Dear friends,

I think everyone is safely home by now. I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for participating in this NE reunion. Most of you traveled great distances to be here and you are truly an amazing bunch. With the worst fall foliage in years, the worst rain storm in two decades, mostly dead microphone, and non-working sound system (miraculously fixed by the brilliant Dr. Li, Peggy's husband, on the 2nd day), you, my dear classmates, took it all in stride. You strolled down slippery trail at The Flume in the rain. Women our age don't go out walking when it's raining, let alone go on a mountain trail. But you girls did it without a single complaint. When I saw the continuous line of umbrellas, ponchos, and raincoats, I was very proud to be a Bienu-er. Throughout this whole trip, your enthusiasm, cooperation, and helpfulness are extraordinary. If this reunion is a success, that is because we, as a group, make it successful.

While planning this event, Annie, Meihua, Anne, Tien, and I become good friends. I believe we will be friends always. For this, I am very grateful. After the reunion, with gray hair on my head and bruises on my thighs, I am very happy to have rekindled old friendships and also made many new friends. I know I will always cherish this fond memory and I hope you will too. Let's keep in touch and I look forward to seeing you in future gatherings.

Thank you for all your kind words and best wishes to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Pei-Rong

I got home safely in early morning. Better put to words the memory now since I am getting forgetful by the minute.

A busload of 50 classmates showed up. Besides those from the East Coast, about 16 from CA, a few from Houston, others from Taiwan, Canada, Utah, Michigan, Chicago, Kentucky. My apologies if I omit any. Four brave husbands showed up and were duly put to use as gofer. photographer, and sound crew.

The Boston Classmates were remarkable. They must have spent countless time planning. From the first rendezvous to the farewell banquet the reunion ran like clockwork. Weather was the only thing they could not command. It rained in part of our visit. But no one gave a thought to it after a good soaking. That threw the carefully planned style and coiffure into disarray. It also peeled away pretence. So we should thank the rain as an equalizer that brought the group closer.

We stayed the night at a seaside lodge in Maine. Evening entertainment had belly dancing for the daring and gifted, and line dance for every-body else. The next morning the rain had stopped and you could watch the sunrise at sea. No, not I. Overslept. But I imagine it was spectacular.

The confine of the bus made captive audience. It ensured that the whole group participated.

The main group activity was Pass That Bag. As soon as we settled down in our seats the food started flowing from both ends. Coffee, water bottle, donuts, dim sum, pastries, apples, chips, snacks, preserves, really weird Kiwi from California, and other items that could not be identified. I have never seen such service. Our dear friends must really, REALLY like us or they were anxious to fatten us up so they could gloat at the next reunion... Nah.

The food train went on for 2 days so the hosts, knowing us, must have rationed the supply from the start. Tien Ho must have cut up more than 50 apples. Considering the motion of the bus it is a real talent that her hands and fingers had survived.

The hosts ran the isle like catwalk, organizing games such as Name That Face, before-and-after snapshot, and choosing who had morphed the most and the least. Music was 70's, reminiscent of our time. We had sing-along, impromptu boogying, and pages of lyrics to rescue foggy memory. We appreciate the thoughts that went into the details. Old friends truly know us.

Finally, the food. Since we were so well fed on the bus the 2 dinners really stretched the limit. We were indeed fattened up. The clambake of mussels and lobster, and the seafood banquet were delicious.

Apologies that the NJ4 must run out on you early. Many thanks to you all, my hosts and the 1972 classmates, for a wonderful time. Hope to see you soon.

Addendum to Jan's memoir - Tien Ho 田禾(N05)