What were your best childhood memories like? 🙂
Growing up as a kid in a conservative Asian family, I gotta say that my childhood wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows! In fact, quite the opposite. My parents were very strict and demanding on me as a child, and were careful to never spoil us or pamper us kids too much.
For instance, my pocket money in primary school was a measly $2 a week, if you can even believe it! I don’t know what $2 can buy you nowadays, not even a cup of bubble milk tea? Well, I lived on $2 a week, which worked out to 40 cents a day for one bowl of noodles during recess time! We were hardly give any extra money to spend on frivolous stuff like stationary and toys, and I remember envying some of the kids who were getting $5 a day or even more.
Daddy also believed strongly in rewarding us with privileges if we did well by his standards (that would mean scoring high marks for exams, usually) and punishing us if we were naughty (I often was… Hehe). Although he was very strict with us on many fronts, I think I was considered a fortunate kid, because whenever I scored well for exams, Daddy would bring me overseas for a holiday!
I remember how I was so convinced that I NEEDED a pair of ice-skates on my 11th birthday and kept bugging Daddy non-stop for them! Daddy was so smart and he knew that I’d grow out of those ice-skates sooner than I’d realise, and he gave me a sneaky choice: “Do you want a pair of ice-skates, or do you want to go to Japan?”
Obviously, I decided that going to Japan was way more exciting and willingly sacrificed ice-skates in return for a holiday to Japan (DISNEYLAND!)! A decision that I’ve never regretted to date.
In fact, most of my fondest childhood memories are of my overseas trips together with my family, and being exposed to other parts of the world early as a child also helped to shape me and mould me into the person that I am today. Of course, I still LOVE to travel!
So glad that I still have many many photographic memories of my time overseas with my family.. This was one of my favourite trips ever and one that I vividly recall even now 🙂 It was a trip to New Zealand with my parents, and it has a special place in my memories because it was the very first time I experienced snowfall!
I remember my parents waking me up in the middle of the night because the snow had started falling, and all of us went out together into the snow to marvel at it together. And to build a snowman too!
To a 9 year old, that was utterly magical and unforgettable 🙂
Having lived in Singapore all my life, snow was just so exciting and incredible to me! I loved it so much.
Another favourite part of that trip was the visit to farms and getting to see cute baby animals and feed them! I love animals and had always dreamed of becoming a vet or zoo keeper in my childhood so this was simply an amazing experience for me.
One of the many gifts that I will always thank my parents for is the gift of travel and being able to experience and see different parts of the world with child-like wonder!
In Hong Kong, last year! Family time is the most precious, and it’s always a wonderful bonding time when I’m overseas with my beloved family members. Now that we’re all grown up, travelling as a family is even more fun!
I love seeing my parents looking relaxed and carefree when they’re overseas! It’s such a rare sight in Singapore.
Spending time with the man who made me who I am today is priceless 🙂
And sisterly companionship too!
I guess I am truly blessed!
As one of the richest countries in the world, it’s easy to forget that there are children from low-income families, who are denied the invaluable joys and experiences of seeing the world.
Which is why I am very excited to share that ZUJI Singapore, the region’s leading online travel agent, has formed up a partnership with The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) and MasterCard to provide resources and experiences for Singapore’s under-privileged kids.
This campaign, “A Lot Like Love“, is so meaningful, and will help many under-privileged kids in Singapore lead a better life, and even allow many of these kids to experience special events and see unique places that they might not have had the opportunity to do otherwise!
I watched the video of this delightful young boy, Eqman, and how his two grandparents are struggling to take care of Eqman and his younger sister. It is really heart-breaking to know that so many young children like Eqman and their families are burdened by financial difficulties and have to worry about just making ends meet 🙁
As part of the campaign, ZUJI will also celebrate the joy of travel by surprising two low-income families from SPMF, who have not had the resources to go overseas, with all-expense paid holidays! I just love how wonderful that sounds.
ZUJI believes that opportunities should not be hampered by background or financial burdens, and I wholeheartedly agree with that! I’m sure you feel the same way as I do too, and thus I’m inviting you to join us in creating a better world and future for these students in need!
From now till 1 November 2015, “Like” ZUJI Singapore Facebook page to earn a $0.50 donation for beneficiaries from The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF). Together, we can do so much more than we could do alone so share this initiative with your friends to help! All it takes is just the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger to earn that $0.50 donation for these kids! 🙂
Visit www.zuji.com.sg/alotlikelove to view stories and videos of beneficiaries and find out how else you can help!
Lastly, I’m conducting a give-away for a $100 ZUJI voucher, whoop!!! With this $100 voucher, you can make use of ZUJI’s extensive booking services, and search, compare and book your preferred flights, hotels, insurance and even car hire all on one site!
It’s very simple, just answer the following question:
“When was your last family trip and what do you miss most about it?”
Thank you ZUJI and MasterCard for giving back to society!