Adios to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station owned by KTM Keratapi Tanah Melayu will cease operation and close down for good at the stroke of midnight tonight. Singapore will take ownship of the station from Malaysia - which opened in 1932.

I had visited the station 2 to 3 times when I was a teenager. There was a coffee house (cafe) inside where my friends had worked. That was probably the reason why I went there. For the record, I have never been on a train before.

Me and Margaret would try taking a ride up to Malaysia at the new Woodlands Train Checkpoint. Till then..... choo choo......

Sunset

The chances of working late into the night are almost zero. The shopping centre should be ready for authority clearance soon and the hotel project is entering into the architectual and finishing stage. That means I would have a relaxing time for the next half a year.

Quite a number of buddies from various cliques called and message me to enquire when would be the next get-together. As always, I would be the one to initate these gatherings. It's been 6 months since we last met. Okay lah, will send the emails out in the next few days.

Thai Festival 2011

It's a busy Sunday. Makan kakis gathered at Ah Or stall @ Sin Ming for lunch. Teochew style steam pomfret, fried vegetable with big prawn, ngoh hiang and pork rib tea (bak kut teh) from another popular stall. Of course not forgetting our must have dessert Orr Nee (yam paste). Phew! A good lunch indeed.

Me and Margaret next proceeded to the SIA office at Ion Orchard with bloated stomachs. Hehe... Yes, we went there to settle the documents for Fyn's US trip. Spent about half an hour there and all ended well. In between, Fyn appeared from nowhere. Got out of there and crossed over to the Thai Embassy for the annual Thai Festival.

As usual, there was a crowd. Stalls selling Thai products and food. There was a fashion show too. What we were looking for was the $10 for 15 minutes Thai head, neck and shoulder massage. Simply fantastic. Couldn't ask for more and happily we returned home with our relax muscle and nerves.

Shopping

Who is accompanying who shopping at Orchard Road this evening? Margaret and Fyn started theirs late afternoon at Robinson Centrepoint. I could only join them after work at Metro Paragon which was having a storewide 20% percent discount for members. I got a bottle of perfum for myself while the ladies bought cosmetics. Needless to say, there was a big crowd.
After queueing for about 20 minutes, we finally got a table at Crystal Jade Takashimaya. Following a sumptuous dinner there, we continue to shop with Margaret complaining along the way. I am sure she was tired. In the end, Fyn was smiling all the way home for she managed to find a long sleeve checked top at Zara. So what's the big deal? It's $79.90 and we foot the bill. To be fair, she wanted to pay herself but I offer to pay instead. After all, what is a father and mother for? LOL.

Remember?

I got a shock when I came back home to see my bedroom light off. Usually, it means that Margaret is sick and she is resting in total darkness. Fortunately, I remember she is attending an ex-colleague's wedding tonight. Gosh.....

Sad that my memory is failing me recently. I tends to forget things easily. That worries me. What if I lose it completely? You can imagine the worst scenerio. The good news is if I try hard, I am still able to recall what I forgot.

My colleague is on medical leave for 2 days and I am covering his duty. Needless to say, I am having nightmares. Holy shit! I remember he didn't cover my duty when I was sick a fortnight ago. Unfair!!!! But then tell me what is fair in this world? Let's live and let live.

A dinner

Celebrated Daddy's Day with a family's dinner at Korean BBQ City Square last evening. Nothing fantastic. The exception was a good family get-together. Why do I say that? Well, the children has grown up and have their own activities. No longer are they so attach to us. So, a get-together is always a special event from now on.

Fyn is doing the countdown to her US trip. I am sure Margaret is going to miss her. Looking at the brighter side, it's going to do her a lot of good for this coming education trip. Hope she work hard and at the same time enjoy her days there too.

Father's Day 2011

Yo! That's me with my son Smily and daughter Fyn. Life was a struggle but me and Margaret were happy to bring them home for the weekend. Such was the joy and the warmth of the family matters. Ordinary people with simple lifestyle.
No doubt the journey till today is not plain sailing, we are thankful for the blessings overcoming the obstacles along the way. Our immediate wish is for the children to successfully complete their education. Yeah, they are running the last lap.
It's never easy to be a father if not for having a good wife sacrificing and putting so much effort into the family. Happy Father's Day to myself with thanks to my wife.

Passport

Suppose to collect my passport photograph later. Received from Immigration Department a letter informing me that my book will expire soon. Actually it still has eight months to go. A minimun of six months validity is required for me to travel overseas. I would not risk till the last minute to renew for fear of unforseen delay. There is a good chance for me and Margaret to travel in September. Dongbei China, one of our dream destinations.

Talking about travelling, Smily and friends will be at Langkawi in early July, Sun, sea and sand. Have fun and be happy.

Take a break

I went to work this morning and someone irritated me so much that caused me headache. Packed my bag and went to the clinic. Doctor gave me medical leave. So, here I am having a much deserve break. Looking back, I should be thankful to the irritant. Imagine the poor me struggling at my workplace despite my poor health. Age is catching up and I should heed the doctor advice to take care of myself. That is to say..... there's no need to be too responsible for the job. Learn how to say NO to unwarranted scope of work.

Take a bow

Simon and Garfunkel Reunion, Scorpions' Acoustica...... good old music whenever I am down. No one knows that I overcame my grief with these music during the most difficult period of my life. The cut was so deep that it never heal leaving a scar behind. Nothing is painful anymore from then onward.

I am enjoying the music once again. Maybe I am having a little hiccup. Yeah, sad songs say so much. Quite a number of unpleasant news from the younger generation recently. Bye bye love, bye bye happiness, hello loneliness... It's best to leave these broken hearted people to settle their woes. Whatever the outcome, do not behave or do anything foolishly. Accept the fact, keep the good memories and move on. There are a lot of great and beautiful things ahead. The show must go on.

Tattoo

Damn bloody shocking to discover my son has a tattoo on his chest. To him, it may be an art. But me and Margaret are never comfortable with it. Does a tattoo really makes one a more beautiful people? The reason for having it is best known to him. And it's hurting us badly. Definitely we have failed as parents.

It's never easy being a father. Often, I am not on the same wavelength with my children. Even the both of them have two school of thoughts. Am I really that difficult to live with? I guess not.

What do you think when your children want to borrow thousands of dollars to go on a holiday? Crazy! Money does not equate love and they should be thought to live within their means. Living on borrowed money destroy one's life in the long run. One would not be less of a father/mother to turn down such request.

Unhealthy social habits like smoking, drinking, tattoo-ing, gambling, etc should be discouraged at all cost. Something is very wrong with the education system here for the children of today are living these undesirable lifestyle. What is happening to this society? Are they too liberal and easily influenced?

They can never understand until the day they start a family and have their own children. Sounds familiar? The picture posted reminds me of my late father. OMG! Now I know what he had gone through.....

Happy Duan Wu Jie

Tomorrow is Duan Wu Jie (Rice Dumpling or Dragon Boat Festival). It's one of the earliest Chinese Festival which date back nearly 2500 years ago. Besides the Dragon boat race and eating rice dumplings, there are other Toaist activities like drinking Chinese herb Xiong Huang wine, hanging painting or pictures of Zhong Kui on one's front door and the creating of amulets or medicine bags to ward off evil spirit and disease.
The most interesting thing to do on this day:
Make an attempt to stand an egg on its end, at noontime on the day of Duan Wu Jie. If you succeed, it means good luck for the following year.

Booking air ticket

Goodness gracious me! We will be going down to the SIA office to book for Fyn's LA trip tomorrow morning. Most probably she will depart on 16 July 2011 and return on 3 Jan 2012. The house will be quieter and Margaret will be lonelier especially when I need to work after office hour. No doubt this is not the 1st time she is going overseas, we will still worry for her for the next six months.

Well, our son is doing reasonably well in his studies too. Both of them got one more year to go after which me and Margaret can relax a little.

Juunnee.

The beginning of a new month, June 1. Nothing to look forward to except to work, work and work. Sadly, the Dragon Boat Festival or Dumpling Festival on June 6 is not a public holiday. I am sure there is a Father's Day in this month too. Still I am sad as my children are under the roof of education and I have to foot the bill for the celebration. Born loser, right? Haha... C'est la vie.