Relaxing at Sentosa

Always happy to be with one another!

Gaama and Gaapa!

Fri, 23 Sept 2011.... Gaampa joined EK, Julie, Jon and Emma at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sentosa. Jon and Emma were thrilled to welcome us and brought us around the pools. They took some snapshots of gaamapa. "Are you staying for the night?". they asked. "Come and try my bed, gaama. It is very comfy", offered Jon. He happily posed for a couple of shots. "I want to have a nice photo for my Facebook!" 

Relaxed in the cool air-con room. Gaamapa took long showers to cool down before proceeding for dinner. We walked through through the Festive Hotel and Michael Hotel, the line of shops and restaurants, to have a look at Universal. Kids held gaaamapa's hands and showed us around. Easy exploratory stroll.

Takes his "job" seriously.

Dinner at Din Da Fang. Took some time to pick our menu. Jon was elated and slurped down his noodles and dumplings in pretty quick time. He was generous to offer to share his food, grinning from ear to ear, sitting across gaama. EK was official photographer at dinner. Jon could not help but snap a shot of his daddy when he saw his daddy enjoying his meal. Em was grouchy at dinner but nonetheless, we all enjoyed our meal and fellowship. Missed uncle Kevin, ye ye Karen, Sam and Nate Nate. "Wished they are here", said Jon. Always ready for more cousins' rowdy fun.

Jon took a snapshot of his daddy enjoying chicken soup.

A happy Jon, lots to say, comfortable and enjoys his conversation.

"I want a picture for my Facebook!".
A fine young man, our first-born grandson Jonathan Gan Tian En.

Jon was ferried after school on a school day to "holiday" at Sentosa due to Julie's special arrangement package with hotel. Reminded Jon clearly that this was a special privilege to have a break in the midst of school-week, and that he had to work doubly hard the next week. "I know, gaama".  "Give him a break, relax the rules a little tonight, Ju", gaama reminded stern mama. "Thanks, gaama, for lobbying for me", Jon whispered. big smile on his face. "Study hard next week!", gaama hissed. "I know".

Gaamapa noticed that Jon seems to have "suddenly" matured overnight the past few weeks. He reaches out to relate and talks more. Jon is getting to be a charming young man and funny too. Very conversational. Exuberance of youth and an ever ferocious appetite. True blue ACS boy. Oh no! Corny sense of humour. Great company. Tends to exaggerate to illustrate his point in conversation and gets carried away, bursting into laughter, musing over his own jokes. And then his mamma will frown hard and brings him instantly back to earth. Jon now listens more before he reacts. That's good. Overall attitude has improved. Work on it, Jon.  Not so inward looking and so focused on self as before.  Complains less too and listens more. Speaks very well, good command of language and vocab, and relates well. He is more relaxed, listens,, thinks and enjoys the interaction. Jon gives special grins, all teeth showing, when his corny [like gaapa's] sense of humour overtakes him. I like it that he looks at us in the eyes when he communicates. Thank God that Jon is a happy young man and comfortable with himself and the family. Our kids to be able to share and express in open communication with parents and family is something to be treasured and built upon. Pray that God will help EK, Julie and all of us, to nurture Jon into a fine Christian young man.

Dainty Emma Gan has good posture, ballet training.

Emma was her sweet, so soft-spoken self, hanging on to gaama, and asking "Gaama, are you staying with us tonight?". She was very pleased when I handed her the camera to snap shots of us at the poolside and took the task seriously. It took gaama a long time standing there patiently for Em to place gaama exactly into the camera frame before she pressed the button. Must be e x a c t!! Quick, Emma, quick. My smile is freezing!

My gaama and I... two dynamic gals, apart from  mamma and Yeye Karen.

Thank God for all His blessings. 

We had a great day!

Nate has spurts of emotional expression!

On way back from Pats last Tuesday, Nate, out of the blues, suddenly smiled and looked me in the eyes, a little shyly, and offered: "Gaama, you are the best grandma in the world, ever!".
Wow, it took me by surprise! Where did that come from, I wondered. "Well, thank you, Nate".
Sam then joined in. "Yes, and gaapa is the best gaapa in the world, ever!".
I don't think both boyz were out to get us to buy their favourite beef horfun because our car had passed Thomson Medical.

Nate has great PR!
When I walked in to Sam's room two Saturdays ago, Sam was occupied with mama with value-add, as usual. Nate was busy sorting out some stuff by himself seated on the floor near to Sam's desk. Upon seeing me, Nate said: "Gaama, I was waiting for you, you know".  "Oh, is it, Nate? I am here", and he grinned and gave me the usual hug.
I honestly didn't think Nate was waiting for me on Sat morning! He probably felt a surge of emotive love when I walked in, and he certainly knows what to say to please gaama.

I'm here, gaama!

On Sat, 24 Sept, during Sam's BD party, action was getting a little rough among the boyz in the pool. Gaama swam to middle of pool to caution Jonathan Gan to keep an eye on cousin Nate, floating around with two hands holding on to his float, beside the huge float that Jon and other kids were balancing upon. Upon sighting me, Nate immediately shouted: "Gaama, I was looking for you, you know".
Now, I knew for sure that Nate was so caught up with the frolics and fun with the kids in the pool. He would not harbour the slightest thought of gaama. I guess he was happy to see me when I appeared in the pool. His heart bust forth with joy and his lips verbalized his emotions.

Gaama is touched!

Gaama has a preview of what to expect!! Educational tour.

Praying for Miranda

A flushed pink Miranda after a round of golf at KK

Dear Lord... Miranda is going for 2nd operation this afternoon to arrest possible bleed on 2nd aneurysm. We pray that every decision taken, every procedure executed, every medicine administered, is guided by You... to help Miranda to recover fast and whole.Please uphold Kian as he stands by Miranda. Thank you, Lord! Amen

Gaama has a dog-tag!

Went say bye to Nate on toilet seat, flushed beads perspire head. Gaama, Is it hanging? Is it hanging? [he meant his poop]. I peeped. Indeed thin strand hanging fr anus. Push Nate push (reminds me time I was in labour). Out came poop. "I pushed motion out gaama." He looked Visibly relieved. "C u tomor Nate. Be gd boy." "ok, what's yr number gaama? "98242416". Nate must hv heard sam phoning me!  Gaama has a dog tag now! Nate mumbled number after me. "Bye Nate. Cannot remember number, ask yr mummy". Ok he replied.

Really...?

Cheeky little fella!

22 Aug 2011
Showering kids is bonding time with gaama on days when mama & dardy are busy, and gaama picks kids up from school after work, and "process" sticky sweaty kids in bathroom. Many things to tell gaama. Shampooing Nate. Eyes to eyes, head lifted to gaama. "gaama I tell u something", This is always the boyz opening line. What's coming up, I wondered. "What, Nate?" "My penis is painful". "oh dear, why? what happened? "I went cycling with dardy. I sit on the round thing. I moved very fast  My penis pressed on round thing. My dardy said I cannot go this side or that side. My penis pressed on round thing". "What round thing Nate? Do u mean the bicycle seat?" "yes" "did u tell dardy yr penis is painful?" "yes". "what did yr dardy do?" "my dardy put plaster on my penis". Appalled, I asked: "Nate u think again. Dardy will not put plaster on yr penis. How to pass urine? Did he put plaster on yr penis?". Nate thot for a moment then said "no, dardy did not put plaster". Then suddenly Nate broke into squeals of giggles as gaama massaged shampoo on hair.  "Gaama, so funny. Haha.  Then the plaster will be so smelly with urine, gaama". Then Rascal let off another round giggles with soap streaming down his cheeks. "u must speak right things Nate. If no plaster, u cannot say have plaster". "ok, gaama". Then Nate added: if my backside is painful, dardy can put plaster and plaster will be so smelly with motion, gaama". Nate squealed again in laugher, enjoying and pleased with himself. His naughty mind went full gear imagination private joke.  "Don't talk rubbish Nate. If penis hurts nxt time, tell dardy and he will take care of u. The backside plaster is not funny". "ok , gaama". Shampoo completed. Conversation over. Nate still grinning.

Cannot bite your fren, Nate!

The sky is my limit: A child's dream.

3 Aug 2011

Nate said last nite that if any fren were to block his way today, he will not bite but will tell fren "excuse me". He said teeth are for eating food like pasta, sausage, fish, rice not to bite frens. Nate scored 100 marks for oral test questions. Don't know abt practical test in pats today. Reminded Nate of Nemo... "These are my friends. They are not food!"

Lord, teach us to number our days....

RBC Daily Bread, 8 Sept 2011

The relentless ticking of the clock reminds us that our time on earth is limited. Despite the joys and pains of life, time always marches on. For the believer, our time on earth is an opportunity for gaining wisdom. The psalmist writes, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

One way of numbering our days is to ask ourselves these kinds of questions: How can I become more like Christ? Am I reading the Word regularly? Am I devoting time to prayer? Am I meeting together with other believers? The way we answer these questions is an indicator of the progress we’re making in gaining wisdom and becoming more like Christ.

No matter the phase of life—childhood, youth, middle age, or our senior years—life always affords us opportunities to grow in faith and wisdom. Numbering our days is the wise response to life’s inevitable progress.

How are you progressing on your journey? —Dennis Fisher

Don’t spend your time—invest it.

Jon at Gaama Office

Ruffling up gaamapa's bed is the kids' specialty!

Jon walked in with bunch of keys dangling from chain in pocket.... like a rich businessman. takes locking up quite seriously and with responsibility. "I have to lock up carefully, no one in house, helper overseas. Dont want anyone to steal our things", he declared. Waited for us at pickup point, neatly dressed. Aircon not working in car. Gaama's glam hair ruffled by wind.Reminded Jon of the parameters of expectations of conduct and meal etiquette when he is with gaama in office. Duly noted and acknowledged by Jon. Friendly and related with staff well. He got down to work quickly to work from printing room but had fun with the boys in my office, enticing him to eat mooncakes, etc. Jon polished off mooncakes plus yolk happily. Accompanied aunty Elsie to help buy lunch for all. Cheerful and hungry. Requested for and enjoyed his favourite fried batang with black sauce. Chose his own veg [cabbage, no greens] and taukwa. Helped Rev Simon with good portion of saltfish fried rice with taugeh and chicken chop, central dish. Towards end of meal, Jon struggled to swallow his veg which he knew he had to. Drowning himself with sips of water from his bottle. Gaama confiscated his water bottle so he would not be flushing veg down with tons of water. Last to finish, due to veg. Left alone to finish meal. Gaama uncovered some veg buried under rice and promptly dug up for Jon to finish. "Ooops, I didnt see the veg". Smart fella, like his gaapa. I take Jon's word for it. All finally accomplished. Jon cleared and wiped table, stacked chairs. We both enjoyed a good cuppa. Finished work mid afternoon, took a book and requested to read at long table beside my desk, in open office. Had yew teow for tea. Jon enjoyed the company here and the staff love to pamper him with lots of food, unhealthy food. Jon grinning ear to ear. Gaapa coming to fetch us home soon, air-con in car repaired. Hurray!

Let's picnic again

We love it at the beach!

Remember our picnic at East Coast Park. The rain held up for us during dinner, and we had to run for it. Let's do it again! it is fun, fun.

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