True Stories

Home for my Birthday

104 Comments

I spent the last few weeks driving around South Island, New Zealand. Confirmed what I’ve always suspected – that I enjoy long drives amidst scenic settings. The South Island of New Zealand is breath-taking, to say the least.

Back in Singapore, a few days before Adamson returned home on vacation. It’s great to have him back.

Am slowly reverting to the routine I enjoy – writing in the mornings, brisk walking and/or road biking in the early evenings, and reading before bed (of course, this last activity – reading – suitably lubricated with a glass of wine or cognac). Will get back to regular blogging soon.

Lisa decided to celebrate my birthday which fell on 11 August, a Saturday. I’m not into birthday celebrations but with age, one gets more pliable I reckon. She booked a table at the Fullerton and…

It’s great to have Adamson home but I also missed my eldest, Alicia. Sunday family dinners were the norm until 3 years ago when Alicia and then Adamson moved to work/study/live in Brisbane and New York City, respectively. Our youngest, Amelia, is in university and lives at home, for now.

Oh well, all three ‘children’ will be home for Christmas which is ‘only’ a few months away.

Saturday morning, I received the best birthday present ever – thanks to Adamson. As soon as I opened my eyes, guess who walks into the room with a great big smile – Alicia!

She had flown into Singapore for the weekend to surprise me – having departed Brisbane on Friday night and touching down in Singapore early Saturday morning. Adamson had organised her tickets and had picked her up at the airport. Even Lisa and Amelia were not privy to this pleasant surprise.

We had a great weekend and dinner, with much laughter, catching up and family bonding. My best birthday, ever. Praise and thank God.

Sent Alicia to the airport on Sunday night and she is back in Brisbane. Adamson returns to NYC this weekend. Though the reunion was/will be all too short, I rather count my blessings than dwell on the parting.

After all, Christmas is only a few months away 🙂

Special Request

I met Nicole Luongo in Blogsville. Though afflicted with cerebral palsy, Nicole cares for her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Nicole needs a few minutes of our time to vote for her in a contest. She did not ask but I offered to highlight with a small note in my blog.

Please read her story here. It is not a sob story but a straight request for our vote > http://cruise.caregiverstress.com/entries/nicole-l/

Courage and determination needs tangible recognition, I reckon.

I’m happy to be back in Blogsville and shall restart regular visits to your blogs. Plenty of catching up to do…

All good wishes to all, Eric

******************

104 comments

  3. Ok you are going to have to use your imagination – I’m singing this to you with a Scottish accent…..
    “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Eric, happy birthday to you”.

    Welcome back. I’ve missed your writing.

    Reply

  4. Belated birthday wishes Eric. Seems like you had a wonderful day all round 🙂 Learnt about the contest via Boomie and voted for Nicole already. Shall do so again.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Peg. It was a great day for me.

      P/S I posted a comment in your Capernaum’s Dust. It did not come through – please rescue it from your ‘spam’. Anyway, here is what I said –

      Dear Peg, This is beautiful and thoughtful. The promise of eternal life vs the investment in temporal gain. The choice is obvious – for those who have sight.
      Luv and hugz, Eric

      Reply

    1. Thank you Ramu – much appreciate your visit and comment, Eric 🙂

      P/s Left a comment in your post How Do You Waste Your Time – you might want to rescue it from spam. After the first ‘rescue’ it should work ok for subsequent comments.

      Reply

    1. Thank you Neel.

      I left a comment in your post “…scupltor dies…” If you could rescue the comment from ‘spam’ all future comments will come through all right, I reckon. Thank you, Eric

      Reply

  10. The trip sounds wonderful – I visited the North Island many years ago as an exchange student.
    I sympathise re missing your kids – mine are scattered, too, and I haven’t had all four in the same place for over ten years but they are all coming here in December (pre-Christmas because of work commitments) and I am so looking forward to it 🙂
    And Happy Birthday 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your well wishes 🙂

      I believe you’re in Australia – just a hop-skip-and-jump away and NZ opens up all her beauty and charms. Hope you get to visit South Island.

      Yes, I can well imagine how it is when the children are away – wish you a great get-together 🙂

      Reply

    1. Great to be back Charles. Yes, you must make that trip – simply beautiful sights > the rivers, lakes, mountains, gorges, snow, long drives…Eric 🙂

      Reply

  13. Happy Belated Birthday Eric and it is very good to have you back, you were much missed no doubt! But it is very good to hear you are back with happy memories to share =)

    Reply

  14. Happy Belated Birthday Eric and it is very good to have you back, you were much missed no doubt! But it is very good to hear you are back with happy memories to share =)

    Reply

  15. Welcome back, Eric and Happy Birthday. We missed you.

    I voted and would point out that this contest allows us to cast a vote a day in favor of the young lady who is taking care of her mom with Alzheimer’s. Just thought I would update your readers.

    Look forward to your next post.

    J.

    Reply

    1. Hello J – Thank you dear. As you probably guessed, I’m working through all the comments and posts.

      Thank you also for pointing out about daily votes for Nicole – I’m doing it and hope others will also. She is so sweet and needs all our help.

      Look out for me – will be catching up on your posts soon.

      🙂 Eric 🙂

      Reply

  19. I have a question re your experience in New Zealand. In the last four years, I have hosted two exchange students from Thailand. One of them had a friend who went to New Zealand as an exchange student and went home early because she found the people where she lived so prejudiced. Her host family was ok, but if she even walked very far down the street and at school, people made rude remarks, etc. I have another friend who is Mexican and just married a woman who lives in New Zealand. He says some people there are quite vocal about his being “brown” and her white. I told them I was not going to go to a country and contribute to their economy as a tourist when they behaved so awfully. Wondered what you experienced??? Juliana

    Reply

    1. Hello Juliana – I’ve been travelling on business and holiday to NZ since the 1990s. My children and wife have also visited NZ on their own. Not once did we encounter any problems on account of our ethnicity. In fact some of my best friends live in NZ. During this most recent trip – I took away the same two impressions – how wonderfully beautiful NZ is and how gracious the people are.

      I’m truly sorry that the people you mention encountered unpleasant responses. I suppose every country have their share of bigots and perhaps my family and I have been fortunate in this regards.

      When I travel, I keep some thoughts in mind: I’m a guest and respect people and practises; I try to blend in; and I try to be extract nice. Works for me. I want to enjoy my trips and I’m in control of my happiness.

      Visit NZ and you’ll not regret it.

      Cheers, Eric

      Reply

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