What a finale to 2009 ......

Our dearest daughter is back this evening. We are happy that she enjoyed her Laos' trip. It's a mother and daughter reunion at the arrival hall and they could not stop chatting throughout dinner at Swenson and the journey home. Nothing else matter for Margaret for Fyn is with us to welcome and celebrate the New Year 2010. Such a beautiful finale to 2009. Cheers!

Post Christmas.....

What's next after Christmas? The New Year of course. New hope with new resolution. The celebration rocks on. Caution : gluttony is a sin. Sale, sale, sale. Retailers are promoting their Post Christmas Sale with 50% discount and more. You won't believe I bought my CNY clothing 2 weeks ago. That is what you call kiasu. Haha.

Fyn is returning on Thursday evening just in time for New Year 2010. It's 'Rest & Recreation' time for them after accomplishing their mission at the mountainous village. Without a doubt, she will return slimmer and prettier. Let's see.

Merry Christmas 2009

Wishing all Christians a Merry Christmas

The most joyous time of the year has arrived. Christians and others alike celebrate the birth of Jesus they call Christ. In the spirit of this festival, let's not forget the aged, the sick and the neglected. Do they know it's Christmas? I simply love that song.

We are 7 days away to New Year 2010 and I came across an advertisement in the paper with a Chinese New Year offer. I was like 'Huh? Am I reading the wrong paper?' CNY falls on 14 Feb 2010 and they advertised on Christmas Day. Crazy but so long as they are not offensive..... kiasu lah.......

Hang up your stocking!

It's been a hectic week but I do not know what's keeping busy. The engine has just started at my workplace and I am beginning to feel tired after work. Blame it on the relaxing life for the past weeks.
We are nearer to Christmas. The presents for the Toa Payoh Gang will be taken care of by Smily and Margaret. I understand Fyn is coping well in Laos. She is teaching English to the children there. We are proud of her and hope she has a wonderful time too.
Congratulations to Eric Chua and Cherie Chan on their wedding tomorrow. Best wishes on this happy occasion. Cheers!

Quiet Christmas?

It's going to be a quiet Christmas this year for Fyn is away and Smily will be performing his disappearing act. Margaret is feeling the heat and told me that we should have another 2 kids instead. 'But then hor... these additional 2 kids will grow up and have their own programmes too,' I replied.
When the kids were young, we were complaining that we did not have time of our own. Now that they can fly, we are starting to miss them especially on festive season. It's a blessing that I am on a relaxing period in my work and will try to cheer her up as much as I can. It's shopping time starting tomorrow and she knows where I am going to bring her to. Let's move on and feel the Christmas spirit and joy.

To Laos with love

Fyn has left for her Laos expedition this evening and will be back on New Year's eve 31 December 2009. This is her first overseas trip (without our presence) and Margaret is worried and starting to miss her. She is twenty of age and I trust that she is able to look after herself. Sometimes we as parents have to painfully let her venture out and see the outside world. It's inevitable that she has to take some hard knocks. But not all is gloomy. In between I am sure she enjoy herself with the villagers there and appreciates the good life back in Singapore. Anyway, she chose to be in this project and I am confident that she will return as a more matured young lady.

Dental appointment

OMG! I couldn't believe I had my teeth scaled and polished, 1 no mended and 2 n0s of roots from rotten teeth extracted. I dislike going to the dental clinic and my purpose there was to get one of my tooth filled. Dr Mak inspected my set of teeth and confidently convinced me to proceed with the extraction and scaling. He assured me that it's not as painful and scary as what I thought. Knowing that I was in good hands and reluctantly agreed. Everything went on smoothly and believe me, there was no pain in the extraction. Of course there were some discomfort in between. But it's no big deal. Anyway, I am supposed to return in 6 months time for the regular scaling and polishing again. Will I ??????

Happy Birthdday Jessie !

Birthday wishes to my dearest sister, Jessie. She is happy that I have not forgotten her special day. Oh yes, she is leaving for Korat Thailand on 23 December 2009 with her church group. I am on the lookout for reasonably good, old children clothing for them to bring there for the villagers. It's a season of giving love and sharing joy. Remember, I am just a phone call away. God bless.

New shopping malls

Went with Margaret to take a look at the newly opened shopping malls 313@Somerset and Mandarin Gallery. Nothing spectacular. It's a duplicate of the other shopping centres with the same old shops selling the same old things. The night came alive when I met Romario, a Philippino engineer whom I was associated with back in 1998. No doubt Singapore is a small place but we didn't meet each other since then. It was not till April this year that I met him at Novena again. Anyway, nice to hear that he has settled here with his wife and son. Well, I have been crossing path with long lost friends these few weeks. Guess it's a good omen especially in this festive period.

Dinner @ One Fullerton

Me and Margaret together with our regular makan kakis had dinner at one of the seafood restaurants @ One Fullerton last weekend. We were there because of the promotion i.e. $50 off for $150 spent. Booking a table outside the restaurant with the Merlion besides and the city landscape lighted up, this place has an ambience of its own. Unlike the 80s', it has changed to a fine dining restaurant. It's quality over quantity. Over-eating was out of question but it's just nice for our stomachs. With the gentle sea breeze comforted us throughout the evening, there is nothing more we can ask for.

Season's greetings

It's scary to imagine living a life without festive holidays. Yes, imagine there is no Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, National Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, etc. All these festivals call for celebration for one reason or another. Worst, let's assume that there is no school term holidays for the kids too. So, what do we have? It's going to be dull and montonous for both working adults and schooling children. Year in year out, there is nothing to look forward to except the weekend.
No, I am not going to worry for it's not going to happen. Just a wild imagination. Because of the unfounded fear, I celebrate every festival that comes. Cheers!

Broadband router malfunction

Selamat Hari Raya Haji to our Muslim friends.


My broadband router malfunctioned. It's frustrating when the screen indicated that the internet connection was excellent and unable to access to the web page. I tried restarting my PC many times but to no avail. It's all thanks to Smily who went to buy a new one at the IT Fair @ Singapore Expo. Gosh, it's business as usual. Oh... yes! Time flies and Smily is back in town. Hope he and gang had an enjoyable and memorable holidays in Melbourne.

Christmas presents

Who is going to buy the Christmas presents this year? For the past few years, Fyn was in-charge of looking after and buying the presents for the Toa Payoh Gang. Doubt she can continue to perform this duty for her examination ends on 3 December 2009. She would be busy packing her stuff for her Laos trip on 9 December 2009. Oh no, not me of course! I am only good at buying toys and most of them are into their adulthood. Headache.
The baton will be passed to Margaret and Smily. Definitely, they are going to have a tough time. Worst still, Smily may just leave it to Margaret to manage. What will she do? I am confident she will pester and throw the ball to me. Aiyoyo! Kena arrow again.
Tink! Got an idea. Superb! Give cash lah. They can go karaoke, cinema show etc with the money. Guess all of them are comfortable with it, right? Christmas ang pow for year 2009.

Happy Grandparent's Day 2009

Celebrating grandparent's day is relatively new to us. Somehow they deserve to be loved and pampered not only on this special day but always. Being brought up in a Chinese traditional family, we don't display our love for one another openly. If memory serves me right, my grandfather passed away before my existence. Sad to say, we were not close to our grandmother for she stayed with my uncle at Bukit Ho Swee. I remember she visited us with the herbs she picked along the way when I was sick and lying in bed as a 10 years old boy. My goodness! I started to run about after taking the bitter medicine. Another occasion that I am proud of was the lantern she brought me when I was in Primary 3. Proud as a peacock, I carried and showed off the lantern in my neighborhood during the mid-autumn festival. Thanks for the memories. Grandma, you rocked!

Class reunion 2010

The last day of another hectic week for most of us. Guess everybody need this weekend break badly. Summary for the week. Singapore soccer team defeated Thailand 1-0 in Bangkok on Wednesday. Bravo and keep it up! Fyn is having examination fever and Margaret is down with throat inflammation and block nose. It helps when I bought her tom yam kung. Anyway, try at your own risk. LOL.
My former mates are organising a grand class gathering on 22 Jan 2010. I could not confirm my attendance as I do not know my workload by then. I understand Ganesan is trying to make it here from US. I am sure a few others will fly in from the various parts of Asia as well. Like what they commented, it's a long awaited reunion for all of us. Cheers!

What a topic?

I was chatting with my friends about our grown up children and their girlfriend / boyfriend and noticed something we have in common. Most of our boys would stay over at the girl's place during the weekend. That's the trend today. Definitely the boys will choose their girlfriend over the mother should you ask them the stupid popular question.
Have we over protected, provided, pampered and loved our children that they are taking us for granted? Comfort in life is no longer a luxury but a basic necessity. As most of our kids are in their young adulthood, there is nothing we can do but to continue supporting them till they complete their education. Sigh.... our generation of their age started working life and struggled to survive. What a world of difference?

Festive mood

It's November. Most of the children are having their year-end school holidays. Smily finished his examination somewhere last week and will be flying off to Melbourne on Tuesday. Enjoy yourself and Bon Voyage. As for Fyn, she is busy preparing for her examination next week, Good luck!
Well, Christmas comes early in Singapore this year. They have lighted up Orchard Road last week and plays X'mas carols and songs in those shopping centres. Gosh! I am into the festive mood. I'm dreaming of a .........................

Diet and excercise

It's time to reduce my weight and slim down a little. Not only to look good but to stay healthy. With plenty of relaxing time at this moment, I feel lazier and simply refuse to sweat it out. Only consolation is I am eating lesser. Die die must diet and exercise....

Those were the days

Fm left to right: Joyce, Peizhi, Margaret, Fyn, Gaston, Smily and me.
Occasion: Fyn's 1 year old party Year: 1990


Margaret with Fyn and Smily
Place: Blk 6B Margaret Drive Year : 1990


From top (clockwise) : Yew Shih, Smily, Fyn, Yew Jia, Peizhi
Occasion : Yew Jia's 1 year old party Year : 1991

A weekend dinner

We, together with my mother-in-law, had a family dinner at Hong Kong Street Restaurant @ Balestier Road last weekend. It's a Chinese restaurant and we had sweet sour pork, hot plate tofu, vegetables etc. What Fyn and Smily enjoyed most were the restaurant signature dishes, crab bee-hoon soup and slice fish soup with wine.
In the end, everyone had their stomach filled. While on our way home, my mother-in-law turned to me and said, " Hey Kevin, Happy Birthday ". Cool man. She remembers my birthday. Thanks Anna.

Roses are red

Roses are red.
Violets are blue,
God make me so handsome,
But what happen to you?

Hahaha... those were the days. Teenage life, carefree world, pop music, puppy love...... I am proud that we didn't do drugs. With metal music, we got high. Rock steady goes underground. Is there a 'function' tonight? Play that funky music, white boy! Paul Anka does not like to sleep alone. You wouldn't believe those funeral bands played Beautiful Sunday and One Way Ticket. Staying Alive at Black Velvet and Xanado with Dancing Queen. We had Saturday Night Fever instead of H1N1. Aaaahhhhh.... Freak Out! Halt and we are in the year 2009.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I think of you in memories,
Do you think of me too?

Another former classmate

Oh no, I met another former classmate this afternoon. David Tan was saying that we lost track of her the other day and there she was, appearing right in front of me at Wisma Atria. We had a good 15 minutes conversation and she remains the same old cheerful girl that I knew. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce our yoga guru Rita Charles. Yes, she is into yoga and told me that it strengthens the muscles and joints and detox our body too. She runs several classes per week and at reasonable price. Margaret and Fyn are keen and soon be joining her class. For those who are interested, just give me a tinkle. Yoga rocks!

Former classmate David Tan

A surprise email from my former poly-mate David Tan inviting me to join him in a hotel project. I politely declined his offer and invited him for lunch instead. Gosh! A rare opportunity for us to get together. Since our graduation 30 years ago, we met about 4 or 5 times. This guy updated me on our former classmates' status. In the end, we realised we had a 2 hours lunch. Definitely, we are not going to wait for another 30 years. Cheerio!

I am not going to my new project sooner than expected. That suits me fine. I have lots of errand to run and a list of good friends to catch up. Moreover, me and Margaret need to go back to the pool to tone our mucles and keep fit and trim too. Ooh la la ....

All Souls' Day 2009

Annually observed by the Catholics on 2nd November, All Soul's Day is dedicated to the remembrance of the departed. May it be so.


Konnichiwa watashi-no tomadachi! Ogenki desu ka? OMG! I will be dealing with the Japanese in my new workplace and need to prepare myself with Nihongo. Sugoi (cool) man, sugoi. Like French, I need to refresh myself with the basics. Definitely, there will be more Japanese words in the coming blogs. Mm........ yes, I love sashimi, teppanyaki and sushi very much. Maybe I should painfully pay and bring Margaret to Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido for our next vacation. Mata ne!

Fyn's birthday celebration 2009

Happy 20th Birthday Fyn !!!

Happy Halloween 2009

I hope everyone (especially the young ones) enjoy the night and have fun. As for us, we are not into this festival. Frankly, I have never been to a Halloween Party before. By the way, we are having a family dinner at Ichiban Restaurant later. Just chatted with Smily and understand that he is having his examination this period. Hope his papers are not as scary as Halloween night. Fyn should be having her examination pretty soon too. Or is it on now? What a father!!! I don't keep track of their education time-table nowadays. Trust they are comfortable with their time management.

Freaky Friday

It's all bad news after bad news. When will it ends? God knows. I am sure my wonderful friends freaked out after this evening update. As for me, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Saved by the bell with this new project in hand. It don't bothers me anymore. Thank you to all the beautiful people who had supported me. I rather keep their names confidential.
Sometimes you need to lose in order to win. To those who fear of losing their job, I say 'keep your chin up - things are bound to get better'. Remember, you are the master of your own destiny. Good luck buddies and have a nice weekend.

Relax lah

I am not at ease these few days. Somehow I feel something is missing or incomplete. I am killing time at my workplace till my last day. Most probably I will have a week of rest after that before I move on to my new project. That's my proposal but it's for the new management to determine. Please give me a break.
I am very sure the coming Christmas and New Year will be burned. It goes without saying especially with works on the foundation and basement during the monsoon season. Who the hell is going to give us a chance? It's considered a bonus should we have a day off on Sunday. Whatever, I am not going to think that far. Just relax and enjoy this easy time. But for people like me, it can be quite restless and meaningless. Still prefer the rush hour job. Sigh......