20.12.2025 Saturday - 90th birthday party

 This main highlight for this trip is dad's 90th birthday - there were two new surprises; samkuma who was ill until yesterday manage to show up, she is likely the only genuine person in this whole extended family. The other surprise is the appearance of Chai Ean - a friend from Deakin, she left 6 months after I started Year 1, lived in the same house Sam and I did. I tell Sean and Sara to entertain her (they were seated at the same table) - they tell me that the vibe they get from her is a cross between Yasmin and Sherlin. I also get nice vibes from Selinna's Rueben - a large bald man with a red beard - I am surprised to find out that we have met before (online) for their engagement, and that he is only 25. 

Other than these, there are no redeeming qualities from this gathering - so I will no be attending any more such dinners. I do not enjoy the company, and I do not feel like making small talk. It does not help that Sam is coughing every 20 secs, her coughs take a long time to run their course. 

I must get in touch with Chai Ean though.

At hup soon for birthday - an OKU man serenaded us; Sara and I tipped him, and we all applauded after his rendition of a Jackie Cheung song - nice touch by Sara I thought

16 April 2022 Saturday - birthday and reunions

 

There's probably been about a dozen birthday celebration dinners for my parents in law, when we fly in and reunite with Sam's favourite uncles and aunties, and during most of those times we usually invite one of our friends and now our children are doing the same. It is a continuation of  'what if we run out of things to talk about with my parents?' - better to have a familiar face closer at hand to talk to. Selinna, Laffy, Shane, Ivy, Swee, Enghooi, Belinda, and tonight, Sarah and Brinda. 

Serves us right for doing this to our parents, it is happening to us now.