Keeping the Christmas spirit alive

WHEN she first came to Miri more than 30 years ago, she found it was just a small town with probably the biggest happening place called The Gymkhana Club.

She looked forward to every weekend when she could bring her two kids to the pool and enjoy some civil conversation with other mothers. Parties in the Club were like celebrity events.

“The Gymkhana Club Miri lighted up my life,” exclaimed Ivy who now lives overseas.

Miri has grown by leaps and bounds since 1980 and even after the 1997 economic downturn, it expanded with facilities being added and huge hotels and arcades set up, turning the oil-rich town into a resort city.

As the population increased over the years, so too did the social lifestyle change in many different ways. We cannot pinpoint what is really “Miri Life” or what are the city’s main social events. There are just too many different people and events! And all have a niche of their own.

Although the Gymkhana Club celebrated its 100th anniversary in October this year, not many people seemed to have noticed it as there were so many other places holding social functions at the time.

This is the situation after 100 years. The Club’s membership has decreased and it’s no longer the most happening place in the city, according to a long-time club member.

Club members — in fact the whole of Miri — used to look forward to the Gymkhana Musical Night every year since the 1960’s but it was not happening this year due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Then there was the Miri Amateur Dramatic Club (MADS) which used to stage a great play every year. It wasn’t happening this year either after Shell’s re-engineering exercise and many expatriates who loved music and drama had also left. It seems as though a chapter of Miri’s social life has closed,” noted Selina, another long-time GCM member.

A musical staged by MADS was like a gala night in the past!

Interesting traditions

Undeniably, however, over the past 100 years, GCM has created some very interesting traditions for Miri, especially in celebrating Christmas.

There is the Piasau Boat Club which has offered its premises to some interesting Christmas events over the years. The Miri Petroleum Women’s Association also holds a Christmas Charity Sale each year. And since their inceptions, all the hotels have had their Christmas charities too – and the biggest was the Miri Christmas Parade on Dec 7.

Interestingly, some small but sustainable Christmas traditions could have started in a small way.

For example, the Miri Ladies’ Christmas Dinner has been kept alive for more than 30 years. Indeed, it started at the Gymkhana Club — organised by the ladies and for the ladies. It’s always nice to know a town or city has traditions that make an event such as the Miri Ladies’ Christmas Dinner so special.  And I strongly believe such a lovely tradition must be maintained to allow GCM lady members to get together for a Christmas dinner and exchange gifts – something they have been doing since the 1970’s.

Many of the ladies would look forward to the event as apart from celebrating, it was also a time to welcome new expatriate wives and new lady transferees to Miri, especially when they had to adjust to a new kind of Christmas away from home.

However, with recession and folks moving out of Miri over the years, the number of ladies attending this special Christmas Dinner has dwindled to just 20 or 30. The closure of the GCM restaurant a few years ago was another reasons for the lack of attendance.

But bonds are hard to break and the “cell group” have been organising the Dinner at various restaurants in the city – thanks to the unstinting support from Florence Enau, Lesley Linggod, Jill Lampan and a few others.

Soul of the party

Collette Mohan from France has made Miri her “winter home” for the last 18 years, spending six months in Miri and six months in France to escape the cold winter of her homeland.

“I love Miri – it’s warm and pleasant. The people are very nice and I go a wonderful church here too.

I feel very welcomed. Believe it or not, I’m 84 this year. Take any photo of me as you like, I’m okay with my looks,” she laughed.

Collette is the soul of the party when it comes to dancing. She has lived in Bali and Singapore but chosen to put down her roots in Miri. Her children are back in France and she has a number of great grandchildren.

Dominique Dodge-Wan is another long-time resident of Miri. Twenty years is not a short time to stay in one place, especially when it’s not your birth place.

She brought up her two children (Berawan—English) locally and although they can adjust to Great Britain at the drop of a hat, she is happy to be here in Miri with them and for them.

Dominique is a senior lecturer at Curtin University and holds a doctorate in geology.

“I love this kind of Christmas party as I can celebrate it with good friends, drink a little and dance a little. I won’t miss this Ladies’ Dinner for the world,” she enthused.

There are Christmas dinners for ladies only all the over the world.

In Irving, Texas, USA, a traditional Christmas dinner is organised for ladies every year. The ladies to look forward to a delicious meal, unique tablescapes and an exceptional Christmas concert.

The womenfolk in Irving turn out in full force for the function. This year, $7,000 was raised from raffle proceeds for a conference to help women in the Congo who have been victims of rape and violence.

“God’s love and the message of healing, redemption and reconciliation will be shared with women in the Congo,” wrote the editor in their newsletter.

Another unique Christmas tradition started in 1922 in Finland. One can really be in awe of the Women’s Christmas Fair in Helsinki.

The beauty and uniqueness about this Fair is that it is an all-women show. The women display and sell their own hand-made products — textile art, Christmas ornaments, knitwear, jewellery, candles,  pottery, leather, woodwork, products from recycled materials as well as Christmas treats.

Started in 1922, the Fair gathers over 370 exhibitors every year. So to obtain home-like, unique, high quality, eco-friendly gifts and Christmas treats, the Fair is a must- visit for everybody.

And finally, on Jan 6, the last day of Christmas in Ireland, a unique tradition treats women like “royalty.”Irish women would go out together and have fun all day long.  If Christmas decors were taken down before the “Little Women’s Christmas,” the Irish believe it would bring bad luck.

But this is not happening in Ireland per se for the “Little Women’s Christmas” has been enjoying a revival in Irish communities in England, the US, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Most restaurants and bars will be filled to the brim by women — mothers, aunts, sisters and best friends. Jan 6 is also recognised as the Celebration of Epiphany in other cultures and marks the end of the Christmas holidays.

The menfolk dutifully prepare a fine meal for their wives, mothers and daughters to show their gratitude for their tireless work throughout the busy Christmas season.

Christmas is a special season for both Christians and non-Christians alike. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour. The festival brings a message of love and goodwill to mankind. And it is in this spirit that the Miri Ladies Christmas Dinner is held for women who love to share and, at the same, time celebrate the passing of another good year.

They come together for laughter, warm hugs and good cheer in a safe place while remembering their sisters in different kinds of situations the world over. It’s a Dinner to celebrate good relationship among women who are far away from their homeland, and to extend a warm welcome to those who might otherwise be unable to have a big celebration on their own, across racial, political, social, and religious barriers. It’s hoped this tradition will upheld in Miri in the years to come.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas from the bottom of my heart.