SKYNI

My daughter is 19 today. Every year, I wondered the same time about how time flies and in the blink of the eye, she is now 19, going to college and starting another new adventure. She is no longer the baby I held in my arms 19 years ago in the hospital bed.

It has definitely been an experience watching her grow to the young woman she is today. I tried to adopt some of my own tiger mom’s tactics but sadly, I failed to execute them well. I can only hope that she will learn and figure it out by herself. Nicke and I will watch her continue her life adventures, enjoy the ups, navigate herself through life changes and brace the challenges. We will be here for her when she needs us.

Here’s a review of the 18.0 version of Linn? She knows what she likes and is stubbornly protective at times. She is loyal, kind and generous with her friends. I am proud of how she is true to herself, pursuing things that she enjoys and likes. Like her mother, she does not often divulge what she really thinks and feel. Maybe that is something that I could have done better. The communication function definitely needs more scrutiny. Of course there are other traits that are still ‘work in progress’ but we hope that she will learn along the way, discover more hidden traits, and we will keep seeing some new versions and upgrades.

The 19.0 version will definitely be filled with excitement as she starts college life outside her comfort zone. She will be staying in a new city 2 hours away from us, will meet new friends, will need to take care of her own apartment, manage her own time, finances, meals and be completely independent. She will not have her parents banging on her door to wake her up in the morning, tell her to stop eating junk food, and driving her around. We will definitely miss her very very much at home but will be cheering for her.

For her 19th birthday, my wish is that she will find herself in the best way and be happy. One can only be happy doing things that are enjoyable. Go Linn! That is my girl.

We love you.

Linn starts university life this August in Noorköping. This also means she will move away from home for the next 5 years.

It was bittersweet experience for me. Whilst I am happy and excited for her new adventure, I will miss her so much. As a mother, I worry for her well being but i know she needs to keep growing and experience independence and freedom.

The Walls all made it a family affair to help her with the move to Noorköping. We wish her well and will always look forward to her home visits.

We love you Linn and are very proud of you

Definitely a summer to remember.

After the graduation celebration for Jonathan and Linn, we took off to Croatia for a holiday. Linn could not join us as she signed up for the mandatory Scouts Jubilee camp. An event she has been attending for many many years since she signed up for scouts when she was 6 year old. We initially wanted to go to Singapore but I debated over the feasibility with the Middles East War and the timing was a little difficult for all 4 to go.

Nichlas always wanted to go to Croatia and we planned to cover Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik – 3 days in each. We had really good weather on our side which was definitely required for our beach vacation. All the cities we covered were fantastic and everything went well with logistics, travelling and food. We even took a day tour to Kravice Waterfalls, Mostar and Pocitelj in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the heat and the uphill climbs were punishing at times, the numerous gelatos and limoncello spritz really helps. The highlight of the trip was definitely the day trip to the Blue Cave and island hopping. The food was amazing and we will never forget the Peka (lamb, veal cooked under iron bell and best potatoes we ever eaten), Barba (Octopus Burger), Diverso (best smashed burger) and Tima Irva (Bosnian meat dishes).

All in all, a wonderful vacation and we will definitely go back again.

Split

Hvar

Dubrovnik

And the amazing sunset from the hotel apartment in Dubrovnik

Mostar

Dearest Jonathan

Congratulations on graduating from school. You are now officially done with school and we are so extremely proud of you.

It has definitely not been easy with school and you certainly made the best out of it. You met so many people, had so mnay teachers who supported you, you engaged in school with theater works, sang and participated at plays. I hope you really enjoyed yourself very much in the years you have been in school.

We know it was a struggle at times with school and also growing up. But we are extremely proud of you.

Well done!

Love

Pappa, Mum and Linn

Today, Linn celebrates her studenten. She graduates from junior college and this is a major milestone for teens her age as it marks the start of their adulthood.

I am really proud of her and she seems to know what she wants to pursue in her university. School life is not exactly a piece of cake for her but she did perservere to finish her courses.

We wish her the best and hope she will continue to be happy

Linn and I made a special trip to London after the new year. The trip was to celebrate Linn passing Maths (a bet i made with her) and also at the same time, I get to spend valuable time with my sisters. I really enjoyed the trip and had great food. Thank you to Pau Ping for suggesting great eateries such as Padella where the pasta was amazing, and the best pizza in the world at Napoli on the Road. I had my Asian fix at Singapullah, Laksamania, and Royal China. It was wonderful to catch up with the family, Uncle Poon and Uncle Bok. Even the weather agrees with us granting us clear blue skies for the 4 days we were there.

Must start saving so that we can be back soon!!!

Cheers to 2026!

After Christmas, Jonathan and I had a mini roadtrip to one of his favourite location in Sweden – Kolmården Zoo and the Tropical Aquarium. We had a great day checking out the Christmas festivities as the management at the zoo needed to bring in some attractions as most animals were hibernating from the cold at the zoo. We ended the trip with a staycation at Noorköping, our little ‘venice’ city.

I enjoyed myself with Jon, we bonded over eating lunch whilst watching elephants, shark gazing, and sharing yummy burgers at Burgers and Bangers. He is really sweet, patient and caring throughout the entire trip. I am proud of you Jonathan.

Let’s do more of these trips together.

The Walls celebrate Christmas in our traditon always. …big breakfast prepared by NickE, opening Christmas presents in the morning, stuffing our face with our JulBord, watching Kalle Anka at 3 pm and wondering if when we will be able to clear the fridge of leftovers.

God Jul!!!!

Linn & Adam went to the Stranger Things 5 premiere in Stockholm, they had made a mockup o Hawkins with a lot of cool stuff, like the ice cream parlour and pizza place etc. They really liked the 80s vibe created.

Our dearest Jonathan

A really Happy Birthday to you my son. I still cannot believe you are 20 today and now, you are like you said this morning a grown up. In my eyes, you will always be our baby and I am truly proud of the young man you have become. It is definitely a great achievement.

We wish that you will continue to discover new things and enjoy all your favourite things in life. The most important is to remain happy and do your best in everything you try. We will always cheer you on. We celebrated early on the Viking Line ferries yesterday, a day of cruising and we had a relaxing great time. The celebrations will continue today.

Love you so much that you cannot imagine!!!

To My dear daughter Linn who is 18 today.

You are officially an adult today! Congratulations on turning 18! YOU must be so excited about all the new adventures and new experiences  that await you. We are truly excited for you and will be always here to cheer you on and celebrate your achievements.  Just remember, our love and  warm hugs are always here whenever you want them. Your journey will be fabulous just as you always have been in the last 17 years.

We are proud of your wonderful achievements…in school (although we know your struggles), at scouts activities, your work. Keep developing your big personality, you have and will always shine brightly with those around you, as long as you stay true to yourself. We know that you can achieve anything as long as you set your mind and have the determination to follow through. This year, you started taking a part time job managing a café all by yourself. That itself is a big achievement taking on new responsibilities and we saw great improvements in your social skills.

As your mom, I have been so privileged to watch you grow up over the years and am so proud of you. I can’t wait to see what you do next. Growing up will be an exhilarating experience! It is not always easy to ‘adult’. Making the right decisions, choices and follow-through can always be difficult but that is how we learn. Be the person you want to be. Have fun, don’t be afraid, and above all, enjoy the ride! The best is yet to be.

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.” – Pamela Vaull Star

I love you,

Mom

The wonderful trip to Norway would not have been possible without the help of my fantastic sister from London. She visited us, despite great airport hassle, at the beginning of the trip. Thank goodness the airport found and delivered her luggage.

Thank you so much SPP and hope you truly enjoyed the SPPike days. I am sure Spike will miss you greatly.

We decided on another drive trip to Norway this summer and this time we decided to visit the South West following the route Oslo-Bergen-Haugesund- Stavanger-Kristiansand-Arendal- Oslo. The trip was of course very well planned by Nichlas. Every stopover, hotel and activity was carefully considered and this was not easy due to the different needs (fitness level) of every family member. Well done Nichlas!!!

We saw some amazing sights and Norway always takes our breath away with ‘random’ waterfalls’, fjords, glaciers, the scenery is really out of this world. We were also blessed with great weather throughout only a few drizzle of rain at the start of our trip and on our way back to Stockholm. Imagine 20 degrees warm sunshine every day!!!

The highlight of the trip was the climb Pulpit Rock, a steep 4 hour hike which is supposedly an ‘easy climb’ by Norwegian standards. We made it anyway and it was definitely worth every single painful step and ache (after the climb). It was really amazing and we will not hesitate to do it again.

More amazing is that we met Peter (our friend from Singapore) unplanned in Bergen. Talk about it being a small world.

Now that we had 2 great Norway trips under our belts (and a lot more poorer), we look forward to other fantastics sights and holidays hopefully in the (near) future.

To Nichlas, our truly fantastic wonderful husband, father, son, friend, everything…

We are truly proud of your many achievements, for being true to yourself and others. You have done great and we know you will continue to amaze us. There is never a dull moment with you by our side.

We love you to the moon and back. Have a really fantastic enjoyable birthday.

Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in Jonathan’s and Linn’s world. We don’t say this enough but we appreciate you very much for all the things you do for us and for always making us Priority No. 1. We love you to the moon and back. You are the best!

My dearest son Jonathan,

You look at the world with a view that is new,
so I try my best to see that way too, 

All of us here are a one of a kind, 
and I'm learning so much from your beautiful mind. 

Your little ways, the things that you do,
Thank you son, for all the stuff that make you 'YOU'.

                                               Author Unknown

Jon, on your 19th birthday, I want to thank you for teaching me so much each passing year. I learn to let go and accept your world where you laugh and play and in your heart, you care and love in your special way.  Most important, you are content and happy. Although I have difficulties understanding how you make your own rules and interpreting the world your way, I love you no matter what.  Keep dancing to your own drum beat, and I will keep dancing with you. 

Happy Birthday Jonathan my sweet son. 

  

We vowed, to take each other, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish….

For the past 20 years, this vow has kept us together and indeed it is a sacred vow that we hold through all the good and difficult times in our 20 years together.

Thank you Nichlas for being my rock and loving me no matter what. You are my person, always.

Happy 20th anniversary, my dear husband.

My dearest birthday girl,

Yes, you are 17 today. How do you feel?

No doubt, the first year of Gymnasium has not been a walk in the park. It is tough with the some subjects (Maths, Chemistry) but we know with determination you can do it . So keep on going and don’t give up.

This year you were even more active in Scouts activities and it really helped to widen your social circle. We are glad to see you enjoying activities outside school and creating a school life balance for yourself.

Wish I can do a better job at showing you ‘how to adult’, but it is never easy. I am sure you will get there and wish that you continue to create better versions of yourself each year. I have seen all versions for the past 17 years and they keep getting better. Love you for that!

On your 17th birthday, we want to congratulate on your achievements, climbing Sweden’s tallest mountain Kebnekaise and enduring the long hike, taking on the leadership role at Scouts, and pursuing your interests and hobbies with finesse and joy. And of course, not forgetting that you always stayed true to yourself. We are really proud of you.

Grattis Linn and May you always choose to be happy!

Love, Mom

Singapore does not have a lot of wild jungle left, but it does have a few jungle patches and one wetland reserve. Nick and Jon visited the wetlands and met some fabulous creatures in the wild….

Crocodile, Sea otters and Malayan water monitors…