Trippin' Back To Victorian Times

In truth, there is usually a unique combination of factors that shapes each an every individual. This is no different for me, though I will still contend that a major influence on who I am today originates from my teenage days in Victoria Institution. I've been back from the US for over a year now, but it was not until last Saturday that I finally paid my alma mater a visit with the VI Scouts' Campfire as an excuse.

I was surprised by the noticeable changes in the school, but at the same time also by the lack of them. I did hear some time back that the scout den caught fire and burned to the ground, but it was only when I visited that I saw the new Bengkel KH that had been built over the ground. As for the scouts - well like most other extra-curricular bodies in the VI today, they've been pushed to the brink with limited allocation of the school's resources; they now share a small room that used to be the Red Crescent Society's sick bay once. It was certainly saddening to listen to the current students' accounts on the state of matters in VI today.

Regardless, I was there to witness the Campfire - a traditionally annual event that has thankfully survived all this madness. It began with the usual lighting of the campfire by the Guest of Honour, and interestingly enough it was a familiar old face who did the honours - Mr. Othman a.k.a Semang.

The performances were very typical (frankly, hasn't changed since my days.. haha) - the sketch was cheesy, the dances were cool and the Rescue Act was as thrilling as ever. What was disappointing though was the turnout, which was poor to say the least. Perhaps part of the reason was Malaysia's football match against Liverpool going on at the same time in Bukit Jalil. Despite the poor crowd, I still managed to bump into some old faces like Miss Shanti, Miss Nirmal and surprisingly two of my APD seniors - Darren Lo and Low Jun Fay. We spent the night catching up on old times, and it was nice to learn that the two of them are doing well, yet they've managed to keep their characters pure and unchanged. Staying true to the old times, we headed for supper after the campfire before calling it a night.

If all that wasn't enough, I bumped into Sui-Jon on my way to lunch on Monday. The best part.. he tells me he's just started working in the SAME building as me. Now what were the odds? Anyway.. as one would easily predict, it was a few more trips down memory lane over a couple of lunch sessions that followed over the week. Frankly it seems we could organize a pretty big Victorian meetup sometime soon, with Naqiuddin working in the same department as me and a few others from our batch working around the area. We are after all in the middle of KL, aren't we?

A Towering Afternoon

There hasn't really been a dull moment at home for the past couple of weeks, and a lot of it (if not all) has to do with my grandma and cousin who are visiting from India. I haven't been able to spend as much time with them though, mostly due to the long hours at work. Hence, last weekend on Christmas day I seized the opportunity to take them around KL - namely to visit the towers that have defined the city's skyline over the past couple of decades.

We decided to travel by public transport (no cabs), and I must say we managed to cover quite a bit in one afternoon. We started off with a walk around KLCC, before heading over to Pavilion to take a look at their wonderful Christmas decorations.

Along the way we also passed by my workplace.

Finally we headed uphill to KL Tower, and went up to the observation deck for what is arguably the city's best vantage point. My only qualm would be the hazy weather which affected the clarity of our view. Nevertheless, I had to make the most of it and quickly flipped out my camera to take a few photos of a few places around KL that mean something to me. Here are a few of em'!

Personally, I enjoyed being their guide for the afternoon along with my sister. It really was quite the experience - totally different from my previous walks around KL of which there are many. Their visit this time is a short one though, and I'm definitely going to miss em' once they fly back to India come next week... But life must go on, eh?

Avanzar

As you can see, I've made quite a few changes with regards to the blog's layout. I started off with a new header background; finally one that has a little more personalization. My background to date primarily lies with the two institutions that are pictured in fading grey, so I figured it would be a nice play on the dual-meaning of backgrounds. The pictures are set against a photograph I took during my trip to LA on Santa Monica Beach.. basically it's the Pacific horizon at sunset. It really was quite a sight - perhaps the most lasting image from that Californian winter trip. Of course, the symbolic nature of the horizon cannot be undermined.

I guess I am at the starting point of what could be a defining career, and it is definitely significant enough to warrant these changes - a commemorative act, if I may say so..

Oh and Happy Merdeka Day, fellow Malaysians! I see a lot of words being strewn and cast all over the social media.. words that give me hope that perhaps that 'bright future' I envision can be achieved much sooner.. If only everyone would simply practice what they preach. Patriotism shouldn't be something that lights up for only a day, or even a month every year. May we hold on to this spirit and move forward in unison, towards a future that keeps getting better..

Be Yet Wiser

~ Let us now with thankfulness, praise the founders of our school ~

There are a select few things I take pride in, few greater than being a Victorian.. 5 years within the historic walls of the school - an ocean of memories.

To this institution, I owe a big part of who I am today, and who I always will be..

All who pass through this our school, leave with the simple knowledge that - nor this school just roof and wall..

Happy Founders Day, Victoria Institution. May your glory live on for eternity.

~ Let us lastly pledge ourselves, ever to uphold our school ~

Snapshots - Downtown KL, Recreation Park & VI

Not from a DSLR, but for now I'm content with the ultra-zoom Powershot despite the visible noise (hmmm.. if I wasn't talking about cameras that phrase would make an interesting paradox). You gotta love the Image-Stabilization feature..


Bits of Kuala Lumpur (note the hazy skies)

Recreation park around my place (used to jog here bout' 8 years back.. the place sure has changed)





My trip back to my alma mater, Victoria Institution