December 30, 2009

Auld Lang Syne : where have the years gone?


The kids were going back to KL soon as we had our fifth meal of the day - at nine p.m. on Christmas Day - another Ngabang to go to...Neil's house.

Here in the picture below is Neil our young man who is all grown up and protective of his mum. The children often met when they were younger - picnics on the beach and pot luck at the weekends. Now that they are 10 -15 years older they have gone their separate ways - to work in different parts of the world.

Neil's mother Sigang and I went back to those early years of the 1990's when we had happy young mothers' time together. Our kids had chicken pox and fevers together. Nina and my son shared the same birthday and they cut their cakes together having a three year old party together for example.

In some afternoons (often wet )we waited for the fathers to buy charcoal and then grill wild boar meat for the evening meal with kids screaming in the background while we ladies curled up in their comfortable living room or sat crossed legged in their their kitchen pounding the mortar preparing the sambal. Sigang and I shared the same tailor (Freda) and we looked out for nice materials for each other. Freda is still our friend although she has long left her tailoring business above the Soochiew Photo Studio in Miri. Somehow we never forsake our friendship with our tailors. (We are friends through thick and thin - through fat and slim).

As I sat in their living room again - so many years have passed since the kids have fever and flu together - the song by Robert Burns rang in my ears....even before the New Year has arrived...and memories flashed in front of my eyes!!
 (Original version we used to sing)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
and surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
and gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS






Christmas is always a good time to get together with friends.


Neil used to make good bbq food...he still does.




Now that Nina is a working lady she has acquired some skills in gourmet cooking - local mushrooms grilled over charcoal fire. (Secret Recipe)


Here's the evening's dinner - prepared by the children ....


This is the mum's famous coleslaw...always delicious.

This is the aunt's masak hitam - incredibly good.



Candle lights to give a great atmosphere.

Curry


Nice looking Christmas table cloth and the aunties with my two daughters....


Enter the Grand Dame of the Family.......she sure has some humour left.



Sweet Nina and elegant Rachel.

They were just toddlers yesterday!! Leon is a city person now (KL) like all the rest in the photo.

Thanks kids for the memories.....;) :)and thanks to all the mothers who looked out for them and helped them grow up. Cheers to all mothers of the world!





15 comments:

Ah Ngao said...

indeed,..very beautiful .they'll be superb mother too

Anonymous said...

at the end of every new year at midnight the auld lang syne is often sung to celebrate the new year together... yes they'd sing it some mumble it and i bet many don't know what it means. i googled it and found out that:

- it was written in 1788 by Scottish poet and a lyricist Robert Burns.

- translated into english as old long since (jing kurong iseng)

everytime i hear people singing/mumbling it during a new year's party i always think of the mr bean episode at church... yup mumbling

Ensurai said...

Hi Ah Ngao
Thanks. These kids would grow into nice folks who look out for each other and make the world a better place!

We hope that kids grow up well every day with adults who set good examples. If they are missing out something I pray that there are support groups to help them too...make the world a better place.

Ensurai said...

Thanks. I remember too Mr. Bean and his mumbling.....that is funny...

If you sing Auld Lang Syne in Foochow it can be absolutely fun and side splitting.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarawakiana
It must be fantastic for you and your girls to go ngabang ...I had my own Christmas door to door to in the longhouse belonging to a friend. So nice and with lots of good food from midnight!

No photos - because of poor lights..and also forgot to take and too many people...

Hope William Ting will conduct his workshop and I hope to attend.

Have a good new year!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Hi Madam
Thanks for the song and the lovely photos of your family and friends...

Bring back a lot of old memories esp the song...Cannot teach English like the way we did with you....sad only...may be if I go to a higher level can do better.

Wish me luck!

K.

Bengbeng said...

Happy new year 2010 and may it be another swell yr for u and yr family :)

Ensurai said...

Hi K....great you are back to your old school!

You can do lots there...and have a great year ahead...you are doing fine.

Happy new year.

Ensurai said...

Hi Bengbeng
Your road trip looked great!!

Thanks. and have a great year ahead ...may your family prosper ....happy 2010.

Ensurai said...

Justin - I am sure you had a great time in the longhouse.

Many people tell me that Christmas is better celebrated in the kampong...And I am sure the Spirit of Christmas was all around for you and your friends.

I am also looking forward to William Ting's workshop....

Let's persuade him again!!

Happy New Year.

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