Granny's Last 10 Days with Me...Before She Left...

Granny,

This is dedicated to you. Eversince Mum passed away, you are my biggest pillar of strength. By now you should have been with Mum now in heaven and looking down at me. The whole funeral I did not cry because I know that you have lived to a ripe old age and you have fought a good fight and left with dignity. When you were 75 years old, you met with my accident. We thought we lost you but you did not give up, you fought for 4 months and eventually lived through it but was bedridden for 15 years...5 years back when you were 85 years old, You fell out of the wheelchair and broke your head !!! You fought with life and miraculously survived !!

You are a fighter Granny !!! You have been through world war II and lived to tell the tales. Today I pay tribute to you and thank you for the many years of taking care of me and Mum. Its time you take a good rest and meet Mum for your morning walks, shopping and chit chat. We love you Granny and we would live a good life just like you did for your past 91 years !!!

This will be my final entry in this blog. I would not be updating this blog anymore. 

The first 3 years blog 

Now that you are gone together with Mum, I wont be updating this anymore and if you are my friends who has been reading my blog, you can read about me at Facebook.

Take care and God Bless.

Moments with Granny

Moments with Granny Part ( Final )

Moments with Granny Part ( VIIII )

moments with Granny Part ( VIII )

Moments with Granny Part ( VII )

Moments with Granny Part ( V )

moments with Granny Part ( IV )

Moments with Granny Part ( III )

Granny, You're My One & Only !

In My Life , You're The One & Only....

Moments with Granny Part ( I ) You're Not Heavy, You're My Granny...

Beautiful moments with Granny....Rest in peace Gran...

You're not heavy..You're my Granny...

13th May 2009 - 0136am ( Granny Passed Away )

Mum,

Granny passed away this morning at 01:36am at NUH. She was diagnosed as having Pneumonia. The nurse called me at 1:07am when I rushed to hospital at 1:43am, she has already left us. We were busy preparing the funeral and now I am keeping vigil for the next few nights until we do a final send off on Sunday. She will be cremated at Bright Hill and I am making arrangement to have the urn placed just next beside you.

This reminds me of 4 years back when I had to send you off and it was heart wrenching. For Granny, I am glad that she has lived to a ripe old age ! and left with dignity. She no longer has to suffer the humane life here.

I am keeping vigil for the next 4 nights for Granny before I finally finally have to say goodbye to her. I am going to miss you Granny....

Mum, Granny is critically ill....

Mum,

Granny was admitted to hospital today. Her condition is very serious and the doctor said that she has pneumonia infection and the prognosis is not good. The doctor has asked us to prepare for the worst ! Why Mum? Do I have to go through what I did for you 4 years back to let granny go using quality of life as a reason ?

Don't do this to me Granny ! Please......

Please pray for her recovery.....

Mother's Day 10th May 2009

Mum,

Today is 7th May, another few more days and its Mother's Day. As usual, it brings out the happy memories of yester years. I miss you very much Mum....just like years back, I will be visiting you at the temple this sunday. Love you mum...You are deeply missed...

Granny going to Nursing Home !

Mum,

Few days back, Granny gives us a second fright again. She choked on her phelgms and nearly went blank for 2 minutes before Ah Di use a hanky and yanked out the phelgms. Without her quick witted mind, Granny would have been gone already. Thank God. We send her to NUH on an ambulance as her face turned white from the choke. This is the second time that we had to send her to hospital but glad everything was fine.

We are going to put Granny in nursing home starting June as our domestic maid Ah Di is going back to Indonesia for 3 weeks. For 11 years, she hasnt been home and we feel that its about time she goes back to visit her family and her son who is already married.

We visited Orange Valley Nursing Home in Clementi today and the place is clean and airy. I dunno if Granny will feel uncomfortable staying there for 3 weeks. 15 years ago when Granny met with an accident, you took turns with Ah Yi every day to visit her at the community hospital for 4 straight months...

Granny is 90 years old now and I am sure she would feel very out of place in a new environment. Ah Yi and myself will be there everyday to keep her company and make sure she is comfortable during the stay there while waiting for Ah Di to return from her trip.

Its going to be a temporary measure and we will bring her home soon. I wont allow Granny to be place there on a permanent basis. Love you Mum..Dont worry about Granny. She is in good hands with us.

Reunion with old colleagues !

Mum, today I met up with my ex office colleagues. Jen and Loges, 2 of my close friends. Love the reunion of old times. Had plenty of laughter together.

Ching Ming Festival

Hi Mum,

Been a long time since I last written to you. Been busy attending courses, This is definitely the toughest year and worst economic crisis that I have gone through all these years. I miss you mum and this saturday is the Ching Ming Festival and I will be visiting you again. Love you Mum.

Suburban Run 15th March 2009

Mum, 

Today I went for a race that I participated. Seng Kang Suburban Run. Completed and very satisfied. I intend to pursue further for year end Marathon:) Love You Mum...

I visited granny thereafter. Look at those cute pictures I have taken. She is well and fine. Love her tons....

Personal Growth Course

Mum,

I have been thinking. Its been a long while since I went for some personal development course. I am having thoughts of going for some personal growth course.. Keep you updated.

Love You
Son

4th Year - You left Me....

Mum,

Today is the 4th year that you have left me. I visited you at the temple. Time flies. It just seems so yesterday that you are with me. This year I did not put up the memorial ad in the papers as I am very tight in my budget. I will do my best this year amidst all the retrenchment news. I hope to get something on soon...I misses you Mum....especially when I feel down with a lot of negative things that is happening around me...I asked for your guidance and blessings. Hope this year turns out well for everyone of us and my friends. Misses and Love you tons Mum....

Passion Fruit - Very nice....

Mum,

Last night, I went little india with Brother Larry, we went to buy some fruits back home.He strongly recommended this passion fruit from little india. I tried it at his place before and its superbly nice and I bought 2 packs home. Guess what ? I ate 6 fruits at one go..Its just so nice...I did a video of it. Take a look ! Love ya..

My Facebook rant on this fruit :)

Condo Sold - Cheque Collected

Mum, Today we went Malacca to collect the proceeds of the sale of the condo. We sold it at a big loss. Uncle went in with me and we collected the chq. I took some pictures for memories. This condo is a 99 years old condo and if we still do not sell it, its going to depreciate further so we make a decision to sell it. You bought it for your retirement and its a pity that you dont live to see and live in it.

4th Year Anniversary - We miss you....

Mum, Today is the 4th anniversary that you left me. Time flies. It seems just like yesterday when we parted. I visited you today at the temple with your beloved grandsons. He has specifically picked 3 shirts which one of them is your favourite colour purple, 2 LV bags, 2 pairs of shoes, your favourite milo drink, beauty items and bathing stuffs. LOL...Did you receive it ? We misses you tons Mum...I went to visit Granny thereafter..I felt guilty not having visited her during the Chinese New Year period. She aged a lot even though I have not met her for one month...but she is okay:) Loves her tons....

Happy Valentine's Day, Mum

Mum,

Today is Valentine's Day. I feel a bit pinkish with the shopping malls vying for the V dollar ! Remember those days when I was attached, I was going mushy buying flowers for my "partner" and masterminding the surprise dinner. As I matured and still on a single status, I realised V day is all about cherishing the people around you. Be it if you are attached or single or married. I spend my Vday with your grandson Jordan and love every minute of it. I kind of punished him by not giving him his birthday present because he did not do his 3x table homework as promised. He cried ! lol cruel me !!! But all went well. He loves the present I bought. Here's some pictures and videos of your beloved grandsons.

Safari Zoo Run with my Best Buddy Jennifer !

Mum,

Yesterday I went for a zoo run with my best friend Jennifer That was the most exhilarating experience. I havent run for such a distance for so many years and those mid night runs really helps with building up the stamina. Love it and will be registering for future runs. I love you mum...

Last Day of Chinese New Year

Mum,

Time flies. Today is the 15th day of Chinese New Year which is the last day. I remembered we were just chatting about it last year and now 2009 is here. I havent been having a good time for the past 1 year. A lot of things happened one after another starting from HP contract non renewal, haemorrhoids, chicken pox, masterroom cant open, living room tiles cracked...I really dunno what is going to happen next....

I had a big quarrel with dad over money again and is just so disappointing that it has to happen on Chinese New Year Eve and I was so upset that I packed my stuff and spend my eve in Malaysia. Year 2005, he did that to me once and this year he did it again..

My facebook rant !

I called Ah Yi and Jordan that I couldnt attend the reunion dinner as I was just too angry and really hated seeing him...Thats how I spend my Chinese New year....Sigh...

But hopefully things will be better from this year onwards..Am actively looking for a job but nothing in sight yet and hopefully soon....Love you mum..

This coming saturday 15th Feb is your 3rd anniversary and we will be visiting you at the temple. Time really flies..You have left me 3 years already....I love you mum.....

2nd Day Chinese New Year

Happy New Year Mum !

Its the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. I had a good sleep and went out early for breakfast. Today the Tan Family had our 3rd year international gathering at Toa Payoh Multipurpose Hall. I am one of the organising committee and this is the 3rd year running. Many of the relatives flew back from oversea for this yearly gathering, people like Alan and Jo who came back from Shanghai, Kent from Beijing and some others.

Steven was the one that initiated this yearly gathering after you passed away cos he feels that after grandma passed away, the whole Tan family dont get to meet as often as we used to except for events like "wakes" so thats how the whole idea was born.

We had our first gathering at Pasir Ris Awana Resort in year 2006 and though it was our first gathering, we did manage to do a pretty decent one. The 2007 event was held at NCSS Chalet. This year we did an open air one near a multipurpose hall near Ah Chai's place.

For the very first time, we had lion dance !!! The mood was electrifying....Here are some pictures...














We even have a website dedicated to our Tan Family. Its named as Aliran
The website was created by Alan. There is a story why it was named as Aliran because grandma used to stay in Kangkar where the street named is called Aliran and our unit number is 16. So Alan build this website and named it as 16 Jalan Aliran. Kent put in lots of effort designing it with lots of our old house pictures, online chats program, blogs, videos and who's who in our whole Tan Family Tree. I just love the cohesiveness of this big family and hope the tradition will be passed down to the younger generations !!! Aliran 萬歲

1st Day Chinese New Year !!

Mum,

Today is the 1st day of Chinese New Year. Last night I went for my yearly midnight prayers with Fei Lou and our classmates. 

I also visited you at the temple this morning. I did not go anywhere after that and went straight back home for an afternoon nap...I hope this year will be the best year ever for everyone of us. Love you Mum !

CNY Eve - I Hated It !

Mum,

Today is New Year Eve. For a big part of our life, this is the day that I truly enjoyed together in this family and yet on this special day, Dad has to pick a quarrel. Last last year we had a big quarrel and I stomped out to spend my Eve alone. This year we quarreled yet again over money. I cancelled Godson Jordan's lunch with his family and Ah Yi's dinner with Granny because the sight of him really irks me to the core...I totally totally hated him !!!!!!

Jordan was so upset that I din have lunch with him cos he was really looking forward to it...I am just very upset and tired of him...

I just dunno where to vent this frustration and just blurted out on my Facebook

Anyway, Happy New Year to you mum....I will be going to temple tonite with Fei Lou and our classmates just like past years and tomorrow I will pay you a visit at the temple.

Guess what I had for reunion dinner? I prepared myself a sumptuous dinner. Tom Yam Noodle with sardines + a Big cup of Ribena !!!

Love you...

Happy New Year Mum - from Me, Jordan, Aidan & Jennifer

Mum, Today I visited you with Jordan and Aidan together with Jennifer. Its been 2 years that your beloved grandson Jordan last paid you a visit and he was so excited to see your new house and your tablet. He misses you a lot and he yaks a lot more now...:) He is 8 years old now and he still remembers you bringing him to our punggol house when he was 1 year old and crying throughout the night keeping all of us awake till the early morning and we had to send him back to his mum...He was giggling away when I told him that !! I took 3 videos of him..We misses you mum.....a lot more than ever ! Love you and Happy New Year to you....I will see and visit you again on the 1st day of CNY which is coming 26th Jan just like previous years....

Lunar New Year Just round the corner !!

Mum, Time flies.

It was just last year when I shared with you about me staying at home on CNY's eve and also my casino investment. Just a few more days and its going to be CNY eve again. I already had an early reunion dinner with Ah Yi and family. I guess this year eve is gonna be the same....Frankly I am not looking forward to this new year as I have alot on my mind....renovating our home, paying up the house, job uncertainty...Seems so much to handle...I am a bit drained.....Havent felt this way before....Guess its a trying period for me to get over ! I will overcome this !!!! Love you mum..I will visit you on the 1st day of CNY....

Mum,

2008 really really dont go very well for me. From HP contract non renewal, to having piles issues then chicken pox right till being locked out of my room on Christmas day due to a spoilt room door and now our living room tiles mysteriously popped up 2 weeks before Chinese New Year. I wonder what's installed for me on 2009.

But then again, the tiles popped on year 2009 with a bang. That bodes well I guess :)

Cheers to a bangtiful 2009 !!

My Adopted Sister Daphne and other Sisters and Buddy !

5 years back, I went to my mentor's place Mr Raymond Sun to help fix his computer. Daphne was then 15 years old and was preparing to go canada to study. Its kind of fated that we get to know each other better through facebook and thereafter acknowledge each other as adopted siblings. 5 years on, she is back for holidays and we get to catch up for the very first time and went dinner. Its a wonderful feeling to be able to call someone sister and be called Gor..I guess simply because I have been alone all these years and yearn for a younger sister. Besides Daphne, I also have Phyllis who was my ex colleague in M1 for many years that acknowledged me as her brother. These are the people that has touched my lives and continue to do so through their care and concern. Thank you once again for being there for me. Specially to Daphne, Phyllis and Patricia.

Can you really make money online ?

What do you think?

I was locked out my room on Xmas Day !!! Geez...

Mum,

This must be my most unforgettable Xmas.....After several resumes with no response, I decided to accept an offer in a direct sales company. Well, it has been a mindset challenge as I have not done sales for the whole of my career. So it was a total 360 degrees change for me. I am giving it my best shot and see how things goes....and one unfortunate thing happened on a Christmas Day !!!!

Guess what !!! I was locked out of my room.....The stupid room door knob died on me....I took out my tools and tried prying it open..after 1 hour, I gave up...and got a contractor on A CHRISTMAS DAY to help me open my room door...Duh !!

But the door was badly damaged by me and the contractor had to take it down..So now I have no room door and I am sleeping in my room....hmm...feeling naked ? knowing that the tenants can just see me sleeping..sigh....Anyway..things happened for a reason..I hope its a good reason to be happening on a Christmas Day !!!

:)

Merry Xmas !! 15th & The Last Tuesday's Life Lessons with Morrie ~ My Thoughts - 25/12/08

Merry Xmas!! Of all the various books that I have read, Tuesday with Morrie has the biggest impact in my life. 14th Tuesday with Morrie stirred my emotions and about my life. The author Mitch Albom has written a fantastic book on lessons about life, his encounter with his teacher, Morrie. I would like to thank my friend Zi Yi for giving me this book. It has certainly gives me new insights on life's greatest lessons.

an old man, a young man and life's greatest lesson. A Must Read !

Thank you Mitch Albom for a wonderful book.


Another pick up book by him. The 5 people you meet in heaven. Guess Who !

14th Tues with Morrie - 16/12/08 ~ We say Goodbye

How do you say goodbye? Have you ever had a situation where you know that the person that you truly love is leaving you and you had to say your last goodbye ?

Personally, I dont know how to say goodbye...It was a wrenching sight when I first said goodbye to my Mum...

I looked back 3 years back and was glad that I had that opportunity to do it because I know that by letting you go and saying goodbye, I am relieving you of your sufferings.

Cherish your loved ones and friends when you can....say all the hellos and goodbyes..hugs and kisses...show all your love and concern without expecting any in return...say it while you can and when you can..

Another few more days before Xmas. I wish all of you the Love of Giving and Sharing. Merry Xmas !

一 个人 漂 泊的 日子 ! Thank You Pat for the Xmas Gift !

Just met up with my old M1 colleagues for our Xmas gathering. Patricia, Casline, Jennifer, Serene and their families. From trainees, to team members, to friends and now good friends. From singlehood to mother of 2...This friendship has grown stronger over the years. It has been a tradition for many of us to gather during Xmas and CNY to catch up with one another.

Patricia and Phyllis has been my best of friends eversince I joined M1 in 1998. I remembered it was Phyllis who gave me tips on choosing my flat in Punggol. I could say that she was the one that helped me choose my first home in Punggol.

We have been in touch over the years, catching up for food and chit chat. Just last two months, I met up with Pat and Phyllis for breakfast and was chatting about me being out of job, their lives with their kids, their work life and many other things that is part of gossip ..lol

We talked about my passion for reading inspirational books like Tuesday with Morrie and many other books that I bought over the years. Pat also shared with me a cartoon book about japanese cartoon book named 一 个人 漂 泊的 日子. To think that she gave it to me today as a Xmas Gift !!

Thank You for the thoughtful gift ! Patricia, You are the best !!! Its a fantastic book that is mostly cartoonise...You will love reading it if you enjoy book reading...