Going home

Wow. What a week it's been. Tonight I leave for Singapore, ending the latest 1 year chapter of my life.
This past week saw 2 ChristmaSing productions at the Scottish Rites auditorium where we shot video with multiple cameras. We also had 2 Christmas eve services in church. I spent most of yesterday, Christmas day, packing, doing laundry, cleaning and settling stuff in the room. Today, I'll be finally selling my car.
Not quite sure what I'll be doing after getting back yet. Still praying for God to reveal to me his directions and plans for me.

Cornerstone Singers Testimony Video

I shot this video for the Cornerstone Singers Concert in October 2006. Shot with Sony HVR-Z1U and PDX-10.

Cornerstone Academy Kindergarten Promo video

Hi Everyone.
This is a promotional video that I did for Cornerstone Academy's kindergarten. This was an opportunity for me to use different skills in doing this video. I came up with the concept in consulting with the school management, scripted, arranged the interviews, did lighting and camerawork for most of the video, edited and made the DVD. Of course I had some help from others. Enjoy and give me your comments.

Last 2 weeks here

Things to do before I leave SF.
1. Video tape Cantonese ChristmaSing performance on 16th Dec, 2 shows.
2. Set up and videotape English ChristmaSing performance at Scottish Rites Auditorium on 22nd and 23rd Dec.
3. Editing and mixdown Piano CD
4. Pack office
5. Pay off car loan
6. Sell car
7. Terminate DirecTv satellite TV subscription and return equipment
8. Terminate phone line
9. Terminate broadband
10.Terminate Li Soon's cell phone
11. Pack bags
12. Pick up new Macbook Pro

Going home

It's been an extremely long time since my last blog. A lot has happened since.
First the most important. We will be going back to Singapore. Little Nathan's already there since October. Li Soon and Matthew are leaving on Dec 11th at 0005 hrs. I will be leaving on the same flight on Dec 27th.
This morning, the shippers came and picked up our boxes, all 29 of them. Not really that much, cos we didn't ship any furniture or electrical applicances. Came up to about 90+ cu ft.
I just finished the series of school Christmas performances. There were 9 of them over the past 5 days. 2 per day. This morning we had a retake as we messed up the recording on one of them.
Will blog a bit more later when I get back from last minute shopping for Li Soon.

A tribute to my friend Irene Cheung

To be read at Irene's funeral

So sweet a rose, but oh so short,
through all the thorns, the pleasure brings.
Now all that’s left, that’s etched in time,
the memories, the happy things.
Harry Chua

I first knew Irene when she came to work in Singapore for my family’s business 10 years ago. She was my sister’s friend and church-mate from Vancouver B.C. and she helped us manage operations and marketing. Irene went back to Vancouver after about a year.

Because of the distances between Singapore and Vancouver, Irene and I communicated mostly through email and Instant Messaging. I am a person who keeps all my emails and messages, and as I searched through the messages, I came upon one of the first emails in 1998. Irene had asked me to write a reference letter for her immigration application to Canada.

Irene put in extraordinary effort in whatever she did. She worked in an accounting firm, and she was meticulous in her audits. One time, she asked me to send her special pens of many different colours from Singapore, so that she could mark up her audit notes in different colours for the different issues she found. She worked hard, going into the office at 5 am in the morning so that there would be fewer distractions. I’m sure her bosses loved her, delivering top quality work at great speed. She even asked for more work when she felt that she didn’t have enough to do, and even took work with her on her vacations. She was due for a promotion to manager.

Why did she work so hard? Two Saturdays ago, on Sept 30, she spent the afternoon with my wife Li Soon. Irene lived by herself in Vancouver, B.C., and while she had many good friends there, her family and closest loved ones were all over the world. Li Soon remembers Irene saying that she works hard to accumulate her overtime hours so that she can spend time with her loved ones. She traded in the hours to go to San Francisco to visit her sister, to Hong Kong to visit her mom and to Indonesia to visit her nanny. She treasured family relationships very much.
It was during one of these visits to Asia last year that she stopped and stayed with us in Singapore before we moved to San Francisco. We had a rare chance to spend some extended time with her.

Rebekah, one of Irene’s closest friends reminded me that it was in this past year that Irene had a chance to renew and reconnect with friends and family all over the world. Irene was planning to move to Asia soon, to be closer to her ageing mom who lived in Hong Kong. Therefore, she made sure to catch up with her friends in Vancouver. Having not seen Irene in person for many years, it was indeed God’s timing and grace that I was able to meet with her 5 times in less than a year in Singapore, Vancouver and San Francisco. I thank God for every opportunity He had provided.

Irene always thought of the people she loved. One time, I was in San Francisco for business and it happened to be Irene’s sister Eva’s birthday. Irene asked me to go to Tiffany’s to pick up a gift for Eva and to help her deliver it to Eva’s workplace. This year, when she knew that my family was going to Vancouver to visit my sister there, Irene ordered some medication online for her friend’s mom and asked us to bring it with us to Vancouver. Even when she was in San Francisco, she was helping her friend with her wedding invitation.

I don’t know why God puts different people in our lives. I am grateful that He allowed me the blessing to be a friend of Irene’s. As sad as I am to lose a friend so young, I am comforted and secure in the hope that because Irene loved the Lord Jesus Christ, I will one day see her again in heaven for eternity.

This next verse that was at the end of the first email Irene sent me in 1998.
It speaks to me more powerful today than ever and I would like to share it with you.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living
Psalms 116: 7-9

The Day God chose for my friend Irene to meet Him

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has prayed for us and for those who have been so supporting in word and deed. Even though Li Soon and Nathan are far away in Singapore, your prayers, care and concern and actions have helped Matthew and I more than mere words can say.

My friend Irene Cheung was in town to visit her sister and brother-in-law who had just had their first baby boy. On Saturday, Sept 30, she came to where we lived, where she spent the afternoon with Li Soon, Matthew and Nathan while I was away at the Scottish Rites auditorium preparing for the Cornerstone Singers concert that night. Li Soon remembers the good time they had sharing, talking and watching a movie together. That night, Irene drove to the auditorium to attend the concert and also helped out with the packing up. We said that we might meet up again during the week she was here. Li Soon and Nathan left for Singapore the next day.

On Wednesday, Oct 4, we decided to go for dinner at Sushi Sam's in San Mateo. It was a restaurant that she liked to visit every time she was here in SF. That day was the first rain of the season here, and I reminded myself to be extra careful in driving as the roads will be slick. At 5pm, I picked Matthew up from school, got him changed and then drove to Brisbane where Irene was staying with here sister. There was only a slight drizzle at that time.
After picking her up, we drove down 101 to San Mateo. At Millbrae, the freeway was all jammed up, and so I took the exit and went down El Camino Real instead. I found a parking spot 1 block away from the restaurant and we walked there.
We had a good time that night at dinner. Matthew ordered his favourite Tamago Maki, teriyaki chicken and rice and miso soup. Then Irene proceeded to order all her favourite food. We had so much to eat. We talked about the concert, about her work, about my plans to go back to Singapore and other things. She also had a good time playing with Matthew. I've never really seen Matthew take to someone who he didn't know well as easily as he did with her. They talked a lot and Matthew ate a lot.

After I paid for dinner, she pointed out the owner to me as we walked out of the restaurant. It was a heavy drizzle outside, so Matthew and I put up the hoods of our jackets. Irene did not have a hood. We walked 3 abreast, hand in hand towards the car. Irene was on the left, Matthew in the middle and I was on the right nearest to the traffic. We came to the intersection of Ellesworth and 3rd Ave where the light just turned red on us. We waited there for the lights to change. When the lights changed, we all walked across the crossing.

We never saw the car coming. About 1/2 way through the crossing, I found myself flying through the air after apparently being hit by the car from the right. I was thrown 10 feet to the left and landed on the ground. After orientating myself, I started to look for Matthew and Irene and to see what hit us. I found Matthew lying on the floor about another 10 feet from me, looking shocked but conscious. I immediately went to him and asked him if he was ok, and if he had any broken bones or pain anywhere. To my amazement and intense relief, he was able to get up and walk. Apparently, he had gone under the car and out the other side. I took him to the sidewalk and did a quick check to make sure he wasn't hurt. It was obvious he had a scratch or burn just above the right eyebrow. He had a bump on the back of his head and had scratches on his right leg. He started to throw up due to the shock. By that time, there were quite a few people gathered and I made sure that someone took care of him. Then I went to look for Irene expecting to see her on the floor or something. About another 10-20 feet from where Matthew was found, I saw the car that hit us and found Irene pinned under it. At that point, I was shocked. I couldn't reach her, and I tried to call 911 on my cell phone for the police and fire department. Unfortunately, 911 calls from cell phones are automatically directed to California Highway Patrol. Apparently there were many calls, so I was put on hold and I decided to hang up. I yelled out for someone to call 911 on a landline and someone said they already did. I went to where Irene's right hand was sticking out from under the car and tried to feel for a pulse. I remembered that her fingers were still clutched in the position of holding Matthew's hand and I pried some of them open to hold her hand. I couldn't feel any pulse and realised the possibility that the worst had happened. There was a pool of blood mixed with the rain flowing out from under the car where her head was. I took out my flashlight and shone it under the car and I could only faintly make out her body. I started to call out Irene's name to see if she could still hear me. There was a guy next to me who kept yelling out for Irene to hang on...

Finally, the police and fire department came. I went back to Matthew to make sure that he was still ok. A nice older lady named Valerie had taken him into a police car and sat and talked with him. Thank God Matthew didn't see anything. I told Matthew that Irene had most likely gone to be with God.

I saw the firemen using jacks and the airbag to try to raise the car to pull Irene out. A policeman took me aside to take my information and report. I felt so cold and threw up a few times as well. It was only then that I realised that my right hip/thigh hurt and my right leg hurt. My right leg had scratches from the fall, but I couldn't see what happened to my thigh.

I called Li Soon to tell her that Matthew and I were in an accident and were ok, but the Irene was most likely gone home to be with the Lord. She was definitely shocked. I said I'll call her back later when things were more settled.

After taking my statement, the paramedics brought me to Matthew, we was in a neck brace and on the stretcher in an ambulance. I talked to Matthew and decided it best that he got medical attention. As I felt relatively ok, I asked not to be treated right then, as it would have meant us going in different ambulances and even to different beds or hospitals. So I sat with him and the Paramedic for the seemingly long 15 min ride to Stanford Medical Centre. Apparently they brought us there as Matthew was not seriously hurt and they had a good emergency pediatric department.

On the way to the ambulance, I asked the police officer if it was bad news for my friend, and he said yes. I also gave him the address of Irene's sister's house and asked them to contact them. He advised me that I should let them inform the family as they are trained for that and that I was certainly in no position at that point to tell them myself.

On the ambulance, I called Li Soon and Phil. Li Soon to assure her that we were ok, and that we were going to the hospital to check just in case. Phil to tell him and to ask him to come down to the hospital.

They took Matthew to the emergency room and did a check on him. Thankfully he was fine all round. The hospital gave Matthew a set of clothes as his was all wet. He had also left one shoe at the scene, but they could only give him a pair of dry socks. After a pretty long wait, we finally were discharged and met Phil and Toney in the waiting room. They had come together. We had to drive back to the San Mateo police department where I gave my statement to the investigating officer. After that, we went back to the scene where I walked the officer through what I remembered of what happened. Matthew stayed in the car with Phil at that time. After that, Toney drove my car home, while we went with Phil.

Thankfully, Matthew was able to sleep in the car, and once we got home, he changed and went to sleep. I was really thankful for that. I talked for about an hour with Phil and Toney before I went to bed. I definitely didn't sleep much that night. The scene kept playing back continuously on a loop in my mind. I woke up at every move that Matthew made, but thanked God that he managed to sleep through the night.


Matthew's small wound above the eye


Matthew's leg


Matthew in the hospital bed with the new set of clothes.


This is one of the few pictures I have of Irene from her CGA graduation in 2004. I don't know who her friend is.

Change of dates

For those of you who are expecting me to be back in Singapore right now, I must apologize for the misinformation. I have changed my flight to leave SFO 12th and arrive SIN 13th Oct. Li Soon and Nathan are back in Singapore now, as per the original plan. We'll be in Singapore until 25th Oct.

Busy Busy

Been very busy this past 2 weeks.
We are preparing for the concert of the church's singing team Cornerstone Singers at the end of September. They will be performing at an outside venue. My roles in this concert? Too many.
1. Building sets - I'm helping to build the flats for the sets. Consists of 4 folding flats of 8 feet x 12 feet and 3 x 4 feet x 10 feet flats. Learning a lot building and painting them. Not as easy as it looks. Unfortunately, the muslin fabric is not as tight as we would like it to be. Hopefully it will tighten as we paint it. Still quite a bit of work to do.
2. Shoot testimony video and take headshot pictures - shot testimony videos last night and last Thursday that will be shown outside before the concert starts. Need to start editing the videos now.
3. Playing drums for part of the concert - been rusty. Haven't played for about 9 months. Need to rehearse more. Had a rehearsal on Tuesday night, will have another 2 next week. Went down to Guitar Centre 2 days ago to get 3 pairs of new drum sticks, a practice pad and a drum key. Have to tune the drums too.
4. Training and mentoring the worship band - Have agreed to help the college group to improve their playing and leading. Also asked to do the high school / middle school and adult bands. That will have to be done later - too busy.
Also need to prepare a training for the song leaders.

Li Soon and I are looking into childcare for Nathan. This will give Li Soon some time for herself. Currently, she has the difficult job taking care of Nathan 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Be back in October

We have just booked the plane tickets for the whole family to go back to Singapore from Oct 3 to 25. Li Soon will be working for 3 weeks with NUS, and we will have to take care of some legal matters for the sale of our apartment. I am trying to line up parenting seminars in some churches in Singapore and Malaysia. Rev Peter Lam and his wife Emily are coming to Singapore. They were formerly with Campus Crusade Family Life Ministry and will be speaking on Parenting, Marriage and Communications. Anyone whose church may be interested to have them speak, please contact me.

One More video of Nathan playing with the water at Disney California

Check out the new video

For those of you who have already been to this site and seen our Disneyland pictures, I have just added a video of Nathan playing with water. Scroll down to Disneyland and look for it!!

Visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Vancouver

I haven't seen my sister Julia for quite some time. We missed them when they went back to Singapore as we had already left for San Francisco then. Our planes literally crossed in the skyies somewhere over the Pacific. Anyway, we decided to go and visit them July 9 to 16, 2006.

The family together at Oakland airport before the flight to Vancouver.


After dinner at the Adrian's parents' Alex and Evadne's house celebrating Alex's birthday.

We took a day trip to Whistler where we walked about and Matthew had a chance to go on the luge and the zip line.


Matthew all suited up for the trip down the zip line.


Matthew looking apprehensive as he gets ready for his ride.


Matthew getting ready to go


Matthew going down the zip line. Sorry for the poor quality.


Matthew also had an opportunity to try climbing a rock wall.

And my most embarrasing moment was when I went into Ju's kitchen one morning to get milk for the boys, I mistakenly put the electric kettle onto the electric stove. Have you even seen what happens to an electric kettle on an electric stove? Here it is after the fact. Boy did it give out smoke.......

Disneyland!!

Took a family vacation last week in Anaheim and visited Disneyland and Disney California on a 2 day park hopper ticket. The kids really enjoyed it. Matthew liked Splash mountain at Disneyland and Soaring over California in California park. Nathan had a great time at the water park in California as well.


Family Picture with Mickey Mouse


Nathan enjoying himself at the water playground


Video of Nathan enjoying himself


Matthew at the rope playground


Picture with Lilo at Breakfast


Matthew with Lilo




Family with Pluto


Matthew with Mickey Mouse



Nathan enjoying his nap

Eternally Grateful

Eternally Grateful
Spent the first two weeks back in SF teaching a video production class to 10 middle and high school students. It was definitely a tiring and interesting experience. Will talk more about it in another post later.
Last week, we took a family vacation to Vancouver to visit my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first child in February.
This week, we finally settle back down to a more regular schedule with Matthew going back to summer school and me getting back to desk work.
Will update as soon as I can.

Back to SF, back to work - Jetlag

Got back to SF yesterday, after an 18 hour flight on SQ through Seoul.
We had the first row in the last cabin, with the bassinet seat for Nathan. Unfortunately, he didn't really like it, and the arm rests could not be raised between the seats, so we all didn't get much rest as it was quite uncomfortable.

If you were following my eating list, I am sad to announce the I didn't manage to eat everything on the list. Near the last few days, it was getting really difficult. So I had to decide what I really should eat and what I can forgo this time round.
For the record, these are the items I missed.
1. Old Chang Kee Curry Puff
2. Beef noodles
3. Yu Tou Mi Fen (fish head rice noodles)
4. Durian
5. Chee Cheong Fun
6. Duck Rice
7. Steamboat
8. Bak po

Anyway, it's coming up to 6 months since we left Singapore. I need to write a 6 month report soon. So many things have happened, so I'm kinda at a loss as to where to start. I have to go back and look at my old blogs to try to remember.

Next week, we have 9 students for our first 2 week summer video production course for the middle and high school students. I need to prepare all the powerpoints in the next few days for the course.
After the course, we are all looking forward to going up to Vancouver to visit my sister Julia and her husband Adrian. Ju told me recently that she's pregnant, so we are looking forward to congratulate her in person. It's going to be a long drive up to Vancouver from here.

Relaxing time

Spent the last few days in Singapore in the most relaxing time at home and eating (see list of food and my progress on eating them below).
On Thursday, I went out with Fred to run several errands.
1. Go to church to meet Evelyn and Jimmy to look at the tech problems and for putting up the antenna for the world cup showing.
2. Lunch at Jalan Tua Kong - Char Kway Teow - yum!
3. To the electrical store to buy some 1/2" PVC pipes for Fred
4. To Gary's office to deliver his Centrum
5. To Nick Koh's office to deliver his books from Amazon (unfortunately he was out running errands too)
6. To Sim Lim square to buy the following.
i. DVD player for Aunty Iris
ii. Printer for Aunty Iris
iii. USB hub for Aunty Iris
iv. New watch for myself
After that, went home for dinner.
That was the most productive day this week.

Yesterday, my family, my parents and my sister's kids went to Raffles Marina for a nice afternoon swim and dinner where I had Mee Goreng... another one down on my list.

Will be going to church later. It's been almost 6 months...

Home sweet home

Arrived back in Singapore yesterday morning after a very long 18 hour flight from San Francisco. The leg between SF and Hong Kong seemed to go on forever. Due to the strong jet stream (unusual for this time of the year), we had to fly up through Anchorage, Alaska, then over the Kamchatka peninsular of Russia and Sakhalin before turning into China, over Beijing and due south to Hong Kong.

Anyway, I've already started my food quest. Yesterday, I ate Chicken Rice, Laksa, Mee Soto, and for dinner with the family, we ate fish head curry too.
Not bad for the first day.
Woke up at 4:30 am after sleeping at 9pm last night. Glad I was able to make it through the day without sleeping early.

Food to eat in Singapore

As I'm getting ready for my 10 days in Singapore, I've made up an initial list of food to eat while I'm there. I just have to remember, food eating during vacations have no calories and will not make you put on weight or raise your blood cholesterol level. Here's the list.
1. Laksa - Done
2. Mee pok dry - Done
3. Fish ball noodle - Done
4. Nasi lemak - Done
5. Wonton mee fr frankel - Done
6. Chicken rice - Done
7. Mee soto - Done
8. Roti prata - Done
9. Murtabak - Done
10. Mee rebus - Done
11. Fish head curry - Done
12. Otak - Done
13. Old Chang Kee Curry Puff
14. Beef noodles
15. Char Kway Teow - Done
16. Chai Tow Kuay - Done
17. Yu tou mi fen
18. Chilli Crab - Done
19. Mee Siam - Done
20. Satay - Done
21. Durian
22. Chee Cheong Fun
23. Bak Kut Teh - Done
24. Har Cheong Kai
25. Hokkein Mee - Done
26. Mee Goreng - Done
27. Duck Rice
28. Yong Tau Foo with Laksa soup - Done
29. Long Beach or Jumbo Seafood - Done
30. Nasi Padang - Done
31. Chui Kway - Done
32. Bee Hoon mee with egg and meat - Done
33. Marine Terrace porridge - Done
34. Steamboat
35. Bak Po
36. Nasi Briyani - Done
37. Prawn Noodle Soup - Done

Matthew washing the dishes

What a change Matthew has gone through in the last 6 months. From being dependent on the maid, to the independent boy he is now. I'm so proud of him.

Pictures and video from Ju and Adrian's visit

Ok. So what does Nathan do with all the time he is here. Click on the video below to find out.



Watch out. Janitor in training.... be careful where you throw the rubbish!!





Caught red-handed raiding the supplies drawer


A bunch of Nathan's pictures. So cute!










Matthew's goldfish eyes!!


Family picture at Monterey

Pictures from Easter Conference 2006 a.k.a. Church Camp

Here are the camp pictures

Too busy to blog....really

Yes. Everyone's used that excuse, but I truly was really really busy.
Let's see, what has happened..

Sunday April 9 to Wednesday April 12, was the Easter Conference or in other words Church Camp for the adults at Mission Springs Camp and Conference Centre in Scotts Valley, CA which is about 1 1/2 hours drive away from SF in the Santa Cruz mountains. It was a nice getaway for our family and the first time that we've really gone anywhere since we arrived in SF. Went to Gilroy outlets for some shopping before going back home.

Wednesday April 12 to Saturday April 22, my sister Julia and her husband Adrian came to visit and stay with us from Vancouver. We had a great time of followship and they helped with taking care of Nathan, cooking, washing dishes and most of all, doing the endless loads of laundry. Went to Gilroy again for more outlet shopping. Also went to Monterey for sightseeing.

Sunday April 23 to Thursday April 27, I went for the National Association of Broadcasters' exhibition in Las Vegas with 3 co-workers- Phil, Peter and Dennis.
The halls were huge and took us 2 days just to work one round all the halls. On the third day, we were very tired and our legs were very sore from all the walking, so we went back to see what we needed to get more info on, and then went for a good Chinese lunch at Sam Woo and then to the Pro Bass Shop where Peter had a great time looking and buying fishing gear. This shop is the largest outdoor/fishing/camping/hunting/boating shop that I've ever seen. They even sell boats indoors

Saturday April 29, Li Soon and Nathan went back to Singapore where Li Soon will be working with NUS/A*Star on a project that she was working on before we came. Matthew and I are staying here until June 11 when we will fly back to SG for about 10 days. Thereafter, the whole family will fly back to SF again where I will teach the video production summer course.

3 months in SF

Wow. It's been 3 months since we arrived in San Francisco on Dec 27th. The feels like it's both been really fast and yet seems like a long time. We have gone through a lot in these 3 months. Adapting to the new environment, getting all the necessary things to get settled in, getting settled into work and a more routine home life and especially for Li Soon, making a major adjustment to a new environment of looking after Nathan and the home.

Sztos visit

Tim Sum brunch with the Sztos during their brief visit to SF.

Alan Goh's visit

Alan visited a couple of weeks ago and we had a chance to meet up for lunch and dinner. We don't eat out much to save money, so when people come, we take the opportunity to enjoy some good restaurant food.

Lunch at Banana Island - Singapore, Malaysian, Thai restaurant


Nathan smiling


Li Soon enjoying lunch


Matthew and Harry


Alan enjoying his Prata


Alan and his sea urchin at dinner in Japanese Restaurant


Close ups of the food
Sashimi!!