Tiger Beer Chilli Crab Festival

It was a great hang over cure after a big Saturday night out! The weather wasn't brilliant at start but did warm up in the end.

Held in East End and was definitely highly anticipated throughout the week. Comfort food like Chicken Rice, Char Kway Teow, Nonya Laksa and of course the legendary Chilli Crab brought back all the good old memories. And sharing these with a group of close friends made it even more special even though the food quality just wasn't quite the same.

Great festival to have (thanks to Singapore Tourism Board) but have also made me miss the real thing even more!

Mr & Mrs Masters

The day after the night before.

We both made it home on time after a long day's work yesterday. The last minute tidying up and got ready. Flowers were arranged, candles lit. Kept checking myself in the mirror, pacing myself around the living room.

'What time are we expecting them again baby?'
'You asked that already!'
'And?!'
'No pressure but if they don't like you, you're out!'
'Fu#k off!'

Buzzer! Sh#t!

Said hello, hand shakes. Singapore Girl smile. So far so good.

'Wow! This place look more like a home already!'
'Oh thank you... D helped too! Wink!

Champagne poured. 'Welcome to Kenny! And to D's decision!' (Ever so subtle, ever so English)

The evening went really well after. The 'interview' throughout the evening went without a hitch. I was in my best behaviour even after glasses of champagne and wine. The walk to the restaurant was chatty, they loved the place, the menu was brilliant, and both wine and conversation were flowing freely.

D's parents were so lovely. Very friendly and so accepting and welcoming. What I really admired them most was from D coming out to them last Sunday, and here we were having dinner together five days after... the catalyst for this meeting were hardly mentioned at all. They had embraced D and our relationship completely without any prejudice. I do believed that they have known about D for a long while but have waited for D to 'come clean' to them at his own time and will.

The power of Love and family ties runs deeper and were ever so prominent and strong.

At the end of the evening, we've walked them to the station to see them off. Said our goodbyes and the last parting words from D's Dad were 'Will you watch over him?'

'I will.' Looking at D, smiled. His Dad smiled and waved goodbye.

Meet The Parents

I know it's only a matter of time now that I've moved in but this Friday! Yes the time has come for me to meet D's parents.

For those who knew the background, D was out to everyone except his parents. Over the years he has been waiting for the right moment and time to tell his parents the truth about himself. Over the last twelve months, all the get-together with his sister's family and friends, all the holidays we took, all the things we did together over the last year... all were carefully mentioned with only the 'appropriate' details to his parents. It was getting a bit silly really.

The usual concern of how they will react and most important of all, wanting to introduce someone to his parents only when he knows the relationship is serious enough (No pressure there!), has kept him from telling them until now. Over lunch on Saturday just passed, he grapped that moment when was asked about his London pad, he told them that I've just moved in and the rest were history.

I'm really glad that D finally did it! No more covering up and it's also his way of committing to this relationship... for that I'm very pleased.

So now the question is... What am I going to wear?! How should I behave?! I've done the 'parent's round' before but I've never been so anxious! Feels like an important interview coming! I really want to impress them and make D proud! And its this Fri night! Arrgh!

Home Sweet Home

Finally, all boxes unpacked and everything put away. The move went really smoothly with R & N's help and of course D as well. I'm so glad that all my things fit in the flat. D even commented that it felt like all my stuff have always been here! 

D has been great throughout the move. So willing and supportive. The evening I moved in, a bottle of Bollinger and a couple of Prada gift wrapped boxes sat on the kitchen table. It was the new Prada perfume pour Homme and the Prada toiletry bag that I recently lost from our bike ride. And a card reads 'Welcome to your new home. I'll work hard to ensure it feels like our home...'.

What else can I ask for?! Thank you and I'm so so pleased. I'll work hard to ensure the same too and more... I will.

The End

This is it. Here I am sitting in the middle of my living room surrounded by packed boxes and suitcases. How can one have so much stuff?!

Almost 3 years in this flat. My very first pad on my own. I can still remember the day I just moved in.

But now we've come to an end of an era. A new one is about to begin. Started this blog here in this very room and now writing my last one here before I go. New chapters await. New adventures and new experiences to blog.

Oops van is here! (Hope the driver is cute!) Good bye flat. Thanks for all the wonderful memories x ;-)

Count Down Begins

3 more days to go and there is still so much to pack and put away! It's daunting but I'm excited as well. D has been so accommodating and eager, which definitely helps.

Second time lucky. Can't really remember how I managed the last time but I'm definitely more aware this time. Not alone, more grown up for sure and that's just me!

Besides the whole clearing, packing and labelling, there are also all the changes to do with banking, gym, all the various services provider and etc... one last one I did yesterday was with the Home Office for my application of Citizenship, advising them the change of address. The lady went 'Are you sure? You've signed the deed and got your keys before I amend your details?' It was almost like warning signs for my move.

Yes I said. No doubt.

Letter To My Nephew

Dear WG,

I'm very upset to say the least when I first got your email. You know that both yourself and your sister are the dearest to me. I do see you both as my own. I was there when you were just born. I was there when I cradled you to sleep. Unlike with your sister, I've never heard from you and have always put it down to the fact that you're just a regular teenage boy. I 'hated' everyone too when I was growing up.

To receive this email for help from you... asking for money to pay back what you owe to a friend was like a slap on my face. It hurts even more when you told me that it's part of your gambling debt. You're only 17!

I'm not sure how aware are you with what happened before in the family... with both your elder uncles, but maybe it's time that your mum speak to you about the past.

I can be like Grandma who have always helped them when they're in trouble, bailed them out from every financial difficulties or take the other route of not helping at all. Looking back and now... I've decided to choose the latter. It's extremely hard for me but I've to do this.

I grew up without a male role model. I grew up telling myself I will not be like them when I'm older. I grew up telling myself I will never be a burden to my mum. I grew up telling myself I have to be independent, never have to rely on others and to stand on my own two feet. I grew up telling myself that I've to work hard like my mum and yours.

I'm your uncle. I'm suppose to be the cool uncle who bring you out for drinks, meals and buy you gifts. I'm suppose to be the uncle you come to when you have questions about Life, and many more. But I'm not the uncle you come to so you can pay off your gambling debts!

You're 17 and if you have the guts and brains to gamble, I truely believe you've the capability to pay off your own debt!

Enough said. Please break this family curse and come to me when you're ready to be my nephew again.

Your Uncle Ah Nin

PS: I've copied this letter to your mum, not that I want to break your trust but she should know of this matter.

10th August 2008

Its one year today. How time flies... especially when you're having fun!

Was at D's friend's BBQ yesterday, fantastic company and had a brilliant time. At one point of the evening, we were given paper lanterns (the ancient Cong Ming Deng type) to let off in the garden but we also have to write a wish on the rice paper before lighting and letting it raise into the sky. With great help from alcohol, it all seemed a fun idea and thing to do!

D wrote his first and I wrote mine after.

D wrote: 'To another year.'

Mine read: 'Another year and many more.'

So it says it all. What made it more special was that we both shared the very same thought at that very moment. 

There is nothing more I can ask for except for more great adventures and living Life to the fullest together with you, D. Happy Anniversary xxx

Hell Rider

One lesson to bike riding... As a pillion when carrying a rucksack, do not zip close the opening at the top end of the bag. Because when the bike goes to a speed of 120 mph with the pillion bending forward, the wind force will split open the bag and will see all your belongings flying out from it without you noticing until either a driver pointed to you that your bag is wide open or at your destination.

If anyone come across a pair of jeans, one shirt, one t-shirt, two pair of pants, 1 pair of socks and two toiletry bags with lotions and potions that obviously belong to two gay guys flying along M25... It's MINE!!!

Life On Film Strip

We all have our past. Some we keep them locked in a closet, some you forget, and some do come back, haunt and flashes you once in a while.

Was in Brighton Pride over the weekend. One of the many highlights in summer that ourselves and my group of friends will never miss. Besides that it has great family fun atmosphere, it also have one of the best party tents that many Pride parties failed to have. After about 8 hours of dancing away in a massive circus tent with about thousands of people in it, you do get sucked in so easily by the heat, the music, the bass, and the crowd.

It will always come to a point when you said you had enough. Held on a firm hand, all wide eye, trying not to fall and stepping out of the tent with all the empty bottles and debris on the ground, music still pumping, crowd still jumping.

First it was N. One whom I had a deeply crushed on some years ago. There he was dancing in the crowd with his usual group of friends. The hand still held strong to mine guiding me out towards the bright light. N smiled, I smiled and at the same time trying to balance and not to stumble on the layer of rubbish.

Flashes. Then it was D, someone I dated very briefly three years ago. He said hi, I said hi. He grab my other hand 'I'll call you when back in London, let's catch up.' One of those things deep in your heart you know will never happen. Music was still blaring out from the massive speakers. By then I was out of the tent. Still held firmly to the hand that held me still.

Bright lights. Started walking towards Brighton Pier. Some fresh sea breeze will definitely do me some good. Walking along London Road, a place where I used to frequent and quite familiar with. Looking up to the flat that G lives, on his front window sill, there still sits a silver window planter that I've bought, planted and gave him as his house warming gift. Except that now all the plants and flowers have all wilted. The hand still holding strong to mine.

Zoom passed through a black tunnel, I walked closer to the sea. I can smell it. The seagulls flying above and can vaguely hear the strong waves hitting on the shore. Walked past a favourite restaurant that I used to go with G. But this time, the restaurant was shut, dusty windows and empty inside. Looks like it has been shut for a while. It's feeling colder now because of the wind, I zipped up my jumper and still holding firmly to the hand that has been there all this time.

Walked along the Brighton beach front was a beautiful experience. Everything seemed to be in the right colours again. Evening skies, a light blue one with a little hint of orange sunset. Walked towards the pebble beach, cold sea breeze hitting my face, the smell of the sea, thunder of strong waves hitting the shore, aggressive but yet calming. A burned down pier from afar, pitiful sight but peaceful.

I can hear the crackling sound made when stepping on the pebbles. Lying down flat on the beach, looking up, seagulls flying around, white clouds moving fast across the blue sky, forming different patterns, shapes and sizes. I watch in awe. Then thick grey clouds started coming through, covering fold by fold of the sky. Wild and dramatic. My face can feel droplets of rain coming down, it's getting colder now, but hand still held strong to that familiar hand and arm. The same warm hand that have never left me all these time. Looked across and it was D. Him smiling and talking away all this time. I look over his face and gave him a kiss on his cheek. He paused, smiled and continue talking.

By now, I felt warmth and smiled in my heart. Leaning my head on his shoulder, looked back up in the sky, the grey clouds were gone, blown away towards the North. It's evening blue sky once again. Time to move on. Dust away the pass, leaving all the waves to wash them out into the sea. Walked along back the beach front with D. Still holding strongly to his hand and arm.

Life is like a film strip. Flashes scene by scene in front of you, through directing and editing, you create your own story line, there will always be ups and downs, you choose your supporting acts, but you only need one lead. Especially one with strong and firm hands that will held you up always, stand by you and guide you towards the sunset.