CNY 2026

 This year’s CNY is noticeable for the absence of uncle Boo Eng, aunty Girly and ah teow (Pheng’s dad). So, everyone is doing their own CNY eve dinner. I had mine with your brother, Rachel, mom and Raj. We drove to a seafood place up the hill; unfortunately, it rained heavily and we’re unable to get a panoramic view of  Penang island. On the first day of CNY, we visited uncle Teik Ee, your papa. Everyone was there, except Ah Khim and family. Still, we had a great time catching up with Teng Lye, Teng Hin and family, and enjoying aunty Ah Eng’s cooking 😋  

Your mom and brother hosted the second day open house. Everyone loved her pastas!  I thought of you as memories of you helping in the kitchen flooded back. 

Miss you 😢 

Dec 2025

 It’s been 20 years since you left us but I’ve never stopped thinking about you 😢

I miss you 🥰 

Aunty Choo Choo 

29 Sept 2025

 With a heavy heart, I’m sad to share with you that uncle Boo Eng has passed away this morning 😢

This year so far has been very difficult; imagine losing 3 family members: aunty Girlie, ah teow (Pheng’s dad) and now uncle Boo Eng in a space of 4 months. 

I’m so devastated. Also miss you a lot!

15 Sept 2025

 I was back in KL on Friday, 12 Sept. Apart from dinner with your cousins Pheng, Cheng, Ah boy, his wife Lisa and son Clarence, I spent most of the time gardening and chatting with mom. We miss you very much.

Happy birthday!

22 Aug 2025

 Ah teow passed away on Friday 22 Aug, which is also kor kor’s birthday. I came back to KL the next day to see Pheng, Cheng, ah Boy, Lisa and Clarence. We reminisced about ah teow who had touched our hearts in many ways. Ah teow had donated his body to the hospital teaching program and so there was no wake. I feel sad to lose a kind and caring brother in law. Miss you too.

July 19 wedding

 This morning, your brother Chean Shen married Rachel in a simple signing ceremony at the Moral Uplifting Society hall in Penang. Only immediate family members and close friends were invited to witness the occasion. The bride looked radiant in a white dress while the groom wore matching white shirt.

Looks like white is the flavor of the day as mom also wore a white outfit. As the signing ceremony came to a close, rings were exchanged. Very fittingly, Rachel wore the diamond ring that I gave you. 

 Wish you were here. We miss you.

Farewell to aunty Girly

 Aunty Girly passed away early Monday morning. Her funeral service is on Friday June 20. I’m flying in on Thursday morning for her wake and funeral. There is a complication though. Uncle Boo Eng is recovering from a broken leg in the hospital and has yet to be informed about aunty Girly. I feel so sad for him. 

ROM

 Your brother, Chean Shen, and Rachel are getting hitched in July. They are registering their marriage on Sat July 19 in Penang to be followed by a party in the evening. How I wish you could be there for your brother. We shall miss you very much. 

Love,

Aunty Choo Choo 

CNY 2025

CNY has become a pilgrimage for me; it’s a good time to see everyone. In KL, mom and I had our reunion dinner at Pheng’s place instead of going out. Pheng’s dad or Ah Teown as you called him hasn’t been well for some time. Old age is catching up on him. The next day, mom and I flew to Penang. Chean Shen picked us up but he didn’t seem well with an infected gum. Still, he managed to join us for our reunion dinner with uncle Boo Eng and family at his place. Age has caught up with uncle Boo Eng and he has some health issues which restrict his mobility. The next day, we did our usual rounds, visiting uncle Teik Ee (whom you called papa) at Milo’s place. I don’t think you’d met Milo, who is the youngest son of ‘papa’ and aunty Ah Eng.  I managed to squeeze in some time to visit Ah Yeu and Ah Bin whom I haven’t seen for 4 years. We had a great time catching up. On day two, mom hosted an open house, making spaghetti bologna and carbonara, which turned out pretty good; no wonder, Teng Hin’s son Nicholas and Teng Lye’s son Kar Vin went crazy with 3 rounds. As the sun sets, I was getting ready to head out to my biological brother’s place for a quick visit before heading to the airport. I reached Singapore at midnight, tired but happy that I’ve touched base with our families.

I miss you though.

December 2024

 The year is coming to a close but it’s never been easy for me to remember that you left us in a hurry on this day. For this reason, I’ve asked your brother to take mum to Sarawak for a holiday, otherwise she’ll get depressed at this time of the year. Two weeks ago, we celebrated mum’s birthday in Penang with your brother and Rachel. I’m in KL running some errands and heading back to Singapore today. 

I’ve taken up erhu lessons and I miss my practice sessions. I shall play a song for you.

Miss you so much! 😥

September 2024

 I dreamt of you last night. You came home and you just stood in front of me. You were wearing a long sleeve shirt and an ankle length skirt, quite a colourful outfit, which was uncharacteristic of you since I always see you in t-shirts and jeans. Nevertheless, I was so happy to see you and gave you a tight hug. There were a thousand and one questions I wanted to ask you but nature calls and I woke up. 

Your birthday is coming up and I shall never forget the times we spent together. I wondered whether you appeared in my dream to remind me of that. 

I will always miss you.

CNY 2024

 This is the first CNY where I stayed longer and spent more time with family. We had cny eve dinner at Teng Lye’s place. On day 1, we visited uncle Teik Ee and uncle Boo Eng. Uncle Teik Ee has moved in to Milo (his youngest son)’s place. On day 2, Chean Shen hosted his open house; we had spaghetti, roast pork and chicken and alcohol was free flowing. Wished you were here though.

Remembrance

 Last night, I went to a temple to light candles for you. You left us 18 years ago on this day. Even though, I’ve moved on, there’s always a place in my heart for you.❤️

December 2023

 I was back in KL for your mom’s birthday; there were seven of us: your mom, brother and his girlfriend Rachel, Pheng, Cheng, Raj and myself. We had dinner at a Spanish restaurant as your mom was craving for paella.I wish you were here with us.

I miss you.

15 Sept 2023

 We had a family gathering to celebrate your birthday; you would have been 48 years old. Your cousin Ah Boy , his wife Lisa and son Xian Wei have come back to Malaysia for good. We had a good time catching up and there were lots of food to feed a dozen. Your mom cooked a few dishes and she really enjoyed the “new kitchen” which has been renovated to her liking. Your brother made mushroom risotto with blue cheese, an acquired taste.  While everyone had a good time, not having you around is the saddest feeling ever. 

Miss you.

April 2023

 I wanted a low key, no fuss birthday as I was feeling not particularly sociable. I was thinking a lot about you though. As it turned out, I went out with a couple of friends and had my fill of junk food! Next weekend, I’ll be back in KL to see everyone and play with my garden. But most of all, I miss you very much.

Bye 2022

 I’m glad the year is almost over. There were times, more often than not, that I lost motivation at work; I felt that I need a break and a long holiday will do me some good. It didn’t help that financial markets are extremely volatile and hence, hard to manage. Looking back, I think I could’ve done better but it’s always easy to say on hindsight. 

On a personal level, I can’t complain much. What I would like to share is that your brother has a new girlfriend Rachel. I like her a lot. She’s joining us for CNY gathering in Penang, and I bet she’ll be warmly welcomed by everyone. Also, mom and I are having an early CNY lunch with Ah Boy and family in KL now that China has opened its borders after its zero covid policy was scrapped.

CNY 2023 is going to be really fun with everyone around! 

Miss you though.

Dreams

 Last night, I dreamt that I was left behind by a tour bus when I went to the restroom. I panicked and was frantically looking for help when you appeared. You assured me you would help me find the bus but then I woke up. As always, you never failed to look out for me! Your birthday is next Thursday. I miss you so much.

CNY 2022

 Finally, after more than two years, I was able to travel back to Penang to celebrate CNY with your uncles, aunties and cousins. What makes the homecoming extra special is that we (mom, Raj and I) are staying with your brother. He has bought a new place in Bayan Lepas; a 3 bedroom apartment with a nice view. This morning, we went to uncle Teik Ee’s place prayers to grandma; something I haven’t done for ages. It was a re-union of sorts as we also met up with uncle Boo Eng, aunty Girlie, Teng Lye and Teng Hin. Hopefully, we can do this again next CNY. 

Home Sweet Home

I’m home in KL after nearly two years waiting for the Covid 19 travel restrictions to ease off. Had a good time with mom and CS for 3 days before they drove back to Pg. CS has bought a new apartment and mom is helping him to move in. How I wish you could be with us. I miss you.