To Kuala Lumpur, always one of the high points of any alumni trip, where we joined up with our new Vice Chancellor, Prof April McMahon, and, as a result, where Julian had a stern word with me about being on my best behaviour. I ask you, when did you ever see a badly-behaved sheep? We have a limited range of activities at the best of times - stand, eat, chew, move around a bit, chew some more.
The grand old man of Malaysian alumni, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, honoured us with a meeting at our hotel where serious and weighty matters were discussed which went right over my head (okay, that isn't particularly high but you get the picture).
Julian was having great trouble getting his room/lift card to work. Having failed to authorise the lift to take him to his floor and, after someone else helped him in that first attempt, subsequently being unable to enter his room, he stomped off down to reception to complain. The charming and utterly polite receptionist checked the card and assured him that it was working perfectly, but, since this wasn't placating the irascible quasi-Irishman, sent a bellboy back up with him to check. The liveried attendant took the card and rapidly slid it numerous times into the slot until it finally turned green and allowed entry: "See," he said, "there's nothing wrong with the keycard. These locks, however, are all bloody useless."
Regular perusers of this blog will know that Aber's Malaysian alumni are unparalleled in their pride, enthusiasm, passion and loyalty to the College by the Sea. Despite it being a long holiday weekend, the usual chaotic traffic on a Friday evening, and very short notice, some eighty Aberites appeared at the delightful lakeside restaurant which was hosting the reunion event. Not just numbers, either. There were three Malaysian Fellows of the University present (including a "royal") as well as the whole distinguished Committee of the Aber Alumni Club in Malaysia and the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University. It was quite hard to shine in such distinguished company, especially when I found myself stuck on the lazy susan and going round and round - fortunately it was a fish restaurant and no-one cast hungry looks at me as I whizzed past.
The grand old man of Malaysian alumni, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, honoured us with a meeting at our hotel where serious and weighty matters were discussed which went right over my head (okay, that isn't particularly high but you get the picture).
Tan Sri Arshad Ayub with fellow Fellow Datuk Zawiyah Baba
Julian was having great trouble getting his room/lift card to work. Having failed to authorise the lift to take him to his floor and, after someone else helped him in that first attempt, subsequently being unable to enter his room, he stomped off down to reception to complain. The charming and utterly polite receptionist checked the card and assured him that it was working perfectly, but, since this wasn't placating the irascible quasi-Irishman, sent a bellboy back up with him to check. The liveried attendant took the card and rapidly slid it numerous times into the slot until it finally turned green and allowed entry: "See," he said, "there's nothing wrong with the keycard. These locks, however, are all bloody useless."
Regular perusers of this blog will know that Aber's Malaysian alumni are unparalleled in their pride, enthusiasm, passion and loyalty to the College by the Sea. Despite it being a long holiday weekend, the usual chaotic traffic on a Friday evening, and very short notice, some eighty Aberites appeared at the delightful lakeside restaurant which was hosting the reunion event. Not just numbers, either. There were three Malaysian Fellows of the University present (including a "royal") as well as the whole distinguished Committee of the Aber Alumni Club in Malaysia and the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University. It was quite hard to shine in such distinguished company, especially when I found myself stuck on the lazy susan and going round and round - fortunately it was a fish restaurant and no-one cast hungry looks at me as I whizzed past.
There were speeches, gifts, donations, more speeches, more gifts (even Julian got a couple) and what was particularly pleasing was a large cohort of very recent Aber graduates lending their not inconsiderable volume to the occasion.
Now it's off to Singapore - no rest for the wicked.
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