Back to School

On 16th July 2011, I stepped back into my school, St. George's Institution (SGI) after 9 years. The last time I remember going to school was in 2002 when I attended my schools 'Canteen Day'. I started schooling in SGI in 1997 and was there until I finished form 5 in 2001. As my batch mates were still around in form 6, I revisited the school a few times in the year 2002. Those visits being the last until two weeks back.

My mother broke the news to me that the school she works in, Sekolah Semangat Maju (SSM) will be putting up a stall in my schools 'Canteen Day' on the 16th July. I was so happy. What an opportunity to visit my school again. A lot of people say that I should not have any problem visiting SGI from time to time as I live in Taiping and I work in Hospital Taiping which is just beside my school. Well, easier said than done. It’s not easy just to walk into your school unless you're a 'somebody' which I am definitely not. I needed an excuse, I needed an event and it finally came.

Saturday morning I woke up and stepped back into my school and it ended up being one of the happiest days of my life. A feeling of overwhelming happiness engulfed me as I rode my motorcycle into the school compound. The school has changed a bit, not its spirit but physically. The old and worn out basketball court has been totally renovated into a new court, thanks to Georgian Class of '78 and also Law Tzuo Hann's Long Way Home. The school hall and canteen which had only cement floors have been changed to tiles.

Even though there were some physical changes, the Georgian Spirit remains strong as ever. All around students and teachers were working hard at their stalls. It was so crowded and in every corner you can see Georgians and Georgianas in their different class, club or sports t-shirts all carrying the St. George emblem proudly. It made me proud to see the Georgian spirit still burning high. Students were having loads of fun, working in their stalls, trying to get sales going, dancing to the songs from the DJ, listening to live band performances in the hall, it was just too good.

I walked around the school, going to every corner that I use to hang out. I had my breakfast at the same bench in front of the teacher's room that I and my friends use to chill during recess time when we were schooling. I checked out club notice boards, and was surprised to see my picture was still there in the St. John Ambulance Malaysia notice board even after 10 years leaving the school. There were flashes of memories all around. I chilled in the school hall, remembering the countless assembly, loads of performances, the chorus speaking practices and the 'Hari Anugerah' which my father will attend every year to see his son receive certificates of excellent achievement in education. Now it’s nothing more than memories. Also took some time to chill on the science lab staircase, remembering the amount of fun we use to have in the labs. The labs were our playground.

In the midst of all these happiness, a tinge of sadness that none of my batch mates were around to share it with. But after a few phone calls, I learned that a good friend of mine, Tenes was on his way to Taiping from KL and will be coming straight to the school. As the 'Canteen Day' went on, I could not stop to talk to most of the teachers as they were very busy. But, I did talk to Pn.Rima, my class teacher in form 5Sc1, currently class teacher of 3A4 and bought a few things from her class stall.

It was nearing noon and some of the stalls were already closing. I watched the 'Street Soccer' tournament in the volleyball court. The boys are really good. Well what would you expect from Georgians. This is the very same volleyball court that I use to have my marching training and was use to be tortured in the sun every week. Back then it was torture and painful, now its happy memories that you want to re-live just one more time.

As it neared 1.00pm, most of the stalls have closed, cleaning was underway and only a handful of people were still around, teachers and students of course. I went back and sat on the bench I had breakfast in the morning. This was the very same place that I use to chill with my friends everyday during recess time, the same place. My thoughts pondered bringing me back 10-11 years, the amazing time we had, the unforgettable incidences, I was in a world of my own, and time was at a stand still as I relived my happy moments.

Then I was startled by a voice, back to reality and I saw my friend was already here. He was accompanied by his mother, his elder brother (ex Georgian) and his cousin brother (current Georgian). Together we once again roamed the school. This time we went to the classrooms in the new block. These are the classrooms which I studied in when I was in from 1, form 3 and form 4. To be standing in the same classroom that I have studied in 14 years ago was nostalgic. Currently they have around 24 - 26 students per class. Very different form our days when we had 40 - 43 students per class, which was way much fun.

After a grand tour around the school, we were back in the school canteen to see our former teachers cleaning up the school. They still had so much of dedication after all these years. I thought long years would have faltered their will and dedication, but it had only made their spirit stronger. We went and spoke to them. Not many teachers were around; most of them had already retired. We manage to meet and speak to Pn.Nazian (Chemistry teacher), Pn.Kunavathi (Moral teacher), Mr. Sri Rengan (History teacher) and Mr. Rama (PE teacher). It was wonderful to speak with them again. It was more touching to know that after all these years they still remember our names.

Talking with the teachers we learned that currently the school is collecting fund for our new 4 storey building which will replace the current Bengkel Kemahiran Hidup. This 4 storey building will be home to the form 6 classes. RM400 000.00 has been collected and the plans has been submitted to the local town council. Looks like SGI is still going strong after all these years without the help and assistance of our district education department. Felt sad a bit after hearing this new plan. Though I was happy there will be a new building, I felt sad that I am not able to contribute anything for it. What a disappointment I have become towards my school.

Then and there I fixed in my mind, I have to do something for my beloved alma mater. When I do not know, whether big or small I do not know but I will do something. It’s a promise I made to myself, a promise that I will definitely fulfil. It was almost 2.15pm, and the school was almost deserted besides less than 10 teachers and students clearing up last few things. It was time to go back home.

It was a great day indeed. A day filled with 5 years of amazing memories all re-lived in one single moment. Will I get another chance to do this again I do not know and if I do, I do not know whether I will feel the same. But this moment I will cherish forever, one of the happiest day of my life. All my friends who were with me during my school days remember that we are Georgians and we will forever be Georgians.

"ONCE A GEORGIAN, ALWAYS A GEORGIAN"

Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

Well what can I say, a miraculous ending for Harry Potter’s amazing ten years journey. The first movie came out in 2001 and instantly captured my mind. As the subsequent movies were released, my attraction grew from films towards its books. Following Harry and his friends as they grew up was mesmerizing. As the book came to an end, it was definitely a sad moment indeed. You just didn’t want to say goodbye to your favourite characters and the Harry Potter world. The same kind of feeling and emotion is re-felt as the movie bids farewell to this ten year old franchise.

The movie starts off exactly where they left it at part one. No time wasting in recapping what has happened so far, which is good as it would have dragged the movie and beat the whole point of making it into two parts. As soon as the movie begins, we are taken into series of action sequence and spell binding moments, the scenes in Gringotts and then back to our beloved Hogwarts where the final battle takes place. The final battle is in an epic proportion, the amazing effects and a courageous battle between the good and the evil.

A lot commented that the death of certain characters should have been better justified, for instance Fred, Remus and Tonks. But in my opinion catching the deaths of these characters in heroic scenes would have taken away the depth in the scenes where Snape dies and Harry sacrifices himself. The theme of good versus evil is wonderfully captured especially when Voldemort proclaims Harry Potter’s death and Neville Longbottom stands up to him and urges others to continue fighting.

Final battle ends with the death of Voldemort and Harry throwing away the ‘Elder Wand’. Scene jumps to 19 years later where Harry and Ginny are sending their children off to Hogwarts from the King Cross station. So does Ron and Hermione. The original casts portray themselves as their adult-selves. Some suggested that they should have used other adult actors for the last scene, which I totally disagree. This is the final scene in a decade of Harry Potter movies and the last faces I would want to see would definitely be Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson who have worked hard for the past ten years. Not some actors who just comes in for the last minutes and try to define this amazing journey in one scene.

All the cast have characterized their role perfectly. Special note goes out to all three main characters, Daniel, Rupert and Emma who have grown in their acting skills together with this movie. Helena is excellent in the Gringotts scenes, as she makes you feel that the character is actually Hermione and not Bellatrix. Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman being the amazing actors they are have brought deep characterization to Voldemort and Snape which wipes out whatever vague image we had of them when reading the books. Set design was very detailed, effects and cinematography was excellent especially during the final battle.

Overall, Harry Potter and Deathly Hollows Part 2 is an epic ending for an epic journey. Making amends for the lack of action in the first part, this movie takes off in an action packed manner right till the end. But the main themes of good versus evil, love, friendship, sacrifice and courage are well blended throughout the action scenes making it into a wonderful story telling experience. Even though the 3D effects are not as spectacular as Transformers, the storyline is so strong that it can be totally discarded. This movie is definitely the must watch movie of this summer.

Even though the franchise ends with this last movie, it will be watched again and again by us and our children. The depth and excellent story, characters and life’s journey punctuated by the triumph of good over evil makes this franchise an epic only to be matched by the likes of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Love

Here is a topic which gets me all confused, Love. The phrase I hear the most being shot at me when it comes to Love is "you won't understand because you haven't experienced it". Sometimes I get angry when people say this, and sometimes it gets me thinking. Is it true? Do I really not understand love?

Of course I love my family and friends, and I understand love to that extend. But what about this love for the special someone, the so called soul mate, the love of your life, the one or any other name that people might refer it to. Is it that different from the love that you have for others? Does it really exists, the willingness to do anything and go to any heights for that one person that you love? Maybe it does, because people sometimes do weird things in the name of love.

Well I’m not sure what I experienced was love or not. But in the course of hitting 20 and moving on to 27, I did come across two exceptional girls that captured my mind, or some would say "my heart". They had two different personalities but both were special personalities in their own way. They were friends of mine, nothing was done and they remained just friends. Why was I attracted to them? Well as I said, their personality was something special.

I do not know whether it was love, a crush, infatuation or whatever else that it can be called. But it was a feeling, a great feeling none the less. If it was not love, than it means that I have not felt love yet, but if it was, than it means that I missed a possible soul mate. Why was it missed? If the feelings were there, why wasn't it pursued?

Well, the one word answer would be commitment. What commitment? Well let’s just leave it for some other day.

Movie Review - Transformers or Green Lantern??

I watched two movies in the past two weeks, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Green Lantern. Both movies did not live up to the hype of being a good movie. But in comparison, even though Green Lantern outdoes Transformers in its budget, Transformers practically outdoes Green Lantern in every other aspect.

Green Lantern had a weak storyline, poor dialogues, too much noise and excessive special effects. Despite Ryan Reynolds best efforts, the movie just could not be saved. Blake Lively puts out mediocre acting but compensates it with her beauty and her body. Half way through the movie you're already asking when will it end. Who is to blame? Well the answer is actually: over-ambitious.

Green Lantern which is the first movie of a possible trilogy should have started with a softer note. Rather than having Ryan Reynolds save the whole universe in his first mission as a superhero, they should have had him saving Earth or just the USA to begin with. Confining the villain's threat just to Earth and building more on the Green Lantern's characterization would have been a better introduction to this franchise.

Even though Transformers was better in comparison to Green Lantern, it does not stand out as a good movie altogether. There is no doubt that Michael Bay is a perfect candidate when it comes to directing a big budget movie. The production was huge, the effects amazing (especially in 3D) and the movie is extraordinary in its action sequences. But Michael has to get someone better to write his stories and screenplay.

The movie dragged on for too long and Shia was once again running around everywhere like the previous two movies but with a different a girl this time. Even though Rosie has an amazing body, her acting makes it look as if Megan Fox could actually act. The story should have evolved more around the Autobots and Decepticons rather than Shia's job and love life.

Optimus Prime's characterization was killed off totally when he decides to let the Decepticons attack the humans so that they can learn their lesson. For those who have followed Transformers since its animation in the early 1980's, this is a complete let down as Optimus Prime is known for his nature of sacrificing himself even just to prevent a death of one human.

But on a positive note, the action sequences are amazingly filmed and make the extra money that you pay for 3D worth it. It is possibly the best special effects and 3D effects in a film for this year's summer. What it loses out story wise, it tries to make amend with detailed action scenes, great sound effects, amazing cinematography and superb special effects which is best watched in 3D.

So if you had to choose one of these movies to watch, I guess you already know the verdict.

Passion and Frustration

When did my passion for watching sports start? I have no idea. I was watching football here and there especially Manchester United games and the World Cup when I was young, and of course the four year once Olympics. Besides that, it was nothing much. I didn't even know how points for tennis were calculated until I was 18. But before I knew it, I had developed a passion for sports.

I am not much of a sportsman, but watching sports has become one of my greatest passions. Football was the main one, followed by tennis, badminton, basketball or any other sports for that matter. I sit and watch all possible matches. Even when time does not permit me, I would adjust my activities and even sacrifice my sleep, which is very important to me, just to watch sports.

But this passion is slowly turning into a massive stress inducer. I do not know why, but I get too emotionally involved when I am watching a game. Hence I get frustrated very fast. Each time I see Manchester United loose a match, each time I see Roger Federer get beaten and each time any Malaysian team in any sports loses, I go into total frustration. I go into an anger mode, fully frustrated and stress all over me. At time like these even my family members dare not approach me.

Why is this so? Is this overwhelming passion something good? It feels awesome when we win something, "we" meaning the team or person that I support. But the pain of losing is equally great. Be what it may, I don't think I’m going to stop watching sports anytime soon and I never will. Sports is one of the only few passion in life that I have. So, I just have to find a better way to accept defeat.