My New Erhu Uniform

Erhu Performance at Pasir Ris Community Centre for Chinese New Year 2008

The Price For Taking Drugs Is Too High To Pay

By: Bryan Hon Keng Pui (6 Honesty)
EPPS 17Feb08

I regret everything. How drugs ruined my entire life and how I was tricked to such things because of bad company. It all started with my friend, a hypocrite, a wretched one, who introduced me to drugs.

I still remember everything vividly as if it happened a month ago. I was chilling out at my friend’s party with some of my classmates and were in high spirits. After a while, my friend took out from his pocket a cigarette and a lighter. He lit the cigarette and then, offered us to take a puff. As my easily influenced classmates were curious about how smokers felt, each of them took a puff. But, as for me, I stood my ground with the facts that I had known for years but my classmate’s comments were taking me closer to a world that I had also thought about. At last, I could not stand their jeers and so, I picked up the lit cigarette and took a puff. Suddenly, a surge of sensation rushed through my veins and to my mind. I began to feel very ‘high’, as if I was floating. I felt like an angel in heaven. We continued playing our games and started having our own cigarettes to puff.

When we were on our way home, the pleasant feeling of smoking had died down. One of our classmates suggested buying a pack of cigarettes and share them among ourselves. As soon we had bought the pack of cigarettes and a lighter, we ran to a nearby alley and started smoking.

But something was wrong with the cigarettes.Something.The sensation did not match my friends cigarettes. It felt dull. I ran towards my friend’s house with mixed feelings, leaving my friends behind. By the time I reached his house, he was already standing there as if he knew that I was coming.

“So, are you addicted?” my friend said whilst putting a suspicious smile on his face.

“Er, addicted to what?” I replied. I though conversation was getting nowhere.

“Addicted to drugs,” he said. Everything started to make sense. My wretched friend had added drugs in the cigarettes and then told us to take a puff. I stood rooted to the ground in shock. I had been betrayed by a friend that I had trusted for years. He had ruined my life. Which I had planned carefully. I flew into a rage but as soon as he fished out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, my mind started to tempt on it .Then, the placed his hand out, palm faced up, and asked for fifty dollars. My temptations pulled a fifty dollar bill out of my pocket, then punched the bill into his hand. He in return, gave me what I had desired.

This became my routine in order to match my desire. If I did not have what I needed, I would usually start to get very tired and dull. It was pretty unbearable. Everything went normal until one fateful day. I was at my usual alley where I used to smoke when suddenly, two narcotics officers appeared in front of my eyes. I started to run as fast as my feet could take me but the two narcotics officers had already gave chase and were hot on my heels. But still, I was no match to such trained officers and was caught in no time.” We have analysed the cigarette butts that you have smoked and it contains Heroin,”said one of the narcotics officers

I was thrown into the car and was sent to a drug rehabilitation centre to undergo a cold turkey treatment. After being locked up without cigarettes, I started feeling very weird. I started having mood swings, aches, stomach cramps and worst of all, I had lost appetite, which made me as thin as a pencil. I began to tremble vigorously and halucinating. The whole treatment was unbearable. I would rather live in hell than to suffer such fate of mind-torture. After months and months of such torture, I had finally kicked the habit of drugs but the painful memories of my drug addiction days made my heart sank.

I was finally released from the drug rehabilitation centre. I promised myself to turn a new leaf. Seeing my parents sobbed was the worst thing a child would ever wanted. Seeing their children taking drugs, for a parent, would be the same. Though I lead my family now as a successful salesman, I have devoted my life to stopping youngsters take drugs by participating in some programmes. But there is something I need to tell all drug users – the price for taking drugs is too high to pay.

Bowling with Grandfather William and Uncle Keith

What a day! We were at Orchard Country Club bowling alley having a half price promotion. Finally I have the chance to throw my heart out. The ball was really heavy. Grandfather having problem with his shoes and because his stomach was so big. He can't seem to walk straight when throwing the ball. We had a friendly match. But Uncle Keith won most of the games.

Terrorist Invasion

Written by: Bryan Hon (Dec 2007)

Brandon shot as many terrorist as he could. It was his 2nd mission to infiltrate a base and secure it. "Deploy Frag!" Brandon said as he pointed at the 2nd floor of the base. Brandon looked for cover and ran to it. Derrick, a team-mate of Brandon, took out a grenade and threw it at the 2nd floor, when the grenade exploded 2 terrorists flew out of the building and landed with a loud crash and a heavy thud.

After the explosion Brandon and his team cleared the entrance. “Open, bang and clear!" Brandon said." Their push'in up daisies" said Drake, a sniper of Brandon. Derrick pushed open the door and Drake threw a flash bang. Brandon leD the way into the room, Brandon, Drake, Derrick and the team shot any terrorist that came in sight. Soon after a full search, they came to a huge hall with a tall ceiling. The hall was filled with land and air heavy resistance. "Fire at will!" shouted Brandon. Brandon and his team stormed into the hall, without hesitation they fired at any terrorist that came in sight, bullets flew every where. Brandon, Derrick, Drake tried to dodge the in-coming bullets but an in-coming bullet striked Drake in the arm. "Medic!" "Drake shouted.”I'm coming!" said Johnson, a medic as he ran towards Drake. Brandon and Derrick covered Johnson as he placed a bandage on Drake's arm. After an hour of shooting, all air and land resistance were neutralized. Suddenly a helicopter flew into the hall. It carried a 2m mac gun and a 2 tri-shot missiles on both sides. The helicopter shot its 9cm caliber mac gun. Brandon, Drake, Derrick and the team ran for cover "Drake! He’s yours" said Brandon. Drake took out his V36 sniper rifle, aimed it on the head of the helicopter driver and sent the V36 bullet into the driver's head. The helicopter lost control, twisted and turned but did not explode. Suddenly Brandon heard a group of terrorist coming. Brandon ordered the team to rush across the hall. Brandon, Drake, Derrick and the team rushed across the hall with their energy left. Soon, the group of terrorists arrived. The terrorists tried to run across the hall while shooting. Brandon used his EAGLE4366carbine, with precise aiming, shot the fuel tank of the helicopter and it exploded. The radius of the explosion was very effective that it killed the group of terrorist in one blow. "Johnson, get me the Far Range Walkie Talkie (FRWT)” said Brandon. Johnson took out a FRWT and passed it to Brandon," This is Brandon here, do you read?" Brandon said to the FRWT " This is HQ we read you over " the FRWT replied. " good" shouted Brandon."HQ here,good job taking out the terrorists and the Apache but don't open the champagne to early,sattelites show a convoy of terrorist reinforcements heading your position either take'em out or leave the area for EVAC."
"We're sticking to plan A"
"Well,good luck.HQ, out"

As soon as the FRWT crackled,then died down,Brandon was already giving orders,ensuring that he and his team was safe from the sooner-or-later terrorist attack whilst producing the most amount of damage to the terrorists."Drake! Scout the forest nearby the road and stay covered.Report to me when you see the convoy through the FRWT"barked Brandon.No longer than 10minutes later,the rumbling of trucks rattled inside Drake's ears."Enemy convoy inbound.Alert, they have a German Sherman tank and another Apache coming inbound."

"Good job,Drake, Rendezvous to my position safely,i won't let a teammate like you on the edge of death."
"Thank's Staff Sergeant Brandon."
"Brandon, out."

Back in the terrorist building, Brandon continued to give orders, after learning about the massive amount of firepower the terrorists were bringing along."Kelvin! "barked Brandon. Kelvin,who was a explosives expert in Brandons team,turned his head to Brandon."Get your butt to the top floor marine! We've got a tank and a apache on the way to kick our butt's. "Brandon growled.Kelvin saluted, which was a way of acknowledgement. Soon, the terrorist group had arrived.Brandon then switched his FRWT from team PTT to team VOX."Here's the plan,Drake,take out their commander,then,Kelvin,take out their tank and apache with your anti-tank bazooka,we'll take care of the rest of the units.let's finish this mission up and get some champangne in a steak house. My treat."

Drake tightened his grip on his rifle,then held his breath,which helped him to get a more precise aim which he had learnt back in training years ago.Drake knew that he was the one that would start the whole symphony of gunfire ,explosions and the rattling of machine guns.Soon a shot was fired.As the sniper bullet pierced through the terrorist commander, turning his brain into a mushy temperory cavity,The commander fell to the ground.Dead.As the terrorist reinforcements stood,shocked as their commanders died before their eyes, leaving them totally known as"Sitting ducks".Brandon took the chance to take them all out. The firefight took them less than a minute to fill the land with debris and a few puddles of blood. ”That was way to easy man “Derrick lamented.” Nice shot Drake” Brandon commented. Drake left a smile before dismentaling his rifle and packing it into his most treasured rifle case: a case with a dragon on both sides which meant him good luck. Brandon then turned to Derrick and gave him a blow in the knuckles and a handshake, which meant friends forever. Brandon then faced Johnson and gave him a signal as in “get us out of here!”. No longer than 10 minutes later, the rattling of the helicopter inbound could be heard in the distance. One by one, Brandon and the rest of the team boarded the helicopter, then said goodbye to the war torn zone.


To be continued……..

Drug Driven Me Nut!!

Written by: Bryan Hon (Aug 2007)

It was twelve midnight, perfect, I jumped off the bed and went to my mom’s room. I tip-toed silently to her bag. From her wallet, I pulled out five hundred dollars as I tempted on my desire. I took the house key ran out of the door.

The streets were cold silent. I waited impatiently for my contact. I shivered and was dribbling foam down my mouth. I did not know why I was here, all I knew was that I wanted my daily dosage of drugs. I could not resist the sight of drugs. Out of the darkness, my contact walked down the street, at last my temptation ended. I rushed up to him, pulled out my money and pushed it into the drug dealer’s hand. He passed the drugs over the left. I rushed to the nearest chair and took out the drugs, I took one of the drugs and a sensation of happiness rushed to my mind.

The long sensation of happiness had ended, I looked up and saw two narcotics officers, they were staring at me. Soon, they grabbed my arms and put me into the police car. I was sent to the drug rehabilitation centre after questioning. I had to go for the Cold Turkey treatment. Every time I thought about drugs I felt the pain and the suffering I had went through. After a few years of rehabilitation, I am glad that with the help from the rehabilitation centre and support from my parents I finally kicked the habit on taking drugs.

It was a total regret to my life. I was happy to see my parents but had no more friends. After a few weeks, I had a call from the drug rehabilitation centre. They had given me a chance by giving me a job as a waiter, I worked hard and soon I earned a huge sum of money, with that amount of money, I contributed part of it to charity instead of using the money to support my drug lifestyle. As I soon had a wife, I began to lead a much happier life.

I regret mixing the wrong companies that was where I started on drugs. Drugs had ruined my life. I am glad that I was given a 2nd chance. Never will I touch on drugs again.

Trip to Palau Ubin

Written by: Bryan Hon (Jun 2007)

The sun stood at the edge of the horizon as three boys, stood at the top of the hill with bikes, looking at the glamorous view. One of the boys was me; the other two were John and Chris. We were at Palau Ubin, cycling to see the sun at dawn right at edge of the horizon. The view of the sun was magnificent.

Soon, the sun had gone down and which meant that we had to go back to the ferry station. On the way there, we traveled over steep trails, stony trails and anything you name in the forest. But things changed, on the way back, I and Chris heard a blood-curdling shout. We stood rooted to the ground as our imagination ran wild. My legs began to tremble and I had a cold sensation running up my back. I and Chris stopped and turned our bikes around. “J….J….John’s m….missing!” I stuttered. We traced our steps back to a junction and found that situation was getting worse. “It’s getting dark, we should notify the police” Chris exclaimed.

I pulled out my cellphone and dialed the police with hands trembling, soon the police operator picked up my call. I told the operator everything I knew, even though I was still stuttering, it was still clear. Soon the wailing of sirens could be heard in the distance. I and Chris notified the police about the trail that we took. The police combed the area for John and within thirty minutes, two policemen walked out of the forest with a stretcher, on the stretcher was John, who had thorns stuck into his shin which most likely explained about the blood-curdling shout. The police brought John, me and Chris to the ferry, which then the police brought John to the nearest hospital. The doctors pulled out the thorns on this shin and wrapped his shin with a cloth. Suddenly, John’s parents rushed to him and hugged him, then John’s parents turned their heads at me and Chris, John’s parents thanked us for notifying the police or else the bleeding of the wound would be worse.

I felt glad about the incident and would always help people in need.

The Crying Old Lady

Written by: Bryan Hon (Sep 07)

The blazing hot sun gave off its furious blaze of heat as the people suffered over the intense heat. I strode out of the school and took my usual route which lead to a bus-stop. The bus stop was usually deserted but that day was not. There was an old lady, sitting at one of the seats of the bus-stop, facing the floor. I could hear the sniffing from the old lady but was not sure what kind. I took a step nearer to the lady and realized that she was sobbing. I sat beside her and took out a tissue from my pocket which I bought earlier in school. I patted her back and tried to cool her down. Then, I asked her why she was sobbing.

She took a deep breath and started to talk. Her family neglected her as her son found out that she had lost a lot of money by gambling, but even if she was gambling, her son could at least remind or scold her but not let her out in the streets with nothing. I felt anger in my heart and as if I was a hero, I asked her where her son lived. I stomped to his house as if I had lost my mind. Her son’s house was just a few blocks from the bus-stop. I went to the house and knocked on the fine pine door. After a few minutes, the door opened, revealing her son. My head was burning with anger and I spoke words that my mind was throwing at me. As I spoke those words, I had a feeling that I had to end this problem.

After all the speaking, her son still stood there with no response. Suddenly, in a blink of any eye, her son slammed the door as the air gushed in front of my face. I felt that I had failed to help but there was only one option left, bring her to an old folks home. I took her to the nearest old folks home and helped to register her into the old folk’s home. In my heart, I hoped that she would forget those happening and lead a happier life. I came to visit her on weekends and found that she was making friends. I could see that happiness had embraced her heart. One day, she found me loitering around and took me in. she took out a piece of paper from her pocket and started to fold. Not long later, the piece of paper was taking shape, a crane. I felt touched by what she had done. She took the crane and placed it on my palm. Tears fell down my eyes as I was too touched, all I had done changed a person life.

From that day, I promised myself, no matter what happens in my family I must treasure my family and take care of it. Nothing is worth than “LOVE”.

Causeway Points Incident

Writen By: Bryan Hon, 5 Honesty


The bright morning sun penetrated the windows of my room, which woke me up terribly I covered the light with my hand and pulled myself out of my bed. I was in high spirits as I was going out with my friends, Peter, John and Mary to Causeway Point. Suddenly, there was a phone call. I picked the phone up and listened to y nosy friend, John, who told me that he was already waiting.

I took a shower, and got changed. Then, I went to the door. But before I could turn the door knob, my mother called me for breakfast. I dragged my feet to the dinning table.

After a while, I left my flat hurriedly before my mother could say a word. I knew I was already thirty minutes late. I took a cab to Causeway Point and heaved a sigh of relief as I was not so late.

I stood at the bus stop where we had chosen to meet. I waited anxiously for a long time, wondering where they had gone.

I surveyed the area and soon found a huge crowd on the road. Curiosity led me to the crowd where I found my friends.

I pushed aside the passersby and found Peter in a pool of blood. I stood rooted to the ground with horror. My anger rose in my mind of the passers-by who had done nothing to help at all. The coldness of these people was unbearable.

I called the ambulance anxiously, with sweat running down profusely down my forehead. Soon, the wailing of siren could be heard in the distance and we headed to the hospital.

Peter was placed on a bed next to a cardiogram. I waited anxiously for my friend, who was still unsound, praying for him to recover.

Suddenly, the cardiogram started to beep wildly. My heart followed its beep wildly. Within seconds, doctors were rushing into the room trying to save my dear friend from death.

Not long after, doctors came out of the room. I rushed to the doctor and asked about Peter’s status. The doctor sighed, shook his head and then left. I knew what had happened to my friend, He had lost a battle to survive.

I stood beside Peter and pulled out a picture of me and him. Looking at the photo, flashes of memory of my friend filled my mind.

The Mystery Storeroom

Stories written by: Bryan Hon

The clouds gathered and were ready to rain. I was at home watching television, waiting for my mom to come back from work. I was a bit too bored, so I decided to explore the storeroom I my house. The storeroom had been kept away from me fro many years with no reason why. As I climbed a ladder which led to the storeroom with my torch, the ladder creaked. Soon I was in the storeroom which was dusty and dark. I flicked on my torchlight and began to search the storeroom for the reason why I was not allowed into the storeroom since the day I was born.

As I looked around the storeroom, I spotted a few old and dusty suitcases which I was told by my mom that they were left by my late grandfather. I was also told by my mom that my late grandfather was a famous archaeologist, who had found the treasure left by pirates. I looked through the suitcases for anything that could explain why I would not enter the storeroom. With luck, I found a rusty key and a letter in one of the suitcases. I opened the letter and read. It stated that there was a treasure box that was hidden somewhere I did not know. There was a picture of my late grandfather standing beside a hole with his shovel. Behind him, was a huge cherry tree which seemed very old. Suddenly, I heard the door lock opening. I was sure it was my mom, so I rushed down the ladder and jumped back to the sofa pretending that nothing had happened earlier on.

Now it was midnight, I took my torch and went back to the storeroom to look for any clue to lead me to where the treasure might be. I searched and searched but with no luck. I sat on a chest beside a window and started thinking. I looked out of the window and looked at my garden…..there was a cherry tree……wait!.....A cherry tree? I took out my late grandfather’s photo and started to compare the tree in the photo and the one in my garden. It was a match for every branch was the same!

I wondered why my house was beside this tree. Then I remembered that this house was built by my late grandfather….My late grandfather had wanted to keep the treasure safe….so he built the house here! I was amazed by what my late grandfather had done, he sacrificed his life to keep the treasure safe by building a house here. I went back to bed thinking of my late grandfather’s sacrifice. Soon after minutes of thinking, I slept.

The next day, the house bills arrived. My mom opened the envelope and in a few minutes, my mom was weeping. She told me we had to leave the house as the house bills were too high and we could not afford it. It was destined to take my late grandfather’s treasure to pay the bills. I took out a shovel and a bag secretly went to the garden. I took out the photo of my late grandfather and estimated where the hole could be. I soon found where the hole was dug and started digging. Soon my shovel hit something hard I began to clear the soil to see what it was. It was a stone entrance which led to somewhere I did not know. I opened it and it revealed a passage way. I jumped in it and heard a click. I flicked on my torchlight and then I heard a rumble behind me.

Soon, a huge stone ball came rushing through the passage way. There was no escape. I ran as fast as my legs could take me as the all followed. I was losing energy and death was soon near. I spotted a large indent and flattened my body towards the wall as the huge stone ball rushed in front of me at a tremendous speed.

Soon, I followed the passage into a large room. The room had lion heads on both sides of the rooms. The lion’s mouths had little holes on which I believed that they were booby traps. I took a little stone on the ground and threw it in the middle of the room. Before the stone ever hit the ground, arrows flew across from the lion’s mouths and tongues of the flames burst from above. I had no choice but to run through the room. I rushed through the room as arrows and fire burst out behind me.

As I reached the other side of the room, I fell into a hole and in front of me was the treasure box which was on a carved stone table. I ran to put the treasure box into my bag.

I lifted the box and placed it in my bag, I heard a click and suddenly, water started splashing into the hold. I rushed through the tunnel which was in front of the carved stone table. The rate of water flow was speeding up. I found a huge pool of water in the end of the tunnel. I had no choice, so I took a deep breath while running and jumped into the pool. I dove underwater for a few seconds while holding the bad containing the box. I soon found some light on top of me.

I swam up and found myself in the river near my house. I went to the beach and ran back home. I opened the bag and took out the box and used the rusty key in the lock and by luck…..the lock opened. Inside contained gold coins, jewels, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and lastly granite.

I asked my mom to take a look. She was shocked at what I had done. Now we could pay the bills and live happier soon it was over, everything was, only happiness emerged. Thank god, I live to see my mom.