Tag Archives: Family

Beware the punctuationless post

my breathing’s still messed up and sometimes

i think i may be having some issues

with anxiety or asthma

but i’m not quite sure

and i don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing

it’s probably my inability to sleep properly these days

which my friends and family are nagging me about

i have received that e-mail 3 times

the one about that indian ceo who died even though

he was perfectly fine and that he just didn’t sleep well

yeah so i have been referred that email three bloody times

by three different people who were aware of my

sleeping problems

ah well

but it could be worse..

just found out my angie is in the hospital due to a bad lung infection

and i’ll be heading out to see her soon the poor baby

and so lately i’ve been feeling so much admiration for my mom,

who has been my green inspiration lately,

no joke, she’s been so awesome and she’s been doing it

under everyone’s noses

check out the fruit skin composting she is experimenting with

smells.... fruity-ish

and if you’ve been wondering why i’ve become more green

these days

i’m going to be involved with this green project very very soon

so tolong support when the time comes?

but you know what …

it wasn’t all about the project.. it happened quite naturally

and being inspired by my mom

and the things happening around me

and maybe cause..

it was actually very …. easy lah.

don’t worry i’m not going to be one of those scary,

militant greenies (as how some people call them) …

i’d rather like to think i’m a learning-as-i-go-along kinda

greenie …. which i hope more people are as well i guess?

this weekend is actually my birthday weekend

but, as if on cue

and just like last year

when i was too busy and didn’t feel it was the ‘right’ time

to celebrate..

i’m working this weekend quietly at home

and am opting to postpone celebrations

Notice i still use the word ‘celebrations’

Don’t worry, you’ll never hear a

i’m too old to celebrate sorta thing from me

i like the passing of years, i love any chance

to meet and be joyful with friends

i like reflecting on what the year has been

So yeah, i do like birthdays, and i do enjoy a drink or two to

go with it.

Just maybe next week, not this week.

it is december after all, any day is a good day to celebrate ;)

don’t worry, no projectile vomiting and all

no crazy slapping or punching people this year (i hope)

let’s just have a laugh.

2009, you’re almost up! wow, what a year    :)

xoxo

And just for your entertainment, here are some LOLs to share.

Mac versus Tom Cruise. Hilarious!

http://www.take180.com/s/1dmr9g

(Sorry tried embedding it but it didn’t work)

Young children, some older

Sometimes

I remember the times when there were less children

around in Batu Pahat … my big brother and I are the eldest in

our generation and held a pretty big trump card – our father is

‘Tua ku’, the eldest uncle, and a figure quite feared among the

cheeky young ones.

We’d say, our voices low and dark, “Tua ku scold you then you know“

These days there are so many children, with new babies popping

every year, that I can’t remember their names.

“What is Uncle A’s son’s name again?”, I find myself having

to ask my brothers or mommy.

It was grandma’s birthday yesterday and we made our

way down to Johor for the festivities.

We got entertained during last night’s massive dinner by

young adorable cousins, one in a complete cheerleading outfit

(she performed in a school show the night before and insisted

on wearing it again), and others who sang karaoke (yes, it’s

in the blood), and others who stomped and screamed on the little

stage at the restaurant, just because they could.

Madness!

And these days, from the feared figure he was, my father has

become some kind of big cuddly Santa Claus who soothes

the younger ones when they sulk or make a fuss.

Some things don’t change though …

My big brother still roughs up my kid brother.

All …. the….freaking …. time.

Morning ritual

Morning ritual

It’s like we turn into little children again in Batu Pahat, all of us.

xox

Texting While Driving – NSFH

Youtube puts a warning that it’s NSFM, Not Suitable for

Minors. I’m not gonna lie, I have texted while driving.

After watching this though, and after a major gulp,

I have been suitably reminded that texting while

driving is most definitely Not Safe For Humans.

That bit with the baby …. *shudder*

Forward the url, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I54mlK0kVw

to your beloved family members, friends

and young ones that you know.

xo

Dialogue – Changing Times

Dialogue overheard:


X: “Where did he go?”

Y: “To get more drinks.”

X: “Huh? But there’s so much beer left, and the bottle of whisky
is untouched.”

Y: “He went to get non-alcoholic drinks lah, coke
and water.”

(Pause)

X: “Okay, times have changed when parties see
the non-alcoholic drinks finishing way faster
than the alcoholic ones.”

IMG_0626

Occasion: Isabelle Chong’s Full Moon Party

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Host: Proud parents Odin & Karen

Date:  Sunday, 19th July 2009

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In attendance: Babies, Parents, Godfathers/mothers,

Family & Loving Friends. (Oh and one cute sumo baby)

 

xo

Letters from Tioman – Diving 2

From Tioman, the ‘diving with dad’ trip  [3rd to 8th July] 

A continuation from Diving 1


When we come up all of us are chatty, especially dad and the mat

sallehs.

It is lunch time, we are given a little box consisting of a sandwich,

apple, boiled egg and a tiny piece of cake. The older mat salleh

who started off the conversation with “So I heard you talking about

Sipadan just now, old timer” is now merrily recounting his

experience at some diving haven called Truc near the Polynesian

Islands, where if one liked wreck diving, boasted of 40 sunken

wartime ships there for your pleasure.

 

I like the fact that at the very start of the excursion everyone probably

thought that my good ol dad, a little big round the middle, was probably

more suited to a lazyboy than a dive trip. Now however, he is in

the centre of some serious dive talk.

Underwater deaths, the bends,

dangers of wreck diving, the quality of dive equipment,

overconfident divers and an assortment of interesting dive stories

leave me and the younger lad wide-eyed and appreciative.

Yeah, never understood the rush to get masters licences and all 

without getting the dives in first.

 

Pix from http://www.malaysia-islands.com

Malang Rocks (Pix from http://www.malaysia-islands.com)

 

 

During the second dive and the rather pretty Malang Rocks, and

about 12 metres down (and going lower) I see that my mask is

filling up with water. Dang you mask! Okay, it’s mask clearing time,

and I tap Francis’ shoulder nearby, just in case I screw up.

I don’t panic underwater 

but I really do hate clearing masks. My eyes!

Somehow when I know I’m supposed to blow air from my nose to

clear the mask I blow more air from mouth (so they tell me) and I

hold the mask wrong and more often than not I take

3 takes to clear the damn thing.

Anyhow at this time I accomplish it fairly quickly

(shame factor), it’s done, and we go on our way.

We do quite a bit of going under rocks/cave-ish spots and luckily I

don’t bump my tank or head – though I get a scratch or two on my

thigh after all our dives. Dad is fine and well happy.

 

When we come up and proceed to head off it rains again, and it’s no

small-fry rain.

It pours like it had been holding out for us all this time.

 

I can’t describe how beautiful it is, and how awesome at the same

time.

No picture will justify it. All I can do is stare, not a word leaves

my lips for a long time.

We get towels from the crew to wrap up, but it is cold. All round us

is the rain hitting the sea, looking like a million diamond droplets

hovering just an inch above the water. The grey clouds, threatening,

but not alarmingly so, are spread evenly everywhere you look. The

wind howls and soon we see nothing but the rain’s mist all around

our little boat. It is such an amazing thing.

It seems to take forever to get back to land, and at one point the rain

gets so heavy everyone at the front takes shelter (and wrapped with

extra towels) at the back, all drenched and shivering. Francis laughs

at me because I guess I seem thoroughly happy by the experience.

The roaring rain and the sea, how more close to nature can one

get? (Wait don’t answer :p)

As we finally get to the jetty and make our way (run) to the dive

centre, I reflect on how relaxed I feel,

and how glad I am to see my old man so content and pleased with

the day’s proceedings.

“It went very well, I feel so relaxed,” he said, adding that he hoped

for a few more dives in the future before he revisited Sipadan.

I understand why now dad always wanted me to dive with him, and I

will continue to dive with him for as long as he can.

 

“]Around Malang Rocks [Pix from http://www.malaysia-islands.com]

Around Malang Rocks [Pix from http://www.malaysia-islands.com

 

 

He may never get to dive with his grandchildren, but I guess it will be

enough for me to teach my kids in the future, and make this a family

tradition. Hopefully my brothers (hint, hint) will also eventually join

us on these dive trips.

And for as long as it stays this way, Tioman island will be one

place we will come back again and again as the place my family got

our sunburns, dive education and where my dad said proudly “Yes

that is my girl, and she dives too.”

 

Highly recommended for soppy folks like moi, if you can’t already tell.

xo

Letters from Tioman – Diving 1

From Tioman, the ‘diving with dad’ trip  [3rd to 8th July] 

[Continuation from Diving with Daddy]


I shout for dad, and mom says he is already out, looking for food.

Surprise, surprise.

When he comes back (with nasi lemak and some noodles) I ask if

the rain is going to be a problem. It looks like it will rain all day, I say.

“Bah humbug”, says dad. (Or well, he says something to that

effect anyway) Rain is nothing, and will clear by the time we reach

the dive spots, he says.

As I will not argue with a diving and Tioman seasoner, we make

our way with umbrellas to the dive centre, which is about

10 minutes walk away.

As we approach I see that the dive staff and our group (consisting

of 7 people, excluding Francis) are ready to go.

So we have a quick dive briefing about our trip to Chebeh Island and

the Malang Rocks, check out equipment and head to the jetty.

 

Old picture in Tioman - Don't laugh leh

Old picture in Tioman - Don't laugh leh

 

The rain, not too heavy but not light too, continues.

It is about 40 minutes to Chebeh Island. In the group there is me

and dad, two older mat salleh dudes (who don’t know each other

but with their experience, becomes each other’s dive buddies,

one English boy who can’t be more than 19, who will buddy with

Francis, and a Chinese couple who seems to be just beginning

and will be led by another dive master.

Dad is all excited and super chatty, and he immediately launches

into spirited talk with the younger Mat Salleh about diving in Sipadan,

the barracudas etc, the history (wah lau?) of Tioman’s corals

(Used to be good, then shite, then now growing better again).

 

He also excitedly points out that I am his daughter, and that I dive too.

I play the part of the dutiful daughter, smiling and acknowledging

his pride, enjoying the ocean’s spray and the rain on my face.

We arrive at Chebeh, and true enough, the rain has abated, though

the sun is refusing to make an appearance.

No matter, it’s time to dive.

As we all huddle at the back to put on our gear, dad seems to make

a little fuss around me – do this, check that, make sure this,

tighten that – but I do not mind.

The other Mat Salleh smiles and says “Your daughter eh? I’m like

that with my sons as well. Always listen to dad!”, much to the

entire group’s amusement.

I reply with “Yes, I listen to daddy, he has been diving forever,”

with a big smile.

And then we all go down, the pair of MatSals on their own, the

beginners, and then us four.

 

 

Underwater at Chebeh - Pix from www.malaysia-islands.com

Underwater at Chebeh - Pix from www.malaysia-islands.com

 

It is a thrill, as usual!

At first I wonder why dad keeps on disappearing from my sight but

then I realise he is right behind me, content to watch out from me

from the back. And so I follow Francis’ lead and take in the

underwater scenery. I realise how much I miss the serenity of diving.

 

 

To be continued… More of Letters from Tioman (just two more left)

Letters from Tioman – Diving with Daddy

From Tioman, the ‘diving with dad’ trip  [3rd to 8th July] 


Dad and I did our check dive yesterday. To our utter disappointment,

we find out that Richard, his good friend and my diving ‘guru’,

has moved to the mainland.

We make a guess that it is because his young son

has grown quite a bit and needs proper schooling and thus Richard

and his wife Dot decided to make a move from their home of so many

years.

I don’t think I’ll ever see the Berjaya Dive Centre the same way again.

 

But some of the staff there remember Dad and call him Old Timer,

one being Francis, who would be the one to do our check dives with us

and also dive with us today. Dad has dived so many times he doesn’t

bring his dive card or equipment or anything, and I (being the useless

numbskull that I am) also am card-less, and logbook-less. “But

I got my licence here itself in 2001,” I tell Francis, and Dad adds: “Yes, and with

Richard!”

We get the knowing looks and nods, fill in the necessary

forms and voila – it’s an all-clear,

we can dive as long as we pass the check dive – which is a less elaborate

version of the Refresher course, necessary when one has not been diving

for a while.

My last dive was in 2007, which I am not very worried about.

But dad, who has been through a number of serious operations over

the years, is a bit fragile.

If it was up to mom, he wouldn’t be diving at all. But we both

convinced her that he is never as joyful, relaxed and happy than

when he is diving, and the green light is obtained.

After the obligatory mask clearing exercise and having a lil dive

between the centre and Renggis Island etc …

the results are in. Two thumbs up for me and dad for diving.

That was yesterday. Today, we wake up to rain. Dark clouds.

It doesn’t look good.

As dad has to fly off on Monday evening and can only dive today

(for the nitrogen etc to clear from the body), I peer from my blanket

in the early morning and wonder if it will happen – my first diving

excursion with dad, long overdue.

 

Stormy weather?

Stormy weather?

Of Godchildren

Just a tiny one about godchildren, because I’ve been all abuzz

with godchild stuff recently, and it puts a smile on me face.

This one’s specially for my friends who are godparents,

and my friends who are parents of the children we can’t help

but adore!

 

Doesn’t it sound like such a powerful word? God child.

Godfather. Godmother. 

The practice of naming a godparent for one’s child started in

the Christian faith, when another person trusted by the parents

serves as a sponsor at the baby’s baptism.

These days, it’s more often than not a grand gesture of friendship or trust.

People usually pick their closest, best friends or those they

trust to be their child’s godparent.

I was honored to be asked by Jasbir & Sharm (both I work/ed with)

to be their first born’s godmother, and it’s been about 3 years

now since I first held him in my arms at the hospital.

Frankly, I considered myself somewhat of an ‘outsider’ in their lives

before this (though they were my friends, of course),

but now I think of them as family.

I’m also basically doing double duty I guess with his kid brother,

Arjen. (Jasbir says it’s a “two in one deal”, and I’m like “not if

you have a lot more children man!!” LOL)

 

IMG_0481

 

I didn’t have any concept of godparenting until Jasbir told

me those years ago when he asked because he looked me in the eye

and said it was something he viewed as special and meaningful,

that I would be part of his child’s life and be there during special

occasions. 

I sort of did a double blink because I then understood there would

be responsibilities, and that he took it very seriously, and that

this meant I was doubly touched that he & Sharm were giving me this

honour. 

For many, naming the godparent is more of symbolic thing,

and it is more about them saying to their best friends

 ”It couldn’t have been anybody else but you”.

IMG_0434

Adrian & Isabelle

 

I think it is the grandest and most meaningful of gestures, really.

What does one have to do as a godparent? 

I don’t think there any hard and fast rules.  

Often new parents are

so consumed by the nitty gritties of being new parents anyway,

so it is their own special time. No point coming everyday being all up

in their face!

Some godparents I know are also far away or very busy, which

cannot be helped – I don’t think it’s as meaningful if godparents

feel they are all pressured to meet their godchildren, for example,

how terrible would it be for your godchild to only remember

how tired, stressed or frazzled you are?

When I was in London last year I remember getting a little

worried that Ro would forget me (from the delicate years of 3 to 6

they’ll forget you fast because they are sifting through a lot

of information & will forget you if necessary!) so I er … sent his 

parents this. (Don’t laugh)

 

Hi it's meeee!!

Hi it's meeee!!

 

And as the child grows older, it would be best of course, to keep on

introducing your face so they recognise it as one that will be

around for them. 

Like all godparents I know, it’s such a joy to see our godchildren

slowly blossom, from the lil furballs they were to the little handsome

boys or beautiful girls they now.

Imagine, if we already say “Oh, how fast

they grow!”, what their parents must feel … *sigh*

To all parents who have friends who are godparents to their kids,

I’d like to say (on our behalves) sorry if we are often busy, but it’s not

like we don’t care, because we so do!  

I have flashes of Ro every so often, and wonder what

he is doing or up to.

 

Zehan & Adam

Zehan & Adam

 

 

Rohan took a while before he really warmed up to the Auntie Laych

concept, but now he’s so comfortable he has progressed from

semi-shy to curious, to wants-to-hold-my-hand, to wants-to-ride-

in-my-car, to big hugs when we say hello … and most recently..

the kiddo even complimented me the other day, a first!

“You are pretty like my girlfriend, Auntie Laych”, he said, out

of nowhere.

 WAH! A compliment from a three-year-old?

What a pleasure to hear, and ain’t that a heartbreaker

in the making?! LOL

I’m going to have to crank up the lessons so he’ll do much

better than “Heyy, How yooo doooinn?” or

“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” for pick up lines

next time, hah!

 

IMG_0480

 

In the car the other day, just the two of us, I asked him

do you know why I am your godmother, Ro?

“Why?”

“Because I will be here for you so we can talk about anything

you want next time, and you can ask me questions, and I will

tell you stories, many wonderful stories. Would you like that?”

 

“Yes,” he said, with his big eyes and little cheeky grin.

 

And that’s all I need to think of and smile.

DSC00882

there'll be stories

Letters from Tioman – Running with Momma

From Tioman, the ‘diving with dad’ trip  [3rd to 8th July]

 

I don’t know if the feeling in me is one of pride or disbelief or utter

amusement, or indeed all of them, all in one.

My 61-year-old mother is with me in the hotel gym, on the threadmill

next to mine, going toe-to-toe with me in a mixture of speed walking

and running.

I am quite aware of her physical health, as she has always been one

of the healthier ones in the family, but this is the first time we are in

the gymnasium together (one which faces the beach – interesting exercise

entertainment), and I get a rush out of passers-by staring at us.

 

In my head I can’t help but think “Yeah bitches, she is in her sixties,

don’t play”.

She doesn’t go as fast as me but with just about two notches below my

walking and running level, and handling it very well indeed, I smile.

I start to think that I probably will not need to worry about her as

she grows older, as she is now worrying about her father, my grandpa,

in his old age.

 

Random pix of dad peering into old family house in Batu Pahat

Random pix of dad peering into old family house in Batu Pahat

 

During the next few days in Tioman I would also

come to realise this Run-With-Mom thing was no one-off. Every time I

wanted to hit the gym, she followed too.

I always think about whether my dad feels the need to match

(or at least) better his fitness, I hope so, of course. (I also nag so, much

to his annoyance)

My brothers are in the pink of health, both being former young athletes,

and mother and I are well versed in the need for exercise and healthy

eating. (Or at least we try).

Part of why I quit smoking this year was the influence from within

my family, actually.

I wonder what it’ll be like in the future, and hope to inspire the same

confidence in my children – that I am fine, that I am taking care of my

health, and that I’ll do my best, that

I can say “just worry about your own health, kids”.

It is a fine gift, I reckon.

Now, if I could only just handle that one last vice …

 

 

Btw, here’s a link if you want a teeny tiny reality check on your

health, it’s an 11-question Newsweek quiz on health.

I didn’t get an A plus, hmmph, but was reminded to do

an annual health check soon to update all that important information.

It’s not supposed to scare me, but damn it, trips to the doctor’s

for annual health checks get scarier by the year.

Bah humbug.

I want whatever Tun M & Lee Kuan Yew are taking.

 

 

 

[Sorry, not many pictures taken in tioman, or of sweating self in

gym (yeuxx) so LOL pictures from the brilliant Lolcats, will have to do :)

 

ok this one's a pup. loldogs! xo

ok this one's a pup. loldogs! xo

 

 

[More from Letters from Tioman to be continued ... ]