Midgee's Simple Life: ofa

During my years in the Penang Free School, I joined the school rugby team. Our rugby coach back then was Allahyarham Sober Hj Salleh but everyone addressed him as Cikgu Saber. To me, he was not just a teacher who taught us in Seni Perusahaan classes and a rugby coach. He was a mentor to me. He taught me about life. He is truly a master indeed.

In PFS, all male teachers were being addressed as "Sir". The Teacher's Room sign was "Masters' Common Room". Hence, the word "Headmaster" is the Head of the Masters. But now many refer the position as the School Principal. Influenced by the Americans, perhaps?

A few months back, our Old Frees ruggers had discussions to organize a friendly tournament between the Old Frees Assoc. (OFA) and the PFS school team memorial game to commemorate Allahyarham Cikgu Saber's contributions to PFS Rugby team.

On that Sunday evening, after the Asr prayer at the PFS Surau, we started off the event with a Tahlil prayers for Allahyarham Cikgu Saber and for our friends who had left this world too soon.

5:00pm

We gathered at the school field. Theere were football and hockey tournaments too on the same day between OFA and PFS.

Most of the known faces were there including my uncle from batch '79.

5:30pm
The weather was cloudy as it was raining in the morning. The morning rain had dampened the field and the soil was soft. The temperature was also not too hot. A perfect condition to play rugby as the soft soil beneath the grass could prevent injuries.

I was not prepared for this game as I feel that it just for fun. It has been more than 25 years since I last played rugby. Furthermore, I just came back from the ride to Songkhla last night. Hope I have enough energy to play.

We started the game. After a few minutes, it all came back to me. As they say, it's like riding a bicycle. hehehe

As the game ended, the OFA won. It was fun. I'm really exhausted but enjoyed.

Till we meet again next year.

Fortis Atque Fidelis!

Prior to the coming Penang Free School Bicentenary Celebration, The Old Frees Association had arranged a lot of events. One of them is the PFS Bicentenary Ride.

The ride consists of 40 motorcycles of all types, open to all Old Frees. The route is around Penang island.

On that early Sunday morning, it was raining heavily. Not the typical heavy rain but the torrential and windy rain. Since the ride is a one time event to commemorate the coming PFS Bicentenary Celebration this October, I put on my rain suit and braved the rain on my 135LC cubchai.

The heavy rain had caused minor flash flood in certain areas along the road. About one kilometer away from my home, I saw a motorcycle was lying in the middle of the road and the rider seems to be in pain as he was holding his arm, sitting on the road by his bike. Luckily it was early Sunday morning and not much vehicles were on the road.

I parked my bike at the side of the road and went straight to help that poor fellow. I lifted his bike and parked it at the roadside. I asked him is he ok? He said he's ok. He only hurt his arm, hence could not lift his bike. Seems I was in a hurry and there was no other injuries on him, I left him at the roadside. Hopefully he could manage to get further assistance from there.

The rain seem to keep on pouring heavily. On the Penang Bridge, the wind was so strong I could only ride at no more than 60km/h. In the middle of the bridge, I saw a few bikes had to stop and took shelter from the strong wind by the side of the huge pillars. There were two Police VFR800 bikes that took shelter there too. I kept on riding in the strong wind that blew sideways with the heavy rain until I finally reached the Old Frees Association building at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. By then, the rain subsided a bit but still didn't stop.

To my surprise, the heavy rain and strong wind did not hamper or deter the spirit of the Old Frees bikers to attend the event. Breakfast was provided and I had the chance to meet my friends and get to know others as well.

PFS

After all the participants had arrived. The committee members did some briefing, a short speech from the officials, we sang the school anthem (had a goosebump while singing it) and off we go. It was still drizzling and all of us were still wearing our rain suits.

The ride started from OFA building -> Penang Free School (photo session) -> Jelutong Expressway -> Pantai Seagate Expressway -> Baru Maung -> Teluk Kumbar -> Balik Pulau.

Notice the licence plate ;)

Titi Kerawang

We stopped at Balik Pulau Petronas station for refuel and toilet break. The rain had stopped. We continued the ride to Teluk Bahang Dam for another group photo session.

Then we carried on to Batu Feringghi -> Tanjung Tokong -> Gurney Drive -> Mahkamah & we stopped at the Penang State Museum building. It was the original Penang Free School site. The Penang State Museum building is what's left after it was bombed by the Japanese 'Zero' fighter planes in World War II. The word "PFS" was carved on the upper walls of the building, We took some photos there and we rode back to OFA building.