Pork Chop and Malaysia.

Talk about a great subject line! Yesterday evening, John invited me to his parish for a pork chop dinner served by the Knights of Columbus. It seems they've been serving this dinner for a number of years now and it's so well attended that they always sell out. John had a couple of tickets and since I've never been to one of these dinner and did not have anything going on, I accepted his invitation.

Dinner was served at 7PM and we sat a the table with the Walker family from St. Catherine's. I've known this family for quite some time and they have a son who is deaf but he's a really neat guy. Another priest, Fr. Jerry Stessman joined us at the table. The Walkers had to leave early since Linda works as a surgical nurse over the weekend. The food was good and there was more than enough to eat. Later that evening, another couple joined our table this is where the story takes a Malaysia turn.

Larry and Kathy Zimpleman are this wonderful couple who've heard of me through John and also because they know I'm from Malaysia. This was the first time I got to talk to Larry and Kathy. Such a neat couple. The topic of Malaysia came into the conversation and they shared with me that they'll be heading to Malaysia the beginning of March. Larry will be there on business while Kathy is there to tag along. I asked them if they would like to meet dad and mom and they said they would be most delighted. They'll be in Malaysia not more three days but they'll make time to see my parents. As I talked to Larry, I soon realized that he is the COO (pretty much the second in command!) of Principal Financial Group which is a Fortune 500 company that has its headquarters in DM. They are in a joint venture with CIMB-Principal Asset Management Berhad that has its office in Bukit Damansara. It seems that Larry works closely with Najib Tun Razak's youngest brother who owned this Malaysia company. How small a world we live in! We started talking a little about Malaysia politics etc. and it was so refreshing for me to meet this guy who has a pretty big business venture in Malaysia. Larry also mentioned that Principal bought the second largest bank in Malaysia so now, they are second only to Maybank.

What struck me the most about Larry and Kathy is that they were such down to earth people. The only way I found out who Larry was, I had asked John about him. It's people like Larry and Kathy who garner a lot of respect at least from me because they just did not have any airs about them. This guy will probably end up as the CEO of Principal Financial in a couple of years yet he's so very down to earth. I wish more people were like them. While speaking to Kathy, I told her to list down a couple of things that would interest her and I'll try my best to tell her where to go. She's such a fun lady and she said that she can't wait to meet dad and mom as they'll be quite a lot to talk about. As a tourist, there's no better way than to meet a local and chat with a local and try some local cuisine. I'm sure dad and mom would be up to meeting up with them.

Whoever said we do not live in a small world most certainly have not had some of my experiences. It's these experiences that will just blow your mind! That's my big news for the weekend.