E V E R Y D A Y . B E A U T I F U L . P U R P O S E F U L
November 27, 2010 Leave a comment
A touch of love at home – Felicia made us a lovely pink Christmas Tree this year! This is our 5th Christmas Tree outside Singapore. Still remember we had a “Green Christmas” last year. (See: https://elkanjoe.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/lovely-christmas-at-home/).
November 16, 2010 Leave a comment
After bidding farewell to our 108th visitors (Auntie Fong and Cousin-in-law Carrine), we welcome our 111th Hong Kong Visitors today! Meet my cousin Alvin and my very very young Auntie Yin San & boyfriend, Aron!
And our latest 112th visitor (my ex-client from Singapore) – Jenny! We haven’t meet each other for almost 5 years! Thankfully, Jenny is the only nice visitor who didn’t comment anything about my obesity. Unfortunately, she is the first who bluntly commented “您老这么多”!
November 13, 2010 Leave a comment
Spending time and “growing up” with my little boy makes me wonder about my own childhood. It is indeed Déjà Vu watching Elkan’s little acts. Like father, like son – Elkan reminds me how similar we are. Of course, I don’t have his good vibe and features. Software-wise, I believe he can do more “impact” than his old dad.
Last Monday, I started giving him “pocket money” and taught him the concept and value of money. Like any first-timer, Elkan was superbly excited.
“You mean I have money everyday now? Like Mummy?” he asked. I told him that he will be attending school and he needs to be responsible and mindful about his money. Elkan stared at the note with his big bright eyes for a long time. It was like seeing a HKD20 note for the first time. Not believing this is a real deal for him, he asked again, “Are you sure this is mine?”
For a father, I was very eager to see his first reaction and how he would spend his first pocket money. Instead of thinking what to buy with this new found “material”, Elkan asked me a second question.
“Mm..Daddy, what about giving me a wallet too? So I can be like you… keeping the money in the wallet,” he requested. I suggested he should spend his money on his own wallet. He quickly answered, “No! If I spent my money on the wallet, then my wallet will be empty. Urghh…nevermind, I will keep my money now and wait for someone to give me a wallet.” It was such a comical moment and I was speechless. Later, Felicia asked him if he likes the “Toy Story Buzz” wallet. Elkan insisted he wanted the “leather wallet”.
Somehow, he wasn’t used to the concept of carrying or spending money. It is a totally new life routine for him. Day by day, he locked his daily pocket money in his candy box. He knows the money is precious but I was very curious why he hasn’t show the urge to “spend it”. I decided to play the devil and “tempted” him to buy his favorite things (like toy cars, fries, soft drinks).
“Daddy, I was thinking of buying my classmates food and drinks like how you always treat your friends… but you told not to show off my money… I think I better keep it for myself,” he said. I asked him why he wanted to treat his classmates with food and drinks. He said, “I wanted to be like you ah…”
“Don’t you want to buy games or toys or even books with your money?” I asked. “Or buy me or mummy something special?”
“Yah rite… You won’t allowed me to buy those things. Better keep my money,” he said. My god, my son sounded like an adult! And he went on to ask me how and when I will increase his pocket money. He questioned “You mean if I do more spelling and maths, I will get more money from you? Like you – you work a lot and you got more money, right? Then where Mummy got her money from? She is not working?” I wondered if I ever give my old folks such hard time when they gave me my first pocket money.
2 days ago, Elkan came to me and reminded me that I forgot about his pocket money. I quickly took out the note and handed it to him. He then said, “Daddy, I have a better suggestion. Why don’t you give me a credit card? In this case, you won’t need to give me the money everyday. And I won’t need a wallet and keep counting these notes.”
November 13, 2010 1 Comment
After a 2-month absence, the visitors are coming back! This week, we welcome our 108th Visitors – Auntie “Cookie” Fong and cousin-in-law Carrine! We are expecting 2 more new “relative” visitors (Auntie Lee and Cousin Alvin) tomorrow and Monday respectively.
October 16, 2010 Leave a comment
Time flies, Elkan turns 6 today! My little prankster spent most of his childhood overseas with us. The last time he celebrated his birthday in Singapore was when he was one and two. He spent his next 4 birthdays in Hong Kong. Surprisingly, none in Shanghai. (Just realised we didn’t get him any cake on his 3rd birthday. It was a hush-hush 2-day trip in Hong Kong (with Kalinda) back in 2007.) Elkan’s childhood has been blessed with the finest! Despite being away from his loved ones in Singapore, he has many “uncles and aunties” pampering him in Hong Kong. Indeed, my boy had a marvelous childhood.
Elkan was very sad yesterday when he found out that Hongfei and family won’t be here for his birthday this year. Harshad and Tracy really love him. Since we banned all toys and games presents for Elkan, the duo organised a very special weekend activities for our little birthday boy. Felicia too, planned his “birthday suit” and “cake” weeks ago. Elkan was Indiana Jones last year and this year, he was crazy about superheroes (Iron-man, Ben10 and Batman). Mum decided to dress him up as a Dark Knight.
Last evening, Tracy organised an eerie night tour at the Haunted Ocean Park. Elkan-turned-BFatman roamed the Haunted Ocean Park with fear and tears! Later the night, we celebrated his birthday at our usual Karaoke Lounge till 3am! Thanks to Felicia and Tracy, Elkan had a very special “spark-tacular” cake! Zeph and Harshad played his favorite dance videos, he went wild and crazy! (Check out his topless act above!)
This afternoon, we headed out to Cirque du Soleil “Zaia” at Macao Venetian. The adults were more excited than the birthday boy. This is my second circus show. (I vaguely remember my first circus encounter!) Guess what? We were seated right at the first row and we were very very close to the stage and the performers. At the beginning of the show, Elkan was “body-searched” and “fed” popcorn by one of the lead characters! We love the 1.5 hour show, it is very very beautiful! (I have never seen anything like this before!) In my opinion, it was close to perfection! The music, the settings, the enchanting stage-play, the gravity-defying stunts and the colourful costumes – it is an incredible eye-opener experience for all of us! Simply Magical!!! (Thanks Harshad for the expensive memento Zaia presents!)
Thanks for spoiling my little prankster. This is his best birthday ever!
October 11, 2010 Leave a comment
My little prankster came home today. Tracy and I are so glad that they are back! We sure miss his noise and mess. Elkan is the sunshine of our lives. On our way back home, he told us all the things he did in Singapore…how he lost to Qiqi in rock-climbing, how he tricked my mum with his pranks, his happiest moment at Downtown East and his chats with 2 strangers at the food court….
Just 30 minutes after I uploaded this blog… Felicia came out and told me that Elkan was crying softly in his bedroom. Earlier on, Elkan wanted me to get him his favorite Singapore breakfast “猪肠粉” for tomorrow’s breakfast. He misses his “poipoi” and all his loved ones back home. While we adults were outside in the living room, my little boy covered himself under the blanket, weeping silently for almost an hour. I went to take a peek at him, he was still sobbing and wiping his tears in the dim light. Felicia told me to give him some time alone. I have never seen him like this before and it breaks our hearts. I am sure he left many broken hearts back home in Singapore. It is never easy to live apart. Especially for sentimental 6-year old soul like Elkan.
October 3, 2010 1 Comment
When Leon announced his wedding plans 4 months ago, many of us couldn’t believe it. He was a notorious playboy of our clan. After years of waiting and “nagging”, Leon finally tied the knot with his Xiamen sweetheart, Qiaoqiao last night at the Traders’ Hotel Orchard.
Growing up with Leon was never easy. He was the lead prankster, a very street-smart leader who often got the kids into serious trouble. My cousin Leon was a very successful playboy or you call him a natural charmer – he has the height, the 6-pack and a very very seductive smile. Girls of all ages, races simply flocked to him. (Yes, I am jealous cos I have to work so hard to woo the girls. With Leon around, I can never get girls – that is why I hardly hang out with him after Secondary 4. Haaaa)
Every playboy has his day. A day when (play)boy becomes man. It was only through his best-man we found out about those “super un-playboy’s deeds” that Leon has done for his wife. He tattooed her name on his body, he jumped into a river just to prove his love for her…and god knows how many more unlikely stunts my cousin did for his love one. (Well, at least we know he really really love his wife! And he finally found a good match!)
It was a wonderful and enjoyable evening with all the friends and relatives. Once again, congrats to my Auntie Amy and Uncle Benny! All the best, Cousin Leon and Qiaoqiao. Great speech by the way! (And Chester – you will be in the spotlight soon! Better fix it soon lah. Those aunties are coming…)
July 31, 2010 Leave a comment
(Photo Taken: Robin Close, Singapore – Photos shared by my Auntie Amy. Cousin Leon, it is probably safer to stay put & "dryer" in your Xiamen nest for the time being. Wonder if our Ministers’ landed properties flooded too? Good to have the "void deck" concept in all our HDB flats.)
June 20, 2010 Leave a comment
It was an exciting and proud moment for all of us in Hong Kong. On Friday, we attended Elkan’s graduation ceremony at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It was a grand ceremony and the school put up a great show.
Thanks to my mother-in-law, we were given special seats at the front row as Felicia’s mum did volunteer works at the school during her short stay with us. Felicia was invited up the stage to collect the token on behalf of her mother. It was a joyous moment for me (as proud husband and father) – to see both Mum and son on the stage at the ceremony.
This is also the first time when we saw our son performing on stage. Elkan was one of the 2 lead performers of the play, donning the smart navy captain uniform. We have absolutely no idea about his performance so you can imagine our anxieties and worries. Will he stumble? Will he back out due to stage-fright?
Elkan performed superbly – marching in solo and leading the rest of the dancers. Their opening routines were so cool and smart that it drew loud applause from the audience. From time to time, my boy made small smiles and winks at us. He spotted us and he knew I am taking photos of him. Now, that is my flirty captain!
The graduation marked the end of his school days in Hong Kong. Come 2011, Elkan will be heading back to Singapore for his Primary School – captaining his new 15-year school voyage.
June 14, 2010 Leave a comment
(Sneak Preview: Elkan’s Graduation Uniform – This Friday, I will attend my boy’s graduation ceremony at Hong Kong Poly University. My gosh, he looks so smart and charming in this uniform! At least it is not the usual boring Harry Potter’s dark gown-cum-square hat! How I wish I had this when I had my kindergarten ceremony. Now I know why chicks like
"man-in-uniform"! These photos will certainly melt many hearts back home. )
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