A Party Within A Party!

 “Scattered pictures
 of the smiles we left behind,
smiles we gave to one another,
for the way we were” (1974)
Barbra Streisand

Reunions are awkward.  Eagerly anticipated, apprehension creeps in as the day looms.  For most, this would be our first meeting since Pr-University days, a lapse of 30 years.

47 year olds, the Class of ’74 reunited at the Founder’s Day Dinner held in The Shangri-La on March 1^st 2004. Numbers were great comfort as the Island Ballroom foyer quickly filled with raucous ACS nostalgia. Seventy of us huddled in scattered groups: shaking hands, glancing up at familiar voices, keenly scanning the plush surrounds for old friends, past beaus, former foes. Panic attacks and whispered reminders of names forgotten punctuated excited conversations.

Inside, blue and gold balloons danced suspended above the seats of tables 71-78 (courtesy of Mei Po, Noreen, Adina and Aleck). Old class photos from the school magazine and name lists, strategically displayed, jolted faded memories. Loud and riotous camaraderie, electronic camera flashes, people migrating from table to table and a rousing rendition of the school song—the ballroom pulsed and resonated with ACS.

The Arts Class

The Science Class

It was a party within a party. Somber black, glitter, translucence bedecked the diners. In sync, our Science guys donned jackets, but our Arts guys had none. Our ladies, resplendent, had the boys quite out done. A band entertained; we chatted of past exploits.  Long service was awarded; we recounted schoolboy tales with our ‘old’ teachers — Ms. Maureen Lim, Ms Sim, Mrs. Lee Gek Kim, Mr. Wan, Ms Ong, Mr. Wee Kim Cheng. A common thread held us together; no discord ever could sever.  Laughing, walking, talking and gawking, we spanned the distance of 30 years. This was a page in the present, that had been written…. sometime in the past.

Sure, reunions are awkward, but only at the start. And, with a renewed familiarity, we were quite loath to part. May God grant us good health, good times and good spirits, till next we meet again.

…. By Anoneighmous            

P.S.  A thousand thanks to our indomitable organizers Patricia Ng and the class representatives, our ever-faithful photographer Tan Kee Wee, friends who came from abroad and all who came to make the evening such a success.

Interested in joining us next year?
E-mail to Patricia Ng (patng@ispsearch.com.sg) or Jean Lee (jeanleecl@pacific.net.sg)!