13 Feb 2017 – Yuánxiāo Jié

TGIF – arr into IST on schedule and this time round, hardly any lines at the International transit security.

This colourful display@Hermès caught my attention. Having an idea about the prices of this pace, did not even attempt to set foot there!

Went back to the store where I was at 3weeks ago and bought some small gifts, including a bottle of honey for me. The last 1kg NZ Manuka Honey from cousins WK&SG Chen in NZ lasted 2yrs+ still more to last me another month. Let’s see how long this 450gm Turkish Organic Creamer Flower Honey will last?

Bought the first evil eye in IST 1967, and still find them fascinating now, so bought more. This blue evil eye in Turkey is used as protection against bad luck. The charm hangs in homes, business and shops and is a popular souvenir. Believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury. Talismans created to protect against the evil eye are also frequently called evil eyes.

IST-SIN: full flight and did not get much rest. Back in SIN on time and in time to be welcomed by Lion Dancers – CNY dinner hosted by MT Walk. Did have the chance to wish Mr Goh a Happy New Year! Good to hear and see that ppl were merry making. Living in HBD estates have their advantages, everything was cleaned and quiet by 2230hrs.

Sat: Yuánxiāo Jié 元宵节 (Lantern Festival), but more known as Chap Goh Meh 恭祝大家元宵节快乐 here – today is the full-moon of the first lunar month, and thus marks the ending of the 15-day Lunar/CNY celebrations.

Tkx to cousin Karen for a scrumptious lunch where auntie Ngor is an excellent cook and has pass the skill to her daughter. Their KCH Laksa is as yummy as ever. Good to be able to catch up with auntie Ngor but sad to see uncle Quan deteriorating who does not know or recognize me.

Julie dropped by to pick up OSL map and info booklet. Had a simple supper outside@the breezy common corridor with the full moon slowly but surely showing her face on this beautiful night. Good night everybody and good night Moon.

Sun: good of Clem to meet up for a tea. Tkx to Kat&Greg for a delicious dinner (Bacon-wrapped Pistachio Lamb and beef) and to Albert for the ham.

According to Kat, this was the lamb dish Greg made for her the first time he cooked for her. Can already see theirs will be a tasteful savoury marriage 🙂 Been a long while since sooo much meat was consumed!

Great to catch up with Les&Ivy (proud grandparents of 3grand-daughters), May&Albert+Kiera, Kat&Greg+Devon&Eliot. It is such a seldom time when a whole family pix with any of my siblings can be captured. Today’s total for the Purple Generation in LAM TinYue’s branch is 24, the eldest, KeeYang (1989) and the youngest Eliot (2016)

Found a pix of Greg&Devon in a sling from 2012 NY/USA visit. Here 2017 with Eliot but no sling – he definitely has the father’s whisper 🙂 🙂

The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity – Jean Paul Richter