Kanowit revisited

The last time I came to Kanowit was in 2003 when I was invited as guest speaker in a parenting program jointly organised by Sarawak Foundation and Kanowit District Office. I spoke to about 300 parents from various villages in the district.

SK St Francis Xavier is listed for Program Memperkasa Sekolah Kebangsaan this year along with 82 other elementary schools in Sarawak. My first communication with Andrew Mail, the principal, about two months ago, was proven fruitful as my visit to the school today, 27 April 2009, is well received. Thanks to Tinggom, the assistant PPD who was kind enough to give me a lift from Sibu and return.

St. Francis Xavier is one of the oldest schools in Sarawak. Opened in 1883, it served as the main schooling system for the district and feeding two secondary schools in Kanowit town. Today it has a new building with almost 500 students with 35 teachers. I recognised a few faces around and one of them was the PK1, Tasiah Wen who was my college mate way back 1977 at STTC Sibu; Rosalind reminded our meeting at Berjaya Palace Kota Kinabalu 2007 during the National Seminar on Action Research.

I proudly share here that the principal, Andrew has just completed his Masters from OUM; one of the few Sarawak elementary school heads to have such qualification so far. Congratulation, Andrew and thanks for an excellent ride in the brand new Toyota-Innova.

After a briefing with the senior teachers, I was invited for lunch at a restaurant beneath Harbour View Inn. I was greeted by the co-owner of the Restaurant, Zainab Tambi who happened to remember and recognise me after I conducted a staff development program for SeDidik last year in Sibu. She served as Kanowit SeDidik Coordinator and opted for retirement recently. The lunch was her treat, terima kasih Zainab.

Having Lunch with Andrew and Tinggom

The long week..

This week has been a long one for me. Having lectured in the KKPP Group at RH Sibu, the eight hour stint was real engaging. The 39 participants Adeline managed to group were energetic, super active and contributing. This is the first KKPP group that ever printed their T-Shirt with IAB logo and their group's identity. Beautiful they were, red on black! Last night the group organised a special dinner which I and Adeline attended. It was a very well organised decent dinner from a KKPP group so far throughout the country!

The committee formed organised several interactive social activities during the dinner. Everyone made a fair contribution from some number for the Karaoke to balloon blowing.

Need to stress a point here!

After checking in at Tang Dynasty Kota Kinabalu 21 April 2009, I was left with barely 25 minutes to enter the lecture hall where 35 participants of Organisational Behaviour Course were waiting. Thanks to Dr. Abang Hut who managed the course, and like Adeline, managed to gather substantive number of course participants from all division in Sabah. I lectured for six hours, relieved of the night two-hour slot as all participant preferred only day lecture. It was hot and dry in KK for the past week I was told, and having endured the heat, the night was as forgiving as a mild winter in Perth.

I took the last flight from KK to Sibu 22 April. The Fokker aircraft was providing the the ten passengers a very luxurious journey! However, being too comfortable with the ample space, I left a bag with a pair of golf shoes! I only realised about the baggage which I placed in the cabin when returning from late night super with my nephew. Thanks to the excellent service of the lost-and-found department of the airline. I received the call from Sibu office that my left luggage was ready for collection at 11.00 am the following day; thanks to Sdr Ismail (Mas Sibu Airport) and Ms Hamimah (MAS Kuching Airport). That served as a great relief as I was due for Eastwood Valley Miri for Saturday Golfing with some colleagues from Brunei.

Status quo and new meanings.

The weeks 27 March to 7 April have been hectic ones to some. Driving weekly from Kuching to Saratok since mid February (something that I realised worth trying) has beed an interesting experience. I did not normally drive home that frequent for the last 20 years. But with some engagement, association with the alma matta, invitation for talks and wedding receptions all have coincidentally provided the new prospect to this 660km journey.
Each time I stopped over at Sri Aman Journey Break, I met quite a number of party people patronising the the food outlets. The place is now quite improved (minus the toilet, which need urgent repair). I realised that Lubok Antu has been the central focus over the weeks since the demise of the assemblyman for Batang Ai'.
Simanggang or second division as it was fondly referred to by veterans, could have witness more visitors even without by election nearby. The journey break facility made available at the junction serves as only a brief relaxation after a two-hour drive from the capital city. To proceed Sri Aman town one needs to spare 18 km for a return journey, which is to mean 'wasting' 20 minutes or so of the next journey.