Memories from our first Reunion - December 2014

Here are some pictures from the reunion. The rest of the snaps are available on my FB profile. I guess there are some more from other camera's I am yet to locate.

Link to the remaining pictures: SFX Reunion - December 2013





Clicked outside the old study room. I do not remember the names of the nuns.
US: Melanie, Margaret, Aramita, Lisa, Sharmila & Rocklyn.





Clicked outside the old study room. This one includes me minus Rocklyn.
US: Melanie, Margaret, Aramita, Lisa, Sharmila & Jacqueline





The one in the blue is Sr. Lourdes. She remembered all of us. This was in the dormitory.
US: Margaret and Rocklyn.



The new parlour. We made time to eat the Christmas sweets.
US: Margaret, Aramita..



Sharon was the lucky one who did not have the Mojito at Calamari.



Melanie, Me and Rocklyn with Dafny's mom. She always sent us stuff to eat.



That is Rima with Nelly. Nelly came by to see all of us. Unfortunately she could not join us for lunch. 

Nelly, Lisa & Melanie enjoying the snacks. Rocklyn and a few others asked for a private tour of the chapel where some mysteries were finally revealed.

Rocklyn and Sharmila at Calamari

Melanie

Melanie and Me

Rima

Lisa

Melanie, Sharon and Glenda

Aramita. Mixing drinks.

Sharon

The final capture.

OUR FIRST REUNION - December 2013

After what seemed like an eternity, with many failed attempts, we finally made it happen. A few of the SFX girls reunited in a reunion of sorts. The planning took some time but after a lot of coordination and follow up, we made one of our long awaited dreams a reality.

After some discussion, we came up with the date. It was going to be the 22nd of December 2013. That was the date everyone kept free for most part of the day, in spite of other committments.

We all met on the 22nd morning at Babaji's (yeah it is still there) in Mapusa. I remember reaching and the first sight that jumped at us was of a few girls standing outside and talking. We could not recognise anyone and they seemed to be a bit out of place standing at the entrance. I travelled with my classmates Rima and Rocklyn. Rima was kind enough to pick us up. After we got off, our driver moved off to park and we started our very anxious walk over to Babaji's, we realised that those ladies who were standing there were no more there. A peek into Babaji's confirmed that those ladies were indeed our schoolmates and they were huddled up at a table because we were late to arrive. It was a little difficult at first recognising the faces but there was a moment we all were all hugs and screams trying not to make a scene but failing all the way.

With the rest of the group on the way and some not joining us for our visit to the boarding, which was our first stop. We wanted to see a lot but were pressed for time so we decided to make this a very short and quick visit. We met a few of the nuns and it was a moment to remember... us being back to the place we started from. Truly a moment to savour and the reminicsing i am sure made each one of us nostalgic. And being together made it even more special. I had been there a year ago with my classmate and friend Rima and even though it was so special, this was completely different. We clicked a few pics and our next plan was to meet Santan. Santan, for those who do not know, looked after and took care of us in the dormitory. We were all so moved by her situation during our previous conversations that we thought we would get something for her. Some of did exactly that. We showered her with our gifts and she got so emotional that I could sense all of us on the verge of tears.

One other thing that I still recall from our visit to the boarding was we got to see at least one nun from our past. Sr Lourdes surprisingly remembered all of us. I went back to my 'back seat' approach when everyone was introducing themselves, I stood behind hoping I would not be noticed. With the introductions done, I breathed a sigh of relief hoping she would not see me. She did... She wanted to know my name. What shocked me was the moment I told her my name, she related a past incident and I knew she remembered. Truly amazing! Nelly one of our classmates and a day scholar also came to boarding to meet us as she found out that we were going to be meeting. It was so nice to meet her. After this our nuns offered us some Christmas sweets and urged to stay longer. They took down our details before we left as I am sure they get a lot of ex student visits.

My personal agenda diverted my attention for a while because I had to meet a very special lady. One of the strongest people I know. The mother of my friend and classmate Dafny. Melanie, Rocklyn and I made our way to the little shop she ran just outside the boarding. Entering the place I still held my back bench position, but she remembered my face. It was great to meet her. Over our hungry years in the boarding, she sent me roast beef sandwiches so often. That is so unforgettable. Dafny knew that I liked it and she always got these for me. But I love aunty with all my heart for this. Tough as she still is, she made me wait back and with her arms on my shoulder gave me some necessary life advise. A moment I will cherish.

Our next stop was Candolim. We made lunch reservations at 'Calamari'. That is where Sharon and Glenda joined us. We were so loud that people kept turning to give us 'the look'. The Mojito was a complete disaster. The mint leaves were dumped in the glass which looked like chopped green salad in a glass of white rum.... and there was no taste of rum. We decided to order a bottle of Bacardi and after a couple of drinks each we realized we could not finish the bottle. Last I heard the bottle was still lying untouched.

We made time for one final pic together and said our goodbyes and departed. I guess we all knew that the goodbye was not one that was final. It was temporary... till me meet again. I can say that even though we had our childhood grudges and dislikes, all that had just vanished and we were a group of people bound by our memories and our common likes and dislikes. What was amazing is how we all turned out now. What I saw was a group of beautiful ladies, highly accomplished with awesome families, a few who I had the pleasure to meet. Deep down we knew we had a need to keep our past a part of our present and future as well.

I hope to add some pics soon from that memorable day soon.

Our D-I-S-C-O Troupe

This is a nice remembrance from the past. Our Class 3rd and 4th mates performed a routine to the track D-I-S-C-O for a school function and the Carnival later that year. If you have not heard this track before I have posted a link of the sound track below.

OUR PERFORMERS

(from the left, back row) Augusta + Sandra Maria Machado + Celina Sienna Estrocio+ Veronica Aramita + Nelly

(from the left, front row) Sara Estrocio + Cynthia Rockline + Melanie D'souza Dafny Gomes + Indira Estrocio

The performance was on this song

THE MIDAS TOUCH

 

A few pictures taken at the Golden Jubilee of our school. I do not have all the pictures, however I did stumble across a few we had ordered of our class performances. Practices for these events went on for months on end. To me it seemed like the day would never come and I could not wait for the day when we would get it over with. When the day finally arrived, amidst anticipation, nervousness, pride and the excitement of having our families sitting in the audience, we all proudly did our part.

 

Few names that come to mind require our appreciation and acknowledgement

1. Sister Rosetta for the practices which started more than 6 months in advance for the high mass which was served by the Arch Bishop.
2. Mrs. Clara for the hours of practices for the entire outdoor events.
3. Our class teachers for their contribution for the class wise performances.
4. Sir Jude for his guitar skills and his interest in teaching us music.
5. Of course our boarders and day scholars who all came together to make those days one which we all still remember.

 

I do not remember what we called this, but this was the sports day performance of our class. A lot of planning went into the costumes and the overall performance.

 

THE FIRE DRILL

 

 

WE ARE THE WORLD

This is to acknowledge Sir Jude for this performance. May not have been the original version but it sure was one of the best versions I heard and we were all proud to be a part of it.

 

 

 

 

 

THE CORRIDINHO

This was a dance performed by my mates. They had a professional come in to teach them to dance this piece.

 

 

CLASS 3rd - THE CO-ED DAYS...



 

I cannot remember this one too well but this was another from 3rd Class.

Oh, where have you been Billy Boy?

Oh, where have you been Billy Boy?

An old pic I dug up of one of our performances. 

 

 

More about our Alma Mater

St Francis Xaviers High School located at Peddem Mapusa-Goa was where we passed out from and where most of our childhood and teenage memories started.

Our school is located in Mapusa which is a town in North Goa, India. It is situated 13 km north of Goa's capital Panaji. It was my life-long dream to go back to school and relive some of our memories which I finally did after 25 years. It was a mix of emotions because so much was still there and yet so much had changed. It is hard to explain but the rush of emotions was so real that I could feel myself just looking around in awe and remembering everything we did.

 

The school is run by the nuns from the order 'Mission sisters of Ajmer' having their base in Rajasthan. I managed to find their site: http://missionsisters.org/. From this source I found out that our school started in 1937. This order of religious women also started the Our Lady of Remedies, Nerul, Goa: http://www.goanchurches.com/Churches%20of%20Goa/North/Calangute/Churches_of_Goa_Our_Lady_of_Remedies_(Nossa_Senhora_dos_Remedios)_Nerul_Bardez_Goa.html.

 

The school is named after the Catholic Saint, the patron saint of Goa, St. Francis Xavier High School. The feast of St. Francis Xavier falls on the 3rd of December which still remains a public holiday in Goa.

 

The SFX boarders celebrate their day on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the 8th of September. This day, every year the boarders are made to feel like royalty with music to wake us up in the morning, special mass preparations, the best meals right from breakfast to dinner, the boarders party, games, prizes and the works.

 

I will post some pictures taken during our time in the boarding and some taken recently. I hope you enjoy while you relive your most precious memories.

 

Do feel free to post your comments or memories.

 

IN TOUCH WITH OUR PAST

So after my very successful Facebook page, I should say that we have had a few down sides to having the site. Even though I managed to find a huge number of mates from school, me and a few of my appointed administrators starting loosing track of those joining the site. A lot of the initial charm was lost, however the site began to grow. I have tried to put a few checks in place in hopes it works.

Our FB link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/273581579005/requests/?notif_t=group_r2j

My suggestion would be to send a message mentioning the class you passed out from before requesting to join. If you have been a proud member of our school, then we would love to have you join us. I would love it if you post some of your best memories, pictures, events.

Just so you all know, we have also started a WhatsApp group chat for a few of the boarders since we all felt that being a friend on a Facebook page did not guarantee you were always in touch. I encourage you to try this out with your own groups, classmates, etc. This means of communication is more intimate and also helps those who are not on Facebook.

So lets all stay in touch.