Lower Secondary Literature: My tiny reflection

I recall the time in secondary 1 when we had to read The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck -- Mdm Chiam's class? For a first timer to thick story books, I must admit that the plot and characters in O Lan and Wang Lung made for perfect leisure reading (though NOT for exams...). I even managed to watch the movie classic of the Good Earth on channel 5 (five star rating!). A MUST Re-Read!!!!!????

Happily, the lure of Buck had led me to gobble up 3 more of her classics, viz., The Mother; Three Daughters of Madam Liang; and, Imperial Woman (about the last Empress Tzu Hsi) : all very interesting read. I hope to do more Buck novels in the next couple of years...

I also recall doing The Story of Lady Precious Stream, made out like a chinese opera/stage play. If my memory serves me right, we even had to play out the characters in Mdm Chiam's class...and she would gleefully hand out exercise books, pencils, and stationery as rewards for correct answers, etc. I even remember watching a cantonese opera performance on channel 8 on the same story (although I don't think I understood a single word of it!)

For secondary 2, I recall doing poetry (something which up until today I still don't quite know how to handle comfortably). Nevertheless, thanks to Charanjit Singh, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" short version still rings in my head.

Have you any recollection of the books we covered during lower secondary? If yes, please post them on the blog. I seem to have a mental block and can only remember the ones above.

Till next time...

Progress Report 19 Sep

Greetings Nutties,

Much has happened since the last report, with the most significant being the following :

Confirmation of Attendees
As of this afternoon 16:00 hrs, we have 60 pax confirmed attending : 27 Nutties, 10 partners, 19 children, and 4 guests (ie 2 teachers with spouse)

We are awaiting confirmation from 6 Nutties[c'mon blokes and blokettes...just say yes and come!!!] AND 4 guests (current principal, Lee Han Kiat, Jeyamani and Mrs Goh [bio teacher]). Unfortunately Mr Goh [chinese teacher] cannot make it as he will be out of town.


NOTE : IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO SLIP IN NAMES OF NEW CONTACTS...

Group Meeting before the function

1. Arun has called for members of the "core" group (regular kakis], sub-Committee, and anyone else who wants to meet and enjoy the ketchup drenched fries, to assemble at Bt Batok McDonalds this coming Saturday (22 Sept) at 16:00 hrs to iron out the financials, get an update on what the sub-Committee members are up to, and to tie-up loose ends, etc. Please confirm your attendance with Arun directly, and spread this piece of information to those without e-mails and/or access to computers. Vincent who is doing the Entertainment has already confirmed attendance.

2. The Welcoming and Collections sub-Committee will be meeting in the school canteen on 6 Oct (Saturday) between 14:00 and 14:30 to recce the place and plan the lay-out, decorations, etc. Arun, who is handling the F&B with Amir, will also be there at that time to check out on how the food could be laid out. Note : Arun will advise the various sub-Committee leads soon as to whether a final wrap-up meeting (to co-ordinate and tie-up loose ends) will follow on this date right after the reccee session.

NOTE : The above 2 meeting requests are reported based on information I received. If inaccurate, please do not hesitate to contact me immediately to get it corrected, as I sometimes do get it muddled with instructions ;-D

Update on Contact Tracing

We've managed to touch base with Jesbeer Kaur, now famously known as Jessie Gill. Jessie is based in Toronto (who would imagine that Jessie would be neighbours with Pardiv some thousands of miles away from sunny Singapore...the city of possibilities...!!!). We wait to hear more from Jesbeer.

We await Siew Ling's update on Alice?

Otherwise, its been quiet on the contact tracing front...

By the way, have you already managed to identify the girl posted on the right hand side?

Keep that smile on...and until next time...ciao

Progress Report 12 Sep

It is confirmed : we are going to have the party at the School Canteen!!! Vincent aka Fei Hong, no need to "die die..."! I met with Han Kiat, Jeyamani (who knows Ms Radha very well) and the principal this afternoon and was pleased with their enthusiasm. Special thanks to the principal and Han Kiat..hip, hip, hooray. It was indeed a strange feeling being in the school premise, and my word, it is quite transformed!

Now the real fun begins...

Confirming your attendance
All "contacts-in-charge" have been given the task to call their "charges" to spread the function details and to confirm attendance (including spouse/partner/children). The contact-in-charge will have to forward all responses (positive and negative) via email to me by 16.Sep.2007 (this Sunday).

I will consolidate the returns and advise Arun and Amir so that they can start organising the catering.

Note : if you do not hear from the "contact-in-charge" by Sunday, then pick up the phone and call them or myself to confirm your attendance.

Welcoming and Collections sub-Committee
I guess Siew Ling and gang will have to start cracking on the organising of the canteen area. The space is quite big and arrayed with movable long tables and benches (like how it was during our school days). Just advise us as to how you want the layout to be like and we will have some muscle men (led of course by Wong Fei Hong) to assist.

Also, I think that on the day of the function, Siew Lingand gang and a few of us will have to be at the school earlier to set things up...right? Just shout early when you need the assistance.

Media and Publications sub-Committee
Apart from Florence, we have yet to hear from Peng Eng and William (hello....can you confirm pleaseeeeee...)

Keep us posted as to what you would be doing as a run up to the day, for the day (eg., group photos, etc) and after the day. On my part, if you need them, I can supply my lap-top and beamer for use on the day of the function.

Entertainment
Vincent, can you specify what you need for the day? Also, you have to start thinking about the speeches (or singing) that you and Lee Thiam Lock are doing for the day, etc. etc. etc. I can't wait for you to entice Mr Lee to pick up his pen and script another school song (post-79)?

Enough said. It's work time. So let's smile and get going...
Joachim


PS : I think its about time we "hear" others on the blog. Start contributing (your thoughts, pictures, etc) else it becomes quite boring just hearing from me...

Also, those who have not confirmed their participation in the sub committee (highlighted in red in yesterday's posting, please (tolong tolong) sms me to confirm...thanks

Progress Report 11 Sept

I have updated and reproduced the e-mail of 6 September 2007 for our benefit :

FUNCTION DETAILS
Date : 27 October, 2007 (Saturday)
Venue : Chestnut Drive School Canteen (TOP PRIORITY). I spoke with Lee Han Kiat (Snr teacher) and should confirm the use of the school canteen instead of the hall (which is being used for the O-levels). I will meet with Han Kiat on Wednesday 12.Sept.2007 to tie this up! If this fails (which I very much doubt), then you would have to vote for an alternative venue (see right-side).
Cost : S$ 30 per person (teachers and children no charge)
Time of function : 6 pm onwards

FUNCTION SUB-COMMITTEE
Can the arrowed "volunteers" (highlighted in red below) please confirm to me if you are fine to assist? For those who had previously agreed to help, thanks again (smile). For those not on the list, if you feel the burning desire to chip in, please contact us about it (we would welcome it very much).

Food and Beverages : Arun and Amir
Manage the makan, drinks, table set-up, skirting, disposable plates, cups and cutlery, etc. etc

Welcoming & Collections : Siew Ling and gang
Manage the collection of the monies on the day of the function (teachers and children excluded), take attendance, update particulars, general lay-out of the function hall (eg flower arrangements, chew lay's decorations), etc, etc

Media and Publication : Florence, Peng Eng and William (please say yessss!!!!)
Photo-taking, media presentation of old class photos, updating blog, etc, etc

Entertainment : Vincent aka Wong Fei Hong
Ice-breakers (with as little props as possible), MC, games(?), etc etc

Contact In-charge : Arun, Joseph, Kamal, Linda, Jin Tam, William, Vincent and Joachim
Assigned 4-5 names (including self) to keep posted on latest updates, confirmation of attendance (eg with or without spouse and children, etc.). If you review the contact list (see attachment in email of 6 Sept), the "contacts-in-charge" are listed on the extreme right hand column. Please confirm if you are ok to being a contact in-charge.

CONTACT TRACING TO-DATE
Welcome the "found" : Fauziah, Mrs Goh (biology teacher), Mr Goh (chinese teacher), and Yoon Fah. Both teachers are retired and very surprised to receive the call and mentioned that they will try to make the gathering but cannot confirm for now. They may be separately going away on overseas trips in late October. Cross our fingers here!

Still Tracing :

- Arun is close to getting into contact with Jesbeer. We await the update from the professor.
- Vincent : to get in touch with Yim Pheng (William sms'ed you her mobile)

- Siew Ling : We await your contact with Alice
- Maggie : We await your contact with Chai Eng

Folks, many thanks and let's keep this going. If you know of anyone else's contact simply call them or pass the contact to myself to call. Linda and Pardiv, we continue to rely on your magic!!!!!!!!!!!

PHOTOGRAPHS AND SCANS
Can I suggest that we spice up the blog with photographs. Any contributions, please?


Until next time...just keep on smiling.
Joachim

PS : would also appreciate it if the contacts in-charge could get started to keep the dialogue going with their "charges".

4 Fotos for your musing

This image was kindly sent in by Siew Lian (click on it to enlarge). Can you recall the Teacher's day celebration at Sec 4I. Nice blackboard drawings from Chew Lay? Guess who the teacher is next to Ms Radha. Has anyonce his contact? Also, put on your reading glasses (go on don't be shy) and identify all your other classmates on the photo.

Here's a scan (courtesy of Jin Tam) of the soccer team with Bobby Charlton as the coach.. Can you see in their fresh faces the aspiration to become professional Barclays EPL players (only if we realised then that soccer players could command huge fat salaries)?

What about our wannabe law enforcers: the NPCC. Remember Charanjit Singh. I once heard that he fell into the drain (ouch) while walking with his nose in the air. It was Mui Gek, I think, who had to pull him out of it. He left quite an impression on me during literature class, and I think I can still recite the "Charge of the Light Brigade" with music and all.!! Last I heard he was the principal of Si Ling Secondary and was also featured in the papers for being one of the oldest student doing his degree in Literature. Hurray to Mr Singh.

In late July this year, a group of us assembled at Arun's place to finalise the details for the function. Here's one scan to whet your appetite. Can you recognise the one on the extreme left? He is none other than David Carradin from "Kung Fu". No prizes for guessing the others in the picture (left to right) : Jackie Chan, Jet Li (before he was bald), and Najip from Asia Bagus.

Enjoy and keep the photos coming in. Call me to pick them up from you if you are not able to get it scanned and delivered. So start opening up those scrap books and shoe boxes and relive the memories.....and SMILE