Viva Victoria Vs. Valentine's Day

I have stopped celebrating Valentine's Day because the actual history of St. Valentine committing wrongdoings to Muslims at his time is totally against Islam, and against humanity. So, why bother celebrate Valentine's? You do not need a special day to show or express your love and affection to a dear one. Instead, you can do it everyday and anyday!

Being an alumni of Victoria Institution (V.I.), a premier Malaysian secondary school located in Kuala Lumpur, I am proud to be part of all Victorians who witnessed the ceremony proclaiming my alma mater, and sevreral other carefully selected sites, to be a National Heritage of Malaysia. The grand event was held with much pomp and pageantry in the V.I. school hall. It tasted even sweeter than Valentine's chocolates and candies when the Minister of Culture, Arts, Heritage and Unity , a Victorian himself, declared that V.I. will revert to its old glory name of Victoria Institution. For several years, the name "SMK Victoria" had been used, much to the disgust of many alumnus.




The current plan is to bring back V.I. to its former glory days in terms of all-round excellence. Therefore, if you are a true blue Victorian, this is the time to give back to the place that made possible what you are today. Go Victorians!

Memories Of Friendships With My Chinese Friends Part II

Margaret Chin Oi Yoke. This is the name of my immediate neighbour when I was living in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with my family. I moved in to my family bungalow sometime in 1973. Previously, I was staying at the spacious government quarters located on Bukit Guillemard (now Bukit Ledang) in Lake Gardens (now Taman Tasik Perdana) in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. If I am not mistaken, Margaret moved into her home beside my bungalow a year later. Yes, she is a Chinese. What makes my friendship with her extra special is that we share the same birthday and birthyear - June 22, 1965. Every year, my family and I would not fail to visit her home during Chinese New Year, even when I moved to my present home in Pandan Indah in Ampang. However, as I took only five years to complete my primary school education, I was one year ahead of her in terms of schooling. She is very friendly and when we get the opportunity, we would engage in a conversation. Margaret completed her secondary education in the famous Assunta School, also in Petaling Jaya, while I had mine in Victoria Instution, a premier school. She later went on to further her studies in United States, eventually completing her Master's. I remember that she gave me a beautiful picture portrait for my wedding back in 1995. Now, both our bungalows had been sold. Mine had been turned to a SCUBA joint, while a restaurant cum gallery is what her former home became. She is now staying in Pulau Pinang (Penang) and is an aspiring author. I have not met her for ages, but, once in a while, when I remember her, I will call her mobile phone or send her an e-mail. Today is CHAP GOH MEI, the 15th day of the Chinese New Year. May all Malaysians, generally, and all Chinese, specifically, have a health, wealthy and prosperous Year of the Ox 2009.