Winter Solstice 2023

24 Dec 2023 – I Paint My Singapore 心绘新加坡/Yip YewChong

Thu: still a mild Covid trace with perfect cool wet weathers to be in my 4-walls but somehow, there is always something or other that needs sorting out. The never-ending job of cleaning,decluttering,dusting,etc – but a nice time of the year to receiving the few snailmail, especially from the SheahanFamily, the only ppl I know who are not in my online contact list! Met Susie&Bobby when 1stBorn was a UF-Freshman/1992 and today they still have the same address in GNV FL/USA, now grandparents but have not met up with them since 1992!!

Fri: Happy Winter Solstice/Dongzhi/冬至節, the arrival of winter and the shortest day with the longest night of the year in one of my favourite places, Tromsø/Norway – pix credits to YngveOlsen. To those marking the day, enjoy A Whole New World with Disney-themed TongYuen/湯圓 – pix downloaded, will get the plain TongYuen with BlackSesame filling.

What a productive day when its Covid-negative! Started the day visiting with goodies for the clinic ladies@CardiacCentre/FarrerPkMedicalCentre. What are the chances to bump into Kat who just arr from NY/USA(did not even know that she will be back?), Pat&David back from their Japan trip, and now its Lucas turn to test Covid+ Hoping&keeping our fingers crossed that he will be OK by Mon and that we all will test negative-

“Nostalgia – its delicate, but potent. Teddy told me that in Greek nostalgia literally means “the pain from an old wound.” It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. This device isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine. It goes backwards, and forwards… it takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It’s not called the wheel, it’s called the carousel. It let’s us travel the way a child travels – around and around, and back home again, to a place where we know are loved.” Tkx for this beautiful write up, Bala

Managed to get last moment shopping done@RafflesCity.

The main reason to be here was not the shopping but to attend YIP YewChong’s exhibition before getting caught with the busy week ahead. Glad that he is on his feet again after a rough day last week.

Being his usual gracious&modest self, he took time to chat&sign books – have been following with his works for many years – https://yipyc.com

Lunched@MParadeHawkers from one of my favourite ChickenRice stalls+to pick up TongYuen with BlackSesame filling for today’s T-time and Poppers for Monday.

Sat: was in the mood for durian – but unfortunately no fresh stock, instead so-so CharKueyTeow@AlexandraFoodCentre with Daisy&Clement.

Sun: on this ChristmasEve+the 4th&last Sunday of Advent, here is to wishing each&everyone a peaceful&joyful holiday season from SIN. Was supposedly to lunch with cousin Karen, but her helper down with Covid. Hoping&keeping fingers crossed that she will be well enough to travel to KCH next week.

Last moments of gift wrappings with Handel’s HallelujahChorus/Messiah before dinner@Rochalie.

I know ‘Hallelujah’ isn’t actually a Christmas song, but it has that cozy, haunting vibe that sounds like a winter’s night and belongs by a fire – Bonnie McKee