Goodbye Penang, Hello USA

Well, it's been a really LONG time since I've updated my blog page. So, are you ready for a very long winded update? If yes, read on...

As you may already know, we are emigrating to San Jose, California, USA this Thursday, 17 July 2008. Yes, San Jose again. We were there back in '93-'95 so, this is like going "home" again altho no place will be able to replace good 'ol Penang (yes, with all its bad mud slinging politics, sad state of education, yearly haze etc, yes, I still love it dearly coz this is the place where it all started. Born here, educated here, worked here, married here, gave birth here and the list goes on...). As I look back, tears wells up in my eyes as I will be leaving very dear friends and my family as well as Ed's family behind. These are the people who have made my life more meaningful in one way or the other and I just wanna say thanks to you, my dear Mom/mom-in law and Dad/dad-in-law, my sister, Hoon/sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law. Thanks for making this transition as painless as possible and thanks for all the great dinners and most of all, for making time to meet up with us, we really appreciate it.

Somehow, this move is nothing new as I'm going back to familiar places and we've bought a new home there. This is supposed to be a permanent relocation and not on expat anymore so, whatever that we planned, it's supposed to be on a long term basis. Ed's job is the same, that of GM/VP for Navigation interface at Avago Technologies but now based out of US instead of Penang, Malaysia. My "job" will be the same too. That of being a mother, a gardener, a driver, a cook, the ironing lady, the maid, the doctor, the lawyer "buruk", the tennis player etc etc. Sam's "job" will be slightly different as she's enrolled in grade 9 at Valley Christian School (www.valleychristian.net) which is a mere 15 mins drive from where we're staying. Her school is awesome, sitting on a 54 acre land on a hill overlooking the valley. I keep telling everyone that I wished I could go back to high school as they have an outdoor 53 meters swimming pool, 6 tennis hard courts and various stadiums for baseball, football etc. Sam has a placement test for English and Geometry scheduled for Aug 6 so, she's busy homeschooling on her own right now (her last day at MGS was June 27, 2008)with Ed as her tutor.

There's just so much to say and yet so little time for me to convey my heartfelt thanks to all you great people out there. So, here goes the list:


TO MOM: Remember that I'll always love you and you'll always be in my heart. Distance won't break the bond we shared and I know the Lord will keep you sane and safe. Know that I am always a phone call away if you ever need to talk to me about anything.

TO DAD: Take care of your health and visit a doctor if you're not well. Don't worry about the costs coz now is the time for us to help you out for all the sacrifices you've made for us.

TO HOON: Am sorry that I've got to leave mom and dad in your good hands. I know patience is not your virtue and I know it'll take years to develop. Even at 44 years of age, I am still learning, so, at 34, you're still not there but will get there some day (that's the good news). Do be patient with mom and dad coz they love you more than you know. Think before you speak, scold, murmur. Most of all, I wanna thank you for being my only sister whom I will always love and treasure and know that if you ever need me, I'm always here for you through good and bad times, we can shoulder it together.

TO CHOY PENG: Thanks for always checking in on mom once in a while, I really appreciate your doing that and hope you'll continue to do that. Sometimes, mom can be quite lonely. Thanks too for being a great friend to Hoon. All the best to Hock and Liu Juin.

TO UI MAY: Thanks for all the delicious cookies and home cooked food you shared with us so generously. Can't find another friend like you who's always there for me no matter what the circumstances I am in.

TO HARRIET: Thanks for always thinking of me at your shopping sprees and always being my sounding board whenever I have a complaint. You always spared the time no matter how "cheong hey" I can be, I appreciate that.

TO DANNY TOH: Thanks for being the greatest tennis coach thus far (haven't met anyone who can match you yet). You've always pushed me to the limit and I hated it but, looking back, I have you to thank for coz it did me a world of good and I improved tremendously. Thanks for all the fun tennis I've had the past 6 years. We've had our differences of opinions, but I think it's this that made me a better tennis player than what I can dream of achieving. Whenever I am on court in USA, will treasure all your good advice and keep those Tennisone coming along my way ok?

TO BRENDA, CHOO ENG, JILLIAN & SUE HEE: Thanks for all the great games we've shared and thanks for whopping me from time to time. Keep going at it pals and here's a toast to you power hitters....



TO CHAI GIM: Thanks for being my spiritual buddy and for great memories all the way back to college days. You're always very "sung seng". Keep it that way.

TO SYLVIA: You're a miracle worker for all things AUTO related. Be it selling, buying or renting, you've got answers to it all. Thanks too for being my shoulder to cry on, appreciate your advices and listening ear.

TO SAW AI: A great mom to all her 4 kids and thanks for being my transport manager during Perkim-Goon days. Still remember that small and cute bike of yours.

TO WENDY: You're always so colorful and always livening our gathering with all your "Hokkien dictionary". There's never a dull moment with you as you always have so many stories to share.


TO WILLIAM/CONNIE, KAY PING/JUNE, AI NEE/RICKY, GOON GHEE, ADELINE: It was really an honor to have known all of you as part of Vincent's CG. Those days were the best where I really felt all of you were part of God's one big happy family and till today, you guys are still. Those days we spent sitting together for worship at the GBC's pews, our sharing of thoughts and burdens as well as those great laughter along the years, oh! it's just so sweet. Thanks Ghee for being my faithful prayer partner and thanks to all of you for praying for us and for others. May our good Lord bless all that your hands finds to do and may the fruits of the spirit continue to be real to you as you walk in spiritual obedience with Him alongside.

TO HOCK SOON/SIEW BEE: Thanks for all the great meals we've shared together. Where there's a new makan place, we'll be there to check it out. Make sure you fill me in when I'm back in Penang and we can do it all over again, hahaha! But I think I better lose some weight 1st before coming home.

TO ANDREW KHOO: Thanks for being Sam's bowling coach all these years. Thanks for all the dedication and motivation you've put into Sam to make her the champion she is today. She won't be up there if not for you. Words alone cannot describe our gratitude but we hope she'll continue to make you proud when she continues to bowl at USBC (United States Bowling Congress).

TO KATHLEEN: Thanks for being my financial advisor and always being the usual efficient person to update me on what's happening in the financial world. Also, thanks for all the yummy lunches we enjoy till we gotta be chased out of the restaurant coz we don't know when to stop talking, hahaha! I really enjoyed those moments.

TO CLAUDIA: Thanks for the many years of coming along for lunches with Kath and me and for sharing all of life's adventures with us.