Sunday, August 05, 2007

Happy Birthday To Me

Another year passed….another year older, hopefully wiser….

Just came back from yumcha with the gang and waiting to greet me was wifey….she gave me a BIG kiss and a hug coupled with the wishes of “Happy Birthday”…yup, today is my birthday..

I like to spend low keyed birthdays..nothing fancy...dinner with the family will do. The difference about my birthday year is I get to blog about it and my parents.

Parents who sent me to La Salle primary and parents who said nothing when they knew I was playing truant during Form 6 at Maxwell Secondary. Parents who bust their butts off trying to give me a good education for a good head start in life…parents who were kept apart because of our financial situation due to the economic downturn in the 80s.

We were staying in KL but my Dad had to be in Penang because his Salesman position ( he was 3M Malaysia’s GM before he got retrenced ) entails that he be in charge of the Northern Area. He rented a RM200 per month room in Ayer Itam and sent back RM500 for our expenses here. Till today I still don’t know how in the world he could survive with Rm100 left in his pocket….thanks Dad.

Mom would be slogging like mad giving daily tuition lessons. She would be rushing home from Jesus Caritas Kindergarden like a mad woman where she was teaching pre school ( still is ) to prepare our lunch. We would come back, gobbled lunch and hit the sack without even a simple thank you. The tuition crowd will start coming in about 3.30 pm everyday and would last till about 8.30 pm. In between the chaos, Mom would find time to prepare our dinner and check on our school work.



Both Mom’s and Dad’s income would then go towards sustaining the monthly household expenses. I remembered a year where Mom cried because she did not have any extra money to buy new clothes for us for CNY…she didn’t even have any money for Ang Pows…..I secretly cried in my room for 2 nights.

I am glad that my siblings and I have been through the hard times as it has taught us to “Hang Tough” and "Dig In" but how I wished that my parents didn’t go through it because of us. I have made a vow that I will NEVER, EVER let my parents OR my family go thru the shit again….no matter what.

Today being my birthday is nothing great…without my parents there is no Jamie or my brothers. My birthday wishes every year is automatically dedicated to my parents and siblings albeit an extra addition for my family this past few years.

Thank you for being great parents, thank you for giving me the chance to be in this world, thank you for all the sufferings that you guys had to endure and thank you for giving me the chance to be your son.

The most importantly is…..a million sorries if I have hurt you guys at any point in time……

You guys are the greatest…I dedicate this and all future birthdays that I may have to my parents....THANK YOU…


2 every1 his/her OWN…………………..

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Jamie !!!

GFAD said...

A very happy birthday to you, big J!

In the recent years, I have come to realise that birthdays are not for celebrating our birth, but to pay tribute to our mums for going through such pain to bring us to the world (trust me, I've been through that pain twice..). Hence I will treat my parents for a nice meal during my birthday.

So warmest wishes to Mr and Mrs Tan Sr for a peaceful and healthy life!

p/s: My blog name Suum Cuique means to each his own in latin!! :D

Jamie said...

cutie: thanks a heap bro...maybe we can meet up for a few mugs when you are free...call genius along too.

kat: hey...didn't know we had the same blog title in diff language...wow! already faved you and will add you in my link. Thanks for the wishes and thanks for visiting.

Jamie said...

A million thanks to those who called up just to wish me Happy Birthday....

And thanks for singing Happy Birthday to me marsha....that was sweet of you cuz.

Thank you, thank you......

Anonymous said...

bro jamie,

Happy Birthday to you!!!
may you be blessed wif many many gud bonking years ahead....

p/s bro,u forgot to thank me for bringing you to saboon....

m.a.c.k.

Jamie said...

m.a.c.k.: thanks for the bonking wishes..hehehehe and thanks for the "sabun"...HAHAHAHAHA...bloody rascal!!

Anonymous said...

Jamie, Happy Birthday and wishing you many more happy ones with plenty of sunshine!

This post is also very touching. At my age, all the sentimental posts really bring tears to my eyes. Sorry, can't help it.

When my dad was swindled of all his wealth, he too had to leave for Malacca to take up a new job and came home during weekends.

Your parents are very blessed to have you. Regardless what hell you gave them, they will say you have done well and they are proud of you. Looking at the photo of them with your boys.....says it all.

Your mum looks so young. Do they read this blog?? They will be in tears if they did with a heartfelt thanks for such a good son.

Jamie said...

Judy: Thanks a heap for your good wishes but pls don't put me up on such a high pedestal ( beh tahan woh )...I am no angel btw..hehehehe

I dunno if my parents read my blog or not ( I think they do not know of its existance ), whats important is in the heart and our actions right?

Think I have to start changing my posts for a bit...getting a little too sentimental for my liking as well...going to be called a softie by those who know me very,very soon.

Anonymous said...

first thing first....JAMIE IS NO ANGEL!! Yeah!!!! But so's Marsha, so, hee hee hee.....

But seriously, if there's nothing else in this world that I admire about you, I would admire you for your love and protectiveness of your family. Totally beyond me because I am well-known philander.

But Tan Jamie is always by his famil's side. Taufan also same. Volcano also same. F**K, Sadaam Hussein point gun at head ALSO same.

This one, I have to really respect.

Hope you liked my birthday song! Hee hee hee.....

Jamie said...

hey..marsha..u are also family ok? that means you are also under the protective umbrella and have to start paying me protection money...muahahahaha

Anonymous said...

happy birthday! Please redeem you complimentary Nasi Beriani from our outlet, while stock last.

Jamie said...

hiya JM: thanks for the comp beriani but sorry to say that I can't take it anymore...not after smelling it for countless years..

Anonymous said...

Jamie; name the place and time. make sure genius comes along....hehe

Jamie said...

ok...I will arrange and pull genius along...will drag him by the ear if he gives any bullshit excuses..

K A said...

sorry i'm a little late but what the heck .... happy birthday anyway!!!

Jamie said...

thanks KA...I know you were busy "serbu"ing Hasbro Warehouse Sale......hehehehe

Anonymous said...

happy birthday. that day i post the message, somehow didn't log to the server. anyway, hope not too late.

Jamie said...

genius: thanks bro...nothing is too late...