A Week Of Loss

 Two Teachers...

They have been a part of my life...

I lost 2 teachers last week in April.

 One was Dr. Hyacinth Gaudart; lovingly known as Dr. G by her protegees and proteges.Dr.G was already famous in Muar when she was my form mistress in Form 4. Having a powerful voice and a forte for acting, she soon set the school at its highest in music when she produced the Sound Of Music which attracted many viewers in town.
She left for the UK to pursue her Masters and we lost contact but to meet her again in the University of Malaya in the mid 70s. I was then doing my Diploma in Education and she became a lecturer in the Faculty of Education.She was happy to see me and not to boast; she actually peeped into my diploma results and told me I was a distinction holder being among the top scorers ! My teacher forever and forever looking after my interests.
What did I learn from her as a teacher? To be approachable, friendly and willing to share. She taught me the love for reading because she read profusely herself. You can imagine the kind of friendship she had with her students. We exchanged romantic story books. In those days we used to buy weekly love story books and then we would exchange to save cost. Now you know where all my soft spots come from.
Her penchant for teaching touched many; first among school goers and later even among adult learners in the university.
I met her a couple of times during Melta moments; she being instrumental in the body. She was always her bubbly self and ever willing to encourage and push us to higher levels. Even at my age after having a family, she expected me to go further...she was a teacher alright.

 Seen here with her is Dr. Sandra.They had been great pals since the Sound of Music days...over 50 years of friendship.This is a real friendship; in kindred and in spirit. That also goes to show the intensity of her affection and friendship she had with people.

 This is the place where we first met her...Sultan Abu Bakar Girls' School in Muar. Both Sandra and I are sad to hear the news on 20th April. But to her we again thank her for the days of learning and friendship.That she would find solace in God and rest in peace.

 If you are a Muarian, this is a familiar school to many in town. A SJKC; Chinese Vernacular school, the school has produced many top scorers in the country. So it was here too that we have lost another dedicated teacher in the person of Madam Janet Lim; the paternal grandmother to my children.

 

 Last 17April 2012, was another date for me and my family to remember by. We lost a mother and a grandmother aged 83.

 

 From news and records we know that my mother in law had always been a strict, dedicated and serious  teacher. She taught with passion and was determined to dispose her teaching duties well. She was a mother of 6 children and between running her career as a teacher and coping as a mother to so many; she was indeed brave.Her sacrifices had been many and she loved her children dearly.

 

 This lawyer, James spoke well of her. He related that his mother; also a teacher, was a good friend of hers. They met as friends in the church and soon introduced her to her brother in law. James said that 6th Aunty's greatest testament is seen in her well-brought up children and grandchildren.Her legacy can be seen in her heritage.

 Family members gathered on this day when even the skies cried; to return her to her Maker. Grace softly sang a song when the burial was done and wept as she recalled her grandmother's days.

 

 A consolation to us though is that she was laid beside Grandpa Lau and together they meet in Heaven in the presence of their Maker.

 Many friends spoke of her love and dedication to the Living God. She was never ever seen unfaithful to her faith and took every opportunity to spread the Good news to neighbors and walking partners in the morning.Her walk on earth must have pleased her Maker; she was the good and faithful daughter.

...Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home...

Thank You dear God for the mother and grandmother you gave us.

Two teachers we lost in a week.

Still Good

After all these years...

...this player has been in our possession since the 70s.

She loves to dig into archives and find the oddest treasures. So after the player, she looked for old records.Between moving from a rented house to a home-owned one and later to the present place, the records are fortunately not damaged. Who will want to listen to them again after the advent of the latest technology? But some old things still hold good. They give you the vintage feeling and a look into the past.

Linda Ronstadt, The Beatles, The Hollies, The Mama and Papas, Conway Tweety; they were among the treasures.

Have you ever heard of Albert Hammond? He was so popular in the 70s. Friends would actually pop over my place to borrow and exchange albums. Back then almost every teenager would have a personal songbook and we would copy the lyrics and belt them out in our own private moments.

"It never rains in Southern California" was one of everyone's favourite during the then days.It held first position in the weekly throne for many, many runs.

Carole King and her husky, rich voice was every household's name. Who can forget her renditions? Some of  the evergreen ones include "It's Too Late", "So Far Away ", and of course : I Feel The Earth Move". You never get tired of her.

Alba's Dancing Queen is now ringing in my ears...and songs related to Mama Mia.

The Grass Roots "A Million Years" was my favourite.

The Eagles are evergreen too. Hits like Hotel California, All Night Love and Desperado are popularly known to people of my era.

But the rendition I love most from the Eagles is Lying Eyes.

...You can't hide your lying eyes

   And your smile is a thin disguise

   I thought by now you'd realize

   There ain't no way to hide your lying eyes...

The best part of course is when 'old things' attract 'new things'...the 3 girls were caught and mesmerized by the findings. Sophie, Esther and Megan... all of them are products of Seafield. How they have matured and grown and oh... I am now going to be a museum piece soon. How long more before I too become a finding  in archives?

 

Old things are still good.

The Best PTAs

 Today we were told that we have another feather in the cap.

We acquired the best managed Parent-Teacher Association award in the NATION...for the Secondary School Category.

Yes, it is a national award.

We are one of Malaysia's best PTA!

Unbelievable but a truth !

  

 Believe me though...Rome was not built in a day. So the status of the present PTA is also not built in a year. SMK Seafield has always had a PTA known for her zeal and grit. Under the guidance and leading of Dato Rahman Bin Haji Ali and his team, the PTA scored her best in the eyes of the nation's judges. The prize was won with much sacrifice and energy. We went under the hammer and scrutiny of authorities of all levels and had many moments of sweat and tears. Changes after changes were made for the betterment of all concerned so that an ideal PTA be accomplished as a national showpiece ! The PTA chief put in hours and hours of extreme hard work to be where we are today.

 The ex-chief and life long patron of the PTA, Datin Rosalind Lee, is a bulwark of support and is always there to give moral and financial assistance. She is here at a call and will be all out to make sure things work out well.The school is fortunate to have her.

Christine and Praba, both members of the PTA are committed and never fail to arrive on time to give the extra support and help. They contribute ideas, energy and time too.

 These teachers Latiffah, Shahrizad, Tee Lay Pin and NorAjlaa are tip top in documentations and their records are unquestionable.All letters, correspondences and bills are in order. Nothing is out of order. You do not make the grade when a fault is detected. So, you can imagine the days of horror they went through.On the upside, it is a pleasure and privilege to be found right and impregnable.Now, we can safely say we have the best records in the nation.

 Madam Tee, the treasurer made it a point that she be awarded full marks on every visit.Even half a mark away from the perfect score is not acceptable by her. She is not the  hanky panky one; not a cent escapes her accounting eyes and scrutiny. So she scores.Kudos.

 This a life time partnership.Datin Rosalind passed the baton to Dato Rahman in 2009 and the torchlight is still shining high.Both of them have been instrumental in the clean bill of the PTA. Congratulations to him and her...

 The PTA's direct contributions both financially and morally has helped in the many success stories of the school.They are generous and seldom disappoint requests on the betterment of the children.

 Every file, record, letter, figure, account...all dug out, checked and approved before we could arrive at our present status.Not an easy ride.

 Perhaps the greatest achievement of the PTA is to create a relationship that works well with the school authorities in their strife for a better tomorrow for the children.

Seldom are there misunderstandings; always a mind to work together. 

That's the secret recipe.

Peace.

 

 A great effort to have a clean and first class rest room for the children caught the hearts of many; parents and district directors included. The genuine concern for a better environment for the children convinced judges that the PTA of SMK Seafield is indeed different.

So dear parents stretch out your hands.

We need your time and cooperation for a better future for your children.

Work with the PTA; one of the best in the nation.

Proud to be associated with the school.

How I Met Myself

 The Doppelganger

We were told that a doppelganger is someone's lookalike and it appears into someone's life for a reason. Sometimes the doppelganger appears to haunt for a reason. It may want to convey a warning or even offer protection. So when the present cohort of Form3 children read the book, they were caught into a whirlwind of events relating the protagonist to his doppelganger.

"How I Met Myself" has a simple storyline and tells of how John Taylor's family life was turned around when his lookalike appeared in his life.His wife, Andrea was a bulwark of support for him when John resolved to get to the bottom of his doppelganger's appearance in his life.Even Andrea got tired of John's obsession with finding out the truth; leading to a strain in their family life.

The students went through the book learning about family love and support and opining their views on themes, characters and events.

I took a bold approach ; tapping into their potential of their strong understanding and language skills. 

I told them to prepare a script and act it out.

They did just that to my greatest pleasure.

 The story is set in the Thirteenth District of Budapest; Europe on Margaret Island.

Budapest is beautiful just like any old European City. The River Danube cuts across the City and is there for all sorts of attraction.Oh, that I will have a chance to be here too...

Aliff is vocal, bright and though a newcomer to the school, is popularly accepted. He played the role of the bar owner, Zsolt. It was his cellar that most of the activities of the story took place. He was good; he personified his voice and spoke like an Indian to suit his role. Was Zsolt Indian in accent, Aliff ? But it's alright. You acted well.

 

This is the happy family. John played by handsome Ryan clothed in green. His 'first' wife was Xi Liang the one behind him. I asked him why he picked a male for the role of a female? Guess the answer. He had to have a 'bed' scene and so it was appropriate that a boy be his wife. So thoughtful. Then the sweet Andrea proper was played by Jane for later scenes. Jane speaks good English with good diction and enunciation. She played the role very effectively. So baby Kati was again played by a boy; E-Tjing. There was too much body contact, they told me.

 

 Both Ryan and Jane acted and spoke their best. The script caused them to look into great details and after this they should be able to quote events and scenes effectively when they write.What better way to learn.

 Yee Wen played the role of the doppelganger; Janos Szabo . She flew in and out just as connoted in the book; being the mysterious figure; to be seen and not to be seen. Her flighty approach had us in stitches.She was a pleasant surprise.

 

 

 Lois in the centre and Huey Xin to the left played the role of Mrs. Fischer, the old lady who gave the information about Janos Szabo to John Taylor. Lois as usual was boisterous and spoke her best. I must confess that Huey Xin was a good actress. She threw her voice well and enunciated like an old lady, so befitting the role. Potential after potential I saw in this little sketch,

  

 Raizil took the role of the nurse who saw to John Taylor's injuries after the explosion at Gergely utca. She rose to the occasion too.

 Very quiet in class, Soon Kah played the role of Paul Harris; John's confidante. I never knew he could pluck up courage to play the scene. It's indeed a pleasure to see the children oblivious of the surroundings and putting on their best cap.

 

 The rest helped in smaller roles being spectators, firemen, police and onlookers.

 

 But these two; Ian and Imran were the masterminds behind the writing. They coined the script and created an opportunity for their classmates to act it out. Well done, boys.

  

The children had fun I believe. They were able to summarize  the book in their own way. Through this I hope they have probed into the greatest details and in the process made learning effective and memorable.This again will be an occasion for them to remember their class in the days to come.

How I Met Myself; I hope they have understood well.

Proud of you boys and girls.