At 55...

Lily in church told me 'welcome to the senior citizens' leaque' !

I refuse to concede to the leaque unless... I can fly 1/2 price... Lily do you fly at that rate? "Hmm... I am not too sure..." she replied.

Even if one refuses to admit age, it has to come naturally and hopefully graciously...as I read about ageing graciously in the papers today. Behave like Meryll Streep; they advised.

Some say it's all in the mind. Act, behave and think young and you will be at the age you wanna be!

God has been kind to me. He has given me much and I can only humbly thank Him for provisions, family and friends.

After all, what does this world mean to us if we have none of the above mentioned ? Perhaps, it means more to bring joy to others and living for loved ones as we see them enjoying their earthly existence.

But I had great surprises this day.

Friends in school who remember me and I am touched by their thoughtfulness. Thank you dear friends.

Last Evening In School...

Last night I am humbled at the Principal's invitation to grace the camping event of the school and to have a battalion of them singing the birthday song. Thank you Mrs. Wang and dear children. I am so glad to have so many around me...it baffled me. I am so honoured. Thank you En Jafny, En Musawir, En Zulkifli, En Tasnim, Mr. Kang, Ms Pamela, Puan Zunaidah, Puan Normadiana, Puan Nordiana, Cik Idayu, Puan Sophia, Cik, Norsuzana, Puan Ng, and to the many I have let out; you have to pardon my memory.

This evening I had a simple dinner with loved ones...Grace, Sara, Uncle Choy and Pam... but I cannot deny missing Esther.

Thank You God for family and friends.

Revisitations (3)

The Local Cruise

When in Muar, friends and tourists are bound to be brought to Tanjung Emas, a promontory jutting out into the Straits Of Melaka. It is a favourite getaway and evenings are filled with the sounds of laughter and excitement seen in the faces of her visitors. Parents will bring their children to play on the swings and relax under the hundred year old trees. Walks are constantly accompanied by the cool breeze created by the Muar river... a perfect getaway.

Though the place is familiar to me in many ways, I have never taken the plunge to cruise along the Muar river ; always thinking that there will be a next time. I have been along the City Cruise in Brisbane, Sydney and even the Straits of Melaka on the Gemini but not yet along the Muar river ; so near and yet so far.

So, this time I thought there was no more excuse ...



Fong Min, back from London squealed in excitement when I suggested the cruise and without hesitation nodded her head. She is a dear friend who left for the UK when she was 17 and started her career as a nurse. Leaving for the UK in the 70s among girls was a common exodus as nursing was popular and highly demanded in the field of medicine. She excelled in the field and even obtained a PHD in nursing last year. She is a perfect life-long learning example and is fearless of the challenges. She works hard till this day and never gives up on the idea of working...her stand is to work as long as she can. Now you know why she still can stay so slim though she is more than half a century old... must emulate.




The cruise is for both the young and old and really ; it was slow but therapeutic.

As one cruises along the Muar River, this landmark - the Sultan Ismail Bridge - built in the 60s; stands tall and steadfast. It has been a connector between Tanjung Agas and Muar town and helped build the success story of the town. I still can recall vividly when as a child, I used to get across to Tanjung Agas by a ferry. It was time consuming but yet an important mode of transport. With the advent of the bridge, time was saved until lately when frustrations were eminent as travellers had to wait for their turns to cross the bridge either way. Traffic became heavy and it was a chore when jams were created. It could take between half an hour to one to cross it and soon the dread was real.



There has to be a solution. Like the second crossing to Singapore, another bridge was built. This time the bridge connects Parit Bunga to Pagoh and bypasses the town for those who wish to go to other parts of the Southern region; thereby easing the traffic.





The newly-built bridge is modern and built on a different system ; I believe. This one seems to be suspended unlike the former one which was heavily dependent on piling? I don't know if my interpretation is accurate but I suspect both bridges are constructed differently but serving the same purposes ; that is connecting the two sides of the river.

I was grateful to have the chance to see both bridges at different angles along the cruise.

My siblings and I used to speculate the activities inside this building. We were told that this was the Johor Sultan's getaway wheneven he is in town. If my memory stays good, a helicopter used to land on the grounds surrounding it whenever the Sultan and his consort graced the town. The 'palace' still stands grand as you view it along the river.

Also, on both sides of the river, one can see stately mosques of good architecture tastes.

This one is near Tanjung Emas and has been there ever since ; ever since. It has been here for the last 50 or 60 years? Maybe even longer and is still so well-maintained.

The newer one on the Tanjung Agas side is as stately. Of Moroccan architecture, it is a sight to behold.

Sampans along the river suggest fishing activities and oyster and cockle catching has always been a favourite activity among the locals. Fong Min wanted so much to taste the Muar oyster cuisine and we bought some for her later in the evening.

I could not help but notice this building along Tanjung Agas ; Giant. Placed on the other side of town , the inconvenience has deterred Muarians on the other side to frequent. So, it does not seem as popular as it should be otherwise. Location is vital for any good prospect to flourish.

I snapped this photo as I spotted Por's condo from afar. Standing tall behind the building in front, the condo is an absolute perfect place of rest as the sea breeze that engulfs her unit cools it. It's cooling throughout the day and surely it is difficult to find a unit fronting the sea and having the privilege of a constant breeze to make it a comfortable abode.

Soon, I noticed a change in the landscape. Mangrove swamps dotting the river.

Muar, being a low lying area, has always been reknown for her swampy topography and coastal features. It is a perfect place for geographical studies and ventures. This again brought back memories way back to the early 70s when as undergraduates, the Geography Department of the then University of Malaya , made it compulsory for them to complete a field study on swamps.

And you have guessed it right ... we ploughed the Muar Swamps in Tanjung Emas. If there was anything that I could remember best ; it was the agony we had to go through when we were attacked by leeches. They were well fed...but it was even greater thrill when they were removed from our legs and squeezed ... our blood oozing out from their fat bodies.

See. The undergraduates in their maiden trip to the swamps of Muar. We had a fulfilling time enjoying one another's company and learning from the trip of swampy features and other secondary landscapes. But that was so long ago. Can you spot me?

So ends my story of the Muar River Cruise. Sara says I have to stop talking about Muar and that I have become a bore. I told her it is alright. My blog is also to help me keep a register of my memories and they are really for keeps. So it doesn't matter, does it?

Revisitations (2)

The Ultimate

Mee Bandung Muar

Along Jalan Abdullah stands this humble coffee shop which serves the authentic cuisine ; Mee Bandung. As far as my memory can stretch, this is the place where the noodles cooked in thick beef gravy originated. Having lived at the next unit for a good 15 years, my siblings and I were privileged to taste them anytime the crave came. This crave is still around till this day. Fong Min is no exception. She kept asking for it and so I accompanied her to the place where Mee Bandung is cooked the way it should be done.







The moment I stepped foot there, the Mee Bandung guy burst out in recognition , " Eh, dah berapa tahun tak jumpa ! Ayah dan mak awak masih kuat dan saya selalu nampak mereka. Mana Ah Lee, Ah Wan dan Ah Choy?" (Hei I haven't seen you for agood many years! Your dad and mum are still strong and I do meet them. Where's your other siblings?)
He was so warm and cordially asked us to take a seat and taste his Mee Bandung.






We virtually grew up together as his dad was a real champion in the business and he has certainly taken over his skills well.




Somehow the beefy gravy concoction is difficult to emulate and the secret recipe is well kept within the family. Fong Min ranted that her stay in Muar was made complete with this authentic concoction. Nothing like this in London. After 40 years in London, Mee Bandung Muar is a dream come true. You must come here when in Muar. Taste it for yourself.




He sat with us and started recalling the days of old and kept repeating ; " Lu punya mak orang sangat baik. Orang tak siuman pun dia bagi masuk mandi dan bagi dia makanan. Saya nampak mak awak sangat murah hati , orang tak boleh lupa." ( Your mum is so gracious ever willing to help others and on one occasion even allowed a mentally challenged guy to take bath in her place and after which fed him. Your mum is so generous , I can never forget.)




My mama is so gracious and opens her doors to friends, friends' children, church members and even treats Chin Loy and family as her own. She loves to have people around her and keeps feeding her guests. Ask Fong Min. Mama even says Fong Min is like a daughter to her. You see, everyone is her son and daughter. She is grace herself.




So this entrepreneur kept telling us how his Mee Bandung has reached the eyes and ears of near and far and almost every local paper has stories to tell about it.

This Johorean Deputy Prime Minister is also his fan.

The Menteri Besar of Johor cannot be excluded from his chain of famed clients.

Even Chef Wan sees it fit to pay him a visit. Did he learn anything from him? Was the family secret let out?




He was insistent that I took a shot like the rest with him. So why not? I am no celebrity though.



Finally, he recommended that I get his paste and cook at home. Will it turn out the authentic way ? I did not get them as I was too disturbed by preservatives that might be added though he vehemently denied putting any. I will taste them fresh each time in town. Sufficient.




By the way, besides Mee Bandung , the stall next to it sells satay and Mee Soto that are equally unforgettable. If you prefer soupy stuff, then the Soto is really good too. Fong Min , a picky and small eater finished all the satay ordered leaving none for me. So you should guess the taste of the satay.

It was a good experience for lunch... another best shot.

Revisitations (1)

Some friends remain yours... forever.

Friends whom you grow up with from school days stay with you all the days of your life and when they show up at some point of your life, you just glue together may it be 30 or 40 years later. One such friend is Fong Min ; though she is now addressed as Dr. Sandra Scott.

Sandra and my siblings grew up together when we went to school together. She used to pop over my place almost everyday after school for Por's good food and till today still reminisces about the good old times. She left for the UK in the 70s and establish a home of her own there and is now a proud mother of a daughter and son... Lucy and Simon. Husband Tony is a also a homey dad and dotes on the family. So, she's a contented and happy woman.

Each time when she shows up, we are bound to end up meeting my teacher , Ms Hyacinth.

We met up at Tropicana City Mall last Monday and I was glad to see my teacher again. If you know what I mean... the feeling is just there ; my teacher. She was my Form Four teacher and taught me English Literature. She was the lady behind the choir and the producer of " The Sound of Music" in those days and whenever she is around, there are bound to be sparks. By the way, she was instrumental in my reading on the Mills and Boon Series. We exchanged titles almost every week to save cost. She instilled the reading habit in me and when she read, I read. That's the legacy she left behind in my life. So she is very dear to me.
When I met her last week, we talked about the good old times. She mentioned some old classmates ; Sharifah Bibi and Halimah Ismail both of whom were old school friends. Sharifah used to sit in front of me in class and she was a smart girl. I remembered those evenings when I cycled to her house and we exchanged long conversations. I never saw her again after Form Five but they told me she's somewhere in Subang Jaya with 7 children ... when will I see her again ?

Fong Min and I could not resist going back to Muar where we grew up together. Quite naturally we landed up at our Alma Mater...Sultan Abu Bakar Girls' School. Oh that building is still standing tall after all these years and yes...I was in one of the classrooms up there in Form 3 when Mrs. Caroline Chua was my form teacher. I associate Mrs. Caroline Chua with discipline and we girls had to put our chairs under the tables each day before we left the classroom and no nonsense whatsoever. She was so prim and proper and a good teacher.

We made friends with the security lady of the school and she proudly told me the school in winning the various mural competitions was awarded a school bus ! How wonderful and she related that she was the master mind behind the paintings. She's a great artist and paints free hand without much effort. Her ambition ? To open an Art Gallery in the near future.

Good luck.

The school has expanded and we saw our library being converted into the school cooperative and the old staff room being turned into a memorial gallery. Impressive.

Coincidentally, we caught up with Fong Min's younger sister, Fong Fong. Believe it or not? She is a grannie to 9 kids ! Fong Fong used to be a school mate too and was a year my senior in school. Guess what ? She is fast on the track and used to co-partner me in the school relay team during the various sports meets. She had us in stitches when she recalled those days when she dreaded exams and hated studying. I remembered lugging my text books along in the midst of the runs for exams the next day whereas books did not interest her ; so she reiterated.
But look at her now...who cares about books ? She is a happy woman looking after the interests of her daughters and sons. Who needs anything else to be carefree and contented? I marvel at her simple outlook in life and when I asked her how come she is already a grandma to so many, she casually replied : " For my daughters, as long as they are of age ( I mean 20 to 22?) and asked to be married , they have my blessings!" What lucky girls ; mama says yes all the time ! I wonder at myself...

We also walked all the way down town running in between lanes to see whatever that was left in our memories of the days of old. We spotted a "buah cherry" tree and recalled our childhood days when we used to climb trees and pick the cherries ; so red and sweet. They really taste good.

Fong Min vaguely remembered the goodies that she has been dreaming about all the time in the UK...and of course who could forget the goodie below... radish in black sauce.

It was a long wait ; but after all these years, the wait was worth it. She can't go home to the UK without first tasting them. The vendor told us that fortunately he is still around. We used to get our radish goodie from his dad.



Hmm... just absolutely out of the world. The ones we get up here never hit his standard. Really, it was just so very palatable and unforgettable.





Her next pining...rice cakes with salted mustard. She kept describing them and finally I caught her meaning. Known as "chui kuih" in Teochew, they are just plain rice flour cakes savoury in taste.



When you were once from Muar, you can never forget those food. You may live anywhere in this universe but you still go hunting for them when you come home. That is roots. No wonder it has been proven over and over again that when you acquire a particular taste from young, it stays with you for life.

Later she shared that it was the best breakfast she ever had for the last decade.

But of course, Por and Kong took us for the Ah Pek Mee the next day and though the food seemed mundane since I have talked about them so many times, they never fail to thrill us. Yummy.

So much for old acquaintances and breakast.