Memorable Moments in August 2023

This month of August 2023 is particularly memorable - by God's grace, my wife turns 70 on 18 August. Comes October 2023, we will be married for 45 years. We are looking forward to celebrate our Golden Anniversary come October 2028!

Unlikely previous years, we chose to have lunch instead of dinner to celebrate this occasion in a new cafe which I discovered recently - Eulogeo which was only opened in June this year. Though the food menu is rather limited, this is compensated by the pleasant ambience and good coffee!

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This early August, we were asked to share a subject that is rarely talked about - Adultery. 

Key thoughts for reflection:
Commit & Communicate, Associate with the Right People,
Resolve Conflicts and Think Pure.

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This month, West Coast of Sabah enjoys an unusual bumper harvest for almost all kinds of fruits - rambutan, tarap and durians to name a few. Even our mango tree at our backyard which has not been fruiting for the last six or seven years is giving us plenty of mango to enjoy.

As far as durian is concerned, my wife was truly satisfied because she has never eaten so much durians within such a short period of time! Musang King, Kinabalu King, D24, Black Pearl, Mas Johor to name a few!

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Our CG had a morning walk at Taman Ujana Rimba Tropika at 6am on 19 August. The last time my wife and I set foot in this Park was almost seven years ago when we joined Bersih 5 Peaceful Democratic Protest (Read here). 

Our breakfast at the Canteen after the Walk ended with a surprise birthday celebration for the old "boys" and the lovely "girl" born in the month of August.

Enjoying the Lifestyle - SHIELD

The acronym SHIELD commonly used to encourage seniors to live their late adulthood stage - Sleep at least eight hours a day, Handle stress well, Interact with others, Exercise, Learn new things and eat a healthy Diet.

Many of our former friends whom we got to know at University Malaya since 1973 are adopting this life style. 

Recently, a friend, James Cheah sent me this photo which shows him having a meal with friends that we are familiar with. After fifty years, all are now in their seventies.

From left clockwise: Chin Chow Sing, Christopher Leong, Dr. Ng Kum Weng, Dr. Living Lee, Dr. Cheah Wing Yin, Ho Wai Suet (Mrs. Cheah), Leslie Dan, James Cheah Yue Chiang, Sun Nan Ping, Mrs. Sun, Mrs. Lee, Dr. Nehemiah Lee Chee Hai and Tan Joon Chee.

Many among them are successful businessmen, distinguished academicians and professionals. 

Dr. Nehemiah Lee used to rent a room with his course-mate in the same house where my wife and her friend too rented another room in Section 17, PJ in 1977. He graduated as a Civil Engineer. Later on, he started his own firm and became the founder of the patented reinforced soil retaining wall system called Nehemiah Wall. Since its inception in 1993, they have built more than 2.2 million m2 of the Nehemiah Wall. He advocates a zero tolerance for bribery in all his business dealings and a philosophy of personal integrity for all his staff.

Dr. Living Lee, a geologist is a professor in the Department of Geology, University of Malaya, specializing in paleontology or the study of fossils. 

Dr. Ng Kam Weng, A Ph. D from Cambridge University is the research director of the Kairos Research Centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. He has authored a number of books.

Dr. Cheah Wing Yin, a Psychiatrist by profession later on joined DAP and won the state election in 2008 to become the State Assemblyman for Selangor (Read here). Unfortunately, his political life was cut short when he sustained serious injuries in a road accident in March 2010 in the course of performing his duties as a State Assemblyman.

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On 18 August, I was invited by the Lam's to join them for a reunion dinner with some old friends whom we got to know in the University. Dr. Pang Chok Wang and his wife, Ho Yoke Cheng detoured to KK for a couple of days after their trip to Sarawak. 

Dr. Pang, a former student at the Medical Faculty of MU had served as the Chairman of VCF during his undergraduate days. Dr. Pang later on opened his own clinic. Currently, he works as a Consultant Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre.

From left clockwise: Alfred Lee, Lam Kee Hing, Mei Chan (Mrs. Lam), Ho Yoke Cheng (Mrs. Pang), Dr. Pang Chok Wang, Lai Kui Len, Joyce Ting (Mrs. Lai).

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We had another chance to meet up with Dr. Pang and his wife before they returned to Malacca on Sunday, 20 August. We were invited by Dr. Kiew Chik Sang and his wife Lee Chooi Ling (sister of Dr. Living Lee) to join them for dinner in another restaurant with the Pang couple. Both Dr. Kiew and his wife, our seniors are also graduates of MU.

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Meeting up with old friends invariably led to digging up old photos.

Colourised Photo.

An old photo taken at the residence of David Tow at the 5th College of MU during the Christmas Celebration of the 5th College Christian Fellowship in December 1973. Some of the familiar faces - From right: Alfred Lee, KC Ho, Johnny Ating (partially hidden), Dr. Pang Chok Wang, Wong Kim Kong, Lim Chee Sing (Deceased) who is next to Dr. Pang.

Colourised Photo.

Another old photo of VCF'er (Varsity Christian Fellowship) taken either in 1973 or 1974. Some of the familiar faces - Front row from right: Dr. Pang Chok Wang, Lim Kok Hong, Unknow, James Cheah Yue Chiang. Third row from right: Lam Kee Hing, Alfred Lee, Sun Nan Ping, Unknown, Unknown, Goh Ah Hong (Deceased), Dr. Ng Kam Weng, April Tey. Rear row from left: Unknow, Leslie Dan, Unknown, David Tow.

Out of all, the most "unrecognizable" I would say after all these years is Leslie Dan. In the Uni days back in the 70's, he used to keep long hair and put on dark glasses!

Getting Ready for Marriage

I’ve lost count of the number of couples who have signed up for and completed the Pre-Marriage Course since it first began more than twenty years ago. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of journeying with countless couples - each bringing their own unique stories, hopes, and commitment to the process.

While every group has been memorable in its own way, the most recent batch of five couples stood out as one of the most enthusiastic and committed we’ve ever had. Remarkably, not a single session was missed throughout the five consecutive Sundays in July. One particularly dedicated couple joined the first four sessions online from Kuala Lumpur, and then flew all the way to Kota Kinabalu just to attend the final session in person - a testament to their dedication and eagerness to learn and grow together.

Looking back, it’s been three years since we last facilitated a group - just three couples then - shortly after Covid-19 was declared endemic in Malaysia (Read here). The long gap made this recent experience all the more refreshing and encouraging, reminding us once again of the value and impact of walking with couples as they prepare for married life.

The Three Married Couples who facilitated the sessions.

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High tea immediately after the 5th Session and just before receiving the graduation certificates.

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The “graduates” were visibly delighted to have completed the course. During the final sharing session, one participant thoughtfully remarked that he couldn’t single out any one session as more important than the others. For him, each of the five key themes - Connection, Commitment, Communication, Conflict, and Adventure - held equal significance in the lifelong journey of marriage. Every lesson, he noted, builds upon the others, offering a holistic foundation that couples can draw upon through the various seasons of their relationship.

Adding to the moment was a heartfelt reflection from a former participant who had completed the same course seven years ago. Now married with two children and faithfully serving on the technical/PA team, he offered words that resonated deeply with the new graduates. With a knowing smile, he said, “This is only the beginning of a long journey - one that will test the tenacity and endurance of every couple.”

Spoken with the quiet authority of lived experience, his words were both sobering and encouraging - a gentle reminder that while the course may end, the real work and joy of marriage is a lifelong adventure.

"Graduates" and facilitators, helpers and the pastoral team.

Facilitators, helpers and pastoral team.