The lady who turned 37, 43 years ago; is into her 44th year of being 37. She still is up to speed with her antics. What can we, her family, say? She keeps us in stitches with her humor. Though there was a time, she used nails…yes those that your hammer into walls and things like wood.

Aunty Val as she is known to us, her nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces and our generation of friends; and her late husband, Uncle Jeff (Jeffrey Surin); were quite the pair. They could probably run circles around Mr. Bean. He wouldn’t know whether he was coming or going.

on one occasion in the 1970s, they dropped by at Aunty Maureen’s house. It was a Saturday afternoon. Aunty Maureen, Uncle Alex (the late Alex Harding) and family, were not in. Their house was as usual – unlocked. Aunty Val and Uncle Jeff, got in to the compound, and went round to the back of the house, where they found several durian fruit.

These pranksters helped themselves to all the fruit. Then then put the seeds back in the fruit and nailed the shell shut (as though they were unopened). The Hardings got a surprise when Uncle Alex unsuspectingly, tried to open the durian fruit and found it frustrating, trying to get the fruit opened. He managed to get them opened after a while, only to find the fruit was opened but the seeds were left behind. These “Charlie Browns” (referring to the Peanuts character), referring to Uncle Jeff and Aunty Val; and everyone had a great laugh.

We had Aunty Val, Aunty Maureen, Uncle Ronnie, Aunty Maryjane, some of the cousins and Malcolm over for dinner, recently, a couple of Friday evenings ago. Aunty Val and Aunty Maureen were both garlanded as lady guests of honor for being in the 80s. Jeannie, Laura and I thought it was a great opportunity to have them over before Aunty Val heads back to Perth, Australia.

The gathering was not so much about the food. Well, truth be told; food had a “drawing factor” reason for the gathering, too. Isn’t that an everyday story when it comes to Malaysians – food plays an integral part of most gatherings.

For simple food, we had quite a spread on offer. Famed, yet quiet about his culinary skills; Chef Neil whipped up a fire-breathing hot curry chicken kapitan, with generous offerings of chicken and potatoes in it. The spice level – I cannot really gauge: everyone was profusely perspiring after eating some of this curry, and that, with both the hall air-conditioners set at maximum cold.

Chef Neil also made “roti Jala” that was to compliment the curry chicken kapitan. For those of you who would like to engage Chef Neil for your functions, you can email us your requests and details.

We also had KFC’s Hot & Spicy chicken, one of Aunty Val’s many favourites, pizza and roti canai with two types of curry.

For snacks and after dinner food, there were mangosteens, large kampong steamed bananas, water jambu (jambu air), guava, pickled mango, nutmeg and a variety of different dried fruits (another of Aunty Val’s favourites).

Food aside, we had a wonderful evening, recollecting many wonderful memories and talking about family. We were brought up to speed with news Of Uncle Al, Uncle Pat, Uncle Bob and their families; all of whom are in Perth Australia. It is interesting to note that half our family are in Australia, while the rest of us are here. Uncle Pat was the first to emigrate there. The half that are in Australia live the Aussie Mat Salleh way of life, with some managing to blend bits of their Asian heritage and culture in this way of life.

As Aunty Val makes her way back to Australia, we continue to wish her the very best for the coming years. Yes, her “age-o-meter” will continue to stay stuck at 37. Who’s counting?