KimYeow & family: December 2017

Family - where life begins & love never ends. We bought our first HDB flat in 1999 at Admiralty Drive (Sembawang). It's a humble home where we started our family. Filomena and Cordelia added spice into our life in 2002 and 2004 respectively; and made our married life complete. For the last 18 years, we never looked back..in good and not-so-good times. We shared a lot happiness and joy too. Built many great memories that would last for many years to come. This is the place where both our girls learnt to crawl, walk, run and cycle. And a place where they picked up reading, writing, singing and music. This is the home that gave them a lot of love and happiness and a carefree childhood. We would alway remember our first home that allowed us to nurture our next generation, in a safe and wonderful environment. Block 359B at #14-08, Admiralty Drive, Singapore 752359. This is our very first home and where we started our family, building many wonderful memories that would firmly etch into our mind and kept in one part of our heart forever...

Beautiful rainbow looking through the balcony.

A christmas party with neighbour and friend's family in 2012.

In 2017, we decided to move to our second BTO. Our second home is in Canberra which is between Yishun and Sembawang. Yes, it's not too far from our old house but it's now closer to our parent's house. Sarah did such an wonderful job to design and renovate our new environment, transforming from Zen in our first house to the Scandinavian design now. The kids has their bed room fully renovated that would last to their adulthood. They're young ladies now. No more cartoon and fairy tales. There is a bigger space in the living room now which we crafted out a study corner with a table big enough for both. As it's also nearer to the sea (Sembawang Park), the air is fresher and the rooms are more airy. Now we spend more time at home rather than malls and shopping centers. Thank you to Jophy from Absolook (Yishun) for designing such a lovely home. Good job.

New living room with a study table)

Filomena managed to pass her interview and was selected for her MOELC Study-cum-Immerson Program (SCIP) to Brest, which is situated in the north-west of France. On the western edge of continental Europe, close to the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. The program started from November 17th to December 5th 2017. For the 2 weeks in France, Filomena was hosted by retired grandparents who took good care of her and treated her exceptionally well. This is the first time that she stayed so far away from us and living with total strangers. We're glad that she has coped well with the French study and survived alone in a new environment. Our girl has growth well and is more independent than we've thought. Big thanks to Jean Paul and Janine. Kenavo (Goodbye in Breton).

Day excursion to Mont St Michel, wonder of the western world

Janine and Jean Paul sending Filomena off at airport.

Cordelia transited and adapted exceptionally good in her Secondary School. She conquered all odds and done well her first year in RGS. Next year she would be promoted to secondary 2, together with the same classmates and friends. Her self confidence has increased significantly. Willing to step out of her comfort zone to try new challenges, making new friend and taking up a higher role/responsibility. We're so proud of her. I believe RGS liven up to their mission of "Nurturing the high ability girl to be a leader who will realise her talents in service of nation and community". Well done and keep it up. Three cheers.

Cordelia first day at RGS.

End of the year family trips were to Krabi, Thailand and Penang, Malaysia. Both running back to back in early December school holiday. In fact it was the next day after Filomena returned from Brest, France we flew to Krabi. The following day after we touched down from Krabi, we then drove to Penang. Pretty hectic schedule but a well deserved for the family. We'll always make it a point to spend two weeks together for recharging and family bonding. For the Krabi trip, it was together with Sarah's sister and family. We stayed at Krabi Tipa Resort. Lot of seafood, streetfood, shopping and island hopping. The sunset is exceptionally stunning. Good short trip to unwind and recharge with beautiful islands and beaches.

Family photos outside Krabi Tapi Resort

After we've returned to Singapore, we made an impromptu road trip to Penang, Malaysia. It's about 715km from Singapore to George Town Penang. The entire trip took at least 9hrs but we broke into two parts, with one night stop-over in Kuala Lumpur. We have a wonderful time in Hardrock cafe hotel in Penang and Shangri-La hotel in KL. Wonderful stay and pretty of authentic local foods. I am glad that we finally made a road trip to Penang. This one of the challenge that I set for myself and I am glad that we made it as a family. And it's always great to stretch for bigger goals and higher challenge to fully realise where is our physical and mental limits. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. That's our trait and spirit.

Hardrock cafe in Penang, Malaysia

Early in the year, my mother was admitted into hospital for a back fracture while trying to carry my father back into bed. That's when I realised that even with a domestic helper, my old age mother is under constant stress and challenge taking care of my father whom is wheelchair bound and is fully dependent on other for his daily basic need. And sometime in the mid of this year, my father was also admitted into hospital from the stubborn back sore (started as an abrasion) incurred during a fall from his bed. He was admitted into hospital for a week and another 2 months recuperating in Yishun Community hospital. And I started to realised that my father need some professional medical help and attention. It took me many years to realise and agree sending my father to a nursing home. This year, with the help from social worker, we managed to secure a place in Woodlands Care home, managed by Vanguard. This has changed my perception of a nursing which is always very ran down, dirty, lifeless, isolated and severely short-handed. I have to gave big credit to Vanguard group for doing such a wonderful job to provide comfort and dignity into our twilight years. I knew that my father has never wanted to stay in a nursing home. But it's not easy to engage a long term helper. For the last 7 years, we've engaged 6 and most can't stay long. It always added stress to my mother whenever we need to change ones. Also, my mother is already 82. She is getting weak and frail lately. I wish her happiness and good health for many years to come...

Father recuperating at Yishun Community Hospital

Financial planning is getting more serious and actionable this years. Both Sarah and myself have signed up the DBS unit trust to have monthly purchase of Singapore STI ETF. And besides the SRS (Supplement Retirement Scheme) contribution, we also top up both our CPF special account. This would provide some relieve for my income tax and hopefully saved more money for our twilight years. And yes, need to think of some way to make the SRS fund worked harder for a better ROI (Return of Investment).

Christmas is around the corner and soon 2018 would arrive. For the next one year, I hope to make some change in my career. For now, I would leave every option open. With the housing done (Selling the first flat and renovating the second flat), my father under good care in nursing home and both Filomena and Cordelia grow more independent, 2018 would be a good time to make some difference in my career.

In 2018, I wish all beings good health and happiness. And hopefully less conflict between countries and religions. Let have some peace for the earth-kind. Everyone deserves happiness and freedom.

Dogemer mad 2018 (Hello 2018 in Breton).