+ Son | Home Again

I received a call while at work just before lunch today.


The Call Most Waited For

It was my son calling from the Malacca, Malaysia. He was heading back to Singapore right after lunch, but before that, their group will make the last visit to the Batik Making Factory.

I was delighted to receive his call, and had been anxiously waiting for him to come back home again. 4 days seemed kind of long, and yes lonely without his presence. I truly feel how J. Andrews must have felt whenever his children were away.

He will be home about 6:oo to 8:00pm this evening. I was ecstatic to receive him home again.


At The End Of The Rainbow

I left work promptly to buy his favourite dinner and want to know all the things he saw, places he visited and all his experiences while he was away.

Interestingly enough, I saw a large rainbow that seemed to "shoot out" from the roof of Poi Ching School roof, that is beside my block. Awesome sight.

The first one I ever saw since I moved here, 11 years ago.

I just had to snap a photo to prove to everyone the phenomenal joy I was feeling. I do not have to, no one really cares... but I just need to.

The photo did not turn out that good with my cell phone camera, but then, who cares!

It was as if to welcome my son back home. That was how wonderful a feeling I have to see him after time away.

I know I am making a big deal out of this, I am being over sensitive, over-dramatic even, but I cannot help it as it was his very first time away from us.


Why The Pale Face?

I saw his sneakers outside our door. Our son is safely home. Thank The Almighty!

Pressed the doorbell and expecting an excited boy to greet me as I was as excited to see him.

Instead, a pale sickly and tired boy opened the door...

"Ayah, I don't feel well," was the first sentence he said to me. Oh man! What happened?

He had a slight fever. Bet you it was from the lack of sleep. Too much fun, too little rest. It is expected when you leave 4 energetic boys to a room with all the freedom without adult supervision.

He came to me with his body breaking out in hives a little later while I was preparing dinner I just bought.

Oh great! This is going to be a long night! Wait till his mom gets home.

By now I know his fever has triggered the hives to appear. He had that happen to him before, quite a long while ago. It could also be triggered if he had too warm a bath, or sweltering weather. He could also get it if he eat too much eggs.

"I had lots of scrambled eggs at the hotel everyday, they were great..." he confessed when asked. Figured.

Got him to take a bath and dabbed the welts with Mopiko.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I should us Calamine lotion instead, but that was the only one available to ease his intense itchiness.

Eat his dinner and had his pink Panadol for kids for his fever. He laid and dozed off in front of the TV until his bedtime. Poor boy.


Then There Was The All Nighter!

I was woken-up by him at about 2:00am in the morning.

He had a runny nose and it was blocked, he could hardly breathe. No wheezing, that is good!

The 3-month preventive medication for his asthma has proven to be effective. Thank The Almighty!

He had to sleep propped-up, almost in a sitting position to ease his breathing after a decongestant nose drops was given. No fever, that was good.

He kept me worrying about him all night as I laid beside him until he fell asleep. Wify was so tired from her work at the shop that she was a total log.

At this hour, I know I am not able to go to work today. I was spent! I need take him to the doctors tomorrow morning. Wait... It is morning now!

I am so very tired! I have to knock off now.

+ Son | Day Two

Second day today since my son went off on a school "business trip" to Desaru Malaysian.

Like a responsible son he is, he called us once he reached his destination and was settling down at his hotel. They were bunking 4 students to a room.

Both Wify and I were kept busy with the new stocks for her shop that arrived on Friday. We were unpacking, counting and checking each items for correct quantity and workmanship before we brought these new arrivals to her shop.

The whole day was busy with reorganising and shifting display items here and there to make room for the new arrivals, that we quite forgotten about how our son was doing in Malaysia today.

Like ESP of some sort, while we were talking about him in the shop, he called us on my cell phone in the afternoon. Sounded a bit down.


He was excited about the many visits they went and saw, but he nonetheless missed home. He said he missed us, playing with his hamsters, his PC and his Xbox...

The major reshuffling of items to accommodate new arrivals and the fact that it is the second day of The Great Singapore Sale - with so many eager shoppers at the shop, it took our minds off him so quite a while, but we deeply missed him too.

That set me thinking...

I am happy that he thinks of us and misses us. That means our bonding is strong as a family. Then again, I wish for him to learn to be independent.

Not independent totally, because he is still a kid and because we are still dependent on him emotionally too, but to be responsible and depend on himself when he is away from his parents.

Even his hamsters, Puffy and Buddy miss his human touch as the two will be brought out of the cage and get "man-handled" by him for hours, playing.

We notice this when both hamsters come out of their hideouts to the side of the cage facing the door when we enter the house. They will poke their little pointy noses out between the bars for us to touch them and keep doing it until we hold them in our palms and give them cheese treats.

If we deliberately choose to ignore them for a while, these two will keep watching us while standing on their two hind legs until we approach them, pat them and give snacks to them.

Just to spend a few minutes with them before they "retire" back their cosy den. A routine, our son has "trained" these little rodents unknowingly while playing with them.

It dawned on me that this trip not only teaches my son about the world of business, but holistically, teaches him to appreciate his parents, his home.

He has to trust his instincts and care for himself in a different setting with no parents to guide him. He has to depend on himself.

At the same time, this trip teaches my wife and I to appreciate him too and respect him and his presence. We miss him very much too, I felt it, Wify keeps saying it.

Though it is only for a few days, the house is still very lonely without his presence.

Our precious and only child, growing up.

+ Wife | Missed Opportunity

Picking off from our son's "business trip" to Desaru Malaysia, we went off to Metro Department Store at Tampines Century Square to replace Wify's cell phone since hers was given to our son for his trip yesterday.

Yesterday marks the first day of a month long The Great Singapore Sale, where the whole island is participating, not to mention Wify's shop too.

Metro has this unbelievable great offer of Sony Erricson K750i cell phone for S$198.00 after a 50% discount when you purchase at S$50.00 worth of items in the store.

So timely, that my son and I need our underwear "replenished" as Wify puts it. The ones we have now should be "put to sleep" months ago as she babbled while doing the laundry last weekend.

Our son's pyjamas needs to be two sizes bigger now. It is like he is wearing a 3/4 pants when he put son his pyjamas.

Timely enough that Wify needs her cell phone replaced too. Perfect!

So we thought, until we reached Metro to spend and grab our hands on the cell phone. Good thing that Wify thought of asking the sales person there if the phones were still in stock.

Shocking to know that by early afternoon, the cell phones were "fully redeemed." Not even one phones was given a chance to be stay a day long in the department store.

They had to put a sign saying "Fully Redeemed" on all the posters to avoid repeated enquiries.

We went to Customer Service to ask whether there would still be phones available at their other branches across Singapore, but none was as the phenomenon was the same everywhere... cell phones that cheap will not last long on retail shelves in Singapore.

Got it. Learnt our lesson.

Still, Wify has yet to have her cell phone for her business. We had to fall back on Plan B. Get her phone subscription plan upgraded since she now uses her phone more than before.

The upgraded plan should save lots of money monthly.

"Oh... by the way..." Wify told me when we walked out of the department store.

"M1 called me yesterday, I agreed to an automatic upgrade plan they proposed," she said casually and continued, "My present plan is $24.00 monthly, with this new plan I pay only $18.00 monthly with incoming call free!"

"They called since my 2-year plan has matured to a year on the 25th, they called to match my phone usage with a better plan that can save us money." She said contently.

I guess it should take care of her expensive monthly phone bill of more than S$80.00, far from the S$24.00 plan before she started our business; heavily dependent on the phone to communicate and manage suppliers, Customers enquiries and home.

Well then! Since all worked out automatically. Great!

She now has a great plan with no phone! I still need to get a phone for her!

The search is still on...

+ Son | Desaru Trip

So my son is a growing-up much faster than I can allow myself to accept it.

Today, marks the last day of mid term and June school holidays starts tomorrow.

Instead of him spending his first day of school holiday waking-up very early to play on his Xbox online with his US and UK friends, he will be away for a school trip to Desaru in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

His very first trip overseas on his own... well without us. He will be with his group of his classmates going on trips to experience and learn about entrepreneurship.

Kind of a little too early to be learning about handling a business at age 10 going on 11 mid June 2006, but I guess the government and the school knows what they are doing, grooming potential student into successful businessmen and women.

So this evening, I had to stop by the grocery store to buy him some snacks and cup noodles; handy stuff like wet tissues; medications like plaster and Panadol for kids, as well as his asthma inhaler - just in case he needs it, just to be safe.

Since his cell phone went kaput after his accidental dipping off Sentosa Island, Wify had to hand over hers for him to use for trip. Wify will go with me tomorrow to upgrade her phone plan to get a better value-for money plan and a new cell phone that comes with it.

Have to turn-in early tonight to wake up way early tomorrow as he needs to be in school by 6:50am with his luggage for the coach to take him across the causeway and into neighbouring country, Malaysia.

Learning the different types of industries - farming, greens and livestock, food processing to souvenirs factory and distribution businesses to open their minds to the many stages of a product and possibilities and opportunities.

Well that was what I gathered from the letter given to parents and my son's explanation before he signed-up. Since he was one of the students selected, I had to let him go expose himself to the real world of business at a cost of S$240.00, plus RM$100.00 for spending money.

I believe the experience he gain will be much more that the trip's dollar value.
Last checked, all are packed and he is ready, enthusiastically raring to go.

I will be going to accompany him in the cab tomorrow morning to his school and see him off to open his young mind to the many positive possibilities the world has to offer.

My son growing-up so well, so fast. Love every moment. This one should be quite memorable for both Wify and me, definitely for him.

+ Parents | 2nd Physiotherapy

My cell phone beeped yesterday morning while I was at work.

It was for a reminder that I totally forgot and was very glad that I actually did use its reminder feature to remind me.

It was for my Mom's rescheduled therapy at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Physiotherapy B1 Clinic.

Had a tough time to get a cab this morning and was late to meet Mom and Dad at the usual sheltered walkway entrance to the car park at their block.

Had an interesting chat with the cab driver triggered when Mom called my cell phone while I was in the cab going over. Had an interesting and worth mentioning story from him.

Something to remind ourselves since we have children, but maybe I relate it in another post.

The appointment was at 10:30am, but we reached there 15 minutes later.

The waiting room hardly had any patience there. Our queue number was 35 while the queue board was at 32.

Before we could even make ourselves comfortable sitting down, our number was called, not 3 minutes after registration.

Wheeled my Mom into the physiotherapy room and had to wait for her turn to get her traction for her spine.

Did an honest mistake in there. I picked-up a call from my son on my cell phone, oblivious to the many notices there kept reminding to not use cell phones within 2 metres of medical equipment.

I had to be reminded by the attending nurse there. That was embarrassing.


Mom had her spine pulled for 15 minutes equivalent to a weight of 28 Kg fro 20 seconds at a time. Rested in between for 10 seconds with a weight of 10 Kg before the cycle repeated again.

She mentioned that she was able to walk longer distances, stand for longer periods of time and was comfortable doing her cooking and light house chores without her leg bothering her with cramps.

I am just glad the first physiotherapy really helped her, then again I hope she was not saying that just to avoid surgery at all costs.

Then again, she has to decide what is best for her. I will be supporting her all the way. So will the rest of her children. Dad will always be there when she needs him.

She went through he second traction with not sweat. This second session included her to cycle with some resistance for about 8 minutes.

Cute thing. The stationary cycle was built for larger persons, so she barely had her legs reaching the paddles comfortably even after the seat was moved inwards to the max.

Nonetheless, she paddled enthusiastically as if she was in a Tour De France league, with several slips off the paddles in between. Like a pro.

Proud of her strong will to get better. Dad was sitting at the side watching her and just smiled.

She finished her therapy 10 minutes before noon. It cost S$12.50 for the session. Her next appointment will be on 3rd June 2006 at 8:15am.

Headed to the cafeteria since it was time for lunch at TTSH Kopitiam. All 3 of us had Penang Laksa, the I have tasted best so far.

Sent them back home and had a surprise from Both Mom and Dad. They had been busy buying stuff to cook for me Sambal Goreng - my ever favourite dish since I was little.

There is a little twist to this, though. No one can cook it like Mom's except two of my Sisters. Thank goodness, a family recipe passed down.

They cooked an extra large portion just for me to take home for Wify and my son too. The portion will last for days! Heaven! Eternally love this couple!

I gave them some spending money, guilty, since I could not take them out for Mother's Day treat. I just had to have my "second lunch" savouring her dish, hot from the stove, before I left their home about 4:00pm.

Like always, their warm, smiley wave goodbye at the door until I turn the corner.

And like always, that wonderful, warm feeling lingers on in me all throughout the quiet bus ride from Woodlands to my home in Tampines.

Life is wonderful!

+ Special | Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.

Made a date with Wify to treat her to lunch today. Thinking of Seoul Garden Barbecue Restaurant at Tampines Mall, but they were not able to take reservation on this special day because of the expected crowd.

The bodybuilder barber from Sri Nada that I had my hair cut yesterday suggested Sakura Family Restaurant in EastPoint Shopping Mall instead.

Yes, why not! The Tom Yam Seafood Soup there is heavenly. The fried rice and noodles are great with lots of choices.

I was thinking we would go out after lunch and head to Changi Beach Park as a family, just spending time together.

But it was not to be as the beautiful morning turned terribly wet with loud thunders at about 11:00am onwards. Sigh.

We left home in the rain, so going to EastPoint seems too far, so we decided to go to Swensens instead. Right at the MRT station in DBS Building.

The time was right when we reached there as there was no queue. By the time it was 1:00pm, the crowd started to fill-in the restaurant.

Many came with parents and flowers for their Moms, bringing along with them that wonderful warm feeling, quickly filling the restaurant with laughters too.

Wify ordered Black Pepper Pasta, while I had Chili Fish Pasta. Danish ordered Spaghetti from the Kids Menu.

Complimentary hot tea were given with a choice of many different mixed of tea leafs that even I cannot pronounce, let alone spell.

It will not be Swensens if we have a meal there without its famous ice-cream. So enthusiastically Danish ordered Colt Tower for himself and Banana Spilt for me.

Wify does not like sweet stuff so she sat out on this one. Strange though, the lunch was in her honour.

The not-so-good part was when my wife had to leave for her shop. Sigh...

She felt that there will be some last minute shoppers for Mother's Day, so she wished to open for business today. It would be good if she is right.

On a positive note, it will be a win-win situation for both the "last-minute" shoppers and our business.

We bid good bye at the MRT Station and watched her leave. Wished we could spend more time together though. Kind of miss her as she glanced back, waving her hand and disappeared up the escalator.

Just us guys now. We then headed to NTUC Fairprice Supermarket in Tampines Mall to buy some groceries.

Not a nice feeling without her. I normally tag along pushing the cart while she picks items in her list. This time, I pick the items while Danish tagged along pushing the cart. The place was packed with shoppers.

In fact, all the places were packed with people celebrating Mother's Day and do grocery shopping afterwards. Just like us.

The rained finally stopped when we emerged from the shopping mall. The Taxi stand had such a long queue that I had to lug around the heavy shopping all the way to the bus interchange to catch Service 293.

Got home and called my Mom to wish her before she headed out with my Sis and her family for shopping and Mother's Day dinner they treating her and Dad.

The whole weekend was sweet with a capital "S," with Vesak Day holiday on Friday, 12 May 2006 kicked-start the long weekend, and ended with Mother's Day celebrations.

Happy Mother's Day

To

Azi, Danish's Mom

In Tampines;

To

Mariam, my Mom;

In Woodlands

And To

Joyah, Azi's Mom

In KL, Malaysia.

And to all the mothers in the world, Bless You.

Now, turn off PC and watch some shows before bed. Start another week at work tomorrow.

+ Son | Xbox Games

Since last night, my son has been playing Sudoku Pro electronic game I bought for him yesterday.

From "What is Sudoku?" to "I am at level 20 now!"

That was fast! I'm impressed. His mind works wonders to me.

I have yet to figure out the secret method of how to play the game, while he has already beating the time and getting scores beyond 700 points in the shortest portable time limit.

Anyway, a promise is a promise. We went to Takashimaya again late afternoon today.

Like yesterday, the Xbox corner was packed with parents and their children, and teens; all crowding the corner, busy picking out the best titles.

The offer of 3 titles for S$50.00 is too good to miss, so I had to buy them for my son. He picked Crimson Skies, Conkers - Live and Reloaded, and Predator - Concrete Jungle.

The last two titles are rated 17 and 18 for violence. I overlooked that. I can understand Predator, but cute little squirrels that is Conkers with violence is beyond me.

Lots of blood and gore, I presume.

Got me a little concern here, so I have to "play" the game with him to rate for myself how gory these games can get for a 10 year-old boy.

We had dinner at KFC, just opposite MacDonald's. Danish had Shroom! double helping of mushrooms on beef burger, while I had the new Spicy Burger meal - which was a let down.

Firstly it was not spicy at all, and secondly, it was so small, it is fit for a child. Fortunately, I ordered an extra Hot Wings - 3 spicy drumsticks to fill my stomach.

Off we went back to Tampines - to Sri Nada Barber Shop on the 4th floor of Tampines Mall for both my son and me to have our haircuts.

Nice to know that my barber for today was a bodybuilder too, so we exchanged training tips, talked about protein supplements used, the good gyms around our area and the ones we had trained in before.

Had a good day today.

+ Son | Sudoku Intro

My son's mid-term exams are over, the June school holiday is just around the corner. He is 10 going on 11 mid June 2006.

So for his hard work studying for the exams, I bought him a Sudoku portable electronic game.

By chance actually. Since today is Vesak Day holiday, we both headed to Takashimaya Shopping Centre at Orchard Road after our dinner, to get him his Xbox games on level 3, Toys Department.

Once there, there were lot of children, already picking out toys for their reward or toys to fill their playtime during the school holidays.

The Xbox corner was full of parents and children including both of us trying to grab the best game titles, but unfortunately, out of over 30 titles on offer, only 8 were left. Almost all in Japanese. Nope, my son does not read Japanese. It was quite a disappointment for him.

Fortunately, the store is going ot stock-up tomorrow afternoon with all the titles again, so there is hope still.

Loitering around the toys department, my son picked-up an 8-Ball, while I, Sudoku. Had lots of fun asking and getting the answers from the 8-Ball, all 20 possible answers as written on the box.

After much persuasion... from me, I convinced my son to try playing Sudoku and to promise not to chuck it aside to "oblivion."

Had supper at MacDonald's in Takashimaya and we both left at about 9:00pm to go to my wife's shop, help her close-up for the day, normally about 10:00pm.

Not bad a crowd there, as the narrow shop was full of Customers trying out stuff. I had to stay outside for some time until there was enough a room for me enter.

She had a good day. After all, it is a public holiday, so the mood is mainly feasting out and shopping for most Singaporeans.

The last Customer was a Malay lady who bought a glass-beaded necklace with an encouraging word that made us proud.

She said she had been shopping for the most part of the day, true enough judging from shopping bags she and her daughter were holding, that finally she found accessories that are unique and hard to find, and that finally she found a Malay shop selling accessories, which is quite rare here.

She was right, traditionally, Malays here normally would sell food and Malay related stuff. Guess we are like "pioneers" amongst Malays to venture into Ladies accessories to cater to all races. We are the new generation and emerging Malays.

My wife was all smiles from the time she left till we reached home. She felt such a satisfaction, plus the daily taking is good too today. I am happy for her, for us, for our little business.