Home Sweet Home

So there I was this CNY in the midst of my old friends when I noticed that almost everyone brought a child along. These kids come in many shapes and sizes. One was running all over the house wreaking havoc everywhere she went. Another adorable curly haired kid was giving his best smiles to all the uncles and aunties in hopes of a fatter angpow.

It made me wish that I had 'borrowed' my sister's daughter to attend this reunion. At least I'd blend in better.

For some reason, my niece adores me. And likewise, I am under her spell.

"The minute she sees you, she drops everything just to be with you. Everything's forgotten, even her own mom," my sister said to me in mock despair.

I say mock because when I offered to bring her out to spend time with me, her father gave me such a grateful look. "Oh, that would really take a load off our shoulders for that afternoon, thank you so much!"

The poor sods. It must be tiring to be surrounded by kids 24/7. Even if they were your own. It makes me treasure the gift of singleness all the more while I can. And I aspire to be a better aunt to my nephews and nieces and be a positive influence in their growing years. It's easy to be positive when you don't have to bring them back home and care for them day and night. It's tough to be a parent and I think my sis and hubby are doing a great job with their kids.

I remembered having absolutely no interest in kids and such not too long ago. I can play with them, relate to them and connect with them but that's about that. But it changed just a few days ago when my niece followed me to run an errand. As we walked down the street together, her small hand firmly clasped in mine, my heart felt such love and warmth having her close to me and looking up to me with those adoring and trusting eyes. I feel so protective over her safety and wanted to give her the best I can. The worse thing was, if onlookers were to mistake her for my daughter, I would have been bursting with pride and not take offence at all!

It's such a strange feeling. Very, very odd. But very, very nice.

To all my Chinese readers and friends, my family and I wishes you a very blessed Chinese New Year filled with all the goodies, health and joy that defies all imagination

We are having a most wonderful time just enjoying each others' company and being trigger happy. This is the first Chinese New Year that my baby is spending with us and my mom loves the joy that he adds to our family. With each year that passes, there is an unspoken rule to make and capture more memories together as a family. Through the rough year that we had in 2006, we have learned not to take things for granted. Every day that God has blessed us with health and togetherness, we embrace it with joy.

Thank You, Lord for this wonderful, wonderful new year of new beginnings!

SMS snippets

Me to family member: What's your identity card number? I need it in order to nominate you as my travel insurance beneficiary.

Family member to me: [IC Number]. Hope I don't get anything out of it.

Isn't it true and strangely ironic that the people you want to bequeath your possessions to are the ones that prefer to have you still with them than all the money in the world?

I was driving home with a friend after an Elijah House class today, recounting how good God has been to us when I realised that it's going to be a year since I last had a massive argument with dad. On that fateful day, I was deeply aghast and horrified at how badly I was dishonouring him. I had no right to yell at him that way.

It was amazing how God works. See, I have two good friends with the same name. Let's call them Ben. In real life, I actually know five Bens! Anyway, the first Ben was away on an outstation trip that day and thus, wasn't online to console me. However, when one Ben is gone, God provides another. The second Ben popped online while I was staring blankly at the computer screen - still in shock at the enormity of the argument I just had with dad about something trivial. Dad was still ranting away downstairs at the time.

Ben: Hey, how are you?
Me:
Ben: Awwww... Why?
Me: dad
Ben: What happened?

So, with tears streaming from my eyes, I shared the painful gist of what happened. Most of the pain and hurt came from seeing that I have became the very thing I hated and am hurting one of the persons I love most in this world.

Ben was amazing. He helped me process my thoughts and emotions, and encouraged me with his own life testimony. And it happened to be his birthday. He was about to go out with friends for a celebration dinner but he stayed back until I was ok. This is the reason why I can remember that it's going to be a year since my last spat with dad. Ben's birthday is coming soon. Happy early birthday, mate! May the joy and thoughtfulness that you show to others be yours on your special day and beyond

Anyway, coming face to face with the ugly sinful reaction and seeing it for what it is, was the straw that broke this camel's back. I finally hated the sin so much that that night, I relinquished all rights to hurt my dad back. Reconciliation took about a week but it did happen. And now, we are able to relate with each other for long periods at a time - without jumping at each others' throats. If you were to tell me that this would happen slightly more than a year ago, I would have thought that you were an unrealistic optimist. But it did happen. All those long years of anguish, hoping for a better quality of relationship with my dad, bucket loads of tears, endless prayers, guilt trips, botched reconciliation attempts and such have finally resulted in a sweet relationship which we are enjoying for a year now. Such is the grace of God who makes the impossible possible.

Just two days ago, dad collected my annual medical report from this pathology center. I had narrated to him how I suffered at their inexperienced hands when they drew blood from my veins.

"I have collected your medical report," he informed me while watching the news.

"Thanks, dad. Appreciate it!"

"That's not all," his eyes twinkled. "I demanded to see the manager of the place."

"Oh, why?"

"I complained to him that my daughter was jabbed FIVE times before they could successfully extract sufficient blood from her. And the technician had the cheek to ask my daughter why she was crying. Of course she cried because it was painful lar. What an idiotic question!"

My heart felt very warm suddenly. My lips broke into a surprised smile. "Way to go, dad!"

"The manager said that your veins were too small and all, but I told him not to give excuses to mask the technician's lack of experience. Being jabbed five times is really too much. So he apologized and said that he will look into the matter. But I told him that you'd be better off visiting some other lab than this."

"Thanks, dad for speaking out on my behalf. I really, really appreciate this," I told him.

He smiled back and then, continued watching the news.

Is my dad the coolest, most loyal and protective dad or what? I'm so proud to be his daughter!

I think we put pictures of the people/things we love as our handphone wallpaper or screensaver. The pic above is my current phone wallpaper. Snapped it with my loaner phone yesterday while my dad was munching on some bread. My mom was as ever ready to pose as usual Told them that I wanted their faces to pop up whenever they call me.

Their anniversary has just passed. Happy 39th anniversary, sweeties! Here's a song I dedicate to the two of you by Eva Cassidy:

Anniversary Song

Today has been a special day
An anniversary, a request
That you play your piano
As the evening sun slowly sets

I never thought I'd get this old, dear
Never had a reason to live so long
And the Lord's been like my shadow
Even when I was wrong
No, I never thought it would turn out this way

A birthday with apologies
For all the tears and regrets
And I've always saved your poetry
For these years when you forget

So sing with me softly
As the day turns to night
And later I'll dream of paradise with you
I love you and good night

They'd probably flip if they see this pic on me blog Anyway, it's on my handphone now and everytime I look at their pic together, it just warms my heart. It's way better than seeing my face staring back at me lar. So, what's on your handphone wallpaper, dear readers?

Also, doing something with my mom tonite. Something which she suggested which suprised me to no end. Details to follow. Stay tuned.