Moon, Venus and two stars

Wonderful sight tonight of the crescent moon next to Venus. High above are Mars and the twins Castor and Pollux of the constellation, Gemini. Picture taken with the Vivo 1920 mobile phone at about 8.55pm. (Note: My eyesight is not what it used to be. My wife could see Mars and the two stars with her unaided eyes, and I could not. Instead, I had to use the mobile to snap a picture in order to see the points of light!)

An earlier view of the moon and Venus, taken with the Nikon D5100

Prefaces

A few days ago, I had written about how forewords should be crafted. Today, I want to continue with something in the same vein by commenting on prefaces. Whereas a foreword is written by someone other than the author of a book, serving as an introduction or endorsement of the book and helping to establish credibility, a preface is written by the author and provides additional context, motivations or insights into the book's creation. It should not be far removed from the book's content since it helps to enhance the reader's understanding of the work.

Thus, writing a preface has its own guidelines, such as:

1. Understanding the purpose: A preface is written by the author and serves as an introduction to the work. It allows the author to provide context, explain his motivations and share additional information with the readers. 
2. Determining the content: Decide what you want to convey in the preface, consider discussing the book's background, your personal journey in writing it, any challenges or inspirations faced or any relevant information that enhances the reader's understanding. 
3. Starting with a warm greeting: Address the readers and express gratitude for their interest in the book. Acknowledge specific individuals or groups who supported you during the writing process. 
4. Providing context: Explain the reasons behind writing the book and any relevant background information. Discuss the book's purpose, the problem it aims to address or the knowledge it seeks to impart. Connect the book's content to its significance in the field or genre. 
5. Sharing your journey: Describe your personal experience in writing the book. Discuss the research, discoveries or insights that influenced your work. Can also mention any challenges, breakthroughs or notable experiences that shaped the book's development. 
6. Acknowledging influences: If appropriate, acknowledge individuals, mentors or previous works that influenced your writing. This could include thanking people who provided guidance, inspiration or feedback during the writing process. 
7. Discussing the structure or organisation: Provide an overview of how the book is structured, highlighting any unique features or organisation methods. Explain how readers can navigate through the content and what they can expect in each section. 
8. Clarifying terminology or assumptions: If the book relies on specific terms, concepts or assumptions, use the preface to define or explain them. This helps readers understand your intended meaning and approach. 
9. Addressing potential readers: Consider mentioning the intended audience for your book. Explain how different groups can benefit from reading it, whether they are experts in the field or individuals seeking introductory knowledge. 
10. Conclude with a personal note: Summarise your feelings about completing the book or express your hopes for how readers will engage with it. Can also express gratitude to those who supported you throughout the writing process. 
11. Revising and editing: Review the preface for clarity, coherence and grammar. Ensure it aligns with the tone and style of the book. Consider seeking feedback from trusted individuals or beta readers. 
12. Finalising: Once satisfied with the preface, incorporate it into the book's manuscript. Typically, the preface appears before the main content, often after the table of contents.

My own preface from Let the Aisles Proclaim in 2016

Centenary Carnival

One of the biggest events of the OFA Centenary celebrations was the Centenary Carnival which was held last Saturday. The Game Booths opened early at five o'clock, followed by several halal and non-halal food trucks serving food from about six o'clock. There was free flow of beer and some even brought their own liquor to the event. 

However, by about nine o'clock, nobody seemed interested in the food anymore. All attention was trained on the stage where the Ray Rozells Band was belting out crowd favourites to stir everyone up. Then there was Kathleen Rodrigues too who wowed the audience with evergreen numbers. 

There was a beer boat race, basically a beer guzzling contest between two teams of four drinkers. And, what is a carnival without a singing contest? To round out the night, several members went home with prizes from the Lucky Draw.

All in, a most enjoyable night. But too bad that only 400 members were able to register themselves for the Carnival. The premises could not cater to a bigger crowd.

Members began streaming into the premises from 5pm. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

The hall was also used to accommodate the members, and it was very much cooler than the heat from the car park. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

The game booths. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

The anniversary cake. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

View from the first floor of the clubhouse. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

The food booths in the distance served non-kosher food. Picture from The Old Frees' Association facebook page.

Ray Rozells Band on hand to provide the entertainment

Char koay kak

Burgers

Hokkien mee

Spring rolls

The joint Management Committee and Centenary Committee

Andrew Lim showing the way in the Beer Boat Race

Happiness

A teacher gave a balloon to every student who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The teacher then mixed all the balloons. The students were then given five minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon. At that point, the teacher told the students to take the first balloon that they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes, everyone had their own balloon. The teacher said to the students: "These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too."

May your day be filled with happiness.

Forewords

Long ago in 2011 when Ten Thousand Prosperities finally
appeared in print.

Anwar Fazal is remarkable. A font of various ideas and wisdom. Other than indulging in so many worthwhile causes, he has the time to write forewords for books. 

When I wrote Ten Thousand Prosperities two years ago, I had asked him to contribute a foreword to my book, which he readily did. The bonus was that he even gave me a copy of his own book with the aptly named title of Moving Forewords. Inside was a collection of 30 forewords of his. Old forewords of his but all still relevant in terms of the subject matters.

Writing a foreword can be fun if the foreword writer is given free rein to let his thoughts wander. While the writer can also write things that are totally irrelevant to the book's content, it is more prudent to follow traditional guidelines, such as these below. But of course, they can be totally ignored too:

1. 
   Understand the purpose: A foreword introduces the book and its author to readers. It's typically written by someone other than the author, such as an expert or a well-known individual in the field. 
2. Read the book. If not possible, maybe an excerpt or even a chapter: Familiarise yourself with the content, themes and style, taking note of the author's main ideas and unique perspectives. 
3. Start with a warm greeting: Address the readers and express your enthusiasm for writing the foreword. You can also mention your relationship with the author if it's relevant. 
4. Share your perspective: Discuss why you believe the book is important and how it contributes to the field or genre. Highlight the author's qualifications, expertise or notable achievements. 
5. Personalise it: Connect with the readers by sharing your personal experiences or anecdotes related to the book's topic or the author. Explain how the book impacted you or influenced your own work. 
6. Summarise the book: Provide a concise summary of the book's main ideas and themes. Avoid giving away all the details or spoilers, as the foreword should intrigue readers to explore the content themselves. 
7. Emphasise the value: Discuss the potential benefits or insights readers can gain from reading the book. Highlight any unique features, research or perspectives that set it apart. 
8. Conclude with a positive note: Encourage readers to dive into the book and express your confidence that they will find it valuable. You can also mention your admiration for the author's work or express gratitude for being involved. 
9. Revise and edit: Review your foreword for clarity, coherence and grammar. Ensure it flows smoothly and engages the readers. Consider seeking feedback from the author or other trusted individuals. 
10. Finalise and submit: Once you are satisfied with the foreword, submit it to the publisher or the book's editor for inclusion in the final publication.

Remember, a foreword should be concise and captivating, providing readers with an intriguing preview of the book and establishing your credibility as the writer of the foreword.

Xiamen visitors

I get very upset when I am informed of an event that requires my presence and yet, there is very little detail of what's happening. Last Friday or so, I received a cryptic message saying some important visitors from Xiamen in China were on a whirlwind tour of Penang and elsewhere. 

They wanted to come by our Swee Cheok Tong as part of their tour but the only information we had was that it would be on the 16th of the month. No time given. 

Mad, lah. Siow, lah! You expect our Kongsi to be open the whole day for them? You expect my committee members to hang around the Kongsi the whole day long without doing anything but wait for their arrival? 

Then on Saturday, I received an excited call from our clansman in Xiamen asking us to assist by ensuring we meet the Xiamen officials.

Slowly, more information trickle d it and it was confirmed on Monday midday that these people from the Xiamen Haicang Overseas Chinese Sandu Association would visit at 10am. Altogether with their local representatives there would be 18 of them.

Well, at least there was something concrete for us to work on, although it was still practically at the last minute. We had to arrange for a pewter plate for the exchange of souvenirs or else, pai say, loss of face for the Kongsi that we had nothing to give our guests in return. We also had to arrange some last-minute gifts for the whole group. And refreshments too.

For us from the Swee Cheok Tong, I also had my Vice-President Chin Sun, Treasurer Chin Chuan and Committee Members Chin Choon and Soo Liang on standby. We expected the visitors to be late and we were surprised that they actually arrived soon after 10 o'clock.

It was a whirlwind sort of visit, all right. My vice-President spoke to briefly explain to them why our signboards said Swee Cheok Tong outside and Hai In Tong inside. After a quick exchange of gifts, we had our group pictures taken and that was that! All over inside 20 minutes and for that, we had to make so much quick preparations in double quick time.

In a way I was glad for this chance to meet these Chinese officials. After all, Xiamen was one of the sources of us Hokkien clans in Penang. A very long time ago, our forefathers had departed there for the Nanyang to seek a better future. So there will always be ties with Xiamen but today, it's left to us to pull one another closer.

Cultural icon

I attended this year's edition of the Putra Lectures yesterday. That's the short form for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Lectures, organised yearly by the PFS Foundation and named after the country's first Prime Minister who happened to study at Penang Free School for a few years from 1916.

Anis Yusal Yusoff. Picture by Loh Lean Kang

This year, the Putra Lecture was co-organised with the National Archives and they brought with them a whole crew of staff to make the Lecture a truly memorable one. The topic covered was on P Ramlee, Malaysia's greatest cultural icon, who also happened to study at Penang Free School after World War Two ended and the Japanese had surrendered.

Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, an Old Free and a Director at the Centre for Leadeship and Professional Development in the University of Malaya, delivered an interesting 45-minute lecture on P Ramlee with several anecdotes that connected the icon with his family.

I also happen to have a connection with our national cultural icon. Five years ago, I had written that I discovered a group photograph of PFS Class VII-D taken in 1947 which showed P Ramlee standing third from left at the back row. That photograph confirmed something which my father had told me long ago, that he was once a classmate with P Ramlee. 

When I saw the same photograph displayed in a small exhibition in the Pinhorn Hall, which had been assembled by the National Archives to commemorate this lecture, I couldn't contain myself and went around telling whoever that cared to listen that "here, this is my father on the same back row as P Ramlee."

But what made my day was that at the end of the Lecture when the Headmaster handed out gifts and mementos to the speakers and guests, he chose to give them a copy of Let the Aisles Proclaim. That gesture was totally unexpected. Made me happy beyond words. My first words to Anis was to tell him that that was my book, I wrote it for the Bicentenary. And on the spot, he asked me to write something in the book for him.

Old friends. Me with Abu Huraira and Sukumaran

Elocution winners

Picture by Loh Lean Kang

Most enjoyable morning spent at the Centenary elocution contest at Penang Free School. What I witnessed simply reinforced my belief that there are still bright sparks among today's school kids, despite what the detractors may want us to believe. Most of the boys spoke forcefully and off-the-cuff in the impromptu section of the contest. There were two or three that suffered from stage fright but they should do well in the future if they keep their confidence level high.

Upper secondary section: Winner - Yap Chen Yang, 1st runner-up - Jeremiah Selva, 2nd runner-up - Marcus Sheen Batemann Farm; Lower secondary section: Winner - Jo-Tien Matthias Cornelies, 1st runner-up - Agilan Sastiyar, 2nd runner-up - Cheah Ting Shawn

Jo-Tien Matthias Cornelies

Yap Chen Yang

Centenary elocution contest

Yes, I shall be there at the Pinhorn Hall tomorrow for The Old Frees' Association Centenary Elocution Contest. 

But I shan't be there simply to watch the contest and perhaps cheering on the contestants. No, I shall be there as a judge representing The Old Frees' Association. The invitation to judge the contest was made weeks ago and I gladly accepted it. How could I refuse the offer? I consider it as doing my duty to the Association and the School, see? Killing two birds with one stone.

At a short meeting yesterday with the school convenors, I told them that I would prefer to judge the contest for the Lower Secondary participants. There's a separate contest for the Upper Secondary students but I decried from judging that contest because I had a good suspicion that I would know many of them from the leadership workshops last year. 

True enough, when I got to see the list of contestants later, I recognised the names of four or five of them. Therefore, my decision seemed wise enough because I did not want to appear as favouring them in any way. Let their talents shine on their own! But I shall cheer them on silently.

Note 1: There are three judges for each contest. Apart from the two OFA judges (Khoo Boo Teik is the other one and he shall be judging the Upper Secondary students), three others are the School's present English Language teachers and the fourth is a retired Free School teacher who taught English too.

Note 2: I heard that last month, The Old Frees' Association had arranged for a group of Toastmasters to coach the students on public speaking. It will be interesting to see how much of the coaching has been translated into the contestants' efforts at this elocution contest.

TheStar Metro: Reflecting on 100-year legacy

Old Frees’ Association (OFA) launched its centenary celebrations with a dinner graced by Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is an Old Free himself, and his consort Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Established 100 years ago for former students of Penang Free School (PFS), OFA is one of the oldest school alumni associations in Malaysia.

The centenary celebrations started on April 17 and would include a host of activities and events for its members until the end of the year.

Among the activities are a snooker tournament, elocution contest, carnival day, music and drama show, chess tournament, charity cycling ride, commemorative book launch and annual dinner in conjunction with Penang Free School’s 207th anniversary on Oct 21.

There will also be golf, football, tennis, badminton, hockey and table-tennis competitions for alumni members.

The dinner at the association building in Jalan Ahmad Shah, Penang, was also attended by past and present presidents, organising committee members and several alumni members.

The Penang Free School band performed a medley of songs to entertain the guests.

Association president Andrew Lim Chong Huat, in his speech, said the OFA had been bringing together generations of PFS alumni over the years.

“As we celebrate this historic occasion, let us take pride in all that we have accomplished but also rededicate ourselves to the work that lies ahead.

“Let us honour the legacy of those who came before us by pushing forward and serving with full heart and soul, and with a deep commitment to the PFS values,” he said.

OFA centenary celebrations committee chairman Alex Tan Hee Aik said the association had been instrumental in supporting the development of Penang Free School in various ways, from providing scholarships and financial aid to deserving students to contributing towards the school’s infrastructure and facilities.

“For the past 100 years, the OFA has served as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations of Frees and preserving the unique heritage of the school.

“We believe that by staying true to our values and objectives, we can contribute towards building a brighter future for our alma mater and its students,” said Tan.

A cake-cutting ceremony was held during the dinner, with Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, Lim, Tan, past presidents and committee members.

Later, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin unveiled OFA’s centenary plaque at the association building and sealed the OFA time capsule that was filled with memorabilia including photos and messages. The time capsule will be opened in 2073.

The OFA has operated from three different locations in Penang – Leith Street from 1923 to 1932, Hutton Lane from 1932 to 1939 and Mandalay Road from 1939 to 1963.

The association moved to its present premises in 1963.

To date, OFA has more than 1.500 members and the seventh Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, is its royal patron.

Both the Raja of Perlis and Raja Muda of Perlis are Old Frees, continuing a legacy first set by Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail

PFS mini-reunion

My old school pals had a happy reunion today at the E&O Hotel today. Partly, the reason for this reunion was to celebrate that most of us are passing the seven-decade-old birthday this year. Time certainly has flown. I said "most of us" because there were a few at this reunion who have yet to reach this age, being from the Express class while in Primary Standard Two. In fact, technically, myself and Oon Hup consider ourselves "only" 68-plus as even our 69th birthdays are still half-a-year away! Then there are a very few who are already 71 because they were in the Remove class at Penang Free School. But by and large, the majority proudly wear the 70-year-old badge on their sleeves. 

This makan-makan session had been weeks in the planning. What was first planned as a get-together of friends from the 1969 Form 4 Science One class turned into an open invitation for schoolmates from the other classes to join in. Thus in the end, there were 17 of us old cocks, including three from Kuala Lumpur and another three from Australia. Could have been two more old cocks had they not pulled out at the last minute. And then, before we left the hotel, another old mate turned up with his wife! These pictures showed the sequence of events.

The full group at the lunch reunion. From left, Yoong Koy, Subramaniam, Seng Chye, Sip Choo, Eng Siang, Chang Meng, Sani, Oon Hup, Swee Poh, Guan Khim, Hock Soo (standing), Kean Chuan, Wooi Tong, Chye Chye, Kim Guan, Hock Thiam and I.

Picture taken after we had left the Sarkies Restaurant. As some had already gone back earlier, those left were Hock Thiam, Guan Khim, Sip Choo, Chang Meng, Yoong Koy, Chye Chye, Oon Hup, myself, Eng Siang, Wooi Tong, Seng Chye, Kim Guan and Hock Soo.

The final picture for the day. We were joined by a special friend from Singapore who had rushed down from the Penang international airport just to meet up with us. By them, our group had further dwindled in size to only seven, including our Singaporean friend. From left, Guan Khim, Oon Hup, Chang Meng, Kim Guan, Leong Teik, myself and Eng Siang.

ADDENDUM: There was another picture taken of five of us whose friendship went back even further to our Westlands Primary School days.

Chye Chye, Guan Khim, Oon Hup, myself and Subramaniam

New BM hawker centre

I went into the old part of Bukit Mertajam this morning, thinking about having a nice breakfast of koay teow soup, but found the shop closed. What the heck, I muttered to myself. As I started walking back, I noticed that a side alley, which had been closed off for several months, was now opened. and very nicely cleaned up too. 

That side alley had led to the lane beside and at the back of the Tua Pek Kong temple that had been fully restored after a devastating fire a few years back. Curious as to the condition of the back lane, I wandered through and was visibly impressed to see that the area had been turned into a spick and span morning food court. 

I'm sure that some of the old hawkers who had been affected by the fire had moved back to these stalls. I tried to locate one of the old coffee stalls, the proprietor used to serve me his delicious kopi-o, but was unsuccessful. What I discovered were two koak kak stalls frying away practically next to one another. I can't imagine how the stalls had been allocated to them.