Ivan Lee (M69) invited us — U Aung Myint (Saya, M69), U Sein Tin (Omega, M69) and I — to get together at his house in New Jersey preferably in May-June of 2015.
U Aung Myint & U Sein Tin had visited him on previous occasions. They could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.
Fred
Frederick Thetgyi (M69) joined the 2015 mini-reunion.
He drove most of the 1800+ mile trip. Ivan provided his Mercedes & gas.
Except for the rare occasion where his batteries went out (and had to be replaced), Fred took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) offered to take the photo.
Memories
The photos can be grouped by location
New Jersey
NJ
Host: Ivan
Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
Niagara Falls
Niagara
On the way to Canada
Taken on both the US side and the Canada side
Windsor, Canada
WindsorWindsor 2
Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin
Toronto, Canada
Brief sight seeing
Ottawa, Canada
DAG
Host : Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
Quick trip to Thousand Islands
Massachusetts
TAG
Host : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC 69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
Visit MIT & Harvard University
Connecticut
Conn 1Conn 3
Host : U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
Visit Yale University
Ate at Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton
“I love you because” (sung by Jim Reeves) was a hit played by Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS).
I wrote a light version of the song.
I did not have a Home Minister at that time to edit or veto it.
I love you because (Lyrics)
I love you because you always stand dear every time I opened up the door You’re always there to help me eat my jam dear I love you more because you never snore.
No matter When you’re sleeping or awake dear You’re pretty as the craters on the moon I love you every minute of the hour dear Because you said You’d cry beside my tomb
I love you because my pocket’s lighter every time you shop around the town I love you because you’re a great fighter But you promised you would never knock me down
Take These Chains (Parody by HlaMin)
“Take these chains” was a song that was played often by BBS.
Thamankyar Ko Myint (Mn70) sang a Burmese song using the tune.
I tried to parody the song.
Take these chains (Lyrics)
Take these chains from my legs and set me free And the rope that ties me to this tree If you really pity me let me drink a glass of Zee Take these chains from my legs and set me free
I’m charged with murder of a tiny, little flea “Cruel” said the judge and he would not hear my plea. So, if you really pity me let me sip a cup of tea Take these chains from my legs and set me free
Take this scarf from my eyes and let me see If your waist still measures twenty three When I’m free I’ll marry you Even barrel shape will do Take these chains from my legs and set me free
Lost Neikban RIT (Parody by U Myat Htoo)
U Myat HtooLost Neikban
U Myat Htoo wrote a parody on “Pyauk Sone Nay Thaw Neikban Bon” (the song by Sai Kham Leik and Sai Htee Saing).
Played the Ukelele and sang the song at the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, and at NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner.
SPHS classmate in Std VIIIA, IXA and XA. He was among the youngest, but also the brightest.
We were in different sections in the lower classes.
VIII AMin Oo (Seated left)
Matric Exam in 1963
SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
All received Collegiate Scholarships with a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats (net 60 Kyats after the school fees).
Min Oo stood 2nd in Burma. He chose to study Maths.
Language expert
Grapevine says that he was reading a German book before entering the hall to take the Matric exam
Scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics & Chemistry
Mathematics Genius
A Tuition Saya challenged his students. “Ask your teachers to solve the problem. I will give you free tuition if you can provide the correct answer.” One student asked Min Oo, who was playing cards. Min Oo scribbled the answer during the card game. The Tuition Saya was unhappy; he broke his promise to give the student free tuition.
U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor of Maths) saw Min Oo get out of the Tutorial classes after a few minutes and yet had perfect score. Saya decided to give challenging questions for a Tutorial. Min Oo took longer time than the easier Tutorials, but most of the other students could not get a passing grade.
Luyechun Student & Staff
Selected Tekkatho Luyechun in the summer of 1965. We attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
Inlay Luyechun (Min Oo — Seated Right)
He joined RASU Maths Dept. He was chosen as Staff for the Tekkatho Luyechun camp.
As a multiple Luyechun from IM(1), Ko Khin Maung U was present at two camps with Min Oo. Ko KMU remembers Min Oo with a cigar trying to look like a Saya.
Career
Two doctorates in Maths from Germany
Professor Emeritus, McMasters University in Canada; Voluntarily retired in 2015.
Was Visiting Professor in selected US Universities.
Micro-reunion
After retirement, he visited Silicon Valley frequently to see his daughter.
A few years back, we had a lunch gathering in the SF Bay Area.
Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :
Yes – Min Oo is the brightest. Proud to be his class mate. SPHS VIA group photo Min Oo also Khin Mg U sitting.
In the old Education System, there were only a handful of female Engineering students
The first batch of five female students graduated in 1961. Four were from Textile : Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin), Julie Han (later Dr.), Yin Yin Kyi and Mi Mi Lay. Pauline Reynolds was the first female Chemical Engineering graduate.
Julie Han Pauline Reynolds
In 1962, Khin Than Nwe (Margaret, Tex) was the lone female engineering graduate.
Khin Than Nwe
Ma Ni Ni Thwin, Ma Khin Thein Yi, Ma Tin Myint, Ma Pyi Aye, Ma Khin Khin Kyu, Nancy Hla Aung, Maywaddy Tun Tun, Ma Yi Yi Aung, Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Nyunt Nyunt Zaw, Ma Cho are grads from 1963 – 68.
Nancy & Yi Yi Aung
The new Education System saw more female students.
There were about 45 female students in the 1st BE intake in 1964, and about 30 female students in the 2nd BE intake in 1964. G-Hall accepted most female students.
There were more in the 1st BE intake in 1965.
Archi
Ushers at RIT Graduation
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71) Editor for “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” Organizer for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
We all served as ushers at the Graduation Dinner in late 1966.
Graduation took place at RIT as well as the Dinner, at “aw bar lan” area.
Ushers
Right to Left
Sandi Hlaing — Ch 66 intake
Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) — Ch 65 intake
Nila Mya Aung — M 64 intake
Jessie Htwe — M 66 intake
Annie Ba Htaw — Tex65 intake
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk) Ch 66 intake (UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) — Ch 64 intake (Singapore)
Than Than Yi (GBNF) Tex 65 intake (my best friend who passed away in Sept 2013, USA)
Photo provided by Daw Tin Aye (C73). Initially took Mechanical Engineering and helped with “Set Hmu Thadin Zin” (founded by U Win Thein). Played Volley for Civil Engineering Volunteered for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71)
Right to Left
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk, Ch 66-72, UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, Ch 64-70, Singapore)
Hla Hla Aye (She was as a cover girl at one of the “Shay Tho Sar Saung”, and inside the Sar Saung had an article about RIT activities with photos. I kept that Sar Saung, but unfortunately (after so many years) now I only have a page left with a photo taken at the Chemistry lab, which included Ma Khin Myat Swe (spouse of Saya U Moe Aung), Henry Koe, my spouse Ko Khin Mg Miynt and myself).
Tin Aye (C )
Nelly Khin Myo Win (GBNF) (Ch 65-71, Mandalay)
Could be Margaret Yi (Ch 65)
All are from G -Hall at one of the Tha Din Gyut or Da Saung Taing Pwe at Shwe Dagon Pagoda, organized by G -Hall.
Reunions
Daw Pwint Than
Daw Pwint Than and Daw Cho Cho Tin
Selected High School Luyechun from Loikaw twice : Ngapali Camp in the Summer of 1964 and Inlay Camp in the Summer of 1965.
First school established by the De La Salle Brothers in Burma.
Built in Moulmein (1860)
Photos taken during my visit to the school (2016)
Clock Tower, boarding house upstairs, exam hall below
Photos taken during my visit
St. Pat 1St. Pat 2St. Pat 3Entrance
Memories
Our class photoV B
Our class photoVII Std
Class teacher Bro. Sebastian. I met Bro Sebastain during our first year at Leikkone in 1958-59 while he was attending BAed.
Ko Ko Lay (UCC) first row, sitting second from left. U Aye (M62), second row, sitting second from right. B. Singh (RU goalkeeper) third row, first from right, Myo Lwin (M63), third row third from right.
Absentees : Kyaw Win (M62), Peter Gale.
Bro Canice was Bro Director, House Master Mr. E. Swarris, House Capt. Dr. Aung Myin (Eye, passed away in UK around 2018), U Win Naing (MS pulp and paper)(CRO) third row, fourth from right, U Aye, third row, third from right.
Our matriculation class 1955-56
Bro Austin, Bro Director, Bro Wilfrid, Class teacher, U Tun Shwe, Myanmar Sar, Mr. DeMonte, Moral and Manners.
Peter Gale, Dr. Thet Lwin (Statistics), B. Singh (RU goalkeeper), medical doctors Dr JK Sinha (UK), Dr Rafi, Dr Rajani Vora, India, Capt. Aung Myint, Capt Ya Kyaw, Myo Lwin (M63), Kyaw Win (M62), John Ba Maung, Russian Lecturer (IFL)
Prof. Khin Zaw (Chemistry), Saw Alfred Keh (Preacher after graduation, son of pre-WW2, RU footballer Washington Keh), U Kyi Win (BPI), U Aye among others.
St Patrick’s HS football team of late 40s and early 50s
During 1948-49, St Pat’s team beat all other Schools’ Combined team. Some of the team members were-
Bernard Henry – Goalkeeper,
R. S. Pathy, Tin Aye — Fullbacks,
Pway Ain (Htay Aung), Jimmy Innes, Tin Ngwe (Mid-field),
Rama (Rightwinger), Khine Thein,SV Lingham, Jimmy Sein (Tint Swe), B. Boudville (Left winger).
Later Pway Ain (Htay Aung) played for RU, Jimmy Sein (Tint Swe) played for Prome Hall and RU. Jimmy Innes played for Customs FC in Rangoon first div.
Many played in Friends Union FC in Moulmein first div.
St Patrick’s Alumini, Ko Ko Gyi, Tenasserim division and Burma selected footballer.Standing second from L Pway Ain(Hyay Aung)) and Jimmy Sein(Tint Swe) seated second from L, were from St Patrick’s HS football teamB.Singh back row, fifth from L in black goalkeeper jersey, the tall guy was from St Patrick’s HS, he was also a Tenasserim Division player. He was my classmate in St Pat.
Dennis Mackey (C73) wrote
Thanks for this piece as part of your “Work in Progress”.
Below are photos and notes that I posted on my FB page and on St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein FB public group page.
De La Salle Schools — St. Pat (Moulmein), St. Paul’s (Rangoon), St. Peter’s (Mandalay), St. Albert’s (Maymyo), St. Columban’s (Bhamo), St. Joseph’s (Loikaw), DLS (Twante)
Private schools were nationalized on April 1, 1965
U Aye represented RU & BIT in Volleyball. He graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1962. He worked for HIC and FAO.
Wishing all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Thanks
Thanks to all the readers — mostly silent but occasionally appreciative.
RIT Sayas
Since I was a Saya, but not at RIT, I was not as busy as my classmates who were RIT sayas attending SPZPs once or twice a day.
Guest
Some alums (e.g. class of 70 and 71, Mech 72, Civil 75) invited me as guest to their class reunions and/or SPZPs. Thanks.
69ers
My classmates (from the class of 69++) had a grand reunion lunch, where Ko Aung Min made a roll call of the GBNF before being entertained to food, drinks, welcome addresses, songs and dances. Thanks. Please read Ko Aung Min’s e-mail.
With metta,
Hla Min
From U Aung Min (M69)
Dear All 69++er Classmates,
Today, (31 December, 2012) we RIT 1969++ classmates held a grand re-union lunch successfully.
About 90 classmates including about 8 ladies join the re-union, from abroad and in land.
Although we sold the lunch tickets @ 10000 Kyats per head, KO TIN WIN (Mining) took the opportunity of hosting the re-reunion and providing Whiskey.
So, almost all the cash, sold amount, will be transferred to the 69er Health Care Fund
Ko Kyaw Zin also brought one liter of Chivas
Danny, Albert, and Saw Law La Htwe — good vocalists — entertained at the ceremony.
Contributing Editor for the Commemorative issue of the RUBC 90th Anniversary Magazine
Proposed to write Prelude for each section
HCA lasted less than an hour. I completed the Prelude for all sections.
UCC and ICST (Jan 2018)
ICST
Attended the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST as a Member of Generation Zero
Later gave a guest lecture at UCSY (University of Computer Studies in Yangon).
In my desire to pay back to UCC, I wrote 30+ posts on “Memories of UCC” in three days of HCA.
Phyu Phyu Kyaw (my former student) told me that I should not be spending too much time in Yangon reminiscing about UCC. She asked, “Would you like to have a two-night three-day vacation at Bagan?”
Sharing Knowledge / Experience (2018 – Present)
After I came back to the USA, I decided to share my memories with my sayas and alumni.
My spouse told me that we should pay back to our beloved land, our ancestors and our mentors.
Started posting “Trivia” to my Facebook friends. Then opened up to the General Public.
Started revising and archiving in my web site: hlamin.com
Posted on selected Facebook Pages : RIT Updates, Myanmar, Memories and Fun with Learning
I am a “Jack of All Trades, and Master of Some”, Mini-Dictionary, Micro-Google, Life long learner, Distinguished Toastmaster, Amateur historian (former Docent of the Computer History Museum), “Sar Pay Chit Thu စာပေချစ်သူ” : freelance writer, editor & translator, Volunteer for alumni, religious & social organizations.
Depending on my HCA, I have written and/or updated dozens of posts daily.
HlaMin 