Alumni Reunions in Penang and Kuala Lumpur

One of the reasons for making a trip to Penang was to attend a mini reunion of my Brinsford Alumni.

Brinsford Lodge was the teacher training college set up by the Malayan Government in the late 1950s to train secondary school teachers who were then bonded to serve the Government for 5 years.  It was located near Wolverhampton in the UK. and was affiliated to the Institute of Education, University of Birmingham, U.K.

8 batches of students, 150 young men and women per batch, were sent to Brinsford to attend the 2-year teacher training course. Upon completion they returned to Malaya and were posted to secondary schools throughout the country. I’m from batch 6, 1961-62.

                                      Some of my housemates and I on a visit somewhere

                                          My housemate Debbie and I at a Deepavali function

I attended the mini reunion to meet up with alumni whom I didn’t know and had not met before.  They were very friendly and made me most welcome.  One of them from the 1st batch, fetched me from the hotel to the restaurant where they had ordered a delicious lunch.

                                                       Alumni mini reunion in Penang

It was amazing to meet fellow Brinsfordians who naturally fell into easy camaraderie although we were meeting up for the first time.

After my return from Penang we had another mini reunion of my housemates in Kuala Lumpur before my flight back to Sabah.  It was a very joyful one as some of us had not seen one another for many many years.

                                                Some of my "U" House mates & spouses

                                                           Agnes & I at her home
The Brinsfordians have mooted the idea that the next reunion will be in Kota Kinabalu so that they can visit the eastern part of the country which is across the South China Sea.  One of them has been tasked to organise the trip for the end of this year. Hopefully it will materialize.

                                           Mt Kinabalu is silhouetted as the sun rises

Precious Reunions

The older one gets, the more precious reunions are.  One realizes that time is no longer on one’s side.  One is not sure how much time one has left in this world.

Thus, it has become very important to meet up with old friends whenever possible, hence the reunions.

I have these mini reunions with my classmates from the Methodist Girls’ School, Kuala Lumpur whenever I happen to be in the capital city.  One of my classmates will organize the ladies and a venue is agreed upon.  How indispensable Whatsapp has become! Through this app, we are able to determine who is able to attend and to decide on the date and venue of our reunion.

We were classmates from the time we entered secondary school until the time we graduated. This class of ’59 is still going on strong although many are no longer domiciled in Kuala Lumpur or in Malaysia.

Our latest reunion was held last month to celebrate the birthday and 50th wedding anniversary of one our classmates, Dr. Gnanam.

                         Dr. Gnanam presented with flowers for her wedding anniversary

                                                     Singing Happy Anniversary song

                                                       Singing Happy Birthday song

                                                     Getting ready to blow out the candle.

She was most gracious to host the celebratory lunch at the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur.  Our core group attended not only to wish her Happy Wedding Anniversary but also Happy Birthday.  So, it was a two-in-one celebration.

                                            Our lovely lunch hosted by Dr. Gnanam

It was a very lovely reunion to celebrate Dr. Gnanam's birthday and 50th wedding anniversary.

They have planned to have another gathering in November to welcome home another of our classmates who has made her home in the UK. She usually returns to Malaysia to escape the cold winter. As we grow older, we find it much harder to tolerate the cold temperatures of winter. However, I have to miss out on this one as airfares across the South China Sea are expensive.

However, I'm looking forward to the main reunion in February which sees the Chinese community ushering in a new Lunar year.

Fun Time with Grandchildren

Having grandchildren is a wonderful blessing from God. The little ones bring one great joy and being able to see them grow is another blessing.

                                                                         Painting

                                                                I can paint too!

We visited our two younger grandchildren this week, still pre-schoolers.

                                                             Playing Monopoly

The younger child is about two and a half now and can talk, although some of her words are still not very clear. She loves to imitate her older brother, parroting his words and actions.

                                                              At the playground

Here are some of our activities during this short period of bonding. Our visits are short and far in between so the time we spend together are very precious.

                                                      Constructing with Grandpa

                                                            Almost done!

                                                                  Climbing!

                                                                 I can reach it!!

We hope to leave behind happy memories of their grandparents.  

                                                             Fun at the Mall

                                                                 Fun at the keys.

Another Wedding in the Family

This month, another nephew married his sweetheart. However, their marriage was solemnised last month in the UK where she was working. They returned to Malaysia to host their wedding dinner and to have the tea ceremony, which all Chinese families regard as mandatory.

Ivan Tan’s wedding was very different from Adrian Liew’s. He had the main tea ceremony in his family home a week earlier, before the wedding dinner, instead of on the same afternoon. For those, like me, who missed the earlier tea ceremony, a short one was held in one of the hotel function rooms, so that the bridal couple could serve tea to the relatives who were unable to attend the earlier one.

                                                         Ivan receiving his Ang Pau

The wedding dinner was held in the grand ballroom of a 5-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

                                                Ivan & Crystal entering the Ballroom
         
The venue was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. Each table centrepiece was a huge arrangement of fresh flowers, in a pink and white theme.

                                                             My sister & I with spouse

The main table had huge floral arrangements.

                                                             Main Table Centerpiece

A live band entertained us throughout the dinner which was individually served, course by course. Thus, dinner did not end before 11 p.m.  Take a look at the menu!!

                                                            Wedding Dinner Menu

                                                       Dessert- The Strawberry Garden

As usual, friends and relatives caught up with one another on this occasion and everyone had a good time.

                                                                Siblings and spouses

                                                         My sisters- Left is Ivan's mum.

                                                      Center: my beautiful niece Sunitha