Cousin Alvin dropped by Shanghai this weekend. Since young, he has been one of my favourite cousins. We are like 12 years apart and his son is 17 years old now! (Elkan is only 3!) As he is my dad’s sister’s son, we hardly meet up at all in Singapore. In fact, we last met and chatted briefly in 2002 (at my wedding). So, you can imagine we never exchange a word for the past 5 years.

It is never awkward to meet a long-lost cousin. I took some hours off on Friday and met him. Guess we shared the same chemistry, we chatted like old friends. To my surprise, he was closer to my dad than I. He told me about his regular meet-ups with my dad. My dad spends more time on other people than on his own son. I am not complaining but I guess this is how we manage our dad-son relationship. Silently in love, I guess.

I was tasked by Cousin Yei to show Alvin around. (I have done this "tour-guide" job many times!) But this weekend, we decided to do something different. At least, Felicia and Tracy won’t be bored. So, we decided to go up the Pearl (Asia’s Tallest Tower, World 3rd) and see Shanghai 350m high. And later, walk under HuangPu River (Tourist Tunnel) from Pudong to the Bund. Wow, what a way to experience old-new Shanghai (from air to underground).

Guess I am not the only one meeting cousin this week. While we were having our dessert near the Pearl on Friday night, Felicia bumped into her Singapore cousin! Like Alvin, Felicia and her cousin hardly meet up in Singapore (except during CNY dinner). She was there with her hubby for the weekend! And I just found out that her cousin is also working for Ogilvy back in Singapore. So, you can imagine that kind of excitement – seeing someone you know on a foreign soil. I hate to say this but "what a small world!" Guess I was right, Shanghai is freaking small! I keep bumping into Singaporean on streets!

My life is full of strange coincidence. And I am glad these are great stories to remember by.

Chinese loves Montblanc. Looking at the numbers of fake Montblanc pens selling on Huai Hai Lu. And now, a "Montblanc" roundabout. (Photo taken: 300m high, at Pudong Pearl Tower)

 

Mm..a deliberate joke by the shop staff? For a moment, I thought they have patched back.
(Photo: Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)

 

 

This is my 1st Golden Week in Shanghai. I spent all my previous "golden weeks" back in Singapore. And it is the week that changed the equation on my life. Pre-1st Oct and Post-1st Oct is such a big contrast. To me, it plays a huge difference to my lifestyle. 

You see, my sweetie Bobo and little prankster (aka "Elkan") are finally back again (permanently). Someone suggested that I throw a Bachelor Night the night before. Yah, I couldn’t agree more. Afterall, I have been living a "Bachelor’s Life" for the past 18 months of my life. To many, I am such a lucky bastard. I have a very supportive and never-jealous wife, plus a couple of lovely and beautiful girlfriends who care and "sayang" me a lot. And I have a "ang-moh-looking" kid who is so adorable and cheeky. It feels good to the bystanders. Try living my life, it is not as rosy as people see.

Now, I am under the command of 3 women plus 1 baby. I have no room to roam in my tiny house. I can no longer play my Xbox 360 games in peace…or watch my sexy videos in private. Now, I have to watch my behaviour, habits and tone of voice (so that I do not corrupt this monster). My wife and girlfriends are nagging at me all the time. "JOE! Dun behave like this! You see, Elkan is picking up this act! Ai yoooo….Can you behave like a father!"

Father – what is that? I looked at my little boy and asked him. "Elkan, are you sure I am your father?" He said in an absolution "YES!" Suddenly, I remember I am a father. Shit, I have to behave like one. No more swearing of "Fs" and "Ss"…I got to watch my tongue now. I don’t feel like one… In fact, I thought Elkan is my brother!

Not only the nags I got from the women. I got slaps and punches and disapproval stares from them! Life is going to be so tough for me. My wife wanted me to get rid of my snoring. My girlfriends banned me from eating pork and beef. My son wanted me to do sports with him. What happen to my golden life before this week? 

Having said all these…Yes, I do have my share of fun and blissfulness. Life is good with great friends and family. We packed the 7-day break with so many fun activities. And I say, yes, it has been smooth and enjoyable. Just a little too fast for me to savour the taste and recap the loveliest "moments". I got less freedom but a better life.

And I want to share this with my folks back home. Not the fun part. I am talking about sharing my loads of naggings and weight-losing pains. (It is always good in the company of fun ladies!)