Inaugural Family Photograph Day

Boy what an Easter Family Fun Day we had!

It is fair to say that we had a great day. On 17^th April Saturday 2004, it was a day to remember.

When we arrived at a quite suburban home with an unspectacular frontage, it was a typical home in a nice suburb. What uncovered was truly remarkable, it showed the depth of work the host and hostess went into developing a warm and comfortable family home.

What lied ahead was totally unexpected.

A rumpus room was converted into a photography studio, completed with backdrops and synchronised flash lights. The air was sweet, the music was engaging and the camera was in the hands of a seasoned photographer. We knew what going to happen was something special.

The camera was clicking, the flashes were working overtime, the laughers were delightfully and spontaneous. The quite heaven became a temporary sanctuary of fun and excitement. After some busy posing work, we moved to an adjourning room to view the beautiful work. What master pieces they were! We were stunned by the colourful but modest setting, the instant results from the computer monitor after only 5 minutes of shooting. It was like a dream. We moved from one great shot to another. We all had more than a dozen or more shots. They were never going to be enough. We wanted more. It was like we had never taken any photographs before. We had, but not like ‘those photographs’ before. With magic happening here and there, we were all totally immersed in delight and elation.

Some lucky ones hurried printed out their favourite photographs, other just have to wait for their turn. It was an agonizing experience. We wished that could happen just like that. But we knew we would have to wait. And we waited patiently for the turn to come.

I am sure some of the photographs we took on that day, 17 th April 2004, would be hung out proudly and prominently in our family room. They would find a place in our heart that would be treasured. We would remember a moment that symbolised who we were, what great time we had as a family/partner, a time that we would never forget.

See the Family Photography Day pictures

Family Fun Day

There was a quite courtyard at the back of the house. On the right next to the boundary fence was a fountain. There was coloured light beneath the water. A small jet stream was bubbling up and sent off its vapour, very neat. On the left there was a garage. It was converted into a bar/entertainment area. It was fully self-contained and completed with lighting and chairs. Next to it was a patio with outdoor tables and chairs. It was where the four families competing for the family fun day. They played various games like UNO, Connected 4 and Boggles etc. Winner of the game scored three points and players also won 1 point for participating. There were separate trivia questions to take part. I must thank Audrey Pak for providing the questions. I attached them at the back for those who are interested to test their knowledge. Apart from the above, Robert Cheng organised an ‘IQ’ challenge for all participants, adults included. He brought out 10 potato and 10 straws. The rule was simple. Whoever put the straw through the potato would be the winner. When someone was still asking how about cutting the potato into half first, before Robert could replied to the question, Emily from the Pong’s family was punching the straw right through the potato, it brought instant cackles from all of us. It was not much of a challenge as it appeared to be. Almost happened at the same time, juice from the potato was flying thick and fast, all the potatoes were pinned. What a silly game we witnessed and what great amusement we had.  

(Footnote: in the last committee meeting, Robert presented his IQ challenge to all committee members. We used our head to solve the problem mentally. There was no one proposing anything coming close).

The highlight of the day was contesting of ‘Red Faces’. All four families were represented at the competition. The boys and girls played like pros, they asked questions skilfully and tactically. The adults were not in the same league. When answering the question ‘Am I a male?’ one puzzled minded said: ‘with Nemo (quietly) is a fish and would it be male or female?’ We all busted into laughers. With another question from Pak’s girls ’Am I a mammal?’ A voice said “You already asked that question and we answered you that it is an animal’. There was so much we could learn from our kids.

For the record, the joint force combination of Karen Mak and Emily Pong was the winner of the competition. All families participating received small presents for their effort. But with so much giggles and chuckles all around, we were all winners of the day.    

See the Family Day Photos

Game Trivia

Easter Family and Photo Day Preparation