Now and Then

Love gatherings with old schoolmates especially with those from my high school.  In the beginning, reasons for gathering used to be “so and so leaving Malaysia for further study”; “so and so graduated and came back for good”, then “wedding dinners” and eventually “baby full moon parties”.  Once in a while there would be “so and so leaving Malaysia to work abroad”, then “so and so migrating” and now the most common reason for our gathering is “so and so is coming back for holiday”.

I am glad that after two decades, this group of people is still trying to get everybody together whenever there is any excuse for gathering.   However, things have changed, people have changed, our gathering style has also changed.  

Lately, I’ve been invited to a few old schoolmates gatherings where everyone was encouraged to bring their spouse and kid(s).  I mean KIDSSS… most of them have two, some even have THREE!! Hey, luckily I also have one :).  Those who are still single or married without kid would obviously feel left out and would try their best to find any excuse not to attend the gathering :D.  

 

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Gathering then….

Can be anytime, anywhere, anyhow, free and easy.  Full of jokes and laughter.

Stanley’s farewell party in 1992. A bunch of young college kids :)

My 20^th birthday celebration in conjunction with someone’s farewell, can’t remember whom. Everybody was so young and crazy :D

Gathering now….

Full of kids, toys and noise….

First of all, venue selection has to be “kids’ friendly” with a lot of toys to keep the next generation busy.  Ideally it can be at someone’s house that looks like a childcare centre.

Gathering on weekends are ideal, very high chance to catch the whole family (even the maid :D) whereas gathering on weekdays after work will most likely get all the daddies only.

Even going to a restaurant, you must make sure that they have kids’ menu and baby chairs :D

Look at the way people multiply, for sure this is a highly productive team :D