Friday, August 31, 2007

Nostalgic for the Future


懷舊是為了未來 /邱立本

最近參與初中時期銀禧中學的同學會聚會,在香港與一些分別了四十多年的老同學重逢,很多來自美國、加拿大、澳洲的老同學,第一次重返九龍塘牛津道的校園,看到彼此鬢髮已白,滿臉風霜,再對照看當時的照片,一一指認那些同學的名字(當然還有他們的外號),感受到時空交錯,疑幻疑真的威力。

我在銀禧中學只念了三年,後來轉到李求恩中學。而這一屆參與一九六七年的中學會考,用中國大陸的「參考系」, 是文革時的「老三屆」。這其實是冷戰的高峰,也是中國巨變的時刻。我們當時在殖民地的教育體制下,唯一的出路就是拚命考試,爭取更高的分數。老師的教學方法,大多是高壓與背誦。我在這種氣氛中,總覺得格格不入,也有一種不斷想衝出網羅的衝動。

因而,踢球和打架是當時發洩衝動的常見方式。如今重逢,我不禁要去找那些曾經和我一塊踢球及打架的玩伴,笑談昔日下課後踢著石頭回家的往事,追憶當年彼此莫名地扭打成一團,但很快又摟在一起的鏡頭。

四十年來的第一次大聚會,在大家享受回憶的亢奮時,還有不少同學思考當年教育制度的成敗,如何培養了我們這一代人?我們在懷念那些老師的特色和學校的氛圍,也思考為什麼當時的教育方法是如此僵硬與無情?在精英主義的氛圍中,似乎很多學生的個性和天賦都被輕易地抹殺。銀禧中學的加拿大校友會會長何潔美,在這次聚會中組織了一項回港海外校友的朗誦,念出紐約同學梅麗儀的打油詩,既懷念昔日的溫馨,又諷刺當年的僵硬,引起大家爆笑,但笑中有淚,淚中有笑,反思我們成長的日子。

校友會之後還捐出支票給母校來添置器材,展現那種血濃於水的感情。 懷念過去,是為了更好的未來。讓那些綿綿不斷的懷舊,成為今日生生不息的靈感。回憶不再是感情的沉溺,而是生命的新動力,超越昔日的美麗與哀愁,衝出青春歲月的定格,開創更有創意的未來。

原載美國《世界日報》香港副刊邱立本的"感情前線"專欄。Photo by courtsy of Mok Kwok Yum. The author is shown first right in the front row with his Class C teacher and mates.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Heydenshore Park (Whitby) 燒烤郊遊 28-7-07

年初忙碌完校友會的週年聚餐,夏日的另一節目又要上場。今次真要多謝何潔美 (1967) 會長一盡地主之誼,在她居住的Whitby市,找到了這風景優美兼設施完善的公園,供一眾校友及其親朋戚友作一日之遊。猶記得去年在 Lake Simcoe 的旅行,各人飽受狂風暴雨侵襲,固此今次也不敢輕忽。何會長處事真有一手,為了這次安排,眠乾睡濕,呵護備至。她竟然在當天早上七時還不到,便在這湖邊公園佔據了一所不用收費的涼亭,還給為數六十多人安放好檯椅! 作為校友的你又怎可吝嗇給她一個thumbs-up呢!

涼亭就近湖灘,燒烤爐則安放在旁邊的樹蔭下,無論你是在忙於準備食物或是聚舊歡談,心曠神怡的環境又夫復何求! 美味食物全由數位執行委員用愛心炮製,加上由何會長女兒Christie和外藉 '候任家廚' Ryan主領燒烤,再經陳榮基牧師(1966)祈禱祝謝,各人又怎捨得將肚腹勒住,惟有 '食' 而後矣! 甜品有梁志超(1973)預備的紫心番薯,其色澤比銀禧校徽中紫色部份還深,色味香俱佳當然大受歡迎。西瓜是少不得的生果。選購一職由高秋霞(1974)負責,以其獨到眼光,命中律也不俗。要甜有甜,要淡有淡,恐糖者也吃得稱心滿意。

飽暖思肥肉。不用怕。看負責遊戲的張國英(1967)的苖條身材和陳梅君(1974)的活潑好動,便知好戲在後頭。呼拉圈一出,肥膏休想谷。她們的示範正說明這方法的可行,因此吸引眾多參賽者落力參予,也使旁觀者大飽眼福。可惜得獎的參賽者可能工虧一匱,他們得到的竟是零食一包! 還是參加極速排版遊戲所得的獎品吸引得多,649一注就可能是一生的轉捩點,是福是禍,校友會執行委員會慨不負責。

值得必題的是兩位婦唱夫隨的幕前者,陳梅君的丈夫Steve除了在校友會的網頁付上很多心力外,今次還當上攝影師,為是次活動留下美好回憶。至於場地上安放的大幅校友會橫額,從開始至完結,都多得高大威猛的何佩儀(1974)的丈夫黎先生以其身高優勢,幫忙掛上和除下。要向他倆致謝的,當然要拜托校友委員陳太和黎太了!至於如何向整個負責籌備的校友會執行委員會致意已不大需要,因為從參加的人數和天公之造美,已使我們放下心頭大石,安享睡眠了。

Written by 趙善榮(1965)

伍翠瓊校長七十五歲生日會

自銀禧中五畢業至今超過四十年,與伍翠瓊校長重聚是一種驚喜。她居於美國,年中有三數次奔跑美中港三地,很難想像她能以七五高齡,連續三年參加了多倫多校友會的週年聚餐。我對她的印像原已很模糊,卻因近年參予校友會的活動,再重新認識她。從她怎樣與己離校三數十年的舊生聯繫,如何為校友會提出寶貴意見,都能觸摸到她那份關愛之情。坦白地說,對她以前的教誨,我沒有一點刻骨銘心的回憶。然而,近期每次與她相聚,卻加深了對她的一份敬佩。我會問自已,如果我到了她這般年紀,能否有她一樣的精神和体力去關愛別人 ?

七月廾二日她在多倫多舉行了一個生日會,既慶祝她七十五歲壽辰,又為她蒙恩事主五十五年而感恩,我和一眾校友有幸被邀出席參加。細節花絮或可從蔡恩瑩校友另文略知一二。在數位年長牧師和眾賓客面前,她分享內心的感恩,述說這多年來如何為家鄉五邑台山等地,在艱苦境況中傳揚福音和興建教堂。從她瘦弱的身軀看來,如沒有上帝賜予力量,她如何能擔負這些使命。當晚她講話時聲音清亮,精神飽滿,興之所至更聞歌而大跳扭腰舞。

為了表達對她的敬佩,我嘗試以詩寄意,更願她能為主成就更大的事。

百年樹木十年人
有教無類解疑問
昔日學子前途繫
翠苗幼枝已成蔭
七五年華志未沉
終生無悔顯愛心
天國神家終極盼
瓊樓玉殿享天音

Written by Winston Chiu (1965) Toronto

Ms. Ng’s 75th Birthday Party (22-7-2007) Two thumbs up! A hard act to follow!


Ms. Ng did it again! Under the superb directions of the Chief Commander (Ms. Ng), the elite team (Rev. Maak, Deacon Leung, Rev. Mak and Ho Kit May), carried out Ms. Ng’s ultimate birthday plans and wishes in the most pleasant, organized and smoothest manner. It was such a great birthday party one can’t ask for more.

Has it really been that long since we were first taught by Ms. Ng? She was one of our best and unforgettable Math and History teachers at Jubilee. But, how is it possible that 45 noisy and quiet years later, Ms. Ng still looks very much the same. Her pretty face, slim figure and her crystal clear girlish voice have not left her a bit. She talks and walks the same way, except some of us are starting to look older than her now and physically of no match to her. She’s one of the very few who are participating in all of our upcoming 40th Hong Kong Reunion, which will include the School Chapel Ceremony, the Dinner & Dance at our school assembly hall, the Yangtze River Cruise, the Hong Kong Island Tour, the Macau Tour and the holistic Vietnam Tour. She’s just dynamite, second to none! One can’t stop wondering what secrets she has to her youthfulness and wisdom. She is also a Chinese Mother Teresa who brings the Gospel of God, joy, hope and love to the poor who are struggling, suffering or dying in different parts of China. At 75, no job is too big and no job is too small. Everything’s possible or feasible. She’s not afraid of hardships or self-sacrifice. She devotes her time, energy and wealth whole-heartedly to both our Hong Kong Alumni and Canada Alumni. Ms. Ng sings and dances like a pro, and when she talks, she’s vibrant, full of life and great humours. She continues to open our eyes, teaching us all sorts of new things and tricks in life. Needless to say, she is a walking encyclopaedia wherever her little, pretty feet take her.

Ms. Ng, thank you for inviting us to such a memorable birthday feast of celebrations and thanksgiving to the Lord. You’ve put us to shame with the meaningful life you lead and your admirable contributions to mankind. You are a real special delight to be around. You’re our mentor, our friend, our true role model and inspiration. We all had a ball at your birthday party and our token of appreciation and love for you is immense. We are all looking forward to your 100th birthday celebrations many, many more prosperous years to come. See you in Hong Kong very soon!

Irene Tsai Yan Ying, reporting from Toronto