About Me

Today is my birthday. I’m 37 years old. I realised I do not have a decent solo photo, so I asked Kless to help me for this shot, which I finally understands why I don’t take much solo shots. I look like a prisoner, I don’t know how to smile when I am alone for photos-taking.. Why like that ah?

Many friends commented that Kless and I looks very much alike. I mean how can we not? We dated for 10 years and are moving on to our 10th year wedding marriage in 10 months time. We are almost like twins.

Together we have the 2 most wonderful girls, Joey & Jayne. Just a word of advice to all couples who are planning not to have kids, YOU ARE MISSING OUT THE FUN!!

I am a fervent Christian and serving in the role I am today because of this woman who has taught me the important values from the Bible. She is none other than my mother. Incidentally, mummy’s birthday is 1 week before mine, hers is on Christmas Eve, whereas mine is on New Year’s Eve.

Mummy Is Still Young

Both me and my mother celebrates our birthdays just 1 week apart from one another. Hers is on Dec 24, and mine is on Dec 31.

This year, we bought her the latest iPhone 4S for her birthday, which she has already been using it for coming to a month now. She is 59 years old but still quite IT savvy. None of my friends who have met my mother will believe that she is approaching 60. I guess that genes had been passed down to me too. I don’t look my age too, right? Come back tomorrow when I reveal my true age. And no, I am no longer 28…

Brought my mother to Seb’s Bristo for her birthday lunch. Her favourite is beef steak, and plus the fact that there is a wonderful children’s playground, the choice was clear.

Our younger daughter has grown very close to her grandmother recently, especially this year when my mother volunteered to stay home to take care of both our girls. It’s such a heart-warming scene whenever the girls are able to bring a smile to my mummy’s face.

My younger brother and his girlfriend managed to join us for a lazy afternoon family time too.

The Kuan brothers with our lovely mother.

One thing that endears everyone to Jayne is her ability to just melt your heart with small actions like these… I take credit for such a cute baby.. =p

Nai Nai will always hold a very special place in the 2 girls’ hearts. That is exactly what we are thankful for every single day of our lives.

The fantastic 4 in my life. The gems of the family.

Happy birthday Mummy! We love you!

Christmas Staff Luncheon

Have I mentioned that my office colleagues are a bunch of fun-loving people? We have several departments who will always be very sporting and up for challenge for special events. In the recent yearend Christmas staff luncheon, we were encouraged to dress up and the most coordinated department will win best-dressed.

Here are some of the photos:

The Santa Family

The Elves Department

Our pretty receptionist, Vera, wearing her cutie specs and tiny santa hat

Any Christmas party without games will be incomplete. We had a few guys dressed up as Christmas tree. Be the judge and determine who is the best.

Do you recognise this Santa? He is none other than our Pastor Tan! Power!

Have you seen the advertisement for Nespresso? The coffee was simply superb! Even the coffee machine looks so sleek, seriously I don’t mind having one at home.

Log cake, Christmas cookies, Chocolate cake, Smiley-face chips

And congrats to Baby Aaric for wining the best dressed award. Too bad you got to wait 21 years to enjoy the Starbucks voucher.

Christmas Lights 2011

Finally I had the chance to walk down Orchard Road and take some Christmas photos. As expected, the place was swarmed by shoppers doing their last minute Christmas purchases and people like me who is just walking along with a camera, hoping to capture some Christmas season mood before the year ends in 2011.

This year along Orchard Road, there were different street performers singing, dancing and performing acrobatics. The mood was indeed more festive than past years.

Some welfare organization even had childcare service. How many parents will dare to leave their kids here for 2 hours? Or do the tourists have so much faith in Singapore’s security? Anyway, this is something new.

Christmas is definitely a joyous season. The lights, the decorations, the shopping, all but most importantly, it’s a time to celebrate Christ’s birth.

Merry Christmas everyone!

O, Holy Night…

Every year, the week before Christmas, we will celebrate Candlelight Service in CHC. This is definitely the most happening service in the entire year. Thousands of candles will be lit and hundreds of families were untied and re-committed to one another.

I personally think on Candlelight, there is a special power in the place to re-unite relationships. Relationships that were strained throughout the year, seems to just bond together again. In such an atmosphere, we find it easier and natural to forgive one another and move on in love.

Candlelight is Magical!

Kampong Buangkok 罗弄万国村

This is the last surviving kampong in Singapore. Built in 1956, this kampong is located at Kampong Lorong Buangkok in Hougang. Kless and I decided to make a trip to find out more, or maybe we can bring the girls back to understand a bit more for themselves.

How to get there?
1. Driving – along Yio Chu Kang Road, look out for Gerald Drive, turn in and the kampong is on the right when you see the Park Connector

2. Public Transport – take the MRT to Yishun, change to bus 854 which will travel along Lentor Avenue, then it will turn left into Yio Chu Kang Road, from here it’s about 10mins bus ride, look out for a Shell Station on your left (opp it is Church of St Vincente de Paul), alight at the bus stop immediately after, you will cross this white bridge (not difficult to miss)

Turning right into Lorong Buangkok, you will instantly sense a nostalgic feeling

No idea what is this place offering, but if you are interested, call the number you see..

Seriously, I was quite tempted to steal buy this kampong chicken for my kids. Hearsay, the meat is very different form the ones we get from NTUC.

Fruits are just part of the common sight in kampongs.

Most of the houses we saw are still occupied, meaning this is still a functioning toilet. Do they have hot water for bath?

After about 8mins walk (the distance can be covered in 2mins, but we were too fascinated by everything), we finally see the road sign that points to our destination.

A long narrow road that promises you a different world.

I believe bicycle is one of the main transportation mode in Kampong Buangkok. We can almost see it in every house we passed by.

What is a kampong without the greeneries or flowers?

Zinc roofs & wooden walls. These are the trademark of kampong living. Will our children ever understand the feeling of staying in such an environment?

Interior Design is thrown out of the window here. Creativity in this place is, if you can think of it, you can have it. That is also one of the beauty of kampong lifestyle. Just do it!

We net a nice lady as we wandered deeper into the kampong. Thanks to her warnings, Kless was not chased by a ‘crazy’ dog. Auntie has stayed in this kampong for 56 years. Her children are still staying with her in this very kampong. Amazing!

Found a small road just besides her house that leads us to a wooden bridge.

It was like moving into some important man’s land. There was only a few houses and the houses are generally bigger than the ones we have seen.

Found a working shed and it has a huge piece of sand area just outside it, ideal for children’s play area.

It was indeed an eye-opener trip. We have seen many interesting things in Kampong Buangkok. We have many questions of the living standards and quality of this place. But none of that matters, because we can see that the residents are very contented with what they have and enjoying the simplicity of life.

There have been talks that this kampong will be demolished for other projects. But wouldn’t that be a shame? Or course we may never understand the problems the residents faces here, but one thing for sure, they are doing their best and living life to the fullest daily. That alone is not what many of us can proudly say.

You deserve a STAR!