What A Feeling!

It's been a week after Hi TMGS 2009.

It was, by all accounts, a wonderful afternoon - meeting old friends; seeing again classmates, seniors and juniors who we have not met since leaving school; shrieking, laughing and giggling over the changes (or non-changes) the years had wrought.

"Aiyoo, you are still the same!"

"Hey, you girls don't eat one ah?"

"Wah, mummy already!"

"Wah, your children so big already!"


Glad to meet up - Swee Chin, Anura and Jamaliah

And so it went. From one table to another, the scene repeated itself. Alumnae started streaming in early, even before 11am though the event was set to start at 12pm. And, right through to 1pm, the MCs and even Hi TMGS 2009 chief couldn't hush the gathering.

"Ladies, we are about to start. Please be seated."

Nobody heard that said - many times. All were so intent on catching up with each other. It was a good hour later that another such appeal was finally heard and the 350 alumnae plus former teachers, present students and teachers finally went ... quiet ... enough ... (If you were there, you know what I mean.)

And, the programme could officially start!

First, the doa by Siti Salina, Year '81. Then, the singing of the school song - with an upbeat, marching tempo courtesy of Datuk Ibrahim Bachek, hubby to Datin Rosni, Year '72. Puan Noriza took the stage after that - she spoke of the allocations for refurbishment from the government and congratulated our alumnae spirit. Puan Noriza expressed her wish for TMGS alumnae to continue uniting and reconnecting with the school to help the current generation.


Keep up the spirit, girls!

That set a nice footing for the multi-media show that followed, showing our school's and our passage through the years. Nostalgia abounded when class photos flashed on the screen...those were the days. Many saw the school's present condition for the first time. Christina, Year 1979 and my sister's classmate, came to me and said, "How did the school get to such a condition?"

After the walk down memory lane, guests were finally invited to walk to where the food was! Aha, very orderly, ladylike qeueing and waiting for one's turn - testament to the upbringing at the first English girls' school in the country.


Lady Treacher would have been proud!

Food, music and chatter made merry company, and it was a battle between the music-men and the women - who would be louder?

For me, I heard the women. The music had been carefully thought through to bring back the different eras of our youth but, honestly, I didn't hear anything...just the happy sounds of women being together.


Fenners and friends! Mom (in lavender) and daughters including Zarinah
(seated, middle, mom to the KRU boys), Zaharah (left, back row) and
Sofea (bright blue, who flew in from Melbourne for the hi tea).

Fifteen minutes into the buffet, came the first lucky draw of the afternoon where 65 prizes were given away.

The programme then moved on with the perfect game for an alumnae gathering - school quiz! Alumnae gamely tackled the questions.

At my table, Mee Seong impressed us when she could mouth the school's vision while the rest of us went, "Huh? Now school got vision one ah? Our time got meh?" The question that was particularly challenging was the first principal of the school. Some of my mates piped up, "Miss Satwant!" The more logical among us said, "Can't be la. Miss Satwant's during our time; the school started long before that." We left that space empty. And, came back empty-handed though Norma ran for dear life to be the first to hand in the question paper.

No worries. Here's my gang, '80, at the former teachers table - spot the teachers!



After the excitement of the game, Siti Zaleha, Year '70, helped to calm everyone with a syair she had written. Her thank-you gifts for taking part in this Open Mic were a Cherish TMGS tee, TMGS umbrella and TMGS metal school badge. PRECIOUS!


Voice from '70

Another game followed - blindfold! (That's the picture you saw on the Cherish TMGS website.)

The fashion show came next. Our models were Gaik Hong '83, Azlynn Rose '93, Azlina '93, Kireenjit '96, Nora '97, Mei Yin '93, Zanita '90, Shafinas '95, Subhasini '98 and Nurul Hayani '97. Great spirit, these girls. They were fitted with the clothes on Saturday and came early on Sunday to rehearse the walk.


TMGS boleh!

Another game next. Scavenger Hunt, methinks.

At this time, I was cued to get changed. When I went to the restroom, a sight awaited me. There they were - the gang from 1978. They had happily gone to the Cherish TMGS merchandise table to buy the tees and now they were happily in the ladies' switching their garb.

And, here they are...happily wearing their Cherish TMGS special edition tees. I know these faces; just can't put a name to each....there's Rita on the right, back row, and her twin, Martha, second from left, seated.


WANT THE TEE? Call Chai Lan, 012-3951904.

Out of the restroom and into the "holding room" (the name of this room makes me feel like a kerbau, haha) next to the stage - my team mates were in various stages of readiness. Without a mirror around, we had to be each other's eyes. It was karaoke time and we heard "Dream, Dream, Dream" being sung. Anant, Masitah, Siti Maznah, Fooi Lin, Ena, Ai Loon and I promptly burst into song backstage. Our mood was high and somehow the lyrics came effortlessly while the younger ones - Camy, Kireenjit, Yati, Natasha Reena and Nurul Hayani - looked at us bemusedly. It helped take our minds away from what's coming next.

And, what exactly were we up to?



Yes, THE DQs!!!!

Dancing to Abba's "Dancing Queen."

With multi-hued wigs, sequinned tops and even boots, we were a hoot.


Masitah, in green, leading Ai Loon, Yati and Kireen


Five weekends of sweat culminated here.

The whole room roared its delight upon the first sight of us and then screamed us on, even when the music cd played up. Most were on their feet, dancing in their hearts with us. Then came the calls for an encore, to which we happily obliged.

As Siti Maznah aka Blondie said afterwards, "Wow! We danced not only once, but twice. Worth it!"


Who's that girl?

So much happened that afternoon, and I am only halfway. Just like in real life, some speeding up needed as the organizers crimped the programme to fit in the absolute necessities. It was running close to 4pm and we were supposed to end at 5pm.

Mmm, what came next? Suet Fun, Year '77, for Open Mic 2. Like Siti Zaleha, she read out a poem. Also like Siti Zaleha, Suet Fun received the precious stuff for her sharing.


Suet Fun wearing the Cherish TMGS special edition tee in babe blue.

Then, came the girls' turn.

They had come in a bus. leaving Taiping that morning at 8am. This was their moment - delivering their prize-winning choral speaking performance, "Live Worthily" written by Suet Fun. It was my first time watching choral speaking, and I enjoyed our girls' smooth, coordinated movements.


Wearing Cherish TMGS tees, they spoke and moved as one, under the guidance of Sharon Kanapathy

The girls pulled a surprise next! They had come with bouquets for Suet Fun, Miss Lim (team leader; left in pix below) and Puan Noriza, and had asked for a little bit of time from the organizers to do their thing.


Another sweet moment in an already memory-ful afternoon.

Fast-forward! Karaoke 2 came on. Many had booked their slot, including Bee Ai, Year '71, and Lai Peng, Year '75. They were heartily clapped on by their TMGS sistas.


Bee Ai with her backup; she had brought her guitar along!


Chris Chong Lai Peng singing for her '75 mates

It was past 4pm. Time for the lucky draw finale to find the recipients of the last 15 prizes, after 133 prizes had been given out in two earlier draws. Our Taiping sister alumnae will forever remember this as their draw because they went home with the top two prizes! Mrs Lim Chin Seng of the Old Girls Association received the Sharp microwave oven while Puan Roslena, Year '75 and present teacher at the school, received the 32-inch Philips LCD TV. (How's the family enjoying the TV, Roslena?)


A jubilant Roslena with Datin Rosni

It was getting dangerously close to 5pm but girls must have their fun!

So, next came Poco Poco and Joget Lambak. From about 10 girls, the stage filled up rather fast as the music moved from rock-and-roll to twist to a-go-go to joget and even to a Hindustani number. When the stage couldn't take anymore, others danced wherever they were. My gang danced near our table and had fun twirling around the pillars during the Hindustani number. But, Amitabh Bachan didn't come! Er, he's too old? Shah Rukh Khan better?


Let's do the Twist...

Ah, just when we were all getting warmed up, the music stopped! Now, all of us are wanting to continue the dancing at the 120th dinner in August -- OGA, please take note, MUST HAVE DANCING at the dinner, ok?


1980s doing the a-go-go

For now, the clock has struck 5 and all the cinderallas must be running home.

Hasnita, Year '81, who has led this team of merry alumnae from February in organizing the hi tea, took to the stage for her closing speech. The event raised a whopping RM18,000 toward the Cherish TMGS fund and a mock cheque had been presented to Puan Noriza after the choral team performed.


A marvellous effort from Nita (far right) and her team

Special mention must go to Jarinah @ Ena, Year '81 (awesome Facebook skills and Nita's right-hand woman); Datin Rosni (sweet and inspiring, she's our mama and most responsible for the lucky draw gifts); Rohana, '71 (registration table and production of dvds); Nurul Husna (so young but so resourceful; she's mostly responsible for the goodie bag and was floor manager); Masitah, '74 (MC as well DQ); Bathma,'95 (MC); Ai Loon. '81 (has an absolute cool head for accounts); Fooi Lin, '81 and Muntip, '92 (games); Syarifah Talha, '94 (ticketing); Anant, '74 and Siti Maznah, '77 (dancing and packing queens) and Liena (ushering).

Special mention must also go to Alynn, daughter of Ena, who good-naturedly followed her mom to all meetings and was a real help to all of us, including choreographing our dance with Camy. More daughters got in the act too and we thank you - daughters of Nita (overseeing ticket collection) and daughters of Anant (giving out the lucky draw prizes). And, to all who helped and who came!


(From front) Anant, Masitah, Ai Loon, Datin Rosni, Siti Maznah, Rohana, Ena, Bathma, Fooi Lin, Talha, Liena and Nita.

Thank you! Congrats! Hurrah for the girls!

What an afternoon! Tak cukup la....now, let's all beramai-ramai balik ke Taiping to celebrate our school's 120th anniversary. For details, click here.

SHOPPING ALERT!

• Cherish TMGS special edition tee - made with top quality cotton by a producer who makes tees for top retail brands. Available in black or babe blue. Only RM20.
• Dvd of more than 600 photos of the hi-tea - some of which you see here. Only RM10.
• School badge - no longer in use (a cloth version is used today) and specially reproduced by the hi tea committee. Only RM10. Buy a dvd and a badge, special offer RM15.
  

All nett proceeds to go to the Cherish TMGS fund. For tees, please note this about sizing - if you usually wear M, our S will fit you. If your usual size is L, then our M is for you. If your usual size is XL, then our L will fit you just nice.

Call Chai Lan at 012-3951904 or Ena at 012-6845388. Delivery by mail available at RM5 for postage, which can take two tees, 1 dvd and 1 badge.

The earlier, the better

Thank you to all who have visited the website and this blogspot. Please do keep telling others about the Cherish TMGS fundraising campaign.

The plan is to do remedial, restorative work as funds come in. Top on the list is bolstering the sagging support of the school hall and some preventative work to prevent further deterioration. Next is the roofing of the science lab block.

These repairs are quite urgent. So, girls, it matters that funds come in early! Thank you.

The Girls Give! Cherish TMGS

Our website's launched!

And will be the happening place from now on. It's been fun having this blog. Betcha it'll be even more fun at our new place. See ya at: www.cherishtmgs.com.

Alumnae Spirit at Cyclethon

The alumnae who made it to the cyclethon last Saturday, Jan 17, had a lovely time. Of course, we wished there were more of us. But, those present were totally gung-ho and so we had fun.

Thank you to Jarinah, Hasnita, Radiah, Rohana, Anura, Akmar (who came with her walking stick) and Swee Cheng who responded to my call in this blog and took part. Thank you to alumnae Ting Hui, who couldn't come from Singapore, and Seong Chooi who contributed as a sponsor to my family's cycling team. Thank you too to Dr Teh, Yick Fern and Phooi Ling (who turns out to be sis to my former classmate, Phooi Bee) for being there, representing their group of 21 alumnae of Class of '70 who sponsored the tees for the cyclethon.

Highlights...



Opening speech by Dr Teh Lei Choo, Class of '70. In her speech, Dr Teh celebrated TMGS' contribution to womanhood in this country.

"120 years of history is a very significant milestone for any institution. Over this period, thousands of young women have passed through the portals of this school - women who are now living in various parts of Malaysia or of the world; raising families, making invaluable contributions in their respective fields of work and leading meaningful lives.

"Today, we launch a series of activities to celebrate the 120 years of existence of TMGS. We celebrate the thousands of young women it has educated and nurtured. We celebrate the teachers who have served the school with dedication and commitment. Most of all, we celebrate the school, which has contributed immensely to nation-building. As an old girl of the school, I am honoured and proud to be part of the celebration," she said.

Dr Teh went on to appeal to alumnae to spread the word about the school's need for funds. "I am sure all old girls of TMGS, far and near, will be glad to contribute to their alma mater, in whatever way they can. To all the old girls out there, do contribute generously - for we will not be who we are today without the education and guidance accorded to us here."

Cheques and pledges of help. These came after Dr Teh's opening speech.

From Class of '81, represented by Radiah, Hasnita and Jarinah (left to right below in pix with Puan Noriza on far left), brought along a mock cheque and the real thing for the sum of RM3,500, which was the generous contribution of 17 alumnae, including Lean See, Poh Gaik, Oi Mei, Siti Salina, Ai Loon, Noraini, Poh Cheng, Hanaliza, Aminahtun, Nurshah, Aniza, Phoebe, Phaik See and Suan See.



The group had pooled together their contributions since Sept last year and had waited patiently for the school restoration fund to be set up. Yes, the fund is called CHERISH TMGS -- more details under "How To Help" on the left.

From Anura Hashim (pix below), who did Forms 4 and 5 in 1978 and 1979 in TMGS. Anura pulled a surprise on us when she presented over a RM1000 in cash contributions from herself, fellow alumna Jamaliah Hamdan and friend Prof Madya Dr Maheran Mohd Jaffar, as well as a pledge to sponsor furniture from Puan Maihizan Murad, Group Managing Director of Zone Furniture Sdn Bhd and Tisisit Corp (M) Sdn Bhd. What a delightful surprise!



It was a happy moment for all present - to feel the alumnae support.

Pedal Power! A quiet participant was my cousin, Lim Swee Cheng, Class of '78. She had signed on early and had time to ask around for sponsorship. She cycled with RM2,070 behind the turns of her bicycle's pedals. Thank you to Swee Cheng and her sponsors, including an ex-KE boy who gave RM1,000, her sister Swee Beet from Class of '76 and our Biology teacher, Miss Ho.



And here are the girls who took part under the mini sponsorship programme initiated by Chen Tyng Yee, Class of '96. Tyng Yee, who lives in UK, lobbied among her family members and obtained RM420, which went towards sponsoring Iyvonne Chuah, Ong Si Mei, Puah Hooi San, Nallie Chan, Yew Hooi Kheng and Lim Kah Hui (left to right in the pix below, with Puan Noriza in the middle).



Ring-off! In a lovely twist to the usual affair, Dr Teh was given the old school bell to herald the start of the cyclethon. She rang it gamely ... and the bikers were off!





Off on a very short cycle, due to a change in the route because it was suddenly realized that the trishaws carrying Dr Teh and Encik Anuar b Isa, Deputy President of the Heritage Society of Taiping, would have a tough time going up the hill as originally planned. Hmm, much to the relief of Ong Ah Sun, one of the two "trishawmen"?

So, it was literally no sweat for all cyclists - especially us alumnae who had thought we might not be able to finish the race. Rohana who spoke of her "lutut longgar," Radiah who spoke of finishing on a stretcher, and Anura who had never cycled to school before and has not been on a bike for a looooong time.

We came back to school to the cheers of the school's cheerleading team, decked out in sunny yellow outfits and colourful poms-poms.

Refreshments! We didn't expect this delightful affair. We were served at the mini banquet hall by the Catering students (one of the subjects under vocational skills). Rather special, methinks. There we were, at cosy tables set out for four, with white tablecloth and pale green table runners. TMGS ada class!

Here's the VIP table with Dr Teh, Encik Adnan bin Abdul Rahman, PIBG President, and Encik Azrai bin Hj Ismail, Deputy District Education Officer (in batik).



Here, Swee Cheng with Phooi Ling (in red) and Yick Fern of Class of '70.



After refreshments, Radiah, Nita, Ena and family (hubby and five kids came along - keep up the spirit), Swee Cheng and Rohana were game for more of the school. So, Puan Noriza took them on a walkabout which was punctuated with lots of oohs and aahs...and shrieks of happy recollections. "This is my classroom," Jarinah pointed out to her daughter. "This is where we learned folk dancing." "Who was the teacher?" "Miss Looi!" At this point, we were at the old music room (now the staffroom). My cousin and Ena did some folk dance steps there and then.



Final verdict? Well worth the drive. We are glad we came.

As Rohana Puteh put it when giving me a farewell hug, "I've no regrets" She had decided to come along at the very last minute, at the cajoling of Jarinah and Hasnita. Alumae spirit is now fiery in Rohana, who left TMGS in 1971 after Form 3 - she emailed me this afternoon that she wants to get her gang together to do something for the school. Here she is, third from the left, with Radiah, Nita and Ena. Good sports!



To Puan Noriza, Mrs Ng, Puan Sharifah, Lay Hoon and all at the school who took part in organizing the cyclethon, congrats on the excellent job done and the hospitality extended to us!

To end this narration, I'd like to introduce Esther, who is in Form 4 and helped us alumnae loads in registering and getting there. She was shy but Lay Hoon coaxed her into this pix. Hey, Esther, thanks for your patience in dealing with us dawdling old girls who could have confirmed things earlier but chose to be late. Promise we'd do better the next time!

Welcome, 2009!

What a fantastic last day of 2008 it was.

Miss Lim called me about 3pm to say that she and Mrs Ng were at the bank to open the dedicated account for the school-alumni fundraising effort. YAY!

If you have been following the progress, this means that we have obtained the fundraising permit from the Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri. Yay again.

On Dec 10 last year, the school met with the Board of Governors to propose the setting up of the school-alumni committee for the restoration of TMGS under the BOG's auspices. This was approved easily. Mrs Polly Tan, the President, also offered to sit in the committee as a Vice-President and serve as a cheque signatory. Yay yet again.

Following this, the school was then able to submit the application to the JPN for the fundraising permit. So, here we are, on the very first day of 2009, the year our dear old school turns 120, with the way opened.

I later received news that the bank account has to wait till tomorrow at least. In their excitement, Mrs Ng and Miss Lim overlooked the need for the official rubber stamp and signatories' specimen signatures. :-) All in good time.

Suet Fun, Chai Lan, Li Yin and I are meeting afterwards (for a homecooked nasi lemak lunch) to finalize the dedicated website. So, watch this space!

Dec 31 deadline

The closing date for the cyclethon is on Wed, Dec 31. Please email Esther Hor at silk_rehtse@yahoo.com for the registration form.

Mamma Mia, if Meryl Streep can still dance and prance the way she did at age 59, what about the rest of us? So, dancing queens, gather your gang and have a ladies day out. The last time, Suet Fun, Chai Lan, Li Yin and I left KL just before 7am and arrived just after 9am. We started the drive back at 8pm and arrived just after 11pm. Hats off to Li Yin -- she drove single-handedly. Very cool and steady driver!

Let's help to make the cyclethon merry and meaningful!

Blessed Christmas, one and all!

We are on the eve of another Christmas, which also means we are on the brink of another new year. As we bring 2008 to a close, my heartfelt thanks to all. What a scrumdiddlyumptious group of alumnae and friends!

Take just yesterday, for instance. Chuah Soh Nee, Class of '79 and a former classmate of my sis, emailed me that her uncle, Mr Chan Kwai Fong, has offered to help the fundraising effort. She emailed me his hp contact, which I passed on to Puan Noriza, who called Mr Chan immediately. Through alumna spirit and networking, I understand that the school is now able to get the tees and caps for the cyclethon at a better price. YAY!

There's also Tyng Yee in UK, who has been a constant campaign stalwart. When she heard of the cyclethon, she thought of a lovely sponsorship programme. In her words:

"I'm sure there are some students within the school who would like to take part, but could not afford it. So, my idea is to sponsor some of them to cycle. This way, I can donate money and they can contribute it to the school. I find this way quite meaningful."

Within a week, Tyng Yee has raised enough to sponsor 6 girls at RM60 each -- from aunts, cousins, uncles and friends both in Malaysia and the UK. She's still on-the-job...congrats and thank you, Tyng Yee (here she is, with her dad and hubby).

And, I am still amazed at the speed which alumnae responded to the SOS for the contacts of Junaidah Aman and Azura Zainal Ratin, after Puan Sharifah had asked for them. Through Facebook, we got the numbers within a couple of hours for Junaidah and within a couple of days for Azura. Puan Sharifah has spoken to them...thanks to Rohana Puteh (pix), who left TMGS in 1971 after Form 3, and Priya, Class of '95.

Yes, Hannee Tan, on her own initiative, created our very own alumnae Facebook group called "SMK Treacher Methodist Girls School Taiping." It really helps to keep all of us girls in touch, especially useful for quick alerts. The link is provided (see top right, below the school badge) for your sign-up convenience. :-)

Suet Fun, Li Yin, Chai Lan, Lean See, Odi, Jarinah, Hasnita, Pauline, Nan See, Su See, Mrs Lim, Yoga (of TMGS Old Girls Association), Mrs Polly Tan (of the Board of Governors), Mrs Goh Lye Ngoot (alumna, former teacher and present BOG) and all other alumnae who have helped --- my deepest, deepest thanks. Of course, the team at the school has been great -- Puan Noriza and her merry women, Mrs Ng, Lay Hoon, Poh Lay, Azizan and Sharifah. Mustn't forget Esther Hor, who will be in Form 4 next year --- with Mrs Ng's help, she did the research piece on the physical development of the school, which will be used in the website (that's another story).

Oh, we have some knights in shining armour too - namely Ong Ah Sun of PIBG St George who started the email appeal which started all this; Paul Loh who gave generously of his engineering expertise to survey the school; and Mr Chan Kwai Fong who is helping the school save on costs for the coming 120th year celebrations (less costs, more funds).

So, 2008 has been historic and meaningful, in terms of renewed alumnae movement for the school. It will forever mark a time when alumnae young and old, far and near rallied to the school's distress situation, and helped in whichever way they could (expressions of support are much appreciated too).

I certainly look forward to 2009 as we walk more on this journey together to restore our dear old school to how she deserves to be.

Happy New Year, everyone.....see ya next year!

Bravo, Class of '70

Sunday, Nov 30 turned up a delight for our alma mater, when Puan Noriza and some staff members received a group of eight alumnae* from Class of '70.

Here they are, from left to right: Teoh Hooi Leng, Mah Yick Fern, Ong Guat Kwee, Chia Swee Hua, Cheong Yeok Lin, Pn Noriza, Dr Teh Lei Choo, Pn Sharifah (teacher), Ms Low (teacher), Foo Quai Yeow and Cheah Leong Teen.

Except for Dr Teh who is based in Penang and Yick Fern who lives in Taiping, the rest of the girls had come all the way from KL or Singapore.

The group spent many hours revisiting familiar nooks and corners, all the while taking in for themselves the condition of the old walls, ceilings, roofs and furniture. They also listened to Pn Noriza explaining work that had been done and plans.

After some discussion among themselves, they announced their decision to Pn Noriza - that they would contribute RM3,000 toward the cost of tee-shirts for the cyclethon being organized by the PIBG. To Pn Sharifah, who is in the cyclethon committee, that is especially welcome news because tees are expected to take up half of the cost of the event.

Dr Teh has also agreed to officiate the flag-off of the cyclists on Jan 17.

And, she and her gang didn't stop there. They asked Pn Noriza to give them details of restoration projects, and pledged to help get contributions for the school.

What a lovely Sunday! Hurrah for the girls!

(Please see post below for details on the cyclethon. Closing date for registration - Dec 31.)

Puan Noriza with Dr Teh,
who is the State Health Director of Penang

*HO HO HO! Something made me curious and I opened my big, hefty Oxford...and found that "alumni" is mainly plural for male former students while "alumnae" is plural for female ones and the singular is "alumna" while the masculine singular is "alumnus." Interesting. Life being the way it is, what happens if the former students are of mixed gender?
Then, we call them, "alumni," even if there is only ONE male.
Aaahh...life.. :-)

Hmm, we do have male former students from kindy -- one of whom is Tun Ling Liong Sik. Anybody contacted him? Does he know of this appeal?

I Want To Ride My Bicycle!

How long has it been since you cycled in the cool, green and refreshing environs of our world-famous Taiping Lake Gardens, and bask in the sheer poetry and beauty of the raintrees arching to the water?

If you are like me, that would be school days. Not that I've never returned to the Lake Gardens. Just never cycled there since my Form 6 days and felt the wind blowing in my face and hair. Those were the days.

Miss those days? Wish to take this trip back memory lane?

The school has come up with the absolutely brilliant idea of a CYCLETHON to kick off next year's 12oth anniversary celebrations. It's set for January 17, Saturday, in the morning. The idea is to flag off from the school, make a round of the Lake Gardens and come back to the school.

What's so brilliant about a cyclethon, you may ask?

In my humblest opinion, it is brilliant because cycling is one thread of the common fabric that binds us alumni together. We all cycled! Orang Taiping semuanya tau tunggang basikal! I know, that's generalizing things a bit, but you get the picture. My sisters and I were terrors on two wheels. Once a classmate on her schoolbus commented, "You all cycle like ribut (storm)."

So, Cyclethon Sempena Pelancaran Sambutan 120 Tahun SMK (P) Treacher Methodist Taiping 2009 (phew, what a mouthful) is simply wonderful, I say. And hope all of you agree.

It's a wonderful way for old friends to meet up again -- with all the chatting and bantering, we'll probably want to go on cycling forever, and Puan Noriza will have to blow her whistle again and again to call us back to finishing line, ha ha ha.

It's a wonderful way for alumni to come together to help our dear old school. Did I forget to say this? It's not just fun and nostalgia, ladies -- each of us will get sponsors to back our ride around the Lake Gardens. All the funds raised will go towards the restoration of the school. All the school is asking is minimum RM30 sponsorship per biker. (Note: There is no registration fee.)

It's a wonderful way for all of us to let the whole of Taiping know that we - the alumni of this very first English girls school in Malaysia - remember our roots and our alma mater, and are serious about helping her get back to her old glory. Banners will be placed all over to harken the start of the 120th jubilee. Of course, the cyclethon is open to everyone, and not just alumni.

Treacher Methodist Girls School, Taiping town will hail to thee! You are nearly as old as the town. You have groomed generations of girls. You have been there for 20,831 girls and will be there for more.

Hmm, are you already thinking where to get bikes (YAY!)? If you are not currently living in Taiping, you can get from family or relatives. If all have left the town, don't worry. Where's there a will, there's a bike!!! Yup, somehow, somewhere, we'll get a bike for you.

The important thing now is to sign up.

Get your old gang there (yoohoo, Phang, Norma, SChooi, LYin, SMing, Gaik Hua, Yew Peng, Nor Azah, Min Choo, Azrinah, Najeemu, Phooi Bee and all from 5ScR...).

Get your family there (take my word, it will be an event that they will remember forever).

To sign up and/or get further details, please email Esther Hor, Form 3 student in charge of registration, at silk_rehtse@yahoo.com or Puan Sharifah, teacher-in-charge, at sazub171@gmail.com.

COMING UP SOON! Class of '70 visits school and pledges support for the 120th anniversary cyclethon.



PICTURES COURTESY OF LOW IISHAN, BORN IN SUBANG JAYA TO TAIPING MARI PARENTS.

Forgot to say...

We are waiting for end of this month.

That's because we need to talk with someone to go ahead with the plan and this person would only be back from overseas then. Just one week or so to go, and we should be able to update everyone in early December.

Thank you to alumni who have been checking up on progress and who have been passing the appeal around. Today, I heard from Ng Lan Shing, Class of '98, who knows Hwei Chin (remember the Gang of Three?). Lan Shing has pledged to help in any way she can. A group of present students have been helping to scan old copies of The Quest. And, another present student, Esther Hor, has offered to help us do some research on the school buildings and furniture. What lovely spirit!

In the meantime, my old gang of TMGS girls are hoping to go karaoke-ing this week. Ha ha ha, gals just wanna have fun. We've known each other since Standard One and we've kept together through these 38 years. We've been busy with our careers and families and have not seen each other much these last 10 years. But, we do meet at least once a year. And, we always say, of all the new friends that we make, this is the group we are most gila with.

This time, we want to meet because one member is back from Atlanta and another is migrating in January. So, it will be a kind of reunion+homecoming+farewell.

I hope the karaoke session happens. I hope I will have a breakthrough. You see, I've never been able to sing out loud with a mike in hand. Somehow, my voice has always deserted me in the face of a mike, no matter how much I visualize myself drawing out my favourite ballad or belting out a hot number.

I am hoping, with this bunch of crusty and comfy mates from school, it will finally happen. Wish me luck. Till the next post, here's a moment to share --- one of many that bind me and my gang.

Pay attention in class, awrrgiht? That's what I imagine Mr Sum would say should he see this picture. Ha ha ha, we were so caught up with having something to prop up the BBQ stove that we forgot plastic melts when heated up!!! A moment from some 27 years ago....



:-D Live worthily!