my uncle passed away in the middle of the evening - today - that is - the 22nd april. most of the family were there at the flat - my aunt was in the room, the younger cousin, juliet, my dad, my auntie rose; the children were away with their other grandparents - but when they came back that night winnie gathered them in the living room and spoke to them - ah kong's not here anymore, ah kong is in heaven now - the girl started crying, and the boy just didn't understand what had happened - but later on - i suppose when he saw - he too started crying. the funeral is on wednesday. i want badly to go home but no one is even considering it i know it's not practical the earliest i can fly out - even if i get a ticket immediately - is monday - and i won't reach singapore till wednesday morning that is the day of the funeral and i would have to come back the following day. he was very weak the last few weeks - but he did not want to return to the hospital - no more tests. my parents asked me to come home quickly as soon as term ends - they knew it could not be long - but now it is already too late. i want to be home so that i can at least see him before they take the body away but i can't go away now. and on top of everything else still bloody classes this week and next.