Mary Barbara Flanders Ng Class of '59
Personal:
My husband, Yun grew up in the Philippines and we have lived there on and off since 1971. We have a farm in Mindoro and a restaurant in Manila. I returned to the States in 1991 to care for Dad and my step-mother who had moved to Tucson, AZ. Yun and I liked Tucson so much that we bought a house. This year (2009) we sold our house in one month at the price we wanted (!) and bought a small unit in a co-op a few blocks
away. I miss the house and garden and fruit trees but I don't miss the upkeep and worries and there is a swimming pool right outside our backdoor here.
After high school, I attended Antioch College for three years with co-op jobs in NYC and Washington D.C. (my first civil rights picket line). I dropped-out of college and headed to San Francisco with a number of my classmates. That was San Francisco in the '60s and it was exciting: good music, civil rights marches, anti-war demonstrations, work, college (eventually). Jorma Kalkonen (Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna), a friend from Antioch, introduced me to Yun in San Francisco in 1963. Yun and he had attended American high school together in Manila in the '50's when Jorma's father was labor attache at the Embassy. Of course, Yun and I each married different people that fall but we got together eventually and had a wonderful hippy wedding in 1973 in a park above the Children's Museum overlooking San Francisco. Yun's two children were there as well. Thirty-six years later we have four grandchildren.
I graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Fine Arts and a minor in English. The next year I finished a three-semester teaching credential also from San Francisco State University. I moved to the Philippines and lived in Manila for five years and then on our farm in Mindoro for almost ten years. When I had time and money I traveled around the Philippines documenting traditional textiles and weaving
techniques from various ethnic groups. I had one book of photographs on weaving a traditional Ifugao basket published as well as a number of articles on traditional back-tension weaving. I have also lectured extensively on Filipino textiles and culture both in the Philippines and in the States.
I taught at the International School of Manila and later at Brent International School. I also did volunteer alternative teaching for several years with young girls who had either lived on the streets or been abused or both. Later, I did volunteer teaching through a UN program on the infamous dump site, Smokey Mountain for three years. I received my M.A. in Education (Administration and Teaching) from Michigan State University attending classes in Manila and for two summers in Hong Kong. When we could no longer live on the farm, I moved back to Manila full time in 1985. The New People's Army (a Maoist group) was too active and, unfortunately, still is. Anyone want to buy a farm in Mindoro?
I've been really lucky to visit some places I read about and dreamt about and didn't even know about as a kid: the Taj Mahal, Kathmandu, Thimpu, Borabador. Our next trip will be to Toi Shan, Yun's ancestral home and then next fall will spend some time in Bruges and Florence.
After I returned to Tucson, I taught on the Yoeme Reservation and I worked as a substitute teacher. When I semi-retired, I started studying Tai Chi Yang Family Style. I have added Tai Chi Sword and now I am studying Tai Chi Fan. This is a good work-out and fun. I learned Mah Jongg American-style. I came in third place in two tournaments! I studied piano for ten years but I only play for myself. Last year I got a blue ribbon at the county fair for my orange marmalade.
I also began seriously painting again and doing photography. I've exhibited both paintings and photos in numerous group shows at five galleries in Tucson. In fact, I have eight acrylic paintings and five pastel pencil pieces on exhibit at the "Artist of the Month' gallery during September. I've posted photos of the paintings on facebook. I also have some older paintings on youtube.
I know my parents took us to the Art Institute when we were in elementary school but I also remember taking the train in on Saturday mornings to go to free lectures on artists and art. I think I must have been in high school. I was impressed with the Impressionists and Expressionists.
When I think about Naperville, I think of our family and the house at 49 South Mill Street where we had some pretty good parties starting with a slumber party in 6th grade. Does anyone remember the July 4th party when the electricity went out and we had candles all the house? I think of baseball and touch football and kick-the-can games that we played in our yard. I remember going to the old feed store on Jefferson Street and buying comic books and penny candy at Riecheis(sp?). I remember riding our bikes to the parks and Little League games. I think of ice-skating on the river and at the ice rink and at the Sportsman's Club, A few years ago, I found that roller blading is just like ice skating.. I don't do snow or cold weather now, In fact this past winter in Tucson was too cold for me.
When I think of Naperville I think of friends. I don't remember anyone ever being really mean or a bully like so many of the movies now portray teen-agers. My first real job was working at the movie theatre selling popcorn and then being a cashier and Janice Westland sold popcorn. Later, I worked at Ossie's with Sandy Steck. Of course, I did some detassling, possibly the worst job I've ever had.
The BEACH was summer: swimming hanging-out, and playing cards. I know one time there were several of us who climbed over the fence at night for a swim – or, did we swim or just walk around? I don't even remember who I was with. Does anyone else remember? And, Shobar's was the place to end-up on Saturday nights. Yun and I have a CD of The Platters and I still remember all the words to the songs.
I think it's wonderful that so many of us have remained friends through all these years.