Shengliver’s Note: Because the graduating classes were taking a mock test towards the end of May, Year 10 and Year 11 students got a longer weekend — Saturday, Sunday and Monday. By the time the break was over, the teen writer Chengfan became wiser. It dawned on her that making a plan is one thing; executing it another.

You cannot imagine how excited I was before this longer weekend came around.

On Friday I had planned a lot for it. I planned to sort out all my homework on Saturday. I planned to sleep late until 12 on Sunday. I planned to go swimming with my cousin on Sunday afternoon and to go shopping with my parents that evening. On Monday morning I planned to get up at 6. Then I would go climbing a mountain with my good friends. After the hike, we would treat ourselves to a big meal at a restaurant. What a wonderful weekend it would be!

Right now, I am penning this journal entry back in the classroom. It is Monday evening. We have come back for the evening classes. The truth is, however, that none of my grand plans materialised.

On Saturday night, I was watching a lively programme on TV. I told myself I must tear myself away to get my homework done. The show, however, was so mesmerising that I did not turn off the box until after midnight.

The next morning found me swimming in my sweet dreams. When my mother woke me up at 8 am, I was so tired. A rich breakfast made it hard for me to concentrate on my homework, though. After lunch, I called up my cousin and asked her whether she had time to go swimming with me. She said sorry to me because she would go to the People’s Park with her classmates. Since there was nothing fun to do around the house, I went back to my room to nap for a while. The nap turned into a deep slumber. I woke up, only to find it was time to eat dinner. How foolish I was! And I still had not finished my homework by the time. I wanted to die!

Today, Monday, all my family members were out at work, so nobody roused me. I slept the better part of the precious morning away. I think you can guess what hour I arose, Shengliver. What happened to the scheduled mountain hike and the dinner date with my friends? There was no trace of them at all.

My dear weekend, I am sorry for making you see all my ambitious plans come to nothing.