Summer Holiday (year unknown)

Even after they finished TPS, these guys used to play basket ball at TPS sport ground during their summer holidays. At the far right is Ka Koo's brother, Yee Koo. The big red cotton tree, the natural symbol of our alma mater, is at the background.
On this piece of red-soil ground, we sweated and cheered for 4 memorable years.

Some old photos from Timothy's album

These are photos taken in an outing at 馬料水, now University Station . The time was probably after the school cert exam. The boys look handsome and the girls pretty. With the exam behind them, these guys and gals were relaxed and joyful. Looking back, those care-free days are certainly enviable.

More photos on the Aug 1, 2009 dinner

The father and son team. Timothy was a finalist in the Hong Kong Open Singing Contest some years ago. He still sings in special events. Apparantly, the music DNA has passed on to Sam.

The wives, Rose Tang, Jacqueline Lau, Charmaine Li, Cindy Poon and Eleanor Li.

The complete Group Picture. Tammy left earlier for another occasion and therefore is not in the picture.

Photos taken at the Aug 1, 2009 dinner

Cindy giving some advice to the 4 golden flowers: Janice Lam, Julia Li, Elke Lau and Hannah Tang.
Alex and Aliana, likely the next Lo Yeh and Nai Nai.

The Poons.

The Lis.

The Lam's next generation.

Photos taken at the Aug 1, 2009 dinner

Timothy and Ka Koo inspecting the old photos. At the right is Tammy Poon talking to Mice. Who or what makes Nai Nai so happy?
More joyful moments.

A partial group photo.

At the front row from left are Brian and Lilly, who just returned from their honey moon, Sam Poon, Julia Li, Elke Lau and Hannah Tang.

The happy second generation.

Photos taken at the Aug 1, 2009 dinner

Julia Li, Elke Lau and Hannah Tang ready for their university life after summer.
The beautiful wives.

Timothy, the quitarist; Alvin, the soloist. Watching at the back is Sam.

Sam and Brian, the 2 second generation sons.

Sam the quitarist and Cindy taping the enjoyable moment.

Report from Ralph on the August 1, 2009 dinner at Lei Garden Restaurant, Wanchai

Dear All,

A brief report of the dinner on 1 Aug 2009.

I did not make any counting of the numbers, but the atmosphere was so happy that the room seemed to be filled up with people. It was really unexpected that nearly all the 2nd generations did come with the parents. Quite a number of photos were taken, and I don't know which should be sent into the group, so I make a decision to enclose all the photos, except a few which were of mal-quality. There were many ladies present, and many youngsters present. Will you please guess who is who?

The names (If I made mistakes in the spelling, excuse me, & please amend for me) of the 2nd generations are:-
Alki Lau, Brian Lam+ Lilly Lam, Hannah Tang, Janice Lam, Julia Li, Samuel Poon, Tammy Poon.

Timothy brought us some precious photos of our young days, while we were surprised to see that we were so lovely when we were young. Samuel brought with him a guitar, and we all sang together a song "Today". Timothy also played the guitar, with Koon Tai offered his first song to all of us. Believe it or not, Koon Tai's voice was very suitable for singing. Then Samuel sang a lovely song which was written by him. Was this the beginning of "Green comes out from Blue" ?

How many "Golden Flowers" were there? Who was the happiest one in the dinner? Who was the one laughed most heartily?

Please see the photos and the answer is there.

Ralph

Email from Ralph after his son's wedding

The TPS classmates congratulating Ralph during the banquet.
Ralph giving his lecture or whatever.

The newly expanded Lam family.

The Lams with the TPS classmates.

The Lams with the in-laws.

Dear All,

It seemed a very exciting wedding dinner, 19-7-2009 my son Brian's marriage with Lily. Nobody knows the weather is quite good before that day as the typhoon is imminent, and everybody is wondering whether the wedding party can go on or not. I believed many of you must have prayed for us, and we thanked very much for your prayers which God must have heard and directed the typhoon to ease the blowing. This made my son's wedding party more memorable, and I was accordingly titled "Lo Yei".

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the kind participation to all of you joining the dinner, to some of you who couldn't join the dinner, and should apologise that not all of TPS classmates were invited due to limited seats. We are terribly sorry that my wife and I could not spend good attention to all of you, though I would very much like to bring my wife, my son, my daughter and my now daughter-in-law to see you all before the dinner or during the dinner, and really regret that even the planned photo taking before the dinner was also interupted. They are now having their Honey Moon, and the photos of the night will then be ready after they come back, and I shall gladly let you share with me the joys of the happy moments captured. This is really an exciting moment to all of us and cannot imagine.

Looking forward to seeing you in next gatherings.

Kind regards

Ralph

More photos from Vancouver

They are blooming in my backyard tonight, too bad they won't last long. Alexander

尋人

下列同學曾於１９６０至１９６４年間就讀香港新界大埔官立小學，如有連絡資料，請電郵﹕tps[at]drinkeat.com

譚美梨, Rosita Tam, 黃瑋, Grace Wong, 鍾譚芳, 黎碧玉, 古敬華, 方兆麟, 溫玉蘭, 黃開平, 廖浩波, 李長有, 董潔文, 郭傑華, 簡耀雄, 簡振雄, 張嘉猶, 李萬雲, 陳火貴, 許玉華, 鍾素秋, 鍾隸湘, 連潤妹，蔡梅, 劉少雄, 劉國榮.

Email from Mr. Ma summarizing a 40-year history

Dear All,

I can still remember the phone call I first received from Cheng Kai Ming years back ( likely in the 80's ) to tell that there was a TPS64 gathering and ask if I would like to join. In this way I got back to line. Thereafter phone calls of similar nature from Sau Wah, Stephen and Tomson followed. And I take this opportunity, in response to Nainai's email below, to thank them all.

I was 24 when you were about 12 in 6A. Being your senior by about 12 years, I'm in a position to further stress to you that you should make hay while the sun still shines high. Though too much an old saying, it's very true. My sun is getting much lower because of the 12 years span. I can now feel clearer than anytime before that the decline in physique can actually be measured by year, ie, last year I could do this, but this year not any more. In 1999 when I first retired and visited Vancouver, I chose to walk, together with my wife, all the way from the UBC campus to Yale town where I stayed, just to get a better feel of the beautiful city. It was at least a 3-hour walk. If at that time I knew that Au Wing Yee worked in UBC I would certainly have gone up to her to say hello ( I told her this in our subsequent email exchanges ). But now 10 years later while I could still do the 3-hour walk I don't think I could stand the long flight. Likewise, much as I would have wished to revisit LA where I had stayed for 3 months to do a project in 1981, 28 years back, the opportunity is now lost to me due to physical limitations. Despite that Alexander had so kindly offered to be the LA host. And I wish to thank him here again for being so nice to me. His English teacher for only 1 year in his 5A. All this is to echo Nai nai's point of seeing more of each other when you can. And go places when you can.

Knowing the value of good health, I now exercise for 2 hours a day on average. Comprising swimming, brisk walking, and general body moving exercises. These activities, plus the needed cleaning up and reading newspapers after breakfast already take up 1/2 a day. There then leaves only 1/2 a day for other pursuits. And so a retirement life can also be very busy. And not unmeaningful. As there is an aim, which is to keep as fit as possible.

Thanks to Nainai's and Alexander's special mention of me in association with the Aug/Sept gathering. Much appreciated. I'll try my best.

Best wishes to you all.

KW Ma

Alexander Lee's Transcript

Through this little piece of paper, Alexander parted ways with us. He went to St. Joseph and didn’t see the TPS folks for the next 40 over years.

You don’t see some of the subjects in schools anymore but they bring back a lot of memories.

(Click on the image to enlarge.)

Vancouver Visit June 28, 2009

Dear All,

I've gone through 2 security and document checks at Vancouver, one at the airport and the other at Delicious Cousine where our meeting took place. Both passed without a scare.

Happy is an understatement to describe my feelings to see Stanely and Wing Yee after all these years. After the initial hesitation, ice starting to melt and we settle down for a nice chat and delicious dinner. I will have a problem to respond if you ask me how was the food as I really did not pay enough attention to the meat and fish that Wing Yee ordered. I was too excited to notice and there's a big possiblity that I might had swallowed a fish bone or two.

After the dinner, Stanely was nice enough to invite us to his newly remodel home for coffee and Joe Cheung was being summoned to join us after his soccer game. As we were waiting for Joe, Stanely impressed all of us by his amazing memory. He recalls all the details as names were thrown at him. He even remember the name of my childhood sweetheart and the fact that I lived somewhere in 廣福道.

Joe finally show up and was discovered that my St.Joseph classmate played soccer with him in the over 50 years old league. I have to thank Joe for giving me a ride home later that night. We took some pictures and were attached here and Stephen mostlikely will post them on our blog. I enjoy every single minute of this Vancouver gathering and looking forward to meet more TPS classmates come September in Hong Kong.

Alexander 李國榮

---------------------

Dear Alex

Thank you for coming all the way from LA to our mini TPS reunion at Vancouver.

It was so nice to see someone who has disappeared for over 40 years and suddenly emerged in front of you especially someone of your size.

Your second document check at the restaurant did ease off our classmates' doubt in a way. You produced a transcript from TPS issued when you moved out to St. Joeph.

For all classmates info, Alex was in 3B, 4B and 5A and the teachers were Mr. Yeung Yuen-ning, Mrs Chung Wong Wan-wah, and Mr Cigarette- Ash CHAN. Alex, please scan this transcript to our TPS Blog at your earliest convenience.

We shall see each other again in early September in HK.

Regards

Stanley

Email Exchange between Alexander and Ralph

Dear Alexander,

I missed quite some emails these days, and lucky to find back.

Stephen provided a good platform for us. Years ago, when we were still teenagers, Kai Ming sometimes arranged picnics once a year, or two to three years one time, exactly I cannot remember. Each time he had to call every classmate by telephone, some may present, some cannot. Now it is much easier. Everyone of us having a computer, may have the information in a much easier way. And most of us enjoyed being a silent majority. Sometimes they may sent in a PPS for us to share. 1 or 2 may begin to speak, or keep on enjoying. This is very leisure.

Last year (03-2008), TPS had conducted a "Home Coming Day" in the new School Campus, had some functions including basket ball game, table tennis ball game, planting of a new Cotton Tree, and welcome all TPS present & past students to join. We joined all the functions, including the ball games. At our age, the youngest is 50+, and we played the matches with the young ones. Win or loss is not a matter. We are glad that we do have enough people and enough energy to play full match, enough energy to help set up the new Cotton Tree and we did enjoy the whole day. Some cannot come, but we can understand they are all glad that we can join.

Glad to see you come back. And hope that you can join with NaiNai & others in Vancouver, a place I longed to go but still do not have the plan to go yet.

Ralph
______

Hi Ralph,

Yes, I am absolutely impressed by how you guys can managed to hold on together for so many years. Obviously Cheng Kai Ming is the one who started it all in the very beginning and he had to do it the hard way. My hat's off to him for an incredible achivement. I do wish to visit the old school site again in September and I am awared that one needs to make an appointment to do so. Some says it does open on Sunday for the public, I'll have to find out. Stephen brought up the idea of an overseas reunion trip, please let me know if I can be of any kind of help.

Alexander
_______

Dear Alexander,

Kai Ming really did an important job. Not easy, particularly there must be a lot of occasions being yes, and no, and whether proceed or not.

The School site is still beautiful, but smaller. It is now changed to "國民教育中心" "National Education Centre". I hope I did not make it wrong. Your information seems to be correct. What I heard is also like this, but I cannot confirm.

The idea of an overseas trip is a good suggestion. This idea was brought forward since the gathering on 27 July 2007 (provided if my memory is still correct) when Raymond came back to Hong Kong from England. That night Yeung Ka Lui brought us very delicious Dragon Eyes planted by her & her better half. The Dragon Eyes still can be seen as Stephen has put it to the blog. It was planned to go to 黃山 or 九寨溝 or Japan or ...(Wong Shan or Jiuzhaigou) in 2008. You know, information is that everybody went to Wong Shan & Jiuzhaigou all uttered admirations, other than the difficulties they might have encountered. This was nearly succeeded. If you have time & like travelling, you may take part in this planning. This may not be easy, as this is not like mahjong playing which you get 4 legs and the table is set up. Arranging group overseas picnics would be more difficult, but it would be great if this is succeeded. On the other hand, Vancouver may be a starting point for this venture.

Ralph

Email from Mr. Ma to Lee Kwok Wing

Alex,

Thanks for the 2 emails.

Indeed the 2nd one brought specail happiness. Because I really want to know if Vagabond is still there. And how nice of you to tell me it is. And the cost too. At US$70 per night should not be expensive. My impression is that it was clean and tidy enough. At the time the charges were met by my employer the HK govt. . Having lived there for 3 months makes me feel more or less that it is a landmark for my stay in LA. Reminding me of the joggings I did in the surrounding streets and once a black kid girl telling me that I need jogging because I was too skinny, my walking over to the USC campus practically every day to meet people and attend sessions and bringing books back to read, my crossing the Figuaroar Rd to Mcdonnald to buy burgers... Well, all flashed back. All sweet memories. All because I was young then and had ample time ahead. And all because I don't think I can ever revisit the place as I said earlier. Despite that at less than 120 lbs the econ seats would not give me a problem.

Thanks for the accommodation offer. Much appreciated even though no way of taking up.

I agree that the pension serves us ex civil servants quite well. Not having to worry about livelihood is a big plus for a retirement life. By the way I'm now 69. Should be about 12 yrs your senior.

I can see that you would have a very happy mini reunion in Canada shortly. And I'm happy for you to be able to add new old friends.

Real nice chatting with you.

Ma Kai Woon

Lee Kwok Wing

Lee Kwok Wing and his wife Polly in Kobe China Town in 2007. After half a century, more fat and less hair.

尋人

下列同學曾於１９６０至１９６４年間就讀香港新界大埔官立小學，如有連絡資料，請電郵﹕tps[at]drinkeat.com

譚美梨, Rosita Tam, 黃瑋, Grace Wong, 鍾譚芳, 黎碧玉, 古敬華, 方兆麟, 溫玉蘭, 黃開平, 廖浩波, 李長有, 董潔文, 郭傑華, 簡耀雄, 簡振雄, 張嘉猶, 李萬雲, 陳火貴, 許玉華, 鍾素秋, 鍾隸湘, 連潤妹，蔡梅, 劉少雄, 劉國榮.

Email from Lee Kwok Wing after more than half a Century

Hi everybody, I had never dream of contacting my primary school classmates until coming across Stephen's blog some 2 weeks ago. It darns on me that it really has been almost half a century ago that we shared some of our best moments on that beautiful hilly schoolyard.

As I read on, the names and faces became more vivid and somehow my fading momory has start coming back to life. I remember bits and pieces as I look at those old school pictures and my heart start pounding like a drum in a marching band.

I applaud all you people in particular Stephen to set up this blog so that we can recall the old days and share the new ones in the future.

I left TPS for St.Joseph College in 1962/3 and later moved to LA in 1973 to further my studies. I stay in LA until these days and now been retired almost 8 years and a grandfather of 4 children.

I do visit HK twice a year as most of our family and old friends are still there. Hopefully we can meet up in September during my next visit. Yes Stephen, please add my email address to your group and I can not wait to hear from all you people again.

Alexander Lee 李國榮

_____________


Hi Stephen,

Yes, I remember you also, so as Poon, Tse and Hui. I do remember these two teachers Ma and Yeung as Yeung was my P3 class master. Mr. Ma was quite young at the time and I did not have the chance to go to picnics like you guys did since I did not attend P6 in 1963/4.

I did play soccer in the school and no, I wasn't that good. I did play for St. Joseph College later on and was in the school team and won a few medals in both soccer and track and field events in inter-school competitions. I do maintain contacts with the St. Joseph classmates all over the world and will attend our 40th graduation anniversary reunion in HK next year.

I will try to attach some photos next time as I screw up my album in this new netbook. Anyway, please forward my regards to all our classmates and keep in contact.

Alexander

____________

Dear Alex ,

Thanks very much for your ptompt response. I have added your phone no. to the list but I will wait for a while for other inputs before I send out the updated list.

We are really glad to have you back to our community. I have tried very hard to figure out how you look like but failed. But for sure, we must have played lots of football games together in the TPS muddy football field; those were our happiest days together. However, we would recognize you when we meet you in HK ( very soon ?). By the way, it would be great if you could send us an old photo during the time in TPS or any other.

We look forward not only to a happy gatherig in near future and also a big re-union of TPS " Ball 牛 " .

Wish you a great week
Tomson

Wedding photos of Holly, Wing Yee's daughter 2008/8/8

I should also share some photos with you guys re my daughter Holly’s wedding last year (August 8, 2008) – better late than never. Here they are – attached! The second pic includes all three children.

Wing Yee