The One With Father's Day

It's Father's Day this Sunday and I would like to take this opportunity to urge you people to go and wish your dads a Happy Father's Day. I noticed that fathers do not get enough recognition being a father. If you compare how a family celebrates Father's Day to Mother's Day, it's sad. I know I'm in no position to say anything as my father is dead for so long that I don't even remember much of him now but I remembered dressing up all nicely on Mother's Day because our family was going to a nice restaurant and all. We would celebrate Mother's Day with my grandmother, aunts and my mother altogether. When it comes to Father's Day, I don't remember doing anything.

During Mother's Day, the dad probably paid for dinner. During Father's Day, if a family DO go out, the dad probably paid for dinner too. Fathers just aren't appreciated or recognized enough for the things they contributed in the family! Possibly it's because the things they do are not tangible. In a typical 80s or 90s family, the mothers cook for the child, feed the child, shower the child, teach the child, clean the house, wash the clothes and all sorts of house chores. The dads? Nothing? Well, the dad paid for the electric bills, the water bills, the food, the rent! I'm not saying mothers do not deserve all the attention and appreciation. I mean mothers are great but I just think that fathers should be appreciated more.








Being brought up in a Chinese family, it is pretty usual for a guy to not be close to his father. It's just how a typical Chinese boy is brought up. Usually we don't talk, we just take instructions from the father. Something like Eric and his dad in That 70's Show. Maybe it's something to do with making us a man kinda thing. You know how weird guys can be. We're all idiots.

I have lived most my life without a dad. I don't remember how it's like to even have a dad. I do not have anyone to turn to for advice. I do not have anyone to look up on. I know I still have my mother but it's different. She tried hard to be a mother AND a father for us but it's different. Something is still missing. My memories of my dad are so vague now that if I tell you I miss my dad, you'll know I'm lying. But I'll tell you this, I miss having a dad...

I know I look very much like him. What can I say? I'm a chip off the old block

For you guys who still have fathers, do yourself a favor and appreciate your dads while you still can. If now is not the time, when is it? 16 years after he passed away?

On a lighter note, I came across several humorous advertisements about fatherhood and stuff. Enjoy.

The One Where Spring Came And Went

Spring came and flew by so quickly. According to my student handbook, it's gonna be summer next week. I was so busy with my assignments, exams and stadium work that I didn't really had the time to enjoy it. I remember sitting in my room staring at the nice sky, wishing I was out there. Quote Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes, "If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life."

However, amidst those assignments and exams, I did manage to find time to snap a few photos. I took the bicycle I permanently borrowed from the senior and went around Hull taking pictures. The weather is so nice here for cycling. It's bright and sunny but it's not hot. I know, it's so weird! You can stand under the sun and still feel cold. It's crazy. Back in Malaysia I wouldn't even want to stand under the sun. I'd sweat just by standing under the sun. Over here, you'll wish you were under the sun because if you're not, you'll be shivering from the cold wind. In short, during spring, weather nice, cycling fun, flowers pretty, nice pictures.

some flowers around Hull...felt so gay when I took those pictures

some sceneries around Hull

early spring and now...

I had a reader from the States who commented on my previous post and she actually linked her blog to mine. It's like...wow! I never expected a reader from outside my circle of friends to actually read what I wrote. Anyway, random tandem, whoever you are, thanks for reading my blog and the birthday wish. Just wondering though, how did you stumble on my blog?

The One When I Became A Quarter Of A Century

Yes, I'm THAT old now...a quarter of a century! No one should freak out when one reaches that number, right? However I am. I am freaking out a little bit. Not really the fact that I am getting old but the fact that I have not accomplished anything much in my life. I'm 25 goddammit and if you look at what I have done so far in my life, it's sad. I'll be damned if I were to say the same thing again in 5 years' time. I've got to write a 5-year plan. I've got to live my life now.

...something I bought for myself, my first original Arsenal jersey...
it was last year's edition and they were on sale...LoL

But my life isn't all too bad, is it? 5 years ago I wouldn't even dare dream of coming here in the UK, let alone living here. Today, I am in Hull, in England, studying, living, working, earning British pounds, drinking British beers, checking out British chicks. Life's great, isn't it?

Yea, I try to convince myself that all the time....

25 years..has it really been that long? My mother would beg to differ. I bet she had a hard time raising me till today. I never really celebrated my own birthdays much. In fact, I don't remember most of my birthdays except one or two. Usually I spend them alone. However, three years ago, for my 22nd birthday, Masami planned a birthday party for me. It was probably the first birthday party of my own that I can remember. I think I stopped celebrating my own birthdays since kindergarten days. I don't know why. I just don't like singing birthday songs. Anyway, that was a nice birthday. I remembered those who went. Jackson, Chee Kit, GP, Siva, Yuen How, Eddy, MK, Leon, Masami of course, Pei Ti, Beatrice, Daniel, Ben, Sean and Ashley. Too bad I didn't have my camera then.

However, the following year, Andrew gathered a few of my Penang friends/ex-schoolmates and celebrated my birthday at a seafood restaurant in Penang. It was a great meal. Cheese mussels...damn!

you will need to understand Penang Hokkien to understand what we said....
...a good day, yes yes...

2006, I didn't celebrate as well. I can't remember what I did. It was a blur. But don't matter because this year...this year I'm going Edinburgh! Yay! My friends here don't know my birthday and I don't intend to tell them. I'll just enjoy my day and secretly wish myself a happy birthday.

*edited*
I got busted. Somehow they found out even though I tried to lie my way out. They got a cake and celebrated with me.



ps. they also branded me as 二五仔 (25-kid aka traitor)