Sisterly Love

I am the middle child...let's see...characterised by the need to seek attention and approval, sibling rivalry on both upper and lower ends, feelings of insecurity and lack of identity. It was probably true, albeit in an insidious form, during my teenage years...but not today. But I must say I had a happy childhood and don't carry many emotional or battle scars (only 1 on the leg: hit by a motor-bike and 1 on the arm: scalded by Bunsen burner in the science lab). We grew apart after our studies...Alison married and settled in Melbourne, me in Singapore, whilst Nicole remained in KL. But the 3 of us had an unexpected reunion in Melbourne in January 2005. It was a heart-searching and soul-bearing time, which I believe, brought us very much closer together.

Alison (Dai Kah Che):

It amazed me how other people could have mistaken us for twins? Being 1 year my senior, I guess we were about the same height, but with very different built and facial features. I admire her independence and boldness, her physical strength and quickness of her hands in knitting, sewing etc. She also has incredibly high pain tolerance...I really don't know how she could have 'tahan' all those surgeries. I would have probably fainted before it even started...ha ha! When she was around, I felt safe with the notion that everything was ok...except maybe for that time she made me the scape goat when I was 6 years old. I held the stool while she climbed up the cupboard to get the chocolates. Then she stuffed banana peels inside so that the tin would still weigh about the same. Unfortunately, we ( and obviously mum) soon discovered that rotting food smelt really bad! Sisters go through thick and thin together...

Nicole ( Mui Mui):

She is 6 years my junior...mum claimes I was jealous of her when she stole my title of being the youngest. To be honest, I have absolutely no recollection of bearing such ill feelings towards her? Ha ha...but I do recall my previous terms of endearment for her: Di Di Zei (Little One), Yat Lup Zei (Small One), Frog fingers, Ma Lau Mein (Monkey Face)...and my favourite....YEEEEAAANNNN!!! But I have come to realise that underneath the exterior of a more quiet and timid personality, she is strong and steady inside. I appreciate her straight-forwardness, honesty and integrity (like dad)...qualities I highly esteemed. And I know I can count on her faithfulness...as a sister.

Lego Mania...of Sorts...

While growing up, my sisters and I had hours of fun with Lego. We built town houses, candy stores, schools with playgrounds, carnivals...and would then re-enact scenes from daily life using the cute and tiny Lego folks (real fans will know what I mean). Recently, we were back in KL and had the rare opportunity of playing Lego together as whole family. It was funny, frustrating, exhausting and satisfying at the same time!

We were supposed to build a house...Jimmy took one portion and I did another...but we kept dismantling and changing each other's handy-work, deeming it as 'weird' or incongruent with the overall concept and design (not that there was a blue print in the first place). The kitchen space was too small, the colours didn't match and he insisted on hacking down the bathroom wall to put in a tiny shower cubicle...but let's be real here...there are limited number of $blocks$! (I ernestly recommend every couple go through this exercise before considering buying or renovating their own home...taste and preferences aside...it's always the $budget$ concern).

However, my boys take quite a different perspective of this incredibly versatile toy. They are more into racing cars, mimicking crashes on the track, chomping people's heads and legs off with the T-Rex and having Raptors chew the guts out...URRRGGGHHH!!! Boys are indeed from Mars *sigh*...where is my 'Venus'??? Happily, Justin will compromise and play 'house' with me at times...when under 'serious threat'...ha ha ha!