Disclaimer: This is not a documentary of Sr Anne's visit to Sibu in 2017 as I am not a journalist by profession. I was going to use the excuse that I have writer's block to get out of writing this blog but then I realise I am not a writer! I am honoured to be 'awarded' the rights to write this blog to commemorate Sr Anne's visit to Sibu.
How it started ...
The story began in early 2016. After our in-house FBI agent (aka Tina Tham) who took over a year to locate Sr Anne, four of us (Mary Lee, Martina Ong, Dee Dee Lau and myself) decided we should visit Sr Anne in person. Insider story: There was a personal threat to me that I might have to visit Sr Anne on my own because of their busy schedule of eating. Luckily I have the support of my best buddy in spirits, Dee Dee who insisted that we should make the visit. So now you know who the 'bad guys' are.
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| Penang Dec 2016 |
Fact: We will go down in history as the first students from St Elizabeth's to visit Sr Anne. But I sincerely hope that others will make an effort to visit this remarkable ex-principal of our school.
After that trip, we have a discussion to celebrate Sr Anne's 80th birthday. Short story: One of us (clue: one of the 'bad guys') has very little faith and suggested that we should 'bring the mountain' to Sr Anne instead of organising the trip for Sr Anne to visit Sibu. Anyway, this person has since redeemed herself by becoming the 'event planner' for Sr Anne's trip.
Lead-up to the trip
Founding of the organising committee
After to-ing and fro-ing on Whatsapp, we decided we need to commit ourselves to make it happens. So here are the committee members (not in order of importance!): Jessica Teo, Chui Ngik Hwong, Dee Dee Lau, Guek Bee Lee, Martina Ong, Mary Lee, Tina Tham and myself. However, without the support and sponsorship of many of our sisters, we would not have succeeded. My heartfelt thanks to all of you. Long live sisterhood!
The day Sister Anne came to the mountain
A few days before, Penang has one of the worst floods in its history. We were prepared for the worst - the cancellation of Sr Anne's trip to Sibu. It was a relief when we heard that she was on the plane flying out of Penang. The flight was delayed and she has less than an hour for the connecting flight. Three of the committee members who were picking Sr Anne from the airport has no idea if she was on the flight. Mary managed to convince the immigration officer at the airport to let her into the restricted area to look for Sr Anne. The wait is finally over. Words can't describe how we all feel, the picture below is worth a thousand words.
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| Sibu Airport 13th Nov 2017 |
Tour of Sibu 14th Nov 2017
First lesson from Sr Anne: "If you ordered two eggs for breakfast twice, you have to eat four eggs in total!" Personally, I struggled to eat two eggs, but our dear sister managed to eat four in one seating! Needless to say, for the next few days, Sister would roll her eyes at the mention of eggs.
My very dear old friend, Chui Ngik has kindly offered her car for the trip. So first stop is to her house to pick up the car.
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| Sr Anne at the front door of CN's house |
(Important note: By Sister Anne's order, we will be playing 'hide-and-seek' at Chui Ngik's house next reunion.)
Next, we took Sister for a tour of Sibu. It has been 35 years since she was in town.
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| After 4 eggs for breakfast, how much can Sister eat? |
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| Sister Anne at Sibu Cultural Heritage Museum - standing next to the plaque about herself and St Elizabeth's |
My best 'spiritual' friend, Dee Dee sponsored a bottle of Japanese whiskey for dinner that night. Rumour has it that despite the absence of Dee Dee and myself, the bottle was finished in no time. Guek Bee once asked me who my 'drinking teacher' was. The answer is very obvious, but I will give a clue. My teacher once said to me, "Do you think you can get me drunk with two Asahi beer?"
Dinner of the Year 15th Nov 2017
This is the night where old friends and old teachers get together for fine wining and dining with Sr Anne. Instead of writing a thousand words, I will let the pictures do the job.
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| Wong Toh Hee - MC of the night |
The excitement continues...visit to the school on St Elizabeth Feast Day.
Day started with a visit to the school principal, Clement Chieng. Mary was super excited on this day, suspect this was the first time she was being invited to the principal's room as a guest ... instead of the norm, that is, being summoned 😆
