The Dinner

 To celebrate the Call Day, a dinner was staged.

Sara asked if we were keen to which we we said we were.

"50 pounds for a seat", she reiterated.

Well, we did not think the price was first consideration; the fact that we had an opportunity to dine at Lincoln's Inn was irresistible. 

Yes, it is a dinner to remember by.

 The hall that was earlier used for the commissioning has been turned into a diner's place; versatile. Apparently, the hall can also be rented for weddings and other occasions.We loved the ambiance of the evening.

 The Rt Hon Dame Janet Smith DBE, gave a short welcome speech to her guests.

 So, that's my card; a cordial invitation to the dinner.

 We were placed in a table with families whom we met for the first time.

This was purposely arranged so that  the guests would mix freely; meeting people form all over the world.

 Sara told us that she had to go through 12 times of formal dining before she could complete her course; during which she learnt the etiquette of fine dining. She told me to be careful with the cutlery; I must know how  and what and when to use them. I told her I will observe her carefully and promised not to embarrass her.

 We were seated together with the Broachwallas.Mr.Broachwalla is from Yemen and Mrs. Broachwall is from Nigeria ( I hope I remember correctly). Their families migrated to the UK and maybe theirs was an arranged marriage.They are a happy family and definitely a hardworking one. She proudly told me that their second son is a medical student who will wake up early in the morning to learn about their faith online! I was impressed to hear about the story of the son's discipline. From what we hear; I can feel that they they are grateful to be British citizens and hope their children will do well in life.

Incidentally, they told us that they are coming to Malaysia for a family wedding and asked excitedly about Kuala Lumpur. I told her they will love Malaysia; especially the food.

 Then she told me her youngest child; a daughter is good at school and that she puts on clothes similar to what she is wearing. She beams widely as she confides that the girl has caught the father's heart.She is his precious angel. It was great talking to them as we share family tales. They were alarmed to learn that Malaysian parents spend so much to send their children overseas and must have felt their good fortune to be British citizens.

The dinner had definitely allowed us to learn more about other cultures.

 So, what were we served?

 We started with Goats' Cheese, Tomato and Black Olive Brulee.

It has to be acquired taste.

 That's Escalope of Salmon, Smoked Salmon Croute Beetroot, Shallot and Caper Salsa

 The main course; Roast Rump of Lamb, Risolee Potatoes, Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables.

 The final beverage of the evening at Lincoln's Inn.

It's not the menu, 

not the cost,

but the experience of a lifetime.

The Bar Dinner.

The Finals

To all those who have labored laboriously for the SPM, STPM Baru and the STPM Terminal,

The School wishes everything good happening to you,

May the mountains be but small hills to you,

We know you will put on your armour,

So fight till the cows come home ! 

ALL OUR VERY BEST TO YOU.

The Call

 The Chronology

So, here's a mama telling you the chronology of the event.

The next time your son or daughter goes through this, you will know the sequences.

 If you want an official photo for memory you pay a sum ( depending on the number) and go down the flight if steps to the room.

 Then you wait your turn...

 After 2 weeks you will receive the photo in the post...she is without a wig as it was out of stock.

 After the photo session you will proceed to the great hall for the great event. Here is a painting to remember the days of old when statesmen, bishops and civil servants congregate to consider matters and decisions.

Many great statesmen had been called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn; Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, Margaret Thatcher, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Tony Blair and wife...

 It was a great feeling to be here. Now I know what and where the Inn is.

 At the sides of the hall , tables were set for a grand dinner later in the  evening.

 Parents and loved ones were excited; including me.

 

 Before the ceremony started, there were instructions and rules to follow.

They were read out clearly.

 

 The treasurer of the Inn RT Hon Dame Janet gave a short speech and reminded the to-be barristers to always hold high integrity and public trust. She reminded those who are far away from the Inn to refer to the society for help if the need arises.

 The evening has less than 50 being called to the Bar...

 That's Ms Sara being called.

Sara's classmate...double her height; now you know why she sometimes feel intimidated.

 

 After the call, the girls had a shooting session for keeps; Katheryn, Sara and Cassandra.

 That's the proud parents with the last to graduate in the home;

it also means the end of our Kindergarten duties.

 Sara finally completed her bar studies.

 Very soon, we were called to an old Hall for a drink before dinner.

 That's where we met this young man; he is the son of a lawyer who graduated from this Inn too.

Tradition has it that you will want your next generation to exit from the same institution.

 Malaysian families.

Malaysia has always held high esteem for education and they go to great lengths to achieve them.

 Father and daughter drink to health, success and joy.

Congratulations Sara.

The Law Schools

 The Mission

Sara was keen in making sure that things were in order especially where her call was concerned. 

So together we trudged along the streets to her law school.

 After a year's stay there, she was very sure-footed and knew her ways at the tip of her fingers.

Some of the well-known universities in the UK are housed in buildings shown above. The ones with green lawns and traditional looks are mostly found in the outskirts. So you will see University of Central London and the like slapped in the middle of the city and having no space around them.

 Sara led the way into nooks and corners and finally arrived at the designated buildings.

 As we approached the law school, we began to notice posh cars parked along the streets which led dad to say... wa the law people are making big bucks... he forgot that even the re cyclists can make the buck; it all depends on how you handle a trade and having that extra acumen for business.

 This leopard skin cute thing is worth a second look.

 All along the path leading to her school, falling maple leaves dotted the ground. Dad picked a couple and kept them in between the pages of his book.

 This is the school that put her through her bar studies. It was a challenging course but one that has surely prepared her for the law vocation.I recalled some bad moments when she would occasionally call me and told me horror stories of how badly she had performed. Then she would ask me to pray; that she would strike a cordial relationship with her lecturers, that she would not be scorned by her very matured classmates; some of whom were in their 40s and 50s and Oxford or Cambridge trained ! She felt so small and took care when she voiced her thoughts. She shared in fear of how she was going to convince her meticulous lecturers of her ability. But that was the past...

 At City Law School, she pointed out to a notice board and said...there Pro Bono work ! It means doing legal work for a real cause; maybe without monetary rewards. She recalled how Uncle BJ during one of the evenings admired a lawyer who sacrificed much in pro bono  work by offering  legal help to those who are in real needs without being paid. He told Sara to be like him.

 We saw this as we walked in the vicinity of the school.

 Very soon we arrived at Lincoln's Inn; the Inn which she was attached to.

 Many hundreds of years in age, the building still holds the regal feeling and steadfast in every way.

 Sara made sure her papers and call dates were in place.

 She shared that she was indeed very happy that she was given an opportunity to do her bar studies in London; that the course had brushed her up and that she feels better equipped for her working life. 

That she should be exposed to the English experience in law.

 Yes, she apologized for putting us through all the fuss of flying across and spending much on the occasion. We told her  it was our pleasure and that we were proud of her. That we should support her in good occasions like this in appreciation of all her hard work. 

We were indeed grateful to God for seeing her through the years .

So we hope she will find the learning helpful in her passion to do the right things in life; that she would grow into a gracious lady; ready to forgive and not scorn on the helpless.

Oh the unending roles of a mother and a father; roles which everyone may have the chance to play.