Divine Help

Dearest Mother

Thank you for teaching and directing me to successfully organize a charity golf tournament in memory of our late Tunku Abdul Rahman, whereby the Agong was the patron.

Just two days before the event in the midst of the hassle and bustle, I was informed that the previous secretary broke down on the day of event and I was asked to prepare myself to face any problems that might arise on that day.

With this in mind, I went beyond my secretarial duties with constant prayers. The tournament day happened to fall on the feast of St. Peter Daiman (right) which was also a great opportunity for me to seek his guiding help and wisdom.

It was my first time organizing such an important event and it was no easy task having to deal with so many dignitaries and not forgetting the necessary protocol too.

We had a beautiful day and everything went on as planned. The participants were very happy that such great efforts were being put in by the Organizing Team to raise funds for charities despite the economic gloom.

Somehow, things just fell into place conveniently and I knew what I had to do throughout the event. I strongly believe that without divine help and protection for me and the organizing team, it would not have been easy to conclude the event without a hitch.

Thank you again Mother for your guidance and help.

A bird in hand

Three nights ago, when I entered my bathroom after a very long I saw a bird standing by the window. Then with a little sparing, I managed to catch it with my bare hands.

Hey, don't stare at me like that! I didn't ask to be here!

While the bird was still in captivity, three other birds were waiting anxiously at my neighbours balcony the next day and making a lot of noise.

I then told my son to set it free and when the cage was opened, it was joined by the other three birds soaring into freedom.

The King and I

Organizing Committee

7th Tunku Abdul Rahman

Memorial Golf Tournament

Kelab Golf Subang Negara

21st February 2009

Front row left to right :

Peter Chua, His Majesty the Yang Di Pertuan Agong, Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah and Datuk Zubir Hj Ali

Second row right to left :

R David, Johan Fernandez, Wong Chee How, Hj A Aziz Kasim, YM Tengku Kamarul Aznam, Christy Loh, PP Lim and Dr Ching

This event was organized every two years in memory of our late Tunku who was often to refererred to The Prince Of Sports. He had great passion for the needy especially towards the young and the old and following the three charities were chosen.

Tasputra Perkim

The National Stroke Foundation and

The Autistic Society of Malaysia

Yes, maam keep talking I am listening

Organizing Committee meeting His Majesty, the Yang Di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Zainal Abidin ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud

It was a great honour for me to be able to meet the Agong in person.

Chance of a lifetime I think.

Wow..... this is beautiful Datuk!

The final touch by the Organizing Chairman

and the Challenge Trophy as a pillar of strength from behind

Next in Line

A memento for the Agong

(one of Tunku's favourite putter)

106 golfers participated in the tournament. My special thanks to Peter Chua, Datuk Zubir Hj. Ali and the rest of the Organizing Committee members for their confidence in me.

Class Reunion

Ramsay Scully, the emcee and Theresa Fong the co-emcee



for the 3 Jan 09 SGS Class of 1970 reunion dinner at Cititel Hotel, Penang.

However, the function was instrumented by Theresa Fong, the superstar since school days and seated next to her was our Maths Teacher, Mrs Renee Oyog.

After 38 years, Ramsay Scully suddenly went in search of classmates all over the world with the help of the internet and located them at China, Australia, Singapore. Ramsay in blue (seated) and the remaining are teachers.

From left - Master Khaw Cheng Boh, Mrs Renee Oyog, Mr and Mrs Samson, Master Bernard Lim, Ms Beh (wife of Bernard) and Master Anthony Chin.

So the big day came and almost a full attendance. "Hello, I am Beng Nee" dressed in white, Cecilia Chong (seated) and Theresa Saw (centre standing). All were so excieted and beaming with smiles and laughter because it took sometime to recongize each other especially outside our school uniforms.

Our English teacher, Master Samson who has passion for gardening referred our maturity to his "garden of eden". Nuturing the seeds into full bloom likewise we have all blossomed as described by him. He is still the handsome eurasian man despite his age.

We have matured into fine ladies and gentlemen as complimented by Master Samson.

Yet Lee (Lucy), Irene Mah and Azima side view. Cecilia Chong and Hong Kim "pillars of strength."

Mrs Renee, I never knew that you are such a good counsellor said Theresa Saw.

Master Anthony Chin (centre in batik) daughter, Juanita wrote a book "Inspired To Change" at a price of RM42.00 each. In her early thirties she is already owning many pieces of property all over. She travels widely and this had given her great leverage about the world around us. Congratulations Master Anthony.Debates never stops. Mrs Renee since you are at that table you have been appointed Judge!

Some turned entrepreuners but on low profile.

One of them shared how she turned entrepreneur. It all started when she was thrown out of her job because her company closed their Malaysian operation and went back to France. However, her very kind and generous employer and gave her a golden handshake. With the windfall she purchased an office intended for investment purposes but it turned out that her business actually leap frogged from there.

Despite her many years of experience as an executive secretary, she found it extremely difficult to enter employment again and was rejected interviews after interviews for more than a year and in the midst she met a friend which prompted her to start something on my own. She was searching and didn't had any clue.

Then the office which she had purchased was also available for occupancy. Somehow, a business centre suddenly dawned on her and she got it started by dividing it into small cubicles to cater for entrepreneurs who do not require a big office space. Though starting her business was no easy task but with perserverence and patience she is now harvesting what she had sow.

She relayed that she lived in the hills during her childhood days where there was no electricity or piped in water. They depended on oil lamps that lit in the dark and a stream to quench their thirst. I guess, through the difficult environment she had gone through, made her strong and resilient. She had to walk a mile to get to school rain or shine. At times, when it rained suddenly, a banana leave by the path will be her self-made umbrella and that had helped her learn how to cope in difficult moments.

After completing her Form 5 education, she boarded the train chuck chuck chuck to KL for greener pastures because her mother didn't want her to go through the harsh hilly environment.

Hey guys, enough for now. The next time we meet, beach party all night long!!!!

Challenges in a Family

In today's competitive world, the word FAMILY has its great challenges. It is not wise to compare our families to our neighbours. Yet, so many of us do this. I wish my marriage was a happy as theirs. This wrong because, first, every family is a unique relationship of singular individuals. It is impossible for two families to be identical. Second, every family has challenges which usually are not apparent to the eye of the envious neighbours.

Even Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus had their share of struggles. The trust which is fundamental to a marriage was challenged by the pregnancy. Joseph must have felt terrible when he had to bring his wife to a stable to have the child. Living a foreign land, away from family and traditions, was far from ideal. Still, the family made it through the difficulties of their family life for one reason only; they had great faith.

The family conquered their struggles through their faith-life. This must be the primary concern of our families.

With so many single parents out there, don't waste your energy wishing that your marriage had worked out and the children could be with both the parents. It does no good to long for that which is not probable.

Instead, single parents should focus on establishing a strong family unit. What the children need is a home not things that the neighbour's kids have.

Do your best and trust in God to do the rest.

Drowned at Sea

My friend lost her husband at sea when she was 36.

One beautiful Sunday morning, her husband went for a boat ride with their two young kids 7 and 9 and another nephew but luck was not with him when the boat capsized.

The boatman ranaway and the father had to save 3 the kids and when he brought them to safety, he slipped into the water through sheer exhaustion and the waves carried him away into the deep blue sea and he drowned.

The mother wanted a better further for the children, decided to send the children overseas. She had to sell her house to finance the educational expenses.

Upon completion the children decided to stay back and now the poor ailing mother has to live in a retirement home. Last week while crossing the road to get some groceries was knocked down by a car and she landed on the windscreen shattering it to pieces and is now waiting to be operated on her broken arm and substained many bruises on her body.

What a life, spending all her life savings on her children in hope for a better future but it didn't happen according to her plans.

We can plan and calculate to the best of our abilities but the ultimate plan lies unknown to us.

Heal the World

Lying is an ugly blot of a person's character, but ignorant people do it all the time. A thief is better than a habitual liar but both are headed for ruin. A liar has no honour. He lives in constant disgrace.

My friend had a broken relationship in her marriage and this had caused herself and her family great pain. They are now heading for a civil divorce. A relationship that began with high ideals, joy and optimism has degenerated into distrust, anger, rejection and self-pity. What was once "one flesh" has been torn apart.

After three decades of marriage the husband said to her one day that he found another woman much gentler than her. It was hard for her to accept the husband departure but then again I asked her what was great about him. "Let him go. You have settled it and you cannot change it. Look away from him and leave him alone and let him enjoy his hard life if he can."

There is so much life out there. Go out and heal the world.