MGC/TKC 60th Anniversary Dinner

This year our alma mater celebrates it 60th Anniversary (1947 - 2007) and to commemorate the ocassion, a grand dinner was held on 18th August ... and I was there :D he .. he .. he .. Hey, come on! We all know what the college means to us all and how it has partly shaped our lives so this is something that I can't let it pass.

The theme for the night was Diamonds are Forever and true enough a number of those present had their bling-blings on. There were 21 of us from the Class of 74 in all our fineries.

Oh heck! I am not good with words like Kasma, so I'll just let the picture tell the story.

Shidot, Norsiah and Tiger were there

... and so were Zaininah and Nin

Kasma and Haizan did not wan to miss it, too.

Here are Sherry, Zah and Jon

And another one of Sherry with Normie

Pah and Sham came

and Jay and Shamp.

Edah, Dilot, Ani Salim and Atel were also at the dinner, but I must have missed taking their photos. Sorry about that girls.

Besides royalties from Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak the special guests on the night were the pioneer students of the MGC when it was first opened in 1947.

Our ibu-ibu - calling them kakak just doesn't seem right

(please excuse the back of the chair in the picture, couldn't get any closer without getting in front of the royal table)

The entertainment for the night were by the old girls themselves from the years between '57 and '99. They certainly have the punch still, swaying with the rhythm in their dance performances. There was also performances by the current girls of the college.

As usual, the night will not end unless the floor is opened for the fling with the artiste Shahrizan getting the crowd moving and grooving starting with the song All Night Long.

With her busy schedule as the national organ transplant co-ordinator, we can understand Lela wanting to let her hair down

but .... what can you say about this? .... this lady certainly has still got it in her ..

And I think it didn't just stop at the dance floor. As I was leaving with Edah and Atel, a group of girls followed Ani up to the hotel room ..... for some midnight supper I guess. I wonder if any of them decided to squat in the room for the night.

But overall, everyone had a great time .... we can almost excuse the bland menu that was served for dinner. Hopefully it will be better next time.

Merdeka!

In 28 days, the nation celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence. Merdeka! I have a photo of me as a baby in 1957 with my arm reaching upwards, as if joining the Bapa Merdeka as he declares. "Merdeka!" You must realise that at that time, I was just a little over 1 month old and was in no position to raise my arm to join the nation as it declares its independence! It was either my mom or my dad who must have thought it cute to have a baby appear to join the Merdeka chant even though I was lying in bed with one of them holding my arm up!

They liked it so much that in the following year, they managed to coax me for another Merdeka pose, since by then I was able to raise my own hand and utter some baby gibberish which, they said, sounded like "Ma aka!" I don't remember any of this, of course, but the story was repeated to anyone who cared to look at the photos!

As someone who celebrates her 50th birthday the same year the nation celebrates its 50th anniversary, I feel like I have travelled the same distance developmentally, emotionally, and intellectually, if not physically! :-(

I can proudly claim to my share of struggles, conflicts, achievements, sacrifices, compromise, ambition, joys and sorrows. At the end of 50 years, although I still have to continue the journey, there is a feeling of quiet contentment and fulfilment. Sure, there is still alot to do. And yes, some things could have been done better or differently. But it is more important to be able to reflect on the events of the past 50 years, and work positively to overcome any shortcomings or mistakes.

In hindsight, I guess messed my life up somewhat when I was younger. But I managed to contain whatever damage created during the ignorance of youth, and can claim tha I am quite content with my lot.

My peers and I were fortunate, no I should say, priviledged enough to be able to enjoy the fine education at TKC, a boarding school for ladies who were regarded as creme du la creme. Ahem! those who performed better at school, at least. TKC taught us not just in terms of formal education, but I daresay, it has helped build character and personality. Most of us are, to a certain extent, vocal, opinionated (read, not in a negative way), independent, witty, strong and resilient women who, I realise now, some of our children may find to be somewhat tough acts to follow! Of course, the competition then was not as steep as it is now, and I shudder at the kind of pressure our children are going through. Although the temptation to push them to achieve was great, almost as great as the temptation to protect and shield them from life's problems, I finally learned to let them find their own pace and their own niche in life. My eldest used to remind me that I must allow her to learn from her own mistakes. I reluctantly conceded, but kept a constant watchful eye. Like they say, give them enough string, but not too much so that ensnare themselves.

So, dear Ladies of the class of 74, a penny for your thoughts!