My poem “The Ngapali Beach” was published in the Forward Magazine.
I received Fifteen Kyats for the poem.
The Illustrator received Fifty Kyats.
Bohmu Ba Thaw (Maung Thaw Kha) was Chief Editor of the Forward Magazine. He jokingly asked me if I would be interested to join him.
U Sein Hla was Assistant Editor of the Forward Magazine.
Visits
I know some people who have visited Ngapali almost yearly.
I visited Ngapali only three times.
First Visit
My first visit was during my student days with my cousin Ko Thaung Lwin and friends. We stayed at the Bungalow owned by U Tha Gyaw Wai and managed by my uncle U Thet Toe.
At a nearby bungalow was a movie crew by Amyotha Yoke Shin with U San Maung (Gerald, RUBC Gold and Coach). They were shooting a film starring Wah Wah Win Shwe and directed by U Min Naing. Ko Gerald asked me if I would be interested to join them on the way back to Rangoon via Taung Goke.
The ride on the truck over the Taung Goke Pass was rough and tough. At Taung Goke, we were hosted by a cinema owner. He offered the movie audience a free show if they could translate the Burmese titles into English. One submission was “Fly away bitter bird” (Pyan Lay dei Nget Khar).
The rest of the trip involved a boat ride (after a long delay) and a train ride.
Second Visit
My second visit was with my beloved spouse and two young sons. We stayed at the Bungalow owned by Amyotha Yoke Shin and managed by U Mya Maung (GBNF, younger brother of U Sein Tin and elder brother of Saya U Tin Htut).
Third Visit
My third visit was as a Guest Lecturer for the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in the Summer of 1988.
I spent some time chatting with other Guest Lecturers including Saya U Kyaw Myint (Director of Higher Education, former Professor of Physics at Mandalay).
Heart felt thanks to all those who took care of us during the enjoyable trip to Singapore and Myanmar.
There were several gatherings, mini-gatherings, events and trips.
The list is not exhaustive.
Singapore
UCC
Hosts : Ko Zaw Tun and Ma Kyu Kyu Hlaing
Gatherings with UCC alumni
Dinner hosted by Ma Pale Shein and Ko Ye
Trip hosted by Ko Ngwe Soe (Silver) and Ma Nu Nu Yee (sister of Ko Khin Maung Thwe)
RIT
Lunch Gathering with RIT 69ers
Lunch Gathering with Saya U Tu Myint, 73ers …
Burma
PPBRS / PBRS
Met Monty Myint Swe (PPBRS)
Due to schedule conflict, could not attend the PBRS gatherings
Greeted some in the PBRS FB page
SPHS
With Harry Kyaw, Dicky Taw, Edwin Hara, Victor Nyunt, Than Win, and several more Paulians, offered soon to Uzin Saya Beatson (Physics teacher and Scout Master at SPHS)
Attended wedding of the daughter of Eddie Shein (Aung Kyaw Myint). Met Dr. Min Lwin (SPHS60, Orthopedic Surgeon) and some OP
Attended the Anniversary Lunch of Saya Dr. Soe Win (First in Burma in the Matriculation in 1858, son of Saya Sein, nephew of Saya Kyaw Sein) and Sayama May Saw Lwin at Saya San Shwe Bei. Met Ko Aung Mon (RIT, RU Centennial) and spouse (daughter of H.E. U Khin Maung Yin)
Could not attend the Christmas Eve party of the OP
RIT 69ers
Attended the Golden Jubilee of Graduation of the 69ers and the Reunion Dinner (hosted by Ko Tin Win).
Ma Tin Tin (lone EE female graduate) flew in from San Diego, California, USA and donated USD 1000
Albert Kyaw Min and Danny Tint Lwin led the entertainment session. They miss Robert Win Boh (now in hibernation after recovering twice from Stroke and once from Cancer).
We shared merit with the GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) former classmates and sayas.
Kudos to Ko Aung Min and group for organizing the Golden Jubilee of Graduation of the Class of 69. Thanks to the donors — Ma Myint Myint, Ma Tin Tin, Ivan Lee, Ko Sein Myint, Ko Zau Lai, Fred Thetgyi, Ko TAG, Ko Tin Win, … see Ko Aung Min’s spread sheet — for the successful SPZP (with 30+ sayas and sayamas) and the Reunion Dinner and Entertainment.
RIT Alumni (Other Groups)
Attended Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 (Class of 70 and 71)
Attended Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of M72 and selected from other disciplines
Attended Indian Lunch hosted by M72
Attended Dinner hosted by Ko Aung Myaing and Ma Gyn Yu
Attended All Mechanical Gathering
Could not attend mini-gathering hosted by Ko Khin Maung Myint (M71)
UCC, ICST and UCSY
Attended Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST and UCSY. Thanks to Mar Mar Soe for the ride. Miss Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder Director of UCC, Pioneer of Computer Education and Application in Burma/ Myanmar) who passed away in November, 2019
Dinner hosted by Saya U Soe Paing and Ma Alice (Saw Yu Tint)
UCC Gathering at MICT Park Would try to be an Annual event
At Tin Moe We (Sweetie)’s apartment
Soon Kyway at Shwe Kyin monastery
Soon Kyway by Ko Hlaing Myint
MARB
MARB Class at the “new” venue
Saya Dr. Aung Myin Bo gave us the ride
Met a guest Saya The from Mandalay
HMEE
HMEE Meeting at the Holy Cross Church
Saya U Aung Hla Tun has published a new book.
Panel at ILF
5th ILF (Irrawaddy Literary Festival)
Held at Hotel Mercure in Mandalay.
Thanks to ILF Board Members for inviting me as a Panelist
Thanks to KK (SMART Group) for the transportation (air and ground travel)
Had a chance to meet outstanding foreign and Myanmar authors at the Festival.
During a break, Ko Thein Htut (ex-UCC) gave a quick tour.
2020 PSA Tour to Upper Burma
Enjoyed the 8-day 6+ cities trip as a guest and volunteer mentor of the 2020 PSA (Professional Speakers Association) tour.
Met 10+ founding members, three knowledge-hungry youngsters, and amicable supporting staff.
Thanks to the Diamond Sponsors (a) SMART Media (b) POINT Sunflower Group See list on brochures, banners and video captions
Thanks to the Golden Sponsors
Thanks to the Organizers (especially the Support Group)
RUBC
Attended the Annual Regatta
Met Old Captains, Old Members and current members
Wrote several posts in YUBC Old Members FB Page
Relatives
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Reunion
House warming
Last Journey of Ma Cherry (Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt, spouse of U Tin U)
HlaMin 