Writer: Ho Xin Ling
Editor: Jonathan Chan
I’m sure many in hall are familiar with Zhengyu. He’s a member of A Cappella, head of the alumni committee, KE Float 08 and even performed in the recent ICN as a dancer in the modern dance item. Hence I was excited to be given the chance to interview him; someone whom I think is probably one of the Clark Kents in our hall. Well that, and also because I found out that we have the same favourite movie
Zhengyu, Float Head 2008
1) You were the head of this year’s Rag. What was the experience like?
Firstly I am more used to being called Float Head, since internally we call it Float instead of Rag. This was probably my biggest project in KE so far, and I would say that it was a very challenging and rewarding experience as well. Float is something that captures a complete set of experiences: the hard work, the satisfaction, the good times and the bad as well. I was very fortunate to have my team with me, and at the end of the many months, I am very proud of what we have produced together for our hall. These months cannot be described by me in words, so I can only invite you to come experience it for yourself, but I can assure you that it will be a very good experience.
2) How do you feel about the results of this year’s Rag?
Of course it was disappointing that we did not clinch any award, but there was indeed strong competition from other Halls, so it’s up to the judges to choose. I did however receive several good comments from friends about our float, so that was very very encouraging.
3) Do you have anything you want to say to all your comrades for Rag?
Thank you all for a wonderful journey and I hope Float 08/09 has at least given each of your something to endear for yourself. And remember: Once a Floater, Always a Floater!
4) Any advice for next year’s Rag head and the entire rag team? :)
Rag in NUS started as a way of showing appreciation to the donors for Flag, and in the spirit of charity, it was also meant to be a channel for students to express their creativity while staying environmentally friendly, thereby displaying charity towards the Earth. Yet NUS has also forsaken its original meaning and turned it into a means of positive advertisement for NUS to the public. For KE Float, we have to find our own meaning in floating, amidst all the competition and paperwork that will distract us along the way. It will be this that will carry you through to the end of the journey, and this that will keep Float meaningful to us all.
5) You are in so many activities, how do you cope?
Erm. Academically, I cannot say that I’m really coping that well, but I do manage to get by somewhat. There are times that I stay up in the night to do my work and barely struggle through the day, which is really not a good idea. One of the things I used to do was to spend weekends in Hall to finish up my homework, before going back home. Another was to finish the whole list of past year papers from the library portal, starting around week 10.
For activities, I would say that I am glad to have chosen to spend time in the things that I am concerned about, because it is this interest that keeps me going. It also helped a lot that I have many friends who busy themselves with hall stuff as well, so we can chiong together in a sense.
6) I really like the quote on your facebook profile. ‘The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.’ – Jennifer Aniston. Why this quote?
Well, I received that quote through my handphone actually, and found that it was quite meaningful to me. Perhaps sometimes we busy ourselves so much over someone or something that we care for, that we become delusional and lose ourselves. It’s sort of a reminder for myself about managing emotions sometimes.
7) People say you know the hall really well. If you could use a word/phrase to describe the hall or your life in the hall, what would it be?
I really cannot say I know the hall that well, except perhaps because I have had the chance to see a variety of things and learn from various gurus like Terence and Kane. In one phrase, perhaps, if you would like to take away something from this Hall experience, start by giving to the Hall and its people.
8 ) Why?
Personally I feel that my greatest take away are the things that I have done and the friends I have made along the way. Hall has been generous to give us the opportunities to do certain things for ourselves, and it is also a great place to make meet many people. I have some friends who go into a Hall only for its benefits, and at the end of their one year stay, blame their Hall for having a boring or disappointing experience, or comment how few friends they have met. Our own attitude will more or less define our individual experiences here, so come with an open heart, to give yourself and others a fair chance to gain from it all. We have pretty good facilities (some are old, yes, but are actually rather comprehensive), a good bunch of people (both students and staff) and our SCRC have been guiding us well, so do not opt out on a possibly very memorable experience! And of course, do remember to stop and admire the greenery here at KE!
"...if you would like to take away something from this Hall experience, start by giving to the Hall and its people..."
PS: Zhengyu loves instant noodles.
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