Family Time

Have been harbouring a ramen and tonkatsu craving ever since my last visit to Tampopo. Thus, took the opportunity to suggest this place once again for my brother's farewell dinner before he heads overseas for an exciting working stint.

Snapshots of some orders: Tonkatsu mixed grill comprising prawns, different cuts of the pork and fish was great for sharing, my Dad rather enjoyed the chirashi and I devoured every bite of my usual staple ramen.

Over great food (as usual), it dawned on me how my brother and I have grown up. We now have careers to pursue, salaries to call our own while I am married. Moreover, we are even able to have a civil conversation about challenges at work, trade travel stories and talk about what we want out of life.

This is a stark contrast from our growing up years when quarrelling and fighting was the defacto mode of engagement. Be it over what TV shows to watch (since there was only ONE set in the home), who gets to use the computer (till I got my own laptop) to bossing him around (guess I was already exhibiting obsessive ways at a tender age), there always seemed to be something to argue about.

On hindsight, I wasn't the best or most caring sister around, being quick to lose my temper when he got on my nerves or yell at him when he did something wrong. Although we outgrew the quarrelling, it could also be due to the fact that we were too caught up in our own lives and have drifted apart.

As we sat down for a simple meal together, I realise that although it's too late to change the past, it's never too late to rebuild this relationship. I tend to discount time with my family alittle bit too much.