A Short Visit of Ex-MU Fifian from Melaka

Since my graduation in early 1978, our family and Jenny’s have continued to meet whenever the opportunity arose. One of our most recent get-togethers took place in September 2024, when we flew to Seremban to join a health retreat at Aenon (Read here).

Our friendship goes back to 1973, when my wife, Jenny, and I began our tertiary education at the University of Malaya (MU). All three of us lived in the 5th Residential College during our undergraduate years, where our bond began to form. Later, during their postgraduate studies for the Diploma in Education at MU, my wife and Jenny became housemates, sharing a home in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.

The above photo, taken in 1981, captures a special moment in time - my wife holding our first child, Serene, and Jenny holding her firstborn, Timothy. At that time, both of them were also expecting their second child. Sadly, Jenny’s second child, Nicholas, passed away at the tender age of seven due to illness. Despite the heartbreak, Jenny found strength and went on to have three more sons: Isaac, Daniel, and Mathew.

Another more recent old photo of the our three children taken together with Jenny's three sons. Jenny's three sons are Timothy (left), Isaac (standing at right) and Daniel (seated at right). Our three children: Serene (3rd from left), Samuel (2nd from left) and Paul (4th from left).

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Lunch at Akiborneo
Jenny and her husband, Patrick at right.

In our latest meet-up, I had wanted to take a group photo in our sofa which we did in 2005 and again in 2018 (Read here). Unfortunately, we were in a hurry to leave for the airport that we forgot about it!

Breakfast at the patio in our home.

Still, this is the next best shot which we took at our patio during our breakfast on 21.09.2024.

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During their recent trip to Kota Kinabalu, Jenny was especially eager to reconnect with another university mate, Lam Kee Hing, whom we first met back in 1973 when we entered the University of Malaya for our tertiary education. Despite our tight schedules, we managed to carve out just over an hour for a quick yamcha session with Kee Hing on 20 September 2024 - right before he headed off to a pre-booked birthday dinner with his wife. As it turned out, our meet-up fell on a rather special day: Kee Hing’s birthday!

Yamcha at Phoenix Star Cafe.

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There was yet another coincidence - Jenny and my sister-in-law happened to be on the same flight to Kota Kinabalu on 20.09.2024. My sister-in-law was visiting KK for a short tour with her friends. We picked them all up from the airport and brought them to our home for a brief rest before sending my sister-in-law and her friend to their hotel in the city.

With Jenny around, there was never a dull moment. She effortlessly filled the room with story after story - or more precisely, miracle after miracle - that had unfolded in her life. Her energy and faith were as uplifting as ever.

All ears listening to Jenny telling her stories!

We all agreed that at this stage of our lives, meeting old friends is a key activity that brings joy and happy moment!