The Joy of Eating Together

Whenever we meet with our children's families - whether in WA or Singapore - eating together is always a must-do activity. It is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to reconnect and strengthen family bonds. Each time we gather around a table, food becomes more than just nourishment; it becomes a space for conversation, laughter and remembering old times. Memories resurface, and these moments help preserve our family tradition while creating a deep sense of continuity and belonging.

Meals prepared by family members carry even greater significance. There is something especially meaningful about sharing food that has been cooked by closed family members. Our final meal on the night before our departure for home was particularly memorable, as it was a joint effort by my sons, Sam and Paul. Together, they prepared a wonderful and generous feast - creamy pasta with spinach and bacon, accompanied by a variety of pizzas. It was not just about the food on the table, but the effort and team work behind it.

The two chefs busy at work.

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While the chefs were hard at work in the kitchen, the grandparents and grandchildren were happily immersed in a lively Guess-the-Drawing Game, followed by a round of Charades. Quite to my surprise, Maddie, the youngest shone - successfully guessing several sketches when even the older ones failed. 

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Earlier, we had separate meals with Sam’s family and with Paul and Junshi. Sam’s family brought us to Sodofun @ Center Point, an outlet known for serving traditional Korean food. One of the dishes ordered was a Sichuan-style spicy fish fillet. At first glance, I was slightly apprehensive - the thin slices of fish were submerged in a bubbling, chilli and peppercorn-laden broth that looked fiercely spicy. To my pleasant surprise, however, the heat and numbing spice turned out to be quite manageable.

Fun time for the youngsters after the meal along Orchard Road.

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Paul and Junshi took us to Novena to sample authentic Hunan cuisine at Nong Geng Ji. Over the meal, we learned that Hunan restaurants have been expanding rapidly across Singapore in recent years, driven by growing popularity and rising demand. Known for its bold, fiery flavours and distinctive use of fresh chillies, Hunan food has struck a chord with local diners, making it one of the fastest-growing regional Chinese cuisines in the city.

A Family Escape to Remember in Christmas Season in Singapore

It is almost unbelievable that in a compact city-state like Singapore, one can still find a quiet hideaway where families can truly gather, relax and spend meaningful time together. Our stay at Civil Service Club @ Changi II felt like a rare escape from urban hectic life. The sea was just a short walk away, an open field stretched invitingly just in front of the rest house, and a patch of “jungle” lay only a few steps from our door.

In less than a day - barely 24 hours from check-in at 3.00 p.m. on 26.12.2025 to check-out at 11.00 a.m. the next morning - we managed to do so many things. Of course, we wished it could have been longer! 

We strolled along the boardwalk, saw a spotted moonfish just hauled in by an angler. With my two granddaughters, we ventured into the fringes of the nearby “jungle.” We played the limbo game in the field.  We spent quiet moments simply watching the sea. As evening fell, we fired up the barbecue and shared a leisurely dinner together. Later that night, we connected with Serene’s family in Western Australia over a video call, exchanging stories and laughter that bridged the distance between us.

The next morning, my wife and I rose early and walked eastward to catch the sunrise. We caught a glimpse of a soft golden glow, partially hidden behind towering trees and tall buildings.

In this rare outing, we explored, played, talked and enjoyed one another’s company without hurry. Time seemed to slow, and the hours were filled with warmth and togetherness, creating beautiful, unforgettable memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. Those simple yet precious moments truly brought us closer.

We saw this spotted moonfish caught by an angler along our boardwalk.

Along our boardwalk, we paused in front of the jetty of the nearby yacht club.

Livvie was particularly keen to get into the "jungle"!

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A sumptuous dinner.

For dessert, we had panettone all the way from Italy!

We were pleasantly surprised  by the thoughtful and unexpected gifts from the families of Sam and Paul.

After dinner, we had a video chat with family members living in WA.

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The night scene was equally stunning. In the distance, a multitude of lights from berthed sail boats shimmered against the dark waters, creating a gentle, twinkling horizon. This glow contrasted beautifully with the green field in the foreground and the softly lit lamp posts, while a colourful night sky stretched above as a dramatic backdrop. The entire scene was truly captivating, leaving us quietly mesmerised by its calm beauty.

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This is the final photo shot taken at 10:54 a.m., just minutes before the 11:00 a.m. check-out. Livvie and Maddie were pleading for a little extra time to watch the last moments of an episode of Wild Kratts - one of their favorite cartoon series!

At that moment, I really wished the check-out time could have been extended just by a couple of minutes more!

CG Christmas Thanksgiving Lunch cum Birthday Celebration 2025

For the past two years, our CG Christmas cum Birthday celebrations were held at my home (Read here for 2023) and (Read here for 2024). This year - 2025, our CG leadership decided to do something different by holding the gathering at a local restaurant. The celebration took place in the early afternoon of 19.12.2025 and was attended by twenty-two people, including Monica, an ex-member who joined us as a guest.

Seeing Monica again after the passing of her late husband, Gerald, on 30.09.2025 (Read here), was heartwarming. Her thoughtful contribution of two home-cooked dishes of Bai Zhan Ji (white cut chicken) was a pleasant surprise which complemented the food we had ordered and was very much appreciated by everyone.

As the years pass, we have grown more aware that organising gatherings at new locations - especially those involving longer drives and more walking - has become increasingly challenging for many. 

That afternoon, we were fortunate to be the only customers inside the restaurant’s air-conditioned section. Once everyone was gathered and comfortably seated, we sang the familiar Christmas hymns, exchanged warm greetings, and the air was filled with joy and laughter, heightened by the Christmas season. In that timeless moment, it felt as though the years had gently faded away.

White cut chicken from Monica.

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Taking advantage of the gathering of the full CG, my wife expressed her heartfelt thanks on behalf of SIEC (Sabah Inter-denominational Education Council) for the monetary gifts extended by our CG to two of its staff members in year 2025.

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As with the previous two gatherings, the group encouraged me to share again my thought and reflection written in my blog posts. Though hesitant at first, I agreed. During my sharing, I mentioned a recent gathering with old friends who had once served in the church Children Sunday School and later in the Praise Kids ministry (Read here). To my surprise, I discovered that among our CG members were former Praise Kids teachers and van drivers.

This naturally brought back memories of the van drivers, including the late Vincent Lee (Read here). They were a dedicated group who served faithfully behind the scenes. Every Saturday afternoon, they would start early, driving across a wide area of Kota Kinabalu to pick up children from their homes. After the gathering, they would send the children back, return the vans to the church compound, and only then head home themselves. They were always the last to leave, quietly serving with commitment, sacrifice and love.

On a more personal note, I also shared about my grandson’s very first shave on 21.11.2025 - a small yet significant milestone marking his transition into adulthood. This drew spontaneous laughter from the audience as they marvelled at how swiftly time has passed. The little boy they once saw when my daughter returned to KK for the holidays from WA is now stepping into adulthood, a poignant reminder to all of us of just how quickly the seasons of life move along.

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Left photo: With Jessie, a former teacher of Praise Kids.

Right photo: Former van drivers: Hyen Siong, Peter Tai and Jimmy Wong.

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Each year, we hold several rounds of birthday celebrations, grouping members according to their birth months. This round, we honoured members born between October and December, with the exception of my wife - an August baby - who was given the honour of a belated celebration as she was unable to attend the earlier gathering.