An attempt to convey a few of the thoughts & feelings of an expatriate teacher in sunny Singapore (and adjacent spots on occasion.)
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Magic And Loss
It's two years to the day since Mum died. Many thoughts of her today - all happy. I'm reminded of a great line from a great Lou Reed song: There's a little bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out.
Hi Mr Conor! I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I wanted to write to you, having found your blog awhile back, randomly! I'm not sure if you remember me. This is Queenie from TKGS and you directed Carousel and I was Carrie Pipperidge. It's quite lovely to read about you and your blog. I have always wanted to thank you for being a fabulous English & Lit teacher and extremely committed and passionate director/producer. I have now 'grown up', read law at university and now work in education and run my own business too. I just wanted to write to you to thank you for everything, especially being instrumental in developing a life-long love for the theatre, literature. Some of my best moments were doing the musicals. Thank you for the opportunities and for your efforts. I am writing to you here, as I do not know how else to get in touch! I can be found here: artybody . com Warmest regards Queenie (Ong)
I am Lina from TKGS and one of your musical girls. In 1994 I did the musical Carousel with you. I am staying in KL now with my husband and I am teaching English here :) I remember your Man U mug ! Anyway, how can I get in touch with you so that the next time you are in KL, I can touch base with you :)))
How wonderful, and unexpected, to hear from you both. My apologies for taking so long to write this quick reply, but I've been caught up in a whirlwind of sorts in the last week and it's been difficult to find time for any of the pleasurable aspects of life. I'll be trying to e-mail you both before the end of the month through the links you provided.
I think of the version of Carousel we did, and its talented cast with great affection, and I hope it's the same for you. And, yes, I remember you both: one as a most engaging Carrie and the other as a most convincing young man (if I got that right, Lina?)
My vision: retirement and a life of leisure.
My mission: to manage decline gracefully.
My goal: to get to the end of the day in one piece.
Born in Manchester, I am at present living and working, as a teacher of English, in Singapore, having done so since 1988. My wife, Noshayati – whom I call Noi, and others call Yati – is Malaysian, and we travel frequently to her homeland, where most of her family live (in Melaka.) We own a house in Kuala Lumpur. My sister and family still live back in Manchester and we try to visit occasionally.
I used to work for the Ministry of Education in Singapore, but since 2007 have been employed directly by an independent school here. It pays the bills.
I converted to Islam in 1997 and find myself even more interestingly placed in the world as a result. I like occupying intersections. They afford useful perspectives.
I’d like to think I have a sense of curiosity which keeps me young. But the jury is still out on this. A good day is one on which just about everything seems interesting. Some days are not so good, but I'm not so naive as to believe I have any right to expect otherwise.
3 comments:
Hi Mr Conor!
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I wanted to write to you, having found your blog awhile back, randomly!
I'm not sure if you remember me. This is Queenie from TKGS and you directed Carousel and I was Carrie
Pipperidge. It's quite lovely to read about you and your blog. I have always wanted to thank you for being a fabulous English & Lit teacher and extremely committed and passionate director/producer. I have now 'grown up', read law at university and now work in education and run my own business too. I just wanted to write to you to thank you for everything, especially being instrumental in developing a life-long love for the theatre, literature. Some of my best moments were doing the musicals. Thank you for the opportunities and for your efforts. I am writing to you here, as I do not know how else to get in touch! I can be found here: artybody . com
Warmest regards
Queenie (Ong)
Salaam Mr Connor.
I am Lina from TKGS and one of your musical girls. In 1994 I did the musical Carousel with you.
I am staying in KL now with my husband and I am teaching English here :)
I remember your Man U mug !
Anyway, how can I get in touch with you so that the next time you are in KL, I can touch base with you :)))
I am at lina.abdulwahab@gmail.com
Hi Queenie and Salaaam Lina.
How wonderful, and unexpected, to hear from you both. My apologies for taking so long to write this quick reply, but I've been caught up in a whirlwind of sorts in the last week and it's been difficult to find time for any of the pleasurable aspects of life. I'll be trying to e-mail you both before the end of the month through the links you provided.
I think of the version of Carousel we did, and its talented cast with great affection, and I hope it's the same for you. And, yes, I remember you both: one as a most engaging Carrie and the other as a most convincing young man (if I got that right, Lina?)
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