Back to the Swiss old days

Got inside information that my Swiss Cottage Secondary School Form teacher Mrs Lee Ji Pang as well as one of my most beloved teacher Mrs Chin are going to retire from teaching today. I told myself down down must make an effort to make my way down to school to meet them. True enough, I arrived at Swiss Cottage (Bukit Batok) at 1530hrs LMT to hook up with Ben.

Man, it had been a long 11 years since I graduate from secondary school. There is so much changes to the building, to the kids, to the layout, to the atmosphere. But some things do not change - the same cheerful uncle Charlie who sells drinks, the friendly Auntie who had gone through thick and thin with him. We chatted for a while, talking abt the new layout of the canteen (more stifling now), how the new malay vendors sabo him, his son coming back from Hong Kong due overseas attachment. Even though I am not of close terms with Uncle Charlie, we spoke as if we were close friends. We belong to what we say the era of 1991~1994. :-)

Finally got to meet Mrs Chin and Mrs Lee after their contact time. Not very sure what do they mean by contact time, but I think it is something like shooting all the arrows b4 school reopens. Finally they came out and I am so happy to be able to see them again. Mrs Chin hugged mi so tightly as if her son is back to see her. Believe mi, the feeling is soooo good. I still remembered when I was young, we learned so much intangible things from her in all aspects of life. Foolish I am, but I dare to dream. Leadership I was taught the hard way. Determination I was to make sure that the objective were met at the end of the day. Results though important, it is the process that moulds a person.

I was greeted by a young female lady which I later realise that she is a vice princpal. Man, I was honoured!!! Ben, Daniel and myself were even introduced to the Principal, Ms Tay and we had a chat. I guess in the eyes of all teachers, seeing their former students coming is indeed a proud achievement for them. Mrs Lee was close to tears and we talked abt the good old days that we had. I updated her abt the status of our class,like Tingxui married last year and Dharma had a son. She showed mi the teachers day present that we gave to her 11 years ago, all in good condition.

Really had a good chat with Mrs Chin b4 we left. Retirement is not the end of the day. More good times will come, I assure them.

Eng Wei, Chong / Yingwei