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 can't remember the number of groups who have signed up and gone through the Pre-Marriage Course since it started almost twenty years ago. 

The latest group of five is reckoned to be one of the the most enthusiastic among all. None of them missed any session every Sunday for five weeks held in the month of July. One couple joined in the sessions faithfully in KL online and flew to KK for the 5th and final session.

Reflecting back, it was three years ago that we last facilitated three couples after the Covid 19 pandemic was regarded as endemic in Malaysia (Read here).

The 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 indeed happy that the sessions were finally over. In the sharing, an attendee summed up with his comment that out of the five sessions, he could not pinpoint a particular one that is considered most important. To him, in the long journey ahead, each lesson - Connection, Commitment, Communication, Conflict and Adventure is equally important. 

As one ex-participant who now helped in the technical/ PA system and who joined the same course seven years ago commented, this is only the beginning of a long journey that would test the tenacity and endurance of the couples to weather through the marriage lives. This is indeed well said by someone after seven years and who is now with two kids!

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

Facilitators, helpers and pastoral team.