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Much has been written about Warren Buffet's uncanny financial prowess  and legendary wealth, but there is another side about him that doesn't usually attract as much attention. 52 year old Peter Buffet, youngest child of Warren, was recently featured in an article in Bloomberg, following the publication of Peter's new book:

"Most of that wealth, valued by Forbes at US$47 billion, will go to charity after he (Warren Buffet) dies. His children will be left with a legacy of ethics and independence that Peter, 51 says in a new book, is worth more than the cash."

"It is not about stuff, it's not about accumulation or the bling, it's about loving your life and doing something for the world around you and not just for personal gain. Those are the values my parents had."

"(Warren) Buffet owns a quarter of Berkshire and is its chairman & chief executive officer, making US$100,000 salary. He has not had a raise in more than a quarter-century"

"Peter decries the corruption, emptiness and bad parenting that often accompany great wealth. In contrast, he says that from his early 20's, he was forced by his father's design to live on a budget and find a career."

"His 'family inheritance' of about US$90,000 in Berkshire shares which he got at age 19, was no more than enough to quit Stanford University and get a start in music. 'It was understood that I should expect nothing more,' he said in the book. 'I used my nest egg to buy something infinitely more valuable than money: I used it to buy time."

You may think that with a last name like his, Buffett has enjoyed a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett says that the only real inheritance handed down from his parents was a philosophy: Forge your own path in life. It is a creed that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap his own successes.

In his book, Buffett observes, how today’s society has begun to replace a work ethic, relishing what you do, with a wealth ethic, honoring the payoff instead of the process. We confuse privilege with material accumulation, character with external validation. Yet, by focusing more on substance and less on reward, we can open doors of opportunity and strive toward a greater sense of fulfillment. In clear and concise terms, Buffett reveals a great truth: Life is random, neither fair nor unfair.

From there it becomes easy to recognize the equal dignity and value of every human life—our circumstances may vary but our essences do not. We see that our journey in life rarely follows a straight line but is often met with false starts, crises, and blunders. How we push through and persevere in these challenging moments is where we begin to create the life of our dreams—from discovering our vocations to living out our bliss to giving back to others.

Warren Buffet's financial successes will never outweigh or outlive the human legacy he has imparted so astutely to his children, and underscores the value of meaningful parenting we should all aspire towards.

I pray for mummy's guidance and blessings

 

I'm four years old now!

The wings of time flutter furiously on

As I march to the beat of my very own song, 

Nothing will hold my indomitable spirit back

All except for my papa's thunderous smack

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus, William Ernest Henley 

So it came to pass.
5pm at Harbour Front ferry terminal, on this significant day, the first of September 2009. Just after his afternoon nap & a bottle of reassuring milk. A dramatic farewell on a stormy afternoon. Moods as sombre as the skies. Grandparents rallied for extra measure & comfort. Everything possible done to caccoon him for the bumpy ride ahead. Seat belts buckled!

I tried to prepare him by telling him we were going to see boats & to say goodbye to Aunty Tamik who had to go away for a 'holiday' to see her family. His initial response was a brave "ok". Tinged with a maturity that surprised. It was unexpectedly reassuring. Somehow you knew it wasn't going to last. The stormy weather outside was a portent of what lay ahead.

He clung to her on the walk from the car park to the ferry terminal. Both not saying much. She tried to break the tension by amusing him with the harbour scene outside as we stood by the glass windows waiting for boarding time to arrive. Conversation was difficult. Tamik was in a fragile state. The silent veil was transparently thin. Evan seemed quietly disturbed. A strange muted business bellied his actions. Confused perhaps. A foreboding of what lay ahead. Unable to express himself adequately possibly. So young & already so abandoned. Tamik has been more than just a nanny since his birth. She has been his maternal shadow for the last two years. The bond ran deep & wide.

It was all over quickly. An intense hug from Evan as he was instructed to say goodbye. Tamik appeared slightly stunned. An uncomfortable silence. Awkward glances. Quick handshakes. We pulled away to ensure no messy histrionics ensued. He insisted on watching from the windows. Hoping to glimpse as she walked to the boat. "I want Aunty Tamik" echoed incessantly through the hallway. So we decided to walk away to catch some dinner. Perhaps he was hungry too. At each turn, he would be looking eagerly to see if she was around the corner- hide & seek was one of their favorite games. We tried to distract him as best as we could, but you could tell in his eyes that it was scant consolation. Tamik called my mobile phone after she had boarded & was obviously distraught. In between sobs, she thanked me & enquired how Evan was taking it. I had to curb my initial instincts to put him on the phone as I realised that it would do both no good at this delicate time. I wished her well & reassured her that he would be ok.

When we finally reached home, he pointed at the door, saying "Aunty Tamik open the door", hoping she was after all, at home & about to welcome him as was her custom. Quiet acceptance greeted the darkened hall as we entered. It would be a long night. By now, tired & whiny, Aunty Tamik's name reverberated through the house until the cloud of exhaustion took its toll.

The final throes of a traumatic day culminated in a sudden unusual awakening at 2 a.m. Evan was at my door crying "Daddy, daddy, come and sleep with me!". It would be another long chapter for such a young life.

Frances Ng Basketball Memorial 2009

 This year's Basketball Memorial will be held on the 5th of September 2009. It's a Saturday, and we'll be at the usual place, CHIJ Toa Payoh, from 4.30pm onwards. So do join us if you can, for a time of fun and activity, even if you don't play basketball, it's a time to catch up with Evan and fellow friends of Frances. See you there!

The Paradox of Life without You,
Numbs the mind and paralyses the heart;
So many people surround us each day,
Yet the loneliness is unsurpassed;
So much promise embodied in Evan,
Yet the future feels so empty;
The outpouring of love since your passing,
Bathes us in its warm protective glow,
Flowing freely in abundance,
Yet the immeasurable love Evan and I had reserved for you,
Lie buried deep under an avalanche of shattered dreams,
Like petrified lava, our rich river of love,
Stopped from flowing by the barrier of time;
So many instruments of music echo through our halls,
Yet the missing musician is the loudest absence of all.

For a season there must be pain-
For a little, little space
I shall lose the sight of her face,
Take back the old life again
While she is at rest in her place,
For a season this pain must endure,
For a little, little while
I shall sigh more often than smile
Till Time shall work me a cure,
And the pitiful days beguile.
For that season we must be apart,
For a little length of years,
Till my life's last hours nears,
And, above the beat of my heart,
I hear Her voice in my ears.
But I shall not understand-
Being set on some later love,
Shall not know her for whom I strove,
Till she reach me forth her hand,
Saying, "Who but I have the right?"
And out of a troubled night
Shall draw me safe to the land.

Rudyard Kipling, The Widow.

Oh we never know where life will take us
I know it's just a ride on the wheel
And we never know when death will shake us
And we wonder how it will feel
I know I'll never see you again
But the time together through all the years
Will take away these tears
Life's so fragile and love's so pure
We can't hold on but we try
We watch how quickly it disappears
And we never know why
Goodbye my friend

Karla Bonoff, 1988.

As I leave the the second year of my life behind, I can look back and say that it has been a milestone indeed. It was the year of independence. The year I figured out how to walk and talk, and the year my body was strong enough to resist better all those nasty bugs we pass to one another.

My evolution to a functional biped homosapien has brought new found mobility and immeasurable joy. And misery some might add. Who cares that I'm still a little shaky and unstable on my feet. As my dad says, I won't be a professional athlete, but I can still be an Olympian in many other ways.

The winds now also carry the sounds of my incessant chatter. My new found voice has been a blessing. And a mild curse some might add too. Like all new found independence, it has to be harnessed

My immune system has been firing on all 8 pistons. Sick I have been, but thankfully the fevers have been less frequent and certainly haven't reached the same highs as last year. *fingers crossed*

This year brings new challenges. I start pre-school at a more intensive pace. Five full half mornings a week. I also continue with the Early Intervention Program in the Rainbow Centre two afternoons a week. I have my work cut out for me by papa. He says that I need to strengthen my walking skills and learn to be more balanced. I also have to work on giving my speech more clarity. This will be a very telling year indeed.

It has been almost three years since mummy left us. Our hearts still weigh heavily as if it was only yesterday. I wish she could see me grow up. I wish she was here for me to hug. We miss you so much, the heavens aren't big enough to fill our love.

It is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life

Make me an instrument of your peace,
I want to know what it's like to follow you,
When men look at me I want them to see the light of the world inside.

-A Simple Prayer, Praise Baby Collection: Born to Worship

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009 to All!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

-Irish Blessing

The AlpsWe actually waited for the cows to come home.
An annual autumn festival where the livestock descend from the mountain grazing pastures to hide from the impending winter weather.

We recently visited my cousins in Switzerland. I was told it's just across the road, but you have to sit on an airplane to get there. I don't remember much of the journey as I was sleeping most of the way. Papa just said it was a lot of sitting to do. It was a very enjoyable trip cos I got to play with my two cousins Ollie and Owen every day. It was a much needed break for papa too and a relaxing time to catch up with my Uncle Adrian and Aunty Iris. The trip went by smoothly and everyone had a great time. I was on my best behavior, as usual. I hope we get to cross that road again soon.

My first experience of Autumn. So many golden leaves everywhere!
Papa says its the time of the year when the trees get rid of their rubbish by shedding their leaves.

My cousin Ollie juggling the rubbish.

Pure mountain water spouting everywhere to drink. And it's free.

Pristine rivers flow through the town of Lucerne

The 3 Amigos with coats to match! You think grandma was a little too enthusiastic with the wardrobe?

One of the best parts of the holiday was the fun we had in all the wonderful parks and well-equipped play grounds.

The simplicity of childhood

3rd Basketball Memorial Game for mummy...

Pre-game work out to loosen up those rippling muscles...

Procure a ball...

Here I come...

Woohoo! My opening basket...

A beautiful game...

Ambitious half court shot!

Can't touch me...

Basketball scrum!

Yeah, this is so much easier...

Take a bow guys...

C'mon everyone, we can do better!

Ok, ok, that's better.
A big thank you to Aunty Sheena and Prisca for organising yet another successful memorial.
Thank you for all the wonderful friends that turned up in support.
Friendship at its best. Friendship at its purest

We love and miss you very much mummy!