26 May 2013

Ever since coming to OZ to study, I realised how important my family was. Coming home everyday to a place called home, having weekly family dinners, feeling safe and most comfortable with your family, your family always being there for you, I had always taken it for granted. 

When I was much younger, I used to dread our weekly sunday family dinners. It always meant that I had to cancel whatever plans I had just to attend it. I always tried to come up with excuses, but could never run away from it. I hated it most especially when my friends had planned something very interesting and it always coincide with the timings of my family dinners. 

At that moment, I felt that it was very unnecessary. We could have/had dinner any other days, why was it a must every sunday? I mean, skipping it once or twice wouldn't make much of difference right? But looking back, I really thank my dad for always insisting that we made it for our sunday dinners no matter how busy we were. Boy, I am utterly thankful. 

In my family, dinner time could sometimes be in complete silence, other times it could filled with endless laughter. Other times, talking, discussing, long debates about certain topics we could never agree on. But all these didnt matter, all that mattered was everyone made it a point to take time out to find time together as a family, to spend time together, no matter how busy they were. It may not be some super lavish meal at a 6-star restaurant or a 10-meal course. All it mattered was that we were together. 

I remember very clearly that there was sunday evening and my dad called to ask me about my day etc. I was still going through the home-sick phase (not that I am completely out of it yet.) and I was just talking to him. He then mentioned that he was going for dinner with my mom and sisters and maid to the nearby coffee shop. It then hit me. I burst into tears hearing that and cried to him "You guys are having family dinner without me. I should be there with you guys!!! What am I doing here??!" It was then I realised that all my years of sunday family dinners I had taken for granted I had become so accustomed to, it was all part of me. At that point, I felt shattered. 

Well, I can say that I am definitely feeling less home-sick now and much stronger. I still miss home but I know that my family would always be there and it wont be long till I get to join in our usual family dinner again. Just less than an hour ago, my dad and I was whatsapp-ing and he mentioned that he was going to newton with my sisters, bro-in-law and the maid. I then said jokingly "it must be so boring and quiet without me" my dad said replied saying it was "much less fun" without me which made me smile. So me being me, snapped a picture of myself doing a fake wave to them. And my family actually played along and took pictures of themselves to send back to me. How heart-warming and ultra cute is that? Imagine my dad taking a picture to send to me!? AND MY DAD HATES TAKING PICTURES. I told them I may not be there physically but I still felt like I was there and could still entertain them so that they would be bored! 

With such an amazing family, what else can one ask for? 

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it. 

- George Moore 

Some self photo-boothing to end off the post. Haahhahaha!