First to leave the Nest

It's like deja vu. When I was at that age, friends left one by one to go abroad to further their studies after the Secondary level education. Back then, the reason was mostly because there were only 3 universities and most could not enter due to the government's quota system. The parents then would scrape out their hard earned savings to send their children into the unknown world. Most would head for England, some Australia and a handful New Zealand. That was before the internet age, and information on the universities and places were limited, so literally it was like sending the children into the unknown world. I never had that opportunity and I'm alright with that having understood that it would cost a bomb to study in England, the choice destination then. Studying overseas is not merely getting an education, but also about developing oneself. One tend to mature faster and be more independent if they had to rely on their own for everything. The only worry you have is if the children stray and get mixed up with the wrong company.
So when it's Sherman's time to further his study abroad, we hope that we would have planted a strong foundation in him to know right from wrong, black from white, family affinity, strong bond with childhood friends, respecting the elders and all the values that would serve him well in the future. So, in the weeks leading to his departure to the States, we made sure he made his rounds with his families and to visit the places he grew up with. Sometime in June during the school holidays, we head for Malacca. That's the birthplace of Sherman.

 

Having visited this area countless times, I guess there is no excitement as seen from the photo.

But to mum, she's always excited, not so much with the place, but to be photographed.

We went into the Malacca museam which is within the same comound.

This is certainly a landmark event  in the the country's history and we want Sherman to remember that. It all took place in Malacca.

We had to go to our favorite eating place for dinner, the Portuguese Square. Sherman;'s favourite horse shoe crab unfortunately is not available, nor are the scallops.

The next day, we continue our road trip to Segamat. This is the place we celebrate our Chinese New Year every year. The next few years, it is unlikely Sherman would be back here.

 Above is the main street in Segamat.

Sherman and his brothers in their grandparents home in Segamat.

At night, we had dinner at a local restaurant.

We're back only for a night just for Sherman to visit his grandparents in Segamat. The goodbyes this time is a little special for both the grannys. Sherman comes back here every year for CNY, but is unlikely to do so for the coming two or three years as he will be in the states.

24.6.12 at Sri Damansara Clubhouse.

 Three weeks later, grandma & grandpa were up in KL for their usual medical check up. We arranged Sherman's farewell dinner for them at the Sr Damansara clubhouse.

The angpow for goodluck is traditional.

14.7.12 at Sri Damansara Clubhouse.

The following month, just a week before Sherman's departure, we organise another farewell dinner for the rest of Sherman's family, mum's family menbers and dad's sis family.

 It was only just close family memebers that occupy two tables.

A group photograph is a must for the farewell.

"Por por" the ever affectionate grandma to Sherman. 

 Ah Loong and the boys including Tong Tong.

Siow Yi is ever proud of Sherman.

 San Yi and Tong Tong have always been close to Sherman since birth.

The Symons too came to bid Sherman adieu.

Together with San Yi's family. Sherman has always been part of them.

 The good luck Angpow from San Yi.

And the same from auntie Jessie.

21.7.12 at Ying Ker Lou Restaurant, the Curve Mall.

On the eve of Sherman's departure, we had a private family dinner with "Por Por" at the hakka restaurant at the Curve called Ying Ker Lou.

We had a good dinner and the boys enjoyed their farewell dinner together.

Yes, mum and dad must have a photo taken with their boy as well.

22.7.12 at 8.00am@ KLIA

Sherman wants to be at the airport early to avoid any rush, and so we were on our way by 7.00am. Three of his friends were also at the airport to see him off.

Aside from us, Por Por and San Yi's family had wanted to see Sherman off as well.

Sherman with the family and friends.

Sherman's three friends that woke up early to be at the airport to bid him farewell.

Por por will miss him much.

San Yi and family wants to visit him when he graduates.

 One for the family album.

 Ow, that's a rare sight from Callum.

 Yes, a big hug from San Yi is a must.

And off he goes, stepping out into a new world on his own.

20 hours later...at 63 Cypress Way, Rollings Hill, CA 90274.

 At LAX, Uncle Stephen accompanied by Jamie picked Sherman up fromTom Bradley Airport. The above picture was taken by auntie Tina from her front house window. It shows Sherman just reaching Uncle Stephen's house with Trenton greeting him.

70, Cypress Way, Rollings Hill, CA 90274.

No time wasted. After leaving his luggages at Uncle Stephen's house, they headed towards auntie Tina's house opposite and straight for a welcome meal. There, all the uncles, aunties and cousins recieve him with open arms. Auntie Janice who is on  two weeks break from Morocco was also there with Alex.

It is a real comfort to see that Sherman has a big family in LAX as well. He would be staying here for a month to help him adjust to the American way of life. After this, he would be leaving for San Francisco where he will be staying in the university campus for the next two years. Henceforth, it's about how he handle himself until graduation. Whilst he may be in an environment on his own, today's technology allows him to stay connected with his family and friends via skype, tweets, facebook and plain simple old e mail. This is a far cry from my time where the only means of communication was through a rare expensive phone call which was hardly used. It was mostly through the snail mail where you wait patiently for the postman each morning. We have been close as a family and we will continue to be close, notwithstanding the distance. For now, the brothers including their mum are eagerly looking forward to the year end where they would be visiting him and see the place he now lives, study and play.