This is a Blog about Life-Journey Friendship or Amigos Para Siempre.
One of my feel-good songs is Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life). It is the official theme song of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games held in Barcelona, Spain. The duet hit song, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Don Black was sung by Spanish tenor Jose Carreras and English soprano Sarah Brightman.
My well-played Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) CD Single with three versions of the song (above image).
Last Friday, 7 February 2025, was a sentimental and delightful day for me as I was invited to an informal secondary school cohort reunion Chinese New Year Lo-Hei (Yu-Sheng) lunch. Thanks, Jolly, for the invite!
“Lo Hei” is Cantonese for “Tossing Up” referring to the communal prosperous tossing of “Yu Sheng”, a celebratory dish comprising of fish slices, vegetables, spice, various condiments. Chinese love to organise/attend fun, loud and raucous “Lo Hei” meal parties during Chinese Lunar New Year.
The Cohorts of St. Andrew’s Secondary School reunite for a fun Chinese New Year Lunch (above image). I’m reminded of the Elton John hit song (1971), “Friends” and of a particular poignant lyric “As friends together watch their childhood fly”.
Essential lunch dress code – Wear a Smile!
We teased each other about our mischievous pranks, detention class track records, outstanding debts, knee caps, cholesterol levels, free government health subsidies, notorious teachers, teenage teacher crush, various classmate convictions, and hair dye brands etc. Surprisingly, no academic grades were discussed. We had forgotten (dementia, anyone?) all past grievances with each other.
They say, “Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials – much to live on and much to live for.“
The Preparation of Yu Sheng Spread (above image). I’m waiting to pounce on the Yu Sheng, I believe that “too many cooks spoil the broth”. Behind my table is another cohort Yu Sheng table, also diligently preparing their Yu Sheng spread.
A fun and belly satisfied assembly of former Classmates (motley crew) just happy to see and tease each other after all these decades (above image).
For a brief moment, we were mischievous and messy Classmates again.
A classy Alma Mater key chain memento from the Cohort Yu Sheng lunch to cherish the Happy Reunion Chinese New Year Feast (above image). Thanks, Clifford!
2025 is the Chinese year of the Snake. A dear friend invited me and friends to her home to celebrate Chinese New Year. She made this gorgeous Snake-themed Yu Sheng platter (above image). Thanks, Joni!
My “Lo Hei” lunch celebration last year (2024) with the fun Star Wars 501st Garrison of Singapore.
The messy aftermath of a successful, fun, loud and rowdy Lo Hei fish toss (above image).
Enough of food chat – this is after all a Blog about Long-Journey Friendship.
I heard “Being honest may not get you a lot of friends but it’ll always get you the right ones.”
I quote the poignant lyrics from my favourite childhood Elton John hit song from 1971 simply called “Friends”:
“I hope the day would be a lighter highway
For friends are found on every road
Can you ever think of any better way
For the lost and weary travelers to go”
“Making friends for the world to see
Let the people know you got what you need
With a friend at hand you will see the light
If your friends are there, then everything’s all right”
“It seems to me a crime that we should age
These fragile times should never slip us by
A time you can never can or shall erase
As friends together watch their childhood fly”.
Another Feeding Frenzy with the Star Wars 501st Garrison of Singapore (above image). I brought the “May The Force Be With You” chocolate cake to the tribal feast.
I like the wisdom of Mark Twain – “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.”
My advice to my ageless Peers – to stay young (be fun, witty, emphatic, mentally alert), hang out with the fun, crazy and creative like-minded Young.
Find Good/Silly Reasons/Excuses to Smile and Laugh.
Bypass (cardiac pun) the grouchies, nay-sayers, gossipers, know-it-alls (they usually don’t) and complainers.
Make your Final Decades, your Finest Decades!
Till this day, I make new vibrant, creative and crazy friends every week. Tomorrow I will have a fun catch-up lunch with a long-lost (now found) Classmate I have not seen for 51 years, by his estimation.
