A Walk Down Memory Lane

(A little non-mission-field-side-memory) 

My old high school drum team just had a concert this past weekend celebrating 20 years. I love it that many of the alumni went back to practice for months to put on this concert. I cannot tell you how much memory it brings back. I was in the team my whole high school life (which in Malaysia is 6 years, from 13-18 year old), and it was an integral part of my life. A lot of my character was shaped then – discipline, teamwork, honor, hardwork, love of arts, respect, … I remember practicing everyday after school under the blazing hot sun from 3-6pm (or sometimes 7pm). Starving by then, we would walk out to the mamak store (roadside store) and have roti canai / roti telur / maggi mee goring. As soon as I got home, I was usually so tired that I flopped down on the sofa and fell asleep before I even took a shower. I think sometimes I even skipped dinner. 

I remember secretly memorizing drum notesheets while in class, quietly playing with my fingers in the drawer of the table. 

I remember repairing the drums together.

I remember 夜里摸索 where Ah Meng made 小俊 put his hand into the trashcan. 

I remember I looked like an Indian back then because of all the sun. 

I remember 军士演习, tough, but so fun at the same time.

I remember when there were 10 of us girls at one point.

I remember changing into my T-shirt and shorts during the last class so that I could run down straight away for practice right when the dismissal bell rang. 

I remember the feeling of butterflies in my stomach right before I stepped out on the stage the first time.

I remember coming back during the holidays to plan and discuss for camp, the crazy ideas we came up with of zip lining and climbing tires and rolling in sand. 

I remember the pep talks coach (Xiong) used to give. 

I remember shocking Xiong one day as he stepped into the teachers’ office and I was sitting there with a crew cut and wearing boy’s uniform. 

I remember sweat dripping down like a waterfall and making a puddle at my feet.

I remember one time we squeezed 11 people into my car to drive out to the main road from the school. 

I remember our never ending talks sitting by the amoeba pond (变形湖).

I remember getting knocked into while carrying a drum and I had to get stitches right by my eye. 

I remember squeezing my friend Mon’s finger so hard while the doctor was stitching it up. 

I remember driving home that day with my glasses dangling from my face. 

I remember ……………

I remember …

It’s been 12 years since I left the school, the drum team.

Oh the good ol’ days!