28 August 2018

Over the past weekend, my family (mum, sis, bro, sis-in-law, nephew and I) celebrated my sis' 51st birthday in advance at Chui Hway Lim Teochew Cuisine along Keng Lee Road with a Sunday's lunch. That is mum's current favourite Teochew restaurant and in recent years, we have celebrated mum and dad's birthdays there. For sis' birthday celebration there, it's a first. Last year, for sis' golden birthday celebration, we celebrated at Au Petit Salut at Harding Road around Dempsey area on her actual birthday but we had a pre-birthday brunch at The Flute at The National Museum and had a buffet lunch at Elleborough Market Cafe at Swissotel Merchant Court as her post-birthday-joint-celebration with our dear cousin P. It was our cousin's 60th last year. We had a lot of feasting last year and it was wonderful that cousin TF was in Sg to join in all the festivities. Those were cherished memories of good times and yummy food.

Meanwhile, I am looking forward to sis' birthday trip from 30 Aug to 2 Sep. Mum, sis and I will be in Yogyakarta from Thursday to Sunday and it will be my first time there. It is Lisman's hometown and he sent me some interesting links and itinerary to look at. I hope mum, sis and I get to see some interesting sights and eat some yummy food as well. I pray that it will be a joyful, memorable birthday trip for sis.

Cousin YH's Stroke

Last Thursday evening, auntie J called from Sydney to inform mum and I that my cousin YH is in ICU. He had a brain haemorrhage. When my mum, sis and I visited last Friday at Khoo Teck Puat hospital's ICU, he was conscious and able to speak to us. He was transferred to a regular ward on Sunday. Thursday evening itself, I also received news of BB's departure to be with the Lord. I attended BB's wake on Saturday late morning with Sheela. I wanted to attend her funeral service on Monday but had a vomitting spell on Monday which prevented me from going. Today, an alumni Paul Kim came by EAST for a visit with Jeremy. Paul had likely come by Singapore to attend BB's funeral.

Update: 28 Aug - Cousin YH has since been transferred to a regular ward and his blood pressure is now in the normal range. Praise God.

Session with A

This afternoon I had my third therapy session with A. We discussed issues of my growing independence and adulting as an adult by being more assertive towards both mum and sis. It was interesting how the concept of sis treating me as her "baby" came up. It was something which sis had herself recently vocalised. It was therefore also reflective of her dominant, patronising behaviour towards me which has been counter-constructive towards my self-development. I suspect to some degree it might be similar towards mum's interactions with me although to a different degree.

We also spoke on the relationship between staff and students - how it is unadvisable to get into any romantic relationships (even if the age differences might seem appropriate), as there are ethical concerns and I should always establish clear boundaries with students in a professional manner (no coffee talks, personal interactions, especially involving the opposite gender). There would be clear conflicts of interests when official matters come into play and then personal relationships would sour. Teachers, staff and students are somehow not to be friends in a professional setting. This is to err on the side of caution. Wise words for me to chew on. Group outings are somehow okay.

Admin Ladies' Birthdays

Remembering Admin Ladies' Birthdays

M ~ 22 Jan, A ~ 6 Feb, AT ~ 24 Apr, S~ 27 Jul, K ~ 20 Sep, J ~ 12 Nov

- First typed the above entry in 2018.

Now, being March of 2020, both A and K have left EAST. What a lot of changes have happened over 17 months, yet much remains the same.

Chappati Lunch at J's home

Lunch plans can be so spontaneous at EAST. Initially, I was supposed to be meeting D for lunch at 11:45am. D remembered she had an appointment and had to cancel on me. K wanted to have lunch at Beach Road, so I consented to drive her there for lunch, together with Ann. While waiting for A, we realised Ann was only going to arrive at EAST by 12:30pm. Karen and I decided to head to Beach Road by ourselves. As we were heading out, J was heading home with E and invited K and me along to his home for chappati lunch. Spontaneously, K and I decided to join them and abandoned our Beach Road lunch plans.

It was a good chappiti lunch at J's home today.

1st Post in August

Today being the first day of August of 2018, it means seven months have already passed us by. I have gathered the four birthdays of my Ping Pong team members.
Ray ~ 17 Feb, Ben ~ 22 Aug, Joe ~ 18 Sep and Erik ~ 14 Oct.

I went to Tekka food center thinking I could get discount using the PayLah app but ended up without using it because the stalls which I bought my food from did not have that facility. Oh well. Nonetheless, I had a pretty good lunch there.