A Pre-dawn Shopping Spree - in Fry's

Frys:The front of the building

I OPENED my mouth, closed it slowly and sank my teeth into a slice of cheesecake. Before I could savour its yummy texture, the alarm clock rang. 

The persistent ringing woke me up, just when I was having my dream dessert! I looked at the time – it was 4 am! 

In front of me was my younger son, all dressed up. “Mum, time to get up!” he said cheerfully. “Please get ready ASAP. I’ll warm up the car first!” he exclaimed on his way out.  

Waking up at 4 am is not my idea of a winter holiday. But a promise is a promise. The night before, when my son had asked me whether I would accompany him on a shopping spree, I had replied in the affirmative, without realising what it entailed. 

“Can you wake up at 4 am?” he had asked. “Sure,” I had answered. “Have I not woken up in the wee hours of the morning to give you your morning feed when you were a baby?”  
But that was more than 20 years ago!  

Regretting my rash agreement, I dragged myself up from the warm comforter. After rushing through my morning routine, I grabbed my overcoat, and got into the car, as fast as my old limbs allowed. As my son stepped on the accelerator, I glanced through the misty windscreen and noticed that we were not the only ones on the highway at that absurd hour.  

What was the big rush for, you might wonder? It was the day after Thanksgiving. I was in San Jose, the United States. My son was taking me to Fry’s Electronics for its greatest event of the year: the “Thanksgiving One-Day Sale” which would start at 5am! 

We arrived at Fry’s at 4.30am. I was shocked to see a long line of about 400 people. The queue stretched from the entrance, along the sidewall and round the corner to the back of the building. My son hurriedly parked his car and we took our places at the end of the queue. Within minutes, 100 more people lined up behind us. 

Most of the people in line were young adults. Others were children or old folks, who, like me, were roped in to help with the shopping. A few people were still in their pyjamas. Some looked unkempt, but the majority was bleary-eyed and groggy. You could tell that many had turned up without eating breakfast!  

Around me, mobile phones rang. Pieces of conversation trickled through the air: “Where are you?” “The line here is super long.” “What time did you get up?” “I think by the time I get in, the mp3 players would have been sold out!”  

At 5am, the department store door opened and we all trooped in. Only one of the doors was opened to avoid a stampede. Security personnel and store clerks were at hand to ensure order and to offer guidance.  

The place was full of frenzied activity as customers rushed to specific counters to get the “sales” items. I followed my son, helping him as he grabbed selected items from different sections. This was because there were limited stocks for the merchandise on sale.  

He then asked me to line up at the cash register to pay for his purchases while he went to other sections for other items. Now you know why many customers brought along companions! 

The line became increasingly longer, snaking through the whole store. As we inched forward, some customers unloaded items onto nearby shelves – either the goods were getting heavier or they did not want them any more. Interestingly, customers in the queue added some of the “discarded items” to their personal ones! 

My son’s purchases were: a wireless router, a thumb drive, a flat panel screen and some compact flash cards. He was unable to get a DVD writer in that store but his friend in the other outlets got one for him. He, in return, got a digital camera for his friend. Such is the resourcefulness of the mobile phone!  

Other shoppers were seen contentedly lugging laptops, wireless headsets, digital cameras, DVD players and the latest iPod Mini.  

Fry’s is an electronics shopping paradise. Founded by three Fry brothers – John, Randy and Dave – and Kathy Kolder, in 1985. It provides a one-stop-shopping environment for the hi-tech professional.
 
Incidentally, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States on the last Thursday of November every year. On the day after Thanksgiving, many shops offer fantastic discounts in a variety of merchandise, ranging from furniture, jewellery, baby paraphernalia, shoes, clothes, to cars and books. 

That Friday is called “Black Friday” because it is the busiest shopping day of the year in terms of customer traffic. Many people sacrifice sleep for a bargain because “the early bird catches the worm”. In some shopping centres, customers camp out the night before, bringing along their personal chairs. I heard that some store owners even offer muffins, bagels or donuts to early shoppers: a novel way to entice shoppers! 

Accompanying my son to Fry’s reminded me of shopping trips a long time ago. During festive sales, I would ask my son (a teenager then), to queue up at cash registers with my purchases while I hunted for more bargain items.  

That role-reversal shopping spree was fun and memorable.
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This article was published in the Malaysian Star newspaper on 5th June 2006.

Update:

Recently, in August 2017, I visited Fry's. It was not crowded as it was an ordinary day. Furthermore, currently most people do not go there to buy stuff as they prefer to buy them online.

Below are some photos of the interior of the building taken in August 2017. 

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Friendly homes

A friendly home

As we age, we become clumsy and forgetful. We need to convert our homes to suit the needs of ageing members of our families. I found this very necessary when I visited my aunt in Seremban. 

"Welcome, welcome!” exclaimed my 80-year-old aunt as my car entered her driveway. She hurriedly wore her home-slippers and rushed out to greet us. All of a sudden, she fell and landed on her hip.  

I had taken my mother to visit her elder sister who was to celebrate her auspicious birthday in a month’s time. Everyone was in shock! Her family members, son and daughter, quickly went to her aid. She grimaced with pain. With difficulty, she was carried into the car and sent to the nearest clinic. All of us went along, expecting the worst.  

The doctor said she had fractured her femur (thigh bone). She was then rushed to the hospital and was admitted immediately. A week later when we visited her in her home, she was in bed, immobile. Another week later, she could move about in a wheel chair. The birthday party was cancelled!  

That incident made me wonder how safe our homes are. Very often, we hear of seniors suffering broken bones due to a fall at home. 

I recall some of my senior friends who had a fall. 

There was Madam Ang, 66, who fell and fractured her hips on the slippery bathroom floor.

Ah Eng, 76, injured her wrist when she fell as she was reaching out for some utensils in the top shelf of her kitchen cabinet.

An elderly neighbour, Mr Ng, injured his back when he tripped and fell while walking down the stairs.  

As more seniors opt to stay in their own homes in their old age, it is important that such homes be senior-friendly.  

How can we ensure that homes are safe and are adapted to prevent possible accidents? 

Home area 

A single-storey house, without any split-level area, is ideal.  Wide doorways will be useful in the event that a wheelchair is required. Lever handles on doors, at a reachable height, are easier to handle than doorknobs when fingers become stiffer and weaker.   

A doorway wide enough for a wheel-chair

A lever handle is better than a door knob

If stairs are necessary, handrails on both sides of the staircase will give good support. Installing additional handrails throughout the house will be useful for the elderly or those with mobility problems.

Handrail on the side of staircase for support

Eliminating all possible obstructions that could result in tripping and falling such as children’s’ toys or big decorative vases, is senior-friendly. 

Flooring 

Non-slip tiles or parquet flooring would eliminate the danger of falling when the floor is wet.  

Having wall-to-wall carpeting for homes that are air-conditioned will help to cushion a fall and prevent injury. Indoor slippers need to be non-slip and not worn-out. 

Parquet flooring are safe

Non-slip tiles in the kitchen

Non-slip rough tiles in the bathroom

Lighting 

Adequate lighting throughout the house is essential especially in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and even the storeroom. To ensure exterior lighting is effective, a motion detector to turn the lights on at night is an advantage.  

Night lamps are a good source of additional lighting for seniors who need to take quick trips to the restroom at night. They are inexpensive, energy-efficient and easily installed. 

A simple night lamp

Furniture 

Furniture must support daily activities, and are suitable and comfortable to use. The furniture is the first thing most people reach out for to steady them when they stand or walk.  

Furniture with sharp corners can cause injury. Chairs with arm supports are good for resting the elbows. Low sofas and easy chairs where the feet can touch the ground when seated are great for comfort. Scatter cushions will help to support the back. 

A comfortable rocking chair with back support
and good arm support

A simple plastic chair with arm support

However, some tall elderly people with weak legs may need higher chairs so that they can get up easily by themselves  

Kitchen 

The kitchen is an important area where we spend a lot of time in. Low reachable wall cabinets are ideal.  

Microwave and electric ovens at a safe height will cause less spilling when food is transferred from oven to table. 

Similarly, stoves and sinks at a lower height will be less taxing on the elbows and can even be used when one is seated. A dining table with plenty of knee room provides comfort when one is dining. 

Restroom 

The restroom is frequently used. Vertical and horizontal grab bars in the shower area with non-slip surface in the bathroom floor can prevent falls. Having a seat in the shower area will help one to shower when seated.  

Horizontal grab bar

Vertical-horizontal grab bar

A chair in the bathroom is useful when dressing up after a bath, especially when one is getting into long pants. Handrails or grab bars installed near the toilet bowl will be useful for added support.  

Having hot water available not only in the shower but also in the sink tap will be good for those who need warm water for washing the hands and face. 

Bedroom 

The bedroom is another area that one spends a lot of time in as one ages. A well-ventilated room is important.  

A bed with a firm mattress for good support of the back will ensure a good night’s sleep. The bed should be of a suitable height – imagine the difficulty of a short person falling from a high bed or a tall person getting into a low bed!  

A low bed for a short person

Other safety features 

Having a smoke detector installed in the kitchen and also outside the bedroom would be useful to detect smoke. Sometimes one forgets that food is being cooked on the gas stove! 

Emergency buttons installed in various accessible positions in the house can be useful in case of emergencies. This can alert caring neighbours. 

As we grow older, frailty and forgetfulness become prevalent and the fear of falling frightens us. It is important that our homes are sturdy enough to support rather than burden our lives. 

Preparation and prevention are the best protection.

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on 9th December 2002.

Photos are added here. 

My book: Labour of love for seniors

My cookbook WHEN seniors retire, there are many activities they can indulge in. Some of these are travelling, exercising, gardening, reading and writing. I find writing a rewarding and fulfilling hobby.   Writing is a passion. I started writing a few years ago by contributing poems and articles to The Star, especially to the Senior page. When I see my poems and articles in print, I feel very happy.  Like most writers, after some time, I dreamt of writing and publishing my own book. Writing a book is very challenging. It requires hard work and dogged perseverance. But finally I did it – I penned, I persisted and I published a book. At last my dream has become a reality!  Writing a book was not as easy as I had imagined. After going through the whole process, I realised that writing itself is just the tip of the iceberg. There are also other factors to consider like formatting, editing, proofreading, layout and photography.    When the thought of writing a book surfaced, I toyed with the idea of writing stories for children. Then an article about my mother's cooking (yong taufoo and stuffed fish) appeared in the Star Metro. It generated some interest among family and friends. Someone suggested I write down my mother's home-style recipes for the younger generation.  My mother cooking yong taufoo When my children were abroad for further studies, they often called home for recipes of their favourite dishes. “If only I have my own cookbook, I could just tell them to turn to a certain page, instead of making lengthy explanations through the phone,” I thought. Similarly, many friends who had children studying overseas lamented that there were no books on cooking for beginners. With this in mind, I decided to write a practical cookbook for students leaving home for the first time, something like a “survival kit” to refer to, when they live on their own.   As ideas took form, I reflected on my early years of cooking when I was juggling a teaching career and bringing up two boys. Most of the meals I prepared were quick and easy: quick as I used bowls and teaspoons to measure ingredients, and easy because I used simple cooking methods like boiling, steaming, stir-frying and micro-wave cooking. To enhance taste, I used salt, sugar and soya sauce. Therefore, in my book I decided to focus my book on those familiar quick and easy meals.  I compiled and divided the recipes into various categories: rice dishes, noodles, meat, vegetables, soups and desserts. I included soups because I consider soups nourishing for students living on their own. As my book was for beginners, I had notes on shopping, storing and preparing ingredients, with simple cooking methods and cooking tips added in.  Initially, it was a one-woman show, a “one-leg-kick” as we say in Chinese. I cooked, photographed, typed and printed the recipes one by one. I enjoyed arranging the dishes in an attractive way before photographing them with my digital camera. I learnt to transfer the photos from the compact flash card to the computer using a USB reader.  When I showed my draft to my family, my older son found my photos of poor standard. He then volunteered to be the cameraman. So every day, when he returned home from work, it was “Action! Lights! Camera!” in the dining area. Taking photos of food needed a lot of patience and self-control. I remember that throughout the photo shoot, my sons would utter: “Hungry-lah! When can we eat?” When the photography session ended, the “cast” sat down to a hearty meal together as a family. Those were memorable moments. Fiery Asam Fish Soya Sauce Chicken However, my son took so many pictures and from different angles, that I had a tough time selecting suitable shots. Then, I spent long hours on the computer, typing the recipes and sizing the photos, sometimes taking a few days to finalise and print just one page.   At first, I gave each dish a common name, but as I progressed, I used rhyme and rhythm to create special names. Then I decided to add some notes on health for each dish. I had a lot of fun writing the health tips inside a coloured bubble!   Health tip bubble of turmeric In this generation, we are fortunate to have the computer and digital camera at our disposal and to be able to work from home. However, as a senior with slow reflexes and poor computer skills, technical glitches did tax my patience.   Sometimes I forgot to save a file or plain forgot the filename. At times I misplaced photos or even deleted recipes by mistake! One day, my computer went on strike. It emitted funny sounds and refused to shut down.   When the computer was repaired, the printer would not function. And the next day, I found the compact flash with files deleted when I had not even viewed the photos.   After slogging for many months, I finally completed my manuscript. The title I chose was How to cook Quick and Healthy Meals – A Student's Companion. Subsequently, the manuscript was formatted, edited and proofread, with help from family and friends. I am very grateful to all those who helped, encouraged, guided and supported me in one way or another.   When my book was finally published, I heaved a sigh of relief. As I looked at its glossy cover and contents, I was overjoyed. I felt a great sense of achievement. It was something to cherish and to keep for posterity.   Although it was just a small practical guidebook for students, writing that book had been a great learning experience. When family or friends expressed joy on receiving a complimentary copy, I beamed with happiness. Positive feedback from those who bought my book was also encouraging.  Now, whenever I read a book produced by professionals, I can understand and appreciate what writers go through.  Writing my book was a fulfilling pastime. It kept me active and energised. Seniors with their wealth of knowledge and experiences will find writing a fulfilling hobby, too.  .................................................................................................................................. This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on October 25, 2004.  When my books were sold out, family and friends requested me to print some more copies. So in 2014, I published a second edition of this cookbook. This edition has some new recipes, with an additional section on articles related to food published in the Star, with accompanying recipes. These articles are posted in my other blog: kathkuan.blogspot.com My cookbook 2nd Edition Some of the new recipes include Delectable Dhal, Foo-yee Sweet Potato Leaves, Turmeric-Lime Chicken,Yong Taufoo and Herbal Seafood Soup, Herbal seafood soup This book is for sale in Top Books Plt and Syarikat Buku Formula in Klang at Rm 25.00  For more information, e-mail: quickandhealthy@yahoo.com

My Revered Mentors

Secondary 4 - "Cinderella" Concert
Seated Sister Michael (left), Mother Rita (right)

“CLAP, CLAP!” two brief, sharp claps - like a flamenco dance clap - was my way of getting my family’s attention in public.

            This signature gesture is a legacy from the nuns of Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Klang, my alma mater. When the nuns (called sisters) clapped, noisy students were immediately silent.

            The response to the school bell was also characteristic of good discipline instilled in us by the sisters. Two rings of the bell sounded end of recess. We immediately stopped whatever we were doing with the first ring and silently formed a line at the second.

            Convent school is synonymous with discipline, as shown in the above two examples. Besides discipline, we were taught etiquette and values like honesty, loyalty, humility, diligence, and most important of all, good behaviour.

            Our school motto was Simple in Virtue and Steadfast in Duty. “Girls should be seen and not heard,” the sisters emphasised. Modesty was overriding in our dressing: the length of our shorts for Physical Education was measured from the ground up while we knelt, while our pinafores covered our knees. Our report cards recorded conduct and deportment as well as marks.

            We studied and worked together like one family, with the same rights and opportunities, regardless of race, colour or creed. We were truly One Malaysia then.

Being an all-girls school, the camaraderie we shared was special. I treasure my friends (Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian) of 11 years. Our enduring friendship fostered more than fifty years ago, is sustained today.

Secondary 3 - Class Photo: Students of all races, with their teachers 

            During the 1950s and 1960s, many sisters served in the Klang Convent. I am lucky and privileged that I was taught by some of them. The sisters were exemplary educationists, providing us a balanced education.

           We studied History and Geography not only of Malaya, but also of the whole world. The lessons, conducted in English, were so good that none of us needed any private tuition.

           Participating in co-curricular activities like games and societies as well as annual concert, fun fair and exhibition helped us develop as well-rounded individuals.

Primary 4 - A Concert "Angels" 

            I recall fondly a few sisters who had an impact on me during those formative years.

            There was Reverend Mother Rita. Tall and imposing, she had a grim face but a heart of gold. She insisted that all girls should know how to boil an egg as well as make tea and decreed that the Science students in Form One should also do Domestic Science for a year.

           That year of sewing, baking, cooking and tasting made school life fun. It also served as a survival kit for me after I left school and the skills learnt really came in handy when I started my own family.

            In Form Four, our school only offered General Science. Mother Rita arranged with the brother school (La Salle) for a teacher to teach Additional General Science.  That was a turning point for me. It gave me the opportunity to enter the Science stream in Form Six and later pursue a University 

Degree in Science and achieve my ambition to be a Science teacher.

            Mother Rita also got the whole school interested in General Knowledge. Every week she had fascinating news items displayed on a notice board. Twice yearly, she gave us a quiz on those items plus other questions, the answers to which we had to research from the school library. This was akin to the ‘googling’ of today. My thirst for knowledge started from there.

            I remember petite Sister Michael. She had twinkling blue eyes and was always smiling. Her weekly singing lessons – mainly folk songs - made school life a joyful one. Many of my classmates enjoyed participating in the operetta “Cinderella”, under her direction.

            I cherish the personalised motivational bookmarks in her beautiful handwriting, which she gave everyone. When she was sick and had to leave us in Form Five, our whole class cried buckets of tears!

            Sister Helen our ‘Singing Nun’ with the guitar – who can forget her! Articulate and charming, she taught English Literature in innovative and fascinating ways. Her lessons on literary works by poets like Tennyson and Wordsworth and writers like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare had us mesmerised.  The characters in our Literature books came alive because she made us act out the parts.

Secondary 5 - Class Photo with Sister Helen

            Convent schools, set up by the nuns in the 19^th century, are now well-established schools in the 21^st century. Convent girls are inherently disciplined and responsible citizens. Many are serving in various professions in Malaysia and are contributing to the development of the country.

            Looking back, I am indebted to the sisters of my alma mater for their dedication and commitment in educating us. Although many of the sisters have left Malaysia or have passed away, their legacy still lives on.     

                                                                        

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This article was published in the "Catholic Asian News" in the July 2010 issue. 

More photos are added here. 

A Watery Experience

Parasailing

Parasailing! I watched as my friends took off in the air like a human kite. How exhilarating.

I was on holiday in Sapi Island, Sabah. As I am not particularly fond of water, I kept close to the beach and observed from afar – the parasailors soared above the waters, helped by a colourful parachute.

I was contented with just swimming and snorkelling near the beach. This brought to mind an unforgettable incident that I encountered many years ago.

Ever since I was a kid, I suffered from hydrophobia. I only dared to tread in water in my bathtub.

When my two boys were nine and six, I felt that it was time to have swimming lessons. To give them courage, I decided to conquer my fear of water and join them to learn how to swim.

Children learning how to swim at the lower end of the swimming pool

We registered with the swimming instructor in our club. On my first swimming lesson, I had “butterflies”in my stomach. I still blush when I think about it – I was the only adult among the tiny tots! I was 36 years old then.

Our swimming instructor was very patient and my initial nervousness soon changed to relaxed confidence.

First he taught me how to breathe, and then float, in water. Next, I learnt how to kick water like a frog. Then I learnt how to pull the water back with my arms to propel myself forward. The final task was to coordinate all the above. Slowly by such sequential steps –

I learnt how to swim the breaststroke!

Incidentally my sons have progressed to other techniques like freestyle, backstroke and butterfly strokes.

Once I was comfortable with the breaststroke, my instructor then proceeded to teach me the freestyle. That was really difficult. I have weak arms and I struggled to coordinate my

arm and leg movements. It was an exhausting task to alternately lift my head up to the left and right to breathe in sync with my arms as I paddled with my legs.

One fateful day, I was at the pool early. My sons were playing computer games nearby and my husband was in the changing room. I decided to practise my freestyle. 

As some kids were having their lessons at the shallow end, I went to the seven-feet deep end (I’m a little over five feet tall!).

The shallow end of the pool was occupied

Like most beginners, I gingerly got into the pool from the side, slowly sliding my legs down, then my body. I stayed in the water for some minutes to acclimatise myself to the cold water – it was my way of warming up!

Then I started to swim along the width of the pool. However, halfway through, in the middle of the pool, I froze like a statue. My arms went limp. My feet could not kick. I forgot how to breathe and I felt myself sinking slowly to the bottom.

Swimming along the width of the pool

Fearsome thoughts clouded my mind. “Was I going to die in that manner?” I recall I said “No” in my mind.

Suddenly, I felt inner strength thrusting me out of the water. Then I went down, up and down again, a few times. Whenever I came up, I shouted “help” but it was probably just a whisper. In a panicky situation, my voice often fails me!

Luckily for me, help was at hand. Through blurry eyes, I could make out two gallant guys swimming from opposite directions (from two corners of the swimming pool) towards me. They were the club’s coaches. They must have seen me “struggle for survival” in the

middle of the pool.

I remember strong hands pulling me up and helping me to the shallow end. It was then that my family members came to my aid. I can only recall that after I was calm and rested, my family took me home. What a harrowing experience!

Following that incident, I had sleepless nights and strange dreams. But I recovered over time.

One month later, I went back to the pool. I knew that I had to conquer my fear a second time. I needed to show my kids “how to get up when you fall” – by setting an example.

So there I was again at the pool, gritting my teeth and swallowing my fear, to complete my swimming lessons. I managed to learn the freestyle although I could not do it as skilfully as other swimmers.

Conquering my fear was a great achievement for me. It was also family-bonding. During my sons’ growing years, I could join them in water-related activities instead of watching them from afar whenever we went for outings locally.

Personally, I find that swimming is a great exercise that I can do even up to old age. It soothes the mind and places no stress on the joints.

Recently when I had problems with  my back, my sports doctor advised me to swim as a remedial therapy. How glad I am that I can swim!

Swimming is a great exercise that one can do up to old age

Furthermore, when I go island-visiting with family or friends, I can enjoy the less extreme sports like swimming or snorkelling while others go parasailing or diving.

However, one thought still baffled me. I asked my sons why they did not come to my rescue on that life-threatening day.

Their reply was, "We thought someone was doing the butterfly stroke!"

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on August 22nd 2005.
Photos are added here.

Faults in bank vaults

Bank vaults in a bank

 “Panic Room”, a movie about paranoia and suspense, made my heart throb with

fear. Jodie Foster acted as a quick-witted mother who tried to protect her diabetic

daughter from intimidating intruders in a high tech-equipped room (called panic room), in her mansion.

This movie reminded me of a frightening experience I encountered in a bank

when I was locked in the vault. Overcome by fear, I thought that I would never see

daylight again. The bank vault was my panic room.

That eventful morning, I had entered the bank vault to get some documents from

my safe deposit box. I was aware that another customer had entered the vault in another section. However, when that customer left, the bank employee quickly closed the vault door and switched off the lights without realising I was still inside.

It happened very fast. One minute I was looking through my documents; the next

minute I was enveloped in pitched darkness. I could still recall the sound of the heavy metallic door as it closed: the echo of the steely sound in the silence was terrifying. Suddenly I was left alone in the cold dark room. Initial claustrophobia turned to panic!

“Hello, hello! Hey, I’m still in here!” I shouted. There was no answer. I shouted

again, with all my might. Then it dawned on me that the room was sound proof.

 Worrisome thoughts crossed my mind. What if no one came in that day! What if I

had to spend the night there! What if I passed out? What if…I could visualize the

newspaper headlines the next morning: Freak accidental death.

Dismissing such thoughts quickly, I tried to focus on the situation in hand. My

eyes gradually got used to the darkness. I groped my way to the entrance-cum-exit door.

I felt for the bell but could not find it. Panic gripped me again!

What should I do? I decided to use my muscles. With all the strength I could

muster, I knocked and banged hard at the door. Hey presto, it worked – the door opened!

Was I glad to see a human face in broad daylight! The bank employee stared at me with disbelief when she switched on the lights.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized profusely, “I thought you had left!” She waited patiently while I locked my safe deposit box. I did not want to stay in that panic room a minute longer so I rushed back to the comforts of my home.

This incident made me reflect on the functions of safe deposit boxes. Long ago,

people used to keep their money and valuables in the home: in cupboards, among

clothing, under the bed, inside pillows, in kitchen jars and even under the ground. Times

have changed. Homes are no more safe havens. Many people keep important documents and valuables in safe deposit boxes in banks.

How safe are safe deposit boxes? Are the rooms where they are kept safe too?

Discussions with some senior friends who patronise different banks gave me some ideas on what they like or dislike in vault rooms.

Top on the list is privacy, followed by good ventilation, proper lighting and adequate space.

Bank vaults with proper lighting, and ledges for placing boxes

“I value privacy,” said A. “The vault in the bank has a tiny room with a well-lit

ledge, a mirror and a curtain - very convenient when I take out jewellery for special occasions.”

“Too many customers are allowed in at one time,” said B. “Sometimes while

sorting out my jewellery, another customer comes in suddenly and I have no time to close my box. It is very disconcerting. I wish bank employees are more discrete and considerate.”

“The vault in the bank has too many boxes assembled from the floor to the roof

with little space for movement. Customers have to stoop very low or stretch very high to retrieve their boxes. My box is located at a high level but I dare not use the ladder available. Luckily, the bank employee helps me to take out and put in my box,” commented C.

Bank vaults reach up to the ceiling. It has a buzzer to call employee to open the door

“I applied for a box long ago,” said D, an elderly senior. “The room is small and

stuffy. It is dark and the passage-way is too narrow. I have to put my box on the floor to get my valuables while some customers have to hold on tight to the box with one arm and take out items with the other. The bank does not have a ledge that pops out from between the boxes.”

 “I like the large size box,” said E who recently acquired a box in a new bank.

“Files, certificates and documents can be put in easily without them being folded or crushed.”

In some banks, customers have to sign in and sign out but in other banks, only the

time of entry is recorded. Because bank employees have multifunctional roles,

sometimes they are not aware that a customer may still be in the vault.

Customers who pay annual fees expect banks to ensure that safety precautions are

attended to regularly. In cases of emergencies, example if a customer faints, falls or is locked in, having a panic button strategically placed will go a long way in making the bank vault a customer-friendly place.

Safe deposit boxes are meant for keeping valuables safely. It is important that the

rooms where they are kept are safe and panic-proof too.

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian paper) on 25th June 2002.

Photos are added here.

Datuk Dr Lam Peng Chong: A charitable soul

Datuk Lam Peng Chong (7th from right, front row) at a waterfall, in Bentong in 2015 

THE Malaysian Queen is coming! Cries of joy and excitement reverberated through the

Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory (SCASFT) centre for it

has been chosen for a visit by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul

Rashid on May 4.

At the helm of the centre is Datuk Dr Lam Peng Chong, 74, a businessman with a love

for nature and a caring spirit. Datuk Lam is the president and driving force behind the

SCASFT. Honoured that the centre in Petaling Jaya (PJ) has been chosen for the royal visit, he

took time off from his busy schedule to have a chat.

Distinguished by his hallmark crew cut, Datuk Lam is a down-to-earth, benevolent

senior. Amiable and even-tempered, he is happiest and most deeply satisfied when he is

helping others, especially the children in the SCASFT centre where he has been the

president since 1971.

The centre, a charitable day school and rehabilitation centre for spastic children in Kuala

Lumpur and PJ was established in 1960 and now has more than 250 children.

Besides education and full time treatment (physio, hydro, speech and occupational

therapy), the centre also provides transport for the children. However, if the children turn

up by themselves (or are ferried there by their parents), they are given a subsidy of RM80

to ensure that they attend and fully benefit from the programme.

I asked Datuk Lam how he got involved with charitable organisations.

“It was in the 1960s,” he recalled. “I was invited by a friend, Tan Soo Han, who was

secretary of SCASFT then and was a Town Planning Officer, to spearhead a fund-raising

programme to equip the centre with the strong support of the committee members and

well wishers.”

Since then, Datuk Lam became very involved with SCASFT, and the centre has become

his second home.

Datuk Lam was the prime mover for the centre’s six-storey workshop, which was

completed in 1996, and named after the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. Now he

has set his eyes on redeveloping the old building – a dream he hopes to accomplish

before he retires. He has also been personally involved in the development of sports for

the disabled and through his leadership and direction, many disabled children have

excelled in sports at national and regional levels.

Datuk Lam’s generosity knows no bounds. Currently, he wants to start a Trust Fund to

ensure the continued survival of the Spastic Centre. He has pledged RM100,000 to kick

off the fund.

Actively involved in various organisations, Datuk Lam is president of the

National Council of Spastic Children Association in Malaysia (since 1990) and founder

vice-president of the Majlis Paralympik Malaysia. He was president of the Council of

Justices of the Peace of Selangor (1980-2002) and president of the Kuala Lumpur Rotary

Club (1979-1980).

He was also the deputy president of Malaysia Volleyball Association (1994-1998) and

together with the late Tan Sri Alex Lee, led two friendly volleyball competitions to

Beijing (at the invitation of the Beijing Government). He is also the president of the

Selangor Volleyball Association.

The Sultan of Selangor appointed him a Justice of the Peace (in 1975) and conferred on

him the title of Datuk Seri Langat DiRaja Selangor (in 1980) for his dedication to the

disabled.

In 1993, he was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by

Oklahoma City University, United States for his work on several fund-raising charitable

concerts including the musical Oklahoma and The Left Foot.

A modest but astute businessman, Datuk Lam’s business activities include tin and gold

mining, property development, earthworks, heavy engineering workshops and orchard

farming.

He has a Midas touch and has often ended up with rich pickings where others have

failed,” revealed Datuk Dr Mohinder Singh, the honorary director and vice-president of

the SCASFT centre, who has worked closely with him for more than 20 years.

Datuk Lam recalled his upbringing during the Japanese Occupation. Born in Kampar,

Perak, he was brought up by his grandparents in his early years. He cherishes happy

memories of his tin-miner grandfather, who taught him to love farming.

When he was about 11, he helped his mother in her cooking chores. That early training

stood him in good stead for he can whip up appetising dishes for family and friends.

“My specialty is vegetarian curry!” he claimed.

When he was 12, he cycled 48km from Lahat to Bruas, and back again, to grow rice. “I

remember tigers prowling around and my maternal uncle had to beat the gong to drive

them away!” he reminisced.

After his secondary education in the Anglo Chinese School, Ipoh, Datuk Lam started

work as a resettlement-cum-liaison officer in government service in Grik, Perak. In 1955,

at the age of 24, he joined an insurance company, but later he also took over his father’s

tin mine in Taiping.

The mine was filled with boulders and the enterprising pioneer introduced heavy

machinery in his mine and he turned around loss-making mines in Perak, Selangor, Johor

and Pahang in the 1960s and 1980s.

Datuk Lam’s motto is never to give up a challenge but to persevere to the end. “Of course

you must have luck and blessings from the Almighty!” he remarked.

In 1960, the far-sighted Datuk Lam started a fruit plant nursery in Balakong, Selangor, as

a hobby, supplying marcotted plants (limau nipis) to Government land schemes. This

hobby led him to become a successful orchard grower in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

His organic fruit farm grows mangosteens, guava, cempedak, avocados, durians and

Chinese chestnuts. Friends who have tasted these fruits vouch for their outstanding

quality.

Some members of Selangor Gardening Society during a durian-tasting event, with
Datuk Lam (3rd from right), in 2015

Datuk Lam (in white shirt), showing members of
Selangor Gardening Society around his farm in 2015

Incidentally, the Federal Experimental Station in Serdang (Universiti Pertanian) named

the seedless guava after him: Bentong No. 9 Lam Peng Chong (LPC).

Datuk Lam still retains an impeccable memory for facts and a photographic memory for

faces. He is fit as a fiddle through strict discipline.

He gets up at about 5.30am daily and does two hours of mixed yoga. However, if he is

short of time, he does one hour of stepping exercises instead, by walking up and down the

18-step staircase in his house 26 times each way.

When it comes to food, Datuk Lam is self-disciplined, eating lots of fruits, nuts and seeds

for their high antioxidant content. He faithfully takes exactly three almonds a day, just the

right amount to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, he says. He also allows himself only a half a

cup of tea or coffee, not more than three times a week.

Although he attends many formal functions in hotels which feature rich food, he is a true-

blue Malaysian who prefers hawker food like nasi lemak, chicken rice and porridge.

He believes that character building starts from young and a child with a tough and rough

upbringing will become a well-adjusted person. Best known for his 3-D principles of

discipline, determination and dedication, he advises young people to have self-discipline

with a workable hobby and to have a savings programme once they start work.

“Never chase after money. Let money chase after you – be patient!” he advised. “And if

you have a lot of money, please be charitable!”

He philosophically said that life is cyclical. “Do not fear growing old,” he said. “Do

something good each day. If you cannot do a lot of good, at least do a little!”

Datuk Lam’s wife, Datin Leepin, is also active in social work. Her charitable, church and

social activities give her great satisfaction. Their daughter, a philosophy and graphic

design graduate, lives in Australia with her husband and one-year-old daughter.

Lam finds charitable work rewarding and rejuvenating. While enjoying the fruits of his

labour, he does not forget to contribute time, money and energy to society.

Thanking God for his success, he said that he would continue working, as long as he is

physically and mentally able to. 

....................................................................................................................................

This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on Monday April 24, 2006.

Photos are added here.

Datuk Lam, a warm, nature-loving and compassionate businessman, was active in his 70s, when this article was published. Now in 2016, at 80, he is just as active, doing his charitable work at the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory centre and spending time on his farm.

Update on 17th June 2019

Dato (Dr) Lam Peng Chong at age 87, passed away on Saturday, 15th June 2019, leaving behind his beloved wife, To'Puan Yap lee Pin, his daughter Lam Jun-Ann, son-in-law Alistair Charles Lehman and granddaughter Aria Ming Lehman. May his soul rest in peace.