Of Beautiful Women

Blessed twice
I have the best of both
The greatest Mother in my life
And the wonderful Mother of my child

Wishing Mom & Wifey
A Life Blessed With Joy & Laughter
Like A Special Gift That You Are
Sent To Me From Heaven

Happy Mother's Day

Pieces Of Me

Pieced Back From That Bright Light


The Yearning...

Pushing my bike out from the area undecided where to go next, my eyes caught a distant sight of something very familiar, a sight that triggered more pleasant memories that carved a smile on my face.

It was a familiar structure, a landmark of sorts then but of distant memory now.


My mind had imprinted this structure since I was in school, living in a village. The kids passed by the huge structure every school going days. It was painted in white with red checked rectangles then, it is still the same color which heightened my joy upon seeing it.

It is a water tank, the most interesting part of the whole water reservoir structure. That tank serves to hold many of my childhood memories as far as I am concern.

I made my way towards the structure but obscurity crept in the more I came closer to it. Navigating dead ends, the tall trees and buildings served as obstacles that hid it from view.

It proved to be not an easy route… but added a cloud of mystery to it nevertheless on a clear and hot day. I had to follow the monsoon drain when the road came to a dead end and ventured to new but secluded roads that provided me temporary relief from uncertainty.

With every stride and huff of my breath maneuvering the undulating route, I thought I was coming closer to my childhood treasure chest but I soon discovered my bearing was way off and I had overshot my intended destination.

Fortunately before the disappointment set in, I sighted what was to be another familiar sight that made me paused for a while as if in a trance on my bike, sweat dripping off my forehead.


I Saw My Village...

I had a little trouble recalling where that structure fit in my childhood memories because the newly built road was unfamiliar. Neither was the prominent road sign “To KPE Tunnel" gave any help to associate but bewildered me more.

When my eyes caught the sight of the old airport building, the memories came back to me like gushing cool spring water on a hot afternoon day. It was refreshing it made me smile again when I realized that I was in the vicinity of my childhood Mecca.


The control tower-like structure is actually the water reclamation plant… well, not the water I would like splashed on me, but nonetheless happy to have found it again.

The road once led to the then Paya Lebar Airport, converted since to an air force base for the RSAF. The familiar sight of the old airport building now painted navy blue was its control tower… a clean, modern building back then in contrast to the old, often dilapidated looking shops and kampong houses in its vicinity.


As a child, I would see that structure towered over the trees along Airport Road whenever my village friends and I went jogging along the road, with the airport arrival hall as our destination before heading back to our rural lives.

Back in those innocent and naïve kampong boy days, I always thought the structure was some kind of a secret government UFO facility, being so close to the airport... a port for the aliens like “Men In Black.” Now it reminds me of the Seattle Space Needle... but of course none like its glamor and majesty... and intended use.

I enjoyed the cool shades provided by the rain trees planted along both sides of the long and straight stretch of road. Like a boulevard, it was pleasant being there at any time of the day. Cold, misty and quiet in the early hours of the morning... the road void of traffic.

Cool and breezy in the middle of the day with birds of different kinds singing their hearts out, competing with the sound of passing vehicles. It then turned to a classy-looking road, golden to the tint of the street lights like a leafy tunnel leading to the brightly lit control tower building at the end.

It was the standard of development set back then that is now common place throughout the island.


I Spy With My…

Paddling uphill, I revisited by childhood place with distant memories but the creaky knees and the lack of stamina reminded me of my present old self.

Panting, I reached the front gate of the RSAF Museum.

Although it was open to public, I could not help but felt that I would be mistaken for some kind of terrorist reconnaissance, snapping photos to the sensitive sites of the air force. I kept expecting someone to approach to stop and ask my intentions for being there.

Nothing of the sort happened, fortunately. It was just my overactive imagination… maybe the rekindled child in me at that moment, but most probably because of the heat.

Snapping all “non-sensitive” photos of the area and subjects that caught my eye, like a tourist, I left the place as fast as I came.

Now, for that water tank. I thought to myself... plotting my route with my instincts since nothing was familiar except for the childhood landmarks.


To be continued...

Pieces Of Me

Being an outdoor person and restless if without exercise, I had to get out from the house and touch nature… like a cougar pacing back and forth in a tiny cage, restless, trying to escape into the wild where it truly belongs.

My bike ride was of a discovery of sorts. On Sunday I recaptured my youth. Well, not physically but with the many fond memories.

Sonny being confined to his room cramping for his midyear exams starting end this week and Wifey, being all nerves, anxious for him. I set on my journey alone. Alone time was good for my soul.


That Bright Light…

With no specific destination in mind, I set off in the direction of the sun. Like a moth to a flame, attracted by the bright light, I was fortunate to only get tan lines instead of getting burnt from the sun exposure the whole afternoon.

The direction pointed me to visit the abandoned quarry. It was secluded place, known only the observant few as it was not obscure from the outside. The tall lalang and the dense acacia and eucalyptus trees made the large body of water hidden from the eyes of passing people plying along Tampines Avenue 10.


Now, with the sewage works along both sides of this stretch of road, the dense camouflage is gone to reveal hints of shimmering lights flashing into people’s eyes, directing attention to it as if competing with the very public Bedok Reservoir Park on the other side of the road.

The once impenetrable wild nature that barricaded the quarry’s perimeter, coupled with a whole battalion of mosquitoes and alien-looking flying insects ready to ravage unsuspecting intruders, the fortress has been cleared-off its stealth, naked with a ready view of its jewel-like body of water right from the roadside.

Replaced with trimmed grass that lined the whole stretch of road, long gone were the insect guardians, replaced with swarms of people tracking into the area out of curiosity.


The entrance was an easy path to reach the water’s edge. There were men, local and foreign-looking, already sitting comfortably with fishing rods in their hands and lines already tossed into the water waiting quietly for a bite.

The far distance view across the quarry still has its rustic charm unperturbed by the developments surrounding it. Yet, I felt the remaining trees along the circumference of the quarry are only a temporary savior of its charm before they succumb to the loosing battle against development.


A privileged few found solace in a place lost in time, but is lost again. This time around, it is stripped bare off its secrets too.

Solace where thoughts remained private as the mind wanders away to the whims of the breeze that rattles the leaves on the trees and the birds sing to the tune of tranquility as the water dances to the light of the afternoon sun.

I took my leave soon after soaking in what was left of its charm. Captured its aura with my Canon dSLR 450D from as many angles while it is still naturally beautiful before heading off again in search for my long lost serenity, a childhood feeling so compelling, I yearn feel it once again.


Yet, that special place that exudes that one-of-a-kind feeling still eludes me to this day.


To be continued…

Our Soaring Hope

After a week of mental ordeal for most of us, but a painful "secret" for Dad, I finally got a breakthrough with him.

I finally was able to persuade Dad to see the doctor for the high fever and chest congestion he had been having for three nights in the past week, but tried very hard to hide by acting normal.

I can never understand Dad and cannot imagine how painful and scared he must have been all those days when he was sick. Often in his sleep, he mumbled with arms flailing in the air and legs twitching as if he was being disturbed. It made Mom really worried about him.


I suppose Dad even hallucinated a man he thought was familiar but unsure of his identity who kept vigil by his side whenever he laid down to sleep. One time, the person smiled warmly at him and asked for his permission to pray in the house.

It freaked Dad so much that he did not sleep in his own bedroom for a few days. It scared Mom immensely, even thinking it could have been a paranormal!

Under the pretext of our casual visit, I enticed him to tag along with us for an outing. Upon his acceptance, I made Dad felt obligated to see the doctor "so that you have medicines for the common flu and fever on standby."

Wifey, Sonny and I fetched both Dad and Mom from their home to Woodlands Polyclinic for the checkup.


Fortunately, with the newly revamped clinic came even better efficiencies in the service and waiting time. Dad was in the consultation room within the hour. I showed the attending doctor Dad's prescriptions from SGH, told her about his past and present medical history as well as his recent bout of flu and high fever.

I also requested that Dad should have medications for the common illnesses that do not react adversely to Warfarin, an anti-coagulation that he is currently on.

I was totally relieved when the doctor found that Dad was no longer feverish; only a chest congestion that was not serious or life-threatening. Both Dad and Mom were equally, if not more than relieved when I explained to them later.

"We should just come here," Dad quipped when I returned from the Pharmacy with his medicines to the waiting area, "no need to go to the hospital."

I heard you, Dad.


The nagging, hard part was over. And so started, the good and memorable happenings of the day as life has intended for all of us.

Had our hearty meal at Mr. Teh Tarik - Mom's recommended eating place just across the road from the polyclinic. At one point Wifey and I thought our old folks shared a romantic moment when they shared a Black Spider drink together.

Nope. As venomous as the name suggested, it was just an innocent rip-off of the A&W Rootbeer Float drink.

Sonny left for home to cramp for his midyear exams in May while we hopped on a cab and headed to Carrefour Hypermart in Suntect City and spend the day with our folks.


On the way up the escalator at Suntec City, Dad told me something that made my day...

"You mother's stronger and brave whenever we're out with you." Dad said as we watched Mom and Wifey going up the escalator in front of us. I was holding her folded wheelchair.

"Just now she climbed the stairs to cross the road and now this." Dad continued, "She gets energetic being around you both." Referring to Wifey and me.

It is nice to know that we are able promote positive thinking on Mom... to not feel helpless but high-spirited around us. I do hope Dad feels the same way too.

Dad bought a light and portable beach chair at Carrefour. He "want to put it in the garden to relax." A good idea, since Dad spends a lot of time tending to his potted plants in his corridor garden and the plants reciprocate with displays of beautiful blooms. A private showcase that should be admired up close on a comfortable chair.


The best part of the day was when we sat by the bay at The Esplanade.

"Your father loves to look out to the sea for hours." Mom said, "He's not strong anymore."

My heart sank and I was speechless for a while, but I told Mom that I hope to be just like them with Wifey...


Married for the longest of time, sticking by and supporting one another through the darkest of times together. Blessed with many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who adore them dearly.

In their golden years, they have no worries about money. A warm and beautiful home with no mortgage to fuss over, financially independent even with some extras to go on tours! A wonderful life in a large, close-knitted family. A full life.


"We still have you both."

Mom smiled and nodded slightly, eyes looking far beyond the body of water in front of her, "I always pray for all my children to be in His care."

We saw a couple of Sea Eagles flying by and circling the waters in front of us. Majestic and graceful, the birds soared above us and dived into the water to catch its prey. It was totally awesome to witness something like that in urban Singapore. It was totally unexpected to actually see these birds in uptown financial district!


Yet, the thing that amazed me most was Dad's wisdom.

"They are usually a couple." Dad uttered, eyes tracking the birds flying above, "The nest should be near... on top of one of these buildings."

It was like National Geographic... me being the photographer while Dad, the narrator. "They are very protective of their territory." He added.


We sat and talked at the same spot for hours. Two of my favourite women in my life must have gotten into some deep conversations that lasted all those hours. Dad was silent, smiling and eyes squinting at times, his mind must have been wandering farther than the body or water.

The once scenic bay, temporarily cluttered with construction activities of the Marina Bay Sands, glimmer with the reflected light of the water from the afternoon sun. The scene gradually changed to glittering walls of colorful lights at sun down.


A quick dinner at Makan Sutra and then a stroll by the bay towards the loud rock music a live band was playing at the bay's amphitheater. It proved to be too loud for my old folks.

Stayed a while to soak in the dazzling colors by the bay before we called headed for home.