Happy New Year 2009..soon...

It is the last day of 2008 today. And what a year it has been...

2008 started with strange signs of not being so good for the company; but due to some quirks and happenings, it didnt turn out so bad after all.

For the same reason or quirkiness, my last day of the year will still be spent solving the same singular problem. The solution will either be good or it will be not so good for the company in 2009..

But having said all these, there is still the issue of how to reward deserving employees for the year 2008. That will be a bigger challenge. How to reconcile the expected major downturn in business for 2009 with the company's performance for 2008. If nothing is done, it will be devastating; if we overdo it, we will suffer the consequences in the coming year.

decisions.... decisions....

The Lady MV LIZA

She was supposed to be our pet project that would have propelled us to greater fishing grounds... but what happened??

A couple of months ago, my fishing kakis and I went to Kuala Trengganu to look at this lady. The owner was looking for advice from 'experts' so that he could then retrofit the vessel to carry anglers to far away deep sea fishing expeditions. We gave an extensive report, but up to now we have not heard anything more.

The plans included Astro hookups, star gazing on the top deck, air conditioned sleeping bunks below deck, bathroom, coking galley, the works.

Oh LIZA, what happened to you??

could well be in trouble....

Woke up middle of the night on Monday with a nagging throbbing pain at the throat...this morning it is not better at all...nose a bit stuffed as well..

Am I in trouble for this weekend cantata or what?

Not good....

Christmas Cantata 2008 (year corrected!!)

Trinity Methodist Church PJ will be reverberating to the sound of lively Christmas songs at 830pm on 20th and 21st Dec 2009.

This year, the songs are quite new; and by new, they are not like the usual carols that are sung during this time of the year. Some of the words are familiar, but and maybe in a few places, the music will also sound familiar, but that's about it.

The usual ensemble will be there; piano, organ, keyboard, drums, bass guitar, acoustic guitar and violin.

So, if you have time, make your way there...

UPDATE/CORRECTION

I have just been alerted that i got the year wrong!! it is this year, 2008, and not next year 2009...

thousand apologies if you have set your calendar for 2009

Friends from Uni days...

On Sunday night, my better half and I met up with a few friends from our days while we were students at Monash University, Australia. It is now 20 years since we graduated, and returned to Malaysia.

Maybe a run down of the 'old mates'..

Ms. Lim Chin Chin was my wife's housemate for 3(?) years. During those days, she will never let herself be caught wearing a skirt. Why, you may ask. Actually, i think no one ever found out why. Anyway, there was an occasion when she lost a wager and was compelled to wear a skirt. She did that by wearing the skirt to church on a Sunday morning while everyone else were still sleeping!. Since we have not seen her for many years, it was a rather illuminating night to see her wedding photos, where, i guess, she has no choice but to wear a wedding gown!

Ms. Julia Leong was another very interesting character. The last we met her was at her wedding some 15 years ago. She still looks the same. BUT, the most striking thing about her that night was not Julia herself but her daughter Charlene. The mannerisms, intonations of words, use of words from and by Charlene is exactly the same as Julia's. It was simply amazing. (Charlene, there are some secrets about your mum which you may want to know... drop me a line.)

We have not met Soo Har for many years now, and it was certainly good to meet up again. She still looks the same, especially the laugh...

Kok Wah and Julia are still as loving as ever. They came to our church a few years ago for a Cantata (can't remember whether it was Easter or Christmas). Kok Wah was my housemate for 2 years.

Chin Chin kept photos taken from those days and it was hilarious second guessing who was who from the photos. Trying to remember names and events from those days, I guess, will only get more difficult as the days go by..

The meeting was a result of our visit to Melbourne last month where we got Chin Chin's email from Dorothy, who was in town to see her mum. My wife and I wanted to have Dorothy for dinner, and one thing led to another, and culminated with a mini 'reunion'.

I think we should not wait another 15 years before meeting up again. Next round we should rope in Milly (Julia's sister), Chun Wai, Jeff Chen, and i suppose score others...

will upload photos once i manage to pry the camera from my daughter..

UPDATED with Photos