Sorry once again for not having posted for a while. Paul Tiang passed away on Saturday, 15th December, and I really wanted to write something up to remember him by.
I first met Paul in December 1999 when I was a speech therapy student doing a clinical placement at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Paul was a speech therapy assistant with the speech therapy department there. Coincidentally, Paul lived only one bus-stop away from my parents' place and I frequently travelled on the MRT and bus together with Paul on my way home from work. Our travelling time home took us about an hour and having Paul around made these trips during rush hour traffic much more bearable. It was during these trips that we would talk about everything under the sun. Paul would fill me in on the gossip at work and in TTSH. We talked about our families, and Paul would tell me all about his little girl, Andrea. Paul was quick-witted with a great sense of humour. With the many things that Paul could talk about, Paul was very entertaining and it was such a great joy talking to him.
I will always remember Paul as the practical joker. I had frequently fallen victim to Paul's pranks, which he would carry out when I least expected them. As I mentioned earlier, Paul had a fantastic sense of humour and he never failed to make me laugh with his unexpected and candid observations of the people and things happening around him. He also always had interesting and humourous "theories" about what he observed.
I will also rememeber Paul as a very helpful and generous person. He would always go out of his way to help those whom he considers as friends. Never one to be stingy on himself and his family, Paul knew how to take care of his family well. He would not hesitate to catch a cab when travelling with his wife and daughter, but taking the bus instead, when travelling alone.
I will also remember Paul, the singer. Paul had a great voice and he would not hesitate to break into a song after clearing his throat.
Unfortunately, Paul's health seemed to deteriorate gradually and Paul left TTSH at the end of 2002. After Paul left TTSH, we ceased contact with each other even though I lived only a few blocks away (I had gotten married and my new apartment was just within walking distance from Paul's neighbourhood). I did see Paul a few times after that, mainly when I was driving in or out of my estate, and Paul would be walking home from the bus-stop.
Our paths crossed again this year, albeit briefly. I remember driving past the bus-stop, on my way to work at Alexandra Hospital (AH) when I saw someone wearing a bright, neon yellow t-shirt, standing at the bus-stop. It was impossible not to notice that extremely bright t-shirt. It was Paul. A few weeks later, I decided to give Paul a call because we were looking for a speech therapy assistant at AH. Paul's health had improved over the years after he left TTSH and he was really excited at the prospect of working as a therapy assistant again. Paul applied for the job and got it. Paul's first day at work was my last day of work at AH. And that was the last time I saw Paul. We did, however, correspond via sms on a few occasions and by phone on one occasion, after I gave birth to DD.
On 15th December, I opened my inbox and found an email from an ex-colleague at AH. It was very kind of her to inform me of Paul's passing just a few hours later. Paul had lost the battle after spending 9 days in the Intensive Care Unit at Changi Hospital.
Paul, wherever you are, I know that you are now in a better place. I will always remember the Paul who always made me laugh, and the Paul who was always generous and helpful towards his friends. It was a pleasure to have known you, Paul.
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