Dear Math

You are an interestingsubject, unique in your own way and very special too.

I wish I knew a lot of things about you before I met you.

I wish I had people who told me more about you.

My younger self tried to fall in love with you but it seemed the more I tried the more you put up 'fences' to stop me. Ok, maybe the ‘fence thing’ was all in my head or maybe it was the youthful exuberance thing, just maybe.

Some said you are difficult while others said you are really sweet if I get to know you better.

The older I grew, the more I made extra effort to love you and understand you better. I have to admit that it was not easy for me though.

Many people do take you for granted and do not value you much until it is almost too late while some say you make it difficult for them to understand you.

You have changed the lives of many. You have unlocked many mysteries and have contributed immensely to some of the most amazing discoveries in the story of mankind.

My dear math, many young girls still dread your presence. Some have been told right from childhood that you are too difficult to handle and this has made them run away from you. Some who have confronted you head on have stories to tell. Those who understood you early are glad they did.

In primary schools, boys and girls sit down quietly to listen to your stories. Girls and boys will tell you stories of how they want to become engineers, computer scientists, astronauts, pilots, writers, architects, scientists, pharmacists, doctors and teachers.

In secondary schools, most of the boys are willing to confront you on some of your stories while some of the girls do not want to be too forward in approaching you. Some of the girls silently back down in confronting you.

In universities, your presence is always visible. Even those who hate you cannot deny the fact that you are very important. Many groundbreaking researches that we are celebrating today were made possible because you were involved.

In many opportunities in life, your name is always popping up. Whether it is seeking for an admission or applying for a job, your name seems to come up somehow; directly or indirectly.

The year 2009, while I was seeking for admission to study a postgraduate course, your name was very visible in the email I received and the message was clear, “Mathematics must be among the five subjects you passed in your school certificate examination before you can be admitted”. No matter how much I pretend not to notice, I cannot deny your influence in my life everywhere I go.

I want more young girls to be on your friends list. I want them to understand you better and build a better relationship with you. You have a great role to play in their future. I do not want young girls to think you are difficult to understand, I know you mean well and I want them to know that too.

I wish I know what I know now, I would tell my younger self to open up more to you, not to be ashamed in asking questions and to have a mentor.

I wish many people especially young girls will be patient to understand your ways and embrace you as their friend.