Karleen Chong: Tribute to Daddy Dearest

Since I was just a little girl, as far as i could remember, I loved following my dad around. Everywhere he goes, whether if it is to the bank, to the coffee shops, to the school (yes I've been to SDASA since I was in primary school!), to pay bills etc etc. Anywhere he goes, you'll see his army all around him. ME! :)

Papa's girls

Well it hasn't changed much until now. Although I'm far off in Sabah and he's in PD, whenever I'm back, most of the time I'll follow him around. Papa's girl everyone would call me. I'm proud of that name k? I've been following my dad around so much so that I went from not being able to see over the counter and having the ladder or papa carrying me up to look over, to now being able to look at the bank workers. *smiles*

Oh yea! Have to remember Chiang boy too..

Everywhere I went people will ask "your daughter eh Chong?" Then he'll say I'm his second daughter. And now with me studying in Sabah, the lines will follow where he says I'm taking what course, where and all la. Don't get me wrong. Papa also does that to my sis and bro too. Well I always like to think of me being his favourite daughter. (I can imagine my sis rolling her eyes now)

Now family pic :)

Since I could remember, I grew up with the line 'Wow! you look so much like your dad." or "Your sis looks like your mom, but you take after your dad.". I could remember sleeping on my sis's bed just last hols and we were actually talking about how we don't see that resemblance! Maybe it's my big forehead kot that looks like papa. What do you think?

All reds or red devil?

At home, as mom calls papa as 'dear', we went one step ahead and address him as 'papa dear'. So cute kan? Although now we just plain call 'pa', but my cuzzies till now still refer to my dad as 'pak pak dear'! (pak pak=elder uncle) Even my dad laughs about this but I know he feels so nice to be called 'papa dear' or 'pak pak dear'. I should call him that more often.

With 1harris and papa

Bringing you all a little off track, since entering clinical years, I've been exposed to so many individuals about my dad's age or even younger who have so many diseases and are left to suffer in the hospital. Hospitals aren't really a conducive area to stay as everyone would know. Whenever I go off and clerk a patient around my dad's age and suffering from illnesses, I can't help but be grateful that my family members, especially my dad are all healthy. Although there's some minor health issues, but in comparison, I'm just thankful that everyone's well. :)

Taken last year at the beach.

All I know now is, papa dear, you're the best and I wouldn't trade you in for anyone else. You've been my inspiration, my idol and just my pillar of strength ever since I was born. Thank you for putting up with a cheeky and at times naughty girl like me and I think I wouldn't be where I am now without you. How I wish I could be back to celebrate this special day with you but let's put it on a rain check ya?