Memories of SK - dexiong

I knew Swee Kiang through St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB) in my secondary school, St Joseph's Institution. Back then, I had joined SJAB only in Sec 2 (1993), and together with Chia Hock, SK was our first aid instructor.

In those early years of my life, SK was firstly a fantastic and knowledgeable instructor who could come up with the most complex first aid "cases", which were mock practical casualties, that we were trained to solve. My fellow bunch of SJAB boys from SJI, learnt a great deal of knowledge, discipline, and endured physical training which comprised of Ma3 bu4 (horse steps kung fu style), and casualty evacuation techniques. Many weekends were spent at training for the first aid competitions that we frequently won under his tutelage, and SK and Chia Hock were also generous with the frequent makan treats we had at several buffet places, the most memorable was the one at the Concourse basement which we ate till it closed down sometime later!

SK was also a proficient mandarin pop singer - he loved melancholic songs best, like Zhang Yu, Jeff Chang, and Su You Peng, which I've all included the Music Videos (MVs) below. SJAB training camps were lively singing sessions in the evenings after training, and I would say my interest in singing must also have been brought out from all those SJAB days!

A few years later, I was in the army, and there were also trips we took - Chia Hock, SK and I to Bintan. In 2003 when I was studying at Wharton and working in Philadelphia on a year long technopreneurship minor program, SK came to Syracuse in New York to study sleep studies for a few weeks. I played host and received/sent him at and back to the JFK airport, and to his lodging in Syracuse. Over the few weeks, we went for a 2 big roadtrips, 1 to Niagara Falls which I brought 8 other friends in 2 cars, and another to the beautiful Cayuga Fingerlakes also in Upstate New York. My time in US was made more memorable, by having SK over the few trips. By that time, he was already a trusted old friend for 10 years, and I'm sure he enjoyed the company and had an equally fabulous time in the US!

I will remember SK as firstly a good mentor in my critical formative years, as he guided the group of us like a big brother. SJI was a place where you could as easily turn into a delinquent as a good student, and because of SK and SJAB, fortunately turned to be the latter. He was also a dependable and good friend, the kind of steady friend that you know you can count on, and who will make a difference. And he was a filial son and caring uncle, who would only 'forsake' us from outings for his parents' or little emperor.

Sometime late 2006, I had booked a chalet in Downtown East and rung SK up to organize a rare get together for the SJAB folks from SJI, and he and many other good buddies agreed to come to. Sadly, that was to be the last time I got to speak with SK, as he was warded in ICU a week plus later.

SK, you have certainly made a great impact in my life, and I will remember you for all the lessons, bowling sessions, singing, eating and trips. This is but a small favour I could do for you. Maybe the bunch of us will have an annual bowling, singing and mahjong session in your memory.

Luckily for us, I cajoled SK into taking several more pictures while he was in the US, than he would have liked then. Memories of our good friend are attached below. Enjoy.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tansweekiang/USANiagaraFallsNY

http://picasaweb.google.com/tansweekiang/USACayugaLakeNY