... so good to be happy

So good to be contented with the little that we had. We lived in an old 5 room HDB flat in Bukit Merah Central that we moved in only days after we took over the unit because we could not afford renovation and we had to give up our 3 room HDB at Telok Blangah Rise.

We were driving around in a Korean tank (Hyundai Stella) but life was great. The boys were the source of our happiness ... just seeing them happy was all we needed.

Though they were 4.5 years apart - they played and fought together. Guess brothers will always be brothers!

... so good to see Ken's full range of expression

... Ken as usual is full of expression ... curious, happy, not so happy, asking, telling - all taken within minutes. Just one of those morning that Connie and I are feeling so blessed to have Ken in our lives. Life is good!

…so good to return to New Zealand for another family holiday

New Zealand Insurance sent me to corporate for a meeting and I took the opportunity to bring the whole family including Lai Fong and mother down for an extended holiday.

Ken was only 3 months old but it was a rare opportunity not to be missed. When we were in Queenstown there was freak snow and we took the opportunity for Jon to experience his first ski at the Remarkables.

We also took the jet boat - a unique experience available in Queenstown where the boats go at full speed towards the banks of the river and then at the last moment do a right angle turn away!! It was quite thrilling.

Obviously Jon enjoyed the thrills!!!

... so good for Jon (Soccer star in the making?)

Jon may only be 3+; he is showing his passion for soccer and ball games generally. This shot was taken at the Exodus-PPH-Angora sports day which was a great day for Exodus as we came up tops! But it was also a day of good competitive sporting fun. 

...so good to have a mini me

Connie and Jonathan after a 36 hour delivery! Connie and I had a valentine's dinner out and that same evening, Connie told me that her water bag had broken. Mad rush to Alexander Hospital late at night. Nothing happened - no contraction - Jon was just not ready to meet the world. We waited and waited and waited some more. Finally the next day, the doctor decided to induce labour. As it was a government hospital, I was not allowed to be with Connie in the labour room, so the nurse sent me back to work to wait! Only in the evening did they call to say that he was delivered. It is so good to see a healthy boy and mother - both safe! Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing and holding your first born!

...so good to tie the knot

10 July 1982 - Connie's birthday BUT also now our wedding day. It is good to finally tie the knot - the point of no return. Our courtship over the years and over the seas (Connie was in Auckland and I was in Sydney, then she was in Singapore and I was still in Sydney) was not easy. We had lots of tumultuous moments, times we almost call it quit but today is the day; we commit to each other till death do us part. Life is so good and God has been so good to me - giving me a life partner much more than I deserve.

... so goo to return home after 3 years in Australia

I was away for 33 months as I did not have money to return from Australia (air fares were very expensive those days!). I actually had not graduated nor received my final results yet. I was quietly confident of passing but I was running out of cash and the visa could not be extended (even if I had a job) as Lee Kuan Yew had pissed the Aussie government by accusing them of a brain drain from Singapore. Of course, all of us would have preferred to stay .. the life style was much better.


Anyway, it was great to return home after the long time. I missed Sydney but I also missed the family and Connie even more. This was taken when I came back penniless as I had spent my last dollar on souvenirs for the family. Mother was so excited that she cooked up a storm of all my favorite food ... mum is still the best when it comes to treating her children. Dad was quiet as usual but I know he was proud.