Valentine's Day at Cempaka
...which left the school in a mess of flowers and chocolates.

The redolence of love is in the air at last - reminiscent of Lady and the Tramp in that Disney movie, a unique comparison. What can I say? After a year of anticipating the eponymous day of love and romance, it is finally back in a frenzy of roses, bouquets and chocolates in commemoration of this memorable occasion. Cempaka Damansara was by no means an exception and did not spare the lavish tidings this festive occasion evoked. What with the blossoming young love evident all around us, it was hard not to get embroiled in the irascible excitement that was contagious among most of us. For the more cynical among us, skepticism was rife as to who would be reviewing the most from who, imbuing an infectious energy in students alike.

As the days edged closer to the much anticipated day, students were engrossed in taking orders as a frenzied crowd gathered around the swimming pool with an exemplary assiduity as they sacrificed energy and time in the light of this memorable day. Announcements during assembly centered on nothing else but last minute payments, late orders for friends and family forgotten, and yet more advertisements for chocolates, daisies, and heart shaped balloons from the Interact Club, an extensive array of roses from the Cempaka Cooperative Board, brownies sold by students of Form 2 Aqua, as well as song dedications in the canteen, an experimental trial run by Riza Alymann of Form 5 Sc 2, which elicited good response.

Finally, the long awaited day arrived with considerable exhilaration as the school buzzed with neurotic energy, orders and deliverance to students and teachers, which elicited provocative emotions among teachers, whose lessons were interrupted. Break time gave rise to a contagious energy in the corridors as skepticism arose among students checking out who received what from whom.

It was a vicious cycle as we knew it, but did not fail to dampen our spirits.

In conclusion, Valentine's Day, however commercialized, is essentially a celebration of love, romance and appreciation of loved ones. Yet another occasion for Cempakans to adhere to the 'soul' facet of Cempakan life; i.e. 'Mind, Body, and Soul. 'You like? We all like. Until next 'V-day'!