One year on...

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last wrote. I could come up with so many excuses but none of it is valid. I mean, how hard it is to scribble a few words each day, to say thank you for the experiences, thank you for living yet another day?

Cutting the long story short, here are 3 highlights of what I thought was worth putting down in words:

1. Day trip to Tai-O with Mama and Yipo.

I am determined to spend more quality time with Mama and Yipo after Yeye's passing. The void is hard to fill but in their remaining years, I want to create more happy memories for them and with them.

I took a few days off during Chinese New Year and flew back early to stay with them at New Territories. After doing some research, we went on an 'adventure' to Tai-O by taking the 1-hour ferry ride at Tuen Mun Ferry Pier. It costs a mere HK$25 per pax but it turned out to be the ride of our lives because we had to carry yipo and her wheelchair up and down the slippery steps and bobbing boat.

Thank God for helpful passers-by who helped keep the boat steady while we embark and alight. I received half-amused and half-bewildered looks when I explained to them that I'm trying to bring these two elderly sisters (one on a wheelchair) out on a fun trip. Mad, they must be thinking.

Risks aside, we had a fabulous day on the island. God gave us perfect weather and we explored the nooks and crannies of Tai-O's old streets and stilt houses. We even walked 30 minutes to Tai-O's Heritage Hotel to enjoy the view and the beach.

Mama enjoyed herself so much, she already asked me when's the next trip on our bus ride home.  (Yes, we opted for a bus ride back to Tung Chung instead of taking the return ferry, to be safe).

2. Family trip to Perth

Our family trip finally, finally took place in March this year. I didn't realise how much effort it takes to have everyone's schedule synchronised - even if it's only for 5 days!

To be honest, Australia wasn't my favourite country. From past experience, some folks can get really nasty. But perhaps, Western Australia is different. It changed my perception.

This trip was thoroughly enjoyable despite the smothering heat. The food was fantastic, the people are friendly, and the farm stay, especially, was surprisingly fun. I had expected myself to be sulking and cooped up while the rest of the brave hearts go feed the animals (especially the fowl - ugly, evil creatures, in my opinion.)

But in an effort to act brave in front of my nephew, I took his hand and ventured out, squirmy and unwilling. Feeding was still out of the question, but at least I stood less than 10 feet away from the feisty emus and greedy chickens. Achievement unlocked.

Target for next family trip is New Zealand. No more feathery fright for me, I hope.

3. The passing of Gong Gong

I put this last as I wasn't sure how to approach this. For the uninitiated, we Cantonese call our paternal grandpa, Yeye, and our maternal grandpa, Gong Gong.

So yes, I lost Yeye last year.

Exactly a year later, we lost Gong Gong, too.

Amid all the sadness, the closeness in timeline to which we lost two of our dearest family members made me ponder: Who's going next? Whose eulogy should we write? Whose memorial book should we make? Or, does it matter?

Gong Gong has been fighting prostrate cancer for years, and despite the pain he felt in his bones, he insisted on going about his daily life for as long as he can. The resilience he showed in his life and his old age reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:7:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.


And I know he is resting in God's arms now, together with Yeye. Or maybe, they are enjoying a game of chess at this moment?

Rest in peace, Gong Gong. We will take care of Popo too. God will keep her safe. Till the day we all meet in heaven again. 

Something new in Bangkok

For the most recent Bangkok trip over the Jubilee Weekend, we took up the courage to try something different. Yes, Bangkok again!

1. Boating along The Great Longkang.

Our hotel for the first three nights was Holiday Inn along Soi 11. There's a boat stop behind the hotel and I did not realise what a popular mode of transport this is for the locals and tourists until I arrived at the rundown quay. 

For about 11 Baht each we got from our hotel at Nana Chard to Pratunam. We didn't know how to get on the boat and watched with our mouths gaping as people scrambled up and down in a few swift steps. The second time the boat came, we were ready. In we go!

There are little pulleys at the side to hold up a long plastic sheet. If you are lucky and the chap sitting at the end of the bench holds on to those pulleys throughout the trip, you will be safe and not get splashed with murky water. God knows what people threw inside the longkang.

2. Bobae Market

We got off the boat at the Bobae Market stop. Weren't sure where the outdoor market is located, maybe we went at the wrong time, but we ventured inside Bobae Tower. The merchandise reminded me of the 90s. Nonetheless, I bought two knitted tops and a pair of shorts at 300 Baht. Around 100 Baht each. Not too bad.




3. New Restaurants

First things first. Hello Kitty House at Siam Square One! Thank you Mr. Jang for including this in the itinerary. The whole place oozes sweetish girly charm. Cuteness overload.







This trip, we also made sure not to repeat Sortrel or Banrie as much as we love them. We hit the jackpot when we chanced upon Clik. We were in fact lost trying to find Kuppa Cafe at Soi 16. We saw the signage for Clik which serves fusion food and made the detour into a small lane. What a great choice.

The food is absolutely fresh and the ambience is perfect. The place is clean and spacious, and we discovered that it is newly opened in April. The owner is a fellow Singaporean, Chef Clement Ng, and ended up making friends with this multi-talented man. You can tell he put a lot of heart into making his dishes, from the way he describes his work and his philosophy about food. He also showed us the work-in-progress Level 2, which will host private groups and classes.

We will definitely recommend this gem for its food and service. No regrets patronising Clement's restaurant!

(On a separate note, we followed another blog to try out Kalapapruek at Central World. Food was average and service was terrible - made us pay double even though the kitchen cooked the wrong order. We are never going back there again.)

We also went to a place which apparently sells the BEST pad thai. The restaurant opens at 5pm; by then, a long queue has formed. We were 2nd in queue having arrived slightly after 4.30pm. There really isn't anything else on the menu other than pad thai. It wasn't as fantastic as I thought, but at least I can say I've tried it!





There is also a popular chicken rice place located diagonally opposite Platinum Mall. We sat across two Japanese tourists who kept taking photos of the food. I could vaguely make out that they said chicken rice originates from Singapore. I just didn't know how to tell them, the sauce here is different, dude!





Other than that, I took up the courage to try street food finally. My tummy is weak, thus the great fear of running to the toilet immediately. Luckily, Mr Tummy was quite cooperative this time. I especially love the fried chicken outside our hotel!




4. New night markets

At Clement's recommendation, we checked out JJ Green Market - a place where you can find loads of vintage loves. Unfortunately, we went on a Thursday night and the vendors weren't out at full force. Nonetheless, I had a good stroll amongst the few stalls which were open. I bought two cutest toy cars - Beetle and Chevolet, and some wood crafts. I would have bought more if not for Panda's watchful eyes!

The next night, we went to Art Box, which had become popular recently. I adore the buzz and the hipster atmosphere. My guess is that most of the vendors are tertiary students - they are young, innovative and modern. The products are different from what you would find at Chatuchak; prices are reasonable. It is accessible too - Phetchaburi MRT station is just one MRT stop away from Sukhumvit.

Art Box is not held regularly and its venue changes (I think), but if it fits your schedule, it is highly recommended that you check it out!

Our Bangkok trip is once again a success (thanks, Mr Jang, for the planning this time round). We are still thinking of making one more trip before the year ends. Hope to discover more places the next round.

Happy 1st birthday to Aaron!

Love these family moments. Happy 1st birthday to Aaron! Hope you like how Sze yiyi captured these precious moments of your entry into toddlerhood!

Happy 3rd birthday to Jovan too! How time flies, you two little blessed boys!

 

To the columbarium we go

The last stage of Yeye's passing - putting his ashes inside the columbarium. Hong Kong has a strange system; weeks can pass between the death, the funeral, and the final burial/cremation.

Mr. Jang booked tickets for me to fly back for the weekend, so I was able to join in the short ceremony to seal in the urn.

I thought I had gotten over it, but seeing Yeye's photo made me teared all over again.

It feels funny holding your ashes, Yeye. I feel lost. Where are you now?

After that, we went to the airport for lunch so that we can wait for Gaga to land. Now that Yeye is gone, can Mama and Yipo please keep the harmony at home? Don't fight over trivial things!

Birthday cake endeavor

Made another birthday cake for Mr. Jang this year. Well, last year I cheated and did a 'muffin cake' - basically just poured the muffin mixture into a bigger tin. This year, I attempted to make a sponge cake, just to be adventurous.

Searched for the right recipe online. One that's highly rated. And idiot proof.

I was still marveling at how simple this whole cake baking thing was as I finished whisking the mixture and popped it in the oven. I could smell the sweet aroma as I stepped out of the shower. 

How lovely it looks, I thought as I took it out of the oven, mighty pleased.

Like a proud mama, I took many photos of it and sent them to Mom and Sis for them to ooh and ahh. I was still texting Sis on how I was going to decorate the cake tomorrow after church. 

Fifteen minutes later, when I thought the cake has cooled and hardened, I decided to turn it over and transfer it to a tray for storage.

Nooooooooooo!!!!

My cake, perfect just seconds ago, broke into half!

To cut the long story short, I panicked, contemplated how much time I have before Mr Jang returns from his trip, whether I should waste food, before deciding it's not worth re-doing the whole damn thing. Plus, the content tastes ok despite the awful form.

Crisis calls for creativity. So I smashed up the entire cake, jammed it into a narrower bread tin, popped the entire mess into the fridge, then prayed for a miracle the next day. 

Turns out, the whole thing hardened into a biscuit / cookie like form instead of the normal fluffiness. But that works. So I went ahead with making the frosting and decorating it.

Et voilà! A slice of birthday cake!

Thank God Mr Jang is appreciative of my efforts and still thinks the cake is edible. Therefore, ending the anxiety of my (low) baking proficiency. I promise I will try harder next year. Practice makes perfect.

Happy birthday!! 

When the cat is away...

When the hubs is not home, what does the wife do? Paaaaaaarty!!!

Invited AL and YC over for brunch on Saturday morning. Have been wanting to do so for the longest time but didn't have the opportunity. It was so good catching up with them both, reminscing about the good ol' days at the ministry. Has it been seven years already since we first worked together? Oh boy, it feels like just yesterday - AL and I the rookies and YC the mafia boss. 

And they didn't age one bit! 

Then I had to rush off to Orchard for another gathering- the U.S. Gang. Uber blessed to have met this group during our 2-year stint at San Francisco. And Charlotte was barely a month old when I last saw her. She has sprouted into a dancing toddler in record time! (ok- 10 months). Time flies... 

With that, Yeye is gone.

Finally, the funeral is over. Said goodbye to my beloved Grandpa.

It's such a strange mix of emotions. My sadness came with a sense of peace and closure. There were times when I looked at his photo and missed him so much that I cried uncontrollably. But when I stared at the body, I saw only an empty shell. Yeye is not inside there. I have an image of him standing beside me at the casket, patting my head while my tears fall. The undertaker saw me crying and told me to take care not to wet Yeye's body.

I hope he liked my eulogy to him. I tried my best to share my memories of him - a stern yet loving grandfather, head of the household who keeps the family together.

Our priority now is to look after grandma and grandaunt. And to ensure we stay close-knit as a family even in Yeye's absence. Yes, I really love my family. Thank you, Yeye, for teaching us what is important in life. We will remember.

With Yeye's passing, I have started wondering what heaven is really like. Is it all white? Are there houses? Can we still recognise each other? Is Yeye standing at the pearly gates, waiting patiently for us to come? He used to stand at the window and wait for the sight of our cars.

Yeye, I played mahjong with Mama and Yipo the other day and won HKD30. Did you see that? There was an amber rainstorm warning the day we left. But we made it safely back to Singapore. Don't worry about us. Still missing you a lot, Yeye. Where are you now? Which part of heaven? I wish you could write back to me...