Summer so far

We've been in Spore close to two weeks this Thursday. So far it has been really great. We touched down on the 19th. It was a little nerve wrecking in the beginning as I had to fly alone with Baba but Baba was absolutely great! He behaved so well. 


The moment we touched down Singapore, we had a ball. A week later, Babe arrived in Singapore. Initially Babe was worried that Baba would forget him but of course Baba didn't. In fact, every night before Babe arrived, he would ask for Babe. And sometimes Baba would give me a sad face when he asked for his dada. Babe arrived and we had Baba's birthday party last Saturday. It was a blast! Sorry no pics for the moment as I was too busy to take pics and Jacqui hasn't given me any pics yet. We had to have Baba's party early as Babe might be busy with work and he might be traveling during that period.

I'm really glad that every year, I get more than four weeks off and it's nice to be able to chill and spend time with Baba and the family. Sure when I'm back in Spore, there seems to be endless things to do but when I've got a long break, things don't seem so rushed. And I get to spend more time with the family, especially JC. I love watching JC and Baba interact with each other. Sometimes, it is a laugh but more often than not, they always end up in a fight. But after the fight, they're all loving again. It's seriously a laugh.

I also had the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Friends that I've not seen for years. The lady that baked Baba's cake was an old uni friend that I've not probably seen for close to fifteen years. It was nice to catch up even thought it was a short chat. And another friend, probably not seen her for four years or so, turned up at Baba's party. Again had a great time to catch up. At the back of my head, I'm feeling that it's when I leave overseas that these meet ups and catch ups begin to have lots more meaning to it. I guess its when I know that'll be a while before we catch up again that I tend to treasure these sessions a lot more. Plus the people that really make the effort to catch up with me, really make my day too.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Enjoy the pics.

 Little Baba in his own seat playing with the controls. Got to say that this flight was probably one of my best with Baba alone. So well behaved!

 After we arrived, we had to wait for mum as she finished her work in the clinic. The two kids for some reason behaved really well. Brought little JC out for a drink too.

 On the way to the Splash Park. Notice that they are wearing matching clothes? You can't see it in the pic but they're wearing matching shoes too!

 This was taken the day Babe arrived. Little Baba was so happy that Dada's with him. We went to the park near mum's place for a walk.

 Last year, we went for the same production. At that time, little Baba was quite squirmy. He couldn't keep still. But this time, he watched the whole watch quietly and he was really concentrating.

 Cupcakes that I baked for little Baba. You can't see it in the pic but the cupcakes had three layers of colours.

Summer Plans

So we're just a footstep away from summer holidays. Yes, just a tiny baby step away. Monday will be the last day at work and my last work of work at the school too. It's kinda bittersweet as well. Anyway, this post is not about leaving my work but rather summer plans.

Months and months before summer, probably just after Christmas I started making plans for summer. And notice, it's I that was making plans. So I had grand plans from going to meet Eve in Hawaii to going to Europe to going Maldives again and a whole range of plans. But I forgot Babe in the equation and then I started discussing with Babe and plans started to roll again. But time and time again, we had to change our plans as Babe has to work and also travel for work. We had to factor that in.

Finally, we had our plans firmed last month. Singapore first, then Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne and then maybe Bangkok. And in Singapore, we were meant to have little Baba's second birthday party there too. And restaurant was booked and cake ordered too. So we thought our summer plans were kinda fixed. Then a couple of days ago Babe told me that yes, there's changes again. I'm like, what? Changes again? That's when the slight panic began. We had to move little Baba's birthday party but we had to check the restaurant's availability and when that was settled, we had to make sure that the cake will be ready. And I'm trying to do all these remotely from Hong Kong and the party is meant to be like in two weeks' time too. Yes, it's kinda crazy. But thank God, all went well. Restaurant is able to accommodate us, cake can be baked on time. So I thought that there's no more changes. Then Babe called to tell me that there's more changes again! I'm like, huh?

Yes, trying roll with the flow. So there's probably going to be more changes over summer. But there at least I know that Singapore and Melbourne are confirmed. And I can't wait for the start of holidays. It's been a long school year. I really need the break!

Babe's Popo

Last Saturday, 30th of June, Babe and I were getting ready to go for a farewell party in our estate when Babe received a text message. He yelled out to me that his grandma passed away. Obviously he was very upset and he told me to go ahead to the party without him. So I went to the party with little Ba Ba and returned home in less than an hour. I wanted to say bye to our friends.

I first met Babe's grandma more than twenty years ago. I met her in church. I actually met her before I met Babe's mother. Babe told me that he was brought up by his grandma. When he was young, he lived with his grandma and his cousins and he lived with them till he was fourteen. So understandably he was quite upset. Popo was a very God fearing lady. She would read the bible and pray for her children, grandchildren and great grand children every day. When we got married, Popo was very elated for us. She loved Babe heaps. Over the years that I've known her, I've never seen or heard her raise her voice much less lose her temper. She was truly the model grandma. When she first got news that we adopted Baba, she wanted to know his name so that she can pray for him. I was very touched by it. Even towards the end of her life, she made sure that her grandchildren were well taken care. She lived frugally so that her grandchildren would be fine. That was another thing that touched me.

Last summer, we brought Baba home for the first time and the moment I landed, I brought Baba to the hospital to see Popo. Her face was brimming with joy. Whenever we headed home, we would bring little Baba to hang out with Popo. I'm sure little Baba enjoyed his time with Popo and so did Popo. The last time that we saw Popo was over Easter. Little Baba had a blast playing in her apartment. And Popo was amused by his antics. But little did we know that it would be Baba's last time to see her.

After hearing the news and getting more details, we booked our flights on Saturday and left on Sunday and we came back to HK on Wednesday. It was a rush trip but a good one. This was our first time rushing off to Spore. We went straight to the wake from the airport. It was hard on Babe. And on the last night of the wake, Babe made a little speech for his grandma. It was hard for him to do that. When he spoke, my tears rolled down. He loved her very much but we are glad that in time to come, we'll be able to meet her again.

Thanks Popo for raising Babe to be such a wonderful husband and father. I could never asked for more. You have influenced him more than you can imagine. Popo, we know that your greatest wish is for Babe's mother to come to faith too. We are praying for her and for Babe's father too. We believe that in time to come, they will come to faith.

At our church wedding some ten years ago. It's kinda bittersweet that three out of the eleven in the photo have left us to be with the Lord.

After our wedding reception at church.

Serving Popo tea. I can still remember her face brimming with joy and happiness.

Popo, Babe and Baba. I wished that I took more photos of Popo and I wished that we took a family photo with Popo too. Guess this is life. We never know when our loved ones would live us.

Little Baba monkeying around with Popo. If you look closely, you can see her smile. We miss you Popo.