Eulogy For Elizabeth Mah Suet Fun

EULOGY FOR ELIZABETH, 1966-2011

When one thinks of Elizabeth, one thinks of life, because Liz embraced it to the fullest. From the first time I knew her, the thing that struck me most about her was her effusive bubbliness, her enthusiasm, and her high pitched shrill exclamations. About 15 or 16 years ago, Liz had joined our church’s College & Career Fellowship, CCF for short. She developed such an earnest hunger to learn about the Bible, and Christianity, and she was always so eager to learn, and she truly lived out her faith, and rejoiced in all circumstances.

She had boundless energy, and was always planning exciting outings, such as trips to waterfalls, treks, hangkai at Petaling Street. And she always organized it with such gusto, that one simply did not want to miss a Liz outing. She plans each activity with such detail, a choc ful itinerary, so much so, I have to admit, I often wondered why she tried to pack so much activity into such a short time. She was always chirpy, which admittedly wasn’t always easy to stomach, for grumpy people like me.

She was a devoted wife, and an even more devoted mother. Her two boys, Nicholas and Ethan, are truly blessed to have had such a mother, and we her friends will make sure they never forget what a wonderful woman she was.

As a close personal friend, who has known them since before their courtship, and marriage, I was privileged to have a lot of inside information into both their lives. In the speech for their wedding, I had said this of this.

But actually, who was the real mastermind behind this love story? It was Liz. Why? Because unbeknownst to Henry, she too had set her sights on this man, but being the nice old fashioned girl that she was, far be it for her to throw herself all over the man. She played cool, but not too cool, she played coy, but not too coy, and she charmed him with her typical manja Elizabeth Mah ways. She also used the same spies that Henry was using, to lull him into the sense of security, and in reality, it was she who baited him. She was quite smitten by him, and would ask his close friends, “so how how how, he likes me or not” (in high pitch voice) Anyway, when I asked liz what was it he found most attractive about Henry, she said it was his brains and wit. (cough cough). Maybe I misheard. Maybe it was “grains and zits”. She says, “he has the knack of turning everything around him into a real life comic strip!”

In her fight against the devastating cancer, she remained optimistic and cheerful right up to the end. Always with a ready smile for her friends who came to visit, even when she was bedridden and had to breathe with the aid of the oxygen machine.

I quote what one of our friends Maureen said during the memorial service. Liz is not a jewel. She is a treasure chest. Indeed, our Liz was a treasure chest, with a jewel to give to everyone who crossed paths with her. Our lives have been so much enrichened by knowing her.

She will be missed dearly. Another friend of ours, Tony, wept that he was too busy in her last days to go visit her. I told him not to feel regrets. Treat it like she has taken an earlier flight, and you forgot to say goodbye, but it’s okay because we are also headed for the same destination, so really, it is not goodbye. We comfort ourselves with these thoughts.

For Henry (you've lost your Appie,( short for appendage)), Nicholas & Ethan, Aunty Jasmine & Liz sister Angeline, we pray for strength and God’s comfort to guide you through these difficult days ahead. We hope we can help in whatever way.

Goodbye for now, dear Elizabeth Mah.

Rest In Peace, Adrian Hoh

His last communication with me was on Facebook, 17th April 08, when I responded to his status message where he said he wasn't well. At this age, one dismisses "not well" as a regular cough and cold.

May he rest in peace, and I hope he found the answers he was looking for. Below is the condolence message placed by his office.

Still On the Guest List

I still recall my first invite to one of these legendary birthday parties, hosted by Red Planet. Very intimidating. All the glamorous looking people, the air kisses, the modern day equivalent of an English Tea Party in Queen Victoria's garden, minus the weather and scones. Long Island Tea probably flowed like waters old faithful, and I'm sure I had to down many to calm my intimdated nerves.

Fast forward, 7 years down the line, or so, and many themes later, from Oriental, to Black, to Black and Gold, Stripes, Pink, and no prizes for figuring out the latest.....




Anyway if it weren't for Red Planet, I really wouldn't have the chance to patronise any of the happening hotspots in town. The venue this time was TWENTY ONE, along the Bohemian neighbourhood known as Changkat Raja Chulan. And boy, the place was PACKED. A sign of age is when crowds, smoky rooms, loud music and breathing space that makes a space shuttle feel like a football stadium.

Well, after 7 years, it's nice to see that some people can still maintain their youthful rigour and party till the cows come home.

The Cycles Of Life

The last update was 26 June. Gosh, time does fly.

If it were not for Digital Cameras, I probably would have NO recollection of the events of the last few weeks. Digital images stored in a pc acts as a default journal, for a picture paints a thousand words.

Highlights would be the visits of WOMAN I AM SCARED OF, together with NESTLE NICK at the same time, sometime towards the end of July. I had just met these people, who live in Melbourne and Kobe respectively, recently, so it was somewhat of a bonus to meet them again so soon.

Drinks at Labodega, BSC, where our favourite Bar Manager from Labodega Lounge, Khairul, has been transferred. Also met up with that Mad Air Traffic Controller, who no longer drinks, citing health reasons, and a shrivelled liver.....

A recent discovery, on one Friday night, when we played truant from Bible Study, was a new bar along Asian Heritage Row, called Sunshine. Live band playing music from OUR time. Abba, Rick Astley, etc etc....music that we could really relate to. Also dispelled the myth that Single Malt Whisky does not give a hangover.


A number of people have moved house, including Evil Twin, Godma, and Zand. We were invited to the latter's house, to celebrate the birthdays of Sultana Prunella, and K03. A game of Balderdash followed suit, which was great fun.


In the cycles of life, weddings inevitable form an integral part. Evil Twin's brother tied the knot. It's heart warming when those younger than you tie the knot, and you think you've seen them grow from adolescent, or youth, into fine young men and women, and who are taking the plunge.




There were the fair share of births as well, congratulations to Hotshot CIMB banker, aka King Of England, and his sweet wife, on the birth of their baby daughter. Also to Godpa on the arrival of his new Godson, courtesy of Choongsie and Mrs Choongsie. (and by extention, congrats to them as well). Himbo, serving God in China, also just became a dad, and the baby is still in our prayers due to some complications at birth.

And in the circle of life, there is also death.....

So My Friends Know What I've Been Up To

Actually, my main purpose of keeping this blog is for friends near and far to know what I'm up to these days. After the last "photo fiasco", whereby some reader thoughtlessly blurted out something to the someone that resulted in the blog now being heavily censored, I wondered if I really should bother with this Limited Edition. Afterall, I already maintain a gym blog, and a food blog, but alas, in our busy world and lives, I still see a need to keep in touch with friends. This is my little way of doing so. Very unilateral, but well, at least when we meet, they tell me they know what's going on.

So, what HAS been happening? The school holidays came and went. Feeling guilty for leaving the kids whilst we attending WIASO's birthday in Vietnam, we brought them to Singapore for a holiday. Baby girl has just gotten her new passport and I was eager to use it. (First child, when got her passport, got to go on a trip with overnight flight and all....2nd kid, still got flight, but only 7 hours, 3rd kid, well, still managed a 7 hour flight...now with 4th kid, car ride to Singapore).

But not before the arrival of Nestle Nick from Japan which coincided with me suddenly being "happening" again. On the Friday night, I was at Isthmus, at a party hosted by the Hostess with The Mostess.... Free Flowing Champagne, Bollinger, no less, foie gras, tapas, finger food, and the most wonderful durian bavarois. The side entertainment, which is unbloggable, was also memorable. We then adjourned to Frangipanni, now a very one gender skewed establishment on Fridays, to continue partying. That lasted till 3am.



The following night, we were at Isthmus again, having dinner with Nestle Nick, his pregnant wife, Nestle Naveen, together with Mr CIMB, his lovely (also pregnant) wife, Plankton Pussy and KTT. (both of them) Because of the early impending drive to Singapore the next morning, it was a relatively early night, as I was still zombified from the late night on Friday.

Amongst the highlights of Singapore were the night safari, the DUCK TOURS (Msians pay the Msian Ringgit equivalent for the duck tour, ie, RM 33 per head instead of S$33....Singapore knew it was Visit Malaysia Year I guess). Also, I got to visit friend's bakery, in South Buona Vista Road.




We stayed, thanks to my elder Singaporean cousin, in Changi Beach Club, a lovely resortish styled private club, where accommodation is reasonably priced, by Singapore standards, and rooms large. I initially thought 4 days in Singapore would have been phenomenally long, but time zoomed by quickly. It was very nice of my Singapore rellies to turn up in large numbers to meet us, in what was almost like a mini wedding dinner.

Shortly after returning from Singapore, Chubby Sabahan threw his housewarming party. As Nestle Nick was still in town, I dragged him along, DRAG being the operative word. A very different kind of party, I have to admit. Again, very gender biased. The highlight had to be the "beauty pageant", where nominated contestants had to answer very difficult questions, such as, "If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?". The tiara eventually went to the most seasoned contestant of all, who probably made up the questions himself.





Left that particular party at 3.30am. Spouse had left about 1am, followed by Nestle Nick at about 2.30am, and me at 3.30am.

The next day, rest eluded me, as I was hosting dinner for the Red Planet crowd, (the same Red Planet who the night before was donning a tiara as if she was Venus, Goddess of Lurve), so that was another exhausting day. Slaving over the stove, hosting dinner.... the night before had sapped the energy of most of the guests, who are almost all above 35, and take longer to recover, compared with the nimble and lithe 20 somethings.

The next day, due to rain, plan A which was to have a picnic in Lake Gardens was scrapped, and I had to play host in plan B for the group of friends who had gathered in honor of our overseas visitors, Mr & Mrs Brash, and Rev and Dr from Cambridge.

Somewhere along the way, we got invited to the play, URMI, which was the local production of the Tempest. Courtesy of ExFCI who was in a starring role, the show was actually beyond my expectations. The props were visually quite stunning, and Shakespeare actually managed to keep me awake.

Brother in law's birthday drinks, held at Izzy's, Northpoint, made my record for skipping Friday Bible Study unparaleled.On another Saturday, we had a potluck at Glamour Groomer's house, with the more sedate crowd that ensured I got my 8 hours of sleep on a Saturday night. And last Saturday, I forewent an evening at Max's with the food bloggers crowd, to attend my colleague's housewarming.

And last night, was dinner with the Everybody Loves Raymond Group. Food review here.


So that's what I've been up to lor.

Yet Another One Hits The Big Four

This post is mainly for the benefit of previously Bangkok Lawyer, now Singapore Lawyer, and the Khaws since their presence was sorely missed at this function, the 40th of WIASO. (Woman I am Scared of).

On the 26th of May, we all congregated in the Unesco Heritage Town of Hoi An, an hour's drive away from Danang, in Vietnam. The journey had taken almost 24 hours, door to door, because Air Asia only flies to Hanoi at night, and by the time we arrived in Hanoi, we checked in to our hotel, there wasnt much else to do. And first thing, the next morning, we were on our way to the airport again, headed for Danang.

Anyway, on the first night (25th May) we were just chilling out, and had a lovely local dinner at a place called Hong Phuc... The highlight was the 1 litre buckets of cocktails, at very cheap prices. In retrospect, I guess the alcohol they used might have been a bit suspect, hence the massive hangovers suffered by some of the people.





With a great warm up on the Eve of the actual Birthday, we were definitely expecting to topple the birthday girl on the night itself. Alas, she was suffering a migraine, and therefore did not partake in much booze at all. In fact, I reckon it was a pretty poor show all round in the drinks department, because of the 4 bottles (2 gin and 2 vodkas) we lugged there at the behest of birthday girl, 1½ gins and 1 vodka remained untouched. In fact, due to inconsistent aircraft rulings on liquids, even in check in baggage, we had to forfeit all the bottles. I digress.

On the night of the birthday, we gathered (after earlier secretly gathering for a rehearsal for a "surprise presentation") for pre dinner drinks in one of the rooms. Verve cliqout flowed freely, and the dangers of drinking of an empty stomach were soon to become obvious, for me, at any rate.

Not sure if WIASO's other half or the hotel had arranged this....rose petals on the bed with a teeny piece of cake and candle. Looked very wedding budoir.

Guest had actually flown in from all over the world. Hong Kong, Perth, Romania....

The Malaysian entourage.

Dinner entertainment, at the restaurant (name now escapes me). The restaurant has fantastic ambience, by the seafront, and in yonder sea, a string of floating lanterns. Not sure if they were meant to be decorative, or squid bait. By this time, I have to say the verve cliquout had gone straight to the head. In case you're wondering what the heck I have donned on, it's an Egyptian galabia, deliberately given to me by HRH, so that I can look like his slave.

After dinner, which ended pretty early, we adjourned back to the hotel. By this time, I have no coherent recollection of the night's events, but am having my memory jolted by pictures taken on my camera. We obviously then presented our surprise presentation, a parody to the tune of Tom Jones' DELILAH.


Now by this time, I REALLY cannot remember a thing. We obviously were causing a ruckus, and other guests must have complained, prompting the hotel to move us to the bar, the Amsterdam Bar. A suitably loaded Ipod provided the much needed retro music.








Well, vows of temperance aside, the next day, (and an entire day in bed, wretching and nursing a major headache), it was a delightful experience. Wonder who's happening 40th will be next.

Forty Is the New Thirty

That's what people are saying. Forty is the new thirty. Which means ten year olds in standard four theoretically still belong in the womb.

Anyway, this was a belated 40th birthday bash, and I think it was largely due to the cajolling of friends who insisted he cant get away without having a party.

Of course, I have to show case my work...the 2.5kg birthday cake. That, and a rum and raisin pie, were my contribution to the night's festivities. There was also a buffet dinner, catered by the very charming Mei Lai.

Red Planet in the background assumes the role of MC..... or diva..... oh, by the way, no prizes for guessing the theme of the night.


Despite this photograph, let me clarify that there were a lot of gorgeous ladies present as well. There was a "best dressed" contest for both the ladies and the guys. That chappie, 2nd from the left, was runner up for the male crown.


Now, despite the fact there were like 4 professional photographers, with their larger than life camera equipment, by the time the real party started, none of them were to be seen, so it's a good thing I had my trusty old ixus with me, or we'd have no memories of the later parts of the night.


I can't for my life remember what they were doing here, probably some choo choo train thingie. Anyway, it was a fascinating night, and a great party. Great to meet up with everyone again.