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The Fight
Dear Xander, So we sort of had a fight, you and I. As father and son, these things happen. In the history of you and I, these things usually happen. But I’m noting this one down as unique because of how this ended, and because you’re only 3 3/4 years old now, I want to make sure you know what happened. We had just gotten off the bus near your grandma’s house when you saw a food stall. I knew you were hungry because you hadn’t had dinner yet, but I also knew your grandma usually cooks for an army when she hears you, your mother and I were coming…
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Singapore as a Cycle of Life: A National Day Special
Dear Xander, At the time I write this letter, you have made it known to your mother and I that you have a love-hate relationship with Singapore. At the time I write this letter, though, you associate the word “Singapore” with the National Day Parade. That justifies an explanation to you about what National Day really means. And to simplify the explanation, I’m going to use the human life cycle as an analogy for highlights in Singapore’s history from independence to present day, because the things that happened every decade that this country sees through reminds me of the milestones I see you going through. 1965: Birth The birth of…
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Guest Post on Sakura Haruka: On Appreciating Dads
I was approached a few weeks ago to guest blog on Ai Sakura's blog, Sakura Haruka, where she was running a series about celebrating fatherhood.
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Chasing Dreams
It took a simple couple of sentences from your mother, repeated about 2-3 times over the course of the last 3 years (since you were born, actually) to make me get off my arse and find out exactly what was causing this rut that I had been in. She said to me, "I would rather you be well-fed and happy than hungry and angry. When you're happy, Xan and I are happy; that is the simple truth."
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The Family Vacation
Note: I understand Nuffnang sent out an e-mail inviting bloggers to First World Genting in July. I’d just like to clarify that this isn’t a participating blog post. We went on this trip before Nuffnang sent out its notification, so this isn’t a tie-in/advertorial/sponsored post (mainly because I didn’t think very much of the place, unfortunately). Dear Xander, I’m writing this at 3am, at the lobby of the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands. The 3-star hotel, together with its theme park, shopping mall and just about every amenity it holds in its autumn-temperature environ, is truly a step back in time – the whole place looks and feels like…
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We Were All Kids Once
Sometimes we might forget you're just a kid - you are just growing up so fast - and kids can do things that are stupid, brash, and unthinkable. Sometimes we forget that we were once kids, too. I can't quite speak for your mum (you and I both know she's always right, right?), but I know I've done stupid, brash and unthinkable things before.
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Don’t Be Shy, Seriously
Some of you may have heard about this on my Facebook page. I reproduced my post here, with a second part of the incident that I haven’t shared. Dear Xander, Daddy’s going to tell you a story. A blind lady is standing at a crowded bus stop in Clarke Quay. I walk up and ask if anyone is assisting her. She says no. So we introduce ourselves and talk a little while waiting for her bus. Turns out she’s been standing at the same spot every weekday at 6pm for the last 3 months, waiting for a bus she cannot see, and most of the time, too shy to ask…
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A Family United By Facebook
Dear Xander, We are a family united by humour. Love, Dad Okay, I’m cheating; it’s an image of words. Still… Link to the NBA-Singapore article (via TodayOnline)
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What You Should Do When I Die
DO NOT give me a funeral wake - no prayers, no incense, no burning of offerings (if it turns out they have an economy where I'm going I'll e-mail you and let you know). I want a funeral PARTY - with luck, I will have pre-arranged a booking for one night with a restaurant that has a good 8-course menu, a bar, a good collection of beer, liquor and soft drinks and allows us to put a casket with a dead person in it on their premises for one evening.
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Your Web 2.0 Life
Dear Xander, At 3 years of age, you have yet to understand the extent of the online presence you may have. 3 days after you were born, I saw fit to provide you with the Holy Trinity of the Web 2.0 world of my time; I decided to register a Google account under your name, create a Facebook profile and even a Twitter account for you. When you turned 3, I decided to register a domain name for your birthday present, and xander.sg was booked in your honour (as is xndr.sg, in case you wanted to be lazy). That is also essentially how Dear Xander came to be. Recently, I…