This my Gonggong, the one who saw me grow up since I was born.

Ah Ma and Gonggong at Ah Ma’s Birthday

When I was a child, Gonggong would bring me out every Sunday to either my favorite arcade at Thomson Plaza or Parkway Parade, or he would bring me shopping with Ah Ma. Gonggong would buy me things when I behaved myself or did well in school.

Over the weekend, I had a tough war within four walls. Fighting the war with me are my lovely mum, dad and Abang. After 11 years of living in a war zone like room, I think, this is the most successful and well fought battle. Sneak peek at my now de-cluttered work table…

Over few nights in two weeks, I forced myself to leave my macbook in the office so that I can focus on completing a project commissioned by the birthday girl’s mother. Its my cousin’s 21st birthday and her mother, my godmother, wanted to give her something to remember. So an album compiling her growing up and tiny stories to share.

Its been way too long since I did so much scrapping. Having started it, I kinda miss those days where I scrap almost everyday. Lost touch a little, but I’m quite happy with the layouts I’ve completed.

Here are some of the layouts which I like from the album…

Look How I Grow

With just two decades apart, we were asked if we are sisters too many times. She’s my support, my guardian angel, my bestfriend and my lovely mum. She’s why I am who I am today. I have so much to tell her, so much to love, but because of the way we are, because of the time we spend working, I hardly have time to spend with her.

Its the monthly facial appointment with her where we get to spend that good few hours together. Its on these rare nights where I will be home with nothing to work on and I will be in the living room with her watching TV and laughing together. Its on these rare occasions, where the whole family meets for a meal and spend some quality time together.

No matter how rare these opportunities may be, we always make the greatest use of our time together.

Mum, I love you! Thanks for supporting me all the way!

That’s my mum on the right, with her mum (my grandma) on her right and my godma (also my mum’s elder sister) on their mum’s right. To my three beautiful and lovely mothers. Happy Mother’s Day!

Note to self: I need to take more photos with my mum! The photo above was taken last year during CNY!

Flickr has helped brought memories and helped me see change. As I was uploading this year’s family photos up, I thought it’ll be interesting to see how much we’ve changed over the years. And thanks to my flickr pro account, this is easily done with just a few clicks.

So here, I’m going to travel back in time, to the past few Chinese New Year with photos of us…

Now, in 2009…

Attended a friend’s grandfather’s wake this evening. I can see how much she cares and loves him. I felt a sharp ache in my heart when she shared her moments with him when he was around. She described how he enjoyed playing Nintendo, how he’ll record korean and taiwan drama for his wife and how he’d enjoyed his final days by eating things he want, drinking the soda he likes and continue to enjoy every minute of being alive.

In my mind, I tried to picture my Grandma, Grandpa, my parents and my love ones. I could hardly recall such details and happy moments I have with them. Especially my Grandma and Grandpa. I grew up living with them till I was in Primary 4. Returned back to stay with my parents since Primary 5 since I was old enough to take care of myself when my parents were at work.

I love my Grandma and Grandpa very much. They are the ones who took care of me since birth and they provided me home, love and many happy times during my fond childhood. They would buy my favorite food for me (hence the chubby me) and they would bring me to the arcades during weekends. They pampered me with toys, books and almost everything I wanted. I am their eldest grandchild so I receive lots of love from them.

I’m thankful that both of them are still around. But due to a complex history, my grandpa is not living with grandma now. The last time I saw him was 3 years ago. And all I could do was ask grandma if he’s ok. No one from my family could see him. He’s living with his protective and selfish family. I don’t know the truth behind this complex relationship, but I just feel very upset that we’re not allowed to visit him. He was very ill when we last saw him, and have been hearing that his condition has improved and deteriorate over the past years. I wish I could visit him, I hope he’ll still remember and recognize his lovely grandchildren if we get to see him again.

I want to be able to have more fond and happy memories with my love ones. I want to be able to tell a beautiful life story of my love ones when they’re no longer around. I want to be able to share my beautiful memories with my love ones in the future. I want to treasure them when they’re still around. I want to be able to spend more time with them when I still can.

I want to tell their life story here in my blog, to keep a record of them for me, for my children, for my family and my love ones. I want to be able to remember all these memories when I grow old. I want to start compiling their story here and keep them alive here… forever…

(Photo taken at Bro’s 21st Birthday few years back.)