Happy New Year!

Sunday 26/12

My dear ex-schoolmates, Gladys and Li Fung organized a gathering in Singapore last Sunday. We had the gathering a NUS Guild House Cafe, which was really a suitable venue, since they also had a children playroom, which could occupy the children while we chatted. There was a choice of BBQ Buffet or ala-carte. We didn’t have much time to eat though since we were busy catching up.

Some of us have not met each other for close to 20 years, since our secondary school graduation day. Some of us are now mothers, some are career women, some have immigrated half a globe away etc etc.

I would say, it is really a wonderful time, meeting up with old friends, seeing their family and kids, sharing what is latest in our lives, and overall, having a gala time!

What a way to end the year! Happy New Year to all! And may 2011 bring us all happiness and good health! And Peace to the World!

(delayed posting again)

Christmas wish

Saturday (25/12)

 

(Note the dates, due to delayed postings)

Merry Christmas! We don’t actually celebrate Christmas, but we only started off the day, with a hearty breakfast of eggs/otak and bread (the kids’ fave!)

In the afternoon, we visited my aunty who is suffering from cancer. This is her fourth relapse, and we are praying hard, that she can make it this time. The CT scan last week showed a large mestatic growth on her liver, though she was in remission after the operation of the intestine more than half a year ago. So, now, after her 1st chemotheraphy, she is very weak, and have bouts of pain which she can hardly bear. I wish she has more courage to fight the disease and the pain. But I guess, it really takes a lot of will power to do that. There is not much we can do, just be there wherever we can, to spend more time with her. Many of my relatives are cheering her on including my parents, who are there almost everyday. My mum would labouriously cook her favourite food, and I know, my aunty is grateful for that, although she can hardly eat a few mouths due to poor appetite.

So, anyway, Om Mani Padme Om… I really wish it is less painful for her and please take this suffering away from her. Yes, this is my Christmas wish!

And, I think we must all appreciate our lives and be grateful for the healthy and happy life that we have.

Trip to Kota Tinggi Waterfall

We spent the past few days leisurely with the family and friends. I should say, it was good time spent.

Last Friday, we brought the kids to Kota Tinggi Waterfall. Some might say, what’s so nice about this “ulu” place? Anyway, it is special for the kids, since they like to explore esp. my daughter who takes to climbing rocks like she has scaled many mountains in her last life. This time, is also special, because we brought along John’s nephew, who is only 5 years old. It is like we have 3 kids all of a sudden. We try to treat him like our child because this poor kid’s mum has left him (his parents are the couple we tried to counsel and are separated).

So, we started off with a good deed in mind, but at the end of the day, both my husband and I concluded, that someone else’s child is just not the same as your own child. It is not easy to teach/handle him because the upbringing is different and you just can’t scold them in case, they brand you as ‘bad aunty’ or throw tantrum until it is out of your control.

So, just try your best, with your most genuine heart, as long as they are happy. That is all that is important!

Vietnam Trip - Day 8 Hanoi-S'pore

We checked out of the hotel at 8.30 am and got transferred to the Hanoi Airport.

On board TR2309 at 11.30 and we reached S’pore at about 3.20pm. Home Sweet Home!

Overall, this is a good trip. A trip which open our eyes to another country's culture, other less fortunate people's plight, deeper meaning into gratefulness, family togetherness, moral values etc. I hope everyone will remember this trip for the time spent together.