This posting is going to be unique... writing from the point of view of this blog... shall name it Mr. Smiley. Here it goes...

He's NOT dead!

"Oh gosh... I'm still alive! What have I been doing all these while?"

Mr. Smiley is back. Back to what he is doing... blogging! He has been away for the longest time you can imagine. Where was he then? What was he doing? He ponders for the possible answers but to no avail. He wouldn't know. He will never know. The only person who has the answer will be his owner... the one who controls Mr. Smiley.

Family

Mr Smiley has been effective thus far. Always providing the readers the weekly updates of happening in the school. Lessons learnt, concepts taught, jokes shared, values inculcated, happiness, sadness, disappointments, regrets... you name it, he has it. He has grown beyond the sharing of information. Mr. Smiley has become closer to this group of faithful readers... readers mainly from 5RS 2008 and 6RS/6RP 2009. He has become family... he is family to this group of readers. The bonding is strong... strong to withstand any tsunami.

Where were you?

The period of absence just made the heart fonder - between the readers and himself. Mr. Smiley was facing some technical difficulties a few months ago and was on the verge of losing his life. The owner was worried: posting and pictures couldn't be uploaded, and could be lost. After several days of trying, the owner decided to let Mr. Smiley go into a period of rest. An infinite period, for the date of recovery remained a mystery. And so the decision was relayed to the readers by the owner. At that same time, the readers were preparing for the greatest challenge thus far in their life - the PSLE.

New Discovery

The period of rest began for Mr. Smiley while the readers embarked on their battle for PSLE. During that time, Mr. Smiley couldn't rest at ease. He was always in touch with readers as the owner never stopped to feed him with their updates. He was constantly worried for the readers - an emotion a normal family member would feel for his members. The worry grew into excitement (some would call it anxiety) as the days to PSLE approached closer. He wanted to encourage the readers and sent them well wishes. He could not do so since he was supposed to be resting. Then, came the confrontation of the first day of exams. English paper... DONE! Second day soon followed. Mathematics paper... DOWN! Then the third... BYE BYE Mother Tongue papers! Then the fourth... no, wait... it was a break of two days. Science paper resumed on the following Monday and *POP*, it ended swiftly enough. Without any warning, PSLE WAS OVER! Mr. Smiley heaved a huge sigh of relief when the invigilator gave the last instruction on Monday. He felt like the readers - a huge stone lifted off the shoulders. How indescribable! But, he could not share the feeling with the readers, and neither could the owner who was away. It was at this moment, he felt that he was not just a family to these readers... He was MORE than family.

Revival

Although school has since resumed, the owner has not really revived Mr. Smiley. Mr. Smiley lies patiently for the moment he can start work - to begin posting on the Internet for the readers. He misses them. He really does.

Time is really one magnificent thing. The longer the time you spend with a thing/someone, the bonding just grows stronger. However, the reverse is true as well. The longer the time you do not keep in touch, the bonding can just disappear! Mr. Smiley finally realises that the readers do not miss him... perhaps this is subjective, and mainly the opinion of the owner, who likewise feels the same. Based on his personal experience, he knows that the readers will grow up and find their own worlds, live their own lives. Will they ever remember him? Only time can tell. Mr. Smiley starts to lose heart... wondering if the readers will ever remember his address (http://www.6resilience2009.blogspot.com/).

Last words?

And so, as end of the year comes relentlessly close, the owner decides to give Mr. Smiley his last few moments. Since 2008, Mr. Smiley and his owner have been working hard together to keep the bonding alive and kicking, beyond the classroom setting. They know that all good things will come to an end. They can't say the same for the readers, but deep down in their hearts, it's the kinship that ties them down emotionally. This shall not be the LAST post by Mr. Smiley, but perhaps the one of the last fews. The owner can switch hands - someone can volunteer to take over Mr. Smiley and keeps the legacy. Otherwise, Mr. Smiley can just go quietly... (and be a dead blog).

Coming to an End

Well, let's bring back our motto of "Be happy. Smile always." Mr. Smiley wants everyone to graduate in a joyous way. Before we draw the curtain of the Primary School years, let's make full use of the time left. It may be the end of one journey... but it also signifies the beginning of another. Who knows, in your new journey, you will find another Mr. Smiley (oops, he is irreplacable) ... I mean another form of support for happiness. So, look forth and embrace yourselves with the precious time left in 2009.

Wow... after a period of absence, Mr. Smiley is indeed as naggy as his owner. Rest assured, some more (last) postings coming up...

*Would like to take the opportunity to thank the readers for the support shown to this blog. This includes readers beside RS and RP. I hope you have found me as an enjoyable read. Thanks!

From: Mr. Smiley,

Your-ever-smiling-blog