I remember yesterday, the world was so young....

 And just like that, my son turned 20 and my daughter turned 14. He's practically a grownup, and she a teen.

Oh, the many birthdays we prepared for them when they were kids! With their birthdays just 3 days apart, we'd combine it into one and they wouldn't mind.

The most memorable party we did was the Angry Birds party. We prepared weeks in advance, with custom invitations and a pinata. He had friends over and they said it was the best party ever! Then we left the decors up for my daughter's birthday with the Titos and Titas.

At the other end of the spectrum was the birthday party that was supposed to be bigger and better. We rented a community centre hall for the occasion. But when the day came, we found that the keys did not open the hall! Rather, it opened a small reading room adjacent to it. What a disaster. We urgently called the office, who had to ask someone to come over and open the hall. But it would be over an hour before it was opened and guests have started arriving. 

We even rented a magician. We were obviously panicking. But the guests made themselves busy and the magician performed at the reading room instead.

When the hall finally opened, everyone helped set up chairs and prepped the food. After the birthday song, we finally had time to eat.

I had half a mind to ask for a rebate due to this inconvenience but it was too much hassle of an incident I would rather forget.

On a couple of occasions we went to an activities centre with ice skating, bowling, and arcade games. A much more convenient way to celebrate. The kids had fun, and so did the adults who would just sit and chat.

As they became older, children's parties gave way to intimate dinners either at home or in a restaurant, and the occasional small group gathering. It becomes more difficult (and more expensive) to plan parties for teens and grownups.

Looking back at these birthdays past, I do feel it is important to mark these special occasions, no matter how simple it may be. These are milestones that also help build happy memories which I hope the kids will treasure.

Time for some birthday wishes.

I wish for my son to be successful in his studies. May he find the passion to pursue his interests and go out more.

I wish for my daughter to have good friends, now that she is in middle school and in a new environment. May her passion for music and crafts flourish.

And may they both continue to have a love for maths. It will always come in handy.

Take these broken wings

A rather unfortunate incident happened to me last March. We were still getting late sunsets and so we decided to make the most of it one late weekend afternoon when the kids and I played badminton. Everything was going just fine, when about 20 minutes into game, I lunged to try to catch the shuttlecock. I stretched forward with my dominant left foot, with my right leg stretched behind me. Then I felt a sharp, painful jab on my right calf muscle. I thought something hit it, or I might have it myself with the racquet.

The doctor said it was a torn ligament, and it will take around 6 weeks to heal. I think it took me the better of two months to recuperate.

As I limped around during those times, I remembered how, prior to this injury, I've always thought of myself as being rather fit physically. I mean, not like muscular fit, but I can manage long walks and carry heavy stuff around. This torn ligament has brought me back to the reality that I'm not getting any younger. I still can't believe that a simple lunge can take me out.

And they said getting into sports is great for you. Ha.

I have since recovered, though I still wear a compression band occasionally. But I'm not taking any chances with strenuous sports. :-)

Through the barricades

We've had another milestone in our family recently. My daughter has started Middle School. It would be like a rite of passage for her; gone are the carefree Prep School days. I am confident though that, like his older brother, she will do well.

One thing I am thankful for is that they did not inherit my loner attitude. Frankly, I do not like going out of my way to do or go to just about anything. If you look at our wall full of photos out and about with friends, you'd think I'm a carefree, outgoing kind of guy. Well I'm not. Sure, I do enjoy my time with close friends, and I do appreciate the fact that they keep up with my oddness. But beyond my close set of friends I find it difficult to maintain some semblance of kinship. I like a quiet existence. 

It has its disadvantages though. This reminds me of a time in my high school days when I let an opportunity pass me by. The school was hosting a Spelling Bee contest. I knew I can do well but didn't sign up. I was content to see how it all panned out as an onlooker. After the last word was spelled out, I knew could have easily gotten second or third place. Regret? I did feel tinge. But whatever will be, will be.

Be it in my personal life or at work, I would rather have my work speak for itself. Which is a bit of a challenge in most places where (based on personal experience) being vocal and fluent is highly desired. Yes, highly desired, but you know how a container with a handful of stones produces a loud noise when you shake it? Sometimes there's just a handful of stones in there. But enough about me.

My two kids have a sort of quiet confidence in them. They never fail to amaze me. I'm soooo proud to be their dad. They have accomplished much compared to how I was in this same age and I would like to support them as much as I can.

Which, going back to old loner me, can be quite a challenge. But, for as long as there is a photo op, I will keep smiling for them.