Had spent Wednesday with two former colleagues from my old workplace. Both Nicholas and Mei Leng had left Ban Hin Lee Bank in the late 1980s for greener pastures in Canada. At that time, Nicholas was attached to the Head Office of the bank while Mei Leng was with the branch in Bukit Mertajam. Although they have been back to Malaysia several times to visit their relatives, this was the first time that we had managed to meet up with them. More than 34 or 35 years, actually!
It is indeed a small world. Some time ago, maybe a year or two ago, we learnt that they had visited the Nandaka Vihara to meet up with Nicholas' old-time friend who turned out to be the Abbot, Bhante Dhammasubho. They had known each other from their student days in Toronto during the late 1970s or early 1980s. One thing led to another and Mei Ling told us that they would be returning to Penang in November 2023.
Thus, we decided to meet for breakfast on Wednesday, together with Dhammasubho, Soon Beng (a Nandaka Vihara committee member) and Teng (one of Soon Beng's friends). Initially not in my plans but I was persuaded to join them after our breakfast on a day-trip to Ipoh. My wife, unfortunately, declined the opportunity as she had urgent work to complete.
I won't detail the whole trip but amidst the visits to some tourist areas and the food and refreshments we consumed, plus a bonus storm while driving back to Bukit Mertajam, there were some interesting exchanges of conversation on religion and conflicts in today's world. I must say that I learnt a lot, even though they were simply skimming the surface only. Shows up how much I know in the first place! 😀
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