Card – RM10

Gift – RM429

Gas – RM180

Smart Tag Refill – RM150

Dinner – RM190

Look on Mom’s face when I surprised her last Friday in Penang – PRICELESS!

Yes…. I had planned it with my cousin and Aunt Jen to surprise my mom for Mother’s Day. And it was a real surprise indeed! Last Friday, Aunt Jen, Mei Ling and myself turned up at the hospital where she had finished her physiotherapy session and as my mom walked out to the car, probably frustrated that Aunt Jen was 15 mins late, smiled in disbelief when she saw me in the passenger seat! What’s more.. 5 minutes before, she had just called and talked to me over the phone!

It was good to be back – we did the usual – eat, sleep, eat, sleep, tried to work on my paper (very little got done)… I ate Sister’s CKT three days in a row, followed by really expensive but quality durians, also three days in a row. On Mother’s day, I had 3 meals consecutively, one after another! Yes, that is the Penang routine – bad for any diets!

After Mother’s Day dinner, we went through all our old photo albums because we’re collecting photos for my dad’s upcoming 80th birthday bash. It was a good way to end a wonderful weekend, going through all the years of growing up and travels! It wasn’t until much later when we got to an entire stack of albums of my mom’s scrapbook of collected newpaper and magazine articles of her, back in the day!

I’ve always known that she’s appeared in a few newspaper articles during her time as an air stewardess but I was taken aback to find a stack of albums filled with newspaper clippings featuring her! My Mom! Dolly Tan! SHE WAS FAMOUS!!!!! I was in shock.. in awe…and impressed…

My mom’s career as an air stewardess began with MSA (Malaysia Singapore Airlines). 1 year later, the company split and she became part of Singapore Airlines for the next 4 years. Later on, she joined Cathay Pacific for 3 years before she decided to give up her career for motherhood!

My mom was one of the very first few crew on the inaugural flights to the US, London, Australia and within Asia. She shot to fame because she speaks and carries herself well and of course, with her good looks, why wouldn’t they want her representing the airline!

Demonstration flight on the new Boeing 707

Below: 3rd from the left, in a saree

In this article below, my mom (far left) was interviewed on her monthly spending habits on clothes, shoes, bags and cosmetics…

These were the old MSA uniforms

Mom was featured in MSA’s ad campaigns, fashioning their new uniforms designed by French couturier, Pierre Balmain. This was their ground uniform which they had to change into before landing (what a hassle!).

This was their in-flight uniform

Mom also appeared on the front cover of “Her World” magazine! (The one in red & white swimsuit)

Mom’s in the far left in a black swimsuit, and 2nd from the right.

Even her dimples made a name for themselves! (She has a cleft on her chin!)

This ad appeared in the newspapers and in the cinema featuring the special meals they serve on board, including milk for babies!

She blew her chances in this contest because her Malay was errr… lousy…

During a sales promotion in Australia

MSA Cocktail Party in Bahrain

And then… I found proof sheets of one of her modeling shoots! (She can’t remember what it was for!)

Love this shot!

On another note, I recently posted a photo of an Afghan Hound I met at the SPCA Animal Party at Palate Palette. My excitement of seeing one in real life was due to the fact that my mom used to have 2 of them and I had only seen them in photos!

From left: Alfie, and Desi, a silky terrier, both imported from Melbourne. Far right: Joey, who my mom bought from Harrods, London.

Handled by a little girl, Kylie, Joey won first prize in a dog show

And of course, because it’s Mother’s Day… here’s a photo of mom & I!

To my dearest Mom, Thanks for being the coolest mom ever! I love you!