Friday, February 20, 2009

Another message from the Torvis

Hello Kong Chuan,
Yes we are at home and yes we received the CD's that you sent. Pleaseaccept my apologies for not emailing you sooner. I thought I had emailed you but obviously I was confused.We arrived home on January 31st and it was about a week before we felt really adjusted to this time zone. The CD's arrived soon after we did,so I was able to take Mary's to her in Toronto along with other gifts for her.My mother and other members of my family live in Toronto, but we had never met Mary face to face although I had spoken with her on the phone and by email. Mary left Labuan just before Gerry and I arrived there. While I was visiting Toronto, from Feb 8 to 11, Mary came to my mother's home. We had a lovely visit and looked at the pictures along with some other pictures that we took during the trip. My family -two brothers, two sisters-in-law, my older daughter- also enjoyed meeting Mary; so we can also thank our Labuan students for giving us the opportunity to get to know her. It is interesting, isn't it, that although Mary and I come from the same city in Canada, it was our experience in Labuan that brought us together.I am now back at home (Pembroke is about 300 kilometres from Toronto), looking out my window at fresh snow which came down last night. It looks beautiful- quite a contrast to the warm, bright sights of Sabah. Thanks for helping us to keep our memories alive with the pictures you sent.
Warm regards,
Lee and Gerry Torvi
19 Feb 2009

Feeling homesick for Sabah

Hello all,
Gerry and I are back in Canada now. We have been home for 5 days now and the fog of jet lag is starting to lift. However, we still feel as if we have been living a dream. Our time in Sabah and in Labuan in particular was magical. It has reconnected us with people (you) and with places that are important to us, and now we feel homesick -homesick for Labuan. I know now that our goodbyes were not permanent. Labuan will draw us back. After the reunion, we stayed in KK for a while with Chiew Bee Koh from the 73 class and met a few students from that time. We also visited Tenom and marveled at the beautiful gardens at the agriculture station there. Later we stayed with a couple of Canadians (one is a Sabahan-Canadian) in Papar and celebrated Chinese New Year with their family. Our final few days were spent in Labuan. It felt right to end our holiday where it started and where our life in Malaysia started. Tonight we watched the DVD we were given of the Five Science '71reunion in 2007. There were certainly poignant moments for us watching that celebration, but also lots of laughs. I'm glad we got to be part of it. Of course we are going through pictures of this reunion and talking about all the wonderful times we had. Next week I am going to visit Toronto and I have arranged to get together with Mary Corkery on Tuesday evening. I'll give her your gifts, and I also have lots of pictures and stories to share with her. I will tell her how wonderful it was to see all of you. We cannot thank you enough. We miss you and think of you often. I look forward to the news that one or some of you plan a visit to Canada. (But don't come in winter. The temperature has 'warmed up' to -15C right now! You probably wouldn't like it.) I think an August or September visit would suit you. We could show you the beautiful autumn colours and take you to see some of the sights in Ontario.
Much love to you all,
Lee and Gerry Torvi

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Ng Leng wrote .............

Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 12:40 PM


Kong Chuan,
I viewed the two CDs.... it took 2 - 3 hours total and brought back tons of memory.  I certainly enjoyed it and hated the thought I was not there to join the group in the reunion.  I was planning to go all along and then the change.
Anyway, thanks for the CD.
Thanks
N. L. Lee

Friday, February 6, 2009

Fook Jui, Ching Han were in Labuan

Hi Guys
Sorry I was not around when Fook Jui was in Labuan recently during the Chinese New Year.
Here's a photo taken at Choice restaurant on 25 Jan 2009.


Here are some photos taken with Ching Han:



And not forgetting our pre-reunion "teh tarik" night at Malindo Restaurant.

Thanks to Leong Tiam for contributing the above photos.
Anyone who has photos to share, do sent them to Leong Tiam or myself.
Just for your info, Mr. Ian Griffiths called from Australia and he really missed Labuan and will be planning his next trip here with Joy. They are so keen to return to this island of Labuan. He expressed gratitude for giving him and the rest of the teachers a wonderful time to remember. He will keep us updated on his future schedule to Labuan on this website.
Cheers

Kong Chuan

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Message from Mr. Ian Griffiths

Hi Kong Chuan,
Thanks for your part in the wonderful reunion!
It was such a wonderful time and I will never forget it. Joy loved it too.
Please thank all the organisers. i am sorry about the delay in sending an email but my mum is very sick and I have come to Brisbane to see her and support family.
I am homesick for Labuan already!
Best wishes to you and the other students,
Ian and Joy

Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 1:19 PM