Weekend Catch Up

My cousins Siew Yoong and Kiat Ken were in town last weekend for the mooncake festival. Despite it being a whirlwind visit, we did manage to spend time together, much of it catching up over meals.

 

Having grown up together in PJ as kids, there isn't a need to do any sightseeing when they visit. The plan is always to indulge in as much food as we can. Case in point, having arrived from the airport close to 11pm, we headed straight to Kepong for a midnight Bak Kut Teh supper.

 

Here's a photo of the 3 of us, happy to be together, happier to be sharing a wonderful meal.

 

 

Photo shot at Restoran Ka Ka in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Childhood Memories

For most, childhood holds many wonderful memories that we reminisce whenever we get together with those who we spent much time with growing up. From being an infant to mid-teens, I would spend many a weekend and school holiday with my cousins Siew Yoong, Wui Ken and Kiat Ken. We would spend entire days at Lake Club - swimming, playing imaginative games that we created, reading in the library, watching Sunday movies. We would spend time at our homes playing board games - Fun Fair, Sorry, Monopoly, Cluedo and a host of others that I can no longer remember. At one point, we were crazy over the Decathlon computer game. We would hangout at A&W in PJ State.

 

These memories in a way have played a big part in helping us remain close over the years. The relationship that we enjoy today is testament to the effort that we have put in throughout our adult life, but is certainly amplified by the bonds that we nurtured as children.

 

Here's a photo of Siew Yoong, Kiat Ken and our friend Tsu Shien at A&W recently. Both my cousins were visiting and as per normal practice, a visit to A&W is always a must. We got particularly excited when a photo opportunity arose with the A&W mascot. Despite our age, not that we are very old, such an opportunity was met with much enthusiasm and great laughter. Young at heart we shall forever be.

 

 

Photo shot at A&W in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Remembering Dad

My cousin Kiat Ken in London sent me this photo this morning. Every 23rd January, he has a drink to remember my father. They used to enjoy drinks together whenever he was in town visiting family. If I am not mistaken, this annual commemoration is with a drink from a bottle of either whiskey or brandy that my Mum gave him from my dad's collection 5 years ago. Another cousin of mine Lynette, does the same every year, with a shot of brandy. Apparently, it is the only time of year that she drinks.

I guess we all have our own ways of remembering our loved ones who have passed on. Most importantly, the fond memories that always remain in our hearts are what matter.

Remembering dad on the 5th anniversary of his passing.


Photo courtesy of my cousin Kiat Ken.

Kiat Ken And His Food

My cousin Kiat Ken was back in town from London for our cousin Honn Ken's wedding recently. Having grown up in Malaysia, he makes it a priority to enjoy as much local food as possible whenever he visits. A creature of habit, Kiat Ken often wants to head to places he frequented as a kid. We always plan ahead, and try to pack in as much eating as possible into his itinerary.

 

His trip this time was for a mere three days. Apart from the wedding festivities, pre-wedding dinner, lunch reception after the wedding ceremony and celebratory banquet, we managed to also sample fishball meehoon soup, steamed chicken, durian, roti canai, sweet meat, Famous Amos cookies, sago gula Melaka and teh tarik, not bad for a less than 72-hour visit. The only stop we missed was bak-kut-teh, so that's something to look forward to the next time he returns.

 

There is no shortage of Asian food in London, but I guess there is nothing like the food we have here in Malaysia. I for one, never take that for granted.

 

 

Kiat Ken and I at Prosperity Bowl in SS2, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Dad's 4th Anniversary

Today is the 4th anniversary of my Dad's passing. Time really flies come to think of it. This year, we are marking the occasion by simply having a vegetarian meal that my Mum cooked last night. I believe my cousin Kiat Ken in London will be having a drink in honour of my Dad as he does every year, from a bottle of either cognac or whiskey that my Dad gave him some years ago.

 

Come this time of year, I will be reminded of my Dad's teaching of having to maintain family ties and kinship as well as to keep traditions alive. Very apt indeed as Chinese New Year approaches.

 

Here's a photo taken during our last holiday together in Phnom Penh to celebrate his 68th birthday.

 

 

Photo shot in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cousins

I have quite a number of cousins from both sides of the family and since childhood, our elders have instilled in us the value of family ties and kinship. Due to the wide age range, I am closer to some than others. Still, all of us get along well, particularly those who reside in Malaysia as we often get together for family gatherings and celebrations on an almost monthly basis. For those further off - in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, England and the US - we try to keep in touch via Facebook and Whatsapp as often as we can.

 

Going on holiday together is a great way of bonding, especially with cousins who live abroad. Such holidays are never long enough. We spend time reminiscing about our childhood, getting up to speed on the latest in our personal lives, and planning for the next vacation. We chill, we indulge in food, we get up to silly antics. To a certain extent, many of us have remained young at heart, even those who are now parents. That's what makes such trips enjoyable.

 

Here's a photo of Siew Yoong, San, Kiat Ken and I, together with my nephews Tian and Jin. This was taken during our reunion trip in Koh Samui earlier this month. A fab time we had indeed.

 

 

Photo shot at Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam, Thailand.

Jump

My cousin San always encou-rages us to attempt sporting activities no matter how reluctant we may be to do so. He is persistent in that way and more often than not, he succeeds in cajoling us to give it a go.

 

So here we are jumping off the pier at Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam, Kiat Ken and I to be precise, watched on by our nephew Tian. Even the kids joined in and to be fair, we did have a good time. These impromptu experiences are those that stay with us for life, unplanned experiences that we find ourselves partaking in, despite our initial reluctance.

 

And for the record, I jumped not once, but four times!

 

 

Kiat Ken and I almost synchronised in our effort.

Siew Yoong's Birthday

We celebrated my cousin Siew Yoong's birthday whilst in Singapore. She's been based in Singapore for the past few years which has enabled us to get together more often.

We are pretty close. We grew up together in PJ, her siblings Wui Ken and Kiat Ken included. We spent many, many weekends together as children, went on holiday, you get the drift.

Wui Ken and his family now live in Auckland whereas Kiat Ken is this happening advertising executive in London. Still we meet up as often as we can, mostly on holiday. We also rack up pretty hefty phone bills every now and then.

San, Tian, Jin and Siew Yoong, shot in Singapore.

Concern

A friend called me up today checking to see if I was alright. Apparently I have been sounding relatively depressed in some of my blogposts. Must have been this post, or perhaps this, or maybe this.

Like most people, I have my ups and downs. Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I can be prone to mood swings. Just ask my biz partner Anna or some of my colleagues who work with me every day. I am not that an easy person to get along with at times.

To set the record straight, I am doing fine, could be better, but fine nevertheless. In any case, my 3 cousins, 2 spouses and 3 little nephews fly in from Singapore, Auckland and London for a few days next week, so that should cheer me up! Woohoo!

Photo of my cousins Kiat Ken and Wui Ken, my sis Suk Harn, cousin Siew Yoong and I, shot last year in Langkawi, Malaysia.