Remembering The School Cross Country Runs

I began to know what Cross Country Run was when I entered the King Edward VII Secondary School. It was a sport introduced into the Malayan schools by the British. A cross country course would cover the open country with natural terrains. Schools in Taiping town do not have much open country but we have the vast and beautiful Lake Gardens.

The old Red Bridge, one of the main route.

Even though I was not a strong runner, it was compulsory to participate (except for boys who had a medical excuse). I ran for my colour house - Raffles (Red). There was the monthly cross country practice runs before the Annual School Cross Country Race. The practice runs and the Annual Race were held on Saturday morning. We were to assemble at the Start Point (which was also the Finish Point) at 8.00 AM. The Assembly Point was where the children's playground is, which is at the bottom of the District Officer's Residence hill. After we assembled according to our House Colours, the Race Master would announce the course for the day and the checkpoints. We were also warned about the penalties of cheating the course. The race would start at 8.30 AM and would usually finished by 9.45 AM. I think the whole course could have been 8 KM.

The "little causeway", one alternate main route.

Over my five years of secondary school, the course covers the same route except for minor changes in one or two. That was either we had to run over the "China Bridge" way pass where Flemington Hotel is now or we had to pass through the "Little Causeway".

The "China Bridge", another alternate main route.

Whether it rained or sunny, we ran. In my first 3 years, I would usually complete the race past the qualifying time. However, in my fourth and fifth year, I was able to finish within the time and was able to score some points for my Raffles House.

After the race, we assembled again and the results were announced. When we were finally dismissed, a few of us would gather at our friend's house. Malik Ridhwan lived at the government housing which was near the Taiping Penghulu's Office (behind the Taiping Magistrate's Court). We bought cold drinks from the hawker stall and stayed there to chat. I remember a funny incident, Khairuddin had almost choked when he swallowed a small ice cube. Fortunately, the ice cube cleared his throat and he was able to breath normally.

Nowadays, when I see students running along the roads near my housing area for their cross country runs, these beautiful old memories came to my mind of my old running days.

Meet Up Old Friends 22 August 2015

Hamid had invited us for a high-tea at his house at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn. When I arrived near Hamid's house at 5.00 PM, I met Agus Salim near the gate. I contacted Ramli, he informed that he was waiting for Hariri to guide him into the area. Only six of us OE1978 batch could make it. The Old Boys who came were - myself, Agus Salim, Aziz Hamdan, Ramli, Suhaimi and Hariri. One of our school senior also came. He is Azizi, who was our school rugby team. The food fair was other than the main spread (nasi beriyani, Laksa Johore, satay), there were also several stalls of Ice-cream tapai pulut, Ais Batu Campur and cakes.

From left, Suhaimi, Hariri, Aziz, Me, Hamid (host), Ramli, Agus Salim.

The function ended by 7.30 PM and we made our farewells.

Both Aziz and I had another function to attend at Puchong. A dinner organized by another old schoolmate, Eric Ong.

We arrived at the venue past 8.30 PM and the approached the group of friends who were already at the table. A few of them whom we have not met for over 30 years - Azhar Hamid, Long Seng, Lai Chee Leong. The food was of Japanese cuisine and we ate some more.



From Left, No1, Heng Gaul, Eric,No2 , Chee Siong, Chee Meng, Beh Ah Chee, Long Seng, Chee Leong, Irene, Alex, Eddie, Aziz, Azhar, Me, Azman.

We continued to drink and chat until 11.20 PM. Someone suggested to plan for the next meet-up on 10 October 2015. Well, until the next time.

Visit Friends - Abdul Rahim and Cheong Gim Teik 9 August 2015

Sunday 9 August, after breakfast, I checked out from Kamal Lodge and went to attend the OEAM Annual General Meeting.

After the meeting and lunch, I joined Alex and several OE members to visit two friends who were not very well.

Cheong Gim Teik was in hospital, had just been operated on due to prostate cancer.

Abdul Rahim Salleh, was resting at home due to high-blood pressure and stroke.

I felt happy to be able to visit our friends who are ill. At least, we could bring some cheerfulness into their lives, chatting about old times and fun stories.

We pray for their health and well being.

48th Old Edwardians Reunion Dinner Taiping 8 August 2015

From left, Asri, Alex Ooi, me.

I arrived at the motel, Kamal Lodge, by 6..00 PM. After I checked into my chalet, I messaged Asri, my school-mate. Earlier, Asri had asked me whether I could pick him up, so that we could go to the dinner together. I replied that I could and asked where he was staying. He said he was staying at the school's hostel warden's house.

After a short rest, I took a shower and got ready. I headed to Jalan Istana Larut to pick up Asri.

We arrived at the dinner venue, Taiping Legend Inn by 8.00 PM. As we entered, we found the hall was almost full. We seeked for Alex to show us to our table. We were to seat at a table, shared with younger OEs and two Georgians ( former students of our rival school, St. George). Seems that the old, fiery rivalry between the two schools have now become cordial friendship. Whether annual dinner or golf tournament, either will join up or send representatives.

The usual program began with the guest-of-honour escorted in by the drums ensemble from the School Band. Old and new friends spent the night away with stories of old and new, in between eating and drinking.

What interest me most out of the dinner was the souvenir booklet because I contributed an article about my life at the school from 1968 to 1978. After the dinner, I went around to search if there were any copy left behind but this time around, there was none. I approached Alex to ask whether he had any extra copies. He said he could give me two more.

I bade my farewell for the night and agreed to meet up with Alex and the committee the next morning at the Annual General Meeting.

Razif's Aidil Fitri Open House Ipoh 8 August 2015

From Left, Nazari, me, Razif and Dzulhanan.

Last Saturday, on my way to Taiping, I stopped at Ipoh to attend an Aidil Fitri Open House hosted by Razif (my school-mate).

It was a grand occasion with guests that included the employee's family, friends, clients and state government officials, including the Menteri Besar of Perak.

I was suppose to arrive by 1.00 PM but after exiting the PLUS highway by Jalan Tambun, there was slow traffic along Jalan Raja DiHilir, caused by another Open House function at the state's cultural center. After the round-a-about, I headed to the Coliseum Square to park my car. As I arrived at Razif's function grounds, I telephoned another friend, Dzulhanan, who was waiting for me. I followed his directions to where he was seated. I found the table where Dzulhanan and Nazari were located. I noticed Razif was very busy welcoming the guests but I went to greet him anyway.

By 2.30PM, Dzulhanan and Nazari had to leave to attend other functions. I continued to stay to enjoy the food. Then, I saw another former school-mate walking in not far away. I telephoned Khairul Anwar to inform him where I was seating. He finally saw me waving and he walked towards me. He joined me at the table but said he could not be long because he had to attend another function also.


Then, after the Perak MB left, Razif asked me and Khairul to move to that table. I found the food on that table was untouched. Well, good food should not go to waste so I tucked in. The atmosphere was like a carnival affair, with several food stalls and entertainment for the children. There were variety of food - mee soup, char koay teow, satay, rice and the dishes like "gulai kawah" and the main attraction, roast lamb.

After Khairul left, two of Razif's former college mates joined my table, Shahrom and Mat Diah. Afterwards, Razif brought us some of the "King of Fruits", durians.What a feast.

By 4.00 PM, Shahrom, Mat Diah and I had to leave and gave our thanks to Razif. I still have a long drive to Taiping to attend the Old Edwardians Reunion Dinner later that night.

OE 1978 Teh Tarik Session 25July2015

It was a week after Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, someone suggested that we meet up over tea. Saturday 25 July 2015 was the agreed date. The venue was to be Restoran Al-Fairos near Sunway Kayangan, Shah Alam at 8.30 AM.

Razif offered to pick me up, so we headed together to the destination in his company car.

When we arrived, Aziz had just arrived too. We met up with Ramli who had reached there first.

We picked our table while we waited for the others. After a while, Asri, Rohaizat and Azman Azuar arrived. We ordered some food and drinks chatted away that whole morning.

Until the next time, we bid our farewells and hope more of our group will be able to join up.