09.09.09

It's been a month and a day since you left us.

You are no less distant in our memories or in our hearts.

Happy Papa's Day!

One of the greatest men in my life who has taught me so much.

And in typical MC style, is always busy on the phone.

xo

I hate goodbyes

First we lost the trophy then we lost you...my heart broke when you called, to hear your teary voice. But think of all the sun and the love you will get back home.

I will miss our gossip and eating sessions. Come back soon! xo

Mama's Presence

Mum is visiting and boy does it make a difference to the home - laundry has been done, floors mopped, sheets changed and dinner is ready when I walk in the door. She has flown miles and miles and all I do is work or study...she just stays home with no complaints. 

A mother's love is a mother's love - there is no other way to describe it.

Bear me some fruit or else...

Mum said something to me quite funny today. She showed me 2 huge mangoes from our garden. I was quite surprised because about ten years ago, the trees went crazy dropping mangoes like nobody’s business. We had one at a record weight of almost 3kgs. But after the rather fertile streak, the trees just stopped producing. 

We tried all sorts of methods – fertilizers, cutting branches to give the tree more sunlight and we even tried smoking it, but to no avail. So the tree was just a tree in the garden with no sweet treats for almost a decade.

My family had always been hopeful until one day they told the gardener to go threaten the tree. So there he was standing in front of the tree saying “Bear us mangoes or I’ll chop you down”. My grandaunt came out, touched the tree and said a prayer. Next thing you know, we get big fat juicy mangoes :)

Excuse my poor drawing skills. I should just stick to jewellery, but this was the first thing that came to mind.

Eternal Love

Sometimes you see old couples together with absolutely nothing to say to each other. But because they have been married for decades, it has become something about comfort. Sometimes you see old couples that are so cute and the only thing you can wish for is that you too will grow old with your partner like that. I never met my grandparents as a pair on either side (not when I can remember anyway but I was told my granddad used to take me up into the attic to listen to Elvis records).

So growing up I had grandmas on both sides but never saw them with their other half. Two years ago I met Big Bear's paternal grandparents and they are just so cute! We had a double date for Valentine's Day in Shanghai because Papa Bear had booked a table for Mama Bear and we just tagged along since we were in town. They hold hands when the cross the road, they wait for each other to come out the door and they always have a big grin on their faces. Mama bear knits herself jumpers and scarves for winter. Papa Bear sits by the heater watching the news and prepares the wool as Mama Bear knits.

Mama and Papa Bear

They were best friends of Big Bear's maternal grandparents and the four were a team frequenting the automatic mahjong table. Big Bear's family are soon to set on a jet plane back to Shanghai for a wedding so I thought I'd make a Mama Bear something special.

I got the jade piece on a trip to Hong Kong and it is of two birds perched on bamboo which represents eternal love. For a couple who have been together for so long and still be so affectionate towards one another, it is worth celebrating ... and there must be a secret or two for us young ones to learn.

Happy Mummy's Day

To all Mums in the world, Happy Mother's Day!

1989 :)

I can imagine it to be quite a difficult task being a Mum...Especially when your child carpet burns her forehead when she gets mad, leaves home at fifteen, loves to fly, shop and all the other girly things. 

I must say I haven't given my Mum too much heartache but being miles away is already a cause of worry. I know she loves me everyday especially when she calls and says "Fhen, the reason I call is to tell you to make strawberry juice. Go Victoria Market and buy. So nice and cheap there. Aunty say very good for you".

I love you Mummy! xo