USM Gathering on 9 November 2013

Helen

We managed to get some 24 people to attend this year's USM 75 gathering in conjunction with the returning of three of our friends from overseas to Malaysia.This is the first time that all three of our friends are back during the same period.

Esther

They are Helen Teh Phaik Ooi from Toronto, Esther from Perth and Ruby Liew Man Lin from Auckland.

The function was held at the Pantai Seafood Restaurant  in Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara with karaoke facilities and a slide show.

Ruby

As usual, Chia Kwang Chye volunteered to pick up the tab.

The attendees were:

T. Bala-our head honcho who is 75 years old
Tan Ah Kew
Mahendran
Richard Leow
Lee Kee Teck
Ang Saw Imm
Toh Chee Kiang
Tan Lee Kiang
Chew Kong Huat and his Peh Gaik Sim
Rita
Jenny Tan
Lay Chooi
Say Chuan
Kooi Meng
Swee Pin
Heng
Chan Yau Kok
Yeoh Gim Ooi
Bernard Yeo
Chia Kwang Chye
Esther Tan
Liew Man Lin
Helen Teh

We had a great time together especially during the slide show, recalling how young we were in those USM days.

Helen, Man Lin, Esther gave a short speech each.

We also had short speeches from Mahendran, Richard,Chew Kong Huat, Rita, Kee Teck and Heng.

Bala gave the opening speech that we should have more of such gatherings and he hopes to organise one early next year.

A Photo from Yoke Peng

I am not sure when Tai Yoke Peng graduated.

I think it could be in 1978.

Though I have not met her personally since 1974, we have been on the email and sms.

She sent a photo of a gathering when two of her friends, Weng Chan and Annie who are now residents of Sydney came home to visit.

Here is the photo

Standing From Right: Soh, Unknown, Kamil, Weng Chan, Kee Thuan Chye, Matthias
 Sitting: From Right- Unknown,Yoke Peng,Ivy, Annie

Dinner with Mr and Mrs Wong Ah Soo

Seated are Chee Kiang,Lee Kiang,Jenny,Poh Guat,Swee Pin and Ah Moi. Standing are: Yau Kok, Bernard, myself,Say Chuan and Ah Soo. Kooi Meng left earlier. 

We had a dinner gathering at Ting's Cafe on 12 December on the occasion of Ah Soo's home-coming to Malaysia.

It was also the be the last of the gatherings before we welcome a new blossoming 2013 in less than 3 weeks.

We were quite privileged to have  this small group as many could not make it as it was a week-day.

As usual, we had a customised menu consisting great dishes such as peppery pig-stomach soup with gingko and carrots,assam fish,sambal prawn petai, braised lamb with sauteed brocolli, chai buay, baby french beans fried with garlic and cauliflower with chinese mushrooms and mixed fruits.

Fiddling with the camera

It was another opportunity to bond.

We have to thank Kooi Meng who sponsored the dinner.

At our age, its great to meet old friends .

Never miss such functions,whenever possible.

They are a joy to be as camaraderie flourishes as we move into our twilight years.

A Wedding Dinner He Almost Missed!

A Buddy-Buddy Whiskey Session

Dateline: 2 December 2012; Time Almost 9.30 pm. Official Dinner Time: 7.30 pm

He came late because he forgot.

He was in Puchong having a great session of mahjong.

When I phoned him, he was shocked beyond belief.

However, after much cajoling from Derek and Catherine,Moses braved up and came.

The USM Group with Moses Lee

I told him," Moses, this is once in a forever."

And he did not disappoint the bride and groom, Derek and Catherine as well as his god-daughter, Dr. Karen. He came.

Though we had one good laugh, were we glad that he turned up to add to the merriment of the occasion!

Here he is in his come-as-you-are attire.

Swee Pin's Mother Pass On

The Hereafter

Obituary:

Chin Swee Pin's mother passed on on 9 November.

The wake starts at noon on 11 th Nov till today.

Chee Kiang and me attended the wake.

I conveyed the condolences of Say Chuan, Yau Kok and Jenny to Swee Pin.

Put in some pakam.

Tomorrow she will be cremated and in eternal sleep, awaits the Lord's return.

God Bless her soul.

Dinner Meet in October 2012 with ManLin

We had a uproarious time at that dinner.

As usual it strengthened the bond of camaraderie.

Up Close and Embarrassing

Our alma mater sure has gone Afghanistan or Iranian way.

What a Device! Copyright and Patentable!

Or even cuckoo?

Have the mullahs taken over and forced these USM administrators to write such weird notices?

We need a fatwah here.