CHIJ-60th-Reunion

12 Sep 2026 – Norway’s King HaraldV Funeral

Wed: Norway’s KingHaraldV funeral in OSL/Norway procession on a beautiful day. It was heartwarming to witness the pavements from Slottet-KarlJohnan’sGt-Domkirke-Akerhus packed with ppl – countless times on this route by foot over the years! Might have even attempt to be there to pay my respects if I were in OSL today! Thus concludes an era where my respects for the British and Norwegian monarchies will likely come to an end as well, but it remains uncertain what the forthcoming era may entail? Pix downloaded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlqbpRwuM80

Thu: staying indoors with this haze and keeing busy with altering May’s clothes(no, she is not at the funeral but most of her clothes are black!), satisfied with the new sewing cabinet, audiobooks and screentime. Thankful to be experiencing life vicariously thro’ this interesting link, and who knows, there may be an opportunity for one final adventure before time elapses! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzPXYKdL1No

Living vicariously is much faster and cheaper than actual living – hahaha!

The unique shapes&patterns+geological features of these natural landforms truly captivate&inspire my desire to travel. Numerous locations are situated away from primary travel routes, where their seclusion&natural conditions have safeguarded the landscapes from crowds, which are significant attractions and the wonders of the world for me/WOW. 1-4pix on the list downloaded.

  1.   ManpupunerRock formations,SevenStrongMenRockFormations/Russia
  2.   FairyCircles(AridGrass) formations/Africa and Australia
  3.   Vinicunca,Winikunka,Montaña de Siete Colores-Cusco/Peru
  4.   Racetrack Playa,SailingStones-DeathValleyCA/USA
  5.   Haukadalur,Haukadalr/Iceland – https://amylamsg.com/2014/09/09/iceland-days-5-6/
  6.   IceVolcano/Kazakhstan
  7.   AntelopeCanyon-AZ/USA
  8.   Saqatri,Socotra/Yemen
  9.   KaindyLake,BirchTreeLake/Kazakhstan
  10.  Valley of Balls-Torysh/Kazakhstan
  11.  Guelb er Richât,RichatStructure,Eye of Africa-Mauritania/Africa
  12.  Penitentes,NievesPenitentes/Argentine and Chile
  13.  NaicaCave,GiantCrystalCave-Chihuahua/Mexico
  14.  UnderwaterWaterfall/Mauritius
  15.  FairyChimneys-Cappadocia/Turkey,Türkiye
  16.  PitchLake/Trinidad and Tobago
  17.  Sơn ĐoòngCave/Vietnam
  18.  Mga Bungtod sa Tsokolate,ChocolateHills/Philippines
  19.  Matȟó Thípila,DevilsTower-WY/USA
  20.  Kelimutu-FloresIsland/Indonesia – recent earthquake in that area!
  21.  VilaFrancaIsletIlhéu de VilaFranca do Campo-São Miguel/Portugal
  22.  DooieVlei,Deadvlei-Namibia/Africa
  23.  Bisti/De-Na-ZinWilderness-NM/USA
  24.  MoerakiBoulders,Kaihinaki/NZ
  25.  VulcanPoint/Philippines
  26.  Tsingy de Bemaraha/Madagascar
  27.  Silfra/Iceland
  28.  Lake Natron-Tanzania/Africa
  29.  GiantCauseway/UK – https://amylamsg.com/2019/09/17/the-giant-causeway/
  30.  MtRoraima/Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela

Not in the above list but in my bucket-list – pix downloaded.

  1.    CoyoteButtes-AZ,UT/USA
  2.    WaitomoGlowwormCaves/NZ

Fri: in memory of 2,996ppl who lost their life in 2001 – pix downloaded.

Sat: 60thCHIJ-reunion – grateful to all and a special tkx to these class-mates who I can still remember their names; sitting-left-right: Shirley,Eve,Penny,Mag,LaiToe,Lynn; standing-left-right: Maria,myself,Peggy. Name tags are good to have especially for those who were not in my class.

Scrumptious buffet spread – appreciations with tkx to Mag,Susan,Irene,Johan,Rosalind&Shirley for organising the event.

Buffets teach us to appreciate the diversity of life’s flavors

Useful momentum+gifts – thankU.

Views from RacineRestaurant/SofitelCityCentreHotel. We might not remember days, but hopefully we remember moments, reunions are the time machine that takes us back to once upon a time…

From ‘Melancholy’ to ‘The Scream’

8 Sep 2026 – Unhealthy PSI-Readings

Sat: air quality in the central region reached unhealthy levels yesterday, with the 24-hour PSI exceeding 100, according to data from the NEA. https://www.haze.gov.sg/ Hotspots from satellite data, staying within my AC – pix downloaded.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/haze-singapore-central-unhealthy-psi-6338721?

Happy 15Bday to #6-Olai/youngest grandchild. Exactly 15yrs ago today was at Ullevål universitetssykehus,Oslo/Norway for his birth – had time to check out the museum then but not sure if it is still there today? https://amylamsg.com/2011/09/09/karma/

Sun: a rare sunset for me! captured on the way to last night’s dinner – it displayed such breathtaking colors, and was fortunate to have taken it as it was descending very quickly…

Appreciations with tkx to bro Leslie’s yummy home-cooked SundayDinner, he makes the best BlackPepper, CrabGuinness, PigTrotter, Soya Chicken, Steak-a-la-Rochalie for my taste. Good to see Kai enjoying his bubbles with his godmother, niece Patricia – hope that he will enjoy these newer finger-puppets as much as my children&grandchildren! Used to have some older ones on my fingers and depending on which puppet will sing songs relating to them – but of course they are all now too grown for that and time to pass these newer ones on. It is such a pleasure to observe children engaging in simple playtime activities without the use of screens!

Mon: SIN-Red-Cross said on that it is stepping up its response to heat&haze by providing air purifiers, support packs&electricity bill assistance to vulnerable seniors& at-risk groups, while its raining cats&dogs in OSL/Norway – pix downloaded. Laundry-day and getting ready for 2ndBorn/May to arr here to work tomorrow – looking forward to having her here and for a late belated Bday celebrations.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-red-cross-heat-haze-response-support-packs-6366371

Melancholy/The Statue of Emptiness  sculpture/2013-2014 by Hungarian artist AlbertGyorgy – originally created for a museum in Budapest, now in Geneva/Switzerland. This iconic sculpture was replicated in various sizes and could be found in museums. https://wherecreativityworks.com/melancholy/

In some ways the sculpture Melancholy and Norwegian artist EdvardMunch’s painting The Scream/1893(encountered both of these for the first time many years ago), have remained unforgettable for me and evoked emotions that are difficult to articulate then&now. At times, when experiencing such feelings, do find a connection to these two works of art. Is there a link between this detrimental air pollution and our emotions??

One and the same thing can at the same time be good, bad, and indifferent, e.g., music is good to the melancholy, bad to those who mourn, and neither good nor bad to the deaf – Spinoza

https://serenademagazine.art/the-scream-what-was-munch-really-screaming-about/

Tue: grocery shopping was completed before 8:00hrs on tranquil roads during this school holiday week. BeefTendon+SlicedBeef&BeanSprouts SoupDinner at OdeonBeefNoodlesS$12 FoodRepublic/Basement,Jewel  – one of my favourite soups.

Ice cream – one of my favourite ice-creams/ToykoMilkCheeseFactoryS$5.50 for dessert and having 30mins to spare to get to the airport/T1 to meet May as planned.

New Sewing Cabinet

4 Sep 2026 – Happy 49thBday May

Tue: hello Sep – productive day with grocery-shopping@24hr-Gaint/MTS$32.79 and fresh-produce@MT-wet-marketS$14+ running errands@PP. CocoaNibs@ScoopS$3.86, basket for the Banana-plant@DiasoS$9.60, delighted to find the Black-Squid-Ink pasteS$10@Fairprice. Like doing grocery in the early hours to avoid crowds&heat. Consider myself blessed to still be capable of doing my own grocery shopping and partaking in other activities that help me maintain a healthier and more active lifestyle.

The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one ― Erma Bombeck

Appreciations with many tkx to cousin KarenL for taking time to catch up with these old B/W pix from the family bank&house from Sarawak/Malaysia(1930s-1970s) – going to be a busy month to sort out&update blog postings – pix credits to her.

Also tkx for some spare-parts for the old Singer-sewing-machine+for her yummy homemade scones, perfect company with the afternoon-tea/

ThankU for introducing this Steamed-Fish-StallS$10@KopitiamS$Basement/PP and glad that she liked her first taste of Tauhu-PokS$6, alternative to the Rojak or Popiah.

Wed: crossing StillRd and looking forward to the library to be opened and for the underpass there to be completed. First day volunterring  SSPV@Katong,MP-MRT-Exit5 – trying to colour-code the clothes at the BargainSection knowing that it will not last, but at least trying to do something constructive. Like that the ceiling is in different colours, easier to explain when giving directions.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others — Audrey Hepburn

Nice catching with Clement for lunch and some shopping@JapanHome/PP which will be closing and selling things at discounted prices – Lysol,shampoo,soaps, all items on my list and if I had my shopping-push-cart would have bought more of these itemsS$13.50. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/japan-home-closing-outlets-staff-say-valu-taking-over-operations

Thu: took ~1week~100+screws,etc to complete setting up this sewing cabinet,

despite of the time taken, pleased that I can still managed to install something like this with my bare hands!

Fri: Happy 48th-Bday to my 2nd-Born-May, the baby.

4 Sep – Happy Bdays MayH & Vince
5 Sep – Happy Bday Olai
6Sep – Happy Bday Nicholas
8 Sep – Happy Bday Alfred
11 Sep – Happy Bdays Steven & MayY
14 Sep – Happy Bday Kelsey
15 Sep – Happy Bday Wendy TsengWong
16Sep – Happy Bday Ivy & Edith
21 Sep – Happy Bday Greg
23 Sep – Happy Bdays Joyce & Klaus
24 Sep – Happy Bday Yun
25 Sep – Happy Bday Kat
30 Sep Happy Bdays Mabel, DaisyL Valerie

RIP King Harald V of Norway

31 Aug 2026 – Home Is Where The Heart Is

Fri: hvil i fred kjære KongHaraldV(1937-2026), takk for alt han har betydd for Norge, han vil bli dypt savnet. Kondolerer til den norske kongefamilien – pix downloaded. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/norways-king-harald-dies-aged-064137382.html

Sat: following the cortege(the first 16+mins is just waiting for the coffin to be loaded) carrying Norway’s late KingHaraldV from Rikshopitaket/OsloUniversititshospital following his death. Crowds gathered along the wet rainy route to witness the solemn procession and pay their respects as the monarch’s coffin was transported toward the RoyalPalace amid a period of national mourning. When the cortege turned onto Sognsvien passing UllevaalStadion,KiwiTrikkesiøyfa,UllevaalSykehusKirkivieien towards Majorstua,turning@McD-Bogstadveien – countless times on this section by car,foot or public transport! Pix downloaded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKl9PnAY8EE

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/all-the-details-on-king-harald-of-norway-s-funeral/ar-AA2b6z06

6fb65f752f80fda59d4bd3df1e2057e4d3ce52a0438ccd22ad0bab292066e5789046caac50a8a981f7e2b1081199ec26

Strange to think back how some of the Norwegians reacted back in the 1960s when their then PrinceHarald married a commoner Sonja(1968)ie 58yrs ago! If memory serves me correctly, the comment was – at least she is a Norwegian. As royal families are concerned, the Norwegian was one who has not made much headlines or gossips then! – pix downloaded.

8 Sep 2016 – A Speech Going Viral For The Right Reasons
Home is where the heart is. That cannot always be placed within country borders – King Harald V 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/king-of-norway-delivers-emotionally-charged-speech-in-favour-of-lgbt-rights-and-refugees-a7226216.html

Skinnerbu 1968: memories of KingOlav’s reluctance to allow his son to marry a commoner in 1968 when working a summer job chambermaiding+bartending at Skinnerbu Høyfjellshotell,Rjukan/Norway then, now Skinnerbu Nasjonalparkhotell. KingHaraldV ascended the throne in 1991 and by that time, had relocated to the US – pix downloaded.

2024 Oslo/Norway – brilliant reverse-psychology tourism campaign ever – Halfdan is a teacher at #6-Olai’s school who became a legend after this ad – pix downloaded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhD59ac7nw

Uncertain how to interpret this – was recently at the wake of JimmyLIM. Condolences to the families of HweeLingLIM(pix from 2016StPatrick’sDay) and CheaMingDIONGJimmy,HL & CM were members of the IrishGrads/IGAS. Do not have the energy to deal with weekend crowds on public transport to attend another wake. May they RIP – this marks the fifth death within the last 7days including DollyParton.

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils – Hector Berlioz

Sun: FB-Memories reminds me that 11yrs ago on this day(according to the LunarCalender) was 11th auntie Diana’s 90Bday, so that makes her 101 today Happy Bday to her –  the eldest surviving relative from my father’s generation/BlueGen.

Was not aware of https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/thousands-thrilled-by-mercedes-f1-car-demos-along-orchard-road So this was what the bus diversion was about –  thank goodness they were clearing up by the time I got to Paragon.

Appreciations with thanks to Theresa&CJ for Sunday dinner at my favourite PekingDuck restaurant at ImperialTreasureSuperPekingDuck/Paragon,OrchardRd for some of the most scrumptious PekingDuck, Yam&Scallop, CrabCake,

Abalone+Broccolo+FishMaw,DuckGlassNoodles,MangoPomeloSagoPudding.

Mon: cool&wet yesterday&today early mornings with a beautiful moon last night. Following such a delightful dinner last night, will not require any food for the next few days!

We Are All Strangers

27 Aug 2026 – RIP Dolly Parton

Mon: the haze loomed as the PollutantStandardsIndex/PSI ~98 in the central region inched ever closer to unhealthy levels – no plans of being anywhere near the central today or this week. For weeks, Sumatra&Kalimantan have been ablaze with forest&land fires fuelled by a super El-Nino in addition to also being the HungryGhostMonth鬼月(13Aug-10Sep)with all the ritual-burnings – pix downloaded. https://amylamsg.com/2011/08/22/if-religion-is-a-thing/

Who can affordS$8-13k monthly? All-day dining,hydrotherapy-pool,hair-salon,bus@SIN-first-private-assisted-living project. Prayers&hopes to not see the day to be in a situation when unable to take care of myself – working hard to keep body&mind as healthy and for as long as possible at this stage – pix downloaded

Tue: 10yrs ago/a decade today – tkx for the memories and for the times when this body was still able to hike with a tent! Saw the new hair-pin-bend road under constructions then, do wonder if that is completed? https://amylamsg.com/2016/08/25/trolltunga/

GiantGrocery/MTS$56.10 includingS$2.80Sen+PromoSave. Enjoying the fauna&flora under shaded walk on MP-Rd between TelokKurau&Still-Rds-Jcts. Do not remember going on any field-trips when in Pri-School here but fun memories chaperoring my own kids@their Elementary-School-Fieldtrips in the US.

Crossing StillRd to continue underground@MP-MRT-Exit6 to discover this thrift-shop and decided to vounteer one day a week there for a good cause, being a strong believer for recycling and not for religious intentions or thoughts despite that the profits are donated to The Society of St Vincent de Paul/SSVP.

MrCoconut treat when walking underground here and up above ground@MP-MRT-Exit3 continuing on shaded walkway on JooChiatRd.

GV@I12 to watch We Are All Strangers 我们不是陌生人 and taking time with a mini-rice-bowl late lunch@Guzman Y Gomez to reflect on the movie while enjoying my fast TexMex-Foodfix. The other SE-Asian movie watched this month, DearYou 給阿嬤的情書 and what I liked about both is no action,sex,violent scenes, both letting me know that basic human decency is not dead…

If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Morals are private. Decency is public — RM-Brown

Wed: may she RIP – https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/dolly-parton-dies-80-country-music-6340736
One of my favourites of her songs I Will Always Love You sung by WhitneyHouston

Thu: delivery from SpotlightS$507.23 with savings of S$215discounts&sales items.

Welcome to this new artificial BananaPlant+2 stalks of Bird of Paradise neither fading nor decaying to replace the 20+yrs old dried-twigs+dried-eucalyptus-leaves. Have given up~20yrs ago having anything alive within my 4walls besides myself, hahaha! Finally the electric-sewing machine has a cover to keep the dust away. Will require a few days to set-up this new sewing cabinet, and subsequently, additional time will be needed to sew the sheer curtains.

Artificial intelligence has the same relation to intelligence as artificial flowers have to flowers. — David Parnas

Surge of Energy

23 Aug 2026 – Spotlight

Thu: appreciations for today’s treat from CareFridge. No TorchGingerFlowerBud(Etlingera elatior)BungaKantan in the MT-local-market. Bus13 to GeylangSeraiMarket and found it there – for me this really enchances my salad and Rojak but should only be taken in its bud-stage. Tkx to Gel for dinner(home-made BourbonHoneySalmon+salad) company and for all the goodies.

Fri: TGIF and a fabulous weekend to all – the first week of school gone by smoothly for USA-flock with Linn/SC & #1/GA as educators, #2/ClemsonU,SC

 #3 in UofSC/SC, #4&5 in IrmoHighSchool/SC – pix credits to Linn

Condolences to Sheila&family for the loss of their husband,father,fil,grandfather, to Jo for her bro and to Jen for her cousin, Jimmy – may he RIP. Both Jo&Jen were my classmates in Alex,Dublin/Ireland 1960s – another lifetime ago! Bus15 changing to Bus58@PasirRisInterchange but walked the wrong direction@TampinesLink and was too hot&lost to walk back ending up taking a GrabS$8 from somwhere@Tampines to be drivened to SIN-FuneralParlour – took 2+hrs to eventually get there.

Since IKEA was 2bus-stops away, bravely ventured there to pick up some curtainsS$5.90 and found 2small bowlsS$4.90 – good to use up points worthS$5 that were going to be expired and was not even aware of that. Pleasantly surprised and pleased to be dinning on delicious gravlaks,kreps+eplesaft for Fri-DinnerS$13.90. Bus168 changing@BedokInterchange to Bus196 back~1hr, has been a long time since on a go for ~7hrs but good to be exhasuted, not out of breath and had a goodnight sleep.

Sat: amazed myself to be@Spotlight/PlazaSIN by 10.00hrs on a Sat! to do some shopping that has been on the list over the years, now taking advantage of their weekend discounts resulting from renovations@PlazaSIN. Met the cutest 3-4yr-old girl smiling at me when I was about to get off the bus, smiled back and gave her a little wave. She then whispered to her mother who told me that she liked my dress! Told her thankU and that she is very pretty in her pink-outfit with pink shades to match – she made my day and it would never cross my mind to touch her!

Spotlight delivery next week and looking forward to receiving and sewing some curtains. Since there, bought childhood-comfort-food to go@Kopitiam 鹹魚蒸肉餅CantoneseSteamedMincedPork w SaltedFish+西洋菜湯 WatercressPorkRibSoupS$12.10 with 10%SeniorDiscount.

Soup not only warms you and is easy to swallow and to digest, it also creates the illusion in the back of your mind that Mother is there – Marlene Dietrich

Getting back to the EastSide by 12.30hrs despite the heavy Sat traffic on JooChiatRd which would have usually taken 5+mins to walk from EC-DunmanRdJct but today Bus16 took ~15+mins and seems like the GPS gave up and started meditating – thank goodness for AC-Buses.

Hahaha! Let’s have a moment of silence for all those who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride stationary bicycles — Tommy Wood

Sun: taking an easy day after 2hectic days but not reading too much into what Surge of Energy is really about – hahaha! Appreciations for SundayDinner@Rochalie and safe trip and good luck to Kiera who heads back to DC/USA for her final year@GeorgeTownU.

Watched the NationalDayRallySpeech w the family and sounds promising for the future generation – impressed how SIN has managed and still managing to reclaime land by extending the smaller islands into more land, have still not ventured into JurongIsland! Will not survive to see LongIsland and just as well, could not imgine looking into those islands when walking on EC-Pk! Pix downloaded.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ndr-2026-spore-to-merge-several-outer-islands-to-form-new-western-island

1980s Memories From USS Missouri

19 Aug 2026 – Biryani And Condiments 

Mon: the word Biryani बिरयानी/Hindi, بریانی /Urdu is derived from biryan or beriyan بریان/Persian, =to fry or roast, probably to be related to भृज्जति /Sanskrit bhṛjjati with the same meaning. The Persian phrase birinj biryan (with Persianبرنج birinj=rice), meaning fried rice. So PersianFriedRice is what Biryani is about – hahaha! Tkx to Adeline&Lee for this authentic yummy Biryani, slightly on the spicy-side for my age&taste but excellent when combined with the yogurt neutralizing the spicyness.

Biryani is a South Asian rice dish made with spiced rice, meat or vegetables, and aromatic seasonings, often cooked in layers. Traditionally prepared with long-grain rice such as basmati, combined with meat or seafood seafood, or vegetables, along with a variety of spices and herbs like saffron, cumin, and garam masala  The dish is often enriched with yogurt. In future will not classify Biryani when served with gravy! https://www.bismillahbiryani.com/

Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor but the secret of variety is knowing when to use it – pix downloaded.

What has the world turned into?? a situation where 2-wrongs do not lead to a right outcome! An elderly man attempting to be amicable and a father who is overly protective. Would not have paid too much attention to such news but just so it happened in my hood, Bei-IngWantonNoodle/RoxySquare and would be interesting to see the consequences. Personally would not like any strangers(ie excluding family&friends) touching my children or grandchildren no matter of intentions – could reflect a cultural norm or a personal trait that involves a lack of demonstrative affection or being OCD about spreading germs? Also how does one let ppl in incidents like this one know…? pix downloaded.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/police-identify-man-after-elderly-man-shoved-ground-over-patting-girls-head-6322146

Feedback from SIN-X-first&only President: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/bei-ing-wanton-mee-halimah-yacob-seniors-children-intergenerational-bonds

Tue: remembering all the brave ppl who lost their life in WWII. 81yrs ago, late maternal journalist 8thUncle EddieTSANG(1915-1988)was one of a handful of reporters aboard USS Missouri in TokyoBay/Japan who witnessed the PEACE signing and may PEACE be with us all.

There’s no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending. – Abraham Lincoln
1980s Happy Days on board the USS Missouri

Grateful to have week’s grocery done, cleaned&stored before 10a – today’s brunch treat(probably enough to last for the rest of the day!) MeePok from MT+Market with self-added-shrimps+more condiments to my taste.

For a gourmet wine is not a drink but a condiment, provided that your host has chosen correctly — Edouard de Pomiane

Wed: WAITT  – that is the extend for my TextingCode, hahaha! Social-media industries are facing lawsuits with a woman+her legal team prepare to convince 12jurors that the apps on their own phones were deliberately engineered to exploit psychological vulnerabilities in children. The companies that built those apps prepare to argue otherwise… https://www.technology.org/2026/01/28/meta-employees-called-instagram-drug/

Just learnt that 5MaxTransfers in one journey for bus&MRT – thought it was 3…

Too Close For Comfort

16 Aug 2026 – #4Sophie’s Senior@HighSchoolYear

Thu&Fri: quiet times within my own 4walls most welcome for the body&mind to recover – appreciations to Gladys for her kindness&thoughfulness for the lovely orchids and to SIA for these individual OliveOil, perfect size for a single-use.

Physical symptoms like asthma+whatever other infections to the lungs which effects the breathing – then the domino effects and the vicious circle starts. Seems like as age catches up, the immnue system is not as it was and will catch whatever bugs going around, taking longer time to recover.  Still in the process of learning to manage both the physical&psychological aspects of reality, coming to terms with the fact that the days of carefree galavanting are behind me and need to be feel&learn how to be thankful to have lived life to the fullest then. Moving forward, the path ahead will represent a new&distinct chapter, thankful to have access to meds and other resources, eliminating the necessity for hospitalization each time experiencing shortness of breath!

IrmoHighSchool/USA for #4&5; seems like yesterday when #1-3 graduated from this same HighSchool and next summer #4 will also graduate from the same HighSchool. Who knows if this body&mind will be able to handle another long-distant-flight to be there?

#4-Sophie’s decorated SeniorYear car – pix credits to Linn.

Sat: this is getting too close for comfort – earthquake struck Ruteng,Manggarai, off the coast of FloresIsland ~68k/42m NW of Ende in EastNusa Tenggara province/Indonesia – pix downloaded. Prayers are out to all affected.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/strong-7-7-magnitude-quake-strikes-off-indonesia-usgs

Drowning out the disastrous events occurring in the world with music, some written expressions, and aimless screen time that leaves little memorable impact, yet is comforting enough to allow me to drift off within the cool confines of my AC-4 walls.

Sun: short morning stroll to the market for Orchids&BananaLeaf and to BengawanSolo for Kueys – advantages of living in HDB estates is the availability of super-market,wet-market,hawkers,decent F&B options; in addition to public transportation, all within 5mins shaded walk or underground. Appreciations to bro,sil,nieces,nephews,grandnieces for scrumptious spread@Rochalie before Kat,Devon&Eliot head back to USA, tkx to Adeline for this SteamEyeMask. Learnt that real Briyani is not served with gravy! Birinj Biryan برنج/Persian = fried rice, ie Briyani=PersianFriedRice. More details about this dish next posting.

Missed the SIN-grandnieces&nephews who are are preparing for their exams – Good Luck to all doing exams and speedy recovery to Clem/he was missed too, & Kai too who are both under the weather.

The eyes are the windows of the soul/Shakespeare. The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter — often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter — in the eye/Brontë

Phuket/Thailand

12 Aug 2026 – An Amazing Trip

Sat: bus36 to T3/Basement and had sometime to spare for 20mins wait@MrCoconut, no would not normally stand in line for it but today the craving was there! SIA-BusinessCounter/Level3 to check in – seriously do not recall when last on an SIA-flight, not even to mention BusinessClass! Tkx to Shawn for arranging this and glad to see his family+helper arriving in time to get us into the BusinessLounge.

A stunning lounge offering an infinite selection of food&beverages to satisfy both your heart&appetite and this is only the start…

Complete seat to myself with comfort&space enjoying the sunset takeoff and dining on ShrimpCocktail,ChickenRice w Champagne+desset – omg if this is the way to heaven let me be in…

Furthermore, Kai was present, as adorable as ever, to maintain the joyful atmosphere on this ~1+hr flight.

Landed on schedule in PhuketInternational – Kai enjoys the robot cleaner, and he uses a cute sign language to explain how it needs to go away for charging. ~1+hr drive/~20k in the dark on curvy roads was the least favourite part of this trip. Les&family had a scrumptious spread ready at their villa@IndoChineResort&villas/PotongBeach but could not stomach more food. https://www.indochineresorts.com/

Edited – Sun: Happy 61st-National Day to SIN –  will get Kai more of these when his fingers are stronger to press the trigger, bringing back fun memories with the grandchildren are the Nerf&WaterGuns; grateful for those days when the energy&time were there then to run around chasing them – hahaha! https://amylamsg.com/2011/10/21/nerf-guns-battle/

Tusen takk #6-Olai/Oct2024 during one of his visits in SIN, then still at an age when it was OK to be seen in the company of his mormor – hahaha. Blessed&thankful for blogging helping the memory is stay in tact to remember these wonderful moments…

Ascending 55 steps to reach my room will either enhance my fitness or exhaust me; however at this stage of my life journey when there is a view and the pool on my patio, there is no need to venture elsewhere.

Pool,gym,public patio and restaurant, unfortunately these pix do them no justice as the lens had too much condensation from the overnight AC-room and did not realised it with the sun in my eyes.

Scrumptious Thai-Lunch@BaanRimPa by the sea with pleasant seabreeze, what a good idea to serve the CoconutJuice&IceCream inside the fresh young coconut. The drive towards OldTownPhuket was cut short by just grocery shopping and thank goodness as the roads again curvy and after too much good food was not feeling my best – after 55 stepsX4 up&down the staircases finally broke me! Tkx to Shawn for Nuberlizer meds – a short soak in my pool,showered&off to bed.

Mon: could not bear the sight or smell food and such a headache – stay-put in the room for a well-needed rest, no complains when there is a view! Relaxation is not a luxury; it’s necessary for our well-being. Downloaded 4above pix to show what it is really like while learning to adjust using a camera again – the younger gen are out with the elephants&shopping for the day.

Tue: took the buggy to the bottom of the hill and crossed the road but there was an eatery in front, so not possible to get near the water and believe me that was the closest near the sea on this trip! Made it up with 1hr oil massage,another soak+a snooze in the room. Massage is both an art and a therapy,offering relaxation,healing, and a moment of self-care.

Enjoyed the afternoon watching the family in their cooking class with their chefs.

The food tasted yummy – an early night for an early flight tomorrow. It is nice to observe that my brother is taking pleasure in his new chess-set and engaging in a game with his daughter&granddaughter.

Wed: bright&early, the last 55steps down the staircase make it a total of 10x55steps=550 up&down the steep stairs and still alive to catch another SIA-BusinessClass back to SIN. This time round asked to sit in front so as to concentrate on the road to discover that there are still rubber-plantations here and they are still tapping for the latax – have not see that since childhood days! Also to learn that our driver’s parents are from Ipoh&Penang/Malaysia and that he survived the 2004Tsunami but sadly not his wife. Still remember vividly on that day where I found my cousin sitting on the stairs in tears when we were in Laos.

Looks like a full plane and long lines for Aeroflot but thank goodness no line for SIA-BusinessClass, even managed to squeeze in 15mins massage at the PhuketAirport BusinessLounge/part of the service here despite having to take a bus to the plane.

SmokedSalmon,HokkienMee with Bellini+ChocolateCake dessert for lunch – can certainly easily get used to travelling like this – hahaha! And so ends this amazing memorable holiday tkx to broLes for the 5*accommodations+F&B; Shawn for arranging the tickets+meds; Gladys for her pix&thoughtfulness; Kai for his adorable company.

Had to rest for an entire day in between the 4days, was offered a room without steps but die die must try and now to recover from those 550steps! Really feeling that the energy or the appetite are not what they were – such is life and in future will take the room without stairs to climb. AnthonyHopkins said – Getting old ain’t for the faint of heart.

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough – Meister Eckhart

Past Present

7 Aug 2026 – Future

Tue: the present renovation of the playground below evokes memories of the time we had to lift #6-Grandchild to the MonkeyBars during his initial visit here. By his visit in 2025, he was able to swing independently from the first to the last bar. Hopefully they will install new MonkeyBars. Embracing change does not imply that you forget your history. Progressing does not mean you overlook the past. You are simply evolving…

Wed: tkx to FB for the memories from 2013/13yrs ago was hiking UKc2c; 2021/5yrs ago the passing of my beloved eldest broLawrence; 2023/3yrs ago hiking on the PEI/Canada. Memories encapsulate the core of our experiences and contribute to our identity. They serve as a reminder that our past constitutes a personal archive we bear throughout our lives, impacting both our present&future.

MarineParadeRd by MarineParadeMRT-Exit4 now and then in 2000 when I just moved into this area. Do miss the old trees…

now its underground in the AC for shade!

This is the only solitary old tree standing on this section of MP-Rd – sincerely hope that this magnificent tree will be permitted to remain for as long as possible in a location where the elderly strive to keep pace!

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man ― George Bernard Shaw

Earth’s temperature rise has shifted into overdrive, with the past decade warming faster than any other since modern records began. Recent news on natural disasters such as avalanches, floods, earthquakes, and heat-waves are unavoidable due to the impact of human activities on MotherNature; however, I find myself at a loss for words when it comes to the subject of man-made-wars. It is distressing to hear&read about it, not to mention viewing the images, so no downloading of any pix…

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260801093239.htm

Because, underneath all of this is the real truth we have been avoiding: climate change isn’t an “issue” to add to the list of things to worry about, next to health care and taxes. It is a civilizational wake-up call. A powerful message—spoken in the language of fires, floods, droughts, and extinctions—telling us that we need an entirely new economic model and a new way of sharing this planet. Telling us that we need to evolve ― Naomi Klein

Thu: PrawnMeeLunch on EC-Rd and dessert@TimHorton/I12 – tkx May for this Nebulizier and to Shawn for the medications which were useful the past few days.

Where has all that time gone now with #4Sophie starting in her SeniorYear of HighSchool – seems like yesterday when we found this adorable toddler sleeping in the laundry-basket in the laundry-room!!

Fri: haircut and running errands@PP before taking off to Phuket/Thailand tomorrow. Glad to have an early start and not aware that it is a short-school-day today, was just about done with the crowds started. Will be offline away from the RedDot for her 61stBday this long weekend with Monday being a public holiday. Looking forward to catching up w nieces&grandnieces from NY/USA and to seeing NDP pix from all. NDP-2014 first&last one attended for me.

https://amylamsg.com/2014/08/10/ndp-2014/

Postings here to be edited&updated sometime next week…