A sad sad day...

Yesterday was one of those sad sad day in my life...

Witnessing the deteroriation in the health of an uncle (my mum's eldest brother - Vincent) to his death last Thursday, and the journey of his coffin into the furnace at the Mandai crematorium.

I am sadden, the lost of yet another family member. Though extended, but he had played a very important part in my family.

In those days when I was very young, I remembered that my parents always quarrelled, either over monetary issues, or my parent's gambling habits (my mum was into mahjung, and my dad was into slot machine). Everytime the situation got out of hands, I'll hear this : "call your big brother here !"

Uncle Vincent was a regular visitor to our house, he was a great support to my mum emotionally, seemed like my mum will only swallow advices from him and no others (because my mum was very egoistic !)

I heard from my parents that Uncle Vincent also helped them financially. Uncle Vincent chipped in generously whenever he could.

Personally, I am indebted to Uncle Vincent. I was told that when I was a baby, I had a growth on my neck. It was Uncle Vincent who loaned my family the money for me to go through the operation to have the growth removed. Was that growth malignant, I do not know, but I am grateful to have it removed, and not fear about it's presence for the rest of my life.

Over the last few days of funeral wake, I heard bits and pieces of the life story of Uncle Vincent. All from my aunties - his sisters. They remembered him fondly. Being the eldest brother out of 11 children in the family must be tough. Uncle Vincent must have had many untold stories...happy or sad. But one thing for sure, he had made a difference to all the siblings' life in one way or another. They all respected him and all were sadden by his death. (I am sure if my mum is around, she'll be the one who'll cry the loudest !)

I hope, as a great brother is burnt to ashes & bones...his selfless spirit will stay among us, and encourage those who loved him dearly to live on bravely and make a difference to the lives of those who matters to them.

p.s. The priest said in the funeral ritual:" Death is never punctual.....for some it's early and for others it's late". I do not know whether mine will be early or late, but I am counting my blessings for everyday that I'm alive.

There's No Place I'd Rather Be

The 1st time I heard this NDP 07 song, tears came to my eyes....

I did not walk the streets of Cairo & Bombay;
I did not see the neon signs of Broadway nor have I climbed the Eiffel Tower;
I did not step foot into most of those places mentioned in the song;
But I feel that this song applies to me, right now, at this moment.

I've left Singapore for barely 10 weeks. All my friends can see that I am grinning from ear to ear during our gatherings these few days....but when they asked about 'how's life over there?', my face will display otherwise !

I miss everything about Singapore, just to name a few :

• the hawker food: Fishball Mee Pok, Nasi Lemak, Yong Tou Foo; Chicken Rice; Lor Mee Tai Mak; Vegetarian Bee Hoon; Chwee Kueh; Laksa; Lotong; Mee Hoon Soto; etc etc
• the variety of fish at the wet market: Fresh Red Garoupa, Kurau, Mackerel (Batang), Cod Fish, Salmon, White Baits, etc etc
• the variety of fruits: Seedless Watermelon, Sweet Rock Melon, Fragrant Papaya, Yummy Durian, etc etc
• the ability to drive the car around town;
• my extended family;
• my friends whom I've known for years;
• my pasadena neighbours;
• the clean air;
• the clean tap water;
• the greenary everywhere;
• the orderly queues everywhere (be it cars or people); etc etc

The list just goes on & on...there is neverending goodness in this country !

If I've not left the country, I will not learn to appreciate it this much :)

It's always the case isn't it? If we don't lose something, we will not realise how important it is to us!

Guess what I'm doing at 3.26am now? I'm combing through the internet, searching for old National Day Songs ! Found many familiar ones (eg, Home by Kit Chan), but there are some which I do not recall having heard it during National Day before - or is it because I wasn't "paying attention" during those years ? Isn't this the all too familiar attitude of taking things for granted?

Well, I have a long, exciting journey ahead....I shall not keep looking back, and holding on to my comfort zone. However, I do not wish to be too ambitious, I shall take one step at a time. I shall start building my home from scratch again in a foreign land. And take home coming as a 'recharging station' :)

Rubbish Collection Uncle Made My Day !

Something pleasant happened this morning.

I was, as usual - in a mad rush, driving to go and meet a friend (to bring her to baby hypermart before kids come back from school) at about 9.30am. I have to turn out from our small lane at Derbyshire Road to join into Thomson Road.

As I was waiting for my turn to turn out to the main road, a Rubbish Truck came and stopped at the right of my car. It was waiting to turn into the main road too ! And in my heart was...SHIT ! You big monster ! Block my view ! How can I see if there is any car coming my way before I can turn out ! Now I have to wait for you to be gone (cos I want to keep to the right most lane after I turn out) ! And my friend is waiting, I am LATE !!!

But to my surprise, when it was almost clear to go, the rubbish collection uncle sitting next to the driver of the rubbish truck gave me "traffic signals" ! He signalled for me to wait, then for me to go as the truck is making it's slow turn out into the main road.

As a result, turning out and making my way to the right most lane was a brisk !

This incident is such a trivial thing in life, but it warms my heart to be the recipient of such pleasant gesture :)

I've been driving for more than 15 years now, and I've come across so many rude, nasty and inconsiderate drivers. It sure feels good to know that there are Good people around, and these may not be the most well educated ones, but they are people with a Heart !

Thank you Mr Rubbish Collection Uncle !