My Friends

 Friendship

What is existence when we do not have friends?

Some friends are closely knitted to your heart; others are acquaintances while yet others are passers by.

In school, though we may not  have the time to talk heart to heart with everyone, yet there is this silent, deep and undisclosed concern we have for our colleagues of all races, shapes and sizes.

 When Thursdays come the Chinese staff will collectively put on the Batik Attire.In most cases, the batik is worn the cheongsam style. All of us try to maintain a certain size so that we can still look nice and passable to the eye. Yes, you can say we are vain; but who cares ... as long as we feel good and still want to look attractive. The creative ones we are.

Seen with me is Madam Tan; we have been colleagues for 18 long years.

In many moments she can read me with my mouth closed.

She is girl Friday of the school; helpful and resourceful.

 Starting from the left are Madam Chow, Madam Chan, Madam Lim, Madam Ng, Madam Chuah and Madam Tan. We see one another everyday in school except on days when we are called away for other duties. All of them are hardworking, responsible and have a heart for the children.It won't be long when we leave one another for one reason or another.They say life is like that. We meet and say goodbye at one time of our lives. Some leave because they have enough of teaching; they want to have better quality time with loved ones.Some are still strong and passionate about the profession and willing to stay on.But it is indeed a feat to strife under all circumstances and survive.

 

Don't we look like one big family? Yes, we are one big family. All are precious and important.If anything untoward were to happen to any of us,we will feel sad.

 See Latha, the Indian colleague has even decided to wear the cheongsam; so sweet of her. 

The bug has been passed on.

Madam Looi the one in green, is already a grandmother but still gungho about teaching.

Sweetie pie Chuah may look fragile but has a steely, mental strength difficult to measure up.

Madam Lim, posing beside Chuah is clever and knows what she wants in life. May she find happiness and rest in God.

Madam Ng in yellow and Madam Ho beside Madam Tan standing from the left are 2 meticulous teachers.

If you want to have a job done well with figures employ them. Nothing misses them.

Madam Chan ; in red,beside Latha is helpful and a linguist.She speaks and writes well in English and Mandarin...a rare commodity.

Madam Tey in purple is the dark horse. She is knowledgeable; that she must know.

Madam Chow in light green looks at life brightly; to her there is a solution to every challenge by the grace of God.

The accountant of the school is Madam Tee, seated in between Looi and Chow. Having known her for 18 years too, I find her responsible, intelligent and sharp.

So these are some of my friends. If they have not been told how dear they are, they must be informed here.

So good to have friends in life. 

A teacher's life is rich because we meet hundreds of colleagues and thousands of children every working day. May we treasure one another dearly.