Passion (2002-2015)

Dinnertime@ Lim household

Jared: bends head.. licking up his plate

Mummy: Jared??!  Stop behaving like a DOG! You are NOT a dog you are a human! Use the fork a d spoon! 

Jared: looks up, no no I'm a DOG,  and you making me behave like a human.

That's when it dawn on me how serious he was about his dog obsession/ fascination.

There was a litter of pups three streets away, and the boys on their evening ride-about chanced upon them. Apparently, the neighborhood "bicycle gang" had discovered a house that had  given shelter to the mother dog. And now, the word is out the new born pups are up for adoption.

Jared had been asking repeatedly about getting a dog. And we resisted the idea of caring for a pet especially when the novelty wears off and we end up the primary person to care for the animal.

But 10 yr old Jared was not giving up and kept persisting. So that evening I went with him to look at the litter. The neighborhood kids had already gathered around when news that Jared 's dad was going  over to have a look see. There were just 3-4 pups left, and  Jared's eyes lit up. He hesitated only once and then made up his mind. He picked up what I thought was the weakest pup of the lot. It was a light tan color and slightly pink nose. I was tempted to change his mind, but resisted, after all,  It was his first pet and I wanted it too be his choice. It was a grand ceremony as we walked back to the house, and his brothers had gone ahead to tell their mother as Jared held the pup like a newborn,  bringing it home like a proud parent.

Needless to say Linda gave me this incredulous look.

LSPJ 78

Due to the advent of modern technology we are prob the first generation of people to ever experience a re-gathering of old schoolmates, made possible via whatsapp.. All at the palm of our hand. Think about it, no other time in history ever has any group been able to do this.

We are re connected again. But new technology is double edge; and  while we have the joy of discovering friends long lost and now found, we also may find our long lost friends now hold  views and positions on issues that could be at opposing ends. The romance of rekindled friendships (of lost history and innocence), is tempered by the truth we are no longer  the same people as the ones when we left in school.

But such is life and change is expected and accepted.

Missy the undefeatable dog

So last night I went to bed with a dread, unsure what the next few days would bring. Our dog Missy lost control of her limbs (unable to support her weight) and required constant care as she dirties herself where she is lying. We had to bathe her twice yesterday just to get her clean; only to have her ‘leak’ again and then lying in the midst of it.

Felt like taking care of a paraplegic.

The B'fast Club

So after almost a year and half of hiking alone, i delved into the idea of asking some of my ex school mates (La Salleans) if they would be interested to 'take a hike' enjoying Bukit wawasan. Maybe it was the "nature pictures" I sometimes posted on our Lspj 78 chat group (got to show them off somewhere right?) but  when i put out an invitation,  i was quite surprised to have a few names. 

The art of nothingness. (be like water)

So today I decided to hit the trail again after a short hiatus. I knew if I could haul myself to the foothill I would surely enjoy the next 1.5 hours. The fresh mountain air greeted me the moment I opened the car door and it triggered a  shot of adrenaline to my system (still half awake). The trek was predictable except the early morning thunderstorm left the ground wet and puddles all along the trail.

A 'Koi' story.

So someone decided they were tired of rearing their pet ornamental fishes in their house, and decided to dump them into this pond at the foothill of Bukit Wawasan  While I'm sure the big pond is a more ideal home (to the fishes) , the change must be somewhat intimidating.

Mr. Tambourine man

So we were driving home on a sleepy afternoon when the radio station started playing a song that caught instant recognition with my other half. No I've not heard it before ( much to her surprise!). It had a catchy tune/ simple words reminiscent of songs from the 60s , a period when the world was much