Tag: homebound

Quarter Year Homebound

Published on by Lee AlisonLeave a comment

Finally flying home after 3 months, all done with exam. Though it was a short trip, we got to create memories with our loved ones, what’s more meeting latest addition of family. She is too cute!

Remembering little moments:

  • Brought parents to try out hipster tea nearby our house, le mom was over the moon
  • Watched Deadpool x Wolverine with le brother on the date of release
  • Bought another 2 new books yay! I realized I do love reading
  • Celebrating babe’s big 30. Got her a bag from Korea, she loves it!
  • Baby niece grabbing le finger, glaring at me (I meltz)
  • Having dinner with le big family ❤ (much loves)
  • Grandma holding my hand, asking when am I getting married (though I have no answer to this, but I love how she cares to see me getting married when she is still around)
  • Got le VCA bracelet & new earrings, power of manifesting hehe
  • Had my craving satisfied, Lala Meehoon, nothing beats it still (slurps)
  • Hometown goodness, Asian Laksa!
  • Reminiscing good Jap food nearby my house, Matsu. Their Maki never disappoint.
  • Got hair treatment for le frizzy hair, all good now. Polishing & scaling teeth too!

Though I still work during this homebound, but I guess seeing le family is all that matters. 🙂

Last Homebound in 2023

Published on by Lee AlisonLeave a comment

Managed to go home one last time before year ends. Everything happens for a reason. Never meant to take long leaves to go home initially, however, there were few occasions happening. Fulfilling duty of a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter and a good friend.

Paternal Grandma’s 86th Birthday

Grandma never wanted a birthday celebration. Some myth saying life span would get shorter whenever we blow off candles. A simple dinner would do, she said. It was supposed to be on Sunday, but I will be away by then. I initiated another dinner, to be held earlier. Not to mention, le uncle and aunt are flying back to UK coming Tuesday. A good timing for all, I guess. The food was nice, another uncle brought plenty of red wine for sharing. After dinner, grandma started giving out red packets. She reiterated not to have anything fancy, so this was unexpected. I gave her red packet in return. She rejected me in the first place, asking why am I giving her that. I explained to her, it was meant for her birthday. As much as I wanted to spend time with her, I needed to leave early for work. I work hard to provide, and she is one of my biggest motivations, I said. She gradually accepted and proudly told everyone it’s from her dear granddaughter, me!

Maternal Grandpa’s House Visit

Went home few weeks ago, and noted grandpa’s listening is getting worse. We need to speak loud in the room so that he could hear us clearly. Sometimes, he got confused with different language of similar slang. We bought his favorite food before paying him visit. He gobbled soy bean curd despite just had his breakfast not long ago. I crashed into his room to watch badminton live together. It has been awhile I get to spend time with him like that. I vaguely remember when grandma was still around, we often watched games together with cousins. Precious time. I miss grandma, and her lost recipes- steamed egg with minced meat & rice dumplings. None in the family could recreate same taste as hers. My mom ever said she regretted not to learn them, now that we want to eat, nobody knows how. Before leaving, I told him I will be back during Chinese New Year, asking him to take care and stay safe. I must say, bidding goodbyes is never easy.

Witnessing 12 Years Relationship Turning Into Marriage

We are a bunch of high school buddies, relocating in UK, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is very hard for us to gather for an occasion, but we made it! Beginning of the year, we attended le BFF’s wedding; before year ends, we got to reunite. God knows when’s our next meet up, but we treasure every moment together. BFF helped me with my hairdo as I always hurt myself with the curler. Got traumatized, so I stopped doing it. I was chosen as team bride for some little games on stage. My friend (the groom) mixed up all the answers, despite knowing all the answers, emcee said we were wrong. I was so embarrassed on stage as if I don’t know them well. My friend (the bride) later clarified we got the answers right, just that the answers emcee had on hand was opposite. Took plenty of pictures, updated each other of what had happened lately. I didn’t cry, instead looking forward to see everyone in future. Such a big girl. We hugged each other goodbyes.

Welcoming Last Twenties With A Big Heart

How are you celebrating your birthday, people asked. Not much, having brunch with parents, flying back SG, lastly dinner treat from le bro. That’s all I need, simple and full (my belly). I am grateful for what I have, and look forward for what I can achieve in 2024. Didn’t get to spend my birthdays with parents for many years (blame the Covid). I am thankful for my friends’ wedding, I got to come home and extended stay. I can’t thank everyone enough for all the birthday wishes and words of wisdom. Managed to visit temple, did prayers and donations before flying home, my bi-annual ritual. I feel contented and abundant, to be able to support my team, friends and family. It’s festive season now, so I am trying to meet as many people as possible before year ends. I was caught up with work and alumni commitment earlier, but I hate the idea of me just focusing career. Taking these opportunities i.e. Christmas, New Year etc. to celebrate milestones with my loved ones.

I am defo one lucky girl. 🙂

Homebound’ 22

Published on by Lee AlisonLeave a comment

The day has finally arrived… after 2 years. From booking vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flight, applying leaves, scheduling appointment for PCR test etc., I am finally home! Did I cry for a moment? Let’s not state the obvious. My tears were rolling at the corner of my eye when plane took off.

Have been waiting this moment for the longest time since March 2020. It all started from Alpha, Beta and then Delta, and now Omicron… Multiple country lockdowns, case fluctuations, being anxious etc. . The past 2 years were tough for all of us, regardless physically & mentally. Though it was a short 15-day trip, it was very fruitful.

Got to spend precious moment with my family and friends. Being not able to see my paternal grandma and maternal grandpa for 2 years, they have more wrinkles, they walk slower than how they used to, they now only react to louder voices… I am glad I am still able to catch up what I have missed.

Surprised my grandma when she was watching television the other day, she couldn’t react when I called her, prolly it didn’t strike her mind that I will show up like that in one fine afternoon. She still asked if I am dating, prolly she wants to see me settle down when she is still around. She teased my dad for being old school, for not able to accept interracial relationship. She reassured me, so long I am happy, she is happy.

We also stayed overnight at my uncle’s place, we gathered around to listen how grandpa travelled to China when he was only 3 years old. He shared how lucky we are as third generation, not require to do labor intensive work when we were kids. My cousins are now grown up children who can drive their older sister (me) around exploring city for late supper. We are close as we mostly spent our childhood together.

Got to sing karaoke after 2 years, catch up with le secondary school friends, manage to eat food that I have been longing. Not to mention, my dad’s cooking skill has improved a lot indeed. He is like my genie as he never failed my food quest. So proud of him that he has leveled up during country lockdown. Now he can cook, bake, grill etc.

I am glad after 2 years not able to return home, nothing has changed. 🙂 Oh, I got to drive with my dad sitting beside me. I have not touched steering wheel since late 2019, it has been awhile. I am lucky to have my family and friends to fetch me around whenever I need. Definitely, one of the best days I had in these 2 years. Time to back to work, not to mention, I have 2 exams next month, but I have yet to start reading any materials.

I changed my return flight from VTL to non-VTL to extend my stay, hence I am serving a 7-day stay home quarantine at the moment. I managed to stay longer with family and friends, so I am not complaining at all. Plus, recent cases in Singapore has spiked in double, hence I am happy to stay home, avoiding meet ups and crowds with a legitimate reason for the time being.

Again, I am really thankful for having considerate colleagues, sufficient annual leaves, VTL arrangement, caring landlady, last but not least, my parents for this sweet homebound. Looking forward to meet them again, hopefully soon!