A remarkable milestone on the way

I will be 65 in another 2 months' time. Sixty-five years of life, love, laughter, and adventure. Sixty-five years of memories, triumphs, and lessons learned.

I’ve learned that life is not just about the destination but the journey—the people we meet, the challenges we overcome, and the love we share.

To my loving family, loved ones and friends :

Thank you for your kindness, support and for being part of my journey. Let's make more unforgettable memories together. Cheers to 65 and beyond! 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Fast forward 2023

When was the last time I blogged? Sara gonna celebrate her 6th birthday this year and me, 64. 

Come end of the month, I will be going for my full mouth dental implant.  Scary, but I need to overcome my fear and go thru it out of necessity.  Hope it will be a smooth process. Let us pray... 

 

Working past 55

Why do I have to work so hard? Yes, even in the middle of the night. I am 59+1 this year. Like what I told everyone 'if not for the reasonable good pay I would have retired'. Somehow it's a blessing to have a job at my age. It keeps me going and healthy. Just that I am aging and slow down a lot in my movement. No longer that energetic and active. Yeah, I am employed for my experience. Moreover I can pass down whatever I learned to the next generation.

I've never imagined myself in the construction industry when I was young though I studied architecture. Somehow I managed to get myself certified as a Technical Officer from the Institute of Engineers Singapore. Time flies and I have been in this industry for more than 30 years. I will call it a day when I am not longer valued or my health does not permit me to. Do I have any regret? Of course not, no doubt it's blood, sweat and tears money that we earned. Rain or shine, day and night. Many times we do not know what a public holiday is.    

Princess Sara is walking

Princess Sara is able to walk on her own. The last blog I was still carrying her. Yes, she brought so much joy to the family. So long as she is healthy and happy, there's nothing I could wish for her. May it be so.

My work takes all my time away from home. At my age, I should be relaxing. But no, I am always at my workplace. So whenever I am off, me and Margaret would get away to various parts of Johore to de-stress and share a little moment together.

New kid on the block, Princess Sara

Our Domestic Housekeeper

No doubt we welcome our domestic housekeeper Racheal from the Philippines, it's never easy to accept someone new into our home. It's our first time but we need to adapt to this addition. Guess she is trying her very best to blend in to our family too. 

Margaret and Sheryl are assisting her whatever they could. Having her here is out of necessity, for she is going to look after the little one who is on the way. Hopefully it's a smooth transition for everyone and more importantly, everyone is comfortable and happy.

A Happy Occasion

The occasion called for us to dress-up. Yes, I got a chance to wear my suit again on my niece Kate and Eric wedding dinner at Mandarin Orchard last weekend. Surprisingly they arranged our seats at the Bridal Table. We were lost for words as it was unexpected. It's really an honour to dine with the bride and bridegroom and their families. Thank you for the invitation.  We sincerely wish the beautiful couple 'A Happy Marriage' and may their lives continue to grow in love and happiness together. Yum..... Seng! Yum.....Seng! Yum yum yum yum..........Seng!

Life goes on

I am getting fairer and healthier after a relaxing 6 months. The doctor has given a clean bill of health from the recent annual blood test and health screening. I managed to reversed my blood sugar from a pre-diabetic level back to an acceptable healthy range.

Take it easy. Yeah, no point worrying about things beyond my control. Most probably I am going back to work in August unless or otherwise... Before this long Sabbatical  leave, I was working day and night (24 hours at times) for the past ten years. Tiring, very tiring but the show must go on. Both my children were in the university.

I had consider retirement during my recent break. Like what I said, unless a good job comes along... Yes, I lost my income but I gain my health. A fair exchange. Sometimes I am lost for I do not know what I want. One way or another I must be comfortable. Life goes on. 

Malaysia Fever

It's Visit Malaysia 2017 for me and Margaret. Gosh! Just came back from our 3rd trip i.e. Pangkor Island, Setiawan, Sekinchan and Tanjong Sepat. The 1st trip was back in March 2017 where we ventured up to Kota Bahru (Kelantan), Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Lembing (Pahang). The following month we revisited Cameron Highlands and Ipoh (Perak) after 25 years. It was like yesterday once more.

You know what? We simply can't get enough. Come July 4 to 6, we will be in Genting and Bentong (Pahang). So far, these Malaysia trips come with no optional tour. Thus, there is no extra cost. Unlike in China, there is no compulsory shopping trip. Local guides on board are friendly, responsible and professional. They are proud of their profession and never request or hint for extra tips.

You don't need to go far. The paradise on earth is just next door. Yes, balik kampong. Terima kasih (Thank You).

Defination

I was inculcated to the belief that a successful life is measured by how wealthy you are. My humble beginning living in those pre-war house where at times a meal was hard to come by. Even my wife would not believe that having fried rice with an egg in black sauce was a luxury. Everyone's life during that time was hard and poor.

Fast forward 50 years and I am still a failure for I have just enough have to live by. But somehow I consider myself as fortunate and blessed. I was enlightened by a revered monk that so long as you don't owe any money, you are rich. We should be contented with having enough for our basic needs. Moreover, wealth is just a part of a successful living. Health and happiness are critical too.

Glad that our children have settled down with their career and family, that's happiness. The only investment we had in our life was our children's education. Probably that's what we could afford and are happy it help started their career.

Like I wrote many times before, nothing else matter except to wish for good health as we aged. It allows us to travel and enjoy good food. Without it, life is meaningless. Trust me, even with all the money in the world would not be able to buy back your health.

Yes, me and my wife have finally enlightened with the meaning of middle path. Everything in moderation, so are the blessings.  

My precious wallet

This precious wallet has been with me for the past 10 years. Though it is not a luxurious branded wallet and you wouldn't believe that I paid S$50 to change the zip and re-condition it. The end result is it does not look any better. The original zip was torn and that was why I had to change it. The workmanship to the new zip was rough and unsightly. Of course nothing can be compared to the original.

Still, I am happy. Why? It's never easy to find someone to take up this job and it took him more than 3 weeks to get it done. More importantly is this wallet was blessed by Luang Phor Koon Parisuttho (one of Thailand most revered monks) at Wat Ban Rai, North East Thailand years ago. He passed on 2 years ago. Needless to say, this wallet has become my personal treasure and will always be.    

Now and then

Time flies. From our teenage life to our 50s, that's really amazing. Courtship, marriage, having children and finally.... our children are having their own families. A sigh of relief... simply can't imagine the struggle we went through. More importantly, we remain as loving and happy as before. Yeah, life is beautiful for we don't expect much.

What we do miss are my father, mother, father-in-law and eldest brother for they had passed on. Sad to say, my mother-in-law is suffering from dementia. Well, this is life and nothing is certain except death. One fine day it will be our turn.

Meantime, we are not going to hold back whatever we wish to do while we can. Right on, our No. 1 must do is Travel. Talking about that, we are going to Pangkor Island in the middle of next month. For reasons best known to us, we are exploring West Malaysia this year. Long distance travels will be put on hold.

I wish and hope

In another 2 years time, I will be 60 years old. What do I really wish, what do I really hope? Yes, I rather look forward than looking back.

I consider myself to be very blessed to have a wonderful wife with a beautiful heart. Through thick and thin she has never complain or make any noise all these years. So long as I am by her side, she is happy. Our ultimate prayer is to have good health as we grow old together and enjoying our common interest 'travelling'. Should we have a little money to spare, we will travel a bit further. If not, a little nearer to home like Johore Bahru is okay for us.

Believe me, we are a simple couple with simple taste be it food or clothing. A home-cooked porridge with steam fish and a plate of vegetable, we will be contented. Many times, we found happiness over a simple meal. Why? It's so sad to see those elderly being spoon-feed. Occasionally, we do go for Japanese Sashimi, Thai tom yam fried rice, stir fried bitter gourd fish head, etc. Yes, we are food lovers too. So long as the clothing fit us and look good, branded or non-branded is alright for us. In fact we are more concern with our body ( like tummy ) than the clothing.

We wish to be blessed with a little good in everything. Be it money, health, peace, wealth etc. Healthy balance. Right, we follow the middle path and everything we do should be in moderation. We won't ask for more should we have enough money to last till our old age. Our children should stand on their own, build their career, family and home. Of course, we are looking forward to the next generation. Hopefully it won't be long. God bless.

Not a good year

You win some, you lose some. 2017 is not a good year for me. Hopefully bad moments will pass and good moments return.

Simply refused to work with unfavourable terms and conditions. It's the employers' world. Fortunately, I am prepared for this expected circumstance. Though not ideal but I am comfortable. I will stay a retiree unless a suitable job comes along.

For the past month I have been looking after my son who had a freak accident at home. Yes, he broke his ankle bones. Bad luck, bad bad luck. It's a blessing that he is recovering well. He returned to work yesterday with crutches.

My daughter has settled down in the States. Hope that she got a good job there. We expect her to return in a year or two for her wedding tea-ceremony.

Retirement rehearsal

We are into the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. Everyone is back to work. For me, I am having a break till my next project commence. A retirement rehearsal? Trust me, it's damn boring, meaningless and lonely. Guess I have rest enough and looking forward to work again.

Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner 2017

Oct 2015 to Nov2016

OMG! It's been more than a year since I last blogged. Maybe I should continue to update from where I ceased last year.

Smily and Sheryl got married on 20th December 2015. Me and Margaret got elevated to 'father-in-law and mother-in-law'.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST 2015

 San Diego

Disneyland

Los Angeles

Universal Studio

Grand Canyon

Las Vagas

The Pebble Beach

San Francisco

Chinese New Year 2016

Yes, we had 2 Americans joining us this year. Sadly, my eldest brother Thomas Ng was bedridden and couldn't the celebration.

Chinese New Year 2016. A farewell lunch for Devin and Fyn.

Secondary school ex-classmates' gathering.

HHG 90s gathering

Celebrating Margaret's birthday 2016 @ Serenity Restaurant.

Vesak Day 2016

Met my secondary school history teacher at a wedding dinner

My eldest brother Thomas Ng passed away peacefully on 28Aug2016 at the age of 68.

Poor Roger

 
 


Poor Roger. He has been hospitalised at TTSH since 23 June 2015 for high blood pressure with nose bleeding. Me and Margaret visited him on 25 June 2015. The sight of him suffering not only saddened us but had us worry too. He put on a brave front no doubt he was very afraid deep inside.

Today, his blood pressure has come down to near normal and the nose has stop bleeding. A sigh of relief for everyone. Thank you everyone who pray for him.Yes, he will be discharge tomorrow.

Patrick will be fetching him home. I can imagine his joy when he open the house door. Home sweet home.

Vesak Day Celebration 2015

 

 

 

New Laptop

Finally, me and Margaret bought this laptop at the IT Fair @ Suntec City. Do not ask me about the specifications for I am basically an illiterate when it comes to this. We were told that this is good enough for our basic use at home. No doubt it comes with a 1 years warranty, and being kiasu we pay extra $100 for another 2 years warranty. Yeah, blogging is back again. Hopefully, I have the time.

Cheers! My favourite football club Arsenal FC have won the FA Cup 2015 by beating Aston Villa 4-0. Let's go for more titles next season. Go Gunner Go!!!