18 May 2011 – News & Sentimental Memories!

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF chief jailed on Rikers Island, charged with attempted rape. What do you think the consequences will be when the charges are released on Fri? Guilty or not, his political career has come to a dead-end!
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/05/17/new.york.imf.head/index.html?hpt=T2

Wow, this is quite something. The Queen visits Ireland. The last time a British monarchy visited Ireland was nearly a century ago! At last some form of dialogue is in the progress…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13425722

Spent yesterday watching the celebrations and parades around the world. Yesterday was also Vesak Day, a public holiday in SIN too. Buddha’s Bday provided beautiful weather here for Norway’s Bday! Started celebrating 17 May since 1968 and have been doing so every year no matter where in the world and even after the children are grown. Memories from the 1st 17 May 1968 – in Dublin/Ireland where a breakfast was organised outside the apartment of 33 Mitchell House in Appian Way. Made 3 types of sursild/pickled herrings then. 17 May 1978 – where there was still snow in Tromsø/Norway! 17 May 1981 – invited the neighbourhood into the new house@Piggsoppgrenda 6/Kolsås, Norway as it was raining.

Pix postings are taken from yesterday’s Norsk Rikskringkasting NRK/Norwegian TV. Delighted for the nice weather but just as happy to be a couch-potato munching on Norwegian hot-dogs and ice-cream! The parade started 1000hrs with Hans Majestet Kongens Garde HMKG/Royal Guards (such handsome young men!) marching in amazing precision. The commentator said that it was one of the greenest 17 May ever, with full bloom of all the trees@Karl Johan Gate.

Learnt that there were 108 elementary schools which the royal family had to stand waving to from the palace balcony and that took over 3hrs! Universitetets Aula/ceremonial hall@the University of Oslo has been closed to the public the past 3 years, reopening in Jun and looking forward to viewing Munch’s mural Solen/The Sun again. This location has one of the largest collection of Munch’s work besides the Munch Museum.

Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye… it also includes the inner pictures of the soul – Edvard Munch

17 May 2011 – Hurra for syttende mai

Grunnlovsdagen /The Norwegian Constitution Day is the Nasjonaldagen /The National Day. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai/17th May is an official national holiday observed on May 17 each year. This is the second time back here for 17 May since moving away in 1985.

The Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll on 17 May 1814 which declared Norway to be an independent nation but was still under Swedish rule. After much debate between 1814-1905, 17 May was agreed to be the National Day. A noteworthy aspect of this day is its very non-military nature. All over Norway, children’s parades with an abundance of flags form the central elements of the celebration. The parade concludes with the singing of the national anthem Ja vi elsker dette landet/Yes we love this country. People typically wear red, white, blue ribbons and their beautiful bunad/traditional outfits.

Am not patriotic enough to brave the crowds unless there are really valid reasons to do so, been there done that! The children are grown and no grandchildren here yet that my presence is needed to support any parades! Pix credits go to Aftenposten/Norwegian newspapers and various sites.

I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world – Eugene V Debs

Our hearts where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith, and our hope, and our honor,
We pledge to our native soil.
God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all – Rudyard Kipling

16 May 2011 – Welcome Welcome Welcome…

For those who have voiced interest to visit, check blog postings and

Do your own research on flights and dates online, it does take time and flexibility to get the best fares. The regular airlines sometimes offer promotion fares and there again check online regularly. Apologies cannot help there as you are the one traveling, thus know what dates and price ranges are within your budget. I flew budget airlines all the way and booked the long distances section with AirAsia at least 6 months in advance. Check posting: After Four Airports.
http://amylamsg.com/2011/05/12/four-airports/

http://amylamsg.com/2008/09/25/kolsas/
From the house, the nearest grocery and bus-stop is app 15/20mins walk. Do NOT have a car. House is located in Kolsås, a suburb and to take the bus/40mins one way into Oslo cost app S$9. Hotels are expensive. Even when staying in the house, you will need to budget in your food and travel expenses. Just having a cheap snack of a hotdog and and soda is app S$12.

You have to be an independent visitor doing the tourist things on your own. Will be here working until end July. Away in the USA month of Aug. Back again in Norway in Sep when it starts to get cooler and will not be able to entertain anyone as grandchild is due then.

Kat, niece from NY said after she was here a week,  Auntie Amy, Norway has the Fjordiest fjord where even a cup of coffee at the gas station cost US$6! Told her that out to the 11yrs living here, only went out to eat (ie at a place where you pay!) at most the times you can count the fingers on one hand! BTW, very seldom aurora borealis/northern lights south of the Arctic Circle (Oslo is way south). Winter is the time for the northern lights, mainly above the Arctic Circle and still there is no guarantee you will see them there, as the saying goes, the only guarantee is that we pay tax and we die!

This is NOT to put you off but to give some realistic figures on how much things cost here. Do your research work well so as not be surprised with $$$. Hope that this will answer some of the questions. Happy to help where ever possible from my side. Good luck with surfing online for fares and info!

Sun: there was a hail storm and rained most day after a beautiful Sat! Tomorrow is the National Day and Buddha’s Bday. Let’s hope that the weather will be nice to all the flag-waving parades!

15 May 2011 – Bislett Stadium

Sat: a beautiful day for the neighbours to spring clean in Krafts gate neighbourhood! May & Bjørn drove off camping as it is a long weekend and also to avoid the crowd on the National Day on Tue. If the weather holds, they will return by Tue evening.

The world’s largest relay race took place yesterday when 33,880 registered runners ended their race@Bislett Stadium, 2mins walk from where my accommodations are for a few days before moving up to the house. Thanks for Mette’s company to yesterday’s dinner. Decided for a walk to the stadium to support and cheer in the runners on this lovely afternoon.

1. Children’s Race@Bislett Stadion ………………..1200 m

2. Bislett Stadion – Wolffs gate ……………..1140 m
3. Wolffs gate – Wilh. Færdens vei …………..600 m
4. Wilh. Færdens vei – Forskningsparken …1700 m
5. Forskningsparken – Vindern ……………..1035 m
6. Vindern – Slemdal…………………………..1300 m
7. Slemdal– Besserud …………………………1790 m
8. Besserud– Gressbanen …………………….1800 m
9. Gressbanen – Holmendammen …………….650 m
10. Holmendammen – Frognerparken………2800 m
11. Frognerparken – Nordraaksgate ……….1520 m
12. Nordraaksgate – Arno Bergs pl. …………390 m
13. Arno Bergs pl. – Camilla Collets vei ………1060 m
14. Camilla Collets vei – Maratonporten……….850 m
15. Maratonporten – finish@ Bislett Stadion…600 m
Total……………………………………………..18425 m

The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again – Erma Bombeck

13 May 2011 – Happy Bday Susannah LAM. Another Friday the 13th in Norway!

Quite a contrast here in Norway with a pop of nearly 5mil living on area of 385,252 km2 /148,746 sq mi. SIN also has the same pop of nearly 5mil (36% foreigners!) living on an area of 710.2 km2 /274.2 sq mi. Kim Beng asked if they have GRC & SMC here, answered him that… am out of the SIN acronym world. But we do have plenty of SPACE here, LOL. And yes you are all welcome to visit and stay with me (as long as I am in the house and you can be an independent tourist!) in this most beautiful and expensive country in the world… 🙂

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2011-05-11-4131184763_x.htm
Grete Waitz honored at tribute in Oslo – Marathon great Grete Waitz was remembered Wednesday as a modest champion and trailblazer for female runners at a tribute attended by hundreds of fans, sports officials and some of her former competitors… who won nine NYC Marathons between 1978-1988, more than any other runner in history and is the greatest female runner died of cancer, age 57. Condolences to her family and may she RIP. The tribute was held at Oslo’s Bislett stadium on Wed and it is just down the road from May & Bjørn’s rented apartment.

http://amylamsg.com/2010/08/13/2010-paraskevidekatriaphobics
Fri 13 Aug 2010 – comment then, it is strange to be back in a country which was also onetime my home and in many ways, still is my home in other ways!
Fri 13 May 2011 – still has that strange kind feeling whenever the plane lands here 🙂

http://amylamsg.com/2008/06/13/paraskevidekatriaphobics
Fri 13 Jun 2008 – Korsvoll

Third time being here on a Fri the 13th! since 2008. Norway has been over-blogged here with places of interest; check out pix posting under ARCHIVES from 13Jun-8Nov 2008 (about 5 months) and 13Aug-9Sep 2010 (about 1 month). Am really here this time round to tie up loose ends for the house and to welcome the 6th grandchild. If energy permits might take a hike some day somewhere…                       

Someday is not a day of the week – Author Unknown

12 May 2011 – Safe & Sound in Oslo

Tue: got to the budget terminal for breakfast in time to see the sky open up pouring cats and dogs but cleared up for the plane to take off in time. Another journey from SIN to Norway started Tue 10 May 0945hrs with TigerAirways Airbus A320/1hr flight time- S$48.

Arriving KUL 1040hrs on schedule in hazy weather but had a yummy local lunch with mango juice- S$5 and for once had some time to explore the airport. Departed KUL 1500hrs with Air Asia AirbusA340/13hrs 40mins- S$302.

Arriving STN/London Tue 10 May 2240hrs local time. Wed: Beautiful sunrise at the airport, breakfast- S$20. Departed STN 0825hrs on RyanAir Boeing 737-800/1hr 40mins- S$94 for Moss, Norway.

Wed: arrived RYG/Moss, Norway 1104hrs, local time, 20mins ahead of schedule. No train service, bus from Moss-Oslo/1hr NOK164- S$36. Snacking on a hot dog and a soda cost S$12! Appreciations to Mette for meeting me at the bus/train terminal and spending the afternoon and thanks to May & Bjørn for picking me up at the terminal. The reasons for this posting are that there have been questions as to how much would this kind of travel cost? Quite affordable with all 3 budget flights on schedule. Not a direct flight, but like everything in life, you get for what you pay! You do not even get served peanuts on any of these flights unless you pay for them 🙂

The top pix is from Oslo S, the central train and bus station. It is an arch of an old door in the old building and at present under renovation. Looking forward to see the completion.

http://amylamsg.com/2008/07/12/ckristiania/
Stortorget/Large Market is a square in the center of  Oslo. In 1736 it took over as the city’s central square after Christiania old square. Market is Oslo’s flower square and is represented in the Norwegian edition of Monopoly! On the square stands a statue of King Christian IV, where the king is pointing with his right hand: ‘Here lie the city!’. Today 2011, in good company of Mette, peeping at pigeon & sparrow bathing and watching life goes by thru’ the fountain with Oslo domkirke/Oslo Cathedral in the background…

9 May 2011 – Family Dinner

Thanks to Les & Ivy, we had a nice familydinner gathering for Mother’s Day and also to wish so long for now! Wish Lawrence & Mabel could be here too.  Clem, Sue, Pat & David represented the orange generation and Lucas for the purple generation. Imagine the size and numbers if every one of the green, orange and purple generation are living in the same city… 🙂

But for now, bye-bye SIN, heading to the land of the fjords, mid-night sun, northern Lights, Vikings and the most beautiful & expensive country to live! Just in time to celebrate their National Day, 17 May!

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_666543.html

May 9, 2011 – Car slams into Chijmes, part of roof collapses: By Leow Si Wan

A car, which was involved in an accident with a taxi, crashed into the Chijmes complex at the junction of Bras Basah road and Victoria Street on Sunday morning. —  ST Photo: Alphonsus Chern

The impact caused part of the Chijmes roof structure to collapse…

This was the old school, Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus/CHIJ where I attended and looks like the damage was to the part of the roof which is near the old orphanage and the Gate of Hope! Thank goodness no one was injured!

Hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route – François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

8 May 2011 – Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers

Sat: combined celebrations for grandnephew Andrew 4th Bday (10 May) and Mother’s Day@Vince & Ann’s place. Good to catch up with bro Steven & family (10 of them) and to meet up with Ann’s family. She has 7 siblings and most of them (except for 2 of her brothers) were present with their families. It is confusing enough to remember who everybody is but am getting there with the help of these pix! Thank you Vince & Ann who are staying in Woodlands, just across from JB/Malaysia for including me. Appreciations to her sister, Anna KOH and friend, Irene LEOW for giving me a ride back to town.

Tonight, family dinner@Les & Ivy to wish them a Happy Mother’s Day, A Happy Summer and A Happy rest of 2011! Tomorrow is the most dreaded day- to pack, seal and close up the apartment… procrastination!

You know you are getting old when it takes too much effort to procrastinate – Author Unknown

Singapore opposition make ‘landmark’ election gains

The governing party in Singapore has won all but six seats in parliamentary elections, but the opposition has made significant gains…

Lee Hsien Loong said the result would prompt some soul-searching and expressed willingness to work with lawmakers from the opposition... and let’s hope that he will keep his words and hopefully the PAP will get off their high horse!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13313695

6 May 2011 – So Sad

The below text was forwarded by another fellow SIN. Unfortunately and sadly there is much truth in it but with the other choices, it will certainly be a change and different but is it going to be better???

Hey, buddy!
Let me tell you truly
I realized lately
That I also dislike PAP
It is really a Perfectly Arrogant Party

They have turned our country
Into their company
Everything is about money
COE, COV, GST, ERP
Extraordinary charges aplenty

A tiny dot with 30 ministers drawing the world’s highest political salary
Paid millions of dollars annually
Yet they are still greedy
Always chasing after GDP
Making S’poreans live miserably

People say, S’poreans are lucky
For our country is corruption free
But when it is ruled by only one party
Can we really trust there is total honesty?
Remember, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”

Kiasu and kiasi, PAP came up with the GRC
So that more MIW can enter by the back door to become MP
Mistakes after mistakes due to incompetency and complacency
Yet there is no accountability
All because they need not answer to anybody

Only a small country but foreigners there are so many
Government welcomes any Tom, Dick or Harry
And proudly call all of them FT
Giving away PR papers so freely
Hoping they will become citizens and vote for the PAP

Companies happily tell S’poreans to accept low salary
For they have cheap foreigners available readily
FT also took away S’poreans places in the universities
Even in sports we are represented by FT
To win glory for our country shamelessly

Exploiting the government stupidity
Many foreigners become PR just to buy flats by HDB
Resale flats have sky-rocketed due to pro-foreigners policy
So high is the value of COV
That young ordinary S’poreans have delayed starting up a family

S’pore uniquely
A paradise it will be
If you have ‘guan xi’ with the PAP
Never mind you and me or how many are unhappy
Someone already told us we can always go and die in JB.

Very sadly, this is no longer my once beloved country
It is now no more than just a money making company