Gua lai liau

Adoi Ah Chiong ah!

Huai tis blog si beh ban getting loaded? BTW, gua using streamyx (512MB) leh. Last check download speed was 400kb++ per sec.

Anyway, good to meet up with u, David and Chuan Ming yesterday. Bugger, if no effort to meet up with school buddies then next round might be who knows when can we see each other again like my last meet up with David and Chuan Ming. David is CTO now. Who's on the way to be CEO? Oh, SJ is now COO. Fxxx mike! A bit pressure surronded by these CxO ex-school mates but feel real proud of you all.

BTW, Ah Chiong ah, the donation you suggested is for who? John Fam has set a high bar!

New SHS Website

Our friend William recently found the latest SHS website. It looks really good and is packed with information. You can go there via the link at the side of this blog, or click here. Enjoy!

Thanks, William for the link ;)

Colour Photos of 5 Science 2 and Upper Six Arts 2

Hi everyone, a bonus! Suhardy, who was in 5 Science 2 with me, has kindly scanned and sent me the colour photos of 5 Science 2 1988 and Upper Six Arts 2 1990. Thanks Suhardy!

If anyone of you could do the same for their collection of old photos and send to me, that would be fantastic!

5 Science 2


Upper Six Arts 2

Remember 1988 - Part 5: 5 A 2

Last but not least, below is class of 5 A 2.

Remember 1988 - Part 4 : 5 A 1

Not forgeting our friends in the Arts classes, below is the class photo of 5 Arts 1.



Next up - 5 Arts 2.

Remember 1988 - Part 3 : 5 Sains 3

Eric has been waiting for this :) Next is 5 Sains 3, which had "one armed swordsman" Mr. Ong as its form teacher. This class was also famous for its good rapport with En. Azman, who did a great job ensuring everyone got good results in BM (then called Bahasa Malaysia, and now called, errr, Bahasa Malaysia again).

Mr. Ong was my mentor who encouraged my interest in computers and put me on the path to where I am today.



As usual, click on the photo to zoom.

Remembering 1988 - Part 2 : 5 Sains 2

As promised, here is the class photo of 5 Sains 2, the class I was in. I still have fond memories of Madam Yii, even though she disliked me for being lazy :)



As usual, please click on the photo for a zoom view.

SHS 88-90 Reunion 2008

Dear friends, sorry this is a bit late, but with some prompting from Stephen and Eric, I decided to launch the planning for the 2008 reunion gathering.

For the 2008 gathering, I propose to have it in 3 parts:-

1. Gathering at Hotel in Sibu on 8th February 2008 (2nd day of Chinese New Year)

2. Compilation of Friendship Contact Book 2nd Edition and distribution during the gathering

3. Collection of donation for SHS and presentation to current SHS principal


For Part 1, I propose to break the preparation in 2 phases:-

Phase 1 :
a. Get commitment from 30 ex-schoolmates to come to the gathering
-- The reason for this is to ensure we will have the minimum number of persons to cover the function room expenses.
-- I propose for myself, Stephen Yii and Eric to target and contact the following persons to achieve the 30 person target:--
1. Patrick Ling
2. Stephen Yii
3. Stephen Chung
4. Liu Chuan Ming
5. Eric Phang
6. Kong Lieng Tee
7. Tiong Kuong Siong
8. John Fam
9. Martin Wong
10. Lau Ngi Chuong
11. Wong Yii Chiong
12. Paul Ting
13. Jimmy Ting
14. Peter Yii
15. Pui Eng Soon
16. David Kuok
17. Ngu Ker Ung
18. Lee Chieng Ming
19. David Hii
20. Lim Ching Chai
21. Ngieng Sii Jing
22. Bartholomew Wong
23. Anthony Ting
24. Thadeus Ling
25. Joseph Sia
26. Liu Chuan Yew
27. Daniel Kong
28. Anthony Lai
29. Lau Tee Too
30. Sii How Hui
31. Ngu Sia Hook
32. Simon Chan
33. Hanafi Ali

b. Survey the hotels in Sibu for suitable venue and to get pricing. We will need a place where we can get wi-fi.

Phase 2 :
a. Contact all the rest of the SHS 88-90 gang, target to get 80 to 100 to come.
b. Make preparations for the gathering. For the gathering, I would like to propose the following -- light snacks and bar (to make it light and easy, so that everyone can mingle), a section for friends who are overseas to participate via webcam and Internet (online chat and video-conferencing), a section containing old photos collected from friends, a section where a projector is showing presentations of friends, photos, etc, music from the 80's.
-- invite Bro. Albinus and as many teachers as we can.
-- the idea is to make the gathering an opportunity to rekindle old friendships and to catch up with friends, instead of just eat and go off.


For Part 2, I need someone to send me the soft copy of the 1st edition book. If that is not available, I need a volunteer to key in all the info from the 1st edition into a Word document. I will elaborate more on the preparation for this later.

For Part 3, once we get the confirmed participants, we will inform them of the donation and get a pledge from them on the amount they wish to donate. We will then prepare a mock cheque for the presentation based on the total pledged amount. During the gathering, we will collect from all those who have pledged.

These my initial ideas, please feedback and contribute more :)

Update by Pat:-
Forgot to mention - music theme for the night will be the 80's, we will be playing the top hits from the golden era of pop on loop the whole night :)

Selamat Hari Gawai To All Our Dayak Friends

Tomorrow is Gawai festival celebration for our Dayak friends in Sarawak. I would like to take this opportunity to greet my Dayak friends Selamat Hari Gawai. This year, Sarawak Gorvenment announced a day extra holiday on Monday and therefore we have 4 days holiday.

These few days traffic in Kuching is quite bad especially in town area but today surprisingly the traffic condition is better. Most of them are back home to kampung or home town to celebrate the Gawai festival and for other races, they took their family for holiday.

Children are the most happiest during festive season. I am happy too although I am not a child because I could rest at home... :)....

What do you do during these few days then??

Remembering 1988 - Part 1 : 5 Science 1

As part of the on-going series of reminiscing about 1988, I present below the class photo of 5 Science 1.


How many names and faces can you remember? Anyone know where everyone is?

To get a better look, just click on the photo or download the photo to your PC and view using Paint or Photoshop.

Next - 5 Science 2

Update by Pat:

Actually, I do know where some of them are :)
1. Ching Chai -- is a teacher in a primary school in Sibu
2. Simon -- is a doctor in Sheffield, UK
3. David Hii -- is CTO in Mesdaq listed IT company
4. Chuan Ming -- working in David Hii's company
5. Jimmy -- is a pilot for MAS
6. Kok Soon -- heard is a doctor, but not sure of his current location

A View To The Future

At young age in school, all of us were asked by our Form Teacher to write our DREAMs when we grown up. At that time, many including myself would write the whole heart of what we want to become one day and most of what may relate to our cartoon series or admiring elders or successful personnel at that time.



For me, I could remember that I have written that I would become a successful scientist and this was definitely influenced by the sequel of Science fiction movies e.g Star Wars, Ultraman, Transformers. Well, as I looked back and considering my path now into wealth management...it is totally a different way though the nearest would be that I have my first degree in Molecular Microbiology.



Why such a different route ? Why would our Form Teacher ask us to put our DREAM in our young innocent brain ? I am sure many of us may have asked the same list of questions ?



Sincerely, I am grateful for this spark of action as it built my initial focus on DREAM setting. It spurs my interest then to always put this little dream to achieve.



However, our school syllabus then does not include the direct sharing and guidance or coaching on how to realise our DREAM or goal except indirect influence of clubbing activities.



You would agree that for most people including myself, the thinking of big DREAM only came much later when we are actually more involved in our societies. If we look at the successful entrepreneurs e.g Bill Gates, Warren Buffet...many more all started to pursue their dream at tender age...



If a separate subject was introduced then to teach DREAM/goal setting and achievement, can we expect a better of us today ?



Now,..if we have realised the importance of DREAMing...what is your DREAM to the future ? in 20 years time, when we are at the edge of RETIREMENT ?

Keep A Distance

I would say that last month was horrible and tension for me. It was the worst I had experienced in my life. That particular month, I have seen and experienced a lot of things and happenings that could ruin my life or career. A firm and critical decision making that could change my future career path, reputation and living has to be made and yet the time is not on my side. At that time I have no other immediate substitutes or opportunities to grab in order to continue my career path and living. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends that had helped me gone through this difficult moment.

Our society especially the industry I am in now is really hostile and unpredictable. Some people but not everyone are unable to see others to continue their smooth life journey and tried whatever way to bad mouth and spread rumours on the others. Close friendship is not encourage in our industry as it would create an unnecessary hot topic. As I have learnt from past experiences, keep a distance is a more appropriate way if you choose to continue in our industry.

Good Bye and Rest In Peace, Frankie

It is with much regret and sadness that I inform everyone of the passing on of our dear friend Frankie. He passed away in Labuan on 2 May 2007 after complaining of chest pains.

Thadeus broke the news to us via a comment on the previous post.

Frankie and myself were classmates, we became close during the days when we were involved in the SHS Computer Club, together with Stephen Chung, Wong Yii Chiong, Kong Lieng Tee and Paul Ting.

I remember him as a happy go lucky guy, always ready with a joke and mischievious. Since he was pretty good at computers, I never thought he would end up doing law. But back in 1998 he called me up and told me he was working as a lawyer in Klang.

I lost touch with him after that and only got in contact with him last year via this blog. Frankie was a pretty avid blogger, and at the last count he had at least 5 going at the same time. You can see the blogs by going to his main blog.

His passing on was really a shock to me, I was looking forward to inviting him for the SHS88-90 20th anniversary reunion next year.

My condolences to his wife and his family, may God bless his soul.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Keeping In Touch

Time really flies as I could observe my 6 months HO secondment pass through without "much waiting" as fast as it started in Oct 2006 and now I back in my Kuching continuing with my battle.

Probably, this may be due to my eagerness of looking forward each day to keep in touch with my loved ones, family and friends back at home and also those old pals in KL or maybe I am just fast-forwarding the events...Every other week, either I am looking forward to board MAS/Airasia flight back to Kuching or eagerly waiting for a nice weekend outing with old friends.

So far, I am glad that I have managed to meet up at least 4X with our old pals namely Ah Chiong, Stephen C, Lieng Tee, Chuan Yew, Eng Soon at one time or the other...and the last round was having a nice Bahkuteh in Klang on the courtesy of Lieng Tee.

Meeting old friends will really can speed up the waiting period as we plan our time and place way in advance, then just keep looking out for the day to come by...Exchanging updating ideas/latest figures/recalling old times are good detoxification of our fast moving life or boringness..maybe.

KL life is very different as compared to local Sarawak as in my opinion though I am sure many of you would agree. Everything seems to be measured by speed, time and distance not only need to consider family/personal agendas in moving on your life. Whatever appointment need to be planned first as timing/distance is crucial. In Kuching, I can just call and make easier decision as the distance to places around city/home is just 15 minutes away...then no traffic jams, so fast to go and coming back.

Then, again...of course, it depends on the importance of the matter, we will always make ourself best available to the appointment especially in terms of meeting girlfriends/boyfriends/old pals. For this, I must mentioned that I am touched by the care of Ah Chiong/Stephen whom had been very nice to pick me all the way from/to Flamingo Hotel Ampang (my home for 6 months) whenever we have set out appointment at Bandar Puteri...Just imagine it took 1 hour minimum and can be drag to 2 hours if there is accident along the highway.

I guess they are also eager to keep in touch with me and others...what do you think ? :)

When was the last time you have keep in touch with your old pals ? especially those whom you have not met or talk for more than 6 months and above? Anyone ? May be we should share with one another on our long time pals whom we recently met especially the lost ones...

P/S Last night, Seng Yaw, Anthony Ting and myself have supper with Chuan Yew, who was in Kuching from Bintulu.

So, the next time, any of you are in Kuching, please contact me...let me be your host..and keep our friendship flame burning. Cheers !

Remember This?

Remember this? This is the cover of SHS Annual Magazine 1988, with a picture of St. John Baptist De La Salle on it. It was the year we all graduated from Form 5.


And remember this? Click on the play button to listen:-

Sacred Heart School Rally

Students of Sacred Heart, a voice is resounding
Promptly respond to your duty sweet call
Answer you all for the trumpet is sounding
Your school is proclaiming her motto to all

Forward her children dear, ever with hearts sincere
Do with a will what your school asks of you
All that is wrong, reject
Heaven will e'er protect
Students of Sacred Heart courageous and true

"Prayer and labour", your motto to cherish
Forward with courage in ways that are just
True to your standard , be doing and daring
As Sacred Heart students in Heaven you trust!

Forward her children dear, ever with hearts sincere
Do with a will what your school asks of you
All that is wrong, reject
Heaven will e'er protect
Students of Sacred Heart courageous and true

2ND EDITION "FRIENDSHIP CONTACT BOOK"

The 1st Edition was created and distributed to those who attended the Reunion Dinner in 2002. It was the first ever contact lists of our classmates or school mates for year 88 (Form 5) and year 90 (Form 6) and compiled by me and Stephen Yii with our classmates' help such as John Wong , Patrick Ling and others.

In the beginning stage at that moment, we were faced some problem as some of our classmates or school mates were not comfortable to publish their contact in the contact lists. Therefore, we have no choice but just put their name and the area they are currently situated at in the book. In actual fact, the content which we put in the contact book are the general information such as name, address, contact number, email address, occupation, marital status and some minor info.

As for the 2nd Edition, I sincerely urge all of our classmates or school mates, please do your part to give your current info or who you know and get their consent to publish in the contact book and give to me, Patrick, Stephen, John, Eng Soon, Joseph or others who are willing to help. We hope to gather all the necessary info as soon as possible.

Should anyone of you would like to give your view on the 2nd Edition "Friendship Contact Book", please feel free to do so and comment in this blog.

Regards.

YEAR 2007 REUNION POSTPONED

First of all, Happy New Year to all of you.

The reason I put up this post is to let all of you know that our 2007 reunion had been postponed for this year as informed by John Fam and seconded by Eng Soon. Patrick had mistaken that John is looking for a volunteer to take over his task as John had tried his best effort to find one but to no avail. The reunion had become an annual event to us when come to Chinese New Year while most of our classmates are coming back to Sibu once a year. Unfortunately, most of us are not going back to Sibu during CNY due to family commitment or others. Furthermore, those who stayed in Sibu even not turned up for the reunion and only those who stayed outstation support our annual event. The most sad part is our reunion had been simplified from dinner based to a gathering starting last year if I am not mistaken. From the turned up rate last year, whats the reason our attendance became lesser and lesser? If thats continued on and I could say that our annual reunion will come to an end one day. Now the question is should we organised annually? Maybe Patrick, John, Eng Soon, Stephen or those who read this post, please do give your precious view on this issue. Another thing is should we ask those who stayed in Sibu to organise this annual event as those who worked outstation had lack of time to organise when they come back to Sibu. I think all of us had tried our very best to keep our precious annual reunion to continue on every year but unfortunely this year 2007 had missed the event due to unforseen circumstances. We should proud that our reunion had been carried on for about 17 or 18 years already.

Last but not the least, wish all of you all the best in your personal life, career and health.

Chinese New Year Photos and News Please!

Dear friends, you are invited to share your CNY experiences, feel free to send in photos, news, etc!

I'm not sure whether the reunion gathering was held this year or not, if anyone knows, do update us.

Chinese New Year celebration in Australia

Dear friends, William in Adelaide has kindly contributed another article about the CNY celebration in Adelaide.

Chinese New Year celebration in Australia

You must be interested in how Chinese New Year celebration is in Australia. Unlike Malaysia where everybody is busy decorating, cleaning the house and preparation for the new year eve dinner, there is no such culture here among the Chinese. The Chinese who stayed long here might have forgotten the traditional Chinese New Year. Last December, I experience the Christmas celebration in Australia and I found it very similar to how we celebrate Chinese New Year. Some people are taking three weeks leave for the Christmas and shopping centres are open until mid night in the week before Christmas. Family members came back for the Christmas eve dinner like we are having the new year eve reunion dinner.

I am lonely this year as my family is still in Malaysia. The new year eve morning happens to be Saturday morning and I visited the Adelaide Convention Centre as I read from a news article that Sarawak Government sent a group of developers (CMSB), Architect (KDI) and Engineer (Minsar) to visit Adelaide Convention centre in 2004 while they are planning for the Sarawak Convention Centre. Below is a photo of Adelaide Convention Centre that I took from River Torrens and a black swan which swim in the river. Is the proposed Sarawak Convention Centre resemble Adelaide Convention Centre?

I called up Pastor Ling who is same year as us in Sacred Heart Last Friday stating my intention to participate in the Church New Year Eve dinner on Saturday night. I brought two pizzas as everyone has to contribute one dish. The weather inside the hall is very hot and I believe it is above 40 degree Celcius. About half the members who participate are from Sibu. The rest are from China, Singapore etc. A church member who run a restaurant here donated two big plates of “Lau Seng”. The restaurant owner name is Ah Loke and he is three or four years our senior at Sacred Heart. There were good food and interesting sharing. Instead of celebrating a family based reunion dinner, we have a group reunion dinner.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo as I took it with my hand phone. There was an introduction to the history of Chinese New Year and Pastor Ling talked about “God of fortune” and “Why nobody every see the wife of God of fortune” which was very interesting. The dinner and sharing section after that were good but the heat was unbearable. I left the party earlier as it was getting really too hot.

The weather on Sunday is getting chiller following a cool change in the afternoon. I was having dinner with my principle engineer who is a Singaporean and his Singaporean Malay friend. Singaporean Malay are open and we shared our view on regional politics, culture etc which was very interesting. There were Lion dance inside the restaurant as well as in the street of China Town. The Lion dance performers are not Chinese. They are Aussie! The Lion was collecting Ang Poh from the patrons.

Well, this is my little story on my Chinese New Year experience. Tell me yours.

Happy Chinese New Year 2007!

Dear SHS friends, wherever you are, wishing all of you a very happy Chinese New Year of the Golden Boar!

May all peace, health and wealth be yours this year.

Regards, Sie Chiong