Singles

Christine was studying nursing in England in 1966. At that time, I was studying mechanical engineering at Swinburne Tech in Melbourne, on the other side of the world. By right, our chances of meeting and getting to know one another was exceedingly small. However, in 1973, we were both working for Brunei Shell Petroleum company in Seria (BSP).

In 1972, she starting her first job working as a staff nurse at Pahang Consolidated tin mines in Sungei Lembing, near Kuantan. I started work with Sarawak Shell Bhd in Lutong. They sent me for in-service training in BSP for 2 years. In 1973, I was staying at the bachelor flats at F12, Seria. Christine was staying at the Panaga nurse's quarters next door at F11. We were close neighbours!

Alice Chee, a mutual friend introduced us! Christine was educated in a Chinese medium school in Malaya. She completed nurses training in England. I went to an English medium mission school in Sarawak. Christine is Shanghai-ghese. I am a Hakka ngin.We communicated mostly in Mandarin, Cantonese and English; some times a mixture of all three!

Engagement

After a year's courtship in Brunei, we became engaged to be married.

wedding

We were married on 13th Sept. 1975 at the St. Joseph's cathedral in Miri. Formal wedding photos were taken later in Kuantan. We have been together for over 35 years! Our children are now all grown up and left the nest in Hamilton. Christine and I are   experiencing empty nest syndrome, just like most of our friends of about the same age. Many of them are retired from full time jobs. Some are fully occupied by grand children, baby sitting or sending them to school or sporting activities.