Friends. Family. Prayers

This afternoon, i bump into Alicia, my uni friend whom i have not met for many years at the food court in expo. She came up to me just when i was about to leave and said : I think i know you ... You Are ...... And i quickly added .. Wendy from RMIT. We were both really excited and happy to see eachother again.

Every time i am on-site for exh, i am bound to meet up with various people. As i had people waiting for me, i quickly asked for Alicia's number and left. After settling my stuff, i quickly went back to the foodcourt to look for my 'long-lost' friend and caught up a little.

Just a couple of days back, i was just thinking about the different people whom i have met in my different phase of life. There are some who are casual friends who are the hi & bye kinds and there are others whom you form very close relationships with. But what happens when we go our separate ways? Do we become strangers or do we continue from where we left. But really, it take efforts from both end to keep the relationship going.

I would say that today is quite a day.

1)Eve gave birth to Baby Ashton this morning.

2)MingXiong (my 'small uncle') went for his 8 hour brain surgery this afternoon. I'm worried for him because it's a major surgery and at the same time, really caught by surprise by the news. I mean, he is such a young guy who has a whole life ahead of him, bright career and just started a family. He looks healthy and you mean this is happening to him. I can't believe it.

There is little that we can do now except that all chritians in our family will joint in prayer to pray for him. I just hope that all goes well. If not, i will have several regrets in my life. Regrets of not getting to know him better because we only meet once a year, regrets of not having the chance to talk to him during this CNY because he just drop by for a short while and i didn't even get the chance to say Happy New Year to him.

3) Auntie Gay's mom who went for her colonsectomy this morning. I hope that nothing serious happens.

4) A close business associate introduced me to his new staff today and jokingly told me that the person will be taking over him. I seriously thought it was a joke but later found out that he is indeed leaving. I felt a little sad because after all, i have known him for many years. It's like for everything, there is a beginning and a end. I hope he will enjoy what he will do in his new job.

Amazing Race, Amazing Team

Congratulations to Collin & Adrian for winning THE AMAZING RACE ASIA. You guys did Singapore proud.

I was fliiping through the pages of a recent copy of 8 Days when i saw a familiar face. Wow ... Collin actually emerged as the winner.



I met Collin through the course of work several years back when he was working for one of the newspaper publications. Someone told me that he is very fit and is a part-time fitness instructor in a local gym. Impressive! And he went this far to be beat the other groups and emerged as the winner. What can i say but Simply Incredible!

永远忘不了的沈殿霞

It has been an extremly busy time at work this week. Many late nights and by the time i reached home, i am dead tired. But somehow, i still find time to catch up with the news on the passing away of Lydia Sum.

I am no big fan of hers but i remember her as an extremly professional artiste and talented host on many TVB variety shows which i watched since young. What really touches me this week is what Joyce, her daughter said during the press conference on her mom's death. She finished her address by saying: "I will not let you down and I will be good. I will try my best to learn to be a responsible woman. I know my mother wanted this the most. Thank you."



Tears just simply rolled down from my eyes. Simple words but so heart-felt. It also reminded me of who i am right now. That in everything that i do, i should always do my best and not dissappoint the people in my life and around me.

While reading the news, i chanced upon Joyce's blog afew days back. It was the first time i heard this very touching song entitled "連心". I didn't realise that it was sang by Joyce and her mentor, 劉家昌 till yesterday. I am deeply moved by the lyrics because it also reminded me of mom who is always behind me, and God who is always with me through ups and downs in my life.

It is Lydia's favourite song and it will be presented during the memorial service on 2 March. The clip below shows Joyce & her teacher presenting the song when Lydia accepted her TVB Special Achievement Award last November. It was also the last time which she appeared on national tV.

Based on the many reports which i read, there are indeed many attributes and qualities which i can learn from her. Her professionalim and dedication to her passion, she stands by her friends through ups and downs, always there for people, her dedication and love for her love ones etc. It is no wonder why she is so highly respected and love by hong kong people and asians.

Goodbye Lydia. May you rest in peace.




連心 曲/詞：劉家昌


女：你站在我後面 支撐我更勇敢

我能超越大海 我能跨過高山

男：我站在你後面 我陪在你身邊

當你遇到任何困難 我會與你分擔

女：你給我的溫暖 讓我走出暗淡

這份真摯情感 深到海底遠過天邊

男：我就在你身邊 一切為你承擔

我們倆的心手相連 共渡年復一年

合：真愛永不改變 不能缺少一半

一步一個腳印 腳印疊在一起

一直走到永遠

Princess Charlotte's 1 Yr Old Birthday

Charlotte turns 1 yr old today. Her mommy & daddy threw a birthday celebration for her yesterday and invited all the aunties and uncles. And of course, not forgetting Charlotte's friends like Zach, Sean, Zoe, Jed, Theophilus and Jadyn.

Charlotte's birthday cake with Dora picture on it.



The princess with her family



As for me, it was a good time meeting up with old friends. And Penny introduced me to her new WII game. It was fun, and can be addictive. I had two rounds of bowling session with Penny, Ee-lin & Soo Guan. It was quite cool. We could actually bowl in the comfort of home. I think if i didn't have plans to visit Lisan and Baby Kaelynn at their new home, i could have stayed and played the whole night. Ha Ha!

The Good Old Days

This is really COOL!

I found these photos at my grandma's place on the second day of CNY.So vintage and nostlagic. I've never seen pictures of my grandma (mom's mommy) when she was young. And yes, pictures of my mom and auntie too when they were really young.

Looking at grandma's photos, it reminds me of the movie, "In the Mood for Love" by Wong Kar-wai. It's about a Shanghainese community in Hong Kong and is notable for its use of a variety of cheongsam worn by female lead Maggie Cheung.





Mom told me that this is grandma and her best friend. Wow ...



And this is quite an eye opener too. I can't remember if i have ever seen photos of mom when she was this young. Mom is standing on the right.



This is so exciting and interesting!

The Lunar Celebration Continues

My house hosted the Party of the Year every first day of Chinese New Year. I did a count and i had a total of 86 people at my place. If it's full attendance, it should be about 120 pax. The amount of cleaning and washing is quite a mountainful. Thankfully, my neighbour, Mr & Mrs Ong are away and the maid came over for dinner and helped us out.

My home is busting with activities and is super happening. Although everyone is related, not everyone knows everyone. This applies especially to the younger generation.

Always feed the kids first.

Chill out in the garden.



A household full of people.



Enjoying the fruits.



Fruit platter in style. I love it.



While it's good to meet up with relatives, it seems to me at some point that CNY is getting more and more boring. Anyway, i caught up with my 'çousin', Nelson aka Ah Tun (dad's cousin son) who's currently working in IBM Atlanta. He is back for his CNY holidays. He has been working there for 6 years and plans to return to Singapore for visit only once every two years.

It was also a nice time playing with Sean & Cindy and Edwin & Christina kids. These are the ones whom i meet once every year. Cindy and Edwin are siblings. They are my
grandma younger sister kids. I grew up with Cindy and i remember playing barbie dolls with her when we were young.

Sean and Cindy has 4 kids. Sarah is the eldest and she will be primary one next year. The other 3 siblings are triplates. I can never remember their names. Out of the three triplates, i can only remmeber one who's called Caleb. As to who is elder, that is quite a challenge to remember.

Caleb?, Esther, Eaton, Xuan, Sarah, Caleb?



First time for Lynn and me taking pictures with the kids. Sean told us that we have to bribe them so that they all seat down together.



Edwin and Christina has a total of 3 kids now. That's Eaton who's in K2 this year, followed by Esther and 4 months old Ariel. I think Esther loves taking photos. She really knows how to pose and smile.

Eaton and his sister, Esther. Both siblings love to pose.



As usual, kids quarrel and fight over anything and everything. This time, it's a stick which they found from the garden.



Also met my 2 months old 'baby cousin' Huan Bin for the first time. He is my far-distant relative - grandma's younger sister son's baby.



On friday which is the second day of New Year, went over to mom's side for lunch as usual. Didn't get the chance to meet one of my cousin, Yen whom i have not seen for a long time. Apparently, she was working that day and will be coming over only in the evening. My cousin, Shen also suggested that the cousins should go for a short holiday together. It sounds exciting because as long as i could remember, we have never gone on a holday together before.

The gals playing poker.



Cute Thaddeus @ 2 months old.



And i met my so-called God-Brother who dropped by for visitation with is wife and son. His siblings are on holiday this year. My so-called God-parents are no longer around. In the past, i used to ask mom why i needed God-parents and how did they come about choosing the couple. Well! I can't remember the exact reasons but anyway, i have never been close to them. They are like complete strangers to me.

Thereafter, it was off to Uncle Robert & Auntie Judy's place.

My second lo-hei.



The celebration continues on sat. Yesterday, mom's side came over for lunch and we had steamboat again. I had my third lo-hei and there will be another 6 - 7 more lo-hei to go for me when i get back to the office. This is also the first time that Baby Thaddeus comes over to my place.

My third lo-hei.

Daddy feeding his son.



The group went over to Uncle Chua & Auntie Gemma's place for visitation after lunch. Coco, their golden retriever is so huge and fierce.



Thereafter, headed to Mabel's place for gathering. Had a very nice time playing with Damien. After that, we went out for dinenr and it's the first time we brought damien out for with all the aunties. Thankfully, he's quite easy to handle and well-behave. A pity that Yvonne and Eve couldn't join us.

Damien is already 5 months.

Celebrating The Year Of The Rat

Reunion dinner is slighly different this year. We had Steamboat aka Seoul Garden style this year. So much neater and simpler than before. But one thing still remains, the food is more than sufficient to feed at least another 10 person or so. That's my mom's trademark.

Preparing for dinner.

And Lynn baked some cakes and brought it over. My place is the HQ for gathering every CNY.



This is just one box. There are still many boxes which she made.

I also had my first lo-hei which Uncle Alex & Auntie Soo bought from Ponggol Seafood. Somehow, my family is BIG and there isn't enough space for everyone to squeeze in to lo-hei together.