Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Happy牛Year!

Chinese new year is all about keeping traditions. Having reunion dinner with the whole family, receiving angbaos, special new year greetings to the elderly are all part of our chinese practices for this festive occasion. To me, it is a much-valued day where everyone takes time off their busy lives, to spend well-deserved quality time with their family.

I often wonder if these traditions will be kept for the next few generations. With the demise of my maternal grandparents (few years ago), many of my relatives from that side of the family stopped keeping in touch with one another. which is kind of sad. Comparatively, my paternal grandparents are still around, and the ties of the family members on our paternal side are much closer. I reasoned this is because my grandparents are the gel that holds the family together.

Anyway, this year's celebration has been awesome! haha. Perhaps even better than previous years of chinese new year celebrations. I guess this is because I've been away, and being away from your family makes you miss your family and somehow makes you realise how much they mean to you.

Simply put, there's nowhere better than home. :)


my family <3

Friday, January 16, 2009

wide-eye gaze


have you ever gazed upon the horizon and notice the passing of clouds?

have you ever stay put in one spot and notice the passing crowds?

For the past 3 weeks back home, I've felt more serenity and peace than I've ever had before. More often than not, a simple sight makes me smile. Be it a cherubic child on a pram, a pretty flower blossoming at its fullest, or an old couple walking down the gravel pavement holding hands, it never fails to bring a crescent to my cheeks.

I've been thinking, what have these past few weeks mean to me? indeed, i felt a temporary high from all the wonderful reunions that occurred in the first 2 weeks. and most definitely, savoured the most delicious cuisine - singapore street food (glutonny me :S). Now, i am living each day with absolutely laid-backness. Simply letting each day go past unhurried, and undemanding. What an absolute contrast from the workaholic me just over a year ago! Call it the OZ influence. :p

Just a few days ago, i was having one of my regular jogs in the precinct of punggol park when the view of the lake caught my eye. Shimmering sunlight glistened on the surface of the waterbody, bringing my eyes to a squint. Along the borders of the lake were cat-tails, long and willowy, swaying gracefully with the breeze. I can't help but stop to think, how beautiful.

Not doubt many of us find singapore a stressful and hectic place, but that doesn't mean that one cannot find peace in this metropolitan city. It is important that amidst our busy moments, take a minute or two to pause, and smell the roses.

You will be surprise at what greets you ahead. The sights, the smell, the sound, and aha, the taste! Take it all in. This is afterall, our home. :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Spur of the moment

I've entered an entry in reader's digest, asia! haha. out of a spur of the moment.

It's a conversation that really took place, between my mum and my cousin hazel. haha. But I improvised the role of my mum into a granny for more humour. well, if my entry does get in, I'll be richer by 100 dollars. *fingers crossed
Here's my maiden entry!

One day, I was talking on the phone to my seven-year-old granddaughter, Hazel. Being a chatterbox, she began telling me about her day in school in every detail. That's when i asked her, "Do you remember what day is today?"

"I don't remember", she replied.

"Today's Monday, how can you be so forgetful, darling", I teased.

And she said, "I'm getting old, grandma".


:)