Thanks for the gift of a comma

 

Readers of My Johor Stories are aware that I have been away from Johor as I have not been posting pieces on Johor for a while. Instead, I shared a series of stories in my Travelogue that took readers on a virtual trip with me in and around Sydney, Australia.

 

This time away to me, was the comma, a long-awaited pause in my sentence. A gift presented to me by my siblings, for me to have a change in my daily routine.

 

[The comma is a punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence to clarify meaning and adds a pause or ‘breathing space’ to make a complex sentence more readable.]

 

This time-out was a timely break from my regular routine of work and family commitments. Just time away to do something different. After all, I did have a very eventful 2025, and that January 2026 marked exactly 10 years since dad left us.

 

Time away has let me take stock of the past five years where I completed a total of six book projects, leading Heritage Walks, giving talks and promoting My Johor Stories in my pop-up book stores while juggling family and domestic responsibilities.

 

There were three books in the trilogy of My Johor Stories where the first book went to the Number One spot in the MPH Non-Fiction Bestsellers list in the first week of its launch and was counted among the Best of MPH at the end of 2017.

 

Following the success of My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage, I worked on its sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People, published in 2018.

 

Then came the global pandemic which delayed the publication of the third and final instalment of My Johor Stories. With the support of MPH Publishing Kuala Lumpur, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, was finally published in 2022.

 

I am grateful for the support of hotels and resorts who bought My Johor Stories books and placed them in their better rooms, suites and villas for guests’ reading pleasure.

 

It was a wonderful way for guests to read about Johor and then go out to explore more of Johor. And it was through reading my book in a resort that started me on my next book project.

 

Soon as the borders were reopened and people were able to travel again after the pandemic, families took the opportunity to spend time at resorts in Johor’s beautiful Desaru Coast.

 

While relaxing in a resort in Desaru Coast, a member of the Tan family read My Johor Stories, and recognized names of people documented in my book. They were the same as what her father, a retired lawyer in Johor Bahru, wrote in his memoirs.

 

After his retirement, he moved to Singapore and was encouraged to write about his most memorable court cases. His daughter, who read my book then had the idea to document her father’s story along with his memoirs in a book as a tribute to him for the benefit of his family and grandchildren. And she reached out to me.

 

This, I was later told, was because his oncologist said that he did not have much time left. This info was the impetus which compelled me to work with the Tan family to write this tribute book without any delay.

 

I did not meet the members of the Tan family but only communicated by email and WhatsApp to exchange information, documents and photographs as we worked on this book project with a sense of urgency.

 

In addition to compiling, writing and proofreading, I also connected them with the printer to help with the printing of this book for private distribution within their family.

 

It was good to finally meet the Tan family members when they came to collect the books, as I already got to know them from their names and writing about this family.

 

We were sad that her father did not live to see the book titled, Tan Kiah Teck – A Kampung Boy’s Search for Truth and Justice. It meant a great deal to this family to have his words documented for future generations to hear his voice through this book.

 

In a Tan family gathering on Christmas eve 2023, this book was presented to family members and a copy was placed in the niche where his remains were interred.

 

Then in March 2024, I received a query about how to get a copy of a book that documented the life and ministry of Colleen Redit, a missionary in India whose ministry in Madras (now Chennai) India, started with rescuing women and children.

 

Over the years, the scope of her mission work expanded and I had the privilege to document her life story and work in a book, titled, Realising a Vision through Faith: The Autobiography of Colleen M. Redit, published in 2013. [This book was distributed among the churches and now available online through amazon.com]

 

As I was reminded about this – which was in fact, my very first book project – I decided to put into action, the plan to compile and document the story of our own assembly and its work in Johor Bahru, that was planted more than 50 years ago.

 

Cockatoos that come to rest on trees
close to the balcony at Concord, Sydney NSW

From reading through old record books in chronological order, I was able to get a sense of the work of the assembly since the early years and I took time to list out the names of the guest speakers, invited to share in the pulpit ministry.

 

Over the next few months, the manuscript was slowly stitched together, the cover design completed and the book given a title, Milestones on our Journey in Faith – Johor Bahru Gospel Chapel. By the end of June 2025, this book was ready for distribution among assembly members, both past and present.

 

Meanwhile back in 2024, there was talk about the Centennial Celebrations of our alma mater, the Johor Bahru Convent – the only Convent School in this city – planned for August 2025. Among the ideas proposed for the year-long celebration were a fund-raising dinner, a Convent Fun Run, Centenary Celebration T-shirts and the publication of a 100-Year Anniversary Souvenir Book.

 

Spotted My Johor Stories books in the book
case in Malcolm's house; Book One is missing
because it was a Bestseller and already sold-out!

I was invited to join online meetings with the Fund-Raising Committee to learn more about their proposed plans and ideas where all proceeds will be channeled to the school fund for building maintenance projects.

 

I saw the urgent need to work on this book project for the school, especially with the fund-raising activities in view and the desperately limited time ahead. And if this book should be ready for the Fun Run and dinner celebration in August, we had to start on the project like – yesterday!

 

Working with a small but dynamic Book Team, we met regularly online and through our discussions, agreed to keep production costs low and create a book that will celebrate the school’s work over the decades through the successes and achievement of the alumni.

 

On the way to Burwood, 
Sydney NSW

The Team worked in tandem to carry out various tasks and because this Souvenir Book will be sold to alumni and distributed widely, we also applied for the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and got it approved for the book.

 

Keeping to strict deadlines and working closely with the printer, this Book Team managed to get the books ready for the Fun Run, held a week ahead of the dinner celebration at end August 2025.

 

The work was not over yet as the Team coordinated the sale and distribution of these Limited Edition books to alumni who preordered and required delivery by courier to destinations locally and abroad.

 

Dinner with Uncle, Auntie, Gillian,
Michael, Malcolm and Yeen at 
La Cocina Spanish Restaurant
Crows Nest, Sydney NSW

So here I am, having completed six book projects in the past five years. It was a great deal of work but it was worth the effort.

 

I am pleased with how these books have benefited others and even today, I am delighted to receive an email with a query, asking me where he can get My Johor Stories books! [From MPH bookstores nationwide or online from mphonline]

 

I was more than due for a pleasant change, a comma in my sentence, in a different place, with another arm of our widespread family located around the globe.

 

“Good to see you on this side of the world,” said Eva. “I hope you had a fabulous time,” she added. I replied, “Yes, I did, thank you.”

 

I did so with the help of cousin Malcolm, my very able tour guide, who gave me various experiences at different destinations in and around Sydney.

 

Gelato treat after dinner together;
Crows Nest, Sydney NSW

I was pleased to share my experiences documented in a Travelogue (for me to recall and reminisce!) and by reading it, I took my readers who included relatives and friends, on a virtual tour.

 

One of the comments I received from a school friend went like this: “Such interesting experiences, Peggy! Can I engage Malcolm and Auntie Polly to be my guides if ever I go down to Sydney?”

 

Another friend who visits Sydney regularly said: “It is good you can share all these experiences and places with me. There are still many places I have not been to in Australia.”

 

Yet another said: “Thanks for your stories filled with so much fun and excitement. Above all, precious time with your cousins, Auntie Polly and Uncle Steven… Am sure you will bring back with you, treasured and enriching memories!”

 

Dinner with Malcolm, Yeen and family
at Delhi Palace, Strathfield, Sydney NSW

Indeed! My stay happened to coincide with the Chinese New Year season so it was a different experience for me where family still gathered for feasting but with the (thankfully!) absence of “bombing” explosions from firecrackers and fireworks.

 

I am deeply grateful and blessed by the generous hospitality of my hosts, Malcolm and Yeen, who let me share their home and to Gillian and Michael for my glamping stay with them at Dee Why. Words alone cannot express how much I appreciate it.

 

In addition to Auntie Polly and Uncle Steven who shared with me exciting experiences in Dee Why and nearby Collaroy, I also had the pleasure to explore country towns with Alex and Dex, and had the company of Ben who escorted me around Cockatoo Island and in climbing The Rocks. Whew!

 

So Thank You all, for this precious gift of a comma, a breathing space, before I continue writing my sentence.

 

#MyJohorStoriesTravelogue

#MyJohorStoriesFebruary2026

Two Days in Dee Why

 

Someone said, “Time flies when you are having fun” and that was what happened with two days of exploring and experiencing Dee Why with Uncle and Auntie, that just passed in a flash.

 

With Uncle and Auntie after dinner at
Top BBQ & Seafood Restaurant, Dee Why

Already in their early 80’s Uncle Steven and Auntie Polly are considered very able people who can find their way around the neighbourhood, buy groceries and prepare their own meals or cook a full dinner spread to eat when Gillian and Michael came home from work.

 

With the dinner project in view, Auntie prepared all the ingredients in the morning, ready to cook in the evening and get the meal ready to serve at dinner time.

 

This gave us plenty of time to walk to the town center and let them show me how they usually spent their time, enjoying their retirement.

 

Uncle and Auntie, my official local
tour guides in Dee Why

Auntie took the lead with deciding which route to take so that we would go to the must-see spots, where to pause for lunch and when to return so that there was sufficient time to cook dinner.

 

I have learnt (from reliable sources!) that spending time with seniors like Uncle and Auntie in particular, will require a great sense of humour – the ability to see the funny side of life – as they were living out that life.

 

With my experience in caring for seniors, I have not only developed a sense of humour that goes beyond jokes but have embraced the reality of our elders growing older, with changing temperaments and health conditions in advancing age.

 

Uncle and Auntie do so 
enjoy spotting beautiful blooms

Both Uncle and Auntie are using hearing aids now. It was a challenge getting them to accept the need to rely on modern technology several years ago but they finally accepted it and managed to adjust to the use of their devices for better hearing.

 

With advancing age comes the issue of a poor memory. Very often, after taking their shower, Uncle or Auntie may forget to wear their hearing aids. So when one speaks to the other, the other does not respond because he/she did not hear anything.

 

What ensues is a shouting match in an attempt to understand each other, until the one who did not wear the hearing aid suddenly realizes that, Oops! He/she did not wear his/her hearing aid after the shower. So when he/she goes to put on his/her device again, peace will again prevail.

 

I was told that this and other equally interesting senior-moment-scenarios were a frequent occurrence so we must approach it with a sense of humour and accept it as ‘normal’ in this House of Comedy.

 

It was encouraging to see them
enjoying their retirement

Armed with this info about these seniors, I was well prepared and will not be alarmed or unduly stressed but should take it as ‘normal’ senior moments in everyday life.

 

Thankfully, the weather was bright and sunny throughout my stay in Dee Why. On Day One, we walked the streets and enjoyed browsing in the shops. When the heat became quite unbearable, we retreated into the mall to shop and eat.

 

Along our walking routes, we passed houses and paused to admire well-kept front gardens that flowered with interesting blooms. Very often Auntie would spot a Hibiscus in a shade of colour which reminded her of grandfather’s Hibiscus plants.

 

It was encouraging to see Uncle and Auntie enjoying their outdoor walks, keeping themselves fit and shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables of their choice.

 

Sunny skies and everything nice!

When we got home, Auntie declared that she should have a rest before starting to cook dinner. I did not realise that she rested too long because when she got up, I was told that we must rush to cook or else dinner may not be ready to serve on time.

 

With a little bit of help, Auntie quickly prepared a vegetable soup and several dishes to eat with steamed rice, a simple homecooked meal which we served comfortably on time when Gillian and Michael came home.

 

As always, Uncle volunteered to cut fresh fruits for our dessert. It was a pleasant evening, chatting and catching up about family members, long into the night.

 

On Day Two, Auntie decided that we should take a bus to nearby Collaroy to savour a taste of award-winning pies by The Upper Crust.

 

The sun did not deter us from 
heading to The Upper Crust

They told me about their first experience of seeking out this pie shop with directions from locals who recommended this destination to them. “Just two minutes’ walk,” was the standard info they received when asked how far to go before they reached it.

 

The distance was in fact, 2.5km or seven minutes’ drive from Dee Why, pass a residential area. It was an uphill walk but these two seniors managed to get there in more than 35 minutes, after stopping to rest (in front of houses!) a few times along the route.

 

Yes, their pies were certainly worth the walk. And this was why Auntie was keen to share her pie experience with me.

 

As we were getting ready to leave that morning, Auntie received a message from her daughter who said, “If you are too lazy to cook, we shall go out for dinner tonight.”

 

We picked our pie choices from the wall menu

This meant that we did not have to prepare any ingredients to cook and were free to enjoy our day. So we walked to the bus stop at Dee Why for a short ride to Collaroy.

 

In the bus, Auntie told me to keep an eye out for a Yellow building along the road and once we spot it, we should press the bell to get off the bus. And there it was, that building with its brand name, boldly emblazoned on a wraparound signboard on the canopy above its shopfront.

 

It was a weekday but the little shopfloor space was crowded with pie-lovers who knew exactly what they wanted from the menu. Their orders were efficiently met and each one left with little brown paper-bags of savory treats.

 

Our warm pies on park table
at Griffith Park, Collaroy

This short wait gave me time to scan the menu posted high up on the back wall and let me decide on my choice. I picked a Steak, Cheese & Onion Pie while Uncle and Auntie both asked for Steak & Mushroom Pie.

 

When she saw fresh trays of Shepherd’s Pie and Cheese & Potato Pie coming out of the bakery and into the display showcase, Auntie insisted that we also ordered this.

 

Clutching our warm brown paper-bags, we crossed the road to Griffith Park to savour our pies on a park bench and table. It was clear we could not wait until we reached the beach to eat, so we happily devoured our tasty pies at the park but saved two pies for later.

 

A short walk in the sun brought us to Long Reef Point & Fisherman’s Beach, where a beachside bench was just waiting for us. Bathed by balmy breezes while seated in the shade, we spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the Pacific Ocean.

 

Heading towards the beach at Long Reef Point

On the sandy beach right in front of us, a man was arranging his kite on the sand, preparing to launch himself off for sky surfing off the water. It was fun to observe how he pulled himself on a board across the water’s surface while controlling the kite as it was billowed by the strong wind.

 

We were thrilled to watch this extreme sportsman as he applied his skills in windsurfing, water-surfing and wake-boarding at high speeds as he jumped and skied on the water while the wind lifted him higher and higher until he was surfing in the sky.

 

We felt like an exclusive audience to this
skillful show by a pair of sky-water-surfers

Our excitement went up another notch when he was joined by another water-sky-surfer, a lady who displayed similar skills in launching herself into the sky using her board and kite.

 

So there we were, wowed by a show of skills as this pair of water-sky-surfers propelled themselves across the ocean for more than 30 minutes before they came back to shore.

 

We watched as the sky-surfers folded up their equipment to load into the cars. And it was just typical of Uncle to strike up a friendly chat with them, and gave them our compliments for such an entertaining and skillful performance.

 

Watching the sky surfers performing for us!

While there were some women sun-bathers on the sandy beach who probably also saw the sky surfing, we felt that we were an exclusive audience who were treated to such an exciting show.

 

Auntie, who insisted on touching the waters of the Pacific Ocean, persuaded Uncle to take a walk down to the shoreline. I watched as she made him pose for a photo, an action shot of throwing water into the wind… 

 

When they were ready, we made our way to the bus stop for a ride back to Dee Why. The hot sun and briny air must have slowed us down so we took our time to get home, showered, rested and got ready to go out to dinner.

 

Photo session at Long Reef Point

Just as we were about to leave that evening, Michael gently reminded Uncle that the restaurant was located on The Strand, close to Dee Why beach so Uncle had better dress warmly.

 

Michael and Gillian were regulars at the Top BBQ & Seafood Restaurant, a popular Chinese restaurant that also serves a range of dim sum for yum cha. The proprietor, Paul Cheong and his wife, were from Hong Kong so everyone in the restaurant spoke in Cantonese dialect.

 

After the food order for whole fish, lamb, pork and shellfish was placed, Gillian asked for a steamer tray of siew mai as appetizer. It was very considerate of her as she thought the dishes may take a longer time to be served, so she wanted her mother to have this dim sum to alas perut or line her stomach.

 

Are these the Three Bears?

My stay in Dee Why with this family ended with a delightful dinner over good quality food, served by friendly and attentive, yet unobtrusive staff.

 

A walk on the promenade by the beach was very welcome especially after such a sumptuous meal. As we were walking just a few steps along the breezy promenade, Gillian politely asked if we wanted ice-cream. We never said, “No!” to ice-cream so the reply was a unanimous, “Yes!”

 

Only a few more steps and across the road, we were looking at the choices of icy flavours at Chill Gelato & Expresso, reading the labels quickly to make a decision. The helpful assistant asked, “Cone or cup?” and I replied, “Cone please,” because I would also like to taste that crispy wafer.

 

View of Dee Why Lagoon at low tide, by night

Our walk along the promenade took us to a rockpool where some young men were still frolicking in the water even after the sun had set.

 

On the way back, Michael drove us to the highest point in Dee Why and round to the spot where, during the season, they could sight spectacular aurora in the night skies.

 

Then it was time for me to pack and get ready to leave Dee Why the next morning. Thanks, Uncle and Auntie, Michael and Gillian for a memorable glamping stay with its share of pleasant surprises. Once again, a “handover” was arranged for tomorrow where Malcolm will pick me from a meeting point in Chatswood.

 

#MyJohorStoriesTravelogue

#MyJohorStoriesFebruary2026

Off to glamping in Dee Why

 

Cousin Gillian and her husband, Michael, live in Dee Why, a lively Northern Beaches suburb with a mix of beach culture, natural beauty like the Dee Why Lagoon and a bustling town center.

 

Lunch at the food court before the 'handover'

I was told they decided to live in Dee Why as her office was located a short distance away. Later, the office relocated to Chatswood, thankfully still a driving distance away but road traffic was often heavy at peak hours.

 

Her parents, Auntie Polly and Uncle Steven, who visit Australia almost every year, will stay with them and have learnt to enjoy the lifestyle in this neighbourhood.

 

When we had a plan to go for a live theatre experience last Saturday, Auntie and Uncle came to stay with us for the weekend.

 

Uncle Steven enjoys curry noodles

When it was time for them to leave and return to Dee Why, Auntie invited me to join them for a short stay. It was a very attractive proposition as I was keen to see and experience another part of Sydney.

 

I learnt that the name, Dee Why is believed to have originated from an Aboriginal name or term used by the local Dharug people. While the exact meaning of this name is being debated, some suggest that it relates to the shape of the lagoon or the call of a water bird, first appearing as Dy Beach in 1815 records by surveyor James Meehan.

 

Gillian was also keen to have me over to spend time with her parents (while she was at work!) and said I was welcome to join them for what she called, a glamping time. While space was limited in their apartment, we were ready to have fun and ‘rough it out’ for a few days.

 

Michael helping with our 
luggage at the 'handover'

So it was arranged that we should meet with Michael for lunch in Chatswood and thereafter, to do the ‘handover’ of people and luggage for him to drive us to Dee Why.

 

Lunch was at a food court with a stall that served a highly recommended fried salmon fish-head soup noodles for Auntie and curry noodles for Uncle. I am not a particular fan of either fish-head or curry so I opted for Indonesian mee kway teow goreng.

 

I did not know it yet but Auntie had in mind to let Michael drive Uncle home with our luggage while she and I would stay on in Chatswood to browse around in the malls. Later when Michael came to pick up his wife after work, we would go back together.

 

So when Auntie told me about our plan for the afternoon, I did not hesitate to agree. After all, she was familiar with the malls and the arrangements for our return later.

 

Aunty Polly, ready to enjoy her
Strawberry Watermelon cake
at Black Star Pastry cafe

The ‘handover’ went on smoothly with Michael helping with our luggage and when it was loaded in his car, Auntie told him about our plan to stay back. He was pleasantly surprised but was pleased that we had a plan… and he reminded us about our meeting place later in the day.

 

Soon as Michael drove off with Uncle, Auntie and I went into the mall to look at the Directory.

 

From reading the Directory, I got a better perspective of our location and the directions to reach which stores. Little did I know that Auntie already had in mind, the destination for our afternoon tea. 

 

“Black Star Pastry!” Auntie pointed to the mall level where this café was situated and told me with certainty, that we will go there for afternoon tea. This was because she longed for a taste of their signature Strawberry Watermelon Cake.

 

Once she was sure about the café location, we went on to enjoy browsing around the shops as well as the nearby malls before heading over for tea.

 

A clever play on words!

When Auntie decided it was time for tea, we took our time to make our way to the café. Upon arrival, I glanced at the logo for their brand and saw that it appeared rather familiar.

 

Outlined in bold Black lines, it was an illustration of a man’s face with a Black star on one of his eyes. Auntie asked me if their logo reminded me of another and I replied, “Yes.”

 

We both agreed that it looked like the logo for, “Tan Ngan Lo,” a Malaysian brand for herbal tea. However, the only difference is that the Black Star is on the right eye while a Black disc covers the left eye on the logo for Tan Ngan Lo.

 

Next, I needed to find out why Auntie was so set on having a taste of this cake. A glance around the café tables revealed that almost everyone seated there was enjoying that popular slice of cake.

 

It's dinner time at restaurant PHOOD

This iconic Strawberry Watermelon Cake, I soon discovered, is synonymous with Black Star Pastry. It features layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream and fresh watermelon, topped with strawberries, grapes and pistachios. Mmm…

 

After taking our time to indulge in this tasty treat, we continued browsing around the shops, seeking any best buys until it was time for our rendezvous at the appointed meeting place in the mall.

Auntie Polly with a Hibiscus bloom

Then Michael and Gillian arrived, ready for an early dinner. A decision was reached to step out of the mall to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant that had a menu of dishes that were reminiscent of Chinese cuisine. 

 

Familiar with the menu, Gillian placed the order for items that will meet with her mother’s taste. I observed that the restaurant was fast filling up with diners – probably because it was close to dinner time – but as there was daylight hours in summer until about 8pm, I was not aware that it was already dinner time.

 

While we were enjoying the comforting dishes of hot soup, barbecued pork and what appeared like yee-mee noodles, Gillian told me to take note of the restaurant name.

 

Looking closer, I figured out that it was a compound word made with the word pho, for Vietnamese beef noodles, pronounced “fer” linked with ‘food’ in a clever of play on words that created their brand name, PHOOD, pronounced as, “food.”

 

Potted plants in a planter box
on the balcony of their apartment

With our stomachs warmed with food from PHOOD, we went on our drive back to Dee Why. Since there were still daylight hours, Gillian and Michael decided to drop by at a warehouse to buy some potted plants with fresh flowers for their home décor.

 

When we arrived at their apartment, Uncle was waiting for us. I was taken on a tour of the premises for an orientation of sorts so that I could “make myself at home.”

 

It was very funny when Gillian was guiding me to use the shower system and Auntie came inside the bathroom to add her two-cents worth of advice. When Michael stepped inside to retrieve something, we could not help laughing because then, there were four people inside the bathroom during my orientation!

 

This was the start of my two-day-three-night stay with this family at Dee Why, one that turned out to be a hilarious House of Comedy contributed by the many “senior moments” between Uncle and Auntie. More about this in the next exciting episode.

 

#MyJohorStoriesTravelogue

#MyJohorStoriesFebruary2026