When I hoped not to participate on the stage performance in 2008, I did not get the positive response from my teacher Mr. Raymong Goh. Hence, I dismissed from his Teochew Opera singing lesson.
I was getting ready to visit Henan Province, China. My friend requested me to help in setting up a Teochew Opera singing class in Jurong West. I discussed with my idol Mr. Eric Tan to teach us in Teochew opera singing. We planned to start the class once I was back from China.
When I came back from China, my friend told me that someone offered to charge half-price to teach Teochew Opera singing. I was disappointed. I did not have an opportunity to learn from a person who really know that stage art and also at the place closed to where I stayed.
My wife knew about it. She asked me not to be disappointed and to wait for other opportunity. She kept saying, "half price, half price. Very funny! Very funny!"

A few days later, I learned from the press that Pho Leng Club (PLC) recruiting members for its Teochew Opera Karaoke Club. I called to make enquiry.

I was sorry that we could not form the class as planned. I called Eric to apology and told him that I might join PLC. It was amusing that he said that he was the instructor in PLC.

Although I wished to have the class conducted by Eric in Jurong where it was near to my place. Instead, I have travel a long distance to attend the class. But we met again.

Eric imparts what he knew and what he learned in Teochew Opera to us. He is generous. He teaches and guides us in proper opera-singing. He gives each one of us opportunity to sing and points out our shortcomings. He also gives us encouragement.

I always remembered the evening of 1 September 2008. Eric assisted me to sing to the correct tune of Reunion at the Capital. I was very excited that I finally could make it. Whenever I could not start practicing opera-singing, I would try to sing the Reunion at the Capital since then.

I took part in the choir at the PLC Winter Solstice Festival dinner (冬至晚宴) in December 2008. With the guidance and encouragement of Eric, I was happy and confident to perform on stage with our class. That was the first time I was very comfortable to be on stage. I send a message to thank Eric when I was on the way home.

Our life path has many misfortunes. When I was enjoying the friendly fellowship of our PLC class for about six months, then the times are out of joint.

I was keen in Chinese article writing. I used to refer to Chinese dictionaries in order to get the appropriate phrase or word. Eric was English-educated and he was sometimes not very sure about the story of the Teochew Opera we learned. I sent the story to him and hoped that he could share with our class. As some of our classmates asked me to publish the story in my website, so I did it. I always requested Eric to read the story I sent to him and he himself tell us the story in the class. He might not get what I meant. Too much praise is a burden.

I ever learned that among the strong there are still stronger hands. Hence I liked those friends who were on good terms with the world. That was my interest in Teochew Opera singing, I disliked going on stage performance. I was grateful to Eric's time and effort in imparting the knowledge to us. Therefore I wrote those related information. Besides, I was also thankful to the friends of PLC who providing me a peaceful environment in opera singing. I was touched with the friendliness and concern on the first day I attended the class.

I liked our class monitor Tan Ah Lurk. We used to address him as 'San Hian' (the third elder brother). Although he claimed that he was not highly-educated, I considered he was well versed in Chinese literature. I was glad with his humble character.

I always remembered the tomato filled with sour plum made by popo 「婆婆」,
the sincere chat of the classmates,
the sonorous voice of a few classmates,
the constant effort in making improvement of many of them,
the cordial greetings of buddy fellows,
and the enthusiasm in implementing the website by San Hian.
I am deeply grateful for the time and effort of Eric to coach us in Teochew Opera singing.

There are ways to recover from the physical and mental tiredness. But it is a nightmare to avoid the unnecessary vying pressure.

I wanted to take a break after I took part in the 2009 National Day Celebration with the elders last year. I sang a Teochew song titled 《妾身何辜应受此冤辱》 that day. There were a few grannies wept after my performance. A number of friends asked me who my instructor was. At that moment, I was glad that I did not let my teacher Eric down. I thought I should take a break.

A few weeks ago, I heard my voice was totally different and abnormal when I sang a song in the class. I had a very strange feeling when my voice went through my throat. It was not the same as that when I was singing at home. I was very surprised and was very afraid of. But I was later calm and steady. I knew that God would take great care of me.

One's life is destined. God will certainly bless me and fulfill my dream.
It is time to take a rest (歇装).