I have to share this story of me and Wern Cheen, my friend from primary school (like elementary school). We were reunited again in San Francisco a couple of days ago and it took me waaaaaay back!
So back in primary school, I would always perform at the school assembly on Mondays, and I'll perform like national anthems, ballad songs, etc.. and one time I was invited to do a performance again, I got really tired of the usual songs, and I just wanted to try something new and do a different kind of performance. I asked my friends, Wern Cheen and Melissa to perform with me as a group, it was something i was VERY excited about!
So one Monday morning in Subang Jaya, after days of practice, we performed The Moffatt's 'I'll be there for you' wearing Backstreet Boys and the Moffats t-shirts that my mom got for us, (coz i thought it was so cool back then!!) in front of the kids in school during assembly (mind you, we were only 9 years old, in front of probably 300 students) We practiced so hard, we sang and danced, and after the show, I will NEVER forget this, it scarred me for life.. Our principal schooled us in front of the whole school, of like 300 students, for a good 15 mins, asked me if I was proud of myself for what i just did, and then telling all the students we were 'setting a bad example', and that 'she was disappointed in us'. I felt so humiliated, and also, felt really bad that I made my friends come on stage with me, that they shouldn’t go through this because of me. Kids were going to make fun of us for that. I felt like my whole world was crumbling and that I’ve let everyone down.. ONLY because we were wearing BSB t-shirts and dancing and singing.. she made sure we were seen as delinquents to other kids! I got so upset, we still had to sit through class after all that, and i think i cried at one point, but this girl right here Wern Cheen consoled ensured me that what we did, was different, and cool and that I shouldn't be sad.
I will never forget what I learned that day as a 9 year old.. how someone who had a huge responsibility, like this principal, had failed in showing wisdom, kindness, and support to 9 year olds who had talent and were happy to dance and sing, instead, humiliating them in public, and how someone so tiny, so young, like Wern Cheen, at 9 years old, who has such a huge heart, and was showing more maturity and wisdom than our principal could ever have..Thinking about it now makes me so angry, I promised myself that when I grow up, I will never do that to kids.
Now I am performing at ‘school assemblies’ that are a lot different . And my ‘principal’ now she comes in different forms - gossips, bad press, online haters, racists, sexists.. I came a long way, but I will never forget where I came from. That school parking lot, and a wonderful friend. There is never a time in my life, when someone did not help me. I had my friends. I owe it to them. So... Thank you Wern Cheen. I'm so happy we reconnected. You are a gem!!
Here’s a photo of us now, and here’s also a link to ‘I’ll be there for you’ so you can imagine 9 year old Yuna singing and dancing to this. What a great theme song to this whole story too. Never let anybody dim your shine, and never forget those who were there for you.
https://youtu.be/hrRVTV8MarA
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