CNY 2018

Ok, very belated. But good memories are worth revisiting!

Times Have Changed

It was Labour Day, and we as a family had gone out for a morning stroll at the waterway behind our house.

It was my suggestion. Mum supported it, as she always does when it comes to “healthy activities”, AKA opportunities for Dad to exercise.

Well our stamina didn’t even last even 30 minutes. As we neared a public transport – the LRT – we happily hopped on and headed for the nearest mall, where we proceeded to enjoy a second breakfast at MacDonald’s. We had a good laugh over our “token walk” on a public holiday, and reminisced over childhood memories related to Mac breakfasts.

It was there where Dad made his poignant comment: “Times have changed. In the past you 2 (referring to the brother and me) would be sitting down at MacDonald’s while I went to order. Now I get to sit while you all go order and collect the food.”

It was true.

Mum had also made a similar comment before, saying how when we were young it was the parents who brought us out and around, and now we are mainly the ones bringing them to new places, deciding where to eat and where to go on family outings.

It really is an allusion to the passing of time. The inevitable growing up of children you once fed with your hands. The undeniable aging of parents who were once towering over you and carried you in their arms while you slept (or pretended to sleep) on their shoulders. The cycle of life. The surreal reality of life.

And through it all, a reminder to cherish the moments we have.

Long Weekend in Melbourne (2/2)

Over too fast too soon.

Long Weekend in Melbourne (1/2)

Day 1 of a short weekend retreat to Melbourne, over the Good Friday weekend.
So happy to experience 14degrees, breathe in dry crispy air, smell autumn, wear layers, bask in the sight of colourful leaves, and complain about dry skin again.

Siblings at USS

Thanks to the pair of tickets won from staff dinner last year ;p

The quality time was good, but the crowds and over-stimulation from the rides just reminded me why I stopped paying to go such places!

Getaway to Bintan – Day 2

On our second (and last) morning there, we planned to wake up at 5.30AM to catch the sunrise.

So Mum’s alarm rang at 5.30AM, home time.

Which translated to 4.30AM in Bintan.

By the time I figured out why the sky was not getting any brighter by the minute, it was around 4.45AM.

Laughing, we decided to use the extra time to shower and freshen up anyway.

Good story for memories ;p

Redha

My first time watching a movie at Golden Mile. It was a bit of a walk from Lavender, and we emerged from the theatre on a cold, wet and unfamiliar Sunday afternoon, my stomach empty and grumbling, but it felt worth it. Especially since all profits  were going to the Autism Association!

The film portrays the lives of a couple with an autistic son, Danial.  Some parts felt like an educational documentary, but I could see why it would be important to use such a powerful platform to reach out to the masses. And all things considered, I thought it was a very realistic portrayal of the struggles a family unit goes through when they live with a person with special needs, and how acceptance and support from different blocks of society can really make a difference in meaning and quality of life.

Just before the film started, the audience was asked to observe a few moments of silence for the female lead, as her own child had just passed away that morning.

It made me think: Aren’t the hearts of parents universally the same? They just want their children to grow up happy.

Joe and Dough @ Millenia Walk

Another old favorite in a new space.

Also always interesting to have impromptu meet-ups with the brother on an early off-work day.

Seriously Ice Cream

On a day when all the other cafes were closed…

Punggol Point Walk

Some family time on a rare Sunday morning.