WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

31st December 2005, found us heading north to Ipoh. Our usual pre-New Year gathering usually held at Carrey Island had to be relocated as Vasu had moved out of Carrey Island. So this year Suresh Balan Nair, the most eligible bachelor, of the Kalayani Amma Family, invited the families to his place in Ipoh to help celebrate the arrival of 2006.

Our eldest and youngest brother in Law (Karunakaran and Mohan) and their families could not make it due to other committements. The children of Karunakaran could not also make it.

Vasu, currently working in Indonesia, managed to plan his leave so he could attend this gathering. He flew into KLIA on the 30^th December.

Present at the gathering were, Vasu and family, Viswan and family, Balan Nair & wife, his other 2 children, Vignesh and Suja and their families, and us wife, Geetha and Syandya. Vishnu is still in US and will be back on the 17^th of January. Invited guest were Suresh uncle and aunt from Ipoh and Esso Chandren and family.

The families wanted to prepare some dishes to take up, but Suresh had other things on his mind. His instructions were to bring ourselves and leave the planning to him.

Suja and family were there when we arrived; she took a few days at Lumut and was at Brother’s place a day earlier.

We were to meet up with Viswan family and proceed to Ipoh together. Having picked up Geetha from the University, we started to take a slow drive up North. On calling Shymala, found out that the children were still not ready. We decided to take the old trunk road making our way to Ipoh, hoping that they will catch up. While we were nearing Batu Gajah, we found that they were just reaching Rawang. We decided not to wait for them but to proceed. Stopped for a quick lunch at Ipoh. After lunch we called Suresh, and got directions to reach his place. Arrived at Suresh’s place around 2.30pm.

The others started arriving slowly afterwards.

Dinner was BBQ. Suresh had marinated the chicken wings & leg earlier and Santosh took the role of the Chef for the day with assistance from Nishant. Bedong sister in law cooked meehoon and the party got going.

The younger children, with Nisha taking the lead got the others to start dancing to great Indian music. What a sight to see Naviatha and Vishal dancing to the tune of Remo (of the Anniyan fame).

With the clock striking midnight, we wished one and all a Very Happy New Year.

The children (Nisha, Geetha, Syandya and Durgga) recollected the events of the past year. It is noted that with pride that Nisha graduated from MMU, landed a job with HSBC and after 3 months switched to Mearsk Lines. Vishnu had also completed a year at IBM/MAS while studying IT at NIIT, Nishnat is pursuing a course in Accountancy at Sunway College, and Geetha obtained a place in Malayan University to do Pharmacy.

Fondly remembered was our dear, Kalayani Amma (Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother) who passed away now 2 years. As in the past a minute silence with the passing of a lighted candle to all members present was carried out.

It was heartening to also note that Balan Nair, Suresh father made it to this gathering. He is so busy with others affairs that he finds it difficult to attend the numerous gatherings we hold as a Family. We hope to see him more at our future gatherings.

Children slowly started to go to bed and we too hit the sack by 2.30am. Understand some of the men were busying playing cards until almost 6.00am.

Welcome 2006, may you give us plenty of joy and brighten our lives as we also say a silent goodbye to 2005.