NOVEMBER

msbca

NOVEMBER VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2

malaysian singaporean brunien community association (non-profit organization)

NEWSLETTER



www.geocities.com/msbcacalgary/



FROM THE PRESIDENT ’ S DESK

Dear members; joined volunteers are Melissa Cheah, MSBCA-Calgary has also made a

Jane Lim and Becky Win. Welcome donation to the Tom Baker Cancer

By now, I believe all

new volunteers and thanks to everyone Centre in response to member Cheong

members must have

who helped. Lai Mooi’s call. Members who wish to

read the October issue

make personal donations may send their

of the MSBCA-Cal- Upcoming Bingo events are Wednes-

cheques, issued to Tom Baker Cancer

gary newsletter. It was day November 17, 2004 5pm requiring

Centre, to the attention of Cheong Lai

an excellent job by 7 volunteers, and Saturday November

PRESIDENT KHIN CHEW Mooi, #16, 116 Silver Crest Drive NW,

our new young editors 27, 2004 4.30pm requiring 12 volun-

Calgary, AB T3B 4N9. Lai Mooi’s

– Tracey Bong and Rachel Wong. I am teers. Call Jesse Cheah 880-8885 or

phone number is 288-8767.

sure all of you will find the November Khin Chew 605-6638 if you can help.

issue to be a better presentation. The President of Gee How Oak Tin

The American election sees President

Association, Tony Chan, whom we

Halloween party was a well organized George Bush re-elected for another 4

invited to the Halloween Night event

event that provided both the kids, par- years’ term. Although MSBCA-Calgary

spoke highly about how well organized

ents and participating members superb does not get involved in politics at all,

MSBCA-Calgary Board members and

entertainment. we respect the decision of the Ameri-

volunteers are in getting the event

can people and sincerely hope for con-

Together with the Board, thanks to the going and are very impressed with our

tinuing good relationship between our

following for making the Halloween club house set up and the sound system.

neighbour to the South and us, and that

Night another successful event: They are requesting budget from their

the border will re-open soon to Cana-

Chief Coordinator Joyce Wong; Program Board of Directors for purchase of a

dian live cattle.

Coordinators May Lee & Jean Michel; similar sound system.

Remembrance Day is November 11.

MC Jesse Cheah; Reception Jane Lim; Before I close off, the Board is glad to

MSBCA-Calgary supports the Veter-

Food Coordinator Priscilla Wong; have been able to assist a new immi-

ans who fought in the front lines and

Laksa by Liz & Peter Tan; Kids’ spa- grant from Malaysia to obtain the

urge all members to show their support

ghetti by Susan Tan; Spring Rolls by correct contact information to get her

by donating generously into the Poppy

Melissa Cheah & Lee Pow; Desserts by Malaysian passport renewed through

Fund.

Jenny Khoo, Jessie Son, Joyce Wong & the Malaysian Embassy in Canada.

Priscilla Wong; SPECIAL THANKS MSBCA-Calgary is also supporting the

Khin Chew

to Karen Chin & Lee Pow for donat- annual shoebox collection for shipment

The President

ing Chocolate cup cakes and gummy to less-fortunate children in at least 95

worms choco cake; Drinks by Geral- countries, which runs through Novem-

dine Sng; Music by Danny Wong. Also ber 13, 2004. Members who wish to UPCOMING SUNDAY

thanks all other volunteers who helped donate may drop off their donations at LUNCHES!

out in the food preparation, hall set up the club house or call Geraldine Sng at Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

and clean up. 242-2621 or any of the Executives to Nov 14

arrange for drop off. Donations such Penang Laksa by The Crispy Birds

October 28 Bingo required 16 volun-

as toys, toothbrushes, teddy bears etc.

teers. With continuing support from our Nov 28

are welcomed. The club house will be Mee Siam by Adeline

regular Bingo volunteers and a number

opened on Friday night November 12 The Music Choreographer

of new participants, we made up the

for drop off of donations. -Prices to be announced-

required number for the event. Newly

NOVEMBER 2004 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - 1

the editorial

BOARD OF DIRECTORS I found myself rushing home late

Tuesday afternoon to frantically

“What is it?” “It’s a planet,” replied God,

“and I’ve put LIFE on it. I’m going to

2004/2005 turn on the TV and see what the US call it Earth and it’s going to be a place

voter count was at. Kerry 3, Bush 127, I of great balance.” “Balance?” inquired

PRESIDENT believe it said. I immediately turned off Michael, still confused. God explained,

KHIN CHEW 226-1697 the TV. It wasn’t that I am a Kerry sup- pointing to different parts of Earth,

kchew@shaw.ca

porter or a Bush hater, I simply didn’t “For example, Northern Europe will be

VP MALAYSIA care enough to continue watching it. a place of great opportunity and wealth

ERIC NG 280-4165

deluxe.ng@shaw.ca (Call it youth apathy if you will.) while Southern Europe is going to be

VP SINGAPORE For the record, as I’m writing this, poor; the Middle East over there will

GERALDINE SNG 242-2621 George W. Bush is celebrating his be a hot spot. Over there I’ve placed

gerrysng@yahoo.com

second chance. I can only wonder a continent of white people and over

VP BRUNEI/SPORTS what these next four years will bring. there is a continent of black people,”

JOYCE WONG 220-1518 God continued, pointing to different

bencheryl@shaw.ca As sorry as I am that so many innocent

SECRETARY people died in the 9/11 WTC bombing, countries. “This one will be extremely

JESSE CHEAH 274-3541 I often find myself asking how many hot and arid while this one will be very

mr.cheah@shaw.ca

people have since died in Afghanistan cold and covered in ice.”

TREASURER and Iraq as a result of American inter- The Archangel, impressed by God’s

JENNIE SOO 280-0327

soojennie@hotmail.com vention? work, then pointed to a large landmass

SOCIAL Perhaps the war in Iraq is simply a in the top corner and asked, “What’s

JOYCE WONG 220-1518 Bush concoction. Was it me or was the that one?” “Ah,” said God. “That’s

bencheryl@shaw.ca

war started because Iraq was suppos- Canada, the most glorious place on

PRISCILLA WONG 275-5613

priscilla.wong@shaw.ca edly housing weapons of mass destruc- Earth. There are beautiful mountains,

MAY LEE 266-4077 tion? No weapons of mass destruction lakes, rivers, streams and an exquisite

may.lee@calgary.ca have been found but it now seems as coastline. The people from Canada

JANE LIM 375-0828 though America is bent on forcing their are going to be modest, intelligent

mlamjane777@hotmail.com

democratic will on the Iraqi people; on and humorous and they’re going to be

MEMBERSHIP

a country whose government may have found travelling the world. They’ll be

KHIN CHEW 226-1697

been unpleasant to think about for us extremely sociable, hard working and

kchew@shaw.ca

first world dwellers, but had been fairly high achieving, and they will be known

SPORTS

PETER CHENG 516-0037 stable nonetheless. I do believe that throughout the world as diplomats and

phw.cheng@rogers.com they are people who genuinely needed carriers of peace. I’m also going to give

BINGO/FUNDRAISING guidance, but the war in Iraq seems to them super-human, undefeatable ice

JESSE CHEAH 274-3541 have become more of a forced assimi- hockey players who will be admired

mr.cheah@shaw.ca

lation than a gentle prodding towards and feared by all who come across

EDITOR/WEBMASTER them.” Michael gasped in wonder and

TRACEY BONG 285-4069

freedom.

admiration but then proclaimed; “What

tbong@telus.net I’m sure I could continue on this rant

about balance, God? You said there will

RACHEL WONG 275-5613 of mine, but as I myself have begun

rnwong@ucalgary.ca be BALANCE!” God replied wisely.

to enforce a strict word count for the

“Wait until you see the people I’m put-

newsletter, I’ll finish with a joke that

MSBCA Newsletter ting next to them....””

one of my Canadian Studies professors

c/o MSBCA Cultural Centre Rachel Wong

passed on to me:

#301, 114-3 Ave SW From the Editorial Board

Calgary AB T2P 0E7 “Once upon a time in the Kingdom

of Heaven, God went missing for six Inside This

Electronic Copy is also days. Eventually, Michael the archan-

available: gel found him, resting on the seventh Month’s Issue:

www.geocities.com/msbcacalgary day. He inquired of God, “Where have Halloween Recap....... 3

you been?” God sighed a deep sigh What’s Happenin’...... 4

of satisfaction and proudly pointed Winter Driving........ 5

downwards through the clouds, “Look Gaming/Bingo.......... 6

Michael, look what I’ve made.” Arch-

Funny Corner.......... 8

angel Michael looked puzzled and said,

2 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2004

events

“Blast from the Past” Fun and Games!

MSBCA Halloween Party

By: Jesse Cheah dressed-up, thank you for lighting up

the evening. You all made the evening

Our Halloween party with its theme

very colourful even though it was dark!

of “Blast From the Past” this year was

The lighted pumpkin carvings were

very original and was altogether a very

truly a work of art & imagination. We

unforgetable evening! It started off

thank you all for your patience & time

with a sumptuous bowl of Sarawak

taken to carve out those pumpkins.

Laksa that was as good as the laksa at

Ban Hock Road in Kuching. The swal- I liked the idea of having different

low brand laksa paste was sea freighted categories for the Halloween costume

direct from Kuching to Vancouver and competition although if our budget had

arrived only a few weeks ago in Cal- allowed us to, we would have given

gary. All the other ingredients to make everyone a prize. The group photo with

the gravy were bought locally. Tiger our costumes was priceless, another

prawns from India and chicken from classic photo for the album. All the

somewhere in Canada make up the bal- games were very unique and the climax

ance of the broth ingredients. The rest came on the last game when the mums

of the garnishing like the bean sprouts, had 10 minutes to make the best fancy

egg, cilantro, lime and shredded dress out of newspaper for their young

chicken meat are catalyst to the awe- models. When time was up, we had an

some chemical reaction that happens in impromptu fashion show cat walk over

our mouths. a shower of hands for the kids in their

paper cut designer dress/attire.

One other key Ummph or kick that

makes one suck air is the sambal There were so much laughter from

belachan. Just like it takes teamwork to both kids & parents after the games

prepare 100 big bowls of laksa, it also that I wished it would never end. The

takes teamwork from all these ingredi- kids adjourned into the dark room for

ents to make the person digesting the the scary movie time while the adults

laksa a happy & very satisfied person. tried to shake loose some of the extra

The spaghetti, Vietnamese salad roll and weight. Nobody can take away that

Top to bottom:

the other wonderful desserts capped the memorable taste when we thought we

Paper dress game,

dinner off in a very Canadian way. were in a Sarawak coffee shop and later Most original

those priceless moments when we had costume, Scari-

Thanks to all who attended and a spe-

our share of laughter and happiness. est costume, Best

cial thanks to our guests & newcomers, overall costume,

Let’s do it again!

also, for those children & adults who Best adult cos-

tume, Pumpkin

carving contest

Photos by Rachel Wong









NOVEMBER 2004 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - 3

what’s happenin’

Sunday Lunch At the Clubhouse MSBCA Christmas

October 24, 2004

Char Kueh Teow by Ah Hock

As mentioned in the July Children’s Party

newsletter, all members

are welcomed to the club Venue: Village Square Leisure

house for karaoke, which is Center

now a weekly event. Date: Dec. 12th

Time: 12noon-3pm

We encourage all mem-

Programs to include: swim-

bers to come and utilize the ming, games, lunch, presents

club house, whether it is for from Santa Clause

chess, pot luck, exchange

More details will be announced

of cooking techniques,

shortly.

watching movies, meeting

other members etc. etc.

Call Eric Ng @ 280-4165 or

Geraldine Sng @ 242-2621 for

access to the club house. For

karaoke, call Khin Chew @ 605-

6638.

2005 Membership Renewal.

Please note that deadline for membership renewal is February 28, 2005. You may

renew your membership by mailing your cheque to MSBCA-Calgary clubhouse, to the

attention of Khin Chew. You may also e-mail Kchew@shaw.ca if you are using your

Bingo Points to renew your membership. Failure to renew your membership before

February 28 will see your Bingo Points default to 0 and your membership default to

New Member, which will affect scholarship award to your children because you need

to be MSBCA-Calgary member for two consecutive years in order for your child/chil-

dren to qualify for the scholarship award.



Looking for a central venue to hold a

meeting, presentation or a social event

in downtown core?

Top to bottom: “Ah Hock” (Jesse Cheah) • members (inclusive of sound

the chef of the day, Lunch dish – Char MSBCA Center has a system):

4 hours $60

Kuek Teow , Seok Huan and Jesse prepar- full feature restaurant- full day $110

ing the dish, Valene and Melissa Cheah

preparing the ingredients.

style kitchen with large • non members (not inclusive of

open space of about sound system):

Mustard Seed 1000 sq feet. We have 4 hours $80

full day $130

a seating capacity of • Additional $100 will be applied for

80 people. the use of the sound system

DAMAGE DEPOSIT FOR MEMBERS AND

#301, 114 - 3 Ave SW Calgary NON-MEMBERS (refundable):

AB T2P 0E7 • building rental $100

• sound system $400

For more enquiries, contact Eric Ng @ 280-4165 or

Geraldine Sng @ 242-2621.



4 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2004

feature story

* * * Winter Driving Tips* * *

With winter fast approaching, our very (API), in grade with specification circulate the liquids, it is here that

own car expert, Conrad Rumjahn gave for automotive application… to we tap the heat to warm the cabin.

us some tips on how to make winter avoid all these complex technical The cold weather freezes the water

driving safer and less stressful… terms, 5w30 is good for winter, at 0C so we use anti-freeze (glycol

(thanks Conrad, I know I really needed 0w30 is good for extreme cold. mix with water) so that the coolant

these tips!) 10w30 is recommended for spring is still in fluid form even at – 45C.

to fall. 10w40 or 5w40 is good Ensure your car’s anti freeze is up

Winter driving tips:

even in Las Vegas! There are a lot to strength. Damage to a frozen

There are 5 areas that I’d like to men- of vehicles using 5w40 year round, engine is expensive!

tion. 1) the tires 2) the oil 3) the wind- which is recommended by their

5) The battery is the life of the car. It

shield wipers and washer fluids 4)the manufacturer. A Warning: Syn-

is an electrical reservoir for the

coolant and the 5) the battery and thetic and regular oil should not

power needed to start your car.

block heater be mixed, and neither should the

There is a system check by garages

1) In snow, ice and slush, winter tires grade. One tip is to use brand name

called an AVR test to verify that

will make a big difference when oil.

your car’s battery, charging system

you are stuck or slipping with spin- 3) Special wiper blades are available and starting system is all in good

ning wheels. The tire material in for winter conditions and also health. It is also done in part to

most 4 season tires hardens when special windshield washer fluid winterize your vehicle and to

the temperature falls to –15C, it for summer and winter. The aver- check your block heater and its

loses its flexibility and frictional age fluids in most stores are –35C, cords.

capability causing the vehicle to some are rated –45C… use your

That’s it for now. If you have any

become harder to control. This judgment. If the washer fluid is not

questions you can drop a note with

control is also proportional to up to par, your washer pump can

your phone number at the clubhouse

speed. (slow down!) Take a good be frozen and damage the pump

and I will try to answer you as soon as

look at your tires and your driving when the weather gets colder.

time allows. Happy motoring!

needs

4) The car engine uses liquids to help

Conrad Rumjahn

2) The oil is classified by the Society cool and maintain it at operat-

Customer First Auto Care

of American engineers (SAE) and ing temperature by a thermostat.

Ph. number: 276-8001

the American Petroleum Institute The system uses a water pump to







Change of

address???

Let us know by

sending a letter to:

MSBCA Newsletter

c/o MSBCA Cultural

Centre

#301,114-3 Ave SW

Calgary AB T2P 0E7



NOVEMBER 2004 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - 5

gaming/bingo

Bingo and Casino Update Bingo Points

Bingo Points updated to Sept. 13, 2004

Casino on Feb 27 & 28 2005 bingos but had to drop 3 because of Basquet, Jean-Michel 10

conflict with our own MSBCA func- Bird, Diana 40

Thank you all for coming forward to Bong, Ah Nga 30

tions. Out of the 15 bingos only 2 will

sign up for our upcoming casino on Bong, Jimmy 10

be shared. This will be the 1st year ever Chai, Peter 20

Feb 27(Sat) & 28(Sun). As far back as I

where we will run 85% of the bingos Chan, Jik 25

can remember this will probably be the Chan, Kim Yee 22

by ourselves. The benefit will be higher

1st time we’ll be doing it on the week- Chan, Yen 10

income and maybe even a little bit more

ends. As usual casino is always a time Cheah, Jesse 110

fun. Of course this will be a trial year Cheah, Melissa 10

when we build up our community spirit

and if prove difficult we can always Chee, Leong 14

besides of course doing volunteer work. Cheng, Peter 10

revert back to shared bingos like what

I hope all of you will have some fun Cheung, Anna 12

we’ve been used to doing in the past. Cheung, Paul 14

as you work. As the days draw closer

Maybe in the next newsletter when I Chew, Khin 20

I will send a reminder to all volunteers Chiang, Ian 10

received actual gross profit earned from

about your time schedule and assigned Chiang, Ron 9

October pooled bingos I shall create a Chiew, Andrew 20

positions.

bar graph to show you our net profit. Chiew, Clara 10

Bingo Stay tuned. Chiew, Keng-Wei 5

Chiew, Lily 20

There will be some discussion happen- Oct 10 Sunday afternoon Bingo: Chin, Ching Fatt 30

ing soon with the board with regards Chin, George/Karen 20

Thanks to Teng, Priscilla, Jennie, Chong, Alex Lye 7

to Bingo appreciation dinner & bingo Chong, Shyut Moi 50

Juliet, Cliff, Daniel, Clara, Peter

points. The review was deemed neces- Choo, Janet 10

Cheng, George Chin, Lily, John, Jessie Choo, Yeu Chuan 5

sary because we want to implement a

& Andrew we wrapped up our 1st Chu, Kam 65

system that is both fair & manageable. Heng, Peter 40

Bingo for 2005 with some fun exer-

A better-managed association requires Kang, Ferlin 10

cise. Thanks to people who car-pooled.

a good system in place. In the mean- Khoo, Mok Yong 4

Some of us even learned of a few new Lau, Fred 10

time we will continue with our Bingo

jokes while others had to do some quick Lee, Ken 10

point system i.e. 10 points/bingo. One Lee, May 20

mental math calculations.

can use these bingo points earned Lewis, Jenny 40

for any function or fees imposed by Oct 28 Thursday evening Bingo: Liew, Megan 10

Liew, Peter 4

MSBCA. However please note these Lim, Eng 11

Thanks to Priscilla, CK Tang, Ian, Kim

points cannot be exchange for money. Lim, Jane 10

Chan, Jenny, Eric, Jennie, Jessie, Peter Lo, Michael 10

As for lunch or dinner at Bingos I Heng, Khin Chew, Jane, Becky, Chee Looi, Kok Sim 10

recently found out that ALGC(Alberta Leong, Melissa & Fred for helping out Ng, Eric 10

Ng, Keith 10

Liquor Gaming Council) requested that in yet another full event. There were Poh, Kwong Wee 20

volunteer groups budget for $7/person three 1st timers and it was nice to see Poon, Chester 24

for lunch and $8/person for dinner. I some familiar faces. Thanks to those Quek, Chong Hin 60

would like to share this request with who had to come out from work a little Quek, Chong Kee (Tony) 11

Sario, Daniel 10

our volunteers. early. Much appreciated! Son, Cliff 20

Son, Jessie 20

We will have a total of 15 bingos for Regards Sonia, De Rozario 0

2005. We were originally given 18 Jesse Soo, Jennie 32

Soo, John 54





VOLUNTEERS FOR BINGO!!

Tan, C.K. 10

Tan, Edmund 3

Tan, Jack 6

Tan, Tuan Sing 33

We need 12 volunteers for Tang, C.K. 20

Teng, Hau Chong 10

Saturday, Nov 27, 2004 Teng, Juliet 10

Teo, Alvin 12

evening @ 4:30 PM (shared event) Win, Becky 10

Wong, Joyce 0

Call Jesse Cheah @ 274-3541 Wong, Priscilla 75

6 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2004

other

WANTED Book St. Michael’s School The Funny Corner

Seria (Brunei) Children is Kina Kia

Keeper! Sound familiar?? Bird is Chiao Kia

Korean car is Kia

Seeking Member to pro- St. Michael’s School Give birth is Seh Kia

vide accounting services is celebrating its 50th Furniture is Ikea

at nominal charge, please Anniversary Golden Police is Mata Kia

Jubilee in 2005 Small house is Chu Kia

contact Jennie Soo @ 280- Country name is Czechoslovakia

Reaching out to ex-Brunei resi-

0327 for more details dents who may be former students,

Puppy is Koa Kia

Kitten is Ngiao Kia

to reminisce their boyhood stage

Chicken is Kuey Kia

and hopefully get a glimpse of their

Pig is Tu Kia

‘glory days’.

Carrot is Chai Tau Kia

For more information: Handphone is Nokia

http//www.geocities.com/st_

I’m Hokkien Kia

Your COMPLIMENTARY michael_school_bn

Malay is Huan Kia

Los Angeles-Malaysia If they wish to convey any mes-

Hindu is Kit Leng Kia

AIRLINE TICKET SPONSOR sages/short article and/or contribute

Kuai Lou is Ang Mo Kia

at Cultural Night ‘04 any photo(s) of their current days

Chinese is T’ng Lang Kia

and AGM ‘04 to the website, they can email

Japanese is Jit Pun Kia

me at: Eddie.Tan@shell.com or

Bad guy is Pai Kia

principalsms@brunet.bn

Good guy is Ho Kia

Person who read this is Gong Kia

If you laugh, you are Siow Kia



Tis the season for giving:

MSBCA is pleased to participate in this year’s

Toy Mountain Campaign - unwrapped new and

gently used toys for under-priviledged children.

Drop off you gift at the clubhouse during Novem-

ber to Dec 12.

Thank you for you support!









NOVEMBER 2004 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - 7

extras

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8 - MSBCA NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2004