Reflection by Ms Lai

I would like to begin by reflecting on my 18 children. "Every child is unique". And, this is how I'd describe each of you (in the expedition team).

1. Esther: My considerate daughter. Willing to take the train home so taxi uncle could earn a higher fare. Also the pee commander.
2. Fel: My never-say-die daughter. No amount of pooping will flush her spirit down!
3. Georgiana: My undercover FBI daughter. Probes and digs information with flair. And does she shop!
4. Hanna: My realistic daughter who realised very early that the carpenters could have built the house faster without us.
5. HW: My task-oriented daughter. A natural organiser.
6. Jasmine: My shutter-bug daughter. Cheerful always. Am pleased she shared a tender moment with R.
7. Jolie: My compassionate daughter. Really knows how to care for a friend.
8. JL: My teaser daughter. Able to laugh at others and at herself.
9. PY: My reflective daughter. Hope you will lead an expedition to HVPV someday.
10. Sam: My live-wire daughter. Free spirited and enthusiastic always.
11. Val: My fashion-model daughter. But puts in as tough a day's work as any boy.
12. Yvonne: My conscientious daughter. First one to hand in the reflection forms.
13. Chek: My comforting son. Always a kind word when I cried on leaving HVPV and when I got sea sick.
14. Daniel: My vain and shy son. Worried about scarring on his legs. A married man now after a brief closed-door moment with his wife.
15. JW: My baby Angkor son. Every man can be a baby when given glucose and tenderness. First to marry.
16. KM: My joker son. His come-what-may attitude will see him far.
17. Rey: My absent-minded son. Should have married him off first to be taken care of by Cambodian wife ... or by J.
18. ZY: My very responsible son. Gives me no headaches. Leading quietly and no glory-seeker.

Audrey Lai