Happy birthday, H!

H was a good friend of mine when I was schooling decades ago in Singapore.

Back then, I still remember profoundly that many Singaporean classmates looked down on people from China. One girl who I still remember her name as Cindy once asked me: "Did you come to Singapore from China by ox wagon?" I was shocked by such question.

In the beginning of the school life, many Singaporean schoolmates did not really want to be friends with us. They think China people are poor and especially Chinese girls did have bad reputation back them.

It was hurtful for a while when I felt the school atmosphere was not so welcoming. But I was fearless and wanted to focus only in studies. Shortly after one semester, I proved myself that we can be really great academically though my English was pretty lousy still. Soon, I got many invitations from my classmates to help them with maths topics.

But H was always the friendly one and he was one of my schoolmates too. He's got big beautiful eyes and dark skin as he is an Indian Singaporean. Unlike others, he never had look down on anyone before no matter we were from China, Vietnam, Mymar or South Africa. He was really humurous at times.  When I needed with long English documents, he was the expert to seek help and I returned my favor by being his maths mentor.

It was nice knowing him for years afterwards. Though he later decided to drop out of our Singapore school, he went to Malaysia, afterwards Australia for further studies. Many years have gone by and we kept in touch always even though we have not met each other nearly 20 years.

Every year, a birthday wish for each other always show up on our handphones. From young age to middle age, we grew up and went through many different ups and downs. But we still treasure this friendship deeply.

Life is short, we must learn to keep the good memories and let go of the bad ones. I am glad that I have known him as a good friend and a good English teacher too.

So today is H's birthday again, we are in two different countries. I sincerely hope he will continue having a wonderful life and be well always!

做好自己!