TEN YEARS – REUNION AND RENEWAL!!!

THERE is a Chinese saying that goes something like "In ten years, people and relationships are as good as new." Ten years – that's how long it has been since we graduated from DISCS. In these ten years, some of us have made progress in their careers, move on to new ones, started families or even companies. Basically we have all changed – a far cry from those undergraduate days. Throughout the years, some of us have kept up with the bonds forged during those student days. But for the majority, we have lost contact. Occasionally when we hear of someone's name being mentioned, fond memory of that person's idiosyncrasies or episodes of relating to that person comes to mind – the laughter, the tears, the worries, the strains. Yet despite the small size of the island we live on, except for the fond memories and a sincere wish for their happiness, we never seem to have the chance of meeting that someone with whom we shared our last days of innocence.

So, it's time for us to meet again. Let's do it. Yes, at the Class of '88 Reunion Dinner!

It will be a buffet dinner, with no lard or pork. A good chance for people to mingle around. 30% parking free, and free flow of soft drinks. As the committee worry that the presence of children might be taking away the fun from the parents, we do not encourage children to attend, but if that poses a problem for you, please let us know and we will make special arrangement.

Kindly RSVP by filling in the form attached below, write a crossed cheque made payable to "CISA Association", and send it to me by 28^th June 1998 using the enclosed envelope. Please indicate your name and write "Class of '88 Reunion Dinner" at the back of the cheque. A receipt will be issued to you in due course. (Graduates located overseas please contact your friends to arrange payment if you are not able to send the cheque directly.)

As planning and discussion are still going on, and to make this message short, I am setting up a web site to include more details about the event. Hopefully the web pages will be ready in a week's time, as I have much work to do to scan in the pictures from our 7:30am graduation magazine. I will try to make it as interesting as possible. so please allow me some time. (Don't worry about sensitive information such as your email addresses; those will not appear in the web.)

Tentatively, the web pages will be hosted at http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/reunion/class88.html . I need also your business card and a recent photograph of yours (which will be scanned in and displayed on the web), so please send them in either together with the form, or, if your photo is not ready, please send it to us later. This applies to everybody, including those who are unable to attend the dinner, as we would like to do an update of your data for future correspondences.

Enclosed also are the email addresses and partial addresses of the class. If you have not given us your email address, or your new home address, please do so. If you can help us to reach out to those whose addresses (postal or email) are unavailable or invalid, please do so too. We would really appreciate your help. We also need help on the logistics and programme for the night. Please do indicate your willingness to help out either in the form, or drop me an email at tantc@comp.nus.edu.sg. Queries and suggestions are welcomed any time, and will be posted in the web as well.

We look forward to catching up with everybody on 29^th August 1998 for a happy reunion time!

(Apologies if you do not belong to the ISCS Graduation Class of 1988. All care has been taken to retrieve the intended recipients from our database, but if we have made a slip, please kindly ignore this letter.)

Yours sincerely,

Aaron Tan Tuck Choy
on behalf of everybody
12^th June 1998

PS: Credits must go to a number of people who had gathered together and made this come true, particularly Oliver Tian Sau Meng. Others are Arun Devan, Clarence Choa Wee Beng, Janice Lee Mong Li, Arthur Lim Chee Hwee, Mah Yu Ling, Bernard Tan Cheng Yian, and Wong Weng Fai. Thanks also to Wong Weng Fai and Lim Swee Kim for drafting this message. Apologies if I have left out anybody.

Hi!  Remember me?  I am _______________________

(Please tick one)
  [ ]   Yes!  I will be attending the Reunion Dinner!  
        Enclosed is a cheque of S$_____.
        I intend/don't intend to drive there. (Please delete one)
        I need special arrangement.  (Please indicate, for
        example, strictly vegetarian, etc.)  _____________

  [ ]   Sorry, I am not able to attend the Reunion Dinner.

The following questions are directed to everybody.

  My web site's URL is: http://_____________________

  I would like to suggest a theme for the night:  _____________

  I have a message: (this will go into the web site)

   _________________________________________________________

   _________________________________________________________

   _________________________________________________________

  I would like to help out in the organisation: (Please tick one)

     [  ]  Programme
     [  ]  Logistics
     [  ]  Others (please specify: ____________________)

  I have some suggestions for the event:

     _________________________________________________________

     _________________________________________________________

     _________________________________________________________

  I enclose here my business card and photograph.