Monthly Archives: August 2012

My daughter married at 23 and became a mum this year at 25. As a grandparent I can take the “spoiling a child” up to a whole new level. Parents’ job:  Teach manners, self-control and self-discipline. My job:  What does … Continue reading →

It was around 10 o’clock at night when we heard noises. My parents wanted to take a look but I beat them to it. I opened the door of our 9th-floor apartment and looked down. What I saw gave me … Continue reading →

Once, after I’ve delivered a speech a young man came up to me and asked “Do you know So-and-so Loh?” I thought for a moment then replied, “I believe I do, he’s a distant relative of mine.” “I’m his son,” … Continue reading →

It is said that the death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her. I can’t agree more. We all love our mothers. But I have observed that most sons are closer to their mothers than with their … Continue reading →

My father was born in 1931. It was the year Alka Seltzer was introduced, the Star Spangled Banner officially becomes US national anthem, the first electric shaver went on sale, Little Orphan Annie was first broadcast (on radio) and the … Continue reading →

In my decadent youth a date meant caviar and champagne, flowers and the whole works. When I asked Yin out, the first meal we had was a lavish one. But of course. Prior to our second date, she said “I’m … Continue reading →

I had always been awkward with girls. The more adventurous and “wilder” boys would regale us with tall tales about their romantic conquests. And if anyone boasted that he actually had sex with a girl, in our narrow childish world, … Continue reading →

1976 was National Service time for me – an era when mothers still worry that their sons’ lives may be jeopardized. Still despite the bed bugs, the horrendous food (rice mixed with sand and veggies reeking of ammonia, among other … Continue reading →

If school was the bane of my existence, then that period of my life was more than made up for by the childhood I had. I was plump and non athletic. But I had height. Teacher after teacher had wanted … Continue reading →

When mother felt the birth pangs, father jumped onto his boneshaker of a bicycle and peddled furiously for nearly two miles to my maternal grandfather’s house. Grandpa had a car and father wanted to borrow it so that mother could … Continue reading →