My Primary School IV

Next to the wall is one of the entrance to the classroom blocks. This is where the Standards Four to Six are housed in the afternoon. In the mornings, I guess it would only be for Standards Two to Three. So, for most of the six years, I was in this block. It was fun at first because I was in the morning session but got towards boring and a sense of dread once I get to the afternoon session. Still,

This is the much narrower staircase.
It will lead you to the blocks and also
towards the upper seats of the School
Hall too.

On the first floor would be my Standard Four class. Again, nothing
much has changed here except for the new electrical wirings, the
whiteboard and also the LCD projectors, to keep up with the times.
But notice the big windows on the left? It used to be the big 4x4 feet
glass windows! Yes, you could climb out of it and onto the ledge.

This is how the narrow stairs looked like

and everything is still intact, even the railings

This is the corridor view you would see from the stairs. At the
end, on every floor, would be the toilets. So, imagine walking to
the toilet, passing through each class where everyone looks at
you. Funny thing is, with the doors of each class opened both in
the front and at the back, no one actually ever thought about
sneaking in and out of the class except when the period bell rings.
Even the naughty ones. Well, actually you can't because the boys
or teachers from the previous/next class would have seen you
and you'd be caught red-handed.

Unfortunately, by the time I reached the end of the corridor, it has
changed. The toilet has been relocated further to the front (door
hidden by the red wall on the right) and where the wall ends, there
is now a computer room.

This is really interesting. Lets take a peek at the toilet. Wow, it even has
a fire escape (not!) in case someone lets out a really bad stink. And the
urinals are very very short. Let's go to that door now.....

Oho! It leads to the other building (not seen on the left). See the green
shade again for the assembly area? Anyway, see the ledge on the right.
This is where you would end up if you climbed out of the window. There
are no other ledges on the second and third floors so, I guess this is why
they changed the windows.

You can see the ledge again as I took another shot from the middle of
one of the classrooms. Occasionally, a student would climb out because
of a "fallen" textbook or blackboard duster.

Moving back to the end of the corridor, we are met with the much
wider stairs. I seldom use this staircase when I was in Standards Four
to Six, though as most of my "paths" in the school always ended up at the
other narrow staircase. But I would have the opportunity to use the toilets
in different floors once I get the permission from the teacher. Ha ha ha ha ha!

The wooden railings of the staircase has been repainted. The original
was smooth and showed only varnished to show the darkened wood.
However, at this point in time, most of the corner blocks have either
gone missing or maybe, dismantled.

This is the view of the top of the stairs. And this is also the topmost floor of
the school. The only memory I had was walking to the toilet and from the
classes was this awe-inspiring view. Again, the irritating windows on the
right was not supposed to be there. They just broke the bricks to make it.
And here, towards the toilet are the "elite" classes. I remember rushing to
it after my first and last English debate put put by my English teacher. However,
being in "enemy" territory and having to speak in front of everyone unnerved me.
I am so sorry, Mrs. Ng. (or was it someone else?). She had so much hope for
me as I kept getting 100 for my English tests. One thing I hated about these
tests were that I can complete them in the first 15 minutes. Which is fine but
for the rest of the remaining 45 minutes, I had to sit and wait for the exam to
be over. I can't talk, can't look around, can't read book nor even draw anything at all.

If you look closer at the corridor, on each class, there would be a table outside
for the teachers to wait while the current class is in session or whatever the
teachers need to do, such as marking the exercise books and so on. Luckily,
most of the teachers I passed on the way to the toilet does not teach in my
class or else they would know I am dalying for time. OK, I was lactose
intolerant which means, after each morning drinking the milk in the house,
I would arrive in school and rush to the toilets most of the time. And because
I was just a kid, I thought this was normal. Ha ha ha ha ha

The CD from the school........

One thing I did not know was that towards the end of her school year, Kristine was actually given a CD (for us) depicting her crimes in school. I had second doubts about enrolling her next year but after seeing how she progresses, I think its better to stick with the plan. Her monthly school charges have shot up quite a bit and this is a but uncomfortable for me. But then again, with the school's strategic locations and facilities, I cannot complain. Unfortunately, she still could not learn how to solder electronics parts nor design a good circuit. I must complain about this to her school.

Fortunately, the CD survived intact because when it comes to these
things, they tend to scratch easily and especially with them around.

And also, I think I need to find a frame to hang this or maybe, let
Mommy keep them all in a box. Notice she only wrote her name
but not her class and age (at the bottom)?

So, I got her write it down. I just mention the alphabet
and she will write it. Clever or not?

Here are some scenes from the CD. This
is very early in the year when she start
to experiment with scissors. But whoa!
she looked chubby! We did not notice
that before........

And after the visit at the Hang Tuah Fire Station, it was straight
to McDonalds. I think this is where she starts to like fast food
but months later, whether we have it or not, its not a problem

Here is her visit to Hi5 Bread

And her Merdeka celebrations

Get to know some animals session

PHILIPS HQ7290 Shaver

Just saw the sales advertisement of Best Denki on today's newspaper. This shaver came out years ago, and the design was inspired by the Williams Fi1 team. Yeah, and I sooooo wanted one. But looking at the pricetag, it was better to just dream about it. So, what's so special about this shaver apart from it having three sets of blades, rechargeable battery indicator, rinsed under a tap and so on? Nothing much except that the design looks cool. Its like part of some cybernetic limb or something la.

Me: Wife, wah, today got a lot of Sales ads on the paper.
Wife: U-huh, and everyone is broke, thats why
Me: Even Best Denki got sale too
Wife: [Ears prick up, start to be suspicious] So?
Me: The Philips RM499 shaver is now reduced to RM249 wor
Wife: You current shaver, its still working right?
Me: Er, Yeah.
Wife: [Slowly walks away, signalling end of conversation]
Me: sniff, sniff, sob, sob

My Compass

Of all things, this compass resurfaced after so many years. I remember having it when I was in school. But not because I wanted to be a Scout (I never did). But I got it because I was fascinated with it. I just could not remember who got it for me. I do not remember why I got this one as I kept thinking about the bigger model, the one with a think wire across the viewing slits. Oh well.

After more than two decades, its still working but not
so sensitive anymore, though.

The evening after.....

When I came back in the evening, the whole place was in a mess! And I fully realised the chaos these two monst....er, girls are capable of! I mean, during the morning and afternoon, they were both cute Angels....... haih. Makes me thing I should not have bought the big box of sweets for her.

I asked Mommy about the sofa and yes, these two actually pulled
them off and to the ground!

The whole floor was littered with candy boxes, and worst of all, the
play-doh/plasticine which sticks to the surface.

And here they are, these two little running disasters
[Have to censor now, Kristine is getting older]

And with cute Bambi eyes like that, how to scold her, ah?

Kristine's Class Party

I think I am getting a bit out of touch with Kristine's school nowadays. At first, I thought her Activity Week was the last day of school which turned out otherwise. And now, all of a sudden, she is going to have a class party before the actual school ends. I guess I am starting to be obsessed with work again.

Kristine trying out her dress on the night before.

The next morning, both girls did some spot of modelling but
well, its hard to get them on the right shot and I am already
late for work too.

Kristine outside her class or the
after effects of her class party

And I bought this for her as promised since she talked to
me in her cute cute voice and face. Yeah, so young already
know how to manipulate men.

Wife: Wah! You bought another box?!!
Me: Er, Kristine wanted some ma
Wife: You know how long it took to get rid of the last box?
Me: ........

Blaster from the Past

While I was returning to the car after servicing a customer, I noticed that one of the shops were dealing with MIC (Made in China) toys. The worker was sorting/processing the toys in front of the shop and so, with minutes to spare, we engaged in some small talk and one thing lead to another, I saw this toy gun.

Oh.. my.. Goodness..!

This was the very same I gun I used to play with when I was small! And I forgot all about it! During my time, the toy guns were usually separated into a few categories, from the single shot dart guns to the six-shooter cowboy guns to the water pistol. And this one, was something or a revolution.

This is THE gun for having the most ammunition at one go. You can beat the single shots and the six-shooters in terms of ammo count. (But we all know the dart gun fires the furthest and has the most kinetic energy of all). What you do is to manually load all the bullets into the ammo magazine until the spring cannot budge anymore. You then slam the magazine into the gun and you're ready. Unfortunately for me, I like to play alone and so, there is no gun fights or running about since my siblings were either too young to not interested at all.

I forgot how the gun came to be, but i have to assume it was from my Dad. The only thing I can remember about this was that I load the magazine, pulled the trigger and also taking it out and fantasizing about the design of the gun without the magazine. Unfortunately, because the magazine was long, I have to be very careful or I might twist it and break the gun as well.

Its now molded in transparent plastic so you can see the simple
mechanisms in it. I mean, at that time, it was magic! You just load
the magazine, and start pulling the trigger and as fast as you like too.
The original colour of the gun is black with the grips being reddish
brown and no, there is no wimpy red tip either.

The ammo magazine. See how the operation concept resembles
a modern pistol? I think you can stuff about 10 bullets inside
before the spring stops compressing. I have yet to open the
plastic packaging. Or maybe, I don't want to. Just display it

My Primary School III

The school field
Coming out from the canteen would be the school field. In the morning, we would gather at the field while waiting for the assembly bell to ring or during recess. This was also the field where we had our P.E. (Physical Education) lessons and also, at one time, Sports Day (but then it was moved to Stadium Negara). The only time I remembered about the field was of the rock garden and also, my first and only time being a goalkeeper where I stopped every goal kick! (I never did it again because of the nervousness waiting for the ball and many close shaves which really nearly shattered my nerves)

This is the view when I look towards the field from the school. At
that time, the KL tower does not exit nor the tall buildings of AIA.
Just the slope and the wall was the only view you'd get.

At the right corner of the field, is the rock garden. Back then, the
trees had a lot of leaves and it was quite cooling. And I would like
to stand and hang around the big rock in the middle. But in the
middle of the rock, it is shaped like a shallow bowl and would have
some rainwater if it rained the day before (or someone got careless
with their water tumbler).

And when I looked up, (OK, I never looked up before) I can see the
Secondary School's roof. Come to think of it, I still do not know why
I never looked up there. Maybe at that time, it was just a metal fence
and being a small kid, I have no care in the world about THAT building

Looking back from the rock garden, this is the view I would get. But then,
there were no trees on the left. And there were lots of grass too

And yeah, this tree was about half the size more than thirty years ago.

Anyway, coming up from the stairs from the canteen, I would be facing the
entrance to the school's main hall. Since it was locked, I could not enter it.
Anyway, if things did not change much, between the two inner red pillars,
are the entrance to the hall with stairs on both sides. But right in the middle
would be the school Library. When we have Library Period, I would go there
and start reading Enid Blyton's books (because the Hardy Boys were all gone)
Later on, when I got the chance to read them, it was absolutely boring. And
there was one other space series which was very exciting to me but I do
not seem to remember the title. This was also the time there I began to have
a lot of interest in the English Language and I scored As most of the time.
And because it was so simple to me, I could not understand why it was so
difficult for the rest of the class. Unfortunately, the tables were turned when
it came to other subjects. Ha ha ha ha ha!

The long path between the school's two entrances. My Dad used to park near
the trees on the right every morning while I try to finish the previous day's
homework. Then when it came to taking the schoolbus, I had no choice but to
finish homework in the evening because its not easy to read and write while
the bus is stopping or moving. Lukicly, I do not have any classmates in the
bus or they would tell on the teacher. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Funny cars on the road

You know, sometimes when you're on the road, you will get to see a different car among the sea of Protons. And sometimes, when you see these cars, you would wonder what were they thinking when they were doing it.

A mini truck but I guess the driver wants to be more practical

A yuppie Ah Beng?

The trip up North ... Taiping

OK, so I needed to go to Taiping today instead of yesterday. Its just a simple service call but I was still required to go. Still, its not a problem for me because as I have mentioned, I am starting to enjoy the company's Hyundai Elantra. The problem is that its still too comfortable and by the 100th or so minutes, I start to get drowsy. Which means I have to stop at Tapah's R&R to wake up my butt and my legs which are starting to stay in that shape.

The service call by itself is quickly dealt with but there is a problem with the one in Ipoh. Apparently, there is a service call there and we do need to go back there to fix a problem during my last visit when we were relocating their system. The problem lies in the fact that the Main-con was not available to give the green light or any form of documentation to let us go there. I have tried calling him almost once a week and even this morning (he was on leave). So, without any approval, I have to bypass that service call. I roughly know what needs to be done but I can guess the problems after doing it, as in," No, no not this line, the OTHER line, etc." Anyhow, the Main-con did call me the next day which I tersely told him to jack off after his excuse that the client have eMailed us to go there instead.

As usual, the cops are not, er, copping about.

And er, well, you comment it yourself la.
Needless to say, I lost my appetite for lunch

Going to Taiping, sometimes I can see some wonderful clouds. By
the time I pulled over and tried to take this shot, the image has
changed from a leaping terrier to a small pig heading towards
the sky.

The journey back was, in itself, very difficult for me. Most of the time I was trying to overcome fatigue and the sudden flu attack which manifested itself after Tapah. But the car was very stable throughout the rain and I had no problems even when I was driving at about 100kmh, as long as I stay in the middle of the Highway as I nearly aquaplaned into the road divider. But if there were passengers int the car, I doubt I would have the guts to do this again since the weight distribution would be all wrong. One good thing about this is that the car's mileage worked out to be about 12.1Km/liter since it was on the Highway. And another thing is that the pedal was very light for the next three days which makes the car easy to cruise about. Ha ha ha ha!

It was raining all the way home. The scene for this Millenium Tower in
Damansara was beautiful but I have no time to set it up as I noticed
there was a Police car behind me. So, you'd have to use your imagination

One wonderful feeling about using RainX is that at 110 Kmh, the
water seems to be flying away from the screen. Its like that scene
in Star Wars where the Millenium Falcon was going Hyper Space

Unfortunately, if the source of light is in front of you, these rain droplets
would light up the whole screen and you cannot see much. Took me some
time before I noticed the black car in front. This happens at slow speed

Beware of Uncles on the Road!

Sometimes, when I see someone driving slowly or a bit erratic or even braking every few seconds, by instinct, I would look at the driver (like everyone else, la) to see who they are. And usually, Ihave to just let it be and go on my way. They would have their own habits, usually from the 60's onwards and its useless to do anything to them anyway. But once in a while, I would not be so lenient if the driver happened to be a young lady or anyone below 40's.

I won't show you the face but he was wearing big spectacles and so
did his wife. And he had this almost, "What? Did I do that?" face.

Deadly accident

At this time of the day(Monday, lunchour), it was unusual to have a massive jam. Coming out form Jalan Sultan Ismail and onto the Jalan Kuching, there was a big traffic jam. The only thing that could cause this apart from naked femals (it won't happen here), some animal on the loose (nor this) or an accident. Because it was a two lane road, all it take is just one incident and it would cause havoc on the road.

This is so serious, even the eletronic sign says, "Kemalangan di hadapan.
Lorong Kanan terhalang" (Accident ahead. Right lane bloacked)

By the time I reached the spot, there were some Policemen controlling the
traffic. But one look at the curious motorcyclists standing on the grassy
divider tells the whole story. They were looking at a body covered in some
aluminum sheet with blood on the road. At this time, I don't feel like taking
anymore shots......