The Cousins

Oh I know I have gone a little too sentimental. But when you received news that another one has left home for studies you cannot help but recap her growing moments.

 Celine, the youngest girl has always been close to my daughters. This photo taken in 2006 is a reminder that indeed time has flown past. Whenever there is an opportunity they would be spending time chatting, playing and posing. She has always been the darling of the home; being the youngest among her peers.

 Celine is seen here with her American cousins, Leyla and Jasper. All have grown. Leyla , now a ravishing beauty is with Disney world ! What a privilege to be an employee of this theme park.

Jasper has finished High School and now preparing for further tertiary education all in the land of fun and joy; Florida.

Esther with her cousin Leyla and Jasper on her trip to the States in April this year. Esther is super playful and will trade in anything for fun; even finishing her work leave all in one go.

See Esther and Celine sharing a drink with straws.

Both enjoy outdoor activities together; the sea, diving,

mountain climbing and feeding elephants. They are happiest

doing things together.

 A couple of Lunar New Years ago, they climbed Gunung Ledang and landed up playing spring waters.

Both reached the Mount Kinabalu peak last year. They got me in fear when the weather turned bad and they were not allowed to continue the climb. But when the skies got clearer bold Esther sighed Celine in as her ward and were finally allowed to scour till they reached the top. 

Adventurous and dare devils.

It's 9 years ago? Why is everyone looking so different? The older ones have aged and the younger ones have matured. Taken in Nuremberg on a family holiday trip, they were days unforgettable. No boyfriends, no husbands, no ties... the girls surely were free and easy. Much have taken place since then. Marriages, broken relationships, growing up and babies. Celine sure is the baby of the house then.

 Ha. This lass has much up her sleeves. Not often talkative, she has the calmness and level headedness of the father and though she looks fragile then, she is in fact strong and sporty. She speaks to por por and kong kong in Mandarin, to her parents in English, sometimes German to her father and definitely Dutch to her paternal granny. So, she is a linguist. No play, play.

 My sister informed us this morning that they are on the way to the Dutch Land. The land where one studies technical things in good order. This is definitely a no play land.

See Celine packing 70kg worth of stuff for another new venture in her life. She must be glad to leave the parents for a change...hahaha. Well, it's time to grow up and no more tied to the Apron's string. Papa and mama have to let go too. Let her go finish her engineering course, get a boyfriend; maybe break up and get another one. Part of growing up well. "If you don't try, you would't know..." I have been reprimanded. But why try when there is so much at stake? Aha, will not try to argue anymore.

Pretty Celine now all grown up ready to conquer the world. 

All the best to you Celine and may God's presence be ever with you wherever you are. 

In 4 years time, you will work as an engineer like Uncle Robert.

Another generation.