keeping them from death. For you, heart, are the thing that keeps their spirits alive. I know that it can be hard to keep pulsing when things lash at you and try to rip you apart. People will toss baggage upon you, and it may be the very soul you are breathing for that makes it so hard to contract under the weight. You will find when the waves of life are the lowest, they will soon raise up to be the highest. You will be made stronger through tough times, but never forget that you are not alone when fighting off attackers that try to break you. Take comfort in knowing that the God who made you can live within your chambers, all you need to do is open your doors to him. He will help you reach the top of the waves and take all the baggage. You do not need to be ashamed for receiving help; God knows that you cannot do this on your own. Life can be hard living sometimes.

Please know that the best pulse you can make is that which you create inside yourself. Stay true to who you are—deep within your cardiac muscle cells—and do not change under pressure. Pop culture and trends are fun to be a part of, but don’t get lost in them. It is important to know who you are. Shine brightly from within so that you might change the world. Don’t let the world’s light change you. Heart, you are beautiful and perfectly crafted and nothing will change that. You are so brave for all that you do to keep your human’s soul alive. All the pain you will have gone through today, yesterday, and tomorrow is not for nothing. The strength and bravery that you display are what make the human that you protect.

There is nothing more crucial to life than the rhythm that you beat.

Love, Your Human 64

FLY HIGH Jung En Seo This drawing is somewhat an encouragement to me as a senior who does not have much time left in this school. At some point in time, all students at Dalat will leave this school. They will no longer be under the rules and regulations of this school. Right now, we are seniors, about to take another step into the new world. ‘The eye’ within my piece represents the emotions that students might be feeling; they may be nervous or excited for the things to come. Whatever the emotion is, ‘the eagle’ that is reflected in the eye represents each and every one of the students. Like the eagle, students will also fly up high one day.

65

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE” Rosie Shin To watch or not to watch? That is the question Whether ’tis wiser in the mind to not procrastinate and suffer The regrets and consequences of endless procrastination, Or to take arms against the sea of procrastination, And by finishing my duties, finish them? To watch or study— No more— and by study, to say we prevent The soon to come regrets and events The mind is accustomed to—’tis a dilemma Devoutly to be wished! To watch, to study, To study—perchance to receive better grades—ay, there’s the rub, For in that studying, what results might come?

When we have seen the glistening “A” in PowerSchool, Must give us pride. There’s the benefits That bring honor from our grades For who would bear the regrets and scorns of procrastination The failing grades, the wrath of parents, The pangs of disappointment, the teacher’s warning, The insolence of teasing, and the conflicts Those wise decisions in that time, When we can prevent ourselves from experiencing The harsh consequences? Who would want to feel such regrets?

To grunt and sweat tears of blood under the burden of disappointment, But the dread after the disappointment, The wrath of parents which No child can escape, embarrasses us with guilt And makes us chastise ourselves for the actions we made Then should we turn back time to change decisions?

Thus procrastination does make sinners of us all, And thus the common hue of procrastination Is embedded within the brief moments of happiness And enterprises of great joy and excitement from stress With this choice, our grades are turned, And lose the name of honor— softlycomes my mom, My loving mother, — Mom is your name Make my actions wise to not procrastinate 66

PHOENIX Natalie Ryan To be confident, is to be vulnerable; that is what sharing my story allows me to do —to be vulnerable: Freshly thawed, comfortably flawed; I live within a conflagration of my own making.

Seeping with soot, I wore a heart full of tar.

Polishing foggy lenses with clearing crystalline tears, I could finally see, salvation.

It is a battle that will never end.

The challenge is how I deal with it.

I already win if I keep going.

A sweet surrender smothers my pride.

To live life the best way I can. . .

Now, that is the true victory. . .

I bear ankles shackled by chains, I am my own prisoner, but I am also a phoenix.

I can fly, fight, and explore the world till I am burnt into ashes; but from those ashes,

I am

reborn...

67

CLASS OF 2018 Aaron Tan I’ve spent a lot of time, With these classmates And friends of mine.

We’ve served plates, During our JSB night.

They’re all different, And try as I might, I cannot forget and be indifferent.

The Class of 2018, Is a special oddity.

There is an Aussie teen, Her name is Natalie.

By her side, Rana drinks her green juice, With her hipster pride.

Yi Lin is small like a tart, But beware.

She can tear you apart Like a lid on Tupperware.

Next, she’s an Olympic swimmer, And her art is worthy of royalty.

In class she’s a daydreamer; Her name is Elynn T. Jonny and David: we have a twin wombo-combo, We have a power couple too.

Tika for the win: Tian and Mika: the name for the two, They’re like a bow and violin.

We have another couple, Shannen and Jesse.

With Dalat and its policies, They better not be K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Tommy will always be my president, 68

And I am his event coordinator.

There’s never been an incident, Where he’s been unworthy of a congratulator.

Rahul is our new head, Here in our ExCom family.

He will help us create a legacy that will never fade, A legacy that will last indefinitely.

Peter is an objective perfectionist, And Richard is clumsy but compassionate.

I don’t know how they intertwist, But they’re like the soft and hard bits of a pomegranate.

Teddy is hairy like a teddy bear, But he could kill you in a gunfight.

Disrespect South Dakota if you dare, And he’ll make you see the light.

Asher will always be there, To say “SIKE, you thought.”

But I don’t know why teachers don’t seem to care, When he wears an Adidas sweater even when it’s hot.

I used to take Chan seriously, It was human error.

With eyes full of glee, He is an ever-smiling terror.

Daniel G is a real G, He’ll always keep you in check.

If you’re being a sore to see, He’ll hit you on the neck.

Grace has a stare as cold as ice, It could stab you like a dart.

I’m kidding, as she’s really nice, She always tried to encourage your heart.

Melynn keeps a lot of memories.

But she also keeps a video that could end me.

Kayla says she’s a slow breeze, But she’s always ‘Ronning’ faster than the eye can see.

Julia became the only Journ II student.

Here’s a list of all who left her: Yours truly, Daniela, Rainbow, And Areeya.

I think it’s my fault Rainbow quit.

She was forced to complete the spreads I couldn’t finish.

Areeya had a phase and made puns that lacked wit, But can she rhyme with a fancy word like quiche.

Alex and Isaac tend to start arguments; The latter one because he’s on the forensics team.

But the other participates in basketball tournaments, So he has energy bursting at the seam.

Some say Jerald is a palm tree, Others say his sister is pretty, But as true as how salvation is free, Both of them are memes.

Soph owns her own meme page.

Zach’s humour has some dark themes, But his jokes are the gems of our age.

If you want a one-woman orchestra, I’d point you to Jung En. Chapel will always be something extra, When she turns up with the cello till you say amen.

Doris is our best dancer.

If she choreographs for you, The audience won’t get cancer.

I ensure you that this is true.

Yigal has every girl’s heart in his hand, With his billion dollar smile, His eyes the color of soft sand.

And his cuteness as bountiful as the Nile.

Shion and Aidan, The poster children of Dalat’s fitness.

They’re stronger than eight men, They have no weakness.

But none of them could lift books, As well as Jia can.

You’ll see her loaded and signing cheque books, With a billion dollar fountain pen.

Chewe and Simon, They act as one.

I turn sour as a lemon, When they roast me like the sun.

You may think that you’re good at art, But Mrs. Nichols likes Vivien, Meaning she’s been Picasso from the start, And you’re just a simple simian.

Felix thinks he’s a lady’s man, A babe magnet if you will.

You’ll notice that he says things without a plan, Jerald likes to sleep in class like a soft kitty.

At her highest point, Sophia became He-man.

69

You’ll always see Zachary at a fast food joint.

He is also a Tzuyu fan.

And it makes class a thrill.

If there is a discussion, Aurelie will not shy away.

Her insights will leave you with a concussion, And she will always lead the way.

Rosie is pretty, Especially to Jerald and Zach.

She’s full of empathy, Never turning her back.

Harin is sweet like honey, But she’s super serious.

You’ll always hear the word “nani,” If she sees you being ridiculous.

Ke-erh is eccentric, And all she does is eat.

She’s almost electric,

70

And she’s loud even after she takes a seat.

We have a girl named Louise.

I trust her a lot.

If we were given a pop quiz, She wouldn’t give it a second thought.

My friend Daniel Kim, He gets all my jokes, Rather than being dim, And I’m loved by his folks.

If you want a secretary, We have a really amazing one.

Hyun Ji does more than necessary; Read the two lines before with sarcastic fun.

I’m a part of these misfits, And I will miss them so.

I love them to bits, How I will cope without them, I do not know.

CREATE MY WAVES Elynn Tan Instead of using the “artsy terms” and explaining the motive behind this drawing and bore you to death, I drew it as an expression of how I felt all these years struggling between swimming and being an average kid.

When times get tough, my first response is to turn and bolt; but through swimming, I’ve learned that running away from it would not help, instead, I have learned to create my waves and keep moving forward.

71

PAVE A PATH Jia Qi Tan Every Saturday morning, I lace up my running trainers, lunge back as the last stretch before I start, and hit the pavement. I let my pace take me through one finish line after another—some invisible, others physical. I feel my heartbeat increasing as I accelerate, and I enjoy the rush of cool breeze as I sprint past a tree or a monkey. I adjust my breathing rhythm and pay attention to my landing posture. I let sweat drip down my forehead, down to my chin and onto my shirt. I just run.

I have always assumed that runners are naturally born to run: covering a mile in six minutes, loving every second of pain even when oxygen levels deplete, lactic acid increases, and muscles twitch, pushing through the side stitches, and receiving the praise and medals at the finish line. In short, I have always assumed that runners have to be good at running. That presumption lines up with my other philosophy—to excel.

But running is an exception.

I never identify myself as a runner. My speed lasts for the first mile or two.

Soon, every step to keep up with that 7.5 mph pace gets heavier. While my will pushes myself forward, my body refuses to listen. The number on my Fitbit jumps out of control, entering the ninety-fifth percentile of my maximum heart rate, and then to the hundredth. My heart pounds; my legs shake. I blast my running playlist to the loudest in an attempt to distract myself from the excruciating pain in my quads. It is a constant battle between surrendering and persevering.

But it is in the midst of this frustration when I confront my limitations, that I feel most alive yet humbled. I am fascinated by the sheer exhilaration of running where I break all of my realms. I have been accustomed to a routine of competition and strive towards the top, but running comes in to humble me, again and again. I am humbled by the limits of my legs, by others’ aggressive strides, by the distances in the world I have yet to cover.

72

Running feels like more than just taking one step after another or catching myself before I fall. Sometimes running resembles alchemy. The pain, the sweat, and the exhaustion seem to linger, but in a moment, they turn into an unspeakable satisfaction, a thirst for more challenges, and a hint of humility.

I still regularly call every detail of my runs to mind and ponder over them, feeling my endorphin rush simply thinking about it and reminding myself of my identity as a runner. The apparent paradox in my runs has shaped me in countless ways. Running takes away my pride and gives me something more—an aptitude to recognize my limits but trudge on regardless, to slow down but never forget my destination, to overcome the apparent defeat in pursuit of what I desire, to ignore the voices of comparisons and focus on my path.

It is reassuring that running has scoured this part of me, and it has penetrated to other areas of my life as well. I do not seek to excel anymore. It is not about chasing after the absolute best, neither is it about seeing what the world has to offer me. It is for me to venture out in this world, to continue to be humbled, and to pave a path of my own.

73

FELIX THE BOY WHO LIVED LIFE ON THE EDGE Felix Tobias Getting D’s and being on the NFL is my thing Meeting Mr. Maurin after school makes me happy I am not stupid or dumb Just pure laziness runs in my veins When they threaten to take basketball away, I study the night away Just to save my princess in distress I love to travel to places that are not so popular Seeing the culture of the people there Maybe one day I will be a journalist If my Asian parents approve...

74

YIGAL’S I Chan Woong Won I chose to upload this song because this was the first song that I actually recorded myself playing on guitar, about a year ago. My surface has the video, however, and because my surface is broken at the moment, I had to record the song again.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kAUtxqxBel3ycESxsF2u7P8MlFs64VW/ view?usp=sharing

75

RAINBOW REMINDER Theodore Zimmer I was sitting on the Ziemer Dorm balcony thinking of what to write for Senior Scribble. I was going to write about the basketball trip to ISKL where we, the varsity basketball boys, won 1st place and went undefeated. Varsity girls basketball got 3rd, and frankly, I have no clue how JV boys and girls did. But it was a good trip, full of memories that will hopefully last us for a while. Once we get older, we basically forget everything, and what I mean by older is thirty-five years old; I’m just messing, but really…

Anyways, there was a rainbow tonight over the ocean. This rainbow was dull and not cutting through the sky. It was not the prettiest rainbow I have ever seen, but nonetheless, it was still beautiful.

A rainbow is formed when light reflects, refracts, and disperses within water droplets in the air, directly opposite of the sun. This is the scientific way. A rainbow was originally created as a promise from God that He would not destroy the earth again with a colossal flood. This was during the time of Noah, and the last time I checked, this promise has been kept.

The Lord always keeps His promises. He also has a plan for every one of us. His plans might not look like the biggest, brightest rainbow in the sky; nonetheless, it’s still a rainbow. God knows exactly what His plan is for us. All the rainbows are bright in His eyes. Plan for the future and then don’t worry about it by having faith in the Lord. Matthew 6:34 reads, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Again, the Lord has a plan.

I have my whole life planned out: join the Army and then become a farmer or miner. That’s my plan, but we will see what the Lord has in store.

To my fellow seniors, and to whom this may concern, plan your future, but know that the Lord’s plan will always supersede our plans. It’s acceptable to be nervous, but when it comes to the point when we don’t trust in the 76

Lord, that’s when it is bad. Say a prayer and know that the Lord always provides.

When we do become old, like fifty (‌joking again, or am I?), we can look back at the things we did, or at situations that we thought were impossible to overcome, and smile, knowing that the Lord always had our backs. Our future may not seem like a shiny rainbow, but to Abba, Father, all the rainbows are perfect.

77

78

79