Old Lady

Two days ago I received an email from the sister of my former guardian. Her name is Irene. When she was here last year, I met her and her group of ex-classmates for hi-tea at Café Promenade, Pacific Sutera Hotel.

Irene told me that her eldest sister Alice will be accompanying their mum to visit KK and will be here today and tomorrow. Irene also gave me the contact number of her cousin’s house where her mum, Mrs. Ng and sister would be staying.

This morning when I called Irene’s cousin house, her cousin answered the call. Her cousin took down my mobile phone number and told me the housing estate where she lives (Taman Hon Kong which is quite near our house). Before I could take down her house number, Alice came back for a while and I was able to speak to her. She does not know her plans for tonight but promised to call later in the afternoon.

At 3.30pm she called and told me I could visit them after dinner. In fact I wanted to invite them for dinner outside but she insisted in having dinner at her cousin’s.

At 7.30p.m. I drove to Taman Hon Kong accompanying by mum. I had problem finding the exact house because I could not see most of the house number. I called the house phone number and Alice’s cousin came out to greet mum and me.

She led us into the house and the first person I saw inside the house was Alice and then her mum Mrs. Ng. I gave Mrs. Ng a big hug. I did not realise how much I miss her until I saw her again after more than twenty five years. She told me she always wonders when she would see me again.

Mrs. Ng turned 90 last year. She is thinner than before but her hearing is still very good. I did not have to shout when talking to her. (Irene told me later in her email that her mum is actually wearing hearing aid)

Ten minutes later we left the cousin’s house and I drove them to our house for chit-chat. There was so much to catch up on. As Mrs. Ng and mum relayed to us stories from the past, we were amazed at how good their memory are. There were some events I had totally forgotten but they could remember.

When I was sending them back to Taman Hon Kong, I told them that never in my life would I have thought that Mrs. Ng would be a passenger in the car I am driving. She also told them that I used to treat her very well (‘sayang’ her). Whenever she wanted to go anywhere in Sydney, I would take her. It did not matter whether we had to walk; or take the bus, taxi or train. When she wanted to eat something, I would always remind her to buy when we went shopping.

This is another occasion that I thank God that I am alive. An old lady could still remember the good deeds I had done for her eventhough they happened more than two and a half decades ago. I am overjoyed to be able to see and talk to her again.

Today’s Happenings

Today is one of those days that I did not get to do anything I plan to do.

I was only given an hour notice to get ready four different types of occupation certificate forms for Council inspection this afternoon.

When CTY came around noon to borrow the car, I did not even have the time to talk to him or to say hello to his wife.

Tonight I had dinner with my ex-colleague JC at Food City. I had ‘Char Keow Teow’ and he had Curry Chicken with rice. The ‘Char Keow Teow’ was so so but JC told me the Curry Chicken was great and that I should try it next time.

JC & I had a good time in catching up. Besides that, we also talked about his business and all the different proceedures he has to follow for accounting purpose and everything else I could advise him on.

Life

You can never stop someone from liking or loving you. That person has a choice.

Sometimes life does not work out the way you want.

Money Returned

Today my colleagues who owe me money returned back some of the money to me. Between the two of them I received back almost half of the amount they owe so I am happy about that. At least it will ease my cash flow.

Today’s Happenings

Today we received our bonus and I am really thankful for it. Most of the money will go to my ING Lifetime Income Plan.

I am tempted to get a new and more advance digital camera than my current one.

Tonight finally get to meet CTY’s beautiful wife after knowing him since July last year. She is visiting KK for a week with two of their friends who are here for business.

Michael & Shirley’s Wedding Banquet at Royal China Restaurant, D’Junction

Arrived 6.55pm and the carpark at the front was almost full. But upon arriving at the restaurant, barely half of the tables were filled with people.

The food and company were great in the midst of more than 30 tables. Seating was designated so sat among friends and not strangers.

Dinner started at 8pm and by the time I left at 10.12pm, the last course of dessert had not been served.

I digress:- The worst wedding banquet I attended (in the sense that I do not know anyone except the bride and groom) happened in 1984 while I came back for summer holidays from Down Under. I was seated among strangers and the only words I uttered the whole night were congratulations to the newlyweds before I entered the restaurant. How boring can it get? To save myself from further torture, half way through the dinner, I called my dad to save me and fetch me home.

Lunch at Tivoli Cafe & Bar, Hotel Shangri-la, Bandaran Berjaya

Michael & Shirley's Wedding

Farewell Dinner for the Herons at Maple, Damai Plaza Phase 4

Wini, Matt and Tim Heron

'Wat Tan Ho'

Special Fried Rice

Tandoori Chicken with Rice

Honey Chicken with Rice

Singapore Fried Meehoon

To My Friend

To My friend:-

As I received your news this morning, I was shocked.

For a moment there, I told myself, I couldn’t be reading what I was reading. I became so emotional and wanted to grieve out loudly but I couldn’t because of the people around me.

I am sorry I couldn’t call you straight away as well.

But rest assured I can feel the pain you are going through, because I can feel the pain in my heart as well, though not to the extent as you are experiencing it.

The only thing I can do is to keep you in my prayers that God will bring you and your family through this difficult time.