Memories of Three Rivers School 1975

Busing Jali is in town! After having forgotten what Busing looked like, there was no way Abby was going to miss this. After a round of telephone calls, Abby, Augustine Kupang and Rajeli Dema were able to meet Busing in the Shell cafeteria. And yes, those pesky chickens and missing coconuts came up! Busing also remembered the early morning bell ringing to get everyone up and then rushing back to bed for those last few minutes of blissful slumber.

L-R: Busing Jali, Augustine Kupang, Rajeli Dema & Abidah Biha

Busing Jali & Abby who will now never forget what Busing looks like.

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The reunion which took place in Kuching on Saturday, June 13, was a tea-time one. However, there was more talking than eating as Edith Phoa, Malihabi Sait Hamat, Priscilla Anne Joseph, Hjh Joairidah Hj. Seman, Raymond (Ramon) Taki, Abdul Rani, Hj Rambli Zainudin and Len Bubat came together to recall the good old days at St. Patrick's and Three Rivers School. Thanks to my sister Priscilla for standing in for me since she was familiar with all my friends. And it was fortunate that Jo could be in town for this particular reunion.

I understand our good friend Ramon will be sending more photos soon. Those will be posted when they are received.

The lovely ladies, L-R: Malihabi Sait Hamat, Priscilla Anne Joseph, Hjh Joairidah Hj Seman & Edith Phoa

The dashing gentlemen, standing: Raymond (Ramon) Taki

Sitting L-R: Hj Rambli Zainudin, Abdul Rani & Len Bubat

Laughter and a telephone ... it must be ... "ello Abby!"

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The Mukah reunion was held at Kingwood Hotel on May 31, 2009 and present were Marcell Usup Pak, his brave wife Dayang Lasung and their three children, Anis Uchang, Hj. Julkip Seno, Hj. Ismail Mawi (Mendaie), Duwin Udih, Hjh Maimunah, Hjh Joairidah, Catherine Kiew, Rose Sutek and Mary Agnes Sutong.

This is the meeting in Usup's own words: "Some of them didn't even recognize each other let alone to recall their names. Catherine Kiew shook hands with me and called me Julkip. I gave her a second chance to recall and she still couldn't. Only after I laughed did she recognize me.

Julkip didn't recognize Anis and called him Johaness. Julkip and Rose Sutek couldn't remember each other's names. Julkip also couldn't recall Mary Agnes. Hjh Maimunah was the same so you can imagine how she struggled to recall each other's names."

Hj. Ismail had brought his laptop so everyone got to view the blog and laugh at the way we were.

Mukah Reunion: Kingwood Hotel

Back L-R: Anis Uchang, Hj Julkip Seno, Hj Ismail Mawi (Mendaie), Marcell Usup Pak, Duwin Udih

Front L-R: Hjh Maimunah, Catherine Kiew, Hjh Joairidah Seman, Rose Sutek, Mary Agnes Sutong

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On May 23, 2009, Henry Mohd Hazre, Rajeli Dema, Edith Phoa, Abidah Biha and Marcell Usup Pak met at Dynasty Hotel's Cafe Rosita in Miri for another mini-reunion. This time Henry and Usup were brave enough to bring their spouses and some children to be introduced into the circle of missing chickens and disappearing coconuts and secret crushes.

Together again after 33 years: Henry Mohd Hazre, Rajeli Dema, Edith Phoa, Abidah Biha & Marcell Usup Pak

Henry and youngest daughter, Ayusuraya, Rajeli, Abby & Usup

Henry, Ayusuraya Baiduri, Edith & Rajeli

Two of the five Amigas: Abby & Edith

Rajeli: It was just the bicycle ... I swear it was nothing else. Usup: Ah ha, sure, we believe you.

Ok ... I admit ... I had a crush on Abby ... the bicycle was just an excuse. Now, can I eat my dinner?

Edith and Halimah ... the one brave enough to take on the chicken napper.

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May 15, 2009, saw another set of reunions. Abby met with Marcell Usup Pak and Henry Mikui Mohd. Hazre in Miri. The night was filled with laughter and recollections of youthful antics at both Three Rivers School and St. Patrick's.

Marcell Usup Pak, Abby & Henry Mohd Hazre

"Now, Henry, do you remember those chickens?" "Yes, they were yummy ..."

"There was Kassim, Munir, Morshidi, Hamzah, Busing ... and coconuts that did not go "thud" in the night"

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On April 4th, 2009, Abby, Edith and Maliha met in Kuching after 33 years. It was a walk down memory lane for all three who reminisced about old times and old friends and caught up with each other's news.

Abby, Edith and Maliha

Thanks to Edith Phoa who took these photos in February, 2010. I have just been lax about uploading them to the blog. As you can see the entrance to TRS has changed from that distinctive arch to the gate below.

This looks like a waiting area for students. Also looks like there is a fence around the school property.

The arch at the entrance is gone ... now it is just a gate

The hall ... needs a coat of paint!

A view of the hall from the basketball court. Didn't we use to play badminton here?

Our Form Five classrooms ... we used to hang out in the corridors

during breaks and before class.

School badge

This is certainly not the beach I remember.

I guess it's the Monsoon season and that is why the water is so

high on the beach. It looks awfully dirty. I remember we rode

our bikes on the sand. I learned to drive on this beach!

As the reunions happen and people exchange stories and experiences of those years at TRS, there will be laughter and tears and memories shared, but they will never be enough pictures to capture those times. Below are just a few to remind us of those days.