A friend is back!

Smile and the world smiles back!

Ever tried to squeeze years into hours and days? Wanphen and I have been filling the past 10 days into a tight frame. Some evenings, we're just content sitting in my lounge, legs curled and wrapped round cushions  or  stretched out after a day of heavy walking. We chat and tell each other stories. I think her memory for details is better than mine. So I better grab some brain booster pills  off some shelves!

My family visited her two years ago and she was ever the incomparable host. Now we are face to face. For the time being there's no need to dial  international calls. That small market town, Beccles in the English county of Suffolk where she lives has a special place in my heart.

What is it that an ordinary housewife can't achieve ? She has them all  cornered. Used to be boss of a huge marina and restaurant in Norfolk, built her own house, chef for all seasons and is now the owner of a holiday bungalow to let. With so much happening in her life, she has weathered ups and downs admirably, her smiles and vigour intact.

When she puts on an apron, be patient for in those few minutes, she'll whip up a meal that taste buds will savour for a long time after. When I think of her cooking for a hundred people at celebratory events, the challenge was hardly daunting to her. The menu could be Thai or Western depending on the the theme of the party. This chef was always in control. I know 'coz I've been an extra hand in the kitchen on ordinary days.

The year was 1991 in Petaling  Jaya when she caught hold of me to do a wee bit of work with her at Selangor Cheshire Home, a home for the disabled. I didn't think my skills were important nor significant. The children were in their tender years doing their first ballet lessons. That's when we met. She asked me and I obliged. I hopped on to her  bandwagon of voluntary work, That sealed our friendship for life. Though she left for Turkey and then to Norfolk in the UK  we've kept in touch.

Am so glad she's here. Right now we are two gallivanting gals enjoying ourselves. I promised her I would take her bowling, watch a movie, and last but not least, take her down memory lane to Cheshire Home. It will be like a homecoming after all these years.    

Beside the tankard - here's to Royal Selangor Pewter's success! 

The favourite spot where we show off our iconic Twin Towers.

With Saint Nicklaus at the Austrian -German -Swiss Charity bazaar at  Carcosa Seri Negara.

 The Royal Commonwealth Society ( RCS)  Club celebrates 50 years. We celebrate 20 years of friendship. 

Dim Sum at The Grand Imperial, Sri Hartamas

KLCC , the ever- bustling place 

Strolling the beach at Pasir Bogak, Pangkor Island, Wanphen was thrilled to find an octupus. 

At the Magic Mirror musical  staged  by Yayasan Guan Yin at Istana Budaya. The changing lights of the lotus was a lovely momento.