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.

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.

Melancholic

'In one of those moods I am'. I don't normally phrase my sentences in such a manner. Must have been influenced by my cousin Wui Ken, who has lately taken to speaking like Yoda.

Anyways, melancholic I am. Ain't sure of the catalyst that brought about this state-of-mind. I have experienced much over the past year or so, in my personal life, family and work. Exhilarating moments, bittersweet encounters, challenges, occurrences that make one view life differently, wonderful travels with good friends, validation, the list goes on.

What a difference a year makes. Same time last year? Perfectly happy. At this moment? Not entirely unhappy but could be better. If I were to look for a silver lining, I suppose things can only get better. Now that's some much needed optimism!

Photo shot at Cafe Bali in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia.