Reminescence about guitars...

I still remember the first time I learnt about the guitar. It was in the scouts that I first saw the guitar in action live!

We learnt plenty of campfire songs and other little ditties. All of that was for the purpose of team building, I now know. But at that time, it was just a load of fun for us. Then of course, at the "regional" campfires where scouts and brownies from other schools joined, it was shameful if we did not know how to sing the songs! :D

Anyway, I never learned to play the guitar until much later. I think it was around Secondary 3, when I was already 15 years old. A neighbour, Mabel, actually taught me some stuff. Then, it was in my church youth group meetings where the real learning took place. The basics. The rest of it was learnt the hard way - by myself. Looking at diagrams of chords, fingering and practising at home.

But it was all good. Fun days. Carefree days.

In case anyone is interested, found this absolute beginner guitar learning course. Only teach you how to play "Happy Birthday", useful song... but it gives you all the basics to pick up the rest of guitar playing... The title is called "Learn To Play The Guitar In 60 Minutes!" and can be found at this web site: http://www.mysimpleguitar.com

Oh well, I am still searching for those old photos... sigh...

Why this Blog?

When you reach a threshold, you begin to look back with fond memories. Seems like the older you get, the further back you look. At 42, short-sightedness aside, I am looking back all the way to my primary school. Back then, it was called Balestier Hill Primary School, and it ACTUALLY stood on top of a hill.

Sadly, it closed, albeit many years later. But when I heard it would be opened again, well... had mixed feelings. It would be a merger of Swiss Cottage Pri and Moulmein Pri. Worse, it no longer stood on a hill. That 100 ft. climb to the top was no more. The winding, dangerous road UP; was no more. I was actually wondering if they would use the old school badge, the school song, the school motto... wishful thinking, huh?

I do not know who else remembers. But in my year, there were only TWO Pri 6 classes in the morning session. In case any of you are reading this, to help you be sure you are reading this right, here are some names I can recall:

Boon Kang
Margaret Ow ... hmmm... i even remember the full name... dare I put it down!?
Susan Sim (yes, i also remember your full name, and your younger sis. BTW, your old house in Toa Payoh is no more... heh heh... i even remember your house phone from that era!)
Guat Poh (yes, i know, you called me a few years back, shocked me out of my skin! lol...)
Chek Chay
Chee Peng
Tock Lee
Bernard, Meng Khng (yes, we met at Serangoon Gardens... chomp chomp. Hope your biz doing well!)
Wai Sum
Teck Hock
Soon Tong
William (yes, you transfered from the B class over)

Awww... so many faces (kiddie ones) that I remember but can't put a name to them!

In case you forgot ALL your classmates, maybe you remember the teachers!?

Patrick Chan who was the vice principal
Ms Soh (the Scout Mistress!)
Mrs Mary Lim
Mrs Molly hmmm... cant remember surname the prefect mistress
Mr Mak (the fierce chinese teacher!?)

That's all I can remember. If i can find them, I will post some photos of the outing we had in Pri 3... yes, no kidding, pri THREE. I think that is the only set I have. Black and white, of course.

I will add names as I remember them...