Families that Grow Up Together

Families that stay together grows stronger. I think that means we spend time experiencing life together, exchanging thoughts and skills. And in a typical Singaporean way, the best thing to build relationships is through food!

So last Sunday we planned a family gathering with some of the families that had known each other for a long time. Some of us are friends for more than 10 years, some are 20 years or more.

Have to say, picnic is so “old school”, right? As we settled down along the pier at Woodlands Waterfront, most of the passer-bys were quite impressed with what we have prepared for dinner. Some families were so excited I kid you not, they almost wanted to join us too.

As a father of 2, I truly want my girls to grow up with the kids of families I know. Not saying that the children in school are bad, but I do not know those kids’ parents, neither do I know what type of values or beliefs the family subscribe to. So for me, the safest is for my girls to grow up with a group of children whose parents are close to us as well. At least we have the same faith and value the same things.

 

A father & daughter pose.

 

Jayne is especially close to Chernise as they are only 1 month apart in age. In fact, our families have been friends for as long as this 2 cuties have been born, 8 years and counting.

Bethany is 6 and our families have known each other even before she was born.

Poor Joey’s friends were not able to make it that day.. so she was acting emo on her own, watching out into the sea.. No worries gal, Papa is looking out for you.

And the conversations and laughter continued well into the night. And we got to enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

 

Till the next gathering!

Running for a Cause - NTUC Income RUN 350 & Unlabelled Run

Some runs are unnecessary, some are for a reason. Glad to run in 2 races in the past one week, run for a greener future (NTUC Income RUN 350) and for the ex-offenders (Unlabelled Run).

NTUC Income RUN 350

When I told a few friends that I was running the 350 Run, their natural response was “You mean the 360 Run, is it?”. I have to admit, when I first heard about the run, I did thought the organizer wrote wrongly too. 350 means nothing but 360 is like a full circle (more meaningful). That is when I realized how uninformed I was.

350 refers to the recommended parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere that scientists believe is de rigueur for the Earth’s sustainability as we know it. Today, this number is around 400ppm. We have hit a climate milestone, as this is the first time in 800,000 years that the level hits 400ppm.

NTUC Income RUN 350, organized by Young NTUC is in support of 350.org – an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis – the solutions that science and justice demands.

This is the first run that I have participated that provides busing services (for $6/pax) from various locations all around the island to bring us to the race venue. That’s nice.

Running from F1 Pit Building, means the scene will be fantastic.

With my running shifu, Ben Ang, before the race. I didn’t realized that we are both quite tanned.

Mandatory photo after a race, with our hard earned medal and banana.

 

Praise God, I managed to clock 62mins for the 10km run, my personal best since I started to run this year.

 

Unlabelled Run 2016

This run has been postponed once last year due to haze. Back then I was not into running yet, so I was not so keen to run in the race at all, plus paying to run has never been part of my belief. But when the race was rescheduled to this April and when brother Johnny from The New Charis Mission came to share about how this unlabelled run will be a means of showing our support to the ex-offenders, I was totally bought it.

The Unlabelled Run is organized by The New Charis Mission (TNCM), a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of their work informed by the values of Hope and Change. With a vision to bring new hope and opportunities to those in despair and neglect, TNCM seeks to enable the disenfranchised through targeted programmes, tools and refuge.

This run was also special because this is the first time I am joined by my CG members for a run. Can you see our excitement but also tired face? 630am at East Coast is not easy.

Another first is my old friend Jonathan (extreme left) who came and joined me after hearing I am participating in this race. He has not been running for almost 4-5 years and this is the first race. Then there is George (middle guy) who has not been running in a race for more than 20 years! And he sportingly signed up with me to run. Salute!
FYI, I am the youngest among the three, I’m 42 =)

Another photo right at the starting line.

We did it! Happy for Jon and George to complete the 5km race without any major problem.

All 8 runners for the day.

And the supporters aka wife & family.