December 6, 2008 – a memorable gala for us who value friendship indeed!
Imagine meeting up en masse with a 90% turn up for 10 tables of people who make the effort to converge at a single venue – our beloved hometown –Pontian from Singapore, JB, KL, Penang and even overseas!
Finally the much anticipated moment of actual contact has come upon us after three long months of preparation. The excitement of actually seeing the people with whom we have thus far been communicating with intimately in cyberspace is quite an experience in itself. Despite the dimness of dusk, I could sense the effervescence of joy radiating from the welcoming team. All are full of warm smiles of friendship from the entrance of Shangri-la Restaurant, through its narrow staircase to the dining hall lined with those already arrived. The moment a guest steps into the dinning hall, s/he can feel the limelight on himself/herself. S/he looks at each face and seeks to identify it ardently, and happy is the moment when s/he successfully recognizes one after another. Warm handshakes and exchange of pleasantries ensues; each episode of such rapture fills every heart with a crescendo of camaraderie.
Once the flood-gate of such effusive manifestation of the strong sentiment of friendship is opened, there is no stopping it! Several times the Invocator and the Master of Ceremony try to announce the commencement of the programme for the night, only to be thwarted by the sheer power of irrepressible volume of banters, chats, laughters…..They laugh in each attempt with understanding and patiently make yet another in good humour. When it is finally done, the Organizing Chairperson briefly addresses all participants whereupon all arise to sing the song ‘You Raise Me up’ to express their gratitude to the teachers present. It is a touching moment as the students poor their hearts out to their highly esteemed teachers in solemnity.
All resume friendly conversations with one another as soon as dinner begins. Most people nimble at the food for in no time at all, they find themselves lost in deep conversation yet once more. A lively buzz of merry making rings through the restaurant as schoolmates make up for thirty years of lost time. Then the roll-call shines the limelight on each participant as the rest cheer. The reunion group bursts forth with a new surge of energy. Uproars and applause, cat-calls and oohs and aahs rise and fall alternately.
To make the teachers feel more involved in the party, students approach their tables to chat and warm them up. This renders the ambience of the gathering even more heart-warming.
Several members are sponsors of door-gifts and items for lucky draw which adds excitement to the joyous atmosphere of the party.
The cake cutting ceremony is a lovely sight to behold as those born in the month of December perform the ritual merrily. Last but not lest, the equally enjoyable photo session takes up much time but no one is complaining.
After ten o’clock, those not putting up a night in Pontian start to leave but most remain for more fellowship. Once all the teachers have left, the students seem to relax a bit and that’s when the night gets hotter. Fast music is played and a few dance around. One sings in karaoke style. Just when the party begins to get subdue, a very, very late comer arrives and that gets the whole lot to focus their attention on this one very jovial member. Many theatrical antics are performed by several members in conjunction with him to the delight and amusement of the crowd.
At midnight, the party adjourns to a local Karaoke joint to continue with more merry-making. Many talk through the night (Me included – please excuse me till tomorrow. I really need to catch up on my sleep now, zzzzzzzzzzzzz……).
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