Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Grandpa Sibu's Brithday Bash

The time had come. This was what all 9 children, 22 grandchildren & 4 great-grandchildren came back to Sibu for. Everyone (almost) was back for Grandpa's 90th Birthday & 64th Wedding Anniversary celebration.

A man would have many achievements in his life. But being able to live up to a 90th birthday with 64 years of marriage is really an achievement by itself, a feat very few people can hope to achieve in this day & age.

The dinner event was held at the Paramount Hotel.

Sound very Paramount. But in reality, they didn't even have an F&B manager around. You'd have to do everything yourself, like going into the kitchen to ask for the food to come out.

But it was a grand ocassion. The place arranged to be nicely decorated by our own florists, Carol and Aunty Linda.


The wedding cake all over again.

I think Grandpa & Grandma looked healthier than the couple on the cake.


Everyone from Sibu turned up that evening. Yes, you can squeeze the whole of Sibu into one room.

Big shots like Wong Soon Koh & Robert Lau also graced the occasion with their presence.

With the elections nearing, we were a bit worried that they would accidentally slip into their SUPP political speeches.


But they were very gracious. They only talked about Grandpa, shared stories of the old days, & thanked him for his contributions to the Party.

For that moment, I actually respected them... for respecting Grandpa. NEE: By the way, these guys actually delivered their speeches in 100% formal official Foochow, which is practically unheard of. Foochows are really BIG on their dialects. Greg was just sitting there totally catching no ball.

This is the first time I've been to a real formal dinner function in Sibu. And this is the first time I see Foochow Mee Sua being served in a restaurant.

I have to say (with Nee agreeing), this is the most excellentest Mee Sua we've ever had. Of course, it's Sibu!Note that I did not take any photos of the other food. During the course of the pst 3 days, we have been fed with enough food in our guts to last us for three weeks. We felt like camels. So we had to stop eating by the 7th dish that night.

And then they show began! Nee & Uncle Morris were the MCs for that night. They worked hard for the first half of the event. In the second half, they became sit-down MCs.


And of course, there were no shortage of entertainment from the many talented children...

On, these were grown up children.


And superstar grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Sheila shines on the piano.


Stephanie steps on it...


This is the Foochow Jay Chou. I like the sound of that. It even rhymes. Edison thought nobody recognised him because he sang so good.


And of course, Megan was again the star of the night, belting out two songs. If you tell her that she was good, she'll tell you that nobody has signed her up yet.

Foochow kids...



And the event continued on...

Grandpa & Grandma cut their cake. Grandpa insisted on doing it standing up.


Grandpa talked. He insisted as well.


Grandpa gets flowers. We all insisted.

That's Foochow persistence for you.

Oh, & finally, I made this video presentation clip. It was a frantic last minute thing with Aunty Linda digging up old photos & Cousin Teng taking pictures of the photos!

It's called The Story of Our Lives



This clip is also available on YouTube. Oscar was there. Read his comments.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

lucky u, greg!nee's frm a great kaliu family!
terri

WoMbOk™♂ said...

Ooo the Paramount~ I usually stay there when I am over there and 64 years is certainly something rare in this time and day. I should be so lucky :P

And very nice clip as well. The soundtrack was very full of 'feel' one.

Anonymous said...

Hi guys. yeah we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

A Terry: Welcome home! we are at hongkong now. so will chat with you all somemore when we get back. but so happy you are back in action. miss your blog heaps!

Wombok: yeah you are rite really! one would only be so blessed to live up 90 and 64 years of marriage. my grandpa married when he is 26. so you better hurry hehehe just kidding. no offence ya

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