Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Mini Reunion in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

On the evening of 2nd April 2009, seven members of the Form 5 Sc class of 1976 met up at Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL. We were at a place called La Bodega. Lots of wine, finger food, conversation and laughter. It was the first meeting after 33 years for some of us.

KCK was there early, waiting for us as PC picked two of us from around the KL Sentral area, and quickly got us to Bangsar around 7:30pm, albeit with some unsure navigation :-) About half an hour later CM joined us. For me, as one who hasn't seen my friends since Form 5 days, I must say that KCK has probably changed most in appearance, less so for the others. But when we got down to chatting, we quickly found out that the core of everyone had not changed at all.

KCK works for computer giant HP. Both PC and CM say they are semi-retired. Geez, some people are lucky, while others still have to slog away...

Left to right: PC, CK & JY

Another shot of us + CM who just joined us


After while, LC in a bright red shirt joined us, looking very fit and healthy. Been keeping up his gym cardio workouts, I am told. He has been working in the IT industry for many years, and is a senior executive in FSBM.


JY & LC

Later still, RZ dropped by - even excusing himself from a Petronas corporate function. I can still see the old Roney grin, although the top of the head is a little smoother and shinier. But the lanky look kinda suits Roney, who looks hip in his dark t-shirt.


JY & RZ

Good conversation lubricated by good wine



Look at the animated discussions (even from the back!)


Checking out old photos on the PC ... hey, i knew that gal!


RZ listening pensively ...

Three bottles of south american Carbernet Sauvignon and many plates of snacks later, we all stumbled to say goodbye for the night. Most of us can be seen in this group photo ....

Left to right: PC, LC's son, LC, RZ, KCK, CM & JY

Certainly a great evening. So, so much to catch up on. Hilarious stories from Kuching and Australia and New Zealand and UK, career recollections, ups and downs and twists of life, stories of who got hitched to who, family updates, perusing old photos from JY's notebook .... Six and half hours flew by without our feeling it. It was almost 2am by the time we left.

As Cyril later remarked "I've not laughed so much for a long while. Good for the soul ..." . I've no doubt that ALL present would agree with him. I hope this is just the first of a series of more regular mini-reunions, possibly with a bigger reunion later in the year.


[Cameraman's post-script: Apologies for the poor quality of the original set of shots. My old 10 mega-pixel camera obviously cannot compare with PC's 12.1 mega-pixel number, which generated most of this second batch of photos. Good stuff Philip. Thanks mate ...]


18 comments:

  1. Wow, I can hardly recognise Chee Kok. He is the gentleman with white shirt.Right?
    Who is the one standing next to Philip? He could not have been in our class of 76, surely!
    Roney's smile is still the same as I remember it. Except now "Bodak"
    Lawrence and Cyril very much the same as before.
    My best regards to all of you.
    CLK

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  2. Ya, the one standing next to Philip looks too young to have been in our class.

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  3. Should be the son of one of them there.

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  4. Hmm... did someone recently blacken his hair?

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  5. He probably did it for this special occasion. LOL.

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  6. Well done guys for getting in touch. I must say it is really nice to match those "old" names with new faces. The times some of us spent together when we were in school. What's this about semi-retired!!!?. You cannot be serious!!! (quote and also a book written from John McEnroe). I am sure JY have told everyone present about the website he created for us. Spread the word!!!. More stories and pics to come I hope.
    Best wishes to all.

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  7. The young chap standing next to the young at heart is Andrew Chin, teenage son of Lawrence.

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  8. What a joyful mini-reunion! Good, good!

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  9. Hello everyone! I am so envious. Wish I was there. I haven't seen some of you guys for 33 years. LC and CM, were my classmates in Catholic English Primary School (1966-71) before St Joe. Where is Harry G? Is he being antisocial? Looks like you all had a great evening.

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  10. Guys!keep the ball rolling to a bigger ball either in Siam reap or Kuch later in the year . Chee Kok still recongnizable , but Roney..hmm! Hey Lawrence - how is your education project in Vietnam? All the best to all and stay healthy .

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  11. I wish I were there, man!!!!
    Red wine is my favourite, laughters I enjoy, meeting old mates my desire, relax and talking till cows come home my interest(with mates of course).
    Thank you Jimmy and Philip for the photos. My sincere best regards to LC, CK, CM, and RZ.
    CLK

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  12. A suggestion for everyone to consider: how about having the re-union in KL? We already have half a dozen guys there. Then for those who want to go to Siem Reap, it's just another flight away. After all, we already had one re-union dinner in Kuching already. Just a thought.

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  13. Some new photos have been added to this entry. Great evening guys !

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  14. Just a thought, I will be in Kch in early Jan 2010. Have not decided if I am flying via KL or Singapore. Hope we can have some sort of meetings with you guys either Kch, KL or Sin. Looking forward to it. Unfortunately, Siam Reap is out of question for now. Regards

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  15. Let's also proceed with the Siem Reap class trip in Sep/Oct for those who wish to go. All interested, please confirm your availability on the "Reunion 2009" posting as soon as possible, but by deadline by end June, so that our friend Sinos has time to make the necessary arrangements.

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  16. Guys,

    Thanks for sharing your mini KL reunion. Good to see you all fit, handsome ( mellowed) and Hi Roney, good to see you again...in the gambar, I mean. When are you coming back to visit us in Cambodia and join our proposed Siem Reap Reunion?

    If you are in KL, perhaps you wish to meet up with another 5th former...Datuk Anthony Bujang@Macpherson?

    Keep in touch guys,
    Sinos

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  17. Just wanted to say hi to the navigator that evening. Really good to see u again. Best wishes & keep in touch.

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  18. LOT OF THINNING HAIRSTYLES HERE ... WEBSITE JAGA, MAYBE U CAN ATTRACT TOUPEE OR WIG SELLERS TO ADVERTISE ON YOUR WEBSITE. CAN MAKE SOME MONEY?

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