照片

paternal grandparents

Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera on the other 2 days we visited other relatives so... next time, I'll try to remember then I'll be able to take a picture with my cousins and maternal side of the family. :)

Marina Barrage- class gathering

The many kites in the sky was a beautiful sight to behold. It was very windy and sunny there... perfect weather conditions for flying a kite. Unfortunately, none of us brought kites as we didn't have any and one was too costly to purchase there. Though few, the 8 of us had a good time talking and finding out where each of us had decided to pursue our studies. It was decided unanimously by M. and I that Marina Barrage was a must-visit-again place. Photographers were not short in our small group, 3 brought those professional looking kind of cameras, 2 of which are DSLRs (I think). Of course, this photo above wasn't the product of one of those cameras, it was taken by a point and shoot camera. The blue sky is such an awesome background... credit to God for painting it. Just last Sunday during sermon, Uncle YS was talking about a person who wanted to be credited for his skills in photography not his camera, just like how one would admire the skills of a calligrapher not the pen/brush used or the creativity behind a piece of architecture and not the kind of tools used. Seldom do we look at what God has created and say, "God, nice job there!" This little story has taught me something, to always remember the Creator who made the creation.

Thank God for today!

新年快乐！

今天 是 新年初一。我们 去 拜 访 镇祖母。(my maternal side... ok I'm really bad at the names especially in Chinese.)镇 祖母 煮 的 菜饭 美味 可口，香 喷喷的， 有虾，汤，popiah, ngoh hiang 和 炸鸡。她 煮 的菜 很 好吃，我想 外婆 是 继承她的基因 所以 煮 饭 也 是 她 的 拿手。
We had a great time eating and talking. Another thing, it's almost always during Chinese New Year that I'm reminded of the generation differences. For example, I've aunties and uncles on both sides of the family who are around the same age as my brothers and I or younger. It's quite funny to address them as a 长辈 because of their age even though it's the appropriate address to use. :)

Aside from that, I got to know teochew culture just a teeny bit better when we ate at a teochew restaurant with my paternal grandparents during a reunion lunch on the eve of Chinese New Year. (Usually my grandfather cooks and we eat at their home but this year was different.) So, I got to know more about the dishes that the teochews specialize in like "onni" which is a teochew yam dessert that's sweet and nice. I also found out that our teochew ancestors home is in the Guang dong province of China in some village (I forgot the name of it... need to ask my grandfather again). It's cool to know about all these facts and I hope to be able to visit the place one day. Sad to say, I don't speak the language and I know little about my own dialect's culture. I think I should make an effort to learn more about teochew culture and language so that I can truly say, " wah si teo chew nang!" (teo chew for I'm a teochew!)

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day of visiting and eating. I'm looking forward to mostly the fellowship with my relatives, eating and the 红包。:D

Wednesday

I like this poem a lot. Read it in "The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness" by Tim Chester.

To know my Jesus crucified,
by far excels all things beside;
all earthly goods we count but loss
and triumph in our Saviour's cross.

Knowledge of all terrestrial things
never our souls true pleasure brings;
no peace, but in the Son of God;
no joy, but through his pardoning blood.

O could I know and love him more
and all his wondrous grace explore,
I would not envy man's esteem,
but part with all and follow him.

Richard Burnham (1749-1810)

Saturday

Not childish.
Just relishing in those moments.
Running in the sand,
spinning,
laughing,
climbing,
racing,
helping one another:
giving one an extra boost up the flying fox seat;
pushing with all one's might
to give the rider
a thrill.

It was fun.


It was nice seeing Lydia again as well as their family. :D

Be Still

Went to the canal again this morning, with much difficulty getting up. So I left the house with my mum slightly later than the day before. However the sun seem to have come out much earlier than yesterday. Anyway, this time I snapped some pics. I tried to capture leaves falling but was unsuccessful. As my mum says, this is a "split-second" kind of thing. I hold up my camera towards the tree whose leaves seem to be quite abundant in falling off with the wind, evident by the leaves on the floor and wait. When the next gust of wind blows. The leaves fall and I snap but capture only the tree, staring in jest at my failure... while it shakes off a few more leaves.

Well, I'll try again next time. :)

Jog at the canal

Went for a walk and a 'half-jog' at the canal in the early morning today with mum. :D
It was really refreshing to see all the greenery and breathe in the fresh cool morning air!
With more time to spare now, I should visit the canal more often. It amazes me how a canal can be so beautiful. I love nature and just walking there is a pleasure... close to nature. God's creation is simply amazing! Birds twitter and flitter amongst the trees... a stork sunbathing, its body reflecting against the water... the occasional leaf falling at the slightest gust of wind... the calm and stately stream of canal water rippling in the early morning...

Thank God for today! :D