dad's taxi

it started with ivy. i had to fetch her at odd hours. when she was with the singapore youth choir and had practices at yms at waterloo street, i would have to wait for her until her practices ended, which would normally be 11 p.m. but sometimes, they dragged on to close to mid-night. then when she had recording/taping sessions at victoria concert hall, the waiting could go on till 2 a.m.

nowadays, ida is the passenger. i have to drive her to bukit batok's westmall at close to midnight and then go and pick her at around 6.00 a.m. in the morning. this happens during the weekends and on school holidays. she goes there to study at the 24-hour macdonald's outlet with her former classmate.

there were those times when i had to drive ivy to thomson plaza and some years later, to fort canning for her ballet lessons. when ida was in a primary school, i had to drive her to toa payoh and later, to crawford lane, for her chinese tuition.

in the mornings, i give ida a lift to school. have to get her up from bed and to hurry her along and still end up reaching my work place past 7.05 a.m.

all these sacrifices - sacrifing sleep, especially - are well worth it because my daughters appreciate and love me for what i have done and am still doing.