~* mY rEmiNiScEncES *~

that's my mentor, Pn Leong

2007 Choir Party

She's the one who touched and transformed my life.
I first met her in the school office and discussed about the transportation to the Solo Music Instrument competition which my school registered for me; she was the teacher-in-charge to send student for the competition.
We didn't talk much as I was a very shy and reserved student.
I happened to emerged as the 2nd runner-up (oh yes, the Harmonica world champion was the 1st runner-up) in that competition and was required to attend the Awards Night.
During the awards night, she spoke to my father and mentioned about establishing choir team in school.
I accepted the opportunity to be the pianist for the choir establishment.
My secondary school was a fairly new school where I am in the pioneering batch; it was just about 2 years old.
The plan started to roll out and we had our very first performance on stage in 2004 for school awards ceremony upon recruiting the members.
There was about 30 choir members.
Yet, joy of music under her tutelage attracted more students and the response of recruitment and audition was getting better year by year.



Things got more excited when she told us about the annual choir competition.
Together we geared towards the competition while prepare for the adhoc performance requested by the school.
Regular weekly sectional practices, laughters, learning and love for music - things we indulge in school right after our classes.
As hectic as some may regard, it was a fulfilling and satisfying growing journey.
Yes, together we grow.

my 1st time conducting during competition

Under her guidance and visionary leadership, we had a stellar progress year by year:
2005 - Secondary School Choir Competition District Level: 3rd runner-up
2006 - Secondary School Choir Competition District Level: 2nd runner-up
2007 - Secondary School Choir Competition District Level: Champion +
Secondary School Choir Competition State Level: 2nd runner-up

.. that's all?
Not quite, there's a long list of achievement in fact (click on the photo below!)

click to view

Happiest moment?

Together we we awarded as the 3rd runner-up during our debut competition in 2005! (that was the 1st time we put on the customised costume that was made just right in time)

Unforgettable moment?

Appeared as the 2nd runner-up in the district level where we got to compete with the renowned national choir champion!
Eye and ear-opening competition I must say. It was so close~

woohoo.. we did it together!

2011 Choir Party

2012 Choir Competition with alumni

Most challenging moment?

Had to arrange for the accompaniment of a patriotic song during Chinese New Year where I spent days in my teacher's house, cracking my head to draft for it and transcribe it into the computer (nicely re-arranged by Dr Chan) so that the members can get their respective parts in a good-looking score when all of us returned to school from the CNY holiday. Oh I learnt from scratch about the music notation software, thanks to this life-changing experience.

Choir 2005 - pioneer batch

Most exciting moment?

Rehearsed together with the teachers from other schools for a ceremony (I can't remember what event was that). It felt so honoured (and frightening) as I was the only student considering all of the people around me are school teachers.

Most touching moment?

Nah. There was no most touching one but there were so many that the answer must be in plural! Besides music, she likes to share her life stories e.g. family, school, teaching with us by weaving some of the life lessons into the music. Not only we got to understand and interpret the songs better, most importantly we enjoy while singing!
She's not a full-time choir coach but also a science subject and disciplinary teacher. Regardless of her hectic schedule, we had block rehearsal schedule even when she was pregnant that time. Did I mention that he's a mother of 3? We were so worry that she was spreading herself too thin but being pregnant was never an excuse and didn't stop us for having intensive practice, even during school holiday!

Most heart-breaking moment?

The time when I got the news where she had a stroke! Oh my, she also lost one of her eyesight due to overloaded and that news spread so quickly among us (even some of us were graduated that time). Thanks god, she recovered from the mild stroke and regain her eyesight after recuperation. Phew...

Being an ordinary piano student like most of you do where we usually have one-to-one class, I never thought that I can learn and do so much in choir.
She, who treated me and everyone of us like her own children.
She is Puan/ Madam Leong Ngan Ping.
She, who touched so many hearts is still soo deep down to earth and humble even after so many years.
It is her 27th year of teaching in 2016.

Teamwork, perseverance, servant leadership, musicianship, consistency, dedication, hard work, responsibility, integrity, compassionate etc. are all I learn throughout the years in choir.

down the memory lane (pioneer batch photos missing :P)

Merriment, Memories, Mirth (and awards) - our secondary school life.

Thank you Puan Leong Ngan Ping (and Dr Chan Cheong Jan)!

this is not a real photo of Mr Anonymous

It was a chilly night at a foreign land.
I was trying to figure out the way to operate a washing machine at a self-laundry shop with my parent.
There was a guy staring forlornly at the corner of the shop.
Self-laundry shop is not common in Malaysia.
This guy who dressed in ripped clothes walked towards us from the corner and taught us how to use it.
He even gave us some tips to get to know the machines prior to utilising it.
He's a beggar, he told.
Yet he is a regular visitor at this shop.
Despite general perception of beggars are dirty, he do take care of his personal hygiene.
"Where are you from?", he asked.
We began to chit chat while we were waiting for our clothes to be washed and dried.
"Did you see the bento over there? I use to eat at here and throw it over there," he pointed at the dumpsite.
He began to share his story of daily (working) life.
There was laughter during the conversation.
"I was convicted and sentenced to jail - framed by my friend", he uttered.
Friends. With a tinge of disappointment and sadness, he continued "I was not liked by the employers. Do you know why? I don't have my identity card anymore."
The employers didn't want (and some dare not) to employ him.
He shared that he had a short stint after jail yet he was discriminated and being accused for wrongdoings that he did not commit.
Employment is more difficult when he's not in the city.
"I had no choice but to beg for money."
"I like to clean up myself daily but I cannot look decent when I'm at work - others will not bother to donate to me".
He then showed us how he will groom himself when he needed a place to sleep during winter; he sleeps at pavement when the weather is bearable.
"The rental cost over here is too expensive, I can't afford it".
He then showed us a bag of coins - his only treasure.
The drying machine stopped and he took his clothes.
"It has been raining these few days and it is really very cold, I only had this to keep myself warm," he smiled while telling us and wore the jacket.
As soon as he folded and packed his clothes in a small bag, he left.

I like to listen to stories. Never thought that I'd be able to learn and listen such sad sharing from an anonymous who is being despised and rejected by most of the people. Beggars are human too - they ought to be treated by respect.

Thank you Mr. Anonymous. May you have better new year ahead.