It was just another day of online Zoom classes, there’s nothing worse than spending your uni years online, confined in your room. I hopped onto my Zoom class for AMU2015: Cities & Citizens; expecting it to just go by uneventfully. That’s when Dr. Thaatch invited us for a little activity, to share memories of our childhood parks. It took me a while to conjure up images of the familiar red swings and those bright yellow slides that I used to ride back in Kampung Tunku Park. To my surprise, Dr. Thaatch instantly recognized it. No way, was she there too? Did she breathe the same air and run on the same soil as I did?

Needing confirmation, I mustered up the courage to ask: “Did you attend SK Kampung Tunku and SMK (P) Sri Aman?” A simple “yes” sent a wave of excitement through me! Dr. Thaatch, my amazing Global Studies tutor, turns out to be my super senior!

Perhaps, the world really is a small place. Fast forward a year later and I’m now sitting in Dr. Thaatch’s pristine office yet comfy office. I noticed the display of her past works on a high shelf and a collection of posters detailing her passions and interests. There she is, sitting before me with poise, speaking to me in her controlled, calm voice. It’s funny that our energies are in such stark contrast with each other, and yet fate found a way to bring us together. It is no coincidence that I met my super senior in university. It was as if I was retracing her steps, from the same elementary school to the same all-girls high school, and finally meeting each other in university as tutor and tutee. 

We giggle, laugh, and reminisce wistfully as we relive the nostalgia of our school days. In school, I was that one girl who always fought to excel: running for president? That one stuck-up prefect that everyone (lowkey) feared? Yep, that was me. Meanwhile, Dr. Thaatch was an introvert who loved to spend time studying, preferably in a cool, air-conditioned space – a rare commodity for local government schools. Hence, you’ll often find her reading in the library or sometimes even in the teacher’s room (thanks to her connections with the “cool” kids) during breaks. My eyes lit up when she mentioned the familiar monkey bars in SK Kampung Tunku; and its canteen; oh, and the field! They were such iconic spots that students across generations hung out there. While sports might not have been Dr. Thaatch’s thing, we shared our love for merentas desa – cross country – a five-kilometre race through our local neighbourhood. To her, it was less of a race and more of a walk in the park with her girlies, spilling the hottest, juiciest tea of all time. Or maybe not? As far as I recall, It was a safe and easy trek, a prime avenue for me to dash for the finish line. But perhaps times were a little different for Dr. Thaatch as she recounts her arduous experience going through hills and walking alongside cemeteries. Regardless, we both agreed that it was a pleasant memory.

SMK (P) Sri Aman was the place where Dr. Thaatch truly flourished. Being an all-girls school, it was a safe space for an introvert like Dr. Thaatch to come out of her shell more and explore herself. It was there that she fell in love with maths and found her passion in writing – thanks to Miss Anne James for bringing Shakespeare to class. Sri Aman was truly a pleasant experience for Dr. Thaatch, she profusely commended the teachers of Sri Aman for being great educators. However, Dr. Thaatch’s journey forward was a little tumultuous. She thought that her passions for maths and the sciences would last all the way and bring her into medicine. Yet, her experiences studying sciences in university and volunteering in a hospital made it clear that she was not cut out to be a doctor. In line with stereotypical Asian parents’ expectations, Dr. Thaatch did not have much of a choice now. It was time for her to make the jump into law. From studying law, she re-kindled her passion for writing and eventually found her way into humanities; thus bringing her here today, with us in Monash University.

If we were from the same generation I wonder if we’ll be friends? Maybe… but also maybe not, considering that I was a super competitive student, incessantly chasing my dreams and she was a quiet girl who hung out with her own clique. Maybe it’s just the universe’s magical little design, to cross our paths at the perfect time; to introduce us to one another as tutor and tutee. Who would’ve thought?

Do you have an intriguing story about an unexpected connection, a memorable experience, or any random stories you’re eager to share with the world? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your story by DMing us on Instagram @musamonga! Your story matters to us, and we can’t wait to hear from you!

Featuring: Dr Thaatchaayini Kananatu

Coordinated & interviewed by: Kaira

Written by: Jason Nataniel

Photos by: Ezriq