Since 31 October, 1984

Feb 2025 Retirement party

1983: At the Dera, Beas, Punjab

1984 On top of a 13,000 ft mountain with Parashar, Simon and Susan

1984 Trekking with Simon, Parashar, Susan and friend

1984 Catching a lift prior to trekking

1983 In the train that goes up to Simla

Simon with the Simla train

1983 With Tilak Arora (Kuku), Sukhram Singh Sandhu, Simon Lowe

 

What happened on the 31st October, 1984?

Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India was assassinated on that date. And shortly thereafter, all non-Indian residents of the state of Punjab were required to depart.

That's how I came to leave my teaching post at Punjab Public School at short notice without being able to properly farewell everyone. And that's why, after having recently relocated three friends from that era, I have written this 'catch-up' post to share my history of the past 40 years.

I promise to keep it fairly brief!

Well, I returned to my parents' home in Dunedin, New Zealand (and Dunedin is still my base). I had the chance to go to Bhutan to teach there, but my heart was set on going next to Japan. But I taught a term at a school in Kawakawa and met the person who was to become my first wife. 

We had three children over the next few years: Albany (1986), Vincent (1990) and Iacinta (1992). I dabbled in teaching, tapestry design, and medical research. Then, I finally got to spend two years in Japan with the family as an Assistant English Teacher at Dunedin's sister city, Otaru.

Returning to New Zealand I was able to find work as an ESOL teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages. On and off, I worked there until my retirement in 2025.

But many things happened along the way!

I divorced (a most unpleasant experience that I would not wish on anyone!). I remarried a few years later - and if you can manage not to repeat your mistakes, that is an experience I would wish on anyone.

Mami and I have been together happily for over a quarter of a century, and we have a daughter, Sachi (2009).

My parents lived long lives. My father died in 2011 at the age of 87, and my mother in 2022 aged 94.

I've lived in Japan a total of 8 years now. We try to spend time there every 2 years. I've run marathons, ultramarathons and with my wife (2nd) travelled the lengths of New Zealand and Japan bicycle and on foot (in my case barefoot!).

My other hobbies include reading, metaphysics, art, music, and even philately in my retirement.

September 2009

I simply must inform you about last month's big happening. Sachi Jerika Lucas was born at 3.41 a.m. on the 17th September. She weighed 7 lb 1 oz or 3.22 kg. Everyone is fit and healthy and well. Slightly sleep-deprived, but.

March 2008

This month my old high school (Kaikorai Valley High School - now Kaikorai Valley College) held its 50th Jubilee. Over a thousand people attended from overseas and around the country. It was fun to catch up with the likes of Rodney Thompson, John Begg, Estelle Fraser, Peter Scott, Howard Broad, Darryl Daglish, Bryan Jamieson, Karen Little, Kevin Marlowe, Liz Sawkins, Gerald and John Schoones etc. Where's everyone else?

They've changed.

I've changed.

No one changes.

February 2008

A good month all told. Lots of sun. A lot of cold also. Some good training in terms of 24-hr barefoot walk preparation.

The main fun would have been the Otago Rail Trail Duathlon that Mami and I took part in. We formed a team of three with Paul Hamilton from work. I'll post a single photo here. If you would like to see more, read a short account (I have yet to write) at my ultradistance blog.

Work has been quite busy due to the Literacy and Numeracy evaluation that the Learning Centre has been asked to administer.

Attended the 50th birthday party of a High School classmate, Ian C, who I've seen perhaps twice in over 30 years. How we age! (Actually the two of us are in pretty good shape!)

January 2008

Late last year Mami and I travelled to the Nelson-Motueka area in the north of the South Island. We stayed and/or visited friends along the way: James and Ilhye, Kathy and Jim, Fiona and Martin.

We also met Jurgen and Kyoko. They are involved with setting up Atamai, an eco-village that is being built. Mami and I spent a week or two looking over the land and speaking to some of the people involved. We are certainly interested.

I decided to work part-time this year. My proportion will be 0.6, and I shall be at the Learning Centre at Otago Polytechnic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. People ask me,"So what will you do on your days off." How sad that they need to ask!

My youngest daughter, Iacinta, flew to Kiribati for a three-month stay. She is keen to pick up the language and culture. Through emails I have communicated with her more often than when she is here! Iacinta will be in the sixth form this year, at Otago Girls' High School, Vincent will be in the seventh form at Kings' High School, and Albany will be doing her second last or is it final year of her Law/Japanese double degree.