“Daddy…look! Mushrooms!’ My daughter exclaimed as she caught sight of multiple little fungi which mushroomed next to an old tree root along the foot path. We stopped and observed them for awhile before moving on. I was in no hurry, really. “Today is Daddy’s last day walking you home this year ok?” I asked, with a slight hint of reluctance. “Emmm….ok.” was her reply. Her Primary 2 self not fully comprehending the fact that it has been a luxury for her Daddy to be walking her to and back from … [Read more...]
Self-Drive Hokkaido: Winter Driving Tips
Hokkaido is a popular winter destination for families like us wishing to experience fresh pure ‘powdery’ snow without having to travel halfway around the globe. For those who wish to travel at their “own time, own target”, self-drive is an attractive option. We recently did a self-drive Hokkaido trip and here are some useful driving tips to share. For the record, we rented the car only for 3 days: picked it up in Sapporo, drove to Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and returned the car … [Read more...]
Snow on the Onsen – 7 Lessons for 2017
We have a flight to catch in a few hours and the bags are not packed yet but I must still make that one last dip. Even if it’s just a quick one. Ever had one of those experiences, which resonate with you on such a personal level that, despite calculated odds, you yearn to fulfill it? For me, it was that one more dip in the open-air bath of Ki Niseko Hotel from our recent trip to Hokkaido, Japan. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no stranger to onsens but there’s just something about this open-air … [Read more...]
Exercise Torrent 2016 – Lessons For Our Children
It’s not a Dream On the surface, it’s looks like a scene from a childhood dream – formidable F16s and F15s taxing down the runway before roaring off into the skies. Their afterburners glowing, plumes of dust and debris lifted from the wake of the awesome thrust of the jets. And us, with eyes and mouth gaped in awe at this rare sight. Except this is not dream, and this is no ordinary runway. This is an ordinary road, Lim Chu Kang Road to be precise, converted into a short runway for the … [Read more...]
When A Child Takes His Life – One Parent’s Reminder to his Future Self
(This article is written as my reflection on the challenges I faced as a parent whose kids are entering school and with it, experiencing the joys and struggles of the demanding education system. This article is not meant to judge anyone. In fact, it’s written to heighten the awareness of the tightrope every parent walks in balancing the desire to see their children achieve their potential while redefining the meaning of success in this stressful world we live … [Read more...]
OCBC Cycle 2016 – Dad’s The Way…To Connect
This post is dedicated to all my Daddy friends, near or far, in real or virtual space… who had in one way or another supported me through my fatherhood journey. Particularly to Winston, Nick and Andy, who stopped, waited and kept a look-out for me during Sunday’s OCBC Cycle event. You need not have to, but you all did, willingly, cheerfully. Thank you. Here’s to our next ride. Photo Credit: OCBC Cycle FB “Are you ok?” “I’m just enjoying the view. As the Daddy and de-facto driver in the … [Read more...]
Reflections from Bangkok Airplane Graveyard
This was originally intended as a plain (pun unintended) travel post but two things have changed it. First, the actual visit to this Airplane Graveyard itself. This is not a commercial tourist attraction. It is, technically, a junkyard that happens to house the fuselage and parts of three large commercial jet planes, one of which is that of a B747, Queen of the skies no less, left unceremoniously on this weed-infested land. It is obvious that whatever was the plan for this had not quite … [Read more...]
Making a Will – Responsible Parenting Till The Very End
“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” ― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie Hard Truths Truth: We are all dying…some earlier than others. I've been thinking about this for sometime now, ever since I turned 40 a couple of years back. Last year, the thought intensified when I turned 44 – the same age where my own father passed away but still, we procrastinated. Then, there were the high-profile tragic accidents in the news: the double tragedy involving two regional airlines and … [Read more...]
Navy @ Vivo 2016 – More than just an ordinary Open House
It was a Saturday evening. In fact, it was already late at 9:40pm to be exact - way past the Open House's stipulated closing time of 9 p.m. I had just finished a late dinner in Vivocity with my daughter Dana after a 2-hour tour of the RSS Tenacious when I saw scores of Navy officers still busy manning their booths and engaging the public. From the 'Rope Works' – where an officer was patiently teaching an elderly man the intricacies of tying a knot, to the 'Photo Booth' where Navy officers were … [Read more...]
The Road Less Travelled – Adoption: where God seemed silent
(This is an article from a Christian’s perspective about how fellow Christians should support one another through the journey of adoption rather than condemning it as 'not of God'. I’m neither a Pastor nor a church worker but I don’t believe my Christian walk is any less than theirs. In fact, where God has chosen for me and Angie to tread with Him, very few would boldly follow.) Recently, a fellow adoptive parent, recounted to us how she felt when her Christian Cell Group Leader (yes, leader) … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 7
- Next Page »