The First Goodbye

 They say goodbyes are such sweet sorrows.

I will have a lot of goodbyes in the next few days.

I confess my old heart is not taking it very well; not when it means leaving people and the school you love.

 Thursday last saw some old students coming back to bid their farewell as they leave for overseas studies. They are good children; not forgetting their Alma mater and teachers who have taught them. Their respect for us is well received.

 A red velvet cup cake to brighten my day. A sweet bread to fill my stomach.

 Kaelan and Vey Lyn are both leaving us for the UK. Both have done extremely well and are now ready to spread their wings to the land of their choice for their choice of course. Kaelan; the courageous and bright one is going to conquer the financial arena in LSE. 

I have long told many that when you join St John's Club you end up in the medical line. 

So, I was right.

 Vey Lyn is going to Leicester to do her medical studies.

 Congratulations and may the best follow you both wherever you go.

Vey Lyn is daughter to Puan Ung.She told me yesterday that tonight will be a difficult one for the family as they bid her goodbye. The tears will pour and fill the tank; she already said it would happen. 

Parting is indeed such sweet sorrow especially when you are reminded of the absence as you peep into an empty room. But take heart; you will get used to it, dear. Soon, she will be back for holidays and before long she will be the doctor of the house. Then, you may have to cry again when she when she leaves the house to set up her own family. 

Let's remember the good things.

So, goodbye children. Take care.

The Season

 It's time for itchy fingers and creativity again.

It has been a relaxing weekend with Sara.

She took me off mind-boggling questions and knocked some sense into me; encouraging me to be more interested in other things around me and insisted I drove her around town to shop for baking ingredients.She is ready for the season; mooncakes.

As we shared; she reminded me of how I scorned at her in her first interest in baking them in her undergraduate days. She told me she could not forget that and it challenged her greatly. But today we are friends; she has proved me wrong. I concede to a wrong judgement and I look at her with joy; to know the unknown is not unachievable with a mental strength that is right.

 She began the night before by soaking red beans. She wanted to prepare the paste herself.

Trust me; it is good to make it yourself.

 Then when softened, it was brought to the boil.

Then flour is weighed; peanut oil; rose syrup and sugar are all ready for the concoction of the skin.

She added some lime to the mixture and all poured into the flour.

The mixture is smooth but need to be put aside for a couple of hours before use.

Meanwhile the red beans are grinded to a paste and then stirred to a stiffness for use.

 Well stirred and now ready for use.

Now the dough is weighed to correct size and the red bean paste will be wrapped in them.

 The mould is taken out and here it goes; beautiful moon cakes.

 I salute to her diligence, determination and dedication.

 All these values will be invaluable to carry her through her vocation and life-living skills.

Occasionally she lamented that she should be doing the desire of her heart; to open a cake shop and bake to her heart's desire. But yet at the same time; she longs to fight the battle of the law. I told her the money is in the cakes; the cause and value in the law. In life you always have to choose. If you choose to live for yourself; you live alone. But when you do a little for others just like the way Puan Loy coaches the form 3 students at this last minute, you forget about yourself while others remember your good deed forever. Many form 6 students will have Cik Goh etched in their memories eternally. She knows no bounds in rendering timely assistance to her students. Ask her about her strength; it comes with helping her protege. I admire them tremendously.

The cakes are baked in the oven for 10 minutes.

 Believe me, they are really first class.

I only eat hers after she started the recipe.

Why, you may ask.

It's clean and worth the eating.

Happy Moon cake festival time.

All Is Well

 This year is a challenging year where outdoor activities are concerned. The country has been encountering high API and to conduct a cross country event is a feat. Nevertheless when funds have been collected, the run has to be honoured. 

The hazy conditions in June caused the school to postpone the Jogathon till today and it was not an easy decision when a concerned parent called up early in the morning to warn us of another threatening haze.

But the show has to go on.

 Today is a special day for the school is also celebrating her countdown to the Merdeka day.

With flags flying high and reminding all of our love and respect for our beloved nation, we took it upon ourselves that this day is to be remembered.

 The children were sporting as they came in high spirits to celebrate and honour their pledge to the doners of the run. They also came to confirm their love for Malaysia.

All children are taught the right attitudes and hopefully they will pass them down to the next generation.

 Traditional dances and choruses to celebrate ethnicity and culture took our imaginations away and we were awed by their performances. Glad they displayed love and respect for one another.

 They came together to sing patriotic songs; telling one another of the deeds of the past and how the country has brought hope and means to her people. They sang out their hearts and many were touched and reminisced pn our beloved land. We have to keep ourselves together and love in the right spirit. 

 That's Jon who has lost quite a bit of weight; what with his Indian dancing stunts and the cross country race. That's teacher Bodjit with her charming smile all ready to declare and catch the winners of the run.

 That's the winner among the boys; Kiran I think and Alya of the girls' section.

 Attractive prizes for the Jogahthon collection; the children are very fortunate indeed. I-phones, cameras, mountain bikes, and a motor bike ! Seafield has one of the best runs in town.

 That's Victor and Colin; both collected enough funds for their special prizes and all thanks to supportive parents too.

 Pei Er has her mother to thank for; a hardworking mama deserves a hardworking daughter too. I am sure she will do her mama proud in the SPM exam.

 That's the chairman of the run, Mr. Chong with the grand prize winner; his son. 

Indeed, like father like son.

 Congratulations to the pair!

 Now, this is an important box with coupons for the special grand draw.

 Who is the owner of this grand prize?

 Yes, Mr. Selva.

 Yes, the happy winner receiving the grand prize. Hope he remains happy for a long while.

All's well that ends well.

So the beautiful bloom speaks volumes.

We celebrated out Merdeka day, had our Merdeka run, many won prizes and we have completed our pledge to the public.

Thank you dear God for a good day.

The Waiting Game

 Parents wait.

All the time.

 Last week was rainy. The rain poured just before the bell rang for home. I was mesmerized by the springing of umbrellas 5 minutes before the bell for dismissal rang. I thought it was a tale-telling scenario; how fathers and mothers would wait for their children for almost everything.

Parents wait for their babies to grow up; send them to kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, pre-university institutions and most finally to the university.

They also wait for them at meals, outside tuition classes, piano classes and even shopping malls. Then very surely they camp outside school gates during public exam days and fervently pray for happy faces after each paper.

They wait for their sons and daughters to complete whatever they have to do with education; hope for meaningful jobs and then wait again; for a good life partner.

Then they wait upon the younger ones; to help them through life with the next generation.

The cycle never ends.

That's life; the waiting game.

 Last weekend was a refreshing one; walking down the streets of Kuala Lumpur with the girls and shopping for daddy. This time the girls waited for daddy to choose his attire; a good change. We had a simple meal; it is not easy to gather them as a group for they are now grown-ups and it needs juggling of time to be together. Strange; but true. We are always waiting.

I suppose that's how life is; waiting.

The Newly Weds

 Yes, today is a joyous day for the new couple; Nadia and Jazli.

 Nadia is daughter to Puan Zaidah; the physics teacher. I taught Nadia in her younger days and today she is the bride to the handsome groom. She is a matured lady now, ready to be the help mate. 

May the couple plough through a life of harmony, peace and happiness together. 

Nadia once told me that the groom is attached to marine services and that explains the uniform he is in.

 I believe she has found her heart's love.

 Friends and students alike came in to give best wishes and convey their congratulations. Nadia once had a temporary teaching post in Seafield and many students are attached to her. Mr. Charles came in with his lovely children and wife and I gazed in wonder the amount of energy and attention poured into taking care of the young siblings. It reminded me of my younger days too when I had to look after my Charlie's angels. Somehow when you are young, the sky is the limit and you are not consumed by the enormous duties and tasks. It sure is good to be young.

 Puan Zaidah is now mother-in-law to 2 couples and may she continue to taste of the good experiences of life. 

All the best to the family in the days to come.

Congratulations again Nadia and Jazli.

The Raya Treat

 The treat was sumptuous; a delight to indulge in.

 Today our Malay counterparts took it upon themselves to give all a treat. We had the usual great taste; lontong, satay, soto, cakes and all sweets.

 That's the PIBG boss together with the principal and faithful Christy who is always all out to support the school in small and big ways.

 Other members include Chong on the left and Tan on the right ; also all ready to help out in projects to upgrade the facilities of the school. They have a passion to meet the needs of the children by setting up new things and improving the lot of the school.

 Colleagues gathered together in great spirits to the tune of the season's music and tempo. It is indeed joyous to move in tandem with the music of the day.

 Today we had a different set up; at the hall instead of at the canteen. It was more spacious and the mood was definitely more festive and the hardworking teachers surely deserved the treat. So we look forward to such set ups in future undertakings !

See, we had a galore of choices and tastes. Many thanks to those who put up the special effort to make the occasion memorable. Indeed, every occasion is to be remembered with great fondness and appreciation and to be etched in our memories.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.