There were only three tables filled when I arrived. I walked around to look for familiar faces. Yes this was last minute as I was supposed to be out of the country and now I take the place of someone who was ill.
I reached a table of seniors and somehow they looked like teachers. I greeted one and found out she was Mrs Veronica Poore! I remember! She looked like Mrs Poore our Discipline Mistress. She was elegant. When I told her I was Choy Wai Fann, the other teacher said "I know Choy Wai Fann." And amazingly this was Mrs Elsie Kheng ... the lady I quote all the time regarding how I have kept my size. I was dizzy. I had been thinking of Elsie as I had met her brother a few times before. Then someone else was a Domestic Science teacher and I said I know a Mrs Soh ... and she was right there two seats away. With Mrs Soh we talked about the Lake Toba trip we went on at the end of 1974... and she pointed out Mr Subramaniam sitting opposite her. And I recognised him. He looked like Mr Maniam! We talked about that memorable trip like it was yesterday.
More teachers were found ... Mrs Maggie Chan, Ms Yvonne Seah and Ms Lee my fierce Science teacher. Its funny how they began to be recognizable and then familiar within minutes. It seemed like time stood still for them as they all looked well and trim.
Its been 35 years. Wow... and the current principal reported how well the school did and I was proud. Further on the games mistress declared she was glad to see the teachers and that she was on the swim team ... My ears propped. When she mentioned Mrs Choy the teacher in charge and her captain who was me I waved for her attention. Magical. Could not believe it as I knew there was no Rina on my team. True enough she was using a different name for work and she brought our year book that featured the swimmers.
It was a great evening, very emotional for me - my first reconnect with the school. And the huge treat that the teachers were all MY teachers. They were glad for what I have been doing and I felt like their legacy.
I have always thought our school colours and uniform were unique. Whenever I see a Cedar girl I will tell her I am one too. But through the years, Cedarians have proven to be more than colours and appearances. Many have been making a difference and making significant contributions - its got to be the teachers and the sustained core values that have been upheld through the years.
I reached a table of seniors and somehow they looked like teachers. I greeted one and found out she was Mrs Veronica Poore! I remember! She looked like Mrs Poore our Discipline Mistress. She was elegant. When I told her I was Choy Wai Fann, the other teacher said "I know Choy Wai Fann." And amazingly this was Mrs Elsie Kheng ... the lady I quote all the time regarding how I have kept my size. I was dizzy. I had been thinking of Elsie as I had met her brother a few times before. Then someone else was a Domestic Science teacher and I said I know a Mrs Soh ... and she was right there two seats away. With Mrs Soh we talked about the Lake Toba trip we went on at the end of 1974... and she pointed out Mr Subramaniam sitting opposite her. And I recognised him. He looked like Mr Maniam! We talked about that memorable trip like it was yesterday.
More teachers were found ... Mrs Maggie Chan, Ms Yvonne Seah and Ms Lee my fierce Science teacher. Its funny how they began to be recognizable and then familiar within minutes. It seemed like time stood still for them as they all looked well and trim.
Its been 35 years. Wow... and the current principal reported how well the school did and I was proud. Further on the games mistress declared she was glad to see the teachers and that she was on the swim team ... My ears propped. When she mentioned Mrs Choy the teacher in charge and her captain who was me I waved for her attention. Magical. Could not believe it as I knew there was no Rina on my team. True enough she was using a different name for work and she brought our year book that featured the swimmers.
It was a great evening, very emotional for me - my first reconnect with the school. And the huge treat that the teachers were all MY teachers. They were glad for what I have been doing and I felt like their legacy.
I have always thought our school colours and uniform were unique. Whenever I see a Cedar girl I will tell her I am one too. But through the years, Cedarians have proven to be more than colours and appearances. Many have been making a difference and making significant contributions - its got to be the teachers and the sustained core values that have been upheld through the years.
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