A Toast to 50 more....(Part 1)

There are some things that money cant buy.Yes..love,happiness,peace...those are things that we all yearn for at some point in our lives. Yet, to my parents, I found out that money cant buy friendship.So, it was in the warm afternoon of November 17th,I found myself at the wheel of my Honda, ferrying the people I love the most on this planet - my dad,mum and my aunt to the St.Aidan's 50th year anniversary. (scroll to the bottom of this article to view the photos..each are clickable to enlarge)

In the 45 minute drive from Tampin to Bahau, for those precious minutes that passed,I watched with silent amusement as my mum and aunt reminisced excitedly about their school life,their old friends and teachers. They were like two secondary school girls transported to a universe of sunshine somewhere in their heads,forming their own world of good memories.Even my dad,a man of few words got into the act and opened up about the school and its good ol' days.I could only paint a smile as we sped along to our destination.As I was saying "there are some things money cant buy..."

My dad spent a good part of his teaching career in St.Aidan and he was one of the first few to move into the school quarters after marrying my mum.We spent a good 12 years living within the premise of the school until 1981.My mum and aunt on the other hand, had an even richer school experience.Both of them were 2nd batch students and they definitely had seen it all, the Gunaratnam-Devadas-Martin era that spanned almost 25 years.My sis had a good 8 years and I clocked 11 years of my life (including the 9 peaceful months in mum's womb).

We reached St.Aidan's early,and immediately my parents were united with our school neighbours Mr and Mrs Naidu. It was a heartwarming sight to watch Mr.Naidu hug my dad, and my mum and Mrs Naidu embrace each other (Coincidentally, both my mum and Mrs Naidu were born on the same day). Mr.Naidu's youngest daughter, and whom I consider like my own baby sister, Amelia was beaming with a wide smile . Clutching closely to her side ,were her two beautiful daughters, and for a moment, words like baby sister, were instantly replaced by "a beautiful mother of two angels".

Armed with my Nikon,I set to work capturing image after image of old friends bellowing hearty laughs,strong handshakes,rolled up eyes,shoulder shrugs,belly pats,sheepish grins,aged hair,smily wrinkles,twinkly tearful eyes,whoops of surprise...the expressions and emotions exuded were unbelievable as the camera rolled back the years and captured the wonder of the moment.

The event proper was supposed to begin at 7.30,but the majority of the crowd which had been building steadily for an hour, were still networking with each other or registering their details to receive their souvenir pens and the 50th Anniversary book,The Gleam.Eventually, after the emcee had announced for the gazillionth time for the crowd to come into the hall, the event began with a flurry of food and activity.Everything from the choir,belts of golden oldies,speeches,cultural performances and even a ballet dance, the night didnt reserve a dull moment for the over 700 strong guests. The highlights of the evening was a video and montage featuring the first two headmasters, Mr David Gunaratnam and Mr.Devadas. The event was graced by none other than Tan Sri Mohd Isa, and it was a great chance for many to see our VVIP in such a cordial mood.And lets not forget the lucky draw right at the end where there were plenty of smily faces hoisting away hamper after hamper.

However, for all its merry entertainment and joyful reunions,the event was tainted by two glaring hiccups.

During the evening's main event, where the old teachers were being paid tribute for their outstanding contribution and long term service, the committee glaringly left our Mr.Naidu from the names of teachers called out to receive the certificate from Tan Sri Mohd Isa.It was a boo-boo of gargantuan proportions, for a man who had lived in the school quarters and had contributed so much to the school.I understand the certificates were available,but no one had the decency to rectify the issue during the night.

The second unforgiveable sin by the committee members were to take their seats up front at the VIP tables and push the old teachers to the back of the hall.It broke my heart to see that none of the committee members (who painted a sea of yellow at the front) had any sense to vacate their seats and allow these long serving teachers the respect they deserved.These teachers were actually given special invites for the event,and instead of celebrating them, some shameless folks ignored their very own gurus for the sake of self gratification.

But there is hope, even as I type this, Mr Devadas who had voiced his concern over these embarassing acts, has come forward to try and cushion these issues.Plans are now being implemented to correct the mistakes. The spirit of St.Aidan is not dead after all.

As the evening ticked away to an end, Jeeva and myself witnessed many teachers and students reunited, and wave after wave of gratitude echoed within the walls of the grand school hall. I lost track of the number of students who said "you have changed my life" or "it was because of you,we became who we are today". We watched the humble teachers accept these accolades in their stride, nod wisely and pass on even greater wisdom to their ex-students. It also brought me back to my conversation once with celebrity DJ Gary Ratnam, who mentioned "it was because your dad slapped me on my head during science class that I became who I am today".How ironic that students who used to probably curse their teachers once for the scolding,caning and sarcasm they received,now look back upon those horrible times as life inspiring.

To me the unforgetable moment of the whole evening was when the current headmistress, Ng Thai Thai went up on stage and pleaded to the audience, parents,committee members and VIPs to help support the schoolMy heart really went out to her. The good news is the event managed to raise almost RM 30,000 (or maybe more), and we hope that the large chunk of it will go to developing computer labs and upgrading the state of the school.The Old Boys and Girls association was also launched during the evening to a burst of confetti, and we hope that more ex-students will come forth to help steer and contribute to the well being of the school.My sincere gratitude to the incredible work put in by Jeeva, Ravi Chandran, Mr Anbu and sister Usha for their perseverance,patience and dedication to pull off this amazing event. They are true students who wear their school's heart in the open with pride and passion.Special mention is also reserved for Mr.Devadas for his unconditional support and advise and to Mr Easparan, Reverend Marshall and Ng Thai Thai for their immense contribution.

That night as I lay awake, restless in my bed, there were so many thoughts that flashed across the canvass of my mind."Where were all my old school mates?" ; "What are my old school teachers up to today?"; "Will there be continuous support for the school now that the event is done?"

I didnt meet a single school teacher of my batch, but at least I met two of my old classmates,Rekha and Annie, which compensated for so many of the schoolmates who couldnt make it for the event. I was also glad that somehow someone stumbled upon this blog and an old student of my dad's Ms Lee Lee Leng contacted me all the way from Canada to have a chat.She also mentioned that there was a small community of St Aidan ex students from around the globe that still kept in touch with each other.Gary Ratnam tried his best to make it for the event but he couldnt get out of a radio shoot.Nicole and her gang had commitments in KL.my sister and my brother in law were in langkawi,Vijayan was in Sabah.Kamala had a wedding...Kamalesh was on another planet..and the list goes on and on...and it was a blessing that there were so many who couldnt make it because the hall could only hold 1000 people.

As I drifted off to sleep that night, the last few images that sailed past my inner eye were the school field, the old school canteen, my old house and the school hall.Mini momuments that really were my very own wonders of the world that I used to gaze upon,as a child. Inanimate objects that stood year after year,in silence watching young children with so much hope grow into adults with lost ones.Rather unconciously I hummed a line from the song "Out of Time" by the British Band,Blur

"You've been so busy lately,that you havent found the time,to open up your mind, to watch the world spinning, gently out of time..."

Perhaps these buildings do come alive when the sun goes down.Perhaps they chat amongst themselves about the going-ons through out the day.Maybe they laugh about the good old days, and yearn for the time when they all stood new and majestic in the eyes of its audience like how they were, almost 50 years ago.Today we take these historical landmarks for granted.Landmarks that once used to house knowledge,and students just like us, and keep us warm and protected under their roofs.All they ever asked for was that they be remembered.I wonder how many of us will return to St.Aidan to glance upon these buildings with wonderment.We will return to our homes,and cars, families,careers..and back to the reality of our lives.And as the sun sets,one day even these inanimate structures will finally close their eyes, and never awaken..and we will lose a part of us forever.

Some friendships seek out each other...

Others are meant to last forever...

Let's snap a photo before everyone else arrives..the early birds strike a pose!

The hardest working member of the St.Aidan event team,Mr Ravi Chandran (standing 2nd from left)

Siiiiiiing!!!Sing a songggggg....!!

It was packed inside the hall

Registration time outside the hall.Mr.Devadas seems to be reminding everyone that the show was about to start.

I sneak into a family photo.My best chance to have posed with the St.Aidan legend Mr.Nadarajah.Also trying to keep himself out of the limelight is our Chief blogging officer and editor of the Gleam magazine,Jeeva who is seen standing on the far left wearing a tie. The Nada clan included his twin daughters and their spouses and kids,Viji with his wife and kid.

Did they or didnt they? My dad and Mr Devadas pose dashingly with batik outfits that may have been bought at the same outlet...:)

Some ex-students .Edwin is all smiles,but Suresh tries to hide with the 50th year Gleam book

You go left,and I'll go right..mission impossible style from Mr.Anbu and Mr Easparan

We had a nice band crooning tunes of yesteryear too..

The launch of the event..and Old Boys and Girls association of St.Aidan by Tan Sri Mohd Isa

Two of the hardest working people for the event..Mr.Anbu and sister Usha

Yes..its true.I had more hair (Viji trying to convince a bemused Rekha and Annama that he used to look like Remington Steele)

Familiar faces that time cannot erase...(Mr.Chandran,Mr.Naidu&Mr.Nada)

Mr Gunaratnam receiving his outstanding contribution award

Mr Devadas receiving his outstanding contribution and achievement award (looking on is current headmistress Ng Thai Thai)

ST AIDAN'S 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CONFIRMED FOR NOVEMBER 17TH

Yes, folks, finally the event itself has been confirmed to be held in St.Aidan on November 17th,2007 (Saturday).

Tickets are now on sale for the main dinner event and its a great chance to catch-up with those long lost old friends.
More information about the event will follow in this blog in the weeks and days running up to the event. Please contact the following for information on how you can buy your dinner tickets TODAY!!

Mr. Anbu: 0196549127

Mr. Ravi : 017-7777957

Kow Swee Yong: 06-4541276

Pn Hasni: 06-4541276

Siva Chandran: 012 2928527

Jeeva : 0162599647

God's greatest creation (Happy Mother's Day)

Tsunamis come and go, the share market fluctuates erratically,the weather is mindnumbingly unpredictable and well, people change - but mothers...well thats a different story totally.In spite of the zillion of hours of pain,and hurt,and torture and frustration..and whatever hell we've put our mothers through, somehow..she's always there for us.She continues to love and sacrifice her own needs for our needs.Some say mothers are god's greatest creation.

I say, my mum IS,.. God!!!

How else can i explain it? She did bring me to life..gave birth to me..nurtured me..was always there for me when the chips were down (and many a time when the cash register did not go kaching!). My first form of education and tuition wasnt at school,but were at the dining table of my lil home in st.aidan where she would spend hours and hours teaching me.She never gave up on me...no matter how many bones I broke (no thanks to football and daredevil stunts) no matter how many times i disappointed her or failed to live up to expectations.

(there was a recent survey conducted in the US that a a stay-at-home mom would command an annual salary of more than US$138,000 (RM 480,000), and a working mum would command US$85,000 per year)

In honor of all mothers for all the sacrifices they make everyday of their lives around the world, there's a day allocated for her..Mother's Day.Its a day where we get to lavish her with gifts,and food,songs and laughter.But strangely, I have never celebrated mother's day at all.The reason?

Well, every day to me is mother's day. Every moment spent with my mum feels like a moment spent less with her.Yeah, just like any other grown up kid, i buy her perfumes, bundle her with cash, bring her about town and sorts. But I value her even more now,than I did as I was growing up.I know deep inside of me, the clock ticks precariously closer to a day where i must let her go. I hope that dreaded day doesnt arrive, but Im thankful that I even have a mother in the first place. Perhaps we cant give our mums eternal life, but we could at least breathe life into her with the comfort, time and joy we have to offer.

We love our moms, and perhaps we should express it more often.And even if we dont,they'll still love us.Here's something nice to spread across this wonderful day, a tribute to god's greatest creation. Lets make her smile,today of all days, and make her remember of that wonderful smile when she first held us in her arms, and her eyes looked upon us for the first time...as a mother.

My Mother, the Queen of My Heart

J. S. Bach

My mother, the queen of my heart,

Reigns in my sky like a moon,

Pulling the tides of my senses,

Lighting the paths of my dreams.

All melodies hence will play subtly

Against this first, dominant theme

That will turn their most delicate graces

Into harmonies they'll never hear.

Nostalgic Photos (from Mrs Naidu)

Some of the familiar faces i recognize : (Nazrin(standing on the left most with the wand)-Australia),Kamala(standing right at the back,in the center-Sime Darby Corporate Comm Manager),Shirin Naidu (Standing at the back,with the tiara-Australia),Sabrin Naidu(right most, holding a wand too)-United Nations, Terrence Declan (Kneeling,right most)-Astro Commercial Director)

We all stand together-its amazing that the stage could take that many kids

Another super photo-Mr.Nadarajah and Mr.Naidu (sitting left most), Mr.Devadas (sitting in the center), my dad, Mr Chandran and Mr.Ting (sitting third and 2nd from right)

Mrs.Naidu standing in the center. My standard One teacher standing on the right of her.Mr.Devadas behind her, and Mr.Naidu standing on the left)

We always welcome photo contributions,information and stories to enhance this blog. Our latest contributor is Mrs.Naidu, who lived in the school quarters and someone I have known all my life.Coincidentally my mum and Mrs.Naidu share the same birthday date, August 9th - my sister and Mrs.Naidu's youngest daughter are called Annie and Amy (born in the same year too), and we were neighbours.Over the years she has treated me like a mother, and almost every Bahai New Year (March 21st) she never fails to invite me to be part of their dinner celebrations to coincide with my own birthday on the 22nd.The first two photos above showcases the participants of a play in the 70's.

Reunion (Part 3 of 3) : St.Aidan's Old Boys & Girls Reunion

The 70's gang(except Jeeva,who was born in the late 60's):left to right: Jeeva, Me, Nicole , Sheela, Shoba, Shirley , Seema, Kamalesh & Karu

The headmistress briefing everyone, about the current state of the school

Mr.Anbu welcoming everyone

Sister Usha keeping the crowd entertained with her warm and jovial speech

Three of the first batch students from St.Aidan (1958)

Everyone penning down their personal details according to the year they joined St.Aidan

Pretty maidens in a row...and they dont need saving!

Some of my mum's school mates

The current headmistress, Ng Tai Tai (in red) enjoying some finger-food

"Look at you,how you've grown"..when teacher meets student (Rodney-Nicole's brother)

The committee team being called out

So..the day finally arrived. We were half an hour late, no thanks to the extended 30 minutes we put up on the field (see article below). The crowd had trickled in slowly .It started off with about 40 people,and would eventually swell to about 65. The current headmistress was already half way through her speech.

The girls had arrived too.Nicole, Seema,Shoba,Sheela and Shirley.All from the same batch.I looked around for any other familiar faces,hoping anyone from my batch would be there,but to no avail.There were people from all ages,race,shapes and size. My mum had sent me on a mission to unearth anyone from her batch, and by the end of the 2 hour event, I had met three of her school mates.

The event was well managed by Mr.Anbu and Usha Appadorai, and the highlight of the evening was the selection of the preliminary committee for the 50th year anniversary event.The committee was split into two sections,one for the KL team and the other for the Bahau team.The KL team would be spearheaded by Usha, and Mr.Anbu would help out with the Bahau troops. There was also a mention about another gathering in KL for the KL old boys and girls to catch up.It has now been scheduled for the 12th of May. A list of all the committee members will be made available to all attendees.

There was a short networking session after the gathering, and our hosts were kind enough to have sponsored some good finger food and drinks. I took as many photos as I could before speeding off for the Liverpool-Arsenal match.

I leave you with a quote about old friends by the Dalai Lama.It serves as a timely reminder to keep in touch with our friends through our busy lives.
“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day”

Reunion (Part 2 of 3):Everybody loves Mr.Slide

Seema vs Nicole.Two childhood buddies.....Readyyy....set......

..........go!!!Nicole wins by a mile!

We did it!!!

Karu and Kamalesh have a go...

Vicky and Vimal proving size doesnt matter!

View from the top... and the bald patch steals the limelight!

Viji finding the child in him....

I have stood in the hallways of my adulthood peering at doors,windows and and furniture and wondered how in the world they have gotten to be so small.Its funny how something that looked so large when you were a kid, looks kinda miniature when we're all grown up.I guess, being an adult robs our vision of the best things in life.

But sometimes, the flow of life creeps right back into us,and yanks us out of our artificial shell transforming us back into our original selves...the child again.For some, it involves toys,a park, a favourite holiday spot, a song....

In St.Aidan that honor goes to a rather unusual slide. One that runs along with steps in the middle, perhaps symbolically representing adulthood and childhood.If we took the steps and carefully made our way down in a safe and structured manner, it seems very adult like.However, if we decided to get there in the most fun,unpredictable, and precarious manner, then we would go down the slide, representing the essence of being child like.

The pictures above speak for themselves.Enjoy life, coz there are no re-runs.Unless...you become a kid again!

St.Aidan Reunion(Part 1 of 3):It started with football and ended with football!!

"Aiyo!the heat,the heat.."Kamalesh in the background,slumped on his knees and wishing he was in Tioman or something.

Vicky saying "enough is enough"..on his way to a solo effort.

Hips dont lie,folks.30 minutes in,and the hands on the hips dance continues...

Fuyoh....the samba begins

Crouch on a hat-trick, and Liverpool demolished Arsenal 4-1 on March 31st

"Siva,there's going to be a football match organized before the reunion.Involving some Bahau guys". That was all that was needed to send my pulse reeling.Jeeva had opened a can of worms inside my head.Images of me writhing in agony,swollen shins,bruised ego,broken bones.They all came flooding back.I mean I must go down in history as the only guy who dislocated his shoulder on a badminton court (actually more like my whole arm came off from its socket).Let's see now...I've had five fractures,4 broken bones including my nose,torn all the ligaments and tendons in my thigh,ankles and knee. Not a bad record...but not an accomplishment that I'd want to add to,no thank you.

But, old habits die hard.There we were, 4pm in the blazing sun,on of all places, St.Aidan's school field.Each one warming up,and trying hard to put up a macho act in front of each other, waiting for our 6-a-side match to take place.I knew most of the guys..Jeeva,Kamalesh,Vicki,Vimal and our very own version of Jamie Carragher,Viji.5 minutes of a kick-about and I was already panting,with my tongue almost seeking medical aid on the grass.Mannnn...was I so out of shape???Yup...my brain answered...in fact it was a unanimous decision between all ten toes and fingers. 20 minutes later, we had a whole bunch of old boys joining us, and after splitting the team, we got into full gear.

Let's put it this way..the car only went into third gear,before reversing and dying down to a slow painful death . But...this wasnt a Spartan field.Heck,it was footie..and before long, we had out-done the opposition by 4-1.There were no swords exchanged, but more like stumbling bodies, wobbly legs and some super cool samba jiggy by the guys that would have made Ronaldinho proud..or puke!!!Viki was like a German tank, Vimal was the "ice-cool" ladies man, Jeeva was roughing it up like an army general, Kamalesh was like the Steven Gerard of Sentul , and Cikgu Prakash packed in more energy than all of us combined on tongkat ali.Viji was crowned Man of the Match since the opposition proclaimed that all he did was sit in front of the goal and put his body in front of the ball.The tactic worked for us, and he huffed and puffed to a well deserved "non-existing" award. I must say we all stretched every muscle in our body and even ones we never knew existed.It didnt feel that bad trooping off the field. But the sun had left its mark on us...we were like fried turkeys re-fried,but we didnt care.It was so damn humid,and all we wanted was our 100 Plus,and a cool shower.

We had a choice between stripping off and using the old school taps to wash-off.But that would have been cruel to the rats,cats and dogs of Bahau.They didnt deserve to die horrible deaths watching us in our birthday glory.Instead,we hopped over to a small hotel beside the school.It was only RM 30 for an air-cond room, and that would do for a shower at least.Our eyes popped and jaws dropped to the floor when we saw the state of the hotel room.Pulau Jerjak prisoners would have had much better lodging and the bathroom was like from another "Alam Flora meets Indah Water" planet.We tried to shut our brains to stop ourselves from conjuring up sleazy images of past residents of the room...but it just wouldnt go away.But..let's not go into that.I promised Vimal I'd spare everyone, graphic shots from the room.

Anyway...fast forward to after the reunion.Kamalesh,Viji and myself were franticallly looking at our watches.7.50...good lord..10 minutes of the Liverpool-Arsenal game was already playing.Either we sped back to our respective hometowns to catch at least the last 15 minutes of the game, or find a restaurant with a TV showing the match.Cikgu was our saviour. He got us fast to a nice Cafe (I think it was called Nine after Night) where the match was projected onto a white screen, which was,unfortunately upside down.All that mattered as we cringed our heads sideways, was that "Liverpool 1, Arsenal 0". Yes!!!

The guys got their beers, and we all tucked in hungrily over our nice chicken chop dinners, which I must say,was pretty decent. But the pace of the game on the screen distracted our munching mouths to engage our arms in victorious punches as Crouch notched up another two goals with Agger bagging the other for a memorable victory (no..wait..wait..more like bazooka-ing the hell out of Arsenal's fortress). Pity there werent any Arsenal fans among us, and even the Man U supporters were happy enough to see a Liverpool victory.It was a great way to end such an eventful day. After the game, We shook hands,bade goodbye and went along our own ways.Each promising we'd keep in touch, and with the hope that we could organize another game during the 50th year anniversary event in October.

As I drove past the old school field, the night air filled me images of the times I used to run around the field when I was a kid.I remember the late evenings when i used to practice kicking the ball into the open goal.I'd imagine myself as Ian Rush, and try to score from 40-50 metres out, to the thunderous roar and applause of phantom audiences. I remember all the sports meets,and the sprint events I took part in.I remember once when I was 7, I challenged my mum around the 200m bend, and she beat me flat.I remember trying to fly a kite in the glorious wind, and failing miserably.I remember the whole field was once flooded,and yet, we stubbornly tried to play football in it. And even the girls joined in too, (mind you, this was way before movies like "Gol and Gincu and Bend it Like Beckham")

Where have all those fun days gone to?

It only took me 30 seonds to drive past my beloved old school field, but it brought me back 30 years in time to a place where so much happened.To me it wasnt just a field, it was more like an ocean of memories...and I'm thankful that I got to at least swim again through its everlasting tide.

p/s the following day, it was noted that many of the battered soccer warriors became very religious people.Legend had it that many of them were found sprawled on their beds, clutching their sides groaning "Oh, god!Oh!god!"

UPDATE ON THE ST.AIDAN OLD BOYS&GIRLS REUNION

The informal gathering has been confirmed for the 31st of March 2007 from 5pm onwards.Please RSVP your attendance to Mr.Anbu at 0196549127.

Birthdays (dedicated to my sis,Anne)

Top:My 17th Birthday.Bottom:blowing candles together for our 12th/9th birthday

Our birthdays were all about presents,presents...

Can we speeden things up please...the icing looks delicious.Our 7th/4th birthday

Our 5th/3rd Birthday.I must say anne looks like a doll here.

My 8th birthday.We decided to have separate birthdays for once.

...and more presents!!!

Our 9th/6th birthday.One of my best birthdays ever.Almost all my classmates attended.

What birthday would be incomplete without a musical chairs event??

I have no clue whose birthday this is,but this must have been taken in St.Aidan during the late 60's or early 70's.My dad is 3rd from the left,standing!

There was a time when I couldnt imagine a birthday without celebrating it with my baby sister,Anne (she was named after St.Anne). It was the one event that both of us would long for all year round,and thankfully,mum and dad never let us down. Anne's birthday fell on March 31st and mine on 22nd...so to kill two birds with one stone (and save a heck load on birthday cost), we'd always end up celebrating a joint birthday either on March 31st or by the end of the first week of April.

Our sibling relationship has always been very special.Besides born under the same zodiac, we were both left-handed,and to my mum's utter agony,we were also very telepathic.I think she's lost count on the hundreds of occassions when we used to always say or do the same things at the same time. But as the years passed, it was something both of us began to comprehend and accept, and realised how close we really were. The more I think about it,the more I believe we should have been born as twins. Anything I did,she copied.And on one occassion,when i tried to imitate a character from the movie "Bionic Boy", she jumped off a hill simultaneously with me,and fell head first onto the tar road,ending up with 5 stitches on her forehead.

But our birthdays were something else.I think it was also the one occassion that most of the kids from Bahau used to look forward to because it always had at least 70-80 kids attending.The excellent part about this whole birthday thing was how we used to unite plenty of young adults who would willingly come forward to help my mum and dad organize the party,chip in with the cooking and assist my dad with the kiddy games. In fact,long after the kids had gone home, the adults would still linger on,creating a mini-party of drinks,food and sing-a-longs. To my sis,and me,we would be itching to open up (no..tear up) all those present wrappers to unearth what wonderful treasures that beckoned in our midst. Every new toy, we hugged with joy.At times, we tugged at each other's present,mostly grappling away over the largest one.Yet,I'll never, ever forget my sister's million dollar smile,and the twinkle in her eyes as she opened each present.Something money could not buy,and I saved every single smile in my mind for each birthday that sailed past in our lives.

I miss those birthdays with my sister.

The last time we celebrated together was for my 17th birthday, almost 20 years ago.We havent stood side-by-side,stooping over to whoosh the candles away for too long. I dont think it will happen this year either,but at least we get to meet each other once every two months.I met her 3 days back in Port Dickson,and the first thing I did was to walk over and give her the longest hug I have ever given her.It must have surprised her too.I guess, the sibling love I have for my baby sister still reigns supreme over everything else in this world.Sometimes as we grow out of our childhood, and progress from the teenage rebel years and into our adulthood,we lose some very precious portions of our lives.For me,I cherish those very wonderful moments I spent with my sister, from the day she was born, to the day I gave her away in marriage 8 years ago.In a flash, she has flown by my heart,blossoming from a little doll, to a gawky teen and into a beautiful woman.

I see a lot of her in the eyes of my nephew, and his mannerisms reflect a lost world I once used to share with my sis.

I guess time changes everything.As adults, we all undertake new responsibilities once we begin a family.Every day spent in the present, erases a piece of our past.Seasons change, people change..but as brother and sister we shall forever remain.I carry my sister's smile as my sunshine wherever I go, and she paints my world with colours whenever I think back of all those wonderful birthdays we used to share.