Mum's Fender Bender This Morning

Mum has always lead by example. In her 40 years of driving, she's never had any major car accidents. The one time she got into one, she had to get 3 cars involved! My mum rarely calls me in the morning and when I saw her name on my cellphone, I knew something had happened on her way to work. Sheepishly, mum said "Son, I just got into a car accident. My foot 'slipped' onto the accelerator and I hit two cars in front"...TWO! It's amazing what mothers can do to live up to the proverbial two birds and a stone! It happened at the intersection between Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

When I got there, I marched straight to her and the expected 'company', just before I nearly got hit by oncoming cars when I alighted. To no surprise, she was having light moments with them already! The conversation really took the cake when she asked the Chevy's driver's son whether he scuba dives and would like to join me in my next trip! Wow! Make friends and make claims at the same time! That's my mum...

Apparently while trying to work the brakes, her foot 'slipped' onto the gas and she hit a Chevy Optra and a Proton Satria Neo, both at once! Physics in play, the Chevy was pushed forward and hit a taxi cab! So, it turned out to be three birds with one stone. Good job mum. I would be proud if this was aDemolition Derby! He he.

The Satria wasn't damaged too bad. The taxi, I never saw. He had driven off prior to that. The Chevy's bumper was split into two with dents in the trunk lid. So, after discussions, we decided that it was best to settle the damage with the Satria (afterwhich, we followed him to a workshop nearby to get a quote) and lodge a police for insurance claims. So, we went to the police station to do the needful. The taxi cab driver was there before us. Even there, she was trying to humour the sargeant and the corporals. I was beginning to wonder if there were any limits to her friendliness. Good thing though, it helped with getting out the report quicker than usual.

Well, after the whole affair, I led my mum out of town and on the way back home. I managed to get into the office just after 12 noon and all charged up after an eventful morning.

So, now the car is in the workshop which means for the next 2-3 weeks, I am given the privilege to be mum's driver.

Family Reunion

July 2, 3 & 4

It's yet another family reunion. 2 years in a row now... Last year, my dad's cousin, Uncle Chee Tuck (click here for previous post) organized one. And this year, my dad's other cousins returned to Malaysia for another visit. Uncle Sek Kin, Janet and Suzie, all siblings and children of my late uncle, Leong Wing Foo decided to have a small reunion-cum-holiday. The routine for these intrepid lot is eat and shop, eat and shop like there's no tomorrow.


From left, clockwise: Ah Yin, Helen, Eddy and Sek Kin

With Janet (whom we call Ah Yin) and husband Eddy Wu (from Taiwan and a shipping tycoon!), the nite was sure to be only a big 'yum seng' session. My cousins (their children), Terry, John and Jeeno Wu, whom I haven't seen for years now tagged along. Jeeno will be getting married next year, giving me a reason to go to Taiwan. Better get a few mandarin phrases brushed up...it may just come in handy instead of parroting "wo pu hweh chiang hwa yi" all the time...

Darryl and Jane

Uncle Sek Kin and wife Aunty Helen returned with Darryl (my cousin) and wife, Jane (picture in the middle) and their new born baby girl. Darryl is heading on to be one of Australia's most well known cardiologist...and he's only 29.

Left: Seen with Suzie and Janet are my 7th and 8th aunts (seated). 8th aunt's been in Ipoh most of her life, despite our implores to move to KL. 7th aunt on the other hand is has been around almost all her life.

Our dinners are always anything but mediocre. The first nite, in my absence was a dinner hosted by Eddy and Janet at the Overseas Restaurant, Jln Imbi, KL...followed by northern indian delights at the Bombay Palace, Jln Ampang and finally, a sumptous chinese sit-down donner at the resplendent Li Yen at the Ritz-Carlton. It's always a treat to have so many nice dinners in a row, but I reckon I should start breaking out the weighing scale soon.

Oh well, till next year or so...