28 Jul 2019 – Golden Mile Complex & The Projector

Wed: tkx to Tina for her book Once Upon A Singapore…Traders and appreciations to her interest for father’s old documents&pix. Hopefully there might some interest to have them preserved so that whoever is interested will have a chance to view them. Time will tell when I get back end of the year. Glad that I can introduce her Glory, one of my favourite locations here in my hood for Popiah&NasiPadang, selfie pix-credits to Tina.

Bringing Tina’s book+these others with me to Norway&USA to share with the grandchildren, hoping that these might spark an interest from them about other cultures. Also the pack of origami paper with various flags to fold orizuru, the only problem is that the Norwegian flag is missing, must ask Aileen if she can help with printing some of that.

Golden Mile Complex for my Thai food when in this area – feels like a little Thailand there and as for durians, my preference are still for the Malaysian ones.

This is one of the few places that I can get Thai PeaEggPlant/TPEP for Thai GreenCurry which is how I like it. Will get the ready-made curry to-go, and when I get home, the TPEG get thoroughly washed and blanched before adding to the ready-made curry to let them soak overnight.

Tolkien@Projector – this movie explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This takes him into the outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear the “fellowship” apart. All of these experiences would inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-Earth novels – Fox Searchlight Pictures. Enjoyed Tolkien’s Hobbit during my teenage years, must re-read it again. Nice surprised to bump into KarenH&friends. Been some years (2013?) ago since I first met her@cousin Karen’s.

https://amylamsg.com/2013/02/12/welcome-year-of-the-snake/

Thu: this poster says it all for today’s mood! So will counter-act with this other one!! If unable to blame on anyone will then blame it to the thoughts of packing and the closing of my 4-walls for this time round!!! Those who know me also know how I dread packing…

Fri: TGIF and a good weekend to all – HKG family&friends, be safe. Was a year ago@Kabuke, wanted to see what a year can do – still satisfied with the beef-bowl, but was out of what KK wanted as we had a late lunch. Dessert&coffee@PS Cafe just up the hill where my favourite of the PS Cafe is located – last time here was 4yrs ago with AudreyM, the buah cherry/Aratiles/Sarisa&Rambutan trees are no longer. 3above pix downloaded.

Dropped by to CC to say so long for this time round, but left with a splitting headache. The heat takes much out of me nowadays – a nap helped.

https://amylamsg.com/2018/02/04/the-greatest-showman/

https://amylamsg.com/2015/07/30/the-orange-generation/

Sat: again a diversion with the buses making N Bridge Rd a bus-chain. Like the tunnel@the underpass along the river towards another trip to ACM (Seniors/FOC) for a closer look to details after only a run-thru’ trip to take pix over a week ago,

but more to catch up with niece Daisy, tkx for lunch and an early Christmas gift.

What a coincidence – small world, bumped into Henrietta&Francis who are escaping the protests in HKG. Had a great evening in company of Tina, Victor&Ernest trying to start a LAM TinYue, thus hoping to save father’s old docs&pix, appreciations for their interest. Looking forward to meeting up again in Nov.

Strangely enough, this was what I wrote in my journal when I first returned here to work 20yrs ago – the happy ending is how most ppl would like the story to end, but it is only the beginning of the end! Returning back to my roots after living away for nearly half a century to break the spell – the spell with the illusions of love.

Once you have learned to love, you will have learned to live…

Sun: forgot about the Merdeka Generation Roadshow@Marine Terrace today, but enjoyed a good lunch there@block59 for less than S$10 with Clement. It’ll be awhile before a meal like this again! S$100-PAssion Silver Card top-up was done a few days ago, and that should last me for the rest of the year when I get back.

Appreciations to AudreyW for passing on a tiny bottle of OliveOil made with olives from Sicily to Jamie&Giovanni@The Terminal Cafe Lounge. Tasted this in Mar when in HI and liked it. Since Giovanni is from Sicily, wanted his verdict of it.

Another yummy seafood Sun-dinner@Les&Ivy, tkx to Albert for getting all these fresh local shellfish from his sources – big clams&cockles/seehum, flower-crabs, Barracuda-fishhead.

Received very sad news from Norway tonight and will be heading there tomorrow as planned…

https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/2019/07/27/norwegian-runner-dies-after-being-struck-by-lightning-during-mountain-race-in-italy

24 July 2019 – Sunday Family Dinner

Sat: forgot about the NDP rehearsals around the Padang area and bus196 to Clement@Bukit Merah which would normally take about 45mins took 1+hr! Had a headache after the ride thru’ Geylang, Kallang, N Bridge Rd, etc before rejoining the normal route. Maps downloaded.

Last portion of gravlaks for this season before closing down the 4-walls with a very heavy heart. Appreciations to Les&Ivy for noddle-dinner.

Been a long while since last@Alliance Française de Singapour – an evening with a dark comic play by Martin McDonagh set on Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands off the Galway coast – The Cripple of Inishmaan directed by Ciarán Mullally. Felt like I was back in Ireland trying to understand the strong country-accent, used to love the Aran-knits sweaters.

Brought back fond memories of the holiday country-driving in that area. Les was telling us how he and our cousin Lock nearly drowned swimming off one of the Islands there.

Great play from the same Irish guy that gave us the Oscar winner Three billboards outside Ebbing Missouri. What a talent – loved both of them – Paul Connolly 

Sun: not a good night sleep last night, the mind is having difficulties focusing. Les&Ivy made my day with a bottle of Dom which complimented a scrumptious fresh shellfish family dinner of mussels (made with KerryGold butter+champagne) and GongGong/L canarium. Malay common names siput GongGong=snail, and GongGong is an onomatopoetic word for a dog’s bark or how, thus DogConch – both prepared to perfection by bro Les.

To top it all, durians for dessert!

Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne! – Winston Churchill

Mon: a day to chill out catching up with news and sad to see what is happening in HKG. To all my family&friends there, plx be safe.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3019524/least-10-injured-baton-wielding-mob-suspected-triad

Tue: Happy Birthdays #5 who turns 8 and is somewhere up in the mountains in Norway with his immediate&Norwegian family. Looks like he will soon get his permanent 2front teeth, so better share that big bar of Freia chocolate with his siblings. Pix credits to Linn. While Linn&fam are in Norway, May&fam are in France catching up with Dike&Mark who are celebrating their 20Anniversary there. Glad that they all managed to meet up even across the oceans.

And to grand-nephew Lucas who turns 12. Too tired to attend the family dinner after a morning movie and running around town for the afternoon.

The Professor and the Mad Man – is a true tale of madness, genius, and obsession about 2men who created history with the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary. The compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary began in 1857 and was one of the most ambitious, and revolutionary projects ever undertaken. Prof Murray took on the challenge of creating the most comprehensive dictionary ever compiled, but knew that it would take him and his team over a century to compile all known definitions.

However, by “crowd sourcing” the work, that is, by enlisting definitions from people all over the world, the dictionary could be compiled in mere decades. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Prof Murray, discovered that one man, Dr Minor, had submitted more than 10,000words. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was a convicted murderer and being held at an asylum for the criminally insane.

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness ― Aristotle

Reveiw&pix downloaded.

20 Jul 2019 – For Crossing This Life’s Journey 

Wed: @ACM for Guo Pei 郭培 born 1967 Chinese fashion designer, best known for designing dresses for Chinese celebrities,

and in the US for Rihanna’s trailing yellow gown at the 2015Met Ball

Chinese Art and Couture historical and contemporary Chinese design, juxtaposing embroidered masterworks by China’s foremost couturière with Chinese artworks. 

Dramatic, sculptural gowns reflect influences from growing up in Beijing surrounded by Chinese imperial art and mythology.

Her creations express her personal take on contemporary fashion and aesthetics. 

Exploring her impact on everyday lives beyond the runway, the exhibition presents several of her intricate Chinese bridal gowns 

contemplation on how her references and re-imagines Chinese art and tradition for China and the world today.

Had  to see these 29 stunningly intricate embroidered masterworks before I take off as the exhibition will be over in Sep while I am still away. All pix taken@ACM by me with the 2 downloaded of Rihanna’s. Somehow all these remind me of Perankan designs, absolutely&amazingly beautiful and a feast to the eyes, but it does not mean that I want them.

Free full-house lunchtime concert with JoshuaTan conducting the SSO@VCH. It’s been while since I last heard the SSO performed and was surprisingly impressed as to how good they are and have come a long way to reach up to world standards.

A cheerful&lively programme, especially with Tea for Two (Tahiti Trot) by Vincent Youmane 1898-1946/arr. Shostakovich. Liked how the harp&triangle communicated with each other. The Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop by Hans C Lumbye (1810-1874) really made me feel like I was on the train. Tkx AudreyM for company and making my day.

Back (was there just yesterday!) to Funan for lunch@AFURI 阿夫利 Both Audrey&I had their signature dish, except that hers was spicy – tasty soup without MSG.

Thu: had to take this day to sort out the words in the mind so as to be as clear as possible, and not to confuse, mislead or misunderstood. 5-emails – HDB, NEA, MPTC, MunShengAC, and my lawyer have been sent and hopefully the situation will finally resolved after 3yrs!

https://amylamsg.com/2019/07/18/ac-issues-with-hdb/

Fri: TGIF – a good weekend to all. Happy 22nd Anniversary to L&J who are now in Norway visiting their Norwegian family – pix of all 6grandkids with their paternal great-grandmother, Ellen&grandfather, JohnK – credits to Linn.

Another location down the 1950s memory-lane where mother used to do her grocery here in this wet-market. Across the road from the yellow flowering tree, there used to a push-cart prawn noodles guy and we used to sit on the tiny wooden stools enjoying our noodles.

Today’s scene is nothing like what it was, but still do enjoy the varieties of both the market downstairs and the food upstairs – one of my favourites of this kind of market, except that the life-music could have lowered the volume!

Annual get together with Pat, Sim&Cheng. The TowKwarPop, started by 2 brothers in 1965 has been around for more than 50yrs since then – both the coffee and this TowKwarPop stall here are highly recommended.

Looking at the line@Hong-Heng Fried-Sotong-Prawn-Mee must be good too, that is usually how we judge the food of the stalls – next time round…

From the LAM TinYue branch, the eldest of the Orange-Generation LAM JenMun, nephew turned 60 last month and since I am into my last 6months in my 60s, time to catch up before heading off. Amazing that both Mun&wifeSK do not look like in their 60s!!! Can see both father&broKiong in him.

Appreciations to Mun&SK for dinner in Ichiban Boshi@United Square. Was so busy catching up as it has been many moons ago I last saw them. Forgot to take pix of food until we were finished, and judging that every morsel is gone (except scraps of chicken bones) must have been good!

Food pix taken from the display&menu later!

Long day but feeling totally blessed to have children, grandkids, nieces&nephews who make me feel proud to be their mom, mormor, auntie, grand-auntie and hopefully not to far in the distance, great-grand auntie. Appreciations&grateful for the Orange&Purple Generations. The new generation will be the BrownGeneration and hopefully will still be to witness the arrival of the new generation.

Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude ― AA Milne/Winnie-the-Pooh

18 July 2019 – 46 Marine Crescent 07-54

Tue 16Jul 2019 05.30hrs: normally I do not hear or notice anything as the AC+my radio are on, but this fated morning I thought it was raining, and as it turned out, somewhere from the upper levels their ACs were dripping on to my AC.

This is not a complain, just a statement of observation and it does not bother me, perhaps that is why I never noticed it. Did not have the AC or the radio on all night to keep the condenser cool so that workmen can install the tray this morning.

If this did not happened this morning, would have just let it be, but since it did, the ethical&decent thing to do is by writing to the necessary parties to inform them of the situation so that some one else in a similar situation will not have to go thru’ these harassment.

Even when my AC has condensation, which are normal for ACs, so the ACs above mine must also be having condensation. Somehow the neighbour ‘below me’ has chosen to misuse her position just because she works for HBD, and being just ‘above her’ she took it for granted that it is only my AC with the problem. If only she was one of the neighbours from the recent case to Neighbour From Hell – 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/neighbour-from-hell-drove-6-families-away

Am in SIN usually during the winter months and the flat is closed&covered and not in used during my absence. When I am back, the AC maintenance ppl are always here to check&service and they have ensured me time and again that my ACs like all ACs have normal condensation.

Appreciations to the people from Mun Sheng Airconditioning & Engineering Pte Ltd especially Louis who are always so professional and prompt at fixing&servicing my AC when necessary.

A tray is now installed with connections diverting any water back to my bathroom. Will need to inconvenience someone to monitor that it does not get congested and overflow from the tray during my absence.

https://amylamsg.com/2016/04/18/hot-hot-hot/

https://amylamsg.com/2019/05/09/hot-hot-hot-again/

If names etc. are needed for future references, all the correspondences+pix from 2016 explaining the situation then, and again now in 2019 are available upon request. (see above blog links). I will be away end of July-Nov, but was told that if another letter of complain has to be mailed out, there will then be legal actions.

Thus the tray has been installed, but this is not the end as I will be back end of the year and it is a serious matter when threatened with legal actions, especially when research&work on your side have NOT been done properly&thoroughly.

Before you send another letter of complain again, check thoroughly that you can guarantee me that there are absolutely NO condensation and dripping ACs from the 8th-12th floors too.

17 Jul 2019 – Nasi Ulam/Malaysia Mix Herb Rice

First time tasted Nasi Ulam – https://amylamsg.com/2014/05/29/nasi-ulam/

Experimenting – https://amylamsg.com/2014/06/12/tropical-herbs/

More trails&errors – http://amylamsg.com/2014/10/12/happy-belly/

Getting better – http://amylamsg.com/2016/12/12/ringing-in-the-holidays/

Mon: now I know better – could not find torch ginger-flower/bunga kantan anywhere, believe me as I was at my local wet-market, GeylngSerai, Little India, so had to do without it, but I DO taste the difference. Will not make it again without the flower or anything lacking from this pix! Safe journeys to Richard&Judy and looking forward to our next get-together with HS, but will not make NasiUlam.

Tue: a separate posting titled AC Issues With HDB will be necessary as I might need it for reference. Now that my AC has a tray underneath it, that also means that it has to be checked into during my absence – such a nuisance to have to bother ppl.  Appreciations to the people from Mun Sheng Airconditioning & Engineering Pte Ltd, especially Louis who is always so professional and prompt at fixing&servicing my AC when necessary.

http://munshengaircon.webstarts.com/

Funan Mall after revamp with 6 retail floors, urban farm, but lost count of the eateries – like the vertical gardens facing ColemanSt.

Interesting use of space and seems like climbing is the in-thing with a climbing walls and another climbing place in this one location. And no I did not see anyone riding their bicycles here today. There are some bicycle shops, including Brompton and this other bicycle-tables@KopiTech, a new twist for Kopitiam.

Happy to be able to use my KopitiamCard (10%savings) here.

Quite understandable that Ivan is upset for the delay of the opening of Wild Rice. Will have to wait till the end of the year to visit this theater and the modern Perankan Godmama. At least GV is opened for shows, but not sure if time will permit for a movie here.

Urban Farm on the roof-garden.

View from the roof-garden and this is the first time I managed to get a full shot of the Supreme-Court.

It is a nice contrast crossing the overpass link-bridge on HIll St. Like the old colonial style of  The Central FireStation (now the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, ) and the Old Hill Street PoliceStation ( now Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA).

All these chickens+the rooster were just by the fire station, so why did the chicken cross the road? To get BBQ by the firemen – hahaha

Somehow my mind was not too focus for this talk, but was there to understand as much as my mind could take and whatever I got out of it was the oral history is subjective.

How do we write an authentic history of individuals&groups who have left few, if any, records; and how do we bring out the everyday lives of the people? Given that many immigrants were illiterate. This posed enormous challenges – Peter Rimmer

Lovely walk on this beautiful full-moon evening by St Andrew’s Cathedral.

Looks like they are rehearsing for the NDP (NationalDayParade which will be 9Aug) with loads of barricades around the Padang area up to the Civilian War Memorial.

This youtube is with thoughts to all my family&friends, specially for Katy, Ellie, John, Sophie, James&Olai who are all together in Norway now.

14 Jul 2019 – Happy Bastille Day

Fri: the 2nd letter regarding my AC arrived and an appointment to fix the problem has been arranged for next week. Let’s hope that complaining neighbour underneath me will find peace for her prayer-mat! In the meanwhile, got a charger and literally charging my batteries and energy in every way possible. Does anyone know where to discard of old batteries?

Korean movie Parasite: this black humour storytelling captivates the dissection of class struggles. Somehow what the drunk Chung-sook said – If I was rich, I would be nice too. Money is an iron; it smoothes out all the wrinkles caught my attention.

Kind of brought back what a friend once told me – of course he is nice, who would not be if they have things their way! Anyway an interesting movie which started off fine, but it got too violent for me towards the end.

Sat: from a local food-centre scene in my hood and looks like they are ready for the National Day Celebrations even-though it is not until 9Aug.

Who says that flower-power is no longer has not been here where ppl are enjoying&making the best out of their day and hope that y’all are doing the same!

The wet market usually has a good variety of fresh produce in the early hours of the weekend and it is only in these local wet markets that I can find the local fresh herbs for local cooking.

All those herbs and the banana leaf for S$3, sunflowers were so delightfully fresh&cheerful looking that I had to get them S$5 for 2.

Lunched@One Bowl Restaurant located just behind the lobby of The Sultan Hotel on Jalan Sultan is where you can find home-style cooking in a restaurant without MSG – a place I would not mind going back to.

CharSiew Noodles with springy noodles giving it some oomph&texture; NgorHiang; ChapChye– a mixed vegetable stew must be one of the better ChapChye I have had. Was happy with these 3dishes. The food looks pretty much as what you see on the menu, tastefully presented.

Hot slow stroll down from JalanSultan with a new building CityGate Condo to Fika/BeachRd for dessert. Passing HajiLane which is always bursting with life and pack with ppl, a place I try to avoid going to.

Sun: Happy Bastille Day to those celebrating, Has it really been 7yrs ago since my last trip to France? Happy Bday to Keith in France.

Nice to bump into Philip in the hood – some of his artworks that caught my attention the past few years.

The Simplicius Cheong Quartet Pays Tribute to Legends – Quartet is made up of Simplicius Cheong (arranger, composer and piano), Rit Xu (flute), Ben Poh (bass) and Tama Goh (drums).

Congratulations and all the best to Rit who has won his 2yrs scholarship to NY/USA.

Appreciations for a relaxing enjoyable afternoon with a delightful program@Esplanade Concourse with Audrey, Leonard, Pat, Angela, Lucy&Betty

16 00 – 16.40 Hits by Doris Day
17.00 – 17.40 The Music of André Previn
18.00 – 18.40 The Music Of Michel Legrand

Que será, será
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que será, será
What will be, will be – Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

11 July 2019 – A Granny-Spy

Mon: appreciations to Gel&Yusoff Abdul Latiff with his lovely sketch about what I thought yesterday was a ruin, but was a Bali gateway probably erected by a Bali-themed restaurant cafe (Little Bali) that was demolished nearby. During its heyday the restaurant setting was well-landscaped like in Bali. I think they even brought in volcanic soil and lots of heliconia and water features. We painted there several times. We felt like in Bali. Its a pity that the landscaping was demolished when the cafe closed and the whole of Gilman Barracks was revamped.

I knew it reminded me of somewhere recently and checked my previous postings, of course, the new Sang Nila Utama Garden@FortCanning. That goes to show how recent memory goes faster that memory from 50-60yrs ago!!

https://amylamsg.com/2019/06/05/hello-jun-2019/

Tue: feeling lost (like the sculpture of VanGogh by Catalano in the lobby!) trying to find my way to the PostOffice@Ion. Got side-tracked@OperaGallery as the guard looked so real that I had to in and check him out! Am glad I went in as there are two Chagall (one of my favourite painters of that era) paintings inside. No photography allowed inside…

SIN Straits Emporium/underpass from OrchardMRT-Tangs,

https://amylamsg.com/2014/07/10/ode-to-durians/

amazing place with all kind of goodies made from durian except the real fruit, I wonder why?? 🙂 No did not buy any as my preference for durians are the fresh fruits, and at present staying away from them as I am coughing till my diaphragm hurts.

The Penang trip was the 1st time I tasted RedPrawn/Hong Xia, Ang Hay – sticky with a sweet aftertaste, from the states of Pahang&Johor/Malaysia.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hail-the-king-of-fruit-10-types-of-durians-from-malaysia

Welcome back to SIN Richard&Judy from Sydney. Good to catch up with them both+HS, childhood family friends from the 1950s-60s.

Food Republic, ShawCentre/Scotts enjoying our get together and as usual, much to talk about and too much eat on our annual meeting. There is a decent selection of food here, especially their WarungPadang. Was not hungry then, but after the movies had Assam fish+2sorts of veggie (S$8+).

Movie Red Joan@Lido – inspired by an extraordinary true story and unlike the Rotten Tomatoes+others’ reviews, personally I thought it a brilliant movie. Based loosely on real life granny spy Melita Norwood, (1912-2005) and what was so intriguing was that my thoughts in the beginning of the movie were completely changed at the end of it. Highly recommended.

It got me to reflect&rethink at what price does one have to go thru’ for idealism and the balance of peace, even if&when treason may play a part in it?

I did what I did, not to make money, but to help prevent the defeat of a new system which had, at great cost, given ordinary people food and fares which they could afford, a good education and a health service – Melita Norwood

https://spartacus-educational.com/Melita_Norwood.htm

Wed: reading The Hills of SIN where Farnham draws on the real-life historical personalities of the time, mixing fact and fiction to paint a rich portrait of love and loss in mid-nineteenth century SIN, at a time when triads, piracy and crime were rife and life in colonial SE Asia was anything but safe.

Interesting read about SIN&KCH then, both locations that are close&familiar to me. Need some time away from reality to stay sane and to calm the nerves&stress before heading back to the Western world.

Everything wise and true and old was Chinese, but everything new, everything useful for commerce, came from the West…

Thu: neighbour downstairs (6floor) is again complaining about the AC and seeming she is also complaining about her downstairs neighbour (5floor) that their AC is blowing too much cold-air up on her floor and she is unable to find a spot to kneel for a her prayers!

Another complain letter (2nd) will be in my mail, so will have to find a solution – if a 3rd letter has to be sent out, there will be legal actions!!

Appreciations to Gel for dropping by and updating her visions for vOOk. The very best to her and her new ventures.

7 Jul 2019 – Lunch&Dinner

Thu: unpacking the few things bought in Penang – soaps looking&smelling like they are good enough to eat, coconut candies (both the soft chewy&hard ones) and an attractive irresistible tiny goldfish pewter I could not take my eyes off just before leaving the hotel for the airport!

Marking 4th July over time – 2005 on the AT/USA, 2013 in OSL/Norway, 2015&2018 SC/ USA. Happy 4th to all celebrating. Appreciations for dinner@Jo’s.

Tamil movie House Owner – the story revolves around a rainy day in the lives of an elderly couple who has made Chennai their home since quite some time. Vasu, who has retired from the Army, has been suffering from Alzheimer’s and Radha has a tough time dealing with her husband’s adamant and child-like behaviour. Somehow, it was a touching movie in some ways and sad in another ways, ie too close to home!

Do not think I have ever been to this cinema@Carnival Shaw Tower on Beach Rd, which shows mainly Indian moves – and if I have, it must have been under another name!

Fri: TGIF this beautiful flower tree is blooming outside my 7floor kitchen window and it is absolutely magnificent. I remember it a tiny tree 20yrs ago when I moved here, before the parking garage with a roof-top garden was built (2005).

Auditioning as a grandma for some NTUC-film. Keeping my fingers crossed this time round. Trying something new when the opportunity arises is a good way to live life!

Appreciations to HS&friends for a lovely Fri evening of Standing on the Shoulders of Giants with a delightful&entertaining program@VCH. Cellist Qin Li-Wei’s performance was outstanding. Supper@our usual Vietnamese joint, LongPhung, JooChiatRd

Sat: after 1hr+bus+MRT+bus, had a few minutes for a cuppa@BukitBatok market and to check out the area before heading on to the Church of St Mary of the Angels (church pix downloaded).

Aileen, the mother of the bride glowing radiantly as she gives instructions to her soon to be son-in-law, Amber. Also spending some moments with her youngest, Chloe and husband, Alan before they give blessings to their eldest girl’s Alex and before being parents-in-law!

Jeremy, their dashing first-born is busy checking that things are going smoothly. Yulis&family in time before we got seated. Where has all these years gone??? Aileen, Yulis&I met when we worked together 20yrs ago@H&H, then in MarinaHouse/ShentonWay (next to MSAbuilding)

Yulis&Chiew have 2 lovely girls, Sophie(5)&Frances(2mo) dressed alike just like what I did to L&M who are also nearly 5yrs apart, Sophie is the cutest 5yrs with me today. Somehow we were accidentally placed on the groom-side, but it was good as we could see Aileen&family clearly.

The charming couple were blessed by their parents as they both vowed to love&honour each other the rest of their life. Congratulations to the new Mr&Mrs Teo and the very best to their life ahead.

Father of the bride sang beautifully and gave a touching speed as to how he will miss that good-night kiss. Lovely reception with yummy food and had a bite of everything and ate every morsel. Good to catch up with Peggy, Carol, Dennis, Aisha, old H&H faces.

Alex’s stunning bridal gown was tailor-designed with different layers of elegant white lace and really befitting to her graceful&innocent personality. It was cute to see Sophie so taken in with the bride that it reminded me how Olai was to his cousin Ellie during Linn’s 40thBday in 2014.

And it is not over yet until the dinner tomorrow night.

Sun: Gillman Barracks former British Army barracks, the cluster of buildings now play host to an eclectic mix of Art. The last time here was in 2016 for Steve McCurry’s ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’.

https://amylamsg.com/2016/01/23/gillman-barracks/

Took a few mins today to walk around the area to only discover this ruin this time round.

Fully restored classic black & white bungalow built in 1935 by the British Army and surrounded by greenery, Masons has a unique colonial charm with good food.

I like the idea of a small portions so that there is room to taste everything and again ate every bit.

Too many ppl to get decent shots tonight and there are many profession photographers who will no doubt put together a good wedding album. Nice wedding cake.

Aileen’s mother, brother&his family+her 2best friends Patricia&Michelle, godmothers to her children on the same table. Managed to get a quick shot while the wedding couple&their parents were posing. The missing girlfriend of Jeremy’s as she was could not attend yesterday’s ceremony. Looking forward for them to tie their knots too! These kids are fortunate to have good examples&roles to learn from.

Blessed to be including in these joyous ceremonies and meeting with her family&friends after hearing&listening about them for 20yrs! Congratulations to Aileen&Alan who have raised a lovely family. The secret to a long-lasting marriage is to fall in love many times, always with the same person.

3 Jul 2019 – Byebye Jun Hello Jul

Fri: TGIF on this lovey early morning. Besides a robot cleaner, also bumped into Sharon@T2 who is flying on the same plane as us to Penang! Byebye SIN for now.

Safe&sound in Penang, delighted to catch up with nephew John&Fran+WanAnn (flatmate&friend from Dublin school days) for the most scrumptious plate of Penang ChowKuehTeow on Jalan DatokKeramat.

Can’t seem to get enough of this beautiful magnificent huge tree@ShangriLa RasaSayang Resort where we will be for the next 4nights.

How to holiday in style, tkx to Les.

Decent Hainanese home-cook style dinner around the corner from the resort – quite a contrast from our accommodations.

3UCD medical grads Les&Ivy+WanAnn whose cousin, SiewLing, also another doctor, but from Trinity. Left Dublin by the time he arrived in 1975, thus my first meeting with him here, and of course in an Irish-Pub for a pint. Never enjoyed these crowded noisy pub-scene even in my youth, and less so now, yes, up in age but not yet deaf!

Said hi to all in the pub and took a slow away from the noise, but within the mall. Unlike SIN, do not feel that safe wondering about in Malaysia.

Sat: up bright&early to check out the breakfast-spread which has a good decent selection but only took just a few pix, more interested in the street-food.

Had a cup of coffee&some fruits as I wanted to spend the day with Chon&Fran who I hardly get to see!

A personal tour on wheels for today – along Gurney Dr and Esplanade Rd, City&Town Halls, Fort Cornwalls.

Interesting overhead bridge, road sign and round-about – could not have guess what is on top of this around-about, can you?

On to the famous Penang-Street-Food – starting with PrawnMee, a broth to die for. The owner has been selling this dish since age 17 and now he is into his 70-80s.

Ernest Zacharevic’s The children on the bicycle on Armenian Street is one of the most famous murals and done in 2012, it is one of the 1st street art here.  Old Chinese Temple, Acheen St Mosque, St. George’s AnglicanChurch.

A snack@Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee 鸿记(廣式) 竹昇云吞面Campbell Street before more touring, mee here looks good but no space for a full meal. The line was for TohSoon Cafe 多春茶室, thank goodness as the heat was quite unbearable to be standing in line!

Re-visit to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Those who remember The Little Nyonya 小娘惹, a SIN 2008 drama serial, might recognize some of the scenes filmed here. Again the ornate architecture and interior never fail to fascinate me.

https://amylamsg.com/2013/05/19/the-island-of-penang/

Fried oysters were OK, but not my favourite. The other dish LokBak is new to me, tasty and so was this 3LayersT, highly recommended.

Like this painting of the location.

ChinaHouse – 3Heritage shop-houses linked by an open-air courtyard converted into many spaces –

comprising of shops, cafes, restaurant, galleries and bakery with 80varieties of baked goods!

Qu’ils mangent de la brioche

Appreciations to SiewLay&Elise for dinner@BeachCorner. Elise told the story as to how& why their daughter chose to work in SIN. She offered jobs both in KL&SIN some years ago and decided for in KL at first. When she was there to sort out matters, was then pick-pocketed and after that she decided to accept the job in SIN and has been there ever since.

SpringRolls, Duck with Yam, AssamFish

Fried Chicken, Squid, local crabs, fresh ingredients and very tasty.

Sun: lunch@BayviewHotel and what a good idea with that dome to keep food warm as well as nice presentation.

It was a lovely Conferring Ceremony for this 2019Class. Congratulations to all.

Good to see Drs Manning&Halpin (UCDs Chancellor&Registrar) again. The last time we met was when Les received an NUI Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medicine/honoris causa.

https://amylamsg.com/2014/06/20/degree-of-doctor-or-medicine/

Last night’s dinner was good enough for another night at the same location, but with a few change of dishes. So thrilled&pleased with this, must be the best sunset shot I will ever capture. A case of being in the right place at the right time. Alone we walk striving to understand the meaning of the small role we play in this magnificent creation – tkx to MichaelBrown’s comment.

Mon: back to PrawnMee for Les&Ivy to try and was lucky enough to get his few last bowls. So it was meant to be…

Food shopping and here Ivy&Fran managed to fight the crowds and got what they wanted hahaha while Les sat outside, Chon on the phone outside and I taking pix outside lol.

Standing on a hilltop at Air-Itam, near PenangHill, KekLokSi is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. You can also get a great view of the town from there. The clouds might have looked threatening here, but only got a few drops of rain.

Market in Air-Itam

Have never been a fan of Penang-Laksa until I tasted this and could not get enough of the broth which complimented the rosella drink with a delicious fruit to finish this lunch. For my oversea friends – Laksa is a spicy noodle soup popular in Peranakan cuisine of SE Asia, and it will take me a day to list out the various varieties of Laksa!!! Safe journeys to Chon&Fran who will be flying off after lunch. Good to have caught up.

Cheong FattTze張弼士Mansion now a boutique hotel won the prestigious UNESCO Conservation&Heritage award in 2000. 1+hrs was not enough time to see this amazing mansion, would have liked to have spent a day there!

Wooden-craved partition and the tile flooring are originals from the end of the 19th century.

The mahjong scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians+many more movies were filmed here.

Cheong FattTze first introduced grape vineyards in China’s Shandong province, and later brought in Austrian wine-producing experts to improve the ChangYu vineyard in Yantai, Shandong, so the Ingido Bar has quite rightly found a place here.

Twenty Ways You Can Tell You Have Asian Parents. Number one on the list: Your parents never, ever call you just to say hello ― Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians

Tkx Kat for catching up with us and for yummy RedPrawn durians at her lovely house.  First bite for this particular kind of durina and a definite die die must have again!  Dinner was scrumptious at Kat’s neighbourhood, especially the fish&eggplants for me.

Tue: thank you and byebye Penang. Hello SIN – back safe&sound after a smooth uneventful 1+hr flight. Took 6 travalators! (I counted) to get from the gate-immigration, thank goodness the wheelchair was waiting for Ivy upon arrival. Appreciations to Les&Ivy for this delightful trip and it is easy to get used to this style of travelling, but alas the travel from now until Nov will be of a completely different category!

Wed: always content to be back to familiarity until Familiarity Breeds Contempt and then again time to move on, the whole secret to the balance of life…

4 Jul – Happy 4th
14 Jul – Happy Bday Keith and Happy Bastille Day/France
17 Jul – Happy Bday Nancy Bowman
19 Jul – Happy 22nd Anniversary Linn&Jeff
20 Jul – Happy Bday David Yeoh
21 Jul – Happy Bday Albert Chua
22 Jun – Happy Anniversary Dike&Mark
23 Jun – Happy Bdays Lucas&James