That sickening feeling

It is 2am in the morning and the sickening feeling is still there. I had a nightmare.

I visited my Dad and Mum in our hometown after not seeing them for years. I saw them from afar and as I walked closer, I was shocked.
My Dad, whom I've not seen is years seemed to have aged eons. His whole head was a vastly white, skin wrinkled and walks ever so slowly.
But I was not prepared to see my Mum. Why was she holding a blind man's stick? Why did she need to feel her way around? Can't she see?
She couldn't. She was blind. And she lost half her body weight.
I ran over to her to hold her, and frantically ask her: "What happened to you? Why are you blind? Why did you lose so much weight?" To which she just gave a smile, a shrug and a "Yeah, I've lost some weight lately"
My Dad was behind, just watching her steps.
We reached the house where they stay, which I did not recognize, but had a strange feeling of familiarity. I helped my Mum through the door, but before I could walk her into the house, I couldn't suppress it any longer.
I turned the other way and walked out of the door and just cried. Just cried and asking why. It was exactly the same feeling I had when I dreamt of my grandfather after he died. It was a feeling of immense helplessness and grief.
I stood at the gate with my feet planted to the ground, temporarily immobilized. I looked out into the neighbourhood and cried out even harder. Inconsolable.

I woke up heart pounding, eyes wet and the images still freshly imprinted on my mind.
I am trying to get back to sleep but I couldn't.
I needed to blog this to remind me to be a better son, before its too late.

Kayaking 1 Star

Kayaking 1 Star completed on 4th and 5th of April. Initially a bit afraid of the capsize drill as I (believe it or not) have a bit of hydrophobia. After a few times of capsizing (intentionally and unintentionally), I think its quite fun! Will probably do 2 Star in July after the June race.

I've recently had a new found enthusiasm in learning some new skills. Windsurfing, Powerboating and the Basic Exercise Course are up next! I'm also taking my private driving lessons and hope to obtain my license by June! Wish me luck :)

Good Friday Ah Roy's Birthday 2009

Spent a fantastic Easter with 3 great pals. :)

1230
Galvin: Eh...I think Alvin till sleeping leh......
Chad: Hmm.......then how? I'm hungry!
1315
Galvin: Ok I come pick you up then we head to Alvin's place to pick him up? Thai Express at Siglap for lunch?
Chad: *beaming* Onz!
1345
Picked Alvin Up. Thai Express here we come!
1415
Tom Yum Talay, Chicken Basil with rice, Crispy fish cake, Chicken wings, Mango salad etc.......Famished but the waiter took forever to serve the food!
1530
Went to Siglap Centre and Werner's Oven to look for Roystern's birthday cake (his birthday is the next day). Couldn't find anything for the picky bday boy....Alvin's sister suggested Tampines mall.
1545
Pouring rain and impossible traffic in Tampines (because a new mall just opened) forced us to detour to Changi Airport to get the cake!
1600
Finally found the Tiramisu cake at Crystal Jade in T3. Yipee! Alvin's place for mahjong!
1630
Galvin, Alvin, Chad and Alvin's sister preparing for some mahjong faceoff! Time to show my claws!
2000
2 rounds of mahjong later, I emerge victorious and seventy six dollars richer! Thanks Galvin and Alvin! 下次再来！ Birthday boy arrived in time for dinner.
2100
Dinner at Xinwang. Birthday boy signed up for Xinwang membership, got discounts and free red wine. Had my favourite 四季豆炒虾米， 午餐肉蛋饭 and 港式特制奶茶. Burp!
2230
Galvin's place to get my cantonese drama while he freshens up!
2300
One of my favorite part of the night: Durian time! Headed down to Kovan area for durian. Dick joined us as he lives in the area. Had D24 durian at half price (5 boxes at $50)....thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Paid for durian with my mahjong winnings.....good things must share!
0000
Happy 27th Birthday Roystern!!!! Stay young, handsome, smart, fun, healthy and wealthy forever!
0030
Cake cutting at Alvin's place. I love cakes, but this Tiramisu cake is mediocre......
0115
Second round of mahjong faceoff with Alvin's Dad, Alvin and Galvin......Alvin's Dad almost won a 13 wonders! But alas, 天有眼。。if not I could have been $40 poorer! Luck is not good for the first few rounds.....
0330
Emerged unscathed with a pitiful winning of $1.50, which I donated to Alvin. Alvin's Dad was the overall winner at $30.
0415
Home at last. Thanks Galvin for always sending me home. You've saved me lots of cab money throughout the year!!
0500
Nicely tucked in bed after a nice hot shower.

A wonderful closure to a wonderful day with wonderful friends. Must do this again sometime soon!

Evidence of fun!


Roy with his birthday cake


Birthday boy and me


Roy & Alvin. One for memories.


Galvin eyeing the cake.

My First Pineapple Tarts

Who would have thought that Chad can cook, not to say bake some delectable pineapple tarts? My Mum makes fantastic pineapple tarts, and I made her teach me how to when she came back for Chinese New Year. Here are the results of my first effort.....not too bad yeah?


Each tart is carefully molded into perfection (ok...maybe not perfection, but definitely yummy!). It takes a lot of concentration and patience cos my fingers are not nimble.


Not really good at arranging tarts am I??

The next thing I'm gonna learn is making Cheesecake. Anyone with a yummy recipe to pass on to me?

There...I've done it

For those who've read my previous post on acting cute, I've just confessed my sin. Guilty as charged. What the heck, I don't have any excuses because the evidence is right there, all 2 fingers of it. In my weak defense, I was caught up in the joyously contagious mood of ushering in the New Year. I should put my foot in my mouth and be banished to hello kitty land.

I hope you are happy now!