Cut and Paste

Dear William,
My brother Stewart gave me your e-mail last month (march) after he contacted you where you both exchanged e-mails. I had meant to write to you earlier, but couldn't find the time until now.You taught me various subjects - Art, History, Maths, PE - in St Patrick's in 1959 and 1960 when I was in Forms 2 and 3. I was in the same class with James although I also knew Francis and Teddy (not so much as he was my brother's classmate). I heard about James' death from cancer from my elder sister who still lives in Kulim a few years ago. I also know Angela's family very well as one of her brothers was my classmate in Badlishah School in 1961-2. In fact I attended their wedding in Penang in the early 1970s.I also knew Gilbert, both as my teacher (Std 6 in 1957 when he taught me history) and as a colleague in Bagan Serai (1972-74) where I happened to stay in the same house with him and a few others.You probably won't remember me as I was one of those quiet boys in class, but you did like my art to the extent that you told me to paint a mural at the back wall of our classroom, the one nearest the canteen, after our LCE exams in 1960 when we had no more lessons and in need of something to keep us occupied. I remember I liked Elvis Presley very much and did a crude painting of him playing the guitar amidst a background of other musicians...good for Kulim standards from a then 14 year old. I'm 61 today, and still working as a freelance journalist, editorial consultant. I have come a long way since the days of St Patrick's. After Form 3 in St Patrick's, I did my Forms 4 and 5 in Badlishah School. After teaching temporarily for a few years, I joined MTCKL (the successor to Kirkby) in 1966-67. I think I met you once in 1967 when you came with the badminton team of La Salle Klang to play in our college gym.After my training, they posted me to a Malay kampong in Perak for 4 years before I was transfered to Bagan Serai where I met up with Gilbert after several years. I did my HSC through self study by correspondence with Stamford College in Singapore, and when I completed my 5 year bond with the govt, resigned from teaching to do my Bachelors in Wellington in NZ. I got a scholarship from ANU to do Masters (1979-80). I then returned to Singapore where I have been since, having worked as Senior tutor at the University and journalist with Straits Times (over 10 years).I have been in Singapore for the past 26 years.My wife and 2 daughters are Singaporeans but I'm still Malaysian though a PR of Singapore. I guess I love Malaysia too much even though I, like many of us abroad, resent the govt for all the mess they continue to make to such a beautiful country as Malaysia. I have been back many times, especially to Penang and Kulim, both in the course of my work as a journalist, and also to visit relatives,friends, etc.My brother and I have visited St Patrick's on several occasions, and we are very sad that the school has degenerated into a typical Malay school,save for its name. The HM, the teachers, right down to the office boy are Malays, so are the majority of the students. Much as I would like to rekindle the old boy spirit, I find that I just can't do it, because the school is not what it used to be for us to feel proud. Poor Mr Auyong must be rolling in his grave if he were to see how his school,once the apple of his eye, has become something of an eyesore today.I still keep in touch with Wan Ho, the old office boy, who has retired (he is 67) and stays in a housing estate in one of the suburbs of Kulim. He has a lot of nostalgic stories about the school. As we reach our twilight years, I'm very happy to meet up with my former teachers through the e-mail or other means. I hope I can catch up with you one day in Australia, or if you ever drop by in Singapore. Hoping to hear from you.Best wishes and kindest regards,
David Chew (Huat Hock)

Reply
I have to admit I can't remember a thing, especially the mural I asked you to do. Was it ever completed?
This is a good way of catching up with the past, don't you think?
More nostalgic stories please.
Wm