Reading through a number of relationships-related entries I had written over the past months and sat down to think about it for a good five to ten minutes, I made a strange discovery. The discovery hit me pretty hard, more so when I opened up a box containing all birthday and Christmas cards I have received since my secondary school days; I feel like I am losing friends: or so when the number of cards received decreases steadily year after year. Ha.

I’m not sore about not receiving anything new, not when I’m nearly 23. I think people’s priorities changed. So do their card giving practices. But that’s not the point of this entry either. Rather, an interesting question popped up: “What does a birthday/Christmas/(put-occasion-here) card mean to you?”

Do you  (1)  treat them like precious little ones, i.e. read and frame them up or keep them like treasure?  or  (2)  read and throw?   or   (3)  read and write an lovely thank you note back?  or  (4)  read and write a hated note back (pun intended)?

How do you react when you receive a card then? How does it feel to receive a hand written note from your loved ones or friends alike.

Years ago, when email and technology weren’t as ubiquitous as they are now, I would have read it with quite an excitement albeit not enough to make me return a response immediately. But it will now; receiving mails (snail mails, physical ones) or parcels (especially when you ordered t-shirts from Threadless, books from Amazon or from the local Apple store) makes me happy.

What actually interests me is that Technology actually makes what would otherwise be construed as a mundane, average, or ordinary act to an out-of-the-ordinary one. Wouldn’t you be happier to receive a card now, than to have one appearing in your Facebook account as an intangible gift? Even physical pokes are better than its online counterpart.

So, I browse through the entire collection of notes, cards, little gifts and I’m glad that I’ve kept most of the them still in near-mint condition.

Here’s some of the selected ones (whom I thought were remarkably special, in my own opinion):

13th Birthday Sheep card.

I remember I was very surprised when I gotten this card from Jermaine. It was a collective work from her, Heather and Cindy.

2000 Valentine’s Day Card. From the late Joycelyn Teo.

Her death came as a blow that was the greatest to us when we were still 15 year olds. I first heard of the news from Jermaine and the next scene I remembered seeing was half the canteen filled with crying teenagers weeping over the loss of a lively girl whom had brought us countless smiles and laughter even during her last days.

All the Best Card.

From the roundup gang: Elisia, Yingwei, Albin, Clare, Lai Zhihao, Chee Wee, Casandra, Xiuwei and Weiming.

Probably the best kind of motivation one can get during your departure (alone with other competitors) to a foreign land which apprehension and excitement awaits you. Pressure to perform did not help maintaining a clear state of mind when I was leaving, but the support from these guys did.

What’s up with me being a giraffe?

Cards from Casandra and Xiuwei.

Judging from the range of animal cards received over the years, I’ve been quite a living breakthrough of science. From sheep to Giraffe and recently being labeled as a Chipmunk and a Monkey. Oh gosh, what a series of change over a short span of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve gotten scientists knocking on my door for DNA samples.

There’s a lot more! They all meant something to me if I’ve kept them till now, it’s just that I couldn’t have everything on this entry. If you have sent me a card before, you may check out the gallery. =)

Check out the selects here.