HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Today 31/12/2008 is the last day of year 2008. Time flies very fast and our last reunion in Sibu was still fresh in my mind although it was almost a year ago.

Tomorrow is the 1st day of another new year of our life; 2009. I believe there are plenty of 'look forward' events or things that each and every one of us are eagerly waiting for irrespective of personal, family, company or friends, therefore in order to make our 'look forward' happen, we must put it into action in the coming year.

Here I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year 2009 and may all your dreams come true. No matter how well or bad our performances was, no matter how high we flew, no matter how happy or sad we were in the past, let's forget about the past. Live with no regret, no reserve & no turning back but instead march forward with hopes, smiles, dreams, aspirations and resolutions.

For those who join us to conquer Mount K.K next year, please be reminded that we MUST well prepare ourselves mentally and physically fit. Set your own preparation for the historical event of our life time. See You At The TOP.......Cheers.... :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas songs were played everywhere, shopping arcades, hotels, offices, home and even in our cars for the past few weeks. Even though with the current economy situation, this annual festive season will not be forgotten by all of us and the mood of the pre-celebration are still equally high as compare with the westerners.

For some of us, it's time to do some recollection of what we had been done or achieved in 2008, although some may or may not have that kind of practise but I must say that it's good to start to review ourselves in order to prepare us in moving on towards the even more challenging and tough year ahead which is just A WEEK before we say goodbye to year 2008.

In Kuching, we had just organised a small scale of Christmas gathering at Kenny Rogers. How about you guys out there? I guess you should have a great plan for family gathering or dinner somewhere.

Here I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and God Bless. Treasure every moment being together with your loved one, family, relatives, friends and colleague and always show appreciation to them anytime & any place.


HO HO HO......


This is my dream and I hope to celebrate a real White Christmas one day...... How about you?

We Did It Again !

A total of 9 families joined in our 2008 Season Ending Get-Together event at tHe Spring yesterday. It was a joyous occassion as we mingled among families as we update our memory banks (in case some of us complained about memory loss, overhauling may be needed here).

It is a simple gathering with no official speeches but pure chit-chatting, laughters, smiling, hugging, cuddling, singing, cheering, drawing, games, free CDs and of course eating plus cake cutting but we start with food ordering first in line...

Whilst waiting for roasted chicken, Heroes finds time to cuddle Isaac.... & mommy is watchful at the side...

A family drawing event, putting down wishes for 2009 was a hit. I must say this is a lively event, some of us had not been drawing for the last 20 years, suddenly the art & skill when display is unfaded and even much better than those years ago. Beside wishing peace, health, harmony & wealth...we have a catchy wish which is celebrating White Christmas next year...whooha...oh yes...a White Christmas in US or Europe... err..may be a bit expensive...then we could choose Beijing/Shanghai...cheaper leh...

Mr. Tee though lone ranger is seriously displaying his unused artistry since leaving school in 1990.

Updating is a must...we can observed how our 3 friends catching up with each other. Mr. Tee even taking time to consult specialist on his troubled parts...hehehe..guess which leg ? (no photographic evident, pleasezz)

On yes...for the kids...beside the drawing, we have gift exchange activity.

Ivy is indeed very good in this activity, taking every advantage being close with kids (just look at her lovely smile...not only watching her communicating with the little ones and the flow of her body language). The little cute girl is Josephine (Leh Ning/Ah Too's daughter) who is so happy to have her choice. This year no more crying liau...more confident now. hehehe ...

A wonderful event indeed...Moses is so delighted to have the RM20 MPH voucher, had been holding on (yes...for 6 hours or so) until I had to go back with him to buy his favourite comic book using that voucher.

Last but not least...a group photo taken...mapping the smile of everyone...

Oops..there is one special photo after the group...looks like this is going to be the Photo Of The Year ! (this is not an anniversary cake of theirs but ours as we get the singles to do the honour).

The cake is very delicious and Moses had 3 pieces just to validate on this fact !

We also played our special edition Christmas CD (specially prepared by Heroes) and we sing along a few songs softly....

We had only spent slighlty over two hours but after the event, as I slowly walked back to my car with Heroes, I am practically exhausted but satisfied as it was an enjoyable moments especially cuddling Isaac (Looking at this condition, Heroes warned that we had better be prepared for the big event in May 2009).

Hmm...I am looking forward for our next gathering soon and of course the White Christmas next year..

Before ending, on behalf of the organising committee (Ivy, Heroes & MGB), thank you very much for joining us for this season ending gathering...(Ah Too/Leh Ning/Jonathan/Josephine, Ah Yaw/Joanne and kids, Martin/wife/daughter, Mag, Mellisa, Mr. Tee). It will not happen without the support from each one of you.

We look forward for bigger crowd next round...may be bigger than the traditional gathering in Sibu.

Hohoho...Merry Christmas Everyone...

A Family Affairs at Kenny Rogers

In 6 hours time, 10 families of our batch will be having year end lunch together at Kenny Rogers, The Spring Kuching. It will be a fun time for the children and for the parents to catch up with each others (probably the last time before the new year ends).

A wonderful event awaits...shall keep all posted. Cheers

The Final Countdown

In 14 days time from now, we will be gathering around with family and friends to wave farewell to a great year 2008 and welcoming 2009. Wow, time really flies it is another year end and another new year coming. A lot of festivity moods here, I must confess. Nevertheless, the kickstart is a bit slow and I believe everyone would say...well you know..lah,...financial ? Angpow boh leh...

Hmm, never mind that...I am not Chinese educated but I was repeatedly advised that there is sayings in Chinese, in risks or challenges, there is always opportunity. Importantly are we ready to sieze the opportunity when we saw it ? Many of us could not sieze though many said they will not let opportunities pass by. Example....if today you come across an opportunity to buy a property that has guaranteed good investment return, will you buy it ? Uurh...frankly, we will think more protective measures especially during times of financial turmoil, engaging a surviving mode rather going all out to sieze the opportunities. So, generally, we will not take it during this time of turmoil, worrying about what if we are tie down with such big investment when the return is only going to materialise in 5-10 years time, amidst rumour of more job lay offs or closures of businesses (I have just learnt that 1,800 companies were closed down in the last 1 month in China ?).

So, state of preparedness (SOP) is crucial, I believe strongly. We will probably not strike even we have clear opportunity ahead...if we are not prepared (as we cannot afford it). In the world...there is only one Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Barrack Obama, George Bush, Warren Buffets, Tun Dr. M, Tan Sri Ting, White Ant...they are well known to us as they have achieved huge successes. From what I know they seldom missed opportunities passing through them...few of them even had grasses died off naturally whenever they stepped on it. They practically did the opposite but of course with a lot of guts and risks consideration.

My best buddy had also mentioned to me few years back, success is depending on one's definition and even if one's success is so minute compared to others achievement, it is also a great success to their satisfaction. Example, if a beggar managed to beg a plate of rice and met his daily target...it is a success to him. So long as he is happy, there is nobody who could take that satisfaction away from him. This is a great advice indeed for which we must honour as many among us do go for the stars but for the moon which is equally successful as they lived a happy and wonderful life. In short, everyone will have their opportunities, they shall need to make the best of it.

Whichever way, we have fourteen days to reflect for what we have gone through for the past 12 months or so and to chart our new course or aims (if needed) to seek our own stars or moons in the new year.

One thing for sure, we have the magnificent 7 who had put forth one of their 2009 goals to scalp the highest mountain in South East Asia on 2/5/2009.

A happy time ahead together with all our loved ones with array of wishes are along the way, with free flowing beers, whiskey, brandy, soft drinks plus roasted chicks, ducks, squids, fishes and prawn...hmmm..muacch...(like this how to achieve my dream weight huh...) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009...plus Happy Reflection 2008 hehehe...Cheers..

Of Magazines and Pen Pals

Oops, I have owed Ivy a tag for more than a month now, and Mygreatbuds have been kicking my butt in the shoutbox, so I guess I better get going.

The topic came to my mind when I was driving (as with most things nowadays) to work one day.  Remember those little A6 sized magazines that were sold every now and then in both SHS and SES?  That's right folks, I'm talking about The Young Lasallian.

The little compact magazine was meant to update the La Salle students all over Malaysia and Singapore on the latest happenings in the La Salle schools.

One of sections that always caught my attention was the pen pals.  Around Form 2, I finally got the courage to write to 2 of them (both girls, of course :P)  One was in Taiping, and the other Semenyih.  I later corresponded with another 2 pen pals (both girls as well, of course!) in Penang and Kuching.

Those were the days of non-instantaneous communication, where calling outstation cost a bomb and there was neither sms nor email.

So, we all used to look forward to going back home after school and checking our mail box to see whether another letter has dropped into it.

I remember the Taiping lady used to write long reflective letters about her life, while the others were more flippant and generally just shared about the latest happenings in their school lives.

After I went to college, the letters dried up, and when I reached uni, I lost touch with all of them.

But as I reflected on those letters that we exchanged, I am in a way quite struck by how profound some of those letters were.  Those were the days of youthful idealism and great clarity of mind, unpolluted by cynicism and broken dreams.  They were a snapshot of our minds, and reminded us of who we once really were.

Serve Others like "Candle"

Be the light to light up other's path, other's confusion, other's other's etc and in the end sacrifice yourself for the good of others.

With thankgivings celebration around the corner and with year end soon (I was told we have only left with 25 days working days this year...if those taking leave, it shall be lesser), this message is an early reflection for us to make something good for others or better if we have been serving...

Last night, I heard someone already playing Chinese New Year song...what a joyful feeling...but I have yet to hear Christmas Carol (so I bought a Christmas CD...it is only about 30 days left) . I guess the economic scenario must be getting tougher and many needs this sort of music to relax off and getting the festivities mood.

Frankly, the mood of businessman/taukeys is not as good as last year as most of us if involved in business will acknowledge the economic challenges faced by many especially those in US &(Japan & Germany have slipped into recession as reported) though there are few are very happy locally because of acquisition.

The crude oil per barrel has dropped below USD50 and this should be a cause of joy for us commoners as we could expected another revision of petrol to below RM2.00 per litre. Every week now, I could save RM30...and that could let me enjoy a session of rose perfume massage :) (2nd thought....have not been spending such rejuvenation session for a while already as must save more for tougher days ahead).

I pray that we could always live as a strong community of Malaysian going through unitedly sailing better than other countries like the one in 1997 crisis. Malaysia boleh..lah ! Pasti boleh !

10 Years Old Photo

Go & Check, how was your "look" in minus 10 from current ?

This was taken in 1998, during the year that Mr. Tee was the O.C. I think the place of reunion was Premier Hotel, Sibu.

Sibu

Maybe some of us have not see how Sibu looks like for many many many years. This is Sibu few days ago.

Thought of shooting some photos of our SHS school. Don't know whether they will let me in or not or the "Red Army" will throw me out of the school. Hehehe...

St Elizabeth......mmmmmmmm maybe lahhhhh, I can try to take from across the road.

Reunion With Bro. Albinus

Haishe... I should have brought my Lumix...but just have to satisfy with N95. May I could have taken a better close up but facing our Abai, my mind just went blurr....luckily still able to click it.

You can see Mr. Tee rubbing on....probably was so please to have the chance to have a man-man photo session (a position that we may have never though of some 20 years back...?)

We also met Mdm Wong, Mdm Chai & Mr. Louis Ling...who are just sitting next to our table. Mr. Tee & Ah Yaw were very engrossed in their updates with them.

It was indeed a fun time as we could meet many of the old faces beside enjoying great presentation from our juniors (some 24 of them). We also met Irene Tiong (the first year student...sponsored by SHS Kuching Alumni). Petty lad...Mr.Tee & Ah Yaw unaminously thinking of introducing to our Heroes.

We joked a lot..at least reflecting on our past encounters with Abai. How our tougue turn to 'stone' as it was so extremely difficult to communicate with him in English...(not that we do not know how to conversate)...but just the system seems faulty @ does not work when in front of him... (BTW...I think Mr. Tee still have the 'fear" there leh....introducing us as 1986 instead of 1988 Form Five...betui tak Mr. tee ? Hehehe)

Can anyone guess how old is he ??? (FYI, He is in Kuching...as you can usually meet him attending 7.30 a.m. mass at St. Peter Church, Padungan)

Having attended the latest reunion dinner, someone in the midst asked ? .........

Is our 21st SHS88-90 Reunion in Sibu still on ??? No news until now...though it is less than 100 days liaw ??? (silence....as everyone seems to ponder...)

SHS Alumni Asso of Kuching

shs8890 bloggers,
Our Kuching SHS alumni has recently launched SHS Alumni Association of Kuching blog. Check it out!

MGB, Chee Seng Yaw, Thadeus, Anthony Ting, Dr Patrick Ting, Dr Alex Sim, Dr Joseph Yii and myself were at the same table. It was fun and great to meet up with so many ex-SHS boys and girls.

Bro Albinus...yup, finally we have the gut to take photo with him . At least one of us is taller than him now. MGB, don't forget to post the photos.

Reunion With Cikgu Ong

It all started when Cikgu Ong found our blog.

Next thing we knew, he was on Facebook as well!  That's how we found out that he's now staying in Alor Gajah, his hometown.

A few weeks ago, I mooted the idea of visiting him to Stephen Chung and Heroes.  They were a bit aphrehensive at first, but I convinced them the journey will not take too long, and that we can do it sometime during the Deepavali weekend.

I sms'ed Cikgu Ong of our intentions.  Not only was he most welcoming, he took the trouble to work out a map for us to follow.

At the last minute, Chuan Ming decided to join us as well by driving over from Bahau via Tampin, so I mms'ed him the map.

And so on Deepavali morning, we took a quick breakfast at Puchong and set off for the Simpang Ampat toll on the NSE.  Getting there from Puchong took us only 50 minutes, and along the way we had an impromptu karaoke session in the car of old Mandarin songs, just to put us in the mood, hehe :)

From Simpang Ampat, it was a matter of following the map given, and after about 15 minutes we made a left turn to Machap Baru.  At that time we found out that Chuan Ming was just right behind us.  After another 5 minutes or so, we reached Machap Umboo.  A left turn after the Pondok Polis, 50 more metres down the road and we were greeted by a smiling Cikgu Ong.

He hasn't aged at all!

He remembered all our names except for Stephen Chung, but he managed to recall it after a few minutes.  :)

For some of us, it's been 20 years since we last saw him.  He was actually still in SHS until 1998, when he got a scholarship to do his Masters at USM.  After graduation, he taught at Raja Uda Penang until early this year, when he came back to Melaka.

After some time catching up, we noticed some old SHS annual magazines sitting on one of the shelves.  So out they came, together with photos that Cikgu Ong took at SHS.  The photos were mostly taken in the classrooms and some school functions. It was amazing he still remembers the names of almost all the students that he taught in those days.

We adjourned for lunch at a nearby restaurant.  Being the gentleman that he is, he refused to let me pay for lunch :P

As we made our way back later, we thought about the reunion we just had with a teacher who had  touched our lives in many different ways.  How he had encouraged us and planted the seeds for us to become who we are today.  We are forever thankful for his presence in our lives.

Last but not least, we have an open invitation to visit him again during the next rambutan season!  But if anyone wants to pay him a visit before that, we can organize another trip again soon :)

Photos courtesy of Cikgu Ong and his new Nikon D60 :)

The Formation of SHS' Girls' Club

My post has been long overdue, apologies! But I have good reasons – I needed to interview someone to get my facts right before putting on the post. So here goes….

A couple of months ago as I was chatting with my sister on the phone, we came across the topic of how the Girls’ Club got formed in SHS. Of course, by the time we girls (meaning the girls in our year) went into SHS for our Form 6, the Girls’ Club was an entity that had been fully accepted by the boys. Not only accepted, but welcomed. Am I right, guys?

To find out how the Girls’ Club came into formation in a boys’ school, I “interviewed” the founder of the club, Ms Ho Mei Ling, and also my own sister, Audrey, who was one of the committee members.

The Girls’ Club was formed in 1982. According to Audrey, that was the very first year that SHS accepted girls into their science stream in Form 6. Not only was it the first year that the science-streamed Form 6 boys had to adjust to having girls in their class, but they also had to adjust to the number of girls that came in – about 30 of them, almost a class on its own. Prior to that, SES girls who were science-streamed went to Methodist for their Form 6.

According to Mei Ling, one of the reasons that the girls decided to form the club was because they felt a need to “fight for the girls’ rights” in a much male dominated school. For some reasons, the boys treated the girls with “an aloof attitude” – particularly the girls in science stream. The boys’ egos were probably slightly bruised by the fact that their female counterparts were as smart as them, at least that was what my sister claimed. Remember, in those days SHS students had brilliant academic results, what more to say of those who are science students.

I asked Audrey what reasons the girls in her year had to feel that they were being treated differently, and she had quite a few to tell! Firstly, they were called to the school hall by dearest Abai to start off the school term with a bang – he warned the sixth formers that they had better not have any ideas of hanky-panky with the boys, and vice-versa. When you’ve been in an all-girls school for 11 years, it’s not a totally pleasant experience on your first day in an all-boys school.

Then, there was the lab incident. My sister happened to be one of the last person to leave the lab one day, and as the boys from another class waited to use the lab, they threw taunts at her something along this line “hai ya, leave lah, why are you occupying our lab”. This of course mainly came from the junior boys who were more mischievous.

The girls in that year created a new abbreviation for the letters M-C-P : male chauvinist pigs. Hey, don’t get offended ya, that was 1982. I would have used that term too if I had experienced what they did – a maths teacher said this to the girls “Why do you need to learn maths, you don’t need it for cooking”. Hah hah hah! No wonder the girls were chastised!

So much for that. Mine was a wonderful 2 years in SHS, though! Pat, you’re tagged.

Reunion 2009 at the Peak

A magnificent view isn't it ?

A view from Kundasang, KK, Sabah. This photo was downloaded from Wikipedia. I do have this similar photo with my family which was taken during our last trip in 2005. It is now placed at my office side table since then.

A view from the peak....this one I do not have, the two figures in the photo are ammo (I guess) but definitely love to be in the photo.

I have to admit that this is a teenage dream ! To conquer Mount KK, inspiring from Mr. Chong (our form 5/6 lab assistant) who used to lead few expeditions of teachers and students but I am not one of them. We have talking for many years....at least 20 years...though the last round of talking was a Heroes' company trip that was never materialised (though he was eager and nearly bought a RM300 climbing shoes).

This challenge of conquering "pop out"again in the last one month and ada "ura-ura" to make this trip happen very very soon. Background works have started.....

What do you think...any of you interested...flying our flag up high at the highest peak in South East Asia (so...the Dragonteas visit may have to take a backseat due to financial and melamine issues...)

Friendly Match

On 2/10/2008, 3p.m sharp, we have finally had our long awaited squash friendly match which was held at SHS Squash Court between ex-SHS form players from Kuching against Sibu squash loyalists (we have been planning it since August 2008). We also have a suprised player from Klang, who is none other than Lieng Tee, who happen to have his short break in Sibu during this Raya season. Why surprise ? We actually did not count him in this match as it was purely arrangement between Kuching and Sibu as we do not expect due to distance and costs. Hmm...what a good arrangement it turn out to be as we have him in our team (Kuching) as if not, it is 3 against 4 players.

Who are the players ? From Kuching, we have Ah Too, Mr. Tee and myself and in Sibu team, they are Dr. Lau, Ah Chiew, Ngieng Kee (Lieng Tee's brother) and Lawyer John Tiong (our senior..the one in singlet below).

Ah Too was playing against John in court 1 whilst Lieng Tee was playing against Dr. Lau.

All of us enjoyed the games as we played at least 3 games with each other. With the solid sounds generating from the squashing acts, it is no surprise as Kwong Siong a.k.a Ah Poh also turned up to meet us in the squash court together with his youngest son to find out why the sound was so unusual as compared to usual days (Ah Poh's house was just quarter stone away from the court) :).

The returning leg in Kuching will be more exciting...as vengeance is already building up though no dates were selected but we are determined to have it before the year passes on....

You must be curious....why no result was announced ?

Remember vengeance ? Yeap...Kuching team "kalah really teruk" and I may have purposely did not keep any scores...:) For consolation...just blame it on sea...lag, road..lag or just heavy balls....hehehe..

Bottomline..I enjoy myself very well (what a good time) especially revisiting the part of my yesteryears...oh..yeaaaah,,

Selamat Hari Raya

Wishing all my friends Selamat Hari Raya. For those who are in Sibu, please come to my house on the 1st day of raya. 2nd day I will celebrating Hari Raya on the road. Driving to Kuching mah....

3rd & 4th I will be at my in-law house. I can't promise you if I'm in Kuching coz my mother in-law like to bring me & my wife visiting others. (good son in-law eh....)

Invitation: Open House on 1st and 2nd Day of Raya/Eid

Dear all.

I am celebrating Raya/Eid in Bintulu. If you happen to drive past by that sleepy town on the south of Kidurong Cape on the first or second day of Raya/Eid, please do drop by my house at SS2E/22 Jalan Abang Matassan, Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu.

On the first day we'll have the usual curry/rendang/satay (peanut gravy), but on second day it'll only be rendang and satay gravy as curry couldn't last very long.

First Day of Raya = 30th September or 1st October
Second Day of Raya = 1st October or 2nd October.

I will be going to Sibu on 3rd day of Raya and come back to Bintulu on the 4th day of Raya. The weekend of 4th/5th October I will be in Bintulu and guests are still welcomed, but only dry food will be served, or perhaps a plate or two of Mee HongKong or Mee Jawa, :).

Attached please find the map to my house.



Call or sms me at 012-877 8259 if you're coming!

(The idea of an "open house" is that it doesn't require an invitation!)

Snippets

Me and (second) wife went shopping at eMart, in Miri, a few moments ago. We walked past a Chinese father and his daughter and she said, in Mandarin,

"Banyak Melayu ni beli jajan" (This Malay sure bought a lot of junk food)

***

When my (first) wife's Mandarin was still good, we would order coffee and sit in kopitiams in KL and Bintulu and she would hear comments like,

"What are they doing here"
or "Why does she cover herself like that"
or even "In kai se ta men yau se choo lo"

***

I speak to my (first) wife in Semenanjung Malay, with all the accents of a KL-ite, and Sarawakian natives would assume that I myself is a Peninsular Malay. Some would converse in Iban, or Melanau, or even Sarawakian Malay, to their colleagues, thinking that I wouldn't understand their dialects. When I retorted back in Melanau, or Iban, or Sarawakian Malay, they would be red-faced.

***

I do not claim to know what are the right ingredients to hold together a nation, that seems to be bursting at the seams of racial prejudice. I do not know whether Keynesian approach (government intervention) is appropriate, or is it better to leave things at sociological evolution.

But as a Muslim, or even as a responsible pragmatist liberalist, I believe that all things should be in moderation. No extremes should be allowed. Neither end of the spectrum is good for anyone.

***

Me......????????

Ardy puasa tak baca blog kah? You've been tagged to post a topic." That was sms I received today. Sorry yea guys. When I buka the blog..... walamak.... my name....I've been tagged. Heroes tagged me on my birthday. It's a Malaysia day and the day PR should take over. So fed up with the current politics in Malaysia. Tooooo many actors playing their roles. For the past 45 years nobody care about 16 September except me ler. Suddenly 16 September is a hot date and I even received a birthday card from Prime Minister saying that I'm anak merdeka. He just pre signed the card maaa.... and his staff just type my name or at least give me Canon EOS 1D Mark III with Canon EF 28-300mm.

What did I get for my birthday?? Nothing.... BN still hold the gov. Malaysia still celebrate 31 August. My mom says, don't know what to give.... you have all the things that you need. Laptops, cameras, handphones...... hahahaha like that kah?

37 years of being Sarawakian. "Masih tinggal atas pokok ke" - that was the question i used to hear from across the sea (Laut China Selatan ler). Me, half Malay & half Melanau but looks like Chinese... Nearly know how to speak Foochow but only half way. Should marry Chinese girl huh..but in the end Malay girl pulak. hehehe....

I never thought that I will see you guys again after so many many many years. Thank you guy for being friends of mine...and you Mdm Ivy (hehehe) remember all the birth dates.

You know lah puasa time after eating lots lots of food, brain pun sleepy. Don't know what to think & write. (Yawning.......)

This is my new blog : here and photo here.

Who's next yea?????? Ivy....

Birthday Greetings for September

Happy Birthday to all of you who are celebrating your birthday this month!

15 September - Simon Chan

16 September - Suhardy

Today - Sii Jing

Many happy returns of the day!

Petition to free RPK, Teresa and Tan

Though 2 are out but RPK is still detained. Result of Online Petition is overwhelming.

'One Day'

‘I have just been overhauled’. Opps .. Correction, ‘I have just been tagged’. William, some correction, I am 'Heroes' not 'Hero'...

It’s been quite sometime since my last post in our SHS blog and now thanks to MGB effort and creation of tagging among friends to start sharing whatever things in order to make our SHS blog lively again after being stagnant for a while.

As we could seen from the last post which was contributed by our lecturer friend, Joe and I was glad that he has finally registered as a contributor in this blog after so many ‘days’ and ‘months’ of his contribution by way of commenting in friends’ posts. Thanks again, MGB for your tagging thingy… but I noticed one of our frequent comments contributors, William has yet to registered as a contributor in our SHS blog, although he was among the very first batch whom were invited by the creator of our blog, Pat to become a contributor. Maybe ‘One Day’ he will registered, am I right William? ☺

The phrase of ‘One Day’ has been widely used by all of us irrespective in office, home and in any function, situation, condition etc that you could name.

- I must go to visit China ‘One Day’
- Son, I will buy you a car ‘One Day’
- I want to become a doctor ‘One Day’
- I think I will organize a gathering among our old friends ‘One Day’
- Don’t worry, we shall achieve it ‘One Day’
- Darling, we shall have our own house ‘One Day’

Everything, everywhere, everytime and everyone talked about ‘One Day’ but do we really know how much the influence or impact to those who received that ‘One Day’ promises from those who promised if undelivered? All of us would agree that talking is really very much easier than action. How to put our promises into action? That’s very much depend on individual and ones character & attitude are the main key factor whether the promises made will be materialized.

When we were a kid, our parents used to promise us this and that, and not all of them would be materialized. As a kid, the only way to release our frustration and disappointment was crying. When we grew up and be part of the contributors to our society development, the ‘One Day’ promises would still around although it’s from various sources. Sometimes we have to bear with it and keep telling ourselves don’t put so much hope on it as it might not be materialized. That’s an easy way of comforting ourselves and you may say it as an excuse too.

If we are the one who promised, kindly think and put ourselves in the shoe of the receiving parties and the consequences of breaking promises. I do agree that no one is perfect as a human being but don’t take this as an excuse to our undelivered of promises.

To our loved one, family, parents, brothers, sisters, closed friends, friends, colleague, clients, business associates etc, we must always remember of what promises we made to each of them and make sure we must delivered.

Friends, any promises you have been made and yet to delivered?

Whose next?? Hardy, you are next..

William says...

I am not a contributor to this blog. To make thing easier, I post my story inside the comment.

I read the following story from a Chinese Dairy.

Three good friends A, B and C decided to build a house together. The gathered their capital, labour and skill and started to build a three bed rooms house. Beside the bedrooms which are all equal in size, there were lounge, verandah, toilet, bath, kitchen and car ports that were shared facilities. Once the house construction was completed, three of them moved in happily.

The population inside the house grew when the three friends started family. Problems started to arise due to the increasing family members and there were tension and conflict here and there. They decided to renovate the house to accommodate all the family members. The bedroom of A was extended while bedrooms for B and C was shrunk in order to accommodate family member of A.

Despite the renovation, the situation inside the house did not improve. Tensions and conflicts between family members become more frequent. A started to make some ruling that B and C have to obtain permission to use the shared facilities. The front lawn was converted to carports to house A's three Benzs. B and C old cars have to be parked along the street.

After fifty years, the house was aged. There were leaks here and there. The floors were cracking. In the pass, B and C were paying for the repair bill and also utilities bills. B and C cannot longer afford the repair.

B and C spoke to A asking his share of the repair. Instead of committing himself to the repair, A started to question the legitimately of B and C to reside in the house.

What do you think B and C shall do?

Hero you are tagged next.

As kid See It

Chialat!

My throat choked with unspoken words. My head spun hurricane.

Mr Tee, why you tag on me when I am not even registered as a contributor in this blog? Why you tag on me when I am not even qualified as a blogger?

Asking me, a non-blogger to pen my thought is just like asking bloggers to live without computers or asking a stripper to dance with an evening gown.

Super Tulan!

Having said that, I am not gonna to disappoint you, my friend. Thanks for the friendship for remembering me.

Btw, thanks Heroes for inviting me to contribute to this blog. Now I am formally registered as a contributor. Give me five, heroes.

******

I don't normally go to a particular church due to various reasons. As such, sometimes I go in the morning and sometimes I attend evening mass. Like Mr Tee, I don't normally sit in the front row. “Is that right, Mr Tee?

On evening, as usual, I chose to sit at the back row whereby I can see outside view if I were to turn my head back. Half way during the mass, my boy pulled my hand and asked me to look outside as if he had something very important to tell me. I would normally ignored his request if he were to talk to me during the mass. But then, as curious as he was, he moved his mouth to my ear and whispered

“Papa, the dog outside there got a lot of chu chu.”

“Holy shit. How on earth that a dog can have a lot of penises?” I mumbled.

“You see, you see outside there” he cried out for me to turn my head back.

My friends, how many times do you have the chance to see a dog with a lot of penises? Would you not turn your head if you were to be my position?

Burning with curiosity. I turned my head and looked for the dog mentioned.


And I saw a BITCH!!



William, you are tagged.

Mr Tee's TALK

Having a second thought after putting my comment under Hansac's Talk.

Since I have been tagged it is unfair for me to delay or get Hansac to choose another person.

Guess what...I grew up in a family where both parents read newspaper while doing the daily job. Being an innocence child, I condemn those unhygenic act. Days pass by and my younger brother also picked up this habit. He is more superior than my parents because he not only reads newspaper but books!!!

I for once tried it for the first time when I was in Form Six (just out of curiosity) and guess what.....I finished reading the whole day newspaper and the thing was still there, tucked in as n icely!!! I continued for a couple of times and the result was the same.

Somehow I can't recall when.......I discovered the inherited talent of mine. I do not only read newspaper and books but I SURF internet and reply emails and...BLOG when I am doing my toilet routine!!! Yahoooo! Nowadays, I can't poo if I don't read or type!

Joseph Sia...knock knock...u're tagged!

BTW, can I have a show of names for those who can read while in toilet?

Hansac's Talk

I have always been a keen observer of culture and race, of religion and faith. When I was in Sacred Heart, I learned a little bit about Catholicism and to a certain extent, Protestantism. I learned to differentiate the cacophony of Foochow dialect and the structured Mandarin, without understanding either one language. I learned the values of acceptance and accomodation, as the La Salle brothers have respected my faith, and my Chinese friends has accepted me into their fold. I learned first-hand about schisms, in faith, in race, in culture, in a nation.

***

My family, and many other non-Chinese families in Sarawak, have been "infiltrated" by Chinese elements, for hundreds of years. The Kelabits and Kenyahs first received visitors from China 600 years ago. Those Orang Ulus does not look like Chinese merely due to coincidence!

My family received "subversive" Chinese elements fairly recently, maybe the last 100 years. But let me talk about recent additions.

My late father's first wife was a Chinese by the name of Sara Ho. Most of my brothers and sisters looked Chinese. My third brother, Ariffin, married a Chinese who was adopted at birth by a Malay family. He looked Chinese, his wife looked Chinese, and dang, does his five children look Chinese or what. And they have that Chinese "myth" with them, i.e. Chinese are clever people. It is hard to argue with this vis-a-vis Ariffin's daughters because the first daughter became the best SPM student in Sarawak in 2000 and now doing medicine in Ireland. The second daughter is now doing medicine in India, and the third daughter is doing medicine in Unimas. If that is not a testament to the superiority of the Chinese race, I do not know lah.

Even though I myself looked Chinese, I do not know whether I have Chinese blood in me. My mother's mother was a Melanau from Dalat, and my mother's father was an from Sumatera, Indonesia.

My second wife is half-Chinese, her mother is a Chinese adopted at birth by a Malay family. But my second wife learned Hokkien and Mandarin later in life and not through her mother, who doesn't speak Chinese at all.

***

It was common for Malay families in Sarawak to adopt Chinese babies. Then, it was not beneath a Chinese to handover his/her children to a Malay family.

My auntie, the late Usu Bi'ah, adopted two Chinese girls who are sisters (of the same father/mother, Aluyah and Zaiton). Aluyah and Zaiton's Chinese brothers and sisters regularly visit them during Hariraya in Sibu. Another auntie, Buk Ibot, adopted Umei and Jijah, both sisters too.

Throughout Sarawak this adoption phenomena is common. Who wouldn't want a fair and cute baby?

***

If you go to Miri Bazaar Ramadhan at Seberkas, you may see Chinese faces selling traditional Malay food, until you hear them speak. It is quite funny, actually, with Malays tendencies for halal food, and associating such halal-ness with the face of the sellers. That's why some of these sellers resorted to wearing tudung or having Quranic inscriptions at their stalls to indicate their religion, even though they don't usually wear tudung.

***

As far as being a Sarawakian goes, Chinese has always been part of the parcel. Maybe I speak from the point of view of a pseudo-immigrant myself, maybe I speak from a weak minority point of view, maybe I speak from the angle of someone who has spent quite a number of years in America and have seen discrimination and prejudices in its most raw form.

***

Do you find this post offensive?

Where Is The Crowd ?

I do not know whether the traffic to our beloved blog is still maintaining at its peak or have much dwindled down. However, for sure...there has been much silent in the comments or putting up of sharing now when compared to a year ago especially nearing our 20th Reunion.

Even the most vocal commentor...Joe has been silent for few weeks already...may be his boss's boss is giving him extra pressure to handle some Hongkies..but now it should have settled as the boss's boss is no longer the Tourism Minister.

William is the next most vocal nowadays...great work with his photo blog...I like the scenery/events that he tooked. Commenting here and there !

Heroes is now too bored to handle his current work engagement also did not participate much...may be missing his Dalian frens.

Mr. Tee has just introduced us the Bittorrent but I still like the Foochow crash course....(I did laugh out very loud....)

Bravo to Sweet Ivy who still manage to put up a very interesting blog barely few weeks after her delivery...

Hansac as usual will come in to put great comments without favour or fear but straight through his mind...especially with his lots of ideas.

Pat is also very quiet now...but like the way he wrote about J in his latest blog...such a great way to appreciate a person...mungkinkah first touch ?

Ardy & Ted, mana you ? hilang macam Dato Ahmad ? Sii Jing, Dave & Mag...busy chasing dreams..

Oh..yes... WH...are your cannon balls still operational ? Miss the battle that few of us had last year where it hooked us day and night.

Even the shout box also now collecting dust...

Must get some butts moving...now...I would like to start another tag like the one we had but this round, is tagging to write sharing on our blog. Topic, anything interesting and I am sure everyone has a lot ideas/experiences/opinions to share even on your toilet bowl...

So, I tag Hansac first !

Do You Still Keep Your Report Card ?

Badges...I do not have the full collection. Uniform...long became my foot cloth (but I remember my mum told me that my prefect maroon jacket have been given to my great uncle from China who happen to visit my parents way back in 1994, when I was in West Malaysia...). On cards/letters....may have misplaced especially those sensitive ones but my wife kept well those letters written from me (I think ladies are like that....keeping score and reflecting our soft parts)...haiz..

Oh...Yes, I have still have my report cards...the blue faded colour primary report card is already 30 years old and the green secondary colour is 24 years old...what a precious item and would not trade for a million ringgit (would you believe ?) kahkekeke...

Some of the information written inside the card is really enlightening to reflect...example...my weight was 50 pounds and height was 3 feet 11 inches when I was measured on 31/3/1978. By the time I left the primary school, I weighed 55 kgs and my height was 1.57m. But in the secondary school, such vital statistics were not recorded and proabably it was not important. Anyone can tell why they are not recorded ? (Anyway...my weight doubled up when I finished Form Six in 1990 but the height was 1.84m....luckily they did not measure my waist or other vital parts...hahaha...they may have discovered Zohan earlier...hahaha)

Interesting to note also the change of title of subject taught:

Primary vs Secondary
Ilmu Hisab - Matematik
Congak - ?
Tawarikh/Ilmu Alam - Geografi

Hey, I have also studied Jawi and got a C in Primary 6. ( A,B,C - Alif, Ba, Ta : correct kah...Hansac ?)

So, Ivy...are we equal for now ? :)

Where's your school badge?

In my trip back to Sibu last October, I rummaged through my old "treasure closet" and digged out my most precious keepings - school days stuff. And amongst my "treasure" are my school badges, from primary to secondary.

The two at the top are my primary school badges at Sekolah Rendah St. Rita (it was not SRB or SRK back then, just SR). I cannot remember in which primary school year the badge changed from the one at the left to the one on the right, but the changed reflected the school's change into a non-missionary management (something like SHS' change after the LaSalle years). Oh yes, I was supposed to go to St.Mary's Primary School after kindy, but my father felt it would be "safer" to put me in an all-girls school.

The second badge is my prefect badge in Form 4 to Form 5 at SMB St. Elizabeth. Where's my badge in St.E from Form 1 to Form 3? Good question....my sister confiscated it from me and claimed that she should be the rightful owner to the badge as she is the one who passed it on to me (she's 6yrs my senior). I argued that I am the one who has been the keeper of the badge for the last 20 years....it's obvious who won the custody of the badge, although she denied taking it and claimed that I dropped it somewhere in my mum's house in Sibu (grrrr!). St. E's school badge is the hibiscus that is shown on the prefect badge.

Finally, there's the SHS prefect and school badge, and the name tag which I can't remember is for prefects or librarians. The red pengawas badge was given to me by SJ when he left Lower 6 for university.

I love my school badges, they help bring back vivid school days memories in a flash. And I'll find a way to wrestle back my right to the St.E badge from my sister, some day.

Where are your school badges.....

Let the Games Begins !

It is here and we can enjoy the next 16 days on world's best in the summer sports....live from Beijing, China...

The preparation is into the last hour...

Tonight, everyone shall be very eager to watch the live telecast on the opening of the games at 8.08 pm 08s 8/8/08 (six eights)....hmm...just to give you the preview of the fireworks...on the well-known "Nest" stadium

In Remembrance: Frankie Jeffrey

Today after I updated the SHS blog I clicked on Frankie's blog. I don't know what prompted me to do it - maybe I just suddenly remembered him.

Anyway, his sister had put up an entry on her blog on the first anniversary of his passing on. You can find it here.

........................................

The sadness of losing a dear friend still remains strong, tempered by the knowledge that he is now in God's bosom.

Welcome Isaac !

A baby boy was born into the world this morning 2am at Sarawak GH. Mother Ivy and son both are healthy.

We are all waiting with long necks now....was relieved to receive a sms from her this afternoon (probably just woke up from sleep after heavy labour in the wee-wee hours).

Hope to have his cutie look soon...cheers

Discipline

The other day, one of my friends was lamenting how strict the Chinese school that her daughter attend was. That got me thinking about my own time at SHS.

One of my most enduring memories of SHS was the good discipline its students had. Sure, there were still bad apples, but overall, the students were well behaved.

The La Salle brothers who used to govern the school played a big part in this. If you really think about it, Brother Albinus never really did cane a lot of people, but the threat of it was enough to make most people shudder and think twice about going against school rules.

This theory was proven true when, after Samuel Tan took over in 1987, discipline began to deteoriate rapidly.

There are advocates today of a non-violent way of disciplining students, and this group of people abhors the use of the cane. In fact, parents even confront teachers if their children get caned. During our time, if our parents ever got to know that Brother Albinus caned us, the assumption was that we have done something very wrong and we got another round of caning!

But I think a key difference about the way the La Salle brothers disciplined us was that they did it out of love, out of care and concern about our education and shaping us into persons of character. Discipline out of rage and hatred will only breed resentment or worse, hatred in return.

Ultimately, I believe for many of us the success that we have today is in no small part due to the discipline we gained when we were in SHS.

Girls Meet-up at Kenny Rogers

The girls had a short meet-up at Kenny Rogers' outlet at The Spring yesterday evening (11th July). Ai Ping is in town, so I thought I'd use the opportunity to round up the '88 St.E girls in Kuching. There was supposed to be 7 of us....as I said, supposed to be. It ended up with just the four of us (well, 5 if we include Leh Ning's little Josephine who was camera shy).

The other few WANTED to come BADLY, but were just unable to escape from family committments at the last minute. Anyhow, I find comfort in the fact that they WANTED to come BADLY....heh heh heh, whether I'm making this part up or not, you decide!

11th July was Leh Ning's birthday, so HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! She told us that yesterday evening was the first time she knew that Big Apple Donuts exists in Kuching....we almost asked her to seat at the next table.

Gr8Buds sms me as Ai Ping & I were settling down at Kenny Rogers asking how come the guys didn't get informed....specifically, he meant why Heroes didn't get informed about Ai Ping's presence in Kuching. Hai ya, I meant it as an evening for the '88 girls lah....still, I did say Ai Ping "is" in town, not "was". Heroes can always make it a productive weekend!

And girls, next time give lah more support ya!

SHS Alumni, Kuching Chapters - AGM

I was at the height of giving my staff the piece of my mind yesterday....suddenly my handphone sings ' Hai Guo Tien Kong" by Beyond (Cantopop group) and I have to stop to answer the call.

It was a sweet reminder (earlier I have already received an email from Seo Kok Ing, the current president) from a lady, our Junior who is now working in KTS with Dr. Lim (who is also a SHS senior)...a reminder to me to attend the Alumni's AGM schedule on next coming Sunday...20/7/2008 at Tempayan, Crown Towers, Kuching.

I am however unable to confirm my attendance as I have another prior engagement in outstation that weekend though much I would like to mingle around. Thus, I have promised to inform all my friends who reside in Kuching about this important event and encourage them to participate.

So, folks in Kuching...please do give your undivided support by attending this important event.

Nation-building from Hansac

I have one specific post that I have been cooking in my head for quite some time, and that is race relation in Malaysia as seen from a Sarawakian Malay perspective in the Foochow-dominated town of Sibu.

There is something about nation-building, about friendship, about you and me, about all of us, that I want to talk about, talk in the open, without fear, but with some prejudice and bias.

I will readily admit, at certain times in my life, I was a racist. Whether I still am, is something we can talk about.

But I am now in my 30s going to the big "four zero" in life, and my outlook towards reality and life in general and interpersonal relationship in particular has changed quite a bit.

Gone were the days when I was a fanatic Islamist.

Gone were the days where I believed in Malay supremacy ("ketuanan Melayu").

Gone were the days where I looked down on the beliefs of others.

And I do this not to curry favor from my non-Malay, non-Muslim friends.

I changed because I believe in the change.

I believe if I do not change, others will not change.

If I continue to be a racist, others will continue to be racists.

So I sat down with non-Muslims, non-Malay friends, and share the food they eat, drink from the same cup they do (of course in light of Hepatitis B and all, this may not be the in thing to do, :P), joined them in mock military combats, etc etc...

So what say you...

You ready for nation-building?

After Today

1. After today 30th June, tomorrow is a brand new second half of 2008, that is 1st July
2. After today, we have run half of the year and definitely, we shall keep running till the final lap of 2008...hopeful for better results.
3. After today, half year performance review is up very soon...so do our own half year reflection.
4. After today, July is here and there are many friend's birthdays this month...just celebrated one in office just now. Also expecting to have another new born coming soon.
5. After today, our beloved blog is 881 days old.
6. After today, Ivy, Hansac and Heroes has not posted any blog for 80, 113 and 130 days respectively.
7. After today, I hope we all will start a better 2nd half of the 2008 season or continue the good run like the G.S (photo) running on white sandy beach facing a blue relaxing sea (what a wonderful place to be know...)

No Photo Allowed !

Last Thursday, I have lunch with Ivy after so many months (may be 3 months now) since the last one we had with Heroes. This time, Mr. Tee joined us.

A quick catch up with each other after a while as everyone was busy on their daily chores even Ivy is much expecting now...but I was not allowed to take photo (I thought so....) as my subconscience told me not to ask her...so I can only describe her...hmmm still very much the same Ivy especially with her evergreen smile though her small belly is now much bigger.

Talking of catching up with friends, it deepens on oneself whether how the person wanted to be in touch. The feeling must be of vice versa. We can have simple quick meet up or a long chat over dinner or even few drinks at our favourites cafe...the simple act is by just calling up and making appointments.

BTW, just to inform all... I have also bump into Ah Bart, our 2009 Reunion Chairman who was on the same flight to and fro Sibu on the last 17th. He did mentioned about the Reunion 2009 on the way back and hinting that the committee will need to regroup by October or so. Much I would like to join but sadly, I have also told him that I will be away for new year holiday this time round...but can ask Mr. Tee. Heroes, Joe and others to take some greater part of the organising actions.

John Fam and the rest whom had pledged to attend 2009 after they have failed to make it to 2008, please ensure your airticket is already purchase especially taking the opportunity from the price war between MAS and AirAsia.... Dun know what day the reunion ? Simple rule of thumb...it is still going to be on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year ! When is the CNY 2009 ? Frankly..I also dun know...anyone care to advise ?

I believe it will be another great reunion and better than 2008 as like the wines...our relationship will become greater as the time passes...

Impromptu Gathering in KL

At about 4 pm today, I got an sms from Eng Soon that Mr T is in town, shall we meet up with him. We agreed to meet him at Midvalley. Stephen & Eric, who were supposed to be playing snooker :) decided to join us in the end.

So we had an impromptu gathering at Nyonya Colours in Midvalley. We talked about everything under the sun - the current political situation, Justice Chia's allegations, Dr Chua's bedroom powers (!), friends updates, Sarawak happenings, Eric's love life (or lack of it!), the high oil price, old school love stories (!!), the state of public transport, etc. In the end we stayed until the shop was ready to close :)



We agreed to meet again during the weekend (unfortunately without Mr T who is going back to Kuching on Friday).

All in all it was a really good catch up session. Thanks, guys!

512 Quake In China

Over 70,000 people had perished in this 7.9 ricther magnitude and over 500,000 people injured and millions were evacuated ! Many thousands more still trap...(never thought it was so bad till few days ago....I hope they will be saved soon...)

I have just had my parabolic transferred from my old house and now watching the 512 Artistes event performed by all HK/China artistes to collect donations for the disaster rescue activities...they are indeed great and loving group of people bringing hope to people in Sichuan and sharing love of over 1.3 billion in China. These top wellknown artistes really motivate the whole country through their songs. I believe many if not everyone in this world have known this disaster and again love has proven itself to be the everlasting strength that human has...

Further, I am very touch after reading many emails with pictorial messages sent by few friends about the recuers, survivors and people (unsung heroes) around giving love without conditions. Many teachers or parents died in protecting their children...one young lady even managed to breastfed her baby before dying having using her body to withhold the wieght of rumbles from crushing her baby (this was discovered as a small note was left beside the baby when the rescuer rescued the baby).

Like Andy Lau, the HK singer said...only time will heal this dramatic disaster and Jackie Chan shared that he has never seen a unity force so strong of over 1.3 billion people in one unison...when the whole country stopped for 3 minutes mourning over the disaster with everyone pressing their vehicles/vessels etc horns !

I must congratulate these HK/China artistes for their great act as the promotion of this event really move a lot of their fans/people as they are icons to millions at least to this part of the globe ! And also to the TV stations/companies over in HK/China, they have done a great job of sharing the news and promoting love and support from everyone through such programmes.

We must re-learn from these examples, the act of self sacrifice and love for everyone..not only our family but our neighbour, people on the street, in our community...

From Malaysia, from my own place...we can offer prayers or donate through local non-government organisations....at least to connect our love to those who had suffered so much through this event. May people in Sichuan will stand up stronger than before and move on to rebuild their life and cities. Amen.

School Holiday is here again

Many of us (including myself) may now be going through 2nd cycle of school holiday in our life but this time is with our kids. Yes, the school is on 2 week holidays or Semester Break. As my wife and I are working, we just send our kids to playschool. They will play from morning till evening but under the care of their teacher whereby they will also be given 1 hour tuition.

During old times, this period of time is the best of life....no need to study ! I will wake up early and go from morning (after my dad goes to work at 7.00 a.m) till night time...just before my dad came home at 6pm.

Last Sunday, I saw in the neighbourhood, people flying kites. I recall the time I used to make my own kites and making "kaca" for "kite war". Flying kites has season same to other games like guli, coins or "zero point", fish rearing especially on "fighting" fish, fishing from longkau (getting those lehus...the stream is very clear and clean unlike today when I go back to those longkaus...it is horrible, I must admit, couldn't believe I have once bare myself there...hehehe) etc. Umm, that was more towards during my primary school time...

When coming to Secondary school...lower form to be exact, I like to venture out on my bicycle with friends to unknown places or to end of road, having picnic or swimming (swimming stops after the afternoon incident....(sigh)... if not I could be the next national champ) and of course beside spending time in public library reading Hang Tuah, Jebat, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys etc. We also have bicycle racing among us from school gate to greai kampua in Tiong Hua Road, near towards Louis' house.

In the upper form, movie, mahjong, chess, lepaking at friend's house became my favourite past time. On yes..this is also the time, we have upgraded ourself from "bic" to "bike" racing..speeding on the road....vroooom...hehehe "amateur mat rempit" of Jalan Oya...with Chee Kiong, Okui, Anthony, Ah Chai and Chung (btw Heroes, normally grab us from behind...as he has no B license..mahh). Our race track is from SHS from gate to Heroes' house...apprx..1.5 km. Most of the time...Chee Kiong is champion, what to do...he has a Suzuki 110cc ! (I am on Yamaha-88, the rest are on Honda 90).

School holiday is also a time for making extra pocket money where I work part time making bicycle bags, paper bags or working in woodworking industries with my dad and grandpa. It is a love and hate situation :)

Hmm, from the sharing, I do not think my kids will go through the similar playing route like what I have gone through...may be it is because of my own protection or worries about high risks exposure when compare to our time ? or their preference has been influence by the world of TV or friends around with new gadgets as different to our time whereby limitation of TV programme like cartoon, I have to wait for TV 1 or 2 to screen once a while...somemore in black and white in the early days. Today, my son has more DVD cartoon of nearly every series for Power Ranger, Ultraman etc.

Next week, I am sending them back to their grandparents for a week holiday and in hope of opening their eyes to more learning...it is a win-win situation..hehehe..I also will get a week holiday mah ...

Make Some Noise !

This photograph is a courtesy from Sarawak Tourism Board...showing a Dayak family in preparation for the "grandest" mid year celebration...just another 10 days away...

I used to visit longhouses during Gawai celebration and the atmosphere is fantastic with good food, "tuak", great natural music and ngajat dancing with girls. The overnight visitation also include jungle trekking and site visit to their farm, sungai and the resting places. I think the last of such visitation was way back to 1990, just before leaving SHS...

Nowadays , I have only visited Dayak friends within city boundary...a different environment of course.

Pak Ted, any special trip can be arranged ?

Happy Mother's Day

Mommy, I love you

For all that you do.

I'll kiss you and hug you

'Cause you love me, too.
You feed me and need me

To teach you to play,

So smile 'cause I love you

On this Mother's Day.

To my lovely friends who is mother, or mother to be, Happy Mother's Day...your love for us is deeply appreciated and without which most of us will not be able to as good as today...

Extra Curricular Activities

During our school days, one of the avenues of making new friends apart from those in your own classes is the so-called co-curricular activities.

For myself, there was only ever one club that I REALLY wanted to join, and that was the Computer Club. But more on that later :)

There are basically two types of activities we could join then, sports, or clubs and societies.

A "kaki bangku" like me could never really be good at any games or athletics, but I still remember Bro. Albinus trying out the entire Form for rugby when I was in Form 2. So, there I was, weighing a paltry 45 kg trying to run with a rugby ball and passing it to the guy beside me. It came as no surprise that I did not make the shortlist :P

Nevertheless, I still managed to join the cross country and the 1500 m when in Form 2. I think the route we used to take for the cross country is now covered with houses and shops.

On the clubs and societies side, the big three then were the Red Crescent, Scouts and Junior Jaycees. There were numerous smaller ones like Kelab Lukisan, Kelab Fotografi, YCS, Legion of Mary, Chinese Society, Kelab Puteri, Kelab Catur, etc. From I saw during my last visit to the school a few years ago, most of these clubs still exist to this day.

So, anyway, back to my story of the Computer Club. I was aware of the club since Form 1, back then the computer room was situated in a room next to the SHS Primary School canteen. I used to hang around outside, just hoping to catch a glimpse of what's inside whenever someone opens the door.

The club was originally open only to those in Form 4 and above, but in 1986 me and Stephen Chung made an appeal to Mr. Ong Chin Kim to let us in, and all credit to him, he did! The Form 4 boys (Alex Sim and gang) were very surprised at this, but nevertheless welcomed us with open arms. After the SRP exams, Mr. Ong agreed to let me and Stephen run a series of classes for our peers while waiting for our results. I still remember some of the members of that gang - Paul Ting, Ngieng Sii Jing, Wong Yii Chiong, Kong Lieng Tee, Frankie Jeffrey, Eng Kia Hock. Apart from learning about Basic, DBase II and Wordstar, we were also exposed to the pleasures of Fruity Frank, Commando and Bomb Jack on the Amstrad.

The exposure I had during the three years I was in the club greatly influenced me, and today, I still do not wish to be anywhere else except in the IT industry.

Which, of course, made me a natural target of being asked to set up a website/blog for our alumni. But that is a story for another day :)

Young & Sweet, yes we were (and still are!)

This was the Girls' Club trip to Bintulu. There were only 9 of us from Form 6, with Mary Wong's 2 younger sisters (Theresa and Jenny) tagging along. Don't know why only so few participated, and how come we went ahead with the trip although the number was so small. But we had GREAT fun!

Inter-class Basketball Competition

I remember I was at the basketball court just to jump up and down and scream my lungs out to support our class....so short, tak kan lah you expect me to play.

How do you like this one....

I've been contemplating for a long time whether to post this photo on the blog. Against the risk of having one of the girls in the photo skin me alive for showcasing them and myself at our purest and most unprententious age, I'm letting everyone have a good laugh.

This is our kindy photo (can't remember year 1 or 2) at St.Elizabeth Kindergaten which used to be right beside the current Catholic Church at Jalan Lanang in Sibu. I think an eating place sits on the land now.

There are at least 5 of the girls, including myself, in the photo who was in Form 6. I can't recognise everyone in the photo....have fun guessing which 5 of us were your Form 6 schoolmates!