Ms Sie < 3 403 Event (II)

nothing makes me happier than to hear my kids say they are happy when they stepped into my place....because its a place they can be themselves....with a group of people they are comfortable with.....yes, its like a family.

a family is one that welcomes its members with open arms, there is warmth, there is 亲情。 its not who is 'who' or who did 'what'....its just being who they are....no envy, no jealousy, no hidden intent, no hard feelings....

actually, when i was about to make the transition between rv and this new place, i knew it was too big for me... but somehow, i was thinking, it would be spacious if 403 people come....when i shopped for the settee... i actually thought what would the kids like.... i nearly bought totally bean settee so that they can sprawl all over...then i told myself, better be practical.

ws and ld went wtih me to shop for this sofa set...and i literally spent more than 10 hours over 2 trips before making my choice...i chose this cos of the unusual wooden shelves at either end, which i thought T n B would like....and I actually thought it would be a nice piece for all to squeeze together for a photo take....that was some time in december 2010? To be precise 23 and 25 december.

And to see this photo, which i had conjured in my mind then.... yes, there is a sense of gratification.... at least it is a kind of 'homely' get together for the kids.....
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whilst to them, it is so natural to come in for a gathering....for me, it is really not 'me'. I am well-known for being 'anti-social' from young and avoided class gatherings. I hate small talks. i hardly meet up except with close knit groups. With ex students, only the few that i am comfortable with. Even with colleagues, i was very very selective. My first 2 years in nushs was really with a closed group....which grew....thanks to the much warmth and genuine friendship of so many.....

whether its these kids, or the  very nice people that i knew there, i cant say. i only know they taught me that 天真 does exist; that people can gather without resorting to gossiping or back-biting; there is a spontaneity, a sincerity without being pretentious; a comaraderie without making one feel obligated; a open-ness without compulsion; a carefree spirit without being irresponsible or 'bimbotic' ; a intelligent atmosphere without 'gloating' or showing off; a sense of humour that first begin with being able to laugh at themselves.

No meanness, no hypocrisy, no self-righteousness yet not frivolous, not trivial....

when i first moved in. honestly, i didnt know where i was heading... for actually, i am ultimately, alone. ws was very supportive at that time and kept encouraging me to open up...

she, ld....and vl.... and pl...were super....from these 4 friends, they helped me focus to get the few furniture items...., and dc set up the broadband and IT related stuff....and the place is what it is today...simple, spacious, and homey.

ws helped me to be forward looking...i dreaded 'open house' and didnt know how to 'organise' gatherings....but over these 18 months, this place has been well visited and well used for a few occasions....From one that was in isolation for years, and sought reclusion.... i saw sunlight, felt cheeriness and looked forward every time the kids say they want to visit.....not just this group of kids....the year 4s are also a special bunch to me.

i no longer worry if i need to do anything extra, or that i need to talk to any or every one of them....its just so nice to see them, and to see them chatting away with each other....
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when we are/were young, we categorise our 'friends'...good friends, close friends, best friends, companions, friend we eat with, friends we do certain things with..... and many of these come and go...as life circumstances change....and they will change.... whatever we vouch/vow..... i should know....friends had always been closer to me than my actual blood ties....

what dylan wrote so intuitively about 403 struck me....  its a family...he put it across pointedly and aptly....just as gerlynn mentioned in her post, i was very touched by what he wrote...

yes, thats the family spirit... i hope this family spirit will abide...

a family is one that welcomes its members with open arms, there is warmth, there is 亲情。Yes, thats 403.... :)



i cant say whether it will last...but i know, i value it immensely.....