To Ipoh For Abdul Kudus' Son's Wedding Kenduri 29 Nov 2015.

There was another wedding invitation from another old friend whom I have not met since 1978. Abdul Kudus's son was getting married and the kenduri was to be held at his house at Bercham, Ipoh.

I left KL that Sunday morning and hoped to arrive at Bercham by 2.00 PM. This was my first time ever to Bercham and I depended on the map directions in my mobile phone. Eventually, I arrived at mosque near the venue but was not sure which house. There were several other guests who were arriving and I asked one man to confirm whether this is Kudus' house. "Yes", said the man. Then, I heard my name being called. It was Salleh who came from Taiping. Ah! What a relief.

We waited for the others to arrive - Mohamad Shah and Mohamad Nazari. We approached and greeted Kudus' together and proceeded to the buffet table.

It was good to meet old friends and I would like to use any opportunity such as this to meet up.

Agus Salim's Daughter's Wedding Kenduri 21 Nov 2015

Attended a  wedding kenduri for a daughter of an old friend, Agus Salim. It was held at a venue located somewhere near Titiwangsa Lake Gardens. A few other friends were suppose to attend but since I arrived first, I made my way to the buffet table and found my seat.

The MC went from table to table to ask the guests for their well wishes and greetings to the happy couple and our hosts. Eventually, the MC came to my table where I was the only one there. There was no way for me to escape when he passed the microphone to me. I made my un-scripted greetings, by first introducing myself as an old friend of Agus Salim and wished the young couple the very best in life.

Afterwards, I met the others, Ramli, Razif and ZamZam. We continued to chat until almost the end of the function and took a group picture with Agus Salim.

Meet Up Old Friends - Urban@Istana Hotel 10 October 2015

A group of friends had planned a gathering at this restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. It was a fine dining setting at the Istana Hotel which I have not been to in years. I had arrived rather late because of the rainy evening. Further more, I was involved with the Community Carnival that day.

The dinner was hosted by Dato' Azhar Hamid, one of our school-mates. It was a splendid dinner and what made it more splendid was we got to spend time with old friends. We talked of personal health, family and the good old days.

We plan to hold the next get together on the 23 January 2016 at Taiping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.