LKY ~ a photo I took

I took this while queueing just outside Parliament House. Stephen and I went on Saturday (28 March 2015). He knew I was keen to go and although we had set the alarm for 2.30 am, we awoke to the update that paying last respects was suspended. Hence, we went back to sleep and I had given up any chance of going. But after lunch, he decided that we'd make a last ditch attempt.  It was his second time and my first.  Yay!

Although I took several shots while waiting around, especially in the padang (field), I like this the most because it's a blend of the old and the new. 

Standing behind this iron fence gives a perfect perspective of me: not a Singaporean but residing in Singapore.

While there was so much going on during the last week and almost an entire nation mourning the loss of such a great statesman, I can only go by what I felt personally.  Stephen and I read everything and no matter what has been written, we go by what we feel and nothing has changed.  

We still believe that LKY did his best and although he wasn't perfect, he is certainly far from imperfect. 

Douglas Cheow

Image from Pinterest

Dear Douglas, 

Honestly I don't miss you like I used to. It's much easier now that I no longer feel the dull ache anymore.  

Now when I think of you, it's always about happy memories of moments in our lifetime.  

Nothing has changed and yet so much has changed. That's the enigma of love.  

Today is one of those days when I consciously think of you and I feel a deep sense of closeness to you for all the years that we shared.  It gives me a sense of comfort and helps me feel grounded.  

I do thank God for the life we had and I still miss you. Not in the same way or intensity as I did when you first died but it's still there in odd moments.

Many of your friends still remember you and it always makes me smile that though you are gone, you are not totally forgotten.  

Today, I'll be thinking of you and the memories will make me smile.

Love from Lita <3

Corazon means heart

Just a month ago, our beloved uncle Ralph Lesslar passed away suddenly. His death was a shock to us and it took a while for us to reconcile with the fact that he was really gone.  

~~~

Then yesterday, we woke up to the news that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had died after being in hospital since 5 February. It wasn't a total surprise because pneumonia at the age of 91 is usually fatal.  Plus there had been almost hourly updates of his deteriorating condition. Even when it was expected, it was strange to feel teary-eyed when reading all the comments and tributes to him.

I didn't know him personally but, of course, have heard of him.  Living in Singapore since three years ago has given me a first-hand perspective of the life and people here.  It's also exposed me to the quality and standard of living that I now enjoy and miss when I am away.  From all the testimonies and superlatives about him, I have to join the Singaporeans in their grief.

Anyway, this blog post isn't about him although the familiar feeling of sadness was prompted by the thousands if not millions of lovely and loving memories shared about him.

~~~

This is about my Aunt Corazon who died one year ago today.  I miss her.

Love never dies.  Not for the living anyway...

Buy and buy

Image from Pinterest

I used to be an avid shopper.  My wardrobe was a good testimony of this.  Too many shoes, bags and clothes were common and never did I feel it was enough.

Maybe I was a working woman and so I justified all my purchases.  This made for mindless buying of things that I had sometimes used only once and never more.

How and when did I evolve into buying less and less? I can't really pinpoint a time but certainly it is because I am now a homemaker.  This must be the main reason that steered me out of senseless spending.  

At least I can say, "been there, done that" when it comes to shopping without a care in the world.  

Do I miss it?  Nawwwwwwwwww. Not a bit.

Now I have the time to choose well and because of this, I buy less as well.  It works for me.

3 years ago

Image from Pinterest

Yesterday marked three years since I left Malaysia .  I remember having had mixed feelings when I was on my way to Singapore.  It would herald a new life and, of course, a change of lifestyle but excitement kept me going.

As I was scrolling through the images on Pinterest, I saw this and had to re-read it because it touched me in such a personal way.

Now that I am here, I no longer miss who I was. 

Who was I?

How can anyone really know? For sure, I was part of the rat race.  I didn't feel it then and it's only when I look back that I realise this.

I do miss some of the people and that's what draws me back home each time.  Other than becoming a different person today, I think that the concept of 'home' is slowly evolving for me.  Before it was always Kuala Lumpur.  Nowadays it's getting harder not to think of Singapore as "home".  

Perhaps it's the ability to adapt and move on that makes me feel this way.  And it's not a bad thing at all!  In fact, I was rather surprised when I realised just how easily I have integrated to this new life in a neighbouring country.  

Even idle talks about moving to Australia, doesn't really faze me now.  Before, any mention of it brought question marks in my mind! Now I am convinced that if we ever move to Australia or to New Zealand, I'd be fine.  

It's a discovery about myself that I find most interesting.    

Eric

Image from WWW

A quarter of a century ago today, a little boy was born. While his life was short, the impact he left on those who truly loved him was huge. 

Often I hesitate to mention him because it seems like I am looking for sympathy but the truth is that he remains so indelibly etched in my mind and heart.  I make a conscious effort to weigh the consequences of whether or not to talk about Eric when I meet someone new.  

Eric Joseph Cheow, gone but definitely not forgotten.  

Image from WWW