It was 14 February 2008 afternoon. I received a call from Lin Hui Zhu (林慧朱老师). She invited me to be the Secretary for the group. She told me that there would be a Teochew Opera Festival to be held in Shantou, China that November. She would like me to attend the festival. It might be I assisted the Group in the promotion and publicity of the show in 2007 that made her pleased to offer the invitation.

I was interested in Teochew Opera, but I did not like to be a member of any Teochew Opera Group. I initially said that I would assist her in the festival as a volunteer. She insisted that I should attend the Festival as the official Secretary of the Group. We had the conversation for twenty minutes. I made clear my stand and finally accepted the invitation.

That was the valentine day and I was with very good mood. It was one of the reason I accepted the invitation. I was also grateful for her help a few years ago. Besides, she told me about the Festival to be held night months later. Since I took up Teochew Opera singing after my retirement, I always faced many `secrets' related to Teochew Opera. Many people liked to keep their activities as top secret. But there was nothing new to me. I

I thought the term was for one year. But Hui Zhu told me it was for two years. At the moment I answered `yes' to her, I had the strong thinking of `serving for two years in the Group'.

On the day I received the letter of appointment, I had ideas what I would like to contribute towards the Group.

The experience of being the President of Singapore City Junior Chamber year ago provided me with the management skills. Besides, I was a Consultant prior to my retirement. Hence, I used to have plenty of ideas on my mind. I wished to make full use of my experience while I was with the Group.

It has been two years and it was time for me to resign from the Group. It was a pity that I was not able to carry out some of my ideas.

I was rather disappointed when I attended the Teochew Opera Festival held in Shantou in November 2008.
I did not have the opportunity to attend the meeting where the former Head of Department of Culture, Chaozhou City, Mr Chen Jun Lin. He came from Chaozhou city to Shantou City to attend the meeting. He thought that I would also attend the meeting as I was the Secretary and we could meet at the meeting.
When my friends knew that we were attending the Festival, they came to Shantou City and Jieyang City from Beijing and various cities in Guangdong. Some of the publicity and promotion activities we planned could not be carried out. There were many helping hands, but I myself did not have a free hand. What a pity!

I was sorry that I could not fulfill the interview of the reporter from the press and television station of Shantou City.
I could not make it for the interview of the radio station in Chaozhou City and the television station of Jieyang City.
I was glad for their understanding of my position, especially some of them arranged to send two bouquets of congratulation to Rong Jiang Theatre at the last minute.
I was very pleased to see my friend and the production crews of Jieyang television station presented at the performance.
I was sad to see my time and effort were in ruins. I was grateful towards the support and consideration of my friends.

At one of the recent committee meetings, some of the committee members wished that I would continue to serve in the committee. I did not. As what Hui Zhu said, "All good things come to an end." (天下无不散之筵席) Yes, I have kept my end up. Give to God what is God's. 借来的东西总要还，原璧归赵！

I have come to know some of the friends for the two years in the Group.
Hui Zhu was very lucky. She had many supporters. When there was any performance or activity, many members contributed their time, effort and money. We should appreciate what we have.
Mr Huang Nan De (黄南德), a very nice Chairman, supported the Group very much. He knew my ability.
Mr Cheng Ping Shan (郑炳山), an ideal advisor, had contributed many ideas towards the group. If he was my advisor, I would consider his suggestions carefully and go ahead with some of them.
Sister Yue Li was capable. She handled too many jobs that made her inflexible once a while. When I was the President of City Junior Chamber, I delegated duties and responsibilities to my committee. It helped to ease my workload and managed the organisation effectively.
Everyone had his strengths and weaknesses. Let those who know the instrument play upon it. As many of us know that if anything can go wrong, it will. For me, I entrusted my committee and sometimes gave a little guidance and they did it. Everything is possible!

I had the pleasure in taking up the position two years ago. I tried my best to contribute towards the Group for the last two years. It is time for me to resign from the group with joy.
Thanks Hui Zhu (林慧朱老师) for her invitation.
Thanks Sister Yue Li (月丽姐) for her assistance and support.
Thanks my dear friends who worked with me cheerfully. I will remember all you support and jokes. I can make it, all of you also CAN. Cheers!

Teochew Opera Singing Class	Posture Practicing Class
Paying attention to the director's advice	Stage photography for the Stone Decocting
Dialogue between the Director and the artists	Rehearsal of the Stone Decocting
Interview by the reporter of Shantou Press	Taking part in the Shantou Teochew Opera Festival
Performance of the Stone Decocting (煎石记) at	Shantou Hui Ru Theater (汕头慧如剧场) on 12.11.2008
Performance of the Stone Decocting (煎石记) at Jieyang	(揭阳) RongJiang Theatre (榕江影剧院) on 14.11.2008
News of Jieyang Television	Headline of Jieyang Ribao (揭阳日报)
Taking part at the Pasar Theater of	Singapore Arts Festival on 23-24 May 2009
Director passing the skills on performing the comedy	of the Legendary Life of Mu Guiying (穆桂英休夫) 2009