30 Jun 2022 – Areas F-H

Tue: do wonder what these leaf will look like when they are fully opened? In the meanwhile enjoying the unusual folded moments and looking forward to seeing them when they are ready to unfold.

Though we see the same world, we see it through different eyes. Any help we can give you must be different from that you can give yourselves, and perhaps the value of that help may lie in the fact of that difference – Author: Virginia Woolf

Not sure why I am feeling so out of myself, perhaps due to the after or side effects being infected with Covid? A long overdue haircutS$10 helped with cooling down the neck area, but the head is still on the heavy side! Some colourful Bday motif pix to share and if only I could bake such a cake like ErinHH. Appreciations to all concerning FB-friends for their kind comments.

Would have liked to be sitting in this cafe in Lisbon/Portugal for a cuppa, tkx to PaulC for the share. Or being in this tree-house in Castlecomer/Ireland (pix credits to AnnetteK from Australia who is visiting Mario).

Or in Tromsø/Northern Norway with the mid-night despite of memories of having the need of black-out curtains – pix credits to EllenB. Some of my favourite pix from FB-friends – tkx to all who permitted me to live vicariously thru’ their wonderful moments around the world. Not sure when I can feel comfortable to travel overseas again? Still have more tests and follow-up appts@SGH in Jul&Aug.

We arrived at Dublin airport 4 hours ahead of our flight (as advised by hotel, cab drivers, etc), and got through to the gate in time for scheduled departure. The airport was a zoo with multiple flights cancelled (200 by Aer Linguas alone) the day before due to lack of ground staff, flight crews, etc) – and the summer peak season isn’t till July/August! Our flight was then delayed for over an hour (not cancelled this time, thank goodness), and then we ended up sitting on the tarmac upon arrival at Newark for over 30 mins waiting for a gate (and staff to manage it) to open up. Many people missed connections but we were lucky and arrived home at midnight after travelling for nearly 20 hours (from Dublin!!!). Could have gone to Australia in less time!

Words of advice. Flying internationally (to UK/Europe, anyway) right now is not for the faint-hearted, the immuno-compromised, or the impatient. If you really have to, take only hand luggage (which you may not get to keep with you as not enough room in overhead bins) and two days supply of “necessities” in a small piece of hand luggage that you can keep with you under the seat when your carryon luggage is taken from you. You can always buy other necessities (Ann and Rita had a ball in Marks & Spencers in Edinburgh) if your luggage is lost for more than a couple of days!

In spite of all, Ann and I made the best of our “covid break” and took miles of solitary walks in and around Dublin, seeing things we wouldn’t have otherwise. Thank goodness we had each other!! Rita never got Covid, in spite of having shared a room with Ann, and managed to meet up with her friend in Denmark. She is now en route home, but like Ann and I on our return trip, is dealing with delayed/cancelled flights and possible missed connections.

Wed: up dark&early to hopefully walk off this heavy head, also to check out where would be the good spot for a family&friends get-together picnic@EC-Pk. Looks like there are some ongoing construction works at AreaF, still possible to find a spot near the Bougainvillea-Gardens but not sure if it is a good idea?

AreaG does not have convenient carparks or public restrooms and much of this area is fenced off by OutwardBound

AreaH opp the NationalServiceResort&CountryClub is an ideal nice spot and far from the maddening crowd, but not sure how this will work out for others. Will need to get some feedback over the next 2weeks before confirming the exact location.

Can park, use the restrooms and also if needed food can be taken away or eat at the NSRCC, Stella, Ray’sBeachHouse, BellyViewZiChar but not sure how accommodating or welcoming these locations will be on a crowded Sunday without reservations? The head seems lighter after walking for 4+hrs, stopped once for a toilet-break and other short stops to take pix, so getting back into the dark&early walks may be the key to feeling better.

Thu: last day in Jun and that also means we are half way thru’ 2022. Tkx to Wendy for today’s T.

30Jun2022: WorldOmeter of COVID-19 deaths are as follow:

27 Jun 2022 – Dusit Thani Laguna

Friday’s evening@Jewel/Tonito – good Latin-American food which includes tacos, quesadillas, burritos, stews, paella, grilled meat and more was pleasantly surprised with the decent service despite of the weekend crowd there.

The sweet purple potato recommendation of the day was delicious – do not remember what it was called as not in the menu. SalchipapasS$16 KurobutaSausage with Chorizo, CrispyFries, MustardAioli, GarlicAioli, OK, but slightly on the salty-side for my taste. Refreshing VirginMojito$10 (Classic | Strawberry | Orange)MintLeaves, FreshFruit, Sprite

PaellaMarinera$28 mixed Seafood, KurobutaSausage, Chickpea, CilantroMayo; ChickenQuesadillas$16 FlourTortilla, CheddarCheese, CharredChicken, PineappleSalsa; Mariachi$35 slow-cooked PorkRibs, AdoboVinaigrette, BraisedBean – all good&tasty

Japanese-French bakery, LadyM-Confections, prides itself on creating the freshest, finest cakes&confectionary delights, but seriously 3pieces of cakes+3coffees for $69??? And with the new K-pop inspired light&sound show, impossible to keep up with the younger generation and their expensive taste for foods&toys.

Amazing golf resort and was actually planning to walk from ECPk, but glad to have called in advance to learn about the ongoing constructions, thus the underpass is closed and

walking part of the main road on XilinAve to get to DusitThaniLaguna would be tempting fate, especially in the dark!

Was driven there this time round and nice to be able to check it out, but when constructions are completed, might be tempted to walk here for a swim+SPA-treatment some day. To walk from my 4-walls – ECPk/MarineCove – Bedok PCN ECP exit – DusitThaniLaguan is ~6+k and would take 1+hr.

Sad news to hear&read about. Citing police advice, Oslo-Pride organizers cancelled Sat’s parade – We will soon be proud and visible again, but today we will mark Pride celebrations at home, they said. To all in Norway and around the world, please be safe. Ignorance is the consequences to discriminations, violence, wars, etc. And against ignorance&stupidity, even the gods Themselves contend in vain. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/mass-shooting-at-oslo-pub-leaves-two-dead

Sat: Happy Bdays to these 3fine young men, nephew John (55), nephew Clement (50) and friend Huang in Hawaii/USA who I am proud to be addressed as auntie by them all. It is difficult to imagine or even think that some of my nephews&nieces are into their 50s&60s! And now even grand-nephews are into their 30s!!

Lunched@my favourite CCF@MTmarket with Wendy

Tkx to all who shared their foods@CC – first time tasting this cheese (AlpBlossom), always fun tasting all kinds of foods there.

Sun: a day to clear up pix taken over the week and to organize them.

Mon: lousy night sleeps the past few nights and woke with a splitting headache – that too shall pass! Staying in my 4-walls and taking it easy, good to not have to be at work or anything today.

24 Jun 2022 – Summer Solstice & Sankthans/Midsummer

Tue: Happy Summer Solstice & World Music Day/Fête de la Musique – tkx to the parents of #1-6 for encouraging their children, ie my grandchildren to enjoy&play some music instrument and appreciations to all music-teachers&musicians. To all – you do not need a language, speech or word to appreciate&enjoy music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWTRQhF70k0

#9KeepOnMoving, #11FireflyField

#12Fallen, #14Florescentia

Crossing AndersonBrg to QE-Walk with #16Re-Act reflecting on the water remembering sweet childhood memories are my reactions whenever I am around the EsplanadePark

Made my evening and put a smile on my face when I overheard a tiny voice asking: ‘did they catch the mouse?’ while walking by #18Underworld&#19MeetMeUnderTheMoon. Enjoyed these bright lights on a lovely breezy evening – has been a long while ago since I was on my feet for 3+hrs on one go!

Wed: grocery shopping@Giant/Tampines, delighted to discover that SS is now 5% instead of 3% and that applies for Sat&Sun for this month. Total bill S$105 after deducting promotions$9.50, PassionCpts$1.20&SS$5.59. https://giant.sg/promotion/senior-citizens-promotions

Thu: god Sankthansaften to my Norwegian family&friends and to all celebrating mid-summer’s eve. Also a Christian holiday, which celebrates John the Baptist‘s Bday. However, it coincides with an ancient Pagan tradition, summer solstice, the longest day of the year! Paintings by NikolaiAstrup putting me in the mood for midsummer’s eve.

https://www.norwaywithpal.com/norway-travel-blog/sankthanks-a-norwegian-midsummer-celebration

Appreciations to Paul, an English gentleman who eloquently settled a discussion concerning summer solstice, midsummer and St John the Baptist DOB. Yes, it’s a bit confusing – summer solstice is 21 June but mid-summer’s day is 24 June, and mid-summer eve 23rd June (yes, the maths was a bit challenging ). St John the Baptist has traditionally been assigned a birthday of 24th June (I dont know why but I suspect it’s the same principle of assigning a Christian festival to a traditional pagan feast day as with Christmas). But depending on the country, parties start either on 23rd or 24th June.

My reply, tkx for the informative comment, just keep partying from 20-24Jun – hahaha.

Fri: checking out parts of ECPk for a possible&suitable area to set up a get-together picnic during USA family’s visit next month.

20 Jun 2022 – Staying Strong&Positive

Fri: tkx to Les&Ivy for scrumptious foods paring perfectly with his champagne&wine to celebrate our C-negative testings, but staying positive&strong to welcome Catherine&Lee from across the boarder.

ParadiseTeochew 潮樂轩@Takashimaya where they have changed their flavour to a spicy taste for the WhiteBait – prefer the non-spicy ones, but still good together with the pickled veggie for an appetite pick-up. TeochewStyleSteamedPomfret 潮式蒸鲳鱼 always fresh and made to perfection by the chef who has been cooking for Les since 20+yrs ago; TeochewStyleRoastedSucklingPig 潮式烧乳猪

Stir-friedJapaneseA4WagyuBeefCube with SlicedGarlic 蒜片A4日本和牛肉粒 yummy tender beef perfect with the garlic, BraisedMustardGreen with CrabMeat&DriedFishMaw 蟹肉鱼鳔扒大芥菜, ChilledOsmanthusJelly 桂花糕 a refreshing dessert to end this wonderful meal, perfect foods to recover by!

Sat: Thanks to Sarafian Salleh for this interesting share – Singapore as one of the most graveyards in the world. Its strategic location since the age of maritime trade has attracted people from all over the world to trade and eventually called this island, home. My quest to look for graves is to understand the diversity of the ancient societies here in Singapore which has made this island unique. Almost 90% of the graves of these early settlers have been exhumed to make way for commercial and residential development. Some people believe that houses built on graves bring about prosperity and luck. While others try to avoid living on them, fearing the spirits will affect their lives. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that the entire island were covered with graves. This evidently shows that Singapore has all time been a vibrant entrepot to the world. May the souls of our forefathers rest in peace. Without them, there is no prosperous Singapore today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTM3euk4ImA 

I remember PeckSanTheng 碧山亭 (pix downloaded) from the 1950-60s, the cemetery (now no longer) where my paternal grandfather&mother were buried and also where we used to pay our respects during the annual Qingming. https://amylamsg.com/2016/11/06/paying-respects/

Sun: Happy Father’s Day to all fathers with loving memories to the best father for me (pix from 1950s, 60s&70s).

To my 1st&2nd-born’s father (pix 1983Norway) and to the fathers (pix 2021USA, 2016Norway) of #1-6, thank you for being such wonderful fathers to my grandchildren. To my 3grandsons who some day might be future fathers.

One of the most adorable eye-candy! modern-day fathers for this Father’s Day – will inspire me to practice Liszt’s LaCampanella over&over, especially the first page – hahaha

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/liszt/pianist-dad-plays-la-campanella-for-crying-baby/

Mon: stay dry, healthy&safe on this cool wet Monday, also  World Refugee Day and a good week ahead to all – enjoying the rains making me feel lazy&relax, an excuse to procrastinate whatever plans I had today! https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-rainy-days-ahead-singapore-triggered-two-weather-phenomena

Rain produces a sound akin to white noise. The brain gets a tonic signal from white noise that decreases this need for sensory input, thus calming us down – Kimberly Hershenson

World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the UN to honour refugees around the globe. In the past decade, the global refugee population has more than doubled. According to UNHCR, ~100mil ppl around the world have been forced to flee their homes, so sad, but who wants to live where there are wars? Among them ~26.6mil refugees, the highest population on record and these numbers are only going to increase with this on-going Ukraine war.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/world-refugee-day-2022

16 Jun 2022 – But Without Complains Or Symptoms

With much appreciations and thank yous to everyone who has sent words of gracious kind thoughts, concerns&greetings – they have been received and felt&noted with gratefulness helping to make these few days go by quickly

Mon-Wed: not going waste the ARTtest-kids until tomorrow as I will not be going anywhere even when the only symptom is just a slight sore throat. Besides reading, it is time to dust (long-overdue) the books on the shelves and more screen time than usual. Making sure all doors&windows are opened to air these 4-walls as much as possible except when it gets quite unbearably humid with humidity of 80%+and the fans are of no help – thank goodness for the AC then, usually between 1500-1900hrs.

Wed15Jun: loving memories of my father LAM TinYue (1911-1996) who would have been 111yrs today. He was never the loudest voice in the room, but he was the loudest presence with his quiet dignity, and I aim to be someone that he would nod to and be proud of. To the most amazing man I ever known, thank you for teaching me to become whom I am today. I hope he looks down on me once in a while with a smile because I am trying my hardest to carry around what that he has taught. I have been told that time heals everything, but something about this day still makes me feel a little sad.

Fond memories of my ex-father-in-law, the Norwegian grandfather of my children&great-grand-father to my grandchildren, John HALD III (1923-2008) who would have been 99yrs today – how coincident is that the 2ppl who I admire&respect were born on the same day!

https://amylamsg.com/2008/08/29/a-noble-gentleman/

Also the Bday of my favourite Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Thu: tkx for the invite, but will have to give it a miss on the big screen due to present circumstances. Have not read this since my Dublin-days; today at this stage with my eyesight will not be re-reading it, but linking to Spotify for the recording by RTÉ Radio One – that should keep me busy for a few days!

https://open.spotify.com/show/4wntQzELHUc6US7lHcdRlS?si=_-gwvvxhTAOf0JiNaiLwjQ&utm_source=copy-link

Ulysses (1922): A book which almost requires no introduction, Ulysses has long been regarded as one of the key works of Modernist literature and one of the greatest novels ever written. Set over the course of one day, the 16 June 1904, the reader follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom and experiences the various encounters he has with some of Dublin’s other inhabitants. By modelling Ulysses on Homer’s Odyssey, Joyce creates a sense of the epic, and transforms Bloom’s journey through contemporary, mundane Dublin into one of mythic proportions. While nobody would describe Ulysses as an easy book to read, or even comprehend, many people from all over the world are drawn to its complexities, subtlety and unique stream-of-consciousness structure. Bloomsday, an international celebration of the life and works of James Joyce, is held every 16 June, during which many of the novel’s moments are relived on the streets of modern Dublin.

12 Jun 2022: In Imaginary Norwegian Woods!

Thu: Happy 13thBday to #4 in USA. A decade ago she gave us a Panic-Moment when we were searching high&low and to our relief we found this adorable sweet toddler napping inside the laundry basket turning it into a Kodak-Moment.

Today an active beautiful teenager playing the double-bass, running and soccer – looking much forward to her SIN visit next month.

Fri: getting food&groceries@the local market before 0700hrs and before more ppl are out, also avoiding being out in the weekends. This is what is blooming@2nd-born’s in Norway – Bear’s Garlic/wild garlic and I am guessing that Bjørn’s name=bear in Norwegian and he is growing this for his namesake – hahaha

Made my day to receive this from #6 – what a sweetheart. Mailed on the 27May from Norway, received in SIN 10Jun – postage NOR128/S$18+ for a tube of lotion SKOG=forest in Norwegian with a lovely scent of pine-forest will bring back much fond memories from Norwegian Christmas and being out in nature there! Will have to live vicariously from imagination, memories, scents, other ppl recent events&travelling pix, etc until when I can feel more comfortable to be out on the go again.

Sat: tkx to Stanley for this delivery – he & Judy are moving out of BukitMerah to Bedok, giving away bro Steven’s alcohol collection over the years. Not about to drink any, but not sure how I can use them for cooking. No problems with the Cognac for Gravlaks and Whisky for BourbonSalmon, but need to learn cooking chicken soups with D.O.M Benedictine; the rest will go to CC’s shelves with Calvin’s+my other decorative bottles there.

Many ppl (including my families&friends in SIN, Norway&USA) I know of have tested C+ and who knows how many more who I do not know of, not taking risks to be out or socializing unnecessarily. At this stage in life’s journey with whatever underlying health issues existing or not, it is not worth to take uncalculated risks. Have known ppl who has taken the ACTtest with-results, but PCRtest with+results.

According to CK who had a runny-nose, slight fever&cough for a couple of days when he was tested C+ in Nov2021. The rest of the time he was perfectly fine until he lost taste&smell, which didn’t come back till ~3months later,  and he thinks not all came back and some food just don’t taste the same like before. He just felt restless from being cooped in a room for almost 3week! Protocols different nowadays, but to lose taste&smell can really be a bummer for a foodie like me!

Sun12Jun2022 1000hrs: looks like my immune system has finally admit to defeat despite of 3C19shots+1flu-shot+1PVCshot/pneumonia. 2weeks ago, dinner with 2others who were down with C+ and a week ago with 1other who has also been down with C+ now to isolate until ARTtest negative.

8 Jun 2022 – Might Keep The Cardiologist Away!

Sun: has been a long while since I have been out of my 4-walls and on a go for 12+hrs. 0800hrs on the 196Bus to Commonwealth (now I know 3ppl in this area) to help Wendy for her move, but first a cuppa with a typical SINbreakfast. Helping her is enough to convince me that I do not want to make another move if not necessary – you never know how much you have until you have to move!! Appreciations to Iyas for letting me clean up&change at his place before attending a cremation.

Tkx to Leonard for this bottle of yuzu, a citrus fruit called yuja in Korean, or yuzu in Japanese making a nice refreshing drink.

• Highly nutritious – Yuzu is low in calories but highly nutritious
• Contains powerful antioxidants
• May improve blood flow
• May have anticancer properties
• May protect your brain

Paid respects to my parents since I was@MandaiCremetorium for YeeLing’s cremation – condolences to her family. Her brothers KK&Ken flew back in time but their luggage did not make it, thus Ken only had his travelling clothes and as KK humour went in his eulogy, no one sat next to him – KK has inherited his good sense of humour from his mother.

Mon: Queen Elizabeth II (96) made a surprise appearance on the balcony of BuckinghamPalace as part of the final day of celebrations to mark her historic platinum jubilee 70-year reign. Reading about the RoyalFamily’s track record it will be doubtful that any of them will be able to be like her beyond any doubts carried her duties&responsibilities for her country&her people to her fullest – respect and Long Live the Queen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUmGIg_6VBw

A good Mon&week ahead to all. Thank you to a wonderful brother&cardiologist who supplies me all the wine in my 4-walls, but have yet to taste the Romanee Conti(1999) in his cellar and waiting for the occassion to taste that. According to him, a glass of red wine in moderation might keep the cardiologist away – hahaha, maybe the Queen takes a glass of red wine daily! lol. https://expatliving.sg/singapore-cardiologist-dr-leslie-lam/

Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age — Pope John XXIII

Sorry boss, I’ll be late for work because there’s a python outside my door – sound like an incredulous excuse! If this happened to me, no need to call and no need for red wine – would have had a heart attack!

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/bedok-reservoir-resident-held-hostage-python-outside-hdb-flat-forced-call-late-work

Tue&Wed: helping out with the finishes touches for CC’s newly renovated kitchen – to be edited with pix.

4 Jun 2021: Other Upcoming Festivals

Wed: welcome the month of June and Happy Gawai to those celebrating&marking this DayakFestival, one of the major festivals &public holidays today&tomorrow in Sarawak, E-Malaysia. Looking forward to visiting KCH/Sarawak again to catch up with family&friends there, but it would not be the same now that Lawrence is no longer.  https://www.borneotalk.com/gawai-dayak/

Still unable to find a place to eat pansoh/Iban for chicken cooked in bamboo here in SIN.

Appreciations to Theresa&CJ for yummy dinner

Thu: fun memories of the 1st SIN-Orchid-Festival@SBG (2003) and 1st SIN-Garden-Festival@Suntec (2006) which were enjoyable to help set up then. Looking forward to these@OrchardRd&SBG. Tkx to Jo for tonight’s dinner.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/orchard-road-and-botanic-gardens-to-host-singapore-garden-festival-after-four-year-hiatus

One of my favourite festivals iLight is back and if energy permits, will try to see these lights to soak up some needed energy! If otherwise, will just have to live vicariously thru’ FB-friends’ pix and this link. https://www.ilightsingapore.gov.sg/

Condolences to KK & family for the passing of his sister, YeeLing (84) – our families have been friends since the early 1950s when we used to meet every weekend for lunch.

Fri: TGIF Duanwu Festival 端午節 Happy Dragon-Boat-Festival and a good weekend to all – enjoy your BakChang/Zongzi 粽子, not being a connoisseur with these rice dumplings will be happy to mark the celebrations with whichever ones I can find in my area. Has been 20+yrs ago since I last beat the drums for these races!

https://elle.com.sg/2021/06/09/bak-zhang-different-types-traditional-rice-dumplings-dragon-boat-festival/

There were only 3ppl in front this morning when I was@KimChooKuehChang/EC-Rd, but the line grew after I was done.

Got 5different BakChangs+DonaManis BananaPie for auntie Ngor, cousin Karen and CCstaff. Glad that they were consumed&enjoyed by all

Sat: appreciations to 1st-born for these school year ending pix, soo missing their events, especially when it is an end of an era – five past and one present graduates of IrmoElementary where I have also given presentations to both #1&2’s classes – quite strange to not have any more grandchildren in elementary school. In every ending there is another beginning until it is really THE END – so enjoy all your moments when they are.

Way to go #5, now done with elementary school; #4, straight A’s plus award for integrity and done with MIddleSchool – thank you 1st-born&Jeff for making me a proud grandmother to these FabulousFive. 

Today’s craving was for Thai food and the good thing in SIN is that it is possible to get decent Thai food@GoldenMile where I did some shopping – Tamarind-snacks and baby-egg-plant is a must for me where GreenThaiCurry is concerned (to be added to the take-away food)

got some of my favourites – GreenThaiCurry, OliveRice, RedRuby to go, enough food to last me for a few days!

1 Jun – Happy Bday Morten
2 Jun – Happy Bdays KK & RichardLee
4 Jun – Happy Bday Natasha
6 Jun – Happy Bday Dika & Harry
9 Jun – Happy Bday Sophie
15Jun – my father would have been 111. L&M’s paternal grandfather would have been 99
15Jun – Happy Bday AmyJ
19Jun – Happy Bdays JenLeng & ChengSong Happy Father’s Day
22Jun – Happy Bdays Josh & Devon
25Jun – Happy Bdays Chon/John, Clement & Huang/HI,USA.
28Jun – Happy Bdays Jeff & JohnWilson
30Jun – Happy Bdays JenMun & Annie