Retired page boy

My first experience as a page boy was when I was 4 years old in year 2009. I was really excited when I came to know that I was being selected as a page boy. I knew what a page boy was because I had seen Dadi and Mami's wedding video and Nicolas Kor Kor was their page boy at that time. He was only 3 years old then. He was really cute.

We went hunting for a page boy outfit. Previously Nicolas Kor Kor's outfit was tailored. As for me, Dadi and Mami found a good outfit at Kiko in Isetan, KLCC. The price was certainly more reasonable than tailoring.

Being a page boy was a pleasant experience. I learnt how to walk according to the rhythm of the music. I had to ensure that my body was straight, and was supposed to smile throughout the time while walking down aisle. I was told that I look good and handsome.

The following pictures were taken in 2009, my first page boy experience at the age of 4.

I was honoured when I was requested to be the page boy for another wedding this year. Mami was a little reluctant for me to be the page boy. She felt that I was no longer "cute" and was hoping that Shaun could take over my place. Dadi was in the opinion that it would be better for both to be page boys. I was certainly more matured for the job. Shaun TiTi was only 3 years old. There were many "what ifs" in the minds of Dadi and Mami. I guess if Shaun TiTi decided to change his mind, there would still be another page boy to walk down the aisle.

So, finally, it was decided for us to be page boys together-gether. I was delighted with the news.

We went hunting for another page boy outfit because my previous one was too small for me and too large for Shaun. It wasn't a difficult task to look for the outfit. We knew that Kiko brand would carry the outfit, but we had to look for the outlet which carried this range of clothing. We made some phone calls to different Kiko outlets and was informed that MidValley carried this range. So, we managed to buy the exact same outfit.

I am very thankful for this experience. I know that this is probably my last experience to be a page boy. Looking at the pictures, I do not think that I look any different from my previous. I am certainly just taller, but I think I still look good and handsome, right?

I'm really excited for the days to come

I have started counting for the days to come. I am really excited. After a week of absence, Dadi would be back from Myanmar this Sunday. My Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah are coming from Ipoh on Monday. Finally, we are all going to Hong Kong Disneyland together on Wednesday. I really can't wait. I have been trying to explain to TiTi all these events. I told him that we will be taking a taxi to a place, then a train to the airport and an aeroplane to Hong Kong. So, we are taking 3 different types of transportation. That would be really exciting.

My TiTi is also excited. He wakes up everyday, asking if today is December-to-Wednesday yet. He doesn't know how to count the days and he doesn't know how to look at the calendar. So, he says that we are going to Hong Kong on "December-to-Wednesday".

To my Dadi - I prayed for the weather to be good this Sunday so that the pilot can drive the aeroplane safely and that you can come back early and safely. I prayed that the pilot will be careful too. See you soon, Dadi.

To my Yeh Yeh - I prayed for God to heal your arm so that it would not be painful anymore. I want to go fishing with you.

This is me and my cheeky younger brother

This is me at 6 years and 7 months old

My thinking mode about my future

I've been thinking alot over the past few nights about my future. Mami was pretty upset with me last night because I kept asking her the same questions over and over gain. I then had an idea and called my Mah Mah in Ipoh to run through my questions before bed.

It all started on Sunday night. I wasn't too sure what triggered my thinking. I suddenly cried and asked why Ah Kong was not alive. I told Mami that I wished my Ah Kong was still alive and I wanted to see him. Mami gave a lengthy explanation of how Ah Kong was and said that he is currently in Heaven. Ah Kong is able to see us and one day, we are able to see him too. We were on this topic for almost an hour and finally, I kept silent in tears for about 10 minutes. Mami was worried and asked me what I thinking of. I said that I was sending a message to Ah Kong in Heaven. My message was "Ah Kong, I know you are alive and are in Heaven. I love you very much".

On Monday night, I didn't cry, but I asked Mami if she was sure that Ah Kong could see me even if my house was covered with a roof. I couldn't understand how Ah Kong could see through the roof and bricks. Mami was looking a little frustrated, thinking that my conversation will end up for another hour. After some brief explanation from Mami, I decided to ask her other questions.

I then asked her a few questions. I asked her where I would be staying once I have a wife. Would I stay here in my parent's house or another house. Should I stay with my parents or with my parents-in-law? Who will I marry? Should I stay in a condominium or a house like the one I am staying now? How do I get the money to buy a house. Once again, Mami spent about an hour trying to answer my questions and settling me in bed.

On Tuesday night, my episode repeated. I asked the same questions as the night before. Mami tried to brush me off saying that she had explained it the night before. I didn't want to make her frustrated. I immediately asked for her handphone and called my 'all-knowing' grandparents. Mah Mah picked up the phone and attended to my questions.

Mami hopes that I would not ask her the same questions tonight again. I hope so too.

Why do I like Lego?

Mami kept asking me why I love Lego? Here is my answer.

1) I like to build Lego

2) It looks very nice

3) It looks very grand

4) I can play with the Lego that I built

5) I want to keep my Lego for my children. I want to teach them how to build Lego.

Posted by Benjamin

Lego Decorations at Bangsar Village II

Went to Bangsar Village II for a shopping adventure with Mami, Ah Mah and Shaun TiTi. The shopping adventure was to buy a Christmas present for my cousin, Ashley Cheh Cheh.

I enjoyed the Christmas decorations at Bangsar Village II.

There were many more Legos displayed there. There was a Lego sale there, but I didn't buy any because they didn't have sale for the Kingdom series.

A letter to my friend

Mami met my friend's grandmother in the market recently. I had lost my friend's house address and am happy that Mami was able to obtain the address again.

I wrote a letter to him and wanted to give him a pen for him to write letters too. I'll be inserting the pen with the letter into an envelope later.

This is what I wrote.

My drawing of Transformers

Mami drew a Transformer a few days ago for Shaun. I wanted to do the same. It didn't turn out very nice, but at the very least, my Shaun TiTi liked it. I was thoughtful enough to draw some boxes for him to paste his Transformer stickers.

Cell Group Retreat to Kee's Farmstay, Pertang

Our Cell Group had a retreat last Sunday to Kee's Farmstay at Pertang. It was a short but sweet retreat for all of us. We really enjoyed ourselves.

The place was peaceful, refreshing and clean. The rooms were clean, comfortable with 2 king sized mattresses in each room, equipped with a fan and air-condition.

There were many farm animals there. I was more interested in feeding the hungry goats. They were pretty fierce looking.

My cousin, Ashley Cheh Cheh feeding a goat

What we enjoyed most was fishing. We were able to do fishing in a big pond. There were two big ponds to fish from. Once we caught a fish, we could either release the fish back into the pond or keep them to buy/ barbeque. It cost RM15 per kilo for a Talapia fish.

I don't have photos of us fishing. But this is my Ah Ku and Aunty Kay, barbequing our fishes.

While Ah Ku was barbequing, we were playing in a rest area.

Before we left for home, we wanted to buy more fish back. The owner suggested that we catch from a separate place where they stored the bigger ones. We sent two brave boys, Win Sern and my cousin, Nicolas Kor Kor to go into the "slimy water" a catch with a net.

We had a great time running around.

Our cell group photo

My Dinosaurs

I am Benjamin and I look photographs of my dinosaurs. I would like to write this post on my own.

These are my dinosaurs. My dinosaurs are also very powerful. They can get away from danger.

Let me introduce my dinosaurs to you.

This is pteranodon. He can fly away from the danger.

This is triceratops. He can scare away the meat eaters by pointing its horn.

This is stegosaurus.

The stegosaurus can fight with the meat eaters

by using its strong tail which can lift up very high.

This is diplodocus. It is a plant eater.

It walks very slowly and does not harm anyone.

This is charonosaurus. I do not know how this dinosaur is,

but I always think that this dinosaur can run very fast.

This is the end of my dinosaur story.

Jim West's Dinosaur

I went to PJ Live Arts to watch Jim West's Dinosaur last Saturday. It wasn't really crowded. It was nice and interesting. The most interesting part of it all, was that they taught us simple steps to make dinosaur puppets.

There were books sold at the entrance. Mami didn't buy any books for me.

She bought one Dinosaur Sticker Book for Shaun Shaun.

Inside the theatre.

We took a picture at the corner of the stage

before the show started.

Treasured moments with Paternal Grandparents

I wish to write about my Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah so that I can remember them when I grow up. My Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah are staying in Ipoh. They are both retired, helping my Ku Ku and Ku Cheong to take care of my cousins, Joel and Jared.

I always regard my Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah as the "Know-It-All" grandparents. You'll understand why when you read on.

My Yeh Yeh is a retired engineer, Dadi says that he studied in a place called Calgary in Canada, which is very far away. Dadi says he was a Colombo scholar, I don't know what that means though ... Yeh Yeh is a smart engineer and worked in a factory called UAC in Ipoh.

My Mah Mah on the other hand a retired teacher, Dadi says that she taught Geography, English and Capentry Living Skills in school. Dadi says she was a Perak State Scholar.  In school Mah Mah used to be a disciplinary mistress.... emmmm but she doesn't look strict to me... But Dadi says that she was strict with him when he was younger.

They have an active lifestyle in Ipoh. They are very much involved in church activities. Yeh Yeh is serving in the Chinese Church and Mah Mah is a Committee Member in the Church Kindergarden. They are also involved in other social work.

Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah like to travel with their church group, Dadi is always saying that they are in China, Turkey or some other place I have not heard of before. I wonder if I am able to go to those places when I am all grown up like them.

I love my Mah Mah and Yeh Yeh around because they always teach me new things, Yeh Yeh taught me ping pong, carroms, badminton... Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah brought me to buy my first badminton racket in Ipoh. If I have a question I don't have an answer to, I can call Mah Mah and she will explain things to me.

If Dadi travels for a long time, Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah will come down to take care of me and Shaun. Especially in the last two years when Ah Mah was not well, they will come down to take care of me and Shaun Shaun whenever possible. It is fun having them around...

I thank God for my Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah and I love them very much.

Treasured moments with Maternal Grandparents

I have never known my Ah Kong. I have heard many stories about him from Mami, and I know that he is certainly someone I would have been proud off.

My Ah Kong was the Deputy Director General of Department of Survey and Mapping. He was a Senior Government Officer in Jabatan Ukur and Pemetaan Malaysia. He retired just before he passed away.

Ah Kong passed away in May 2004 due to cancer. It was after that when Mami conceived me a few months later. I guess it was God's perfect timing for Mami to conceive me. It had helped her move on, putting behind all the grievances. However, even when I was still in Mami's tummy, I knew that Mami was constantly sad over the lost of her beloved Daddy. Ah Mah was the one mostly affected by the lost of Ah Kong. She entered into a period of depression and everyone was praying that she would recover after my arrival.

By end of 2004, Dadi, Mami and Ah Mah shifted to a new house within Taman Midah. The new house is near Ah Ku's house. It was a busy time getting the house ready for my arrival. All went well and I was born in April 2005.

During that time, Dadi and Mami hired a maid who would help Ah Mah to take care of me. After two years, the maid left and Ah Mah, single handedly took care of me while Dadi and Mami were off to work. I was very fortunate to have Ah Mah around. She spent alot of time teaching me flashcards. Would you believe that my Ah Mah even flashed me cards everyday when I'm seated on my throne (potty) doing my business? Well, all the hard work paid off because I am proud to say that I was able to read very well at the age of 3.

It was sad when Ah Mah became ill when I was 4+. It was a very difficult time for the family. She first suffered from pneumonia and ended up with so many other complications, even the doctors were puzzled with her condition. At one stage, there were 5-6 different consulting doctors from different streams seeing her each time in her ward. She was also warded in the ICU and HDU. Ah Mah underwent all the test that the doctors could think of. X-rays, Ct Scan, Biopsy, Bone Marrow, Tibi test, Scope........ you name it, she certainly did it. None of doctors had a solution to treat Ah Mah. In helplessness, everyone prayed earnestly and trusted that God would intervene.

Dadi and Mami were stressed up ensuring that my needs were taken care off. Shaun TiTi was sent to the babysister for the whole day and was brought back only during the weekends. I was taken care by a new maid. There was a stage when the maid went back to Cambodia and didn't return. I was placed at the school daycare for a very short period of time. I knew Mami and Dadi were constantly worried about me. That was when Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah would come from Ipoh as often as they could to accompany me.

God was good and He healed my Ah Mah miraculously. It's amazing how Ah Mah's health turned around. Since then, Ah Mah has been staying with Ah Ku and Ah Kim and would spend the weekends with us. Although Ah Mah has recovered, but her health is still fragile and needs to be monitored. So, we would all have to give as much care to her where possible.

Ah Mah holds Shaun TiTi and I very close to her heart. She loves us very much. She is constantly worried over our studies and health. Everytime she hears any of us sick, she would immediately come over to stay the night with us. She is always checking on my school homework and reminding me to write properly. She constantly complains over my poor handwriting.

God has blessed me with Grandparents whom I love and am proud off. I thank God for them.

Letters for ME!

I was so happy to receive 2 letters from my kindergarden friend. I just can't wait for Mami to try obtain my friend's address and I'll definitely reply this letter.

2 letters, one with a note and another with a sandart

Thank you Khoo Yue Jian....

Do elephants have fur?

Mami was trying to prepare some Science questions for me in an exercise book. The questions were based on a Primary One Science Textbook.

After marking my answers, Mami was not too sure of one of the answer. Do elephants have fur? Mami asked Dadi and Mah Mah, and both said "No, elephants do not have fur". But the Science Textbook provided the answer as "Yes, elephants have fur".

My very own Christmas present to Mami and Dadi

I secretly wrapped a Christmas Present for Mami and Dadi a few days ago. Since Mami was feeling very sad today, I hugged her and pat on her back. I immediately gave her the Christmas present just to cheer her up.

Presenting......Mami and Dadi's Christmas present

The content of the present

Christmas present from Ah Kim and Ah Ku

I received another Christmas present. Mami kept asking me to put the present under the Christmas Tree. I attempted to do so, but I just couldn't resist opening it. I placed it near the tree, requested for a picture to be taken, and I then immediately opened it. Yey!!

My little secret... I cried last night....

I cried last night before bed. Mami was surprised and asked me why. Here is my story....

I was doing some revision for Primary 1 Maths and Science yesterday evening. Mami gave me a few pages to complete. It was all in the BM language, and multiple choices. I made quite a fair bit of mistakes. It wasn't because I didn't know the answers. It was because I could not understand the questions in the Malay language. If only they were all in English, I would definitely be able to get them right.

Sample questions which I made mistakes were:

Maths:

1) Berapakah yang perlu ditambah kepada 6 supaya jadi 12?

2) Berapakah yang perlu ditolak daripada 9 supaya jadi 2?

3) Judy beli 15 buah buku latihan. Dia telah guna 9 buku latihan. Berapakah buku latihan yang belum diguna?

Science:

1) Jika kaki kita patah, kita tidak boleh

(a) melukis

(b) berlari

(c) mendengar

2) Apabila kita bermain badminton, kita mengguna anggota badan berikut kecuali

(a) tangan

(b) kaki

(c) mulut

3) Manakah yang bukan fungsi mulut kita?

(a) Menyanyi

(b) Berjalan

(c) Makan

Why did I cry? I cried because I am fearful that I wouldn't be able to learn the BM language. What if I can't do it in Primary One next year? What if I don't understand the teachers? What if I can't do well in my exams? What if....... ? What if.......? What if.......? These were my exact words to Mami last night.

Mami assured me that I'll do just fine. That was why Mami started with my Primary One revision now. She knew that I would feel this way if she didn't prepare me early.

I am a boy full of worries :(

My drawing of the human face

I was asked by Mami to draw the parts of the face on my Science Revision Book. I hesitated as I told Mami I am not good at drawing anything. Mami encouraged me to try.

So....here is my attempt to draw the different parts of the human face....