Someone sent me a message on Friendster a while ago... saying something along the lines of 'if you were born in the 80's in Malaysia' you'll remember learning dental hygiene in school, armed with a toothbrush and a plastic mug, lining up in school to brush teeth, learning basic counting with ice-cream sticks and bottle caps, etc...

But this brings to mind something else. I remember in my childhood right up to my teens, I was active in the Malaysian postal scene. I had lots of pen-pals and because I went to a lot of Scripture Union camps, I made a lot of new friends too. Often the friendships grew via the snail mail. We got to know each other better via writing about daily experiences, feelings, frustrations, exchanging photos and gifts like stickers, cards and whatever could fit. Once I remember sending stuff off to various friends for Christmas - there were cough drops, guitar picks, holiday souvenirs, handcrafted wall hangings, bookmarks etc..

For the new kids on the block, it was basically like blogging and getting more than just comments in return.

I also remember how I used to sign off those letters. Classic lines like:

• Jesus loves you, I do too!
• Jesus saves, Jesus cares, Jesus heals!
• See you at camp next hols...
• God bless you and your loved ones.
• Chin up and smile, God answers prayer.
• Lotsa hugs, kisses and love, my darling friend!
• Thanks for replying by next week (hahaha)

There were a few very good letter-writers during my time. Among them were David Cheok (KL), Peter Yew (PJ), Lynette Loo (KL), Tan Jeh Sie (KL) and Sonny Tang (KG). There were those who were in and out of the postal scene like Kok Su Mei (KJ), Gloria Tham (KP), Jonathan Chen (KJ), Goh Lee Lee (N9), Carrie (BP), Eiran (PJ), Ruth (PJ), Pearly Teong (N9) and Keiko Uchida (JP) hmm... I can´t remember the rest...

Then, there were the seasonal writers - those who never fail to send birthday cards and Christmas cards... I still keep some of those.

The joy of writing was wondering in anticipation - when our paths would cross again. Sometimes, we met coincidentally at events (much later in life, when I was studying in KL). Nothing happens by coincidence actually, God fashions life's fabric.

Well, to good friends who have now become bloggers. Hope I track you all down soon. I miss the good times, and I hope to be in touch with you all again! Friends 4eva! (another of those letter sign-offs)