Tis sweet to be remembered…

After five years in Kanowit (1978-1982), I joined the staff in this school in 1983…

*Chiew Chong Hui aka Uncle Chong’s photo on Facebook*

…and was there for nine years till 1991. They held their grand Centenary Celebration dinner last Saturday night but no, I was not invited, me small fry. I don’t know if I never made it into the guest list or perhaps it was because I told my friend/ex-classmate, Robert, now the chairman of the school board after taking over from his late father, that I was invited by a group of my ex-students so I would be joining them at the function that night. After all, those would be the people that matter most.

I vaguely recall people saying that they would be able to accommodate some 100 over tables only at the ballroom, not up to 200 but there were some 213 tables that night, I was told. Our table was by the side where the ceiling was lower so by right, it should be cooler. Unfortunately, it was so very very hot that I was sweating profusely and uncomfortably all night long. It was equally hot and stuffy outside in the foyer though so I was wondering if the hotel is currently on some austerity drive, turning down the air conditioning or worse, switching it off altogether! For one thing, it sure needs a new coat of paint – at this point in time, it looks kind of miserable on the outside, sadly neglected. Such nice places, if not properly maintained and left to rot, would reflect a poor impression, quite unbecoming for the biggest hotel in town.

The multi-storey car park was full so I had to gatecrash here and make use of their private car park and walk all the way to the hotel. I was wondering though how on earth the car park could be full when I saw some driving out!!! Some people are not all that efficient, obviously! Tsk! Tsk!!!

They make use of a whole lot of part-time staff for such huge functions but even though they may not be on their permanent staff, they should train them well. I saw those young boys huddled together around the drinks’ station just a stone’s throw away from our table but even at such close proximity, it was near impossible to get their attention to come over and fill my glass of warm water.

The food was very slow in coming out. In the first dish…

…that one with the fatt choy on top was cold, obviously not properly and completely defrosted before serving! I thought the chicken was good though a bit hard for me as I was having a tooth infection at the time but I liked the fish very much. I did not take any photos of those as when those dishes were served, I was outside for a bit of fresh air, not that it was any cooler, actually. This was the fifth dish…

…and it was already past 10.00 p.m. so I decided it was time I went home and I left before the function ended.

Because there were so many tables, there was hardly any space for me to move about, especially in view of the fact that I am not all that small in size. That was why I did not bother to go around at all in the ballroom but I did get to meet one of my ex-principals, a couple of ex-colleagues and ex-students when I was outside the ballroom. Anyway, the people that would matter the most would be those wonderful students of mine who had it in their hearts to invite me to join them…

…that night.

Here we were a long long time ago…

…when we went on a visit to the house of this family…

…across river, at what is called Pulau Kerto, if I am not wrong. One of the sisters was in the same class as those who invited me and coincidentally, they were right at the next table. I remember there was another sister, Mary, but she was not there  that night.

The mother…

…of one of the students came over to say hello, such a pleasant and sweet lady, along with the elder brother and sister, my students – all three of them!

I was amazed at how they could remember the things I taught them so very long ago and they seemed quite tickled by “Ah Kong ka gua” (Hokkien, literally translated as my grandfather and I), something that I coined to help them remember the name of the mountain in the Andes. They do not teach those things anymore in Geography these days so do not expect the present generation to be knowledgeable in such things, no way. Well, these students of mine all excelled in the subject…despite what or how I taught – after all, they were selected students in the best class for their respective year.

It sure was so very nice to see them all again and that sure made up for all the grouses I had over the place and the function as a whole. Of course, we will keep in touch with one another and look forward to getting together again sometimes. Thank you all for the invitation, all the best in all that you do, take care and God bless always.