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.

Sept 2021

 Yesterday, someone in my office tested positive for COVID-19 so we had to pack up and leave immediately. I went to the clinic today and luckily the result of the test was negative. I’ll be working from home till the end of the month. The pandemic has turned our lives topsy turvy and it will take at least another year for our lives to go back to normal. I haven’t been back since March 2020 and really miss everyone back in Malaysia. I hope I can visit by year end if not Chinese New Year in February 2022!

Goodbye 2020

 What a year! COVID-19 has changed the way we live; traveling is largely restricted, social gatherings restrained, families stayed apart and work from home became the norm. We can only hope that life will resume to the way we are used to in 2021. 

But hope can fail us. On this day, 15 years ago, you left us. We can never have you back. Some say time heals; true but to a certain extent. As much as we’ve moved on, we can never forget you! 

I’ll always miss you.

Sept 2020

I’m a day late but will never forget your birthday on 15 September; miss you.

Covid-19

Just after my trip back to KL on 13 March, I like everyone else was confined mostly to working from home due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Since March, I was unable to go back to Malaysia and miss home very much. I was also worried about mom being alone; until June your brother couldn’t travel to see her.
 The virus outbreak has spread to all parts of the world and we have to take more precautions than usual; one instance is wearing mask when you leave home. We also try to avoid crowded places and eat out less. In other words, it will take a long time for things to return to normal.
Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately; I really miss you.

Dec 2019

I was back in KL during the Christmas week to spend some time with your mom. Your brother and Raj, thankfully, were around as well. On Christmas eve, we had dinner with Pheng, Cheng and their dad. In our hearts, we’re all thinking about you. New Year’s eve is round the corner and it always reminds of how you would come over and have dinner with me before you headed out for the fireworks. I truly miss you.

September 2019

I was back in KL during your birthday weekend to spend time with mom and Chean Shen.
The good news is that mom got a new job and she’ll be spending some time in Singapore to help integrate the company’s HR process regionally. On 26 September, we had dinner with Raj and some friends to celebrate my 13 year anniversary at job. Barely had we finished dinner when we received some bad news about our friend Martin; he had taken his own life.
Naturally, we were shocked and very sad to lose a dear friend.
I miss you.

Perth

We were in Perth from Aug 8 to 15; never saw your mom so happy in a long time.
She was game for everything from whale watching to sky diving. It was more fun
with your brother around. The weather was also perfect until the second last day
when it rained and the temperature dropped to single digit when the wind blows.
We did a lot of wine and cheese tasting along Swan Valley and Margaret River;
Needless to say, mom and Chean Shen took tons of photos; wish you could see them.

new year's eve 2018

New Year's eve always brings back fond memories of you. We would have dinner usually at your favorite restaurant Esquire Kitchen with your friends Saw Hong or Li Huey.  After dinner, you would try to persuade me to go for the fireworks display but habits die hard as i need to be in bed before midnight; so you would drop me home first. It was always fun to be with you, and this time of the year is especially poignant knowing we always spent time together. I miss you.