Talent VS Hardwork

According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary :

Talented - having a natural ability to do something well
Hardworking - putting a lot effort of effort into a job and doing it well

So, in words of Math, in the end,
Talented = Do something well
Hardworking = Do something well
So .... is Talented = Hardworking .. ?? Is talent equivalent to hardwork ?

Well, many people in this world insist that each and every one of us have our own talents, be it musically inclined, athletically excellent etc. But seriously, I don't seem to have one! Yes, many will say I will discoevr my talents in the future but...when? I'm 18 this year and I don't seem to excel in anything! Don't tell me that one day when I'm 50 years old and suddenly guitar becomes my forte? Preposterous.

Some people I know might say that I'm 'good' in studies but is that even considered as a talent? In my opinion, being good in studies is more about hardwork and dedication. Of course IQ might play a role or two but I don't think it has a significant role. As for me, I try rather hard to excel in my studies mainly because I don't want to fade into the society. Well you see, if I'm not talented and I don't excel in something, I'll basically just fade into the background like your Average Joe. Call me LOA or whatever but I think its important for everyone to stand out among the others in certain fields as to not vanish in this harsh society. It's relevant for everyone to make their presence known so that they will not be left out. Nobody wants to be called 'Oi'!; all of us have names , mind you people out there. In a nutshell, it's sink or swim; do or die.

Well, usually people with talents get wider attention compared to the yet-to-discover-own-talent group. So, I guess in the meantime, I'll just work hard and hopefully, my talent will emerge by itself, soon. But even if i work very very hard, will I ever be as good as the talented ones ?

Choppy,
-Searching-

Pass

It was 4/4/08, apparently not an auspicious day accodring to traditional Chinese belief. But bad luck or no bad luck, it was the day for my driving re-exam. Well, FYI, the last time I failed because the car engine died in the track. I was barely 10 seconds away from getting everything done but I guess Lady Luck just wasn't on my side. Crap.

So, my number was finally called and I walked slowly because I didn't want to go first. I just wasn't prepared. I was so freaking worried that history will repeat itself and have to brace the embarassment of being criticise by everybody again. I surveyed the kancils that were prepared that day. 2446. 4 very familiar digits. Well, of course I remembered them. I failed in it. Or rather it failed me. Then I remembered the last time where a group of guys were discussing the best car there and they all agreed 2449 was the safest. I doubt their choice because I was wondering how 1 single digit that is almost alike can make so much difference. But still, better safe than sorry. I looked around. 2449. There it was, the first car in line. All I had to do was to wait someone to get it done the first round and I'll go second. And everything will be over, I hope.

I step into the car, trying to familiarize with everything I've learned. Well, the last time I had touched one of those cars was exactly 2 weeks ago, on the day I failed. Didn't had any practice since then. The clutch, the pedal, the steering, etc..so familiar yet so alien. The old Malay man that was on duty there tried to give me some words of advice before i took off. Well, at least that was what I think he was tring to say because I could not understand a single word spurted out of his mouth besides 'clutch' and 'gear'. I think it was Hokkien. Bah, I was too nervous. I just smiled politely at him and blurted a few 'Ok's.

And then there was an earthquake! No wait.... the car wasn't shaking. Oh, it was my legs. Both my legs were trembling as though there was an earthquake with a record-breaking mark on the Richet scale. I was so worried because I couldn't control the gear and the accelerator pedal well. Then, I took a deep breath and chanted a few Buddha prayer for peace and calmness.

Ohm ma ni pad me hum.

Before I knew it, it was all done. And as they say, the rest was history. No more cash being flushed down the toilet, no need to ponteng school on Friday and most importantly, no more return trip to that hell on earth.

All that I can think of now is to drive my Kancil around! It may just be a Kancil but hey, its my first car, mind you! Bon voyage~

Choppy,

-Glad-

-Chilled-