My friend Yew Huoi

First name, Yew Huoi. Last name, Ng. But, there are people who know him as Leonard.

His age, you ask. Same as mine. Perhaps 2 months older than I am.

Where on Earth did I get to know him? Ah, now, that's where the thinking comes in. You see, Rick was in the Boys' Brigade (BB). For those of you who don't know what that is, please head over to my brother's blog and you'll get a gist of it. In short, it's like the Scouts, just that the founder of Scouts was a BB boy himself. I hope this is right, otherwise, please feel free to correct me. And then, my brother became a BB boy. Somewhere along those lines, I was introduced to Yew Huoi, as he was also a BB boy. I've forgotten if he was Rick's or my bro's friend but that doesn't matter anymore.

While I was in Desa 2, he was in Desa 1. We seldom saw each other and the only times that we did were through BB and prefect functions (my bro was a prefect, too and a vice head for that matter). When I decided to give Form 6 a go, I had to familiarise myself with a new surrounding as my school only goes up until Form 5. So, it was at Desa 1 that I spent 2 miserable weeks before entering CPU. Guessed? Yup, for 2 weeks I was his classmate. He sort of scared me a little as he was this really perfect guy and was a 'don't-mess-with-me-or-you'll-suffer-the-consequences' kind of person.

Of late, I found out that he's best friends with Su Ee, our head prefect back in school. Odd. But it's really NOMB. He contacted me via Friendster to inform me of his visit to the Down Under and NZ and was asking a favour - a place to stay while in Sydney. Being the kind (ahem!) person that I am, of course I graciously offered. They (he, his younger sister Corvy and his mum, Ivy) slept in my room. I moved the sofabed into the room so 3 made the room cozy (and warm) enough for nice winter nights.

I brought them around, of course. We went to Pancakes on the Rocks


and Borelli's. Aunty Ivy was kind enough to treat us to dinner at Borelli's. She was even nice enough to help me clean the house! Goodness!


Yew Huoi had the privilege of watching me do my last minute preparation for my presentation. It's amazing how I seem to come up with the best ideas at the very last minute but no, please do not follow in my footsteps. I am NOT a good role model.

Concert & Graduation 2005

What is wrong with my dad's comp?? Why can't I upload my photos?? Oh well, another pictureless entry I guess.

It was the night every teacher, parent and child was waiting for. It will be the night that they would be able to sleep peacefully and soundly again. That night was the Concert and Graduation night for the year 2005. The theme was 'Wonders of Nature'.

This year, we did things differently. We had a go at placing the graduation before, instead of after the concert and if you ask me, I thought it worked out pretty well. We had 10 boys from the 3rd KL Boys' Brigade Company there to help. They are friends of me li'l bro's. Er, I do know Yee Khai, though. We had 3 buglers to start of the grand procession, which was led by 2 flag-bearers. Grand opening, indeed.

I thought this year's seating arrangement and how we used the desks to form a barrier around the sound system and the projector screen was very helpful. It prevented unruly parents from bombarding the staircase to the stage and also kept them away from the sound system. Many parents were considerate and were seated for most of the concert. Some, however, were not so. I had to make announcements to ask them to be seated. Once, I had to go on stage to tell them that other parents seating behind the middle row were unable to watch the performance and were coming up to me to complain. That helped keep almost all of them seated. Those who were standing chose to stand at the sides of the hall. More interestingly, this year, we had groups of parents taking turns to come up to the front of the stage to snap shots of their little ones. This turn-taking amused dad a little, as it was the first time we've seen the parents behave in such an orderly manner.

My dance had a mistake! Sob, sob. I was terribly excited and nervous. I've never felt like that before! As expected, they did not remember the ending part where they had to form two lines to go in opposite directions. But, I am still very proud of them. I mean, they are only 7, 8 and 9 years old. They put together the entire dance in one week. And most importantly, they had loads of fun.

The finale was spectacular, as usual. They did not need a mic as everyone could hear the kids singing clearly. The night ended with everyone feeling tired but happy and satisfied. Mum is rewarding them with a seafood dinner in Kuala Selangor, inclusive of a firefly-sighting boat ride next Saturday.

Now, I have to scoot off to my post-concert meeting with the teachers. What do you think next year's theme should be?