We had an Otago Alumni gathering last night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Lindsay Brown, the Chancellor himself, hosted the event together with Alison Finigan, Head of Alumni & Development. Orlnda had fun although it wasn't her university. She came out of the event feeling that Otago is a very exceptional place to study and was impressed with the down-to-earth qualities of the Chancellor when compared to those "elsewhere". According to her there was none of the stuffiness and aloofness often associated with persons holding positions of high standings in society. So, well done. It helps that he was a Scarfie himself!

We'd intended to stay until half past 7 but ended up leaving only at 9:25!

We also met-up with Dorothy Vatsaloo, a friend we've not been in contact with for ages.She's now teaching in Sunway College Kuching There was much to be talked about and it contributed a great deal to the late departure from the event!

Coincidentally, we bumped into Abdul Aziz bin Mohd. Hassan, who now works in the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate. He left Otago at the end of the year i got there. He's doing fun stuff in the Psychometric Unit there. We too had a lot of catching up to do. Aziz was in Kuching on TDY (temporary duty) observing schools around Sarawak. It was a pleasure talking to you again, Aziz!

We had fun. It's always nice to reminisce - especially the times when one was young and reckless.

Thank God, I'm turning 32 this year!

It's Saturday morning. I'm helping at the Kuching Debate League being held in INTI UC. Linda and I are helping to judge the debate rounds. Loads of first timers and it should be interesting. Woo-hoo...

I may have come across sounding pessimistic but, in reality, i'm quite excited that this idea has finally taken off. Aside from the Yayasan Sarawak Debates and the Swinburne Debates, there's nothing else. We're looking at doing this on a monthly basis and keep it relevant to the colleges, universities, and schools. Raising the bar, so to speak.

It should be a whole load of fun.

I'm hungry.

I've always enjoyed teaching - especially my 13 year-olds. They're intelligent, extremely active, aren't afraid of asking questions, and have not been tainted by the scars and marks of experience. Innocence personified.



They test me to no end, taking me to the teetering edge of the precipice of my patience before pulling back, reacting to my frustrated outbursts with innocence that you just know, weren't faked.