It's been 11 years since I have graduated from Ave Maria Convent. I was there for 10 years, through all thick (skin from the beating) and thin (I used to be really thin during school days). Off and on I went back to my school for job purposes, whether it was to get information of the school or to get help for charity organizations. Never had I took a long walk around the school compound, seeing the changes there are as of now.
Since I had to get some documents signed by the principal, I finally had an excuse to head back to school with loads of time to spare yesterday. I just had to go see some of the old faces and also the places where I once roamed.
As I parked my car on the side of the road, I got off the car to find a familiar car and face behind me. It was no other than the uncle who sold junk food from my schooling days! I wasn't expecting to see him here after so many years. I remember looking forward to buying loads of junk while waiting for my mom to pick me up, back in those days. He looks exactly the same, just a little older.
First thing's first, I settled all my documents with Miss Liew, our new principal of the school, before my explore. Miss Liew used to be our discipline teacher. I have always thought of her as the very fun discipline teacher. However, some other students (obviously those who were up to no good) thought otherwise. She had been transferred to another school previously and everyone thought that we wouldn't be seeing her in school anymore. Perhaps God knew that AMC needed her assistance and brought her back to her fans students who need her most, as a headmistress!!! How fun is this principal? She tolerates with selfies and is actively commenting on Facebook statuses!
My first stop (which was nearest to the head's office) was our small hall, a place where we always had our choir practice, ISCF gatherings, mini singing competitions and also packed assemblies. I remember playing for the choir for a few months before calling it quits. I too will never forget that I have won 2nd runner up for a singing competition in this particular hall. I wonder up til today, how I even managed to get a prize...
Outside the hall, was the view of some of the classes. They look absolutely the same to me. Same green grass, tall trees and clean environment...
The toilet which I dreaded to go for years looked the same too, only that the girls decided to paint something cuter to encourage others to keep the place clean. I wonder if it actually does help...
As I walked towards our new hall, which was the bigger hall, I noticed that the phone booth and water dispenser were still there! We all remember hogging on to the phone booth and also refilling water from that area. Every time after we have had our exercise, we would fill our bottles with cold water or just drink it fresh from the tap. However, the room that is now the girl's toilet was never for us to use back then.
Our new hall is exactly the same, but there were new buildings outside. There is a new block which I assume are new classrooms and the basketball court is finally sheltered. We used to run in the rain or shine during PE class back in the day because there wasn't anywhere else we could run to. Tough luck for the basketball players back then too.
The grass is always green in our school. It was such a nice sunny walk around school with greens all the way...
I didn't manage to walk into the library although I had the urge to. I just didn't want to interfere with any ongoings. However, from the outside, it does look the same. LOL. All of my school years, I guess I have not entered the library for more than 10 times, of which I was only there for the aircon.
The other block brings me more memories of my schooling days as those were the last years I spent there. I remember having cooking class, Science class, having regular spot checks, etc...
Last year as I came into the school canteen, I remember seeing special tables and chairs being laid out. I think it was for the teachers to sit. However, this time around, they were no longer there. I guess they decided that it wasn't necessary. The painting on the wall is still the same after all those years!
Our canteen, the place where we had less than 15 minutes to eat after taking our own sweet time to walk there. I remember having a very interesting school life. While everyone hung out with their bunch of friends, having meals and talking away, I took my food to a place where it was vacant and just blended in with whoever that was around me. I never had meals with the same people every day. Perhaps that is why I was popular back then, in a different way.
The stationary shop was always a big hit amongst us students. We would either get small interesting items from there such as cute note books, erasers, handicraft, strings to make bracelets and more. Most importantly, we were there for ribbons! Our school had a very strict rule of tying a ribbon over our ponytail, back in the day. If one fails to do so, demerit marks will be given by the prefects. We also had to make sure all our zips and hooks were intact to keep our marks high. Apparently, this shop is still doing very well up to this day...
Besides this shop, there was another favourite of ours, the Kacang Putih stall. We students were not allowed to eat in class. However, I am here to assure you that more than 50% of the students here have illegally sneaked in some of the Kacang Putih and nibbled during class while the teacher was at the board. As I put up the photo on Facebook, I have had many who agreed on it too.
Of all the changes that I have seen in the school, I guess I would love the corridors most. They have not renovated the floorings but they have added simple quotes on the top, against the ceiling. It is very meaningful and I think it is very uniquely done.
While walking along this corridor, I couldn't help but stop at what used to be my classroom and remember the times when I was punished to stand behind the class for talking too much, that of when my friend was so cold sitting under the fan with me that she had to keep holding my hand for warmth, the time when I kept munching on kacang putih and passing it around, the time I actually wrote notes to the afternoon session and get a reply by just putting the note in the drawer... The good old days were the best of all...
Posting photos on Facebook has triggered a lot of ex-school mates, wanting to come back to school to see their alma mater too. I may not have a good memory of the past, but I sure do remember a lot from this school... If only I could turn back time, I would never want to graduate from this school, where I was surrounded by the best teachers, the best friends, the best environment and best memories...
I still remember our school song and the lyrics up to this day. As the last sentence goes "Daughters of Ave Maria, forward let us march!", I am pretty sure most of us have marched to a wonderful future the school has given us. No matter in terms of getting married with a family or a successful career, we have to thank our school and teachers for everything they have given us. Beloved School and Mentor, we love you very dear...
My first stop (which was nearest to the head's office) was our small hall, a place where we always had our choir practice, ISCF gatherings, mini singing competitions and also packed assemblies. I remember playing for the choir for a few months before calling it quits. I too will never forget that I have won 2nd runner up for a singing competition in this particular hall. I wonder up til today, how I even managed to get a prize...
Outside the hall, was the view of some of the classes. They look absolutely the same to me. Same green grass, tall trees and clean environment...
The toilet which I dreaded to go for years looked the same too, only that the girls decided to paint something cuter to encourage others to keep the place clean. I wonder if it actually does help...
As I walked towards our new hall, which was the bigger hall, I noticed that the phone booth and water dispenser were still there! We all remember hogging on to the phone booth and also refilling water from that area. Every time after we have had our exercise, we would fill our bottles with cold water or just drink it fresh from the tap. However, the room that is now the girl's toilet was never for us to use back then.
Our new hall is exactly the same, but there were new buildings outside. There is a new block which I assume are new classrooms and the basketball court is finally sheltered. We used to run in the rain or shine during PE class back in the day because there wasn't anywhere else we could run to. Tough luck for the basketball players back then too.
The grass is always green in our school. It was such a nice sunny walk around school with greens all the way...
I didn't manage to walk into the library although I had the urge to. I just didn't want to interfere with any ongoings. However, from the outside, it does look the same. LOL. All of my school years, I guess I have not entered the library for more than 10 times, of which I was only there for the aircon.
The other block brings me more memories of my schooling days as those were the last years I spent there. I remember having cooking class, Science class, having regular spot checks, etc...
Last year as I came into the school canteen, I remember seeing special tables and chairs being laid out. I think it was for the teachers to sit. However, this time around, they were no longer there. I guess they decided that it wasn't necessary. The painting on the wall is still the same after all those years!
Our canteen, the place where we had less than 15 minutes to eat after taking our own sweet time to walk there. I remember having a very interesting school life. While everyone hung out with their bunch of friends, having meals and talking away, I took my food to a place where it was vacant and just blended in with whoever that was around me. I never had meals with the same people every day. Perhaps that is why I was popular back then, in a different way.
The stationary shop was always a big hit amongst us students. We would either get small interesting items from there such as cute note books, erasers, handicraft, strings to make bracelets and more. Most importantly, we were there for ribbons! Our school had a very strict rule of tying a ribbon over our ponytail, back in the day. If one fails to do so, demerit marks will be given by the prefects. We also had to make sure all our zips and hooks were intact to keep our marks high. Apparently, this shop is still doing very well up to this day...
Besides this shop, there was another favourite of ours, the Kacang Putih stall. We students were not allowed to eat in class. However, I am here to assure you that more than 50% of the students here have illegally sneaked in some of the Kacang Putih and nibbled during class while the teacher was at the board. As I put up the photo on Facebook, I have had many who agreed on it too.
Of all the changes that I have seen in the school, I guess I would love the corridors most. They have not renovated the floorings but they have added simple quotes on the top, against the ceiling. It is very meaningful and I think it is very uniquely done.
While walking along this corridor, I couldn't help but stop at what used to be my classroom and remember the times when I was punished to stand behind the class for talking too much, that of when my friend was so cold sitting under the fan with me that she had to keep holding my hand for warmth, the time when I kept munching on kacang putih and passing it around, the time I actually wrote notes to the afternoon session and get a reply by just putting the note in the drawer... The good old days were the best of all...
Posting photos on Facebook has triggered a lot of ex-school mates, wanting to come back to school to see their alma mater too. I may not have a good memory of the past, but I sure do remember a lot from this school... If only I could turn back time, I would never want to graduate from this school, where I was surrounded by the best teachers, the best friends, the best environment and best memories...
I still remember our school song and the lyrics up to this day. As the last sentence goes "Daughters of Ave Maria, forward let us march!", I am pretty sure most of us have marched to a wonderful future the school has given us. No matter in terms of getting married with a family or a successful career, we have to thank our school and teachers for everything they have given us. Beloved School and Mentor, we love you very dear...
