Mrs Margarete Tan, Guoqing, Yuanting, Qingzhong & gf, Yongwan, Tianhui & wife, Weili & Junrong, Shaohong & Songbin turned up for the gathering =)

 

We had a nice long chat with her. We sat on the floor surrounding her while she sat on the sofa and it just seemed like we were all back in time where she'll read us a chapter of the story from the all famous Roald Dahl books everyday in class to encourage us to pick up reading so that our our terrible English could improve. Seriously, I would never have passed my PSLE without her. And yes, I can never thank her enough for what she's done for us over the two years, being our form teacher in primary 5 & 6. That was the real education, not just about passing your exams. She was telling us about how the education systems and teachers how lack the essence of teaching; the character development and all; what the use of being a scholar when one even lacks the basic knowledge of how to respect and communicate with others.

I could totally understand and feel her vexation towards the whole thing. It's not only happening to the education system but generally the whole society as we move in to the next 'era'. Basically REAL < FICTITIOUS side of people. Nothing we can do about it really.

 

It's been more than 10years since I last met up with her and this time round, alot of good old memories and heart felt emotions; gratitude; respect for her. She had a relapse of cancer sometime back and I was telling Weili that we should actually have a gathering again. I guessed she felt the same too and suggested another gathering somewhere towards the end of august. :) I'm really grateful and blessed to have all these good friends and teachers around for all these years. Thank you all! :)

 

This day, another moment in life that adds to the collection of memories which money can't buy; words can't 'speak' enough for all that's heart-felt; a memory only shared by those who were there then.