Every time, I ask myself why. The self-interrogation usually starts in the sanitarily homely Changi Airport waiting lounge where it becomes a marketplace with Chinese nationals talking at the top of their voices, and where it is unclear whether the stench of salted fish is coming from their bags of purchases or the fact that they removed their shoes.
Then it becomes a full-blown self-chiding session when the man sitting next to me on the plane cannot close his mouth when he yawns, robbing me of my already weak ability to breathe in a plane that recycles its air of salted fish, rare showers, and many more yawns; and he hit me five times while putting on and taking off his jacket.
WHY AM I HERE?
I thank the Indian customs officers who moved me with the simple acknowledgement that I am not part of the above group.
(a note from my dad to my mom on the back of the house door. This is how they communicate sometimes)
For just another 3 days though.
This year my red packet collection from Chinese New Year was pretty good, ‘coz I guess relatives are more generous now that I’m older, or simply because of inflation.
Instead of spending $500 fixing a crown on my about-to-split molar, a metal bind is now holding that tooth together, so it looks like I have braces, just on that tooth, and it cost me $180 instead. I would show you a picture but it’s revolting, so here’s just a couple of pics I took at the dentist’s. He was such a good sport letting me take pictures of him at work, drilling away, heh.
Okay, I don’t know why I’m actually exhibiting these to the world. But well, i guess spoilt teeth is a sign of age, and such a significant event should be blogged about. Okay I promise that the next time I ever blog anything about my oral health, it’s only going to be as serious as my teeth falling apart. So hopefully this is my first and last post on such a topic. Haha.
Yes, I’m way behind in getting my hands on this since the book was launched in August 2006, and I only bought and read it today.
It’s a very easy read, very colloquial, which makes its form very apt for the content, for the stories [sort of like True Singapore Gay (coming out) Stories] are very very real.
It’s not pro-gay, but pro-acceptance — of who you are and who the people around you are. The stories also demonstrate how allowing others the chance to accept you as you are may prove to be the best thing you can ever do to make your life fulfilled, instead of building the mountain of lies like the one I’ve been piling up on these years to protect the truth about Sam and I from my parents and the extended family.
“…in ten years time, I’ll be 38 years old, not young anymore. And [my father]‘d be 68, well into his twilight years. If by then, he can’t acknowledge me and my other half, if we can’t all be happy together, then that’s just sad.”
I don’t know if it’s the easy way out for me to shrug it off and postpone telling my parents until after graduation, because I can jolly well postpone it to after I find financial stability, after I find a place of my own, after this or after that — will it really make a difference to their ability to come to terms with it?
I don’t want them to leave this world without my being honest with them.
So now, I can either leave the book on the living room table to speak volumes on its own, or stash it in some corner of my cupboard hoping they won’t (or will?) pry when I’m not around.
It’s been two months since the accident. Now that I’m back in the surroundings where we met it’s weird how the memories only flood back now that you’re gone. I look at your number on my mobile phone and remember how I wouldn’t take the initiative to contact you in the past, and how much I want to now.
I know I still have your letters and locket locked up and I want to look at them but I don’t know how to. When I was away I thought I would want to look at them the moment I got back to my room but now it’s one of the last things I want to chance upon.
When I look around in Bishan I think I saw you but it will never be.
One day I will read through all your letters and remember you best for the sincerity that most people don’t possess.
Just decided to post some random food images for the fun of tantalizing my friend, Shaina, who is starving at work now. Hopefully she will never go on a diet again because, come on Shaina, you and I, we live to eat.
From Canada (the pics, not necessarily the cuisine):
Everyday for the past week, I kept up with news of the tragedy, and googled “Reuben Kee” for updates. Daily dosages of Back Home were also part of my indulgence.
It was also a mad rush of term papers, a presentation, and a German oral test.
I could finally sit down and write an email to Reuben’s father, Mr Freddie Kee (freddiek@singnet.com.sg), to share with him my anecdotes of Reuben. Should anyone who knew Reuben be reading this, you might consider doing the same, and I hope that the sharing of anecdotes from friends and fans of Reuben will assure the family that his life was indeed well-lived and nothing short of fulfilling.
Reuben’s demise has jolted people across the globe, from friends to strangers who have heard his music; seen his animation creations; or just heard about him and his vast achievements in his mere 23 years. Many have made video tributes, blog tributes, or posted comments in the respective sites they knew him from. The impact of his departure, as well as the imprint of his life is evidenced from the google results of his name.
The Kee family brought him up in the best manner possible, and did an excellent job in raising a man who dared to tread on the unbeaten path, and by extension, paved the way for others.
May all who have been inspired by Reuben’s life in one way or the other persist in your pursuits, and remember Reuben with his “a little bit cheeky” (Mr Freddie Kee, at the funeral) smile.
I first met Reuben Kee over ten years ago, at a void deck opposite the block where I live. Our hands and feet were black with dirt when we introduced ourselves, clad in the all-white Taekwondo uniform. We met every Saturday evening in that way, and for that entire year, all through our transition from white belts to green belts, his caring nature and winning smile were the highlights of my weekly regime in our neighbourhood.
I quit Taekwondo after obtaining only the green belt, but Reuben kept going and reached the highest level he could achieve.
Contact with Reuben was few and far between after, but there was the movie outing at Junction 8, the chicken rice meal at Kim San Leng, the jogging session at Bishan Sports Stadium, the rollerblading teaching session at my void deck, the miso soup he cooked for me at his place, and several chats over ICQ. We would also play computer games at his place, of which his delight I unfortunately could not share. The crux of my house visit was his mind-blowing musical performance, previously on his piano, then on his clavinova, and later on his clavinova with a complete synthesizing programme in his computer. I was privileged to have listened to his music develop over his initial contact with the piano, and was impressed when his repertoire improved by leaps and bounds within a mere couple of years. Music came naturally to him, and I would spend hours just listening to his music and travel indulgently to the places he brings his listeners to.
He encouraged me to persist in my musical desires, which he effectively did. But just like the case with Taekwondo, I had quit.
We lost contact amidst our busy schedules, what with him being the head prefect of his school.
Perhaps we really did have common interests, for the next time I saw him was at one of our dragon boat races. Taller, darker, and very much cuter, his winning smile once again caught my eye and this time we exchanged words with our hands and feet wet from the races.
But just like the scenarios for Taekwondo and music, I stopped rowing when days in Junior College ceased, while he went on to row for SAFSA (Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association), and eventually the Singapore National Dragon Boat team.
Contact with him had ceased until I found his profile on Facebook less than two weeks ago, and we exchanged even fewer words, but here was where I learnt the extent of his fame, and how his unique name rings a bell to so many people’s ears, for not only was his music sought and widespread on the internet, it was used in musicals and major arts productions. The last time I saw him perform was an unexpected appearance as a guest pianist when I went to NYP (Nanyang Polytechnic) to support my cousin at a string concert. Reuben’s achievements in music at that time had already soared, and his performance resonated in the auditorium and in everyone’s hearts. In recent years his good looks and physique were notably appreciated too, and he was crowned Mr World Singapore 2007.
I hadn’t replied him on Facebook to update him about my life, but was thinking how we should meet up for a drink in our neighbourhood to catch up soon. He may be very famous and a very busy man, but I hoped that he would spare some time to do so.
Reuben had always been exemplary of successful dream-pursuing. He had passion for what he did and pursued them with extraordinary vigour. Be it with Taekwondo, his music, his animation, and dragon boat rowing. He bravely chose the path trodden by few, and established himself to be really good enough to shine in the arts scene. His legendary music will continue to inspire us and propel the unmotivated.
I am still shocked to learn about this, about how a “freak wave” and “freak currents” took the lives of these young lads in a sport close to my heart.
May strength be with all who are grieving over the loss of the five Singaporean talented youths.
Rest in peace, Reuben. You will be dearly missed by many.
When I left Singapore for Vancouver (with a 3-day stopover in Taipei), I was on international roaming with Starhub, and chalked up a bill of over S$160. Calls made on my mobile phone from Vancouver to Singapore was about $3/minute. I honestly didn’t make that many calls, but somehow all the short calls added up.
There’s someone I must call frequently, and Pfingo is my saviour from throwing money for idd cards by enabling me to call any number in Singapore for free (valid for 3 months) while skype enables me to save on my mobile phone bill by allowing me to call US and Canada lines for less than $3/month.
Actuallyyyyy……………………………………………….. I don’t miss home? Nor do I miss the food? Hahahaha…but I miss all of ya ok!
My friend (the unexpected-hiker-enthusiast) wanted to eat at Prima Taste, and I was indifferent, so I guess the enthusiast always gets what she wants.
Prawn Laksa
My $0.02 (in exchange for a CDN$9.50 dish): Authentic, though gravy is a bit on the thin side. Prawns were very fresh and very exquisitely shelled! Best laksa I’ve eaten out of Singapore. Fried Hokkein Mee
My $0.02: For CDN$11.95 it’s wayyyy expensive, but oh, for the exact taste of home Fried Hokkein Mee! A bit on the mushy side though.
Hainanese Chicken Rice (just the rice)
My $0.02: Only $1.75! Taste is right, but the rice was a tad dry.
Have you tried eating Fried Hokkein Mee with a fork?
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