Dance with my father (Luther Vandross)

Back when I was a child, before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around ‘til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
How I’d love, love, love
To dance with my father again
When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way, I would run from her to him
He’d make me laugh just to comfort me
Then finally make me do just what my mama said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me
If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
‘Cause I’d love, love, love
To dance with my father again
Sometimes I’d listen outside her door
And I’d hear how my mother cried for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me
I know I’m praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don’t do it usually
But dear Lord she’s dying
To dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream

My Mum, my best friend

I have not seen my Mum for a year. Not because I did not want to see her but I did not have the chance to go back for Christmas. I had to forego my usual yearend holiday and an annual retreat to Baguio with my whole family because of work. Not a good choice perhaps but something I decided on after careful consideration. It helped that my Mum has started working fulltime so I know she will be too busy to really be with me when I go home. I was not planning to ask her to go with me to Jakarta. The inspiration came when I found out that Philippine Airlines has a v cheap and direct flight from Manila to Jakarta. With two catches. One, they will not serve you food. Second, the plane will arrive midnight in Jakarta. Since I know my Mum will be okay with flying any time of the day as long as she can go off somewhere, I decided to buy her a ticket that will give her her first opportunity to fly alone, without anyone else helping her along the way.

It turned out to be a good experience for her and for me too. I learned how good a service really SQ has. I also learned that Lenny really has a v good and caring heart as she allowed me to wait at the airport until Mum has checked in and made sure she will be okay to go inside the immigration area already. She is really a gem of a friend in Jakarta. Always going out of her way to make my stay in Jakarta so wonderful.

I also learned that Mum has shrink a bit in size. Now she wears a delectable size 10. But not really that delectable as her legs has become much thinner. In fact, she cannot walk for more than four hours in one go. She needs to rest after a few hours of walking. At one point, she was walking ahead of me and I was wondering to myself, how she would look like in 10 years' time? Will she be able to hold and carry her grandchild with me and my bao bei? I told her my baby thinks I will have difficulty with the climate in England. Mum said never mind, she will not stay with us for long. I told her, am sure my baby will not mind having the heater on most of the time. We just have to work harder to have to pay for it. LOL!

It was a hectic work week for me but going back to the room with Mum being there was worth it. I also saw how she has made new friends at SCI and now she has a shirt to show that she has been there too. We talked yes, but not for long every night as we dont seem to need so many words just to be with each other. She also had a chance to talk with my baby and even managed to bring back some seeds for her small garden in her apartment in Manila. Mum has green thumb and I am amazed at how she can take care and can grow plants with ease. Whereas I will always have to cajole the one pot of plant inside my room not to wither and wilt and die on me. LOL!

Well I look forward to her visiting me in SG in August. I hope we can go away together for a few days as well. Maybe go to Kota Kinabalu or to Bangkok. She likes to shop but not really to buy so much but just to be able to see different places and buy a shirt and shoes and a bag here and there. Not too much now I have noticed. Now I hear her say, she does not really need a new bag as she has plenty still at home. Either she has changed or I must have really sent her so much of stuff when I moved house recently. LOL! Either way, I was just too happy that I spent a week with her to care. She is really a best friend to me now.

Posh in Jakarta again last week

There goes Posh in Jakarta again last week for another conference. She is really going places this year. Where is she off to next?