My Trip to Pulau Ubin...

It was two Sundays ago in August that I had my first Bum boat ride to the island of Ubin. It is a ten minute ride off the south-eastern shores of Singapore. It was a cloudy day and my buddy Vee Shen was with me. We started off with a hearty breakfast at the famous Changi Village hawker center on the mainland, before setting off on our noisy, diesel filled splutter across the waters. We rented a tandem bike with a baby seat attached and set off for our intended destination- the Chek Jawa Wetlands.


It was a healthy half an hour ride over undulating road and mud tracks, with leafy jungles on either side, before we finally panted our way to our destination. The signage along the mud track declared "one way to Chek Jawa", left papa feeling a little perturbed but bemused.



It was a pleasant walk along the muddy coast. Unfortunately, the tide had risen and most of the more interesting features of the wetlands had been submerged. So we had to content ourselves with a leisurely stroll along the well constructed coastal board walk. It was breezy, and we got to see the airplanes up close as they landed at our famous nearby Changi Airport. The skies started to close in on us towards the end of our walk as we hastily retreated towards our start point. The rain finally caught up with us however on the last leg of our return journey. A tropical thunderstorm of ferocious rain pelted down on us as papa struggled to get the flimsy ponchos over our heads. The thin ponchos were of scant consolation as the intensity of the rain ensured that we were all soaked to the skin by the time we eventually found some shelter. I thought it was fun. All in all, a very enjoyable and satisfying hike was enjoyed by all. I hope to come again some day soon.

This month was a momentous one. We have finally moved back to mummy and papa's home. Our home. It was not an easy decision. But it had to be done in order for us to move forward. Papa says it is necessary for us to face the past so that we can look to the future.

Papa is very grateful for all the love and unconditional support that he has received from Uncle Douglas and Aunty Elena. It has been almost a year and five months that we have stayed with them, ever since mummy went to Heaven. They have provided a haven and sanctuary for papa to heal, and for me to grow. It was a gesture that reflects love in its purest form. For that he is eternally grateful.


Papa says that he is much stronger today. He has learned to face mummy's absence with fortitude and humility. He feels mummy's spirit within him, guiding his every action. Now he says, it is time to rebuild our lives and set to the task of bringing me up in a way that would make mummy proud. Papa says that I am their loving creation, and he intends to see to it that I turn out to be best that I can be. Mummy may no longer be around to help him, but she will be his utmost inspiration, as she has always been.

Papa took leave from work for a week so that we could make the move. There was much to do- cleaning, moving belongings and ensuring that things were in working order. New routines have been established and papa is confident that the transition will go smoothly. Despite the melancholy that permeates everything in the house, papa feels strangely at one with the surroundings. As if the void in his heart has been soothed by the closeness to mummy's things. This house was at the centre of their lives, and now it's belongings, it's smells and it's memories are the closest things papa has to remember mummy by. Papa says it is a weird feeling- trying to fill the void in your heart with memories locked into inanimate objects. Then there is the question of what to do with mummy's things. How do you dispose of your beloved's belongings without losing some part of yourself in the process. How much can you afford to lose before you crumble. How do you move forward when the sentimentality is overwhelming. These will be some of the longest days of our lives.

This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First, to let go of life. In the end, to take a step without feet; to regard this world as invisible, and to disregard what appears to be the self. Heart, I said, what a gift it has been to enter this circle of lovers, to see beyond seeing itself, to reach and feel within the breast. -Rumi

An Occasion To Remember our beloved Frances...

A message from the organising committee:

"Dear Friends,

It has been a year since we held our first basketball memorial to remember our dear friend, Frances, who passed away in April last year. The 1st Basketball Memorial game, held in September last year, was a success with a very encouraging turnout of more than 50 people - friends, friends of friends' and families, who came to play the game, support the players, or
simply meet up with old friends.

A big thank you to those of you who came to play and support the event.

We would like to continue this event - and are now planning the 2nd Memorial game soon. We really hope you will take the time to come and join us to play or just to lend your support.

Details of the game are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 1 September 2007
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Venue: CHIJ Basketball Courts, Toa Payoh Lorong 1

For those of you who can play, please do join us for the Game. And even if you can't, just be game enough - it's really just for fun and your talent and fitness, or lack thereof will not be relevant. Most importantly, we are holding this game in the memory of our friend Frances and her love of this game.

So please do come down and join us and let us know in advance, if you can make it. Bring your family along as well so they can join in too.

We would love to see you all there.

Thanks!!

Sheena, Prisca, Charlotte, Liling and Valerie
(Organizing Committee - Basketball Memorial 2007)"

What happened to the stock markets while I was down with HFMD!?

I have recovered from my HFMD. It was an uneventful boring illness. I am just glad it's over. I am now back to my usual routines. School has never been more inviting.

Like my first taste of beer, life has it's bitter moments. I am down with another infection. This time it's the bug that gives you blisters in your mouth and on your feet and hands. Papa calls it HFMD. I picked it up from the infant care facility which I attend three times a week. My blisters started appearing on Monday and I am now being strictly quarantined. Nothing for the whole week. No school, no outings, no TV, no playing with my cousins, no anything. Nada, zilch, nyet. It is now day three of my solitary confinement and the isolation is starting to get to me. It's worse than the disease itself, which so far I have handled very well. There is no fever, only the blisters that have cropped up on my legs, hands, tongue, lips and throat. I feel only mildly uncomfortable, and am going about my business like nothing has happened. In fact my appetite has not diminished one iota, which is surprising all at home. I am sill eating voraciously, like there is no tomorrow. Papa says I need to be confined for the benefit of others, so I need to be patient and understanding. It's tough, but I have been co-operating well so far. Papa is very proud of me. This will be one of the longest weeks of my life.