Throwback January 2020

The year 2020 will forever be remembered as an unprecedented year due to the Covid19 global pandemic and life as we knew it, would never be the same again.

Group shot in the mall taken by a kind passerby

As we become familiar with words and phrases like lockdowns and SOPs, so much has happened in the past few months that it overshadowed the few highlights of the year that took place before the nation went under the strict limits of the Movement Control Order.

Looking back to January 2020, the year kicked off with a road trip with Florence to Kuala Lumpur to attend the wedding of Alfred and Esther, and a staycation in Putrajaya with our dear friends, Mr & Mrs Cheong – Whye Choon and Swee Gim.

I can still recall that carefree holiday feeling as the Cheong’s warmly welcomed us into their home and made us comfortable in their cosy guest room.

We enjoyed a hearty burger meal together!

They were the perfect hosts who took a break from their busy schedules to spend time with us and to show us the attractions in Putrajaya.

Incidentally, we had made a prior “booking” for their popular guest room and aimed to stay with the Cheong’s to attend the wedding together because they too were invited to this wedding.

Later, we learnt that other friends from Johor Baru also called the Cheong’s to arrange to stay with them to attend the wedding, but they had to be disappointed because there was only one guest room and it was already “booked” by Florence and me.

View of Putrajaya landmark by night

I can fondly recall the fun of being a tourist in our own country, discovering the interesting sights, sharing much laughter in impressing each other with our knowledge of Cantonese phrases and our late-night chats over ice-cream.

It was good to be chauffeured about (for a change!) as the Cheong’s took us on a scenic drive by day – and after dinner – another scenic drive by night to see the various attractions in Putrajaya.

It was the pre-Chinese New Year season, and I remember how the festive music was drumming up more enthusiasm for happy shoppers who were thronging the mall.

Breakfast at home before going to the wedding

I asked the Cheong’s to decide on what food we should have for dinner (I was buying!) because they are such good hosts and deserved a good treat for their warm hospitality.

We trekked through the mall in search of the ultimate choice for dinner and could not resist taking a photo memento together.

Instead of watching us struggle to pose for a we-fie, a kindly passerby paused and offered to help us snap our photo. And he even asked to check it for quality and offered to retake the shot if it was necessary.

A happy reunion with the bride's parents!

Such was the unselfish attitude of this stranger and I was much impressed with his fine example of kindness among the members of the community here.

After walking about to check out the various recommended food options – and to work up an appetite – I sensed that Whye Choon had made his choice when he introduced us to a burger place.

We placed our orders and sat down to enjoy a delightful dinner of juicy burgers!

The blushing bride was walked up the aisle 
by both her parents!

Our hearty burger meal was certainly an indulgence, but we justified it by going for an evening walk to take in the night view of Putrajaya’s administrative buildings.

After an eventful day, a restful sleep was just what we needed to refresh ourselves and prepare us for another exciting day ahead – the wedding in church with a lunch reception followed by a dinner banquet in a city hotel in the evening.

The day started with a lovely breakfast at home before we set off to witness the wedding in the church.

Meeting the bride’s parents and other guests at the wedding was like a mini reunion of sorts as we took the opportunity to catch up with each other in brief chit-chats.

The newly weds,
Mr & Mrs Alfred Au

I can recall that the wedding was well attended and the programme went on without a hitch as the bridal couple, Alfred and Esther, made their solemn vows, witnessed by family and friends in a beautifully decorated setting.

After the wedding ceremony, guests were ushered to the lunch reception where two buffet lines were laid out in two halls for us to help ourselves to the elegant meal.

The food tasted good and it was even more meaningful when I discovered that the caterer was Joshua, the bride’s brother who operates a successful catering business.

In view of the “new normal” procedures implemented during the current pandemic, such a large gathering at the church wedding, the lunch reception and hotel dinner banquet, are no longer the same because of the mandatory SOPs and thus remain a treasured memory from the past.

Happy Anniversary!

So, thank you Alfred and Esther and your parents for the wedding invitation, and thanks very much to the Cheong’s for your warm hospitality during our staycation.

Twelve months has gone by since we made this trip and now our lives have drastically changed as we put in practice SOPs like wearing masks (properly!), washing hands, sanitizing, and keeping our physical distances from others.  

This is indeed a precious recollection as we consider our lifestyles used to be BEFORE the global pandemic.

P.S. Happy First Year Anniversary Alfred and Esther!