Class Reunion

The much awaited day for the class reunion came and went – on the 8th of November.

There were about 25 of us, including 3 teachers. There was a lot of catching up to do, and a lot of brain and mind racking, trying to remember who is and/or was who. All have 'grown up' - of course, and some of them are quite successful in their own fields.

It was really good to be able to catch up with old classmates and teachers after all these years. Alas, the evening passed so quickly. Although the gathering was extended for another hour, there was still not enough time to catch up with everyone. 

Of course, it was difficult to catch up with so many people in one evening – especially after 38 years! Anyway, I would say everyone had a good time down memory lane, and the organizing committee had hoped that more will participate in future gatherings. 

A Special Day

Today, I turned 50! That’s half a century! Wow!

No, there won’t be a big party, nor a big celebration. Like all previous occasions, events etc…the day was duly noted mentally but not celebrated. I think the only time I celebrated anything at all was when I turned 21 – the day I became an adult. After that, for some reason, I haven’t been able to summon the ‘Celebrative Spirit’. 

Perhaps it is because I am a firm believer that each day of our lives is as important as the other. Therefore, there is no need to celebrate a particular day in the year. And of course there is the popular notion that if you are rich, and can afford to live it up, you can party everyday. So there is no need for an excuse to party. 

There is probably one other underlining consideration. I do not like these emotional highs. It is no fun to fall back to earth with a thud after the party or celebration is over. I also find that instead of celebrating the occasion, I think more of the passing away of the other – be it the year, or season – and I find myself saddened. 

Whatever the reason or rationale behind it, I guess I am one of those who are not into celebrations. Every day is another day to me!

However, well meaning friends have invited me out for dinners and drinks the past week. Tonight will be another dinner and drinks evening. So I think that’s plenty of celebration.

It is also exactly a year ago – this day, that I started my blog. I hope whoever has the affinity to read it benefited from my blog, in some small ways. That will be satisfaction and reward enough for me. 

Cheers!

Just A Thought

I came upon the following paragraph in my scrap book. I am quite sure I didn’t write that. Yet the writer’s thoughts were surprising similar to mine – which is probably why I kept that. I remember feeling like a born-loser years and years ago. I guess all of us have our moments of insecurity. 

"In some of life's earlier moments, I was not at all sure of myself. I had, I think, a form of inferiority complex that made me feel useless and incompetent. Not many other people saw me that way, thank goodness, and now I have a more realistic appreciation of myself. But I still tend to take a secondary role if anyone else shows the desire to lead, and I don't crave the spotlight."

Class Reunion

Last Saturday, my past caught up with me, so to speak – all 38 years of it. It goes to show you can run but you can’t hide. And also what determination, inspiration, motivation, interest ... can do.

What happened was, my classmates from my Primary School days decided that they are going to have a class reunion. I never kept in touch with any of them, but they still managed to track me down - through the Yellow Pages. How could I have been so careless …

Of course, I was surprised by the call. When the idea of a class reunion was mentioned, I was quite excited about it – which in itself is rather odd for I am more of the Lone Ranger type of person, and not really into social gathering circles. But somehow, the idea of seeing my young friends from days gone by, 38 years later, sounds so exciting and too good a chance to pass up. I immediately said to include me in. 

I did wonder why the reunion, why now? Then again, I thought, why not? Most of us would be 50 years old or coming into 50 years old soon. And in fact, someone suggested that we should make it our 50 Years Old Birthday Celebration. 

Then I wonder how many of them really remember me. :-) Personally, I can remember most of them on the email list.

Later, I wonder how many people really want to know the Vincent now. Thinking thus, the euphoria of the past week has died now somewhat.

They have came up with a blog. I have added their blog address to my links. It’s Bukit Panjang English School or BPES for short. If you want to try and see what I looked like back in those days, please go ahead and see if you can find the young Vincent. Unfortunately the photos are a bit old and not in the best of conditions by now.

What can I remember of my Primary School days?

Nothing exciting really. There weren’t any highlights worth mentioning. I was the timid, country bumpkin, an awkward child, opinionated, stubborn, lazy, not the brightest crayon in the box, trying to fit in but not very successful at all. Even the school bully didn't think I was worth the trouble.

I Am Back

Much as I enjoyed my holidays, it is always nice to come home. Humble as it may be, home is where the heart is – home, sweet home!

Arrived in Singapore - Changi Airport, at 10 minutes to midnight on Thursday, first of May. An uneventful, but long and tedious journey. It was a twenty-nine hours journey, from airport to airport, including lay-overs. Really exhausted by the time I arrived home.

On the whole, it was a very enjoyable, and relaxing home-stay holiday - thanks to the hospitality of my friends. I stayed with friends in Palm Harbour, Tampa – Florida. An affluent but small and quiet town, where the average age of the population is over forty years.

The whole holiday was generally, eating, drinking, sleeping, lazing by the pool and a little shopping. The weather was wonderful. I was told this is the best time to visit.

Did not do much sight-seeing this trip. I did however, went to an Air Show which happened to be on. And on another occasion, I visited Universal Studios. That was interesting.

Now that holidays are over, it is back to reality. Give me some time to settle down, and to settle any outstanding matters, and I will be back with more postings.