It's been 4 years. This time 4 years ago, I was in Kandy, Sri Lanka, receiving news of my dad's passing. Dad passed on in the wee hours of the morning after having a sip of water. Sis had held him in her arms. It was at our Bishan flat. At that point of his passing, I was sleeping soundly in Uda's uncle's guesthouse, sharing a room with Hwei Wah. The previous night was Uda and Dush's wedding celebrations. By today, their marriage has fully dissolved due to it being a mis-matched marriage, and Dush marrying under lots of pretences and dishonesty. Well, I am glad for Uda that she is no longer having to deal with the unhappiness that came with the ill-matched marriage. At least in today's world, women have the ability to be financially independent without a husband. As for my dad, I am glad he is no longer suffering physical ailments. I am happy he is home with Jesus. Sure, I miss having dad around. But he has fought the good fight and ran his race of life well. He deserves rest.
There will be times I still tear when I miss him but as time passes, it will get easier.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Eric Pettons and Crypto
On Sunday, I received direct messages in Instagram from Eric Pettons, a follower on my IG and we had some exchanges about cryptocurrency investment. The exchange reminded me that I had some accounts which my brother helped me start. I contacted my brother and deposited another SGD100 into the account which had remained rather dormant. Unfortunately, over the past two days, there seems to be a downward trend despite my brother saying we have to look at it long term. Sigh!
So much for this cryptocurrency investment. That's all.
So much for this cryptocurrency investment. That's all.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Mum dyed her hair
It has been at least two months that mum has not dyed her hair. Mum is 78 years old and she has shoulder length hair. The roots of her hair turn white pretty quickly and vastly throughout the past two months while we had the Circuit Breaker in Singapore. Perhaps, the rate of her hair turning white is a normal rate but she had probably used to dye her hair black at least 3-4 weeks once, in JB. Today, mum went to a hairdresser in Bishan who charged her $45 for dye-ing the roots of her hair. Also, the business-minded hairdresser suggested doing highlights for mum's hair to make it look more natural with her top wig. She was naturally inclined to do so as that would make her look more trendy and younger. :)
My mum is a very adorable person, but she is occasionally given to short bursts of temper. I love my mum very much, in spite of her short bursts of temper and all. She bought some durian after her hair session and quickly called me over for a durian session which I thoroughly enjoyed. We shared some of the durians with the helper too. We needed to get rid of the evidence before sis got home, otherwise we would all risk getting nagged by big sis. Funny how big sis is now the authoritarian figure in the household in Bishan. Mum is the paper tiger. :P
My mum is a very adorable person, but she is occasionally given to short bursts of temper. I love my mum very much, in spite of her short bursts of temper and all. She bought some durian after her hair session and quickly called me over for a durian session which I thoroughly enjoyed. We shared some of the durians with the helper too. We needed to get rid of the evidence before sis got home, otherwise we would all risk getting nagged by big sis. Funny how big sis is now the authoritarian figure in the household in Bishan. Mum is the paper tiger. :P
Tuesday, June 09, 2020
Aunty June and Joseph's Birthdays
We had a birthday zoom for Aunty June's 75th birthday on 2 June last week. 2 June was also the first day that things returned to a so-called new normal in Singapore, as the Circuit Breaker ended on 1 June. EH went back to her office that day but she was able to be back home by 6pm to join in the birthday zoom. We had relatives from KL, Sydney, Singapore and Auckland joined in to wish Aunty June a happy birthday.
On June 4, Mei Ling texted us it was her elder son Joseph's 18th birthday. So a spontaneous zoom was set-up by Joey. It was also fun. I didn't realise we had 3 June babies - Aunty June, Joseph Chan and my bro, in the extended family. :D
On June 4, Mei Ling texted us it was her elder son Joseph's 18th birthday. So a spontaneous zoom was set-up by Joey. It was also fun. I didn't realise we had 3 June babies - Aunty June, Joseph Chan and my bro, in the extended family. :D
E down with Dengue
Since last Wednesday, E has been having fever. Last Wednesday, it was as high as 40.2 degrees Celsius. It was up and down for five days and she went for a blood test on Sunday to confirm that she was suffering from dengue fever, as she started showing spots of red on her arms as well. Illary started coming down with fever on Saturday as well. Likely to be having dengue too. It seems like a crack outside the walls of ST's flat had water seeped through and is a likely breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of Dengue fever. Also, this seems to be E's second episode. Last July, she was also hospitalised due to fevers and some red spots but no traces of dengue was found in her so the doctors' prognosis was viral infection back then.
Praying for ST and the two girls to recover from this bout of health crisis. Lord, please have mercy upon this family. Amen.
Praying for ST and the two girls to recover from this bout of health crisis. Lord, please have mercy upon this family. Amen.
My bro's 51st birthday
Today is my big brother's 51st birthday. But my brother is not one who fusses about his birthday. Nonetheless, I wished him in advance last night and had a short chat with him on whatsapp. It was mainly about his new found love of cheap fountain pens from taobao ($2 and under) and the love of writing Chinese characters in particular. He has been finding that therapeutic. He showed me three Chinese poems he wrote of which I recognised one by Du Pu.
June has been a difficult month in the US. The death of this black guy George Floyd had started protests, riots and lootings, all over the US. George Floyd died at the hands of a white police officer who put his knee on his neck, thus suffocating him for up to nearly nine minutes while he was in custody, for allegedly using a fake $20 bill. The #blacklivesmatter movement started to spread all over the US and across the world to London, Berlin, Paris, Sydney and wherever people felt for racial injustice. Some protests were peaceful, some turned violent.
I was particularly touched by the Obamas' speeches about how anger should be turned towards something constructive and bridges should be built to bring about unity and a better, more equal society. It is undoubtedly a reality that the world we all inhabit is often a cruel, unkind, unjust and scary place to be in. But we should not succumb to the forces of evil, darkness and hate, but overcome that with good, light and love. God is all that is good. God is my light - this is my primary school's motto, from Marymount Convent Primary. God is love - just look at Jesus who died on that cross, for God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten Son. Everyone who believes in Jesus will inherit eternal life and live in the love, light and life of the Father.
June has been a difficult month in the US. The death of this black guy George Floyd had started protests, riots and lootings, all over the US. George Floyd died at the hands of a white police officer who put his knee on his neck, thus suffocating him for up to nearly nine minutes while he was in custody, for allegedly using a fake $20 bill. The #blacklivesmatter movement started to spread all over the US and across the world to London, Berlin, Paris, Sydney and wherever people felt for racial injustice. Some protests were peaceful, some turned violent.
I was particularly touched by the Obamas' speeches about how anger should be turned towards something constructive and bridges should be built to bring about unity and a better, more equal society. It is undoubtedly a reality that the world we all inhabit is often a cruel, unkind, unjust and scary place to be in. But we should not succumb to the forces of evil, darkness and hate, but overcome that with good, light and love. God is all that is good. God is my light - this is my primary school's motto, from Marymount Convent Primary. God is love - just look at Jesus who died on that cross, for God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten Son. Everyone who believes in Jesus will inherit eternal life and live in the love, light and life of the Father.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Alternate Universe
In an alternate universe without Covid-19, mum and I would have been preparing for our US Trip today and flying off for the US tonight. Unfortunately, in the current universe where Covid-19 runs rampant, mum and I are staying put in Meadow Spring @ Yishun instead.
Nonetheless, I am grateful and thankful I have a cosy pad to hunker down in with my mum at Meadow Spring. Thank you, Lord, for providing all things needful. :D
A few days ago on 19 May, my elder goddaughter E, turned 12. Her two godmummies, her mum and younger sis held a Zoom celebration for her in the evening. Good thing ST called to remind me... I was on my couch watching a movie Ready Player One which L had recommended.
12 years have gone by in quite a flash since E has been borned. Praying for God's protection and guidance upon her as she blossoms into a fine, young lady in the next few years.
I am glad E, her mum and sis enjoyed the pizzas, pasta and wings I ordered for E's birthday dinner.
19 May 2020 was also the day which Ravi Zacharias went home to be with our dear Lord. Although I have never heard Ravi speak in person, I have seen clips of him and came to admire his brilliance and compassion as a Christian apologist, another giant of faith of our age, the founder of RZIM - Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, notable for "Making Thinkers Believer, And Believers Think". I wept at his passing and hope to meet him someday in our Lord.
Nonetheless, I am grateful and thankful I have a cosy pad to hunker down in with my mum at Meadow Spring. Thank you, Lord, for providing all things needful. :D
A few days ago on 19 May, my elder goddaughter E, turned 12. Her two godmummies, her mum and younger sis held a Zoom celebration for her in the evening. Good thing ST called to remind me... I was on my couch watching a movie Ready Player One which L had recommended.
12 years have gone by in quite a flash since E has been borned. Praying for God's protection and guidance upon her as she blossoms into a fine, young lady in the next few years.
I am glad E, her mum and sis enjoyed the pizzas, pasta and wings I ordered for E's birthday dinner.
19 May 2020 was also the day which Ravi Zacharias went home to be with our dear Lord. Although I have never heard Ravi speak in person, I have seen clips of him and came to admire his brilliance and compassion as a Christian apologist, another giant of faith of our age, the founder of RZIM - Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, notable for "Making Thinkers Believer, And Believers Think". I wept at his passing and hope to meet him someday in our Lord.
Friday, May 15, 2020
L's 49th Birthday
I had ordered flowers delivery for L's birthday and forgotten about it. Today is her 49th birthday and so glad the flowers brightened her day! :D
She sent me a text message, "Thank you ... What a lovely surprise" to which I replied, "Oh, they have arrived! Happy birthday, L!! Praying for God's presence and richest blessings on this special day and in the year ahead! I thank God for you!" Her response was the sweetest, "Thank you dear sis. Your friendship is truly one of my greatest blessings!" I felt the same, so I had to text back, "Yours is mine too!"
Perhaps, "My sentiments exactly!" would have worked just as well but might have sounded very Sherlock Holmey. Lol.
Still, I truly thank God for this dear sis. I thank God for her wisdom and love, in matters big and small. :D
She sent me a text message, "Thank you ... What a lovely surprise" to which I replied, "Oh, they have arrived! Happy birthday, L!! Praying for God's presence and richest blessings on this special day and in the year ahead! I thank God for you!" Her response was the sweetest, "Thank you dear sis. Your friendship is truly one of my greatest blessings!" I felt the same, so I had to text back, "Yours is mine too!"
Perhaps, "My sentiments exactly!" would have worked just as well but might have sounded very Sherlock Holmey. Lol.
Still, I truly thank God for this dear sis. I thank God for her wisdom and love, in matters big and small. :D
Thursday, May 07, 2020
TF's 64th Birthday
Today being 7 May is TF's 64th. Two years ago, back in 2018, she has gone to be with the Lord, just about two weeks shy of her 62nd. Borned 1956, my cousin TF was 18 years older than me. Somewhat like my age gap with Natalie, who was probably borned when I was around 19 or 20.
This dear cousin whom I had the blessing of travelling on a fly-cruise together with, to Milan and around the Mediterranean, along with mum, Tai-yiyi, uncle MW, and aunty SM's rellies... Back in 2010. That was one memorable trip for both mum and I, Taiyiyi and TF, and uncle MW too.
Doubtless though, more recently, the trip to China, with uncle MW, uncle ML, uncle BW, NN, mum and I was another memorable one, visiting the birth place and homeland of my maternal grandfather, called Xihe in the county of Dabu.
Well, I am just glad I had the opportunity to travel with TF to far flung places and visit one of her favourite places - Oia, Santorini, in Greece along with many other memorable places like Olympia, Pompeii and Taormina with her, having all the fun fine dining experiences.
TF was a fun travelling companion and I remembered we took we-fie together on one of our flights. She mentioned she didn't like the pic because of her tomato face but I honestly thought she looked perfectly fine.
She was also very accommodating to uncle MW when he was not willing to order another bottle of water at an Italian restaurant because he felt it was too costly. In my mind, I was honestly thinking, on a holiday, we should just order what we need. But not uncle MW who was and is super cost conscious and frugal, but I digress. However, as I am older, I guess I have gradually picked up some of uncle MW's habits for better or worse. :P
TF, to me, is a very accommodating cousin who will always try her utmost best to make the people around her feel comfortable. She puts other people's needs before her own. She cares deeply for each one in her immediate and extended family. Therefore, she is deeply missed. Happy 64th Birthday, TF! I know that Jesus is celebrating with you!
This dear cousin whom I had the blessing of travelling on a fly-cruise together with, to Milan and around the Mediterranean, along with mum, Tai-yiyi, uncle MW, and aunty SM's rellies... Back in 2010. That was one memorable trip for both mum and I, Taiyiyi and TF, and uncle MW too.
Doubtless though, more recently, the trip to China, with uncle MW, uncle ML, uncle BW, NN, mum and I was another memorable one, visiting the birth place and homeland of my maternal grandfather, called Xihe in the county of Dabu.
Well, I am just glad I had the opportunity to travel with TF to far flung places and visit one of her favourite places - Oia, Santorini, in Greece along with many other memorable places like Olympia, Pompeii and Taormina with her, having all the fun fine dining experiences.
TF was a fun travelling companion and I remembered we took we-fie together on one of our flights. She mentioned she didn't like the pic because of her tomato face but I honestly thought she looked perfectly fine.
She was also very accommodating to uncle MW when he was not willing to order another bottle of water at an Italian restaurant because he felt it was too costly. In my mind, I was honestly thinking, on a holiday, we should just order what we need. But not uncle MW who was and is super cost conscious and frugal, but I digress. However, as I am older, I guess I have gradually picked up some of uncle MW's habits for better or worse. :P
TF, to me, is a very accommodating cousin who will always try her utmost best to make the people around her feel comfortable. She puts other people's needs before her own. She cares deeply for each one in her immediate and extended family. Therefore, she is deeply missed. Happy 64th Birthday, TF! I know that Jesus is celebrating with you!
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
Lovely day with mum
Today is a Tuesday and the second day of the Faculty Development Week. In the morning, Jacob gave an interesting lesson on "How to develop a lesson into online components" and gave us eight hacks. Yesterday, Gemma taught us on Instructional Design and gave tips on creating infographics.
I feel truly blessed that mum is staying with me at Meadow Spring during this Circuit Breaker period. Mum has been taking very good care of me. I enjoy mum's company very much. :) Thank you, Lord.
Also, I pray that I can be of encouragement to Fiza's teenage daughter Erica. She has since written a short paragraph for me of a short story of sorts.
I feel truly blessed that mum is staying with me at Meadow Spring during this Circuit Breaker period. Mum has been taking very good care of me. I enjoy mum's company very much. :) Thank you, Lord.
Also, I pray that I can be of encouragement to Fiza's teenage daughter Erica. She has since written a short paragraph for me of a short story of sorts.
Friday, May 01, 2020
An idea
Tonight, Fiza sent her daughter to deliver a box of Popeye's chicken - a chicken drumstick and a chicken tender strip. They were yummy snacks for mum and I. I cannot quite remember her daughter's name but an idea just popped into my mind that perhaps I should offer to coach her daughter English and perhaps her son too, when he returns from his stint at the boys home.
Lord, please lead and guide me if this is an idea from you.
Lord, please lead and guide me if this is an idea from you.
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