Memories...

MEMORIES

As we go through life,
we generate memories for ourselves of people
and events that have positively influenced us. These
memories are powerful
and can bring us comfort and happiness
when we think of them.

They serve us very well as situations change
or people are no longer in our lives.

Wouldn’t it be nice to think
that other people’s memories of us
are also positive, and give pleasure
when we are not around?

(Soul Food - Recipes for a Happier Life)

I was invited to a gathering of old SDBL students on 7th August 2010 (which coincidentally happened to be my 1st year retirement anniversary). I was their Form Six Chemistry teacher 16 years ago. Below are some photographs which my son took.

All of them are now about 46 years of age. Most of them married, with children. Quite a number of them have put on some weight. One or two are starting to have receding hairline...

Time really flies. But I can still remember very clearly the times I spent with them as their Chemistry teacher. They were hardworking and disciplined, ever willing to attend extra classes. I enjoyed teaching them. Classes were fun, full of laughter. But there were a few scary moments – an accident in the laboratory, when a broken pipette went into a girl’s face; a few times when frogs went hopping happily around the class and I screamed. Hehe...

To be invited to their gathering, I guess I must have created some positive memories for them. I know that some of them follow my blog and so I take this opportunity to say, “Thank you for remembering me. And thank you for the beautiful memories that you have given me. God Bless.”

Growing Old

The whole of last week my church friends and I were helping an old lady shift house. She is 92 years old and stays alone in a big bungalow with an enormous compound. Her husband is dead. Her children are residing overseas. Since December 2009, her house has been burgled 3 times. The third time, which happened 2 weeks ago, was bad. Two men forced her into her house. She sat and watched as they ransacked her home. They even took away her car! Time for her to move to a smaller and safer place.

While helping her pack her personal belongings, we came across many photo albums. Pictures of old times spent together with her late husband and children.

“I don’t want them!” she said. She only took photographs of her late husband with her.

I looked at her and wondered, “What thoughts are running through her mind?”

Suddenly, I remembered an article which I had read in The Star. It was about a man who found and read his mother’s dairy after she had passed away. One of her entries was addressed to her grandchild...

“To my beloved grandchild, Rahul.”

“Rahul, I love you very much. We all love you very much, especially your parents. And my child, don’t ever do anything that will hurt them.”

“Rahul, I hope that you grow up to be like your father. However, do not make the mistakes your father made. I know, Rahul, that your father is a very good man. He just forgot to do something that was important to me.”

“Rahul, after some time, a person experiences emptiness in her or his life. As parents grow old, a certain fear comes into their mind. Are they a burden to their children?”

“Rahul, if ever your mother or father have no one else to turn to, make sure you are there. Make sure you have time for them.

Go to their bedroom and talk to them. Look at old albums and talk about old times spent together. They will feel good and wanted. Sometimes hug them as they hugged you when you were young. Call out your mother’s name just like you did when you were young.

“God will always take care of you. Those who take care of their parents will always be taken care of. Your mother and father have always taken care of me. You too must take care of them and remember the things I have written to you.”

“My child, when someone grows old, their biggest enemy is loneliness. In their old age, make your parents feel wanted. Take extra care of them. Every day, make them feel their presence in the house. Each day say ‘mum’ or ‘dad’ six or seven times because they love to hear that...”

I then thought of my late father. He lived in Penang while I settled down in Johore. Yes... I am also guilty. “Pa,” I called out to my father. But it is too late.

A Good Book for Contemplation - The Prayer Of The Frog

Education

The family settled down for dinner at the restaurant. The waitress first took the order of the adults, then, turned to the seven-year –old.

“What will you have?” she asked.

The boy looked around the table timidly and said, “I would like to have a hot dog.”

Before the waitress could write down the order the mother interrupted. “No hot dogs,” she said. “Get him a steak with mashed potatoes and carrots.”

The waitress ignored her. “Do you want ketchup or mustard on your hot dog?” she asked the boy.

“Ketchup”

“Coming up in a minute,” said the waitress as she started for the kitchen.

There was a stunned silence when she left. Finally the boy looked at everyone present and said, “Know what? She thinks I’m real.”


Service

A beggar saw a banker coming out of his office and said, “Could you give me a dime, sir, for a cup of coffee?”

The banker felt sorry for this man who looked bedraggled and distraught. He said, “ Here’ s a dollar. Take it and have ten cups of coffee.”

The next day the beggar was there again at the steps of the banker’s office and as the banker came out, the beggar punched him.

“Hey,” said the banker. “What are you doing?”

“You and your lousy ten cups of coffee. They kept me awake the whole of last night!”


Authority

A centipede consulted the wise owl about the pain it felt in its legs.

Said the wise owl, “You have far too many legs! If you become a mouse you would have only four legs – and one-twenty-fourth the amount of pain.”

“That’s a very good idea,” said the centipede.

“Now show me how to become a mouse.”

“Don’t bother me with details of implementation,” said the owl. “I only make the policy in this place.”


The above tales are taken from the book “The Prayer of the Frog” written by Anthony de Mello, S.J. There is much wisdom in this book - silent teachings that awaken and transform us.

The Father's Eyes

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. His father never missed a game. This young man was the smallest in his class when he entered high school. His father continued to encourage him, but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn’t want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice. Perhaps he’d get to play when he became a senior.

All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team. Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept the young man on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time provided the other members with the enthusiasm and spirit they badly needed.

His father was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young man never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and became silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, “My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?” The coach put his arm gently around the young man’s shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, son. You don’t have to come for the game on Saturday.”

Saturday arrived and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. “Coach, please let me play. I’ve just got to play today,” said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close play-off game. But the young man persisted.

Finally, feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. “All right,” he said. “You can go in.” Before long, the coach, the players, and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing everything right.

The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His classmates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you’ve never heard.

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed the young man sitting quietly in the corner, all alone. The coach came to him and said, “Kid, I can’t believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?” He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?”

The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!”

I must confess that I got a bit teary-eyed when I read the above short story.

I pray that parents will stand by their children, cheering them on and inspiring them to do their best. And I pray that children will appreciate all the sacrifices their parents have made to give them the best in life. Amen.

I'm Back!!

Hello everybody. I’m back in Batu Pahat after an enjoyable week in Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Terengganu.

Watching West Side Story at the Istana Budaya was great. Hehehe… I had a hard time controlling myself – felt like singing along when the performers belted out songs like Maria, Tonight, I Feel Pretty, etc. Too bad the cast did not give any encores. While watching Mamma Mia last year, the audience sang along during the encores!!! Some of them were on their feet, practically dancing!

I also had a very nice time at Tasik Kenyir. The Tasik Kenyir Resort and Spa offered many activities. My children and I enjoyed ourselves – swimming, boat cruise, climbing up to a waterfall and bathing there, cycling and kayaking. If we had stayed for another day, I would have tried to do some fishing. Wonder what is used as baits? Worms? Ugh!!! Food at the resort was expensive, and there wasn't much variety either. Most of the guests ate out during lunch – there were two shops just nearby which offered good food and delicious keropok lekor. Prices were reasonable.

On the way back to Kuala Lumpur , we stopped by Kuala Terengganu and wandered around Chinatown . We found a small nonya restaurant (Madam Bee) and had our lunch there. It’s located just opposite the Ho Ann Chinese Temple that was burnt down. The food was delicious. I had nasi kerabu (blue in colour) while my children had Sarawak laksa and nasi lemak, This restaurant serves good bubur chacha. There was a donation box at the restaurant – collection to be used to rebuild the Ho Ann Temple. So we gave a small donation before we continued our journey back to Kuala Lumpur .

Well, I am back in Batu Pahat and guess what? I just received a phone call from Ms Siew. Another farewell dinner?

In my earlier blog, I had commented on Pn Wong’s retirement dinner – to be held early next year. Looks like I spoke too soon! She has been transferred to another school! Pn Wong is one of the best SPM BM teachers I have ever come across. Her lessons are lively, class control excellent. She marks her students’ books so meticulously, and makes sure every student passes up his book. She’d always manage to produce a lot of A’s from the best Form 5 class. As Guru Kanan Matapelajaran (GKMP), she carried out her responsibilities very well. Also, she does not take sick leave (when sick, she’d go to the clinic during her free periods).

All the best, Pn. Wong. Be happy.

My Favourite Hymn

There’s this beautiful story about a small boy who was helping his father. The father asked him to pick up all the rocks in a certain part of the garden. Father looked over and saw the son struggling to pull up a huge rock buried in the sand. The boy struggled and struggled . The father watched…

Finally the boy gave up and said, “I can’t do it.”
The father asked, “Did you use all of your strength?”
The little boy was hurt and replied, “You know I did! I used every single ounce of strength I had!”
The father smiled and said, “No, you didn’t. You didn’t ask me to help.”
The father walked over and then the two of them pulled that big rock out of the sand.

Life is a continuous journey beset with problems. As long as we live in this world, problems and troubles will always be a part and parcel of human experience. All of us in one way or another would have experienced loneliness, rejection, exhaustion, depression. It is so comforting to know that God is always there, waiting to lift our burden. Ever so willing to lighten the load on our backs. All we need to do is ask….

That’s why I love this beautiful hymn:

What A Friend

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and grief to bear,
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden?
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer,
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou will find a solace there.

Mr. Lian Meng Fatt's Retirement Dinner

An-nyung-ha-se-yo! (Greetings)

I was in South Korea when Miss Siew messaged me: Mr. Lian Meng Fatt’s Retirement Dinner, 23.04.2010. Fortuna. 7.30pm. Please reply, joining or not.

Straight away I replied: Yes, I’ll be there.

Mr. Lian was a very hardworking and dedicated teacher. Of course, I want to be there to wish him “Happy Retirement!“

It turned out to be more than just a retirement dinner. It was also a gathering of old SMS teachers. There were many retired teachers. They retired long before I went to Munshi. Retired principal Mr Lee Chang Ngee also came along. And then there were teachers who are now teaching in other schools (like Ms Kang and Pn Chua).

Of course, the present batch of SMS teachers turned up, full force. I saw new faces among them and I was introduced to the new teachers.

Good food. Laughter. Catching up with old friends. It felt great, like a gathering of one big happy family.

Below are some photos that I took:

I asked Miss Siew, “When’s the next gathering?”
She replied, “Next year. Pn Wong’s retirement.”
Looks like the school will be losing another hardworking and dedicated teacher……..

Anyway, since I have just come back from South Korea , I would like to share some photos that I took while I was there.

Click here to view my South Korea photo album

Retirement life is simply awesome. So what shall I be doing next?

Well, in May, I’ll be going to KL to watch the musical “West Side Story” at Istana Budaya. Then I’ll go with my children to Tasik Kenyir for a few days.

In June, I’ll be going to Shanghai for the much publicised 2010 Shanghai Expo.

And then, in September, I’ll be going to Melbourne to spend some weeks with my daughter. While there, I’ll also pop over to Sydney and Tasmania .

As one teacher recently said to me in his sms... Seronoknya!