Tuesday, January 29, 2008



" Behind every smile, there is a tear.
In every embrace, there is loneliness.
In every friendship, distance.
And in all forms of light,
there is the knowledge of surrounding darkness "

-Henri J M Nouwen




I recently had my Chickenpox jab. The expectation was worse than the needle itself! I knew I was in trouble when papa held me tight, and I felt something cold and soft pressed against my leg. I cried. But not too much. Papa says I took it like a man as I usually do. Thankfully, that will be the last of my jabs for a very long time. I am now a graduate of the Age of Needles. Yippee!

There is a significant event happening in mummy's old school (Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus) this week. Money gathered by friends and relatives has been used to create a student scholarship for one of their primary school students. It has been named the Frances Ng Award and will be launched for the first time this year at a prize-giving ceremony this coming Friday evening. I am proud that mummy will be remembered so. It is fitting for someone who was always helping others so selflessly, to be honored and remembered in this way. Thank you to all who have made this possible.


Wednesday, January 23, 2008



"A child is.
In contemplating a stain on the wall, an insect in the grass or the miracle of a rose, the child is not only gazing. The child is being everything on which he is concentrating. He is the beetle, the figure on the wall, he is flower, wind and silence.

In the same way he is the coldness or the anguish of adults, superficiality or their genuine love.

Sometimes he must be left in peace, without demanding that he be always on the go, running, talking, playing, as if contemplation was a disease.

The child immersed in his surroundings is taking part in a process greater than himself, in which he blossoms unconsciously. But he has something more precious than consciousness: intuition about everything, an innocent wisdom."

- Lya Luft, Losses & Gains



Monday, January 14, 2008


I am now 11.6kg and stand 85cm tall. That's according to doctor Phua whom I saw last week. He says he is encouraged by all the progress I have made so far and that I am growing well in stature. But he cautioned that it is still too early to tell what I may suffer from in the long run. I can only try my best. Doctor Phua says that we will be able to tell more when I am 3 years old. I hope that I will be up to mark by then. Mummy will give me the strength and papa will be there to back me up, that I am sure of.

I said my first mandarin words the other day! I said "jai jien" ("goodbye") to my grandfather on my way home. I learned this from my teachers in the morning school I attend. But I am still shy of my mandarin so I don't say it all the time. Papa says that I am talking a whole lot more these days, most of which only I can understand. But I am beginning to get the hang of this thing they call "English". For now, I am content that they can't understand me when I cuss.

My buddy Vee Shen celebrated his 2nd birthday this week. I want to congratulate him for two years of a life well lived! I can't imagine feeling so old! I've been told that not long after, your teeth start to drop out! So sad when one enjoys his food so much. Never mind, papa says we have to learn to age gracefully. Mummy dearest, wish you were here.


Sunday, January 06, 2008

Those who don't feel this Love
pulling them like a river,
those who don't drink dawn
like a cup of spring water
or take in sunset like supper,
those who don't want to change,
let them sleep.

This Love is beyond the study of theology,
that old trickery and hypocrisy.
I you want to improve your mind that way,
sleep on.

I've given up on my brain.
I've torn the cloth to shreds
and thrown it away.
If you're not completely naked,
wrap your beautiful robe of words
around you,
and sleep

-Rumi