New York Fantasy

Since I was age 3, my parent had told me that I am so crazy about drawing. Ever since, my life had change when I’m started to draw something more to anime or manga type of drawing. I never realized I was addicted to it until I was turned 11 (in 1991). By that time, I’m entering the drawing competition between classes. I was got the first place and my drawing had been displayed for 3 months. I gave the title to my draw called ‘The Stained Glass Of Life’. I don’t how much I did captured most of the judges but through drawing it was the way for me to express my feelings towards them. All they know that it was beautiful, that’s all. 2 years later, as I went to form 1 (in 1993), my craziness is getting higher over drawing. My class teacher - Encik Hisham which is also our school art teacher had realized that my drawing was given him a hint the expression that I had towards him. He smiled at me and told me that he saw how much I admire him for his creativeness. I was a little shy because he can read my mind through drawing. Therefore, he’d decided to give me a chance to enter the national inter-state drawing competition which will be held on August 31st 1993. He wants me to go because he knows that I have a chance to win at least a little. Among the others competitors in my class that go for competition was Tedong, Seti and Laura. As far as I can see, Tedong had wonderful talent. He’d even always talk about art whenever he was free. He doesn’t talk much in the class like bunch of guys who talks about girls. Perhaps, I don’t know much about him but well, at least, I’m not alone to conquer the hobby that I like.

5 days before the competition, Tedong came to see me. We were talked about arts again as usual. I saw his drawing, it’s wonderful. He loves to draw the garden and while loves to draw something like anime type. He said that I must be a fan of Japanese anime as he can see the fantasy that I’ve given is quite east and west element of artistic. While in my opinion over him, he just wanted to build a better world to live with his family. He just smiled but never wanted to talk about his personal life with me. I don’t have to guess about it because I know he came from poor family and he always wanted to help his parent one day. He did ask me if I’m confidence to get at least top 30. But I didn’t want to make any speculation because there a lot of competitors around this state. Not even in the state but also inside the school as well. The chances are perhaps too slim for me or for him. He agreed with me. However, if the God give a chance him a chance, he’ll take it as a good luck. While Laura had trying her skills and show off to our classmates, Tedong and I were decided to stay quiet. At home, I was thinking about all the things he said earlier. In the end, I was agrees with him what he’d believe. My mum gives me full support although sometimes she feels bored with the things that I’ve drawn. She always criticized about my drawing which makes me wanted to make her impress. From all drawing that I’ve made she admires the firefighters, paramedics and the news reporters at the fire scene. It seems so alive. Well, that gave me hope to go for the competition.

A day before the competition, all competitors in the school was briefed about the rules and regulations during competition. It’s nothing hard really but I found the seniors who enter the competition were only two persons. I was wondering is the school was run out of talents? I guess after the competition it will be answered. On the next day, I was already with my friends with other hundred of competitors around the district for the competition. While I was talking to Laura and Seti, Tedong came and wished me good luck. I was given him support as well and hoping he’ll bring something to the school. As so, at 8a.m. sharp, the competition was started. I’m reading the title which was required by the judges and guess what it’s all about the small town to become a city one day. If I’m gathers it in the words, the title for the drawing was about my town in the year 2020. By that time, the motto – Towards year 2020 is started to spread like a plague around the nation. I was wondering about the motto that almost copying the Australian documentary hits – Beyond 2000. The first thing that came into my mind when I’m about to draw was New York City. I found New York City was quite fascinating because it surrounded by a block of buildings or should I say concrete forest. Perhaps, the people of New York City already had forgotten how does the trees look like but anyway for the sake of the competition, I would like to borrow the vision and hoping this will bring me to the next step. I never care much as long as I’ve got something to display.

One by one, the competitors had been finished their works. It’s only left with me and Tedong who’d still to add some elements which making it’s alive. When Tedong told me he’d finally finished his work, it left with me to fight to the end. He wished me luck once again. Encik Hisham asking me if I’m finished my work. As I’ve told him, I need a half an hour before the time is up. As a promise I’ve sent it to him. He was praised me for creativeness of the vision that I saw in New York City. Except the hair of Lady Of Liberty was change the color into magenta. I don’t have any idea what I’m doing but I’m just wanted to add some anime element to it. I’m just crazy about anime. That’s what I’ve explained to Encik Hisham that day. Almost two months later, when I and Melinda were teasing Sibin for becoming a cat in the dustbin, suddenly, someone had called my name through a microphone. I was a little afraid but Melinda had told me there’s nothing to afraid or even worry about. Perhaps, they called me for the good reason. Usually, if any teachers or principle called student’s name with the microphone from staffroom, it will certainly became a bad news. Tedong’s name had called as well that time. We’re both was wondering what’s going on but he was afraid with it. Well, like Melinda said at the first place, do not afraid and worry because it’s surely for the good purposes. My hands was little shaky when I came nearer to the staffroom. My mind keeps on racing and I keep asking myself what is my fault? I can think of anything else.

As Encik Gisa, our school clerk called me and Tedong’s name, we’re both enters to the administration room. Encik Gisa gave a shake hand to us and explained we’re both had won a consolation prize for national inter-state competition. I was standing like a rock and didn’t know what to say about it. He gave a prize slip which this can be claimed district office. Tedong was very happy with it. He said that, he’d done the best that he can and he congratulates me as well to win the competition. The consolation of prize was in form of cheque worth RM30 and it can be claimed through district office. I feel very much happy and decided to show it to my parent especially my mum who criticized my anime fantasy. On afternoon, I thought I want to make a surprise for her but it seems like she gets the newsflash from my dad earlier. She was very happy for me and had teasing me by given a title Queen Of Arts. All I can do is just smile. On the next day, my next door neighbor, Mr. Charles given me a thumb up for the prize that I’ve got. He worked at district office and the person who in charge to gave the prize. I was very happy and decided to give RM20 to my grandmother. From that moment, even my mum keeps on teasing and criticizes my drawing, without her I never knew that I could make it to the next step. Her criticizing keeps me growing but honestly, she never kills my hope to become for what I am. It is just sometimes, it’s not really yummy to hear but it sure does give a light to my life.