It has been sometime since an update was given here.
This is now the second day of January 2014.
There have been eventful things which had happened over the remaining 3 months to give 2013 a really kick in the ass type of feeling. Most of the times, people say that your memory gets worse as you age. However, why then do I seemed to be able to remember even better of each passing year's events?
Has time really gotten faster? Did some magnetic field under the Earth propelled time to go faster every year without us actually knowing it? Or does it have to do with ourselves?That we start to be more mature and really understand the 'tiny little stuff' and begin to treasure the really important things around us as the years start to roll.
Just a couple of days after updating in this blog, my Grandma passed away suddenly while eating dinner with my uncle. While it was sudden, the signs that my grandma was in faltering health were there. Weeks prior to her passing, she had fallen and fractured her hand. From the gathering at her deathbed at the hospital to the end of the cremation, there have been tears, eulogies given and also plenty of time reflection for all of us. While I am not very close with my Grandma and memories of her not vivid enough, the passing of her in our Chua family would have brought back several memories when my Grandpa passed away in 1988. Up till today, I still remember the blank faces of my uncles and tearful looks of my aunties. There were some unforgettable incidents which happened as well and all of these, when I am only 8 or 9 years old. It is always painful to lose someone dear. However, the passing of my grandpa saw my grandma and uncles relocate our Chua base from a bungalow house to a hdb flat at Bukit Panjang. It would also signify that daily Sunday visits to my Grandpa house will no longer be as often. The loss of the leader of the family. For the twenty over years or so, it remained as that. We will only make about 2-3 visits and gatherings with my cousins will also be that minimal. However, no matter how little we met, I have always loved the occasion where our big family comes together. Its a sense of pride.
As with my grandma's passing, again we wondered will the gatherings even cease from now then, since there is no more sort of focal figure in the family. I hope not.
October then culminated in the reunion of Keith, together with his wife, Hae Young, with us. It was a very happy occasion to be able to see him after so many years. I am glad that he has started a family and is even more satisfied that he has held true to what he promised. He has been a true friend and one that I will cherish for many years to come. He has not bought me gold or silver; but the mutual acknowledgement between us goes far more than that. Although this trip was used more for a honeymoon trip to other places such as Thailand, it was indeed nice to be able to eat, laugh, play soccer, shop and chat about the good old days. It was satisfying to know that he has hardly changed;changes are perhaps that he has grown even more in roles that he play. It was a bit sad when he left for Korea, but feeling was very much different to the time he departed years ago. This time round, I knew that he has plans and he has certain responsibilities to fufil. I feel sad that a good friend will have to go , but at the same time I am filled with so much anticipation for him and his new family that the positive vibes far outweigh the negative ones this time round.
November and December were pretty straight forward months except for the health of our dear missus. It is a stark reminder that a person's health is so important. Being sick for weeks, there was nothing she can do even if a new IPAD was lying beside her. You can have the money but without health, there is nothing you can eat or enjoy. There is no greater emphasis on personal good health, thus my great wish for 2014 will be that every of my loved ones are blessed with good health the whole year. It seemed simple , isn't it? Wait till you see your loved ones sick for days. It felt painful;more for the fact that we can't do anything but to wait in support.I hate this feeling and as such, I hope and wish that no one should go through that either.
January , hopefully will be a honeymoon month while we settle ourselves and get ready for action after Chinese New Year.
See you again, Blog.
Mr USsenal