Twenty Years Later

After high school, I went to work at Straits Times Publishing in Singapore for a couple of months before I packed up and went back home to Kota Kinabalu. It was a brief stint of working life and because I wasn' t studious in school, decided to go on and venture into the working world rather than continue with my studies. I left Singapore in 1989 and since then, have not gone back to see my paternal grandmother.

Once or twice along the years I did go back to Singapore but never reached the gates of my grandmothers house because of so many reasons. I guess in not so many words I was angry at her for not wanting me in her house as I was a very defiant and rebellious grandchild when I was growing up. Amongst the 8 cousins/ grandchildren who were living under the same roof, I was considered the black sheep of them all. I was always playing truant, always staying out till late on school nights, never obeying rules, you name it...I was everything BUT an angel. So when I left, I literally cut ties with everyone back in Singapore.

So here we are twenty years later, I have finally reconnected with some but not all of my cousins in Singapore. Some are residing overseas and lucky for me some are still in good old Singapore. Seems just a stones throw away from Bangkok! And because of its close proximity...well to me that is close, I got to eventually meet two of my very long lost cousin. Surprisingly, one of them is actually working in Bangkok!! How cool is that huh?

Anyway, Sarge, my fathers sisters son, made his way to Bangkok two weeks ago. Somehow I managed to convince him to come and I know I am not wrong to say this but it did not take a lot of convincing because everyones been wondering where the other have been.

His trip even though was short, was just awesome. Seeing him after all these years was a little overwhelming as I remembered hugging him so tight as he entered our office room and he had a huge smile plastered on his face.

The next couple of days was just filling in and bringing each other up to speed on everybody and even my grandmother. Sarge hung around NOMAD, gave a couple of pointers about the bar and even the restaurant. Even Chris enjoyed his company and I am so glad that they got along.

The day he had to leave, I felt very heavy at heart. Deep down inside me, I suppose I must really miss my family back in Singapore. So naturally I am so looking forward to May 2009 because I will be going home finally, of course with the man that I love and meet almost everyone, especially my grandmother. Crazy but I am actually getting butterflies in my tummy!!

And so, here are some of the pictures we took while Sarge was here in Bangkok! Amazing, amazing time!