Dad is discharged

Dad has been discharged last Wednesday. Thank God for allowing us overcoming this calamity.

Although it was really very tiring to travel twice a day to the hospital for the first 4 days, I guess it was all worth it, being able to stay beside dad. I realize that I had been so busy with my own life that I failed to see how much dad and mom has aged and that Dad is going to turn 68 soon.

It was also during his stay at the hospital that we had the longest conversation ever. Chatting about his work, my work and also his grandchildren. Although dad is a man with few words, he pretty aware of what is happening and also remembers significant events in the family.

No one is going to know what is going to happen next. I will try to spend more time with my dad and mom. Hopefully to be able to bring them overseas, at least once in their lifetime.

P.S: A photo that I secretly took when dad is finally able to sit up in bed. My Dad is someone who doesn't like to take photos. 

One of dad's daily routine - reading 新明日报。

I begin to realize the traits in the guys that I fall for, are those similar in my dad's, for e.g. stubbornness, man with few words, doesn't like to go out, doesn't like to take photos, ego... and these are just few examples. Not too sure if these are just coincident.

Accident

My dad met with a road accident last Tuesday. Thank god he only suffered minor injuries. No external bleeding or require any operation.

Thank God that I picked up that unfamiliar number on my phone. I usually don't. But somehow I did. I was shocked when I heard that the call was made from NUH. But I remained very calm. VERY. Even I can't believe myself.

I was contemplating whether to call my mother yet or to wait till everything has been settled. In the end, I did. And I asked her to go home first and I will meet her at home and go to NUH together.

Dad was at the A&E and I managed to speak to the emergency doctor who attended to my dad. He said my dad had 2 ribs fracture, some air spaces in his lungs and abit of abrasion, and alittle concussion as he cannot remembered what happened. He was later warded for a day for observation and discharged the following day.

For this incident, other than my colleagues who were present when I received the call, the only person who knew about this was Mr Vorhees.

Somehow it felt comforting to share with him my anxiety. He is also the first person who comes to my mind after my family members.

From this accident, I somehow felt how fragile a life is and we should appreciate people that we love before we lose them. Tell them and appreciate them before it is too late.

Because of this sudden rush of feelings and thoughts, I again tumble down the blocks that I am building up and maintaining well the last 2 weeks. Again, I had made Mr Vorhees disappointed and annoyed with my actions of "deafness" and insisted my way even he said 'no' already.  I am seriously sorry for my inconsideration. You know I don't mean not to listen to you. Just that my heart took over my head(including my ears).

Sigh. I am seriously hopeless in this area of life.

P.S: Mr Vorhees, if you are reading this, I'm regretting it and this I promise will be the LAST time.

Nobody's Child

In 2001, I got my O level result on my own. L1R4 - 9 points, L1R4 - 13 points.

In 2004, I got my A level results on my own, once again.

In 2004, I went for my longest overseas expedition trip, without my parents sending me off to the airport and nobody picked me up from the airport when I returned.

In 2005, I went on my longest overseas trip with my classmates for the first time without a teacher and I am off and back from the airport alone.

In 2007, I graduated from Diploma in Occupational Therapy and attended my graduation ceremony on my own.

In 2010, I am graduating with Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and once again, I'm a nobody's child. My parents are not going to be with me again. How nice.

That's the problem of being an independent person.

Happy Graduation to me tomorrow!

多三天。。。 。。。

这一天终于来临了。我将毕业于 La Trobe University 的 Bachelor Degree of Occupational Therapy. 我从小的愿望终于快要实现了。

我从小就不是出身于富贵之家。父母亲又没受过什么教育。母亲只念了五、六年书。连小六离校考试都没去考。父亲就不用说了。他没念什么书。最多只有三年级罢了。

由于有些亲戚的背景非常复杂，大多数的表哥、表姐们的教育水平也算底，有些亲戚每日只为了三餐温饱而担心，所以不知什么时候开始，我便发誓我一定要领取一个大学文凭光宗耀祖。让父母亲能在亲戚面前感到光荣。

处了以上的理由，我也希望能拖离贫困的生活 (我可没有和什么人提起过）。虽然我不能选择我的父母，可是让我庆幸的是我的父母亲是靠他们的劳力，脚踏实地的把我和哥哥养大。我父亲是靠做散工为生。而母亲是在咖啡店收洗碗筷。所以父母就是我们所为的 blue collar worker, 蓝领阶级。虽然我不能选择我的父母，但我能选择我以后要走的路。

我从理工学院开始，就得付自己的学费。每次好不容易在三天两夜的外展营当 instructor 赚来的及可怜的 $150 ，都得拿去交学费。还记得以前银行的存折从不多过五十元。还有每次当我要没钱时，我都会去买一个星期的粮食，然后每天早上一大清早，大概5、6 点，就开是准备当天的午餐。幸好我还挺能煮的。也因如此，我告诉自己，我得存我的第一个一万。我做到了！虽然这一万多以拿去交我大学的学费，我还是蛮开心的。因为有几个人能在两年里又在新水少过两千的环境下存一万？

我不是你们所说的 stingy，我也不想争辩。因为我知道我是为了我以后的生活、为了我将来的家庭而奋斗。我也不想以后于老公因为钱财而烦恼。一切从我开始。

只为了将来过得比现在好一点。。。 。。。

Chace 满月了

Chace 满月了.

I went down to bro's house with dad. It's dad first time to bro's house. First time seeing Chace and first time seeing Jayr after they moved out.

Dad also carried Chace for the very first time but he was rather uncomfortable carrying him. He tried to carry Jayr but I think he was rather unfamiliar to him that he didn't really dare to get close to dad. Can see that my brother and I were trying to get Jayr to interact with him.

These are the photos: (didn't take photos of Chace.... although he supposed to be the "zhu jiao")

He smiled when I asked him to....

So cute right?

Yet another one

He jumped when I took this

Trying to open the Hello Panda that bought by my mom and delivered by us

He came to me when I asked him if he wanted to take photo!

Now I know which handsome boy to camwhore with!

 

Laughing his head off...

and then... alamak!

Running away from dad

Trying to see what else I delivered

Pulling the whole bag to my bro

A failed mission

Getting bro to take a photo for us,

Finally a photo of dad with Jayr

Dad trying to push Jayr when we were going home

A slightly clearer one

A closed-up of him

It feels great to be accepted and wanted by him! Let see when is the next time I'm dropping by. His motor skills are quite good for his age. He can kick and throw a ball!!! The next thing he needs to do is to talk! =)

Babies and toddler day

25th December 2009 was a busy day. It was a babies and toddler day. I visited Mark's place as his Yannis was 1 month old! Hurray. There was a celebration and we were invited!

Let us meet little Mark..... OOppsss..... I meant Yannis:

99% Gorgeous, 1% trouble

 

A closed-up of Yannis

Teacher Juat carrying Yannis:

Good Yannis, didn't cry. =P

Mark and his helper cooked some food for the guests:

And...... Vodka!!!!! I almost wanted to take the bottle home...... (Vodka always reminds me of YOU.)

And of course, my face and body will turn RED as always..... I think I can diagnose myself as having alcohol allergy w/o itch. lolx. And I looked horrible with my dark eye rings and eye bags which are more obvious at night.

It was already late when I left Mark's place. My brother had smsed me, wondering what time I will arrived at their place as my little Jayr was going to fall asleep waiting for me! lolx....

I had no choice and also for convenience's sake, I cabbed down to his place, dropping of Juat at Hougang first.

This was the first time I went to my brother place. Simple but nice.

I wondered if Jayr remembers me. It has been around 4 months since they moved out. Before going to Mark's place, I went to Tampines 1 to buy some baby clothes for Chace and Thomas the Train toy for Jayr as Christmas Present.

Jayr was so cute when I passed him the present. He wanted to take but don't dare to take. Keep on looking at my brother. lolx. And finally, he took the present from me and smile:

Look how happy he was!

And he started playing the toy and ignored his old one:

As I was drinking packet drink and he wanted to drink, he was trying all ways and means trying to get me to let him drink.... making use of his "cuteness" and charm.

How can I forget the younger one:

 

姑姑 carrying Chace

I think it was already late and time for the 2 young ones and the mummy to sleep. Brother was "hinting" me to leave. lolx.

He and Jayr send me down to take a cab and before I left, managed to "grab" Jayr to take a photo with me:

Haha..... maybe will pop by soon.......

Imperfections are what actually make someone PERFECT.

The above video clip -"Funeral" is a new TV commerical launched by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) which looks at relationships in a different light, through a woman at her husbands funeral. Ultimately, the TVC celebrates the beautiful imperfections that make a relationship perfect. This is fresh off MCYS latest Viewers Choice 2008 win for last years Family TVC which promotes the importance and value of family bonding.

"It's these small things you remember, little imperfections that make them perfect, for you!"

"... ... beautifully imperfect."

Letter of Employment

Actually my HR has already finished preparing the letter for me for my Dad's citizenship. I just need to go back to my HQ to take it.

But just now, when my dad and brother were conversing about my brother going to look for whoever to ask the personnel to write the letter by his company, I think I just gave up telling them that my letter is ready. I'm just too tired to talk to them and let them continue to assume that "I don't want to help".

Now, I truly understand how it felt like to be "assume" by others and that reluctance to try to explain myself.

Maybe I am just a STUBBORN ARSE who refused to GIVE IN..... especially to my closed ones as they should understand me better but didn't. lolx..... (this lolx.... is used not literally laugh out loud, but as an expression by me when there is not word that I can use to express myself but can only "laugh it off")

I LOVE MY HAIR... ...

... ... so do my colleagues!!!

Lolx.... I'm glad I've made the changes. Everyone, my colleagues and even caregivers of my clients(kids) said I look good in my new hair!!!! =D And when I went to work on Monday, my colleagues were like taking turns to touch my hair!!! lolx....

My mom said so too the day after I rebonded and highlighted my hair:

"buay pai kuai leh...."

And I "attitude" by saying:

"wa bo gong pai kuai ah."

lolx....

Mom informed of my trip

Anyway, before I go to bed, it is getting late EARLY.....

My mom is informed of my overseas trip to BKK already. Opps.... ya.... for those who don't know yet, I will be leaving for BKK for a holiday soon.

As expected, she didn't make much comment, just asked me to take care of my own things when I get there. I guess she has already been "immune" to me going away for camps for few days etc. I guess this is the longest trip I will be going after Taiwan trip in 2005 with the "Taiwan Gang" since 2005.

Yup. Next is to inform my dad. I guess he will be fine too. And then, my brother. And he definitely will ask me to get some stuff back for him.

Anyway, time to sleep.

Looking forward for the trip... ....

Man of Few Words

Before I go off to take my dinner, I must comment that my dad is a man of few words but his care for us is always there. He's always there to cook for us when he is not out for his mahjong sessions, just like today... ... maybe someone like him, who don't express much, he'll show it through his actions. Sometimes we just have to see beyond what was done. =)


My dad helped to mop the floor today too!!! =)


Hmm... Someone is just like him too.... Man of few words.... =P
But well, I always thought and feel that actions always speak louder than words...
Like I told someone before....maybe that's why I don't really like guys who sweet talk... unless they really mean it... Cos sometimes it is just so confusing and so hard to differentiate whether he meant what he says.... or he is just filirting.....

Well... I think it applies to both genders bah.... like a guy can be confused by gals as well....

That's life....

Guy's Ego

We all knew that the phone was not working well. My dad don't believe what we had said. I don't blamed him for that because he brought back the phone 1-2 years back. Perhaps he felt it was his responsibility if the phone doesn't work. I think I will do the same if I were him. He tried calling the house phone using his handphone many times....

Anyway I was in bed still....... lazing in my bed..... I just let him try.... before I put my foot in. Soon enough, he confirmed it was not working. Mum asked him to fix back the previous phone before this. Then I get up from my bed.... and took a phone out. It was the Philips cord phone that I won in my dinner and dance lucky draw this year. (this reminded me that I still have not use the pizza hut voucher... not sure if the date due has passed....) I passed it to dad and went back to my sleep and just let him fix. He fixed it and he called the house phone. It rang. Mission accomplished. He is happy. And I am happy. Fullstop.


And so conincidently, I check my horoscope for today:

Your leadership role at home or in the community is especially important to you today, but it can also put you in a difficult situation. You know what's best for others, yet they may disagree with your strategy. Using logic won't work as you try to convince anyone that you are right. You may need to let your friends and associates go their own way to discover the truth for themselves.

Sometimes it is better for them to try and fail than we try for them... ....

Designing/ Creative Works

Hey all,

I've been doing some designing/creative works using Photoshop (thanks Nicky for the program)... ... before I lose all my creative juice after I started working....

Well, it is not that creative or super good designs.... but it is just some re-collection of my life.... =)

Here it is .......

I'm not the only one

Went out with hC, wC, aZ, jS to celebrate sZ bday.....

清一色都是男生，除了我。哎呀， 他们从来也没有把我当成女生呀。对他们来说我是一只小狗。。。 哈哈

Okay lah.... glad we still keep in contact despite some of us are no longer in the corps.... friendship of 7 years..... people that we always meet during one of our bday.....

I was quite shocked to hear that I am not the only one that has to either give up my bedroom or having someone to shift into the bedroom because sibling is getting married. jS's brother is getting married too... and heard that his parents are shifting into his room....

Well. I supposed to stay in my parents' room.... but I rather be 厅长 for the reason is clear: I do not want to change the "lifestyle" of my parents because I have to change mine because of my brother's marriage.

"What you don't want people to do unto you, don't do unto others."

This is the philosophy that I always believe in.....

Thanks pals

Thanks to those who have been encouraging during this period of time where I have issues to settle at home. It has more or less been settled.... and my emotions are not as intense as before... =)

Getting used to being 厅长。。。。 Typing this entry in the living room.... and sleeping in the living room....

Will be getting a sofa bed soon... but Ikea one is out of stock!!! Guess I gonna sleep on the floor... with mattress of course for the next few weeks.....

More updates when I get my new furnitures..... =)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Though I know dad never get to read this (he don't know how to use comp...)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Thanks for everything! =)

Reflections

I always do reflections in odd places. And this time round - in the bathroom, when I was bathing.

Suddenly, I thought I will be no longer a student soon.... in another year times. What will I be?
Will I be OT? Will I be Outdoor Instructor? Will I be student?

I have no answer for the above BUT for sure I know,

1. I have to pay up my study bank loan
2. I need to support the family
3. I want to get a degree
4. I want to start a family, hopefully bet 26-28 yo, and before my loved ones leave me (But before I do that, I need to find someone suitable)
5. I want to bring my parents overseas. (The furthest my mother went was JB)
6. I want to get a BIGGER house, so that my parents and my future children can stay comfortably in.
7. I want to climb mountains after mountains.....
8. I want to help as many people as I can, though I know I cannot help all.