Well.. The first thing I’m gonna write in a long while is about my grandpa’s funeral. He passed away on 15th May 2011 at the age of 75. It’s the first time I fully experienced the rituals of the funeral that was extremely elaborate – Taoist Hokkien Style.

My dad went to Malaysia first on the day of death itself while the rest of us went back on Monday for the wake at my grandparents’ house. That’s because on Sunday, we have a dinner to attend which my dad has already paid for. As we finally reached the place on Monday, it was with a mix of feelings that was hard to define.

Me and my siblings are not really close to our grandparents as we reside in Singapore. Among the siblings, I could be considered to be closer to my grandparents as I’m the eldest. What I felt was a mixture of sadness, fear, confusion, respect and a strange after-calmness.

Sadness – because I’ve lost my grandpa who’s dear to my father and me.

Fear – largely due to the lack of discernment of the funeral’s do’s and don’ts. And also because of the vast number of people that I do not know. Fear is largely due to the unknown…

Confusion – as I am quite estranged from my grandpa, there was a troubling mix of expectant grief and unfamiliarity.

Respect – my grandpa stood out to be a respected figure and an emobodiment of values such as humility, kindness, perserverance, patience, loyalty and diligence. Considering his age, which was relatively well lived, albeit the difficult last lap due to lung cancer, and also to be blessed with so many grandchildren, I think it is impressive of him to be able to raise up a large extended family.

Me and my siblings came back on wednesday while my parents stayed there till Sunday sorting out all the outstanding issues and bills. Anyways, the whole funeral was largely taken charge by my dad (No. 4 son) and my 2nd uncle. As you can see, there are some family conflicts and the eldest son did not take on any responsibility.. That’s a long story and it’s inappropriate for me to elaborate in detail..

All in all, this entry is in dedication to the memory of my grandpa and to preach the importance of family unity and responsibility to all who read this. I thank God for giving me wonderful parents who taught me and my siblings the confucian values that make us filial and loyal to family and friends..

When I’m alone in the midst of pain
or stress, troubles, whatever strains…
Who is there standing by?
It’s in the blood where the answer lies…
My parents and siblings are there!
They are there to love and be loved…
I know they are tied in heartstrings to me, praying for each other
Though I’m alone, I can seek comfort in this knowledge
And hence, I’m actually…
Not alone

Just a quick update to write on this failing blog of mine…………..

- Year 2 Semester 2 has been the toughest ever BUT by God’s GRACE, my CAP still went up, making yet another better semester! God’s system is indeed out of this world! Amen!

- Right after the exams, i started exercising and has never stopped since. My fitness is coming back! After conditioning for the first phase and now higher intensity training which include strength, endurance and interval training… My resting heart rate is now…. 58-60 beats per minute!! Again, thank God for this health and fitness despite having been through 2 lung collapses!! I felt younger again! Rejuvenation is great man…

- Went Tioman in end May and the experience was fabulous! The sea and its corals are just wonderful. Went back to Singapore with a dreary dearie because she was very sad about leaving Tioman on the last day.. hahaha.. Paradoxically, she’s happy with Tioman.

- And now, other then my exercise regime, i’m studying financial planning for the future. Very useful stuff to prep one going into working adulthood. Whoever reading this entry, i advise you guys to read up this stuff abit. Just go to the library to get some books.

End of entry. I’ll try to update more frequently from now on. =)

It’s a simple gesture which could be easily overlooked.

Ya, I’m going on 23 and it’s quite a joke to be fed like that.. hahaha..

It’s a good time to count my blessings.. haha..

1 more day and it’s weekend then NEW YEAR!!! not forgetting, it’s gonna be valentine’s day too.. haha..

As you can see, there are some big words there… However, it’s totally garbed up.. HAHA..

It’s fictitious la dey.. at least classify these under superstition or something so as to not let the young ones misunderstand such jokes?

guess where…

a little light
a faint hint of chirps
is enough to lift the lid
to stop the warp of mind

as a piano key was played
it resounds my soul
perhaps it just takes a right melody
to tune up my soul

So can you imagine the amount of work there is?? AAHHH!!

Anyways, I’m glad that Shu has been supportive of me so far.. It is paradoxical that the support that the guy needs is literally nothing much but just some understanding to leave him alone… Ain’t that easy?? hahaha..

Comparatively to a girl, a girl needs a lot of time and etc investment.. hahaha..

Just kidding.

I was caught last minute on the start of bidding for modules and this is the first time so far being so ill prepared in choosing what modules to take. The time table was packed in Monday and Thursday of the week so that I can keep some days free and also, it’s for the huge chunk of lab I’m supposed to reserve for.. Joke.

Anyways, the bidding has been smooth though.

Since the start of 2nd Sem

Ultra Monday blues introduce the dreadful Physical Chem, Organic Chem and Inorganic Chem. The worst of it is Organic Chem as most of my memory of that module has gone. The professor was lecturing well, but he’s quite fast in his lecture and it felt like he’s teaching a bunch of Old Bird organic chemists when we are all so cock about the whole module. JOKE.

Tutorial balloting has been a huge headache this semester. I was like trying to squeeze lessons in my limited slots.. Machiam like trying to squeeze all the Bangkok clothes inside my luggage.

By God’s grace, I’m gonna survive yet another semester!! AHH!!

Seriously, war cry makes one feel good. joke.

Anyways, crap aside, I was working part time in my holidays and had also traveled to 2 countries in the 1 month holiday. Thinking back, this has been my first time traveling to 2 countries within a month albeit my feeling to such a phenomenon has been oblivious.

Wells, it has been a well spent holiday. Economically and spiritually… LOL…

With a blink of an eye
Lo! something’s changed
unseen or seen
it happens anyway
for better or for worse
Life still goes on
a choosy sight
with a goodness of heart
Yes, Change it is
well? beauty lies…

Ok, basically we went to stroll around the Pratunam area on the first day and visited Platinum Mall. Platinum Mall is gigantic with more than 1000 shops!!

Then…. after the first dinner, i had diarrhea on the 2nd day…. DAMN JOKE.. Everybody didn’t have except for me.. I was feeling nauseous and “lao sai feeling” all the time when we were out to Chatuchak, MBK, Siam area on the second day. I had to go back to the hotel in the afternoon and then, evening again.. In the evening, I was already feeling feverish! It was so upsetting and I felt awful for bogging Shumin down… haha… But I’m glad that I recovered quickly after a short rest in the evening thanks to her BaoJiYan and of course, her care~ lol..

On the 3rd day, me and shoe went back to Platinum Mall again to sweep the a few more levels.. FYI, me and shoe can only manage to sweep the B1 level on the first day. Joke. Then at night, we went to Suan Lum, it’s a night market and it’s a nice place to shop at!

We were gonna depart on the 4th day night. so we still had time to shop at Siam in the afternoon.. In the morning, we went to Platinum Mall again to sweep the last 2 levels… joke…

On the plane en route to Bangkok

Melvin and Yingshi

above the sea of cotton

Singha

the dinner that almost got me killed on the next day…

we were holding candles for the birthday of the King on 5 Dec 2009

against the backdrop of Baiyoke Sky Hotel

on the decorated bridge that links Platinum mall

the tuk tuk and its insistence to bring us to a transiting place

the mass of clothes that comes in…

you have to try their fish when u come to bangkok!

geeky wooden glasses

Shoe’s manicure